Steven Sargent

0000-0002-5540-7831

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

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

Seed Piece Spacing Adjustment for Florida Chipping Potato

Fernanda Souza Krupek, Steven A. Sargent, Peter J. Dittmar, and Lincoln Zotarelli

Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, Steven A. Sargent, and Ian Maguire

Lychee from Florida

Jonathan Crane, Carlos Balerdi, Steven Sargent

Guide to Identifying and Controlling Postharvest Tomato Diseases in Florida

Jerry A. Bartz, Gary E. Vallad, and Steven A. Sargent

Pathogens are present in all tomato production areas and are most numerous when the weather becomes warm and wet. Movement of weather fronts or tropical storms through production areas can also affect the susceptibility of tomato fruit to decay. Fruit decays can be minimized by the employment of strict sanitation measures along with careful handling. This bulletin is designed to supplement field scouting and identification guides by describing postharvest decay pathogens important to Florida tomato packers and shippers, presenting sanitation guidelines for controlling decay pathogens during harvest and handling operations, and offering appropriate storage temperature options.

Chlorine Use In Produce Packing Lines

M. A. Ritenour, S. A. Sargent, and J. A. Bartz

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

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

Elderberry is an alternative crop that holds promise for further commercial development in Florida. This fact sheet reviews information on markets for elderberries and elderflowers and estimates establishment costs and potential returns for a 3-acre elderberry orchard in Florida. The information is intended to assist farmers in evaluating elderberry as a possible alternative crop. Includes guidance on financial planning for an elderberry enterprise.

Labor Requirements and Costs for Harvesting Tomatoes

Zhengfei Guan, Feng Wu, and Steven Sargent

Mamey Sapote from Florida

Jonathan Crane, Carlos Balerdi, and Steven Sargent

Uso del Cloro en las Líneas de Empacado de Productos Cosechados Frescos

M. A. Ritenour, S. A. Sargent, J. A. Bartz y E. E. Lon Kan

Protecting Perishable Foods During Transport by Truck or Rail

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Patrick E. Brecht, Jorge Saenz, and Leonard Rodowick

Escarolas y endivias: hortalizas nutritivas con alto potencial para Florida

Germán Sandoya, Makou Lin, Jeongim Kim y Steven Sargent. Traducido por Vanessa Vassilaros.

Las escarolas y las endivias son dos hortalizas de hoja en la familia Compositae, ricas en nutrientes y minerales. Estas hortalizas no son muy comunes en el mercado de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, pero ambas se plantan en el invierno en la Florida y en otros estados como California y Nueva Jersey. Esta publicación tiene como objetivo informar al público acerca de su uso como hortalizas de hoja en el estado de la Florida. Como en otras hortalizas de hoja, las escarolas y las endivias son susceptibles a plagas y enfermedades, así como también a trastornos fisiológicos como el “pink rib” (por su nombre en inglés) o descoloración en la postcosecha. El uso de las prácticas correctas de manejo y el uso de cultivares adaptado a la Florida pueden ayudar a los productores de campo y en huertos caseros a obtener un buen cultivo.

Manual de Práticas para o Melhor Manejo Pós-Colheita da Manga

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Adel A. Kader, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, Fernando Maul, Patrick E. Brecht, and Octavio Menocal

This manual includes quality-control procedures to use when monitoring the maturity and quality of mangos in commercial handling operations.

Manual de Prácticas para el Mejor Manejo Postcosecha del Mango

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Adel A. Kader, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, Fernando Maul, Patrick E. Brecht y Octavio Menocal

Este manual incluye los procedimientos de control de calidad a ser utilizados cuando se monitoree la madurez y calidad en las operaciones comerciales en cuanto al manejo de los frutos de mangos.

Handling Florida Tomatoes—Round and Roma Types

Steven A. Sargent, Jeffrey K. Brecht, Qingren Wang, and Teresa Olczyk

If picked at the proper mature-green stage and handled properly, tomatoes will ripen to excellent edible quality. Proper postharvest handling of Florida tomatoes is critical to ensure the continued competitiveness of Florida growers. This publication focuses on round and roma (plum) tomatoes since these types are handled similarly under commercial conditions.

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.

Ginger, Galangal, and Turmeric Production in Florida

Paul Fisher, Rosanna Freyre, Celina Gómez, Brian Pearson, Tatiana Sanchez-Jones, Shawn Steed, Wanda Laughlin, Robert Hochmuth, Jeff Wasielewski, Deah Lieurance, Carrie Harmon, Mathews Paret, Lance Osborne, Kevin Athearn, Steven Sargent, Mengzi Zhang

Ginger, galangal, and turmeric (Figure 1) are emerging crops for Florida production. All of these plants are in the Zingiberaceae family and share most aspects of their production. This publication describes production in containers or the field under Florida conditions to help guide growers interested in ginger, turmeric, and galangal production or expanding their market. All species have been evaluated by the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas (UF/IFAS Assessment) using the Predictive Tool (an invasion risk assessment) and all present a low risk of invasion in Florida (https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu).

Harvest and Handling of Calabaza (Tropical Pumpkin)

Megan E. Kinsman, Amarat Simonne, Carlene A. Chase, Geoffrey Meru, Steven A. Sargent, and Andrew J. MacIntosh

This publication highlights best harvest, handling, and storage practices to serve growers interested in producing calabaza based on a review of preexisting and pertinent literature. This guidance also draws upon published information on closely related winter squash varieties, like butternut squash, due to the limited available literature on calabaza. The intended audiences of this publication are growers interested in incorporating calabaza into their rotation of crops, Extension agents charged with guiding growers on the harvesting and handling of calabaza crops, and anyone who is interested in ethnic vegetable production.

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.

Cultivando longan o mamoncillo en el jardín de su hogar en Florida

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, Steven A. Sargent y Ian Maguire Traducido por: Laura Vasquez y Veronica Charpentier

UF/IFAS fact sheet

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.

Mango Postharvest Best Management Practices Manual

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Adel A. Kader, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, Fernando Maul, Patrick E. Brecht, and Octavio Menocal

This manual includes quality-control procedures to use when monitoring the maturity and quality of mangos in commercial handling operations.

Escarole and Endive: Nutritious Leafy Vegetables with High Potential for Floridians

Germán Sandoya, Makou Lin, Jeongim Kim, and Steven Sargent

Escaroles and endives are two leafy vegetables of the Compositae family rich in nutrients and minerals. Both crops are uncommon in the United States, but both are planted in wintertime in Florida and in other states such as California and New Jersey. This publication aims the public and inform of their use in the leafy vegetable industry in Florida. As other leafy vegetables, escaroles and endives are susceptible to pests and diseases and other physiological disorders such as pink rib at postharvest. Using the correct management practices and the correct cultivars adapted for Florida could help producers in fields and in the home garden to achieve a successful crop.

Potato Vine Killing or Desiccation

Lincoln Zotarelli, Steven Sargent, Peter Dittmar, and Mildred Makani

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Plant Systems

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.

How to Fertigate Plant Vines via Center Pivots for Commercial Potato Production in Florida

Xiangju Fu, Guodong Liu, Lincoln Zotarelli, Steven Sargent, Kati Migliaccio, and Yuncong Li

Potatoes are an important crop in the United States, and Florida is ranked the 7th producer nationwide for potato production. In Florida, potatoes are mainly planted on sandy soils with low nutrient- and water-holding capacities. Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient in these soils. Adopting efficient fertilization methods such as fertigation is imperative for minimizing leaching and improving use efficiency of nitrogen. This new 12-page article provides step-by-step guidelines for fertigation practices for commercial potato production.

Postharvest Storage, Packaging, and Handling of Specialty Crops: A Guide for Florida Small Farm Producers

Jonathan Adam Watson, Danielle Treadwell, Steven A. Sargent, Jeffrey K. Brecht, and William Pelletier

Every year farmers must harvest their crops. This process marks the end of the growing season and carries social significance in communities, but it also creates challenges for producers trying to deliver fresh, high-quality produce to market. Good postharvest practices establish appropriate cold chains that maintain the correct temperatures, humidity, and respiration rates while also ensuring the safety, sanitation, and quality of the fruits. These postharvest practices differ, depending on the size and economic situation of an operation. This fact sheet provides postharvest storage, packaging, and handling recommendations for small farm specialty crop producers.

Postharvest Physiology and Physiological Disorders of Persimmon Fruit

Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, and Steven A. Sargent

Persimmons are classified under the genus Diospyros within the family Ebenaceae. This genus includes different species such as the most popular, D. kaki (Japanese persimmon); D. virginiana (common persimmon); and D. lotus (date-plum, also known as Caucasian or lilac persimmon). Persimmons are temperate deciduous trees or evergreen subtropical or tropical trees. Their fruit exhibit a double sigmoidal growth curve, whether seeded or parthenocarpic. Persimmon fruit are widely appreciated for their unique flavor, high nutritional value, and bioactive compound content. Persimmons are climacteric, leading to significant postharvest challenges. This publication discusses the postharvest physiology and physiological disorders of persimmon fruit, focusing on how postharvest factors affect fruit quality and shelf life.

Lee Citrus Hybrid

Larry K. Jackson and Stephen H. Futch

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Fallglo Tangerine

Larry K. Jackson and Stephen H. Futch

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Temple Tangor

Larry K. Jackson and Stephen H. Futch

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Pollination of Citrus Hybrids

Stephen H. Futch and Larry K. Jackson

Many of the popular citrus hybrid cultivars developed and released during the last few decades have problems of sexual self-incompatibility which may result in low yields. In the normal flowering process, pollen is deposited from the stamens onto the stigma of an open flower. This is usually done by visiting insects, most often bees, in search of nectar. Since the stamens are adjacent to the stigma, self-pollination is what most often occurs naturally. Even when pollen comes from nearby trees in solid blocks, self-pollination occurs since the varieties are the same.

Robinson Tangerine

Larry K. Jackson and Stephen H. Futch

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Minneola Tangelo

Larry K. Jackson and Stephen H. Futch

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Dancy Tangerine

Larry K. Jackson and Stephen H. Futch

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Osceola Citrus Hybrid

Larry K. Jackson and Stephen H. Futch

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Ambersweet Orange

Larry K. Jackson and Stephen H. Futch

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Nova Tangelo

Stephen H. Futch and Larry K. Jackson

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Page Citrus Hybrid

Larry K. Jackson and Stephen H. Futch

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Murcott (Honey Tangerine)

Stephen H. Futch and Larry K. Jackson

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Cross-Pollination Planting Plans

Stephen H. Futch and Larry K. Jackson

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Sunburst Tangerine

Stephen H. Futch and Larry K. Jackson

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.