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EDIS Update

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

    Pest Management Perceptions and Practices for Equine Farms in North and Central Florida (ENY2028/IN983)

    May 16th, 2013
    Topic(s):Livestock

    Figure 1. Single-family homes are often located adjacent to horse paddocks or stables in equine farms in Florida. Equine facilities have unique pest management problems due to facility structure and horse husbandry practices. In Florida, homes on small equine farms are generally located in close proximity to pastures, stalls or run-in sheds, manure piles, and other fly breeding habitats. So homeowners have a high risk of exposure to pathogens that can be transmitted by filth flies to humans. Integrated pest management for equine farms requires accurate diagnosis of pest problems and the coordinated use of science-based management practices, but a recent survey shows that many equine property owners don’t know enough about the identification, biology, and presence of filth fly pests on their properties to develop successful IPM programs. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Erika T. Machtinger, Norman C. Leppla, and Cindy Saunders, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in983

    Nursery Irrigation System Checklist (ENH1208/EP469)

    May 15th, 2013
    Topic(s):Nursery & Greenhouse

    Figure 2. Appropriate nozzle operating pressure is achieved with a subtending regulator. Irrigation must be intensively managed to achieve optimal production times for plants of superior quality. There must be a balance between excessive and inadequate irrigation. Producers use irrigation control devices and past experience to achieve the balance. A few simple checks before and during irrigation can make a big difference in efficient and uniform delivery of the appropriate amount of water. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Tom Yeager, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep469

    Mealybug Vryburgia trionymoides (DeLotto) (Pseudococcidae) (EENY553/IN991)

    May 15th, 2013
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Nursery & Greenhouse

    Figure 1. Adult females of Vryburgia trionymoides on a succulent leaf. On several occasions in 2011, succulents for sale at retail stores in Florida were found with infestations of the mealybug Vryburgia trionymoides DeLotto. A traceback revealed that the succulents originated in California, where this mealybug is known as an occasional greenhouse pest. Specimens intercepted or found in retail stores often were well-hidden in the axillary region near the stem, making detection more challenging. An untreated infestation can kill a plant, there are no published reports of economic losses caused by this species. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Ian Stocks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in991

    Tuttle mealybug Brevennia rehi (Pseudococcidae) (EENY551/IN989)

    May 13th, 2013
    Topic(s):Lawn & Garden, Turf / Sod

    Figure 2. Population of adult and immature Tuttle mealybugs, Brevennia rehi, on a blade of zoysia grass. The Tuttle mealybug, Brevennia rehi (Lindinger), is a pest of many grass species and occurs nearly worldwide, especially where rice and sugarcane are grown. Because Bermuda and zoysia are important lawn grasses, especially in the southern United States, infestation by Tuttle mealybug should be considered whenever dieback is noticed, especially if the grass blades show white wax or are sticky from honeydew secretion. Both Bermuda and zoysia lawns are commonly installed as sod or plugs, which provide a ready route for the spread of infestations should the pest control practices of the grower fail to maintain a pest-free production environment. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Ian Stocks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in989

    Citrus peelminer Marmara gulosa Guillèn and Davis (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) (EENY415/IN985)

    May 10th, 2013
    Topic(s):Citrus, Ecosystems & Species

    Figure 1. Adult citrus peelminer, Marmara gulosa Guillèn and Davis.The citrus peelminer is a dark-gray moth with mottled white and brown markings and about 4 mm in length. This moth is considered native in the United States, attacking willow. It is believed that a host-shift occurred to multiple non-native plants including all varieties of citrus and cerain ornamentals, such as oleander. Citrus peelminer has been reported to occur in low numbers in Florida and at least three Marmara species have been identified in the state. Recent evaluations of an experimental pheromone lure that is still under development by researchers at the University of California, Riverside have confirmed captures of citrus peelminer (Marmara sp.) in Polk County, Florida. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Lukasz L. Stelinski, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in985

    Key to Nine Common Smilax Species of Florida (FOR307/FR375)

    May 10th, 2013
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Forest Resources

    Figure 5. The glaucous coating on the lower surface of the leaf on Smilax glauca is an excellent distinguishing characteristic for this species.Identifying species found in Smilax the genus can be difficult because species resemble one another closely. One must be careful to use detailed descriptions in order to correctly identify a specimen. Smilax species are important because they can provide shelter and food for wildlife and have provided humans with medicine, food, and dyes. Twelve Smilax species are found in Florida. This 8-page fact sheet covers the nine more common species that one may encounter in the state. Written by Lynn Proenza and Michael Andreu, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, January 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr375

    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

    Understanding the Effects of Forage Composition and Structure in Ruminant Nutrition (AN288)

    May 6th, 2013
    Topic(s):Livestock

    Cattle grazing in a pastureApproximately 68% of the 16 million square miles of agricultural land worldwide is used for permanent pastures for livestock production. Fortunately, ruminants can convert plant matter that is inedible or of low nutritional value for monogastrics (i.e., swine or poultry) into calorically dense products of high nutritional value. However, the process of converting poor quality plant matter into useful nutrients for ruminants is complex. This 3-page fact sheet provides an overview and understanding of how forage composition and structure affect the nutritive value and nutrient availability to ruminants. Written by Kalyn M. Waters, Nicolas DiLorenzo, and G. Cliff Lamb, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an288

    Managing Diamide Resistance in Florida Tomato (ENY867/IN978)

    May 3rd, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops

    tomatoes, Balm, center, fruit, vegetables, flower, Ag Expo 2006. UF/IFAS Photo: Sally Lanigan.As with any insecticide, repeated use of diamide insecticides on successive generations of the same pest may lead to the development of insecticide resistance. In order to avoid the development of resistance to diamides by targeted pests of tomato, group 28 insecticides, including diamides, must be rotated with insecticides possessing different modes of action. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Hugh A. Smith, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, February 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in978

    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

    Reducing Fumigant Application Rates and Soil Emissions with Plastic Mulch Technology (ENY046/IN403)

    April 9th, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops, Pesticide Information

    virtually impermeable filmWith the new fumigant regulations and rising cost of crop production, including fumigants, it would be desirable to reduce the standard use rate of soil fumigants. The use of higher-barrier, gas-impermeable mulches may make it possible to reduce fumigant application rates by helping to contain the fumigant longer within the soil and reduce overall emissions into the atmosphere. The results of field studies show that fumigant application rates can be reduced by 20 to as much as 40% through the use of virtually impermeable or the more gas-tight TIF mulch films at the time of application. This 5-page fact sheet was written by J. W. Noling, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in403

    Effect of Age at Castration on Beef Calf Performance (AN289)

    April 9th, 2013
    Topic(s):Livestock

    Baby calf seen basking in the early morning sunA study in Florida was conducted to examine the issue of age at castration to determine if castration timing resulted in significant differences in growth rate and weaning weight in nursing calves. In addition, the study included a comparison between Angus and Brangus calves in the treatment groups to determine if there was a breed by castration effect. No differences in calf growth rates were observed in early compared to late castration. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Amie Imler, Todd Thrift, Matt Hersom, and Joel Yelich, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an289

    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

    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

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