Jon Clements, UMass Extension, comments on alternative specialty crops small farmers should consider growing. He says table grapes are in demand and consumers like the idea of picking their own grapes. (Growing Produce 8/22/17)
News from the Media
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Jon Clements, UMass Extension, Comments on Alternative Specialty Crops
August 23, 2017 -
Black Fungus on Norway Maple Trees
August 21, 2017Richard W. Harper, UMass Extension, environmental conservation, says black marks appearing on the leaves of Norway maples trees indicate there is a fungus causing the so-called tar spots. Nicholas J. Brazee, UMass Extension, indicates the spots may be due to a condition called anthracnose. (Globe8/18/17, Western Mass News8/17/17)
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Late Blight Threatens Mass.Tomato Crops
August 17, 2017The UMass Extension Plant Diagnostics Lab confirmed a case of late blight in tomato crops in Hampshire County last month. UMass Professor of Plant Pathology Robert Wick said the disease has been recurrent in New England since a major outbreak in 2009. (NEPR 8/16/17)
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Cranberries May Benefit Gut Bacteria
August 17, 2017Lead researcher, David Sela, nutritional microbiologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, describes a role cranberries may play in promoting the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria. ( Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 9/17, ProHealth 8/6/17)
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Biogeographer Studies Wildfire Risk Related to Invasive Grasses
August 15, 2017Invasive plant expert Bethany Bradley plans to create the first comprehensive assessment of how more than two dozen non-native, invasive grasses may alter fire patterns and carbon storage across ecosystems in the contiguous United States. (EurekAlert! 8/15/17)
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Boutt to Study Hydrological Cycle in Franklin and Hampshire Counties
August 9, 2017The University of Massachusetts Amherst received a grant from the state to help waterways and habitats in Franklin and Hampshire counties. David Boutt, associate professor of geoscience, UMass Amherst, will study water samples to understand impacts of drought. Boutt is looking for samples from wells and streams across the region. To contribute a sample, call 413-545-2724, or email dboutt@geo.umass.edu (Gazette 8/8/17)
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4-H Horse Clubs and Beyond
August 7, 2017Leadership skills, community service outreach and more taught through the 4-H Horse Calvary Club. (Country Folks 8/4/17)
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Turf Research Field Day Held
July 27, 2017More than two hundred people gathered at UMass’ South Deerfield research campus for a “Turf Research Field Day.” UMass turf professor Michelle DeCosta discusses turf benefits with TV22.
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Poisonous Weeds and Plants in Western Mass.
July 18, 2017UMass Extension weed specialist Randy Prostak interviewed by TV22 in spot on poisonous plants and insects. TV22 Springfield, 7/18/2017
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Unlocking Genetic Secrets of Flower Diversity
July 12, 2017Madelaine Bartlett, a biologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is hoping to unlock the genetic secrets of flowering plants — information that could be used to grow better crops. (Globe 7/12/17)
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Gypsy Moths Defoliation Almost Over Observes UMass Professor Elkinton
July 3, 2017This summer, you may have noticed that many trees and shrubs are being defoliated by gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars. The good news, sort of, is that this year’s defoliation is almost at an end. (Daily Hampshire Gazette 6/29/17)
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Subsidy for Cape Tick Testing Runs Out
June 26, 2017A subsidized program that allowed Cape Codders to have ticks tested at a university laboratory for a fraction of the cost has exhausted its funding. Residents of Barnstable County now have to pay full price to have ticks evaluated for pathogens at the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Rich at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. (Cape Cod Times 6/24/17)
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Garlic Mustard Threatens Native Plants, UMass Assistant Professor Comments
June 26, 2017Garlic mustard may look innocuous, but the plant exudes a chemical that kills fungi needed by tree seedlings and other forest plants to survive, according to researcher Kristina Stinson at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.(Globe 6/22/17)
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Dressings, Dips, Sauces Come Under Scrutiny by UMass Food Scientist
June 26, 2017AMHERST — University of Massachusetts Amherst food scientist David Julian McClements will lead a team that has received a three-year, $444,550 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study the possibility that eating food nanoemulsions found in dressings, dips or sauces might increase the amount of pesticides absorbed from co-ingested fruits and vegetables, thus increasing risk of adverse health effects. (Recorder 6/22/17; News Office (6/19/17)
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UMass Professor Elkinton Weighs in: Rain is Good Sign for Gypsy Moth Control
June 18, 2017Elkinton said he is hopeful this year’s rain and entomophaga maimaiga fungus will “wipe out the problem and make it a non-problem” and “drive the system to low density again.” (South Coast Today 6/18/17)
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Gypsy moth caterpillars can put trees at risk for other problems
June 13, 2017Gypsy moth eggs were first seen hatching near the Quabbin in late April. They have settled there, because of the abundant oak and maple trees. UMass entomologist Tawny Simisky explained how defoliation affects our trees.
“That can weaken the trees and make them more susceptible to secondary invaders- so, other organisms that really aren’t a big problem unless the tree is otherwise unhealthy,” Simisky said. (WWLP 6/12/17)
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Bee health is topic of new pollen research at UMass Amherst
June 13, 2017AMHERST, Mass. – Biology professor Lynn Adler at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, an expert in pollination and plant-insect interactions, recently received a three-year, $1 million grant from a special "pollinator health" program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the role that sunflower pollen may play in improving bee health. (San Francisco Chronicle, Charlotte Observer, McClatchy, D.C., Western Mass News, WWLP-TV 22 [All from AP], 6/11/17; Phys.org, 6/8/17 ScienceMag 6/8/17; News Office 6/8/17).
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Mystery illness killing white pines
June 10, 2017It is taking place in parking lots, along the sides of roads and anywhere their roots have been unable to spread: diseased white pine trees. UMass Extension comments. (Sun Chronicle 6/10/17)
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Fungus could limit damage from gypsy moth infestation
June 6, 2017A cold, wet and dreary spring may energize a biological control that will limit damage to trees from gypsy moths. Tawny Simisky, a UMass Extension entomologist, comments. (Worcester Telegram 6/4/17)
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Gypsy moths bring unwelcome rash for some: UMass Extension entomologist comments
May 23, 2017The gypsy moth caterpillar’s hairs are typically not an issue for most individuals. Tawny Simisky, entomologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension, comments. She said, "For the majority of the population, gypsy moth caterpillars do not cause allergic reactions. This can be dependent upon an individual’s amount and duration of exposure, as well as their own sensitivities." (Cape Cod Times 5/23/17)
