Blog
Optimizing Nitrogen Management for Sustainable Tomato Production in North Florida
Tomato is a vital commercial crop in north Florida, where the unique sandy soils present specific challenges for nitrogen (N) management. This publication evaluates the benefits of using polymer-coated controlled-release urea, which demonstrates a capacity to maintain crop yields comparable to those achieved using conventional fertigation methods and N sources. Our research findings emphasize the importance of adjusting N application rates to align with the crop nitrogen requirement and account for seasonal variability in natural soil mineralization rates. These adjustments are crucial for optimizing nitrogen use efficiency and sustainability in tomato cultivation. The publication offers practical recommendations for local growers on selecting optimal N rates and sources. Additionally, these guidelines aim to enhance the sustainability of commercial tomato production by incorporating advanced fertilizer technologies and precise N management practices tailored to local conditions.
CUPSchat: A Specialized Chatbot for Citrus under Protective Screen (CUPS) Information
The Citrus under Protective Screen (CUPS) project is a novel approach to citrus production in protected agriculture environments. To support the CUPS community, including growers, researchers, and Extension agents, a specialized chatbot named CUPSchat has been developed. This article provides an overview of CUPSchat, its features, and ways it differs from mainstream chatbots. Written by Arnold Schumann, Laura Waldo, and Chris Oswalt, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, January 2026.
Desalination Systems and Their Environmental Impacts
Developed technologies for the desalination of seawater and brackish groundwater supplies have been demonstrated to be technically feasible, economically viable, and reliable; meanwhile, emerging technologies are still in the pilot or small-scale stages. The total installed capacity of desalination plants in the United States has expanded from around 302 million gallons per day (MGD) in 2009 to about 479 MGD in 2022. Florida leads the nation in desalination capacity, having more than 130 desalination plants. Environmental issues related to desalination are a significant factor in designing and implementing desalination technologies. Their projects require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study to determine how the project can affect the air, land, and marine environments by considering the impact on source water, impact from concentration, issues with desalinated water products, and impact from gas emissions. The EIA also proposes measures to mitigate environmental impacts.