Indian River State College

Delivery of biomolecules into plant vascular tissues remains a barrier to managing diseases caused by insect vector-borne pathogens and to modifying phenotypes of established perennial crops. Inspired by the vascularized growth of crown galls induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, we repurposed the bacterium’s plant growth regulator (PGR) genes to engineer autonomously dividing, transgene-expressing plant cell structures termed symbionts. A plant transformation vector (pSYM) incorporating the IaaM, IaaH, Ipt and gene5 cassette from A. tumefaciens strain C58 together with a gene of interest on the same transfer DNA was delivered to stems of herbaceous and woody dicots using disarmed A. tumefaciens strain EHA105. Symbiont morphology, vascular differentiation, transgene expression, molecular mobility and protein secretion were evaluated using microscopy, fluorescent reporters, dye tracing, RNA silencing assays and mass spectrometry-based proteomics. pSym inoculation reproducibly generated symbionts across diverse host plant species that were vascularly integrated into their host plants and transgene expression ranging from heterogeneous niches to more uniform patterns. Small molecules moved between symbionts and host vascular tissues, whereas larger proteins exhibited more restricted mobility. Post-transcriptional gene silencing signals moved freely throughout the symbiont and slightly into adjacent stem tissue. Under tested field and greenhouse conditions in potato and tomato, respectively, gall or symbiont formation had no negative impacts on plant growth or tuber and fruit yield. In vitro, symbiont cultures abundantly secreted recombinant protein into surrounding media. Together, these results establish symbionts as a modular, plant bioengineering platform capable of producing and potentially delivering biomolecules without modifying the host plant genome, providing a foundation for vascular-targeted therapeutics and phenotype modulation in crops.

Spodoptera frugiperda , the fall armyworm (FAW), is a major global pest of different crops and especially maize, posing significant challenges due to its rapid spread and adaptive biology. The current investigation evaluated the effect of three insecticidal agents— Beauveria bassiana ( Bb ), Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ), and emamectin benzoate (eb)—applied alone and in respective dual combinations ( Bb + Bt, Bb + eb, Bt + eb) against 3 rd and 5 th instar larvae of FAW. Results showed that the Bb + eb combination consistently induced the highest mortality (92.6 %), disrupted developmental parameters, reduced egg eclosion (15.0 %), and adult emergence (19.4 %), compared to the other treatments and controls. Sublethal doses of this combination prolonged larval and pupal durations (21.2 and 12.2 days, respectively) and significantly decreased adult longevity (9.4 days) compared to the other treatments and controls. These results suggest the potential of integrating chemical and microbial agents to improve pest control while moderating the chemical input. These findings support the strategic use of combined treatments targeting the development of FAW and offering a promising potential strategy for sustainable pest management. • Evaluation of dual combinations of three insecticidal agents against FAW larvae • Bb + eb caused 92.6% larval mortality, the highest among all treatments • Bb + eb and Bt + eb significantly increased mortality vs. the single treatments • Bb + eb reduced adult longevity to 9.4 days vs. 12.3 days in the control • All combinations reduced pupation, but Bb + eb had the lowest rate (13.9%)

We report an uncommon case of transient Bell’s palsy-like facial paralysis following local anesthesia during Mohs micrographic surgery of the left conchal bowl. The temporary complication resolved spontaneously without intervention and is suspected to have resulted from anesthetic diffusion to the facial nerve via the tragal region. This case highlights the importance of understanding facial nerve anatomy during procedures in the auricular area and the need to counsel patients regarding rare but benign complications of local anesthesia.

Chile has long been a pioneer in biological pest control. As early as 1903, exotic natural enemies were imported to the country and by the late 1930s, a national insectary was established. A small but active group of scientists sent Chilean predators

Citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB), is the most serious vector-borne bacterial disease of citrus worldwide and an emblematic case of perennial crop decline due to insect vector-borne disease. There is an immediate global need to provide the citrus industry with relief from HLB and a return to profitable citrus production. Discovery of HLB treatments typically involve various laboratory-based assays, which then advance to greenhouse and eventually field testing in a workflow that takes multiple years. We present a field-forward experimental framework, "Grove-First", that reverses the traditional laboratory-to-field pipeline by prioritizing outcome-based screening. Grove-First rapidly screens and validates treatments with regulatory-friendly profiles in commercial citrus groves using trunk injection to select treatments that improve tree health and fruit yield over the course of a single growing season. The Grove-First framework represents a generalizable systems approach for translational agricultural research, applicable to perennial crops where disease impact, long development timelines, and real-world variability demand in-field, outcome-based screening. Using this framework, we identified candidate treatments with effects comparable to or better than the standard oxytetracycline (OTC) on visual tree-health and/or yield indices in an initial screen of HLB-positive 8-year-old Valencia sweet orange trees. Expanded trials in commercial citrus groves allowed us to validate the initial screening results at other locations and in other citrus varieties. Grove-First rapidly accelerated the identification and large-scale field testing of HLB therapies, some of which are available for growers to use immediately and others that require further field testing and/or regulatory actions.

Globally, agricultural water management faces significant challenges due to uneven water availability, crop diversity, and climate variability. Despite increasing access to smart irrigation technologies, adoption among vegetable farmers remains low. This study examines the willingness of Florida vegetable growers to adopt water-saving irrigation technologies, focusing on socio-economic factors, perceived barriers, and opportunities for enhanced outreach. A structured, pre-tested survey was conducted with commercial vegetable growers across Florida’s major vegetable-producing regions, collecting data on irrigation practices, familiarity with technology, satisfaction, and demographic characteristics. Results showed that satisfaction with current irrigation practices and willingness to adopt new technologies were significantly influenced by farm size, education, income, and crop diversity. Farmers managing multiple crops, small-scale growers expressed a strong interest in adoption, particularly when cost-share or technical assistance programs were available. Common barriers included high initial costs, lack of technical training, and skepticism about the reliability of water-saving technologies. This study highlights the need for targeted outreach strategies that consider demographic variability, farm size, and cropping systems. Based on the results, the policy measures that simplify access to incentive information, decision-support tools, and inclusive hands-on training programs can enhance technology adoption. While focused on Florida, the findings reflect broader patterns in adoption behavior across global small- to medium-scale farming systems. These insights are valuable for policymakers, extension agents, and researchers aiming to accelerate the adoption of precision irrigation for climate-resilient agriculture.

ABSTRACT Objective Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus, popular as a sport and food fish, have historically experienced overfishing throughout portions of their range, prompting management agencies to seek interventions to support disrupted populations. Aquaculture and subsequent stock enhancement potentially support intervention efforts, but evaluations of stocking success first require effective assessment tools (e.g., mark–recapture experiments). Various marking methods are available, but their utility may be limited by cost, labor, and species-specific methodologies. Calcein is an efficient, nonlethal, fluorescent chemical marker that potentially addresses problems commonly associated with more traditional marking methods. Standard calcein marking practices use osmotic induction; however, protocols, marking efficacy, and retention may be specific to species and environment. Methods First, a trial was completed to determine the most efficient salinity pretreatment for the osmotic induction of calcein. A second trial determined the calcein concentration that resulted in the brightest mark. Two subsequent trials examined the effects of time and lighting scenarios on calcein mark retention. Results Osmotic induction experiments showed positive correlations between mark brightness, calcein concentration, and salinity pretreatment. Retention experiments suggested vulnerability of marks, with rapid degradation of mark brightness over 3 to 8 weeks. Conclusions These results, along with calcein’s current regulatory status, cast doubt on the viability of calcein as an external mark for stock assessment studies in Hogfish, although more research is needed to assess its viability in natural settings. The results from this research will help guide future aquaculture and stock enhancement efforts for Hogfish and add to the growing body of literature for this valuable marine species.

Selenium (Se) biofortification of wheat using Se nanoparticles (NPs) represents a promising intervention to address Se deficiency in the global population. However, concerns persist regarding potential health risks associated with NPs exposure, and importantly, the mechanisms of uptake, translocation and transformation of Se NPs in plants remain incompletely understood. Here, a field experiment spanning the full life cycle of wheat was conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of two sizes of Se NPs (∼60 nm and ∼210 nm), compared to conventional ionic Se on crop yield, nutritional profile, and Se biofortification, with a focus on understanding underlying mechanisms of action. Se fertilizers were applied as foliar sprays at the jointing, booting, and filling stages at doses of 5, 10, and 20 g Se/ha, respectively. Results showed that Se NPs outperform traditional ionic Se fertilizers in enhancing wheat yield (27.13%), starch content (20.94%), as well as grain Se concentration (32 times) and bioaccessibility (39.93%). The positive effects can be attributed to the advantages of NPs' size and controlled-release properties, which nutritionally supplement plants through direct uptake and subsequent gradual release of Se ions. Surprisingly, larger Se NPs exhibited better performance than smaller ones, demonstrating higher fertilizer utilization efficiency (up to 59%). Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) revealed that Se NPs efficiently delivered Se to the grain, where it accumulates in ionic form rather than as nanoparticles, thereby avoiding the potential risk of direct human ingestion of NPs. This work advances our understanding of the uptake, transformation, translocation, and ultimate accumulation of Se NPs as part of a wheat biofortification strategy, while also providing information on the long-term implications of Se NPs as a safe and sustainable nanobased agricultural strategy.

Energycane and biomass sorghum are two of the most promising cellulosic energy crops in the southeastern US. Research on these two energy crops has focused mainly on biomass production, and there is a lack of knowledge on their ability to promote biodiversity and ecosystem services. This paper presents results from a comprehensive study on ground-active arthropod diversity in seven sites across five states in the southeastern US (Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas). Pitfall traps were deployed four times during each crop season for energycane, biomass sorghum, and a local reference conventional crop from 2020 to 2022. Arthropod abundance (individuals/(trap × day)) values were 4.9 ± 0.46, 3.7 ± 0.18, and 2.6 ± 0.16 (mean ± stderr) for conventional crops, biomass sorghum, and energycane, respectively, with a significant difference found only between conventional crops and energycane. Individuals were identified to arthropod orders, and Hill's diversity indices were calculated based on the number of individuals in each arthropod order instead of the number of individuals in each arthropod species. Order-based arthropod richness values were 5.3, 5.2, and 4.8 for biomass sorghum, conventional crops, and energycane, with significant difference found only between biomass sorghum and energycane. There was no significant difference in the order-based Shannon diversity and Simpson diversity between the three crop types. The effective number of arthropod orders for the two energy crops decreased from 5.0 to 3.4 to 2.9 with increasing order of diversity from arthropod richness to Shannon diversity to Simpson diversity. The explained variability by environmental factors also decreased with increasing Hill's order of diversity. The results from this study indicate no significant advantage in order-based arthropod diversity in growing biomass sorghum and energycane. This research fills a critical knowledge gap in understanding the impacts of cellulosic energy crop production on biodiversity and ecosystem services.