Rao Mylavarapu was named a 2025 Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). He is a professor of sustainable nutrient systems in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Department of Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES). The honors recognize his exceptional contributions to agronomy and soil science. They also reflect his nearly 40 years of research, extension and teaching in sustainable nutrient management.
“Being an active member of ASA and SSSA has been a rewarding experience for me personally and professionally,” Mylavarapu said. “To be named a fellow of both societies at the same time is an unexpected honor that I truly appreciate.”
Extension, Research, and Teaching
Extension has been a core component of Mylavarapu’s work. He led the UF/IFAS Analytical Services Laboratories for 26 years and has served SWES Extension program coordinator for 16 years. He has authored or co-authored 200 Extension publications on various aspects of nutrient management.
His research focuses on enhancing crop productivity and environmental quality. Mylavarapu’s collaborative grant support totals more than $22 million. He has authored eight book chapters and more than 130 research articles, about 80 of them refereed. His work aims to improve nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies in major Florida crops and to develop agricultural best management practices. Findings are shared through training programs including Florida Technical Service Providers, the Florida Certified Crop Advisors educational program and IFAS in-service programs, which he leads.
“Effective nutrient management is critical for both producers and the environment. It is essential to sustain the economically viable production levels that the producers deserve. At the same time, it minimizes nutrient losses and negative impacts on the environment,” he said. “Managing nutrients the crop requires using the 4R principles will significantly enhance nutrient efficiencies and reduce environmental losses.”
In addition to training programs and short courses, Mylavarapu has taught the graduate course “Soil and Nutrient Diagnostics for Agricultural Production” for 26 years. He has chaired nearly 30 graduate student committees and served on many more. He has mentored 10 postdoctoral researchers and more than 250 undergraduates. Mylavarapu’s lab also hosted more than 25 international scholars, including Fulbright scholars.
Impact
“I am not surprised ASA and SSSA are both honoring Rao as a Fellow,” Chris Wilson, professor and interim chair of SWES, said. “His work has a profound impact in Florida, across the nation and around the world. This is a well-deserved honor.”
In service to SSSA, Mylavarapu chaired the national Nutrient Management Division, organized the Walsh Soil Fertility Distinguished Lectures and served as an associate editor of the Soil Science Society of America Journal. He co-led the nutrient management cohort under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Southern Region Water Program for more than 10 years. He is co-leader of the Florida Phosphorus Index Committee with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and serves on the Florida Certified Crop Advisors board. As president and a board member of the International Soil and Plant Analysis Council, he organized international symposia on every continent except Antarctica. Prior to joining UF/IFAS, Mylavarapu worked as a soil scientist at a State University in India, at USDA-Agricultural Research Service (Beltsville), and at Clemson University.
ASA and SSSA will recognize Rao Mylavarapu at their annual conference in Salt Lake City, Nov. 9-12.
1
