In recent years, there has been a growing interest among consumers to buy products that follow strict standards in their production process and that also are healthy and safe. In the case of coffee, people in the United States are not only interested in the quality and origin of coffee, but many are also concerned about the social, economic, and environmental aspects of coffee production. Coffee is taking the lead in developing standards to address these concerns. This 6-page fact sheet explains the certification process and describe the various certification programs and what they mean. Written by Gloria M. Lentijo and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw351
Category: Crops
Eucalyptus and Corymbia Species for Pulpwood, Mulchwood, Energywood, Windbreaks, and/or Phytoremediation (CIR1194/FR013)
In Florida, Eucalyptus species grow faster than our native tree species. Certain species, when planted on suitable sites and managed properly, can produce commercial products such as pulpwood, mulchwood, and energywood, can remediate environmental problems, or may be used as windbreaks for citrus and vegetables. This circular describes potential applications and presents planting guidelines for these three species. This revised 7-page fact sheet was written by D. L. Rockwood and G. F. Peter, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr013
Production of Biofuel Crops in Florida: Switchgrass (SSAGR291/AG296)
Nationwide, switchgrass is recommended for biofuel production because of its wide range of adaptation and high potential dry matter yield with relatively low fertility input. It can be used for both lignocellulosic ethanol production and in electricity generation, complementing coal as a co-firing agent supplement. Less is known about switchgrass production in Florida than other biofuel crops. This 4-page fact sheet describes the biofuel potential, biology, production, potential yields, production challenges, estimated costs, and environmental concerns. Includes references. Written by Yoana Newman, Mary J. Williams, Zane Helsel, and Joao Vendramini, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag296
Tomato Varieties for Florida: Florida ‘Red Rounds,’ Plum, Cherries, and Grapes (HS1189)
Tomatoes were introduced to European culture more than a hundred years before Linnaeus developed the binomial system of naming plants. After a brief discussion of the scientific naming of tomato and tomato varieties, the tables in this 13-page fact sheet provide a guide to varieties used in Florida listing the companies selling each, growing season, characteristics of plant and fruit, disease resistance, and other comments, separated by regional adaptation. Written by Monica Ozores-Hampton, Gene McAvoy, Stephen Olson, Kent Cushman, and Nancy Roe , and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1189
Annual Warm-Season Legumes for Florida and the US Gulf Coast: Forage Yield, Nutritional Composition, and Feeding Value (AN259)
High-quality forage legumes that can be grown during the warm-season are scarce in Florida and the Gulf Coast region. Seeded warm-season legumes, such as cowpea, soybean, and pigeonpea, are less expensive and faster to establish than perennial peanut, and they could provide nutritious forage to complement beef cattle and other ruminant animal feeding programs. This 5-page fact sheet summarizes the results of three years of field trials and two feeding trials conducted at North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, located in northwest Florida. Written by Jamie Foster, Robert Myer, A.T. Adesogan, Jeffery Carter, Lynn Sollenberger, and Ann Blount, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an259
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
Bahiagrass: A Quick Reference (SSAGR263/AG271)
In Florida, bahiagrass is the most planted warm-season perennial forage grass. Two-thirds of improved pastures are planted with bahiagrass because of its excellent adaptation, ease of management, persistence under low fertilization and close grazing, as well as its relatively simple planting.
This revised 3-page “quick reference” fact sheet was written by Yoana C. Newman, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag271
Camelina Production in Florida (SSAGR340/AG350)
Camelina (Camelina sativa (L)) is an old-world crop used primarily for oil. It can be grown under semi-arid conditions. Breeding efforts have resulted in very few improvements. It is a member of the Brassicaceae or mustard family and related to canola and cole crops. The seed is about 35% oil, and the oil is high in omega-3 fatty acid, which has been cited as having health benefits. Camelina meal can be fed to livestock, producing eggs and meat that are higher in omega-3 fatty acids. Interest in camelina is not only due to its high level of omega-3 fatty acids but because it is a renewable source of feedstock for biodiesel and advanced biofuels.
This 3-page fact sheet was written by David Wright and Jim Marois, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag350
Management of Gummy Stem Blight (Black Rot) in Cucurbits in Florida (PP280)
Gummy stem blight (GSB) is a major disease of many cucurbits, including watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, pumpkin, squash, muskmelon, and other melons. The disease is also known as black rot due to its characteristic appearance on infected fruits. Learn the symptoms, causal agent and disease spread, and fungicides labeled for use in Florida. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Mathews L. Paret, Nicholas S. Dufault, and Stephen M. Olson , and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp280
Manual de Prácticas para el Mejor Manejo Postcosecha del Mango (HS1190/HS1190)
This 78-page spanish-language manual includes quality-control procedures to use when monitoring the maturity and quality of mangos in commercial handling operations. It was written by Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Adel A. Kader, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, Fernando Maul, Patrick E. Brecht, Octavio Menocal, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1190
Florida Crop/Pest Management Profiles: Citrus (Oranges/Grapefruit) (CIR1241/PI036)
Did you know that Florida growers produced 79 percent of the oranges harvested in the United States in 2008-2009? Learn about citrus production in Florida — production facts, production regions, production practices, worker activities, and major pests. This revised 18-page fact sheet was written by M.A. Mossler, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi036
Cultural Practices for Vegetable and Small Fruit Crops: Using Kaolin Clay to Reduce Sprinkler Irrigation for Strawberry Transplant Establishment (HS1188)
Because of the current limitations on water usage for strawberry growers in the Plant City area of Hillsborough County, researchers at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education center have been looking for inexpensive ways to reduce the amount of sprinkler irrigation in strawberry production. This 3-page fact sheet presents research results on the effect of kaolin clay application on sprinkler irrigation volumes applied to newly transplanted strawberries. It was written by Bielinski M. Santos, Teresa P. Salame-Donoso, Craig D. Stanley, Alicia J. Whidden, Crystal A. Snodgrass, and Mary B. Henry, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1188
AN255 The Annual Cultivated Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as a Potential Forage Crop for Livestock in the Southeastern U.S.
AN255, a 5-page fact sheet by R. O. Myer, A. T. Adesogan, A. R. Blount, D. W. Gorbet, and B. L. Tillman, provides livestock producers with information on the use of annual cultivated peanut as a potential forage crop in the Southeast — forage production trial results, nutritional value, feeding value, and use as forage for grazing. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an255
SSAGR339/AG349 Can Liberty Link Cotton or Soybeans Work in Florida?
SSAGR339, a 3-page illustrated fact sheet by J. Ferrell, B. Brecke, and Clyde Smith, answers questions about the potential use of LibertyLink crops, which are genetically modified to tolerate applications of glufosinate, as part of a control strategy for Palmer amaranth control in cotton and soybeans. Published by the UF Department of Agronomy, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag349
SSAGR338/AG348 Control of Palmer Amaranth in Agronomic Crops
SSAGR338, a 5-page fact sheet by J. Ferrell, B. Brecke, and C. Smith, provides producers with examples of diverse program approaches for managing Palmer amaranth in corn, cotton, peanut and soybean. Published by the UF Department of Agronomy, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag348
FE888 2010 Cost Estimates of Establishing and Producing Pitaya (Dragon Fruit) in South Florida
FE888, a 7-page fact sheet by Edward A. Evans, Jordan Huntley, Jonathan Crane, and Allen F. Wysocki, provides needed information on the costs and returns associated with establishing and operating a five-acre pitaya orchard in South Florida, and assesses the prices and yields that must be obtained to make the establishment and production of a pitaya orchard a profitable venture. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe888
HS1187 Introducción a la Tecnología de Injertos a la Industria de Tomate en la Florida: Beneficios Potenciales y Retos
HS1187, a 7-page illustrated fact sheet by Monica Ozores-Hampton, Xin Zhao, y Miriam Ortez, describes benefits and risks of using grafting technology in tomato production. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1187
SL335/CV226 A Summary of N, P, and K Research with Cucumber in Florida
Revised! SL335, a 15-page fact sheet by George Hochmuth and Ed Hanlon, summarizes the historical Florida research literature on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization of cucumber. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2010. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv226
SL334/CV230 A Summary of N, P, and K Research with Pepper in Florida
Revised! SL334, a 24-page fact sheet by George Hochmuth and Ed Hanlon, summarizes the historical Florida research literature on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization of pepper. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv230
HS1185 Mango Postharvest Best Management Practices Manual
HS1185, a 73-page illustrated monograph by Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Adel A. Kader, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, Fernando Maul, Patrick E. Brecht, Octavio Menocal, is the best management practices manual for harvesting and handling mangos marketed in the U.S. The manual includes quality-control procedures to use when monitoring the maturity and quality of mangos in commercial handling operations. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1185