By Clint Thompson The Florida state legislature’s funding for research being conducted at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will continue to help specialty crop producers remain sustainable. The highlight was the $8.7 million devoted to the nutrient application rate for citrus, corn, green beans, tomatoes and potatoes with the intent of adding additional crops. John …
UF/IFAS to Host Lettuce Advisory Committee Meeting
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a lettuce advisory committee meeting in Belle Glade, Florida on Tuesday, March 22. The meeting will be designated to discussing lettuce and other leafy vegetable production issues. It will start at noon and conclude at 3 p.m. Click here to register. Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower …
UF/IFAS Extension Agent: Begin Fertilization for North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson The production season continues for the bulk of North Florida watermelon plants that survived the sub-freezing temperatures this past weekend. Growers need to consider their fertilizer options, especially following the recent rain events. “Most of their fertilizer that was in the bed preplant and even whatever they may have put out in their transplant solution is gone …
‘Exciting’ Year for UF/IFAS Mango Research
By Clint Thompson It is expected to be an “exciting year” for mango research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida. That is the mindset of Alan Chambers, an assistant professor, who discussed the future of the industry. “We are going to be doing some very exciting …
Rabbit Problem to be Discussed at UF/IFAS Meeting
Rabbit populations have spiked in the Florida Glades. A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) workshop on Friday, Feb. 18 will address the current problem and what management options are available for producers. Richard Raid, a professor in plant pathology at UF/IFAS , and Robert McCleery, an associate professor in the UF Wildlife Ecology and Conservation …
NIFA Grant a Vote of Confidence for UF/IFAS Vanilla Research
By Clint Thompson A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will help grow the vanilla industry in South Florida. Alan Chambers, plant geneticist at UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, said the $300,000 grant is a vote of confidence from NIFA that it values his research and the potential future success …
Specialty Crop Producers Needed for UF/IFAS Survey
Attention Florida’s specialty crop producers. Researchers and Extension agents at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are seeking participants to complete a brief survey regarding the use of high tunnels for specialty crop production. Specialty crop producers will provide information to help identify research and Extension needs to improve the industry in Florida. The survey …
UF/IFAS Researchers Creating an ‘Artificial Intelligence Connoisseur’
A computer may not be able to taste a tomato or blueberry, but it can tell University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural (UF/IFAS) scientists which volatiles in those fruits make them taste good. UF/IFAS breeder and geneticist Marcio Resende wants to create what he calls an “Artificial Intelligence Connoisseur,” a model that tells researchers which chemical compounds produce …
UF/IFAS Scientists Make Advancement Toward Crops That Make Own Nitrogen
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 …