skip to main content
Virginia Tech® home

Resources by Jeffrey Derr

Title Available As Summary Date ID Author
2024 Pest Management Guide - Horticultural and Forest Crops Jan 19, 2024 456-017 (ENTO-568P)
2024 Pest Management Guide - Home Grounds and Animals Jan 19, 2024 456-018 (ENTO-567P)
2024 Spray Bulletin for Commercial Tree Fruit Growers
The guide contains information on pesticides used in orchards, with a seasonal treatment of when and how these materials should be employed. Efficacy information toward major fruit pests as well as beneficial species is included. The guide is black and white, but with a color photograph for the cover. It is spiral bound.
Jan 25, 2024 456-419 (ENTO-577P)
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)
Plant Injury From Herbicide Residue
Herbicides that are usually associated with contamination of straw/hay, turf clippings, manure, and composts are growth regulator herbicides or synthetic auxins, a group of herbicides that mimics plant hormones and regulates growth. These herbicides are labeled for control of broadleaf weeds in grass crops, such as pastures and corn; in turfgrass, including lawns, golf courses, parks, and highway turf; and in noncrop areas. Vegetable and fruit crops, as well as broadleaf ornamentals can inadvertently be injured by these chemicals through drift of spray droplets, volatilization, and spray tank contamination or by residues in straw, manure, turf clippings, or compost. Diagnosing the specific herbicide responsible for the plant damage can be difficult. This publication focuses on damage caused by herbicide residues.
PPWS-77P (SPES-565P)
Hurricane Preparedness for Turfgrass Systems Jul 20, 2021 SPES-340NP
Driving Homeowners ‘Nuts’: Sedge in the Lawn Jul 23, 2021 SPES-344NP
Glyphosate: Health Controversy, Benefits and Continuing Debate Sep 20, 2018 SPES-63NP
Small Scale Perennial Production Using Iris as an Example Crop Apr 20, 2022 SPES-354P