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Resources by Jayesh Samtani

Title Available As Summary Date ID Author
A Longer Marketing Life for Blackberry and Raspberry Fruit
Caneberries, which include blackberries and raspberries, must be picked when the berries are ripe or nearly ripe to ensure quality. Their thin fruit skin, high respiration rate, and high ethylene production make these berries extremely susceptible to postharvest losses. Although both raspberries and blackberries are considered “soft” fruits, raspberries are slightly more perishable in nature. The raspberry fruit is susceptible to greater moisture loss and fungal infection because of its lack of an outer protective covering (cuticle) and the fact that the raspberry fruit is left with a cavity in the center when detached from the plant.
Dec 7, 2020 423-701 (SPES-272P)
Small Fruit in the Home Garden
As a general rule, plant selection and production area in a home garden should be limited to what you can properly care for. It is better to have a small, welltended planting area rather than a large, neglected one. Small fruits offer certain advantages over fruit trees for home culture because small fruits require less space for the amount of fruit produced, and they bear fruit one or two years after planting. Success with small-fruit planting will depend on the attention given to all phases of production, including crop and variety selection, site selection, soil management, fertilization, pruning, and pest management.
May 5, 2022 426-840 (SPES-399P)
Supermarkets as Alternative Market Outlets for Virginia-Grown Berries
Virginia consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing locally grown berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. This demand has piqued Virginia growers’ interest in berry crops as a potential specialty product. Nearly two-thirds of Virginia’s berry crop producers sell through direct markets such as pick-your-own operations, roadside stands, farmers markets, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. Some producers are also interested in selling to alternative markets such as supermarkets. This publication assesses the potential demand for berry crops among supermarkets in Virginia and examines the requirements producers must adhere to in order to successfully sell to supermarkets.
Oct 16, 2024 448-508 (SPES-623NP)
2024/2025 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations
This guide lists vegetable varieties that are available and are adapted to the mid-Atlantic region, gives an overview of cultural practices, and list chemicals recommended to manage pests, diseases and weeds in vegetable crops. New varieties of vegetables are constantly being developed throughout the world. While all efforts are made to have comprehensive lists, not all varieties that are adapted will be listed.
Feb 8, 2024 456-420 (SPES-586P)
Cyclamen Mite in Virginia Strawberries Oct 13, 2021 ENTO-451NP
Evaluation of Blackberry Varieties in Virginia May 6, 2022 HORT-226P (SPES-400P)
Mixed Infection of Strawberry Mottle Virus and Strawberry Mild Yellow Edge Virus in the Southeastern United States Apr 17, 2023 HORT 268P (SPES-488P)
Shoppers Guide for Berry Plants in the Mid-Atlantic and the Carolinas Apr 5, 2023 HORT-270NP (SPES-481NP)
Weed Management in Small Fruit Crops
For small fruit growers, weed management is one of the greatest challenges they will face to successfully grow these crops. Factors such as climate, new weed species, weed species shifts, and years of agricultural activity have come together to select for weed species that are aggressive and persistent. Without management, weeds compete with crops for light, nutrients, and water, resulting in reduced vegetative growth of the crop plant, poor fruit quality and lower yield. Stressed crops are also more susceptible to disease and insect infestations, while excessive weed growth itself creates higher humidity in the crop foliage, enhancing disease spread and inviting unwanted insects. Weed management principles for the perennial small fruit crops are similar, with the exception of strawberries in the annual system. Grapes, brambles, blueberries and matted row strawberries are considered permanent plantings in which weed management must be addressed throughout the life of the planting. When compared to annual crops, perennial culture is a greater challenge, as weeds need to be managed through all seasons and perennial weed species increase in numbers and diversity. Understanding seasonal weed thresholds, and integrating cultural and chemical management becomes even more important in the year-round culture.
Aug 9, 2023 HORT-286NP (SPES-513NP)
A Survey of Strawberry Production Practices in Virginia Aug 12, 2019 SPES-150P
Strawberry Variety Evaluation, Opportunities, and Challenges of High Tunnel Production Feb 9, 2021 SPES-273P
Soil Test Note No. 22: Small Fruits for Home Use Oct 18, 2021 SPES-363NP
Frost/Freeze Protection in Strawberry Aug 27, 2018 SPES-56NP
Blackberry Fruit: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits Mar 16, 2022 SPES-366P
Neopestalotiopsis disease in strawberry starter material
In 2019, a new species of Neopestalotiopsis was reported to cause significant damage in strawberry fields in Florida. Since then, this disease has been found in most southeastern states, including Virginia and Delaware. Molecular identification has revealed that more than one Neopestalotiopsis species is pathogenic to strawberry plants and can cause symptoms on leaves (leaf spot), fruit (fruit rot), and crown (crown rot) of strawberry plants. We would like to share the current knowledge on the biology of Neopestalotiopsis spp. and management practices that could partially suppress Neopestalotiopsis fruit rot in strawberries.
Oct 22, 2024 SPES-627NP
VCE Ag Today: Preparing for Strawberry Harvest Apr 9, 2021 VCE-1027-44NP
VCE Ag Today: Post-plant Strawberry Disease Management in Fall and Winter Nov 10, 2021 VCE-1027-56NP