Program 1

Integrated water and nutrient management for vegetable double-crops produced with plasticulture.

Main objectives:

1. Design a drip irrigation system suitable for research purposes, adaptable to on-farm demonstration, that allows randomization of factorial combinations of irrigation and fertilizer rates.

2. Develop and test crop factors and/or crop coefficients for the major vegetable crops grown in Florida.

3. Assess the interaction between water application rates and nutrient (mainly nitrogen and potassium) rates on yield and soil water tension for double-crop systems.

4. Custom-mix and evaluate controlled-release fertilizer for vegetables.

Main objectives:

1. Develop irrigation scheduling recommendations based on weather demand, crop type.

2. Promote the use of soil water measurements tools (granular matrix sensors, tensiometers, and Time Domain Reflectometry) and estimated water application rates together to schedule irrigation.

Program 3

Main objectives:

1. Prepare Florida farmers to understand fertilizer management and adopt BMPs.

2. Develop calibration data for nitrate and potassium sap testing for vegetable crops.

3. Assess impact of irrigation and fertilization practices on ground water.

State Major Program - FL107 – Vegetable Production, Harvesting, Handling Efficiencies and IMP in Florida

Mission:

The mission of the Design Team for SMP FL 107 is to increase the knowledge base of the county extension faculty in commercial vegetable production and harvesting practices, and to assist them in the planning, implementation, and reporting of educational activities for the commercial vegetable industry in Florida.

Research-based solutions are constantly being developed to increase the efficiency of producing major and minor vegetable crops and evaluating the feasibility of novel production methods, specialty crops and postharvest practices. The need exists to extend this information to end-users through grower and industry training, field demonstrations, newsletters, fact sheets, field trips, and technical assistance. County faculty need increased professional training and assistance to be able to extend the new research-based educational information. This Design Team will provide that training and assistance.

Goal:

To train and assist county faculty, enabling them to provide educational programs, materials, and technical assistance in vegetable production systems. These systems include fertility management, small farms, cultivar selection, alternate crops, stand establishment, transplant production, organic farming systems, soil management, irrigation, pest management, and postharvest handling for increased efficiency in Florida vegetable production, harvesting and handling.

Objectives:

1. To assist county extension faculty with their programs relating to FL107

2. To create a network of resources through communication between FL107 administration, specialists, and county agents. This network will be task-oriented, with team members prepared to make input and reach a consensus.

3. To develop effective means of communicating the goals and structure of FL107 to established and new members. This will distribution of minutes for all meetings of the Design Team within a reasonable period of time.

Target areas:

1. Water and Nutrient Management
2. Business Management and Marketing
3. IPM
4. Alternative Crops and Production Systems
5. Harvest and Handling

Tools:

. printed materials
. speakers
. bulletins
. workshops
. training sessions
. electronic newsletter
. the vegetarian

Horticultural Sciences Department Mission

The Horticultural Sciences Department curriculum are responsible for the development, evaluation, and dissemination of knowledge and information necessary to support the horticultural industries of the state and nation and to promote and enhance the production and utilization of commodities for the benefit of the industry, state, nation, and society.