UPDATE AND OUTLOOK OF FLORIDA’S BMP PROGRAM FOR VEGETABLE CROPS

摘要

The ‘Agronomic and Vegetable Crops BMP Manual for Florida’ currently developed by the FloridaDepartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and AgriculturalSciences (IFAS), Water Management Districts, and commodity groups will regulate the 142,000 ha, $1.4 billionvegetable industry in Florida. The purpose of the BMP program is to minimize the negative impact of production onthe environment while maintaining or improving current yields and crop value. BMPs range from using soil testing,to maintenance of drainage control structures for proper water and sediment management. The BMP program aimsat reducing nitrate (NO3-N), phosphate (P) and total dissolved solids (TDS) levels in surface and ground water.Monitoring studies with potato (Solanum tuberosum) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) were conducted todocument the impact of UF fertilizer recommendations on yield and NO3-N movement below crop root zone. Thesestudies have documented excessive NO3-N movement below the root zone, even at IFAS recommended nitrogenfertilizer rates. To address these results, projects on controlled-release fertilizers, irrigation scheduling, and organicand inorganic amendments have been developed. Alternative production methods reduced NO3-N movement andoutlined the research needed to meet environmental demands for farming in the BMP era.