Tag: UF/IFAS Plant breeding

A view of several lettuce varities. Español: múltiples variedades de lechuga

On the edge of a breakthrough: UF/IFAS breeding disease-resistant lettuce for U.S. farms, kitchens


March 24, 2026

University of Florida scientists are closer to a breakthrough that could safeguard the nation’s lettuce supply.  Backed by a $500,000 federal grant, the team is working to develop disease-resistant lettuce varieties built to withstand ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, , Conservation, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Arizona, Bacterial Leaf Spot, Breeding, California, Cercospora Leaf Spot, Climates, Consumers, Crop, Cultivars, Economic Engine, Economy, Everglades Research And Education Center, Florida, Florida Economy, Freshness, German Sandoya, Harvest, Iceberg, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Leaf Lettuce, Lettuce, Lettuce Breeding, Lettuce Breeding Program, Market Demands, National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, News, Postharvest, Production, Public, Resistence, Romaine, Sandy Soils, Storage, Texture, Transportation, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, U.S. Department Of Agriculture National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, USDA-NIFA, Varieties
Two men examining plants in a field with agricultural machinery in the background.

First graduates of UF’s plant-breeding Ph.D. use genetics to help growers boost yields, improve shelf life, more


January 21, 2026

About four years ago, a small cohort of ambitious young scientists stepped into uncharted territory as the first students in the University of Florida’s new plant breeding Ph.D. program in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, part ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Agronomy, Ali Babar, Anandi Karn, Blueberries, College Of Agricultural And Life Science, Elissar Alam, Estafania Flores, Esteban Rios, Forage, Fusarium Wilt, Graduates, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Horticultural Sciences, Jessica Chitwood-Brown, Manuel Gastelbondo, Pablo Sipowicz, Patricio Munoz, Ph.D., Plant Breeding Ph.D. Program, Samuel Ipinyomi, Strawberries, Sudip Kunwar, Tomatoes, Tropical Research And Education Center, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, Vance Whitaker, Vanilla, Wheat, Xingbo Wu
Dr. Xingbo Wu at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC). Photo taken 0717-24.

UF scientist honored with ASHS Early Career Award for genetic advances in vanilla, hibiscus and hydrangeas


June 12, 2025

Xingbo Wu is a rising star in the field of horticulture sciences, as recognized by the highly acclaimed American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), a leading organization with over a century of advancing horticultural research and education. The ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Horticulture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: American Society For Horticultural Science, Ashs, ASHS 2025 Professional Early Career Award For Research, AskIFAS, DNA, Edis, Edward Evans, FDACS, Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services, Florida Nursery Growers And Landscape Association Endowment Fund, FNGLA, Hibiscus, Hibiscus Breeding Program, Hydrangea, Innovation And Creativity, National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, News, Nifa, Plant Breeding, Soil Conditions, Tropical Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, University Of Florida, USDA, Vanilla, Xingbo Wu
A look at the planifolia orchid used for vanila.

April 10: UF/IFAS to host free online workshop on vanilla cultivation to encourage a domestic industry


March 25, 2025

Aspiring vanilla growers and seasoned agriculturalists in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are invited to a free online workshop: An Introduction to Domestic Vanilla Cultivation. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., on April 10, leading ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Events, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agricultural Systems, Crop, Cured Vanilla Beans, Domestic Vanilla Industry, Extract, Farm, Farming, Flavor And Extracts Manufacture Association, Greenhouse, Low-maintenance Crop, Plant Breeding, Puerto Rico, Spice, Sustainability, U.S. Department Of Agriculture Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research And Education (USDA-SSARE), UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, UF/IFAS Tropical Research And Education Center, USDA-SSARE, Vanilla, Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Planifolia, Vanillin, Virgin Islands, Xingbo Wu
Close-up of ripe blackberries with glossy drupelets.

Blackberries in Florida may become even more nutritious in the future


April 24, 2024

Blackberries are already known for their health benefits, and someday, they might provide even more antioxidants than the ones you buy now, say University of Florida researchers. UF/IFAS researchers are trying to breed and grow blackberries, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops
Tags: Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidants, Blackberries, Citrus Research And Education Center, Environmental Horticulture, Food Science And Human Nutrition, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Health, Metabolites, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, Yu Wang, Zhanao Deng
image - calabaza - cuban pumpkin from UF IFAS TREC research with Dr. Meru

Is the calabaza the next great gourd for growers in the southeastern U.S.? UF/IFAS is one step closer to a choice cultivar


December 14, 2023

If you have eaten at various Caribbean, Central or South American restaurants, you might be familiar with a specialty pumpkin called the calabaza. Traditionally prepared in several ways as a key ingredient for mouthwatering stews, soups, ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Auyama, Ayote, Calabaza, Geoffrey Meru, Kalabasa, News, SFYL Hot Topic, U.S. Department Of Agriculture Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research And Education (USDA-SSARE), UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Tropical Research And Education Center, USDA National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, USDA-NIFA, USDA-SSARE, Vegetable Geneticist, Zapallo
A picnic table with bowls of cubed watermelon, potato salad, vegetables with dip, chips, cheese, salami, and crackers.

Football season starts soon, so gather your family and friends for a tailgate, complete with Florida-grown foods and UF/IFAS cultivars


August 24, 2023

It’s game day. The excitement around stadiums is palpable. The college football season will kick off shortly, and many fans will enjoy the company of family and friends while tailgating before and after the game. That means food – lots ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Andrea Nikolai, Beef, Citrus, Citrus Research And Education Center, Corn, Florida Grown, Food Safety, Fred Gmitter, Potatoes, Strawberries, Sugar Belle, Tailgating, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding
Two women smiling at each other, one holding a bouquet of pink flowers.

Say ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ with a plant – maybe even one bred by UF/IFAS


April 25, 2023

Making mom breakfast or taking her out for lunch for Mother’s Day (May 14) are both nice gestures. But if you want something that lasts long and looks good, try giving her a plant, say University of Florida experts. “A beautiful live ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Caladiums, Coleus, David Clark, Environmental Horticulture, Gift, Mother's Day, Plant Breeding, Plants, Social Interaction, Tia Silvasy, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, Zhanao Deng
Field of flowering potato plants.

Potato breeding program launches out of UF/IFAS Hastings Agricultural Extension Center


April 18, 2023

Highlights ·         UF/IFAS has launched a potato breeding program based out of Hastings. ·         These varieties will be developed to withstand Florida’s intense growing pressures including heat, humidity, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Hastings Agricultural Extension Center, Plant Breeders, Plant Breeding, Potatoes, TCAA, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, UF/IFAS Varieties, Varieties, Variety

White strawberry from UF/IFAS among many plant-breeding successes across southeast


April 11, 2023

Southern U.S. agricultural researchers are improving agriculture one crop at a time. From rice and peanuts to soybeans and strawberries, plant breeders from land-grant universities across the southern U.S. are finding ways to bring new plant ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Pineapple Aroma, Plant Breeding, Southern Association Of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, Vance Whitaker, White Strawberries

Subscribe For More Great Content

IFAS Blogs Categories