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Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

Dr. Kimberly Moore

Associate Center Director and Professor

Environmental Horticulture

Dr. Moore’s research, teaching, and extension programs focus on sustainable nutrient management solutions for ornamental plants. Her lab investigates the use of alternative growing substrates as well as plant response to irrigation water high in salts (from reclaimed wastewater to salt water due to saltwater intrusion). She collaborates with researchers and industry leaders to evaluate bedding plants and rose cultivar performance in her trial gardens on site.

  • Research

    Research: Sustainable plant production

    Dr. Moore conducts applied research on the use of alternative growing substrates (like compost) and alternative water sources (reclaimed wastewater) to grow containerized ornamental plants.  With droughts as well as increased saltwater intrusion, growers are faced with potential water restrictions. To reduce saltwater intrusion, cities are reducing well-field pumping and pursuing alternative water supplies like wastewater. There are prospective savings to using wastewater assuming growers concerns about salt levels are addressed. Damage due to salts (from over-fertilization, wastewater, or salt water) can impact the production of bedding plants and foliage plants. There is clear potential for increased use of reclaimed wastewater to grow containerized ornamental plants but there remain some barriers. Reclaimed wastewater qualities tend to vary from city to city and the salt content of reclaimed water tends to be higher than potable water. It is evident from previous research that plant response is varied to reclaimed wastewater and growth appears to be related to electrical conductivity (EC) levels as well as sodium (Na) levels.

  • Teaching

    Teaching:

    Dr. Moore teaches online courses as part of the Environmental Horticulture Department curriculum.  She currently teaches Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry and Nutritional Management of Nursery Crops in addition to Advanced Nutritional Management and Getting Published in Horticulture.  She has MS and PhD students working in her lab and serves on graduate committees for Environmental Horticulture, Soil and Water Science, Agronomy and Entomology students. She is the director of the Environmental Horticulture Management undergraduate certificate and chairs the Environmental Horticulture department academic programs committee.

     

  • Extension

    Extension: Statewide sustainable solutions

    Dr. Moore is a regular presenter for the National Garden Club Association as well as for various master gardener training programs in the state of Florida.  She presents on general botany, soil health, plant nutrition, diagnosing nutritional disorders, water conversation, composting, plant variety trials, and other topics related to her area of expertise.  She also is a presenter in the Broward County school system working with the Global scholar’s program to educate middle school students on science, technology, and mathematics.

  • Trial Garden

    Trial Garden

  • Lab Team

    Lab Member Information

    Luci Fisher, Biological Scientist II                         lefisher@ufl.edu

    Maria Rose-Voge, Grad Student                           mrosevoge@ufl.edu

    Anthony Gross. Grad Student                              anthony.gross@ufl.edu

    Givanna Roper, Grad Student                              givannaaroper@ufl.edu

    Shuang Zhou, Grad Student                                shuangzhou@ufl.edu

    Lorna Bravo. Grad Student                                  lbravo1@ufl.edu

    Claire Pierce, Undergrad Student                         clairepierce@ufl.edu

     

CONTACT

3205 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314
954-577-6328

klock@ufl.edu