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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

    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

    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

    Pesticide Effects on Nontarget Organisms (PI85/PI122)

    June 23rd, 2011
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Pesticide Information

    Pesticides are an integral part of agriculture as Florida's climate fosters an environment conducive to major pest outbreaks throughout the entire year. Our environment also is favorable for the development and presence of beneficial organisms that positively affect our agricultural production and enhance our wildlife and plant communities. This revised 7-page guide addresses the effects of various types of pesticides on nontarget organisms, including natural enemies and beneficial organisms, such as honeybees, wildlife, fish, and nontarget plants. Written by Frederick M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi122

    Agricultural Pesticide Use in Florida: A Summary, 2007-2009 (PI235)

    June 9th, 2011
    Topic(s):Pesticide Information

    Commercial farms in Florida span over nine million acres and earn annual profits of more than $7.5 billion. High temperatures and heavy rainfall create heavy pest pressure that leads the majority of Florida farmers to rely upon pesticides for high-yielding, cost-effective crop production. This 4-page fact sheet lists top ten pesticides and the crops associated with this use, and also specifies the most common fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and other pesticides.Written by Bonnie Wells and F.M. Fishel, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, June 2011.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi235

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