Southwest Florida REC

Tara Wade, Kelvin Amon, Zhengfei Guan, and Craig Frey

In the United States, bell peppers are cultivated for both fresh and processed markets, with California, Florida, and Georgia producing most of the crop. Production varies across states, and, in Florida, bell pepper production varies by region within the state with growing seasons ranging from July to March for northern Florida and August to February for southern Florida. This publication provides information on conventional bell pepper acreage, volume, and pricing for the top three producing states: California, Florida, and Georgia. It will be useful to producers, Extension agents, and others interested in trends concerning specialty crop commodities. It serves as a single location where important information about the specialty crop market and production trends can be found.

Kelvin Amon, Tara Wade, Anna Mészáros, and Tori Rumenik

This publication provides information on conventional fresh market sweet corn acreage, volume, and pricing for the top four producing states: California, Florida, Georgia, and New York. (Other states produce a substantial amount of processed market sweet corn but are not the focus here.) This is one in a series of Ask IFAS publications focused on trends in Florida’s five most economically important specialty crops (excluding citrus): fresh market sweet corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, watermelons, and strawberries. This information will be useful to producers, Extension agents, and others interested in trends concerning specialty crop commodities. This publication serves as a unique source summarizing important information about the specialty crop market and production trends.

Tara Wade, Kelvin Amon, Zhengfei Guan, and Wael Elwakil

This publication provides information on conventional fresh strawberry acreage, volume, and pricing for California and Florida from 2010 through 2022. It is one of a series of EDIS publications that illustrate trends in Florida’s five most economically important specialty crops, excluding citrus: strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, watermelons, and sweet corn. The information in this publication will be useful to producers, Extension agents, and others interested in trends concerning specialty crop commodities. It serves as a single location where valuable information about the specialty crop market and production trends can be found.

Tara Wade, Kelvin Amon, Kevin R. Athearn, andCraig Frey

Eight states produce most US watermelons. Most of the fruit (almost 80%) are grown in California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas, with Florida leading in domestic production. In 2019, Florida’s watermelon output accounted for 25.2% of total US production, 24.7% of national watermelon acreage, and 29.6% of the overall US crop value. The value of Florida's watermelon output accounted for 13.2% of the state's total vegetable production. This publication provides information on both seeded and seedless conventional watermelon acreage, volume, and pricing for California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas from 2010 through 2021. It is one of a series illustrating trends in Florida’s five most economically important specialty crops, excluding citrus: tomatoes, bell peppers, watermelons, sweet corn, and strawberries. This information will be useful to producers, Extension agents, and others interested in specialty crop commodities trends.

Wenhao Liu andYiannis Ampatzidis

This publication explores the multifaceted applications of spraying drones in agriculture, emphasizing their advantages over traditional methods in terms of precision, efficiency, and sustainability. It examines their role in delivering pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides), fertilizers and nutrients, irrigation, seeding, biological control, pollination, and aquaculture feeding. Written by Wenhao Liu and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, October 2025.

Shouan Zhang, Aaron J. Palmateer, Ken Pernezny, and R. T. McMillan, Jr.

Sawssan Boufous, Tara Wade, Shourish Chakravarty, Michael Andreu, Jehangir H. Bhadha, Young Gu Her, and Ziwen Yu

This publication is part of a larger body of work initiated by the UF/IFAS Extension Climate and Carbon Extension Educators that informs a general audience about climate issues and mitigation strategies. It was prepared to help Extension agents, farmers, and ranchers interested in carbon credit programs better understand the process of carbon credit trading, from credit generation to markets. Note that because carbon markets are relatively new, programs and prices are likely to change over time. This publication includes a list of resources for further information.

Ariel Singerman, Kimberly L. Morgan, Tara Wade, Kevin R. Athearn, Chris Prevatt, Edward A. Evans, Trent D. Blare, Hayk Khachatryan, andZhengfei Guan

Enterprise budgets help farmers and ranchers estimate expenses, potential revenue, and profit. UF/IFAS provides enterprise budgets for a variety of Florida-grown commodities. These are typically built collaboratively by economists, horticulturists and agronomists, ranchers, and growers. This publication highlights key aspects of the enterprise budget as a planning tool for farm businesses. Includes links to UF/IFAS enterprise budgets and related documents specific to several Florida commodities.

Ute Albrecht, Leigh Archer, and Pamela Roberts

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

Holly K. Ober andMartin B. Main
Other Contacts: Shelly A. Johnson

Kira Sorochkina, Clayton J. Nevins, Patrick W. Inglett, and Sarah L. Strauss

Biological soil crusts, or biocrusts, are communities of microorganisms that form on the surface of soils, often found in deserts around the world. However, they can also occur in agroecosystems and potentially contribute nutrients to plants growing nearby. This publication is for those interested in learning more about what biocrusts look like and how they can impact agricultural soils.  

Ute Albrecht, Mongi Zekri, and Jeffrey Williamson

This publication explains the different methods of citrus propagation and includes detailed descriptions and photographs of the grafting process and other principles of propagation. 

Tara Wade, Barbara Hyman, and Eugene McAvoy

Enterprise budgets can assist with forecasting as well as help managers coordinate resources, make production decisions, examine expenditures, and anticipate outcomes from changes in production practices. They can help producers determine what to produce, how many acres to produce, the cost of production, and the necessary price to be profitable. Describes the process used to create the 2018-19 enterprise budget for bell peppers in southwest Florida.

Tara Wade, Barbara Hyman, Eugene McAvoy, and John VanSickle

Enterprise budgets are effective planning tools for growers in search of help with forecasting, resource coordination, and better production decisions. In essence, enterprise budgets can help producers determine what to produce, how many acres to produce, the cost of production, and the necessary price to be profitable. Describes the process used to create the 2017/18 enterprise budget for tomatoes in southwest Florida and includes resources for producers interested in creating enterprise budgets for their own operations.

Tara Wade, Shourish Chakravarty, andSarah L. Strauss

This publication presents the results from a static one-year cost analysis assessing the viability of planting cover crops in citrus row middles in a Florida grove to determine whether implementing them will be economically feasible for citrus growers. The authors developed a partial budget for cover crops in a typical Florida orange grove, calculating breakeven prices for oranges in terms of price per box (equivalent to 90 lbs of oranges) and price per pounds solids (amount of soluble solids per box of oranges). We also incorporated additional net costs for citrus grove cover crops across historical yield and quality scenarios. Given that cover crops are effective in improving soil quality and suppressing weed growth and have short-term savings in the form of reduced mowing, we believe that the results from our study will benefit citrus growers considering planting cover crops in their grove row middles.

Emma Dawson, Davie M. Kadyampakeni, Ramdas Kanissery, Tara Wade, andSarah L. Strauss

Recently, cover crops (CCs) have regained popularity as interest in soil health and agricultural sustainability increases among growers and consumers. However, their use in perennial agroecosystems and within subtropical climates is less common due to the climatic conditions and management practices of perennial systems. The aim of this publication is to provide Extension agents and growers with practical information to help them successfully cultivate CCs in Florida citrus groves. Written by Emma Dawson, Davie Kadyampakeni, Ramdas Kanissery, Tara Wade, and Sarah L. Strauss, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, September 2025.

Qiang Zhu, Yuncong Li, Guodong Liu, andMonica Ozores-Hampton

This article describes a convenient method to estimate soil carbonate concentration using vinegar and other simple instruments for growers, Extension agents, and students interested in crop production and enhancing crop yield.

Rao Mylavarapu, Edward Hanlon, Cheryl Mackowiak, andMaria L. Silveira

The intent of this document is to record changes in bahiagrass fertilization and liming recommendations from 1990 through 2008, and to summarize efforts of the various work groups and committees.

Barbra C. Larson, J. Howard Frank, Martin B. Main, and Ginger M. Allen

Mongi Zekri, Robert E. Rouse, andJonathan H. Crane

This document discusses the impact of tropical storms and hurricanes on citrus groves, emphasizing the potential for significant rain and wind damage. Although hurricanes pose a serious threat to citrus groves, growers with pre-established hurricane plans can mitigate losses more effectively. In this text, recommendations are provided for adequately preparing for the hurricane season and minimizing its effects. 

Brian Boman and Sanjay Shukla

Kimberly L. Morgan andJessica M. Ryals
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr.

<p>The purpose of this publication is to look at the other side of the profit equation to explore opportunities for Florida’s small and medium-sized farmers to find ways to improve revenues. We can do this by identifying markets where farmers have some measure of control over how much to charge for their food products. Economists describe markets in which businesses may set their own prices as “imperfectly competitive.” The authors aim to answer these common questions: Why are markets considered imperfect? What does this mean to farmers and buyers? What are the added costs and benefits to farmers who decide to sell into imperfect markets?</p>

Jawwad A. Qureshi, Dakshina Seal, and Susan E. Webb

Many different insects attack leguminous vegetables. Aphids damage terminals, whiteflies feed on sap and transmit bean golden mosaic virus, and caterpillars, like bean leafroller, and beetles feed on leaves. Flower thrips feed in blossoms and stink bugs, corn earworm, and leaffooted bugs damage seeds and pods.

Salman Al-Shami and Jawwad A. Qureshi

This publication describes the biology, distribution, behavior, and impact of the parasitoid Leptomastix dactylopii Howard. This beneficial insect is known for providing significant reductions in mealybug populations in Florida and other locations. It is also intended to provide knowledge about this parasitoid to a wide range of interested audiences including growers, Extension agents, researchers, students, laypersons, and other stakeholders.

C. Leann White, Peter C. Frederick, Martin B. Main, and James A. Rodgers, Jr.

This document is CIR1473, one of a series of the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 2005. Revised September 2008.

Shourish Chakravarty, Tara Wade, Ute Albrecht, Ozgur Batuman, andThomas H. Spreen

This publication provides per-tree and per-acre costs of adopting oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injections for large-scale orange production in southwest Florida. The values represent the costs observed by early adopters (i.e., the 2023–24 season). This information will be helpful to citrus growers, Extension agents, and other citrus industry stakeholders interested in understanding the costs of trunk injection and OTC applications in tree crop production. The values shared are estimates; costs will vary depending on the operation’s application methods, products used, tree density, and other grove characteristics. Written by Shourish Chakravarty, Tara Wade, Ute Albrecht, Ozgur Batuman, and Thomas H. Spreen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Food and Resource Economics, June 2025.

Wenhao Liu and Yiannis Ampatzidis

This article aims to present and discuss regulatory requirements for UAS for agricultural spraying applications to students, research scientists, Extension agents, growers and allied industry, consulting companies, and state agency personnel. It explores the FAA regulations and presents the application procedure to receive a license to operate spraying drones. Written by Wenhao Liu and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2025.

Monica Ozores-Hampton, Qiang Zhu, Yuncong Li and Guodong Liu

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

Jawwad Qureshi andPhillip A. Stansly

Monitoring ACP populations is an important tool in the integrated management of citrus greening. The most efficient way to estimate field populations of this insect is by monitoring adults. Tap sampling has proven to provide data needed to make informed decisions for managing this insect pest. Other pest and beneficial insects and mites may fall on the sheet and can also be counted. We recommend 10 tap samples in each of the 10 locations per block, 5 on the periphery and 5 in the interior. ACP tends to accumulate on the block periphery, which therefore may require more frequent sprays.

Emilie P. Demard andJawwad Qureshi

Panonychus citri is a phytophagous mite of economic importance in open citrus orchards and a major pest in Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS), a new undercover production system tested in Florida. Immatures and adults feed on citrus leaves, fruits, and green twigs resulting in mesophyll collapse, shoot dieback, and fruit drop. In Florida, P. citri occurs throughout the year but is most abundant in spring or early summer and autumn or early winter. Although chemical sprays like Abamectin or Fenbutatin oxide provide some control of P. citri, resistance has been reported in different regions of the world. Several predatory insects and mites have been shown to attack the mite and could be potential natural enemies to use in biological control programs.

Ozgur Batuman, Salih Yilmaz, Pamela Roberts, Eugene McAvoy, Samuel Hutton, Kishore Dey, and Scott Adkins

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Management for Commercial audience(s). Published by Integrated Pest Management

Annisa Karim andMartin B. Main

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Plant Systems

Ute Albrecht, Leigh Archer, and Jonathan Crane

This new 8-page article presents an overview on the use of trunk injection for the targeted delivery of protection materials to agricultural crops to manage pests and diseases. Different methods of injection are described along with the underlying plant physiological principles, possible implications on the tree, and other concerns and considerations. Written by Leigh Archer, Ute Albrecht, and Jonathan Crane, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.

Sanjay Shukla, Gregory S. Hendricks, Fritz M. Roka, and Thomas A. Obreza

C. LeAnn White and Martin B. Main