Category: Agriculture

A Wireworm Conoderus rudis (Brown) (EENY507/IN909)

Figure 2. Adult without eyespots and adult elytron with eyespotWireworms are the larvae of click beetles. These larvae are smooth, slender and round in cross-section. Wireworms are important pests of various crops and occur in all seasons at variable densities. Feeding damage is restricted to the seeds, seedlings and underground parts of the plants. Unlike foliage feeders, they are very difficult to detect due to their soil-dwelling habitat. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Dakshina R. Seal, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in909

Florida Wax Scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock (EENY510/IN913)

Figure 2. Adults and early instar nymphs of the Florida wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis
 Comstock.The Florida wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, is one of the most commonly encountered soft scales throughout the the southern United States, where it is a serious pest of citrus and several ornamental and landscape plants, like holly.This 4-page fact sheet was written by Shweta Sharma and Eileen Buss, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in913

How to Characterize Soil Variability in Florida Citrus Groves as It Relates to Tree Growth and Yield (SL556/SS557)

Figure 1. Aerial photograph of a Florida citrus grove showing the spatial variability of tree growth.Non-uniform tree growth and fruit yield are very common throughout many Florida citrus groves, but variable groves are typically managed as if they were uniform. This 4-page fact sheet provides information about the relationship between soil variability and citrus production, proposes recommendations for soil sampling that account for spatial variability, and suggests site-specific management practices for variable Florida citrus groves. Written by Kirandeep K. Mann, Arnold W. Schumann, Thomas A. Obreza, Willie G. Harris, and Jerry B. Sartain, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss557

Protecting Blueberries from Freezes in Florida (HS968/HS216)

ure 2a. Blueberry flower buds protected by overhead irrigation during a severe freeze. Clear ice, as seen here, is usually an indication of adequate freeze protection.Blueberry growers: know when the conditions are right in commercial blueberry fields, during and after bloom, for freeze damage, as well as practices you can use to minimize it. This 7-page fact sheet was written by J.G. Williamson, P.M. Lyrene, and J.W. Olmstead, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs216

Economic Impacts of Citrus Greening (HLB) in Florida, 2006/07-2010/11 (FE903)

Small lopsided fruit from greening-infected citrus tree. Spring 2008 Impact Magazine image. UF/IFAS File Photo.Since 2006, the bacterial disease citrus greening has cost Florida’s economy an estimated $3.636 billion in lost revenues and 6,611 jobs by reducing orange juice production, according to the study reported in this 5-page fact sheet written by Alan W. Hodges and Thomas H. Spreen and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe903
UF/IFAS press release: http://news.ufl.edu/2012/01/24/greening-cost/

El Caballo Pura Raza Española (AN275)

Hacienda del Sol’s Triunfador XXIVEl caballo Pura Raza Española (P.R.E), conocido también como el Andaluz, es de una elegante raza con ascendencias que se extienden miles de años en el pasado a la región de Andalucía de la Península Ibérica (Cuadro 1). Estos animales desarrollaron gran agilidad, fortaleza, y belleza al lidiar con el terreno escabroso y los animales salvajes, incluyendo toros fieros, de la región.
This 4-page fact sheet is the Spanish lanugage version of AN269, The Purebred Spanish Horse. It was written by María L. Mandina and Jorge R. Rey, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an275

Weed Management in Pear (HS94/WG021)

green pearWeeds compete with pear trees for light, nutrients, and water. Weed interference can be minimized with proper cultural practices and herbicides. General maintenance, such as controlling weeds in adjacent areas, preventing weeds from producing seeds, and cleaning mowing equipment of weed seed, will prevent weeds from becoming a serious problem. This 6-page fact sheet includes recommendations for herbicides labeled for pear in Florida. Written by Peter J. Dittmar and Jeffrey G. Williamson, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg021

Applying Pesticides in Compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) (PI239)

NPDES logoOn October 31, 2011, EPA issued a final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide Generic Permit for point source discharges from the application of pesticides to waters of the United States. This 10-page fact sheet explains what is now required for pesticide applications in Florida. Written by F.M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi239

Management of Orchid Pests with Silwet® L-77 and Horticultural Oils (PP287)

Figure 1. Some of the orchids used in the phytotoxicity study: A) Dendrobium, B) Phalaenopsis, C) Paphiopedilum, and D) Cattleya. No evidence of phytotoxicity was observed on the foliage, roots, flowers, or buds of any of the plants.IFAS researchers evaluated the ability of the surfactant Silwet® L-77 to improve the efficacy of horticultural oils in controlling boisduval scale and mite infestations in orchids. This 3-page fact sheet reports the results and provides homeowners with directions for its use. Written by R. A. Cating, M. A. Hoy, and A. J. Palmateer, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp287

A Web-Based Tool for Timing Copper Applications in Florida Citrus (PP289)

Figure 1. The main web page of the ‘Citrus Copper Application Scheduler’ and its sections.The Citrus Copper Application Scheduler provides citrus growers with an easy-to-use tool to guide copper application decisions. It is an updated version of a previous copper residue model This 4-page fact sheet was written by Megan M. Dewdney, Clyde W. Fraisse, Tiago Zortea, and Jamie Burrow, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp289

Calcium Silicate Recommendations for Sugarcane on Florida Organic Soils (SSAGR350/SC092)

SugarcaneAlthough silicon isn’t an essential plant nutrient, adding calcium silicate to soils low in soluble silicon increases yield an average of 20%. This 5-page fact sheet describes calcium silicate recommendations for sugarcane on organic soils, developed using field studies at several locations. Written by J. Mabry McCray, Ronald W. Rice, and Leslie E. Baucum, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo: Josh Wickham)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc092

A Wireworm Conoderus scissus Schaeffer (EENY509/IN911)

Figure 1. Adult Conoderus scissus Schaeffer, a wireworm. Conoderus scissus is the most abundant wireworm species found in sweet potato fields. Its preference for other crops is followed by peanut, cowpea, and corn. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet written by Dakshina R. Seal, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in911

Best Practice Checklist for Management of a Swine Show for Youth (AN274)

Figure 3. Pig behavior and handling diagram.The management team for a swine show for youth should have a plan to manage the facilities, pigs, and personnel in a way that allows the show to be as stress-free and educational as possible. This 3-page fact sheet includes a checklist of information about unloading pigs, the size of the show ring, and pig handling training so that show managers know how to prepare for their show. Written by Chad Carr and Justin Crosswhite, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an274

Common Green Bottle Fly Sheep Blow Fly Luciia sericata (Meigen) (Insecta: Diptera: Calliphoridae) (EENY502/IN903)

Figure 2. Dorsal view of the common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Meigen).The common green bottle fly is a common visitor to carrion, feces, and garbage. Like many of the other blow flies, it plays an important role in forensic, medical and veterinary science. Larvae or maggots help forensic scientists to determine the period of insect colonization as it relates to the time of death, aiding law enforcement in their investigations. Medical treatment using maggot therapy can help to heal infections that are otherwise incurable. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by Matthew Anderson and Phillip E. Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in903

Big-Eyed Bugs, Geocoris spp. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) (EENY252/IN517)

Figure 2. Adult Geocoris uliginosus (Say), a big-eyed bug.Big-eyed bugs are among those insects receiving research attention in Florida (and elsewhere) for their value as predators. To aid in identification of big-eyed bugs in Florida, a key to adults and late instar nymphs is provided in this publication. This 6-page fact sheet was written by F. W. Mead, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in517

Florida Predatory Stink Bug (unofficial common name), Euthyrhynchus floridanus (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY157/IN314)

Figure 2. Adult predatory stink bug Euthyrhynchus floridanus (Linnaeus).The predatory stink bug is considered a beneficial insect because most of its prey consists of plant-damaging bugs, beetles, and caterpillars. It seldom plays more than a minor role in the natural control of insects in Florida, but its prey includes a number of economically important species. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by Frank W. Mead and David B. Richman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in314

Production of Biofuel Crops in Florida: Sweet Sorghum (SSAGR293/AG298)

Figure 2. Sweet sorghum planted in FloridaVarieties of sorghum with a high concentration of soluble sugars are attractive as a potential energy crop because of the easy accessibility of readily fermentable sugars combined with very high yields of green biomass. Similar to sugarcane, the sap of sweet sorghum is extracted by milling, and can be easily fermented to produce ethanol. Other products from sweet sorghum include syrup, molasses, and crystal sugar. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Wilfred Vermerris, John Erickson, David Wright, Yoana Newman, and Curtis Rainbolt, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag298

Assessing the Survival of the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle and Laurel Wilt Pathogen in Wood Chips (FOR289/FR351)

Figure 2. 1 m3 mulch bin with mesh bags on the surface containing woodchips from the infested redbay trees.What is the best way for homeowners to dispose of dead redbay trees to avoid spreading laurel wilt? This 4-page fact sheet summarizes a UF/IFAS study providing evidence that a simple technique — chipping the dead trees — can help contain the disease within a small area and that there is a low probability of long-distance movement of LW via wood chips. Written by Don Spence, Jason Smith, Albert Mayfield III, Jiri Huler, Randy Ploetz and Lukasz Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr351

2012 Florida Policy Issues and Elections (FE899)

Florida flagSince the legislative session will convene on January 10, rather than on the typical start date in March, it’s time for all Florida residents to begin thinking and educating themselves. This 4-page fact sheet explains some of the key 2012 policy issues. Written by Rodney L. Clouser, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe899