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Recent & Revised Publications

Preliminary Update of Rust Disease in Florida Warm-Season Grasses

Hui-Ling (Sunny) Liao, Haihua Wang, Kaile Zhang, Benjamin Reimer, Brittany Justesen, Joseph Walter, Robbie Jones, Vijay Verma, Ann Blount, and Cheryl Mackowiak

Rust is a common disease on warm-season grasses that can affect pasture health and potentially serve as an allergen for animals grazing on it. Despite its significance, rust disease in warm-season grass is often overlooked. This publication reports on rust disease observed in Florida pastures and offers practical, non-technical knowledge and general management suggestions to mitigate the threat of rust disease. It is aimed at producers, landowners, and the public.

A Step-by-Step Fertigation Guide for Blackberry Growers in Florida

Nurjahan Sriti, Elena Máximo-Salgado, Zhanao Deng, Jeffrey Williamson, and Guodong Liu

Blackberry cultivation offers significant opportunities for fruit producers in subtropical regions. Effective fertilizer management is essential for maximizing production. However, determining the optimal fertilizer application can be challenging as a result of variations in soil types and climate. To achieve the best results, it is important to follow the 5Rs of nutrient stewardship. (There are usually 4 Rs outside the unique environmental conditions of Florida.) These principles focus on applying the right fertilizer source at the right rate, at the right time, in the right place, and with the right irrigation. This guide provides Florida blackberry growers with practical recommendations for efficient fertigation practices to boost blackberry yields and improve nutrient use efficiency. It is intended for commercial growers, agricultural consultants, farm managers, Extension agents, Extension specialists, and others interested in blackberry production and sustainable farming.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Guidelines for Field Corn Production in Florida

Karun Katoch, Michael Dukes, Shivendra Kumar, Jay Capasso, Diego Arruda Huggins de Sá Leitão, Hardeep Singh, and Lakesh K. Sharma

The publication focuses on nitrogen (N) requirements for corn production using best management practices (BMPs) in Florida. The intended audience is corn producers, agricultural consultants, Extension agents, Extension specialists, and researchers. The aim is to provide and recommend BMPs that comply with statewide BMP guidelines, maximizing the yield and economic return while minimizing environmental N losses. The guidelines present results from multi-year, multi-site, field-based research conducted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The small plot research was conducted at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Suwannee Valley, Live Oak, Florida (NFREC-SV). The publication includes a recommendation in terms of N required per bushel of productivity.

The DeLuca Preserve: A Dynamic Ecological Site for Land Management, Conservation, and Research in Central Florida

Suraj Melkani, Noel Manirakiza, and Jehangir H. Bhadha

Spanning approximately 27,074.9 acres, the DeLuca Preserve encompasses a diverse range of ecosystems, soils, and climates, making it an ideal site for studying environmental interactions and long-term landscape changes. The region experiences a subtropical climate characterized by dry and wet seasons with an average annual rainfall of 1,242.22 mm. The preserve's soils comprise 38 distinct soil types. Land use and land types also vary across the preserve. Deluca Preserve serves as a living laboratory for students, researchers, and land managers, supporting studies on sustainable land management and conservation strategies. Its research, directed by UF/IFAS and supported by over $600,000 in funding, spans disciplines such as soil science, ornithology, and citriculture. The preserve provides a critical foundation for interdisciplinary research, advancing knowledge on ecosystem dynamics while fostering collaborations that contribute to sustainable management of Florida’s natural resources.

Biofilms and Their Impact on the Food Industry

Nikita Bhusal, Keith R. Schneider, Tingting Gu, Zhifeng Gao, Renée Goodrich-Schneider, and Boce Zhang

Biofilms pose significant challenges in various industries due to their resistance to cleaning and sanitation. This publication explores the formation and implications of biofilms in food and agriculture settings. Biofilms play critical roles in microbial survival and have been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks, resulting in significant economic burdens. Factors contributing to biofilm formation include environmental conditions, material surfaces, agricultural practices, and processing conditions. Measures to prevent and control biofilms and their persistence in food processing environments include standard cleaning and sanitation procedures, as well as more innovative technologies. Understanding and addressing biofilm challenges are critical for ensuring food safety and minimizing economic losses throughout the food industry.

Rice Stink Bug, Oebalus pugnax (Fabricius) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

C. T. Camarozano and J. M. Beuzelin

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This publication describes the rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (Fabricius), a serious pest of a variety of crops, like many other stink bug species, but particularly rice plants. It is widespread through the southeastern United States, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Rice is the preferred host for all O. pugnax stages, and from early nymphs to reproductive adults, this insect is likely to abandon weedy host plants to go feed on developing rice kernels from heading rice plants, if the crop is found nearby.

thumbnail for publication: Driving Engagement across Segments: Overcoming Barriers in Water Conservation through Irrigation Restriction Compliance

Driving Engagement across Segments: Overcoming Barriers in Water Conservation through Irrigation Restriction Compliance

Adeyinka T. Ayodele, Dipendra Aryal, Oluwatosin A. Asemokhai, and Laura A. Warner

This publication shares the results of recent research that explored how Florida residents adhered to residential irrigation restrictions by identifying groups of individuals who shared similar compliance behaviors further distinguished by demographic, geographic, psychographic, and behavioral factors such as age, income, education, regional water availability, environmental attitudes, social norms, and convenience or skepticism tendencies. Insights from the research summarized in this publication can also guide the development of programs and policies in other regions facing similar challenges with water scarcity and residential irrigation management. Written by Adeyinka T. Ayodele, Dipendra Aryal, Oluwatosin A. Asemokhai, and Laura A. Warner, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, February 2026.

Bunchosia glandulifera: Peanut Butter Fruit

Amir Rezazadeh

Peanut butter fruit tree, alternatively referred to as Monk's plum, is an evergreen tree that blooms perennially and originates from Central and South America. With a blend of informative content and practical advice, this publication endeavors to equip readers with the knowledge needed to successfully grow and harvest peanut butter fruits.

Building a Professional Environment for Self-Awareness

Savannah Bailey and Megan S. Cantrell

Creating spaces that encourage self-awareness is essential for personal growth and for fostering a stronger, more effective team. This publication will explain how individuals can build a professional environment that facilitates self-awareness. These strategies can be used by a wide range of individuals, such as leaders and team members in the workplace, teachers in a classroom, and Extension professionals working with communities. Written by Savannah Bailey and Megan S. Cantrell, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, February 2026.

Dark Ricefield Mosquito, Psorophora cyanescens (Coquillett, 1902) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Miles T. McCollum, Derrick K. Mathias, and Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena

The genus Psorophora is in the subfamily Culicinae and the tribe Aedini. This genus is comprised of relatively ornate mosquitoes, some species of which are quite large. As of 2025, there are 49 species of Psorophora divided into three subgenera: Grabhamia, Janthinosoma, and Psorophora. The genus Psorophora is most diverse in tropical and temperate regions of the Americas. This publication focuses on Psorophora cyanescens, a species in the subgenus Janthinosoma.

Optimizing Nitrogen Management for Sustainable Tomato Production in North Florida

Laura Jalpa, Rao S. Mylavarapu, George Hochmuth, Yuncong Li, and Bala Rathinasabapathi

Tomato is a vital commercial crop in north Florida, where the unique sandy soils present specific challenges for nitrogen (N) management. This publication evaluates the benefits of using polymer-coated controlled-release urea, which demonstrates a capacity to maintain crop yields comparable to those achieved using conventional fertigation methods and N sources. Our research findings emphasize the importance of adjusting N application rates to align with the crop nitrogen requirement and account for seasonal variability in natural soil mineralization rates. These adjustments are crucial for optimizing nitrogen use efficiency and sustainability in tomato cultivation. The publication offers practical recommendations for local growers on selecting optimal N rates and sources. Additionally, these guidelines aim to enhance the sustainability of commercial tomato production by incorporating advanced fertilizer technologies and precise N management practices tailored to local conditions.

thumbnail for publication: Biology and Management of Black Medic (Medicago lupulina) in Ornamental Crop Production and Landscape Planting Beds

Biology and Management of Black Medic (Medicago lupulina) in Ornamental Crop Production and Landscape Planting Beds

Yuvraj Khamare and Chris Marble

Black medic is an annual or short-lived perennial commonly found in lawns, landscapes, containers, and orchards throughout Florida. This publication is intended for green industry professionals, Extension agents, homeowners, and others to provide guidance on the identification and management of black medic in and around ornamental plants.

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# of bees needed to survive the winter

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more than 1,700

homes built endangered woodrats

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13% of people

Food Insecure in the U.S.

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18,728

Pest Management Jobs

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65,479

U.S. residents have their identity stolen each day

This publication is based on the insights of individuals who have been through this experience, researched it in depth, and have attempted to break it down into understandable segments.