Category: Horticulture

A man speaks into a microphone in front of strawberry research posters at an outdoor event.

From 5,000 strawberries to DNA breakthrough: Doctoral grad sweetens the future of fruit

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

As we enter the height of Florida’s strawberry production season, many consumers crave the taste and aroma of the fruit. That’s part of what compels Mark Porter to try to enhance those qualities. For his doctoral dissertation, Porter ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Horticulture
Tags: Aroma, Consumers, DNA, DNA Test, Doctoral Dissertation, Flavor, Genome, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Mark Porter, Ph.D., Plant Breeding, Plant Breeding Ph.D. Program, Seonghee Lee, Sour, Strawberries, Strawberry Breeding, Sweet, Taste
Outdoor image of closely clumped cotton growing in a field

Alumni Spotlight with Dr. Finegan: Data-Driven Breeding at Bayer

by Eva Sailly
May 4, 2026

As a double Gator, Dr. Christina Finegan earned both her bachelor’s and Ph.D. through UF’s Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology program, where she honed her interests in plant genetics and breeding. Her time in research labs within the ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Horticulture, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Teaching, Work & Life
Tags: Alumni, Alumni-feature, Bayer, Cotton, Harry Klee, Horticultural Sciences, Marcio Resende, Matias Kirst, Plant Breeding, Plant Molecular And Cellular Biology, RD, Student, Teaching
Florida with magnifying glass and insect

May 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector

by Morgan Pinkerton
May 4, 2026

Recap of May 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector In May, we dove into the basics of nematodes. While many nematodes are free-living and play beneficial roles in soil ecosystems, others are parasitic and can cause significant damage ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Early Detection, Eradication, FFD25-26, FloridaFirstDetector, Nematodes, SeminoleCountyAg

Healthy Lawns Need This Much Water

by Julia Sirchia
April 30, 2026

Established turf only needs ½ -¾ inch of water per week. Established turf refers to grass that has developed a root system that is usually capable of sustaining itself through natural rainfall, except in extreme environmental conditions ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Drought, Efficient Irrigation, In Times Of Drought, Irrigation Systems, Lawns, Turf, Water Conservation, Water Restrictions

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