MELCAST

Published: April 1, 2013

Lincoln University (LU) Cooperative extension, through its newly opened Plant Pathology Program, has extended the use of MELCAST for Watermelon and Cantaloupe growers at four selected areas in Missouri. Locations selected for accessing the weather based data support system in 2013 include Clarkton, Hornersville, Kennett and LU’s Washington Carver Farm in Jefferson City. The financial support was obtained from the NC-IPM as part of a project on integrated disease management of watermelon in Missouri. LU has also funded MELCAST in previous years so that farmers could access the data at no charges.

This year, the research project at Carver Farm in Jefferson City would be focusing on comparing fungicide spray plans (MELCAST-based or calendar-based), different mulching systems (black plastic or trimmed cover crop mulch) and alternating different fungicide combinations. The farm will be holding a field day on August 28th, where initial results will be viewed or discussed. How to use MELCAST will be explained in the next newsletter.

Update- Food Safety Modernization Act

• It appears from the FDA web site that all the public meeting have been held. There were 3, one each in Washington DC, Portland, OR and Chicago.
• The deadline for comments regarding the proposed rule are due by May 16th.

Also accompanying this newsletter

• Results from a grafted tomato study conducted by Dave Trinklein.
• An article discussing the lingering effect of the drought on the subsoil.

Field day and farm tour planned for Aug. 28th

• As with previous years, a central Missouri farm tour is being planned for the last Wednesday before Labor Day. It will likely start at the produce auction, visit a farm or two, and end at LU’s field day.