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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Research”
By Karla Arboleda Since downy mildew can cause major destruction, a proper use of fungicides is essential to a healthy crop. Gary Vallad, an associate professor at the University of Florida (UF), described the magnitude of downy mildew disease on specialty crops at the recent Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo. “It (downy mildew) just kind of jumps from crop to …
After going through a period of transition, BASF Agricultural Solutions announced some changes. Vincent Gros, president of the Agricultural Solutions division of BASF, was happy to tell the world about the new BASF at a recent global media event in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. According to Gros, since BASF became involved in agriculture 105 years ago, it has come …
By Patricio Munoz and Doug Phillips The University of Florida (UF) blueberry breeding program has a long history of pioneering the development of southern highbush blueberries (SHB) that can thrive in Florida’s hot, humid climate. The breeding program focuses on developing varieties with high yield, good fruit quality and early ripening within a shrinking market window. The success of Florida’s …
By Ramdas Kanissery and Yiannis Ampatzidis Weeds are a significant problem in horticultural production and must be controlled to maintain good crop yield. Concerns related to non-judicious use of herbicides, which include ground and surface water contamination and pesticide residues in food, has sparked public awareness and restrictions on herbicide use. For these reasons, alternative and integrated systems for weed …
By Karla Arboleda Clemson University researchers are studying the productivity of different specialty eggplants to determine their value over common eggplants. Anthony (Tony) Keinath, an Extension vegetable pathologist at Clemson University, is conducting fall trials on several eggplant cultivars. Their size and appearance determine their potential market success. “We are doing this with a minimal amount of pesticide inputs. The …
By Karla Arboleda In the deep Southeast, researchers are breeding better, drought-tolerant and protein-rich soybeans so growers can continue to market high-quality crops. Ben Fallen, a soybean breeder and assistant professor at Clemson University, works to develop varieties of soybeans that will grow with less complications. His program screens breeding lines to find favorable soybean characteristics. “We’re looking at two …
By Karla Arboleda To attract more watermelon pollinators, growers can use different types of wildflowers around their crops. That’s what Miriam Jenkins, a graduate of Clemson University’s Wildlife and Fisheries Biology program, determined from her recent study. For pollinator-dependent crops like watermelon, adding certain wildflowers to the surrounding landscape helps create a better area for pollinators to feed. Jenkins said …
A University of Florida agricultural engineer has developed software that can help farmers find the best places to plant crops and to identify fruit and vegetable varieties that perform better against diseases. Now, Yiannis Ampatzidis is leading an effort to refine the software so it can help growers even more. To help farmers protect and even increase their harvests, Ampatzidis, …
By Karla Arboleda In South Carolina, Clemson University researchers are working toward heat-tolerant butterbeans to preserve this staple crop. Tony Melton, an Extension agent at the Clemson Pee Dee Research and Extension Center, said rising temperatures have contributed to why butterbean production has been falling short in South Carolina. “When it’s hot, and as summers are getting hotter, (butterbean plants) …
By Karla Arboleda While the road to hemp production is still under way, University of Florida (UF) researchers are analyzing the risk it poses for invasion. Researchers began digging deeper into what future hemp growers and consumers can look forward to through the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. Susan Canavan, a post-doctoral agronomy researcher …
