Sweat bees are very important pollinators for many wildflowers and crops, including stone fruits, pomme fruits, alfalfa and sunflower. Sweat bee populations can be encouraged with wildflower plantings and by providing nesting areas. Halictids typically nest in bare soil located in a sunny location. Minimum tillage and insecticide use will help to increase populations of Halictidae and other soil nesting bees. Learn more about this diverse family of bees in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Katie Buckley, Catherine Zettel Nalen, and Jamie Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in897
Category: Agriculture
Pasture-associated Liver Disease in Horses (VM180)
Know the common pasture plants that cause liver disease, because clinical signs are often non-specific and may not appear until it is too late. This 4-page fact sheet was written by A.M. House and J.R. Elfenbein, and published by the UF Department of Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinical Sciences, August 2011. (Photo: Thomas Wright)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm180
Groundnut Ringspot Virus in Florida (PP282)
Groundnut ringspot virus was recently identified in tomatoes in South Florida — the first report in the United States. It can infect tomato plants at all stages of growth and lead to unmarketable fruits or plant death. This 4-page fact sheet shares what is known about the symptoms, host range, disease transmission, and management. Written by Eugene McAvoy, Scott Adkins, Craig Webster, Charles Mellinger, Loren Horsman, Galen Frantz, Stuart Reitz, and Shouan Zhang, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp282
Miami-Dade County’s Urban Forests and Their Ecosystem Services (FOR285/FR347)
The urban forest in Miami-Dade County reduces air pollution, controls stormwater, reduces crime, increases real estate values, and improves livability. This 14-page fact sheet can be used by urban foresters, residents, and planners to better understand and maximize the benefits of this important natural resource. Written by Francisco Escobedo, Joy Klein, Micah Pace, Henry Mayer, and Sebastian Varela, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, July 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo by Eric Zamora)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr347
Utilizing Basic Digital Photography Techniques on the Farm (WC110)
This 3-page fact sheet focuses on plant and livestock photography and caption writing and outlines tips for taking digital photographs on the farm using a basic digital or cell phone camera. Written by Ricky Telg, Carly Barnes, and Adrienne Boyette, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc110
‘Tapestry’: A Pink Fancy-Leaved Caladium Variety for Containers and Landscapes (ENH1183/EP444)
Move over ‘Carolyn Whorton’, there’s a new variety of fancy-leaved pink caladium coming on the scene. ‘Tapestry’ is intended for use in large containers and landscapes. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Zhanao Deng, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep444
Applesnails of Florida Pomacea spp. (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) (EENY323/IN598)
Applesnails are larger than most freshwater snails and can be separated from other freshwater species by their oval shell that has the umbilicus of the shell perforated or broadly open. There are four species in Florida, one of which is native and considered beneficial. Both the island and channeled applesnails are potential threats to Florida’s aquatic ecosystems. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Thomas R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in598
Glosario de términos usados en riego por goteo y su traducción al inglés (A Glossary of Drip Irrigation Terms and Their Translations in English) (HS1192)
En esta publicación se presenta el léxico técnico de riego por goteo en dos secciones. En la primera sección se describen en orden alfabético los términos y sus definiciones en español. En la segunda sección se enlista de forma alfabética los términos y sus definiciones en inglés.
This publication includes the drip irrigation lexicon in two sections. In the first section, terms and their definitions are alphabetically described in Spanish. The second section lists terms and their definitions in English in alphabetical order. In both sections, each term includes its respective translation into English or Spanish in parenthesis. This 10-page fact sheet was written by Monica Ozores-Hampton, Dagobiet Morales-Garcia, Eric Simonne, and Viviana Medina, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1192
Field Identification of Citrus Canker Symptoms and Decontamination Procedures (PP214/PP136)
Citrus canker, caused by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, is a serious disease of citrus. The disease causes necrotic dieback, general tree decline, premature fruit drop, and fruit blemishes. Severely infected trees become weak, unproductive, and unprofitable. Learn how to identify citrus canker and proper procedures for decontamination with this 5-page fact sheet written by Mongi Zekri, Megan Dewdney, Jamie Yates, and Pamela Roberts, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp136
A Native Growing Season Forage for Wildlife: Teaweed, Sida acuta Burm. f. (FOR114/FR168)
What is teaweed and why would anyone want to learn more about this plant? Teaweed has been a problem plant in agriculture, but it has many good qualities as a wildlife food source. Anyone interested in growing plants that benefit native wildlife, especially white-tailed deer, turkeys and quail, can improve wildlife habitat by managing native plants. Sida acuta was identified as a native plant that provides food and/or cover to several species of wildlife. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Rick Williams and Tim Baxley, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2011. (Photo by Dinesh Valke
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr168
Forest Resource Information on the Internet: Connecting to Today’s On-line Resources (FOR124/FR182)
The original 1997 version of this fact sheet provided detailed information about the Internet: its history, structure, and how to use it. It also provided a sample of forest resource websites. This is a third version of this fact sheet, providing updated information on the latest landowner assistance websites available. These state, regional, and national resources can serve as a springboard to a wide variety of natural resource information and programs. Written by Chris Demers and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr182
Pre-Commercial Thinning Loblolly Pines: Does It Pay? (FOR188/FR243)
The decision to pre-commercially thin a stand is often difficult for many landowners because of the costs involved with implementing this treatment. It is costly but, when applied properly, it is a financially attractive investment. It is performed before trees reach merchantable size, to reduce densities in overstocked stands and improve the growth of the remaining trees. This 6-page fact sheet was written by R. Williams, K. Bohn, J. McKeithen and C. Demers, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr243
2011 Florida Plant Disease Management Guide: Apple (Malus domestica) (PDMGV305/PG004)
This updated 13-page fact sheet from the 2011 Florida Plant Disease Management Guide highlights several common diseases affecting apples in Florida and includes short list of fungicides approved for disease management of apple in Florida. Written by Mathews L. Paret, Tim Momol, Laura Ritchie, and Hank Dankers, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, July 2011. (photo courtesy of Clemson University – USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pg004
Cover Crops for Managing Root-Knot Nematodes (ENY063/IN892)
Root-knot nematodes are widespread and are pests of almost all major crops. Damage can be seen as galls or knot-like swellings produced along plant roots. Cover crops are used to manage nematodes because these microscopic roundworms can move only very short distances on their own and will starve without suitable host plants. This 6-page fact sheet describes several common cover crops that can be used for nematode management. Written by Harsimran K. Gill and Robert McSorley , and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in892
Fall Panicum: Biology and Control in Sugarcane (SSAGR132/SC079)
Fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum) is a native grass that can be found throughout the United States in agronomic and horticultural crops, turfgrass, nurseries, landscapes, and noncrop areas. It grows well in warm wet conditions and is one of the most common grass weeds found in Florida sugarcane. This 3-page fact sheet provides sugarcane growers with guidance on its identification and control. Written by D.C. Odero, Brent Sellers, Les Baucum, and Curtis Rainbolt, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc079
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Control Immune Stress in Dairy Cattle (AN264)
Understanding how omega-3 PUFA affect the immune functions of dairy cattle may lead to the development of producer-friendly feeding strategies that will decrease the incidence of diseases and improve reproductive efficiency in dairy cows. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Lokenga Badinga and Cristina Caldari-Torres, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an264
Adding Value to Milk by Increasing Its Conjugated Linoleic Acid Content (AN265)
One of the most promising bioactive components of milk is called conjugated linoleic acid. In laboratory animals, this naturally occurring fatty acid has been shown to inhibit cancer, promote the immune system, reduce the effect of type 2 diabetes, promote bone growth, and reduce blood clotting. This 3-page fact sheet briefly reviews dietary strategies for dairy cows that have been used to increase conjugated linoleic acid concentrations in milk and to show how this approach can be used to add value to milk and milk products. Written by Lokenga Badinga and Richard D. Miles and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an265
Recommendations for Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-transmitted viruses, and Insecticide Resistance for Production of Cucurbit Crops in Florida (EENY478/IN871)
Until recently, squash has been the only cucurbit crop seriously affected by the B biotype of the sweetpotato whitefly, also known as the silverleaf whitefly, because of the silverleaf disorder induced by feeding of the immature stages (nymphs). However, three viruses transmitted by the whitefly have been identified in watermelon, muskmelon, and squash in Florida since 2004, making whitefly management a priority for most cucurbits. This 8-page fact sheet details the current UF/IFAS recommendations for managing whitefly-transmitted viruses and for delaying the development of resistance to insecticides in the whitefly vector. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in871
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of the Caribbean Crazy Ant, Nylanderia (=Paratrechina) pubens (Forel) (ENY2006/IN889)
Incidents of Caribbean crazy ant infestations are on the rise! These highly active ants are
annoying to residents and pets. And, they can cause short circuits and power outages if they infest electrical equipment. Learn how to identify and apply the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) to deal with these difficult pests in this 4-page fact sheet written by Dawn Calibeo and Faith Oi and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in889
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Reference Guide for Low-Volume Ground Citrus Applicators (CH203)
This 2-page fact sheet provides a table describing personal protective equipment requirements for several products used in citrus production. Written by S.H. Futch, L.L. Stelinski, M.E. Rogers, and J.D. Yates, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ch203