Dr. Hardev Sandhu

Associate Professor, Agronomy

My primary research responsibilities (60% FTE) include sugarcane cultivar development and management with a major focus on evaluation of new sugarcane clones for agronomic performance and disease resistance in on-farm multilocation trials. In addition, I conduct research to evaluate new agronomic practices (tillage, row spacing, planting and harvesting methods etc.) in sugarcane, energy cane and industrial hemp.

My extension responsibilities (40% FTE) involve leadership of the sugarcane focus action team and providing strong educational support to sugarcane producers and county extension faculty on sugarcane cultivar selection and management practices

Program Areas

• Research
  • Evaluation of new sugarcane clones in a collaborative sugarcane cultivar development program (CP program) in Florida with a goal to release high yielding and disease resistant cultivars for organic and mineral soils.
  • Agronomic research to evaluate new sugarcane management practices such as conservation tillage, harvest residue management and row spacing.
  • Research in determining spatial variability in organic and mineral soils using ground sensors and UAVs to improve genotype selection and management practices in sugarcane.
  • Research to identify good varieties and best agronomic practices for industrial hemp cultivation on organic soils in Florida.
  • Evaluation of energy cane for its potential use as feedstock for lignocellulosic ethanol production in Southeastern United States.
• Extension
  • Enhance sugarcane profitability by educating growers on new sugarcane cultivars
  • Educate clientele on sugarcane management practices with a specific emphasis on conservation tillage, precise nutrient management and harvest management
  • Educate clientele on industrial hemp cultivation in organic soils in Florida
  • Extend information on new energy cane cultivars and their management
• Graduate Students

  	Amandeep Sharma: Amandeep is a Ph.D. student and his research project is on evaluation of energycane (high fiber sugarcane) for biomass production and ecosystem services.
  	Simranjot Kaur:  Simran is a Ph.D. student and her research project is on understanding sugarcane mechanical planting in Florida using systems approach.
  	Hima Varsha Madala: Hima is a Ph.D. student and her research project is on understanding sugarcane ratooning ability through molecular and agronomic approaches.
  	Kristen Polacik Kristen is a Ph.D. student and her project is to understand cold tolerance in sugarcane through determination of cold tolerance thresholds, enzyme activities and recovery time in Florida varieties.

   

   

   

   

  

   

• Publications

  Google scholar link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=g9AdyOgAAAAJ&hl=en

  Research gate link: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hardev_Sandhu2

  EDIS link: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_a-sandhuhs