fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum . Infected watermelon plants wilt and may die. Marketable watermelon yields can be drastically reduced in fields where fusarium wilt infections occur. The fungus can persist in soil for many years and
During the 1980s, the large consumer markets in the northern hemisphere came to expect a year-round supply of high-quality fresh vegetables. This has given farmers in many countries of the sourthern hemisphere and the tropics an opportunity to diversify into lucrative export crops. However, finding cultivars adapted to the local growing conditions is often difficult because commercial varieties usually are bred for highly specialized growing and farming conditions. As a result, local horticultural research institutes are playing a crucial role in the development of suitable genetic material.
cultivars, increase melon sales and consumption, and convey key attributes and benefits to consumers. Few published studies have investigated consumer preferences for fresh market melons. Lester and Shellie (1992) found that consumers highly favored melon
), kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis ), and St. Augustine grass ( Stenotaphrum secundatum ) have been cleared for cultivation by the USDA ( Perkowski, 2015 ). As GMO turfgrasses enter the market, firms must determine how best to market and position their
market needs ( Capocasa et al., 2008 ; Hancock et al., 2008 ; Khanizadeh et al., 1992 ; Whitaker et al., 2011 ). Although these studies provided insight into breeders’ trait prioritization decisions, a systematic investigation that includes consumers
drupelets turn red during or after cold storage, is a particularly problematic physiological disorder affecting fresh-market blackberries ( Perkins-Veazie, 2017 ; Perkins-Veazie et al., 1996 ). Excessive reversion can result in rejection of whole shipments
In 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated farmers' markets to be a $1 billion industry ( Shaffer and Cox, 2006 ). Farmers' markets offer unique economic and social benefits to producers, consumers, communities, and the national
Abstract
Retail buyers of fresh Georgia peaches [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.] generally prefer a lead time of 2-3 weeks for promotion purposes before peaches are shipped. Thus, a viable forward contract market for growers and retail buyers has potential provided an information base can be established for forward price negotiations. For this reason, a price forecasting model for Georgia peaches was developed that can be used to predict price 3 weeks ahead and estimate the probability that the price in 3 weeks will exceed a benchmark price. A similar procedure may be used for other fresh produce items.
Increasingly, the availability and cost of labor is straining the specialty crop sector of agriculture. Specialty crops destined for fresh markets are often harvested by hand because of the fragile and perishable nature of the fruit. Interest in
-quality, fresh produce and want to support local farmers ( Velasquez et al., 2005 ). Therefore, a survey was conducted in two direct-market venues to determine key attributes that influence Asian vegetable purchase decisions, including consumption habits and