Category: Agriculture

Papaya banker plant system strengthens biological control of whiteflies

by Stella Canfield
March 24, 2026

A new study finds that papaya banker plants can strengthen control of the sweet potato whitefly, one of the most damaging pests in ornamental crop production. Published in the journal “Biological Control,” the research highlights a promising ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Banker Plants, Biological Control, Cindy McKenzie, Lance Osborne, Papaya, Pests, Poinsettias, Whiteflies, Whitefly
Pothos lined up in a greenhouse.

UF/IFAS Researcher Recognized for Patented Pothos Varieties

by Stella Canfield
June 11, 2025

Jianjun Chen, environmental horticulture professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, was recently recognized with a Plant Patent and Variety Protection Certificate at the Florida Agricultural Experiment ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Cultivars, Environmental Horticulture, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Research Awards Ceremony, Indoor Foliage, Indoor Plants, Jianjun Chen, National Horticulture Foundation, Pothos

UF/IFAS researchers work to advance grapevine health, helping California’s wine industry

by Stella Canfield
January 15, 2025

UF/IFAS researchers are tackling a critical challenge: protecting California’s $73 billion wine and wine grape industry. Grapevine red blotch disease (GRBD) and grapevine leafroll disease (GLD), caused by complex insect vector-borne viruses, ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, MREC, National Academy Of Sciences, Ozgur Batuman, Research, Southwest Florida Research And Education Center, Wine
Carved pumpkin in a forest.

Halloween with a Horticultural Twist: Spider Mites and Poison Ivy

by Stella Canfield
October 31, 2024

Halloween is a time for ghosts, ghouls and goblins, but the real fright might be lurking right under your nose. From destructive pests to dangerous weeds, these formidable foes can transform your greenery into a gruesome graveyard.   Fangs ... READ MORE

Category: HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS
Tags: Chris Marble, Entomology, Halloween, Herbicide, Horticulture, Lance Osborne, Landscape Weeds, Pests, Poison Ivy, Spider Mites, Weed Identification, Weeds
A hand pulling out a weed.

Master Weed Management with MREC Expert in Greenhouse Training Online Course

by Stella Canfield
October 1, 2024

Weeds pose a persistent challenge in nurseries and greenhouses, making weed management and control crucial components of such operations. To help professionals master weed management, the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department’s Greenhouse ... READ MORE

Category: Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Chris Marble, Greenhouse, Greenhouse Weed Management, Herbicides, Nursery, Weed Management, Weeds
A collage of five scenes: underwater view, palm trees with skyscrapers, a manatee underwater, a coastal scene, and a natural spring.

Kayak Lunch & Learn at Rainbow River

by Yilin
September 20, 2024

Join us for an unforgettable journey on one of Florida's most pristine and beautiful rivers, Rainbow River. This is your chance to immerse yourself in nature while learning about our precious water resources and how to protect them. Event Highlights ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Recreation, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Education, Extension, FFL, Kayak, Landscape, Lunch And Learn, Nutrient Loadings, Rainbow River, Septic Systems, Springs
Collage featuring MREC faculty cards, visitors watching a monitor, and screens projecting live insects and OrangeTV clips.

MREC Exhibits at 2024 Landscape Show, Sharing Research and Resources

by Stella Canfield
September 4, 2024

The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) connected with industry professionals at the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA)’s 2024 Landscape Show, a three-day event that brings in over 7,000 industry professionals ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: David Norman, Fngla, Lance Osborne, Liz Felter, The Landscape Show, Yilin Zhuang

Subscribe For More Great Content

IFAS Blogs Categories