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Fresh market tomato is an important vegetable crop in Florida. During the 1999-2000 season, the crop was grown on over 41,000 acres and was valued at over 418 million dollars. This document is ENY-678, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Publication Date: February 2003.

Proper tuber maturity at harvest is an important factor in producing high quality Florida fresh market potatoes. A mature tuber has improved skin-set, bruise resistance, and storage life. Vine killing not only benefits tuber appearance but can also limit tuber size and improve tuber release from the vine at harvest. Tubers naturally mature as the potato plant senesces. However, improved production methods cause potato vines to remain healthy and green longer into the season. Tuber maturation can be artificially induced by killing the potato vines. The three traditional methods for vine killing are mechanical, chemical, and combinations of the mechanical and chemical methods. This document is HS925, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: June 2003. HS925/HS181: Potato Vine Killing or Desiccation (ufl.edu)

The so-called Cinderella of the citrus industry, Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate, started with a production of 226,000 gallons in 1946. Last year 67,000,000 gallons of Frozen Orange Juice concentrate were produced. In 1946 there was only one plant in operation on the product as it is known today. Today there are 24 plants operating. In considering the phenomenal growth of this product and its impact on the citrus industry, there is one very important fact to keep in mind: This is that the frozen product was originally conceived as a high quality product which would be competitive with fresh juice. Most of you will remember that the Single Strength industry got its start primarily as a by-product. The idea was that while the Single Strength product was not as good as fresh juice, it would produce some profit for the grower and would expand the use of the citrus crop. The general feeling in the Single Strength industry has been that it could not return to the grower the same profit that the fresh market would and many people considered it strictly a salvage operation. The philosophy surrounding frozen concentrate is entirely different. While the question of its comparative taste against freshly squeezed product can be debated, the fact remains that the housewife has accepted it wholeheartedly. During last season over 50% of the Florida orange crop went into orange concentrate. Paper published with permission.

This document is SS-AGR-190, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published March 2003. SS-AGR-190/AG194: Producing Peanuts for the Fresh (Green/Boiling) Market (ufl.edu)

The tomato commercial groups cherry and fresh market, mainly classified by fruit size, have clearly segregated markets. We aimed to estimate the variation within and between these groups and to analyze factors that impact consumer acceptance. To this end, we studied the chemical profile (dry matter, sugars, acids) and fruit morphology (Tomato Analyzer) of 63 accessions grown in 2 environments (open air/soil culture, greenhouse/soilless culture). To identify traits underlying consumer preferences, we used a trained panel for quantitative descriptive sensory analyses and consumer surveys on a subset of genotypes. Our results confirm the higher content of reducing sugars (fructose, glucose), soluble solids, dry matter, and glutamic acid in the cherry group and the important effects of environment and genotype-by-environment interactions on fruit quality traits. The diversity within cherry for chemical composition is 1.4-fold to 2.1-fold that of fresh market. Differences in fruit morphological traits (weight, shoulder height, height/width relation) were highly related to fruit size, but no differences between groups were found for the internal structure of the fruit (locular relative content). Consumers value sweetness, glutamic acid, titratable acidity, and juiciness in cherry, and sweetness and taste intensity in the fresh market group. The implications for plant breeding are discussed.

I prodotti ortofrutticoli da consumo fresco, una volta raccolti, vanno incontro a processi degradativi che portano alla loro senescenza in tempi più o meno lunghi, a seconda dell’attività metabolica, della deperibilità e delle condizioni ambientali. Tutte le fasi che seguono la raccolta sono di fondamentale importanza per la salvaguardia delle caratteristiche organolettiche e sanitarie del prodotto commercializzato. In tale contesto vengono descritte le esperienze di ricerca al Campus di Scienze degli Alimenti - Università di Bologna, in materia di processi innovativi post-raccolta nell'ottica del miglioramento qualitativo.

Florida had the largest fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in the United States, with a value of $437 million and 13,355 ha harvested in 2014. Despite the development of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) fertilizer recommendations, tomato growers often use fertilizer rates above the recommended ones, especially when seepage irrigation is used and a longer growing season is foreseen. If a mass balance of N–P–K partitioning could be made in field conditions, a better understanding of nutrition applications could be reached. Therefore, a field study was conducted on seepage-irrigated tomato on a commercial farm in southwest Florida, during the spring and winter season of 2006 to evaluate the nitrogen (N) rate and season effects on tomato plant growth, fruit yield, N, phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) accumulation and use efficiency. The UF/IFAS N-recommended rate (224 kg·ha−1) was compared with a commercial grower (CG) rate (358 kg·ha−1). Both N rates were incorporated at bedding with 61 and 553 kg·ha−1 of P and K, respectively. Fruit yield and plant growth were measured and roots, stems, leaves, and fruit samples were analyzed to determine total N, P, and K content and accumulation in different plant parts. Nutrient recovery (REC) and the partial factor of productivity of applied nutrients (PFP) were calculated for each N rate. In the spring, 120 days after transplanting, plants dry biomass was 11.5% higher (P = 0.01) in the CG N rate than with UF/IFAS N rate, while no significant differences were observed in the winter season. In the spring, N, P, and K accumulation were 250, 56, and 285 kg·ha−1 in plants grown with CG N rate and were significantly lower (23%, 5%, and 23%, respectively) with the UF/IFAS N rate, respectively. In the winter, total N accumulation was 231 kg·ha−1 in plants fertilized at CG N rate and significantly lower (16%) with the UF/IFAS N rate. N rate did not significantly affect P and K accumulation, which were on average 64 and 312 kg·ha−1, respectively. Marketable fruit yield was significantly higher (P = 0.03) with CG N rate than with UF/IFAS N rate (91.1 vs. 81.5 Mg·ha−1), and was significantly higher (P = 0.03) in the spring than in the winter (100.8 vs. 71.8 Mg·ha−1). The NREC was significantly higher (P = 0.01) with the UF/IFAS N rate than with CG N rate and was not significantly affected (P = 0.94) by seasons. The PFPN was significantly higher (P = 0.001) with the UF/IFAS N-rate than with CG N-rate, and was significantly higher (P = 0.04) in the spring than in the winter season. These results suggest that current UF/IFAS N recommendations are more conservative of N and this should lead to reduced leaching potential but, UF/IFAS recommendations must be season specific due to the difference in environmental conditions of fruit maturation in cooler weather of the winter season compared with a warmer environment of the spring season.

Spain accounts for more than 55% of the European citrus production and is predominantly oriented towards fresh market. Harvesting accounts for more than 50% of production costs and methods of mass harvesting are under research. Abscission agents decrease fruit detachment force of mature fruits before harvest, thus improving harvesting machines performance. However, they may affect the production of the following season or blemish the fruit skin, making the product unmarketable for whole fruit, fresh consumption. This work was aimed at studying whether the application of ethephon improves mechanical harvesting of mandarins and affects the quality of fruit, the physiology and yield of trees. Trees were harvested with a trunk shaker, and ethephon was sprayed at 600 and 1200 mg/L in 4 and 7 L/tree applications in commercial orchards. The use of ethephon affected the amount of radiation intercepted by the canopy at long term in the first year, but it did not in the second year. It also slightly improved fruit removal but increased defoliation.

Increasing the length of irrigation time by reducing the operating pressure (OP) of drip irrigation systems may result in decreased deep percolation and may allow for reduced nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates, thereby minimizing the environmental impact of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of irrigation OP (6 and 12 psi), N fertilizer rate (100%, 80%, and 60% of the recommended 200 lb/acre N), and irrigation rates [IRRs (100% and 75% of the target 1000–4000 gal/acre per day)] on fresh-market tomato plant nutritional status and yields. Nitrate (NO3−)–N concentration in petiole sap of ‘Florida 47’ tomatoes grown in Spring 2008 and 2009 in a raised-bed plasticulture system was not significantly affected by treatments in both years and were within the sufficiency ranges at first-flower, 2-inch-diameter fruit, and first-harvest growth stages (420–1150, 450–770, and 260–450 mg·L−1, respectively). In 2008, marketable yields were greater at 6 psi than at 12 psi OP [753 vs. 598 25-lb cartons/acre (P < 0.01)] with no significant difference among N rate treatments. But in 2009, marketable yields were greater at 12 psi [1703 vs. 1563 25-lb cartons/acre at 6 psi (P = 0.05)] and 100% N rate [1761 vs. 1586 25-lb cartons/acre at 60% N rate (P = 0.04)]. Irrigation rate did not have any significant effect (P = 0.59) on tomato marketable yields in either year with no interaction between IRR and N rate or OP treatments. Hence, growing tomatoes at 12 psi OP, 100% of recommended N rate, and 75% of recommended IRR provided the highest marketable yields with least inputs in a drip-irrigated plasticulture system. In addition, these results suggest that smaller amounts of irrigation water and fertilizers (75% and 60% of the recommended IRR and N rate, respectively) could be applied when using a reduced irrigation OP of 6 psi for the early part of the tomato crop season. In the later part of the season, as water demand increased, the standard OP of 12 psi could be used. Changing the irrigation OP offers the grower some flexibility to alter the flow rates to suit the water demands of various growth stages of the crop. Furthermore, it allows irrigation to be applied over an extended period of time, which could better meet the crop's needs for water throughout the day. Such an irrigation strategy could improve water and nutrient use efficiencies and reduce the risks of nutrient leaching. The results also suggest that OP (and flow rate) should be included in production recommendations for drip-irrigated tomato.

Harvesting is one of the more expensive tasks in a Spanish citrus crop because it is done manually. Spanish researchers are investigating the possibilities of mechanical harvesting of citrus cultivated under Spanish conditions. This paper compares two different strategies for mechanical harvesting: the use of a trunk shaker and the use of a hand-held petrol shaker. Tests were performed in lemon, orange and mandarin groves. Tree spacing was 6-7 m between rows and 2.5-4.5 m in the row. Trees were 2.5-3 m height and had a 0.35-0.70 m branch-free trunk. The harvesting equipment was (a) an inertial tree trunk shaker that produced displacements of 2-3 cm and frequencies of 10-25 Hz and (b) a hand-held shaker with a stroke of 6 cm and a variable frequency between 10 and 25 Hz. Fruit fell on canvases with different shock-absorbing materials. The overall trunk shaker fruit detachment capacity was 70%. Fruit detachment was influenced more by tree architecture than by fruit attachment force. Trees with a favorable branch disposition allowed fruit detachment percentages up to 90%. The hand-held shaker had higher fruit removal efficiency on shaken branches (76%) but a lower efficiency on the whole tree (63%) because of its low efficiency in transmitting vibration to thin and willowy branches. Since fruit are for the fresh market, two quality parameters were evaluated: a) fruit detachment point and b) fruit damage. The majority of the fruit was detached with calyx or with peduncle attached, which means that fruit was good for the fresh market. Fruit susceptibility to damage mainly depended on the variety.

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is considered a promising sustainable alternative to chemical soil fumigation (CSF), and has been shown to be effective against soilborne diseases, plant-parasitic nematodes, and weeds in several crop production systems. Nevertheless, limited information is available on the effects of ASD on crop yield and quality. Therefore, a field study was conducted on fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in two different locations in Florida (Immokalee and Citra), to evaluate and compare the ASD and CSF performances on weed and nematodes control, and on fruit yield and quality. In Immokalee, Pic-Clor 60 (1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin) was used as the CSF, whereas in Citra, the CSF was Paldin™ [dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) + chloropicrin]. Anaerobic soil disinfestation treatments were applied using a mix of composted poultry litter (CPL) at the rate of 22 Mg·ha−1, and two rates of molasses [13.9 (ASD1) and 27.7 m3·ha−1 (ASD2)] as a carbon (C) source. In both locations, soil subjected to ASD reached highly anaerobic conditions, and cumulative soil anaerobiosis was 167% and 116% higher in ASD2 plots than in ASD1 plots, in Immokalee and Citra, respectively. In Immokalee, the CSF provided the most significant weed control, but ASD treatments also suppressed weeds enough to prevent an impact on yield. In Citra, all treatments, including the CSF, provided poor weed control relative to the Immokalee site. In both locations, the application of ASD provided a level of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne sp.) control equivalent to, or more effective than the CSF. In Immokalee, ASD2 and ASD1 plots provided 26.7% and 19.7% higher total marketable yield as compared with CSF plots, respectively. However, in Citra, total marketable yield was unaffected by soil treatments. Tomato fruit quality parameters were not influenced by soil treatments, except for fruit firmness in Immokalee, which was significantly higher in fruits from ASD treatments than in those from CSF soil. Fruit mineral content was similar or higher in ASD plots as compared with CSF. In fresh-market tomato, ASD applied using a mixture of CPL and molasses may be a sustainable alternative to CSF for maintaining or even improving marketable yield and fruit quality.

A processed paste was prepared from fresh ginger so that a convenient, shelf-stable product with the odor characteristics of fresh ginger could be manufactured from ginger produced in excess of fresh market demand. The paste was sampled periodically for color by Hunter YI index, odor by trained panel and (6)-gingerol (the major pungent component) by HPLC. This product was found to have a fair shelf-life under refrigeration, but degradation of color, odor and (6)-gingerol made the paste unacceptable after 8 wk storage at 25°C or 37°C.

‘Tekau’ is a late maturing cultivar of potato (Solarium tuberosum L.) which is suitable for both fresh market and processing. The plant is characterised by the purple anthocyanin pigmentation of the stems. The tubers are smooth skinned and flat oval in cross-section. ‘Tekau’ has good levels of disease resistance and high yield potential. Its high tuber set means that few oversize tubers are produced but, unless growing conditions are favourable, many small tubers can result.

AN apple bin filler for use in conjunction with a mechanical picker was designed, built and tested. It filled a bin (24 boxes) in 1.75 min. Amount of bruising to the Red Delicious variety was acceptable for fresh market apples, but was excessive for the Golden Delicious variety. Pattern of fill was good, with some crowning which increased with intermittent feed rates.

Transplants were set 6 Sep, 18 inches apart on 2.5 ft wide by 8 inches high beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with black polyethylene mulch. Plots consisted of 10 staked plants and treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied 24 Sep, 2, 8, 15, 22, 29 Oct, and 5 Nov with a 2.5 gal hand-held CO2 powered sprayer which was operated at 40 psi and delivered 80-115 gal/acre (gallonage increased as the plants grew). On 6 Nov, the numbers of small (less than 0.5 inch in length) and large (0.5 inch or longer) leafemines were counted in a one minute visual search of each plot. The numbers of undamaged fruit and the numbers of fruit damaged by noctuid larvae (principally the southern armyworm, S. eridania (Cramer)) or stink bugs were determined in a single harvest taken on 11 Nov.

Transplants were set 8 Sept., 18 inches apart on 2.5-ft-wide by 8-inch-high beds of Myakka fine sand covered with black polyethylene mulch. Plots consisted of 10 staked plants and were replicated four times in a randomized complete blocks design. Treatments were applied 7, 14, 21, 28 Oct., 9, 18, 23 Nov. , 3, 9, 17, and 22 Dec. with a 2.5 gal, handheld CO2 powered sprayer which was operated at 40 lb/in2 and delivered 50 to 140 gal/acre (averaged 110 gal/acre; gallonage increased as the plants grew). On 8 Dec, the number of large leafmines (ca. 0.5 inches or longer) were counted on the terminal three leaflets of the fourth fully expanded leaf from the tops of 10 branches per plot and the foliage excised and placed in 1 qt Fonda ice cream cartons. The cartons were incubated at ca. 80°F for 1 week and the numbers of leafminers puparia were counted. The number of undamaged fruit and the numbers of fruit damaged by armyworm larvae (principally the southern armyworm and a climbing armyworm), southern green stink bugs or both armyworm larvae and stink bugs were totaled over harvests taken on 15 and 29 Dec. Percentage data were transformed arcsine %/100 before analysis but data are presented in the original scale.

Transplants were set 14 Feb, 18 inches apart on 2.5 ft wide by 8 inches high beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with black polyethylene mulch. Plots consisted of 10 staked plants and treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied 7, 14, 21, 28 Mar, 4, 11, 17, 25 Apr, 2, 9, 16, and 23 May with a 2.5 gal hand-held CO2 powered sprayer which was operated at 40 psi and delivered 45-145 gal/acre (gallonage increased as the plants grew). Ambush 2EC was combined at 0.1 lb (AI)/100 gal with MK 936 treatments on 9 and 23 May. On 24 Apr, the numbers of thrips were counted in 10 flowers from each plot. On 20 May, the numbers of active leafmines (those containing living larvae) and the numbers of empty leafmines were counted on the terminal three leaflets of the 7th leaf from the top of each of 10 stems from each plot. To complete a residue analysis, 10 undamaged mature green or breaker fruit were harvested and weighed on 23, 24, 26, 28, 30 May and 6 Jun from all check plots and from plots sprayed with MK 936 applied at either 0.02 or 0.01 lb (AIJ/100 gal. The numbers of undamaged ripe fruit and the numbers of ripe fruit damaged by noctuid larvae (principally the southern armyworm, S. eridania (Cramer)) or stink bugs were determined in harvests taken on 21, 28 May, 3 and 11 Jun. Leafmine counts were transformed by the square root of x + 0.5 prior to analyses but are presented in the original scale.

Carrot pie fillings were prepared from carrots that did not meet fresh market standards but were otherwise of good quality. The pie fillings were prepared by mixing carrot puree, sugar, salt, and ground spices or oil extract spices. Nutrient composition analysis showed that vitamin A was five times higher in carrot pie fillings than in pumpkin pie filling. Thiamin, niacin, and total carbohydrates were higher in carrot pie fillings. Sensory panel scores show that carrot pie was preferred over pumpkin pie and ground spices over oil extract spices. The results of this work indicate that an acceptable carrot pie filling of equal or better nutritional value than pumpkin pie can be prepared.

Governor Simcoe and Secord are two June-bearing strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) released as fresh market berries. Both have very large firm fruit with good flavor. Both ripen mid-late season with Secord ripening slightly earlier than Governor Simcoe.Key words: Fragaria × ananassa Duch., strawberry, fruit breeding, cultivar description

Northernvee and Earlivee are first-early sweet corn cultivars for fresh market and home garden. Northernvee, a three-way hybrid, is slightly earlier but more variable than Earlivee. Both are 12-to 14- rowed and have better eating quality than most early cultivars.

‘Iwa’ is a mid season potato suitable for fresh-market use. Yields are similar to ‘Ilam Hardy’ at early harvest, and superior to Ilam Hardy and ‘Rua’ at maturity. The plant is upright and vigorous, has large purple flowers, and prominent waved wings on the stems. The tubers are smooth, white-skinned, and oval. Tuber quality is good when boiled, steamed, or baked, but usually not when fried. Iwa has good field resistance to early and late blight, and virus X and Y. It is susceptible to leafroll virus and harvest-post-harvest damage unless handled with care.

Weekly applications of methomyl at 0.45 and 0.9 lb AI/acre on fresh market tomatoes resulted in significantly more (total) mines by Liriomyza sativae Blanchard in the methomyl-treated plots (26,041 and 22,570, respectively) than in the untreated check (13,897 mines). These differences were due at least in part to methomyl’s adverse effect on parasites normally attacking L. sativae and to its inability to control this leafminer. Nine species of parasites in 2 families were reared from L. sativae . Of these, Diglyphus begini (Ashmead) was far the most common, comprising 80.7% of the total number reared.

Veebrite and Basketvee are firm, crack-resistant, mid-season hand-pick tomatoes introduced for processing into juice or ketchup, and for fresh market. Both cultivars are generally similar in plant habit and fruit characteristics but Basketvee has larger fruit size.

Transplants were set 15 Mar., 18 in. apart on 2.5-ft-wide by 8-in.-high beds of Myakka fine sand covered with black polyethylene mulch. Plots consisted of 10 staked plants and were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied 7, 14, 21, 28 April; 5, 12, 20, 26 May; and 2 and 9, June, with a 2.5-gal, handheld CO2 powered sprayer which was operated at 40 lb/in2 and delivered 70 to 100 gal/acre (gallonage increases as the plants grew). On 13 June, the numbers of large leafmines (ca. 0.5 inch or longer) were counted on the terminal 3 leaflets of the 4th fully expanded leaf from the tops of 10 branches per plot. The numbers of undamaged fruit and the numbers of fruit damaged by armyworm larvae (principally the southern armyworm and a climbing cutworm), tomato pinworm larvae or sucking pests (southern green stink bug, brown stink bug and leaffooted bug) were totalled over harvests taken on 6 and 16 jun. The percentages of damaged fruit were calculated and transformed arc sine (%)/(0.01) before analysis but data are presented in the original scale. After the last harvest, 5 plants were cut, inverted and shaken. Dislodged insects were identified and counted. The percentage of foliage affected by mites was rated 1 to 12 by the Horsfall-Barratt system. Analyses of variance were performed on all data and, if siginificant (P = 0.05). F values were obtained, means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range test.

Analyses for total phenols in extracts of epidermal, placental and pericarp tissue from three tomato cultivars that had been observed to vary in susceptibility to post harvest spoilage by microorganisms showed no significant quantitative variation by cultivar. Quantities of phenols varied significantly (P < 0.05) by maturity and location within the fruit. The highest concentration of phenols was found in the epidermal and placental tissue at the midripe stage of maturity. Quantities were highest in the Patriot cultivar which related to observations that tomatoes from this cultivar were more resistant to microbial infection than were tomatoes from the Floridade and Walter cultivars.

Transplants were set 23 Sep, 18 inches apart on 2.5-ft wide by 8-inch high beds of Myakka fine sand covered with black polyethylene mulch. Plots consisted of 10 staked plants and treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied 28 Sep, 6, 14, 20, 27 Oct, 3, 10, 17, 23 Nov, 2 and 9 Dec with a 2.5-gal hand-held CO2 powered sprayer which was operated at 40 psi and delivered 80-140 gal/acre (gal increased as the plants grew). On 17 and 18 Nov, the no. of large leafmines (ca. 0.5 inch or longer) were counted on the terminal 3 leaflets of the 4th fully expanded leaf from the tops of 10 branches per plot. The no. of undamaged fruit and the no. of fruit damaged by armyworm larvae or true bugs were totaled over harvests taken on 29 Nov and 14 Dec.

This test was conducted at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation, Cullman. Tomato transplants were set on Jun 13. Plots consisted of 3 rows, 25 ft long (88-inch centers), with 5-ft alleys. A randomized complete block design with 4 replications per treatment was used. Sprays were initiated when fruit began to set. All applications were made with a Super Blue Boy 6000 high clearance sprayer. Treatments were applied on Aug 5, 12, 26, Sep 2, 9 and 27. For disease control, Manzate 200 (at 1.6 lb ai/acre) was applied early in the season and Difolafan (at 1.0 lb ai/acre) was used late in the season. Tomatoes were harvested 5 times (Aug 25, Sep 1, 8, 16 and 23). Damage and yield data were taken from the middle row of each plot. All fruits were examined visually, and dissected when necessary, to determine damage by the fruitworm.

Transplants were set 8 Mar, 18 inches apart on 2.5-ft wide by 8-inch high beds of Myakka fine sand covered with black polyethylene mulch. Plots consisted of 10 staked plants and treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized block design. Treatments were applied 5, 11, 18, 25 Apr, 2, 9, 17 and 23 May with a 2.5-gal hand-held CO2 powered sprayer which was operated at 40 psi and delivered ca. 60-100 gal/acre (gal increased as the plants grew). On 18 May, the no. of leafmines were counted on the terminal 3 leaflets of the 4th fully expanded leaf from the tops of 10 branches per plot. The no. of undamaged fruit and the no. of fruit damaged by armyworm larvae (principally the southern armyworm and a climbing cutworm) or true bugs (stink bugs and leaffooted bugs) were totalled over harvests taken on 16 and 31 May.

Transplants were set 4 Sept, 18 inches apart on 2.5-ft-wide by 8-inch-high beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with black polyethylene mulch. Plots consisted of 10 staked plants and treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied 25 Sept; 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 Oct; and 6 Nov with a 2.5-gal, handheld CO2-powered sprayer operated at 40 psi and delivering 80-140 gal/acre (volume increased as plants grew). On 10 Nov, the numbers of leafminers were counted in a 2-minute visual search of each plot. The numbers of undamaged fruit and the numbers of fruit damaged by noctuid larvae (principally the southern armyworm, S. eridania (Cramer)) were determined in a single harvest taken on 13 Nov.

Tomatoes were direct seeded in Hidalgo fine sandy loam soil on 5 Aug on the Rio Farms Agricultural Research Farm in Monte Alto, Tex. Beginning on 20 Sep and continuing until 1 wk prior to testing, plants were oversprayed at weekly intervals with 0.10 lb (AI)/acre of Ambush. Because infestations were not uniform throughout the field, only areas infested with mites were selected for test plots. Plots were 10-15 ft long and 1 row wide and were separated by 2 untreated rows. Row spacing was 40 inches. The experiment was arranged in a completely random design with 4 replications. One application of the acaricides was made on 6 Nov using a backpack CO2-powered sprayer delivering 30 gal/acre at 70 psi through 2 TX-10 nozzles per row. Mite density was determined by counting total number of mites on 20 infested leaves/plot. Leaf samples were collected just prior to application and at 4, 7, 12, and 17 days following application. Data were analyzed using 1-way ANOVA with mean separation using LSD (P = 0.05).