Agriculture Research in the Southeast

Florida Ag Research logo - Ag Metrics Group formerly Pacific Ag Group
Florida Ag Research is located in Thonotosassa, FL, near beautiful Tampa Bay. This facility is in the midst of America’s valuable Southeast growing region (EPA Zone 3), producing almost half of the U.S. tomato and legume crops and more than a quarter of several other vegetable, cucurbit and citrus crops. It is home to American winter strawberry and tomato production. The region is subject to severe disease and nematode infestations due to the tropical weather patterns and characteristic sandy soil. These conditions contribute to an excellent environment to study pests of tropical and sub-tropical crops.  ​
Florida Ag Research - Agricultural Consulting
Florida Ag facilities include 70 acres of intensively managed plantings, nematology, plant pathology, and entomology laboratories, and several acres of experimental greenhouses and shade-houses. The frequent, heavy Florida precipitation creates an ideal environment for establishment and growth of foliar plant pathogens, which allows for reliable efficacy testing of new plant protection products. In addition, the warm annual temperatures without significant frost events, also ensures dependable insect and nematode populations from season to season.

With a continued need for an answer to the devastating Citrus Greening Disease, Florida Ag's Citrus Working Group tests potential solutions in the lab, greenhouse, and field plantings, focusing on vector control, bacterium suppression, symptom remediation, and genetic resistance.
Florida Ag Research now conducts research on many banana diseases including Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense “Panama Disease” / Fusarium Wilt.  Additionally trials are also being conducted for Black Sigatoka / Black Leaf Streak / Black Leaf Spot on banana.

Greenhouse Trials

Florida Ag Research has 13 climate-controlled bays - 2,000 square feet each. It has greenhouses suitable for regulated trials (APHIS, BRS) and Quarantine Rooms for APHIS regulated work.
AGRONOMY
  • Fertilizer including nitrogen reduction
  • Bio-Stimulant
  • Soil amendment
  • Common crops include corn, tomato, cucumber
  • Genetically modified trait testing
  • Crop safety
ENTOMOLOGY
  • Plants in greenhouse pots or laboratory scale assays
  • Whitefly
  • Aphid
  • Spider mites
  • Lepidopteran larva
  • Asian Citrus Psyllid
  • Many other arthropods are possible
PLANT DISEASE
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Botrytis
  • Damping off caused by Pythium or Rhizoctonia
  • Fusarium
  • Verticillium
  • Phytophthora
  • Citrus Greening (HLB)
NEMATODE
  • Root Knot Nematode
  • Sting & Root Lesion Nematode
OTHER
  • Greenhouse space can be leased for long term product development
  • Contraseasonal seed production
Most commonly grown crops are possible. This is an abbreviated list of capabilities. If there are specific needs for other CRO services, please Contact Us directly for more information.

Commonly Researched Crops at Florida Ag Research

  • Fruiting Vegetables: Eggplant, Pepper, Tomato
  • Tree & Vines Fruits: Banana, Citrus
  • Tree Nuts: Pecan
  • Cucurbits & Melons: Cantaloupe, Cucumber, Squash, Watermelon, Zucchini
  • Cole Crops: Broccoli, Cabbage, ​Cauliflower, Collards
  • Leafy Vegetables: Celery, Lettuce, Spinach
  • Berries: Blueberry, Strawberry
  • Ornamentals: Annual & Perennial Crops, Cut Flowers
  • Edible Legumes: Chickpeas, Dry Beans, Peas, Peanut
  • Field Crops: Corn, Cotton, Millets, Sorghum (Sudangrass), Soybean, Sunflower
  • Other: Carrot, Okra, Onion, Potato, Sweet Corn, Turnip, Sugar Cane, Tropicals, Turf

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Florida Ag Research

3001 N. Kingsway Road
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
Office: (813) 986-5599
Career Opportunities
  • Stations: 2
  • EPA Zone: 3
  • Greenhouse: 50,000 Sq. Ft.
  • Shadehouse: 20,000 Sq. Ft.
  • Labs: Pathology, Entomology, Nematology
  • Specialty: Nematode Biology, Tropical Crop Pests, USDA-APHIS Approved Quarantine Facility, Turf & Ornamentals