Begonias are among the top five most democratic plants establish in heyday seam , and Florida lead the way of life in production with sale valuing more than $ 11.8 million , according to the USDA . However , heatwaves and drouth have injure begonia production in the southeast U.S. and many assortment can not withstand the high hotness and humidness Florida summer bring .
The UF / IFAS Mid - Florida Research and Education Center put up one of the large repositories of begonia flora materials in the country . Scientist Alfred Huo is on a mission to find a begonia that can stand firm the pressures of a changing climate thanks to a joint grant of $ 175,000 from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services .
Heat and humidity are the two major factor that put stress on begonias . Even if growers use tincture and galvanizing cooling system to combat heat stress , the plant ’s focus response to heat limit its marketability in the landscape . “ Growers have prick to help keep their works cool when in output , but the in high spirits energy cost outcome in less profitability and lessen competitiveness for Florida agriculturist , ” say Huo .
Reduce use of waterHuo is hopeful the newly established varieties will not only be hardier , but will also give up cultivator to importantly thin the use of fungicide and body of water for production , minimize environmental impacts and maximizing lucre . The results of the project will benefit horticulture enthusiasts , individual breeders , botanists , and nursery agriculturalist in Florida and beyond .
“ Wax begonia marketability has waned as a result of recent oestrus waves and droughts , ” said Ben Bolusky , Florida Nursery , Growers and Landscape Association CEO . “ Dr. Huo ’s research bid potential difference to retrieve best traits to heighten stress margin into new begonia cultivars . ”
begonia are various ; there are more than 2,500 species of begonia , so finding the consummate combination might be compare to determine a acerate leaf in a rick . While the genomes of many other cash crop have been examine , genome studies on begonia are extremely special .
Scarce info on genomics“The scarce information on begonia genomics greatly hinders begonia facts of life , ” said Huo . “ Often , factor of two - parent plant life are incompatible and the plans can not successfully pollinate . Over the last two years , our begonia collection has grown and now let in more than 240 different types from countries around the mankind . ”
The collection is anticipate to thrive to 450 by bound 2022 . realise how the coinage responds to harsh environmental conditions will allow scientists to identify and select the most suitable begonia for enhanced stress tolerance .
The problem reaches beyond Florida . grower in both tropic and subtropical regions have had issues breeding and successfully growing the plants .
“ These determination will drastically affect the exercise and marketability of begonia in subtropical and tropic regions . ontogeny of heating and drouth - immune cultivar will improve water use efficiency and maximize growers ’ profit by reducing production cost , ” suppose Huo .
“ FNGLA and our member enjoy a long , lofty chronicle of collaborating with UF / IFAS , ” said Bolusky . “ The scientific enquiry produced by UF / IFAS is one of the inherent keys in growing Florida ’s $ 25.4 billion greenhouse and landscape industry . ”
The project squad includes several UF / IFAS collaborator ; David Norman , professor of plant pathology at UF / IFAS MREC , Sandra Wilson , professor of environmental gardening and Brooke Moffis , UF / IFAS Extension Lake County gardening agent .
For more information : UF / IFASwww.ifas.ufl.edu
