Managing Pests in Florida Blueberries

Web AdminBerries, Florida, Pests, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are working on techniques for managing pests in Florida blueberries. Both blueberry gall midge and chilli thrips are problematic for several blueberry varieties. Oscar Liburd, a professor of entomology at UF/IFAS, shared findings from the past season on managing pests. PEST ACTIVITY AND IDENTIFICATION …

New Method to Combat Brazilian Peppertree Problem

Web AdminFlorida, Pests, Research, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are now approved to release a specific type of thrips to help control the Brazilian peppertree problem. INVASIVE SPECIES Brazilian peppertrees are an invasive shrub that cover about 700,000 acres of Florida. Carey Minteer, an assistant professor at UF/IFAS, worked on a portion of …

Florida Water-Quality Plans Include Focus on Septic Systems

Web AdminFlorida, Technology, Top Posts, Water

By Andrea Albertin and Mary Lusk As the state of Florida moves forward with watershed and springs basin restoration plans, also known as basin management action plans (BMAPS), reducing nitrogen loads to degraded water bodies is a priority in many areas. Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient, but in excess in certain aquatic ecosystems it can lead to water-quality deterioration …

georgia blueberry

2019 Florida Blueberry Season Sees Success

Web AdminBerries, Florida, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda Florida blueberry growers had a successful year in terms of numbers for 2019. According to data from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA), blueberry-growing operations have increased in acreage. Doug Phillips, blueberry Extension coordinator for UF/IFAS, said he surveyed growers to learn more about how …

Florida Tomato Committee Names McAvoy Researcher of the Year

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Research, Tomatoes, Top Posts

(UF/IFAS) — He may hold the title “emeritus,” which means “retired,” but Gene McAvoy remains active with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and research, helping bring farmers’ concerns back to UF/IFAS scientists. In fact, he just won the Researcher of the Year Award from the Florida Tomato Committee. For the past 22 years, McAvoy …

Research to Reduce Pepper Diseases; Boost Production

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Research, Vegetables

(UF/IFAS) — Pepper is popular. Consumers eat all kinds, including jalapenos, habaneros, chilis and more. Because people eat so much of the fruit, peppers are worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year to the Florida and national economies. In fact, in 2018, bell and chili peppers alone were a $181 million-a-year industry in Florida and a $628 million-a-year industry …

Researching New Fertilizer Technologies in North Florida

Web AdminFlorida, Research, Technology, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda To find efficiency in reducing nitrogen levels in soil, researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are working with several technologies. Bob Hochmuth, a UF/IFAS Extension agent at the North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley (NFREC-SV), coordinates controlled-release fertilizer research. The work aims to improve the functionality of …

Sneak Peek: November VSCNews Magazine

Web AdminSneak peek, VSCNews magazine, Water

The November issue of VSCNews magazine is all about water management issues. Andrea Albertin and Mark Lusk, both with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discuss plans in the works to improve Florida’s water quality. The authors look at Florida’s current water issues, how septic tanks may be a part of the problem and ways …

Hemp, Hops and More Crops Highlight Florida Ag Expo

Web AdminFlorida, Florida Ag Expo, Hemp, Hops, Industry News Release, Research, Strawberry, Tomatoes

Farmers, nursery managers and others can get a glimpse of the latest and greatest University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research into tomatoes, strawberries, hemp, hops and ornamental plants at the annual Florida Ag Expo at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Informative sessions will fill the day, with events running from 7:30 a.m. …

New Fertilizer Technology May Help Farmers Reduce Nitrogen Load

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release

LIVE OAK, FL (UF/IFAS-Oct. 21, 2019) — In the Suwannee Valley, farmers are diligently searching for solutions, or Best Management Practices (BMPs), to efficiently use fertilizers in crop production. At the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley (UF/IFAS NFREC-SV), a team led by Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Extension regional specialized agent for vegetable crops and assistant center …