Hydroponic growing systems are a means for growers to potentially improve yield, says Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni, an assistant professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center at the University of Florida. These systems are a way for farmers to grow crops without soil by using water and a nutrient solution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Alternative Farming Systems Information Center …
From the Family farm to UF/IFAS: The New Chair of Environmental Horticulture
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences When he was 4, Dean Kopsell moved with his family to a 200-acre nursery in northern Illinois. He spent days roaming the farm, wading in the creek that ran through the property and playing in the barns. In high school and college, Kopsell worked summers with his dad, selling …
Funding for Research on Plant-Biotic Interactions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 10 grants totaling $7.2 million for research on the interactions of plants, microbes, and invertebrates. This is the first round of grants awarded through the Plant-Biotic Interactions program, a joint funding opportunity established through a partnership between NIFA and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NIFA …
Do You Love Watermelon in the Hot Summer? University of Florida scientists are on the case
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Some people love to eat a juicy, seedless watermelon for a tasty, refreshing snack during a hot, Florida summer day. University of Florida scientists have found a way to stave off potential diseases while retaining that flavor. Consumers increasingly savor the convenience and taste of seedless watermelons, said Xin …
UF, Rutgers, WVU to Help Combat Childhood Obesity
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Parents serve as their children’s role models, and they buy most of the food their children eat. With that in mind, researchers from the University of Florida, Rutgers University, and West Virginia University will work with a five-year, $4 million grant to try to change home eating habits to …
New UF Center Updating Research on Southeastern Agricultural Health and Safety
by Ricky Telg, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Data about the safety and health of agricultural, forestry and fisheries workers in Florida is severely outdated, according to the director of a newly formed agricultural health and safety center, and is a major reason the new Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (SCCAHS) was established. SCCAHS …
UF Water Institute Gets $5 Million Grant to Aid Region’s Agriculture, Environment
by Beverly James, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences The University of Florida Water Institute has received a $5 million, five- year grant to promote water security for the region’s farmers, foresters, and the environment. The Water Institute, a campus-wide interdisciplinary Institute, received the grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture program. …
Achieving ‘Bliss’: Children, Adults Differ in How They Perceive Sweetness of Fruits
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Most children want their food to taste sweet. So, do you want your child to eat a candy bar or fruit when they have a snack? A team of researchers from the University of Florida and the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania found children and adults differ in …
UF Scientists Work to Develop Heat-Resistant ‘ Cow of the Future ’
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Florida scientists are working to breed the “ cow of the future ” by studying the more heat-tolerant Brangus cow — a cross between an Angus and a Brahman. Raluca Mateescu, an associate professor in the UF/IFAS department of animal sciences, is part of a team …
Ag Committee Features University Leaders in Agricultural Research
The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to discuss investments in agricultural research as a continuation of the committee’s hearing series on preparing for the next farm bill. Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and members of the committee heard from various university representatives on the opportunities and challenges institutions face in ensuring the U.S. remains a world leader in agricultural …