Emphasis is on the development of novel, safer methods, and better strategies for controlling these invasive pests, with less The mission of the Imported and Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit develops integrated management processes for imported fire ants and other invasive pest ants. Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research:.Environmentally friendly control methods are based on the description, analysis and manipulation of the
The mission of the Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research Unit is to provide alternative methods to conventional pesticides for control of insect and plant pests of crops, vegetables and fruits.
The mission of the Citrus & Other Subtropical Products Unit is to conduct agricultural, postharvest and food science research from “farm to fork to by-products”. Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research:.The mission of the Subtropical Plant Pathology Research Unit is to advance the sustainable production for of citrus, vegetable, turf and ornamental crops by improving disease control, enhancing production efficiency, minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring food safety. New citrus scions and rootstocks are developed that The mission of the Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research Unit is to conduct research to increase the productivity, profitability and sustainability of citrus and other subtropical and tropical orchard crops, ornamentals and vegetables. Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research:.In order to restore the function and biological diversity of these systems, managing pest plant populations is of critical necessity. Invasions by exotic plants pose one of the most serious threats to the health and integrity of natural and agricultural ecosystems. Root dry weight was not affected by spectral films.The overall mission of the station is to serve as a national sugarcane crossing unit that supports sugarcane cultivar development programs by providing true seed to ARS sugarcane cultivar development programs at Houma, Louisiana, and Canal Point, Florida and to the Texas A&M University at Weslaco, As compared to the control film, light transmitted through YXE-10 films reduced leaf dry weight by 22–31% and stem dry weight by 19–28%, depending on the plant species. Chlorophyll, leaf area, and mean days to flower generally were not affected by photoselective films, with the exception that cat whisker plants grown under YXE-10 films had reduced leaf area when compared to plants grown under SXE-4 or control films. Light transmitted through SXE-4 films increased plant height by 9% for golden shrimp plant but did not significantly increase stem length of Persian shield and cat whiskers species. Light transmitted through YXE-10 films reduced plant height (stem length) of golden shrimp plant and cat whiskers by 10 and 20%, respectively. Plant response to photoselective plastic films with varying spectral distribution properties was tested using three sub-tropical perennials: golden shrimp plant ( Pachystachys lutea), Persian shield ( Strobilanthes dyerianus), and cat whiskers ( Orthosiphon stamineus).