Nutrient Management

Rao Mylavarapu, George Hochmuth, Cheryl Mackowiak, Alan Wright, and Maria Silveira

Rao Mylavarapu, Willie Harris, and George Hochmuth

Travis W. Shaddox, Travis W. Shaddox, andJ. Bryan Unruh
Other Contacts: Marco Schiavon

Maria L. Silveira, Rao Mylavarapu, Yuncong Li, Maria L. Silveira, Cheryl Mackowiak, James M. McCray, andJ. Mabry McCray

Arnold Schumann, Edward Hanlon, andEdward A. Hanlon
Other Contacts: Davie M. Kadyampakeni

Rishi Prasad and George Hochmuth

Mark Hoyer
Other Contacts: Elizabeth Moreau andMark V. Hoyer

Nutrients are substances required by all organisms for growth, and they are found in every aquatic system. Nutrients are also the object of much discussion by lake management professionals and the general public who are concerned about the influence nutrients sometimes have on the growth of algae and/or aquatic plants in lakes. Written for the lay public, this information circular is an ideal reference booklet for students and/or professionals interested in water management. First published Aug. 2000.

Bibek Acharya, Vivek Sharma, Charles Barrett, Sudeep Singh Sidhu, Lincoln Zotarelli, and Michael D. Dukes

This publication summarizes the basic concepts of three most-used NO3-N leaching quantification methods in field conditions. Written by Bibek Acharya, Vivek Sharma, Charles Barrett, Sudeep Singh Sidhu, Lincoln Zotarelli, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2022.

Yuncong Li, Qiang Zhu, Rao Mylavarapu, Kelly T. Morgan, Guodong Liu, Jonathan H. Crane, Qingren Wang, Henrique Mayer, Jeff Wasielewski, Laura Vasquez, Qingchun Liu, Teresa Olczyk, andTeresa Olczyk

This factsheet provides information about the history of soil testing calibrations and justification for recommending extraction of soil nutrients using Mehlich-3 for calcareous soils in Miami-Dade County. The dominant soils from this County have an extraordinarily high concentration of calcium resulting in high pH. This document also includes UF/IFAS approved Mehlich-3 extractant-based testing interpretations and recommendations for these soils. The purpose of this publication is to elucidate an appropriate approach for analyzing the unique calcareous soils from Miami-Dade County for plant available nutrients. The target audiences are Extension agents, agronomists at soil testing laboratories, crop advisors, growers, representatives of the state and local agencies, and others concerned about soil testing and plant analysis in Miami-Dade County.

Lakesh Sharma, Rishabh Gupta, Lincoln Zotarelli, andGerrit Hoogenboom

Lysimeters are often used in research concerning nutrient leachate all over the globe. However, due to factors such as Florida's high water table (a condition when the water level stays relatively close to the soil surface) in some production areas, the assessment and collection of leachate are not feasible. Another obstacle to the use of lysimeters in field research is the fact that several types of irrigation methods are used in Florida (e.g., subirrigation with seepage or drain-tile, overhead, microsprinkler, and drip irrigation) requiring different strategies for leachate assessment. This publication focuses on the use of crop models as alternatives to estimate nitrate leaching from cropping systems at a field scale. This publication's target audience is growers, extension agents, crop consultants, representatives of the fertilizer industry, state and local agencies, students, instructors, researchers, and interested Florida citizens.

Alexander J. Reisinger andTina McIntyre

The goal of this new 8-page document is to demonstrate a scientifically based approach to estimating the water quality and subsequent economic benefits of UF/IFAS Extension programming related to nutrient management in residential landscapes. It also provides a sample impact statement that could be used by UF/IFAS Extension Agents as they compile the effectiveness of their program(s). Written by Alexander J. Reisinger and Tina McIntyre and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences.

Hardeep Singh, Lakesh Sharma, Libbie Johnson, Ethan Carter, and Pratap Devkota

This publication summarizes N cycling, different types of N losses, and approaches that may help to minimize N loss in row crop production systems in Florida. Written by Hardeep Singh, Lakesh Sharma, Libbie Johnson, Ethan Carter, and Pratap Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, January 2023.

Kelsey Vought, Haimanote Bayabil, and Ana Martin-Ryals

This publication aims to highlight the inefficiencies of using a single-rate, EC-based, NFT nutrient dosing practice for lettuce production throughout the growing season. The information contained in this document is relevant to a diverse audience, including students, researchers, Extension agents who have some level of understanding about controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and water and fertilizer management techniques, and hydroponic growers. Written by Kelsey Vought, Haimanote Bayabil, and Ana Martin-Ryals, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2025.

Lilit Vardanyan andVimala D. Nair

Phosphorus (P) is essential for plant growth and productivity. Excessive application of P fertilizers has contributed to environmental degradation through runoff and leaching into waterways. Traditionally, the Mehlich 1-P and Mehlich 3-P soil tests have been used widely to guide fertilizer recommendations in Florida and many other regions. However, these may provide inaccurate estimates of plant-available P, especially in soils with diverse mineralogy or strong P-sorption capacity. This can result in suboptimal fertilization practices. Unlike standard soil tests, which rely on chemical extractants that may mobilize both labile and non-labile forms of P, the iron oxide strip P (FeO-P) method targets the fraction most relevant to plant uptake, offering a more reliable indicator of P availability. FeO-P mimics the absorptive behavior of plant roots to determine actual crop nutrient demand, providing an improved diagnostic tool for both agronomic and environmental applications.

Emma Matcham, Lauri M. Baker, Jay Capasso, Osvaldo Gargiulo, Lauren Geiss, Emma Matcham, Kelly T. Morgan, Ricky Telg, andLincoln Zotarelli

This glossary provides clear, unified definitions for terms and is intended to help aid communication with nutrient management professionals across the state, especially when sharing new site-specific nutrient management recommendations. This glossary should help lessen confusion on how the listed terms are defined and interpreted, thereby helping to improve communication within and across disciplines. Written by Lauri Baker, Jay Capasso, Osvaldo Gargiulo, Lauren Geiss, Emma Matcham, Kelly Morgan, Ricky Telg, and Lincoln Zotarelli, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, April 2025.

Guodong Liu, Gene McAvoy, Ben Hogue, and Crystal A. Snodgrass

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Animal Systems

Guodong Liu, Kelly T. Morgan, Yuncong Li, Lincoln Zotarelli, Qingren Wang, andJames DeValerio

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Lakesh Sharma, Lincoln Zotarelli, andChristian T. Christensen

Intended for Extension clients, this publication highlights the importance of sulfur in row and vegetable crop production systems in Florida, such as its use in pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, the publication provides insights into the perspective of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on sulfur in naturally occurring aquatic systems. This publication's target audience is agricultural producers, Extension agents, crop consultants, representatives of the fertilizer industry, state and local agencies, students, instructors, researchers, and interested Florida citizens.

Guodong Liu, Lincoln Zotarelli, Yuncong Li, David Dinkins, Qingren Wang, and Monica Ozores-Hampton

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Urban Water

Arun Jani, Michael J. Mulvaney, Mahesh Bashyal, and Hardeep Singh

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems