UF Faculty Help Keep Palm Trees Part of Florida’s Fabric

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Nursery Crops

by Brad Buck University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences When you come to Florida, you anticipate seeing palm trees. They’re part of the Florida landscape – whether they’re native or imported. They also bring in hundreds of millions of dollars a year in sales alone, so Monica Elliott has worked for more than 30 years to make …

food supply

Nutrients are Nice, but Produce Better Pass the Taste Test

Dan Fruits, Vegetables

by Brad Buck, University of florida/IFAS Consumers want produce that tickles their taste buds and is easy on the eye, but they think quality fruits and vegetables are a matter of luck, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers. The fact that consumers purchase produce to satisfy their senses – not necessarily for its nutrients …

UF/IFAS Researchers Find Potential Bugs to Eat Invasive Cogongrass

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Research

by: Brad Buck, University of Florida/IFAS A few bugs may be able to chew up some cogongrass, a noxious weed that elbows out pasture grass, golf course greens and valuable ecosystems, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences  (UF/IFAS) researcher says. A worldwide research team led by UF/IFAS entomology professor James Cuda and retired entomology professor Bill …

New UF/IFAS Scientist Brings Latest Technology to Battle Against Invasive Species

Dan Florida, Research, Technology

by Robin Koestoyo, University of Florida/IFAS Carey Minteer, a research professor with expertise in the use of biological controls to manage invasive plants, has joined the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Florida has the most invasive species in the country, with 28 ports of entry, including seaports, airports and train stations. Minteer, who is also an expert …

Kakkar Joins UF/IFAS Extension as Invasive Insect Specialist

Dan Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Nursery Crops, Research, Specialty Crops

Garima Kakkar is joining the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to help the state fight invasive pests. Kakkar, an expert in invasive insects, is a UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County Multicounty Agent. Kakkar has a diverse range of experience in managing pest insects, and will now serve growers in the world’s premier citrus production region with …

UF/IFAS Entomologist Gets $200,000 to Help Develop Rapid Zika Detection

Dan Florida, Research

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences entomologist will use a $200,000 grant from the Florida Department of Health to improve tests for the detection of Zika virus. In 2016, Florida saw 1,272 cases of Zika, which is usually associated with mild symptoms, although severe symptoms may also occur, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and birth defects in babies, …

UF/IFAS Study: Voters Want to Preserve Forests, Water

Dan Environment, Forestry, Water

by Brad Buck, UF/IFAS Sources: Melissa Kreye, Damian Adams, UF/IFAS Voters are likely to approve referenda for forest and water conservation in the eastern United States, including Florida, because demand for ecosystem protection is increasing, according to a new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study.

UF/IFAS Researcher to Lead $1 Million Study to Increase Global Wheat Production

Dan Corn, Industry News Release, Wheat

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researcher will lead a nearly $1 million project to increase worldwide wheat yield potential to help feed an anticipated 9.5 billion people globally by the year 2050. To do this, Md Ali Babar, a UF/IFAS agronomy assistant professor and his team of researchers, hope to increase the harvest index from …