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UF/IFAS IRREC News, Spring Flush 2023 Edition Spring Flush defines dramatic plant growth in March through May

FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK

What a bustling spring season at IRREC! Our faculty, graduate students and staff are all aflush with a highly successful Florida Citrus show, current research projects, collaborations, professional meetings, rising graduate students, and plans to serve our local industry and global research communities!

Along with our partner organizations, AgNet Media, the USDA-ARS Horiculture Research Laboratory, and the Indian River Citrus League, we pulled off the most successful Florida Citrus Show in history! More than 700 attendees turned out for a 1-day fun, festive, and upbeat tailgate-style trade show. Perfect weather seemed to be a miracle. And a long list of compelling educational presentations was delivered to a full IRREC auditorium and USDA conference room. This year was the first for vegetable production best practices sessions.

I want to recognize IRREC faculty members Dr. Mark Ritenour and Dr. Sandra Guzmán for their diligence to plan a spectacular line-up of speakers for the Vegetable and Citrus Education sessions. In addition, Dr. Guzman’s Smart Irrigation and Hydrology Laboratory team presented an interactive, highly engaging exhibit in the IRREC rotunda and a greenhouse water farming demonstration. Other faculty presented displays of their research activities.

UF/IFAS Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr. Scott Angle opened the Florida Citrus Show with “The Next Era in Florida Citrus,” noting new technology and plant breeding techniques that will advance fresh fruit production.

At the event’s midpoint, I had the privilege to induct Dr. Pasco Avery into the Southern Friends of IPM Hall of Fame! Dr. Avery leads biological control research for pest insects from the IRREC Entomopathogenic Fungi Research Laboratory. His role as an insect pathologist has elevated him to a status as a leading expert for biological control with entomopathogenic fungi.

In November, we will welcome Dr. Flavia Zambon to our faculty as Assistant Professor of Production Horticulture of Citrus and Other Tree Crops. Dr. Zambon led our grapefruit research for “The MAC Project,” and will continue the research in her new position. In addition, Dr. Zambon will oversee The Millennium Block, Citrus Under Protective Screens (CUPS), and efforts to identify new tree crops for the Indian River region.

Our faculty members are dazzling. And so too are our graduates. We rejoiced along with Dr. Rossi, who mentored his Ph.D. student John Santiago as he crossed the commencement stage in Gainesville to emerge as Dr. John Michael Santiago!

I will close this letter with encouragement to peruse this IRREC News, 2023 Spring Flush Edition. Although I cannot include in this letter all the accomplishments and important work our faculty, staff and graduate students carry out daily, there is much more to admire. Please enjoy this newsletter in which we showcase our faculty, staff, and graduate students’ work and contributions to agriculture and natural resources.

Thank you for reading.

Table of contents for the UF/IFAS iRREC News, Spring flush edition, 2023

1. From the Director's Desk

2. The 2023 Florida Citrus Show

3. UF/IFAS IRREC Citrus Horticulture News

A. Citrus Australia visits IRREC for a tour of the Millennium Block

B. Research findings From the Millennium Block and The Mac Project

4. Visit by UF/IFAS Invasion Science Research Institute leader Dr. Matthew Thomas

5. IRREC Researchers visit Syngenta Crop Production 

6. The Quinn Biological Control Research Laboratory

7. The Guzmán Smart Irrigation and Hydrology Laboratory

8. The Rossi Plant Root Biology Laboratory

9. The He Soil and Water Science Laboratory

10. The Ritenour Postharvest and Fruit Quality Laboratory

11. The Ohs Aquaculture Research Laboratory

12. The Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Laboratory

13. Upcoming Special Events

THE 2023 FLORIDA CITRUS SHOW

UF/IFAS Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Scott Angle opened the event

Dr. Scott Angle presented "The Next Era in Florida Citrus"

IRREC stakeholders Billy Murphy and Travis Murphy discuss the Florida Citrus Industry with IRREC Biological Scientist Dr. Pasco Avery

Record attendance, a festival-like vibe, and an inventive menu of freshly prepared tailgate-style foods regaled 2023 Florida Citrus Show attendees on April 13.

“The 2023 Florida Citrus Show was an extraordinary success. Under perfect skies, a record attendance turned out to enjoy a rousing tailgate trade show with delicious food offerings from each vendor. The presentations were informative and well-attended. The positive comments keep rolling in,” said Ronald D. Cave, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) Director.
The 2023 Florida Citrus Show is held at UF/IFAS IRREC and the USDA-ARS Horticultural Research Laboratory for the first time in the show's 77-year history!
“AgNet Media, the UF/IFAS IRREC, the Indian River Citrus League, and the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Horticultural Research Laboratory planned an exemplary event for all in attendance,” Cave said.
Extension Agents Kate Rotindo and Ken Gioeli, alongside Dr. Scott Angle

Extension Agents Ken Gioeli and Kate Rotindo taught participants how honeybee flavor profiles are linked to the flowers bees are pollinating. For example, honey bee hives placed in orange groves will have a distinctive flavor profile termed "orange blossom" honey.

Honey bees are essential to Florida's agriculture. From vegetable crops to tree crops like citrus, any plant requiring pollination can benefit from honey bees.

Dr. Nicole Quinn's presentation included her work to control the Lebbeck mealybug, a citrus pest.

Dr. Rossi and the Plant Root Biology Laboratory team presented their work with plant root biology for crop tree roots.

AgNet Media President Robin Loftin

Robin Loftin and her team from AgNet Media led a highly successful Florida Citrus Show for the first time.

Miss Florida Citrus, Casana Fink, of Ocala, attends The Florida Citrus Show

According to officials with AgNet Media, more than 700 attended The Florida Citrus Show (FCS). And while most visitors hailed from Florida, about 12 registrants reside in California and Georgia. The show attracted four internationals: one from Angola, others from Japan, Ireland, and Brazil.

The FCS tradition is a focus on citrus production. And with Florida’s diverse offerings of high-value specialty crops, show leaders added vegetable educational sessions to this year’s line-up.

Vegetable production topics included pest management for nematodes, area-wide whitefly management, and a new invasive species—Thrips parvispinus.

Scott Adkins, plant pathologist with the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Horticultural Research Laboratory (USDA-ARS), presented a live demonstration with canines that successfully identified virus-infected plants by smell. Adkins’ presentation, “What’s new in vegetable viruses and detector dogs,” provides producers with a method to detect and curtail plant disease in commercial production operations.

Just before noon, aromas of meats sizzling on barbeque grills, stewing seafood dishes, and simmering swamp cabbage swirled about the tented trade show. OmniLytics associates prepared succulent, farm-raised pink shrimp cocktails in clear, martini-size holders. From the many sumptuous tapas, show attendees selected Southern Citrus Nurseries’ vegetable spring rolls for the top tail-gate cuisine offering. But the entire lunch innovation was a success, said Cave.

Each trade show exhibitor served a tailgate luncheon item

The tailgate luncheon was extended to two hours and was immensely popular with attendees.

OmniLytics associates prepared shrimp cocktails for their tailgate luncheon offering. Terra Nova's authentic Florida Swamp Cabbage was a hit! Attendees stood at colorful high-top tables to enjoy their selections.

UF/IFAS IRREC professors Mark Ritenour and Sandra Guzmán organized the show’s Citrus Section Educational Sessions. “We enjoyed the opportunity to showcase the tireless work of UF/IFAS researchers and extension programs in supporting Florida’s signature crop,” Guzmán said.

UF/IFAS IRREC Citrus Horticulture News

Citrus horticulture expert selected for UF/IFAS Indian River District horticulture position

A scientist with a career invested in Florida citrus production will join the research team from the heart of Florida’s renowned grapefruit production region.

A native of Brazil’s famous citrus production region, São Paulo State, Flavia Zambon is the selected candidate for the IRREC assistant professor of production. In announcing Zambon’s new IRREC appointment, to begin in November, Ronald D. Cave, IRREC director, said Zambon is the strongest candidate for the position owing to her many years of experience with citrus research in all of Florida’s citrus production regions.

In this image Dr. Zambon visits a grapefruit grove that is part of "The MAC Project" research

Dr. Zambon presents The MAC Project in this video that celebrates International Postdoctoral Week

Citrus australia visits the millennium block

Members of Citrus Australia visited the UF/IFAS-IRREC Millennium Block on Friday, May 19

Dr. Mark Ritenour and Dr. Lorenzo Rossi hosted members of Citrus Australia, a professional trade organization that serves citrus growers in Australia and New Zealand.

Citrus Australia members interests are current research to manage two citrus diseases: canker and citrus greening. After a question-and-answer session that included Dr. Salman Al-Shami, an IRREC postdoctoral research associate, Tom James, IRREC biological scientist, and Mac Hossain, Agricultural Research Assistant, the visitors requested a tour of the UF/IFAS-IRREC Millennium Block, an active research grove of more than 5,500 grapefruit, orange, and mandarin trees.

Tom James explained to the Australian citrus growers that while some trees appear to be thriving, the research must continue for three more years to gather reliable data for the industry.

Post Doctoral Research Associate Dr. Salman Alshami responded to questions about the Asian citrus psyllid, other pest insects and diseases

The IRREC Millennium Block was first planted in 2019. The trees have entered their fruit-bearing years.

IRREC Horticulture Research Assistant Mac Hossain responded to Citrus Australia members' questions about the initiation and data collection in the Millennium Block

IRREC researchers explained how growers manage HLB and canker in their operations.

The group asked about the impact of HLB and canker on production operations along the Indian River District and about pest control and plant nutrition related to these diseases. In particular, they were interested in promising research to control the Asian citrus psyllid.

Some of the trees of the new varieties in the Millennium Block look great, but the first year fruit yield and percentage of good quality fruit was variable

IRREC researchers provide a tour for Citrus Australia members inside CUPS.

The IRREC researchers also introduced the group to screenhouses that exclude the psyllid from trees growing inside. The research is called Citrus Under Protective Screens, or CUPS. IRREC researchers explained that it is possible to produce high quality citrus inside a CUPS model, but that mites and higher temperatures are problematic in this scenario. Hurricanes and high winds are also a concern with CUPS.

findings from the millennium block and the mac project

Citrus growers in Florida’s “River” production region along the Indian River Lagoon develop unsurpassed flavor and texture in a fresh grapefruit product coveted worldwide.

Growers in the area have watched the industry they love steadily decline in the last two decades. They await scientific results from two active research projects involving more than 39,000 trees, expected to reveal which new varieties will tolerate pressure from the most serious citrus disease worldwide.

The citrus tree disease is called huanglongbing, or HLB, or citrus greening. It has cost Florida millions in fruit sales that once supported the economy with jobs for its citizens. It has hit hard an industry that so many consider a birthright and a career shared by generations of families and their communities.

40,000 trees included in two field experiments. But among the nearly 40,000 trees researched in two trials—hope also grows. Some trees are expected to stand against the disease, tolerate it, thrive, and produce market-ready fresh fruit.

IRREC Assistant Professor of Entomology, Dr. Carey Minteer, provides a tour of the Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory to Dr. Matthew Thomas

To usher in National Invasive Species Awareness Week, scientists in Florida—the epicenter of invasive plant and insect infestations hosted Matthew Thomas, a leader who was hired to head the more than 120 researchers working with invasive species statewide.

Thomas directs the UF/IFAS Invasion Science Research Institute, the university’s young and rising force to investigate, control and monitor surroundings rife with invasive organisms.

"I was really excited to see the Norman C. Hayslip Biological Research and Containment Laboratory. I used to do a lot of hands-on work in biocontrol. In the last 15 years my research has moved away from biocontrol, but I am still working in pest control, although in a slightly different way. It was interesting for me to come back to biocontrol and see a containment facility–to see a diversity of projects and the diversity of agents evaluated and screened inside isolation," said Dr. Thomas.
"I met graduate students who are really energized and enthusiastic to develop biocontrol solutions. It was great to see an infrastructure that really allows that—there are very few well-regulated, well-maintained quarantine facilities to bring in exotic natural enemies. It’s a hugely valuable resource for the state and beyond—for the country." --- Dr. Matthew Thomas

IRREC researchers visit Syngenta crop protection

IRREC Faculty members, staff members and students participated in a tour of Syngenta Crop Protection in Vero Beach

Dr. Ritenour said the tour was excellent as Syngenta tour guides led the group through interior research labs, greenhouses and fields. Syngenta representatives explained how they run through "initial selection," or screening for compounds used in agrochemicals. Those tasks are carried out in Europe. But many field experiments are conducted at the local laboratory. Dr. Ritenour added that researchers in the laboratory are able to expedite research in the Vero Beach laboratory owing to yearlong warm weather.

Another point of interest during the tour was that Syngenta collaborates with pest control companies and raises roaches and ants for use in the experiments.

The Lebbeck mealybug

The Quinn Biological control Research laboratory

UF/IFAS Researchers and local Extension invite nursery, citrus growers and master gardeners to a Lebbeck mealybug diagnostic kit demo

The Lebbeck mealbug diagnostic kit workshop

Florida citrus and nursery growers need to develop proactive management plans for Lebbeck mealybug, an invasive pest that can cost the fruit and ornamental industries thousands of dollars in damages to fruit trees and landscaping plants.

A team of research scientists is working to prevent such scenarios with an early diagnostic kit to identify the invasive mealybug on trees and nursery plants. The insect is hard to detect and identify during its early life stage because it is so tiny that it is often concealed in small crevices in plants.

IRREC Assistant Professor of Entomology Dr. Nicole Quinn opens the Lebbeck mealybug diagnostic demo with a presentation

Dr. Lance Osborne collaborates with Dr. Quinn and Diepenbrock on research and a grant to distribute the Lebbeck mealybug to nursery growers and master gardeners.

Collaborator Dr. Lauren Diepenbrock assists participants as they identify a Lebbeck mealybug

Local nursery growers identify the Lebbeck mealybug with microscopes

Research collaborator Dr. Muhammad "Zee" Ahmed presents on the Lebbeck mealybug.

Workshop participants extract Lebbeck mealybugs from nursery citrus trees and use the diagnostic kit solution to get a positive identification.

If the kit solution turns green when applied to crushed mealybug, the participants gain a positive identification of the Lebbeck mealybug.

St. Lucie County Master Gardeners search for Lebbeck mealybugs to use with the diagnostic kit

Grantly Ricketts, Director for the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

Grantly Ricketts works closely with nursery growers and master gardeners, who attended the Lebbeck mealybug demo kit event.

Quinn Entomology Laboratory Publications

Duan, J.J., Crandall, R.S., Grosman, D.M., Schmude, J.M., Quinn, N., Chandler, J.L. and Elkinton, J.S., 2023. Effects of emamectin benzoate trunk injections on protection of neighboring ash trees against emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and on established biological control agents. Journal of Economic Entomology, p.toad074.

Duan, J.J., Gould, J.R., Quinn, N.F., Petrice, T.R., Slager, B.H., Poland, T.M., Bauer, L.S., Rutledge, C.E., Elkinton, J.S. and Van Driesche, R.G., 2023. Protection of North American ash against emerald ash borer with biological control: ecological premises and progress toward success. BioControl, 68(2), pp.87-100.

the guzmán smart irrigation and hydrology Laboratory

At the Florida Citrus Show, Dr. Sandra Guzmán’s team from the Smart Irrigation and Hydrology Laboratory presented demonstrations on sensors for water and nutrient management, salinity, and Artificial Intelligence.

The Smart Irrigation and Hydrology Lab interactive display was exceedingly popular at the Florida Citrus Show

The presentations were made in the IRREC rotunda. Outside IRREC, her team showcased their progress on nano-bubbles technology for water farm (or dispersed water management) operations.

IRREC Ph.D. student Akshara Athelly greets citrus growers as they arrive at the Florida Citrus Show

Akshara Athelly's Ph.D. studies involves irrigation management and stakeholder engagement.

Guzmán Smart Irrigation and Hydrology Laboratory Publications

McLamore, E., Duckworth, O., Boyer, T. H., Marshall, A. M., Call, D. F., Bhadha, J. H., and Guzmán, S.M. (2023). Perspective: Phosphorus monitoring must be rooted in sustainability frameworks spanning material scale to human scale. Water Research X, 19, p. 100168.

Santiago, J.M., Kadyampakeni, D.M., Fox, J.P., Wright, A.L., Guzmán, S.M., Ferrarezi, R.S. and Rossi, L., 2023. Grapefruit Root and Rhizosphere Responses to Varying Planting Densities, Fertilizer Concentrations and Application Methods. Plants, 12(8), p.1659.

Herrera, E., Guzmán, S.M., Murcia, E. and Palacios, D., 2023. Preguntas comunes cuando se usan sensores de humedad en el suelo para cítricos y otros árboles frutales: AE583/AE583, 2/2023. EDIS, 2023(1).

Santiago, J.M., Fox, J.P., Guzman, S. M. and Rossi, L., 2023. Effect of fabric mulch ground covers on lemon trees rhizosphere microbiome in Florida flatwood soils. Frontiers in Soil Science, 3, p.10.

Bayabil, H.K., Teshome, F.T., Guzman, S.M. and Schaffer, B., 2023. Evapotranspiration Rates of Three Sweet Corn Cultivars under Different Irrigation Levels. HortTechnology, 33(1), pp.16-26.

He, S., Yan, Y., Yu, K., Xin, X., Guzman, S.M., Lu, J. and He, Z., 2023. Baseflow estimation based on a self-adaptive non-linear reservoir algorithm in a rainy watershed of eastern China. Journal of Environmental Management, 332, p.117379.

The Rossi Plant Root Biology Laboratory

Young olives in an experimental grove

Most of the world’s olives grow in southern European countries, such as Spain and Italy.

In the United States, California has more than 30,000 acres dedicated to the commodity. But Florida may be the next agricultural region for small-scale commercial olive production.

Lorenzo Rossi, a native Italian who immersed himself early in life in olive production and the culture that surrounds rural Tuscany, believes the evergreen tree with oblong, sage-colored leaves may be a good prospect for Florida growers.

Robert Gilbert, UF/IFAS dean for research, and Andra Johnson, UF/IFAS dean for Extension, recently approved a nearly $70,000 grant for Rossi’s research proposal, “Evaluating olive (Olea europaea L.) as a new cash crop for Florida.” In addition to the UF grant, The Florida Olive Council will support the project with $5,000.

Khalid Hussain examines nursery citrus trees in the Plant Root Biology Laboratory

Khalid Hussain visits the Plant Root Biology Laboratory from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. His work at IRREC involves investigations of crop root architecture in olive, citrus, and guava trees.

The Rossi Plant Root Biology Laboratory Welcomes Audrey Beany to the Team!

Audrey Beany, MSc, Biological Scientist

graduation

UF Ph.D. Graduation Ceremony in Gainesville, May 4, 2023

Ask John Santiago about beneficial soil microbes, and his eyes dazzle. He will tell you that scientists are about to uncover microbes that protect plants from disease. Santiago aspires to be one of the scientists who will make these breakthroughs.

Santiago completed a Ph.D. in Horticultural Sciences, specializing in plant root biology.

"I aim to improve crop production with microbiology. Soil microbiology is about identifying microscopic organisms and examining interactions that these organisms share with different plant species" Santiago said.

Dr. Santiago investigated beneficial bacteria in soil samples he collected around citrus crop tree roots.

The moments when Dr. Lorenzo Rossi escorts his Ph.D. student John Santiago across the University of Florida commencement stage. John Santiago emerges as Dr. John Michael Santiago

Publications from the Rossi Plant Root Biology Laboratory

Lesmes-Vesga, R.A.; Cano, L.M.; Chaparro, J.X.; Ritenour, M.A.; Sarkhosh, A.; Rossi, L. 2023. Variation in the root system architecture of peach × (peach × almond) backcrosses. Plants 12(9), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091874

Santiago, J.M.; Kadyampakeni, D.M.; Fox, J.P.; Wright, A.L.; Guzman, S.M.; Ferrarezi, R.S.; Rossi, L. 2023. Foliar and granular fertilization and planting density impacts on root growth and rhizosphere bacterial communities of HLB-affected grapefruit trees. Plants 12(8), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12081659

Ayub, M.A.; ur Rehman, M.Z.; Ahmad, H.R.; Rico, C.M.; Abbasi; G.H.; Umar; W.; Wright, A.L.; Nadeem, M.; Fox, J.P.f; Rossi, L. 2023. Divergent effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles alone and in combination with Cd on nutrient acquisition and growth of maize (Zea mays). Frontiers in Plant Science 14, 1151786; https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1151786

Santiago, J.M.; Fox, J.-P.f; Guzmán, S.M.; Rossi, L. 2023. Effect of fabric mulch ground covers on lemon trees rhizosphere microbiome in Florida flatwood soils. Frontiers in Soil Sciences 3, 1110370; https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2023.1110370

Ayub, M.A.; ur Rehman, M.Z.; Ahmad, H.R.; Fox, J.P.f; Clubb, P.; Wright, A.L.; Anwar-ul-Haq, M.; Nadeem, M.; Rico, C.M.; Rossi, L. 2023. Influence of ionic cerium and cerium oxide nanoparticles on Zea mays seedlings grown with and without cadmium. Environmental Pollution 322: 121137; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121137

The He Soil and Water Science Laboratory

Ph.D. student Jaya Nepal and Visiting Research Scholar Dr. Jahidul Shohag collaborate on an experiment with corn

Jaya Nepal and Dr. Jahidul Shohag investigated nanoparticle-associated nutrients that utilize the nutrients more efficiently.

Ph.D. student Jaya Nepal performs natural resources research in the He Soil and Water Science Laboratory

IRREC Ph.D. student Jaya Nepal works in the He Soil and Water Science Laboratory conducting column leaching experiments to evaluate the carbon nanoparticle-associated nutrient and leaching in the ecosystem.

Jaya Nepal and Dr. Jahidul measure physiological photosynthetic parameters with the corn plants.

Dr. Shohag employs a LI-COR device to measure photosynthetic parameters

Ph.D. student Jaya Nepal in He Soil and Water Sciences Laboratory performs DNA extraction.

Jaya Nepal performs DNA extractions from soil samples for analysis of soil microbial community with soil carbon treatments.

Earth Day 2023 Luncheon Celebration, hosted by IRREC Associate Director Dr. Zhenli He

Dr. Zhenli He, accompanied by his sister-in-law

Dr. Zhenli He opened the Earth Day 2023 Celebration Luncheon with a message about the value of observing Earth Day annually. Dr. He said scientists have a responsibility to sustain agriculture production practices with more efficient practices. He said nanotechnologies will help researchers accomplish more efficient best practices and improve crop yield.

Dr. He said that we are each responsible when we make decisions about what we consume in products each day. He said plastics are a primary challenge worldwide and that we may each decide to use less plastic to protect and sustain the Earth. He urged us to continue Earth Day celebrations to demonstrate our interests in sustaining the Earth and its natural resources for ourselves, our children, and for generations in the future.

Dr. Xin completed a Ph.D. at IRREC that involved nanoparticle technology.

He Laboratory Ph.D. student Jaya Nepal presented a FUN Earth Day Quiz

Minteer Lab biological scientist and graduate student Emily Le Falchier wins the Earth Day Quiz competition.

Dr. Zhenli He presents Emily Le Falchier with a prize UF Gator water container.

On May 4, the IRREC Community salutes 2023 National Orange Juice Day

He Soil and Water Science Laboratory team member, Dr. Xiaoping Xin, enjoys a cool glass of fresh orange juice

Publications from the He Soil and Water Science Laboratory

Lian, J., Cheng, L., Zhai, X., Wu, R., Huang, X., Chen, D., Pan, J., Shohag, M.J.I., Xin, X., Ren, X. and He, Z., 2023. Zinc glycerolate (Glyzinc): A novel foliar fertilizer for zinc biofortification and cadmium reduction in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Food Chemistry, 402, p.134290.

Wei, D., Wei, C., Pan, P., Lin, B., Wu, L., Liu, B. and He, Z., 2023. Phosphorus fractions and iron oxides responsible for the variations in the Cd retention capacity in tropical soil aggregates under different cropping patterns. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 442, p.130017.

Zhao, Q., He, Z., He, Y., Qiu, Y., Wang, Z. and Jiang, Y., 2023. Hierarchical iron–nickel oxyhydroxide nanosheets directly grown on porous TiFe 2-based intermetallics for robust oxygen evolution. Chemical Communications, 59(30), pp.4519-4522.

Shan, A., Huang, L., Chen, D., Lin, Q., Liu, R., Wang, M., Kang, K.J., Pan, M., Wang, G., He, Z. and Yang, X., 2023. Trade-offs between fertilizer-N availability and Cd pollution potential under crop straw incorporation by 15 N stable isotopes in rice. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(17), pp.51075-51088.

Lin, Q., Hamid, Y., Yang, H., Jiang, J., Shan, A., Wang, M., Hussain, B., Feng, Y., Li, T., He, Z. and Yang, X., 2023. Cadmium mobility and health risk assessment in the soil-rice-human system using in vitro biaccessibility and in vivo bioavailability assay: Two-year field experiment. Science of The Total Environment, p.161564.

He, S., Yan, Y., Yu, K., Xin, X., Guzman, S.M., Lu, J. and He, Z., 2023. Baseflow estimation based on a self-adaptive non-linear reservoir algorithm in a rainy watershed of eastern China. Journal of Environmental Management, 332, p.117379.

Liu, B., Wei, C., Wei, D., Chen, M., Li, W., Pan, P., Lin, B., Wu, L., Li, Q. and He, Z., 2023. Response of cadmium adsorption to three-year different agronomic managements in tropical soil: The role of P fractions and Fe oxides. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 342, p.108261.

Lin, Q., Hamid, Y., Yang, H., Jiang, J., Shan, A., Wang, M., Hussain, B., Feng, Y., Li, T., He, Z. and Yang, X., 2023. Cadmium mobility and health risk assessment in the soil-rice-human system using in vitro biaccessibility and in vivo bioavailability assay: Two-year field experiment. Science of The Total Environment, p.161564.

Lu, M., Huang, L., Wang, Q., Cao, X., Lin, Q., He, Z., Feng, Y. and Yang, X., 2023. Soil properties drive the bacterial community to cadmium contamination in the rhizosphere of two contrasting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 128, pp.117-128.

Lu, M., Huang, L., Wang, Q., Cao, X., Lin, Q., He, Z., Feng, Y. and Yang, X., 2023. Soil properties drive the bacterial community to cadmium contamination in the rhizosphere of two contrasting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 128, pp.117-128.

Cao, Y., Liu, R., Song, X., Mao, X., Stoffella, P.J. and He, Z., 2023. Immobilization of trace elements and lettuce growth in soil amended with activated dolomite phosphate rock fertilizers. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 46(9), pp.2031-2043.

The Ritenour Postharvest and Fruit Quality Laboratory

The 2023 Florida Postharvest Horticulture Tour

Participants of the 2023 Florida Postharvest Horticulture Tour

The Florida Postharvest Horticulture Tour brings participants “up-close and personal” to learn how fresh fruits, vegetables and ornamental crops are handled.

Florida Postharvest Horticulture Tour attendees visit a major fresh produce harvest event

Florida ranks number one in the country in tomatoes, bell peppers, snap beans, watermelon, and cucumbers.

Publications from the Ritenour Postharvest Quality Laboratory

Lesmes-Vesga, R.A., Cano, L.M., Ritenour, M.A., Sarkhosh, A., Chaparro, J.X. and Rossi, L., 2023. Variation in the Root System Architecture of Peach×(Peach× Almond) Backcrosses. Plants, 12(9), p.1874.

Shahzad, F., Vashisth, T., Ritenour, M.A. and Brecht, J.K., 2023. Huanglongbing disease symptoms and the postharvest quality of ‘LB8-9’(Sugar Belle®) and ‘Tango’mandarins as affected by ethylene treatment. Scientia Horticulturae, 310, p.111766.

Zhang, Congmu, Gerrit Hoogenboom, Mark A. Ritenour, Shamel M. Alam‐Eldein, Rafael Muñoz‐Carpena, and Steven A. Sargent. "Modeling the relationship between air temperature and grapefruit quality traits." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 103, no. 3 (2023): 1247-1260.

Zhang, C., Hoogenboom, G., Ritenour, M.A., Alam‐Eldein, S.M., Muñoz‐Carpena, R. and Sargent, S.A., 2023. Modeling the relationship between air temperature and grapefruit quality traits. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 103(3), pp.1247-1260.

Brecht, Jeffrey K., Mark A. Ritenour, Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, Jose X. Chaparro, Jerry A. Bartz, Steven A. Sargent, and John Van Sickle. "Harvesting & Postharvest Handling of Stonefruit in Florida: HS1459, 4/2023." EDIS 2023, no. 2 (2023).

The Ohs Aquaculture Research Laboratory

International Presentations made by Dr. Cortney Ohs in Panama, Central America

Ohs, C.L., A. Martinez-Fuentes. 2023. Effects of temperature and salinity on reproduction and survival of the cyclopoid copepod Apocyclops panamensis. Latin American & Caribbean Aquaculture 2023. Panama City, Panama. (Invited)

Ohs, C.L., I. García-Gallego, E.H. Silvy, G. Burr. 2023. Effects of dietary long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) on Pacific blue tang Paracanthurus hepatus egg and larval quality. Latin American & Caribbean Aquaculture 2023. Panama City, Panama. (Invited)

Ohs, C.L. 2023. Recommendations for successful culture of pelagic spawning marine ornamental fish species and first culture successes at the University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center. Latin American & Caribbean Aquaculture 2023. Panama City, Panama. (Invited)

Latin American & Caribbean Aquaculture 2023 in Panama City, Panama and presented three invited talks and chaired the marine ornamental session.

Consulted a marine ornamental company Bocas Mariculture, Panama

Publications from the Ohs Aquaculture Laboratory

Drake, M., A. Ropicki, M.A. DiMaggio, K. Grogan, C.L. Ohs, L. Tiu, E.V. Camp, J. Moor. 2023. Florida Marine Baitfish Aquaculture Series – Part 1: Marketing Opportunities and Challenges. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA256. (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa256)

Donnarumma, L., B.J. Scharf g, J.E. Hill, C.L. Ohs. 2022. Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: American Horseshoe Crab Limulus Polyphemus. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA254. (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa254)

Blanco, V., C. Ohs, N. Rhody, R. Hans. 2022. Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: Almaco Jack, Seriola rivoliana. University of Florida/IFAS EDIS Publication FA249. (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa249)

Elefante, D.J., Ohs, C.L. and Grabe, S.W., 2022. Egg Hatching, Stocking, Larval Feeding, and Handling Mortality of Guinean Fingerfish Monodactylus sebae. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 84(3), pp.295-303.

Shopnitz, F.A., Ohs, C.L., Silvy, E.H., Broach, J.S., DiMaggio, M.A., Patterson, J.T. and Collins, A., 2022. Evaluation of Anesthesia Protocols for Handling Hogfish Using Tricaine Methanesulfonate and AQUI‐S 20E. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 84(3), pp.304-312.

Ohs, C.L., Beany, A.H. and DiMaggio, M.A., 2022. Survey of Florida marine baitfish retailers: Assessment of wholesale supply and the market potential for cultured pinfish and pigfish. Aquaculture Economics & Management, 26(1), pp. 57-76.

The Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab

The Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab scientists attend and present at the International Symposium on the Biological Control of Weeds, in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina in May, 2023

Dr. Carey Minteer presents her work on the Brazilian peppertree, Image by Dr. Rodrigo Diaz (IRREC Ph.D. Graduate)

The Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab Postdoctoral Associate Dr. Telmah Telmadarrehei presents her work with Brazilian peppertree.

Dr. Telmah Telmadarrehei

Image by Dr. Carey Minteer

The Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab Ph.D. student Sara Salgado presents her work with the earleaf acacia tree.

Image by Dr. Carey Minteer

The Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab Ph.D. student Sara Salgado garners a global award

Ph.D. student Sara Salgado presents entomology lessons at a recent 4-H event

The Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab Ph.D. student Sara Salgado has won a global award for her work to prevent an invasive tree from encroaching on Florida’s natural landscapes.

In a nearby Port St. Lucie wooded area, a stand of 190 earleaf acacia trees thrives. The trees’ branches are brittle with yellow, fur-like blooms. The trees reproduce in multiple Florida locations, grow taller yearly and shade out the natural scrub environment. For Salgado’s groundbreaking work as a graduate research scientist, officials with the International Organization for Biological Control recognized Salgado with its Global Early Career Award, in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, as part of the organization’s 16th International Symposium on the Biological Control of Weeds.

Sara Salgado stands in front of a large earleaf acacia tree, an invasive plant in Florida

MSc Graduate student Emily Le Falchier publishes in Entomology Today

The Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Telmah Telmadarrehei highlight for International Postdoctoral Week

Spotlight on Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab Student Sheri Holmes for Graduate Student Appreciation Week

Publications from The Minteer Biological Control of Weeds Lab

Telmadarrehei, Telmah, and Carey R. Minteer. "Waterlettuce Weevil Neohydronomus affinis Hustache, 1926 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae): EENY-799/IN1386, 3/2023." EDIS 2023, no. 2 (2023).

Le Falchier, Emily J., and Carey R. Minteer. "Shining Orange Slender Twig Ant (suggested common name) Pseudomyrmex simplex (F. Smith)(Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecine): EENY-792/IN1393, 3/2023." EDIS 2023, no. 2 (2023).

Bowers, Kristen, Melissa Smith, and Carey Minteer. "Lygodium Defoliator Moth (suggested) Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Warren)(Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae): EENY-800/IN1396, 3/2023." EDIS 2023, no. 2 (2023).

Telmadarrehei, Telmah, Eutychus M. Kariuki, Edzard van Santen, Emily J. Le Falchier, and Carey R. Minteer. "The effects of soil type and moisture on the survival of Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood)." Biocontrol Science and Technology 33, no. 4 (2023): 314-326.

Kariuki, E.M., Lovo, E.E., Price, T., Parikh, V., Duren, E.B., Avery, P.B. and Minteer, C.R., 2022. The consumption and survival rate of Lilioceris cheni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on air potato leaves exposed to Cordyceps javanica (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). Florida Entomologist, 105(3), pp.258-261.

Wheeler, G.S., Minteer, C., Rohrig, E., Steininger, S., Nestle, R., Halbritter, D., Leidi, J., Rayamajhi, M. and Le Falchier, E., 2022. Release and persistence of the Brazilian peppertree biological control agent Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) in Florida. Florida Entomologist, 105(3), pp.225-230.

upcoming special events

The Florida State Horticultural Society Annual Meeting, June 11-13, 2023, Daytona Beach

ASHS 2023 Annual Conference, July 31 to August 3, Orlando

The Citrus & Specialty Crop EXPO, August 16 and 17, 2023, Florida State Fairgrounds

Credits:

Photo credits: Robin Koestoyo, Lorenzo Rossi, Carey Minteer