Hazardous Household Substances: Alternatives That Are Relatively Free of Toxic Effects

Some products that we use in our homes contain chemicals that are hazardous or toxic. We can reduce the potential for exposure to chemicals from household products and produce less hazardous household waste by using alternatives that are relatively free of toxic effects. This six-page fact sheet describes some alternatives that are relatively free of toxic effects. Written by Marie Hammer, Chris Koehler, and Randall Cantrell and published by the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he791

Manejo de Insectos en Cruciferas (Cultivos de Coles) (Brocoli, Repollo, Coliflor, Col, Col Rizada, Mostaza, Rabano, Nabos)

Figura 2. Larva de la palomilla dorso de diamante. Crédito: Lyle J. Buss, UF/IFAS

Los vegetales conocidos como crucíferas son un grupo de cultivos amplio y cada vez más importante en Florida. Un número de insectos se alimenta exclusivamente de crucíferas y afecta todos los cultivos enlistados en el título.
This thirty-page fact sheet is the Spanish translation of IG150: Insect Management for Crucifers (Cole Crops). Written by S.E. Webb, A. Nino, y H.A. Smith and published by the Entomology and Nematology Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig168

Fumigant and Non-Fumigant Nematicides Labeled for Agronomic Crops in Florida

Scanning electron micrograph of a sting nematode male. 2009 Annual Research Report photo by Tyler Jones.

Plant-parasitic nematodes can cause severe yield loss of agronomic crops in Florida. Chemical products for managing plant-parasitic nematodes are called nematicides. This three-page facts heet describes the nematicides registered for use in Florida. Written by Zane Grabau and published by the Department of Entomology and Nematology.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1152

Biology and Management of Goosegrass (Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.) in Ornamental Plant Production

Figure 4. Seed head Credits: Nathan S. Boyd, UF/IFAS

This six-page fact sheet provides information about the biology and management of goosegrass, including preemergence and postemergence control options. Written by Shawn Steed, Christopher Marble, Nathan S. Boyd, Andrew MacRae, and Kiran Fnu and published by the Environmental Horticulture Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep538

Alimentos en Pure: Prueba de Textura con la Prueba de Desplome

Figure 6. A) puréed canned beets with water separation; B) puréed canned beets with the addition of a small amount of puréed kidney beans and showing no water separation (cylinder filled to 2” marking).

This is the Spanish version of FS276 Pureed Foods: Texture Testing with the Slump Test. For individuals with dysphagia, the texture of puréed foods is extremely important. If the puréed foods are either too thick or too thin, it can make it more difficult to swallow. The slump test is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to assess the texture of foods. This four-page fact sheet describes the slump test, how to perform a slump test, and how the slump test can be used to evaluate the texture of puréed foods. Written by Wendy J. Dahl, and published by the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs288

Biology and Management of Thickhead (Crassocephalum crepidioides) in Ornamental Crop Production

Figure 2. Thickhead cotyledon and first true leaf. Credits: Annette Chandler, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center

Typically found in shadehouses and shaded areas of nursery production, thickhead grows aggressively in containers and can outcompete nursery crops for water, nutrients, and light. This erect, sparingly branched, herbaceous annual, grows up to 4 feet tall and germinates over a wide range of pH, salt, and temperature conditions. This four-page fact sheet describes thickhead (Crassocephalum crepidioides) and various methods for its control in ornamental crop production. Written by Allison Bechtloff, Shawn Steed, Chris Marble, and Nathan Boyd and published by the Environmental Horticulture Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep534

Quick Reference Guide to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as Revised in 2015

Pesticide testing.

The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation originally issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 and most recently revised in 2015. This eight-page reference guide gives an overview of the 2015 revisions. Written by Frederick M. Fishel, and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi270

Florida Citrus Activity Book

The Florida Citrus Activity Book is a basic introduction to Florida citrus trees, diseases, and pests. This 20-page booklet is for elementary students. Written by J.D. Burrow, M.M. Dewdney, M.E. Rogers, and T. Vashisth and published by the Plant Pathology Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp331

Chronic Kidney Disease: Potassium and Your Diet

Dr. Wendy Dahl posing with fiber and food to stop kidney disease. Image used in the 2014 Research Discoveries report.  UF/IFAS Photo by Javier Edwards

Potassium is an essential mineral required for normal body function. It helps maintain normal blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte balance, muscle and nerve function, as well as bone density. This three-page fact sheet describes potassium and its normal dietary importance, as well as the impact potassium levels have on those with Chronic Kidney Disease. Written by Ashley R. Kendall, Nancy J. Gal, and Wendy J. Dahl and published by the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs287

DNA, Technology, and Florida Strawberries

Freshly harvested strawberries UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones

Are Florida strawberries genetically engineered? The answer is no. No genetically engineered strawberry has been commercialized anywhere in the world. The UF/IFAS strawberry breeding program has been developing strawberry varieties for nearly 70 years, but these varieties are developed using a conventional breeding process of crossing and selection. This three-page fact sheet describes that process in greater detail. Written by Seonghee Lee, Young-Hee Noh, Sujeet Verma, and Vance M. Whitaker and published by the Horticultural Sciences Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1287

Also see the UF/IFAS press release (12/14): UF/IFAS scientists: Commercially grown strawberries are not genetically engineered

Biology and Management of Pilea microphylla(Artillery weed) in Ornamental Crop Production

Figure 4. Artillery weed in flower. Credits: Annette Chandler, UF/IFAS

This five-page fact sheet describes the biology and management of Pilea microphylla, or artillery weed, for ornamental crop production. Artillery weed occurs primarily in moist, disturbed areas and is thought to be native to South America and parts of North America. It is found throughout Florida. Written by Debalina Saha, Chris Marble, Shawn Steed, and Nathan Boyd and published by the Environmental Horticulture Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep535

Fertilization of Field-Grown and Landscape Palms in Florida

   ADD TO LIGHTBOX DOWNLOAD  Description:  Cabbage palms and birds on Lake Okeechobee. Cabbage palm, sabal palm, Sabal palmetto, wading birds, bird, avian, lake, marsh, wetland. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

Palms growing in Florida landscape or field nurseries are subject to a number of potentially serious nutrient deficiencies. This five-page document discusses the prevention and treatment of these deficiencies. Written by Timothy K. Broschat and published by the Environmental Horticulture Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep261

Estimating Return on Investment (ROI) for a Behavior Change: An Evaluation Tool for Extension Programs

UF/IFAS Extension sign sitting on peanuts  Photo Credits:  UF/IFAS Photo by Amy Stuart

Extension professionals can benefit from knowing the value of a program’s outcomes compared to how much it costs. One way to estimate a program’s value relative to cost is through a series of calculations, known as Return on Investment (ROI). This four-page fact sheet describes ROI and how Extension professionals can use it in their programming. Written by Amanda D. Ali, Laura A. Warner, and Hayk Khachatryan and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc270

University of Florida Potato Variety Spotlight: Snowden

Figure 1. Typical tuber and internal flesh color of ‘Snowden’ potato variety. Credits: Lincoln Zotarelli, UF/IFAS

This five-page fact sheet describes a new University of Florida potato variety named Snowden. ‘Snowden’ is a potato variety that is commonly grown for the potato chip market. It was named and released in 1990 from the University of Wisconsin’s Lelah Starks Potato Breeding Farm in Rhinelander, WI. Tuber production and quality results provided in this spotlight are summarized from various variety trials conducted by the University of Florida’s Hastings Agricultural and Extension Center from 1998 to 2015. Written by Rodrick Z. Mwatuwa, Christian T. Christensen, and Lincoln Zotarelli and published by the Horticultural Sciences Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1286

Agricultural Soils of Florida

Horticulture Department, soil, planters. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.
This seven-page fact sheet describes the various soil Orders in Florida, how they were developed, their characteristics, coverage in the state, and uses. This information is important for educating land owners, decision-makers, and educators about soils in Florida, leading to better soil management for agricultural and environmental sustainability. Written by Rao Mylavarapu, Willie Harris, and George Hochmuth and published by the Soil and Water Sciences Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss655

Herbicidas Postemergentes para Uso en Ornamentales

Rose specimens infected with rose rosette virus. Photo taken on 10-3-15  Photo Credits:  UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones
This is the Spanish language version of ENH95/WG095 Postemergent Herbicides for Use in Ornamentals http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg059 Postemergent herbicides are applied directly to weeds. This 5-page fact sheet is largely comprised of two tables: Table one lists postemergent herbicides that can be safely used over the top of some ornamentals when used according to label directions; table 2 lists postemergent herbicides that are registered for use around ornamental plants when applied as a directed spray. Written by E. Vanesssa Campoverde, Chris Marble, and Jeffrey G. Norcini and published by the Environmental Horticulture Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep533

A Guide to Probiotics and Health

Dessert cup.  Photo Credits:  UF/IFAS Photo by Amy Stuart

Probiotics are beneficial for gastrointestinal wellness, immunity, and a variety of other health outcomes. There are hundreds of probiotic supplements available in the marketplace and choosing a supplement can be challenging. This six-page fact sheet provides a summary of the health benefits of probiotics that are backed by a high level of scientific evidence. Written by Wendy J. Dahl and published by the Food Science and Human Nutrition department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs286

Bacterial Wilt of Southern Highbush Blueberry Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum

igure 1. Scorch symptoms caused by bacterial wilt disease on 'Arcadia' blueberry. Credits: Philip Harmon, UF/IFAS

Bacterial wilt is a newly discovered disease of blueberry in Florida. Plants with bacterial wilt will show signs of water stress such as wilting and marginal leaf burn. The disease was initially confirmed on three farms in Florida. This three-page fact sheet describes the symptoms, occurrence, and management of bacterial wilt in blueberry. Written by Philip F. Harmon, Carrie Harmon, and Dave Norman and published by the Plant Pathology Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp332

Worker Protection Standard: Training Workers and Handlers under the 2016 Revision Requirements

Herman Brown, a University of Florida agricultural assistant, sprays pesticide on transgenic rice plants in a greenhouse in Gainesville -- Friday, Oct. 10, 2003. Researchers at UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are adding a gene to the plants to protect them from bacterial blight, which is a major disease for rice farmers in Africa and Southeast Asia.

In 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a comprehensive regulation called the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (WPS). The EPA has made several changes to the WPS since it was fully implemented in 1995. On November 2, 2015, the EPA revised the WPS, making significant changes to the rule’s requirements. Most of the revised provisions will become effective January 2, 2017; there are four provisions that are delayed until January 2, 2018. This five-page fact sheet answers questions regarding changes made to the rules about how to train Workers and Handlers. Written by Frederick M. Fishel and published by the Agronomy Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi268