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Agronomy

Agronomy

Dr. Esteban Rios

Associate Professor, Forage Breeding and Genetics

Dr. Rios research program meets a critical need for society asthe demand for animal-based productsis exponentially growing, particularly in subtropical and tropical regions where population growth is more pronounced. The U.S. is the world's largest beef producerand cattle production accountsformore than$78 billion insalesannually.However, feed represents the highestcost component of beefproduction and accounts for 40-60% of production costs.The interest in utilizingimproved forages in pastures,versus grain-fed approaches,is driven by economic factors, followed by environmental and social consciousness.Improved foragescontribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissionsfrom the livestock sector, in additionto sequesteringcarbon in soil to mitigate climate change.My specializationin plant breeding and genetics, quantitative genetics, and forage productionare the foundation of my researchquestionsto improve yield, nutritive value, abioticand biotic stress tolerance in forage species.I have two major goals in my program:i) contribute to the livestock and agricultural industries by creating and releasing cultivarswith higher yield and quality, and greater resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses, and ii) conduct theoretical and applied research in quantitative genetics and genomics tomake theplant breedingprocess more efficient. 

 

Contact Information

estebanrios@ufl.edu

352-392-6189

Office:
Main Campus
Building 350
Gainesville, FL 32611

Mailing Address:
Main Campus
PO Box 110500
Building 350
Gainesville, FL 32611

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  • Courses Taught

    My teaching program focuses on student mentoring through lectures, chairing/serving on student committees, and advising student organizations. I teach three graduate-level courses: 

    AGR 5266C: Field Plot Techniques   

    AGR 6322: Advanced Plant Breeding 

    AGR 6932: Plant Chromosomes & Genomes