It’s A Bug-Eat-Bug World: UF Researcher Imports Wasps From Caribbean To Control Destructive Root Weevils In Florida

December 27, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281

Source:
Jorge Pena jepe@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (305) 246-7001, ext 223

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HOMESTEAD, Fla. — When it comes to stopping one of the most destructive insect pests in Florida, it’s a bug-eat-bug world.

To control the Diaprepes root weevil on various crops, a University of Florida entomologist has imported three tiny wasps from the Caribbean and released them in five South Florida counties. Early tests indicate the wasps are providing effective control of the weevil without pesticides. (more…)

UF Expert: Use Caution When Making Holiday Charity Donations

December 18, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

By:
Tom Nordlie (352) 392-1773 x 277

Source(s):
Mary Harrison mnharrison@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1868, ext. 243
Rudy Hamrick hamricr@doacs.state.fl.us, (850) 488-2221

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — This year’s most appropriate holiday gift may be a charity donation made on behalf of a loved one, but watch out for con artists, says a University of Florida expert.

“Most charity fundraising is legitimate, but fraud activity increases during the holidays because people are in a giving mood,” said Mary Harrison, a professor of consumer education with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (more…)

Holstein Calf

December 17, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

Source:
Tara Piasio

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UF/IFAS Faces Hard Choices

December 17, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

By:
Michael V. Martin, Vice President for

The popular press reported, somewhat accurately, the fiscal situation facing the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). At a time when the state’s economy is struggling, the Legislature has been forced to disinvest in the research and development wing of its leading economic sector.

Research and development by UF/IFAS directly supports the Florida’s $54 billion per year natural resource industries sector agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, and some segments of tourism. The UF/IFAS research and extension (R&E) budget is about 0.2 percent of the annual contributions of the sector which depends on it. While it seems contradictory to reduce the state’s commitment to R&E at times like these, that’s what’s happening. (more…)

Plastics May Replace Chemicals As Plants Growth Regulators

December 12, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

By:
Paul Kimpel

Source:
Sandra Wilson sbwilson@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (561) 468-3922, ext. 132

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — To help commercial nurseries keep plants uniform in size, University of Florida researchers are testing colored plastic films that filter out growth- promoting light waves.

Sandy Wilson, an assistant professor of environmental horticulture with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, said the photo-selective plastic film in her current experiment filters out far-red light, which is responsible for stem elongation in plants. (more…)

Planting The Seed

December 11, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

Source:
Eric Zamora

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Improving Water Quality

December 7, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

Source:
Milt Putnam

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Mark Settles Appointed To UF’s New Vasil-Monsanto Professorship

December 7, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281

Source(s):
Dan Cantliffe djc@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1928, ext 203
Indra Vasil ikv@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1193
Mark Settles amsettles@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-7571

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Mark Settles, a genetics researcher at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, has joined the faculty of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences as the Vasil-Monsanto assistant professor.

In announcing the appointment, Dan Cantliffe, chair of the UF horticultural sciences department, said Settles is the first to serve in the new Vasil-Monsanto Endowed Professorship. Indra Vasil, graduate research professor emeritus, and Monsanto Corporation in St. Louis established the professorship in 1999. (more…)

Holiday Gift Drive

December 6, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

Source:
Thomas Wright

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Poinsettia Variety Trials

December 4, 2001
Topic(s): Uncategorized

Source:
Thomas Wright

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