Fireworks weren't the only thing exploding over the July 4th weekend. #Dianthus with a beautiful display of #Alternaria leaf spot. Water getting on the leaves during irrigation creates perfect conditions for infection and spread of the pathogen. #MSUext MTP

#Azaleas with lace bug injury often are submitted to the MS plant diagnostic lab under the mistaken assumption that nymphs and/or their excrement are signs of a pathogen causing a disease. Dr. Layton has a helpful article on #AzaleaLaceBug at extension.msstate.edu/newsletters/bu… #MSUext

A nice example of Diplodia (Stenocarpella) stalk rot on corn from Erick Larson. The fungus produces lots of spores in small black fruiting structures (pycnidia) on the stalk. Infected stalk debris on the soil surface can increase disease incidence the following season. #MSUext

Saw lots of beautiful plants on the #PlantHealth2024 tour of the Dixon Gallery and Gardens and Memphis Botanical Garden. A few beautiful disease and insect problems too!

The sun setting after a fabulous first day at the #PlantHealth2024 meeting in Memphis. Looking forward to the sessions tomorrow!

The Emergency Forest Restoration Program is open to landowners in all 82 counties with private, nonindustrial property in rural areas who have lost pine trees related to pine bark beetle infestations that stemmed from last year’s drought. Read: ow.ly/hwmC50Sz9XS #MSUext

I am hiring a research associate to work in my turfgrass management program at the LSU AgCenter. The position is fully funded for a minimum of two years, and there is potential to work on a Master's degree after the first year. Here is the link: agriculture.academickeys.com/job/31qicfw5/R…

Forestry friends, if you know anyone with an interest in southeastern U.S. tree species conservation and is looking to pursue a Ph.D. in Forest Resources, please send them to me or Granger Lab! Full advertisement posted here: grad.msstate.edu/.../available-…. Thank you!

Friendly reminder: Free #nematode testing for Mississippi #soybean producers. Field must have been in soybeans between 2022 and 2024 to qualify. Free testing ends when 500 samples have been received or by March 31, 2025. Details extension.msstate.edu/content/free-n… #mscrops MS SOYBEAN BOARD

Lots of old man of the woods (Strobilomyces sp.) and other bodacious boletes today. The flesh of many boletes stain in beautiful colors. Some stain blue. Old man of the woods stains brick red. Always fun to poke and cut boletes to see what they do!

Intrepid Extension agents endured high temperatures to hone their turf management skills this morning at MSU’s north farm turf plots. Great turnout and lots of good information! #MSUext

PMPs, keep your eyes open for the spotted lanternfly! This VERY invasive species is spreading in the U.S. and is likely to find its way into #Mississippi at some point. Observations should be reported immediately. lnkd.in/gGBSZBwG #pestmanagement #entomology #MSUext

Muscadine field day set for Aug. 29 extension.msstate.edu/news/feature-s…

The brown spot needle blight assessment workshop has been informative. Enjoyed this afternoon’s tour of various field research projects in Cullman, AL. Thanks ⁦Forest Health Dynamics Lab⁩!

From left to right: bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass stolons. Get insights into the centipedegrass conundrum in Alabama Turfgrass Association magazine > theturfzone.com/ata/?ascat=71&…

Cotton plants infected with cotton leaf roll dwarf virus may show puckering & distortion of leaves. Later stages of infection involve the upward or downward curling of leaf margins and a red discoloration of leaf veins. The disease is spread by cotton aphids #Cotton #Virus

#Soybean taproot decline (TRD) in the lab today. The fungus, Xylaria necrophora, forms dark black stroma on root surfaces and white fluff within the pith of the taproot. Roots become brittle and break off easily in the soil when plants are pulled up. #MScrops #MSUext

Rotate nematicides to avoid resistance and preserve efficacy usga.org/content/usga/h…