Question:

I have a grower that has some Valencia market types this year. Is there any different management with these from Virginia types? Plaster, fungicide, etc.

Jordan:

There is less resistance to diseases than VA or RU in general. They have a lower calcium requirement but I do not know that we should remove gypsum from the list. I think half the Virginia rate would work. That is what I recommend for runners and they are larger seeded than a Valencia. I imagine they will go downhill fast in mid to late August. Colleagues in the southwest indicated that they need to be picked soon after they are dug because the vines will likely be in poor shape. They indicated that once they are dug it is good to try to pick before it rains. Note that Valencia market types are typically grown in the southwest where it does not rain very much. Valencia varieties there are irrigated and then the water is turned off for a dry harvest. I worry about Valencia market types because the vines will likely go downhill and there is no dormancy in those varieties. If it is a wet fall, we will have challenges with this market type.

1) Half rate of gypsum

2) Solid leaf spot/stem rot program

3) Dig on time

4) Get them harvested as quick as possible after digging