Got nematodes? Find out! Details on our FREE #nematode testing for Mississippi #soybean producers and #sweetpotato growers are available on the lab webpage https://t.co/fr9c598eIO Soybean testing expires March 31, 2026 Sweetpotato testing expires next month April 30, 2025 #MSUext

Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) causes heart rot in hardwood trees. Bright orange, the fungus is like a flaming beacon in the forest. The sulphur-yellow pore surface and orange top make this an unmistakable find. My first time finding this in MS. #MSUext

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are prolific right now. Beautiful and delicious decomposers of dead trees and nematodes. The fungus produces a toxin that paralyzes nematodes and is being investigated as a potential biological control of plant parasitic nematodes. #MSUext

Dyer’s polypore (Phaeolus schweinitzii) breaks down cellulose in wood, causing a brown cubical rot. Commonly rots pine roots in MS. The conk on the trunk of this tree indicates the decay has progressed up into the lower trunk. A great source of yellow dye for textiles. #MSUext

Headed back to Starkville after a great exchange of research-based information on the brown spot needle blight situation in the Gulf South. Good progress but many questions left to answer. ⁦@ForestHealth_AU⁩ #MSUext

Hypomyces are fungi that parasitize mushrooms. There is an interesting area in the Sam D Hamilton Noxubee Wildlife Refuge where mushrooms are commonly parasitized. Here is an example showing the uninfected fungus on top left and parasitized versions of the same fungus. #MSUext

New paper just out on the #fungi attacking the historic USS Cairo, a steam-powered ironclad American Civil War ship and now a national treasure on display at the Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi https://t.co/Y32JnguH6n

Lophodermium needle blight is having a moment in parts of Mississippi this fall. We've been seeing this fungus on current year's needles that are exhibiting brown tips. Looks similar to brown spot needle blight which we frequently see in the spring on second year needles. #MSUext

🎥Sticky traps in the garden can help you monitor for insect pests. Dr. Jermaine Perier shares how to utilize them. #MSUext

One of the signs of fall is Cercospora leaf spot on #watermelon. Fall weather is more generally more conducive to disease development. Spring planting, good sanitation practices, and a preventive fungicide program can help reduce disease severity. #MSUext

Don't forget about insects when trying to figure out turf decline problems. #Bermudagrass scale is tiny and hides deep in the leaf sheath, making it hard to spot. Thatch protects the scale, so look for this pest on areas that are in the thatch layer. #MSUext

Encountered these Amanitas on the side of the road yesterday. Looks like someone had a rough day at school. 😉

Lots of galls on display today. Spindle-shaped galls are characteristic of fusiform rust on loblolly pine. Gouty oak gall is caused by a very tiny wasp. Soft, pinkish galls on the leaves of bald cypress are caused by a tiny insect called the cypress twig gall midge. #MSUext

We are excited to welcome Dr. Jermaine Perier to our team as an Extension entomologist! His focus commodities include all horticultural food groups -- from berries and squash to tomatoes and pecans. Official announcement: https://t.co/osnq40j0qO #MSUext

American beautyberry leaves exhibiting yellow mottling and a little distortion, symptoms that may be due to cucumber mosaic virus which is transmitted by aphids. The virus is incurable but infected beautyberry bushes can survive for years. #MSUext

🧪🌱 New Episode Drop! 🌱🧪 Step into the lab with Dr. Carrie Harmon of @UFPlantPath as we uncover the mysteries behind plant disease diagnostics—from strange symptoms to the science that solves them. 🎧 Listen now: https://t.co/QCdkHlqra8 #PlantPathology #AgPodcast #PlantHealth

Remember to register for our Sep 18 Turfgrass Field Day! #MSUTurfFieldDay25 https://t.co/NCfiNKDj4S @MSUTurfSchool @Drturfdirt @MSTurfBreeding

My container garden is hosting some beautiful “pests” tonight. A differential grasshopper, brown with black chevrons on its legs devouring eggplant leaves. Black swallowtail caterpillars with green and black stripes accented by bright yellow dots are enjoying the parsley. #MSUext

Happy #FriskyFairyRingFriday!

Two great opportunities for pathologists and entomologists at Mississippi State! We are hiring faculty positions in #ForestHealth https://t.co/pAHxIYlEnA and #Extension #Turf and #Ornamental #Entomology! 👇

Home grown and just in time for #FriskyFairyRingFriday