Florida - Brooksville Plant Materials Center Highlights

Maintain and improve the productive capacity of soils

Evaluate and promote the utilization of cover crops such as sunn hemp and cowpeas for cropping systems and organic vegetable production in Florida and Puerto Rico.
Conduct basic research on cover crops to answer questions about their effects on soil quality and adaptability for use in Florida.

Enhance wildlife usage of grazing land and natural areas

Fort Cooper Germplasm splitbeard bluestem and Floral Passion Germplasm pinkscale blazing star developed by the Brooksville Plant Materials Center can be planted in the understory of pines to enhance wildlife habitat.
Seed production and establishment techniques to enhance wildlife habitat are transferred to state, federal, and county public land managers through publications and training sessions conducted by the Center.

Restore drastically disturbed areas to productive capacity

Coastal restoration is supported through the development of four native plants, including Sea Islands Germplasm sweetgrass, which is a culturally significant grass used by the Gullah people of South Carolina for their African-coiled basketry.
Restoration of phosphate minelands in Florida is facilitated by research the Center conducts on the establishment of native plants on these disturbed sites.
Native Plants for Coastal Dune Restoration: What, When, and How for Florida provides information on restoration techniques and recommendations of appropriate plant species.
Citrus Germplasm maidencane and Gator Germplasm blue maidencane are used in the restoration and creation of wetlands.

Promote environmentally sound urban and rural community development

Brooksville 67 and Brooksville 68 are diminutive rhizoma perennial peanuts that are xeriscaping alternatives to high water use turfgrasses in low-traffic areas.