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Recent & Revised Publications

A Beginner’s Guide to Producing and Saving Open-Pollinated Seeds for North Florida Farmers and Gardeners

Tere Davidson, Melissa DeSa, and Héctor E. Pérez

Seed saving is the art and practice of preserving and sharing seeds from desired open-pollinated plants. Saving seeds has many benefits and motivations that may include improving the adaptability of a crop to a region or microclimate, preserving cultural traditions and foods, growing for nutrient density and flavor preferences, saving on the cost of seed purchases, and connecting to local communities through seed sharing. For example, you may start saving seeds to preserve a beloved heirloom variety with flavors that remind you of home or to improve on a crop that performed particularly well. Saving your own seeds can save money, as one good growing season can produce many years' worth of seeds. This publication is for farmers and gardeners interested in producing, using, or donating seeds from open-pollinated plants. It recommends practices to produce, harvest, and store seeds from annual vegetable, fruit, and herb crops. This guidance is not intended for commercial purposes.

Understanding Soil Fertility from an Urban Grower Perspective

Lakesh K. Sharma, Ravinder Singh, Ayush K. Sharma, and Hardeep Singh

The excitement of watching a seed sprout into a flourishing plant is a joy for all who cultivate their own urban gardens. Many think of soil as a mere support for those plants, a substance that anchors them into the ground. However, soil is a dynamic and life-sustaining medium that nourishes plants. There is a complex ecosystem beneath the soil surface, composed of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and countless microorganisms. Understanding soil fertility is vital to plant growth. This publication is written for individuals tending to lawns, shrubs, trees, or flowers in urban settings. It introduces essential terms of soil fertility, explains the role of soil properties in supporting healthy plants, and familiarizes readers with methods to enhance soil fertility within the context of urban settings. It also serves as a guide to empower non-farmers and urban residents, offering insights into plant nutrient requirements and the principles of effective nutritional care.

When to Lime Soil and Liming Products Available in Florida

Lakesh K. Sharma, Hardeep Singh, and Thomas A. Obreza

It is essential to maintain the desired pH of the soil in order to cultivate plants that are robust and prolific. This axiom is true regardless of whether one is growing crops or plants in an agricultural or urban setting. Because it has a direct impact on the availability of essential plant nutrients, soil pH, also noted as the “soil reaction,” is a crucial factor to consider. The internet is rife with misleading information describing the concept of soil acidity and alkalinity as well as how the soil reaction affects plant growth. If you want to change the pH of Florida soil, it is not advisable to use the information found on the internet, as different types of soil require different lime quantities, types, and application techniques. In contrast, some soils may require elemental sulfur application to lower the soil pH. In Florida, recommendations to change soil pH should come from a local expert.

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).

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.

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.

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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.

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.

18,728

Pest Management Jobs

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

65,479

U.S. residents have their identity stolen each day

This publication is based on the insights of individuals who have been through this experience, researched it in depth, and have attempted to break it down into understandable segments.

$4.09 per lb. of N

Value of Denitrification

Based on the average wastewater treatment cost of N removal for Florida Counties. One of the ecosystem functions of Living Shorelines is enhanced denitrification.

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