IFAS News
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - University of Florida
Archive for January, 2006
UF Researchers Say Citrus Greening can be Managed with New Biological and Chemical Controls
January 19, 2006
Topic(s): Uncategorized
By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-0400Source(s):
Harold Browning , hwbr@crec.ifas.ufl.edu, (863) 956-1151, ext. 1215
Ron Brlansky rhby@ufl.edu (863) 956-1151, ext. 1300
Marjorie Hoy mahoy@ifas.ufl.edu (352) 392-1901, ext. 153
Michael Rogers mrogers@crec.ifas.ufl.edu (863) 956-1151, ext. 1224
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Canker topped the list of worries for the Florida citrus industry until citrus greening – described as the world’s most serious citrus disease – was found in groves last year.
“In the long term, the industry can live with and manage the canker problem, but citrus greening is a fatal disease that’s an even larger threat to the state’s signature crop,” said Harold Browning, director of the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. “In other areas of the world where greening is a problem, it has never been successfully eradicated.” (more…)
Florida Land Boom: New UF Survey Shows Florida Farmland Values Increased by 50 Percent to 88 Percent During Past Year
January 13, 2006
Topic(s): Uncategorized
By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-0400Source:
John Reynolds johnr@nrpsforesters.com, (352) 378-8966, (352) 378-8966
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Demand for land by developers, investors and speculators pushed the value of agricultural land to record levels in all regions of the state during the past year, according to a new University of Florida survey.
Prices of agricultural land increased by 50 percent to 88 percent across the state, and most of the farmland is not being purchased for agricultural purposes, said John Reynolds, a professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, who conducts the annual Florida Agricultural Land Value Survey. (more…)
Brazillian Berry Destroys Cancer Cells in Lab, UF Study Shows
January 12, 2006
Topic(s): Uncategorized
By:
Tom Nordlie (352) 392-0400Source(s):
Stephen Talcott sttalcott@ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1991 ext. 218
Joshua Bomser jbomser@hec.ohio-state.edu, (614) 247-6622
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A Brazilian berry popular in health food contains antioxidants that destroyed cultured human cancer cells in a recent University of Florida study, one of the first to investigate the fruit’s purported benefits.
Published today in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the study showed extracts from acai (ah-SAH’-ee) berries triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested, said Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (more…)
UF Research Shows that Methyl Bromide Use on Crops can be reduced by 50 Percent Under Metalized Bed Covers
January 12, 2006
Topic(s): Uncategorized
By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-0400Source(s):
Jim Gilreath drgilreath@aol.com, (941) 737-7018
Joseph Noling jwnoling@ifas.ufl.edu, (863) 956-1151, ext.1262
Dan Chellemi dchellemi@ushrl.ars.usda.gov,
(772) 462-5888
WIMAUMA, Fla. — With this month’s federal ban on most uses of methyl bromide, University of Florida scientists are searching for alternatives to the widely used soil fumigant that is essential for the production of fruits, vegetables and ornamentals in Florida and the nation.
The fumigant, which controls soil pests and weeds, was banned by the Environmental Protection Agency in response to the Montreal Protocol international treaty because the chemical harms the Earth’s ozone layer, reducing its ability to protect the planet from radiation. Only a few emergency uses of the fumigant are still permitted. (more…)
When Freezes Threaten Crops, State, Statewide Florida Automated Weather network Helps Growers Avoid losses
January 6, 2006
Topic(s): Uncategorized
By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-0400Source(s):
Larry Treadaway lst@ufl.edu, (352) 392-0900
John Jackson JLJackson@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 343-4101
Jim Jones JWJones@ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1864
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When freezes threaten crops, growers rely on the Florida Automated Weather Network for accurate weather data to protect their crops. In addition to delivering weather data 24 hours daily, the University of Florida network helps farmers improve their irrigation efficiency and provides reliable climate predictions months in advance.
“Weather is still the most important input in agriculture, and the Florida Automated Weather Network – also known as FAWN – keeps a close watch on changing weather conditions around the state with 33 high-tech stations linked to our computers in Gainesville,” said Larry Treadaway, director of the network. (more…)
Florida Folic Acid Coalition at UF Promotes 2006 Awareness Program
January 5, 2006
Topic(s): Uncategorized
By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-0400Source(s):
Ron Lutz rlutz@ufl.edu, (352) 392-1978 ext. 406
Gail Rampersaud gcr@ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1978 ext. 423
Lynn Bailey LBBailey@ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1991 ext. 213
Gail Kauwell gkauwell@ufl.edu, (352) 392-1991 ext. 227
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Folic Acid Coalition, based at the University of Florida, is joining with the National Council on Folic Acid to promote National Folic Acid Awareness Week, Jan. 9-15, 2006.
The goal of the weeklong event is to increase consumer awareness of the importance of folic acid in their diet for the prevention of birth defects as well as the vitamin’s many other lifelong benefits, said Ron Lutz, a family nurse practitioner and coordinator for the Florida Folic Acid Coalition at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, or UF/IFAS. (more…)
