Histosols

Alan L. Wright, Edward Hanlon, andEdward A. Hanlon

Jehangir H. Bhadha, Alan L. Wright, George Snyder, andGeorge H. Snyder

This document describes the soils in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) and their gradual change over time. The EAA is an agricultural region south of Lake Okeechobee, Florida, growing primarily sugarcane in rotation with sweet corn, winter vegetables, sod, and rice. The objective is to describe soil losses in the EAA because this region was converted from wetlands to agricultural use, and to illustrate how these changes affect the future of agricultural sustainability in the region.

Alan L. Wright and Edward A. Hanlon

Jehangir H. Bhadha, Jay Capasso, Abul Rabbany, Nan Xu, andMatthew T. VanWeelden

J. Vendramini, P. Moriel, and L. Wiggins

Alan L. Wright, Edward A. Hanlon, and Ronald W. Rice

George Hochmuth, Edward Hanlon, Edward A. Hanlon, George Snyder, George H. Snyder, Russell Nagata, Russell T. Nagata, Tom Schueneman, Germán V. Sandoya, Jehangir H. Bhadha, andNiguss Solomon Hailegnaw

Celery, sweet corn, endive, escarole, romaine lettuce, and radish are important crops on organic soils in Florida. This bulletin summarizes fertilization research results with these crops from the 1940s to the present. New interpretations of these compiled works were used to produce updated UF/IFAS Extension recommendations for fertilization of these six vegetable crops.

Noel Manirakiza, Suraj Melkani, Xue Bai, Yang Lin, andJehangir H. Bhadha

This factsheet highlights four common conservation agricultural practices that can be implemented to limit organic soil loss. Organic soils (Histosol) are the most important soils that play a crucial role in mitigating global warming by acting as a repository for terrestrial carbon. Within south Florida, nearly 450,000 acres of Histosols are at risk from soil loss via oxidation, and growers would like to know the best ways to manage their soils to limit soil loss. Using the USDA-NRCS framework, we have identified four conservation practices—cover cropping, crop rotation, organic amendments, and conservation tillage—that can be implemented to address organic matter loss within the region.

Gustavo Kreutz, Jehangir H. Bhadha, Guodong Liu, Marcio F. Ribeiro De Resende, Alan L. Wright, Dennis C. Odero, andGermán V. Sandoya

The global demand for P fertilizers has been significantly increasing, resulting in higher costs and environmental concerns associated with eutrophication. Fertilizer expenses and environmental risks can be reduced through the implementation of sustainable strategies. This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department compiles several strategies to improve the utilization of P fertilization in lettuce grown in the Everglades Agricultural Area.

George Hochmuth, Edward Hanlon, Edward A. Hanlon, Russell Nagata, Russell T. Nagata, George Snyder, George H. Snyder, Tom Schueneman, J. Mabry McCray, Germán V. Sandoya, Jehangir H. Bhadha, andNiguss Solomon Hailegnaw

This publication presents UF/IFAS recommendations for fertilization of crisphead lettuce on organic soils in Florida.

J. Mabry McCray

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Agriculture Water

J. M. McCray, H. S. Sandhu, R. W. Rice, and D. C. Odero

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s).

J. Mabry McCray, Ronald W. Rice, and Alan L. Wright

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s).

J. Mabry McCray, James M. McCray, Ronald W. Rice, andLeslie E. Baucum
Other Contacts: Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Xue Bai, Yuncong Li, Noel Manirakiza, Christine Coffin, and Jehangir H. Bhadha

This factsheet presents a comprehensive overview of Histosols, also known as organic soils, in South Florida, focusing on their distribution, formation, properties, and significance. Histosols cover significant areas in Florida, especially within the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), and are pivotal in supporting the region's sugarcane production. Their formation is influenced by organic parent materials, the tropical climate, vegetation types, topography, and time, which together shape their unique chemical, physical, and biological properties. Moreover, this publication reviews past developments and anticipates future changes in Histosol classification and management. By revealing the past, present, and future of Histosols in South Florida, this publication can help improve land management in the region and enhance the understanding of Histosols for audiences including agricultural producers, Extension agents, state and local agencies, decision-makers, researchers, and students.