The effectiveness and safe use of herbicides registered for forest vegetation management in Florida requires developing site-specific herbicide prescriptions made with careful consideration of site factors and knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of herbicides and their effects on biological systems. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Anna Osiecka and Patrick J. Minogue, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr345
Category: Agriculture
Assessing Economic Impacts and Benefits of Commercial Horticulture Extension Programs (FE898)
As fiscal pressures increase from federal and state government agencies to spend public dollars more effectively, it is imperative that the outcomes from educational efforts be clearly documented in terms of measurable changes in knowledge and behavior of clientele or stakeholders. This 5-page fact sheet presents a standardized approach for evaluating the economic impacts of extension educational programs in commercial horticulture in Florida, with which impacts are quantified in terms of measurable changes in revenues, income, or jobs. Written by Alan Hodges, Shawn Steed, Jane Morse, Peggy Dessaint, Donald Rainey, and Charles Vavrina, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, September 2011. (AP Photo:Thomas Wright, University of Florida/IFAS)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe898
Managing Thrips and Tospoviruses in Tomato (ENY859/IN895)
Several invasive species of thrips have established in Florida and are causing serious economic losses to vegetable, ornamental, and agronomic crops. Damage to crops results from thrips feeding and egg-laying injury, by the thrips vectoring of plant diseases, the cost of using control tactics, and the loss of pesticides due to resistance. This 12-page fact sheet describes the biology and ecology of thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus, and recommends a management program. Written by Joe Funderburk, Stuart Reitz, Steve Olson, Phil Stansly, Hugh Smith, Gene McAvoy, Ozan Demirozer, Crystal Snodgrass, Mathews Paret, and Norm Leppla, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in895
Alternative Opportunities for Small Farms: Peach and Nectarine Production Review (RFAC018/AC018)
Florida produces some of the earliest commercial-quality peaches and nectarines in North America. During the last 10 years, many new, improved peach and nectarine cultivars have been released by the University of Florida. They have increased the potential for expansion of commercial peach and nectarine acreage throughout much of the Florida peninsula and along the Gulf Coast regions of the southeastern United States. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Mercy Olmstead, Jeff Williamson, Jose Chaparro, and Tim Crocker, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ac018
Rainfast Time for Postemergence Herbicides Commonly Used in the Everglades Agricultural Area: Quick Reference Sheet (SSAGR351/AG359)
If rainfall occurs soon after herbicide application, it can affect the effectiveness of postemergence herbicides. And they each differ in their time requirements for rain-free periods following application. This 2-page fact sheet shows rainfast time for postemergence herbicides commonly used in the Everglades Agricultural Area for sugarcane and vegetable production. Written by D.C. Odero and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2011. (Photo by Eric Zamora UF/IFAS)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag359
Constructing Weighted Trailing Hoses for Submersed Aquatic Herbicide Applications (SSAGR352/AG360)
Why treat the upper half of the water column when the weeds are only present in the lower half? This 4-page fact sheet describes the benefits of using the “bottom acre-foot method” of applying herbicides with weighted trailing hoses and details the construction of the weighted trailing hose system used by the University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
Written by William T. Haller, Lyn A. Gettys, and Margaret S. Glenn, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag360
Grasshopper Nematode: Mermis nigrescens Dujardin, 1842 (EENY500/IN900)
These large nematodes can sometimes seen leaving grasshoppers, especially those that have been injured. On rainy mornings in spring or summer they can be found depositing their eggs on leaves for grasshoppers to eat. Because they are so large (up to 160 mm or about 6 inches in length), they attract attention. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet written by John L. Capinera, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in900
Converting the Beef Cow Herd to a Controlled Breeding Season (AN267)
Implementing a controlled breeding season to manage the length of the calving season is a cost-effective management practice. This 4-page fact sheet describes a 3- to 4-year conversion program beef cattle producers can follow. Written by Tim Wilson, Cindy Sanders, Mark Warren, Matt Hersom, and Curt Lacy, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an267
Rainfastness of Pesticides (PI238)
Generally, it is best to avoid pesticide application when rainfall is likely; however, weather can be unpredictable, so it is best to choose a product with good rainfast characteristics. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet written by Bonnie Wells and F.M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi238
Economic Feasibility of Biofuel Crops in Florida: Sugarcane on Mineral Soils (SC090)
This 9-page fact sheet provides estimates of costs and returns to produce ethanol from sugarcane, rather than sugar. These preliminary estimates should guide researchers as to whether sugarcane varieties are economically feasible to be considered for biofuel/energy production. Written by José Álvarez and Zane R. Helsel and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, August 2011. UF/IFAS Photo by Tom Wright.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc090
Economic Potential of Sweet Sorghum for Ethanol Production in South Florida (FE896)
Sweet sorghum has been designated as “potentially viable” as a biofuel crop. This 8-page fact sheet evaluates the economic potential of producing sweet sorghum as an annual bioenergy crop in the state of Florida. Written by Zane R. Helsel and José Álvarez, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, August 2011. UF/IFAS cover photo: Tyler Jones.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe896
Ley del Estado de la Florida para el avalúo tributario de tierras según su uso: Preguntas y respuestas sobre la Clasificación Agropecuaria en el Condado de Miami-Dade (FE895)
Use-value assessment is the most widely used technique in the United States today for maintaining land in agricultural production. Although general guidelines are provided to Florida counties on the application of the state’s use-value assessment law, counties may vary slightly in the application and determination of the agricultural land’s value. Therefore, it is important for agricultural landowners to understand the guidelines used to determine value in the county where the land is assessed and taxed. This 6-page factsheet applies specifically to Miami-Dade County, Florida. Written by Edward A. Evans, Mauricio Mosquera, Rodney L. Clouser y Jonathan Crane, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe895
Iron (Fe) Nutrition of Plants (SL353/SS555)
Iron is one of 16 essential elements for plant growth and reproduction. Most annual plants have a requirement for Fe on the order of 1 to 1.5 lb Fe per acre, compared with nitrogen (N) at 80 to 200 lb per acre. This 8-page fact sheet provides a detailed basic understanding of soil science and plant physiology for diagnosing and correcting Fe problems in plants and soils. Written by George Hochmuth and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss555
Economic Contributions of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Industries in Florida in 2009 (FE897)
Agriculture, natural resources, and related industries are a significant force in the economy of Florida. It is important to recognize the extent of their economic contributions for informed public policy. IFAS economists Alan W. Hodges, Mohammad Rahmani, and Thomas J. Stevens prepared this 19-page analysis using the IMPLAN regional economic modeling system and associated state and county databases. The economic contributions of these industries were evaluated for 2009 to update previous reports and provide further information on economic trends in the wake of the historic global recession of 2007-2009. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, August 2011. (UF/IFAS photo by Thomas Wright)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe897
The Role of the Codex Alimentarius in Determining International Standards for Pesticides and Food (PI237)
People have the right to expect their food to be safe, of good quality, and suitable for consumption, and national governments must ensure that food imported from other countries is safe. But laws and regulations to minimize threats can create barriers to international food trade. The Codex Alimentarius aims to facilitate international trade by promoting definitions and requirements for foods. This 3-page fact sheet was written by F.M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2011. (image from usda.gov)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi237
‘Cherry Tart’: A Dwarf Red Lance-Leaved Caladium Variety (ENH1184/EP445)
This 5-page fact sheet introduces a new lance-leafed caladium variety that was released in April 2011. It has bright red color, slightly undulate leaf margins, and a broadly cordate leaf shape. Written by Zhanao Deng and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep445
New Florida Foliage Plant Cultivar: Aglaonema ‘Leprechaun’ (ENH1185/EP446)
This dwarf, more highly branched and rounder cultivar of Aglaonema 'Silver Bay' developed as a whole-stem mutation that was found within a large population of Aglaonema 'Silver Bay' plants. This 4-page fact sheet was written by R. J. Henny and J. Chen, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep446
Farmer Perceptions of Wildlife Damage to Row Crops in North Florida (WEC311/UW356)
How can we determine the just how much of an impact wildlife damage has on growers? This 4-page fact sheet presents the results of a survey of a sample of growers across the state. Written by Holly K. Ober, Gerald R. Edmondson, William M. Giuliano, David L. Wright, John Atkins, Andy Andreasen, Shep Eubanks, Libbie Johnson, Charles Brasher, and Greg Hicks, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw356
Field Observations During the Eighth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-8): from June 16 through August 24, 2009 (AE476/AE476)
In order to really accurately predict weather and near-term climate, it is necessary to take into consideration soil moisture in the top meter of soil: it governs moisture and energy fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface, and it plays a significant role in partitioning of the precipitation into runoff and infiltration. This 68-page report presents the observations of an experiment using remotely sensed microwave observations with a view towards incorporating the findings into the models used to estimate energy and moisture fluxes and improve root zone soil moisture estimates. Written by Tara Bongiovanni, Heather Enos, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Blaire Colvin, Karthik Nagarajan, Jasmeet Judge, Pang-Wei Liu, Juan Fernandez-Diaz, Roger De Roo, Yuriy Goykhman, Xueyang Duan, Daniel Preston, Ramesh Shrestha, Clint Slatton, Mahta Moghaddam, and Anthony England , and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae476
Management of Pine Forests for Selected Wildlife in Florida (CIR706/UW098)
As the total number of forested acres in Florida goes down, it becomes more important that land being managed for timber production also be able to sustain healthy wildlife populations. This 9-page fact sheet shows how timber and wildlife management can be successfully combined. Written by Wayne R. Marion, George W. Tanner, Holly K. Ober, and Matthew Werner, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw098