scholarly journals Controlled-release Fertilizers for Vegetable Production in the Era of Best Management Practices: Teaching New Tricks to an Old Dog

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric H. Simonne ◽  
Chad M. Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Calcium Nitrate ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Best Management ◽  
N Release ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizers

Best management practices (BMPs) for vegetable crops are under development nationwide and in Florida. One goal of the Florida BMP program is to minimize the possible movement of nitrate-nitrogen from potato (Solanum tuberosum) production to surface water in the St. Johns River watershed without negatively impacting potato yields or quality. Current fertilizer BMPs developed for the area focus on fertilizer rate. Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) have long been a part of nutrient management in greenhouse and nursery crops. However, CRFs have been seldom used in field-vegetable production because of their cost and release characteristics. Nutrient release curves for CRFs are not available for the soil moisture and temperature conditions prevailing in the seepage-irrigated soils of northern Florida. Controlled-leaching studies (pot-in-pot) in 2000 and 2001 have shown that plant-available nitrogen (N) was significantly higher early in the season from ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate and urea compared to selected CRFs. However, N release from off-the-shelf and experimental CRFs was too slow, resulting in N recoveries ranging from 13% to 51%. Cost increase due to the use of CRFs for potato production ranged from $71.66 to $158.14/ha ($29 to $64 per acre) based on cost of material and N application rate. This higher cost may be offset by reduced application cost and cost-share pro-grams. Adoption of CRF programs by the potato (and vegetable) industry in Florida will depend on the accuracy and predictability of N release, state agencies' commitment to cost-share programs, and CRFs manufacturers' marketing strategies. All interested parties would benefit in the development of BMPs for CRFs.

scholarly journals Six State Survey of Container Nursery Nitrate Nitrogen Runoff

1993 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 206-208
Author(s):  
T. Yeager ◽  
R. Wright ◽  
D. Fare ◽  
C. Gilliam ◽  
J. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Controlled Release ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Drinking Water Standard ◽  
Nitrogen Runoff ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizers ◽  
Container Nursery

Abstract Container nursery bed runoff, reservoirs or ponds that contained runoff, wells, and surface water discharged from the property or at the property border were sampled at approximately 6-week intervals during April–October 1990 in Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. Runoff from container beds averaged 8 and 20 ppm NO3-N, respectively, for nurseries using controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) and controlled-release fertilizers supplemented with solution fertilizers (CRFSS). Average NO3-N levels for runoff collection ponds, property borders, and wells were each less than 10 ppm, the drinking water limit, regardless of fertilizers used. However, ppm NO3-N for some samples exceeded the drinking water standard. In general, these data indicate reason for concern and nursery operators need to implement best management practices.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Nutrient Availability, Placement, Rate, and Application Timing of Controlled-release Fertilizers for Florida Vegetable Production Using Seepage Irrigation

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 553-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luther C. Carson ◽  
Monica Ozores-Hampton
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Controlled Release ◽  
Release Rate ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Application Timing ◽  
Fertilizer System

This publication summarizes the factors influencing controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) nutrient release, CRF placement, CRF rate, and CRF application timing for the two major seepage-irrigated vegetable production systems (plasticulture and open-bed) in Florida. One of several best management practices for vegetable production, CRF helps growers achieve total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) established in Florida under the Federal Clean Water Act. Several factors intrinsic to CRF and to the vegetable production systems affect CRF nutrient release, making implementation of CRF fertility programs challenging. Increasing or decreasing soil temperature increases or decreases nutrient release from CRF. Soil moisture required for uninhibited plant growth is within the soil moisture range for optimum CRF nutrient release. CRF substrate affects nutrient release rate, which is inversely related to coating thickness and granule size. Soil microbes, soil texture, and soil pH do not influence nutrient release rate. Field placement of CRFs in seepage-irrigated, plasticulture, and open-bed production should be in the bottom mix at bed formation and soil incorporated or banded at planting, respectively. In plasticulture production systems, soil fumigation and delayed planting for continuous harvest may add a 14- to 21-day lag period between fertilization and planting, which along with different season lengths will influence CRF release length selected by growers. Using a hybrid fertilizer system in plasticulture production or incorporating CRF at planting in open-bed production allows for up to a 25% reduction in the nitrogen (N) rate needed.

scholarly journals Best Management Practices for Florida Citrus

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry Parsons ◽  
Brian Boman
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Drinking Water Standard ◽  
Florida Citrus

Best management practices (BMPs) started in Florida citrus (Citrus spp.) in the 1990s and have evolved to play a major role in production practices today. One of the earliest BMPs in Florida arose from concerns over nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in some surficial groundwater aquifers exceeding the 10 mg·L-1 drinking water standard. This occurred in an area of well-drained sandy soils known as the Central Florida Ridge that extends north and south through the central part of the Florida peninsula. State agencies could have used a strictly regulatory approach and restricted how much nitrogen growers could apply. Instead of setting arbitrary regulations, the agencies promoted a scientific-based BMP approach. A nitrogen BMP for Central Florida Ridge citrus was established, and research is now validating the earlier groundwater work on more grower field sites. The purpose of this BMP was to minimize the risk of leaching nitrates from fertilizer into the groundwater. Several important aspects of the BMP involve: 1) limiting the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied at any one time, 2) increasing the frequency of fertilizer applications, 3) reducing fertilizer applications during the summer rainy season, and 4) managing irrigation to reduce leaching below the root zone. Since this Central Florida Ridge nitrogen BMP was established, major BMP actions to improve water quality and reduce the quantity of runoff water have taken place in the Indian River production area of Florida's east coast. BMPs continue to be set up in other parts of the state for a variety of plant and animal agricultural practices. In some cases, cost-share funds have been provided to help implement BMPs. With voluntary BMPs, growers have scientifically based guidelines, a waiver of liability, and an avoidance of arbitrary regulations.

scholarly journals (353) University of California Water Quality Program for Floriculture and Nursery Growers in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1017C-1017
Author(s):  
Julie Newman ◽  
Kristine Gilbert ◽  
Ben Faber ◽  
Donald Merhaut ◽  
Laosheng Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Flow Monitoring ◽  
California Water ◽  
Quality Program ◽  
On Farm

Nursery growers must implement “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) to mitigate runoff and leaching of pollutants. However, there is little data on the effectiveness of BMPs, and further research is needed. Growers require training to minimize runoff and capital to comply with evolving regulations. We collected irrigation efficiency data at 26 nursery sites using catch cans. Uniformity value was calculated as: DU = 100 × (Average of the “Low Quarter”/Average of All Measurements). Results showed that one-third of the nurseries had irrigation uniformities below 67%, and only one nursery exceeded 82%. Continuous flow monitoring at 10-minute intervals was conducted at three nursery sites to determine daily and monthly variation. One hundred samples of the runoff were taken four times at each nursery and analyzed for nitrate, chloride, and sulfate. We developed a 29-page checklist of BMPs to reduce runoff, which we used to survey 53 growers in Ventura County. After completing the survey, 20 growers applied for funds from a 1.2 million dollar cost-share program that we initiated. This program provides funds to implement improved technologies to reduce runoff and/or conserve water; funds were awarded to 18 nurseries. We are collecting monitoring data from each cooperating nursery implementing improvements. These data measure the number of BMPs used by growers, provide a current “snapshot” of the industry, and document the effectiveness of future BMP implementation. We offer on-farm consulting, and conducted eight water quality/irrigation educational programs—four in Spanish. We elevated grower awareness concerning regulations and options for reducing runoff, and the data will be useful in evaluating future improvements.

scholarly journals Vegetable Production Best Management Practices to Minimize Nutrient Loss

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.K. Hartz
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
The United States ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Best Management

Nutrient loss from commercial vegetable fields has become a significant environmental issue in all the major vegetable-producing regions of the United States. Growers are facing potentially disruptive regulations aimed at improving the quality of both surface and ground water. Significant improvement in nutrient management will be required to meet this regulatory challenge. This paper discusses five practical, low-cost nutrient best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs are widely applicable, relatively inexpensive to implement, and can dramatically reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loss from vegetable fields. However, even with careful application of these BMPs, runoff and leachate from vegetable fields may periodically exceed environmental water quality standards, which are very stringent.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities for Extension Educators Involved in Best Management Practices

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric H. Simonne ◽  
Monica Ozores-Hampton
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Extension Educators ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Nutrient Discharge ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizers

With the development and implementation of best management practices (BMP), extension educators are facing a new and unexpected combination of challenges and opportunities. Because the BMP mandate requires a combination of research, demonstration, and outreach, it may affirm the relevance of the land grant mission in the 21st century, engage universities in interagency alliances, and help rediscover the wonders of the proven extension method. The extension approach to water and nutrient management needs to shift from “pollute less by applying less fertilizer” to “pollute less by better managing water.” Applied research is leading to advances in areas such as nutrient cycles and controlled-release fertilizers. At the same time, universities need to walk a fine line between education and regulation, address perennial issues of overfertilization, and consider the reformulation of recommendations that are now used in a quasi-regulatory environment. A combination of education, consensus, and novel approaches is needed to adapt the rigor of research to a multitude of growing conditions and risks of nutrient discharge in order to comply with U.S. federal laws and restore water quality.

scholarly journals Improving BMP Cost-Share Enrollment Rates: Insights from a Survey of Florida Farmers

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-269
Author(s):  
Lauriane S. Yehouenou ◽  
Kelly A. Grogan ◽  
Xiang Bi ◽  
Tatiana Borisova
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Producers ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Enrollment Rates ◽  
Verification Process ◽  
Environmental Goals ◽  
Environmental Agencies

This paper investigates cost-share program attributes that would affect producers' willingness to enroll in a cost-share program to fund the adoption of best management practices to improve water quality and decrease water use. Through a survey administered to Florida agricultural producers, we conducted choice experiments to assess farmers’ preferences for cost-share programs using five attributes: contracting agency, length of contract, annual verification process, costs included, and percent of costs covered. Results suggest that producers prefer cost-share programs with shorter contract lengths, self-monitoring, and administration by agricultural (as opposed to environmental) agencies. Our findings suggest the importance of an existing trust between the local communities and the contracting agencies for higher enrollment rates in cost –share programs. Our results can inform policymakers on ways to increase enrollment rates that move towards long-term environmental goals.

scholarly journals Controlled-Release Fertilizers for Florida Citrus Production

EDIS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 2004 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Obreza ◽  
Bob Rouse
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Nitrogen Sources ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Young Tree ◽  
Citrus Production ◽  
Florida Citrus ◽  
Controlled Release Fertilizers

In the new age of Florida citrus production, Best Management Practices to protect water quality are being considered across the state. Growers have been encouraged to carefully consider nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates, application schedules, and irrigation management in their groves. Nitrogen sources have received little attention because most managers are accustomed to using water-soluble fertilizers like ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and urea. Synthetic controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) have existed commercially for more than 35 years, but other than use in young-tree fertilizer blends, Florida citrus growers have avoided them due to high cost and lack of production experience. This document is SL-214, a fact sheet of the Soil and Water Science Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: January 2004. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss433

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