Market Farming

["Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>]

I've found that birds will sometimes do that, especially when conditions are
hot and dry. Sometimes these things happen and you never figure them out.

Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center


>I noticed a pepper plant had been topped, but didn't think too much of it.
>Assumed a critter had accidentally broken it off since all the leaves were
on
>the ground next to it.
>Now a second plant is gone.  The stem was girdled but not bitten through at
>1-1/4" and at 2" above the ground, and it was bitten? through at 3" above
the
>ground.  Again, all the leaves are on the ground next to the plant.
>Any idea what is doing this?
>Thanks!
>
>Marj