Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418485

Research Project: Genetic Resource and Information Management and Genetic Improvement of Germplasm for Tropical and Subtropical Fruits, Sugarcane, and Related Grasses

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Overview: A century of research and impact of USDA-ARS, Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, Miami, Florida – success and challenges

Author
item Singh, Sukhwinder
item Yang, Xiangbing
item Gutierrez, Osman
item SHOKAT, SAJID - Nuclear Institute For Agriculture And Biology
item Winterstein, Michael
item Ali, Gul
item Nageswara Rao, Madhugiri
item Cloonan, Kevin
item Tabanca, Nurhayat
item Rodriguez, Brandon

Submitted to: Plant Stress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/24/2024
Publication Date: 12/26/2024
Citation: Singh, S., Yang, X., Gutierrez, O.A., Shokat, S., Winterstein, M.C., Ali, G.S., Nageswara Rao, M., Cloonan, K.R., Tabanca, N., Rodriguez, B.K. 2024. Overview: A century of research and impact of USDA-ARS, Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, Miami, Florida – success and challenges. Plant Stress. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2024.100726.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2024.100726

Interpretive Summary: The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Subtropical Horticulture Research Station (SHRS) in Miami, Florida, is a federal facility dedicated to research in subtropical and tropical horticulture. The station plays a crucial role in researching and addressing various agricultural and environmental challenges faced by crops in subtropical and tropical regions. The USDA-National Plant Germplasm Repositories (NPGR) oversees one of eight clonal repositories managed by SHRS. This station is maintaining the U.S. clonal collections of mangos, avocados, tamarind, sugarcane, Miscanthus, Tripsacum, and related grasses, palms, tropical ornamentals, and minor tropical crops. Further collection details can be accessed at https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/search.aspx, from the USDA-Germplasm Resource Information Network (GRIN) Global. Benefiting from the ocean's moderating influence, SHRS is situated at the ideal location in the continental U.S. to uphold the long-term maintenance of global collections of tropical and subtropical plants. Spanning 220 acres, the station is home to unique botanical collections and historically significant buildings, setting it apart as an invaluable resource in tropical and subtropical plant preservation. The NPGR-Miami collection is subject to ongoing evaluation to ensure the highest level of diversity, encompassing nearly 10,000 cataloged plants actively growing under different field conditions. The research conducted by SHRS is dedicated to estimating genetic diversity within these collections through the identification and mapping of the genes for the trait of interest, and it was further facilitated by biochemical and phenotypic markers. Through these approaches, SHRS developed markers for mango, avocado, cacao, sugarcane, carambola, passion fruit, palms, lychee, and tropical ornamental plants. This genetic information plays a pivotal role in developing novel commercial cultivars and aids in identifying the potential areas for the exploration of new plant materials. The initial focus of the research station was to study tropical and subtropical crops to adapt to South Florida's climate. Research areas encompassed diverse topics, including crop breeding, disease and pest management, agronomic practices, and environmental sustainability. A key objective of the station is to characterize tropical and subtropical germplasm of SHRS collections for beneficial agronomic, industrial, medicinal, and ornamental traits. Another principal goal is developing and enhancing the tropical and subtropical crop varieties better adapted to diverse growing conditions, enhancing disease resistance, and meeting consumer preferences. The research station is also dedicated to establishing sustainable and environmentally friendly pest and disease management strategies for tropical and subtropical crops. This includes implementing integrated pest management (IPM) approaches to minimize the utilization of chemical pesticides. Additionally, the research station investigating the role of diverse germplasm SHRS collection on the conservation of natural resources, encompassing studies on soil health, and cover crops to advance overall environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, the USDA-ARS-SHRS collaborates with national and international research institutions, universities, and industry partners to enrich research efforts and disseminate knowledge. These partnerships facilitate the development of innovative solutions to address agricultural challenges in tropical and subtropical regions. The station is also involved in educational and outreach activities, providing resources, training, and information to local farmers, agricultural professionals, students, and the public, disseminating research findings, and promoting best practices. The research station is equippe

Technical Abstract: The USDA-ARS Subtropical Horticulture Research Station (SHRS) in Miami, Florida, has been conducting necessary research for over 101 years. It is unwaveringly dedicated to advancing tropical and subtropical horticulture plants and sugarcane through extensive research, and collaborations to meet needs of stakeholders. The station is a USDA National Plant Germplasm Repository for various tropical and subtropical fruits, sugarcane, ornamental plants, and other diverse species that serve as valuable genetic resources for breeding new cultivars tailored to diverse environmental conditions. Additionally, the station has been researching the mitigation of invasive pests and diseases that threaten various plants in Florida and the nation. It also aims to develop quarantine treatments to facilitate marketing susceptible commodities beyond the state. Furthermore, the station has a unit dedicated to enhancing cacao breeding and improving its organoleptic qualities and disease resistance, adaptability to climate change-related issues, and fruit quality traits. Researchers at SHRS have published 795 research articles since 1994 and have contributed to the scientific community by distributing more than a quarter million plant materials. Despite facing potential closure after moderate damage from Hurricane Andrew, the station remains resilient and prepared to confront current and future challenges as it embarks on its second century.