Horticultural Sciences Department Research Articles

Introduction - Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 1

Greenhouse vegetables cannot usually compete directly on a price basis in the same markets with field-grown vegetables. Greenhouse vegetable production is much more expensive and more intensive and the crops must be marketed as specialty produce. Since greenhouse production is very costly and intensive, and the market for the specialty items is volatile, the prospective grower must be keenly aware of the special and exacting requirements of greenhouse vegetable production. This publication presents the special considerations that must be understood by all new or perspective greenhouse vegetable growers. This document is a chapter of the Florida Greenhosue Vegetable Production Handbook, Volume 1, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First Publication Date: December, 1990

Achachairú (Garcinia humilis) Fruit Trees: Botany and Commercial Cultivation in South Florida

This article provides detailed information on the achachairú’s characteristics, botany, and recommended horticultural practices for commercial growers and county and state Extension faculty in south Florida and is also applicable for homeowners and students interested in growing achachairú. Written by Federico W. Sanchez, Jonathan H. Crane, Haimanote Bayabil, Ali Sarkhosh, Muhammad A. Shahid, and Bruce Schaffer, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, March 2024.

Use of Gibberellic Acid to Improve Health and Productivity of HLB-Affected ‘Valencia’ Trees

The goal of this publication is to provide the latest gibberellic acid (GA) use recommendation to Florida citrus growers. Recently, a multiyear field trial conducted on ‘Valencia’ has shown that GA applied monthly from September to January can improve yield of HLB-affected trees on average by 30% compared to untreated trees. Although GA treatment cannot eradicate the pathogen that causes HLB in affected citrus trees, the current GA application recommendation can provide growers an alternative remedy to alleviate HLB symptoms and ameliorate the production issues that are associated with the disease, including yield decline, reduced fruit size, increased preharvest fruit drop, and rapid tree health decline, until a cure for HLB or complete HLB-resistant cultivars can be developed. Written by Tripti Vashisth, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, April 2023.

Floricane Blackberry Pruning Guide for Florida

This article aims to provide a general overview of growth habits, fruiting patterns, and pruning requirements/timing for county and state Extension faculty, growers, homeowners, and students interested in growing floricane blackberries in Florida. Written by Muhammad A. Shahid and Ali Sarkhosh, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, March 2023.

Use of Gibberellic Acid Treatments to Improve Health and Yield of HLB-Affected Sweet Orange Trees: Concerns and Considerations (Part 2 of 2)

This publication discusses fruit quality and gibberellic acid use in citrus. Written by T. Vashisth, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, February 2023.

Use of Gibberellic Acid Treatments to Improve Health and Yield of HLB-Affected Sweet Orange Trees (Part 1 of 2)

This publication discusses gibberellic acid use in citrus. Written by T. Vashisth and A. Singerman, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, February 2023.

Fertilization Recommendations for Crisphead Lettuce Grown on Organic Soils in Florida

This 8-page 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. SP153/WQ114: Fertilization Recommendations for Crisphead Lettuce Grown on Organic Soils in Florida (ufl.edu)

Handling Florida Broccoli: From Harvest to Shipping Operations

The purpose of this new 11-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department is to present options for commercial operations handling fresh broccoli in Florida and is written for growers/packers/shippers, Extension faculty, and allied industry representatives. Written by Steven A. Sargent, Merce T. A. Santana, Carina Theodore, Lincoln Zotarelli, Jeffrey K. Brecht, and Adrian D. Berry.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1453

Chayote—A Potential Vegetable Crop for Florida

Chayote, known as the vegetable pear, is a nutritious plant with a pale-green, ridged, fleshy fruit with a single seed. Florida’s suitable climate combined with chayote’s excellent taste and nutrition indicate that it could be an economically viable crop for commercial production. The intended audience of this new 10-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department is vegetable growers, Extension agents, certified crop advisors, crop consultants, environmentalists, agricultural policy makers. Written by Yuheng Qiu and Guodong Liu.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1454

Using Supplemental Lighting to Grow Hemp in Florida

With the removal of hemp from the controlled substances list, hemp is now one of the emerging crops in Florida. There is limited information on how to grow this crop in Florida. Like hops, hemp is another recently introduced crop in the state, with one of the major yield-limiting factors of premature flowering induced by inadequate day length. This article provides guidelines for hemp growers in Florida on the use of supplemental lighting to control flowering and improve growth of hemp under Florida’s environmental conditions. Written by Johan Desaeger, Jacqueline Coburn, and Shinsuke Agehara, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department; 4 pp.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1452

Southern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars from the University of Florida

This publication provides historical background on southern highbush blueberries (SHB), and information on specific UF/IFAS cultivars that can be a helpful resource for SHB growers. Written by D. A. Phillips, J. G. Williamson, P. M. Lyrene, and P. R. Munoz, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, revised September 2022.

Improving Strawberry Varieties by Somaclonal Variation

Somaclonal variation is a breeding method utilizing natural genetic variation induced by a tissue culture process instead of by hybridization. This offers an alternative to mutation breeding for the introduction of new genetic variations in existing strawberry varieties. The main purpose of this new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department is to share the potential of this technique with plant breeders in the public and private industries. The secondary purpose is to educate the industry and the public on the scientific background of somaclonal variation. Written by Cheol-Min Yoo, Cheryl Dalid, Catalina Moyer, Vance Whitaker, and Seonghee Lee.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1448

Seed Piece Spacing Recommendation for Table-Stock Potato Cultivars in Florida

This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department focuses on the adjustment of potato seed piece spacing of table-stock cultivars for Florida production. The aim is to provide management strategies that minimize potato seed costs, increase yield, and reach the marked demand for specific tuber size distribution, all of which are important factors for the table-stock potato industry. Written by Mario H. M. L. Andrade, Luis G. Pesantes, Christian T. Christensen, Lakesh Sharma and Lincoln Zotarelli.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1446

Biology and Management of Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) in Citrus Groves

Horseweed has gained importance in recent years due to reports of the development of herbicide resistance to several modes of action, including glyphosate and paraquat. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department presents information about the lifecycle, identification, and management of horseweed in citrus groves. This publication is mainly intended for Florida citrus growers but will also be helpful for Extension agents, crop consultants, and others interested in citrus production. Written by Nirmal Timilsina, Sharpton Toussaint, Camille McAvoy and Ramdas Kanissery.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1451

Growing Miracle Fruit for Specialty Crop Production in Florida

Miracle fruit is the botanical source of miraculin and an understudied tropical fruit species with potential as a natural, noncaloric sweetener. Miraculin changes the perception of sour (acidic) foods and beverages to sweet by temporarily modifying taste receptors on the tongue. This report provides background information on growing miracle fruit, information on miracle fruit yield, and research on miraculin content to commercial growers and those interested in gardening in southern Florida. Written by Lynhe Demesyeux, Maria Brym, and Alan H. Chambers, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department; 6 pp.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1449

What is Trending in Florida’s Commodity Crops: A Google Trends Analysis

The purpose of this new 3-page article is to briefly discuss the trends of search terms, with an emphasis on Florida’s major crops, that may provide insight into the general public’s interest. With increased knowledge about the interest and perception of the general public regarding Florida crops, Florida’s agricultural industries can better respond to the needs and concerns of consumers. The target audience of this publication includes those involved in agriculture as well as the general public. Written by Tong Geon Lee and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Fertigation

The purpose of this new 4-page article is to outline some of the major benefits and drawbacks a fertigation system may incur. The audience of this article includes county Extension faculty, students who are interested in crop production, growers, certified crop advisors, crop consultants, environmentalists, and policy makers in the agricultural sector. Written by Mary Dixon and Guodong Liu and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1442

Postharvest Pruning Guide for Hops in Florida

In Florida, hops have two growing seasons per year, and different pruning practices are recommended after each season. This article explains why, when, and how to prune hops in Florida. It is part of a series that examines the challenges and opportunities of hop production in Florida based on research at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Written by Mariel Gallardo, Shinsuke Agehara, Christopher DelCastillo, and Jack Rechcigl, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department; 3 pp.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1439

Plant Petiole Sap-Testing for Vegetable Crops

Various nitrate and potassium "quick-test" kits for vegetable plant sap-testing have been calibrated for use on Florida vegetables. The objective has been to find a system that growers can use in the field to help manage nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizer—especially for drip-irrigated vegetables. The following guidelines should help individuals who are currently using—or are interested in using—sap-testing. Revision by George and Robert Hochmuth published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department; 6 pages.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv004

Hop Harvesting Procedures for Small-Scale Production

This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department explains hop harvesting procedures for small-scale production (generally up to 5 acres). It is part of a series that examines the challenges and opportunities for hop production in Florida based on research at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Written by Shinsuke Agehara, Chris DelCastillo, Mariel Gallardo, Weining Wang, and Jack Rechcigl.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1437