How can changes in soil health impact citrus and other sub-tropical tree crops? That’s a question UF/IFAS researchers hope to answer in a four-year, $500,000 project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Specifically, they will examine how quickly soil health can change in Florida’s sub-tropical sandy soils and how changes in the soil’s …
Alert: Florida Watermelon Producers Wary of Increased Disease Pressure
Rainfall over the weekend in north Florida has watermelon producers wary of potential diseases that could potentially occur. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, cautions farmers to look for any new symptoms that could occur. “Most of our fungicides are in fact preventative. Trying to play catch-up with a preventative fungicide after a disease has …
New Chair: Gunter to Lead UF Horticulture Programs
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will soon have a new chair of the Horticultural Sciences Department. Christopher Gunter will join UF/IFAS, with an official start date of June 7. Gunter will lead experts and programs specialize in research, plant breeding and genetics, fruit and vegetable production and related disciplines that continue …
Rainy Forecast: Florida to Receive Heavy Rains This Weekend
Florida is on track to receive heavy rainfall thunderstorm activity through this weekend, says Gary England, UF/IFAS Extension Agent Emeritus. In his email, England alerted producers that the main precipitation accumulation is expected Saturday through early next week, mainly Monday and Tuesday. Most of north and north central Florida could receive at least two inches of rainfall with some locations …
AI: UF Researchers Using Artificial Intelligence to Study Nematodes
Artificial intelligence (AI) may help Florida producers combat one of the most destructive pests farmers encounter every year. University of Florida (UF) scientists are using AI to identify parasitic nematodes more rapidly. Some nematodes live in the ground and harm plants, while others are beneficial. It is important to distinguish which ones are which, said Peter DiGennaro, a UF/IFAS assistant …
Peachy: UF Scientists Find Rootstocks That Survive Flooding
Flooding can be problematic for Florida peach producers. It can cause permanent damage to peach trees and lead to tree death. Ali Sarkhost, a UF/IFAS Assistant Professor of Horticultural Sciences, said floods will increase as climate change continues to challenge growers across the world. “If peach farmers experience flooding, the fruit size and quality can be adversely affected, and the tree …
Farming’s Future: How Will Technology Impact the Industry?
What does the technological future look like for vegetable and specialty crop producers? In an era where they compete in a global marketplace against rising imports, producers can no longer rely on cheap land or labor; they must compete on the basis of technology and innovation. What does that future look like? Come find out at the Ag Tech Expo, hosted …
Thrips, Thrips, Thrips! Populations Oscillate in South Florida Fields
According to UF/IFAS, Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations continue to swing back and forth across the South Florida region. While flower thrips are the predominant species north of Miami-Dade, a few locations still are reporting ABT at the dominant species. ABT populations ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 per bloom in southeastern Hendry County. Populations were reduced where records of 10 …
Taste Test: UF Scientists Use AI to Develop Better Tasting Strawberries
Source: UF/IFAS A $300 million-a-year industry in Florida may soon depend on artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its flavor. Research at the University of Florida (UF) shows AI can help scientists breed more flavor into strawberries. While consumer panels are the method for UF researchers to gauge whether new fruit varieties taste good enough for development into market, in …
Muscadine Grape: Key to Sustainable Florida Viticulture
By Manjul Dutt and Ali Sarkhosh Native to Florida and the southeastern United States, the muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) is a lesser known relative of the European grape (descended from Vitis vinifera) that is popular worldwide for fruit consumption and wine production. A related species (Vitis munsoniana/Vitis rotundifolia var. munsoniana) is commonly present in the central and southern parts of …