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Sugarcane Field Station

12990 US Hwy441 N

Canal Point,

Florida, 33438

Tel. 561-924-5227

Fax. 561-924-6109

 

 

 

Dr Jack Comstock

Research Leader

561-924-5227 Ext. 25

jack.comstock@ars.usda.gov

 

Dr Serge Edme

Research Geneticist

561-924-5227 Ext. 34

serge.edme@ars.usda.gov

 

Barry Glaz

Research Agronomist

561-924-5227 Ext. 14

barry.glaz@ars.usda.gov

 

Dr Per McCord

Research Geneticist

561-924-5227 Ext. 17

per.mccord@ars.usda.gov

 

Dr Duli Zhao 

Research Agronomist

561-924-5227 Ext. 23

duli.zhao@ars.usda.gov

 

 

MISSION

To develop high-yielding, disease and stress-tolerant sugarcane cultivars, and also new pathology, soil, crop, and water management technologies that result in improved production efficiency and soil conservation.

 

PROJECTS

 

  Breeding

(CRIS; 6625-21000-003-00D)

Supports NP 301 (Plant, Microbial, and Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement) and NP 202 (Soil Resource Management).   True seed is provided to ARS sugarcane development programs at Houma, LA and Canal Point, FL.   Breeding for cold and high water tolerance and disease resistance are key objectives of the breeding program and are being pursued through classical and molecular genetics.   Agronomic practices are being developed that at least sustain profits in the periodically high water tables under which sugarcane is grown in Florida.  

  

Pathology

(CRIS; 6625-22000-009-00D)

Supports NP 303 (Plant Diseases) by development and application of improved disease detection and screening techniques for sugarcane diseases and studies of disease epidemiology.   Molecular research has been initiated to associate markers with disease resistance as a means to improve the selection of resistant genotypes.