Publications | South Georgia Vegetables

Journal Articles

Kumari, M., Deltsidis, A., Luo, X., McAvoy, C., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Assessment of Triploid Watermelon Cultivars Grown in Georgia for Yield and Quality Parameters. HortTechnology, 35(1): 81-89. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05561-24
Kumari, M., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Quantifying Yield Attributes of Spring Grown Sweet Corn Varieties (Bicolor, White, and Yellow) in the Southeastern USA: Part I. HortTechnology, 35(5): (accepted).
Acharya, N., Kumar, M., Bag, S., Torrance, T., Clou, C., Simmons, M., Kumari, M., Suarez, E., & Theodore, M. (2025). Performance of Tomato Cultivars Under Natural Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Disease Pressure in Georgia. Plant Disease. (accepted).
Suarez, E., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Pulici, E., Cassity-Duffey, K., Sintim, H. Y., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Biochar Rate and Fertilizer Source Influence Soil Chemical and Biological Properties in Tomato Plasticulture Systems. HortScience, 60(9), 1432–1440. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18704-25.
Suarez, E., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Acharya, N., Cassity-Duffey, . K., Sintim, H. Y., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Biochar Rate and Fertilizer Source Influence Tomato Growth, Mortality, Yield, and Profitability. HortTechnology, 35(4), 574–583. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05626-25.
Milner, H., Díaz-Pérez, J. C., Virk, S., Luo, X., Tyson, C., & McAvoy, T. (2025). High Planting Density Twin-row Arrangement Produces Favorable Bulb Size Distribution in Short-day Onion. HortTechnology, 35(4), 513–516. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05628-25.
Suarez, E., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Cassity-Duffey, K., Sintim, H. Y., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Effects of Biochar and Fertilizer Source on Sweet Corn Production: Nitrogen Uptake, Biomass, Yield, and Quality across Two Contrasting Years—Part I. HortTechnology, 35(4), 445–454. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05640-25.
Kumar, M., Bag, S., McAvoy, T., Torrance, T., Cloud, C., & Simmons, A. M. (2025). A Shift in Begomovirus coheni Populations Associated With Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Disease Infecting Tomato Cultivars in the Southeastern United States. Plant Pathology, 74(5), 1277-1289. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.14091.
Poudel N, Davis RF, Severns PM, McAvoy T, Jagdale GB, Brenneman TB, Chowdhury IA. Differential Response of Meloidogyne enterolobii, M. floridensis, M. haplanaria, and M. incognita to Sub-Lethal Doses of Non-Fumigant Nematicides. Phytopathology. 2025 May 7. doi: 10.1094/PHYTO-01-25-0028-R. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40331798.
Dhadly, D.K., Kavalappara, S.R., Mcavoy, T., Severns, P.M., Simmons, A.M., Srinivasan, R., Bag, S. 2025. Weed hosts: hidden reservoirs for whitefly-transmitted viruses threatening Georgia cucurbits. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2730-RE.
Acharya, N., Kumar, M., Bag, S., Riley, D. G., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Simmons, A. M., Coolong, T., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Prevalence of Aphid-Transmitted Potyviruses in Pumpkin and Winter Squash in Georgia, USA. Viruses, 17(2), 233. https://doi.org/10.3390/v17020233.
Poudel, N., Torres, L., Davis, R. F., Jagdale, G. B., McAvoy, T., & Chowdhury, I. A. (2025). Effect of Non-Fumigant Nematicides on Reproduction of Recently Detected Meloidogyne Species in Georgia Under Greenhouse Conditions in Tomato. Horticulturae, 11(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11010036.
Dhadly, D. K., Kavalappara, S. R., McAvoy, T., Severns, P. M., Simmons, A. M., Srinivasan, R., & Bag, S. (2025). Cucurbit Leaf Crumple Virus Is Seed Transmitted in Yellow Squash (Cucurbita pepo). Plant disease, 109(1), 63-72. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-24-1330-RE.
Kumari, M., Dutta, B., Coolong, T., Diaz-Perez, J.C., Torrance, T., Shealey, J., Dawson, J., & McAvoy, T. (2024). Adaptability of Phytophthora capsici Resistant Bell Pepper Cultivars in Southern Georgia. HortTechnology, 34(4): 513-520. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05425-24.
Kumari, M., Dutta, B., Coolong, T., Torrance, T., Shealey, J., Dawson, J., & McAvoy, T. (2024). Performance of Improved Bell Pepper Cultivars in Southern Georgia for Mature Green Fresh Market Production. HortTechnology, 34(6): 720-727. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05498-24.
Kavalappara, S. R., Acharya, N., Suarez, E., McAvoy, T., & Bag, S. (2024). First Report of Watermelon Crinkle Leaf-Associated Virus-2 (WCLaV-2) in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in Georgia, USA. Plant Disease, 108(7). https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-24-0161-PDN.
Kumar, M., Torrance, T., McAvoy, T., & Bag, S. (2024). Natural occurrence of tomato chlorosis virus on tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) in the United States. Plant Disease, 108(4), 1119. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-23-2628-PDN.
Cassity-Duffey, K., Coolong, T., Dutta, B., & McAvoy, T. (2024). Assessing Broccoli Cultivar Susceptibility to Alternaria brassicicola in Georgia. Plant Health Progress, 25(4), 484-491. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-05-24-0057-RS.
Díaz-Pérez, J. C., McAvoy, T., Luo, X., & Bag, S. (2023). Alternative Methods to Manage Silverleaf Whitefly [ Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)] in Zucchini ( L.). Journal of Horticultural Research, 31(1), 61-70. https://doi.org/doi:10.2478/johr-2023-0002
Kumar, M., Kavalappara, S. R., McAvoy, T., Hutton, S., Simmons, A. M., & Bag, S. (2023). Association of Tomato Chlorosis Virus Complicates the Management of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus in Cultivated Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in the Southern United States. Horticulturae, 9(8), 948. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080948

Abstracts

McAvoy, T.*, Kumari, M., Shukla, B., Kumar, M., & Bag, S. (2025). Field performance of tomato cultivars resistant to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) across multiple locations in southern Georgia. HortScience, 60(2, Suppl.), SR49. 2025 SR-ASHS Regional Meeting. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.60.2S.S1.
Kumari, M., & McAvoy, T. (2024). Field screening of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) cultivars for resistance to black rot. HortScience, 59(9, Suppl.), S196. 2024 ASHS Annual Conference. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.59.9S.S1.
Pulici, E., Diaz-Perez, J. C., McAvoy, T., & Sintim, H. Y. (2024). Optimizing Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Planting Density of Vidalia Onion Yield and Bulb Size Distributions. HortScience, 59(9, Suppl.), S155. 2024 ASHS Annual Conference. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.59.9S.S1.
Milner, H. P., Diaz-Perez, J. C., McAvoy, T., Virk, S., & Acharya, N. (2024). Optimizing Planting Density of Sweet Corn in Georgia. HortScience, 59(9, Suppl.), S453. 2024 ASHS Annual Conference. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.59.9S.S1.
Suarez, E., Diaz-Perez, J. C., McAvoy, T., Cassity-Duffey, K., & Sintim, H. Y. (2024). Boosting Sweet Corn Yields: The Power of Biochar and Fertilizers Unveiled. HortScience, 59(9, Suppl.), S453. 2024 ASHS Annual Conference. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.59.9S.S1.
Acharya, N., Bag, S., Coolong, T., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Kumar, M., McAvoy, T, & Riley, D. G. (2024). Is Winter Squash a Potential Alternative Cucurbit Vegetable Crop to Combat Whitefly and Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses for Fall Production in Southern Georgia? HortScience, 59(9, Suppl.), S2. 2024 ASHS Annual Conference. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.59.9S.S1.
Suarez, E., Diaz-Perez, J. C., McAvoy, T., Cassity-Duffey, K., & Sintim, H. Y. (2024). Are Locally Sourced Biochar and Poultry Litter the Solution to Improving Soil Health and Sustainably Producing Tomatoes? HortScience, 59(9, Suppl.), S453. 2024 ASHS Annual Conference. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.59.9S.S1.
Acharya, N., Bag, S., Riley, D. G., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Coolong, T., Kumar, M., & McAvoy, T. (2024, February). Yellow Squash and Zucchini Cultivar Evaluation for Tolerance to Whitefly and Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses in South Georgia. In HORTSCIENCE (Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. SR16-SR17). 113 S WEST ST, STE 200, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2851 USA: AMER SOC HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE.
Pulici, E., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Sintim, H. Y., & McAvoy, T. (2024, February). Planting Density and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate Effect on Vidalia Onion (Allium cepa) Yield and Bulb Size Distribution. In HORTSCIENCE (Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. SR44-SR44). 113 S WEST ST, STE 200, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2851 USA: AMER SOC HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE.
Milner, H. P., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Virk, S., Hancock, G., Acharya, N., & McAvoy, T. (2024, February). Optimizing Planting Density of Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Georgia. In HORTSCIENCE (Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. SR43-SR43). 113 S WEST ST, STE 200, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2851 USA: AMER SOC HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE.
McAvoy, T., & Deltsidis, A. (2024, February). Field Performance and Fruit Quality Attributes of Large and Mini Seedless Watermelons Grown in South Georgia. In HORTSCIENCE (Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. SR52-SR52). 113 S WEST ST, STE 200, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2851 USA: AMER SOC HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE.
Coolong, T., & McAvoy, T. (2024, February). Sap. In HORTSCIENCE (Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. SR46-SR47). 113 S WEST ST, STE 200, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2851 USA: AMER SOC HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE.
Suarez, E., Cassity-Duffey, K., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Yu, P., Sintim, H. Y., & McAvoy, T. (2024, February). Are Locally Sourced Biochar and Poultry Litter the Solution to Improving Soil Health and Sustainably Producing Tomatoes in South Georgia?. In HORTSCIENCE (Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. SR47-SR48). 113 S WEST ST, STE 200, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2851 USA: AMER SOC HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE.
Pandey, S., Luckew, A., McAvoy, T., Meru, G., Simmons, A., & McGregor, C. (2023, September). Evaluation of Citrullus Genotypes for Resistance to Whitefly Transmitted Viruses. In HORTSCIENCE (Vol. 58, No. 9, pp. SR13-SR13). 113 S WEST ST, STE 200, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2851 USA: AMER SOC HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE.
Acharya, N., McAvoy, T., Bag, S., & Kumar, M. (2023, August). Evaluation of Summer Squash and Pumpkin Cultivars for Host-Plant Resistance to Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses in Georgia. In 2023 ASHS Annual Conference. ASHS.https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2023/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/40086
McGregor, C., Pandey, S., Luckew, A., McAvoy, T., Simmons, A., & Meru, G. (2023, August). Citrullus Germplasm with Resistance to Whiteflies and Whitefly Transmitted Viruses. In 2023 ASHS Annual Conference. ASHS. https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2023/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/39526
Díaz-Pérez, J. C., McAvoy, T., & Bag, S. (2023, August). Management of Silverleaf Whitefly [Bemesia Tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)] in Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) with Alternative Methods. In 2023 ASHS Annual Conference. ASHS. https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2023/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/39630

Extension Publications

Tyson, C., Edenfield, J., Shirley, A., Bowen, D., Thigpen, D., Watts, C., Ray, N., Powell, S., Tanner, S., Greene, R., Stanley, L., Jackson, D., McAvoy, T., Kumari, M., & Lessl, J., (2025). UGA Onion Variety Trial Report 2023-2024 Crop Season. Vidalia Onion Extension News. University of Georgia Extension. 2023-2024-Onion-Yield-and-Flavor-Report.pdf.
McAvoy, T., Oliveira, L., Porter, W., Kumari, M., & Sparks, A. (2025). Common Agricultural Calculations using Unit Conversions. University of Georgia, Extension. Circular 1313. Common Agricultural Calculations Using Unit Conversions | CAES Field Report.
Torrance, T., McAvoy, T., Coolong, T., & Kumari, M. (2025). Drip Fertilizer Schedule Recommendations for Vegetable Crops in Georgia Coastal Plain Soils. University of Georgia, Extension. Circular 1325. Drip Fertilizer Schedule Recommendations for Vegetable Crops in Georgia Coastal Plain Soils | CAES Field Report.
2024 Vegetable Extension and Research Report. UGA Cooperative Extension Annual Publication 113-6. https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/AP 113-6_1.PDF.
Deltsidis, A., Knox, P., Riley, D., Sparks, A., Srinivasan, R., Coolong, T., & Zhao, M. (2022). 2022 Vegetable Extension and Research Report: 2022 Vegetable Extension and Research Report (AP 113-4).
Coolong, T., McAvoy, T., Tyson, C., & Shirley, A. (2022). 2022 University of Georgia Onion research-Extension report (AP 114-3).
McAvoy, T., & Coolong, T. (2022). Shipper Sweet Corn in Southern Georgia – “If it fits, it ships” publication number B 1549.: Shipper Sweet Corn in Southern Georgia – “If it fits, it ships” (B 1549). University of Georgia Extension. Retrieved from https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1549

Production Guides

2023 Southeast U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook

Trial Reports

Plant Disease Management Reports

Kumari, M., Dutta, B., Kaur, N., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Optimizing Overhead Irrigation Schedules for Effective Anthracnose Management in Watermelon, Georgia, 2024. Plant Health Progress, 26(2), 246. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-01-25-0019-PDMR.
Kumari, M., Dutta, B., Kaur, N., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Performance Metrics of Cucumber Cultivars: Yield, Marketability, and Disease Susceptibility, Georgia, 2024. Plant Health Progress, 26(2), 232. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-01-25-0018-PDMR.
Kumari, M., Dutta, B., Kaur, N., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Evaluation of Anthracnose Disease Resistance, Yield Performance, and Fruit Size Distribution of Seedless Watermelon Cultivars in Georgia, 2024. Plant Health Progress, 26(2), 245. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-01-25-0020-PDMR.
Kumari, M., Dutta, B., MacLellan, M., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Evaluation of Cabbage Cultivars for Black Rot Resistance in Tift County, Georgia, 2024. Plant Health Progress, PHP-01. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-01-25-0017-PDMR.
Suarez, E., McAvoy, T., Acharya, N., & Chowdhury, I. A. (2025). Impact of Biochar Rate and Fertilizer Source on Root-Knot Nematodes, Southern Blight, and Tomato Yield in a Plasticulture Production System in Georgia, 2024. Plant Health Progress, PHP-02. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0047-PDMR.
Suarez, E., McAvoy, T., Acharya, N., & Chowdhury, I. A. (2025). Impact of Mustard Cover Crops and Amendments on Root-Knot Nematodes, Biomass, and Cucumber Yield in a Plasticulture Production System in Georgia, 2023. Plant Health Progress, PHP-02. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0064-PDMR.
Acharya, N., Bag, S., Riley, D. G., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Coolong, T., Suarez, E., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Evaluation of Pumpkin Cultivars for Resistance to Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses in Georgia, 2023. Plant Health Progress, (ja). https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0065-PDMR.
Acharya, N., Bag, S., Riley, D. G., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Coolong, T., Suarez, E., & McAvoy, T. (2025). Evaluation of Winter Squash Cultivars for Resistance to Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses in Georgia, 2023. Plant Health Progress, (ja). https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-25-0066-PDMR.