EDIS Update – Page 5 – New and revised publications from the University of Florida Insitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Stormwater Pond Management: What You Need to Know about Aeration

This new 6-page document is intended to provide Floridians and their communities with information on a specific management practice in stormwater ponds: the use of fountains and other aeration approaches. These practices may provide opportunities both to improve water quality within the pond and protect downstream water quality. Specifically, this document gives basic information on fountains and the pros and cons of fountain installation and use. In addition, we provide information for pond managers or community decision makers on how to best manage ponds for effective pollutant removal in the pond and downstream water quality protection. Written by Samantha T. Howley, Steven P. Hohman, and Alexander J. Reisinger, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss695

Soil Health Response of Histosols to Flooded versus Dry-Fallow Conditions during Summer

Evaluating changes in soil properties associated with flooded fields during the summer months in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) provides us an opportunity to assess the effect of soil management associated with flooded versus dry-fallow field conditions on Histosols. This information will be beneficial to current and potential growers farming flooded rice in south Florida, as well as Extension agents who work on rice and soil conservation agencies such as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This new 6-page publication was written by Jehangir H. Bhadha, Jay Capasso, Abul Rabbany, Nan Xu, and Matthew VanWeelden, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss697

Leches a base de plantas: Avena

La leche de avena es una de las alternativas lácteas más recientes en llegar a los estantes de los supermercados, y actualmente hay varias marcas disponibles en los Estados Unidos. La leche de avena está hecha de avena en grano. Esta publicación describe cómo se elabora la leche de avena, sus ingredientes y perfil de nutrientes, y los posibles beneficios y riesgos para la salud del consumo.
This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department is the Spanish translation of FSHN20-52/FS419, Plant-Based Milks: Oat, written by Hannah Cooper, Daniela Rivero-Mendoza, and Wendy J. Dahl.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs427

Lightning Damage to Landscape Palms

Florida is considered by some to be the lightning capital of the world. Florida has on average 3,500 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes per day and 1.2 million strikes per year. Given so many strikes, the probability of damage to certain palms is significant. Coconut palms, royal palms, and Washington palms are particularly vulnerable due to their great heights, but other tall palms may be equally susceptible. This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department describes and includes many helpful photos of symptoms of lightning damage as well as lightning protection systems. Written by Stephen H. Brown, Douglas Caldwell, and Ralph Mitchell.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep598

Organic Blueberry Production in Florida

There is a growing market in the United States and globally for fresh fruits and vegetables with reported health-enhancing properties. This includes blueberries, which are high in antioxidants and have been reported to improve heart health and contain anticancer properties. Fresh-market blueberry sales (conventional and organic) increased by 27% between 2013 and 2017, and that trend is expected to continue. In addition, there is an increasing level of consumer interest in organically grown produce (for environmental conservation, taste, and other perceived benefits), for which some consumers are willing to pay a premium over the price for a conventionally produced crop. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department discusses various aspects of organic blueberry production in Florida and is intended for use by those currently using or interested in pursuing organic production. Written by Douglas A. Phillips, Peter J. Dittmar, Philip F. Harmon, Oscar E. Liburd, Danielle D. Treadwell, and Jeffrey G. Williamson.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1400

Chinese Mustard Cultivation Guide for Florida

Chinese mustard is a nutritious leafy vegetable in the family Brassicaceae. Chinese mustard also goes by many common names, such as brown mustard, mustard greens, leaf mustard, Indian mustard, Oriental mustard, and vegetable mustard. Although it is considered a weed in a few states, such as Michigan, this species is not listed as invasive in Florida and has been cultivated in several counties, including Levy, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department provides a short cultivation guide as well as information on the uses and marketability of Chinese mustard. Written by Yuheng Qiu, Mary Dixon, and Guodong Liu.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1402

Management Options for Improving Flowering in Citrus Production

The final fruit yield and, ultimately, returns a grower receives from any given harvest is directly related to the number of viable flowers that are generated and the proportion of those flowers that produce fruit. A grower can improve the ability for their trees to consistently produce a profitable crop of fruit by understanding the steps involved in flowering and controlling the transition to reproductive growth. This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department was written by Leigh Archer, Miurel Brewer, Bikash Adhikari, Eduardo Esteves, Christopher Vincent, and Tripti Vashisth.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1399

Developing Extension Programming to Help Low-Income Families Save Money and Energy: The Community Weatherization Coalition Model

This new 3-page publication of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication is the first in a series that will help Extension agents, nonprofits, agency personnel, and other promoters of community development better understand both the issue of high utility bills among low-income residents and what they can do to help. This first publication provides an overview of one program approach taken by a group of volunteers in Alachua County, the Community Weatherization Coalition, which uses a model of trained “energy coaches.” Written by Paul Monaghan, Sarah Blucher, Marianne Schmink, Alane Humrich, Jennison Kipp, and Wendell Porter.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc368

Exemplary Youth Leadership Series: Encourage the Heart

This publication series is designed to outline strategies and experiences to expose youth to and engage them with leadership concepts. In this publication, students will try on aspects of the final practice of exemplary leaders: encouraging the heart. Two quick, low-cost activities are included for implementation with youth and adults working with youth. These activities are best suited for students ages 10–18. However, modifications are included for each of the activities to allow for different group sizes, ages, and abilities of the youth participating. This new 2-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication was written by Megan Stein.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc377

Reducing Your Risk for Heart Disease: The Power of Food

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death among men and women within the United States. Heart disease is an umbrella term for the following heart conditions: angina; irregular heartbeats; heart attacks; heart failure; and stroke. This new 8-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department describes the modifiable risk factors for heart disease and tips to reduce one’s risk for heart disease. Written by Elena B. Smith, Jodi Fitzgerald, Danielle Nelson, Madison Woodard, and Jeanette Andrade.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs426

Leches a base de plantas: Almendras

La leche de almendras, una alternativa a la leche de origen vegetal, se produce a partir de almendras y agua. La leche de almendras tiene su origen en la región mediterránea y se consume desde hace muchos años. En los Estados Unidos, hay varias marcas comercializadas de leche de almendras. Esta publicación describe el perfil de nutrientes y los posibles beneficios y riesgos para la salud de la leche de almendras.
This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department is the Spanish version of FSHN20-48/FS410, Plant-Based Milks: Almond. Written by Elena Torna, Daniela Rivero Mendoza, and Wendy J. Dahl.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs423

Plant-Based Milks: Soy

Soy milk is a plant-based milk made from the legume soybean. Unlike some of the recently marketed plant-based milks, soy milk has a long history as a beverage around the world and has been marketed in the United States for more than a century. If you have wondered how it compares to cow’s milk, this new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department describes the composition and nutrient content of soy milk and its potential benefits and risks to health. Written by Jessica Goldberg, Daniela Rivero-Mendoza, and Wendy J. Dahl.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs422

Prácticas Culturales para el Caqui Japonés en Florida

Los caquis son considerados como un cultivo relativamente sostenible en Florida, con una calificación de 6 puntos en una escala de 10 para la evaluación de sostenibilidad agrícola. Los caquis tienen un potencial comercial moderado y altas probabilidades de llegar directamente al consumidor. La demanda de los consumidores podría ser de cultivares no astringentes principalmente. Los caquis son aptos para el centro y el norte de Florida, ya que la calidad y los rendimientos pueden ser bajos en la parte sur del estado.
This new 15-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department is the Spanish translation of HS1389, Japanese Persimmon Cultural Practices in Florida, written by Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin M. Huff, and Peter C. Andersen, and translated by Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1401

Bird’s Nest Fungi: Charismatic Mushrooms in Your Garden

The “bird’s nest” fungi (Nidulariaceae) are charismatic mushrooms that look like small nests containing multiple tiny eggs. Because the ecological role of bird’s nest fungi is to decompose wood, they are extremely common in disturbed areas with plant debris and mulch, such as trails and backyard gardens. These fungi tend to grow in large clusters, so it is common to see ten to a hundred of these “nests” at once. Bird’s nest fungi are not considered dangerous to plants, animals, or humans. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department was written by Nattapol Kraisitudomsook and Matthew E. Smith.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp361

Common Hazards Associated with Sheep and Goat Feed

This 7-page document provides a list of common hazards to consider in the manufacturing of feed for small ruminants. Written by Chalise Brown, Diwakar Vyas, and Jason M. Scheffler, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, November 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an363

Gender Affirmation Surgery: Financial Considerations

This 3-page factsheet provides a brief overview of gender-affirming medical care, expenses, and funding options. A glossary with key terms discussed in this publication is included at the end. Written by Chloe W. Swearingen, Megan Donovan, Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar, and Sarah M. Ellis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, November 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1492

Crop Water Use and Irrigation Scheduling Guide for North Florida

Effective irrigation scheduling enables the irrigator to apply the right amount of water at the right time to meet the crop water demand. This 19-page guide presents information on average daily and weekly crop water use and crop growth stages for twelve north Florida crops that can be used to help schedule irrigation. This will allow a grower to develop a realistic irrigation schedule that minimizes plant water stress, saves water, and reduces nutrient leaching potential. Written by Vivek Sharma, Charles Barrett, De Broughton, and Thomas Obreza, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences, revised December 2020.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss491

Potential Economic Benefits of Restoring Commercial Oyster Harvest Levels in Apalachicola Bay, Florida

Florida’s Apalachicola Bay has long been known for its oyster harvesting and processing industry, but a steady decline in oyster landings in the Bay has threatened the industry. The complex nature of the human and natural systems that together affect Apalachicola’s oyster reefs has created uncertainty about the long-term sustainability of the oyster fishing industry in Franklin County, which has prompted many questions about the ecology of the Bay and the economy of the region from a variety of stakeholders that directly or indirectly depend on the survival and successful restoration of the Apalachicola Bay oyster fishery. This 5-page fact sheet estimates the potential economic impacts associated with a successfully restored oyster reef in Apalachicola Bay, basing estimates on different hypothetical oyster harvest goals. Written by Robert Botta, Ed Camp, Christa Court, Caleb Stair, and Charles Adams and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, it is designed to inform decision making and discussions related to restoration and resource management in the region.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1085

Boom Sprayer Calibration Tables

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

Key Plant, Key Pests: Oak (Quercus spp.)

This series of Key Plant, Key Pests publications is designed for Florida gardeners, horticulturalists, and landscape professionals to help identify common pests associated with common Florida flora. This new 9-page publication provides information and general management recommendations for borers, caterpillars, insect-induced galls, twig girdlers, oak leaf blister, root and butt rot, Tubakia leaf spot, mistletoe, psocids, lace bugs, woolly aphids, powdery mildew, Spanish and ball moss, and lichens. Written by Juanita Popenoe, Caroline R. Warwick, Adam G. Dale, and Alfred Huo, and published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep596