Template with Instructions

This template includes instructions for structuring and formatting a document for publication on EDIS/Ask IFAS. It uses built-in styles for formatting the specific fonts used for the body, headings, captions, etc.

The purpose of these styles is to map to the HTML and PDF formatting of the finished document.

If you do not need the instructions, you can delete all the contents and start writing.

NOTE: Open the Styles Pane in the main menu ribbon under the Home tab to work with styles. Click the small arrow in the corner to keep it open as a sidebar.

See the Templates section in Ask IFAS Resources: Documentation and Training Materials for a demonstration template with instructions and instructions for using styles in Microsoft Word.

Contents

Title Style	2

Headings	2

Body Text	2

Lists	2

Figures and Equations	3

Equations	3

In-line equations	3

Equations as figures	3

Text Box	4

References	4

Citing the IFAS Assessment	5

Additional Resources/ For Further Reading	5

Tables	5

Pesticide tables	8

A short abstract can be included for use on the Ask IFAS website. [Abstract style]

Title Style

Author List containing Contributor Names

Translator list containing Contributor Names on its own line

Use (AuthorList style and ContributorName styles)

Begin with an introduction that frames the problem, identifies the target audience, provides the rationale for the document, and defines how it should be used. (Normal style). There is an optional style for your purpose statement (purpose-statement style).

Headings

Use heading styles hierarchically. Since the title will always be a Heading 1 the top tier of section headings will be styled Heading 2. Sub-sections can be organized with Heading 3. Those sub-sections can themselves be divided with Heading 4, and so on.

Do not skip heading ranks. For example make sure that a Heading 2 is not followed directly by a Heading 4. It is ok to skip ranks when closing subsections; for instance, a Heading 2 beginning a new section can follow a Heading 4 as it closes the previous section.

Body Text

Use the Normal style for the body of the publication (this is the default).

Character styles available:

Strong –use instead of formatting with bold or Ctrl+B

Emphasis – use instead of formatting with italics or Ctrl+I.

Scientific-Name (optional) – can be used to distinguish scientific names from other italicized text. (we may develop functionality using this later, but since there can be a large number of scientific names in publications, manual tagging would be burdensome)

Citation – for inline citations, such as (Smith, 2024)

The default style guide for EDIS articles is the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS). An alternate style may be used when appropriate for a publication's target audience. The same style must be used consistently throughout the publication.

Lists

Use the paragraph list formatting from the Home Ribbon instead of the list styles in the style panel. It is much simpler all around.

A numbered list:

First list item

Second list item

A bulleted list:

First list item

Second list item

Figures and Equations

For ease of importing, insert a 1 column, four-row table, styled using Display-Table style.

Figure [#]. [figure-label style]
Caption: [figure-caption style]
Credit: [figure-credits style]

Right-click on the image and select “View Alt Text…” to add or edit the alt text.

Images must be inserted in-line. Do not put them in text boxes, anchor them, or format them in any way.

Equations

In-line equations

Use Microsoft’s Equation editor (Alt+=)

Equations as figures

Use Microsoft’s Equation editor (Alt+=)

Place the equation in a table assigned the Display Table Style. Style the Equation Number in Figure Label style

Equation [#]. [figure-label style]

Alt text is not required for Equations produced in this way, because it preserves the mathematical coding.

Text Box

Text Box

“Faux” text frame from Bevi Chagnon. Text boxes in your submitted document must be in line with text to indicate the correct reading order.

References

Use Reference style from the styles pane.

Alphabetize. Use Chicago Manual of Style unless otherwise noted.

For EDIS publications as references, cite the journal article using the DOI.

Add DOIs when available. Use the CrossRef Simple Text Query tool to locate DOIs for the entire reference list easily.

Chugh, V., V. Mishra, S. V. Dwivedi, and K. D. Sharma. 2019. “Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.): An Underutilized Wonder Plant with Potential Pharmacological Value.” The Pharma Innovation Journal 8 (6): 236–246. https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2019/vol8issue6/PartE/8-5-92-356.pdf

Collins, Laura, and Rudolph H. Scheffrahn. 2002. “Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis Invicta Buren (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae): EENY-195/IN352, 1/2001”. EDIS 2002 (6). Gainesville, FL. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in352-2001.

Huxley, A. 1992. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. New York: Groves Dictionaries Inc. ISBN 10: 1561590010 / ISBN 13: 9781561590018.

Rao, N. K., M. Shahid, A. Al Shankiti, and I. Elouafi. 2014. “Neglected and Underutilized Species for Food and Income Security in Marginal Environments.” Acta Horticulturae 1051. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1051.8

Citing the IFAS Assessment

Any UF/IFAS Extension publication or newsletter that refers to specific nonnative plants (e.g., invasiveness, ecology, distribution, management, use, and value) is required to include the recommendations of the UF/IFAS Assessment.

For general citation of the UF/IFAS Assessment, please cite the main page of the website with the following information (your formatting may vary):

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 2018. “Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas” (https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu, date accessed) Gainesville, FL, 32611-4000, USA.

For conclusions and results of the UF/IFAS Assessment (species pages):

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 2018. “Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas, Dioscorea polystachya” (https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/dioscorea-polystachya/, date accessed) Gainesville, FL, 32611-4000, USA.

To reference the history, process, and tools of the UF/IFAS Assessment, please cite the EDIS document

Lieurance, Deah, and S. Luke Flory. 2020. “The UF/IFAS Assessment of Nonnative Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas: History, Purpose, and Use: (SS-AGR-371/AG376, Rev. 06/2020)”. EDIS 2020 (3). Gainesville, FL. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis.ag376.2020.

Additional Resources/ For Further Reading

May be formatted as references or a bullet list with titles and links.

For EDIS publications as resources, cite the Ask IFAS version.

Tables

Tables should only be used to represent data in a matrix.

Avoid empty data cells and merged cells outside the header rows. It might be necessary to rethink the table layout to ensure accessibility.

If your table cannot be made accessible due to complex layout, you can provide a link to an alternative, accessible format on the EDIS journal abstract page.

Use the following table styles:

Table-preface: introductory text associated with the table.

Table-caption: for the whole caption paragraph.

table-label: for “Table #.” at the start of the caption.

Table-Header: for the header rows and/or columns of the table.

Table-Data: for the data cells.

table-footnote-reference1, a, †, ‡, *: for footnote references within the table.

table-footnote: for the table’s footnote

table-source: Source/credit information for the table.

Example 1: Modified original layout

It is permissible to merge cells in the header column to group rows of recommendations by species and then location.

Table 1. Current UF/IFAS recommendations for annual nitrogen fertilization rates based on species and location in state.

Species	Locationa	Nitrogen Recommendations (lbs 1000 ft yr)b,c
Bahiagrass	North	1–3
Central	1–3
South	1–4
Bermudagrass	North	3–5
Central	4–6
South	5–7
Centipedegrass	North	0.4–2
Central	0.4–3
South	0.4–3
St. Augustinegrass	North	2–4
Central	2–5
South	4–6
Zoysiagrass	North	2–3
Central	2–4
South	2.5–4.5
a North Florida is considered to be north of Ocala, Central Florida from Ocala to State Road 60, and South Florida the remainder of the state south of State Road 60. b Homeowner preferences for lawn quality and maintenance level vary; therefore, we recommend a range of fertility rates for each grass and location. Additionally, effects within a localized region (i.e., microenvironmental influences such as shade, drought, soil conditions, and irrigation) necessitate that a range of fertility rates be used. c These recommendations assume that grass clippings are recycled.

Source: Adapted from Table 1 in Trenholm, Laurie E. 2013. “Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule for Home Lawn Fertilization: ENH1089/EP353, 3/2013”. EDIS 2013 (4). Gainesville, FL. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ep353-2013.

Example 2: Columns for regions

A more compact table can be created by dividing the recommendation column into three, one for each region.

Table 1. Current UF/IFAS recommendations for annual nitrogen fertilization rates based on species and location in the state.

Species	Nitrogen Recommendations (lbs 1000 ft yr)b,c
Northa	Centrala	Southa
Bahiagrass	1–3	1–3	1–4
Bermudagrass	3–5	4–6	5–7
Centipedegrass	0.4–2	0.4–3	0.4–3
St. Augustinegrass	2–4	2–5	4–6
Zoysiagrass	2–3	2–4	2.5–4.5
a North Florida is considered to be north of Ocala, Central Florida from Ocala to State Road 60, and South Florida the remainder of the state south of State Road 60. b Homeowner preferences for lawn quality and maintenance level vary; therefore, we recommend a range of fertility rates for each grass and location. Additionally, effects within a localized region (i.e., microenvironmental influences such as shade, drought, soil conditions, and irrigation) necessitate that a range of fertility rates be used. c These recommendations assume that grass clippings are recycled.

Source: Adapted from Table 1 in Trenholm, Laurie E. 2013. “Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule for Home Lawn Fertilization: ENH1089/EP353, 3/2013”. EDIS 2013 (4). Gainesville, FL. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ep353-2013.

Pesticide tables

These standard table templates have been developed to deliver pesticide efficacy data coded for accessibility. UF/IFAS Extension’s regional “Green Teams” have reviewed and approved the tables for use by the ornamental and landscape horticultural pest management faculty.

Indicate restricted-use pesticides using the Emphasis – restricted use warning style

The following statement about the use of pesticides in IPM shall appear at the top of each table: (Table-preface style)

This table lists registered pesticides that should be integrated with other pest management methods. Contact your local UF/IFAS county Extension office for additional information (https://ifas.ufl.edu/, UF/IFAS Locations at the bottom of the webpage).

Table 1. Weeds (pre-emergent). Contact: Weed Specialist (email@ufl.edu).

Herbicide active ingredients (Commonly used products)	HRAC MOA	Application (rate and total/year)	Reentry (days)	Weeds controlled, application methods and effectiveness (if known or blank), (see product label for details)
Carfentrazone(Aim 1.9 EW or AIM 2.0 EC)	14	Apply for broadleaves up to 4 inches tall or rosettes less than 3 inches across, good coverage is essential, no pre-transplant interval

Table 2. Weeds (post-emergent). Contact: Weed Specialist (email@ufl.edu).

Herbicide active ingredients (Commonly used products)	HRACMOA	Application(ratee and total/year)	Reentry (days)	Weeds controlled, application methods and effectiveness (if known or blank), (see product label for details) (indicate restricted use in bold)
Carfentrazone(Aim 1.9 EW or AIM 2.0 EC)	14	Apply for broadleaves up to 4 inches tall or rosettes less than 3 inches across, good coverage is essential, no pre-transplant interval

Table 3. Insects and relatives. Contact: Insect Specialist (email@ufl.edu).

Pest	Pesticide active ingredients (Commonly used products)	IRACMOA	Application(rate and total/year)	Reentry (days)	Application methods and effectiveness (if known or blank), other pests controlled (see product label for details) (indicate restricted use in bold)
Aphids	methomyl (Lannate)	1A	LV 1.5-3.0 pt/acre, max. 21 pt LV/acre/ crop	2

Table 4. Plant diseases. Contact: Plant Pathology Specialist (email@ufl.edu).

Disease	Pesticide active ingredients (Commonly used products)	FRACMOA	Application(range and total/year)	Reentry (days)	Application methods and effectiveness (if known or blank), other diseases controlled (see product label for details) (indicate restricted use in bold)
Gray mold	fenhexamid (Elevate)	17	1.5 lb./A, max. 4 appl.	Apply at 7 to 14-day intervals if disease conditions develop, apply at fem stage only, 180 days to harvest