About

Davie M. Kadyampakeni is an Associate Professor in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Florida's Citrus Research and Education Center. His research focuses on developing and implementing sustainable water management strategies for citrus production, with an emphasis on water conservation, water quality, and water use efficiency. He conducts research to improve water use efficiency in citrus systems, minimize water quality degradation, and maximize productivity. His work includes developing local and regional water use models that consider citrus planting systems, tree water requirements, irrigation scenarios, and water use for cold protection, as well as applying precision agricultural technologies for water management. Kadyampakeni's extension program aims to improve water use efficiency and irrigation management in citrus production systems and promote best practices for water and nutrient management. His contributions support sustainable citrus production through research, modeling, and extension efforts focused on water conservation and quality maintenance.

Research topics

• Agronomy
• Biology
• Botany
• Horticulture
• Chemistry
• Environmental science
• Ecology
• Agroforestry
• Soil science

Selected publications

• Food and fiber productivity of asper bamboo in Florida, USA

  Agriculture and Food Sciences Research · 2026-01-13

  articleOpen access

  To document the food and fiber productivities of Asper (Dendrocalamus asper) bamboo in central and southern Florida, USA, this study systematically installed 31 permanent sample plots in four farms in 2023 and 108 more in another 11 farms in 2024. These plots represented site preparation, planting stock, and cultural practices used from 2018 to 2021. Individual culm basal diameter (BD), DBH, age, and status were measured and recorded for all new plots in June 2023 and May-June 2024. Subsequent monthly revisits during the six-month growing seasons measured the BDs of new food culms. Predictive equations for fiber culm green and dry weights based on BD and DBH, as well as for food culm green weight based on BD, were developed. Plot size and sample size options for individual farm inventories were assessed using culm basal area per hectare, and fiber culm stand and stock tables for farms were constructed using the permanent sample plot data. Food culm yields were similarly derived from monthly inventories. The annual production of food culms with a BD greater than 7.4 cm reached as high as 9,482 kg per hectare in 2024. By estimating future food and fiber production from observed trends, it is projected that within five years, a Florida Asper farm could generate an annual profit, with profits increasing thereafter to approximately $17,000 per hectare by Year 10. The resulting databases will be used for modeling Asper productivity in Florida.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Climatic challenges for agriculture in West Africa and water storage options

  Elsevier eBooks · 2026-01-01

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

• Contributors

  Elsevier eBooks · 2026-01-01

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

• Mitigating abiotic stress in citrus: the role of silicon for enhanced productivity and quality

  Plant Stress · 2025-04-04 · 12 citations

  articleOpen access

  • Silicon enhances citrus resilience against drought, salinity, and temperature stress. • Si improves photosynthesis, antioxidant defense, and water-use efficiency in citrus. • Silicon application stabilizes fruit quality by regulating biochemical parameters. • Future research should optimize Si fertilization for commercial citrus production. The intensification of global warming has exacerbated abiotic stresses in citrus production, posing significant threats to both fruit yield and quality. Stressors such as drought, extreme temperatures, and salinity disrupt key physiological and biochemical pathways, thus impairing nutrient assimilation, inducing oxidative stress, and affecting fruit development. As climate change continues to amplify these challenges, sustainable mitigation strategies are needed for enhancing citrus resilience. This review explores the multiple effects of abiotic stress on citrus trees and evaluates the role of silicon (Si) as a promising ameliorating agent. Silicon has been increasingly recognized for its capacity to mitigate stress-induced damage through mechanisms such as enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, improved water-use efficiency, upregulated antioxidant defense systems, improved cell wall integrity, and modulation of stress-responsive gene expression. Moreover, Si contributes to maintaining fruit quality by stabilizing biochemical parameters such as sugar concentration, acidity balance, and bioactive compound retention. Despite growing evidence supporting the protective functions of Si, further research is required to optimize its practical application in commercial citrus production. Future studies should focus on elucidating the molecular and physiological pathways underlying Si-mediated stress tolerance and developing targeted Si fertilization suited for varying environmental conditions. Harnessing the potential of Si offers a viable strategy to enhance citrus tree productivity, improve fruit quality, and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability in a changing climate.

  PublisherDOI

• Bamboo Production Practices in Florida: Water and Fertilization Requirements

  Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society · 2025-04-14 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Bamboo production is estimated at around 1,300 acres in Florida, growing by 50% annually. Currently, growers are using trial and error methods to estimate production requirements related to water and fertilization and which varieties to grow. Stahl and Sargent (2021) provided a synopsis and comprehensive review of postharvest management practices for bamboo in Florida. In this review, we further elucidate the production requirements for bamboo using lessons and literature from other regions. In the near future, ongoing research will enable further updates on the production needs and best management practices of bamboo as the industry grows.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Managing Plant Nutrients on Selected Rootstocks of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L.) and Their Impact on Tree Growth, Fruit Yield, and Postharvest Quality of Huanglongbing-affected Hamlin Trees

  HortScience · 2025-10-06

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Crop protection measures, cultural practices, nutrient and irrigation management, rootstock selection, and other studies have been conducted to alleviate the devastating bacterial disease of Huanglongbing (HLB; also known as citrus greening) in recent years. However, there is no single cure for HLB caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus ( C Las), which is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama . The objectives of the study were to assess whether tree growth, soil and leaf tissue nutrient concentrations, fruit yield, and postharvest quality can be improved through improved nutrient management of sweet orange grown on selected rootstocks. The study of ‘Hamlin’ citrus trees [ Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] budded on Cleopatra mandarin ( Citrus reshni ) or Swingle rootstocks [ Citrus paradisi Macf. × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] was conducted from 2019 to 2021. The study was conducted in a split-plot design with two rootstocks as main plots, three nitrogen (N) rates (168, 224, and 280 kg·ha −1 ) as sub-plots, and secondary macronutrients [control, calcium (Ca), or magnesium (Mg) thiosulfates at 45 kg·ha −1 each and a combination of Ca and Mg at 22.5 kg·ha −1 each)] as a sub-subplots replicated four times. Results indicated that soil ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 -N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 -N) significantly accumulated in an oscillating (between spring and summer seasons) pattern for soil NH 4 -N and a persistent accumulation of NO 3 -N on both rootstocks over time from <1.0 mg·kg −1 at the beginning; thereafter, it stabilized at approximately 4.0 mg·kg −1 on both rootstocks. Citrus trees budded on Swingle rootstocks responded to macronutrient applications more than those on Cleopatra rootstocks. Leaf micronutrients [manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn)], as opposed to leaf boron (B), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) concentrations, were within the lowest ranges. Hence, supplementary micronutrients (Mn and Zn) are a mandatory cultural practice for HLB-affected Hamlin citrus trees. Control trees had a lower leaf area index (LAI) than those that received either Ca and/or Mg treatments, and the impact was significant on Swingle, rather than on Cleopatra, rootstocks. Trees on Cleopatra were inherently greater in canopy volume compared with Swingle rootstocks. However, the impact of secondary macronutrients manifested only after the third year of the study. Fruit yield significantly increased by a magnitude of 1.8-times in the trees that received combined Ca and Mg treatments compared with control trees. Greater total soluble solids were observed in trees that received Mg or combined Ca and Mg treatments. Thus, we conclude that nutrient management enhanced tree growth, fruit yield, and postharvest quality and should be considered as an immediate solution for mitigating HLB until it can be permanently cured or eradicated.

  PublisherDOI

• Growth and Physiological Responses of Blueberry to Different Percentages of Reclaimed Water Application

  Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society · 2025-04-14

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Silicon-enhanced non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms in young orange trees under glyphosate-induced stress

  BMC Plant Biology · 2025-08-22 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Glyphosate is widely used in citrus production, but its overuse can cause oxidative stress and reduced growth in young orange trees. Silicon (Si), a beneficial element, strengthens antioxidant defense pathways and attenuates oxidative damage. However, its role in alleviating glyphosate-induced stress, particularly through the non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, remains unclear. This study examined whether Si application can reduce oxidative stress in young “Valencia” orange trees by enhancing non-enzymatic defenses, reducing oxidative stress indicators, and improving plant growth. In an 8-month greenhouse experiment using a 4 × 2 factorial design, four glyphosate rates (0, 576, 1008 and 1440 g acid equivalent (a.e.) ha−1) and two Si treatments (0- and 2-mM Si), were applied to trees via fertigation and foliar sprays. Key parameters were measured nine and sixteen days after the fourth Si application in older and younger leaves, respectively. Trees treated with Si exhibited a 66% Si increase in young leaves and 44% in old leaves. Oxidative stress, measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, was significantly lower in trees treated with Si across all glyphosate rates in old leaves, and in young leaves at higher glyphosate rates (1008 and 1440 g a.e. ha−1). Proline levels were elevated in control trees exposed to glyphosate, whereas Si treatment increased carotenoid accumulation, particularly in old leaves. Phenolic compounds increased in old leaves where Si was applied across all glyphosate rates, while in young leaves, increases occurred only at lower glyphosate rates (0 and 576 g a.e. ha−1). Trees treated with Si retained more leaves across most glyphosate rates and showed increased dry matter production, except at 1440 g a.e. ha−1. Si application effectively mitigates glyphosate-induced oxidative stress in young orange trees by enhancing non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses, particularly carotenoids and phenolic compounds, while lowering MDA levels. These findings suggest Si as a sustainable strategy to improve herbicide tolerance and strengthen the citrus tree resilience.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Silicon can attenuate glyphosate-induced stress in young Handroanthus albus by improving photosynthetic efficiency and decreasing cellular electrolyte leakage

  Scientific Reports · 2025-07-02 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  The extensive use of glyphosate, while effective in weed control, poses significant risks to non-target plant species such as Handroanthus albus (yellow Ipe), an important species in tropical sustainable forestry. This study aimed to assess the impact of glyphosate on young Ipe plants and to investigate the protective role of silicon (Si) supplementation. Increasing glyphosate concentrations were found to induce heightened cellular electrolyte leakage and reduced concentrations of photosynthetic pigments in young Ipe leaves. Glyphosate exposure also compromised photosynthetic efficiency, resulting in decreased leaf biomass production. Conversely, supplemental applications of Si, applied via root and foliar routes, significantly increased Si accumulation in young Ipe leaves and mitigated the adverse effects of glyphosate. Silicon treatment decreased electrolyte cellular leakage by enhancing antioxidant defenses, particularly through elevated flavonoid and anthocyanin levels, and preserved photosynthetic efficiency. Si-treated plants maintained higher chlorophyll a concentration and exhibited improved photochemical efficiency, even under moderate rates of glyphosate stress. Consequently, Si application led to increased leaf dry mass, particularly at moderate glyphosate concentrations, highlighting its role in enhancing the resilience of young Ipe plants to moderate herbicide-induced stress. Incorporating Si into sustainable forestry practices could enhance the resilience of key species, supporting reforestation and afforestation efforts in glyphosate-prone environments.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Advances in precision irrigation management in the twenty-first century

  Irrigation Science · 2025-08-13 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Kelly T. Morgan

  University of Florida

  181 shared

• Dinesh Phuyal

  Texas A&M University

  63 shared

• Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira

  Universidade de São Paulo

  62 shared

• Arun Dilipkumar Jani

  Universidade de São Paulo

  62 shared

• Arnold W. Schumann

  University of Florida

  61 shared

• Samuel Kwakye

  Sand County Foundation

  45 shared

• Ramdas Kanissery

  University of Florida

  43 shared

• Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi

  42 shared

Education

• PhD, Soil and Water Science

  University of Florida

  2012