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Publication #HS711

Soil and Fertilizer Management for Vegetable Production in Florida1

E. H. Simonne and G.J. Hochmuth2

The Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida was updated in November 2009. The most current version of this chapter may be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/CV/10100.pdf .

Keywords: Best Management Practices (BMP), crop nutrient requirement (CNR), soils, irrigation management, fertilizer

Photo gallery:

Fig. 1. 

Sand soils used for watermelons in central Florida.

Fig. 2. 

Laser-leveling organic soils near Belle Glade, FL.

Fig. 3. 

Tomatoes growing on plastic mulch on Rockdale soil in Dade County.

Fig. 4. 

Applying liquid fertilizer to second-cropped squash with a liquid fertilizer injection wheel.

Fig. 5. 

Second-crop cucumbers following tomato.

Fig. 6. 

Ion-specific electrodes for measuring concentrations of nitrate-N and potassium in vegetable leaf petiole sap.

Fig. 7. 

Media filters for filtering water used for drip irrigation of vegetables.

Fig. 8. 

Rye windbreaks provide wind protection for early spring crops in central and north Florida.

Fig. 9. 

Sugarcane windbreaks provide wind protection in south Florida.

Footnotes

1.

This document is HS711, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date first printed: June 1995, Date revised: November 2009. Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

E.H. Simonne, associate professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, G.J. Hochmuth, professor and associate dean for research, Gainesville, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611. The Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida is edited by S.M. Olson, professor, NFREC-Quincy, E.H. Simonne, associate professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. It is not a guarantee or warranty of the products named, and does not signify that they are approved to the exclusion of others of suitable composition. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.