Gulf Coast Research and Education Center University of Florida
 14625 C.R. 672, Wimauma, FL  33598
(813) 634-0000  SC514-6890
Fax (813) 634-0001
Jack Rechcigl, Center Director

Research Programs


GCREC has six research and education programs working on ornamental plants and serving various industries, local agriculture, students and numerous organizations that depend on the research conducted at the center.  For more program highlights, visit the individual programs listed below.
 
Ornamental Variety Trials     Each season the fields are filled with colorful flowers and plants awaiting strict evaluation from our research teams.  All the details are included in this extensive section of the website.  Visit often for updates as new trials are conducted.

Pathology      The current research program on ornamentals focuses on screening caladiums for disease resistance to several of its most common pathogens, Fusarium solani, Pythium myriotylum and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae; studying the population biology and host specificity of Colletotrichum acutatum from fruit and ornamental hosts; and  investigating the efficacy of biopesticides for control of powdery mildew of gerberas.  In addition, new diseases such Colletotrichum leaf spot of wax myrtle are often brought to our attention when growers submit samples to the diagnostic clinic.  These pathogens are identified and documented.

Horticulture     Because of the high value of floricultural crops and the precise manipulations required to produce flowers for specific markets and holidays, production systems for floricultural crops are perhaps the most advanced of all cultural systems used to produce field or horticultural crops. Research at GCREC has led to many advances in cultural systems for cut flower, bedding plant, and flowering pot plant production. While individual components of different production systems were studied, much of the research has focused on a systems approach to production involving interdisciplinary efforts from scientists in horticulture, plant pathology, entomology, nematology, weed science, agricultural economics, and soil/water science. 
 
Soil and Water Science     Soilborne pest control was an early impediment to improvements in floricultural crop production which resulted in development of a multi-discipline effort to develop effective soilborne pest management programs for flower crops and caladiums. GCREC faculty have been leaders in the field of soil fumigation research for many years and much of the established and new information on soil fumigants has resulted from their research. While much information was developed on the control of nematodes and soilborne diseases in the early years, weed control remained a major production problem. Research at GCREC has provided  supporting data for more than 15 herbicide labels on gladiolus, gypsophila, statice, caladiums, container ornamentals, and St. Augustine sod production. The commercial weed control programs in gladiolus, caladium and St. Augustine sod are based exclusively on research conducted at GCREC. The economic impact of this program on gladiolus and St. Augustine sod alone is significant as both industries were suffering significant losses due to morning glory and sprangletop grass, respectively.

Weed Science     Objectives include:  Identifying acceptable alternatives to methyl bromide for tomato, pepper, strawberry, caladium and gladiolus. This effort focuses on the full spectrum of soilborne pest control, not just weed control, and involves cooperative research with soil pathologists and nematologists.   Identify herbicides which provide acceptable control of nutsedge in the above referenced crops.  Determine the most effective and acceptable means of applying herbicides and fumigants to achieve the desired level of efficacy.  Develop improved application procedures for fumigants and modifications of existing processes to achieve desired levels of efficacy, efficiency, and reduce potential for exposure for applicators.  Develop improved application procedures nonselective or potentially phytotoxic herbicides applied to row middles of vegetable crops.  Investigate cover crops as biological agents for management of weed populations as part of an off season management plan for weeds in vegetable crops. Integrate this information with additional information on nematode host preference to serve as part of that management plan.  Investigate the residual effect of herbicides and fumigants on weed, nematode and disease populations in double-cropped cucurbits and the effects on yield.

Breeding     Producers of cut flowers and flowering pot plants require a continuous input of new varieties of crops currently under production, as well as potential new crops, to maintain market interest. There is a need to select and/or develop varieties adaptable to Florida growing conditions and that are resistant to ever changing crop pests.

Entomology     Insects and mites cause a large part of the day-to-day production problems for the Florida flower grower. GCREC has a rich history of interdisciplinary efforts to identify pests and develop integrated control procedures for insect and mite pests that has permitted the continuing development of the floral industry. Comprehensive recommendations involving chemical controls, cultural practices, scouting, and other integrated crop management practices have been made available for control of mite and insect pests of ornamental crops.