Polk Small Farms: New and Revised Environment Publications, April 2011

This email lists new and revised EDIS publications that have been released to the public in April 2011. They are now available on the World Wide Web at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. This mailing only includes publications in the Environment program area. Please see separate mailings for publications in other program areas.

Ecosystems & Species

Redheaded Pine Sawfly Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch) (EENY488/IN882)

Neodiprion lecontei is an important defoliator of commercially grown pine, as the preferred feeding conditions for sawfly larvae are enhanced in monocultures of shortleaf, loblolly, and slash pine, all of which are commonly cultivated in the southern United States. Learn more with this 5-page fact sheet written by Sara DeBerry and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in882

Control y Biología del Helecho Trepador Japonés (Lygodium japonicum) (FOR282/FR344)

This 7-page Spanish-language fact sheet describes this non-native, invasive vine which is widespread in damp areas in north and West Florida — its biology and control measures. Written by Patrick J. Minogue, Daniela Chevasco, Francisco Escobedo, and Kimberly K. Bohn, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, December 2010.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr344

Wright's Nutrush: An Invader of Seasonal Wetlands in Florida (SSAGR342/AG352)

Wright’s nutrush (Scleria lacustris) is a non-native sedge that has been increasing in Florida wetlands. This 9-page fact sheet describes its distribution, history and impacts, ecological overview, integrated management and identification. Written by Colette C. Jacono and Kenneth A. Langeland, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag352

Biology and Control of Ragweed Parthenium in Non-Cropland (SSAGR343/AG353)

Ragweed parthenium is considered a noxious weed in many parts of the world because of its allelopathic effect on other plants and the health risks it poses to humans. It causes allergic contact dermatitis, rhinitis, and respiratory problems in sensitive humans. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet was written by D.C. Odero, B.A. Sellers, and J.A. Ferrell, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag353

Aquatic Weeds: Crested Floating Heart (Nymphoides cristata) (SSAGR344/AG354)

Crested floating heart is a native of Asia, but was introduced to North America through the aquatic plant nursery trade and marketed as ‘snowflake.’ In the United States, crested floating heart escaped from cultivation and became established in Florida water bodies. Learn how to identify and manage this aquatic weed in this 5-page fact sheet written by Leif N. Willey and Kenneth A. Langeland and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag354

Getting Involved

Evaluating Certified Coffee Programs (WEC306/UW351)

In recent years, there has been a growing interest among consumers to buy products that follow strict standards in their production process and that also are healthy and safe. In the case of coffee, people in the United States are not only interested in the quality and origin of coffee, but many are also concerned about the social, economic, and environmental aspects of coffee production. Coffee is taking the lead in developing standards to address these concerns. This 6-page fact sheet explains the certification process and describe the various certification programs and what they mean. Written by Gloria M. Lentijo and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw351

Water

Nutrient Mass Budget -The Case of Florida Watermelon Phosphorus Export (SL342/SS547)

Watermelon provides an interesting example of how the phosphorus nutrient balance on the farm has changed over time with changes to production practices and acreage. In this 4-page paper the calculations are described for the export of phosphorus from Florida in the state’s watermelon fruits. Written by George Hochmuth and Jerry Bennett and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2011.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss547

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