Horticultural Sciences Department – Page 5

Stock Plant and Tree Production: Irrigation and Fertilization

Citrus tree production in nurseries can be divided into three stages: production of rootstock liners, transplant of rootstocks into larger containers, and bud grafting. The objectives of this new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department are to provide general information on irrigation and fertilization for production of citrus nursery trees in seedbeds, nurseries and budwood multiplication blocks. This article, written by Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi, is chapter 8b of the forthcoming Citrus Nursery Production Guide.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1333

Biology and Management of Pusley (Richardia L.) in Tomato, Pepper, Cucurbit, and Strawberry Production

Four species of pusley (Richardia L.) are widespread and common weeds in Florida vegetable and strawberry production. We refer to the native plant Richardia scabra L. as Florida pusley. This discrimination is necessary because these species are often referred to collectively as Florida pusley due to overlapping distributions, similar growth habits and leaf morphologies, and difficulty identifying without the presence of fruit. This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department describes the different pusley species and provides management options for strawberry, pepper, cucurbits, and tomato. Written by Shaun M. Sharpe, Nathan S. Boyd, Chris Marble, and Shawn Steed.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1331

Plant Biostimulants: Definition and Overview of Categories and Effects

This new 4-page article provides an overview of a group of crop production materials termed “plant biostimulants,” which are frequently promoted as environment-friendly alternatives to chemical-based products. It explains their regulatory status and presents an overview of the most popular materials (e.g., beneficial fungi, seaweeds, and silicon) and their effects on plants. Written by Ute Albrecht and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1330

La Granada en Florida: Una fruta de arbol para Florida?

El potencial económico en la producción comercial para el cultivo de granadas en Florida es actualmente desconocido en este momento. La investigación científica continúa sobre la posibilidad de encontrar variedades de granadas que puedan crecer en Florida. Las condiciones ambientales, con una alta temporada húmeda en la Florida, y un clima caluroso, son factores que son favorables para las enfermedades en las granadas y eso reduce la calidad de esta fruta, especialmente para las variedades de temporada tardía como la variedad ‘Wonderful’. ‘Wonderful’ es el principal cultivar comercial que se originó en la Florida. Para reducir las enfermedades y evitar la competencia de comercialización con las granadas de California, la investigación para la producción de granadas en la Florida debe centrarse en buscar variedades de temporada temprana que puedan cosecharse en julio y agosto. This six-page document is the Spanish translation of HS44, The Pomegranate. Written by Ali Sarkhosh and Jeff Williamson, translated by Eva Pabon, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs294

Protecting Perishable Foods During Transport by Truck and Rail

The importance of protecting perishable foods from loss of quality during transport has long been recognized. Increased recognition of the importance of the transport link in the food distribution cold chain in securing the safety of perishable foods has more recently become as well recognized.
This updated edition reflects the dynamic changes and innovations in the handling and transportation of perishable foods. Some of these include improved insulation and air movement, microprocessors for more efficient refrigeration, expert systems to control the transport environment and conserve fuel energy, and the use of telematics to monitor and control the performance of refrigerated vehicles during transit. This edition includes descriptions and recommendations for food transported over the road and by rail in marine containers, as well as in railcars. This 214-page revision was written by J. K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Patrick E. Brecht, Jorge Saenz, and Leonard Rodowick and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department in cooperation with the USDA AMS Transportation Services Division.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1328

Biology and Management of Spanish Needles (Bidens spp.) in Ornamental Crop Production

All eight species of Bidens in Florida are commonly referred to as Spanish needles or beggar-ticks. This document focuses on Bidens alba and B. pilosa, which are common weeds in container nurseries and landscapes in Florida. This 6-page EDIS publication, written by Yuvraj Khamare, Chris Marble, Shawn Steed, and Nathan Boyd and published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department, is designed for landowners, gardeners, horticulturalists, and consumers hoping to learn more about Spanish needle classification and management.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep572

Southern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars from the University of Florida

Southern highbush blueberries combine the fruit quality and productivity of highbush blueberries with the low chilling requirement necessary to produce a crop in the Florida climate. Written by J. G. Williamson, D. A. Phillips, P. M. Lyrene, and P. R. Munoz and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, this 13-page major revision describes current and historical southern highbush blueberry cultivars released by the University of Florida.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1245

How to Establish an Urban Agriculture Ordinance

While the desire to implement urban agriculture projects is growing in popularity, there is little information available to help Extension agents and interested citizens fully understand how to implement urban agriculture in their community. This new 11-page document provides an overview of key information required to establish an urban agriculture ordinance. Case studies from urban agriculture initiatives in Florida provide real-world examples of the required activities, potential challenges, and beneficial partners for implementing these initiatives. Resources related to the case studies and additional urban agriculture resources can be found at the end of the document, so that readers can find further information specific to their interests and needs. Written by Candace A. Spencer, Catherine G. Campbell, Anna Prizzia, and Liz Felter, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1327

Alpine Strawberry as a Potential Niche Crop for Florida Growers and Homeowners

Alpine strawberries (Fragaria vesca) produce edible and highly aromatic strawberries known for their excellent eating quality. The berries are fragile and not suitable for long-distance shipping, which inhibits trade on the international market but also provides an opportunity for growers catering to local markets and for homeowners interested in growing this unique and delicious strawberry. This 5-page fact sheet written by Alan Chambers and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department describes yield and fruit quality for several varieties to guide potential growers. The results of this project are anticipated to benefit growers and homeowners looking to cultivate specialty alpine strawberries.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1326

Biology and Management of Tropical Whiteweed (Ageratum conyzoides) in Citrus Groves

This 3-page document profiles tropical whiteweed, a common weed of agriculture crops, wetlands, roadsides, and pastures in many parts of the world, and discusses how to manage this weed in citrus groves. Written by Ramdas Kanissery, Brent Sellers, and Steve Futch and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, January 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1325

Thinning Florida Peaches for Larger Fruit

Fruit size is an important factor in a fruit crop’s marketability. This 6-page document discusses fruit thinning, a process that is critical to achieving larger-sized peaches, and thus is critical to the success of peaches grown in Florida. Written by Yuru Chang, Ali Sarkhosh, Jeffrey Brecht, and Peter Andersen and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1324

The Pomegranate

This 6-page document profiles the pomegranate and discusses its production in Florida. Written by Ali Sarkhosh and Jeff Williamson and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, January 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg056

Yield and Horticultural Performance of Naked-Seed Pumpkin in South Florida

Pumpkin seeds with a thin or soft seed coat are called naked seeds, and are a popular ingredient in many snacks, breads, breakfast cereals, soups, and other edible goods. This 5-page document reports on yield and horticultural performance of two naked-seed pumpkin cultivars under south Florida spring growing conditions. Written by Geoffrey Meru and Yuqing Fu and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, December 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1323

Rootstocks for Florida Stone Fruit

Rootstocks are used in many tree fruit systems to provide growth advantages and/or pest and disease resistance without affecting (sometimes improving) productivity and fruit quality. This 6-page document discusses the use of rootstocks for Florida stone fruit. Written by Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, Jose Chaparro, and Thomas Beckman and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, November 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs366

Florida Brilliance Strawberry

‘Florida Brilliance’ is a new short-day strawberry cultivar released by the University of Florida and commercialized in 2018. This 4-page document describes important attributes of this cultivar and makes management recommendations for growers. Written by Vance Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, and Shinsuke Agehara and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, October 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1322

Production of Edible Flowers in Florida

Edible flowers can be a fresh addition to main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and drinks. Their value stems from their visual appeal, taste, nutritional content, and medicinal properties. This 7-page document examines the production and distribution of edible flowers in Florida. Written by Caroline de Favari Tardivo and Geoffrey Meru and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, August 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1321

Peach Root-knot Nematode

One of the production issues that peach growers in Florida must contend with is plant-parasitic nematodes. One such species is the more recently discovered peach root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis, which is the subject of this 5-page publication. Written by Mary Ann D. Maquilan, Ali Sarkhosh, and Donald Dickson and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, July 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1320

Peach Rust (Transchelia spp.)

Peach rust is a fungal disease that attacks plants like peach, nectarine, almond, plum, apricot, and cherry. Infections can be particularly severe in warm weather with high rainfall, so Florida summers provide favorable conditions for peach rust development. This 6-page document describes the characteristics and management of peach rust. Written by Daniel Mancero-Castillo, Ali Sarkhosh, Courtney Ligon, Mercy Olmstead, and Philip Harmon and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, July 2018.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1263

Control of Black Medic in Strawberry Production

Black medic is an annual broadleaf weed that competes with strawberry crops and impedes harvest. This 4-page document describes how to manage black medic in strawberry production. Written by Shaun M. Sharpe and Nathan S. Boyd and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, July 2018.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1319

Seed Piece Spacing Adjustment for Florida Chipping Potato

Seed spacing directly affects crop revenue because the number of potato seeds planted determines the final plant population density. The analysis presented in this 5-page publication was extracted from a series of field trials that looked at improved potato plant arrangement in the field by adjusting seed piece spacing for Florida growing conditions. Written by Fernanda Souza Krupek, Steven A. Sargent, Peter J. Dittmar, and Lincoln Zotarelli and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, May 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1317