Crops
Fruit Crops
A Comparison of Price Trends Between Farmers Markets and Grocery Stores
Tomatoes are a major specialty crop for Indiana vegetable farmers. This Purdue study looks at price data from farmers markets and grocery stores and finds that produce sold at farmers markets is not necessarily more e...
Bacterial canker is an infectious disease of fresh-market and processing tomatoes that usually results in reduced yields and premature fruit drop. The symptoms, disease cycle, and control methods of bacterial canker are ...
This publication discusses the source of toxicity, implications for horticulture, juglone sensitivity in plants, plants observed to be sensitive and tolerant to juglone. An illustration of a typical leaf and nut chara...
Blossom End Rot of Tomato Fruit
Blossom end rot is a physiological disorder that occurs wherever tomatoes (and peppers) are grown. The symptoms, factors affecting blossom end rot and control methods are covered in this publication. ...
This publication provides information about boxwood blight (a fungal disease that affects boxwood plants); images of the symptoms and signs of this fungal disease and management options.
...Cantaloupe and Watermelon Disease Management Timeline for Indiana
This handy publication presents a timeline for managing common diseases of cantaloupe and watermelon in Indiana.
Format: PDF
Pages: 2
Language: En...
Commercial Winemaking Production Series: Traminette Vineyard Management
The white wine grape variety Traminette (Gewürztraminer x J.Seyve 23-416) has been selected as a signature variety to help create a regional identity for Indiana wines. This five-page publication advises producers o...
Provides photos and brief descriptions of various insect pests of fruit crops.
Format: PDF.
Pages: 2.
Language: English.
...Muskmelons, watermelons, cucumber, squash, gourds, and pumpkins are cucurbits commonly grown in Indiana. These crops are attacked by a variety of insects and related pests, including aphids, cucumber beetles, seedcorn ma...
Describing the Market Segments of Melon Consumers
Not all melons are the same, and that's true for consumers, too. To help marketers and retailers know the difference between Local Melon Lovers, Ripe-For-The-Picking, and Convenient Shopper consumers, this publication us...
Disease Management Strategies for Horticultural Crops: Managing Scab-Resistant Apples
This publication examines the factors contributing to the development of new strains of the apple scab fungus capable of infecting disease-resistant cultivars and offers recommendations for effectively managing these tre...
Dried Fruit Beetle and Corn Sap Beetle
This is a fact sheet that provides information about the beetles that feed on dried fruit and rotten grain/grain products. The sheet includes information on the biology, behavior and food preferences of these beetles....
Driftwatch: Watch Out for Grapes
Pesticide drift can severely damage non-target crops. This Driftwatch publication addresses drift in grapes. It examines products of special concern, injury symptoms and potential impact, and alternatives and ways to avo...
Driftwatch: Watch Out for Grapes
Pesticide drift can severely damage non-target crops. This Driftwatch publication addresses drift in grapes. It examines products of special concern, injury symptoms and potential impact, and alternatives and ways to avo...
Driftwatch: Watch Out for Pesticide Drift and Organic Production
The requirements for organic certification are time-consuming and expensive. And if a neighbor applies a pesticide that drifts onto an organic field, the economic losses can be high. This publication describes the conseq...
Driftwatch: Watch Out for Pesticide Drift and Organic Production
The requirements for organic certification are time-consuming and expensive. And if a neighbor applies a pesticide that drifts onto an organic field, the economic losses can be high. This publication describes the conseq...
Effects of Cold Weather on Horticultural Plants in Indiana
Cold weather can injure fruit and vegetable crops, and ornamental plants, in fall, winter, and spring. This updated publication identifies types of injury, factors that influence the degree of injury, and steps that can ...
El control de las enfermedades foliares usando MELCAST
MELCAST es un programa de asesoramiento que usa un pulverizador y está basado en las condiciones climáticas para controlar las enfermedades foliares del melón (muskmelon) y la sandía (watermelon). Los...
Prior to the advent of modern, synthetic insecticides, European red mites (ERM) were not considered a significant pest of tree fruits. ERM are what entomologists call a "secondary pest", which means that they generally o...
This publication discusses pH correction, increasing organic matter, individual fertilizer elements, fertilizer rates and application, complete fertilizers, and mulches which concern blueberries. ...
Small fruits have a high requirement for all the nutrient elements and usually will respond well to application of fertilizer materials. This publication provides information about pre-planting soil building programs and...
Gives description, life cycle, plants affected, and chemical control measures against the flea beetle. ...
Foliar Disease Control Using MELCAST
MELCAST (MELon foreCASTer) is a weather-based spray advisory program for controlling foliar diseases of muskmelon and watermelon. Growers who use MELCAST can save money on fungicide applications and get better disease co...
Food Safety for Fruit and Vegetable Farms: BARDOT - A New, Fast Method for Identifying Microbes
In food safety and other areas, it is important to quickly identify microbes that are present. Purdue researchers developed a technique that can identify many types of microorganisms three times faster than normal lab...
Food Safety for Fruit and Vegetable Farms: Good Agricultural Practices for Fruit and Vegetable Farms
Food safety is important on every farm, and growers have a responsibility to minimize food safety risks to produce food that is not only wholesome and nutritious, but also safe. This joint publication of Purdue Extension...
Food Safety for Fruit and Vegetable Farms: Good Agricultural Practices for Fruit and Vegetable Farms
Food safety is important on every farm, and growers have a responsibility to minimize food safety risks to produce food that is not only wholesome and nutritious, but also safe. This joint publication of Purdue Extension...
Fruit and Vegetable Farmer Surveys: Characteristics of Indiana Vegetable Farmers
Purdue researchers surveyed Indiana fruit and vegetable producers in 2012. This publication provides some of the survey findings about vegetable Indiana vegetable farmers, including their demographic characteristics, ...
Fruit and Vegetable Farmer Surveys: Characteristics of Indiana Vegetable Farming Operations
Purdue researchers surveyed Indiana fruit and vegetable producers in 2012. This publication provides some of the survey findings about vegetable farming operations in Indiana, including farm size, ownership, labor pra...
Fruit Diseases: Apple Scab on Tree Fruit in the Home Orchard
Apple scab is a fungal disease that can result in severe defoliation of apple trees and can affect fruit size and quality. This publication describes apple scab and how to manage it....
Fruit Diseases: Brown Rot on Tree Fruit in the Home Orchard
Brown rot is a common stone fruit disease that can cause blossom and twig blight, cankers, and fruit rot. This publication describes the symptoms of brown rot and provides management options....
Fruit Diseases: Cedar Apple and Related Rusts on Apples in the Home Landscape
This publication examines cedar rust diseases and management practices for fruit that is meant for consumption. These rust diseases stand out due to their conspicuous nature, and the fact the fungi that cause them compl...
Fruit Diseases: Disease Susceptibility of Common Apple Cultivars
Apple cultivars vary widely in their response to different diseases. This publication rates the resistance of 88 common apple varieties and four edible crabapple varieties to apple scab, fire blight, juniper rusts, and p...
Fruit Diseases: Fire Blight on Fruit Trees in the Home Orchard
Fire blight attacks more than 70 members of the Rose (Rosaceae) family, and is a devastating disease of apples and pears. This publication describes fire blight and how to manage it....
Fruit Diseases: Using Adjuvants in Apple Disease Management
To protect the appearance of apples, growers apply fungicides to prevent disease. Increasingly, fruit growers are interested in using adjuvants to improve disease management, similar to how adjuvants have improved weed m...
Selecting an appropriate grape variety is a major factor for successful production in Indiana and all parts of the Midwest. This publication identifies climactic factors, and examines wine grape varieties and table grape...
This publication explains the details of substrate electrical conductivity (EC) for greenhouse growers.
Fo...
This publication describes the importance of measuring plant light use, and then describes a study that offers some promise of ...
This publication aims to provide information to growers about estimating the costs and benefits when they use supplemental lighting.
Format: PDF
Pages: 4
...
This publication will help you accurately perform the pour-through technique for measuring substrate electrical conductivity (EC).
Format: PDF
Pages: 3
La...
This publication summarizes how much additional fertilizer a crop needs under sub-irrigation when the growing medium contains...
This publication details substrate characteristic s and provides research-based information about them as a reference to guide growers.
Format:...
This publication discusses site selection, planting, training, cultural practices, cultivars, and disease and insect control associated with growing cherry trees in Indiana. Illustrations on proper branch removal and ...
This publication discusses the grape plant, site and cultivar selection, vineyard establishment and management, and pest control. Two tables provide information on the grape cultivars for Indiana and suggested pruning ...
This publication outlines strawberry cultivars, site selection, land preparation and planting. It includes information about first year care, frost control, insect and disease control and renovation of plantings for mult...
Guide to Information for Starting in the Nursery Business
This is a reference list of informative publications which can provide answers to many of the questions which arise when considering a new nursery business. ...
Guide to Production Information for the Commercial Nursery Crop Grower
This publication is a reference list of informative publications which can provide answers and guidance to the commercial nursery grower on topics from propagation to pest management. ...
Identification and Control of Crucifer Diseases
This bulletin addresses the major disease problems of crucifers in the Midwest and is intended to be used as an aid in their identification and management. The bulletin includes information about black rot, black leg, do...
Identification and Management of Pumpkin Diseases
This publication discusses the major and minor diseases for pumpkins in Indiana and provides suggestions for their control. ...
Identifying Air Pollution Damage on Melons
This leaflet discusses the diagnosis, identification, and solutions of air pollution damage on melons. Tables are included listing the relative injury and symptoms which may be confused with air pollution injury. Pictu...
Illustrated Definitions of Plant Problems
This publication is a picture dictionary of common plant problems. It is designed to help plant growers learn the terms that plant specialists and reference books use to describe a plant disease or injury. By knowing the...
Indiana and the 2017 Census of Agriculture
The 2017 Census of Agriculture, data courtesy of the USDA, shows that Indiana seems to be adapting to the changing economic climate: Bigger large farms, more smaller operations, and a positive outlook for the Indiana...
Indiana Disease Management Program for Apples
This updated publication provides a disease management schedule for Indiana commercial apple growers.
Format: PDF
Pages: 10
Language: English...
Indiana Disease Management Program for Peaches
This publication by Purdue University researchers provides a disease management schedule for Indiana commercial peach growers....
This publication is a resource for those who are considering high tunnel production or are relative beginners. This resource describes: selecting the right size and type of high tunnel for your operation, choosing a s...
List of Assistance and Regulatory Agencies for Starting in the Nursery Business
This publication is a listing of Federal and Indiana state government agencies that regulate various activities involved in operating a landscape plant nursery. ...
Managing Insect Pests of Commercially Grown Crucifers
Talks about insects that attack cole crops, the damage they do, and control measures. ...
Managing Striped Cucumber Beetle Populations on Cantaloupe and Watermelon
Topics discussed in this publication are: description and life cycle of the striped cucumber beetle, transmission of bacterial wilt, monitoring beetle populations, and control insecticides....
Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide 2023-2024
This guide provides conventional pest management recommendations for commercial tree fruit, small fruit, and grape producers throughout the Midwest and surrounding states. These recommendations have been formulated to pr...
Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide 2023-2024 (10/BX)
This guide provides conventional pest management recommendations for commercial tree fruit, small fruit, and grape producers throughout the Midwest and surrounding states. These recommendations have been formulat...
Midwest Strawberry Production Guide
This production guide is produced for the Midwest strawberry industry. Sections include management, economics, plasticulture production, and marketing....
Muskmelon Problems on Acid Sandy Soils: Manganese Toxicity and Magnesium Deficiency
This leaflet discusses diagnosis, identification, and correction of acid soil problems. Pictures are included of problem plants. ...
On-farm Food Safety for Produce Growers: Microbial Water Quality testing
Water quality is important, because the water you use on your produce farm could potentially introduce human pathogens into your production fields, equipment and workers, washing and packing facilities, and directly o...
Opportunities in the Fresh-Cut Fruit Sector for Indiana Melon Growers
8-page publication provides an overview of the fresh-cut produce industry and of the melon industry in Indiana and discusses available opportunities for Indiana melon growers in the fresh-cut fruit indistry....
Pepper Disease Management Timeline for Indiana
This handy publication presents a timeline for managing common diseases of pepper in Indiana.
Format: PDF
Pages: 1
Language: English
...This publication provides scouting information and treatment options for disease and insect pests of grapes for commercial producers. ...
Pest Control in Indiana Cantaloupe Production
Questions often arise about the use of pesticides in any cropping system. This publication provides information on how cantaloupes are grown in Indiana including how producers control diseases, insect and weed pests....
Pest Control in Tomatoes for Processing
This publication provides scouting information and treatment options for disease and insect pests of tomatoes for commercial producers....
Pollination of Fruits and Nuts
Pollination is an important factor in growing fruits and nuts, since for most of these crops pollination is a prerequisite for fruit production. This publication describes how fruits and nuts pollinate and provides recom...
Protecting Pollinators: Tips for Commercial Agricultural Pesticide Applicators
While agricultural pesticide applicators may not be able to control factors like habitat loss, they can take practical steps to help protect the pollinators so many in the agricultural industry rely upon. This publica...
Pumpkin Disease Management Timeline for Indiana
This handy publication presents a timeline for managing common diseases of pumpkin in Indiana.
Format: PDF
Pages: 2
Language: English
...This publication outlines raspberry cultivars, site selection, land preparation and planting. It includes information about planting systems, fertilization, irrigation, propagation, diseases and insects....
Selling at Farmers Markets: Benefits and Price Trends
This publication provides information to farmers selling at farmers markets or other local outlets. It illustrates the main characteristics of farmers markets, the benefits of selling directly to consumers, and the ma...
Southwest Purdue Agriculture Program Melon Variety Trial Results for 2005
This publication presents four melon trials—personal size seedless watermelons, seeded watermelons, seedless watermelons, and eastern muskmelons—that were conducted in 2005 at the Southwest Purdue Agriculture...
Southwest Purdue Agriculture Program Melon Variety Trial Results for 2006
This publication presents data from seedless watermelon and eastern muskmelon trials conducted in 2006 at the Southwest Purdue Agriculture Center north of Vincennes, Indiana. Evaluating newly released varieties and advan...
Specialty Crop Prices of the 2018 Market Season
This publication provides the 2018 prices of the most frequently sold fruits, non-leafy vegetables, leafy greens, and other specialty crops offered at 12 farmers markets in Indiana. Indiana farmers markets differ grea...
Starting in the Nursery Business
This publication discusses starting in the nursery business, including what you'll need, developing a nursery business plan, selecting a specific nursery site, nursery design and space requirements, and labor and capit...
The Economic Contribution of the Indiana Green Industry
In this publication, we categorize the green industry in five distinct sectors based on the business' main revenue activity. We then estimate the economic contributions of Indiana's green industry in these five sector...
The Organic State of Indiana: Findings From the 2016 Certified Organic Survey
This publication provides an overview of the Indiana data from the USDA-NASS 2016 Certified Organic Survey. It provides number of farms, sales, and more.
Format: PDF.
Pages...
To Certify or Not: Organic Certification by Fruit, Vegetable Farmers
As organic food sales increase, the relationship between farmers and growers grows in importance. This study, by a Purdue University professor, looks at the decision-making process and the barriers and motives of org...
Tomato Disease Management Timeline for Indiana
This handy publication (presents a timeline for managing common diseases of tomato in indiana.
Format: PDF
Pages: 2
Language: English
...Vegetable Diseases: Anthracnose of Cucumber, Muskmelon, and Watermelon
Anthracnose of cucumber, muskmelon, and watermelon can result in yield loss or lower quality fruit. Direct infection of the fruit also can result in loss of marketability. This publication describes the disease cycle and...
Vegetable Diseases: Fungicide Resistance Management for Indiana Vegetables
Proper fungicide use is essential for controlling potentially devastating diseases in almost all commercial crops. This publication provides with basic information about fungicide resistance and what to do to minimize fu...
Vegetable Diseases: Gummy Stem Blight of Muskmelon and Watermelon
Gummy stem blight (also called black rot) is one of the most serious foliar diseases of muskmelon and watermelon in Indiana. This publication describes the cycle and symptoms of gummy stem blight and offers management r...
Vegetable Diseases: Late Blight of Tomato and Potato
Late blight of tomato and potato has an infamous history: it is the documented cause of the Irish potato famines of the mid-1800s. In 2009, the diseases moved from the pages of history books to tomato plants in your back...
Vegetable Diseases: Mature Watermelon Vine Decline and Similar Vine Decline Diseases of Cucurbits
Mature watermelon vine decline (originally known as sudden wilt) can be a limiting factor in many watermelon fields. This publication describes the characteristics of mature watermelon vine decline (MWVD), the features t...
What Melon Consumers Want: Search, Experience, and Credence Attributes for Melons
Consumption of fresh fruits is rising in the US, and melons are a popular choice. In this publication, which pairs with Extension publication HO-326-W, Purdue and Michigan State researchers explain how retailers can use ...