Vegetable Handbook of Florida

1. Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida
2012-2013
EDITORS:
Stephen M. Olson, Ph.D. Bielinski Santos, Ph.D.
University of Florida's North Florida University of Florida's Gulf Coast
Research and Education Center, Quincy Research and Education Center, Wimauma
Citrus & Vegetable
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3. Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida
2012-2013
Editors:
Stephen M. Olson, Ph.D. Bielinski Santos, Ph.D.
University of Florida's North Florida University of Florida's Gulf Coast
Research and Education Center, Quincy Research and Education Center, Wimauma
Citrus & Vegetable
MA G A Z I N E

4. AUTHORS
D
aniel A. Botts, Director, Environmental and Pest Management Division, Florida Fruit Vegetable Association - Maitland
Peter J. Dittmar, Assistant Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department - Gainesville
Michael D. Dukes, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department - Gainesville
Mary L. Lamberts, Extension Agent IV, District V - Miami-Dade County - Homestead
Andrew W. MacRae, Assistant Professor, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center - Wimauma
Eugene McAvoy, Extension Agent IV, Hendry County, Labelle
Joseph W. Noling, Professor, Citrus Research and Education Center - Lake Alfred
Stephen M. Olson, Professor, North Florida Research and Education Center - Quincy
Monica Ozores-Hampton, Assistant Professor, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center – Immokalee
Natalia Peres, Associate Professor, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center - Wimauma
James F. Price, Associate Professor, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center - Wimauma
Richard N. Raid, Professor, Everglades Research and Education Center - Belle Glade
Pam D. Roberts, Professor, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center - Immokalee
Bielinski M. Santos, Assistant Professor, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center - Wimauma
Eric H. Simonne, Professor, Office of District Directors - Gainesville
Scott A. Smith, Coordinator, Economic Analysis, Food and Resource Economics Department - Gainesville
Crystal A. Snodgrass, Extension Agent I, Manatee County - Palmetto
David D. Sui, Extension Agent II, Palm Beach County - West Palm Beach
Gary E. Vallad, Assistant Professsor, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center - Wimauma
Susan E. Webb, Associate Professor, Entomology and Nematology Department - Gainesville
Alicia J. Whidden, Extension Agent II, Hillsborough County, Seffner
Vance M. Whitaker, Assistant Professor, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center – Wimauma
Shouan Zhang, Assistant Professor, Tropical Research adn Education Center - Homestead
Lincoln Zotarelli, Assistant Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department - Gainesville
COVER PHOTOS
Top left – umble bee visiting
B Center right – lossom end rot and
B Bottom left –Watermelon rind necrosis
watermelon male flower poor pollination of Bottom right – outhern blight
S
Top right- Seedless watermelon fruit watermelon fruit (Sclerotium rolfsii) on
Center left – Powdery mildew on
cantaloupe fruit
underside of cantoloupe leaf
(photo credits Josh Freeman) (photo credits Mathews Paret) (photo credits Mathews Paret)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The purpose of this book is to provide the best and most up-to-date information available to the primary users of this
book - the Florida vegetable industry. This is possible because of the efforts of many University of Florida faculty in several
locations around the State. The editors gratefully acknowledge their contributions. The editors also wish to acknowledge the
contributions of the following faculty who have retired or are no longer involved in extension:
Richard P. Cromwell George Hochmuth Thomas A. Kucharek O.N. Nesheim Bill M. Stall
Kent E. Cushman Chad Hutchinson Kenneth D. Shuler Kenneth Pernezny Charles Vavrina
Craig.K. Chandler Freddie Johnson Donald N. Maynard Allen G. Smajstrla
Page ii

5. CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 14. Onion, Leek, and Chive Production in Florida
S.M. Olson........................................................................................... 1 S.M. Olson, P.J. Dittmar, N.A. Peres, S.E. Webb........................... 173
Chapter 2. Soil and Fertilizer Management for Vegetable Chapter 15. Minor Vegetable Crops: Beets, Carrots, Celery
Production in Florida and Parsley
G.D. Liu, E.H. Simonne and G.J. Hochmuth.................................... 3 M. Ozores-Hampton, P.J. Dittmar, S.E. Webb, R.N. Raid,
S.M. Olson....................................................................................... 187
Chapter 3. Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for
Vegetables Chapter 16. Pepper Production in Florida
M.D. Dukes, L. Zotarelli, G.D. Liu and E.H. Simonne................... 17 S.M. Olson, P.J. Dittmar, G.E. Vallad, S.E. Webb,
E.J. McAvoy, S.A. Smith, M. Ozores-Hampton, B.M Santos......... 223
Chapter 4. Nematodes and Their Management
J.W. Noling........................................................................................ 29 Chapter 17. Potato Production in Florida
L. Zotarelli, P.D. Roberts, P.J. Dittmar, S.E. Webb, S.A. Smith,
Chapter 5. Weed Management B.M. Santos, S.M. Olson................................................................. 243
P.J. Dittmar and A.W. MacRae......................................................... 39
Chapter 18. Radish Production in Florida
Chapter 6. Alternative to Methyl Bromide Soil Fumigation for M. Ozores-Hampton, P.J. Dittmar, R.N. Raid, S.E. Webb,
Florida Vegetable Production E.J. McAvoy..................................................................................... 261
J.W. Noling, D.A. Botts and A. W. MacRae..................................... 47
Chapter 19. Spinach Production in Florida
Chapter 7. Cole Crop Production in Florida S.M. Olson, P.J. Dittmar, S.E. Webb, R.N. Raid............................ 269
S.M. Olson, P.J. Dittmar, G.E. Vallad, S.E. Webb, S.A. Smith........ 55
Chapter 20. Strawberry Production in Florida
Chapter 8. Specialty Asian Vegetable Production in Florida B.M. Santos, N.A. Peres, J.F. Price, V.M. Whitaker, P.J. Dittmar,
M.L. Lamberts, E.J. McAvoy, D.D. Sui, A.J. Whidden, S.M. Olson, S.A. Smith ................................................................... 281
C.A. Snodgrass.................................................................................. 81
Chapter 21. Sweet Corn Production in Florida
Chapter 9. Cucurbit Production in Florida M. Ozores-Hampton, P.J. Dittmar, S.M. Olson, S.E. Webb,
S.M. Olson, P.J. Dittmar, P.D. Roberts, S.E. Webb, S.A. Smith...... 87 S.A. Smith, R.N. Raid, E.J. McAvoy............................................... 293
Chapter 10. Eggplant Production in Florida Chapter 22. Sweetpotato Production in Florida
B.M. Santos, P.J. Dittmar, S. Zhang, S.E. Webb, S.M. Olson, M.L. Lamberts, P.J. Dittmar,
S.A. Smith, E.J. McAvoy, M. Ozores-Hampton.............................. 111 S. Zhang, S.E. Webb........................................................................ 309
Chapter 11. Legume Production in Florida: Snapbean, Lima Bean, Chapter 23. Tomato Production in Florida
Southern pea, Snowpea S.M. Olson, P.J. Dittmar, G.E. Vallad, S.E. Webb, S.A. Smith,
S.M. Olson, P.J. Dittmar, S.E. Webb, S. Zhang, E.J. McAvoy, B.M Santos, M. Ozores-Hampton............................ 321
S.A. Smith, E.J. McAvoy, M. Ozores-Hampton.............................. 127
Chapter 24. Tropical Root Crop Production in Florida
Chapter 12. Lettuce, Endive, Escarole Production in Florida M. L. Lamberts and S.M. Olson..................................................... 345
B.M. Santos, P.J. Dittmar, R.N. Raid, S.E. Webb........................... 143
Chapter 13. Okra Production in Florida
B.M. Santos, P.J. Dittmar, S.M. Olson, S.E. Webb, S. Zhang........ 163
Page iii

6. ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
More Information from the UF/IFAS Marketing Strategies for Vegetable Principles of micro irrigation:
Electronic Database Information System Growers: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WI007
(EDIS, http://edis.ufas.ufl.edu): http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv116
Treating irrigation systems with chlorine:
1. on-line Chapters of previous editions of Production Costs for Selected Florida http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE080
the Vegetable Production Handbook Vegetables:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv117 Water quality/quantity best management
Variety Selection: practices for Florida vegetable and agro-
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv102 Pesticide Provisions of the Florida nomic crops:
Agricultural Worker Safety Act (FAWSA): http://www.floridaagwaterpolicy.com/PDF/
Seed Quality and Seeding Technology: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv289 Bmps/Bmp_VeggieAgroCrops2005.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv103
Principles and Practices of Food Safety for Water wells for Florida irrigation systems:
Transplant Production: Vegetable Production in Florida: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WI002
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv104 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv288
Weather and Climate Tools for Agricultural
Mulching: Introduction to Organic Crop Production: Producers:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv105 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv118 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE440
Row Covers for Growth Enhancement:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv106 2. Additional References:
Pesticide Safety: Automatic irrigation based on soil mois-
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv108 ture for vegetable crops:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE354
Interpreting PPE Statements on Pesticide
Labels: Causes and prevention of emitter plugging
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv285 in microirrigation systems:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE032
The Worker Protection Standard:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv138 Drip-irrigation Systems for Small
Conventional Vegetable Farms and
Calibration of Chemical Applicators Used Organic Vegetable Farms:
in Vegetable Production: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS388
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv110
Field devices for monitoring soil water
Insects that Affect Vegetable Crops: content:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv111 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE266
Integrated Disease Management for Good worker health and hygiene practices:
Vegetable Crops in Florida: Training manual for produce handlers:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv291 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY743
Yields of Vegetables: http://edis.ifas.ufl. Guidelines for enrolling in Florida’s BMP
edu/document_cv114 program for vegetable crops:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS367
Handling, Cooling and Sanitation
Techniques for Maintaining Postharvest Injection of chemicals into irrigation
Quality: systems: Rates, volumes and injection
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_cv115 periods:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE116
Page iv

7. CROP INDEX
Crop Pages Crop Pages Crop Pages Crop Pages
Asian vegetables 81-86 Tropical root crops 345-351 Lima bean 127-142 Southernpea 127-142
Bean 127-142 Chive 173-185 Mustard 55-79 Spinach 269-279
Beet 187-221 Collards 55-79 Okra 163-171 Squash 87-110
Broccoli 55-79 Cucumber 87-110 Onion 173-185 Strawberry 281-291
Cabbage 55-79 Eggplant 111-125 Parsley 187-221 Sweet corn 293-307
Cantaloupe 87-110 Endive, Escarole 143-161 Pepper 223-242 Sweetpotato 309-319
Carrot 187-221 Kale 55-79 Potato 243-259 Tomato 321-344
Cauliflower 55-79 Leek 173-185 Radish 261-268 Turnip 55-79
Celery 187-221 Lettuce 143-161 Snowpea 127-142 Watermelon 87-110
FLORIDA PESTICIDE EMERGENCY PHONE LIST
Call 911 for pesticide emergencies or the appropriate contact below:
* National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), 800-858-7378, 9:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m., 7 days a week.
* The Poison Center Emergency Telephone Service, 800-222-1222
* The manufacturer of the pesticide in question. Their phone number is listed on the pesticide label.
The information above was provided by
the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Pesticide Information Office 352-392-4721.
FLORIDA COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICES
ALACHUA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE BREVARD COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE CITRUS COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
2800 NE 39th Avenue 3695 Lake Drive 3650 West Sovereign Path, Suite 1
Gainesville, Florida 32609-2658 Cocoa, Florida 32926-4219 Lecanto, FL 34461-8070
PH: (352) 955-2402 PH: (321) 633-1702 PH: (352) 527-5700
FAX: (352) 334-0122 FAX: (321) 633-1890 FAX: (352) 527-5749
E-MAIL: Alachua@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Brevard@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: extension@bocc.citrus.fl.us
http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu http://citrus.ifas.ufl.edu
BAKER COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE BROWARD COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE CLAY COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
1025 West Macclenny Ave. 3245 College Avenue 2463 SR 16W
Macclenny, Florida 32063-9640 Davie, Florida 33314-7719 P.O. Box 278
PH: (904) 259-3520 PH: (954) 357-5270 Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043-0278
FAX: (904) 259-9034 FAX: (954) 357-5271 PH: (904) 284-6355
E-MAIL: Baker@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Broward@ifas.ufl.edu FAX: (904) 529-9776
http://baker.ifas.ufl.edu www.broward.org/extension EMAIL: Clay@ifas.ufl.edu
http://clay.ifas.ufl.edu
BAY COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE CALHOUN COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
2728 E. 14th Street 20816 Central Ave. East Suite1 COLLIER COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
Panama City, Florida 32401-5022 Blountstown, Florida 32424-2292 14700 Immokalee Road
PH: (850) 784-6105 PH: (850) 674-8323 Naples, Florida 34120-1468
FAX: (850) 784-6107 FAX: (850) 674-8353 PH: (239) 353-4244
EMAIL: Bay@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Calhoun@ifas.ufl.edu FAX: (239) 353-7127
http://bay.ifas.ufl.edu http://calhoun.ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Collier@ifas.ufl.edu
http://collier.ifas.ufl.edu
BRADFORD COUNTY EXTENSION OFFFICE CHARLOTTE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
2266 North Temple Avenue 25550 Harbor View Road, COLUMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
Starke, Florida 32091-1612 Suite 3 164 SW Mary Ethel Ln,
PH: (904) 966-6224 Port Charlotte, Florida 33980-2503 Lake City, Florida 32025-1597
FAX: (904) 964-9283 PH: (941) 764-4340 PH: (386) 752-5384
EMAIL: Bradford@ifas.ufl.edu FAX: (941) 764-4343 FAX: (386) 758-2173
http://bradford.ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Charlotte@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Columbia@ifas.ufl.edu
http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu http://columbia.ifas.ufl.edu
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8. FLORIDA COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICES
DESOSTO COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE GILCHRIST COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE HIGHLANDS COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
2150 Northeast Roan Street 125 East Wade Street P.O. Box 157 4509 George Blvd.
Arcadia, Florida 34266-5025 Trenton, Florida 32693-0157 Sebring, Florida 33875-5837
PH: (863) 993-4846 PH: (352) 463-3174 PH: (863) 402-6540
FAX: (863) 993-4849 FAX: (352) 463-3197 FAX: (863) 402-6544
EMAIL: Desoto@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Gilchrist@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Highlands@ifas.ufl.edu
http://desoto.ifas.ufl.edu http://gilchrist.ifas.ufl.edu http://highlands.ifas.ufl.edu
DIXIE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE GLADES COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY EXTENSION
99 Northeast 121st Street P.O. Box 640 900 US 27, SW OFFICE
Cross City, Florida 32628-0640 P.O. Box 549 5339 County Road 579
PH: (352) 498-1237 Moore Haven, Florida 33471-0549 Seffner, Florida 33584-3334
FAX: (352) 498-1471 PH: (863) 946-0244 PH: (813) 744-5519
EMAIL: Dixie@ifas.ufl.edu FAX: (863) 946-0629 FAX: (813) 744-5776
http://dixie.ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Glades@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Hillsborough@ifas.ufl.edu
http://glades.ifas.ufl.edu http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu
DUVAL COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
1010 North McDuff Ave. GULF COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE HOLMES COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
Jacksonville, Florida 32254-2083 200 N 2nd Street 1169 East Hwy 90
PH: (904) 387-8850 P.O. Box 250 Bonifay, Florida 32425-6012
FAX: (904) 387-8902 Wewahitchka, Florida 32465-0250 PH: (850) 547-1108
EMAIL: Duval@ifas.ufl.edu PH: (850) 639-3200 FAX: (850) 547-7433
http://duval.ifas.ufl.edu FAX: (850) 639-3201 EMAIL: Holmes@ifas.ufl.edu
EMAIL: Gulf@ifas.ufl.edu http://holmes.ifas.ufl.edu
ESCAMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE http://gulf.ifas.ufl.edu
3740 Stefani Road INDIAN RIVER EXTENSION OFFICE
Cantonment, Florida 32533-7792 HAMILTON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE 1028 20th Place, Suite D
PH: (850) 475-5230 1143 NW US Highway 41 Jasper, Florida Vero Beach, Florida 32960-5305
FAX: (850) 475-5233 32052-5856 PH: (772) 770-5030
EMAIL: Escambia@ifas.ufl.edu PH: (386) 792-1276 FAX: (772) 770-5148
http://escambia.ifas.ufl.edu FAX: (386)792-6446 EMAIL: Indian@ifas.ufl.edu
EMAIL: Hamilton@ifas.ufl.edu http://indian.ifas.ufl.edu
FLAGLER COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE http://hamilton.ifas.ufl.edu
150 Sawgrass Road JACKSON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
Bunnell, Florida 32110-4325 HARDEE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE 2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 3
PH: (386) 437-7464 507 Civic Center Drive Marianna, Florida 32448-4022
FAX: (386) 586-2102 Wauchula, Florida 33873-9460 PH: (850) 482-9620
EMAIL: Flagler@ifas.ufl.edu PH: (863) 773-2164 FAX: (850) 482-9287
http://www.flaglercounty.org FAX: (863) 773-6861 EMAIL: Jackson@ifas.ufl.edu
EMAIL: Hardee@ifas.ufl.edu http://jackson.ifas.ufl.edu
FRANKLIN COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE http://hardee.ifas.ufl.edu
66 Fourth Street JEFFERSON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
Apalachicola, Florida 32320-1775 HENDRY COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE 275 North Mulberry Street
PH: (850) 653-9337 1085 Pratt Blvd Monticello, Florida 32344-1423
FAX: (850) 653-9447 P.O. Box 68 PH: (850) 342-0187
EMAIL: Franklin@ifas.ufl.edu LaBelle, Florida 33975-0068 FAX: (850) 997-5260
http://franklin.ifas.ufl.edu PH: (863) 674-4092 EMAIL: Jefferson@ifas.ufl.edu
FAX: (863) 674-4637 http://jefferson.ifas.ufl.edu
GADSDEN COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE EMAIL: Hendry@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
2140 West Jefferson Street http://hendry.ifas.ufl.edu LAFAYETTE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
Quincy, Florida 32351-1905 176 Southwest Community Circle, Suite D
PH: (850) 875-7255 HERNANDO COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE Mayo, Florida 32066-4000
FAX: (850) 875-7257 1653 Blaise Drive PH: (386) 294-1279
EMAIL: Gadsden@ifas.ufl.edu Brooksville, Florida 34601 FAX: (386) 294-2016
http://gadsden.ifas.ufl.edu PH: (352) 754-4433 EMAIL: Lafayette@ifas.ufl.edu
FAX: (352) 754-4489 http://lafayette.ifas.ufl.edu
EMAIL: Hernando@ifas.ufl.edu
http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/county_exten-
sion/
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9. FLORIDA COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICES
LAKE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE MARION COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE ORANGE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
1951 Woodlea Road 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd. 6021 South Conway Road
Tavares, Florida 32778-4407 Ocala, Florida 34470-3615 Orlando, Florida 32812-3604
PH: (352) 343-4101 PH: (352) 671-8400 PH: (407) 254-9200
FAX: (352) 343-2767 FAX: (352) 671-8420 FAX: (407) 850-5125
EMAIL: Lake@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Marion@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Orange@ifas.ufl.edu
http://lake.ifas.ufl.edu http:// marion.ifas.ufl.edu http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/
LEE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE MARTIN COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE OSCEOLA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
3406 Palm Beach Blvd. 2614 S.E. Dixie Hwy. 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane
Fort Myers, Florida 33916-3736 Stuart, Florida 34996-4007 Kissimmee, Florida 34744-6107
PH: (239) 533-4327 PH: (772) 288-5654 PH: (321) 697-3000
FAX: (239) 485-2305 FAX: (772) 288-4354 FAX: (321) 697-3010
EMAIL: Lee@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Martin@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Osceola@ifas.ufl.edu
http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu http://martin.ifas.ufl.edu http://osceola.ifas.ufl.edu
LEON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE PALM BEACH COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
615 Paul Russell Road 18710 SW 288th Street 559 North Military Trail
Tallahassee, Florida 32301-7099 Homestead, Florida 33030-2309 West Palm Beach, Florida 33415-1311
PH: (850) 606-5200 PH: (305) 248-3311 PH: (561) 233-1700
FAX: (850) 606-5201 FAX: (305) 246-2932 FAX: (561) 233-1768
EMAIL: millerb@ufl.edu EMAIL: Miami-dade@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Palmbeach@ifas.ufl.edu
http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://palm-beach.ifas.ufl.edu
LEVY COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE MONROE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE PASCO COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
625 North Hathaway Avenue, Alt 27 1100 Simonton Street, # 2-260 36702 SR 52
P.O. Box 219 Key West, Florida 33040-3110 Dade City, Florida 33525-5198
Bronson, Florida 32621-0219 PH: (305) 292-4501 PH: (352) 521-4288
PH: (352) 486-5131 FAX: (305) 292-4415 FAX: (352) 523-1921
FAX: (352) 486-5481 EMAIL: Monroe@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Pasco@ifas.ufl.edu
EMAIL: http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu http://pasco.ifas.ufl.edu
Levy@ifas.ufl.edu
http://levy.ifas.ufl.edu NASSAU COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE PINELLAS COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
543350 US Hwy. 1 12520 Ulmerton Road
LIBERTY COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE Callahan, Florida 32011-6486 Largo, Florida 33774-3602
10405 Northwest Theo Jacobs Way PH: (904) 879-1019 PH: (727) 582-2100
Bristol, Florida 32321-3299 FAX: (904) 879-2097 FAX: (727) 582-2149
PH: (850) 643-2229 EMAIL: Nassau@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Pinellas@ifas.ufl.edu
FAX: (850) 643-3584 http://nassau.ifas.ufl.edu http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu
EMAIL: Liberty@ifas.ufl.edu
http://liberty.ifas.ufl.edu OKALOOSA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE POLK COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
5479 Old Bethel Road 1702 Highway 17-98
MADISON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE Crestview, Florida 32536-5512 South Bartow, Florida 33830
184 NW College Loop PH: (850) 689-5850 P.O. Box 9005 Drawer HS03
Madison, Florida 32340-1412 FAX: (850) 689-5727 Bartow, FL 33831-9005
PH: (850) 973-4138 EMAIL: gedmondson@co.okaloosa.fl.us PH: (863) 519-8677
FAX: (850) 973-2000 http://okaloosa.ifas.ufl.edu FAX: (863) 534-0001
EMAIL: Madison@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Polk@ifas.ufl.edu
http://madison.ifas.ufl.edu OKEECHOBEE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE http://polk.ifas.ufl.edu
458 Hwy. 98 North Okeechobee, Florida
MANATEE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE 34972-2303 PUTNAM COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
1303 17th Street West PH: (863) 763-6469 111 Yelvington Road, Suite 1
Palmetto, Florida 34221-2934 FAX: (863) 763-6745 East Palatka, Florida 32131-2114
PH: (941) 722-4524 EMAIL: Okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu PH: (386) 329-0318
FAX: (941) 721-6608 http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu FAX: (386) 329-1262
EMAIL: Manatee@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Putnam@ ifas.ufl.edu
http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu http://putnam.ifas.ufl.edu
Page vii

10. FLORIDA COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICES
SANTA ROSA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE SUMTER COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE WAKULLA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
6263 Dogwood Drive 7620 State Road 471, Suite 2 84 Cedar Avenue
Milton, Florida 32570-3500 Bushnell, Florida 33513-8716 Crawfordville, Florida 32327-2063
PH: (850) 623-3868 PH: (352) 793-2728 PH: (850) 926-3931
FAX: (850) 623-6151 FAX: (352) 793-6376 FAX: (850) 926-8789
EMAIL: Santarosa@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Sumter@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Wakulla@ifas.ufl.edu
http://santarosa.ifas.ufl.edu http://sumter.ifas.ufl.edu http://wakulla.ifas.ufl.edu
SARASOTA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE SUWANNEE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE WALTON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
6700 Clark Road 1302 11th Street SW 732 North 9th Street
Sarasota, Florida 34241-9328 Live Oak, Florida 32064-3600 DeFuniak Springs, Florida
PH: (941) 861-5000 PH: (386) 362-2771 32433-3804
FAX: (941) 861-9886 FAX: (386) 364-1698 PH: (850) 892-8172
EMAIL: Sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Suwannee@ ifas.ufl.edu FAX: (850) 892-8443
http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu http://suwannee.ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Walton@ ifas.ufl.edu
http://walton.ifas.ufl.edu
SEMINOLE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE TAYLOR COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
250 W. County Home Rd. 203 Forest Park Drive WASHINGTON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
Sanford, Florida 32773-6189 Perry, Florida 32348-6340 1424 Jackson Ave., Suite A
PH: (407) 665-5551 PH: (850) 838-3508 Chipley, Florida 32428-1602
FAX: (407) 665-5563 FAX: (850) 838-3546 PH: (850) 638-6180
EMAIL: Seminole@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: megharley@ufl.edu FAX: (850) 638-6181
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/coopext/ http://taylor.ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Washington@ ifas.ufl.edu
http://washington.ifas.ufl.edu
ST. JOHNS COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE UNION COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
3125 Agricultural Center Drive 25 NE 1st Street
St. Augustine, Florida 32092-0572 Lake Butler, Florida 32054-1701
PH: (904) 209-0430 PH: (386) 496-2321
FAX: (904) 209-0431 FAX: (386) 496-1111
EMAIL: Stjohns@ifas.ufl.edu EMAIL: Union@ifas.ufl.edu
http://stjohns.ifas.ufl.edu http://union.ifas.ufl.edu
ST. LUCIE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE VOLUSIA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
8400 Picos Road, Suite 101 3100 E New York Ave.
Fort Pierce, Florida 34945-3045 Deland, Florida 32724-6497
PH: (772) 462-1660 PH: (386) 822-5778
FAX: (772) 462-1510 FAX: (386) 822-5767
EMAIL: EMAIL:
Stlucie@ ifas.ufl.edu Volusia@ ifas.ufl.edu
http://stlucie.ifas.ufl.edu http://volusia.org/extension
DISCLAIMER -
We appreciate the financial support of Valent in the production of this publication. The use of trade names and advertisements in this
publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. It is not a guarantee or warranty of the products named, and does
not signify that they are approved to the exclusion of others of suitable composition. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on
the manufacturer’s label.
IFAS INFO -
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research,
educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handi-
cap, or national origin. For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service
office/ Florida Cooperative Service/ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/ University of Florida/ Millie Ferrer-Chaney, Dean.
See our web sites with electronic extension publications at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu and for more information visit Solutions for your
life at http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu
Page viii

11. Chapter 1. 2012-2013
Introduction
S.M. Olson
Florida ranks second among the states in fresh market More than 40 different crops are grown commercially
vegetable production on the basis of harvested acreage in Florida with 7 of these exceeding $100 million in value.
(10.3 %), production (7.9%) and value (13.8 %) of the Harvest occurs in late fall, winter and spring when at times
crops grown (Table 1.). In 2010, vegetables were harvested the only available United States supply is from Florida.
from 223,500 acres and had a farm value exceeding 2.0
billion dollars. On the basis of value, in 2010 tomato production
accounted for about 30.2% of the state’s total value. Other
A more detailed analysis of the national importance of major crops with a lesser proportion of the 2010 crop
Florida production of specific vegetables indicates that value were strawberry (17.3 %), sweet pepper (14.2 %),
Florida ranks first in fresh-market value of snap bean, sweet corn (9.0 %), potatoes (6.6 %), snap beans (6.5 %),
squash, sweet corn, sweet pepper, tomatoes and watermel- watermelon (5.4 %), cabbage (3.3 %), squash (2.7 %) and
ons. Florida ranks second in fresh market value of cabbage, cucumber (2.3 %).
cucumber and strawberry.
Table 1. Leading fresh market vegetable producing states, 2010.
Harvested acreage Production Value
Rank State Percent of total State Percent of total State Percent of total
1 California 43.2 California 49.0 California 48.2
2 Florida 10.3 Florida 7.9 Florida 13.8
3 Arizona 6.6 Arizona 7.3 Arizona 8.1
4 Georgia 6.3 Georgia 5.1 Washington 5.0
5 New York 3.9 Washington 4.0 Georgia 4.3
Source: Vegetables, USDA Ag Statistics, 2011.
Page 1

13. Chapter 2. 2012-2013
Soil and Fertilizer Management for Vegetable Production in Florida
G.D. Liu, E.H. Simonne and G.J. Hochmuth
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
applicable technical criteria together with additional refer-
With the passage of the Federal Clean Water Act ences.
(FCW in 1972, states were required to assess the
A)
impacts of non-point sources of pollution on surface and Vegetable growers may get one-on-one information
ground waters, and establish programs to minimize them. on1) the benefits for joining the BMP program, 2) how
Section 303(d) of the FWCA also requires states to iden- to join it, 3) how to select the BMPs that apply to their
tify impaired water bodies and establish total maximum operation and 4) record keeping requirements by getting
daily loads (TMDLs) for pollutants entering these water in con- tact with their county extension agent or their local
bodies. Water quality parameters targeted by the TMDLs implementation team (see the vegetable BMP website at
and involving vegetable production are concentrations www. imok.ufl.edu/bmp/vegetable for more information).
of nitrate, phosphate, and total dissolved solids in these
waters. A TMDL establishes the maximum amount of pol- The vegetable BMPs have adopted all current UF/IFAS
lutant a water body can receive and still keep its water recommendations; including those for fertilizer and irriga-
quality parameters consistent with its intended use (swim- tion management (see BMP no. 33 “Optimum Fertilizer
ming, fishing, or potable uses). The establishment of the Management” on pg. 93 of BMP manual). Through the
TMDLs is currently underway and they will be imple- implementation of a series of targeted cultural practices
mented through a combination of regulatory, non-regu- (the BMPs), growers should be able to reconcile economi-
latory, and incentive-based measures. Best Management cal profitability and responsible use of water and fertilizer.
Practices (BMPs) are specific cultural practices aimed at At the field level, adequate fertilizer rates should be used
reducing the load of a specific compound, while maintain- together with irrigation scheduling techniques and crop
ing or increasing economical yields. They are tools avail- nutritional status monitoring tools (leaf analysis, petiole
able to vegetable growers to achieve the TMDLs. BMPs sap testing). In the BMP manual, adequate fertilizer rates
are intended to be educational, economically sound, envi- may be achieved by combinations of UF/IFAS recom-
ronmentally effective, and based on science. It is impor- mended base rates and supplemental fertilizer applications.
tant to recognize that BMPs do not aim at becoming an
obstacle to vegetable production. Instead, they should be
viewed as a means to balance economical vegetable pro-
SOILS
duction with environmental responsibility.
Vegetables are grown on more than 300,000 acres in
The BMPs that will apply to vegetable production in various soil types throughout the state. These soil types
Florida are described in the ‘Agronomic and V egetable include sandy soils, sandy loam soils, Histosols (organic
Crop Water Quality/Water Quantity BMP Manual for muck), and calcareous marl soils. Each soil group is
Florida’. This manual was developed between 2000 and described below.
2005 through a cooperative effort between state agen-
cies, water management districts and commodity groups, Sands
and under the scientific leadership of the University of Sandy soils make up the dominant soil type for veg-
Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/ etable production in Florida. Vegetables are produced on
IFAS). The manual has undergone a thorough scientific sandy soils throughout the Florida peninsula and on sandy
review in 2003 and was presented to stakeholders and soils and sandy loams in the panhandle. Sandy soils
state commodity groups for feed back in 2004. The manu- have the advantage of ease of tillage and they can produce
al was adopted by reference in 2006 and by rule in Florida the earliest vegetable crops for a particular region. Sandy
Statutes (5M-8 Florida Administrative Code) and may be soils allow timely production operations such as planting
consulted on-line at http://www.floridaagwaterpolicy.com/ and harvesting. Sandy soils, however, have the disadvan-
PDFs/BMPs/vegetableagronomicCrops.pdf. BMPs are tage that mobile nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and
1-to-3 page long chapters that include a picture, a working even phosphorus can be leached by heavy rain or over irri-
definition of the topic, list specific things to do (BMPs) gation. Therefore, sands must be managed carefully with
as well as things to avoid (pitfalls), and present existing regard to fertility programs. Sands hold very little water;
Page 3

14. Page 4 Vegetable Production Handbook
Table 1. Nutrient elements required by plants.
Nutrient Deficiency symptoms Occurrence
Nitrogen (N) Stems thin, erect, hard. Leaves small, yellow; on some crops On sandy soils especially after heavy rain or after
(tomatoes) undersides are reddish. overirrigation. Also on organic soils during cool
Lower leaves affected first. growing seasons.
Phosphorus (P) Stems thin and shortened. Leaves develop purple color. On acidic soils or very basic soils.
Older leaves affected first. Plants stunted and maturity delayed. Also when soils are cool and wet.
Potassium (K) Older leaves develop gray or tan areas on leaf margins. On sandy soils following leaching rains or
Eventually a scorch appears on the entire margin. overirrigation.
Boron (B) Growing tips die and leaves are distorted. Specific diseases On soils with pH above 6.8 or on sandy, leached
caused by boron deficiency include brown curd and hollow stem soils, or on crops with very high demand such as
of cauliflower, cracked stem of celery, blackheart of beet, and cole crops.
internal browning of turnip.
Calcium (Ca) Growing-point growth restricted on shoots and roots. Specific On strongly acidic soils, or during severe droughts.
deficiencies include blossom-end rot of tomato, pepper and
watermelon, brownheart of escarole, celery blackheart, and
cauliflower or cabbage tipburn.
Copper (Cu) Yellowing of young leaves, stunting of plants. Onion bulbs are On organic soils or occasionally new mineral soils.
soft with thin, pale scales.
Iron (Fe) Distinct yellow or white areas between veins on youngest leaves. On soils with pH above 6.8.
Magnesium (Mg) Initially older leaves show yellowing between veins, followed by On strongly acidic soils, or on leached sandy soils.
yellowing of young leaves.
Older leaves soon fall.
Manganese (Mn) Yellow mottled areas between veins on youngest leaves, not as On soils with pH above 6.4.
intense as iron deficiency.
Molybdenum (Mo) Pale, distorted, narrow leaves with some interveinal yellowing of On very acidic soils.
older leaves, e.g. whiptail disease of cauliflower. Rare.
Zinc (Zn) Small reddish spots on cotyledon leaves of beans; light areas On wet, cold soils in early spring or where excessive
(white bud) of corn leaves. phosphorus is present.
Sulfur (S) General yellowing of younger leaves and growth. On very sandy soils, low in organic matter, reduced
especially following continued use of sulfur-free
fertilizers and especially in areas that receive little
atmospheric sulfur.
Chlorine (Cl) Deficiencies very rare. Usually only under laboratory conditions.
therefore, irrigation management is more critical com- Muck subsidence causes problems for water and nutrient
pared to other soil types used for vegetable production in management. The increase in pH due to subsidence and
Florida. Nearly all vegetable crops produced in Florida can also to the practice of flooding the Histosols to reduce oxi-
be successfully grown on sandy soils. The major vegetable dation can result in increased requirements of phosphorus
crops such as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, watermelons, and micronutrients. These nutrients can be fixed by the
strawberries, and cabbage are grown commonly on sandy high pH of the soil. Nutrient management in these situa-
soils tions should involve banding rather than increased rates of
nutrients.
Histosols
Histosols are organic soils which occur in areas through- Calcareous Rock and Marl
out the peninsula, especially in southern and central The calcareous soils in southern Florida (Miami-
Florida. Large organic deposits used for vegetable pro- Dade County) consist of two phases, rockland and marl.
duction occur south of Lake Okeechobee. Smaller pockets Rockland soils are calcium carbonate soils consistingof
of “muck” occur throughout central and northern Florida. particles that range from sand-like in size to pebble and
Histosols consist largely of decomposing plant material and gravel. The rockland soils are extremely shallow, about 4
are largely underlain by calcareous deposits. Muck soils to 6 inches deep. The marl is the fine- textured, clay-like
have large water and nutrient holding capacities and are phase of the calcium carbonate soils. Tomatoes, beans,
used to produce crops such as the leafy vegetables (leaf summer squash, okra, sweet corn, boniato, and strawber-
lettuce, and various greens), celery, sweet corn, and rad- ries can be produced in the winter months on the rockland
ishes. With time, the organic matter decomposes and the soils of Miami-Dade County. Potatoes, malanga, snap
muck subsides. Thus, the pH in the muck can increase beans and sweet corn are produced onthe marl. Both
because of proximity to the underlying calcareous material. soils have extremely high pH, therefore, nutrients such as

15. Chapter 2: Soil and Fertilizer Management for Vegetable Production in Florida Page 5
Table 2. Mehlich-1 (double-acid) interpretations for vegetable crops in Florida.
Very low Low Medium High Very high
Element Parts per million soil
P 10 10-15 16-30 31-60 60
K 20 20-35 36-60 61-125 125
Mg1 10 10-20 21-40 41-60 60
Ca2 100 100-200 201-300 301-400 400
1 Up to 40 lbs/a may be needed when soil test results are medium or lower
2 Ca levels are typically adequate when 300 ppm
Table 3. Interpretations of Mehlich-1 soil tests for micronutrients.
Soil pH (mineral soils only)
5.5 - 5.9 6.0 - 6.4 6.5 - 7.0
parts per million
Test level below which there may be a crop response to applied copper. 0.1 - 0.3 0.3 - 0.5 0.5
Test level above which copper toxicity may occur. 2.0 - 3.0 3.0 - 5.0 5.0
Test level below which there may be a crop response to applied manganese. 3.0 - 5.0 5.0 - 7.0 7.0 - 9.0
Test level below which there may be a crop response to applied zinc. 0.5 0.5 - 1.0 1.0 - 3.0
When soil tests are low or known deficiencies exists, apply per acre 5 lbs Mn, 2 lbs Zn, 4 lbs Fe, 3 lb Cu and 1.5 lbs B (higher rate needed for cole crops).
phosphorus and micronutrients must be banded to ensure izer. For example, a watermelon study involving K might
availability. be conducted on a soil which tests very low in extractable
K. In this situation, the soil can be expected to contrib-
ute only a small amount of K for optimum watermelon
growth and yield, and K must be supplied largely from
SOIL TESTING
fertilizer. The researcher plots the relationship between
Plants require 17 elements for normal growth and crop yield and fertilizer rate. The CNR is equivalent to
reproduction (Table 1). American Association of Plant the fertilizer rate above which no significant increases in
Food Control officials have added nickel (Ni) to the list of yield are expected. The CNR values derived from such
essential elements in 2004. Nickel is the seventeenth ele- experiments take into account factors such as fertilizer
ment recognized as essential for plant growth and develop- efficiencies of the soils. These efficiencies include fertil-
ment (EDIS publication on nickel essentiality is available izer leaching or fertilizer nutrient fixing capability of the
online at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1191). The crop nutrient soil. If data are available from several experiments, then
requirement (CNR) for a particular element is defined as reliable estimates of CNR values can be made. Using the
the total amount in lb/A of that element needed by the CNR concept when developing a fertilizer program will
crop to pro- duce economic optimum yield. This concept ensure optimum, economic yields while minimizing both
of economic optimum yields is important for vegetables pollution from overfertilization and loss of yield due to
because a cer- tain amount of nutrients might produce underfertilization.
a moderate amount of biomass, but produce negligible
marketable product due to small fruit size. Fruit size and The CNR values are those amounts of nutrients needed
quality must be consid- ered in the CNR concept for veg- to produce optimum, economic yields from a fertilization
etables. standpoint. It is important to remember that these nutrient
amounts are supplied to the crop from both the soil and
The CNR can be satisfied from many sources, includ- the fertilizer. The amounts are applied as fertilizers only
ing soil, water, air, organic matter, or fertilizer. For when a properly calibrated soil test indicates very small
example, the CNR of potassium (K) can be supplied from extractable amounts of these nutrients to be present in the
K-containing minerals in the soil, from K retained by soil soil. Therefore, soil testing must be conducted to deter
organic matter, or from K fertilizers. mine the exact contribution from the soil to the overall
CNR. Based on such tests, the amount of fertilizer that
The CNR for a crop is determined from field experi- is needed to supplement the nutrition component of the
ments that test the yield response to levels of added fertil- native soil can be calculated (Tables 2 and 3).

16. Page 6 Vegetable Production Handbook
Table 4. A general guideline to crop tolerance of mineral soil acidity.1
Slightly tolerant (pH 6.8-6.0) Moderately tolerant (pH 6.8-5.5) Very tolerant (pH 6.8-5.0)
Beet Leek Bean, snap Mustard Endive
Broccoli Lettuce Bean, lima Pea Potato
Cabbage Muskmelon Brussels sprouts Pepper Shallot
Cauliflower Okra Carrot Pumpkin Sweetpotato
Celery Onion Collard Radish Watermelon
Chard Spinach Corn Squash
Cucumber Strawberry
Eggplant Tomato
Kale Turnip
1 From Donald N. Maynard and George J. Hochmuth, Knott’s Handbook For Vegetable Growers, 4th edition (1997). Reprinted by permission of John Wiley Sons, Inc.
Table 5. Liming materials.
Amount of Material to be used to
Material Formula equal 1 ton of Calcium Carbonate1 Neutralizing value2(%)
Calcium carbonate, calcite, hi-cal lime CaCO3 2,000 lbs 100
Calcium-magnesium carbonate, dolomite CaCO3 , MgCO3 1,850 lbs 109
Calcium oxide, burnt lime CaO 1,100 lbs 179
Calcium hydroxide, hydrated lime Ca(OH)2 1,500 lbs 136
Calcium silicate, slag CaSiO3 2,350 lbs 86
Magnesium carbonate MgCO3 1,680 lbs 119
1 Calcutated as (2000 x 100) / neutralizing value (%).
2 The higher the neutralizing value, the greater the amount of acidity that is neutralized per unit weight of material.
It is important that soil samples represent the field or nutrient-containing pesticide applications. When soil pH
management unit to be fertilized. A competent soil test- decreases in such soils, the solubility of micronutrients
ing laboratory that uses calibrated methodologies should and probably aluminum (Al) can increase to levels that
analyze the samples. Not all laboratories can provide may become toxic to plants.
accurate fertilizer recommendations for Florida soils. The
BMP program for vegetables requires the importance of Irrigation water from wells in limestone aquifers is an
calibrated soil test. additional source of liming material usually not considered
in many liming programs. The combination of routine
additions of lime and use of alkaline irrigation water has
resulted in soil pH greater than 8.0 for many sandy soils in
LIMING
south Florida. To measure the liming effect of irrigation,
Current University of Florida standardized recommen- have a water sample analyzed for total bicarbonates and
dations call for maintaining soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5 carbonates annually, and the results converted to pounds
(Table 4). However, some vegetables, such as watermelon, of calcium carbonate per acre. Include this information in
will perform normally at lower soil pH as long as large your decisions concerning lime.
amounts of micronutrients are not present in the soil. A
common problem in Florida has been overliming, resulting It should be evident that liming (Table 5), fertilization
in high soil pH. Overliming and resulting high soil pH can (Table 6), and irrigation programs are closely related to
tie up micronutrients and phosphorus and restrict their each other. An adjustment in one program will often influ-
availability to the crop. Overliming also can reduce the ence the other. To maximize overall production efficiency,
accuracy with which a soil test can predict the fertilizer soil and water testing must be made a part of any fertilizer
component of the CNR. management program.
It is important, however, not to allow soil pH to drop Choosing ammoniacal fertilizers as nitrogen (N) source
below approximately 5.5 for most vegetable production, can neutralize alkalinity in rootzone due to selective uptake
especially where micronutrient levels in the soil may be of plants to different ions. Fertigation with ammonium-N
high due to a history of micronutrient fertilizer and micro- is effective for neutralization. If nitrification inhibitors are

17. Chapter 2: Soil and Fertilizer Management for Vegetable Production in Florida Page 7
Table 6. Effect of some fertilizer materials on soil pH. material analyses to determine specific nutrient contents.
Approximate calcium Growers contemplating using organic materials as fertil-
Fertilizer material carbonate equivalent (lb)1 izers should have an analysis of the material before deter-
Ammonium nitrate -1200 mining the rate of application. In the case of materials such
as sludges, it is important to have knowledge about the
Ammonium sulfate -2200
type of sludge to be used. Certain classes of sludge are not
Anhydrous ammonia -3000 appropriate for vegetable production, and in fact may not
Diammonium phosphate -1250 to -1550 be permitted for land application. Decomposition rates of
Potassium chloride 0 organic materials in warm sandy soils in Florida are rapid.
Therefore, there will be relatively small amounts of residu-
Sodium-potassium nitrate +550
al nutrients remaining for succeeding crops. Organic mate-
Nitrogen solutions -759 to -1800 rials are generally similar to mixed chemical fertilizers in
Normal (ordinary) superphosphate 0 that the organic waste supplies an array of nutrients, some
Potassium nitrate +520 of which may not be required on a par- ticular soil. For
Potassium sulfate 0
example, the P in poultry manure would not be required
on a soil already testing high in phosphate. Usually appli-
Potassium-magnesium sulfate 0
cation rates of organic wastes are determined largely by
Triple (concentrated) superphosphate 0 the N content. Organic waste materials can con- tribute to
Urea -1700 groundwater or surface water pollution if applied in rates
1 minus sign indicates the number of pounds of calcium carbonate needed to
A
in excess of the crop nutrient requirement for a particular
neutralize the acid formed when one ton of fertilizer is added to the soil. vegetable crop. Therefore, it is important to understand the
nutrient content and the decomposition rate of the organic
waste material, and the P-holding capacity of the soil.
Table 7. verage nutrient concentration of selected
A
organic fertilizers.
N P2O5 K2O
N, P, K, NUTRIENT SOURCES
Product % dry weight
Nitrogen can be supplied in both nitrate and ammo-
Blood 13 2 1 niacal forms (Table 8). Nitrate-nitrogen is generally the
Fish meal 10 6 0 preferred form for plant uptake in most situations, but
Bone meal 3 22 0 ammoniacal N can be absorbed directly or after conversion
Cotton seed meal 6 3 1.5
to nitrate-N by soil microbes. Since this rate of conversion
is reduced in cold, fumigated, or strongly acidic soils, it
Peanut meal 7 1.5 1.2
is recommended that under such conditions 25% to 50%
Soybean meal 7 1.2 1.5 of the N be supplied from nitrate sources. This ratio is not
critical for unfumigated or warm soils.
Dried commercial manure products
Stockyard 1 1 2 Phosphorus (P) can be supplied from several sources,
Cattle 2 3 3 including single and triple superphosphate, diammonium
Chicken 1.5 1.5 2 phosphate and mono- ammonium phosphate, and mono-
potassium phosphate. All sources can be effective for
plant nutrition on sandy soil. However, on soils that test
also used with the fertilizers together, the neutralization very low in native micronutrient levels, diammonium
can last much longer. Ammonium sulfate is one of the phosphate in mixtures containing micronutrients reduces
most effective fertilizers to lower rootzone pH. yields when banded in large amounts. Availability of P
also can be reduced with use of diammonium phosphate
compared to use of triple superphosphate. Negative
effects of diammonium phosphate can be eliminated by
MANURES
using it for only a portion of the P requirement and by
Waste organic products, including animal manures and broadcasting this material in the bed.
composted organic matter, contain nutrients (Table 7) that
can enhance plant growth. These materials decompose Potassium (K) can also be supplied from several
when applied to the soil, releasing nutrients that vegetable sources, including potassium chloride, potassium sulfate,
crops can absorb and utilize in plant growth. The key to potassium nitrate, and potassium-magnesium sulfate. If
proper use of organic materials as fertilizers comes in the soil-test-predicted amounts of K fertilizer are adhered to,
knowledge of the nutrient content and the decomposi- there should be no concern about the K source or its rela-
tion rate of the material. Many laboratories offer organic tive salt index.

18. Page 8 Vegetable Production Handbook
Table 8. Some commonly used fertilizer sources.
Nutrient Fertilizer source Nutrient content (%)
Nitrogen (N) Ammonium nitrate 34
Ammonium sulfate 21
Calcium nitrate 15.5
Diammonium phosphate 18
Potassium nitrate (nitrate of potash) 13
Urea 46
Sodium-potassium nitrate (nitrate of soda-potash) 13
Phosphorus (P2O5) Normal (ordinary) superphosphate 20
Triple (concentrated) superphosphate 46
Diammonium phosphate 46
Monopotassium phosphate 53
Potassium (K2O) Potassium chloride (muriate of potash) 60
Potassium nitrate 44
Potassium sulfate (sulfate of potash) 50
Potassium-magnesium sulfate (sulfate of potash-magnesia) 22
Sodium-potassium nitrate 14
Monopotassium phosphate 34
Calcium (Ca) Calcic limestone 32
Dolomite 22
Gypsum 23
Calcium nitrate 19
Normal superphosphate 20
Triple superphosphate 14
Magnesium (Mg) Dolomite 11
Magnesium sulfate 10
Magnesium oxide 55
Potassium-magnesium sulfate 11
Sulfur (S) Elemental sulfur 97
Ammonium sulfate 24
Gypsum 18
Normal superphosphate 12
Magnesium sulfate 14
Potassium-magnesium sulfate 22
Potassium sulfate 18
Boron (B) Borax 11
Fertibor1 14.9
Granubor1 14.3
Solubor1 20.5
Copper (Cu) Copper sulfate, monohydrate 35
Copper sulfate, pentahydrate 25
Cupric oxide 75
Cuprous oxide 89
Copper chloride 17
Chelates (CuEDTA) 13
(CuHEDTA) 6
Iron (Fe) Ferrous sulfate 20
Ferric sulfate 20
Chelates (FeHEDTA) 5 to 12
Manganese (Mn) Manganous sulfate 28
Manganous oxide 68
Chelates (MnEDTA) 5 to 12
Molybdenum (Mo) Ammonium molybdate 54
Sodium molybdate 39
Zinc (Zn) Zinc sulfate 36
Zinc oxide 80
Zinc chloride 50
Chelates (ZnEDTA) 6 to 14
(ZnHEDTA) 6 to 10
1Mention of a trade name does not imply a recommendation over similar materials.

19. Chapter 2: Soil and Fertilizer Management for Vegetable Production in Florida Page 9
Table 9. Recommendations for foliar applications of plant nutri- MICRONUTRIENTS
ents.
Foliar application It has been common in Florida vegetable production to
Nutrient Source (lb product per acre) routinely apply a micronutrient package. This practice has
Boron Borax 2 to 5 been justified on the basis that these nutrients were inex-
pensive and their application appeared to be insurance for
Solubor1 1 to 1.5
high yields. In addition, there were few research data and
Copper Copper sulfate 2 to 5
a lack of soil-test calibrations to guide judicious applica-
Iron Ferrous sulfate 2 to 3 tion of micronutrient fertilizers. Compounding the problem
Chelated iron 0.75 to 1 has been the vegetable industry’s use of micronutrient-con-
Manganese Manganous sulfate 2 to 4 taining pesticides for disease control. Copper (Cu), man-
Molybdenum Sodium molybdate 0.25 to 0.50 ganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) from pesticides have tended to
accumulate in the soil.
Zinc Zinc sulfate 2 to 4
Chelated zinc 0.75 to 1
This situation has forced some vegetable producers
Calcium Calcium chloride 5 to 10 to overlime in an effort to avoid micronutrient toxicities.
Calcium nitrate 5 to 10 Data have now been accumulated which permit a more
Magnesium Magnesium sulfate 10 to 15 accurate assessment of micronutrient requirements (Table
1 Mention of a trade name does not imply a recommendation over similar materials. 3). Growers are encouraged to have a calibrated micro-
nutrient soil test conducted and to refrain from shotgun
micronutrient fertilizer applications. It is unlikely that
CA, S, AND Mg micronutrient fertilizers will be needed on old vegetable
land, especially where micronutrients are being applied
The secondary nutrients calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and regularly via recommended pesticides. A micronutrient soil
magnesium (Mg) have not been a common problem in test every 2 to 3 years will provide recommendations for
Florida. Calcium usually occurs in adequate supply for micronutrient levels for crop production.
most vegetables when the soil is limed. If the Mehlich-1
soil Ca index is above 300 ppm, it is unlikely that there
will be a response to added Ca. Maintaining correct mois-
FOLIAR FERTILIZATION
ture levels in the soil by irrigation will aid in Ca supply
to the roots. Calcium is not mobile in the plant; therefore, Foliar fertilization should be thought of as a last resort
foliar sprays of Ca are not likely to correct deficiencies. It for correcting a nutrient deficiency (Table 9). The plant
is difficult to place enough foliar-applied Ca at the grow- leaf is structured in such a way that it naturally resists
ing point of the plant on a timely basis. easy infiltration by fertilizer salts. Foliar fertilization most
appropriately applies to micronutrients and not to macro-
Sulfur deficiencies have seldom been documented for nutrients such as N, P and K. Foliar applications of N, P
, ,
Florida vegetables. Sulfur deficiency would most likely and/or K are not needed where proper soil-directed fertil-
occur on deep, sandy soils low in organic matter after izer programs are in use. Leaves cannot absorb sufficient
leaching rains. If S deficiency has been diagnosed, it can macronutrients (without burning the leaves) to correct any
be corrected by using S-containing fertilizers such as related deficiency. Some benefit from macronutrient foliar
magnesium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sprays probably results when nutrients are washed by rain
normal superphosphate, or potassium-magnesium sulfate. or irrigation water off the leaf surface into the soil. The
Using one of these materials in the fertilizer blends at lev- nutrient then may enter the plant via the roots. Amounts
els sufficient to supply 30 to 40 lb S/A should prevent S of macronutrients recommended on the label of most
deficiencies. commercial foliar products are so minuscule compared
to nutrition derived from the soil that benefit to the plant
Magnesium deficiency may be a problem for vegetable is highly unlikely. Additionally, fertilizer should only be
production; however, when the Mehlich-1 soil-test index added if additional yield results and research with foliar-
for Mg is below 15 ppm, 30-40 lb Mg/A will satisfy nutrient applications has not clearly documented a yield
the Mg CNR. If lime is also needed, Mg can be added increase for vegetables.
by using dolomite as the liming material. If no lime is
needed, then the Mg requirement can be satisfied through In certain situations, temporary deficiencies of Mn,
use of magnesium sulfate or potassium-magnesium sulfate. Fe, Cu, or Zn can be corrected by foliar application.
Blending of the Mg source with other fertilizer(s) to be Examples include vegetable production in winter months
applied to the soil is an excellent way of ensuring uniform when soils are cool and roots cannot extract adequate
application of Mg to the soil. amounts of micronutrients and in cases where high pH
(marl and Rockdale soils) fixes broadcast micronutrients

20. Page 10 Vegetable Production Handbook
into unavailable forms. Micronutrients are so termed SOLUBLE SALTS
because small, or micro, amounts are required to satisfy
the CNR. Such micro amounts may be supplied ade- Overfertilization or placement of fertilizer too close to
quately through foliar applications to correct a temporary the seed or root leads to soluble salt injury or “fertilizer
deficiency. burn.” Fertilizer sources differ in their capacity to cause
soluble salt injury. Therefore, where there is a history of
Boron is highly immobile in the plant. To correct boron soluble salt problems, or where irrigation water is high in
deficiencies, small amounts of boron must be applied fre- soluble salts, choose low-salt index fertilizer sources, and
quently to the young tissue or buds. broadcast or split-apply the fertilizer.
Any micronutrient should be applied only when a
specific deficiency has been clearly diagnosed. Do not
STARTER FERTILIZER
make unneeded applications of micronutrients. There is
a fine line between adequate and toxic amounts of these A true starter fertilizer is a soluble fertilizer, generally
nutrients. Indiscriminate application of micronutrients may high in P, used for establishment of young seedlings and
reduce plant growth and restrict yields because of toxic- transplants. Starter fertilizers generally work best if a small
ity. Compounding the problem is the fact that the micro- amount of N and K is present along with the P. Starters
nutrients can accumulate in the soil to levels which may represent a very small percentage of the overall fertilizer
threaten crop production on that soil. An important part of amount but are very important in establishing crops in
any micronutrient program involves careful calculations of cool, damp soils. They can be applied with the planter at 2
all micronutrients being applied, from all sources. inches to the side of the seed and 2 inches deep or can be
dissolved in the transplant water and applied in the furrow.
LIQUID VS. DRY FERTILIZER
FERTILIZER PLACEMENT
There is no difference in response of crops to similar
amounts of nutrients when applied in either liquid or dry Fertilizer rate and placement must be considered togeth-
form. Certain situations (use of drip irrigation or injection er. Banding low amounts of fertilizer too close to plants
wheel) require clear or true solutions. However, sidedress can result in the same amount of damage as broadcasting
applications of fertilizer can be made equally well with excessive amounts of fertilizer in the bed.
dry or liquid forms of nutrients.
Because P movement in most soils is minimal, it should
The decision to use liquid or dry fertilizer sources be placed in the root zone. Banding is generally considered
should depend largely on economics and on the type of to provide more efficient utilization of P by plants than
application equipment available. The cost per unit of nutri- broadcasting. This is especially true on the high P-fixing
ent (e.g., dollars per unit of actual N) and the combination calcareous soils. Where only small amounts of fertilizer P
of nutrients provided should be used in any decision- are to be used, it is best to band. If broadcasting P, a small
making process. additional amount of starter P near the seed or transplant
may improve early growth, especially in cool soils. The
modified broadcast method where fertilizer is broadcast
only in the bed area provides more efficient use of fertil-
CONTROLLED-RELEASE FERTILIZERS
izer than complete broadcasting.
Several brands of controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs)
are avail- able for supplying N. Some vegetables increase Micronutrients can be broadcast with the P and incorpo-
in yield when controlled-release fertilizers, such as rated in the bed area. On the calcareous soils, micronutri-
polymer-coated or sulfur-coated urea, or isobutylidene- ents, such as Fe, Mn, and B, should be banded or applied
diurea, are used to supply a portion of the N requirement. foliarly.
Although more expensive, these materials may be useful
in reducing fertilizer losses through leaching and possible Since N and, to a lesser extent, K are mobile in sandy
N loss through ammonia volatilization in high pH soils, soils, they must be managed properly to maximize crop
in decreasing soluble salt dam- age, and in supplying ade- uptake. Plastic mulch helps retain these nutrients in the
quate fertilizer for long-term crops such as strawberry or soil. Under non-mulched systems, split applications of
pepper. Controlled-release potassium fertilizers also have these nutrients must be used to reduce losses to leaching.
been demonstrated to be beneficial for several vegetables. Here, up to one-half of the N and K may be applied to the
It is essential to match the nutrient release pattern of the soil at planting or shortly after that time. The remaining
CRF with the crop’s uptake pattern. fertilizer is applied in one or two applications during the
early part of the growing season. Splitting the fertilizer