Florida Research Research Articles

Registration of ‘Kenhy’ and ‘Gibtuck’ Limpograss Hybrids

‘Kenhy’ (Reg. No. CV‐283, PI 682663) and ‘Gibtuck’ (Reg. No. CV‐284, PI 682664) hybrid limpograss [Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf & C.E. Hubbard] cultivars were produced by the University of Florida Agronomy Department, a unit of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and released in 2014. These two hybrids were selected from 51 hybrid seedlings produced by greenhouse hand crosses of ‘Floralta’ × ‘Bigalta’. Floralta is estimated to constitute >95% of the limpograss grown in Florida, raising concerns about genetic vulnerability. Bigalta, although less persistent than Floralta, has been shown to have slightly greater in vitro organic matter digestion. Evaluations of these hybrids were conducted at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL, at two locations near Gainesville, FL, and at the North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, FL. Evaluations included greenhouse pot studies, small plot clipping experiments, two different mob stocking grazing experiments, and an experiment to evaluate herbage accumulation and nutritive value under stockpiling management. Kenhy and Gibtuck were selected for superior herbage accumulation, persistence under grazing defoliation, improved nutritive value compared with Floralta, and utility as stockpiled forage. Vegetative planting material was first distributed in summer 2014 to a group of growers selected by the Florida Cattlemen's Research Committee, and further public distribution will be coordinated by this committee.

Registration of ‘TUFRunner ‘297’ ’ Peanut

‘TUFRunner ‘297” (Reg. No. CV‐135, PI 674183) is a large‐seeded, high‐oleic, runner market‐type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar developed by the University of Florida, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, North Florida Research and Education Center near Marianna, FL. It was tested under the experimental designation UF12303 and was approved for release in 2014. TUFRunner ‘297’ has a semiprostrate growth habit, with a tall and prominent center stem and medium green leaves. The testa of TUFRunner ‘297’ seed are tan in color, and the seeds are slightly larger than those of ‘Georgia‐06G’, the dominant cultivar in the southeastern United States (83.7 vs. 76.7 g 100 seed−1, P < 0.0001). TUFRunner ‘297’ was released for its pod yield potential, grading potential, disease resistance, and high‐oleic oil chemistry. Over the 6‐yr period from 2010 to 2015, in three Florida locations, TUFRunner ‘297’ had higher pod yield (7270 vs. 6890 kg ha−1, P = 0.004) than Georgia‐06G. The total sound mature kernels grade of TUFRunner ‘297’ was slightly less than that of Georgia‐06G (77.9 vs. 79.4%, P < 0.0001). TUFRunner ‘297’ also has the benefit of high oleic oil chemistry, in which its oil is 76.6% oleic fatty acid compared with 60.8% for Georgia‐06G (P < 0.001). TUFRunner ‘297’ combines excellent agronomic, grade, disease, and oil chemistry traits and should be beneficial to farmers and manufacturers of peanut foods.

Shielded by Sovereignty: The Impact for Patentees of Covidien v. University of Florida Research Foundation

This Article reviews both the recent history of the Patent Trial & Appeal Board's Inter Partes Review proceedings and the history of the doctrine of sovereign immunity as it relates to state entities such as public universities, as well as other sovereigns such as Native American nations. After addressing the specific holdings in the PTAB's recent decisions in Covidien v. University of Florida Research Foundation, Neochord v. University of Maryland, and Reactive Surfaces v. Toyota, this Article then discusses the various steps (some potentially drastic) that non-state-actor patent holders might take in order to try to insulate their patents from post-grant review proceedings at the PTAB under the Board’s reasoning. Finally, this Article considers some of the potential risks of such strategies, ranging from contrary decisions by the PTAB or superseding decisions by the Federal Circuit or Supreme Court to the danger of losing control of the patents at issue.

Registration of ‘TUFRunner ‘511’ ’ Peanut

‘TUFRunner ‘511’ ’ (Reg. No. CV‐131, PI 674432) peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar was developed by the University of Florida, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) near Marianna, FL. It was tested under the experimental designation UF11301 and was approved for release in 2013. TUFRunner ‘511’ is a large‐seeded, runner market‐type peanut with a prostrate growth habit and medium green leaves and vines. The testa of TUFRunner ‘511’ seed are tan in color, and the seed is slightly larger than ‘Georgia‐06G’ (79.65 g 100 seed−1 vs. 77.2 g 100 seed−1, P > t = 0.0516). The release of TUFRunner ‘511’ was based on its pod yield potential, grading potential, and oil chemistry. Over a 7‐yr period from 2009 to 2015, over three Florida locations, yield of TUFRunner ‘511’ (6430 kg ha−1) was similar to that of Georgia‐06G (6416 kg ha−1), the dominant cultivar in the southeastern United States. The total sound mature kernel grade of TUFRunner ‘511’ was only slightly less than that of Georgia‐06G (78.6% vs. 79.3%, P > t = 0.064). Unlike Georgia‐06G, TUFRunner ‘511’ has high oleic oil chemistry, with 76% oleic fatty acid compared with 60% for Georgia‐06G (P > t < 0.001). These attributes make TUFRunner ‘511’ agronomically competitive with Georgia‐06G but with superior oil chemistry characteristics desired by manufacturers of peanut foods.

Systematic and Ecological Notes on Some Fishes Collected in the Vicinity of Tortuguero, Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

The fishes listed in this report represent collections made primarily by Ogren and Giovannoli while they were in Costa Rica during the summers of 1956-58 and 1955, respectively, as University of Florida Research A-ssistants engag­ed in a study of the ecology and migrations of sea turtles (National Science Foun­dation Grants G-1684 and G-5479, University of Florida-Principal Investigator, Archie Carr). A few additional specimens, designated in the following annotated list, were taken by others who were at Tortuguero during the months Ogren and Giovannoli were collecting. Since the specimens were taken during only one season of the year, with limited equipment, and only incidental to the turtle work, this list is not intended as a presentation of the entire fish fauna of the area. However, the locality is isolated, and knowledge of some of the fish species augments what is known of the ecology and ranges of fishes known to occur in neighboring or distant countries to the north or south. This is particularly true of the marine species, as practically nothing has been written concerning their actual occurrence in Caribbean Costa Rican waters.

The Florida Bull Test 2015-2016

The 16th annual Florida Bull Test Sale was held on January 16, 2016 at the conclusion of the 2015–2016 Florida Bull Test. The test evaluated the performance potential and breeding soundness of bulls consigned to the program at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC). This 10-page fact sheet covers the test procedures, assessment of feed efficiency, general policies and procedures, health requirements, test results, and sale summary. Written by Carla D. Sanford, G. Cliff Lamb, and Nicolas DiLorenzo, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, November 2016.­http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an328

Exhuming the Dead and Talking to the Living: The 1914 Fire at the Florida Industrial School for Boys—Invoking the Uncanny as a Site of Analysis

SUMMARYThis article revisits the 1914 fire at the Florida Industrial School for Boys in Marianna, Florida. It resulted in the deaths of ten people and led to increased levels of public focus on the school's mission, purpose, and its day‐to‐day operational practices. Those who burned in the fire were buried on campus in the area known as “Boot Hill Cemetery.” Very little documentation about the history of the cemetery, or who is buried there, exists; and the exact locations of individual burials were never documented. In 2013, a University of South Florida (USF) research team began excavation of the burials located in the area of Boot Hill. Their efforts have been justified by requests from family members to learn about missing loved ones. Exhuming bodies of those who perished in the fire, as well as those who died at other times, demands that we think critically about what is recovered, what is invoked, and what is next and for whom. I introduce Freud's concept of “the uncanny” as a frame of reference for talking about things that surface when one recovers human remains or in some way revisits the site of a past, perhaps long‐hidden, traumatic event.

Comparative response of Brassica carinata and B. napus vegetative growth, development and photosynthesis to nitrogen nutrition

Nitrogen availability is a major limiting factor controlling growth, CO2 assimilation and productivity of oilseed brassicas, however, little is known about the physiological and morphological responses of B. carinata to N. A greenhouse study was conducted at North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, Florida during 2014/2015 to determine the effects of N rate on carinata (B. carinata A. Braun) cv. AAC A110 and (B. napus L.) cv. Canterra 1918 growth, development and photosynthesis. Four N treatments (0, 33, 66 and 100% of N in full strength Hoagland solution) were imposed 30days after planting. Plant height, leaf area, node number, branches and total biomass and its components (leaf, stem and root dry weights) in both species decreased linearly with N reduction. Intra-specific total dry matter and photosynthetic capacity did not vary 55days after treatment (DAT). However, partitioning biomass to various plant components differed between the species and was modified by N availability. At all N rates, carinata apportioned >53% of total biomass to the stem component while in canola stems comprised 17–34% of total biomass. Roots contributed more to total dry weight in canola (33–46%) than in carinata (23–29%) except at the highest N level. In both species, root dry matter increased with decreasing N availability. At 55 DAT, total chlorophyll, Chla and Chlb concentrations, specific leaf area and photosynthetic capacity for both species decreased with N deficiency. Parameters of leaf photosynthetic responses to photosynthetically active radiation and internal CO2 concentration curves were also altered by N availability. During the vegetative stage, N deficiency restricted plant growth, biomass production and also modified resource allocation which may have implications for N use efficiency and recovery during reproductive development.

Profitability of Organic Vegetable Production via Sod Based Rotation and Conventional Versus Strip Tillage in the Southern Coastal Plain

<p class="sar-body"><span lang="EN-US">There are little economic data concerning the profitability of organic vegetable crops in the Southern Coastal Plain, especially in reference to sod-based rotation and tillage alternatives. A three-year experiment was conducted at the North Florida Research and Education Center-Quincy involving a crop rotation sequence of oats and rye (winter), bush beans (spring), soybean (summer) and broccoli (fall). Bush beans and broccoli were the cash crops. This paper presents analyses of the riskiness of organic production utilizing years in bahiagrass prior to initiating the crop rotation sequence and conventional tillage (CT) versus strip tillage (ST). Methods of “Risk-rated enterprise budget” and “Analyses of Variance-Covariance Matrix (ANOVA)” were utilized for determining relative profitability, and coefficient of variation was applied for measuring riskiness of each treatment. Three years of bahiagrass prior to initiating the crop rotation sequence, in combination with conventional tillage, had the highest profitability and ranked as the least risky scenario. The second most profitable treatment was conventional tillage with four years of bahiagrass. Focusing on strip tillage, four years of bahiagrass with strip-tillage ranked third in term of profitability.</span></p>

Florida Bull Test 2014–2015

The 2014-2015 Florida Bull Test concluded with the evaluation of 103 bulls. The test assessed the performance potential and breeding soundness of bulls consigned to the program at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC). This 9-page fact sheet covers the test procedures, feed efficiency assessment, test rules and regulations, health requirements, test results, and sale summary. Written by Carla D. Sanford, G. Cliff Lamb, and Nicolas DiLorenzo, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, June 2016.

Temporary Food Plot Deterrents for Deer: Do They Work?

Many Floridians enjoy the opportunity to hunt, watch, or photograph white-tailed deer. Hunters and landowners often plant cool season forage plots both to attract wildlife and to provide a dependable food source. But where there is a high deer population or scarce food resources, deer may forage on food plots as soon as the plants emerge and before they become established. This 5-page fact sheet presents the results of research conducted at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy into the effectiveness of various strategies hunters and landowners can use to temporarily limit access to new food plots until the plants are well established and strong enough to attract and sustain hungry deer through the winter. Written by Holly Ober, Cheryl Mackowiak, and Ann Blount, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2016.

Use of Crape Myrtle,Lagerstroemia(Myrtales: Lythraceae), Cultivars as a Pollen Source by Native and Non-Native Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Quincy, Florida

Abstract Crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia species (Myrtales: Lythraceae), has become a dominant flowering plant in the ecosystems of the southeastern USA. Examination of flower records for bees shows few records of pollinators visiting these species even though they produce dimorphic pollen. Sampling of bees from a multi-cultivar crape myrtle planting at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, North Florida Research & Education Center in Quincy, Florida, via established transect walks in 2009 and 2010, and intensive net collecting in 2011, indicated that bee species from several functional groups (based on taxonomy, body size, and sociality) visited crape myrtle. Results also indicated that crape myrtle cultivars were used differently by the following major bee species (Hymenoptera: Apidae): the honey bee, Apis mellifera L.; the bumble bees Bombus impatiens Cresson and Bombus fraternus (Smith); and the carpenter bees Xylocopa micans Lepeletier and Xylocopa virginica (L.). Numbe...

Control of Sweetpotato Whitefly With Labeled, Experimental, and Biological Insecticides on Staked Tomatoes, Fall 2013, A

SWF is a destructive pest of tomato in Florida, primarily in its role as a vector of tomato yellow leaf curl virus, which causes catastrophic yield losses, especially when infection occurs early in the crop cycle. The whitefly is also a pest in its own right, causing plant debilitation and irregular ripening of the fruit. Two sets of three raised beds 420 ft in length were prepared and fumigated with MBC50/50 at 100 lbs/acre at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, FL, on 17 Aug, and 50% of the expected nutrient requirement was incorporated as 10-2-10 NPK dry fertilizer. Two drip tapes with 8-inch emitter spacing were laid on each bed, as it was covered with black polyethylene film mulch, and seedlings of ‘BHN 975’ obtained from a commercial greenhouse were transplanted on 4 …

Control of Sweetpotato Whitefly with Insecticides Applied to Soil and Foliage of TYLCV Tolerant and Susceptible Staked Tomatoes, 2015

Bemisia tabaci is the most damaging tomato pest in Florida due primarily to its role as a vector of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), although moderate populations can cause irregular ripening syndrome. This trial evaluated the effectiveness of different insecticide rotations and application methods to control SWF and reduce yield losses caused by both pest and virus in TYLCV-tolerant and -susceptible cultivars. Two sets of three raised beds 420 ft long were prepared at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, FL, on 6-inch centers incorporating ∼50% of the necessary fertilizer (10-2-10 NPK). Two drip tapes with 8-inch emitter spacing and flow rate of 0.67 gpm/100 ft were laid on each bed which was then covered with black polyethylene film. Chemigation was then used to fumigate beds with 300 lb/acre PicClor 60 EC 10 on 19 Feb. Seedlings of a TYLCV-tolerant variety ‘Ridge Runner’ and a susceptible variety ‘Rocky Top’ obtained from a commercial greenhouse were transplanted 18 inches apart on 6 Mar 2014, and the rest of the fertilizer requirement was injected through the drip over the course of the …

Control of Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Leafminer with Cyantraniliprole, Cyclaniliprole and Flonicamid: Summer, 2015

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the key pest of citrus in Florida, responsible for the spread of huanglongbing or citrus greening disease. Feeding damage from CLM larvae facilitates the spread of citrus canker. Insecticides are critical for suppression of these two pests. The experimental block at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center consisted of 5-yr-old sweet orange “Hamlin” trees bud grafted to “US-802” (Citrus grandis × Poncirus trifoliata) planted at a density of 308 trees/acre. Trees were irrigated with microsprinklers and subjected to conventional cultural practices. Eight treatments and an untreated check, seven trees per plot, were randomly distributed …

Acaricidal Control of Citrus Rust Mites, 2015: Table 1

Russetting of citrus fruit by citrus rust mite (CRM) can cause reductions in yield and quality. The present trial was conducted at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center on 19-year-old ‘Valencia’ orange trees planted at 15 × 22 ft. spacing. An RCB design was used to assign four replications of each of seven treatments and an untreated check to 5-tree plots within rows separated by an untreated buffer row. Applications to both …

Beleaf and Other Insecticides for Control of Asian Citrus Psyllid During Bloom: Spring, 2015

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the vector responsible for the spread of “Huanglongbing” or citrus greening disease in Florida and therefore is the key pest of citrus. Control is critical throughout the year, including spring, when trees produce new growth required by ACP to develop and reproduce but when presence of bloom limits insecticide choice. The experimental block at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center consisted of 5-yr-old sweet orange “Hamlin” trees bud grafted to “US-802” ( Citrus grandis × Poncirus trifoliata ) planted at a density of 308 trees/acre. Trees were irrigated with microsprinklers …

Foliar Sprays of Selective and Broad-Spectrum Insectcides to Control Asian Citrus Psyllid in Oranges: Summer, 2015: Table 1

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the key pest of citrus in Florida, responsible for the spread of huanglongbing or citrus greening disease. Effective insecticides with diverse modes of action are needed to control this pest and reduce selection for insecticide resistance. The experimental block at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center consisted of 5-yr-old sweet orange “Hamlin” trees bud grafted to “US-802” ( Citrus grandis × Poncirus trifoliata ) planted at a density of 308 trees/acre. Trees were irrigated with micro-sprinklers, subjected to conventional cultural practices and pruned to induce new …

Soil and Foliar Applications of Systemic Insecticides for Control of Sweetpotato Whitefly on Zucchini Squash, 2015: Table 1

Sweetpotato whitefly, also known as silverleaf whitefly is a serious of pest of curcubit vegetables in southwest Florida. Feeding can result in loss of yield and fruit quality due to silverleaf disorder but watermelon growers can experience catastrophic losses from watermelon vine decline caused by squash vein yellowing virus transmitted by B. tabaci . We prepared three raised beds 32 inches wide on 6-ft centers and 430 ft long for this trial on 22 Jan at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee FL. Two drip tapes with 8-inch emitter spacing and flow rate of 0.67 gpm/100 ft were laid on each bed which was then covered with whiteface polyethylene film and fumigated with 300 lbs/acre Pic-Clor 60 EC (chloropicrin 56.7% + 1-3 dichloropropene 37.1%) injected through …

Insecticides for Control of Tropical Sod Webworm on St. Augustinegrass, 2014: Table 1

Tropical sod webworm (TSW) are important pests of warm season turfgrasses in the Gulf Coast States of the USA and elsewhere. The objective of this test was to compare the residual efficacy of insecticides from three different classes on TSW infested “Floratam” St. Augustinegrass. The trial was conducted on experimental turf plots at the University of Florida Mid Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, Florida, in the fall (October to November) of 2013. Treatments were randomly assigned to 1 m2 turf plots …