Dr. Hardev Sandhu

Dr. Hardev Sandhu‘s is a Professor of Agronomy at Everglades Research & Education Center, University of Florida, USA. His 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.

His 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.

His research focuses on:

• 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.

• Sugarcane cultivar development and management 
• Agronomic practices (tillage, row spacing, planting and harvesting methods etc.) in sugarcane
• Energy cane and industrial hemp