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UF team finds ‘alligator tree’ bacteria might improve cellulosic ethanol production

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Most would identify the tree by its often troublesome, spiky “gumballs,” but what many call the sweetgum tree also goes by another name, thanks to its distinctive, reptilian bark: the alligator tree.
So it may be fitting that researchers from the University of Florida, home of the Gators, have found that bacteria growing [...]

Filed under Agriculture, Environment, Florida, Research on Monday, July 27, 2009.

UF researchers receive $643,000 federal grant to study wood-quality gene for fuel production

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A newly discovered gene may be the key to producing fuel ethanol more efficiently from trees, and the University of Florida researchers who identified it have received a prestigious federal grant to investigate further.
The gene, which helps regulate wood growth and the composition of wood fiber, could also lead to improved tree [...]

Filed under Agriculture, Business, Environment, Florida, Research on Thursday, July 23, 2009.

Native holly can provide caffeinated, antioxidant-rich beverage, UF experts say

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Coffee and tea drinkers, take note — a University of Florida study says a beverage made from a native holly tree might be just the thing to give you a caffeinated kick-start, plus a dose of antioxidants.

Filed under Agriculture, Business, Health, Research on Thursday, June 25, 2009.

Predatory mite could put the bite on invasive crop pest, UF researcher says

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Chilli thrips sound more like a snack food than an agricultural menace, but these tiny insects threaten many of the Sunshine State’s most important crops — fortunately, University of Florida research shows a predatory mite gobbles them up like popcorn.

Filed under Agriculture, Florida, Research on Tuesday, April 28, 2009.

UF study: Florida land values tumble in 2008; trend expected to continue through 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Keeping in step with the U.S. economy, Florida land values took a major tumble in 2008, with some areas losing more than half of their 2007 worth.

Filed under Agriculture, Business, Environment, Florida, Research on Thursday, April 9, 2009.

More Floridians ready to grow their own groceries, IFAS experts say

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With the nation’s economy withering, University of Florida experts say many state residents are looking to put food on the table — by growing it.

Filed under Agriculture, Florida, Research on Tuesday, March 17, 2009.

Many turning to home gardening — minus the dirt

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Today’s economically spurred resurgence of the home vegetable grower can’t entirely be dubbed a “return to the earth.” Many burgeoning farmers aren’t breaking soil, they’re using hydroponics.

Filed under Agriculture, Florida, Research on Tuesday, March 17, 2009.

UF scientists: New genetic analysis method may unlock secrets of nematode populations

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Nematodes may be the most abundant creatures on Earth, but analyzing communities of the wormlike animals is difficult because they’re microscopic and many species look alike.

Filed under Agriculture, Environment, Florida, Research on Wednesday, March 11, 2009.

Study predicts when invasive species can travel more readily by air

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Global airlines be forewarned: June 2010 could be a busy month for invasive plants, insects and animals seeking free rides to distant lands.

Filed under Agriculture, Research, Sciences on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.

New Web sites make at-home learning convenient for Florida growers

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — One of the most enduring aspects of agriculture is going high-tech.
The field day has been around….well, pretty much forever. At a typical field day, farmers or other interested people have a chance to visit a farm and learn hands-on from extension agents what the latest scientific research has to say about [...]

Filed under Agriculture, Florida, Research on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.