Watermelon farmers in Northeast Florida escaped significant damage this weekend during frost and prolonged cold temperatures, believes Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “The way that I characterize it is we escaped narrowly. I think if we had another degree or two colder or if the event had been a couple of hours longer, any …
What’s the Impact? Florida’s Food Supply Chain Industries Asked to Respond to COVID Survey
By: Kirsten Romaguera, 352-294-3313, kromaguera@ufl.edu A survey aimed to gauge impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the food supply chain will close on April 11. A research team from various institutions, including the University of Florida aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on food and agricultural systems and to develop strategies for coping with future crises. The project …
UF Scientist: It’s Really Outside the Box
University of Florida/IFAS research hopes to yield a new crop for Florida producers. Though it is not likely to be ready for farmers for years, coffee is a potential commodity that the state’s growers could utilize one day. “It’s really outside the box. Often times we’ll start researching a crop, but growers have already started trying to produce it. This …
ABT Infestations Continue in South Florida
South Florida bean producers continue to contend with Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations. According to the University of Florida/IFAS, populations vary from farm to farm and planting to planting. In southeastern Hendry County, populations averaged 0.1 ABT per bud and 0.2 to 0.5 ABT per bloom. Even the older plantings had reached counts totaling 2.2 ABT per bloom. Because of …
Mite Management on Southern Highbush Blueberries
By Oscar E. Liburd, Lorena Lopez and Doug Phillips Mites can cause significant damage on blueberry plants if not properly managed. Mite species that feed on southern highbush blueberries (SHB) include the southern red mite (Oligonychus ilicis) and the false spider mite or flat mite (Brevipalpus yothersi). The southern red mite is the primary mite pest feeding on blueberry plants …
Sneak Peek: April 2021 VSCNews Magazine
The April issue of VSCNews magazine explores biodiversity, conservation funding, watermelons and a variety of other topics. First up, an article by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor Oscar Liburd and postdoctoral research associate Lorena Lopez, discusses how to control sweetpotato whiteflies with biological control agents like predatory mites in squash production. Conservation funding from the …
Extending Enzymes: UF Hopes to Get More Mileage out of Essential Component
Enzymes are an essential element in the cells of all living plants. University of Florida research is tailored towards getting more mileage out of this essential component. Longer lasting enzymes could lead to increased yields in plants that are produced for food, fuel and fiber. That’s the thought process of Andrew Hanson, and eminent scholar and professor in the UF/IFAS …
Effectively Managing Pests While Protecting Pollinators
By Sylvia Willis, Amy Vu and Jamie Ellis Pollinators play an important role in the production of crops around the nation. Different crops rely on different techniques for pollination. Corn, for example, uses wind to carry pollen to female flowers, whereas watermelon depends on pollinators to deliver pollen. Pollinators include insects, birds and bats. Many fruits and vegetables result directly …
Citrus Researchers and Growers Building a Bright Future
New science, technology, practices, and varieties pave the path forward.
End in Sight? Florida Producers to Continue to Struggle Amid Rising Imports
Florida producers will continue to struggle if the issue of Mexican imports is not addressed, says Zhengfei Guan, UF/IFAS Associate Professor in the Food and Resource Economics Department. Farmers in the Sunshine State will always face an uphill battle if imports of such crops like tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries and blueberries are allowed to continue. “They’re going to have a …