Category: Agriculture

Enfermedades fungicas foliares de los citricos para los patios y zonas residenciales (PP297)

Enfermedades fungicas foliares de los citricosEste documento es una hoja de dos páginas ilustrativas para la identificación de las enfermedades fúngicas foliares de los cítricos. This 2-page fact sheet was written by M. M. Dewdney and J. D. Burrow, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp297

Manejo de las enfermedades fungicas foliares para las plantaciones de citricos comerciales (PP299)

Manejo de las Enfermedades Fungicas FoliaresEste documento es una hoja de dos páginas ilustrativas para la identificación y manejo de las enfermedades fúngicas foliares de los cítricos a nivel comercial. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Megan M. Dewdney and Jamie D. Burrow, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp299

Tropical Bont Tick Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius (Arachnida: Acari: Ixodidae) (EENY518/IN934)

Figure 2. Adult male tropical bont tick, Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius.The tropical bont tick is considered one of the most detrimental of the tick species present in Africa and now the Caribbean. It can result in severe economic losses due to hide damage, milk production reduction, and death of livestock. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Karen C. Prine and Amanda C. Hodges, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in934

Blossom Drop, Reduced Fruit Set, and Post-Pollination Disorders in Tomato (HS1195)

Figure 1. Reproductive features of tomato flower. Left: female pistil. Center: open tomato flower. Right: male stamens.Blossom drop and reduced fruit set in tomato can seriously impact yields. Growers in Florida routinely experience such problems and inquire about the cause and possible preventative measures to reduce flower loss and improve yields. The problem can be frustrating and difficult to manage in some situations. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Monica Ozores-Hampton, Fnu Kiran, and Gene McAvoy, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, July 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1195

Well Installation Procedures for Agricultural Irrigation in Miami-Dade County (AE489)

Figure 1. Screenshot from the SFWMD website for ePermitting of the online application for Water Use Permits.Water wells or groundwater wells are the main source of irrigation water for agriculture in Miami-Dade County. Depending on the purpose and characteristics of the well, different permits are required for installing the well and pumping water from the well. The information provided in this 4-page fact sheet is based on current rules, contacts, and prices as of March 2012 for Miami-Dade County. Written by Kati W. Migliaccio, E. Vanessa Campoverde, and Ann Marie Superchi, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae489

Agricultural Management Options for Climate Variability and Change: Variable-Rate Irrigation (AE490)

Figure 1. Example of management zones in an irrigated field having substantial variability in soil properties and planted areas. Colored zones indicate areas where irrigation is reduced or eliminated.Most fields are not uniform because of natural variations in soil type or topography. When water is applied uniformly to a field, some areas of the field may be overwatered while other areas may remain too dry. Variable-rate irrigation technology gives farmers an automated method to vary rates of irrigation water based on the individual management zones within a field and avoid irrigating roadways, waterways, wetlands, and other non-farmed areas within a pivot. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Calvin Perry, Clyde Fraisse, and Daniel Dourte, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, July 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae490

A Stink Bug Euschistus quadrator Rolston (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY523/IN937)

Figure 1. Dorsal view of Euschistus quadrator Rolston; adult male (left) and female (right), a stink bug.Euschistus quadrator, like other stink bugs, is highly polyphagous. It is found on weeds such as clover, vetch and other legumes. It feeds on many different crops, though it is primarily found on cotton, soybeans and corn. Stink bugs cause injury to various fruits and vegetables by feeding, resulting in significant quality and yield loss. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts and most feed primarily on fruits and seeds. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Sara A. Brennan, Joseph Eger, and Oscar E. Liburd, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in937

Agricultural Management Options for Climate Variability and Change: Sensor-Based, Variable-Rate Nitrogen Management (AE487)

Clemson-designed variable-rate nitrogen applicator that does not have onboard sensors; NDVI data were collected in a previous trip across the field (right).Nitrogen fertilizer cost represents about 10%–15% of total farm costs for corn, cotton, and wheat in the Southeastern United States. The efficiency of nitrogen use can be highly variable for producers, so a sensor-based, variable-rate nitrogen application (SVNA) system has been developed for irrigated and dryland row crops to reduce production costs. Using sensor-based N application, there is a minimum 20% reduction in N usage. If that rate reduction were applied to all the cotton, corn, and wheat grown in the United States, CO2 emissions from N fertilizer production would be decreased by 2.7 million tons.
This 4-page fact sheet was written by Wesley Porter, Ahmad Khalilian, Daniel Dourte, and Clyde Fraisse, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, July 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae487

US/Colombia Free Trade Agreement: What Is in It for Florida Agriculture? (FE905)

flag of colombiaOn October 12, 2011, the US Congress ratified a Free Trade Agreement/Trade Promotion Agreement (FTA) with Colombia, five years after it was signed by President George W. Bush. The FTA took effect in May of 2012. This 13-page fact sheet highlights the key elements of the US Colombia FTA as they relate to trade in agricultural commodities, and to examine what is at stake for Florida. Written by Edward A. Evans and Fredy H. Ballen, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, July 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe905

Wasp Parasitoid Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (EENY525/IN938)

Figure 1. Adult male Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), a parasitoid wasp of Anastrepha spp.Doryctobracon areolatus was introduced into Florida and the Dominican Republic for control of the Caribbean fruit fly and the West Indian fruit fly. In its native habitats, parasitism of fruit flies in certain fruit can reach more than 80%. Mean parasitism of Caribbean fruit fly following original establishment in Florida was around 40%. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Charles Stuhl and John Sivinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in938

Agricultural Management Options for Climate Variability and Change: Microirrigation (HS1203)

Figure 1. Drip irrigation applied at the surface for strawberry productionMicroirrigation is the slow, frequent application of water directly to relatively small areas adjacent to individual plants through emitters placed along a water delivery line. A leading advantage of microirrigation is that evaporation that does not contribute to plant growth much less than with sprinkler irrigation. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Lincoln Zotarelli, Clyde Fraisse, and Daniel Dourte, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, July 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1203

Growth, Reduction, and Survival of Bacteria on Melon Types (FSHN1207/FS191)

Figure 1. Skin, Flesh, SeedsFrom 1990 to 2000, over 700 cases of foodborne illness were associated with outbreaks due to melon consumption in the U.S. and Canada. Even with efforts to educate industry and consumers of safe produce-handling practices, in the last decade there were still over 1,100 documented illnesses associated with melon consumption. This 45-page fact sheet highlights the research that has been done to provide insight on possible sanitation methods and their efficacy in decontaminating melon types of foodborne pathogens as well as natural microflora. Written by Thao P. Nguyen, Michelle D. Danyluk, and Keith R. Schneider, and published by the UF Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs191

Western Leaffooted Bug Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coreidae) (EENY517/IN935)

Figure 1. Adult western leaffooted bugs, Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas), on citrus fruit.Leptoglossus zonatus feeds on the satsuma mandarin by inserting its piercing-sucking mouthparts in the fruit and releasing a toxic substance. It transmits a trypanosomatid plant pathogen similar to the one that causes Chagas’ disease and sleeping sickness in humans, but that is only pathogenic to plants. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Amelio A. Chi and Russell F. Mizell III, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in935

How to Reduce Clogging Problems in Fertigation (HS1202)

Figure 1. Scale-like deposits in a drop irrigation system for organic bell pepper productionFertigation is the process of applying fertilizers through an irrigation system by injecting them into the water. Because of its effectiveness and efficiency, fertigation is widely used in vegetable and fruit production. However, clogging of lines and emitters may become a problem. This 7-page fact sheet provides practical suggestions for better fertigation management so growers can reduce clogging problems. Written by Guodong Liu and Gene McAvoy, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1202

Weed Control in Carrot (HS201/WG026)

man's hand holds fresh carrot above carrrot plants in fieldWeeds reduce carrot yields by reducing the size of carrot roots through direct competition for nutrients, space, and water. Weeds also deform carrot roots, making them unmarketable. Weeds late in the season may also cause severe harvesting problems. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Peter J. Dittmar and William M. Stall, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg026

Professional Disease Management Guide for Ornamental Plants (PP202/PP123)

Bob McGovern, right, checks the roots of ornamental plants with plant breeder Brent Harbaugh. Photo Thomas WrightFlorida’s warm, humid environment is a gardener’s paradise and a great location for ornamental plant producers to grow numerous plant species — but these conditions also are suitable for the development of a wide variety of plant pathogens and insects that can spread them. Florida is also a major port of entry for the international trade of ornamental plants, which carries the risk of introducing exotic invasive pathogens, so growers are required to follow certain phytosanitory regulations. These challenges require growers to develop the most efficient production plans possible, incorporating as many tactics as they can to maximize plant health and minimize opportunities for pest and disease outbreaks—a concept known as integrated pest management (IPM). This 16-page fact sheet is intended to be used by growers, landscape professionals, and other pest control operators as a reference for managing ornamental plant diseases. Written by P. F. Harmon and S. D. Bledsoe, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp123

Bean Plataspid: Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Plataspidae) (EENY527/IN939)

Figure 2. Adult bean plataspids, Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius), on a building in Georgia, USA. Notice the enlarged, truncated scutellum covering the wings.Also known as the kudzu bug, lablab bug, and globular stink bug, the bean plantaspid is native to Asia, where it is not an agricultural pest. But in the U. S., it is reported as a pest of soybean in Georgia and South Carolina. Adults from established populations overwinter on light colored structures, in leaf litter, and underneath the bark of trees. Also, like stink bugs, adults tend to excrete an odor as a defense mechanism when disturbed. The defense chemical these insects secrete may stain the surface of the house, building or vehicle where aggregation occurs. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Ashley Poplin and Amanda Hodges, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in939

Ultrasound and Carcass Merit of Youth Market Cattle (AN279)

Figure 1. Technician using real-time ultrasound machine.Market cattle shown at county and state fairs and other youth shows across the United States are food animals. The endpoint value of food animals is primarily based on their carcass merit. Ideally, carcass merit should be assessed from actual carcasses. However, when carcass data cannot be collected, ultrasound evaluation of market cattle is an excellent method to accurately assess differences in fat thickness, ribeye area, and percentage of intramuscular fat within the ribeye. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Chad Carr, Dwain Johnson, and Mark Shuffitt, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an279

Field Symptoms of Boron Toxicity and Deficiency in Florida Peanuts (SL366/SS567)

Figure 2. Close-up photo of classic boron toxicity foliar symptomsBoron is an essential micronutrient needed by peanut to prevent “hollow heart” and to provide for sufficient plant growth, but it can be a challenge to manage for peanut production on sandy soils. There may be times when peanut growers, extension agents, and consultants find field symptoms when either boron toxicity or boron deficiency is the cause of peanut yield loss and low kernel quality. This 4-page fact sheet reviews the boron management strategy in Florida, presents information on boron sufficiency and toxicity levels from the literature, and provides photographs of field symptoms that can be used by growers and Extension agents. was written by J. W. Breman, W. D. Thomas, H. E. Jowers, and R. S. Mylavarapu, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss567

Agricultural Management Options for Climate Variability and Change: Conservation Tillage (AE486)

Figure 3. Cover crop rolling and strip tillage in preparation for planting; note the substantial plant residues maintained on the soil surface. Custom roller/strip-till unit by Myron Johnson of Headland, AL.This 4-page fact sheet focuses on the use of conservation tillage in crop production systems as a strategy to minimize the risks associated with climate variability and change and to improve resource-use efficiency. Written by Kip Balkcom, Leah Duzy, Daniel Dourte, and Clyde Fraisse, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae486