Dr. Mica McMillan
Assistant Professor
Palm Horticulture Specialist
Dr. McMillan is the Assistant Professor of Palm Horticulture at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. She has worked as a researcher in the agriculture, turfgrass and media industries focused on developing chemistries to improve plant and soil health. Dr. McMillan’s research will primarily focus on palm and ornamental plants from seed to establishment under a variety of environmental and edaphic conditions.
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Research
Research:
Dr. McMillan is a soil scientist focused on nutrition and water stress of palms and ornamentals. Her research focus is on novel media and chemistries that improve water distribution and nutrient uptake to improve plant health and yield. Dr McMillan’s research program is focused on hydrophilization of water-repellent soils, improving germination of seeds, and methods to improve plant uptake of nutrients to reduce runoff and leaching. Some of her research will focus on transplant stress, water quality issues and studying saltwater intrusion.
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Extension
Extension:
Dr. McMillan is focused on improving the growing environment of palms and ornamentals by studying moisture stress, the rhizosphere and the plants response to amendments. Dr. McMillan’s goal is to encourage growers and stakeholders to reduce water use, improve fertilizer use efficiency and minimize nutrient leaching and runoff. Her extension appointment is geared to helping growers to improve plant health while using fewer natural resources and more novel chemistries and materials to sustain plants under environmental stress and less than optimum water quality.
