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Why aren't more pumpkins grown in Mississippi?

Pumpkins wanted for Halloween should be planted in late June, or early July, for a late September harvest. However, planting this late allows a large population increase of thrips, aphids, and other insects. These insects are vectors for viral diseases. The severity of viral diseases may prevent harvest of a single pumpkin from a field.

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News

Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group logo.
Filed Under: Commercial Horticulture, Other Vegetables, Vegetable Diseases July 3, 2024

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Mississippi State University Extension Service plant pathologist Rebecca Melanson was recently recognized for her work to further the development and implementation of integrated pest management in the cucurbit industry. The Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group, or EVCWG, received the 2024 Friends of IPM Pulling Together Award. Melanson and Bill Wintermantel, a scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, co-chair the group that was established in 2022.

MyIPM for Vegetables logo
Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops, Commercial Horticulture, Other Vegetables, Tomato Pepper and Eggplant, Watermelon Cantaloupe and Cucumber, Pumpkins, Vegetable Diseases December 7, 2023

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Commercial vegetable growers have a new mobile-based resource to help them manage pests and diseases in their crops. The MyIPM for Vegetables app is the latest in the MyIPM app series. MyIPM for Vegetables currently offers resources for tomatoes and cucurbits, which includes cucumbers, pumpkins, squash and watermelons.

Filed Under: Agriculture, Commercial Horticulture, Commercial Fruit and Nuts, Other Vegetables, Livestock, Beef, Beekeeping, Goats and Sheep, Poultry, Forestry, Marine Resources April 14, 2022

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Agricultural producers and industry professionals met with Mississippi State University personnel in the coastal region to discuss research and education priorities at the 2022 Producer Advisory Council meeting. The annual event aims to help clients improve their productivity. Attendees gathered in small commodity groups at each event to share their ideas with agents, researchers and specialists with the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

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Portrait of Dr. Ibukun Timothy Ayankojo
Assistant Professor
Portrait of Dr. Christine E. Coker
Extension/Research Professor