Sheath blight has been the most economically significant disease of rice in Louisiana since the early 1970s. The disease is caused by a fungal pathogen of both rice and soybeans. This fact sheet describes the symptoms of the disease and gives suggested management procedures.

Nematodes are a serious pest to both our sweet potato industry and for those people growing them in a home garden. These pests affect the total production and quality of the sweet potato. Since the damage occurs to roots below ground, they are often not recognized as being a problem.

St. Augustine disease is a virus disease that affects St. Augustine grass across the Gulf States. This fact sheet describes the disease and how to mange it. Color photos are included. (PDF Format Only)

Scurf is a common disease of sweet potatoes. Proper identification is the key to successful disease management. Use this fact sheet to help you identify and manage this disease. (PDF Format Only)

Sooty mold, caused by Capnodium sp., is the result of a nonplant pathogenic fungus that grows superficially as a thin black layer on leaves, fruit, twigs and stems of various crop plants or trees. This fungus grows on the honeydew produced by insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The insects, including aphids, mealy bugs, scales and whiteflies, pierce the plant tissue with their stylets and suck cell sap.

Citrus greening is one of the most serious citrus diseases, and a pest responsible for spreading it has now been found in Louisiana. Information on what to look for and where to look, what plants are preferred by the disease and where to report suspected disease symptoms or insect sightings.

Identification of citrus greening and the Asian citrus psyllid.

Plant-parasitic nematodes can damage plants in many ways and are considered to be a serious threat to sweet potato production in Louisiana. This publication describes problematic nematode species and management strategies available for these pests.

The southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is a widespread problem in Louisiana. This pest favors the soils where most vegetables are produced and has been found in about 25 percent of the vegetable gardens in our state. This nematode can be extremely damaging to some crops and causes severe losses. (PDF Format Only)

Sclerotium rolfsii is a soilborne fungus that causes southern blight on a wide variety of plants. Proper identification is the key to successful disease management. This fact sheet is intended to aid in the identification and management of Sclerotial Blight and Circular Spot. (PDF Format Only)