Biodegradable containers are an increasingly attractive option for consumers and growers alike. This 5-page fact sheet looks at the past, present, and future of containers used in container nursery production. Written by Gary W. Knox and Matthew Chappell, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep454
Category: Agriculture
Predatory Stink Bug, Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (EENY165/IN322)
Sometimes called the giant strong-nosed stink bug, this very large (20 mm) predatory stink bug occurs in several row crops and preys on other insects, especially lepidopterous larvae. The stages in the life cycle are presented here so that they can be identified in the field. This 3-page fact sheet was written by David B. Richman and Frank W. Mead, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in322
Sustainability of Agriculture in Miami-Dade County: Considering Water Supply (ABE380/AE429)
Developing sustainable agricultural practices in Miami-Dade County (Figure 1) is important to ensuring the future of its economically significant winter vegetable, tropical fruit, and ornamental nursery plant production. This 8-page fact sheet discusses water availability, factors that influence water availability, agricultural water use, and irrigation efficiency as they relate to Miami-Dade County. It was written by Kati W. Migliaccio and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae429
HS1186 Solutions for Small Farmers and Home Gardens: Building a Low-Cost Vertical Soilless System for Production of Small Vegetable and Fruit Crops
HS1186, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Bielinski M. Santos, Teresa P. Salame-Donoso, and Shawn C. Arango, provides written and graphic instructions on how to build a homemade vertical soilless (hydroponic) growing system (also known as “bottle grow”) to produce vegetables and small fruit crops at a fraction of the cost of commercially available systems, without occupying premium agricultural land and by utilizing materials available in the home and local hardware store. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, November 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1186
ENY062/IN856 Introduction to Soil Solarization
ENY062, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Robert McSorley and Harsimran K. Gill, describes this practice of covering soil surface with plastic to harness the sun’s heat to manage soil weeds, nematodes, diseases and insects in soil. The authors answer frequently asked questions and outline steps for conducting soil solarization. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in856
HS1161/HS406 Guia de para la Utilización Exitosa de la Composta en la Producción de Hortalizas
HS1161, a 7-page Spanish-language fact sheet by Monica Ozores-Hampton and Brain Asmad, provides a guide to the successful use of compost to produce vegetables. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs406
FOR288/FR290 Management of Field Windbreaks
FOR-288, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Bijay Tamang, Michael G. Andreu, Melissa H. Friedman, and Donald L. Rockwood, summarizes the most important management practices needing attention from the time the windbreak is planted to when it is replaced. Includes references. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FR290
FOR227/FR289 Windbreak Designs and Planting for Florida Agricultural Fields
FOR-227, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Bijay Tamang, Michael G. Andreu, Melissa H. Friedman, and Donald L. Rockwood, reviews several design and planting options in order to assist in windbreak planning and development. Includes references. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, August 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FR289
SL301/SS514 Soil Structure in Everglades Agricultural Area Histosols: Effects on Carbon Sequestration and Subsidence
SL-301, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by A.L. Wright and E. A. Hanlon, discusses organic soil oxidation relative to storing or releasing carbon and nitrogen, evaluates effects of cultivation, and uses this information to predict long-term outcomes for agricultural production and reclamation. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS514
ENY902/IN824 Solarization for Pest Management in Florida
ENY-902, a 9-page illustrated fact sheet by Romy Krueger and Robert McSorley, describes this soil management practice that is typically carried out during the warm summer months to benefit crops grown in the following fall — how it works, technical advice, affected organisms, integrating soil fertility, and considerations/drawbacks. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, July 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN824
AE439 Best Management Practices (BMPs): Perimeter Borders
AE439, a 2-page illustrated fact sheet by Kati W. Migliaccio, Brian Boman, Jemy Hinton, and Kevin Hancock, describes perimeter borders used in agricultural production systems in Florida, their benefits and maintentance. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE439
AE443 Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Forest and Agricultural Lands: Reducing Emissions
AE443, a 7-page fact sheet by Solomon G. Haile, Clyde W. Fraisse, P.K. Ramachandran Nair and Vimala D. Nair, is part of the Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Forest and Agricultural Lands series. It provides basic information about greenhouse gases (GHGs), the greenhouse effect, and global warming, and sources of GHG emissions from forest and agricultural lands and discusses land management practices that have potential to reduce GHG emissions in the agricultural and forestry sectors of Florida. Includes refererences. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE443
AE435 Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Forest and Agricultural Lands: Carbon Sequestration
AE435, an 8-page fact sheet by Solomon G. Haile, Clyde W. Fraisse, Vimala D. Nair, and P.K. Ramachandran Nair, addresses some basic questions regarding the prospects of carbon (C) sequestration in forest and agricultural lands and examines the C sequestration potential of different land management practices that could play a role in GHG mitigation strategies. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, September 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE435
HS-1142/HS390 Annual Cover Crops in Florida Vegetable Systems Part 3. Buying and Sourcing
HS-1142, an 8-page illustrated fact sheet by Danielle Treadwell, Waldemar Klassen, Michael Alligood and Stephanie Shewey, is part three of the three-part Annual Cover Crops in Florida Vegetable Systems series. It presents points to consider when purchasing cover crop seeds and provides contact information for cover crop seed retailers and wholesalers. Includes references and contact information for US retailers of cover crop seed and rhizobium inoculant. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS390
FE732/FE732 Economics of the Organic Food Industry in Florida
FE732, an 8-page illustrated fact sheet by Thu-Vi Nguyen, Allen Wysocki, and Danielle Treadwell, delivers an overview of the organic industry in Florida, covering the definition of organic, requirements for organic certification, issues in the Florida organic industry, and major market outlets for organic products. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, September 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FE732
FOR192/FR253 The Benefits of Windbreaks for Florida Growers
FOR-192, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Michael G. Andreu, Bijay Tamang, Melissa H. Friedman, and Don Rockwood, focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of living windbreaks for improving crop production and enhancing conservation activities in sustainable agriculture systems. Includes references. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, July 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FR253
ENY-678/EP128 A Low Input, Sustainable Production System for Fresh Market Tomatoes
Revised! ENY-678, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Jim Rich, Fred Rhoads and Steve Olson, describes a system using disease resistant plant cultivars and sod-based rotation systems to replace or augment chemical alternatives to methyl bromide. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP128
HS1144/HS388 Drip-irrigation systems for small conventional vegetable farms and organic vegetable farms
HS-1144, a 28-page illustrated fact sheet by Eric Simonne, Robert Hochmuth, Jacque Breman, William Lamont, Danielle Treadwell, and Aparna Gazula, presents the principles behind drip irrigation and some practical guidelines for successful and profitable use of drip irrigation for vegetable production in Florida. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, June 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS388
ENY-847/IN761 Biology and Management of Aphids in Sustainable Field Production of Cucurbits
ENY-847, a 3-page illustrated fact-sheet by O. E. Liburd and T. W. Nyoike, provides information about aphids, their biology and lifecycle, damage, monitoring and management strategies for sustainable agriculture. Includes references. Published by UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN761
ENY-848/IN762 Biology and Management of Whiteflies in Sustainable Field Production of Cucurbits
ENY-848, a 3-page illustrated fact-sheet by O. E. Liburd and T. W. Nyoike, provides information about whiteflies, their biology and lifecycle, damage, monitoring and management strategies for sustainable agriculture. Includes references. Published by UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN762