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 After a questionable start, the Illinois pumpkin crop is looking
good in time for fall. The pumpkin industry in Illinois is worth
approximately $200 million, and produces about 90% of the
country’s canned pumpkin supply.
“Even though our processing (canning) pumpkins couldn’t get
started until late May due to repeated rainfall events, and
harvest was a few weeks late, the yield turned out good. But
more importantly, the product is very good. There’s more flesh
than water because late-season conditions have been dry,” says
Babadoost, professor in the Department of Crop Sciences at U of
I.
He adds that Jack-o-lanterns have had an average year, but says
“everybody should have a pumpkin to enjoy this Halloween.”
Babadoost also has good news for apple growers, especially those
growing Honey Crisp. As the new variety came to dominate the
market in recent years, growers discovered a weakness.
“It’s a very popular, pricey, and great apple, but Honey Crisp
is so susceptible to bitter rot, which can wipe out an entire
crop,” Babadoost says.
Bitter rot is a fungal disease that affects fruit in the late
summer. The disease was rampant in central and southern Illinois
orchards in 2018, particularly in Honey Crisp, Empire, Gala, and
several other varieties. In some cases, growers experienced
almost 100% losses. The 2019 season was better, especially for
growers in northern Illinois, but Babadoost didn’t want to leave
anything to chance for future seasons.
“We set up an experiment at the University of Illinois Fruit
Research Farm in Urbana, and it turned out excellent. We
identified some good fungicides that are less harmful to
applicators and the environment, and they’re very effective
against all fruit rots,” Babadoost says.
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Because there is no resistance to bitter rot or its
cousins, white rot and black rot, fungicides and cultural controls
are the only option. Babadoost’s research also tested cultural
control methods including removing wood piles, as well as apple
mummies on the ground and on the tree. These efforts were highly
successful.
“With both control methods, I’m hoping we will bring this disease
under control,” Babadoost says.
He is optimistic, but emphasizes that his results are only from a
single year and orchard. He plans to apply the practices in
commercial orchards next year.
Babadoost will be presenting his results this winter throughout
Illinois, including at the Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism,
and Organic Conference in January. He will also present at the
Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School in February. See
additional information on this event and others here. Fact sheets on
bitter, white, and black rot are available here. These resources are
provided through University of Illinois Extension, which is part of
the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at
the University of Illinois.
[Source: Mohammad Babadoost
News writer: Lauren Quinn] |
