What do plants, squashing things, and Indiana Jones have in common? Plant Breeding, of course!

For centuries, humans have utilized forms of plant breeding to help promote desirable traits of food crops and ornamental plants. In the present day, plant breeders can do so much more. In this month's podcast, we are joined by Dr Brooks Parrish, a recent Ph.D. graduate from the University of Florida's Environmental Horticulture Department. Dr Parrish visited with Alyssa and Taylor to share his research, his Caladium discovery, cool plant breeding techniques, and a little about genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Alyssa and Taylor also discovered a new career path...(the Indiana Jones reference).

In urban or urbanizing areas, many variables influence stormwater, watershed hydrology, irrigation, and landscape maintenance. Understanding the connections between these variables is seemingly cumbersome. Luckily, UF/IFAS Extension's Dr Eban Bean, an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Urban Water Resources Engineering, helps us "go with the flow" through his innovative solutions in addressing our state's vital water resources. Join us for this episode, as Alyssa and Taylor discuss Dr Bean's innovative research programs in extension.

Lichen - an enigmatic species present in all corners of the globe. Its unique relationship, a combination of fungi and cyanobacteria/algae, mistifies many. Often blamed as a disease impacting plants in our landscapes, it is rather, a vital component to our landscapes, including many insects and birds. Join us for this bonus episode, as a follow-up to Dr Matt Smith's episode, as we explore all things Lichen with Laurel Kaminisky, an assistant University Librarian with the Marston Science Library specializing in Florida's lichen species.

Fungi - one of the least understood, yet most captivating kingdoms of life. Luckily, Alyssa and Taylor are friends with Dr. Matt Smith - one of our favorite mycologists!

Dr. Matthew Smith is UF Plant Pathology's resident mushroom specialist. Since 2012, he has served over 500 agents and individuals working as a consultant on fungi-related issues. Dr. Smith seeks to address fungal biology topics in Florida and serve as an agent to enhance expertise on fungi at the state level.

⁠⁠Cultivating Curiosity Webpage⁠⁠⁠

Resources:

• Dr Matt Smith
• Florida Museum of Natural History - Fungarium
• Fungal ID Services

Have you ever wondered about the relationship between people and plants? Ethnobotany is the study of understanding these different relationships. Join us as we speak with Dr. Rick Stepp, a professor with the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida's Department of Anthropology, as we explore the historical interactions, both globally and locally, that people have with plants and the world around them.

⁠Cultivating Curiosity Webpage⁠⁠

Resources:

• Dr Rick Stepp
• Biocultural Diversity Webpage
• Ethnoecology Article
• Journal of Ethnobiology

Trees in urban landscapes are faced with daunting challenges; poor soil, extreme heat, no water, motorized vehicles etc. Throw hurricanes into the mix and there are many concerns about how trees fare in our communities. Our conversation today with Dr. Ryan Klein focuses on teasing out the realities and perceptions of risk related to our landscape trees.

⁠Cultivating Curiosity Webpage⁠

Resources:

• Dr. Ryan Klein's Webpage

• Dr. Klein's EDIS Publications

• How to Find a Certified Arborist

Designing sustainable landscapes is easier said than done, but UF/IFAS Extension's Dr. Gail Hansen specializes in landscape design and planning resilient landscapes, all while making places we live truly sustainable. Our conversation today will explore the ideas of sustainable urban landscapes and Florida's future landscapes.

Dr Hansen's Webpage: https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/landscape-design-studio/

Yes - we're a podcast about plants, but can plants be separated by their unique interactions and relationships with insects!? No. Join us this month as we bug out over bugs with Dr Adam Dale, an associate professor in Turfgrass and Ornamental Entomology. Want to learn more?

Check out our webpage: https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/cultivating-curiosity/home

Dr. Dale's research website is here: https://www.dalelab.org