Sarkhosh, Ali

0000-0001-5649-1150

Peach Root-knot Nematode

Mary Ann D. Maquilan, Ali Sarkhosh, and Donald Dickson

Peach Scab

Daniel Mancero-Castillo, Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, and Phillip Harmon

Prácticas Culturales para el Caqui Japonés en Florida

Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin M. Huff y Peter C. Andersen

Elderberry and Elderflower (Sambucus spp.): A Cultivation Guide for Florida

David Jarnagin, Ali Sarkhosh, Juanita Popenoe, Steve Sargent, and Kevin Athearn

Japanese Persimmon Cultural Practices in Florida

Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin M. Huff, and Peter C. Andersen

Summer Pruning in Low-Chill Peaches Grown in Florida

Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin Huff, Trequan McGee, and Juanita Popenoe

Fungal Gummosis in Peach

Daniel Mancero-Castillo, Ali Sarkhosh, Sara Sherman, Mercy Olmstead, Philip Harmon, and Thomas Beckman

Florida Peach and Nectarine Varieties

Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, Jose Chaparro, Pete Andersen, and Jeff Williamson

Peach Rust (Transchelia spp.)

Daniel Mancero-Castillo, Ali Sarkhosh, Courtney Ligon, Mercy Olmstead, and Philip Harmon

Rootstocks for Florida Stone Fruit

Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, Jose Chaparro, and Thomas Beckman

Cultivo de ciruelas en Florida

A. Sarkhosh, M. Olmstead, E. P. Miller, P. C. Andersen, J. G. Williamson y; traducción por Tatiana Sanchez

Cultivares de Caqui Japonés en Florida

Ali Sarkhosh, Peter C. Andersen, y Dustin Huff; traducción por Jonathan Clavijo Herrera

Oportunidades alternativas para fincas pequeñas: Producción de durazno y nectarinas versión revisada

Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, Jeff Williamson, Jose Chaparro, Juanita Popenoe; traducido por Eva Pabon

Alternative Opportunities for Small Farms: Peach and Nectarine Production Review

Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, Jeff Williamson, Jose Chaparro, and Juanita Popenoe

Growing Plums in Florida

A. Sarkhosh, M. Olmstead, E. P. Miller, P. C. Andersen, and J. G. Williamson

Peach Brown Rot

Ali Sarkhosh, Shirin Shahkoomahally, Logan Marie Richmond-Cosie, and Philip Harmon

Passion Fruit Problems in the Home Landscape

Amir Rezazadeh, Mark Bailey, and Ali Sarkhosh

The Pear (Pyrus spp.) in Florida Home Gardens

Juanita Popenoe, Ali Sarkhosh, and Dustin Huff

Elderberry and Elderflower (Sambucus spp): Markets, Establishment Costs, and Potential Returns

Kevin Athearn, David Jarnagin, Ali Sarkhosh, Juanita Popenoe, and Steven Sargent

The Apple (Malus domestica, Rosaceae)

A. Sarkhosh, T. E. Crocker, W. B. Sherman, J. G. Williamson, and J. Popenoe

The Muscadine Grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx)

Peter C. Andersen, Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin Huff, and Jacque Breman

Thinning Florida Peaches for Larger Fruit

Yuru Chang, Ali Sarkhosh, Jeffrey Brecht, and Peter Andersen

The Pomegranate

Ali Sarkhosh and Jeff Williamson

Variedades de Durazno y Nectarina en la Florida

Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, José Chaparro, Pete Andersen, Jeff Williamson, y Tatiana Sanchez

The Fig

Ali Sarkhosh and Peter C. Andersen

Japanese Persimmon Cultivars in Florida

Ali Sarkhosh, Peter C. Andersen, and Dustin M. Huff

La Manzana (Malus domestica, Rosaceae)

A. Sarkhosh, T. E. Crocker, W. B. Sherman, J. G. Williamson, y J. Popenoe

The Passion Fruit in Florida

Mark Bailey, Ali Sarkhosh, Amir Rezazadeh, Joshua Anderson, Alan Chambers, and Jonathan Crane

Training and Pruning Florida Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums

Ali Sarkhosh and James Ferguson

Commercial Fresh Market, Wine, Juice, and Jelly Grape Cultivars for Florida

J. Breman, P. C. Andersen, M. A. Shahid, and A. Sarkhosh

Illustrated fact sheet describes the characteristics needed in cultivars for successful commercial grape production in Florida. Includes references and information on cultivars recommended by IFAS for wine, juice and jelly, and fresh market, plus fresh market muscadine cultivars for planting on a trial basis, and sensory evaluation results.

Jujube as a Florida Fruit Crop

Kevin M. Folta, Dustin Huff, and Ali Sarkhosh

Despite being cultivated in China for millennia, the Chinese jujube is mostly unknown to Western consumers. The fruits are borne from vigorous trees that are tolerant to drought and other stresses, as well as disease. A number of cultivars have been demonstrated to produce in Florida. This publication is a review of jujube genetics and management as this crop gains favor among growers on small farms and home growers.

Organic Peach Production in Florida

David Campbell, Danielle Treadwell, Ali Sarkhosh, Oscar E. Liburd, and Jeff Brecht

Organic peach production systems in Florida are an attractive option for farmers selling direct-to-consumer, including U-Pick operations. Profitability is contingent upon appropriate cultivar selection, efficient nutrient and water management, preventative pest management, and selling fruit for a price premium during the early market window. This comprehensive 14-page fact sheet includes evidence- and producer-based best practice recommendations and is designed for small- and mid-size farm operators who are certified organic or who desire to use organic practices. Written by David Campbell, Danielle Treadwell, Ali Sarkhosh, Oscar E. Liburd, and Jeff Brecht, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.

La Granada en Florida: ¿una fruta de árbol para Florida?

Ali Sarkhosh, Jeff Williamson; traducido por Eva Pabon

A UF/IFAS numbered Translation. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems

Subtropical Peach Defoliation and Chill Hours

Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera and Ali Sarkhosh

Proper foliage management is a key factor in having a healthy peach orchard and producing high-quality fruit. However, this is not an easy task for Florida growers. The warm and humid climate throughout Florida’s growing season makes it difficult to keep peach leaf rust and bacterial spot under control, which could cause premature defoliation. On the other hand, leaves tend to stay attached to the tree well into late fall, when they should start senescing and dropping to allow sufficient accumulation of chilling, a process required for buds to break the dormant status and bloom in the next season. Understanding dormancy and preparing trees for this stage is critical in subtropical peach orchards. In this publication, we will discuss peach defoliation practices for peach trees growing under the subtropical climate of Florida to provide information to county and state Extension faculty, growers, and homeowners interested in peach production in Florida.

The Emerging Passion Fruit Industry in Florida

Ellen Garcia, Ali Sarkhosh, and Tie Liu

Tropical fruits are in high demand for their unique flavor, aroma, and their functional composition of phytochemicals with physiological benefits, deeming them “nutraceuticals.” Passion fruit can potentially be of high economic value for Florida, because of its suitability for tropical climates and its nutrient density, which has great benefits for human health. Passion fruit contains robust and essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, iron, potassium, zinc, and magnesium (Pham-Huy et al. 2008). This publication can help consumers understand passion fruit appeal and help Floridian producers and marketers understand the competitive advantages of passion fruit as an emerging industry for Florida.

Dehydrated and Freeze-dried Peach Fruit: A Prolonged Shelf-life Product through Modern Drying Techniques

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, Steven A. Sargent, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) is a valuable temperate fruit from the Rosaceae family, which also includes many other commercially important fruits such as apples and pears, apricots, cherries and plums, and blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. Peaches are known for being a rich source of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and vitamins, as well as possessing a high antioxidant activity, all of which are associated with various health benefits. Furthermore, consumers greatly value high-quality peaches due to their exceptional nutritional value and enjoyable sensory attributes. This publication aims to familiarize growers, Extension agents and specialists, and the public with insight into drying methods of peach fruit, including freeze-drying and dehydration, that can extend shelf life of this commodity for year-round enjoyment.

El higo

Ali Sarkhosh y Peter C. Andersen; traducción por Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera

A UF/IFAS numbered Translation. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems

Harvesting and Postharvest Handling of Stonefruits in Florida

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Mark A. Ritenour, Mercy A. Olmstead, Ali Sarkhosh, Jose X. Chaparro, Jerry A. Bartz, Steven A. Sargent, and John Van Sickle

Stonefruits grown commercially in Florida include peaches, nectarines, and plums. This publication is directed to current and potential stonefruit growers, handlers, and marketers, as well as researchers, Extension agents, students, and consumers. It provides information about the Florida stonefruit industry, stonefruit cultivars that are suitable for Florida, stonefruit postharvest physiology and pathology, fruit quality, and recommended postharvest handling and marketing practices.

Growth and Development Stages of Four Japanese Persimmon Varieties in North Florida

Muhammad A. Shahid, Ali Sarkhosh, and Shahid Iqbal

Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) are a good source of vitamins A and C and dietary fiber, while also being low in calories and fat. These fruits are popular in many Asian cuisines and are enjoyed in various ways, including fresh, dried, or cooked in multiple value-added products. This publication will provide information on persimmon phenological growth stages of four established varieties grown at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, Florida. The nine major persimmon growth stages are divided into two categories: vegetative and reproductive stages. This publication provides illustrative figures for each development stage. Accurate identification of phenological stages is important for making informed decisions on plant care, fertilizer, irrigation, and fruit harvesting. This information will be helpful to students, growers, homeowners, nursery workers, and Extension agents interested in growing persimmons in Florida.

Growing Feijoa Fruit in Florida

Kevin M. Folta, Dustin Huff, and Ali Sarkhosh

Feijoa is often found in central and north Florida landscapes as a durable and cold-hardy plant for hedges and foundation plantings, and as a dooryard fruit. Its value as a potentially heavy producer of flavorful fruits (and flavorful flowers) is frequently overlooked due to issues in pollination and limited genetic improvement. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department describes the opportunity and limitations of feijoa as a horticultural crop.

Passion Fruit Propagation: A Comprehensive Guide

Ali Sarkhosh, Juan David Jimenez Pardo, Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera, Uzman Khalil, and Jonathan H. Crane

The climate of Florida is suitable for growing a variety of tropical and subtropical fruits, including passionfruit (Passiflora edulis). Passionfruit has a distinctive aroma and sweet-sour taste, and it has become highly appreciated in culinary and home gardening circles. The center of origin of passionfruit is South America, although it is also grown in other tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The cultivation of this fruit requires a solid understanding of effective propagation methods to ensure the availability of high-quality plant material. This guide covers various sexual and asexual propagation techniques, from traditional seed sowing to advanced methods such as tissue culture.

Dried Persimmon Fruit: A Year-round Available Product

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, Muhammad A. Shahid, Steven A. Sargent, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Persimmons (Diospyros kaki) are known for their sweet and flavorful taste. They are native to Asia, specifically China, and were first grown in Florida in the 1870s. Persimmons are still not as popular in the United States as other fruits, but interest has been growing in recent years. Persimmon fruit are generally classified into astringent and non-astringent types. Astringent varieties can have adverse health effects caused by tannins and must be fully ripe (soft) or artificially treated to remove astringency. Drying is a common method to preserve and extend the shelf life of persimmons while also enhancing the flavor, color, and nutritional value of persimmons. There are different methods to dry persimmons, including traditional and modern methods.

Achachairú (Garcinia humilis) Fruit Trees: Botany and Commercial Cultivation in South Florida

Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, Haimanote Bayabil, Ali Sarkhosh, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Bruce Schaffer

This article provides detailed information on the achachairú’s characteristics, botany, and recommended horticultural practices for commercial growers and county and state Extension faculty in south Florida and is also applicable for homeowners and students interested in growing achachairú. Written by Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, Haimanote Bayabil, Ali Sarkhosh, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Bruce Schaffer, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, March 2024.

Alleviating Astringency in Persimmon Fruit for Enhanced Palatability and Consumer Acceptability

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Persimmon fruits are classified as astringent or non-astringent, depending on the level of astringency the unripe or partially ripe fruit exhibit at the time of harvest. Astringency in persimmon fruit is a sensation caused by tannins present in the flesh that can make the mouth feel dry, cause puckering, numb the tongue, and constrict the throat. Sometimes, it may also impart a bitter taste. The astringency decreases as the fruit ripen until it is no longer present in fully ripe fruit. While consumers typically prefer non-astringent varieties, the cultivation of astringent varieties notably remains common. The purpose of this publication is to introduce consumers, growers, Extension agents, and specialists to postharvest methods for reducing astringency in unripe persimmons, making them more palatable and acceptable for consumption.

How to Build a Blackberry Trellis System: A Complete Guide

Muhammad A. Shahid, Shahid Iqbal, and Ali Sarkhosh

Blackberry (Rubus spp.) is a deciduous fruit crop. The fruit are usually small, round, and dark purple to black. Blackberry fruit is comprised of multiple drupelets that cluster together to form a berry, which has a glossy appearance when matured. Blackberries have a complex flavor profile that blends sweetness and acidity, and taste may vary depending on the variety and maturity stage. They are rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Blackberries are best grown in sub-tropical to temperate climates. Blackberry is a new emerging fruit crop in Florida, where they are harvested in May-June. There are several varieties, some of which are native to Florida. This publication aims to provide a general overview of the importance of trellis, different types of trellis, and their installation in blackberry production for county and state Extension faculty, growers, homeowners, and students interested in growing blackberries in Florida.

Freeze-Dried Muscadine Grape: a New Product for Health-Conscious Consumers and the Food Industry

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, and Steven A. Sargent

Muscadine grape (Muscadinia rotundifolia [Michx.]) is a fruit crop native to America; it adapts well to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses and have thus been grown and vinified throughout the southeastern US for centuries. Currently, southeastern farmers grow approximately 5,000 acres of almost 100 improved muscadine-grape varieties for commercial use. Recent research demonstrated the fruit’s significant contribution of beneficial phytochemicals to the typical American diet; and thereafter, the demand for muscadine grapes considerably increased. Its thick peels and seeds, though, have prevented wider public consumption. This publication aims to introduce growers, Extension agents/specialists, and the general public to the potential for a new, value-added product that makes muscadine grapes much easier to eat and may diversify the food processing industry.

Citrus Fruit Pigments

Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, Jeongim Kim, Muhammad A. Shahid, Fred G. Gmitter Jr., and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Citrus fruits enjoy popularity among consumers due to their enjoyable flavor, health-beneficial properties, and nutritional value. The peel and flesh pigmentation of different citrus species and cultivars ranges from green, to yellow, orange, pink and red. Pigmentation is influenced by genetics, environmental conditions, and tree management. Mature fruit of edible citrus are diverse in size, flavor, and peel and flesh color. The external color of citrus fruits is one of their most important quality characteristics, but the internal pigments also play a significant role in determining their health benefits. The edible part of citrus fruits, including sweet orange, mandarin, pummelo, grapefruit, lime, and lemon, has distinct attributes and pigments. 

Dooryard Fruit Varieties

J. G. Williamson, J. H. Crane, T. Vashisth, and A. Sarkhosh

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for General Public audience(s).

El maracuyá en Florida

Mark Bailey, Ali Sarkhosh, Amir Rezazadeh, Joshua Anderson, Alan Chambers y Jonathan Crane; traducción por Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera

Passionfruit is a short-lived evergreen perennial vine that produces an aromatic, tropical-tasting fruit. This new 14-page Spanish translation of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department provides a description of passionfruit and its various species and cultivars, as well as a guide to culture and management, harvest and storage, its pests and diseases, and food and marketing. By M. Bailey, A. Sarkhosh, A. Rezazadeh, J. Anderson, A. Chambers, and J. Crane. Translated by J. Clavijo-Herrera.

A Practical Guide for Peach Irrigation Scheduling in Florida

Lincoln Zotarelli, Carlos Zambrano-Vaca, Charles E. Barrett, Vivek Sharma, Juanita Popenoe, Ali Sarkhosh, Richard C. Beeson, Kelly T. Morgan, Kati W. Migliaccio, and Jose X. Chaparro

This publication provides a practical guideline for irrigation of young (1–3 years old) and adult (>3 years old) peach trees cultivated in Florida.

Small-Scale Juicing of Florida-Grown ‘UFSun’ Peaches

Savanna J. Curtis, Ali Sarkhosh, Paul J. Sarnoski, Charles A. Sims, and Andrew J. MacIntosh

Peaches are a promising option for the Florida agricultural industry with plenty of revenue streams including fresh market, U-pick, and retail sales, as well as alternatives in the juicing and fermentation industries. This publication discusses a 2018 case study completed on a Florida peach cultivar. ‘UFSun’ were harvested, processed into juice, and analyzed for sugar content, juice yield, and general economic feasibility. The University of Florida has bred peach cultivars that grow commercially in tropical and subtropical climates such as Florida’s and are harvest-ready two months before the rest of the United States, offering competitive advantages. Unfortunately, their small size renders them less profitable in fresh markets compared to larger non-Florida cultivars. Knowing the processing characteristics of Florida peaches provides valuable information for peach farmers who are considering using their peaches for juicing, fermentation, and similar purposes.

Cattail Mosquito (suggested common name) Coquillettidia perturbans (Walker) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae: Culicinae: Mansoniini)

Lethia R. Johnson, James P. Cuda, and Nathan Burkett-Cadena

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID for Academic and General Public audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

The Satsuma Mandarin

Peter C. Andersen, James J. Ferguson,and Muhammad Adnan Shahid

This articles provides detailed description on cold hardy citrus, the satsuma mandarin.

Chinese Mustard Cultivation Guide for Florida

Yuheng Qiu, Mary Dixon, and Guodong Liu