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USDA |
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 The
United States Horticultural
Research Laboratory,
located at 2001 South
Rock Road in Fort
Pierce, Florida, is
a part of the United
States Department
of Agriculture, Agricultural
Research Service,
South Atlantic Area.
The laboratory has
been in existence
since 1892. Laboratory
personnel, consisting
of approximately 100
employees with 20
of those serving as
Research Scientists,
have been in their
current state-of-the-art
facility since 2000.
Three separate research
units comprise the
Laboratory: Horticulture
and Breeding; Subtropical
Plant Pathology; and
Subtropical Insects.
The Lab operates two
research farms, in
Ft. Pierce and Leesburg,
Florida, collectively
totaling 800 acres.
 The
U.S. Horticultural
Research Laboratory
has national responsibility
to conduct high
priority research
related to the following
objectives:
- Develop new control
methods for insect
pests of citrus
and other subtropical
fruits, vegetables
and ornamentals;
- Conduct basic
physiological, biochemical,
and pathological
research on post
harvest problems
of horticultural
crops;
- Develop new citrus
scion and rootstock
varieties that have
enhanced tolerance
to environmental
stress, resistance
to diseases and
pests, improved
fruit quality and
yield;
-
Conduct research
on bacterial,
fungal, and viral
diseases plus
nematodes of subtropical
horticultural
crops to improve
production;
- Develop alternatives
and solutions to
environmental stresses
that cause losses
in horticultural
crop growth, survival,
and production;
-
Develop production
alternatives to
the use of methyl
bromide fumigation
for pest control
in horticultural
crops; and
-
Conduct research
to understand
and reduce any
negative impact
of horticultural
crop production
on water quality.
The laboratory has
an excellent working
relationship with
local, regional
and national agricultural
industries and research
and education institutions,
including the St.
Lucie County School
District, the University
of Florida, Indian
River Community
College, Florida
Atlantic University,
the Smithsonian
Marine Station and
Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institution. Many
of the laboratory's
professional staff
hold adjunct appointments
with these institutions
and actively interact
with the student
population at the
high school, college
undergraduate and
graduate levels.
For more information
about The United
States Horticultural
Research Laboratory,
visit our website
at www.ars.usda.gov.
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