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This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences is intended to address agronomic and environmental issues related to phosphorus (P) dynamics in Florida agricultural soils and soil test P interpretation and management for agricultural crops. This document aims to provide science-based information to agricultural clientele, including commercial producers, small farmers, Extension agents, crop consultants, landscape professionals, representatives of the fertilizer industry, state and local agencies, students and instructors of high schools and colleges, researchers, and interested Florida citizens. Written by Rao Mylavarapu, Yuncong Li, Maria Silveira, Cheryl Mackowiak, and Mabry McCray.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss699

Because of its adaptability to Florida’s environmental conditions and ability to produce viable seeds, pintoi peanut represents an interesting forage alternative for cow-calf producers in the state. This 5-page document provides current information on pintoi peanut for forage and livestock producers in Florida. Written by Joao M. D. Sanchez, Joao Vendramini, Maria L. Silveira, Jose C. B. Dubeux Jr., Lynn E. Sollenberger, and Philipe Moriel, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, November 2020.

Warm-season grasses are vital to livestock production systems and dominate ground cover in tropical and subtropical areas. Many popular warm-season grasses, such as bahiagrass and bermudagrass, have roots that penetrate deeper into the soil profile, which aids in both drought tolerance, nutrient uptake, and the minimization of soil erosion. In Florida, spodosols are the predominant soil order used for forage production and have limited fertility. Micronutrients are essential elements that are required in smaller quantities than macronutrients but are equally as important for proper plant growth and performance. An element can be considered essential for plant growth if a plant fails to complete its life cycle in the absence of the element, the elements action is specific and cannot be completely replaced by another element, it has a direct effect on the organism, or it is a constituent of a molecule that is known to be essential. The objective of this publication is to describe the role of micronutrients in warm-season grass production.

Soils in Florida may contain excess soil phosphorus (P) resulting from fertilizer, manure or biosolids applications. Excess P in soil does not damage soil fertility but can be transported from agricultural and urban areas either dissolved in water that drains away or as particulate matter (attached to soil particles) that travels with eroding soil. Increased P in water bodies is recognized as one of the major factors responsible for eutrophication-related decrease in water quality. Most soils have the capacity to retain excess P. However, soils with low capacity to retain excess P are abundant in Florida. The use of drinking-water treatment residuals (WTR) to control excess phosphorus (P) in soils with limited P adsorption capacity has been explored as a potential low-cost method by which to reduce phosphorus losses to surface waters and a discussion of these explorations is presented here. The target audience for this publication includes state agencies, like the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FLDEP), and water management districts trying to control P pollution, and those interested in nutrient management for agricultural and environmental purposes. This 6-page fact sheet is a minor revision written by Jonathan D. Judy, Maria L. Silveira, Sampson Agyin-Birikorang, and George A. O’Connor, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences, June 2019. SL 300/SS513: Drinking-Water Treatment Residuals to Control Phosphorus in Soils (ufl.edu)

Land application of aluminum-based WTRs (Al-WTR) has been demonstrated to effectively control off-site phosphorus loss to surface and groundwater. Therefore, amending soil with Al-WTR could be a best management practice (BMP) to reduce off-site P losses from agricultural fields via runoff and leaching. However, environmental concerns that the aluminum and arsenic contents of Al-WTRs could negatively affect agricultural production and human health have led to the development of guidelines for land application of WTRs in Florida. This 8-page document explores possible effects of land-applying Al-WTR on the environment and recommends practices to minimize environmental or human and animal health risk. Target audiences include state agencies like FDEP, FDACS, water management districts trying to use Al-WTR to control P pollution, and those interested in nutrient management for environmental purposes. Written by Jonathan D. Judy, Maria L. Silveira, Sampson Agyin-Birikorang, and George A. O’Connor, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences, June 2019. SL 299/SS512: Are Alum-Based Drinking Water Treatment Residuals Safe for Land Application? (ufl.edu)

The University of Florida / IFAS South Florida Beef Forage Program (SFBFP) is composed of county Extension faculty and state specialists. The members, in conjunction with the UF/IFAS Program Evaluation and Organizational Development unit, created a survey in 1982, which is used to evaluate ranch management practices. The survey is updated and distributed every 5 years to ranchers in 14 South Florida counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Okeechobee, Polk, and Sarasota. The responses are anonymous.

This four-page publication provides basic information about land application of biosolids to pastures and hayfields in Florida. The information contained in this document should be of interest to stakeholders, biosolids managers, students, and scientists interested in topics related to biosolids management practices and the potential benefits and risks associated with biosolid land application. Written by Maria L. Silveira, George A. O’Connor, and Joao M.B. Vendramini and published by the Department of Soil and Water Sciences.

Soil testing is the best tool for monitoring soil fertility levels and providing baseline information for cost-effective fertilization programs. But a major limitation is that it typically accounts for the plant-available nutrient pool present in the surface soil layer. Because of the extensive root system in some plants, plant analysis is a complement to the soil test to better assess the overall nutrient status of a perennial forage system, while revealing imbalances among nutrients that may affect crop production. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Maria L. Silveira and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, June 2014. SL412/SS625: Soil and Plant Tissue Testing (ufl.edu)

Many forage-based livestock production systems in Florida are characterized by extensive grazing with minimal inputs of commercial fertilizer and supplemental feed. In these systems, adequate soil fertility conditions are essential to sustain forage production. If nutrients become deficient, pasture and animal performance is reduced, and the economic returns of livestock operations may decline. This 3-page fact sheet discusses the different nutrient pathways in grazing pastures to help producers better understand how to promote nutrient cycling and pasture sustainability. Written by Maria L. Silveira, Joao M. B. Vendramini, Hiran M. da Silva, and Mariana Azenha, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss578

El secuestro de carbono en el suelo es el proceso de transformación del carbono del aire al carbono orgánico, almacenado en el suelo. A través del secuestro de carbono, los niveles de CO2 atmosférico pueden reducirse en la medida que los niveles de carbono orgánico del suelo aumentan. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Alejandra María Jimenez Madrid, José Trinidad Reyes Sandoval, and Maria L. Silveira, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2012. SL363/SS564: Secuestro y Distribución de Carbono Orgánico del Suelo Bajo Diferentes Sistemas de Manejo de Pasturas (ufl.edu)

SL309, a 6-page illustrated report by Maria L. Silveira, Randy Bateman, Joseph Walter, Jerry Sartain, Christa L. Kirby, and Pete Deal, presents the results of a study to evaluate P removal rates in different sod production systems in central and south Florida. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Sciences, November 2009. SL 309/SS521: Phosphorus Removal Rates from Sod Production Systems (ufl.edu)

Revised! SL-237, a 15-page fact sheet by E.A. Hanlon, Rao Mylavarapu, C.L. Mackowiak, and M.L. Silveira, records changes in UF/IFAS’ bahiagrass fertilization and liming recommendations from 1990 through 2008 and summarizes efforts of the various work groups and committees. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2006. Revised August 2008 and April 2009. SL-237/SS456: Development of Bahiagrass Fertilization Recommendations: 1990–2008 (ufl.edu)

Revised! SS-AGR-63, a 4-page fact sheet by J. M. Vendramini, M. S. Silveira, J. D. Arthington, and A. R. Blount, provides basic information about forage testing procedures at the UF/IFAS Forage Extension Testing Laboratory, where to send samples, how to interpret the testing results, and how to collect a sample. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Agronomy, February 2009. SS-AGR-63/AA192: Forage Testing (ufl.edu)

SL-249, a 6-page fact sheet by C. L. Mackowiak, A. R. Blount, E. A. Hanlon, M. L. Silveira, M. B. Adjei, and R. O. Myer, summarizes analysis practices and recommendations for bahiagrass fertilization for hay, sod or pasture systems. Includes recommended readings. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Sciences, April 2008. SL249/SS469: Getting the Most out of Bahiagrass Fertilization (ufl.edu)

SL-259, a 4-page fact sheet by M. L. Silveira, J. M. Vendramini, P. J. Hogue, and J. F. Selph, addresses important issues relative to fertilizer efficiency and suggests alternatives for reducing fertilizer use and reducing production costs for forage production. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, June 2008. SL259/SS483: Dealing With High Fertilizer Costs in Forage Production Systems (ufl.edu)

SL-251, a 3-page illustrated fact sheet by Diane Racine, Maria L. Silveira, and James W. Jawitz, provides basic guidelines for timely cleanup of petroleum spills or releases. It discusses categories of petroleum, reporting requirements, cleanup operations, soil removal, and land farming. Includes a flow chart and references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, September 2007.