University of Florida

Contact Information:

Address:  14625 CR 672

Wimauma, FL 33598

Phone:  (813) 634-0000 x 3134

Fax:  (813) 634-0001

Email:  cami13@ufl.edu

 

Program Overview:

Over the past twenty years, the reduction in sulfur deposition in the atmosphere through ultra-low sulfur fuels, use of high analysis fertilizers, and crop production intensification had lead to an increase in sulfur deficiencies in crops around the world.  My program of study focuses upon the dynamics of sulfur on tomato production in Florida sandy soils.  Preliminary studies have found an increase in fruit yield with the addition of sulfur to fertilization regime.  I hope to clarify why this response occurs.     

 

Experience:

 

Graduate Research Assistant:

August 2006 to present

Horticulture Laboratory, University of Florida, GCREC-Balm

Mentor:  Dr. Bielinski M. Santos

Developed and implementing research in sulfur nutrition on fresh market tomato

Assisting in grant and article writing, extension activities, and experiment implementation

 

Graduate Research Assistant:

January 2005 to August 2006

Weed Science Laboratory, University of Florida, GCREC-Balm

Mentor:  Dr. Jim P. Gilreath

Maintained research plots in areas of plant nutrition, weed science, and soil fumigation.

Assisted with extension activities, and data collection

 

Graduate Research Assistant:

August 2002 to December 2005

Plant Physiology Laboratory, University of Florida, GCREC-Dover

Mentor:  Dr. John R. Duval

Implemented research in pre-harvest calcium on strawberry postharvest quality

Assisted with extension activities, experiment implementation, and data collection

 

Publications, Presentations, and Awards:

 

Publications

Santos, B.M., J.P. Gilreath, C.E. Esmel, and M.N. Siham.  2007.  Effects of sublethal glyphosate rates on fresh market tomato.  Crop Protection.  26:89-91.

 

Santos, B.M., J.P. Gilreath, C.E. Esmel, and M.N. Siham.  2007.  Effects of yellow and purples nutsedge time of establishment on their distance of influence on bell pepper.  HortTechnology.  17:305-307

 

Presentations

Esmel, C.E., J.R. Duval, and S.A. Sargent.  2006.  Calcium thiosulfate does not influence yield, postharvest quality, or calcium content of ‘Sweet Charlie’ strawberry.  Acta Horticulturae.  708:97-101.

 

Esmel, C.E., J.R. Duval, and S.A. Sargent.  2004.  The influence of calcium thiosulfate on yield and postharvest quality of ‘Sweet Charlie’ strawberry.  Proc. Fla. Hort. Soc.  117:48-51

 

Abstracts

Santos, B.M., J.P. Gilreath, M.N. Siham, and C.E. Esmel.  2006  Methyl bromide rate reduction and mulch effect on nutsedge control.  HortScience. 41:505-506.

 

Esmel, C.E., B.M. Santos, J.P. Gilreath.  2006.  Effects of nitrogen rates on summer squash growth and yield.  HortScience. 41:506

 

Esmel, C.E., J.R. Duval, E.H. Simonne, and S.A. Sargent.  2004.  The influence of preharvest calcium applications on postharvest quality and yield of ‘Sweet Charlie’ strawberry.  HortScience.  39:853

 

Esmel, C.E., and J.R. Duval.  2003.  Effects of supplemental calcium on yield and quality of ‘Sweet Charlie’ strawberry.  HortScience.  38:848

 

Awards

FWSS Graduate Student Essay Contest.  2006. 

3rd place Best Student Paper, 2004  Florida State Horticultural Society

 

Societies:

Florida State Horticultural Society

 

Education:

Ph.D., Horticultural Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (on going)

M.S., Horticultural Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2005

B.S., Environmental Horticulture, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 2002