Dr. Esteban Rios
Assistant Professor, Forage Breeding and Genetics
Dr. Rios research program meets a critical need for society as the demand for animal-based products is exponentially growing, particularly in subtropical and tropical regions where population growth is more pronounced. The U.S. is the world's largest beef producer and cattle production accounts for more than $78 billion in sales annually. However, feed represents the highest cost component of beef production and accounts for 40-60% of production costs. The interest in utilizing improved forages in pastures, versus grain-fed approaches, is driven by economic factors, followed by environmental and social consciousness. Improved forages contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock sector, in addition to sequestering carbon in soil to mitigate climate change. My specialization in plant breeding and genetics, quantitative genetics, and forage production are the foundation of my research questions to improve yield, nutritive value, abiotic and 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 cultivars with higher yield and quality, and greater resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses, and ii) conduct theoretical and applied research in quantitative genetics and genomics to make the plant breeding process more efficient.
Contact Information
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