Tag: West Florida Research and Education Center

Terminating Cover Crops Effectively for Weed Suppression

Organic corn planted in a cover crop of roller-crimped rye and hairy vetch.

When utilizing cover crops for weed suppression, one important consideration is effective termination before planting the main crop. A major issue with improper termination is that the cover crop can become problematic and compete with the main crop, like other weeds. However, proper planning of the termination timing and method can minimize these issues and maximize the benefits of cover crop use. This 5-page publication discusses herbicide application, roller-crimper termination, tillage, and appropriate growth stages for termination. Written by Pratap Devkota, Michael J. Mulvaney, and David Wright, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, February 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag449

Weed Management in Soybeans

This image was taken prior to national guidelines of face coverings and social distancing. Jim Marois, left, and David Wright, professors at the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, check soybean plants for Asian soybean rust - Friday, July 1, 2005. First discovered in the United States in fall 2004, the crop-killing disease was found growing on cultivated soybeans for the first time this week, at early-planted "sentinel plots" in Florida and Alabama. To help protect the nation’s $16 billion soybean crop, UF researchers are monitoring plants around the state for signs of the disease.

Successful weed control is one of the most important practices for economical soybean production in Florida. This 10-page publication discusses weed control methods for soybean growers. Written by J. A. Ferrell, G. E. MacDonald, and P. Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised January 2021.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg010

Boom Sprayer Calibration Tables

Rows of peanuts ready to be harvested. Photo taken 08-22-19.

This 13-page publication is meant to make calibration of boom sprayers easier, and therefore more common, by providing a convenient chart that can be kept in barns, tractor cabs, sprayers, and mix-load facilities for quick reference. Written by Michael J. Mulvaney, Pratap Devkota, Ethan Carter, De Broughton, and Mark Mauldin, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, November 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag446

Amaranthus palmeri—Palmer Amaranth

First true leaves are roughly oval and have a slight notch or indentation at the end.

Palmer amaranth has become one of the most troublesome weeds in the southeastern US due to its vigorous growth rate, high seed production, and development of resistance to herbicides from multiple modes of action. This 4-page publication illustrates characteristics of this weed to assist in accurate identification, proper management, and development of effective control strategies. Written by Sergio Morichetti, Jason Ferrell, and Pratap Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised April 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag346

Design and Construction of a Constant Head Infiltrometer

Closeup water drops. UF/IFAS Photo by Marisol Amador

This new 8-page document details the construction procedure for a Mariotte siphon constant head infiltrometer using readily available materials. Written by Mahesh Bashyal, Michael J. Mulvaney, and Eban Z. Bean, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag433

Nitrogen Contributions from Peanut Residues to Subsequent Crops

Peanut residues are concentrated in former windrows when residue spreaders are not used at harvest.

There is not enough evidence to support current peanut N credit recommendations in the Southeast. Nitrogen is released rapidly from peanut residues, and it moves quickly through light-textured soils found in this region. Only a relatively small amount of N from peanut residues is available when subsequent crops need it. This new 5-page document discusses peanut nitrogen credits, nitrogen release from peanut residues, crop performance following peanut, tillage and nitrogen release, and peanut residue distribution and nitrogen release. Written by Arun Jani and Michael J. Mulvaney, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, April 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag431

Frost Damage of Carinata Grown in the Southeastern US

More severe cold damage of carinata during early bolting. This level of damage is expected to reduce stands and yield. Note that aboveground tissue was severely affected, but neither the growing points nor roots died. This field generally grew back from the growing point, but could have resprouted at the crown if the damage was more severe. UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, Jay, FL.

Brassica carinata is an annual oilseed crop used for the commercial production of jet fuel. One of the challenges to commercialization of this crop in the southeastern United States has been frost damage. This 4-page fact sheet discusses symptomology and ways to minimize risk of frost damage to carinata. Written by Michael J. Mulvaney, Ramdeo Seepaul, Ian Small, David Wright, Silvana Paula-Moraes, Carl Crozier, Paul Cockson, Brian Whipker, and Ramon Leon, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, May 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag420

Using Dicamba in Dicamba-Tolerant Crops

Chipley, Florida, farm, harvest, October, Washington County, cotton, combine. UF/IFAS Photo: Josh Wickham.

After many years in development, dicamba will likely be fully approved for use in tolerant cotton varieties for the 2017 growing season. There is great concern that dicamba drift can result in significant losses in nearby sensitive crops. This concern is well-founded because many crops (such as soybean, snap bean, and peanut) are highly sensitive to extremely low doses of dicamba. All precautions must be followed if these new dicamba formulations are to be used. This 3-page fact sheet discusses herbicide selection, discontinued use of ammonium sulfate, nozzle selection, boom height, and wind speed. It also addresses a few frequently asked questions. Written by J. Ferrell and R. Leon, and published by the UF Agronomy Department, February 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag414