field hearings

Factors to Consider Before Adopting Alternative Crops

Web AdminProduce, Research, Top Posts, VSC Expo

By Karla Arboleda Choosing to grow an alternative crop could prove to be a beneficial move for growers, but there are some factors that must be considered first. From macadamias to avocados, the worthiness of different alternative crops is dependent on several factors. Jose Chaparro, an associate professor at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in the …

UF/IFAS Researchers Close in on a Tastier Tomato

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Research, Tomatoes

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — In their quest for a tastier tomato, University of Florida scientists are finding traits they believe will tempt consumers with flavor that triggers their senses even more. They’re making significant progress on improving the UF-developed Tasti-Lee™ tomato – and it will feature improved flavor and aroma. “Modern tomato cultivars typically have poor flavor as compared to …

SmartIrrigation Apps Improve Water-Use Efficiency

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Research, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine, Water

By Vasileios Liakos and George Vellidis Ample water is a critical input needed to grow high-yielding, high-quality crops. Today, irrigated agriculture represents 20 percent of the total cultivated land, but contributes 40 percent of the total food produced worldwide. Due to overuse, droughts and growing demand by urban and industrial users, competition for available fresh water supplies is rapidly increasing. …

A Look Inside the GCREC

Web AdminFlorida, Florida Ag Expo, Research, Top Posts

Faculty members at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) pride themselves on providing cutting-edge research for Florida’s agriculture industries. Located in Wimauma, the 475-acre facility sits in the heart of Hillsborough County. The center features large fields of research plots, laboratories, educational programs and space for student living. …

VSC Expo Sees Success

Web AdminResearch, Top Posts, VSC Expo

The 2019 Vegetable & Specialty Crop (VSC) Expo, held in conjunction with the 28-year-old Citrus Expo, saw great success with the largest crowd in Expo history on Aug. 14–15 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. With more than 200 exhibitors and a stellar educational program, themed “Growing Stronger,” growers were able to meet with suppliers, mingle …

Closing the Information Gap on the Produce Safety Rule

Web AdminProduce, Research, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda A study conducted by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service showed that growers across the United States expressed uncertainty over new food safety requirements for their operations due to an information gap. Researchers compared illness outbreaks associated with tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloupes and apples between 1998 and 2016. In order to have the first …

Studying Muscadine Grapes for Sparkling Wine

Web AdminGrapes, Research, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda Florida sparkling wine is getting help from the scientists working with the muscadine grapes that are native to the deep Southeast. Andrew MacIntosh, assistant professor in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF/IFAS), studies carbonation methods for sparkling wine for growers to learn more on …

UF/IFAS Researchers Honored for Avocado Integrated Pest Management

Web AdminAvocado, Florida, Industry News Release, Research, Top Posts

University of Florida (UF) officials recognized a team of research scientists with a High Impact Research Publication award for an article published in the May 2018 edition of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, an international scholarly science journal. The publication, “Identification of the Achilles heels of the laurel wilt pathogen and its beetle vector,” introduces new pest management tactics for South …

Controlling Purple Nutsedge in Tomatoes

Web AdminResearch, Tomatoes, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

Purple nutsedge can be a tough nut to crack for many tomato growers. Nathan Boyd, weed scientist at the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), recently completed herbicide trials examining whether pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicides work better in controlling purple nutsedge in tomatoes. The trials took place at the GCREC in Wimauma. Purple nutsedge can be …

Herbicide Recommendations for Pepper Production

Web AdminResearch, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Nathan Boyd Weed management can be a significant issue for many farms that grow peppers using a plasticulture production system. Nutsedge species can penetrate plastic mulches, and broadleaf weeds and grasses can emerge in the planting holes or in the rows between the raised, mulch-covered beds. Fumigants are an important component of weed management. However, except for metam products, …