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Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
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________________________________________________ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences |
January/February 2000
2000 Florida Postharvest Horticulture Institute
& Industry Tour - March 6-10, 2000
Institute-March 6th, University of Florida, Gainesville,
with video-links to several sites in Florida.
Industry Tour-March 7-10th Statewide
For more information contact:
Steve Sargent or Abbie Fox, (352)392-1928,
For the Immokalee site, contact Gene McAvoy 941-674-4092
Aquatic Weed Control, Aquatic Plant Culture
and Revegetation Short Course - May 15-19, 2000
Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Earn up to 24
CEUs.
For more information contact: Beth Miller-Tipton
at (352)392-5930,
fax (352)392-9734 or e-mail: bamt@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu.
Visit the workshop web site at:
http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~conferweb/
Selection & Management of Cover Crops in
Vegtable Production - March 15, 2000
Southwest Florida Research and Education Center,
Immokalee - 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Contact Gene McAvoy 941-674-4092 for more information.
Vegetable Growers Meeting - Spring Vegetable
Diseases - March 22, 2000 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee - 11:00 am to
12:00 pm
Contact Gene McAvoy 941-674-4092 for more information.
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Gene McAvoy
Vegetable Extension Agent II Hendry County Extension Office PO Box 68 LaBelle, Florida, 33975 863-674-4092 |
Vegetable production sure is a crazy business, when you stop to think about it. Tomato yields have been phenomenal and quality superb this season and yet prices are in the dumper. Is there any other industry, in which the producers are as economically penalized for increases in efficiency and output, such as occurs in the agriculture sector?
Fortunately overall prices for other vegetables have been somewhat stronger this year and those growers are doing all right.
Experienced growers are well aware of the cyclic nature of the industry and in the past one good season has often been sufficient to negate several poor ones. Unfortunately, the industry is changing and the costs of production have become so high that it is now difficult for even the most financial secure firms to weather the overwhelming losses that can accrue with the long stretch of low prices that have endured this season.
Although it may be of little solace at present, UF/IFAS economist John Van Sickle predicts that long term growth in demand for vegetables will be good news for Florida growers in coming years. God bless the farmer.
On other fronts.... With the methyl bromide clock ticking away, it is certainly encouraging that some workable alternatives are emerging. A recent field demonstration held at SWFREC, spot-lighted a promising piece of equipment that Dow is working with for the broadcast application of Telone. This rig offers a number of advantages and while Telone is not a 100% substitute for methyl bromide, this technology certainly looks like one of the promising alternatives available to growers.
What is still lacking in the whole equation is still good effective weed control materials especially in crops other than tomato. This is certainly a challenge for the research community as well as chemical companies. Hopefully - workable solutions will be forth coming in the near future.
Don’t forget FQPA! The EPA is not resting on this one. Despite a slow start a whole slew of chemicals are currently under review - make it your business to keep up with what's going on here. If you don’t you may find out a critical pest control material has faded into oblivion with hardly a whimper.
The farm labor advocates are at it again! The highly biased portrayal of growers as exploiters of labor is reminiscent of the hey day of communism when history books were being rewritten by a small cliche with a secret agenda. Our industry really needs to join forces and present the other side of the story. Failure to due so may result in alienation of the American public and erosion of popular support for a strong US ag-sector.
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UNDERSTANDING ABSORPTION
In order to understand foliar absorption, we must first take a look at the surface of a leaf. Moving from the outside in the leaf surface is composed of layers of cuticular wax, followed by the cuticle or "skin" of the leaf. The cuticle exudes the wax. Under the cuticle are the cell walls of various types of leaf cells. Inside the cell walls are the plasma membranes of the cells themselves. A foliar applied nutrient must pass through the cuticular wax, the cuticle, the cell wall, and the membrane in that order. Sometimes the nutrient will pass through these various layers, while other times it may pass through the spaces between these layers. Such absorption involves both active and passive processes of the leaf.
The second and most often the, major means of foliar absorption is through the stomates, which are microscopic pores in the epidermis of the leaf. When the stomates are open, foliar absorption is often easier. Plant species vary widely in the number of stomates per leaf area, and in their relative distribution. Some plants have more stomates on the lower leaf surface than on the upper, and some vice versa.
In simpler terms, some plants are good at absorbing nutrients through their leaves, while others are not. The variables tend to be how many stomates and how they are distributed, and how thick the waxy cuticle of the leaf is. Plants with large, broad soft leaves such as tomato or many bedding plant species are rather efficient at absorbing foliar nutrients. Crucifers for example are not as adept in this absorption, due to the thicker tougher nature of their foliage.
The speed of absorption of nutrients is quite variable according to the nutrient, and to some degree the plant type. Rates of foliar absorption have generally not been studied in ornamental varieties.
IS WETTER BETTER?
One thing that is not widely known is that nutrients are generally only absorbed while the spray is wet on the leaf. Once the spray has dried, absorption generally ceases until the leaves are moistened again, either by the dew the next day or additional rainfall or overhead irrigation. The various types of chelating agents are also not equal in their ability to penetrate the leaf. Some chelating agents work better on some types of plants, but not necessarily as well on others. The best chelating agent will depend in part on what type of plant you are spraying.
Another common misconception regards rates of foliar nutritional applications. Generally, there is a great deal of difference between the amount of chemical it takes to maximize absorption and the amount it takes to burn. Absorption is the limiting factor, so don't make your rates too high. You may be able to double or triple the spray rate, but it won't necessarily increase absorption. It will increase risk of spray injury, so be conservative in your foliar application rates.
USEFUL APPLICATIONS
There are a number of situations when foliar nutritional supplements are especially useful. One is during propagation of slow rooting plant material. Long term mist propagation can leach nutrients severely, and foliar nutritional sprays during that time are very helpful. Nutritional sprays can be used efficiently to overcome other problems. Another useful foliar technique is during cold fronts. When a cold front comes down, frequently you get heavy rain followed by several cold days. During this period, the fertilizer is not releasing a great deal, and the plants are not feeding. That is a good time to come in and apply some foliar nutrition to keep the plants moving until things warm up.
Several techniques should be used when trying to maximize foliar absorption of nutrients. One is to try to maximize the time that the spray is wet on the foliage. This preferably means early in the morning, when humidity is up, temperatures are down, and foliage is wet with dew. Spraying in the middle of a hot day will give you reduced effectiveness in absorption. It helps to add urea or potassium nitrate to nutritional sprays when applying trace elements. The mechanism is not known, but there is substantial research that indicates applying these materials with trace elements increases trace element absorption.
WHEN TO APPLY
Try to spray when the stomates are open, preferably during a cooler time of day. Some industries like to spray at night, and that can be useful in some situations. Try also to coat both the upper and lower leaf surfaces where practical as many times the spray stays wet on the leaf longer, and there are more stomates to facilitate absorption on the lower leaf surfaces of many plant varieties. The use of wetting agents or surfactants also aid in absorption, by spreading out the spray from droplets into a broader shape, increasing contact with the foliage. Surfactants also reduce the angle at which the spray material enters the leaf, which can be useful. It is generally useful to thoroughly wet the foliage when applying nutritional sprays. Low volume sprayers may not be as effective in some cases. You should spray to run off, and once again cover the lower leaf surfaces.
Finally, do not get too high on your rates. Going higher on the rates of chemicals applied can actually reduce absorption, as can mixing too many nutritionals in the tank at a time. Foliar nutritional sprays can be a very useful technique, especially when you understand the principles behind it. Nutritional sprays enable you to correct deficiencies, strengthen weak or damaged crops, speed growth and overall grow better plants, which is of course the bottom line.
Lynn Griffith
Spray Tips 12/31/99
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in Vegetable Crops |
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Plants vary in their sensitivity or tolerance to soluble salts in the soil solution. Crops which are the most sensitive include beans, carrots, strawberries and onions (threshold EC values around 1.0 dS/m). Moderately sensitive crops include pepper, corn, potatoes, cabbage, cucumber, and tomato (threshold EC 1.2-3.2). Moderately tolerant plants include beets and zucchini squash (threshold EC 4.0-4.7). (Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers, 4th edition).
Usually it is not the salts themselves that are toxic, but the reduction in water uptake. As the soluble salt concentration in the soil increases, plants have a harder time extracting water from the soil solution. Variables such as plant age, soil type and environmental conditions also affect salt sensitivity; thus, soluble salts become more critical under the hot, dry and windy conditions we have seen this spring.
Excess salts in irrigation water can contribute to the total salt problem, especially wells in coastal areas, or very deep wells which can be affected by saltwater intrusion under unusually dry conditions. Where poor quality irrigation water is used or where there is a field history of salt problems, low-salt index fertilizers are less likely to aggravate the problem.
Fertilizer rate and placement can affect soluble
salt problems which are then magnified under drought conditions.
Following recommended fertilizer guidelines and paying careful attention
to placement can minimize problems. In the absence of rainfall to
either dilute or leach fertilizer salts down past the root system, what
can be done? Typically, soluble salts are less of a problem with
drip irrigation systems because lower amounts of in-bed fertilizer are
used due to the ability to fertigate. In addition, with drip
irrigation the movement of soluble salt laden
water is down and away from the plant. In seep or subsurface systems,
the movement of water is upward, towards the highest point of the bed which
is typically the plant hole. As water is evaporated from the soil
surface around the plant, salts become more concentrated around the plant
root system. For this reason, lowering the water table by pulling
deeper ditches can be a double-edged sword. While some salts may
move with the water as it drops lower in the bed or below, the salts that
are left will concentrate as the soil dries. Conversely, raising
the water table may also defeat the purpose as additional fertilizer salts
will be solubilized.
A related problem that is often associated with high soluble salt levels is blossom end rot. Blossom end rot occurs when there is a lack of calcium in fruit tissue. Because calcium moves with water in the transpiration stream, anything which stresses roots and impedes water uptake will also limit calcium uptake, including too much water, too little water or high soluble salts.
Another problem that may be seen on tomatoes which
is also related to the weather is a phenomenon termed physiological leaf
roll. Under conditions which maximize photosynthesis (i.e. warm,
very sunny days), excess carbohydrates build up in leaf tissue and cause
the plants to become somewhat leathery, and leaves roll upward. Although
normally seen on older, lower leaves, in a few cases leaf roll has been
severe with the entire plant affected. This condition can be exacerbated
by excess fertilizer, high N
rates and also seems to be worse in plants that
have undergone heavy pruning. Usually, it does not cause too much
problem with yield and quality. One exception might be some sunburning
of exposed fruit on severely affected plants.
It's hot, dry seasons like this one which can show just how efficient or inefficient your irrigation system is! An easy, inexpensive way to check your system before it becomes critical is to sign up for the NRCS Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL). Following on-site evaluations of irrigation systems, MIL technicians work with owners or operators to develop irrigation water management plans tailored to their individual needs. To find out if this free service is available in your area or to sign up, contact your local NRCS office.
(P. Gilreath, Vegetarian 5/99)
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As the NOSB votes on the reviewed materials are available, results will be posted to the omri.org site. "This posting of the list to omri.org makes one of our most valuable tools easy to access and update," says Bill Wolf, president of the OMRI board of directors. "As organic agriculture and demand for certified organic product continues to grow, we want to make OMRI's services available through every possible avenue and appropriate technology."
The “OMRI Brand Name Products List" represents
OMRI's recommendations and opinions regarding the acceptability or unacceptability
of products used in organic production, processing and handling.
Manufacturers apply to have their brand name products reviewed by OMRI's
technical staff, after which a review panel of leading experts from the
organic industry votes on a product's status. OMRI's standards were
developed after reviewing various governmental and certification standards;
however,
OMRI's recommendations and opinions regarding
use of any listed product do not necessarily coincide with
applicable governmental or organizational standards.
Sanet Digest
1/4/00
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Because water is one of the best carriers of pathogens, it must be treated (either chemically or physically) to prevent the accumulation of pathogens in the water and prevent cross-contamination of sound produce. Such treatments are not particularly effective at reducing pathogen levels already on the surface of produce; it is much more effective to prevent contamination in the first place. This means following Good Agricultural Practices regarding water quality, use of manure and municipal biosolids, harvesting practices, and worker, field and packing facility sanitation.
Although chlorine is currently the sanitizer of choice for most vegetable packinghouses, other chemicals have been approved by the EPA for contact with food products. This article will briefly list some of the approved antimicrobial chemicals and discuss advantages and disadvantages of using each.
Chlorine
Chlorine is currently the predominant method used by packinghouses to sanitize water systems. Although chlorine is available in three forms -sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, or chlorine gas -it is the resulting hypochlorous acid (HOCI) that is primarily responsible for killing pathogens. Currently, IFAS recommends using 100 to 150 parts per million (ppm) of free chlorine with a water pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
The main advantages to using chlorine are that it is effective at killing a broad range of pathogens and that it is relatively inexpensive. It also leaves very little residue or film on surfaces. However, chlorine is corrosive to equipment and water pH must be monitored and adjusted often to maintain chlorine in its active form. Continual addition of chlorine without changing the water can result in the accumulation of high salt concentrations that may injure some products. Further, chlorine can react with organic matter to form small amounts of different trihalomethanes (THMs) that are thought to be carcinogenic. However, the relative risks from chlorine-generated THMs on the surface of fresh horticultural produce is extremely low.
Chlorine dioxide (Cl02)
Chlorine dioxide is a synthetically produced
yellowish-green gas with an odor like chlorine but with 2.5 times the oxidizing
power of chlorine. This higher potency translates into less chemical
required for the same sanitizing effects compared to chlorine. Chlorine
dioxide is typically used at concentrations between 1 and 5 ppm.
However, it usually must be generated on-site because the concentrated
gas can be explosive and decomposes rapidly when exposed to light or temperatures
above 50oC (122oF). These concentrated gases
also poses a greater risk to workers than sodium or calcium hypochlorite.
Noxious odors from off-gassing
can be a common problem, especially at higher
concentrations, which restricts its use to well-ventilated areas away from
workers. Unlike chlorine, chlorine dioxide does not hydrolyze in
water and is virtually unaffected by pH changes between 6 to 10 and does
not react with organic matter to form THMs. However, in addition to C102,
some generators produce free chlorine that may form THMs and C102 may produce
other potentially hazardous byproducts (e.g. chlorate and chlorite).
One additional drawback is that simple assays to monitor chlorine dioxide
concentration are currently not available.
Peroxyacetic Acid (PAA)
Peroxyacetic acid is a strong oxidizer formed from hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid. The concentrated product (40% PAA) has a pungent odor and is highly toxic to humans. PAA is very soluble in water with very little off-gassing and it leaves no known toxic breakdown products or residue on the produce. Unlike chlorine and ozone, it has good stability in water containing organic matter, which can greatly increase the longevity of the sanitizer, and it is not particularly corrosive to equipment. PAA is most active in acidic environments with pH between 3.5 and 7, but activity declines rapidly at pHs above 7-8. High temperatures and metal ion contamination will also reduce its activity.
Ozone (03)
Ozone gas is one of the strongest oxidizing agents and sanitizers available. An expert panel declared ozone to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) in 1997 and ozone is currently legal for food contact applications. Although ozone is not particularly soluble in water (30 pg/ml or 30 ppm at 20 OC), concentrations as low as 0.5 to 2 ppn are effective against pathogens in clean water with no soil or organic matter. In practice, even concentrations of 10 ppm are difficult to obtain and concentrations of 5 ppm are more common.
Ozone decomposes quickly in water with a half-life of 15 to 20 minutes in clean water but less than a minute in water containing suspended soil particles and organic matter. Thus, ozonated water should be filtered to remove these particulates. The cooler temperatures of hydrocoolers may also extend ozone's half-life. The antimicrobial activity of ozone is stable between pH 6 and 8 but decomposes more rapidly at higher pHs. Ozone breaks down to oxygen and no other toxic by-products have been reported.
Because of its strong oxidizing potential, ozone is toxic to humans and must be generated on-site. Prolonged exposure to more than 4 ppm ozone can be lethal. Ozone has a pungent odor that can be detected by humans at 0.01 to 0.04 ppm. OSHA has set worker safety limits of 0.1 ppm exposure over an 8 hour period and 0.3 ppm over a 15 minute period. At concentrations in water above 1 ppm, off-gassing can result in concentrations in the air that exceed OSHA limits of 0.1 ppm. Another disadvantage of using ozone is that it is highly corrosive to equipment, including rubber and some plastics.
Vegetarian Newsletter
January 2000
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The controversy centers around the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's failure to implement the requirements of the federal Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). This law substantially changed the way existing and new pesticides are evaluated and registered by the EPA.
The law includes a new standard -“reasonable certainty of no harm,” -and a tenfold safety margin to further protect the health of children. It also requires tests on the potential health effects of multiple exposures -potential residues in food, water, household use, etc.
Unfortunately, EPA is not playing by the rules. It is undermining the intent of the law by ignoring its mandate to follow sound scientific principles rather than “politicized science." That, in turn, threatens to significantly disrupt agricultural production and to weaken the American farmer's ability to offer safe produce to families at competitive prices.
Before a pesticide may be distributed, it must be registered with the EPA. Substantial testing must demonstrate that it meets statutory standards for safety to humans and the environment. Likewise, before an agricultural product containing pesticide residues can be sold, a “tolerance” (i.e., a regulation defining a permissible level of residue) for that pesticide must be adopted by the EPA. A tolerance may not be established unless substantial testing demonstrates that it meets the statutory standards for safety. The establishment of the necessary tolerances is a prerequisite for pesticide registration.
To apply the new safety standards, EPA needs to know what crop-protection chemicals and their amounts farmers are using to control pests. Farmers can provide the right information only if EPA promulgates guidelines or “science policies” specifying the exact data needed to support pesticide registration or to define tolerances. It is here where EPA is abdicating its public responsibilities. The agency is being pressured by anti-pesticide activists to take an unscientific approach to regulating crop-protection chemicals farmers need and rely on. By not obtaining the specific use information from farmers, federal bureaucrats will likely draw their own conclusions to support whatever regulatory agenda is politically popular. Such folly will only increase the danger that important classes of chemicals like organophosphates and carbamates will be regulated out of existence -just what environmental activists want.
Fearing that EPA will bow to political pressure and ban important farm-protection chemicals based on the agency's self-induced ignorance, the American Farm Bureau Federation and other farming associations filed a major lawsuit in the Federal District Court in Washington, D.C. (American Farm Bureau Federation v. EPA).
EPA is not above the law. It must conduct its pesticide regulatory program according to the requirements of the FQPA, sound scientific principles, and the most current use information available. To do otherwise will seriously impair the productivity of American farms and the availability of healthy and low-cost food for American families.
This commentary was provided by the Sacramento-based Pacific Legal Foundation, which has entered the fray in support of the American Farm Bureau Federation and at least 16 other agriculture-related organizations that have sued the EPA for-its failure to act responsibly and diligently as required by federal law.
FloridAgriculture
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In addition, FFVA sought a replacement for Earl
Price, who left as admiistrator of FFVA’s
Self-Insurer’s Fund (SIF).
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Hearings are scheduled in early 2000 on a companion bill in the House.
Florida Grower
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Historically, Florida seems particularly susceptible to resistance problems. Nearly every crop production system has fallen prey to a major pest that has developed resistance to a once-effective insecticide. Although problems may not exist in all areas at all times. Resistance management continually plays an important role in a successful crop-production system.
A Continual Problem
Even when a problem isn't apparent, and current materials appear to be effective, experts agree that it is never too early to begin an effective resistance-management strategy. In order to prevent future problems, the following recommendations should always be considered when implementing a pest control program.
1. Moderation
Moderation is always the first step in managing
resistance. “The rate of selection for resistance is directly proportional
to the amount of the material applied,” says Phil Stansly, a UF entomologist.
In this sense, Stansly and most of his colleagues state that effective
resistance management is part and parcel to a strong Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) strategy. The use of pest
thresholds, proper monitoring, and biological
and cultural controls -in conjunction with responsible chemical applications
- has time and time again proven to be the most effective strategy for
reducing the threat of insect resistance.
2. Rotation
Beyond reducing over all insecticide dependence, the most applicable and economical strategy for a grower to reduce his chances of encountering a resistance problem is to rotate the use of different insecticides. “Rotation is the biggest factor using a variety of insecticides from different classes," says Leibee.
For cabbage in particular, rotation has been an effective solution. Specifically, rotating Spinosad with different kinds of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has demonstrated effective control without danger of resistance. “If you just use one particular insecticide all year long, past the first two or three times, you're wasting money,” says Brad Bland of Mathis Farms in Hastings. He suggests holding back on one particular type of insecticide, one you haven't used all year (and perhaps the one that is most expensive), and if a problem arises, use that one last.
Few specific recommendations are available, but Leibee recently conducted a study comparing rotation strategies for Bt and chlorfenapyr (Pirate, American Cyanamid), for controlling diamondback moths in head cabbage. The results demonstrate that the pattern in which the materials are applied does indeed make a difference. Based on the results of the study, leading the rotation at early heading with chlorfenapyr, and rotating every two times with Bt, proved to be most effective.
One obstacle, however, to effective insecticide rotation is the lack of registered materials. “The EPA hasn't been particularly sympathetic to the argument that more material needs to registered in order to have more options,” says Stansly.
3. Cultural Control
When and how crops are planted can be effective tools against resistance. Not growing during the hottest months, when insect pressure is the greatest and many insecticides are the least effective; immediately disposing of crop residues; and using noninfested transplants are all factors growers should consider when producing vegetables crops.
4. Saturation
Saturation, or applying higher rates of pesticides to kill resistant insects, should only be used as a last resort in emergency situations. Higher rates will often provide control for a short time, but the increased cost and threat of greater long-term resistance makes saturation the least attractive resistance-management strategy.
Looking Ahead
Although Florida hasn't encountered any serious resistance problems in the last few years, the state is always ripe for another "superbug." According to Stansly, the citrus rust mite and the silverleaf whitefly are two pests that may emerge as problems in the future. Both pests are predominantly controlled by single insecticides with long residuals, which can be “high risk” for producing resistance.
Michael Allen
Florida Grower/ February 2000
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Novartis' Flint fungicide received a New Active Ingredient Registration for disease management on cucurbits, potatoes, fruiting vegetables, grapes, and other crops.
Proclaim Receives Registration For Cole Crops
Novartis' Proclaim Insecticide (emanectin benzoate) received a New Active Ingredient registration for management of worm pests on head and stem Brassica vegetables, celery, and head lettuce.
Florida Grower February 2000
EPA Okays Pebulate, Folpet and Captan for Reregistration.
EPA released Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) November 12 for the herbicide pebulate and the fungicides captan and folpet. The REDs reflect lengthy reviews initiated well before the 1996 enactment of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). The REDs do, however, refer to the health standard mandated by that law and advise additional studies to evaluate the exposure risks posed by the three compounds. These REDs are available at the following EPA Web site: http://www.epa.qov/REDs.
Carrots and Popcorn to be deleted from Chlorpyrifos labels.
EPA has issued a notice of receipt of request for amendment by registrants to delete uses for carrots and popcorn in 13 pesticide registrations containing the active ingredient chlorpyrifos. The registrants making this request are Micro Flo Company, Dow Agro Sciences, and Makteshim-Agan of North America Inc. EPA has authorized the registrants to sell or distribute product under the previously approved labeling for a period of 18 months the effective date of use deletions.
[Federal Register: November 10,
1999
(Volume 64, Number 217), Page 61334-61336]
Vegetables
Knack (pyriproxyfen) -Valent -Received EPA registration on tomatoes and peppers to control whiteflies.
Poast (sethoxydim) -BASF -Added usage on leafy, root and tuberous vegetables, caneberries and artichokes to their label.
Section 18 Activities: EPA has issued a Section 18 Specific exemption in Florida for the use of Admire 2 Flowable Insecticide (imidacloprid) to control Silverleaf Whitefly (SLWF) on legume vegetables (Crop Group 6). The exemption will expire October 31, 2000.
FDACS Communication, October 29, 1999.
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* The EPA has issued a Section 18 Emergency Use Exemption in Florida for the use of Zeneca's Quadris Flowable Fungicide (azoxystrobin), for management of anthracnose on strawberry.
* A New Active Ingredient registration was granted to Novartis' Proclaim insecticide (emanectin benzoate), for management of worm pests on head and stem brassica vegetables, celery and head lettuce.
* A Significant New Uses (SNU) registration has been granted to Rohm and Haas' Confirm 2F Insecticide (tebufenozide), for management of beet army-worms, cabbage loopers, webworms, etc., on fruit vegetables, cole crops, leafy vegetables, mint and berry crops.
* A SNU registration has also been granted to Monsanto's Sempra herbicide (halosulfuron-methyl) for management of sedges and broadleaf weeds in sugarcane, sweet corn, field corn, sorghum, popcorn, fallow ground, rice, turfgrass sod and seed farms and tree nuts.
* Federal tolerances are now established for Dow AgroScience's Spintor insecticide (spinosad) in or on succulent shelled pea and beans, wheat, cucurbit vegetables, edible podded legume vegetables, stone fruits, corn grain, sorghum grain, forage, hay and straw.
* FMC has added management of aphids on green onions to their Ammo 2.5SC (cypermethrin) label.
Citrus & Vegetable Magazine
December 1999
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of 24(c) Registrations. |
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· DUAL 8E (celery), (EPA SLN NO. FL
970012)
· DUAL 8E (bell peppers), (EPA SLN NO.
FL 950003)
· DUAL 8E (cabbage -direct seeded), (EPA
SLN NO. FL 910001)
FDACS Communication, December
2, 1999.
Chemically Speaking
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Management is also critical in dry seasons such
as this one. Drip irrigation offers great potential for conserving
water and nutrients, but if improperly managed, can be just as wasteful
as the most inefficient of irrigation systems. Ideally, the goal
of drip irrigation is to constantly replenish the moisture in the plant
root zone. Additional water applied in excess of this amount moves
down out of the root zone and is lost. Obviously, fertilizers and
chemicals applied through the drip system will suffer the same fate.
Management and scheduling are especially critical in our sandy soils since
the amount of water held in the rooting volume
at any one time is not enough to provide daily
water requirements, especially under hot and/or windy conditions or when
the crop is at full canopy. This is why multiple daily irrigation
applications are needed to prevent crop water stress and the excess leaching
of nutrients that occurs from one single, long application.
Several years ago, in work supported by the Florida Tomato Committee, Drs. Craig Stanley and Gary Clark evaluated various types of micro-irrigation tubing to determine maximum run times for different emission rates in an EauGallie fine sand soil. They found that with 0.4 GPH emitters, an irrigation duration of 50-60 minutes per cycle was adequate for crops with 9-to 10-inch deep root systems. (The majority of tomato roots are typically within the top 10 inches of the bed surface.) Higher application rates (0.63 and 0.8 GPH) resulted in increased downward movement of the wetting front, such that 30-40 minutes was sufficient. Lateral wetting appeared to be somewhat better with the 0.4 GPH emitter, but still appeared to be limited to 10 inches from the emitter (or a 20 inch diameter wetted front). Times and wetting fronts could vary slightly depending on soil type and initial moisture content, but most systems seem to work well with maximum run times of 60 minutes.
With a single daily cycle which is 3 hours long, the plant is probably only "seeing" about 60 minutes worth of water and the rest is lost below the root zone. That plant then has to wait another 24 hours before the moisture is replenished, and in hot weather with mature plants, this is too long. That plant will likely suffer from moisture stress before the next cycle. In some cases, you may not even see the stress in terms of wilt, but roots may be damaged and the consequences will be seen in yield or quality. In this case, or in situations where automated computer scheduling is not available, just splitting that single cycle into two 9-minute cycles would be preferable.
Tensiometers can be very useful tools to aid in scheduling when they are used and maintained properly. Since they measure soil-moisture tension in only a small volume of soil immediately surrounding the ceramic cup, placement in the active root zone is critical. For shallow rooted crops (most vegetables), this is at least 4-6 inches below the surface. Deeper placed tensiometers can be used as a tool to gauge whether or not you are over watering. Place the porous cup 12-18 inches below the surface and if the gauge indicates the soil is wet, irrigation cycles may be too long. Another useful tool is the water table float. In subsurface or seep systems, the float will help you determine where the water level is and help schedule irrigation. In drip systems, it may also be a tool to indicate if you are over irrigating, since drip irrigation should not be used to perch a water table.
Information from FTC Research Report,
1987-88 and Drip Tip No. 9305 by C.D. Stanley and G.A. Clark
Manatee Vegetable Newsletter
May/June 1999
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God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up!
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No. Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares, and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me.
God said......Ahhh, finally you have the idea.
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These changes include:
1. The number of CEUs required to renew
applicator certification in the Aquatic Pest Control Category
has been increased from 8 to 16 CEUs.
2. The number of CEUs required to renew applicator certification in the Ornamental and Turf Pest Control and Regulatory Pest Control Categories have been increased from 8 to 12 CEUs.
The Aquatic and Ornamental and Turf Pest Control Categories may be renewed with 8 CEUs until January 1, 2000. The increased number becomes effective on that date. No changes in the required CEUs to renew applicator certification in other categories were made.
Starting January 1, 2000 applicators licensed in all categories (except Aerial and Demonstration/Research) established by the Florida Pesticide Law must earn a minimum of 2 general standards (Core) CEUs. Additionally, they must earn at least one half of the CEUs required for a category in topics -approved specifically for that category. Any remaining CEUs may be earned in general standards (Core) or category specific topics. Applicators who are licensed in Aerial and Demonstration/Research (considered secondary categories) must earn the required CEUs for the category in topics approved for the specific category.
(N. Nesheim, 4/28/99 email)
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Pesticide Risk/Benefits |
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As society ponders the risks of pesticides, some people propose that we need a system through which dangerous pesticides are 'prescribed' for severe pest problems. Society would realize greater protection from pesticides, and prescriptive use could prevent complete cancellation of critical pesticides. Louisiana implemented a prescriptive use program for azinphosmethyl in sugarcane in the wake of repeated fish kills in the 1990s.
Although pesticides-by-prescription is very attractive
on the surface, the consequences should be carefully considered.
The medical system has an enormous infrastructure of physicians licensed
to evaluate patients and issue prescriptions. Currently, agriculture
does not have a similar system. The Extension Service is overburdened
already. Crop consultants in sufficient numbers are available for
only a small number of crops (like sugarcane in LA). Additionally,
there are no regulations to establish the credentials for a person to become
a 'pesticide prescriber'. Doctors specialize, but they are all examining
humans. To
prescribe pesticides, specialists would be required
for the large number of U.S. crops and growing regions.
For a more complete discussion of the feasibility
of prescriptive pesticide use, read 'Feasibility of Prescription Pesticide
Use in the United States' published by the Council for Agricultural Science
and Technology (August 1998).
Visit
http://www.cast-science.org/
The Georgia Pest Management Newsletter
January 2000
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The EPA is working to improve public participation. Look for a report from them soon. We will keep you informed.
The Georgia Pest Management Newsletter
January 2000
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The Georgia Pest Management Newsletter
January 2000
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Chemical Reduction Order |
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Specifically, the draft Order would require the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a list of fifteen or more
priority chemicals for use reduction. It is not clear what risk management
process, if any, would be used in the listing process. In addition,
the draft Order would require federal agencies to eliminate the use of
organophosphate and carbarnate pesticides at their facilities no later
than December 31, 2000. There are also provisions for agencies to
conform landscaping services with environmentally
beneficial practices. Although the draft
Order only pertains to federal agencies, it could have adverse impacts
on commercial markets and all chemical/pesticide users. It could.
also have an indirect effect if other customers follow the lead of
the federal government. In general, the action sends a negative message
to the public about chemical uses, risks, and exposures and raises many
unanswered questions. For example, if USDA is required to eliminate
its use of organophosphate and carbnate pesticides, will state and local
governments, or other public/private institutions, be expected to do the
same? If USDA is prohibited rom using these products, does this hamper
their ability to review and communicate pesticide management practices?
NASDA is discussing this issue with industry organizations
and agricultural groups to determine the exact status of the draft proposal,
assess the potential impacts on agriculture, and determine possible next
steps.
(NASDA News)
| Developing Countries Should Have Earlier Methyl Bromide Phaseout |  |
According to terms of the Montreal Protocol, a global treaty to control stratospheric ozone depletion signed by more than 160 nations, developed nations must eliminate most uses of methyl bromide by 2005 while developing nations can wait until 2015.
The official predicted that developed countries “will object to the trade imbalance” caused by the 10 year difference in phase-out dates while the environmentally conscious European Union, will not allow the import of commodities fumigated with methyl bromide.
The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)
for the first time was a sponsor of the annual conference, which was attended
by hundreds of policy makers and scientists from the United States and
world. UNEP sponsored a roundtable discussion on international efforts
to promote methyl bromide alternatives in developing countries.
(Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News,
11-25-99)
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Dr. Tom Kucharek
UF/IFAS
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Both fungicide labels will have “Special Eye Irritation
Provisions” which will state the product is a severe eye irritant and will
require at least one container designed especially for flushing eyes to
be available in operating condition at the WPS-required decontamination
site for agricultural workers who enter the treated area AFTER the expiration
of the restricted entry interval (REI) but BEFORE 7 days from the time
of application of these fungicides. The new REI for chlorothalonil
products will be 12 hours. The REI for captan products will range
from 12 hours to 96 hours depending on the use. Strawberries will
be 24
and ornamentals will be 96.
In addition to the required eye flushing container
at the decontamination site, employers must inform workers in a manner
they can understand:
In the case of these two fungicides, agricultural employers will need to check the labels to make certain that they have the required decontamination supplies on hand if agricultural workers go into treated areas after the REI expires and before seven days after the application.
The captan RED was issued 9/99 and the chlorothalonil RED was issued 9/98. A spot check of labels posted on the registrants' web sites indicates the labels have not yet been modified to reflect these new requirements.
We have expressed concern to the Director of EPA's Worker Protection and Certification Office about the implications of product specific decontamination site requirements. Current training materials for agricultural workers do not address the use of eye flushing equipment. We are concerned about the lack of an outreach effort to inform agricultural employers and other groups of what we think are some significant changes. Currently, unless one reviews the REDs, label changes, such as these, may not be noted until they show up on the container. REDs may be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/REDs/index.html.
Chemically Speaking
January 2000
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Silverleaf Whitefly |
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As you think about the fall crop, you may want to consider the use of reflective mulch, such as the black mulch with silver strips on the sides or a silver strip down the middle. Be cautioned, however, that this reflective mulch (especially that with strips down the middle) will increase the heat load experienced by young plants and this could be a problem, depending on the temperatures and sunlight intensity this fall.
Past experience has indicated that although early
plant size is affected, yield is not. The silver mulch does help
by reducing the number of SWF alighting on plants and, therefore, will
reduce the number of infected plants. Benefits will be lost, however,
as the plant grows and covers the plastic and as excess spray material
is deposited on the plastic, reducing the reflective capacity. I
understand there are some new reflective mulches being marketed.
If you choose to use a reflective mulch, make sure it reflects
UV light and not just visible light.
Make sure your transplant producer is using Admire in the greenhouse. Bayer recommends an application of 0.5 oz. per 5,000 lants 7 days before shipping. Also, it is recommended that you use Admire in the setting water as you transplant into the field.
Manatee Vegetable Newsletter
May/June 1999
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This season promises to be another year of uncertainty for Florida growers. The fall harvest was met with excess supplies as production again increased throughout the fall, even though acreage in Florida declined 5 percent from the previous year. Increased demand, both in domestic and foreign markets, has not been enough to offset the increases in supply from both domestic and foreign suppliers. California producers brought lower returns into the fall season as their 1999 acreage increased by more than 5 percent during the previous year. Their fall tomato acreage increased more than 21 percent to cause even greater impacts on the fall tomato crop. Imports of several fresh vegetables also increased in the fall season toc ompound these marketing problems. Imports of fresh tomatoes increased nearly 12 percent in the fall season while imports of cucumbers increased 20 percent.
The bright spot for the Florida vegetable industry is continued growth in demand for the products produced by our growers. Increases in consumption of food away from home increase the demand for the products that Florida growers produce. Projections for 1999 indicate that consumers spent more money on food consumed away from home than on food consumed at home. Vegetable consumption continues to fare better away from home than at home. These trends will continue to favor Florida producers.
The short-term outlook for fresh vegetables is clouded by the excess supplies coming into the winter market. Weather and foreign trade will be the driving forces in this market. Favorable growing conditions will likely lead to increases in supply that the market is not currently equipped to handle. Predict this winter’s weather in Florida and Mexico, and you will likely predict the outcome of the season for Florida vegetable growers.
John J. VanSickle
UF Food and Resource Economics
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Click on Crop Profiles and then on Completed Crop Profiles by Territories/States, scroll down to Florida to see the profiles developed for Florida crops. More Florida CropProfiles in progress. Profiles for cucumbers, cabbage and peanuts have been completed and are in review.OPMP reports over 200 crop profiles have been completed by the states and territories.
Chemically Speaking
January 2000
| BACTERICIDE/FUNGICIDE
REGISTERED |
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The versitile product is labeled for use in field-grown crops, commercial greenhouse production and storage sites. Labeled crops include apples, bananas, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, citrus, cucurbits, filberts, grapes, onions, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and leafy vegetables.
The formulation is said to provide a new class of earth friendly chemistry for agricultural disease prevention and treatment. It has been formulated for direct application to all types of plant material and to be used as a soil drench treatment. Its mode of action allows for contact killing of all forms of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens immediately on contact without danger of mutational resistance.
The reduced-risk chemistry allows OxiDate to be applied up until the very, hour of harvest and produces no residual compounds. It has been granted a Zero Hour REI (Re-entry Time) by the EPA and its active ingredient is an organic allowed in all 50 states.
The product has been labeled for direct injection for all types of fertigation and chemigation applications. It does not require the use of personal safety respirators to apply working solutions for agricultural disease management and control.
Contact BioSafe Systems, Glastonbury, Conn. at 1-888-273-3088
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In the 1960s and early 1970s, environmental regulations were fairly cost-effective because they were accomplishing significant pollution reduction for the amount of money spent to meet the regulatory requirements. Now that we have cleaner air and water, every additional decrease in pollution costs more than the previous one, and each benefit it brings is less significant because it affects fewer people. In economic terms, an analysis of the cost/benefit ratio shows that these regulations cost far more than they are worth.
“Inflation-adjusted spending for Pollution control has more than doubled since 1972, to over $110 billion a year in 1992 dollars, or about 2.5% of GDP (gross domestic product),” the report said. “Other categories of environmental spending probably bring total environmental spending to more than $250 billion, or about 3.5% of GDP --almost $1000 for every man, woman, and child in America.”
It’s time for the U.S. to take a hard look at its priorities. Environmental quality in this country has greatly improved, according to the report. “As the U.S. economy grows, so does its ability to control pollution and protect its resources,” the Pacific Research Institute report noted. It cited the following progress:
Air pollution levels have decreased steadily since the 1970s.
The majority of U.S. waters are clean. Water quality has improved as discharges of toxic organics have declined by 99% and discharges of toxic metals by 98%.
Forests are not disappearing. Each year the U.S. plants more trees than it harvests.
Wetlands conversion continues to decrease dramatically. For every 60 acres of wetlands converted to cropland annually from 1954 to 1974, only 3 acres were converted annually from 1982 to 1992. Since 1980, the U.S. has experienced no net loss of wetlands.
Toxic chemicals in our food and water supply pose a minimal carcinogenic threat to humans. Only 2% of all cancer cases are caused by man-made environmental factors, while 75% of all cancers are caused by lifestyle factors such as diet, tobacco, and alcohol.
The report concludes: “The same conditions that produced these improvements technological innovation and economic growth -will continue to do so as we enter the next millennium.”
Florida Grower
December 1999
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Now this confused Satan a bit, so he walked up
to the man and said, “Don’t you know who I am?” The man replied,
“Yep, sure do.” Satan asked, “Aren’t you afraid of me?” “Nope,
sure ain’t,” said the man. Satan was a little perturbed at this and
queried, “Why aren’t you afraid of me?” The man calmly replied “Been
married to your sister for over 48 years.”
According to a radio report, a middle school
in Oregon was faced with a unique problem. A number of girls were beginning
to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine,
but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the
mirror, leaving dozens of little lip prints.
Finally the principal decided that something
had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met
them there with the maintenance man.
She explained that all the lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night. To demonstrate how difficult it was to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to clean one of the mirrors.
He took out a long handled squeegee, dipped it into the toilet and then cleaned the mirror. Since then there have been no lip prints on the mirror.
There are teachers, and then there are TEACHERS.
A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts, “Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?”
The man below says: “Yes you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field.”
“You must be an engineer” says the balloonist.
“I am,” replies the man. “How did you know?”
“Well,” says the balloonist, “everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's no use to anyone.”
The man below says, “You must be in upper management.”
“I am,” replies the balloonist, “but how did you know?”
“Well,” says the man, “you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault.”
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