Advances in Plant Sciences

UGA plant scientists provide the tools for more adaptable, advanced plant varieties that lead to food security and sustainability around the world. Researchers in pest and disease management, crop production, and turf science find solutions for the grand challenges we face globally. Research spanning advances in plant sciences include the following:

Pest/Disease Management
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Specialty Crops
Crop Management
Plant Growth and Growing Process
Grass Sciences and Management
Plant Implications for the Public

The Joro Watch team is pursuing a number of approaches to Joro spider research, looking into their impact on native species — like pollinators and native spiders — habitat, lifecycle and management. To help facilitate more conclusive research, UGA experts ask that the public help gather critical data by monitoring spider populations in the environment. (Photo by Carly Mirabile)

CAES News

Joro Watch engages citizen-scientists to study future of Joro spiders

They have been described as palm-sized, parachuting creatures with the potential to spread up the East Coast. Now dozens of webs are appearing in trees, on fences and in gardens around the Southeast, and social media and message boards are buzzing with Joro spider sightings. Discussions of eradication methods ranging from chemical sprays to “Joro sticks” are rampant. Joro season is here.

CAES News

Taking control of the future of agriculture

Traditional agriculture is highly weather dependent, and many producers of high-value crops are shifting over from field production to controlled environment agriculture. That is where the University of Georgia’s Marc van Iersel comes in.

From left, Rolando Orellana, UGA Extension urban water management agent for the Center for Urban Agriculture; Laura Perry Johnson, associate dean for Extension; Dan Suiter, chair of the Urban Agriculture Commission; Nick Place, CAES dean and director; David Buntin, interim assistant provost and campus director for UGA-Griffin; and Jule-Lynne Macie, interim director of the Center for Urban Agriculture, cut the ribbon for the Irrigation Demonstration Site at UGA-Griffin on Aug. 5. The site is the first of its kind in the Southeast.

CAES News

CAES leaders cut ribbon on new irrigation demonstration site at UGA-Griffin

The new irrigation demonstration site on the University of Georgia Griffin campus opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially launch the site, which will be used for training, research and education on the latest irrigation technologies for industry professionals, homeowners and researchers.

Disease-preventing research

New “onion devourer” bacteria found by UGA researchers

University of Georgia researchers have found a new species of bacteria that affect onion health and are researching methods to test for this bacteria.

Healthy plants are the key to a sustainable future. CAES plant pathologists are experts in plant science, breeding and genomics. Our faculty work to ensure the economic viability of Georgia’s agricultural industry and their research contributes to national and global food security by reducing crop losses.

See how our researchers are working to protect our food crops