IFAS News
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences – University of Florida
UF, Buckeye dedicate ethanol production facility in Perry
January 10, 2012
Topic(s): Agriculture, Announcements, Biofuels, Crops, Economics, Environment, Green Living, IFAS, New Technology, Research
Caption at bottom. Click here for high-resolution image.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Many building dedications feature a ribbon-cutting; this one included a front-end loader ceremoniously dumping a scoopful of pulverized sugarcane stalks.
It was an appropriate way to mark yesterday’s official launch of the Stan Mayfield Biorefinery Pilot Plant in Perry, a cooperative venture between the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Buckeye Technologies Inc.
As 200 guests looked on, State Rep. Debbie Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, stepped up to the big machine and pulled a lever, delivering the first official shipment of feedstock to the biorefinery, which will develop methods for producing fuel ethanol and other compounds from inedible plant material.
The biorefinery is named for Mayfield’s late husband, a member of the state House of Representatives from 2000 until his death in 2008. A UF graduate, Mayfield was a strong advocate of renewable fuels, environmental protection and economic growth.
UF researchers develop first method to accurately measure zinc in humans
December 15, 2011
Topic(s): Announcements, IFAS, New Technology, Nutrition, Research
Cutline at bottom. Click here for high-resolution image.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Zinc is an essential nutrient, but until now, there has not been an effective way to measure it in our bodies, say University of Florida researchers.
The researchers have uncovered biomarkers that, for the first time, allow for accurate measurement of human zinc nutritional status. Biomarkers are quantifiable substances in organisms that can indicate body irregularities such as nutrient deficiencies or disease.
The biomarkers can be measured from blood samples or from mouth swabs and allow for even marginal zinc deficiencies to be detected, which is something current zinc tests can’t do.
Statistical models inspired from Facebook could help endangered animals, UF researchers say
November 15, 2011
Topic(s): Conservation, Environment, IFAS, Invasive Species, New Technology, Research
Cutline at bottom. Click here for high-resolution image.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Some endangered animals may live in smaller habitats than scientists realize, leading to inflated estimates of their ability to survive, according to a new University of Florida study.
However, by predicting the animals’ habitat movement using models employed to analyze human interactions on social networks such as Facebook, scientists with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences find the animals’ predicament could be better understood.
Conservationists can use this improved approach to better prioritize habitat restoration efforts for endangered species, said author Robert Fletcher, a UF wildlife ecology and conservation assistant professor.
New IFAS study shows corn plants help control major mite pest
November 1, 2011
Topic(s): Agriculture, Biocontrols, Crops, Entomology and Nematology, Environment, IFAS, New Technology, Pests, RECs, Research
Cutline at bottom. Click here for high-resolution image.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Add one more entry to corn’s list of abilities: helping to biologically control pests.
Already a source of food and biofuel, University of Florida researchers report in a new study that corn plants can help sustain populations of small, flying insects known as gall midges in order to control twospotted spider mites.
Spider mites are hard-to-manage, major pests of hundreds of ornamental and vegetable crops.
Blue light discourages molds that spoil citrus fruit, UF researcher says
October 20, 2011
Topic(s): Agriculture, Citrus, New Technology
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — One species of Penicillium fungus gave humanity the miracle drug penicillin; some of its cousins give the citrus industry headaches.
Commonly known as green mold and blue mold, respectively, the fungi Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum spoil recently harvested fruit. But researchers with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have found an environmentally friendly way to address the problem—using blue light to activate natural defenses within the fruit.
A study published in the current issue of the journal Postharvest Biology and Technology showed that tangerines inoculated with P. digitatum spores had a 100 percent infection rate when kept in constant darkness or constant white light for six days. When kept in constant blue light the rate was 50 percent. And when kept on a schedule that alternated 12 hours of blue light exposure with 12 hours of darkness, the infection rate was only 25 percent.
These preliminary findings suggest that certain light wavelengths activate an enzyme called phospholipase, which kick-starts the tangerine’s immune response, said Jackie Burns, director of UF’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred and one of the study authors.
UF technique to help pine forests adapt to climate change, bioenergy use
October 6, 2011
Topic(s): Announcements, Biofuels, Conservation, Crops, Economics, Environment, IFAS, New Technology, Research
Cutline at bottom. Click here for high-resolution image.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A breakthrough in pine tree breeding will lead to forests better adapted to climate change and bioenergy use, University of Florida researchers report.
The improved forests will stem from a genetic technique the researchers have developed that can create new tree varieties in half the time it takes current breeding methods.
The technique, detailed in a study published online Wednesday by the journal New Phytologist, is expected to increase the security and competitiveness of the U.S. forestry industry.
To develop pine-based biofuels, UF research team receives $6.3 million federal grant
October 4, 2011
Topic(s): Agriculture, Crops, Cultivars, Environment, Green Living, New Technology
Cutline at bottom. Click here for high-resolution image.
A University of Florida-led research team has won a three-year, $6.3 million grant to develop genetically improved loblolly pine trees that yield greater amounts of terpene biofuels for transportation fuels.
The grant, announced yesterday, was awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Project Agency – Energy, or ARPA-E. It’s part of a $156 million funding package dedicated to 60 innovative clean-energy projects.
The researchers hope to bring about a five-fold increase in the amount of terpene produced by loblolly, making it cost-competitive with petroleum-based fuels.
Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said the grant award demonstrates the university’s leadership in biofuel research.
“Loblolly pine is economically important throughout the Southeast because it’s widely used for lumber and wood pulp,” Payne said. “By developing loblolly’s potential as a sustainable biofuel source, we can add a new dimension to its value. That has long-term benefits to the entire region and will provide greater economic security for our residents.”
Bacteria can aid toxic environmental cleanups, may boost ag production, UF researchers report
October 4, 2011
Topic(s): Environment, IFAS, New Technology, Pollution, Research
Caption at bottom. Click here for high resolution image.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Remarkable bacteria that resist arsenic could greatly enhance cleanups of toxic environments and potentially boost agricultural production, according to a new University of Florida study.
The bacteria were isolated from arsenic-contaminated soil surrounding the Chinese brake fern, a plant known for its ability to remove arsenic from the environment.
The carcinogen contaminates soils around the world and is deadly to most organisms.
UF researchers use acoustic tools to detect underground insects that attack grapes
August 29, 2011
Topic(s): Agriculture, Crops, IFAS, New Technology, Pests
Caption at bottom. Click here for high resolution image.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers are finding new ways to thwart crop-devouring pests — by being good listeners.
High-tech acoustic equipment makes it possible for them to listen in as insects gnaw on grapevine roots, making it much easier for vineyard owners to know where to focus their efforts against the pest called the grape root borer.
Will Sanders, a former UF entomology graduate student, conducted much of the research and outlines the project in the current issue of Florida Entomologist. Using sound to target the pest could one day save vineyard owners money and pay off for consumers in lower costs for grapes and wine, he said. Grapes are a $20 million annual industry for Florida.
UF nature trail project enables smartphone users to hear insect sounds
August 18, 2011
Topic(s): Entomology and Nematology, New Technology
Caption at bottom. Click here for high resolution image.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Visitors to University of Florida nature trails can now hear an ancient form of communication — insect songs — using one of the latest communication technologies.
Seven educational stations in UF’s Natural Area Teaching Laboratory now feature signs marked with QR codes, the square, black-and-white patterns that are starting to appear in print advertising. By scanning the signs with a mobile device, visitors can access digital recordings of katydids and crickets native to the area.
