Clemson University

Awards Issued Prior to January 20, 2025, Were Funded Under Previous Administrations and May Not Reflect the Priorities and Policies of the Current Administration. Kale (brassica Oleracea L. Var. Acephala) Has Been a Popular and Nutritious Leafy Green for Over a Decade in the United States. However, U.s. Organic Kale Producers Face Losses Due to Alternaria Leaf Spot, Also Known as Black Spot, Resulting in Decreased Sales and Consumption, Generating Economic Losses to the Marketing Outlets (distributors) and Growers. a Rough Estimate of Economic Losses Due to Alternaria Leaf Spot Is $14.4 Million Dollars Per Year in United States. the Overall Goals of This Project Is to Accurately Estimate the Economic Losses Due to Alternaria Leaf Spot in Organic Kale Production, Based on Precise Predictions of Disease Incidence, and to Educate Organic Kale Farmers How to Improve Organic Disease Management and Marketability of the Product. This Project Has Four Specific Objectives That Span Production, Economics, Extension and Education: (i) Identify Best Integrated Practices (biopesticides, Cultivars, Plant and Row Spacing, Cover Crops, and Post-harvest Handling); (II) Estimate GROWERS' Profitability, Investigate Their Marketing Decisions, and Identify Consumer Preferences; (III) Disseminate Research Outcomes via Field Days, Grower Talks, Fact Sheets, Videos, and Enterprise Budgets for Organic Kale; and (IV) Prepare Current and Future Agricultural Educators to Estimate the Profitability of Organic Kale Production and How to Treat the Disease With Integrated Best Practices.