Scientists, including those at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), are one step closer to giving more plants the ability to harness nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which would reduce the need for fertilizer. It would lower costs for farmers and mitigate any environmental impacts. Nitrogen is an essential building block of life. Plants can only absorb nitrogen …
USDA-NIFA Grant To Enhance UF/IFAS Vanilla Research, Promote Domestic Industry
HOMESTEAD, Fla – A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) tropical fruit breeder is a step closer to establishing a domestic vanilla industry for growers in Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Alan Chambers, an assistant professor and plant geneticist at UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department …
UF/IFAS Research Helps Reduce Whiteflies in Tomatoes
QUINCY, Fla. — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are helping tomato producers successfully manage whiteflies. Previous studies helped narrow scientists’ focus to a white clay, kaolin, and an essential oil, limonene. Each is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for agricultural use. “These products are easily found and relatively inexpensive, and they can be …
UF/IFAS Watermelon Trials Focus on Nutrient/Water Efficiency
By Clint Thompson University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agents are conducting on-farm trials this year to help watermelon producers be more efficient with their resources. Tyler Pittman, UF/IFAS Extension agent in Gilchrist County, explains what north Florida producers can expect from some of the research trials. “Here in Florida, one of our hottest topics …
UF/IFAS, UF College of Medicine Collaborate to Offer Health Screenings for Farmworkers
WIMAUMA, Fla. — A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) statewide health initiative will provide health screenings for about 200,000 migrant farmworkers in Florida. It hopes to provide an underserved population with health-maintenance care, including nutritional information. It all starts Saturday, Jan. 22 in Wimauma, Florida. Any farmworker can take advantage of the free screenings by …
UF/IFAS to Host Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Food Safety Team will host a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at the Jefferson County Extension office in Monticello, Florida. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 12. Fruit and vegetable producers interested in learning about produce safety or who need to satisfy the Food …
Looking Ahead: UF/IFAS’ Resources Help Blueberry Growers Navigate Season
By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry growers have resource tools to help them navigate through diseases and pests leading up to harvest time over the next couple of months, says Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “We’ve got the new 2022 version of the Blueberry IPM guide that’s out. We’ve also got …
UF/IFAS Research: Controlled-Release Fertilizer a Valuable Option for Farmers
By Clint Thompson University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research could solve a problem aimed at preventing leaching of fertilizer in the soil for vegetable crops. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, says research with controlled-release fertilizers have generated encouraging results. “In …
UF/IFAS GCREC Welcomes Tomlin Middle School STEM Students
Faculty, staff and students at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) welcomed 65 seventh graders Tuesday from Tomlin Middle School in Plant City on Tuesday. The annual tour provides the students exposure to labs, greenhouses, fields and up-close demonstrations of techniques and research at the center. The morning began with …
Anthracnose Awareness: UF/IFAS Encourages Growers to be Wary of Disease
By Clint Thompson Incidences of anthracnose are on the rise in cucurbits in the Southeast. They’ve already impacted production in Georgia. Experts in Florida want producers to be wary of the disease. While this past season’s dry spring spared Florida production, anthracnose is still a concern for Gary Vallad, professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida Institute of …