- Saving Millions
The Plant Diagnostic Center in Gainesville and diagnostic clinics at Research and Education Centers in Homestead, Wimauma, Immokalee and Quincy, handle more than 5,000 samples a year received from commercial and residential clients from all 67 counties in Florida, numerous states, the Caribbean, and from other regions of the world. Timely and accurate diagnosis and management recommendations collectively prevent over $10 million annually (based on assessments between 2022 and 2024) in estimated financial losses by reduced disease spread, and by reduced or avoided fungicide applications or misapplications, thereby sustaining profitable plant production and ensuring crop security in Florida.
- Protecting Strawberries
Plant pathologists at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center are doing world-renowned research into diseases affecting strawberries; their research and recommendations are instrumental in protecting an industry worth an estimated $1 billion to the state of Florida.
- Fungarium
The UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Fungarium houses 50,000 specimens of more than 10,000 fungi species, plays a vital role in global mycological research, and since 2011 has digitized its collection through major NSF grants, making it accessible online via the Mycoportal for researchers worldwide.