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EDIS Update

New and revised publications from the University of Florida Insitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

    Water Quality and the Effectiveness of Pesticides (PI245)

    May 21st, 2013
    Topic(s):Pesticide Information, Water

    Figure 1. Dissolved solids concentrations of water from the Upper Floridan aquifer.Pesticide applicators do not usually blame the mix for a pest control failure. Rather, the applicator will check if the correct pesticide was chosen for the job, if the pest was misidentified, if application equipment was properly calibrated, or if there was pesticide resistance. However, pesticide applicators should be aware that water quality can play a role in the efficacy of a pesticide treatment. Some pesticides lose their effectiveness when mixed with water that contains suspended or dissolved solids. This publication discusses how water quality affects pesticide mixes. This 2-page fact sheet was written by F. M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi245

    The EPA Conventional Reduced Risk Pesticide Program (PI224)

    May 6th, 2013
    Topic(s):Pesticide Information

    EPA logoThe Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 initiated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Conventional Reduced Risk Pesticide Program. Its purpose is to expedite the review and registration process of conventional pesticides that pose less risk to human health and the environment than existing conventional alternatives. Riskier conventional alternatives are those pesticides EPA deems as having neurotoxic, carcinogenic, reproductive, and developmental toxicity, or groundwater contamination effects. It serves as a means to ensure that reduced risk pesticides enter the channels of trade and are available to growers as soon as possible. This 11-page fact sheet was written by F.M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi224

    Florida Crop/Pest Management Profile: Cabbage (CIR1256/PI042)

    May 6th, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops

    cabbage fieldFlorida’s cabbage production is exclusively for the fresh market. The higher-quality cabbage obtained during the late fall, winter, and early spring months in Florida allows the shipment of fresh cabbage to areas of the United States that cannot produce cabbage during that part of the year. This 18-page fact sheet summarizes production practices and pest management for cabbage production in Florida. Written by Wael M. Elwakil and Mark Mossler, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi042

    Is Our Food Safe from Pesticides? (PI230)

    April 8th, 2013
    Topic(s):Health & Nutrition, Pesticide Information

    Figure 1. An estimated 75% of Florida's tomato acreage is scouted twice weekly and sprayed only as necessary.Growers of the food supply have adopted the use of integrated pest management (IPM) because it is no longer possible to rely solely on chemical pesticides to prevent unacceptable crop losses. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), IPM is the coordinated use of pest and environmental information and available pest control methods to prevent unacceptable levels of damage by the most economical means with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Scientific IPM strategies give the grower economic incentives for sustaining long-term crop protection with minimal disruption to the environment. The agricultural community typically will use pesticides sparingly as part of the IPM strategy whenever proven alternatives are not available for pest control. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Frederick M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi230

    EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) (PI227)

    April 1st, 2013
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Health & Nutrition, Pesticide Information

    image from EPA EDSP websitePeople have asked questions in recent years concerning the effects that certain chemicals may have on the endocrine system of humans and wildlife. Laboratory studies have produced evidence that show various chemicals disrupt the endocrine systems of animals. Other evidence has shown that the endocrine systems of certain fish and wildlife species have been affected by chemical contaminants. Do some of these same chemical contaminants also affect the human endocrine system? Do pesticides cause these effects? The relationship between human diseases of the endocrine system and exposure to environmental contaminants is poorly understood and controversial. This 2-page fact sheet discusses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) screening program for potential effects to the endocrine system caused by pesticide exposure. Written by F.M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi227

    Children and Pesticides (PI226)

    March 22nd, 2013
    Topic(s):Children, Pesticide Information

    Infant child with cleaning chemicalsChildren act fast, but so do poisons, including pesticides. Fortunately for most parents, their children are not harmed when the parents have a momentary lapse and aren’t supervising them for a short time. But how would parents respond if they suddenly turn around, and their toddler is holding a can of household aerosol insect killer? This 3-page fact sheet outlines some facts and precautionary measures regarding children and pesticides in the home environment, so parents have a better idea of how to keep harmful chemical products away from their children. Written by F.M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi226

    Natural Area Weeds: Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum) (SSAGR21/AG122)

    March 12th, 2013
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Forest Resources

    Figure 3. Leafy branches (pinnae) of Old World climbing fern are 2–5 inches long with several pairs of leaflets (pinnules).Native to Africa, Asia, and Australia, Old World climbing fern (OWCF) is a newcomer to Florida that has spread at an alarming rate since its introduction. The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council considers Old World climbing fern to be invasive. It’s also regulated by laws of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) as a Florida Noxious Weed and by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a Federal Noxious Weed. It may be the most serious threat to Florida’s natural areas. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Kenneth A. Langeland and Jeffery Hutchinson, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, February 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag122

    Natural Area Weeds: Skunkvine (Paederia foetida) (SSAGR80/WG208)

    February 27th, 2013
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Forest Resources

    Figure 1. Skunkvine growing over native shrubs.Native to eastern and southern Asia, skunkvine is an invasive plant species introduced to the USDA Field Station near Brooksville before 1897. It has been included on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council List of Invasive Species as a Category I, defined as “species that are invading and disrupting native plant communities in Florida.” It was added to the Florida Noxious Weed List in 1999, making it illegal to possess, move, or release in Florida. This 3-page fact sheet was written by K. A. Langeland, R. K. Stocker, and D. M. Brazis, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, February 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg208

    Biology and Control of Sorghum-almum in Sugarcane (SSAGR369/SC098)

    February 5th, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 3. Sorghum-almum seedhead.Sorghum-almum is a weak, perennial rhizomatous grass. Leaves of seedlings are rolled in a bud with a fringed membranous ligule. Seedlings often resemble corn seedlings when small. Stems of mature plants are stout and erect, reaching up to 14 feet tall. Leaf blades are flat and sandpapery. Sorghum-almum is commonly found in the southern part of Florida in sugarcane fields and along ditches, canals, and roadsides. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Dennis Calvin Odero, Ron Rice, and Les Baucum , and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, January 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc098

    Biology and Control of Goosegrass in Sugarcane (SSAGR367/SC096)

    February 5th, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 1. Goosegrass mat-like rosette with flattened stems radiating from a central point.Goosegrass is an annual plant that produces a prostrate, mat-like rosette with flattened stems radiating from a central point. It is often described as looking like someone has stepped in the middle of the plant, flattening it out. Because of the whitish to translucent color of the leaf sheath margins, goosegrass usually appears white to silver; this is why it is known as white or silver crabgrass. Goosegrass is found year-round in southern Florida and is commonly associated with newly planted and stubble (ratoon) sugarcane fields. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Dennis Calvin Odero, Ron Rice, and Les Baucum, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, January 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc096

    Identification and Control of Southern Sandbur (Cenchrus echinatus L.) in Hayfields (SSAGR364/AG373)

    December 18th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops, Livestock

    Figure 1. Southern sandbur.Southern sandbur is an annual grass that grows in pastures and cropland throughout the warm areas of the southern United States from Virginia to California. This native grass is adapted to dry, sandy soils and has a shallow, fibrous root system. It can easily invade a poorly managed field, diminishing the quality of a hay crop or grazing pasture. Southern sandbur seeds start to germinate in late spring, and germination continues through the summer and fall. Flowering occurs in late fall, and growth is consistent until the first frost. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Hunter Smith, Jason Ferrell, and Brent Sellers, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, December 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag373

    Florida Crop/Pest Management Profiles: Snap Beans (CIR1231/PI032)

    October 23rd, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Pole beans, green beans grown at the University of Florida. Photo by Tara PiasioIn 2009-2010, Florida growers produced 193.2 million pounds of snap beans, with a value of $0.69 per pound and a total value of $135 million. Snap beans were planted on 36,400 acres, and 32,200 acres were harvested, yielding an average of 6,000 pounds per acre. This 18-page fact sheet was written by W.M. Elwakil and Mark A. Mossler, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, October 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi032

    How to Report Pesticide Misuse in Florida (PI241)

    October 8th, 2012
    Topic(s):Pesticide Information

    Figure 4. Herbicide runoff from an athletic field.Pesticides provide benefits in many facets of daily life, including protecting food production and health, enhancing our recreational areas, maintaining our rights-of-way, and protecting wildlife, aquatic sites, and natural areas. However, misuse does occur and those who are negligent must take responsibility for their actions. This 3-page fact sheet was written by F. M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, October 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi241

    Production of Miscanthus x giganteus for Biofuel (SSAGR292/AG297)

    September 17th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 2. Stands of Miscanthus x giganteus reach maturity in July in FloridaThe bioenergy industry has primarily used Miscanthus for combustion in power plants. It has desirable properties of low water and ash contents following a dry-down period before harvest. Current research is focused on its potential as a biomass crop for direct combustion and for lignocellulosic conversion to ethanol and other biofuels. This 3-page fact sheet was written by John Erickson, Curtis Rainbolt, Yoana Newman, Lynn Sollenberger, and Zane Helsel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, September 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag297

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