University of Florida

IFAS News

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - University of Florida

Archive for December, 2008

Holiday Light Technology Could Be the Secret to Growing Better Crops

December 17, 2008
Topic(s): Agriculture, Crops, New Technology, Research

  • By:
    Stu Hutson (352) 273-3569
  • Source:
    Kevin Folta - kfolta@ufl.edu, (352) 392-1928

Kevin Folta observes strawberry plants grown under various colors of light emitting diodes
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It’s the time of year when festive lights outline rooftops and driveways, but University of Florida researchers have a different reason to celebrate the same technology that’s becoming popular Yule-time décor - better-growing crops.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are now common replacements for incandescent bulbs in applications ranging from coffeemakers to holiday string lights. They stay cool to the touch, don’t burn out as easily and use up to 90 percent less energy. (more…)

Carl Beeman Receives E.T. York Distinguished Service Award

December 10, 2008
Topic(s): Honors and Appointments

Carl Beeman accepts the E.T. York Distinguished Service Award from Jimmy Cheek
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Carl Beeman, former chairman of the University of Florida’s Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, has received the E.T. York Distinguished Service Award, to honor his contributions to the people of Florida through UF agriculture and natural resources programs.

Beeman received the award Nov. 21 at Rolfs Hall, during a department faculty meeting. His name will be added to the plaque commemorating all recipients of the award, which has been given to only a handful of individuals since 1983. (more…)

UF Researcher Helps Test Next Generation Plug-In Hybrid Car Technology

December 9, 2008
Topic(s): Conservation, Families and Consumers, Green Living, New Technology, Research

Pierce Jones demonstrates how to charge an experimental plug-in hybrid electric car
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Fluctuating gas prices and environmental concerns are leading many to electric-powered cars, and a new University of Florida partnership hopes to find out if it’s really a cleaner, cheaper and more reliable choice.

UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension researcher Pierce Jones is working with North Carolina-based companies Progress Energy, Advanced Energy and Duke Energy to test a Toyota Prius modified to use electricity delivered through a regular household electrical outlet. (more…)

UF Releases New Bahiagrass Cultivar with Celebration Honoring Forage Pioneer Edwin Hall Finlayson, Longtime Agriculture Supporter Rep. Allen Boyd

December 5, 2008
Topic(s): Cultivars, Landscaping, RECs

Ann Blount shows off a new variety of bahiagrass, UF-Riata
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GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Southeastern cattle production may have just entered a new era, thanks to University of Florida researchers who’ve developed a bahiagrass that withstands cold temperatures better than other varieties and produces forage longer, saving money for ranchers and dairy farmers.

Named UF-Riata, the forage officially debuted today at a ceremony in Greenville, attended by industry leaders and officials with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. It took place on the sod farm of U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Fla., a fifth-generation farmer and longtime supporter of agricultural research and extension programs. (more…)

Evolution Causes Bad-Tasting Butterflies to Share Appearance and Habitat, UF Study Shows

December 4, 2008
Topic(s): Entomology and Nematology, Research

Keith Willmott holds two butterfly species from the subfamily Ithomiinae
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Competition for resources can cause animal species in an ecological community to evolve away from each other, becoming less similar - but University of Florida research shows that sometimes mutual benefit causes just the opposite.

Case in point: South American butterflies that discourage predators by advertising the message “we all taste bad” via similar, conspicuous color patterns. (more…)

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