Category: Agriculture

Citrus Diseases Exotic to Florida: Powdery Mildew (PP288)

Powdery mildew on mandarin young fruit.Powdery mildew, which affects almost all citrus cultivars, is a common fungal disease problem in Asian countries. This 2-page fact sheet provides background information for this disease to provide a basis for evaluating potential risk to Florida citrus and for aiding decision-making to prevent its introduction and spread in Florida. It was written by K.-R. Chung and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp288

Life Cycle of the Lesser Cornstalk Borer in Sugarcane (ENY913/SC093)

Adult female of the lesser cornstalk borer.The lesser cornstalk borer attacks a large number of crops, but is a potentially serious pest of sugarcane. But since the populations of this pest vary greatly depending on temperature, UF/IFAS scientists are developing predictive models to predict lesser cornstalk borer population in field. This 4-page fact sheet was written by H.S. Sandhu, L.E. Baucum, and G.S. Nuessly and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc093

The Potential for Plants to Remove Phosphorus from the Spodic Horizon (SL359/SS560)

comparison of SPSC of soil profilesUnder what conditions can plants be used to remove phosphorus from common Florida soils? This 5-page fact sheet shows how calculations for the phosphorus saturation ratio and soil phosphorus storage capacity at various soil depths can be used to determine whether to use phytoremediation as a strategy to remove phosphorus from the soil. Written by D. Chakraborty, V.D. Nair, W.G. Harris, and R.D. Rhue, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss560

Giant African Land Snail in Florida (ENY512/IN904)

Giant African snail.They’re back! In 1966, a child smuggled three giant African land snails into south Florida which were released in their garden. Seven years later, more than 18,000 snails had been found and it took 10 years and $1 million to eliminate them. Florida is once again faced with an invasion by this snail. It feeds on hundreds of different plants and can transmit meningitis and other diseases to humans. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet written by John L. Capinera and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in904

The Long-term Contribution of Phosphorus from Agricultural Lands to Lake Okeechobee (SL357/SS558)

schematic diagram showing pathways for p loss.This 7-page fact sheet uses a new procedure to evaluate the soil from active and abandoned dairies in the Lake Okeechobee watershed to determine their potential to negatively impact water quality through phosphorus release. Written by V.D. Nair, M. Chrysostome, and W.G. Harris, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss558

Landscape Diversity: Multiple-Use Landscapes for Reclaimed Phosphatic Clay Areas (SL229/SS449)

site after clay depositionWith planning, communities can use reclaimed phosphatic clay areas for agriculture and at the same time restore lost wetlands, improve water quality and water use efficiency, and retain areas valuable to wildlife. This 5-page concept paper was written by E.A. Hanlon, M. Wilson, C. Beavers, and J. Cates, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss449

Phosphorus Sources and Risk Potential: Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers (SL358/SS559)

UF/IFAS chemist conducts research with compostOne of the factors that determines whether a source of phosphorus will have a negative impact on water quality is solubility. This 3-page fact sheet discusses the significantly different solubility of commonly found phosphorus sources in Florida. Written by V.D. Nair and W.G. Harris, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2011. (UF/IFAS photo by Milt Putnam)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss559

Bio-based Products from Biomass (AE483)

Biomass is renewable biological materials, such as trees, plants, grasses, vegetables, algae, food wastes, animal manures, and other organic wastes. Like fossil fuels, biomass can produce a wide selection of bio-based by-products while producing renewable energy. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by Zhaohui Tong, Letian Wang, and Clay B. Olson, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, September 2011.(AP photo/University of Florida/IFAS/Thomas Wright)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae483

A Summary of N, P, and K Research with Tomato in Florida (SL355/CV236)

Tomatoes on the vineMore than 60 years worth of tomato fertilization research has been conducted in Florida. During this time, many changes have occurred in tomato production practices, including changes in cultivars and the introduction of new cultural systems, such as polyethylene mulch and drip irrigation. The research reported here covers tomato production with polyethylene mulch. Tomato crop and fertilizer management recommendations, such as plant and row spacing, have changed over time following new developments in research. This 38-page fact sheet summarizes tomato fertilization research leading to current University of Florida recommendations and summarizes needs for additional research. Written by George Hochmuth and Ed Hanlon, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv236

Controlled-Release Fertilizers for Potato Production in Florida (HS941/HS187)

Red Potatoes.The recent emphasis on the development of vegetable production best management practices has prompted a re-examination of fertilization practices in Florida potato production in the St. Johns River watershed. The numbers provided in this 5-page fact sheet serve as a starting point for discussion about the value of using controlled-release fertilizers, which can be a win-win-win opportunity for producers, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies by helping all meet their production, business, and environmental goals. Written by Guodong Liu, Eric H. Simonne, Yuncong Li, Chad M. Hutchinson, Mark Warren, and Steven Lands, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, October 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs187

The Purebred Spanish Horse (AN269)

Hacienda del Sol’s Triunfador XXIVThe Purebred Spanish Horse, also known as the Andalusian or the Pura Raza Español, is an elegant breed with ancestors dating back thousands of years to the Andalusian region of the Iberian Peninsula. The horse evolved to have catlike agility, power, and beauty because it faced rugged terrain and needed to co-exist with local wildlife, including wild bulls. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet was written by María L. Mandina and Jorge R. Rey, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an269

Comparison of Hay or Round Bale Silage as a Means to Conserve Forage (AN266)

Haybales on a misty morningFlorida’s climate makes conserving forages for later feeding challenging. Traditional hay harvest systems require optimal cutting, drying, and baling weather conditions. The use of round bale silage overcomes several of the challenges to hay production in Florida and offer an attractive compliment to traditional hay harvest systems. Learn more in this 6-page fact sheet written by Matt Hersom, Todd Thrift, and Joel Yelich, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, August 2011. (Photo: Thomas Wright, UF/IFAS)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an266

Improving Dairy Cow Metabolism through Safflower Oil Supplementation (AN271)

Feeding dairy cows at UF's Dairy Research Unit in HagueData collected in Florida studies indicate that feeding fat supplements that decrease milk fat test during the early postpartum period may help minimize negative energy balance, reduce body fat mobilization, and improve blood levels of beneficial metabolic and reproductive hormones. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Lokenga Badinga, Richard D. Miles, and Cristina Caldari-Torres, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an271

The Use and Economic Value of the 3K SNP Genomic Test for Calves on Dairy Farms (AN270)

calves at UF's dairy research unit in HagueThe availability of genomic tests is rapidly changing genetics in the dairy industry. AI companies have been using genomics to select AI sires. Now also commercial dairy producers can find value in testing their calves to help decide which ones to keep. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Albert De Vries, David T. Galligan, and John B. Cole, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an270

The Impact of Production Technologies Used in the Beef Cattle Industry (AN272)

ear tagThe use of technologies in the beef industry is a major contributor to the safe, wholesome, and affordable beef supply in the United States. This 4-page fact sheet provides a brief evaluation of the effects that individual technologies have on beef production. Written by Matt Hersom, Todd Thrift, and Joel Yelich , and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an272

Prickly Pear Cactus Control in Pastures (SSAGR354/AG363)

prickly-pear cactusPrickly pear cactus is not a problem in every pasture in Florida, but where it is found, it is often the biggest and most difficult issue to manage: mowing prickly pear fragments the pads and dramatically increases the infestation, and although prickly pear doesn’t form dense canopies and doesn’t outcompete desirable forage grasses, its impact on grazing can be just as severe because of its barbed quills. This 2-page fact sheet was written by J. A. Ferrell and B. A. Sellers, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag363

Flat-top Goldenrod (Euthamia caroliniana): Biology and Control in Pastures (SS-AGR-353/AG361)

inflorescences contain many disk and ray flowersThis perennial plant, which flowers September – November with flat-topped inflorescence consisting of many yellow ray and disk flowers, is a common weed found in pastures with low levels of management. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet was written by B. A. Sellers and J. A. Ferrell and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag361

Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium): Biology and Control (SSAGR224/AG233)

dogfennel showing finely dissected leavesDogfennel is currently the number one most commonly occurring pasture weed in Florida. Many people think it is only unsightly, but it causes significant bahiagrass yield loss and can cause dehydration when ingested by cattle. This 3-page fact sheet was written by B. A. Sellers and J. A. Ferrell and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag233

Pecan Cultivars for North Florida (HS106)

pecan grove in North FloridaPecan recommendations for Florida have been updated to include new information about cultivar performance. Check out this 13-page fact sheet to select the best cultivars for yield, performance, resistance to disease, and resistance to limb breakage. Written by Peter C. Andersen, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, September 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo: Thomas Wright.)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs106

Reclaimed Water Use for Edible Crop Production in Florida (SL360/SS561)

microirrigation linesIrrigating edible crops with reclaimed water is a promising, cost-effective solution to Florida's overuse of freshwater resources. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet written by Jamie Lewis and Alan L. Wright and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss561