Tag: Zhanao Deng

Person in a research field, surrounded by colorful plants with red, green, and yellow leaves.

UF working to expand your options for decorative holiday plants

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

When you think of decorative holiday plants, you might buy traditional poinsettias. But have you ever considered a caladium at Christmas? University of Florida scientists want to add caladiums, known for their beautiful foliage, as an option ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Caladium Bulbs, Caladiums, Classic Caladiums LLC, Environmental Horticulture, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Holidays, Horticultural Sciences, Southern Hemisphere, Tubers, Year-round, Zhanao Deng
Pink flowers with dark green leaves and reddish edges.

Genetic testing shows some ‘Touch-Me-Not’ flowers resist deadly disease

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

BALM, Fla. – If you’re impatient for impatiens, a University of Florida scientist has good news for you: Some varieties of the popular flower resist the deadly downy mildew disease better than others. Many people love to plant impatiens ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease
Tags: #aiatuf, Artificial Intelligence, Breeder, Detection, Down Mildew, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Impatiens, Ornamental, Pathogen, Plants, Zhanao Deng
Person in a navy blue polo shirt holding a pomegranate from a tree in an orchard.

UF/IFAS plows forward to breed and grow a ‘superfood,’ the pomegranate

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

Pomegranates are sweet, juicy and one day they could grow abundantly in Florida. They taste good, and they’re full of nutrients, including antioxidants. “The fruit and its products such as arils and juice are rich in phytochemicals and ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops
Tags: Antioxidants, Breeding, Environmental Horticulture, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Phytochemicals, Pomegranates, Superfood, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, Zhanao Deng
Hojas de caladio rojas aisladas con ruta de recorte sobre fondo blanco, estilo banner, en primer plano de una hoja en forma de corazón de color rosa intenso.

Cinco décadas de color: UF presenta sus caladios número 50 y 51

by Luz Bahder
May 15, 2026

Creado por Brad Buck, especialista sénior en relaciones públicas para UF/IFAS.  Este año marca un hito de oro para el programa de mejoramiento de plantas ornamentales de University of Florida y la celebración se viste de colores vibrantes: ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Caladios, Caladium, Centro De Investigación Y Educación De La Costa Del Golfo En Florida, Corazón Herido, Enfermedades, Español, Fitomejorador, Fitomejoramiento Genético, Johan Desaeger, Lirios De Corazón, Natalia Peres, Oreja De Elefante, Ornamentales, Plantas, Plantas Ornamentales, Spanish, UF, UF-IFAS, Variedades, Zhanao Deng
Person in a green polo shirt surrounded by vibrant red and green leaves.

Golden anniversary, double bloom: UF unveils 50th and 51st caladiums

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

This year marks a golden milestone for the University of Florida’s ornamental breeding program, and the celebration comes with a splash of color -- the program’s 50th caladium cultivar. Well, make that 50th and 51st. The breeding program ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Caladium Bulbs, Caladiums, Color, Disease, Disease Resistance, Entomology And Nematology, Fusarium Tuber Rot, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Horticultural Sciences, Johan Desaeger, Landscapes, Natalia Peres, Nematode, Nematode Resistance, Ornamental Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Plant Nurseries, Plant Pathology, Pythium Rot, Zhanao Deng
Two individuals outdoors in blue shirts, smiling, with a sky and greenery in the background.

UF research into lantana earns Dissertation of the Year

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

Brooks Parrish has spent the past three years studying the genetics of lantana. These plants are beautiful, but if they’re not properly contained, they can escape cultivation, invade natural and agricultural lands, displace native plants, ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: #Dissertation, Brooks Parrish, Dean For Research Office, Dissertation Of The Year, Ecosystems, Environmental Horticulture, Genetic Sterilization, Genetics, Invasive, Lantana, Molecular Biology, Native, Robert Gilbert, Sandra Wilson, Sterilization, Zhanao Deng
Person in sunglasses examining berry plants with varying ripeness under a bright blue sky.

Decoding blackberry DNA: UF study paves the way for enhanced breeding strategies and better berries for Florida farmers and consumers

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

Disease-resistant and tastier blackberries could be on the horizon — thanks to new genetic research from the University of Florida. New University of Florida blackberry varieties could provide a boon for Florida farmers looking to rebound ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS
Tags: Blackberries, Breeding, Consumers, Disease Resistance, Environmental Horticulture, Flavorful, Genome, Genome Assembly, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Plant Breeding, Thornless, Zhanao Deng
Person pouring yellow-green powder from a container into a cylindrical receptacle.

UF scientists meeting craft brewer demand by converting hops to pellets

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

Many craft brewers prefer to make their product using hops pellets because of several advantages they provide over whole cone hops. To address a request by Tampa Bay-area craft brewers, University of Florida scientists are converting the crop ... READ MORE

Category: SFYL Hot Topic
Tags: Breeding, Brewers Association, Brewery, Cones, Craft Beer, Field Trials, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Harvest, Hops, LED Lighting, Pelletizer, Pellets, Shinsuke Agehara, Spring Hops Field Day, Zhanao Deng
A flowering shrub with bright pink and orange blooms on a white surface, with more shrubs in the background.

UF scientists sequence a lantana genome, helping scientists prevent spread of invasive forms of the plant

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

A University of Florida scientist has sequenced the genome of one representative type of lantana, research that will help other plant breeders develop sterile varieties and help researchers control the plant from spreading. “This new genome ... READ MORE

Category: Invasive Species
Tags: Brooks Parrish, Cultivars, Environmental Horticulture, Genome, Genome Sequencing, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Invasive, Lantana, Plant, Sertilization, Zhanao Deng
Close-up of ripe blackberries with glossy drupelets.

Blackberries in Florida may become even more nutritious in the future

by Brad Buck
May 15, 2026

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

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