(215) From Recommendation to Implementation: Involving Vegetable Growers in Best Management Practices

The Federal Clear Water Act and Florida legislation have mandated the clean-up of impaired water bodies. The BMP manual for vegetable crops lists the cultural practices that could maintain productivity while minimizing environmental impact. BMPs focus on increased fertilizer and irrigation efficiency, but growers must be involved in the demonstration and adoption process if this voluntary program is to be successful. Three commercial vegetable fields from farms recognized as leaders in fertilizer and irrigation management were selected to demonstrate how irrigation and fertilizer management are linked together and how management may prevent water movement below the root zone of melons grown with plasticulture. In Spring 2004, dye (Brilliant blue FCF) was injected into the irrigation water three times during the growing season and soil profiles were dug to determine the depth of dye movement. Similar results were found at all three locations as the dye moved below at an average rate of 1.9 to 3.6 cm per day. Water movement was greater early in the season as irrigation was applied for transplant establishment. These results suggest that some leaching is likely to occur on light-textured soils, even when sophisticated irrigation and fertilization practices are followed. Based on these observations, cooperators spontaneously proposed to use two drip tapes, reduce preplant fertilizer, use a 100% injected N/K program, and/or add organic matter to the soil as attempts to slow water movement below the root zone of their crops. This project shows that growers are more likely to try and adopt sustainable practices when they actively participate in the educational process than when production changes are mandated through legislation.

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Current Knowledge, Gaps, and Future Needs for Keeping Water and Nutrients in the Root Zone of Vegetables Grown in Florida

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.20.1.143 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 143-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Eric Simonne ◽

Chad Hutchinson ◽

Jim DeValerio ◽

Robert Hochmuth ◽

Danielle Treadwell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Best Management Practices ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Time Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Root Zone ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Recycled Water ◽

Management Tools

The success of the best management practices (BMPs) program for vegetables in Florida is measured by the level of BMP implementation and the improvement of water quality. Both require keeping water and fertilizer in the root zone of vegetables. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Vegetable Group has identified the fundamental principles of 1) basing UF/IFAS production recommendations on the rigors of science and the reality of field production; 2) replacing the out-of-date paradigm “pollute less by reducing nutrient application rates” with “improve water management and adjust fertilizer programs accordingly”; 3) engaging growers, consultants, educators, and regulators in open-channel discussions; and 4) regularly updating current fertilization and irrigation recommendations for vegetables grown in Florida to reflect current varieties used by the industry. The group identified 1) developing ultralow-flow drip irrigation; 2) assisting conversion from seepage to drip irrigation; 3) using recycled water; 4) developing controlled-release fertilizers for vegetables; 5) developing real-time management tools for continuous monitoring of soil water and chemical parameters; 6) developing yield mapping tools for vegetable crops; 7) developing and testing drainage lysimeter designs suitable for in-field load assessment; and 8) using grafting and breeding to develop commercially acceptable varieties with improved nutrient use efficiency by improving morphological, biochemical, and chemical traits as new strategies to keep nutrients in the root zone. These strategies should become funding priorities for state agencies to help the vegetable industry successfully transition into the BMP era.

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FIELD ESTIMATION OF NITRATE LOAD FROM VEGETABLE FIELDS IN THE CARIBBEAN BASIN

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.3.506e ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 506E-507

Author(s):

Eric Simonne ◽

D. Studstill ◽

M. Dukes ◽

G. Hochmuth ◽

R. Hochmuth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Root Zone ◽

Best Management ◽

Drinking Water Standard ◽

Deep Wells ◽

Stream Control ◽

Field Estimation ◽

The Caribbean

The development of best management practices (BMP) and the alloca-tion of pollution among land users in a watershed (TMDL) requires an understanding of the effect of cultural practices on both yields and nutrient leaching below the root zone. `Florida 47' tomato and `La Estrella' tropical pumpkin were grown on plasticulture using combinations of UF–IFAS recommended N and irrigation rates in a 1-ha field in 2004. Average N and irrigation rates over the whole field were 100% and 80%, respectively. Nitrate movement was assessed with twenty-four 1-m-long drainage lysimeters in each plot and ten 7-m-deep wells in and around the field Lysimeters and wells were sampled every 2 and 3 weeks throughout the year, respectively. Leachate volume and concentration in the drainage lysimeters were highly variable. Except shortly after the 25-cm rain due to hurricane Jeanne, most leachate volumes were <1 L·m–1. Annual NO3-N mean treatment load ranged between 7 and 15 kg·ha–1, but these differences were not significant due to high variability (CV = 175%). Single-lysimeter annual highest load was 39 kg·ha–1 of NO3-N (17.5% of N applied). In 2004, NO3-N concentration in well water was <1, ranged between 15 and 35, ranged between 0 and 10 mg·L–1 NO3-N in the up-stream control, inside, and perimeter wells, respectively. These concentrations are in the same ranges as those observed in this field in previous years (1997–2003) and often exceeded the 10 mg/L drinking water standard. Because NO3-N discharge into the environment may occur after the growing season, BMPs should be implemented on a year round basis. The methodology used in load measurement should be improved to better account for spatial variability.

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The BMP Consensus Challenge

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.16.3.0386 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 386-389

Author(s):

Thomas H. Yeager

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Surface Water ◽

Total Phosphorus ◽

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Water Movement ◽

Research Information ◽

Runoff Water ◽

Container Nursery

The nursery industry in Broward County, Fla., had to choose between partaking in the resolution needed to achieve 10 ppb total phosphorus discharged to the Everglades or face regulation. The industry decided to pursue the proactive route and implement best management practices (BMPs). Teams of industry personnel were formed to develop the content of the Florida Container Nursery BMP Guide that contained the following chapters: 1) nursery layout, 2) container substrate and planting practices, 3) fertilization management, 4) container substrate nutrient monitoring, 5) irrigation water quality, 6) irrigation application, 7) irrigation uniformity, 8) erosion control and runoff water management, 9) pesticide management, and 10) waste management. Each team was to determine the content of their chapter, based on cultural practices producers were currently using, or could be using, which would minimize or reduce surface water movement of phosphorus from the nursery to adjacent water. Cultural practices, brought forth after a consensus was achieved by each team in concert with governmental agencies, associations, and allied industries, were meshed with research information, or the “best” information available from academic sources to ensure that the resolutions or BMPs that were written would contribute to resolving the confl ict (i.e., elevated total phosphorus in canal waters). Consensus development is a new challenge for most academicians but it is important because unbiased and science-based knowledge is needed to assist in BMP development. Furthermore, consensus of those directly and indirectly involved in the nursery industry helps facilitate the use of BMPs. Once the Florida Container Nursery BMP Guide is adopted by rule under the statutory authority of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, nursery operators voluntarily using the BMPs and keeping appropriate records will receive a waiver of liability from cleanup costs associated with contaminated ground or surface water, and be presumed to be in compliance with state water quality standards.

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Update on Nitrogen BMP Efforts with Tomato Production in Florida

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.4.994e ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 994E-995 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Monica Ozores-Hampton ◽

Eric Simonne ◽

Eugene McAvoy ◽

Phil Stansly ◽

Sanjay Shukla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

First Year ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Best Management ◽

Growing Conditions ◽

Administrative Code

Florida tomato growers generate about $600 million of annual farm gate sales. The Florida Vegetable and Agronomic Crop Water Quality/Quantity Best Management Practices Manual was adopted by rule in the Florida Administrative Code in 2006 and describes cultural practices available to tomato growers that have the potential to improve water quality. By definition, BMPs are specific cultural practices that are proven to optimize yield while minimizing pollution. BMPs must be technically feasible, economically viable, socially acceptable, and based on sound science. The BMP manual for vegetables endorses UF-IFAS recommendations, including those for fertilization and irrigation. Current statewide N fertilizer recommendations for tomato provide for a base rate of 224 kg/ha plus provisions for supplemental fertilizer applications 1) after a leaching rain, 2) under extended harvest season, and 3) when plant nutrient levels (leaf or petiole) fall below the sufficiency range. An on-farm project in seven commercial fields was conducted in 2004 under cool and dry growing conditions, to compare grower practices (ranging from 264 to 468 kg/ha of N) to the recommended rate. Early and total extra-large yields tended to be higher with growers' rate than with the recommended rate, but these differences were significant only in one trial. The first-year results illustrated the need for recommendations to be tested for several years and to provide flexibility to account for the reality of local growing conditions. Working one-on-one with commercial growers provided an opportunity to focus on each farm`s educational needs and to identify specific improvements in nutrient and irrigation management.

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Integrating Root Interception Capacity and Crop Nitrogen Demand into BMPs for Vegetable Crops

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.4.987e ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 987E-988

Author(s):

Johannes Scholberg ◽

Kelly Morgan ◽

Lincoln Zotarelli ◽

Eric Simonne ◽

Michael Dukes

Keyword(s):

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

N Uptake ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

N Leaching ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Initial Growth ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

N Accumulation

Most strategies used to determine crop N fertilizer recommendations do not address potential environmental issues associated with agricul-tural production. Thus, a more holistic approach is required to reduce N loading associated with vegetable crops production on soils that are prone to N leaching. By linking fertilizer N uptake efficiency (FUE) with irrigation management, root interception capacity, and N uptake dynamics, we aim to improve FUE. Nitrogen uptake for peppers, tomato, potato, and sweet corn followed a logistic N accumulation patterns. Up to 80-85% of N uptake occurred between 4 to 7 weeks (sweet corn) vs. 6 to 12 weeks (other crops), while N uptake during initial growth and crop maturation was relatively low. Maximum daily N accumulation rates occurred at 5 weeks (sweet corn) vs. 8-10 weeks (other crops) and maximum daily N uptake rates were 4-8 kg N/ha. Overall FUE for most vegetables may range between 23% and 71%, depending on production practices, soil type, and environmental conditions. Maximum root interception capacity was typically attained 3 to 5 weeks prior to crop maturity. It is concluded that, during initial growth, root interception may the most limiting factor for efficient N use. Although recent uptake studies have shown that FUE may be highest toward the end of the growing season, this may not coincide with the greatest crop demand for N, which occurs during the onset of the linear growth phase. As a result, yield responses to N applied later in the season may be limited. Integration of these results into best management practices and expert systems for vegetable production can minimize the externalities associated with commercial vegetable production on vulnerable soils in the southeastern United States.

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Managing Landscape Irrigation to Avoid Soil and Nutrient Losses

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-ss586-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 (11) ◽

Author(s):

George Hochmuth ◽

Laurie Trenholm ◽

Don Rainey ◽

Esen Momol ◽

Claire Lewis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Environment ◽

Management Practices ◽

Root Zone ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

Critical Factor ◽

Nutrient Losses ◽

County Agents ◽

The Right ◽

Soil And Water

Proper irrigation management is critical to conserve and protect water resources and to properly manage nutrients in the home landscape. How lawns and landscapes are irrigated directly impacts the natural environment, so landscape maintenance professionals and homeowners must adopt environmentally-friendly approaches to irrigation management. After selecting the right plant for the right place, water is the next critical factor to establish and maintain a healthy lawn and landscape. Fertilization is another important component of lawn and landscape maintenance, and irrigation must be applied correctly, especially following fertilization, to minimize potential nutrient losses. This publication supplements other UF/IFAS Extension publications that also include information on the role of soil and the root zone in irrigation management. This publication is designed to help UF/IFAS Extension county agents prepare materials to directly address nutrient losses from lawns and landscapes caused by inadequate irrigation management practices. This 6-page fact sheet was written by George Hochmuth, Laurie Trenholm, Don Rainey, Esen Momol, Claire Lewis, and Brian Niemann, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss586

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A Survey of Nursery Water Quality Best Management Practices

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.501e ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 501e-502

Author(s):

Cody J. White ◽

Michael A. Schnelle ◽

Gerrit W. Cuperus

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Plant Materials ◽

Best Management ◽

Employee Safety ◽

Current Water ◽

Management Approaches ◽

Environmentally Sound

A survey was designed to assess high-risk areas with respect to environmental contamination, specifically how it relates to water quality. Oklahoma growers of all economic levels, retail and/or wholesale, were queried at their place of business for their current state of implementing best management practices (BMPs) and other strategic actions that could potentially affect current and future water quality standards. Specific areas such as the physical environment of the nursery, primary pesticides and fertilizers used, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, and employee safety training were covered as well as other aspects germane to preserving and protecting current water quality and related environmental issues. More than 75 nurseries were surveyed and given the opportunity to participate in future training at Oklahoma State Univ. Results indicated that nurseries have not fully implemented many BMPs, but have adopted fundamental IPM approaches. The stage is set for the implementation of the next phase of expansion and refinement into ecologically based programs such as propagation and sale of low pesticide input plant materials, improved cultural practices, and the integration of environmentally sound management approaches. As an example, many growers are in the process of phasing out calendar-based pesticide application programs in favor of aesthetic and/or economic threshold-driven pesticide spray programs.

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Field Measurements and Simulation of Nitrogen Fate under Citrus Production

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.498c ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 498c-498

Author(s):

A. Fares ◽

A.K. Alva ◽

S. Paramasivam

Keyword(s):

Mass Balance ◽

Best Management Practices ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Crop Production ◽

Management Practices ◽

Root Zone ◽

Field Measurements ◽

Irrigation Scheduling ◽

N Leaching ◽

Citrus Production

Water and nitrogen (N) are important inputs for most crop production. The main objectives of nitrogen best management practices (NBMP) are to improve N and water management to maximize the uptake efficiency and minimize the leaching losses. This require a complete understanding of fate of N and water mass balance within and below the root zone of the crop in question. The fate of nitrogen applied for citrus production in sandy soils (>95% sand) was simulated using a mathematical model LEACHM (Leaching Estimation And Chemistry Model). Nitrogen removal in harvested fruits and storage in the tree accounted the major portion of the applied N. Nitrogen volatilization mainly as ammonia and N leaching below the root zone were the next two major components of the N mass balance. A proper irrigation scheduling based on continuous monitoring of the soil water content in the rooting was used as a part of the NBMP. More than 50% of the total annual leached water below the root zone was predicted to occur in the the rainy season. Since this would contribute to nitrate leaching, it is recomended to avoid N application during the rainy season.

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Adapting Nitrogen Fertilization to Unpredictable Seasonal Conditions with the Least Impact on the Environment

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.16.3.0408 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 408-412 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Nicolas Tremblay ◽

Carl Bélec

Keyword(s):

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Saturation Index ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

N Budget ◽

Reference Plot ◽

Weather Events ◽

Primary Driver

Weather is the primary driver of both plant growth and soil conditions. As a consequence of unpredictable weather effects on crop requirements, more inputs are being applied as an insurance policy. Best management practices (BMPs) are therefore about using minimal input for maximal return in a context of unpredictable weather events. This paper proposes a set of complementary actions and tools as BMP for nitrogen (N) fertilization of vegetable crops: 1) planning from an N budget, 2) reference plot establishment, and 3) crop sensing prior to in-season N application based on a saturation index related to N requirement.

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Adoption of Best Management Practices for Herbicide-Resistant Weeds in Midsouthern United States Cotton, Rice, and Soybean

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-13-00087.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 788-797 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Dilpreet S. Riar ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy ◽

Lawrence E. Steckel ◽

Daniel O. Stephenson ◽

Thomas W. Eubank ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Best Management Practices ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Direct Mail ◽

Rice Seed ◽

Planting Dates ◽

Row Crops ◽

Herbicide Resistant ◽

Best Management

In fall 2011, cotton and soybean consultants from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee were surveyed through direct mail and on-farm visits, and rice consultants from Arkansas and Mississippi were surveyed through direct mail to assess the importance and level of implementation of herbicide resistance best management practices (HR-BMPs) for herbicide-resistant weeds. Proper herbicide timing, clean start with no weeds at planting, application of multiple effective herbicide modes of action, use of full labeled herbicide rates, and prevention of crop weed seed production with importance rating of ≥ 4.6 out of 5.0 were perceived as the most important HR-BMPs in all crops. Purchase of certified rice seed was on 90% of scouted hectares. In contrast, least important HR-BMPs as perceived by consultants with importance ratings of ≤ 4.0 in cotton, ≤ 3.7 in rice, and ≤ 3.8 in soybean were cultural practices such as manual removal of weeds; tillage including disking, cultivation, or deep tillage; narrow (≤ 50 cm)-row crops, cover crops, and altered planting dates. Narrow crop rows and cover crops in cotton; altered planting dates in cotton and soybean; and cleaning of farm equipment and manual weeding in rice and soybean is currently employed on ≤ 20% of scouted hectares. Extra costs, time constraints, adverse weather conditions, lack of labor and equipment, profitability, herbicide-related concerns, and complacency were perceived as key obstacles for adoption of most HR-BMPs. With limited adoption of most cultural practices that reduce risks of herbicide-resistant weeds, there are opportunities to educate growers concerning the proactive need and long-term benefits of adopting HR-BMPs to ensure sustainable weed management and profitable crop production.

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