Fertilizer recommendations contain several important factors, including fertilizer form, source, application timing, placement, and irrigation management. Another important part of a fertilizer recommendation is the amount of a particular nutrient to apply. The optimum fertilizer amount is determined from extensive field experimentation conducted for several years, at multiple locations, with several varieties, etc. This 10-page fact sheet focuses on the research principles behind determining the optimum rate of fertilizer, including experimentation and interpreting research results for optimum crop production and quality in conjunction with minimal environmental consequences. Authors George Hochmuth, Ed Hanlon, and Allen Overman use examples from research with vegetable crops in Florida and emphasize that how one interprets the results is as important as how one conducts the research. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss548
Tag: Department of Soil and Water Sciences
The Potential for Plants to Remove Phosphorus from the Spodic Horizon (SL359/SS560)
Under what conditions can plants be used to remove phosphorus from common Florida soils? This 5-page fact sheet shows how calculations for the phosphorus saturation ratio and soil phosphorus storage capacity at various soil depths can be used to determine whether to use phytoremediation as a strategy to remove phosphorus from the soil. Written by D. Chakraborty, V.D. Nair, W.G. Harris, and R.D. Rhue, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss560
The Long-term Contribution of Phosphorus from Agricultural Lands to Lake Okeechobee (SL357/SS558)
This 7-page fact sheet uses a new procedure to evaluate the soil from active and abandoned dairies in the Lake Okeechobee watershed to determine their potential to negatively impact water quality through phosphorus release. Written by V.D. Nair, M. Chrysostome, and W.G. Harris, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss558
Landscape Diversity: Multiple-Use Landscapes for Reclaimed Phosphatic Clay Areas (SL229/SS449)
With planning, communities can use reclaimed phosphatic clay areas for agriculture and at the same time restore lost wetlands, improve water quality and water use efficiency, and retain areas valuable to wildlife. This 5-page concept paper was written by E.A. Hanlon, M. Wilson, C. Beavers, and J. Cates, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss449
Phosphorus Sources and Risk Potential: Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers (SL358/SS559)
One of the factors that determines whether a source of phosphorus will have a negative impact on water quality is solubility. This 3-page fact sheet discusses the significantly different solubility of commonly found phosphorus sources in Florida. Written by V.D. Nair and W.G. Harris, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011. (UF/IFAS photo by Milt Putnam)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss559
A Summary of N, P, and K Research with Tomato in Florida (SL355/CV236)
More than 60 years worth of tomato fertilization research has been conducted in Florida. During this time, many changes have occurred in tomato production practices, including changes in cultivars and the introduction of new cultural systems, such as polyethylene mulch and drip irrigation. The research reported here covers tomato production with polyethylene mulch. Tomato crop and fertilizer management recommendations, such as plant and row spacing, have changed over time following new developments in research. This 38-page fact sheet summarizes tomato fertilization research leading to current University of Florida recommendations and summarizes needs for additional research. Written by George Hochmuth and Ed Hanlon, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv236
Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Viruses (SL351/SS553)
Keeping disease-causing microorganisms out of groundwater used for drinking water supplies is important to protect human health. This 7-page fact sheet characterizes the behavior of viruses in septic systems and the soil drain field and summarizes what we know about the extent and character of groundwater contamination with viruses emanating from septic systems. Written by Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss553
Reclaimed Water Use for Edible Crop Production in Florida (SL360/SS561)
Irrigating edible crops with reclaimed water is a promising, cost-effective solution to Florida's overuse of freshwater resources. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet written by Jamie Lewis and Alan L. Wright and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss561
Iron (Fe) Nutrition of Plants (SL353/SS555)
Iron is one of 16 essential elements for plant growth and reproduction. Most annual plants have a requirement for Fe on the order of 1 to 1.5 lb Fe per acre, compared with nitrogen (N) at 80 to 200 lb per acre. This 8-page fact sheet provides a detailed basic understanding of soil science and plant physiology for diagnosing and correcting Fe problems in plants and soils. Written by George Hochmuth and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss555
Improving the Health of Declining Loropetalum in the Home Landscape (SL354/SS556)
Loropetalum, or Chinese Witch Hazel, is a common landscape plant in north and central Florida. It’s relatively pest-free, but there have been increasing reports of decline — likely due to nutrient deficiencies in the soil. This 3-page fact sheet familiarizes homeowners with the symptoms of Loropetalum decline and provides options to improve the health of afflicted Loropetalum in the landscape. Written by Joe Sewards and Amy L. Shober and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss556
Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Phosphorus (SL349/SS551)
Phosphorus (P) in onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems is a concern because P can impair water quality even lower concentrations than nitrogen. This 8-page fact sheet summarizes the sources of P in septic tank effluent and the forms, concentrations, and behavior of P in the septic tank effluent and the drain field. Written by Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Tom Obreza and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, July 2011. (Photo by Milt Putnam)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss551
Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Bacteria and Protozoa (SL350/SS552)
Keeping disease-causing microorganisms out of groundwater used for drinking water supplies is important to protect human health.This 7-page fact sheet reports the sources of bacteria and protozoa in wastewater, discusses diseases associated with drinking water contaminated with wastewater, and then details their fate in septic systems. Written by Mary Lusk, Gurpal S. Toor, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, July 2011. (Photo by Tara Piasio)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss552
Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: An Overview (SL347/SS549)
This 7-page fact sheet introduces common types of septic systems and briefly discusses onsite wastewater flow and the contaminants found in wastewater. Written by Gurpal Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, June 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss549
Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Nitrogen (SL348/SS550)
In the United States, about 4,800 water bodies are impaired due to excess nitrogen (N), and septic systems are recognized as one source of N pollution. This 6-page fact sheet describes the behavior and transport of N from a conventional septic system and the summarizes the sources of N in sewage, the forms and behavior of N in septic tanks and drain fields, and the fate and transport of N in groundwater. Written by Gurpal Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, June 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss550
Soil pH and the Home Landscape or Garden (SL256/SS480)
Homeowners and gardeners alike are interested in soil pH because soil pH directly affects the growth and quality of many landscape plants by influencing the chemical form of many elements in the soil and soil microbial processes. This 3-page fact sheet explains soil pH and provides strategies for Master Gardeners and homeowners to make the most of the pH in the home landscape or garden. Written by Amy L. Shober, Christine Wiese, and Geoffrey C. Denny, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss480
Nutrient Mass Budget -The Case of Florida Watermelon Phosphorus Export (SL342/SS547)
Watermelon provides an interesting example of how the phosphorus nutrient balance on the farm has changed over time with changes to production practices and acreage. In this 4-page paper the calculations are described for the export of phosphorus from Florida in the state’s watermelon fruits. Written by George Hochmuth and Jerry Bennett and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss547
A Summary of N and K Research with Strawberry in Florida (SL344/CV229)
More than 50 years worth of strawberry fertilization research has been conducted in Florida. This revised 25-page fact sheet reviews literature from all sources that pertain to commercial strawberry fertilization in Florida’s growing conditions. Written by George Hochmuth and Ed Hanlon and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv229
Water Quality Notes: Alkalinity and Hardness (SL332/SS540)
The terms alkalinity and hardness are often used interchangeably when discussing water quality. These aggregate properties of water share some similarities but are distinctly different. This 7-page fact sheet describes alkalinity and hardness, their importance from management and ecological perspectives, methods for measuring each, and the current state regulations for each in public waters of Florida. Written by P. Chris Wilson and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss540
Water Quality Notes: pH (SL328/SS538)
Water pH is one of the most common water quality measurements made because it influences a myriad of chemical, physical, and biological processes. The pH of water in an aquatic system is one of the most important water quality parameters because it dramatically influences the bioavailability of some nutrients, metals, and pesticides to plants and animals. This 8-page fact sheet describes water pH, the importance of pH from ecological and management perspectives, common methods used to measure pH, and current state regulations for pH in public waters of Florida. Written by P. Chris Wilson, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss538
A Summary of N,P, and K Research with Squash in Florida (SL343/CV227)
Fertilizer is a major part of the crop production expenses for vining and bush squash, but is critical for successful crop yields and high fruit quality in Florida. This 12-page fact sheet summarize squash fertilization research results from studies conducted in Florida, which have been used to develop the current University of Florida nitrogen (N) recommendations for squash fertilization. Written by George Hochmuth and Ed Hanlon and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv227