Histosols

Organic Matter and Soil Structure in the Everglades Agricultural Area

A. L. Wright and E. A. Hanlon

Everglades Agricultural Area Soil Subsidence and Sustainability

Jehangir H. Bhadha, Alan L. Wright, and George H. Snyder

Measuring Organic Matter in Everglades Wetlands and the Everglades Agricultural Area

Alan L. Wright and Edward A. Hanlon

Soil Health Response of Histosols to Flooded versus Dry-Fallow Conditions during Summer

Jehangir H. Bhadha, Jay Capasso, Abul Rabbany, Nan Xu, and Matthew VanWeelden

Forage Grasses for Florida's Organic Soils

J. Vendramini, P. Moriel, and L. Wiggins

Managing pH in the Everglades Agricultural Soils

Alan L. Wright, Edward A. Hanlon, and Ronald W. Rice

Fertilization of Sweet Corn, Celery, Romaine, Escarole, Endive, and Radish on Organic Soils in Florida

George J. Hochmuth, Edward Hanlon, George Snyder, Russell Nagata, Tom Schueneman, German V. Sandoya Miranda, Jehangir Bhadha, and Niguss S. Hailegnaw

Celery, sweet corn, endive, escarole, romaine lettuce, and radish are important crops on organic soils in Florida. This bulletin summarizes fertilization research results with these crops from the 1940s to the present. New interpretations of these compiled works were used to produce updated UF/IFAS Extension recommendations for fertilization of these six vegetable crops.

Four Conservation Agricultural Practices to Manage Organic Soil Loss

Noel Manirakiza, Suraj Melkani, Xue Bai, Yang Lin, and Jehangir H. Bhadha

This factsheet highlights four common conservation agricultural practices that can be implemented to limit organic soil loss. Organic soils (Histosol) are the most important soils that play a crucial role in mitigating global warming by acting as a repository for terrestrial carbon. Within south Florida, nearly 450,000 acres of Histosols are at risk from soil loss via oxidation, and growers would like to know the best ways to manage their soils to limit soil loss. Using the USDA-NRCS framework, we have identified four conservation practices—cover cropping, crop rotation, organic amendments, and conservation tillage—that can be implemented to address organic matter loss within the region.

Strategies for Improving Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Lettuce Grown on Histosols

Gustavo F. Kreutz, Jehangir H. Bhadha, Guodong D. Liu, Marcio F. R. Resende, Alan L. Wright, D. Calvin Odero, and Germán V. Sandoya

The global demand for P fertilizers has been significantly increasing, resulting in higher costs and environmental concerns associated with eutrophication. Fertilizer expenses and environmental risks can be reduced through the implementation of sustainable strategies. This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department compiles several strategies to improve the utilization of P fertilization in lettuce grown in the Everglades Agricultural Area.

Potassium Fertilizer Recommendations for Sugarcane on Florida Organic Soils

J. Mabry McCray

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Agriculture Water

Nutrient Requirements for Sugarcane Production on Florida Muck Soils

J. M. McCray, H. S. Sandhu, R. W. Rice, and D. C. Odero

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

Phosphorus Fertilizer Recommendations for Sugarcane Production on Florida Organic Soils

J. Mabry McCray, Ronald W. Rice, and Alan L. Wright

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

Calcium Silicate Recommendations for Sugarcane on Florida Organic Soils

J. Mabry McCray, Ronald W. Rice, and Leslie E. Baucum

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Fertilization Recommendations for Crisphead Lettuce Grown on Organic Soils in Florida

George Hochmuth, Ed Hanlon, Russell Nagata, George Snyder, Tom Schueneman, J. Mabry McCray, and German Sandoya

This publication presents UF/IFAS recommendations for fertilization of crisphead lettuce on organic soils in Florida. Written by George Hochmuth, Ed Hanlon, Russell Nagata, George Snyder, Tom Schueneman, J. Mabry McCray, and German Sandoya, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, revised January 2023.

Histosols of South Florida: Past, Present, and Future

Xue Bai, Yuncong Li, Noel Manirakiza, Christine Coffin, and Jehangir H. Bhadha

This factsheet presents a comprehensive overview of Histosols, also known as organic soils, in South Florida, focusing on their distribution, formation, properties, and significance. Histosols cover significant areas in Florida, especially within the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), and are pivotal in supporting the region's sugarcane production. Their formation is influenced by organic parent materials, the tropical climate, vegetation types, topography, and time, which together shape their unique chemical, physical, and biological properties. Moreover, this publication reviews past developments and anticipates future changes in Histosol classification and management. By revealing the past, present, and future of Histosols in South Florida, this publication can help improve land management in the region and enhance the understanding of Histosols for audiences including agricultural producers, Extension agents, state and local agencies, decision-makers, researchers, and students.