Extension

Citrus - Associated Faculty

The predominant citrus varieties in Arizona are lemons grown in the Yuma area, destined for the fresh market, followed by tangerines, oranges and grapefruit. Research on lemon cultural practices and diseases is conducted at the Yuma Agricultural Center Mesa Farm and nearby commercial orchards. Lemons were produced on 11,000 acres in 2010 and had a production value of over $32,000,000.

Cotton - Associated Faculty

Upland cotton and American Pima cotton are mainstays of Arizona's agricultural economy. Cotton is a major focus of Extension outreach statewide and research conducted at the University of Arizona Maricopa, Yuma and Safford Agricultural Centers. In recent years annual cotton acreage in the state has declined due to urbanization and commodity prices but increased in 2010 to about 200,000 acres with a total production value over $246,000,000.

Cucurbits - Associated Faculty

Cantaloupes, watermelons and honeydew melons are the major cucurbit crops grown in Arizona. Production is mostly in western Arizona in the spring and fall seasons on 25,000 to 30,000 acres/year with a production value of over $138,000,000 in 2010.

Forage Crops - Associated Faculty

Alfalfa is the major forage crop grown in Arizona and along with other hay crops such as bermudagrass and forage sorghum supports Arizona’s dairy and cattle industry. Alfalfa acreage fluctuates with commodity prices and in recent years has been between 260,000 to 280,000 acres with a production value over $289,000,000 in 2010.

Grains - Associated Faculty

Arizona produces Durum wheat on acreage that fluctuates between about 80,000 and 150,000 acres/year depending on commodity prices. Other significant grain crops include barley, corn and sorghum with some silage production of corn and sorghum for the dairy industry. The total value of production in 2010 was over $81,000,000.

Industrial Crops - Associated Faculty

The development of new industrial crops for Arizona such as guayule for rubber, lesquerella for lubricants, diesel fuel additives and biofuel, sweet sorghum for ethanol production and other biofuel crops are the subject of active research at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center in collaboration with the USDA-Agricultural Research U.S. Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center at the same location.

Ornamentals - Associated Faculty

Drought tolerant trees and shrubs account for the majority of ornamental plants produced in Arizona. They are grown for functional and aesthetic purposes and are the backbone of urban landscapes in our semi-arid climate. Herbaceous annuals and perennials, succulents and cacti round out the palette of commonly grown landscape plants. Interest in new plant species, smaller trees for smaller yards, fruits and vegetables for our climate, and abiotic challenges such as drought, the need for water conservation, and salinity, require evaluation of new and existing plant material.
To Learn more about the value of urban trees (from Dr. Quist)..click here

Tree Nut and Fruit Crops - Associated Faculty

A number of different tree nut and fruit crops are grown in Arizona, including pecans, pistachios, date palms and apples, as well as wine grapes. Pecans are the most economically important crop with a production value of $53,000,000 in 2010, grown on an estimated acreage of more than 20,000 acres. Research and Extension activities by University of Arizona faculty in commercial orchards and other venues support this industry.

Turfgrass - Associated Faculty

Turfgrass in destination resort golf courses supports significant tourism related economic activity in Arizona and along with sports turf, parks and recreation turf and landscape turf contributes to the esthetics of urban landscapes. Research activities at the University of Arizona Karsten Turfgrass Research Facility focus on developing new salt and drought tolerant turf varieties and the challenges associated with salinity and using reclaimed water for irrigation.

Vegetables - Associated Faculty

Arizona is a major producer of winter vegetable crops including broccoli, cauliflower, head lettuce, leaf lettuce, Romain lettuce and spinach in Yuma County. These and other vegetables were grown on about 80,000 acres in 2010 and had a production value of over $750,000,000. Research on a variety of topics including cultural practices, disease and pest management and food safety conducted at the University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center and in growers fields support this dynamic produce industry.