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EDIS Update

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

    Energy Valuation Methods for Biofuels in South Florida: Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment and Emergy Approaches (SL377/SS579)

    April 8th, 2013
    Topic(s):Agriculture, Sustainable Living

    Energy Valuation Methods for Biofuels in South Florida:This 5-page fact sheet gives an overview of two methods for evaluating energy transformations in biofuels production. The Life Cycle Assessment approach involves measurements affecting greenhouse gases, which can be linked to the energy considerations used in the Emergy Assessment. Although these two methods have their basis in energy or greenhouse gas emission evaluations, their approaches can lead to a reliable judgment regarding a biofuel process. We can use them to evaluate the economic environmental component of a biofuel process, and decide which biofuel processes favor sustainability. The intended audiences of this publication are growers, researchers, students, and any other readers interested in agriculture and ecology. Written by J. Van Treese II, E. A. Hanlon, N. Y. Amponsah, J. L. Izursa, and J. C. Capece, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss579

    Nutrient Cycling in Grazed Pastures (SL376/SS578)

    February 22nd, 2013
    Topic(s):Livestock

    Figure 1. Schematic diagram showing how nutrients cycle through several pools, including the atmosphere, soil, plants, and animals.Many forage-based livestock production systems in Florida are characterized by extensive grazing with minimal inputs of commercial fertilizer and supplemental feed. In these systems, adequate soil fertility conditions are essential to sustain forage production. If nutrients become deficient, pasture and animal performance is reduced, and the economic returns of livestock operations may decline. This 3-page fact sheet discusses the different nutrient pathways in grazing pastures to help producers better understand how to promote nutrient cycling and pasture sustainability. Written by Maria L. Silveira, Joao M. B. Vendramini, Hiran M. da Silva, and Mariana Azenha, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss578

    Aquatic Toxicology Notes: Endothall (SL369/SS570)

    October 23rd, 2012
    Topic(s):Pesticide Information

    DiacidEndothall is the herbicidal active ingredient found in commercial formulations labeled for weed control in aquatic systems and on ditch banks. It is also used as a defoliant and desiccant in some terrestrial situations (e.g., in potato, hops, cotton, clover, and alfalfa production). This 7-page fact sheet introduces users of endothall to the physical, chemical, environmental, and ecological properties of this herbicidal active ingredient relative to the aquatic environment. Written by P. Chris Wilson and Jun Wu, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss570

    Aquatic Toxicology Notes: Diquat (SL368/SS569)

    October 23rd, 2012
    Topic(s):Pesticide Information

    Cation (active form). Diquat is applied directly to plants along ditch banks and within aquatic systems. It may also be applied to ponds, lakes, and drainage ditches to control algae and submersed aquatic weeds. This 7-page fact sheet introduces users of diquat to the physical, chemical, environmental, and ecological properties of this herbicidal active ingredient relative to the aquatic environment. Written by P. Chris Wilson and Jun Wu, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss569

    Salmonella and Pathogenic E. coli in the Crop Production Environment: Potential Sources, Survival, and Management (SL375/SS576)

    October 8th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops, Food Safety

    agricultural fieldOver the last two decades, at least a dozen major outbreaks of gastroenteritis caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella or enterovirulent E. coli have been linked to the consumption of sprouts, nuts, and fresh (or minimally processed) fruits and vegetables. These outbreaks caught scientists and the public off guard because these pathogens were not previously considered “plant-associated.” This 3-page fact sheet highlights recent discoveries that focus on the ecology of human pathogens in the crop production environment. A better understanding of how pathogens persist outside of animal hosts in agricultural water, soils, and plants will have major impacts on managing produce safety from “farm to fork.” Written by Max Teplitski, Andree George, and George Hochmuth, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss576

    Carbon Sequestration in Grazing Land Ecosystems (SL373/SS574)

    October 8th, 2012
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Livestock

    Figure 1. Simplified carbon cycle diagram. While CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and incorporated into plant tissue via photosynthesis, it can also be re-emitted back to the atmosphere as plant (autotrophic) and soil microbial respiration (heterotrophic). The balance between carbon inputs and outputs determines the amount of carbon sequestered in the soil.Native and improved pastures play an important role in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Because of the relatively high sequestration rates and extensive area, grazing land represents an important component of terrestrial carbon dioxide (CO2) offset and is a significant sink for long-term carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation. This 4-page fact sheet contains information for stakeholders, students, scientists, and environmental agencies interested in enhancing ecosystems services provided by grazing lands. Written by Maria Silveira, Ed Hanlon, Mariana Azenha, and Hiran M. da Silva, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, September 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss574

    Solutions for Managing Tomato Culls in Florida Tomato Packinghouses (SL371/SS572)

    September 17th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    tomatoes in cratesFlorida is the single largest producer of fresh-market tomatoes in the United States. Driven by urbanization and generation of large amounts of tomato culls, tomato packers in Florida often struggle to find ways to dispose of culls generated during the cleaning and sanitizing of tomatoes. This 5-page fact sheet provides guidelines for appropriate management practices to increase the use of culls produced in tomato packinghouses in Florida. Written by Gurpal Toor, Maninder Chahal, and Bielinski Santos, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, September 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss572

    Solutions for Managing Wastewater in Florida Tomato Packinghouses (SL372/SS573)

    September 5th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    splashing tomatoA large amount of wastewater is produced in Florida's packinghouses during the cleaning and sanitizing of tomatoes. High transportation costs for off-site disposal and strict surface water discharge regulations are critical issues associated with the management of this wastewater. This 4-page fact sheet provides solutions for increasing the reuse of wastewater in tomato packinghouses in Florida. Written by Gurpal Toor, Maninder Chahal, and Bielinski Santos, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss573

    Watersheds of Florida: Understanding a Watershed Approach to Water Management (SL367/SS568)

    August 6th, 2012
    Topic(s):Water

    Figure 1. Graphical illustration of a watershed.Water is of primary importance to all life on earth. Freshwater is a finite resource, and managing freshwater requires an understanding of watersheds and a watershed approach. Both quantity and quality of water are important for balanced beneficial and efficient agricultural, industrial, rural, and urban uses. This 7-page fact sheet provides information on watersheds and introduces the watershed approach and management concept as practiced in the U.S., with a focus on Florida watersheds in particular. This document also provides information on the basins, basin groups, and hydrologic units of Florida used by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to implement watershed assessment, monitoring, and restoration programs. Written by Rao Mylavarapu, Kelley Hines, Thomas Obreza, and Greg Means, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, July 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss568

    Field Symptoms of Boron Toxicity and Deficiency in Florida Peanuts (SL366/SS567)

    June 27th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops

    Figure 2. Close-up photo of classic boron toxicity foliar symptomsBoron is an essential micronutrient needed by peanut to prevent “hollow heart” and to provide for sufficient plant growth, but it can be a challenge to manage for peanut production on sandy soils. There may be times when peanut growers, extension agents, and consultants find field symptoms when either boron toxicity or boron deficiency is the cause of peanut yield loss and low kernel quality. This 4-page fact sheet reviews the boron management strategy in Florida, presents information on boron sufficiency and toxicity levels from the literature, and provides photographs of field symptoms that can be used by growers and Extension agents. was written by J. W. Breman, W. D. Thomas, H. E. Jowers, and R. S. Mylavarapu, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, May 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss567

    Small-Scale Natural Wastewater Treatment Systems: Principles and Regulatory Framework (SL365/SS566)

    June 6th, 2012
    Topic(s):Community Development, Water

    Figure 1. Schematic of constructed wetland at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.Natural systems use the natural processes of wetland ecosystems to both transform and hold on to many of the common pollutants that occur in household wastewater. This 8-page fact sheet briefly describes the principles and added benefits of natural systems. It then focuses on their use for treating small municipal wastewater flows from commercial and residential sites (i.e., septic systems or decentralized wastewater systems). Written by Kiara Winans, Shanin Speas-Frost, Mike Jerauld, Mark Clark, and Gurpal Toor, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, May 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss566

    How to Characterize Soil Variability in Florida Citrus Groves as It Relates to Tree Growth and Yield (SL556/SS557)

    February 2nd, 2012
    Topic(s):Citrus

    Figure 1. Aerial photograph of a Florida citrus grove showing the spatial variability of tree growth.Non-uniform tree growth and fruit yield are very common throughout many Florida citrus groves, but variable groves are typically managed as if they were uniform. This 4-page fact sheet provides information about the relationship between soil variability and citrus production, proposes recommendations for soil sampling that account for spatial variability, and suggests site-specific management practices for variable Florida citrus groves. Written by Kirandeep K. Mann, Arnold W. Schumann, Thomas A. Obreza, Willie G. Harris, and Jerry B. Sartain, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2011.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss557

    Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Trace Organic Chemicals (SL352/SS554)

    December 7th, 2011
    Topic(s):Health & Nutrition, House & Home, Water

    water dropletTrace organic chemicals are potentially harmful to human and ecosystem health. They frequently occur in wastewater from septic systems and can be found in concentrations orders of magnitude higher than typical concentrations reported in centralized treatment plant wastewater. This 7-page fact sheet identifies common trace organic chemicals of concern in wastewater and their sources, and summarizes current research on the fate and transport of these chemicals in septic systems. Written by Gurpal S. Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2011. (photo CC BY-SA 3.0 Mila)
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss554

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