Jonathan H. Crane

Jonathan H. Crane is a Professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at the University of Florida, serving as Tropical Fruit Crop Specialist and Associate Center Director at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (Homestead, FL). His work focuses on tropical and subtropical fruit crops, including avocado, mango, lychee, and emerging alternatives to citrus like sapodilla and achachairú.

• Primary research areas:
  • Tropical fruit production systems
  • Evapotranspiration-based irrigation scheduling
  • Pest and disease management (e.g., lychee erinose mite)
  • Soil nutrient management for calcareous soils
• Key collaborations:
  • Daniel Carrillo (entomology)
  • Carlos F. Balerdi (extension work)
  • Haimanote K. Bayabil (agricultural engineering)

Recent publications analyze economic viability of tropical fruits, irrigation technologies, and biosecurity challenges like laurel wilt and lychee erinose mite. His work emphasizes climate-resilient agriculture and grower education through UF/IFAS fact sheets.