Publications

Authors: Anne DeMarsay, Ph.D.

The purpose of this fact sheet is to help wine grape growers in Maryland develop effective fungicide spray programs to manage a complex of five major fungal diseases affecting vines and fruit: powdery mildew, downy mildew, black rot, Botrytis bunch rot, and Phomopsis cane and leaf spot. The spray schedules below suggest several options for each spray but do not include all fungicides registered in Maryland for control of these diseases. Three supplemental tables are provided to further assist growers in choosing fungicides. Table 1 rates the effectiveness of all fungicides mentioned in the fact sheet against these diseases. Information on effectiveness is intended as general guidance only. Results in a given vineyard will depend on the weather, disease pressure (level of inoculum present), canopy management, age of vines, fungicide formulation and rate, and spray intervals and coverage. Table 2 lists resistance-prone fungicides by chemical class (mode of action) to help growers choose rotational partners with different modes of action fungicides mentioned in this guide. Author: Anne DeMarsay, Ph.D., The Fruit DoctorTM; Title: The New Guidelines for Developing an Effective Fungicide Spray Program for Wine Grapes in Maryland, 2012 (FS-848)

Authors: Drew Schiavone

Modern civilization is possible because people have learned how to change energy from one form to another and then use it to do work. There are many different forms of energy, including heat, light, motion, electrical, and chemical. One practical example of energy use within our society, includes the conversion of the chemical energy stored in coal into electrical energy that can be used in our homes, farms, and businesses. We will review the primary sources of energy and the conversions between different forms of energy, while differentiating between thermal and electric energy. Author: Drew Schiavone, Title: Energy Used in Homes, Businesses, and Farms is Typically Supplied as Heat or Electricity (EBR-63)

Authors: Donald Webster - Don Meritt

The Chesapeake Bay oyster resource and fishery have shown wide temporal population fluctuations generating controversy regarding restoration methods. Disagreements stem from a lack of accurate and defensible data upon which to base decisions. Many commercial oyster harvesters favor dredging using metal scrapes towed by powered harvest vessels as a beneficial practice. Harvesters state that expanding this type of dredging throughout the Bay would lead to increased biomass and public harvest. Scientific and environmental communities dispute this claim, pointing to differences between bottom renovation and recruitment. This has created problems for managers who must consider multiple factors in regulating fisheries. To understand the effect of dredging on populations, we analyzed data from scientific studies to predict the likely outcome of these activities. This paper evaluates the cost-effectiveness and effects on production of restoration options. We compare power dredging and natural recruitment to rebuild biomass to contemporary aquaculture techniques. Authors: Donald Webster and Donald Meritt; Title: Predicting Oyster Production: A Comparison of Natural Recruitment and Aquaculture (EB-449).

Authors: Kurt Vollmer

Herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth and common ragweed are two weed species that pose a major challenge to farmers. It is recommended that an effective postemergence herbicide be applied before these weeds are 3- to 4-inches tall. Palmer amaranth and common ragweed plants that exceed this height are challenging to control. This report summarizes research and discusses the challenges of managing large Palmer amaranth and common ragweed plants. Authors: Kurt Vollmer, Michael Flessner, Dwight Ligenfelter, Vijay Singh, Mark Vangessell, and John Wallace. Title: Control of Large Palmer Amaranth and Common Ragweed in Soybean or Corn (FS-1192)

Authors: Paul Goeringer - Ellen Pearson

Managing legal risks can mean following a well-thought-out process to hire new employees, correctly training new employees, allowing them additional training to stay current on the most recent chemical application and animal welfare practices, and developing other proactive strategies to limit legal challenges impacting a farm operation. This publication assists readers in better understanding what can go into this process. Title: Developing Proactive Legal Strategies for Handling Protesters and Hiring Employees to Limit Legal Issues on Your Farm (FS-1163). Author: Paul Goeringer, Ellen Pearson

Authors: Drew Schiavone

The purpose of this report is to provide farmers with important information regarding the development of on-farm solar PV systems. We explore the opportunities, motivations, and benefits of installing solar PV for your home, farm or business. Author: Drew Schiavone, Title: A Brief Guide to On-Farm Solar (FS-1187)

Authors: Drew Schiavone

In this report, we explore the historical trends, current status, and potential growth of Maryland’s solar photovoltaic (PV) market in terms of market share, use sectors, and current investments. Author, Drew Schiavone. Title: Solar Panels are an Increasingly Common Sight on Urban and Rural Properties Across Maryland (EB-455)

Authors: Macarena Farcuh - Cameron McPherson

Attaining the optimal fruit texture is a challenge all growers must face in order to maximize consumer acceptability. Fruit texture, and particularly flesh firmness, is an important maturity index, in combination with other quality parameters. Learning how to measure fruit texture and what factors that affect it is an integral part of orchard management. Authors: Macarena Farcuh, Cameron McPherson. Title: Fruit Texture and the Science Behind It (FS-1189)

Authors: Drew Schiavone

This report explores the historical trends, current status, and potential growth of Maryland’s solar photovoltaic (PV) market in terms of market share, use sectors, and current investments. The report also addresses the deployment capacity and market potential for residential, commercial, and utility-scale sectors within Maryland. Various solar initiatives, legislation, and other enabling policies currently impacting the solar market are also discussed. Author: Drew Schiavone; Title: Maryland’s Energy Market: The State Consumes More Energy than it Produces (FS-1188)

Authors: Neith Little

This factsheet will explore the definition of urban agriculture and urban farming, with a focus on the state of Maryland. We will introduce readers to the wide variety of production practices and business models that urban growers use, with photographs and examples. Neith Little, author. "What is Urban Agriculture? (FS-1169)