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Recent & Revised Publications

thumbnail for publication: Cellular Agriculture for Production of Cell-Based Seafood: Part 4—Exploring the Potential of Fish Skin and Fish Waste in the Circular Bioeconomy

Cellular Agriculture for Production of Cell-Based Seafood: Part 4—Exploring the Potential of Fish Skin and Fish Waste in the Circular Bioeconomy

Julia Tvedt, Boce Zhang, and Razieh Farzad

Cellular agriculture offers a groundbreaking approach to seafood production, where fish cells are cultivated to produce fish meat without traditional fishing or aquaculture. This method promises to meet the growing demand for seafood and addresses critical issues such as overfishing and habitat destruction. Fish waste, including fish skin, is a significant byproduct of the seafood industry that is often discarded; however, using fish waste as a resource for cell-based seafood production emerges as a compelling solution. Integrating fish waste into the production process can enhance the sustainability and efficiency of cellular agriculture. This approach aligns with the principles of the circular bioeconomy, transforming waste into valuable inputs and closing the loop in seafood production. This EDIS publication provides information on the potential of fish skin and other fish waste materials to be used as natural sources in cell-cultivated seafood production and its scaffolding.

Preventing Foodborne Illness Associated with Clostridium perfringens

Karuna Kharel, Kiara S. Bookman, Renée Goodrich-Schneider, Ploy Kurdmongkoltham, Bruna Bertoldi, and Keith R. Schneider

The bacterium Clostridium perfringens causes one of the most common types of foodborne gastroenteritis in the United States, often referred to as perfringens food poisoning (FDA 2012). It is associated with consuming contaminated food that contains great numbers of vegetative cells and spores that will produce toxin inside the intestine. There are two forms of disease caused by C. perfringens: gastroenteritis and necrotizing enteritis. The latter disease, also known as pig-bel disease, is not common in the United States. It is often associated with contaminated pork and can be very severe (FDA 2012).

Ornate Tree Hole Mosquito, Orthopodomyia signifera (Coquillett, 1896) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Leigh H. Ketelsen and Eva A. Buckner

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

The Emergence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii Race 4 Causing Fusarium Wilt on Celery in South Florida

Larissa Carvalho Ferreira, Anna Mészáros, and Katia Viana Xavier

Celery (Apium graveolens L.) production in south Florida spans approximately 1,500 acres yearly. Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii (Foa) race 4, emerged as a significant threat to celery production in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) in Florida in 2022. Since it was first reported in the United States in Michigan in 1914, Foa has evolved into four different pathogenic races. In 2013, race 4 was first reported in California, ?and since then, it has been causing substantial losses to celery growers. The first occurrence in south Florida is critically alarming because (1) race 4 is the most virulent among the four races, (2) there is a lack of effective chemical and varietal control options for EAA Florida growers, and (3) this pathogen can survive in the soil for many years. This publication provides novel information to growers, Extension agents, and crop consultants of the celery industry in Florida regarding disease identification and management.

thumbnail for publication: Are You a Highlighter or a Permanent Marker Parent?: Promoting Healthy Child Development by Highlighting Positive Behaviors

Are You a Highlighter or a Permanent Marker Parent?: Promoting Healthy Child Development by Highlighting Positive Behaviors

Madalyn Klein and Victor W. Harris

This publication takes a look at two different parenting styles, discusses their potential impacts on children’s development and behaviors, and lists helpful parenting strategies. Written by Madalyn Klein and Victor W. Harris, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, October 2024.

A Practical Guide for Adjusting Fertigation Water pH in Specialty Crop Production

Guodong Liu, Md Jahidul Islam Shohag, Lisa Hickey, Yuncong Li, and Shufang Tian

Fruit and vegetable producers have widely adopted fertigation as a common practice. However, achieving optimal nutrient use efficiency and growth of crops requires careful management of the irrigation water’s pH, especially when the water quality exhibits excessive acidity or alkalinity. Adjusting the pH of irrigation water is crucial to meet crop preferences and ensure optimal conditions for growth. Growers frequently encounter challenges in effectively optimizing irrigation water pH. This publication aims to address this issue by providing an overview of adjusting irrigation water pH and offering practical guidelines. The target audiences of this guide are farm/nursery managers, growers, crop advisors, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Extension agents, researchers, students, and others who are interested in crop production.

Environmental Horticulture Management Certificate: A Path to Career Opportunities and Advancement

Kimberly A. Moore and Kathleen Ujvari

Florida is one of the top-producing states in the environmental horticulture industry (“green industry”), which includes garden centers as well as greenhouse, nursery, and landscape operations. Although, the industry is not without its challenges. A workforce that is knowledgeable of the issues facing the green industry and of proactive techniques that can help streamline operations and facilitate building efficiency can aid in alleviating some of the industry’s challenges. Graduates from the University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Management certificate program gain a background in sustainable ornamental horticulture practices used in the greenhouse, nursery, and/or landscape sectors of the green industry.

Orchid Insect and Mite Pests in South Florida

Doug Caldwell and Twyla Leigh

This publication presents information on the most common and damaging arthropod pests of orchids. It is based on literature review and interviews with local nurseries in the Ft. Myers and Naples, Florida, area as well as with local orchid club members. Orchids are one of the most popular plants in the ornamental realm. Extension agents and Master Gardeners need information to help address client questions about orchid ailments and orchid pests.

Using Mulch for Weed Control in Container Plant Production

Yuvraj Khamare and Chris Marble

Weed management in container plant production is a serious problem and remains one of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of the plant nursery industry. Weeds compete for light, water, nutrients, and space, which ultimately results in decreased crop growth and yield. Weed management in container nurseries is primarily based on the use of timely preemergence (PRE) herbicides and supplemental hand weeding. The most challenging downside to applying PRE herbicides is often crop safety for many herbicide-sensitive crops commonly produced by Florida growers. Also, herbicide labels typically preclude application on bearing plants or for up to 12 months before fruit can be harvested. Due to these concerns, among the most commonly adopted non-chemical approaches to weed management in recent times is the utilization of mulch. This publication discusses best mulching practices, mulch types, application techniques, cost, and other management practices in container plant production.

CP 03-1912: A Sugarcane Cultivar Expanding on Sand Soil in Florida

Hardev Sandhu, Matt VanWeelden, Amandeep Sharma, and Wayne Davidson

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide basic information and yield and disease information for CP 03-1912 to assist growers in a decision-making process of whether to further expand acreage of this cultivar with a clearer expectation of potential insect pest and disease issues that may need to be addressed through pest management strategies. Written by Hardev Sandhu, Matt VanWeelden, Amandeep Sharma, and Wayne Davidson, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, September 2024.

Southern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars from the University of Florida

D. A. Phillips, J. G. Williamson, P. M. Lyrene, and P. R. Munoz

Cultivar selection involves weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a cultivar relative to the grower’s needs. Unfortunately, there are no perfect cultivars suited for every location and management system. The following discussion categorizes southern highbush cultivars into three groups: (1) new cultivars; (2) established cultivars; and (3) secondary and obsolete cultivars.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Warts in White-tailed deer (Cutaneous Fibromas)

Juan M. Campos Krauer and Samantha M. Wisely

Deer warts, or cutaneous fibromas, are skin tumors caused by papillomavirus infection that affect white-tailed deer and other deer. These growths are generally benign, but in rare cases may proliferate and impede functions like sight, movement, or feeding. Deer immune systems usually eradicate the infection over time. Found exclusively on the skin, usually around the eyes, neck, face, and forelegs, warts may be diverse in appearance and size, ranging from small fleshy nodules to larger, pendulous masses or clusters. Transmission mechanisms are suspected to involve skin contact or possibly insect vectors but remain unclear. Diagnosis is by visual examination and histopathological analysis of the wart tissue. Wild deer populations usually do not require treatment, but surgical removal is an option for captive herds. Vaccine development remains plausible but has not yet been pursued extensively.

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$526 billion

Cost of Hurricane Damage in Florida

The cost of damage from hurricanes in Florida since 1990 is equal to that of the whole rest of the United States. Major hurricanes caused 87% of the damage.

13% of people

Food Insecure in the U.S.

Urban agriculture provides diverse benefits and support to local communities. However, there are also limitations to developing or expanding operations and programs.

18,728

Pest Management Jobs

The Florida pest management industry accounted for more than 14% of the industry’s establishments in 2021

14.1%

OJ Inflation

Orange Juice prices experienced high inflation, peaking at 14.1% in January 2023, but the number of active consumers slightly increased.

95°F

Proper Temperature for Baby Chicks

Newly hatched chicks need to be maintained at 95°F for the first week of their lives. After the first week, chicks can tolerate temperatures 5°F cooler for each week until they are four weeks old.

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