Mangroves and palm trees are hallmarks of the Sunshine State not just for their beauty but for their immense importance to Florida’s coastlines.
Mangroves are crucial because they naturally protect coastal shores from storm damage and serve as vital wildlife habitats around the world.
Scientists at the University of Central Florida are working to preserve mangroves in Florida and across the world from an increasingly prevalent disease-causing variety of fungi that lies dormant but become active when the tree is exposed to stressors such as temperature fluctuation, pests or other diseases.
The disease does not yet have an official name, but it is being referred to by scientists as “Mangrove CNP.” It is caused by a group of fungal pathogens, including Curvularia, Neopestalotiopsis, and Pestalotiopsis, that causes yellowing and spots, and gradually weaken the mangrove until it ultimately dies.
Melissa Deinys, a UCF undergraduate researcher, and Jorge Pereira, a UCF graduate research assistant, are working to help turn the tide by developing and testing a promising nutritional cocktail comprised of nanoparticles to strengthen mangroves and counter the pathogens. The work is through UCF professor Swadeshmukul Santra’s Materials Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) center at UCF, which is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agricultural recognized Center of Excellence.
Read article from UCF Today.
By Eddy Duryea | July 26, 2024