In this installment of the TREC Research Report, we get updates on Dr. Xiaoying Li‘s vegetable horticulture crops lab. Dr. Li’s lab aims to introduce emerging crops to diversity production in south Florida, address production challenges in existing vegetable systems, and promote innovative, sustainable practices and products that enhance profitability, competitiveness, and long-term resilience for Florida growers.
Introducing emerging vegetables for local cropping diversity
Dr. Li’s lab is working with growers to select edamame varieties adapted to south Florida’s hot, humid climate and short daylength. So far, the lab has conducted 16 variety trials and identified two varieties with strong production potential. Ongoing research is expanding the range of edamame varieties tested. The lab is also refining production practices (e.g., planting time, fertilization rates) to improve yield and performance. In addition, Dr. Li is evaluating other Asian vegetables such as tonghao, winter melon, and quick choy. Culturally important crops like cachucha pepper, ube, and turmeric are also being evaluated to promote diversified cropping systems in subtropical climates.
Addressing production issues of existing vegetable crops
Seed health is another critical factor affecting vegetable production in south Florida. Contaminated seeds lead to poor seedling establishment, higher production costs, and yield losses. To tackle this, Dr. Li’s lab screened 300 okra germplasm lines collected from the USDA for seed-borne pathogens. The lab also evaluated the impact on germination and seedling development, building a valuable dataset on seedborne pathogen risks. To accelerate solutions, the lab is working with the UF/IFAS Department of Plant Pathology to develop a rapid molecular detection kit for okra seed pathogens. This tool will benefit plant breeders, seed companies, and regulatory agencies by enabling faster, more reliable seed health screening and supporting cleaner seed systems.
Promoting sustainable practices for organic production
Dr. Li’s lab is poised to support local farmers in developing sustainable practices that promote organic production. These practices help farmers “protect natural resources, boost farm productivity, and strengthen the local economy.” On organic-certified farms, Dr. Li’s team is working with growers to select the cover crops. These cover crops will be integrated with biochar as strategies to build soil organic matter and suppress weeds under subtropical growing conditions. Some of the cover crops being tested in growers’ fields include Japanese millet, buckwheat, sorghum grass, sunn hemp, and cowpea. Read how Dr. Li is collaborating with Florida Organic Growers here.
Additionally, the lab is also evaluating newly developed biostimulant products (i.e., microbial and natural-based amendments) designed to improve nutrient use efficiency, promote plant vigor, and enhance resilience against stresses. Together, these efforts provide organic producers with science-based tools to support sustainable production. We encourage you to stay up to date with Dr. Li’s lab by bookmarking her website.
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