A team of University of Florida scientists, in partnership with a team of Israeli researchers, is now looking into whether the gut bacteria of two invasive fruit fly species could hold the key to preventing future outbreaks.
A plant breeder and a food scientist, both with the University of Florida, will join a $12.8 million, multistate research grant to broaden the nation’s blueberry breeding capabilities.
In their first attempt to quantify stormwater ponds, researchers with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences found about 76,000 such ponds statewide. Many master-planned communities, especially in Florida, rely on stormwater ponds for flood control and water treatment. But the ponds also can be homes to many invasive plant species, which are costly to control.
Tampa Bay microbreweries have a hankering for hops, and some see a University of Florida experimental farm as a source for the crop that will help quench their customers’ thirsts.
Karl Havens was a leading international expert on aquatic research, management, education and outreach. Now, his art will support those who carry on his life’s work, with bidding underway for a selection of his original artwork. Funds raised will benefit the Karl Havens Excellence Endowment.
The University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center is in the heart of the tropical and subtropical fruit and vegetable industries, and the ornamental plant industry. For 90 years it has served as an agricultural research unit of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). On December 4, an open house invites community and media to engage with the science.
“Bioplastics—a better option for the environment?” is a compilation of information about bioplastics. These alternative plastics have become more popular, and as it turns out, they’re effectively still the same as petroleum-based plastic, according to Dr. McGuire’s document.
From Florida to Virginia, farmers are enjoying the fruits of Sanjay Shukla’s labor. His compact-bed geometry system allows growers to plant crops in tall soil beds, and the result is thousands of dollars in annual savings.
Most people think of collagen as a protein used for cosmetic purposes that you get in a jar, but prepare for drinkable collagen. If you think that’s interesting, try going online to order meal kits – full of just-the-right ingredients for the dishes you want to prepare. Those are a couple of the fearless forecasts from UF/IFAS faculty experts as they predict food trends for 2020 – a popular list now in its sixth straight year.
UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center was established in the heart of Homestead, Florida, in 1929 to develop solutions for problems affecting a wide range of crops including mangoes, papayas, tomatoes, avocados, corn, green beans, and squash. TREC scientists, students, and staff have collaborated with farmers and growers to keep South Florida agriculture thriving. As one of the research arms of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), it is the only state-supported university facility in the entire mainland United States conducting research on a wide array of tropical and subtropical crops. UF/IFAS TREC’s core values have provided 90 years of progressive and innovative research and extension outreach on tropical and subtropical fruit crops, traditional and tropical vegetables, tropical ornamental crops, and more recently on agronomic crops and natural resources. The Center celebrated its 90th anniversary.
Scientists located in Fort Lauderdale and Gainesville at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are conducting research into specific diseases depleting tree canopies throughout the state. The Florida Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) has announced it is awarding grants in the amount of $320,000 to two scientists for their continued research designed to save the tree canopy.
It may be juicy, tender and traditional, but not everyone wants to eat turkey at Thanksgiving. UF/IFAS nutrition experts say you could eat any of the following as your entrée: protein-packed dishes – with or without meat -- plant-based foods and fish.
Peppers are popular. Consumers eat all kinds, including jalapenos, habaneros, chilis and more. But like all crops, peppers face diseases that threaten to reduce their production. So, a University of Florida scientist is leading a multi-state effort to lessen the risk of diseases eating away at pepper harvests. With new data, scientists plan to help farmers increase their pepper production.
Like many farmers nationwide, citrus growers are looking for any edge in their fight against weeds, and they’d rather use fewer chemicals to control the plants, says a University of Florida scientist. That’s because chemicals can get into groundwater, surface water and plants themselves.
Tours provide the perfect way to teach the community-at-large about the importance of agriculture. Students, residents, businesses and growers are invited to the EREC Open House for an inside look at the research of agriculture promoting sustainable foods, plants, and crops they use and come in contact with every day.
Elver Hodges blazed trails as the first scientist hired at the University of Florida/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center. He introduced improved forages and management techniques for pastures.
In south Florida, growers and nurseries of tropical plants, vegetables and crops turn to such experts at the Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) of University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). At the heart of the center that is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a gala fund raising event at the Coral Gables Country Club on October 26 is the Plant Diagnostic Clinic, established to preserve the health of a unique tropical plant industry.
As the first research of its kind, the findings may help growers increase the marketability of their ornamental horticulture products through labeling. Consumer preferences, visual attention and willingness-to-pay were measured and tested to determine how each label or text combination impacted a consumer’s willingness to pay for a particular fruit plant.