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EDIS Update

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

    Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) for Enhanced Water Distribution: SDI – Seepage Hybrid System (HS1217)

    April 29th, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 7. Installation of subsurface drip tape at a depth of 24 in. below the soil surface in a potato field, Hastings, Florida. Upper figures: subsurface drip tape positioning after the installation. Lower left: detail of the manifold (PVC). Lower right: chisel plow adapted for subsurface drip installation. In terms of water use efficiency, the traditional seepage irrigation systems commonly used in areas with high water tables are one of the most inefficient methods of irrigation, though some irrigation management practices can contribute to better soil moisture uniformity. Subsurface drip irrigation systems apply water below the soil surface by microirrigation, improving the water distribution and time required to raise the water table for seepage irrigation. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Lincoln Zotarelli, Libby Rens, Charles Barrett, Daniel J. Cantliffe, Michael D. Dukes, Mark Clark, and Steven Lands, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1217

    Allelopathy: How Plants Suppress Other Plants (HS944/HS186)

    April 8th, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops

    Photograph of ground beneath a forest of Casuarina equisetifolia (ironwood) trees showing allelopathy. Photographed at Moloa‘a, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i.Allelopathy refers to the beneficial or harmful effects of one plant on another plant, both crop and weed species, from the release of biochemicals, known as allelochemicals, from plant parts by leaching, root exudation, volatilization, residue decomposition, and other processes in both natural and agricultural systems. This 5-page fact sheet introduces the concept of allelopathy and mentions potential applications as an alternative weed management strategy. Written by James J. Ferguson, Bala Rathinasabapathi, and Carlene A. Chase, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs186

    Trastornos fisiologicos de la papa: Centro marron y Corazon hueco (HS1214)

    March 26th, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops, Spanish Language

    Figure 1. Corazón hueco en ‘Atlantic’El centro marrón y el corazón hueco son trastornos fisiológicos internos no-infecciosos del tubérculo de la papa. Un centro marrón (también llamado corazón incipiente y hueco, corazón marrón o centro de azúcar) se caracteriza por una región muerta en las células de la médula de los tubérculos lo que resulta en un tejido de color marrón. This 3-page fact sheet was written by L. Zotarelli, C. Hutchinson, S. Byrd, D. Gergela, y D. L. Rowland, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, January 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1214

    Manejo de malezas en las papas (HS1213)

    March 26th, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops, Spanish Language

    screenshot of fact sheetLas malezas causan problemas en la producción de patata en Florida y puede reducir rendimientos a través de competencia directa por la luz, la humedad y los nutrientes, o por albergar insectos y enfermedades que atacan las patatas. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Peter Dittmar, Seth Byrd, Lincoln Zotarelli, Diane Rowland, and William Stall, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, January 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1213

    2013 Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide (HS1156/HS380)

    December 18th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 6. Flower bud stage 6Recommendations are based on information from the manufacturer’s label and performance data from research and Extension field tests. This 31-page pest management guide was adapted for Florida by Jeffrey G. Williamson, Philip F. Harmon, Oscar E. Liburd, and Peter Dittmar, from the Southeast Regional Blueberry Integrated Management Guide, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, November 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs380

    Understanding and Applying Chelated Fertilizers Effectively Based on Soil pH (HS1208)

    December 4th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 2. Schematic diagram of chelated fertilizers facilitating nutrient uptake for foliar application. Without chelation (aqua), micronutrients stay on the leaf surface. With chelation (aqua surrounded by blue), micronutrients first move into the mesophyll and then release micronutrients. Plant nutrients are one of the environmental factors essential for crop growth and development. Nutrient management is crucial for optimal productivity in commercial crop production. Those nutrients in concentrations of ≤ 100 parts per million (ppm) in plant tissues are described as micronutrients and include iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), molybdenum (Mo), and nickel (Ni). Micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu are easily oxidized or precipitated in soil, and their utilization is, therefore, not very efficient. Chelated fertilizers have been developed to increase micronutrient utilization efficiency. This 5-page fact sheet provides an overview of chelated fertilizers and considerations for their use to county Extension faculty, growers, and students who are interested in commercial crop production. Written by Guodong Liu, Edward Hanlon, and Yuncong Li, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, November 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1208

    Rootstocks for Florida Stone Fruit (HS1110/HS366)

    December 4th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 2. Budded peach tree with red-leaved 'Flordaguard' rootstock suckersRootstocks have been used in many tree fruit systems to provide growth advantages or pest or disease resistance without affecting productivity and fruit quality. In Florida, stone fruit are grown on rootstocks that specifically provide pest resistance to the peach root-knot nematode. Although several root-knot nematode-resistant rootstocks are available for stone fruit grown in other locations and climates, ‘Flordaguard’ peach rootstock is currently recommended for stone fruit production in Florida. This 5-page fact sheet was written by M. Olmstead, J. Chaparro, and J. Ferguson, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, November 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs366

    Soil pH Range for Optimum Commercial Vegetable Production (HS1207)

    November 14th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 2. Soil pH range for optimal growth of selected vegetable crops Soil pH affects nutrient bioavailability by controlling the chemical forms of nutrients. This 11-page fact sheet provides information about soil pH basics to commercial growers, county Extension agents, and college students specializing in vegetable production. Written by Guodong Liu and Edward Hanlon, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, October 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1207

    Production Systems: Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 3 (HS785/CV263)

    November 13th, 2012
    Topic(s):Nursery & Greenhouse

    Figure 3. Young tomato plant growing in perlite-filled bagWorldwide, commercial greenhouse vegetable producers currently use numerous production systems. Among the more prevalent include lay-flat bag or upright container culture, trough culture, rockwool, vertical culture, nutrient film technique (NFT), and ground (in-soil) culture. Many modifications of these basic production systems are presently in use, and most are appropriate for Florida, except for unamended ground culture. This 8-page fact sheet was written by Dan Fenneman, Michael Sweat, George Hochmuth, and Robert Hochmuth, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, October 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv263

    Fertigation for Vegetables: A Practical Guide for Small Fields (HS1206)

    October 8th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 1. Fertigation unit for small acreage
    More and more farmers are growing small crops of fruits and vegetables for specialty local markets. They commonly grow several crops at different stages of development at the same time so they have a variety of produce to sell to customers. This forces farmers to make several fertilizer calculations because of their diverse crop demands, because water and nutrient requirements vary according to the crop and stage of development. This 7-page fact sheet helps growers correctly interpret fertilizer recommendations and calculate accurate fertilizer amounts to be used based on crop nutrient requirements. Written by Jim DeValerio, David Nistler, Robert Hochmuth, and Eric Simonne, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, October 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1206

    Protected Culture for Vegetable and Small Fruit Crops: The Soilless Trench System (HS1204)

    September 5th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 5. Mature tomato crop growing in an SLS filled with pine barkVegetable and small fruit crop production under protective structures, such as greenhouses, high tunnels, and shade houses, often requires using soilless media to mitigate the impact of soilborne diseases, nematodes, and weeds, and it helps with management of fertilization and irrigation. Regardless of the nature and property of the media, they need to be held in containers to avoid direct contact with the soil or to elevate plants above the ground. An alternative to purchasing containers is building a soilless trench system for production of certain vegetables and small fruit crops. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Bielinski M. Santos and Teresa P. Salame-Donoso, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, August 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1204

    Potato Physiological Disorders – Internal Heat Necrosis (HS1145/HS395)

    August 27th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 1. Internal heat necrosis symptoms in fresh market potato 'Red LaSoda'Internal heat necrosis is a physiological disorder that causes an unacceptable browning of the tuber tissue and can cause economic losses to the grower. The three leading suspected causes of IHN in tubers are high soil temperature, inadequate soil moisture, and suboptimal plant nutrition, or a combination of these factors. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Lincoln Zotarelli, Christine M. Worthington,Chad M. Hutchinson, Seth Byrd, Douglas Gergela, and Diane Rowland, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, July 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs395

    Blossom Drop, Reduced Fruit Set, and Post-Pollination Disorders in Tomato (HS1195)

    August 6th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 1. Reproductive features of tomato flower. Left: female pistil. Center: open tomato flower. Right: male stamens.Blossom drop and reduced fruit set in tomato can seriously impact yields. Growers in Florida routinely experience such problems and inquire about the cause and possible preventative measures to reduce flower loss and improve yields. The problem can be frustrating and difficult to manage in some situations. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Monica Ozores-Hampton, Fnu Kiran, and Gene McAvoy, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, July 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1195

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