IMPACT | Spring 2007 1

IMPACT | Spring 2007 1 perspective BIOLOGICAL INVADERS tree has infested more than a million acres in Many of the qualities that make Florida the South Florida, replacing native vegetation, de- world’s No. 1 tourist destination also make the stroying wildlife habitat, affecting water flow and state ideal for some unwelcome visitors. Our creating fire hazards. IFAS research and extension warm climate, thriving tourist industry and global scientists have partnered with state and federal trade ports make Florida increasingly susceptible agencies and private landowners to develop and to invasive plants, animals, pests and diseases. In demonstrate effective biological controls for the fact, Florida is probably more susceptible than any tree. The TAME Melaleuca project—short for The other state in the nation. Areawide Management and Evaluation of melaleu- Hundreds of invasive species—ranging from ca—is helping control this invasive tree that was Africanized bees, fire ants and Formosan termites introduced from Australia about 100 years ago. to diseases such as citrus canker and greening— When it comes to insect pests, more than a threaten Florida’s economy, agriculture and envi- thousand have invaded the state, and one of the ronment. In many cases, these biological invaders most troublesome is the red imported fire ant, also threaten the health and welfare of people. which is the subject of the cover story in this issue The invasive species puzzle is big and complicat- of IMPACT. ed. For example, almost 2 million acres of Florida’s These stinging ants came from South America natural areas have become infested with nonna- to the United States in the 1930s and have spread tive plants. Aggressive weeds cover pastures and rapidly because their natural enemies were left tree canopies while hydrilla clogs waterways and behind. Until recently, insecticides and baits were destroys native biodiversity. Florida has more non- the only way to manage the ant, but the pest is native fish than any other state, and the intentional now being controlled more effectively thanks to a or accidental release of iguanas, pythons and other successful biological control research and demon- exotic creatures affects native species and alters stration project developed by USDA in cooperation the natural environment. Mosquito-borne diseases with the Florida agriculture department’s Division such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encepha- of Plant Industry and IFAS. The project is a prime litis viruses threaten human and animal health. example of how IFAS is working with other state Lurking offshore in Africa and the Caribbean are and federal agencies to manage an onslaught of diseases such as tick-borne heartwater that would invasive pests and emerging pathogens. devastate the state’s cattle and livestock industries. In addition to these efforts, IFAS faculty and Two bacterial diseases—citrus canker and citrus staff are working on other interdisciplinary re- greening—are major threats to Florida’s $9.3 bil- search and education programs to stop or manage lion citrus industry, and the pathogens that cause invasive species. Many graduate and undergradu- these diseases also have worldwide implications. ate courses offered by IFAS faculty address issues Scientists with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricul- related to biological invaders; information on these tural Sciences (IFAS) are working with the U.S. issues is also available on the UF Extension Service Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Florida Web site: SolutionsForYourLife.com Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services IFAS is one of three main components in UF’s and other citrus-producing countries to develop new Emerging Pathogens Institute, which received technologies to manage these diseases, and we are funding from the 2006 Florida Legislature. By making progress in developing disease-resistant fusing key disciplines, the Emerging Pathogens citrus varieties. Institute will develop research and educational IFAS is also performing a critical role in the bat- outreach capabilities to predict and control inva- tle against soybean rust, a destructive fungus that sive diseases, and preserve the health and economy threatens the nation’s soybean industry. Florida’s of the state. warm winters provide an ideal environment for the As always, we hope you find interesting and rust to survive on various weeds before the fungus useful information in this issue of IMPACT. We moves north into major soybean production areas. welcome your comments and suggestions for im- Therefore, Florida is an important sentinel state proving the magazine. for predicting outbreaks elsewhere in the country, and IFAS scientists are partnering with scientists in major soybean-producing states to monitor movement of the disease. jimmy g. cheek In another example of how invasive species can Senior Vice President for disrupt the natural environment, the melaleuca Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida IMPACT is published by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and is pro- duced by IFAS Communication Services (Ashley M. Wood, director) and IFAS External and Media Relations (Jack Battenfield, director). © the institute of food and agricultural sciences magazine | vol. 23 no. 1 | spring 2007 EDITORIAL BOARD Jimmy G. Cheek Senior Vice President Agriculture and Natural Resources Joseph C. Joyce Executive Associate Vice President NEWS UPDATES FEATURES Larry R. Arrington Dean for Extension 4 organic farming 14 fire ants meet Mark McLellan opportunities their match Dean for Research R. Kirby Barrick building a better new partnerships Dean of the College of 5 20 Agricultural and Life Sciences peanut for growth EDITOR management issues Charles T. Woods 7 a+ peanut production PHOTO EDITOR 26 toward a Thomas S. Wright 8 exceptional ag expos! sustainable florida DESIGNER Tracy D. Zwillinger STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS 10 helping the hungry 30 designer genes for Sally Lanigan in haiti Josh Wickham grass CONTRIBUTORS Mickie Anderson 11 25 years and counting stopping scale on Stu Hutson 34 Laura Lok sagos Tom Nordlie 12 wings for florida 4-h COPY EDITORS Darryl Palmer 36 spotlight Nicole L. Sloan 13 dvd dispels orchid To change an address, request extra myth ifas development copies of IMPACT, or to be added to 42 the mailing list, e-mail Chuck Woods news at [email protected] or write Chuck Woods at PO Box 110275, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. 32611-0275. IMPACT is available in alternative formats. Visit our Web site: impact.ifas.ufl.edu On the Cover Accidentally introduced from South America in the 1930s, the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) has spread across the southern United States, infesting more than 320 million acres. New biological control measures are helping reduce populations of these small and aggressive, stinging ants. for more information, please see page 14. photo by david almquist © copyright 2007 by the university of florida/ifas. all rights reserved | IMPACT | Spring 2007 Organic Farming Opportunities As organic food goes mass market department, part of UF’s Institute of In 2005, organic foods accounted for and revenues climb by almost 20 per- Food and Agricultural Sciences. $13.8 billion in U.S. consumer sales, cent each year, the demand for trained Florida has a growing organic food about 2.5 percent of total U.S. food professionals is also growing, prompt- industry, but producers must look sales, according to a manufacturers’ ingA UF’s College of Agricultural and beyond the state to find highly trained survey commissioned by the Organic Life Sciences to launch a new academic personnel to manage their operations, Trade Association, a leading indus- news updates news program that will help meet the needs said Dan Cantliffe, chairman of the try organization. Since 1998, revenues of producers and consumers. horticultural sciences department. from U.S. consumer sales of organic The fall 2006 semester marked “This (program) is something that’s foods have risen by an average of more the official launch of a science-based been long overdue, especially for UF than 18 percent per year. organic agriculture undergraduate pro- and the United States,” Cantliffe said. And it’s not just consumers who are gram at UF, making it one of the first “There’s a big industry, a big demand interested in organic food, Cantliffe three U.S. institutions to offer this and a lack of people who are qualified said. The UF major and minor pro- major. Colorado State University and to do the work employers need.” grams were developed partly in Washington State University started Organic agriculture is an approach response to ongoing student demand. similar programs last fall. to food production that involves lit- “Another big factor was that we have UF has offered a minor in organic tle or no use of synthetic chemi- faculty and facilities that are suitable agriculture for the past year. Both the cal fertilizer and pesticide. The U.S. for teaching this material,” he said. major and minor programs are admin- Department of Agriculture has estab- “As the demand and the curriculum istered by the horticultural sciences lished strict guidelines for certifying develop, we may expand the program.” organic farmers. Five students have enrolled in the undergraduate program, and many others have expressed interest, said Melissa Webb, academic support services coordinator for the horticultural sciences department. “We think a lot more (students) will come out of the woodwork,” Webb said. “There’s no set cap on enrollment, so the more, the merrier.” About one dozen students are enrolled in the minor program, she said. The undergraduate program will focus on training students to manage an organic farming unit, said Mickie Swisher, director of UF’s Center for Organic Agriculture. “This gives you the skills and tech- nical knowledge where if you needed to put 2,000 acres of organic crops into production, you could do it,” said Rachel Ben-Avraham, left, a student in UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, examines an organically grown bell pepper with Dan Cantliffe.

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