Nematode Management Using Sorghum and Its Relatives

Sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass are often used in crop rotation systems in Florida. They produce a source of forage or silage for animal feed, and many cultivars are effective in reducing population levels of root-knot nematodes, which are key nematode pests in Florida as well as many other parts of the world. This article is intended to guide agricultural professionals in making decisions about producing sorghum and its relatives for nematode management.

Nematode Management in Cole Crops

Many different plant-parasitic nematodes cause yield loss in cabbage, broccoli, collards, and other valuable Florida cole crops. This 13-page fact sheet written by Z. J. Grabau and J. W. Noling and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department lists common symptoms, explains how to submit samples to a nematology lab such as the UF/IFAS Nematode Assay Lab for diagnosis, and describes key cultural practices to help agricultural professionals spot and manage nematode problems in cole crops.

Perception and Use of Economic Thresholds Among Farmers and Agricultural Professionals: A Case Study on Soybean Aphid in Minnesota

Economic thresholds (ETs) are a foundational principle of integrated pest management but are not always widely accepted by farmers and agricultural professionals. This article reports on a survey of Minnesota farmer and agricultural professional perceptions of the ET for soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hempitera: Aphididae). We discuss insights for Extension programs on how to frame the importance of thresholds and teach stakeholders to use them effectively. Key takeaways include farmers and agricultural professionals often worry about combined effects of insect, disease, and physiological pressures, whereas effects of interactions with these other stressors are seldom discussed in educational outreach. Across groups, there is a fundamental misunderstanding about the difference between ETs and economic injury level. Many survey participants reported believing in the ET but lacked the time and capacity to fully implement it. Sales agronomists and farmers were the least likely groups to trust the university-determined soybean aphid ET, whereas commercial pesticide applicators and independent consultants were the most likely groups to trust it. Based on these results, we recommend adapting communication about ETs based on the target audience to address common misconceptions and barriers to ET use that are unique to each group.

Adjusting Crop Yield to a Standard Moisture Content

Since there are different ways to report moisture (as a decimal or as a percentage), and because the calculation seems intuitive, there is some confusion among agricultural professionals about how to adjust yield to a standardized moisture content. This 4-page publication aims to clarify the concept and themath. Written by Michael J. Mulvaney and Pratap Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, May 2020.

Work Life Quality of Agricultural Professionals in Commercial Banks of Kerala

This communication emphasis on Work Life Quality (WLQ) of agricultural professionals in commercial banks of Kerala with a distinct focus on dimensions of WLQ. Survey was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district wherein ninety agricultural professionals were randomly selected from both State bank of India and Canara Bank. It was witnessed that more than fifty per cent (53.33%) of agricultural professionals in banks were having high WLQ. The results of the Principal Component Analysis based on Eigen values obtained revealed that all the six dimensions viz., fair compensation and rewards, work life balance, safe and healthy working conditions, career growth and development, social integration and interpersonal relationshipswere the dimensions influencing Work Life Quality.

Influences on the Implementation of Community Urban Agriculture: Insights from Agricultural Professionals

Limited studies have investigated the relative influence of both external and internal factors in the implementation of community-based urban agriculture (UA) (ICUA). Furthermore, little research exists explaining how different mechanisms might influence urban residents’ decision to participate in UA. Our research tested the direct effect of several predictors on ICUA using structural equational modelling. In addition, we tested the mediation effect between the predictors and the ICUA that may exist as well. Results are based on data from 200 agricultural professionals in the Zanjan province in northwest Iran. We found that “personal characteristics”, “UA positive and negative consequences”, “sociocultural”, and “economic” factors affect ICUA. Among all factors, “personal characteristics” had the strongest direct effect on ICUA. The indirect model incorporating “attitude” provided support for the mediation model. We found “personal characteristics”, “UA positive and negative consequences”, and “sociocultural” influenced ICUA indirectly through “attitude.” Among all factors, “sociocultural” had the strongest indirect effect on ICUA. This information is of use to policy-makers and program planners in identifying points of policy interventions and mechanisms for promoting UA.