Category: Agriculture

Pretreatment of Ligno-cellulosic Biomass for Biofuels and Bioproducts (AE495)

Figure 1. Schematic diagram showing the effect of pretreatment on ligno-cellulosic biomass. The primary cell wall becomes compacted by a dense lignin network structure as the plant grows and ages.This 4-page fact sheet discusses bioethanol as a renewable form of energy, explaining the importance of using ligno-cellulosic biomass to produce biofuels. It describes the pretreatment step in producing biofuels and the need for more research into this step so that ligno-cellulosic biofuels can be produced cheaply and efficiently at a commercial scale. Written by Zhaohui Tong, Nusheng Cheng, and Pratap Pullammanappallil, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae495

Tips for Integrating Land and Wildlife Management: Deer in Forests (WEC329/UW374)

Figure 1. What often limits deer populations in Florida’s forests is the availability of nutritious foods.Prized by hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike, white-tailed deer are a popular species found throughout Florida. As such, they are often the focus of management for landowners, managers, and lessees who want to improve deer populations while maintaining other land uses such as timber production. This 2-page fact sheet provides some deer habitat improvement tips that focus primarily on raising the quality of deer forage but that also will help you grow better cover by improving plant diversity and productivity. Written by William M. Giuliano, John M. Olson, and Cailey Thomas, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw374

Tips for Integrating Land and Wildlife Management: Quail and Timber (WEC331/UW376)

Figure 1. Quail prefer a highly interspersed, “crazy quilt” habitat.In Florida, changes in forest management practices during the past 50+ years have led to declines in quail habitat and populations. Important changes involve the use of fire and conversion of native forests to commercial pine plantations. A lack of fire and other disturbance has often led to closed-canopy forests with dense undergrowth that lack important quail habitat components. This 2-page fact sheet provides several quail habitat improvement tips that focus on diversifying the plant species and structural composition and increasing early successional communities dominated by herbaceous plants. Written by William M. Giuliano and Lauren Watine, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw376

Proper Calibration of Soil Fumigant Application Equipment (ENY047/IN404)

Figure 1. A vegetable field composed of plastic-mulch-covered rows and uncovered row middles in which the total area of the block is 1 acre (43,560 sq ft) in size.Calibration of soil fumigant equipment and determination of soil fumigant application rate are two of the most important factors contributing to the success or failure of pest control efficacy and crop production response, yet generate some of the greatest confusion among many researchers and growers alike. This 5-page fact sheet was written by J.W. Noling, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in404

Enemigos naturales y control biologico (ENY866/IN977)

Figure 1. Estadíos de la mariquita común: adulto, pupa y larva (arriba), un conjunto de huevecillos (abajo).Hay muchos insectos benéficos pero solamente hay algunos que son enemigos naturales de plagas. Los enemigos naturales más comunes de encontrar son: mariquitas/tortolitas, crisopas, antocóridos (Orius), ligaéidos, sírfidos, avispas de agallas, hormigas, avispas parasíticas, moscas parasíticas y ácaros depredadores. La importancia relativa varía de acuerdo con cada insecto plaga, el hábitat y la estación o época del año. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Hugh A. Smith y John L. Capinera, traducido por Ana Lucrecia MacVean, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in977

Interpretacion del contenido de la humedad del suelo para determinar capacidad de campo y evitar riego excesivo en suelos arenosos utilizando sensores de humedad (AE496)

Figure 1. Relación general entre el agua disponible para la planta (ADP), la capacidad de campo, el punto de marchitez permanente, el agua no disponible y la clase de textura del suelo.Este documento resume las directrices para la determinación de la capacidad de campo y la programación óptima del riego para suelos arenosos utilizando sensores de medición de la humedad del suelo (SHS). Los sensores de humedad del suelo han demostrado potencial para el monitoreo de la humedad del suelo, y para el respaldo en la toma de decisiones de riego en cultivos hortícolas. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, y Kelly T. Morgan, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae496

Nutrient Cycling in Grazed Pastures (SL376/SS578)

Figure 1. Schematic diagram showing how nutrients cycle through several pools, including the atmosphere, soil, plants, and animals.Many forage-based livestock production systems in Florida are characterized by extensive grazing with minimal inputs of commercial fertilizer and supplemental feed. In these systems, adequate soil fertility conditions are essential to sustain forage production. If nutrients become deficient, pasture and animal performance is reduced, and the economic returns of livestock operations may decline. This 3-page fact sheet discusses the different nutrient pathways in grazing pastures to help producers better understand how to promote nutrient cycling and pasture sustainability. Written by Maria L. Silveira, Joao M. B. Vendramini, Hiran M. da Silva, and Mariana Azenha, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss578

Reconciling Immigration and Agricultural Labor Concerns for a Sustainable State Economy (WC132)

Strawberry Picker Immigration in Florida is a contested issue, and having an understanding of this issue can help facilitate communication. This 6-page fact sheet provide brief but clear information about the trends in policies that can be used by Extension agents to increase educated conversations around immigration issues. Written by Agricultural Education and Communication, and published by the UF Department of Chandra Bowden, Alexa Lamm, Hannah Carter, Tracy Irani, and Sebastian Galindo, December 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc132

Air Potato Leaf Beetle (Suggested Common Name), Lilioceris cheni Gressitt and Kimoto (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) (EENY547/IN972)

Figure 2. Adult Lilioceris cheni.This leaf feeding beetle was recently introduced into Florida from China for biological control of air potato. This 4-page fact sheet provides information on the distribution, appearance, life cycle, host range and importance of the beetle. Written by Entomology and Nematology, and published by the UF Department of Ted D. Center and William A. Overholt, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in972

Construccion de Sistema Hidroponico Flotante (HS1210)

Figure 1. Lechuga en sistema hidropónico flotante.Los aztecas maravillaron a los conquistadores españoles con sus huertos flotantes, y hoy, 500 años después, usted puede impresionar a sus amigos y vecinos con el suyo. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Horticultural Sciences, and published by the UF Department of J. Bosques, M. Sweat, R. Tyson, y R. Hochmuth, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1210

Tips for Integrating Land and Wildlife Management: Quail in Cattle Country (WEC332/UW377)

Figure 1. Male northern bobwhite.This 2-page fact sheet provides specific tips to improve quail habitat in cattle country that focus on diversifying the plant species and structural composition and increasing early successional communities dominated by herbaceous plants. Written by William M. Giuliano and Lauren Watine, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw377

Calonectria (Cylindrocladium) Leaf Spot of Palm (PP302)

Figure 1. Washingtonia filifera leaf exhibiting multiple stages of leaf spot development, from beginning pinpoint water-soaked lesions to expansive necrotic areas.Calonectria is a fungus that affects a large number of hosts worldwide, including timber and ornamental, agricultural, and horticultural crops, causing a wide range of disease symptoms, such as cutting rot, damping-off of seedlings, leaf spot, shoot blight, and root rot. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Jiaming Yu and Monica L. Elliott, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp302

Field Observations During the Ninth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-9): from March 24, 2010 through January 6, 2011 (AE494)

Microwave remote sensing of soil moisture. Close up of system. (UFIFAS file photo)The goal of MicroWEX-9 was to conduct a season-long experiment that incorporated passive microwave observations as well as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) observations for a growing season of elephant grass. The variety of sensors would allow for further understanding of the land-atmosphere interactions during the growing season, and their effect on observed passive microwave signatures at 6.7 GHz and 1.4 GHz, as well as LiDAR scans. This 72-page fact sheet was written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Karthik Nagarajan, Robert Terwilleger, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Jasmeet Judge, Juan Fernandez-Diaz, Daniel Preston, Tyler Cheney, Jason Motsinger, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae494

Beyond 'Earlygold': Juice Color and Quality of Additional Early-Maturing Sweet Orange Selections (HS1209)

Figure 2. Fruit of selections in mid-November and under evaluation at a site in Lake Alfred. Top row, L-R: 'Barao', 'Seleta Branca', and 'Serra D'Agua'; bottom row, L-R: 'Hamlin', 'Earlygold', 'Ouro', and 'Rosa'.This publication summarizes 5 years of juice quality information about 15 early-maturing sweet orange selections introduced to Florida and evaluated after ‘Earlygold’ became available. The trees were grown at a central Florida and Indian River location for about 10 years. Also presented are observations on tree development summarized across both locations and two rootstocks. This 8-page fact sheet was written by Horticultural Sciences, and published by the UF Department of William S. Castle, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1209

Informacion para los propietarios: Cancro Citrico (PP298)

Figure 5. Lesiones marrones elevadas de cancro en fruta con unos particulares márgenes prominentes empapados de agua.El cancro cítrico es una enfermedad introducida en Florida y es muy perjudicial económicamente para la industria comercial. La enfermedad no está presente en todas las regiones tropicales y subtropicales productoras de cítricos donde el cancro cítrico puede ser problemático, por lo tanto, las restricciones para exportar fruta con cancro cítrico son muy estrictas. Esta enfermedad también concierne a los propietarios, no solo por sus efectos en la industria económica, sino también porque es altamente contagiosa y la mayoría de la fruta contagiada en un árbol muy afectado se cae de éste prematuramente. This 4-page fact sheet was written by M. M. Dewdney, P. D. Roberts, J. H. Graham, K. R. Chung, and M. Zekri, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp298

Amaryllis Lesion Nematode, Pratylenchus hippeastri Inserra et al., 2006 (Nematoda: Tylenchida: Pratylenchidae) (EENY546/IN975)

Figure 3. The tail region of a female amaryllis lesion nematode with conical, rounded tail, protruding vulval lips, and empty spermotheca. Amaryllis lesion nematode is an important nematode pest of amaryllis in Florida. It reduces plant vigor, flower yield, and bulb size. As the nematodes tunnel through the root, the damaged cells die and collapse, forming lesions on the exterior and the interior of the root tissue. This 4-page fact sheet was written by William T. Crow, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in975

Causes and Management of Insect and Mite Resistance in Strawberry Production (ENY841/IN713)

Two-spotted spider miteEpisodes of pest resistance to popular pesticides can cause yield losses, reduction of fruit quality, added control costs, environmental degradation, and emotional stress among farmers. These consequences can be alleviated if resistance management is practiced throughout the strawberry industry. If they minimize pesticide application by depending more on biological and cultural pest control measures, and take care not to expose pest populations to pesticides with identical modes of action, growers can avoid causing pesticide resistance. This 8-page fact sheet was written by James F. Price and Curtis Nagle, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in713

Biology and Control of Sorghum-almum in Sugarcane (SSAGR369/SC098)

Figure 3. Sorghum-almum seedhead.Sorghum-almum is a weak, perennial rhizomatous grass. Leaves of seedlings are rolled in a bud with a fringed membranous ligule. Seedlings often resemble corn seedlings when small. Stems of mature plants are stout and erect, reaching up to 14 feet tall. Leaf blades are flat and sandpapery. Sorghum-almum is commonly found in the southern part of Florida in sugarcane fields and along ditches, canals, and roadsides. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Dennis Calvin Odero, Ron Rice, and Les Baucum , and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc098

Biology and Control of Horse Purslane and Common Purslane in Sugarcane (SSAGR368/SC097)

Figure 2. Prostrate and branched horse purslane.Horse purslane and common purslane are broadleaf weeds associated with sugarcane fields in muck (organic) and mineral soils of South Florida. Growers often confuse these two weed species with each other. However, these two species have distinct phylogenetic (evolutionary) and morphological differences. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Dennis Calvin Odero, Ron Rice, and Les Baucum, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc097