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Research,
Teaching,
and Extension
Programs in Vegetable Fertilization and Nutrient Management Practices.
Our laboratory is a vegetable mineral nutrition lab
researching and demonstrating optimum fertilization of vegetable crops.
Fertilizer costs range from 5 to 15% of the total preharvest costs of vegetable
production in Florida, therefore, improved fertilizer management can improve
profitability of vegetable production. Work in our lab also has demonstrated
negative effects of excessive amounts of fertilizer on vegetable quality.
Florida vegetables are typically produced on sandy soils where mobile nutrients
such as nitrogen are prone to leaching. Our research focuses on determining best
management practices for managing mobile nutrients and minimizing any potential
threat to the environment. Specifically, research projects are currently being
undertaken in the following areas:
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Nutrient and water management. Instrumented research sites are used to
evaluate fertilization and irrigation practices on movement of nutrients,
especially N and P in Florida sandy soils. Results from these studies are used
to determine best management practices for nutrients and water for economical
vegetable production and for minimizing negative effects on groundwater.
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Crop nutrient requirements. Determine vegetable crop nutrient
requirements for nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium by measuring
crop yield and quality response to fertilization. Various statistical models are
employed to describe crop responses to fertilization.
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Fertigation studies. Research is conducted on scheduling nutrient
application through drip irrigation systems. This work focuses on nitrogen and
potassium injection to maximize efficiency of nutrient utilization by the crop.
Research focuses on the best combinations of fertilizer and water that maximize
crop production, economics, and protects the environment.
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Plant tissue testing. Most fertilizer studies involve considerable plant
tissue testing for use in diagnosing nutrient deficiencies. Our lab has recently
calibrated a fresh petiole sap testing procedure for determining nitrogen and
potassium status of vegetable plants.
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Postharvest quality. Vegetable product quality responses to fertilization
are evaluated in most fertilizer studies. Both physical and chemical attributes
are measured including color, firmness, storage characteristics, flavor, sugars,
acidity, etc.
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Soil test calibration. Field studies to evaluate soil test extractants
for use on neutral and basic sandy soils in Florida and to evaluate the
predictive capability of extractants for vegetable fertilization.
The research programs support our Extension program
dealing with helping vegetable growers adopt more efficient vegetable
fertilization practices. The extension program relies heavily on farm
demonstrations to compare various fertilization programs on the commercial farm.
Graduate Studies in Vegetable Fertilization
Masters and doctoral students, post doctoral
researchers, and visiting scientists participate in our research programs on vegetable mineral nutrition
and fertilization. These research programs are tailored to the needs and
interests of the student and can include emphasis on field and/or laboratory
studies. Students also benefit from the opportunities to assist in the Extension
program and visit many farm demonstration sites throughout Florida.
Plant nutrition students take courses to support their
research program including courses in Horticultural Sciences (plant nutrition,
postharvest technology, physiology, vegetable culture, etc.), Soil and Water
Science (soil chemistry, soil fertility, nutrient availability, laboratory
procedures, etc.), Agricultural and Biological Engineering (irrigation design,
microirrigation, etc.), Plant Pathology, Entomology, Botany (plant physiology,
anatomy), and Statistics.
Programs in Vegetable Production Practices,
Especially Plasticulture and Greenhouse Soilless Culture and Hydroponics
In addition to the major emphasis in our lab on
vegetable fertilization, we also conduct field research on vegetable culture.
The research focus is on intensive plasticulture, producing vegetables with
polyethylene mulch, drip irrigation, and protective structures such as
plastic-covered tunnels. Specific research programs include production systems,
fertilization, special crops and cultivars, and irrigation. We research soilless
production systems for outdoor crop use as alternatives to traditional fumigated
soil systems. Graduate study projects also are available in these vegetable cultural programs.
Another area of
study in vegetable culture is transplant production technologies. WE study
fertilization and irrigation practices form optimum-quality vegetable
transplants.
The Florida Center for Plasticulture (FCP) was recently
established at the University of Florida to demonstrate existing and new
technologies for vegetable production under intensive cultural systems such as
greenhouses and walk-in tunnels. The FCP is an industry sponsored project with
international cooperators and student training opportunities.
We conduct research
in greenhouse vegetable production, including soilless and hydroponic systems.
Our focus is on efficient cultural systems that are environmentally sound.
Projects include fertilization and irrigation management in soilless systems for
pepper, melons, tomato, strawberry, cut flowers, and herbs. We also work
with biological insect control.
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