Category: Agriculture

Winterstar(TM) (‘FL 05-107’) Strawberry (HS1198)

Figure 1. Plants and fruit of Winterstar(TM) ('FL 05-107') strawberry in late March, 2010 in Dover, FLWinterstar(TM) (‘FL 05-107’) is a new strawberry cultivar released from the University of Florida in 2011, originating from a 2005 cross between ‘Florida Radiance’ and ‘Earlibrite’. Data from several years of trials were used to generate this information and recommendations to help growers obtain optimal performance in West Central Florida. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Vance M. Whitaker, Craig K. Chandler, Bielinski M. Santos, and Natalia A. Peres , and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1198

University of Florida Strawberry Cultivars (HS1199)

Figure 1. Characteristic fruit of 'Strawberry Festival' strawberryThis 4-page fact sheet gives basic descriptions and suggested practices for University of Florida strawberry cultivars that are of commercial importance to the Florida strawberry industry. Descriptions are the result of research trials, field observations, and consultation with growers. They are specific to West Central Florida and may not be applicable to other regions where these cultivars are grown. Written by Vance M. Whitaker, Bielinski M. Santos, and Natalia A. Peres, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1199

Are Phosphorous and Phosphoric Acids Equal Phosphorous Sources for Plant Growth? (HS1010/HS254)

Figure 1. Downy mildew on lettucePhosphorus (P) is one of the 17 elements essential for plant growth and development, and is also a key component in some agrochemicals, such as phosphorous acid. Thus, there are two types of P closely associated with crop production. The similarity of terms such as phosphoric acid and phosphorous acid may create some confusion as to the actual content and efficacy of these products. This 7-page fact sheet explains what phosphorous acid is and examines both its fungicidal activity and nutrient value. Written by Asha M. Brunings, Guodong Liu, Eric H. Simonne, Shouan Zhang, Yuncong Li, and Lawrence E. Datnoff, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs254

Preemergence Herbicides for Use in Ornamentals (OH94/WG058)

Roses, flowers, ornamental horticulture, gardening. Photo by Eric ZamoraPreemergence herbicides are herbicides that are applied prior to weed seed germination. Control of weeds using preemergence herbicides is most successful when the correct herbicide is applied in the correct manner to a weed-free growing medium prior to weed seed germination. This 60-page fact sheet was written by Robert H. Stamps, Heidi M. Savage, Diane K. Rock, and Jeffrey G. Norcini, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg058

Interactive Urban Irrigation Tool for Florida (AE485)

Screenshot of weekly email report.A team from UF/IFAS has developed an app for optimizing your home irrigation system using real-time weather data from the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN). Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by K.W. Migliaccio, N.A. Dobbs, W.R. Lusher, J. Fan, M.D. Dukes, K.T. Morgan, and B. Ferraro, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae485

What Not To Do for Bed Bugs / Que No Hacer contra las Chinches (ENY2026/IN925)

Figure 1. Engorged adult and nymphal bed bug.In desperate attempts to eliminate bed bugs, people often turn to home remedies that can be fatal. Here is a list of what not to do for bed bug control.
En desesperados intentos para eliminar las chinches, las personas usan remedios caseros que pueden ser fatales.Lo siguiente es una lista de lo que NO se debe hacer para tratar de controlar las Chinches.
This 2-page Spanish/English fact sheet was written by Faith M. Oi, Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman, Eddie Connor, Marty Overline, Brian Taggart, and Louis Witherington, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in925

Management of Postpartum Anestrus in Beef Cows (AN277)

nsion Calendar 2002-September-Campuswide Engagement--Cattle, cow, agriculture, poppies, flowers, spring. Photo by Eric ZamoraIt is estimated that in Florida alone the cost of infertility of beef cows exceeds $86 million annually. Infertility occurs when cows become pregnant but fail to calve, become pregnant late in the breeding season and fall out of the annual production cycle or fail to become pregnant during the breeding season. The latter two causes of infertility are a direct result of the length of the post-partum interval. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Kalyn Bischoff, Vitor Mercadante, and G. Cliff Lamb, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an277

Anthurium Diseases: Identification and Control in Commercial Greenhouse Operations (PP292)

Figure 1. Anthurium 'Kozohara' used in cut-flower productionBecause of its attractive, long-lasting flowers, Anthurium is popular as both an exotic cut-flower crop and as a flowering potted-plant crop. Growers most often report two bacterial diseases and three fungal diseases in their commercial greenhouse environments. This article provides guidelines to identify and treat diseases that may be encountered during commercial greenhouse production of Anthurium.This 7-page fact sheet was written by David J. Norman and Gul Shad Ali, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp292

Controlling Invasive Exotic Plants in North Florida Forests (SSFOR19/FR133)

Chines Tallowtree infestationInvasive non-native organisms are one of the greatest threats to the natural ecosystems of the United States. Invasive plants reduce biodiversity, encroach on endangered and threatened species, and rob native species of habitat. This 8-page fact sheet describes many of the current methods used to manage some of the more common and troublesome invasive exotic plants in north Florida forests. Written by Chris Demers, Alan Long and Rick Williams, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr133

Hydration in Hot Working Environments (FCS80018/FY1325)

Figure 1.Are you at risk for heat-related illnesses? Summertime isn’t the only time you should be concerned about drinking enough water to stay hydrated. Workers in construction, landscaping, laundry, factory, farm, or restaurant settings, among others, often are faced with hot working environments year-round. These conditions can increase the risk for developing heat-related illnesses, so staying well hydrated is very important. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Jeanine Beatty and Gail P. A. Kauwell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1325

South American Cucurbit Fruit Fly, Anastrepha grandis (Macquart) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY205/IN362)

Figure 2. Adult male South American cucurbit fruit fly, Anastrepha grandis (Macquart).This rather large, yellow-brown, fruit fly with yellow and dark-brown markings exists in several South American countries, and attacks watermelon and other fruits of the family Cucurbitaceae. Once a pest of minor to moderate importance generally, it has become a rather important pest. The pest status differs in each country and has sometimes changed within a country . This species is potentially of economic importance in Florida and southern Texas should it ever be introduced there. It has been intercepted in the United States in pumpkin from Argentina and Brazil, and in banana debris from Panama.This 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in362

Mango Fruit Fly, Ceratitis cosyra (Walker) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY286/IN563)

Figure 1. Adult female mango fruit fly, Ceratitis cosyra (Walker).The mango fruit fly is also commonly known as the marula fruit fly, based on its common occurrence in these host plants. Marula is a native African fruit related to mango and sometimes known locally as wild plum. This fly is a serious pest in smallholder and commercial mango across sub-Saharan Africa, where it is more destructive than either the Mediterranean fruit fly or the Natal fruit fly. The fly’s impact is growing along with the more widespread commercialization of mango. It is one of the most commonly intercepted fruit flies in Europe. This 3-page fact sheet was written by G. J. Steck, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in563

Apple Maggot, Apple Maggot Fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY261/IN505)

Figure 2. Adult apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), dorsal view. Photograph by: Joseph Berger; insectimages.orgThe apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), also known as the apple maggot fly and “railroad worm,” is native to North America. Originally, it fed in the fruit of wild hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), but then became a primary pest of cultivated apples, especially in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Summer- and early fall-maturing varieties are particularly vulnerable, but hard winter apples are sometimes infested. Thin skinned sweet and subacid varieties are most susceptible, but acid varieties may be attacked. This 4-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in505

Sapote Fruit Fly, Serpentine Fruit Fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY206/IN363)

Figure 3. Egg of the sapote fruit fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann), compared with other common Anastrepha species.The sapote fruit fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann), sometimes called the serpentine fruit fly, is intercepted frequently in United States ports of entry in various hosts from several countries. It is an important pest species in Mexico because its larvae infest sapote, sapodilla, willowleaf lucuma, and related fruits. This 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in363

Japanese Orange Fly, Bactrocera tsuneonis (Miyake) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY263/IN542)

Figure 1. Adult female Japanese orange fly, Bactrocera tsuneonis (Miyake).This fruit fly is one of the most important pests of citrus in Japan. There have been no interceptions of the Japanese orange fly in the United States, probably due in a large part to the protection provided by a U.S. embargo of long standing against citrus from the orient. There have been some efforts recently to effect the removal of this embargo in order that citrus from Japan might be exported to the U.S. If this were to be done, the danger of introducing the Japanese orange fly into the U.S. would be greatly increased. This 2-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in542

Natal Fruit Fly, Natal Fly, Ceratitis rosa Karsch (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY257/IN538)

Figure 1. Adult female Natal fruit fly, Ceratitis rosa Karsch.The Natal fruit fly is a pest of orchard fruits throughout much of KwaZulu Natal Province, Republic of South Africa, and is considered to be the most common fruit fly of economic importance in Zimbabwe. 50 to 100 percent of plums were reportedly infested in a South African locality one year despite the application of control measures. Although it never has been captured as an escapee in the United States, it continues to constitute a potential threat to Florida agriculture. If it were accidentally introduced into Florida and allowed to gain a foothold, the Natal fruit fly could prove to be fully as serious a menace as the Mediterranean fruit fly. This 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in538

South American Fruit Fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY266/IN545)

Figure 2. Various wing forms.This species is of great economic importance because of the wide variety of plants that it attacks and its extensive distribution. In most of South America, it probably is the most important species of Anastrepha. This 6-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in545

Oriental Fruit Fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY083/IN240)

Figure 1. Adult female oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), laying eggs by inserting her ovipositor in a papaya.The oriental fruit fly is a very destructive pest of fruit in areas where it occurs. It is established in numerous areas in Asia, and is often intercepted in the United States, sometimes establishing infestations that were previously eradicated.This 6-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, J. B. Heppner, J. L. Nation and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in240

Orlando, Florida’s Urban and Community Forests and Their Ecosystem Services (FOR290/FR358)

Lymmo Right-of-Way and Station at Turn-Around Area , http://www.fta.dot.gov/12351_4370.html
Urban forests, or the trees and shrubs on these land uses, play an important role in providing ecosystem services and are often key components in urban planning and management as well as in environmental regulations. This 10-page fact sheet provides information, based on an assessment of urban forests within the limits of the City of Orlando was conducted during the summer of 2010, on the structure and composition of Orlando's urban forest, the occurrence of invasive trees in the city, the ecosystem services trees provide, including estimating the mitigation of climate change effects and their role in urban hydrology, and how this information can be used to define sustainable urban planning objectives and goals. Written by Edem Empke, Elizabeth Becker, Jessica Lab, Ross Hinkle, and Francisco Escobedo, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr358

How to Calculate Fertigation Injection Rates for Commercial Blueberry Production (HS1197)

Figure 1. For a 4-foot irrigated band within an 8-foot row spacing, the area that receives fertigation is half of the total, or "real estate," area. Thus, the actual band area of the farm equals 50% of the farm area. However, all IFAS-recommended fertilizer rates are given on a "real estate" acre basis. The amount of fertilizer to apply is calculated based on the entire area of the blueberry farm, regardless of the width of the band to which the fertilizer is applied. To increase nutrient and water use efficiencies and reduce nutrient leaching and environmental concerns, fertigation is recommended for commercial blueberry production. In fact, successful fertigation can enhance sustainability and maximize profitability for commercial blueberry enterprises. One of the key factors in fertigation is the correct calculation of fertilizer injection rate and time for the acreage. This publication helps blueberry growers correctly calculate fertigation injection rates and times and provides reference tables for checking injection rates and times needed for a variety of production scenarios. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Guodong Liu, Jeffrey Williamson, Gary England, and Alicia Whidden, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1197