(Video News 06/01/11) Captive reproduction can be a tricky business for some species of fish. Aquaculture researchers are studying alligator gar in hopes of maintaining its population and freshwater drum, which could help the catfish industry. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 1:55)

(Video News 06/08/11) Disease, insects and weeds can plague plants, making them unhealthy. But it can be difficult for gardeners to determine what is ailing a plant. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited the AgCenter's Plant Diagnostic Center -- where the “plant doctor” is in. (Runtime: 1:48)

(Video News 06/27/11) Louisiana’s soybean crop is suffering. Dry conditions have stunted plant growth and will likely lead to yield loss. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 1:55)

(Video 6/27/11) Because of excessively hot, sticky Louisiana temperatures, we tend to feel sorry for plants because they’re constantly being sizzled. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to some plants that actually love the brutal heat and humidity and thrive in it. (Runtime- 1:39)

(Video News 06/20/11) Consumers lining up at a farmer’s booth at a Saturday morning market aren’t just looking for fresh produce. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that farmers markets offer consumers locally grown food and a chance to connect with growers. (Runtime: 1:59)

(Video 6/6/11) Record drought conditions are having an adverse effect on Louisiana yards and gardens. Not many plants are designed to withstand such harsh moisture deprivation. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why Color Guard yucca is a good, drought-tolerant plant for Louisiana landscapes. (Runtime: 1:34)

(Video 6/20/11) After drought-like conditions for much of the year some areas of the state finally have been receiving rainfall. But are these thunderstorms providing enough moisture for our plants and landscapes? Maybe not. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to take the guesswork out of that part of lawn and plant care. (Runtime 1:39)

(Video 6/13/11) Some plants work well at accentuating other plants in flower gardens or flower pots. Euphorbia is one of those plants. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how this beautiful, drought-tolerant plant enhances flowers in the landscape, much like a spray completes a floral arrangement. (Runtime: 1:47)

(Radio News 06/30/11) Cotton is an expensive crop to grow, and much of the expense can come before farmers put their crops in the ground – when they purchase their seed. LSU AgCenter agronomist Don Boquet is conducting research comparing transgenic cotton varieties to conventional varieties. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/30/11) ST. JOSEPH, La. – More than 100 people attending the LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station field day June 28 were told the importance of identifying pests, diseases and weeds in their crops at the annual event that featured soybean, cotton and corn production.

(Distributed 06/30/11) SHREVEPORT, La. – A Brazilian weevil that feeds on giant salvinia is a biological control for the invasive species that has been taking over water bodies in Louisiana since it was first discovered in the state in the Toledo Bend reservoir in 1999.

(Distributed 06/29/11) CROWLEY, La. – Representatives of the Kellogg Co. and Walmart saw firsthand June 23 how Louisiana rice farmers are using sustainable agricultural practices to produce a crop profitably in an environmentally friendly manner.

(Radio News 06/29/11) LSU AgCenter research is helping cotton farmers save money. Agronomist Don Boquet, working on ways to reduce cotton production costs, looked at reducing seeding rates and nitrogen rates. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/29/11) BATON ROUGE, La. – 4-H’ers experienced firsthand how texting and driving are a dangerous combination at one of the educational programs of the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University on June 23.

(Distributed 06/28/11) Ways to enhance tourism resources and create new ones in rural areas in Louisiana and Mississippi will be featured at the 2011 Miss-Lou Regional Tourism Summit Aug. 9-11 at the Jason Lingo Center in Oak Grove, La.

(Radio News 06/27/11) Rows and rows of cabinets containing beetles, weevils, ants, grasshoppers and many other species make up the Louisiana State Arthropod Museum. As director of the museum, Christopher Carlton of the LSU AgCenter is responsible for maintaining the collection that serves as the research and diagnostic repository of insects for Louisiana. (Runtime: 2:00)

(Audio 06/27/11) Summer is the best time to plant palms in Louisiana. Palms can be grown around the state, but some are more susceptible to freezes, which are more likely in the northern part of the state. When deciding what type of palm to plant, consider size and hardiness. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/27/11) A great herb for summer is Mexican tarragon. This herb, which is similar to French tarragon, tolerates Louisiana's summer heat. The plant is related to the marigold and will produce wonderful flowers in the fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/24/11) John Russin has been named the new vice chancellor for the LSU AgCenter and director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. He has been serving as the interim vice chancellor since January 2011, when the previous vice chancellor, David Boethel, retired.

(Distributed 06/24/11) BATON ROUGE, La. – Members of 4-H clubs from across Louisiana were named state winners and alternates in 43 contests on June 23 at the closing session of the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University.

(Distributed 06/24/11) Enjoying fresh Louisiana berries is a treat that many people look forward to each year. Blueberries are delicious and provide important nutrients that make them a healthful choice to enjoy at meals or as snacks, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames.

(Distributed 06/24/11) Home gardeners around Louisiana frequently have fruit trees in their landscapes, and the fig is certainly one of the most popular. Ficus carica is a native of Asia and was imported into the United States in the 16th century. The fruit is tasty and can be eaten fresh, made into preserves and jams, or used in baking. Figs make nice additions to landscape plantings.

(Distributed 06/22/11) During a 25-year period, many bird species in Brazilian rainforest fragments that were isolated by deforestation disappeared and then reappeared according to a research paper published June 22 in PLoS One, an online, peer-reviewed journal.

(Distributed 06/20/11) High-speed Internet connections are on the way to rural areas of Louisiana, and the LSU AgCenter will soon begin preparing rural residents for its arrival.

(Distributed 06/22/11) A durable home that withstands natural hazards like hurricanes saves money, time, the ordeal of making repairs and, potentially, your health. And the beginning of hurricane season is a good time to consider ways to make your home tougher if you’re planning any improvements.

(Distributed 06/22/11) BATON ROUGE – Interested gardeners braved hot temperatures to hear the latest research-based information at the LSU AgCenter Burden Research Center field day on June 18.

(Audio 06/27/11) Gardeners who planted petunias back in the spring may need to replace them soon. Nurseries have a wide selection of heat-tolerant bedding plants this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/27/11) Everblooming roses will continue to bloom through the summer, but they don't perform best in the heat. Gardeners will notice fewer, less vigorous roses over the next few months. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/27/11) The baldcypress is Louisiana's state tree. The trees are popular around the state, but knees can pop up when the tree is planted in poorly drained soils. Homeowners can remove the knees when they appear. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/20/11) The drought and heat are turning out to be more of a problem for Louisiana farmers than the flood. Although it’s too early to predict the effects on crop yields and livestock production, 2011 is definitely not going to be as good as 2010.

(Radio 06/20/11) The U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled the "MyPlate" icon earlier this month as a way to revamp and reinforce dietary guidelines. The simple image, which replaces the food pyramid, shows a plate that has been segmented into fruit, vegetables, grains and protein. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Heli Roy explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/17/11) Anyone looking to eat more healthfully should incorporate blueberries into his or her diet. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Heli Roy says foods with a lot of color also have high levels of anthocyanins and phytochemicals -- antioxidants that help keep us healthy. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/17/11) Though there are no repellents or poisons registered for armadillo control, there are several options for those plagued by this nuisance animal.

(Audio 06/20/11) Gardening this time of the year presents challenges. Gardeners need to protect themselves from the heat. Gardening in the morning and in the shade and drinking plenty of fluids make gardening during the summer more tolerable. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/20/11) The Serena series of angelonia is a Louisiana Super Plant selection for spring 2011. The plant is drought resistant and blooms well in full sun. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/20/11) Patches of silvery webbing on tree trunks may look alarming, but it's generally harmless. Bark lice feeding on organic matter on the tree usually are what create such webbing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/20/11) Snails and slugs can chew holes in the leaves of our plants. Other insects do this as well, so you need to confirm which pest is causing problems. As for snails and slugs, they cause their damage at night, but they can be controlled with baits or traps. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/20/11) Butterfly pentas are outstanding summer bedding plants. They come in a wide array of colors, produce flowers all summer long and attract butterflies. This plant also is a Louisiana Super Plant selection. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/17/11) SHREVEPORT, La. – Ninety pecan growers from seven states gathered at the LSU AgCenter’s Pecan Research and Extension Station field day on June 16 to hear about the latest information on how to have successful production.

(Radio News 06/14/11) Flats of strawberries were stacked high, sweet corn spilled across a table and crates of bright fresh produce created a feast for the eyes. This is a typical scene this time of the year at farmers markets across Louisiana. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Kiki Fontenot says a sight like this can entice even the pickiest eaters to eat their vegetables. (Runtime: 1:25)

(Radio News 06/15/11) Drought stress is evident on soybean plants across Louisiana. Plants are shorter, leaves are curled and some are starting to turn yellow. Smaller plants can cause a host of problems, including more weed issues. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/16/11) CROWLEY, La. – Even though rainfall has been sparse, rice fields could still be afflicted by disease normally associated with a wet year, according to Don Groth, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist. He told farmers at the Acadia Parish Rice and Soybean Field Day that he has found sheath blight and leaf blast in fields.

(Distributed 06/16/11) Azaleas either do great in Louisiana, or they do poorly. The LSU AgCenter regularly receives questions on azalea issues this time of year, but more inquiries than usual have come this spring.

(Distributed 06/16/11) Interest in biodiesel is growing, and people are flocking to classes to learn how to make used vegetable oil into fuel.

(Distributed 06/16/11) Louisiana beef producers overwhelmingly voted to continue a 50-cents-per-head assessment on all cattle marketed in Louisiana for the next five years, according to LSU AgCenter officials.

(Radio News 06/14/11) Fresh food is the big draw at farmers markets, but customers who shop at these markets also are helping support local economies and farmers. These markets allow regular visitors an opportunity to get to know the people producing their food. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Distributed 06/14/11) KENTWOOD. La. – Louisiana dairy farmers say this was beginning to look like the year they would make a little money, but now they are not so sure.

(Audio 06/13/11) Gardenias are fragrant shrubs that bloom in May and June. After they finish flowering, gardeners can prune these shrubs. Waiting too long could jeopardize next year's blooms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/13/11) Caterpillars are common pests in our landscapes. Gardeners can control caterpillars organically on flowers and vegetables using a naturally occurring bacterium. This bacterium does not harm other animals or people. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/13/11) Many of the roses Louisiana gardeners use in their landscapes are everblooming roses. These flowers bloom in the spring, summer and fall. Once-blooming roses will bloom only one time during the year in spring and early summer. Midsummer is the time to prune them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/13/11) CROWLEY, La. – The LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station will hold its annual field day on June 30 to showcase the facility’s work.

(Distributed 06/13/11) An estimated 600 youth from across Louisiana will compete in the 42nd annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show July 5-9 in West Monroe.

(Distributed 06/10/11) Students at the LSU University Laboratory School are learning about keeping lakes clean with rain gardens and how to eat better with their vegetable garden.

(Distributed 06/10/11) Home gardeners have long enjoyed zinnias, one of the most popular warm-season bedding plants. New zinnia varieties have been introduced regularly over the last few years. Extended bloom and fewer disease issues are some of the primary criteria in development of new zinnia varieties.

(Radio News 06/09/11) Stories of floods, tornadoes and predictions for this year’s hurricane season have been in the news lately. Seeing and hearing about these events can create anxiety and fear in children. LSU AgCenter child development expert Diane Sasser suggests parents talk to their youngsters about their concerns. (Runtime: 1:10)

(Distributed 06/09/11) Brooks Blanche, a plant breeder and crop specialist with the LSU AgCenter, was presented with the 2011 Early Career Award by the National Association of Plant Breeders at their annual meeting in College Station, Texas, in May.

(Distributed 06/09/11) CROWLEY, La. – An Acadia Parish field day covering research in rice and soybean production has been scheduled for June 15 at the South Farm of the Rice Research Station south of Crowley.

(Distributed 06/07/11) LAKE ARTHUR, La. – Rice farmers frustrated with increasing salt water in their irrigation canals filled a meeting hall June 3 to hear what could be done about the problem.

(Distributed 06/7/11) Opening the Morganza and Bonnet Carre spillways to divert Mississippi River waters has caused concern that Asian carp could move from the Mississippi River into other Louisiana waters.

(Distributed 06/07/11) Excessively hot weather can lead to an increased risk of dehydration, especially in older adults. Dehydration – the reduction of total body water – may result from an insufficient intake of fluids and/or fluid loss.

(Distributed 06/07/11) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new food plate plan to encourage healthy eating is certainly easier to swallow than the old food pyramid schema, says Heli Roy, LSU AgCenter nutritionist.

(Distributed 06/06/11) The LSU AgCenter is working with the New Orleans African American Museum to establish their landscape.

(Audio 06/13/11) Some trees will survive a lightning strike, but lightning can kill a tree. After a tree is struck by lightning, wait a few weeks to look for signs that the tree might be dead or damaged. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/13/11) Hurricane season started June 1, and homeowners should prepare their property. Check trees for dead or decaying wood and be ready to secure container plants, outside furniture and other outdoor objects in the case of heavy wind. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/06/11) ST. JOSEPH, La. – The annual pest management and crop production field day at the LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph will be held Tuesday, June 28, at 9 a.m.

(Distributed 06/06/11) Aquatic farmers and others who have problems with aquatic birds now have a source for a machine that can chase birds off ponds and similar water bodies. Mt. Pelia Innovative Solutions of Martin, Tenn., recently acquired a non-exclusive license from the LSU AgCenter for a floating robot designed to frighten birds away from crop ponds.

(Distributed 06/03/11) Home gardeners need to know and be aware of how to care for and manage crape myrtle trees in our landscapes. These are the most popular of our flowering trees, and questions abound regarding proper care and maintenance. Keys to success with crape myrtles include correct sunlight, ideal soil pH and drainage, proper pruning, regular fertilization, proper mulching and insect control.

(Radio News 06/03/11) Researchers at the LSU AgCenter’s Aquaculture Research Station spent a morning corralling, catching, weighing and injecting alligator gar with a hormone in hopes of getting them to spawn in captivity. (Runtime: 2:00)

(Audio 06/06/11) Lichens are odd, but they are not harmful to the plants they grow on. Lichens are a symbiotic organism composed of an alga and a fungus. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/06/11) Many Louisiana gardeners use container plants. During summer these plants can dry out quickly. Plants in small pots, ones that are root bound and plants in clay pots all dry out quickly. Make sure to water them thoroughly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/02/11) FENTON, La. – Farmers at the Southwest Louisiana Rice Field Tour on June 1 were told their rice crops could be affected by drought if they’re not mindful of water levels in their fields.

(Audio 06/06/11) Plants are in active growth during the summer and may need extra nutrients from fertilizers. Soluble fertilizers allow plants to absorb the nutrients immediately, providing a quick boost to plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/06/11) When the weather is dry like it has been across much of the state, gardeners need to provide supplemental irrigation. Sprinklers, soaker hoses and hand watering are different ways to get water to your plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/06/11) Gardeners with new or young trees need to water these trees properly during summer. A lawn sprinkler won't adequately water a new tree. Hear more to learn about how to water a tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/02/11) With improved health on the minds of many Americans, right now is a good time to discover how important blueberries are in maintaining good health, according to LSU AgCenter nutrition specialist Heli Roy.

(Distributed 06/01/11) During this hot, dry weather, stay hydrated with beverages that are good for you, and stay away from high-calorie, caffeine-containing drinks. These drinks, though enticing, come at a high cost healthwise, says Heli Roy, extension nutritionist with the LSU AgCenter.

(For Release On Or After 06/24/11) Often, the things people plant first in new landscapes are the lawn and shade trees. As time goes on, however, sun-loving lawn grasses and shade trees don’t go together particularly well.

(For Release On Or After 06/17/11) There is still time to add colorful bedding plants to your landscape, but it’s important for you to choose plants that are able to thrive in the intense heat of a Louisiana summer. Summer bedding plants come in a variety of heights, textures and colors, and they are adapted to grow in everything from moist, shady areas to hot, dry, sunny locations.

(For Release On Or After 06/10/11) Violent thunderstorms can occur around the state during the summer, and in south Louisiana high winds from hurricanes are a real concern. That means it’s an excellent time to take a look at trees in your landscape. Although they add immeasurably to our home grounds, trees with problems can be a liability during storms.

(For Release On Or After 06/03/11) Dry weather has been common around the state since spring started, and most of us have received less than the typical amount of rain this year. We don’t know how much rain will fall this summer, but we can be fairly certain that there will be at least some periods of hot, dry weather when we will need to water our landscapes.