Interim Senior Vice President: UF/IFAS Vision is to Become Silicon Valley of Agriculture

Jim Rogers Florida, Research

By Clint Thompson A legislative success story this year for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will help pave the way for the future of agriculture. Rob Gilbert, interim senior vice president at UF/IFAS, discussed the financial backing that was provided to support the new artificial intelligence (AI) center at the Gulf Coast Research and …

UF/IFAS Research: Lahiri Studies Chilli Thrips on Borders of Fields

Jim Rogers Florida, Pests, Research

By Clint Thompson University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research has yielded confirmation on why chilli thrips are an annual problem for strawberry growers, especially early in the season. Sriyanka Lahiri, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, talked …

Bumper Crop: Florida Watermelon Growers Still Lead Nation in Production

Jim Rogers Florida, Research, Watermelon

While many enjoy sweet, cool watermelon as a treat or snack this summer, remember where it comes from. Some Florida growers claim they had their best season ever. Florida continues to lead the nation in watermelon production. From 2010 to 2021, Florida growers ranked No. 1 in the United States with an average of 22,616 acres of watermelon harvested per …

New Research Looks to Pollen for Plant Heat Stress Resilience

Jim Rogers Corn, Florida, Research

People aren’t the only ones stressed by heat waves. For many plants, higher-than-anticipated temperatures can lead to water loss, wilted foliage and unsuccessful pollination. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are investigating how to improve plant resiliency to high temperatures. Kevin Begcy, assistant professor in the UF/IFAS environmental horticulture department, is looking to how pollen …

Algorithm to Help FAWN Be Even More Reliable

Jim Rogers Florida, Research, Weather

A new algorithm is set to further bolster the credibility of the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN), a system that farmers count on for such data as temperature, humidity, wind and rain. Among other improvements, the technology will send an email to FAWN technicians, letting them know when readings are out of a normal range, said Rick Lusher, director of …

Combining UV light, Predatory Mites Could Help Manage Strawberry Pest

Jim Rogers Florida, Research, Strawberry

Strawberry growers can use ultraviolet light and predatory mites to help control a devastating, but new University of Florida research adds a cautionary note. This integrated approach to managing twospotted spider mites comes as helpful information for growers in Florida’s $400 million-a-year strawberry industry. Sriyanka Lahiri, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist, first found …

Not All Microbes Damage Crops

Jim Rogers Research

By Juan Carlos Díaz Pérez The microbiological revolution in agricultural sciences may benefit crop production uniquely. We are only starting to understand these complex interactions among crops, microorganisms, insects and other organisms. Plant diseases are relatively rare despite plants being exposed to numerous and diverse microorganisms. A myriad of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) live on the surface of plants’ leaves, …