NE1835: Resource Optimization in Controlled Environment Agriculture

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[05/21/2019] [08/03/2020] [08/25/2021] [09/29/2022] [09/17/2023]

Date of Annual Report: 05/21/2019

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 04/14/2019 - 04/17/2019
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2018 - 05/21/2019

Participants

• Ryan Dickson (Arkansas)
• A.J. Both (Rutgers)
• Peter Ling (Ohio State University)
• Meriam Karlsson (Alaska)
• Chieri Kubota (Ohio State University)
• Roberto Lopez (Michigan State)
• Neil Mattson (Cornell)
• Robin Brumfield (Rutgers)
• Ellen Paparozzi (Nebraska)
• Brian Poel, Lumigro
• Celina Gomez (University of Florida; via Zoom)
• Adel Shirmohammadi (University of Maryland, via Zoom)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Minutes from NE1835 annual meeting 4.15.19.docx

Accomplishments

PROJECT DURATION:        October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2023 EXPERIMENT STATION:   New Jersey, Maine, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, and Florida PARTICIPANTS:                  NJ: Robin Brumfield, A.J. Both, Tom Manning, Tim Shelford; ME:  Stephanie Burnett; IN: Hye-Ji Kim, Teng Yang, Meng-Yang Lin; OH: Peter Ling, Chieri Kubota, and Mark Kroggel; MI: Roberto Lopez; AZ: Gene Giacomelli and Murat Kacira; FL: Celina Gómez  REPORTING PERIOD:        October 1, 2018 – May 21, 2019 REPORT DATE:                    May 21, 2019  Objective 1: To evaluate and develop strategies to improve energy efficiency in controlled environment agriculture Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop recommendations for optimal lamp choices and layouts for greenhouses and indoor production facilities</li> </ol> NJ: We continue to evaluate a variety of lamps for light output, light distribution and power consumption using our 2-meter integrating sphere and a small darkroom. We evaluated the spectral output of a variety of lamp technologies (INC, CFL, CMH, HPS, and LED) and compared various waveband ratios with sunlight. AZ: Kacira Lab evaluated various daily light integrals (DLI) (9-17 mols/m2/day with 2 DLI increments) with LED lighting (with 80% red, 15%blue and 5% green) with experiments at UA-CEAC vertical farm facility (UAg Farm) to determine effects on yield and quality of lettuce (variety Fairly), and for energy savings in indoor multi-tiered vertical farming setting.   MI: Ph.D. student Kellie Walters and Roberto Lopez evaluated the influence of light intensity, average daily temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration on consumer preference of sweet basil. consumers preferred basil grown under 200 µmol·m–2·s–1 compared to 100, 400, or 600 µmol·m–2·s–1 because these samples had a less bitter taste, milder aftertaste, deeper green color, crisper texture, more moderate flavor, and more pleasant aroma. Consumers indicated no differences in flavor between the CO2 treatments. However, they preferred the appearance, texture, and color of basil grown under higher temperatures (26 or 29 to 35 °C) compared to 23 °C. FL: We evaluated the use of end-of-day (EOD) lighting to increase biomass production of lettuce plants grown in controlled environments. Our data showed that compared to a constant PPF during the photoperiod, 1h of EOD red light has the potential to increase growth, most likely due to changes in transpiration and conductance. We continue to evaluate effects of low DLIs (compared to commercial recommendations) for indoor gardening of edibles (e.g., lettuce, basil, and tomato).  Improve ventilation alternatives for high-tunnels that result in better cooling in the summer and reduced heat loss in the winter NJ: We are continuing our work on a comprehensive evaluation of ventilation strategies for high tunnel crop production. We are using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess ventilation rates in high tunnels equipped with several different ventilation opening. We are also assessing the impact of crop canopies (short and tall) on the ventilation rates in high tunnels.  OH: We have investigated and found encouraging results of using a thermal energy storage system for passive heating of a high tunnel for waste water treatment using a beneath ground bioreactor system. We have found that a high tunnel can passively trap the heat during day and keep bioreactor warm at night. A heat recovery system can actively collect daytime surplus heat, store it, and use it for nighttime heating when needed. The system was able to maintain 5.5 °C higher than the control, which appears feasible to improve winter warming of the wastewater treatment system. Other NJ: We are continuing our work on the evaluation of energy use in commercial greenhouses and comparing the resulting information to model-based predictions. IN: Developed recommendations on optimal flow rate for greenhouse-based aquaponics and developed optimal light environment for the production of greenhouse tomato with higher yield and better flavor. MI: Ph.D. student Kellie Walters and Roberto Lopez quantified the influence of temperature and daily light integral (DLI) on growth and development of greenhouse-grown dill, parsley, purple basil, sage, spearmint, and watercress to develop temperature response curves. M.S. student Charlie Garcia and advisor Roberto Lopez evaluated the photoperiodic responses of coriander ‘Santo’ (Coriandrum sativum), oregano ‘Greek’ (Origanum vulgare hirtum), dill ‘Bouquet’ (Anethum graveolens), lavender ‘Bandera Pink’ (Lavandula stoechas), watercress (Nasturtium officinale), spearmint ‘Spanish’ (Mentha spicata), and marjoram (Origanum majorana). Lavender, marjoram, oregano, spearmint, and watercress can be classified as long-day plants. Objective 2: To reduce fresh water use and evaluate alternative fertilizers and growing substrates for the production of greenhouse crops Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop practical production guidelines to increase the efficiency of organic fertilizers in production of container-grown ornamentals and hydroponically-grown vegetables</li> </ol> NJ: We continue to work on the effects of soluble Silicon amendments used for hydroponically grown leafy greens (lettuce, bok choy, and basil). Develop practical management guidelines to improve yield and quality of vegetables grown in recirculating hydroponics and aquaponics systems to improve production efficiency and increase profitability ME: Hydroponic research at the University of Maine compared growth of ‘Mrs. Burns’ Lemon’ basil when plants were grown with either Hoagland solution or one of three commercially available hydroponic fertilizers. All fertilizers were applied at the same nitrogen concentration. Plants grown in two of three of the commercial fertilizers had greater shoot and root dry weight compared to plants grown in Hoagland solution. In a second study with ‘Mrs. Burns’ Lemon’ basil, a commercial mycorrhizal inoculant (Root Magic) which contains a variety of endo- and ecto- mycorrhizae in addition to beneficial microorganisms was added to hydroponic containers with either Hoagland solution or a commercial fertilizer. The addition of the mycorrhizal inoculant resulted in no difference in root or shoot growth of ‘Mrs. Burns’ Lemon’ basil. IN: Through published research findings, we have generated new knowledge about nutrient profiles in aquaponic wastewater that improve crop yield and quality in aquaponics. OH: We have developed a handout describing hydroponic nutrient management guidelines to distribute to growers during the 2019 Greenhouse Short Course at the University of Arizona (Gillespie, 2019). The guideline is downloadable at <a href="https://u.osu.edu/cepptlab/extension/">https://u.osu.edu/cepptlab/extension/</a> AZ: UA-CEAC, in collaboration with American Hydroponics (AmHydro), established a research and outreach greenhouse with nutrient film technique-based hydroponics system. The experiments have been conducted to evaluate yield and quality of three lettuce varieties under two different EC levels (1.8 and 1.2 dS/m).  Kacira Lab continued evaluated yield and quality of lettuce crop in floating raft based hydroponics system in a multi-tiered indoor vertical farm research facility (UA-CEAC UAg Farm) under six different DLIs (9-17) and six CO2 concentrations (400-1300 ppm) to evaluate resource use efficiency and potentials for energy savings. Established the first continuously recirculating hydroponic system for fruiting crops (tomato, cucumber, sweet pepper) at University of Arizona, (SUMC) Rooftop Greenhouse.  Giacomelli in collaboration with Dr. Stacy Tollefson. Located, owned and financially supported by the Student Union Memorial Center (SUMC), Todd Millay, Director. FL: We are currently evaluating different nutrient solution replacement intervals that will reduce consumer intervention when using hydroponic systems for indoor gardening  <ol start="3"> <li>Develop recommendations for the application of flexible wavelength lighting and selective cover materials or shading elements for greenhouses</li> </ol> AZ: Kacira Lab developed a simulation model that evaluates energy generation of organic photovoltaic film (OPV) integrated to a greenhouse roof as covering material, crop yield and economic profit under various OPV film coverage ratios and deployment alternatives. Evaluation of wavelength altering properties of quantum dots in plastic film for the improvement of lettuce plant production.  NASA-STTR for UbiQD, Inc, Los Alamos, NM. Giacomelli in collaboration with Dr. Matt Bergren, UbiQD <ol start="4"> <li>Develop strategies to reduce water use in propagation of ornamentals and vegetables</li> </ol> None <ol start="5"> <li>Accelerate propagation timing by reducing water use</li> </ol> ME: The University of Maine continues to develop a novel propagation strategy that applies water to the base of cuttings, rather than overhead (submist). We used submist, overhead mist, and a combination system that applied water to the base of cuttings and overhead to propagate ornamental plants. Root dry weight was greater in plants propagated in both submist and the combination system.  The percentage of cuttings rooted and number of roots was greatest in the combination system. We measured net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance to determine if either of these gas exchange measures was involved in the differences in rooting. However, there were no notable differences in gas exchange measures among cuttings rooted in the three propagation systems. FL: We have quantified the water-use-efficiency (WUE) of lettuce plants grown under different red:blue ratios and found that increasing blue light decreases WUE, most likely due to changes in conductance and transpiration as a stomatal response to blue light. <ol start="6"> <li>Generate new knowledge about environmental management practices that enhance beneficial microbes in hydroponic solutions</li> </ol> None <ol start="7"> <li>Develop management guidelines to use low-quality water for irrigating greenhouse crops</li> </ol> None <ol start="8"> <li>Develop production guidelines to adjust nutrient programs to non-peat-based substrates</li> </ol> Objective 3: To train growers and students to utilize emerging controlled environment agriculture technologies Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Organize education programs that target CEA growers around the US, our target populations will include Hispanics, Native Americans, and new farmers</li> </ol> NJ: We organized a two-day short course titled Greenhouse Crop Production that was attended by approximately 20 students. OH: We organized three workshops last year as follow: The 2019 Greenhouse Management Workshop was organized by Peter Ling and Chieri Kubota with 48 participants (including 19 online).  This year’s focus was ‘Root-zone optimization in hydroponics and substrate-based culture systems’ covering both ornamental and vegetable crops. A new workshop series “Basics of the Greenhouse Environment for K-12 Educators” was first offered in 2018. The workshop was organized by Uttara Samarakoon, Kimberly Sayers, and Peter Ling with 24 participants. 6 one-day private workshops were offered to 16 participants to learn basics of physiology and technologies of soilless strawberry and tomato production. AZ: Kacira (co-PI), in collaboration with K. Chief (PI) et al., within NSF-NRT funded project titled “Indigenous Food, Energy, and Water Security and Sovereignty” continued to educate a cohort graduate students on novel and sustainable off-grid production of safe drinking water, brine management operations, and controlled environment agriculture systems to provide technical solutions for communities, currently with Navajo Nation, challenged to have access to fresh produce and safe drinking water. The project collaboration included educational and training programs for technical staff members and intern students, on controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems, hydroponic crop production, sensors and controls in CEA, with onsite visitations at the Navajo Nation, as part of Tribal College and University Program, and within UA-CEAC annual greenhouse crop production and engineering short courses and intensive workshops. UA-CEAC continued to provide educational opportunities on CEA for new farmers through its 18th Annual Greenhouse Engineering and Crop production Short Course (80 participants, 15 exhibitors). UA-CEAC Intensive Workshops on education of growers producing hydroponics leafy greens (Dr. Stacy Tollefson, Instructor) and tomato crops (Myles Lewis, Instructor) in controlled environments. (40 participants).     SUMC Roof Top Greenhouse weekly community tours (10 – 15 guests) established with Todd Millay, Director SUMC and Dr. Stacy Tollefson.  Providing 25+ kg fresh veggies to the UA Student Pantry for food challenged students. Providing internship experiences for operations of RTGH for 2 students. <ol start="2"> <li>Publish a hydroponic production book and an eight-part article series on urban agriculture</li> </ol> ME: The University of Maine contributed one article to the eight-part article series on urban agriculture. AZ: Kacira in collaboration with N. Mattson, R. Dickson and R. Lopez published “Urban crop production in vertical farms” article in Produce Grower Magazine. FL: Gómez contributed to two articles of the eight-part article series on urban agriculture. <ol start="3"> <li>Enhance undergraduate research training in the area of controlled environment plant production to prepare the students for independent studies</li> </ol> NJ: During the fall 2018 semester, we taught a 4-credit undergraduate course titled: Innovations in indoor crop cultivation (11:020:340). This class includes a hands-on lab component allowing students to grow several crops in a variety of greenhouse growing systems (hydroponics and soilless media systems). Enrollment for this class was 13 students. ME: The University of Maine sponsored the 3rd annual American East hack-a-thon, which was focused on small agriculture this year. Participants built a variety of greenhouse and small agriculture monitoring and control systems using inexpensive loggers, such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi and environmental sensors. IN: Organized undergraduate research projects to enhance their skills and knowledge in the area of controlled environment plant production. OH: Over the past 5 years, we have trained 43 undergraduate students using a capstone design course as a platform, and summer research program in the area of controlled environment plant production. Eleven students were trained in the last year (2018-2019). The Capstone Design courses (FABENG 4900 and FABENG 4910) is a two semester, 6 credit hour course sequence. In addition to teaching research and design methodology, the students are required to complete a funded project with an external/internal sponsor to meet their specific requirements. Past projects include plant health monitoring and irrigation management, passive watering system for food crop production, and watering for microgravity environment. AZ: Kacira mentored an undergraduate student who designed and evaluated a low cost vapor pressure deficit sensing unit integrated with a microcontroller, and two undergraduate students evaluating crop yield and quality under various DLIs and CO2 enrichment levels with lettuce crop in an indoor vertical farming system, and two undergraduate students helped evaluating lettuce crop yield and quality in NFT based hydroponic system. Undergraduate students, Chris Patzke and Devon Valdivia completed 6-month and 4-month internships, respectively, for the development and operations of the SUMC Rooftop Greenhouse. <ol start="4"> <li>Submit at least three grants to enhance our collaboration within the team</li> </ol> OH: A USDA-SCRI grant proposal to develop key technologies for indoor agriculture was submitted and collaboration team includes Michigan State University, Purdue University and University of Arizona. AZ: Kacira collaborated with project team members on proposal development and submissions to USDA-AFRI/SCRI programs. Giacomelli in collaboration with Sarah Federman won a NIFA grant USDA AFRI Foundation Program Controlled Environment Indoor and Vertical Food Production - Coordinated Research Conference Proposal with goal to complete a conference to plan an interdisciplinary controlled environment indoor agriculture R&D roadmap and coordinated research plan. With Co-PI Murat Kacira and Dr. Joaquin Ruiz, Director Biosphere 2 and Dean of the College of Science. FL: A USDA-SCRI planning grant proposal was submitted to develop a project that will evaluate the use of plant factories to propagate high-value young plants that represent significant losses by the specialty crops industry, including members from NC and CT. Also, a USDA-HEC grant was submitted to develop multimedia educational materials for CEA-related courses, including members from ME and IA. Other accomplishments you want to report that do not necessarily relate to the NE-1835 Multistate Research Project objectives: Grant funding NJ: Both, A.J. Co-PI for the Lighting Approaches to Maximize Profits (LAMP) project. This project is headed by Prof. Marc van Iersel at the University of Georgia and is funded by the USDA-NIFA. <a href="http://www.hortlamp.org/">http://www.hortlamp.org/</a> Both, A.J. Member of the Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) Consortium (Cornell, RPI and Rutgers). This project is headed by Prof. Neal Mattson at Cornell University and is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. <a href="https://glase.cals.cornell.edu/">https://glase.cals.cornell.edu/</a> Both, A.J. Co-PI for the TunnelBerries project. This project is headed by Prof. Eric Hanson at Michigan State University and is funded by the USDA-NIFA.  <a href="https://www.tunnelberries.org/">https://www.tunnelberries.org/</a> Brumfield, R.G. PI for Annie’s Project: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe. The Northeast Center for Risk Management ($39,700). Co-PIs: Deborah Greenwood, Jeffrey Heckman, Barbara O'Neill, Michael Haberland, Madeline Flahive DiNardo, Amy Rowe, Jan Zientek, Meredith Melendez, Laura Lawson, Nicholas Polanin, A.J. Both, Joseph Heckman, Ashaki Rouff, and Meredith Taylor. 4/1/2019 – 9/30/2020. Brumfield, R.G. PI for Annie’s Project: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe. Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Grant ($3,100). Co-PIs: Deborah Greenwood, Jeffrey Heckman, Barbara O'Neill, Michael Haberland, Madeline Flahive DiNardo, Amy Rowe, Jan Zientek, Meredith Melendez, Laura Lawson, Nicholas Polanin, and Ashaki Rouff. 4/1/2018 – 9/30/2019. Team awards NJ: Award for Excellence in Multistate Research. 2018. Presented by the Northeast Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors to the NE-1335 Committee on Resource Management in Commercial Greenhouse Production. Blue Ribbon Award, ASABE Educational Aids Competition. 2018. Comprehensive Publication: Light Management in Controlled Environments. R. Lopez and E. Runkle (eds.). ASHS (American Society for Horticultural Science) Extension Division. 2018. Material Award (Book): Light Management in Controlled Environments. R. Lopez and E. Runkle (eds.). ASABE Standards Development Award. 2018. ANSI/ASABE S640 JUL2017, Quantities and Units of Electromagnetic Radiation for Plants (Photosynthetic Organisms). OH: An intelligent sprayer system has been developed for greenhouse applications. The aim is to deliver the right amount of pesticide to greenhouse plants with maximum efficiency and to improve environmental sustainability.  We have published several refereed journal articles in the area of characterizing spray pattern of biological pesticides, insect pest pressure detection using an electronic nose, and laboratory evaluation of an intelligent sprayer.

Publications

Impact Statements

FL: Three new courses are available to train students in CEA at the University of Florida. Our research program, presented to our stakeholders through presentations and written publications, benefits small-scale consumers with no horticultural background interested in indoor gardening, and large-scale commercial facilities interested in investing in plant factory technologies to improve their production practices, particularly for propagating hard-to-root high-value crops that tend to represent significant economic losses.

Date of Annual Report: 08/03/2020

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/09/2020 - 08/10/2020
Period the Report Covers: 04/15/2019 - 07/31/2020

Participants

• Celina Gomez (University of Florida)
• AJ Both (Rutgers University)
• Brian Poel (Fluence Bioengineering, Texas)
• Peter Ling (Ohio State)
• Chieri Kubota (Ohio State University)
• Adel Shirmohammadi
• Ellen Paparozzi (University of Nebraska)
• Gene Giacomelli (University of Arizona)
• Genhua Niu (Texas A&M Extension, Dallas)
• Jennifer Boldt (USDA ARS Toledo)
• John Erwin (University of Maryland)
• Joshua Craver (Colorado State University)
• Kale Harbick (USDA ARS Toledo)
• Kellie Walters (University of Tennessee)
• Kimberly Williams (Kansas State University)
• Marlon Retana Cordero (University of Florida)
• Neil Mattson (Cornell University)
• Meriam Karlsson (University of Alaska, Fairbanks)
• Robin Brumfield (Rutgers University)
• Rosa Raudales (University of Connecticut)
• Stephanie Burnett (University of Maine)
• Garett Owen (University of Kentucky)
• Ying Zhang (University of Florida)
• Youping Sun (Utah State University)
• Murat Kacira (University of Arizona)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Minutes from NE1835 annual meeting 8-3-20.docx

Accomplishments

NE-1835 Multistate Research Project Annual Meeting August 3, 2020, via ZOOM   Multistate Research Project Annual Station Accomplishments Report   PROJECT NUMBER:             NE-1835           TITLE:                                    Resource Optimization in Controlled Environment Agriculture   PROJECT DURATION:         October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2023   EXPERIMENT STATION:    Arizona, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio (OSU and USDA-ARS, Toledo), Texas, Utah   PARTICIPANTS:                   AZ: Gene Giacomelli and Murat Kacira, CT: Rosa Raudales, FL: Celina Gomez, Ying Zhang, and Marlon Cordero, ME: Stephanie Burnett, MI: Roberto Lopez and Kellie Walters, NE: Ellen Paparozzi, NJ: AJ Both, and Robin Brumfield, OH: Chieri Kubota, Peter Ling, Jennifer Boldt, and Kale Harbick, TX: Genhua Niu, UT: Youping Sun     REPORTING PERIOD:         April 15, 2019 – July 31, 2020   REPORT DATE:                     August 3, 2020   OBJECTIVES (included as a reminder):   <ol> <li>To develop up-to-date water and nutrient as well as energy management guidelines for greenhouse crop production and provide stakeholders with educational opportunities that teach proper implementation at their own facilities.</li> <li>To develop these guidelines using research and development involving sensors and control strategies devised by current team members, and through and future collaborations among team members who may become part of this research project.</li> </ol>   METHODS (please include your activities and accomplishments where appropriate):   Objective 1: To evaluate and develop strategies to improve energy efficiency in controlled environment agriculture Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop recommendations for optimal lamp choices and layouts for greenhouses and indoor production facilities</li> </ol>   FL We continue to evaluate low daily light integral treatments to provide information relevant to indoor gardening, where home growers or other consumers could successfully produce edible plants (e.g., leafy greens and fruiting vegetables) in at a non-commercial scale.   MI M.S. student Anthony Soster and Roberto Lopez investigated if supplemental lighting containing a moderate amount of blue light (≥15 µmol∙m−2∙s−1) was as effective as low intensity photoperiodic or high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps at inducing long day perennials into flower. The results indicate that providing 30 µmol∙m–2∙s–1 of blue light is as effective as low-intensity photoperiodic and HPS lamps. Additionally, plants finished under 50 to 90 µmol∙m–2∙s–1 of supplemental light are generally of higher quality than those finished under photoperiodic lighting.   Ph.D. candidate Kellie Walters and Roberto Lopez quantified the influence of daily light integral and CO2 concentration on growth and development of dill, parsley, and sage transplants produced indoors. The results indicate that increasing the light intensity from 100 µmol·m–2·s–1 to 400 or 600 µmol·m–2·s–1 results in increased mass at transplant and increased subsequent yields while elevating CO2 concentration during the seedling stage has minimal to no affect.   NJ We continue to evaluate a variety of lamps for light output, light distribution and power consumption using our 2-meter integrating sphere and a small darkroom. We evaluated the spectral output of a variety of lamp technologies (INC, CFL, CMH, HPS, and LED) and compared various waveband ratios with sunlight.   OH We have developed a concept of targeted lighting over the short-statute row crops such as strawberry. Our previous empirical cost/return analyses suggested that, for strawberry, use of supplemental lighting was not profitable as the relatively low productivity of strawberry did not justify the additional electricity costs. However, these analyses were based on a conventional greenhouse lighting design to distribute light uniformly over a horizontal plane, which is suitable for high-wire crops (e.g., tomato) or leafy greens having continuous canopy. Strawberry is a short-stature row-crop with an aisle between rows for worker access, which results in wasteful use of lighting energy when illuminating aisle space outside of the plant canopy. Our updated analyses show that this wasteful use of energy can be as great as 30-40% at a 0.8- to 1-m row-spacing and that profitability can be largely improved by either of two strategies: 1) LED-based narrow-beamed targeted lighting over the canopy of a conventional row configuration and 2) creating a continuous canopy by introducing a movable swing-gutter system. Such strategies would: 1) reduce lamps and electricity costs by 30-40% without compromising light intensity, or 2) increase productivity by 43-67% without losing accessibility to plants. Our analyses showed that special considerations in lighting design and efficiency are crucial for strawberry supplemental lighting to make the use profitable. The research will be presented in the International Strawberry Symposium in 2021 (postpone from original date in 2020).   TX Texas A&M AgriLife Research continues research on optimizing indoor sole-source light environment on the growth and nutritional quality of sweet basil and leafy greens. Most recently completed research on supplemental ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation before harvest increased phytochemical concentrations up to 169% in green basil leaves but decreased plant yield, while lower UV-B radiation doses increased antioxidant capacity in Brassica species without yield reduction. Results showed that UV radiation has a potential to increase the concentration of bioactive compounds in leafy greens and herbs and its impact depends on dosage, method of delivery, and species and cultivars.     <ol start="2"> <li>Improve ventilation alternatives for high-tunnels that result in better cooling in the summer and reduced heat loss in the winter</li> </ol>   NJ We are continuing our work on a comprehensive evaluation of ventilation strategies for high tunnel crop production. We are using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess ventilation rates in high tunnels equipped with several different ventilation openings. We are also assessing the impact of crop canopies (short and tall) on the ventilation rates in high tunnels.     Objective 2: To reduce fresh water use and evaluate alternative fertilizers and growing substrates for the production of greenhouse crops Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop practical production guidelines to increase the efficiency of organic fertilizers in production of container-grown ornamentals and hydroponically-grown vegetables</li> </ol>   NJ We completed our work on the effects of soluble Silicon amendments used for hydroponically grown leafy greens (lettuce, bok choy, and basil). Former graduate student Yuan Li finished his dissertation, and submitted an article for peer-review. He also authored a peer-reviewed publication on the benefits of Si amendments to adjust soil pH and suppress powdery mildew on pumpkins.   TX Texas A&M AgriLife Research started research on organic hydroponics in NFT and deep-water culture systems. Organic hydroponics. Organic CEA production methods are still in their infancy and there is extremely limited research-based information.  The major challenge of organic hydroponics is lower yield due to slower plant growth compared to conventional farming.  We have been conducting several experiments on comparing conventional vs. organic hydroponic lettuce production with or without inoculant of a microbial product using various propagation plugs. Preliminary results indicated that crop yield is still lower in organic fertilizer treatment but crop quality is enhanced. More research is needed on more varieties of fertilizers and how to increase the yield of organic hydroponic crops.     <ol start="2"> <li>Develop practical management guidelines yield and quality of vegetables grown in recirculating hydroponics and aquaponics systems.to improve production efficiency and increase</li> </ol>   AZ Graduate student of Gene Giacomelli, Joe Alcon is in progress producing tomato (truss and cherry), cantaloupe and cucumber within a recirculating top-drip hydroponic nutrient delivery system. He is also producing basil and lettuce within a deep water culture, floating raft hydroponic system. All crops and both nutrient delivery systems are within a single-bay, gutter-connected, double-wall acyclic covered greenhouse 7.5 x 15.1 m. Crops are produced in high solar radiation, high air temperature and modest VPD conditions to determine the effect on harvest quality and yield compared to standard, optimal conditions. The work is supported by sub-contract to UC-Merced from an INFEWS-T2 NSF grant, whose primary goal is to develop a solar-energized greenhouse for the purification of the salt-laden drainage water from field production agriculture in the Central Valley of California. It will further produce edible vegetable crops while operating at its excessive air temperatures required for desalinization.   Chiara Amitrano, visiting PhD Student in Kacira Lab, from University of Naples Federico II, evaluated the effects of VPD and CO2 during a short term exposures of EC (as stress treatment) on green and red-leaf ‘salanova’ lettuce grown in recirculating DWC based hydroponics system within LED lighted indoor vertical farm (UAg Farm) at the UA-CEAC . The study is evaluating the Energy Cascade Model (MEC) predictions of crop biomass and photosynthesis and to be a model as decision support system. Kacira, in collaboration with Vulpes Corp., evaluated the effects of carbon nanoparticles on yield and water use efficiency with lettuce (grown in NFT system), cilantro, dill and kale (deep water culture system). Graduate student KC Shasteen in Kacira Lab is developing a machine vision and predictive modeling-based system for predicting crop growth and yield to be used in indoor vertical farming systems.   OH We have developed a new web-based information resource “Hydroponics / Soilless Culture Info” (<a href="https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics/">https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics/</a>) and posted 16 comprehensive lectures on hydroponics nutrient management.   <ul> <li>Nutrient solution dynamics</li> <li>Root-zone dynamics</li> <li>Fertilizer calculation basics</li> <li>Designing nutrient solution and formula 1 & 2</li> <li>Leafy greens – Production systems, species and management</li> <li>Tomato and vine crops – Production systems and management</li> </ul>     <ol start="3"> <li>Develop recommendations for application of flexible wavelength lighting and selective cover materials or shading elements for greenhouses</li> </ol>   AZ Kacira Lab, through Binational Agriculture Research Development funds (BARD) project in collaboration with Volcani Research Center and Triangle Research Center, has evaluated the effects the effects of wavelength selective organic photovoltaic film deployed as greenhouse roof covering on growth and yield of tomato crop. Preliminary studies conducted both in Israel and UA-CEAC (with Graduate Student Rebekah Waller) have shown positive effects of OPV film on crop growth and yield. Experiments are underway with lettuce crop. The project has also determined the power output and efficiency of the OPV films. The overall efficiency of the OPV panels evaluated under the environmental conditions evaluated ranged between 2-4%.   Giacomelli in collaboration with Dr. Matt Bergren, UbiQD evaluating of wavelength altering properties of quantum dots in plastic film for the improvement of lettuce plant production. NASA-STTR Phase II for UbiQD, Inc, Los Alamos, NM.     <ol start="4"> <li>Develop strategies to reduce water use in propagation of ornamentals and vegetables</li> </ol>   FL We continue to evaluate the use of indoor propagation systems to improve young plant production processes. Our findings indicate that the propagation period can be significantly reduced using indoor propagation compared to commercial practices in greenhouses. We are also evaluating temperature treatments to induce uniform sprouting of ginger and turmeric seed rhizomes for greenhouse propagation. Both projects can accelerate propagation processes and thus, help reduce water use.   ME The University of Maine developed and tested a commercial scale version of a sub-mist propagation system that we have been working with. This system applies water to the base of cuttings, rather than overhead. The commercial scale submist system used 55 L during propagation of a variety of herbaceous perennials and woody plants. This is a 98% reduction in water compared to overhead mist, which applied 2403 L of water during propagation. Root length, number, and quality were greater for Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ and Nepeta x faassenii ‘Six Hills Giant’ in submist compared to overhead mist.   The commercial scale submist system consisted of an ebb-and-flow tray covered with a custom-built lid to hold the cuttings in place. The lid was made of lattice covered with a plastic film that is white on the outside and black on the inside. A manifold of mist nozzles was installed in the bottom of the ebb-and-flow tray. The nozzles were connected to a lawn pump and foot valve, which was in a sump basin filled with water.     <ol start="5"> <li>Accelerate propagation timing by reducing water use</li> </ol>   <ol start="6"> <li>Generate new knowledge about environmental management practices that enhance beneficial microbes in hydroponic solutions</li> </ol>   CT The team at the University of Connecticut is studying the association of microbiomes and plant pathogens in nutrient solutions and their effect on plant health. We are characterizing microbiomes in continuous recirculation of nutrient solutions and comparing them with new nutrient solutions.     <ol start="7"> <li>Develop management guidelines to use low-quality water for irrigating greenhouse crops</li> </ol>   UT 7.1 Salt tolerance of twelve viburnum taxa From February 14 to May 31, 2019, a greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the relative salinity tolerance of twelve viburnum taxa, including Viburnum ×burkwoodii, V. cassinoides ‘SMNVCDD’, V. dentatum ‘Christom’, V. dentatum var. deamii ‘SMVDLS’, V. dilatatum ‘Henneke’, V. ×‘NCVX1’, V. nudum ‘Bulk’, V. opulus ‘Roseum’, V. plicatum var. tomentosum ‘Summer Snowflake’, V. pragense ‘Decker’, V. ×rhytidophylloides ‘Redell’, and V. trilobum. Plants were irrigated once a week with a nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.3 dS·m-1 (control) or saline solution at an EC of 5.0 dS·m-1 or 10.0 dS·m-1 for nine weeks. Root zone salinity and pH were monitored weekly using the pour-through technique described by Cavins et al. (2008). Plant growth, visual quality, relative chlorophyll contents (SPAD readings), and physiological parameters including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency were collected. Environmental data including temperature and solar radiation in greenhouse were recorded throughout the experimental period. In addition, plant tissues were dried, pulverized, and analyzed for mineral nutrition at the Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory at Texas A&M University (College Station, TX). This experiment has been completed. Two manuscripts entitled “Morphological Responses of Twelve Viburnum Taxa to Saline Water Irrigation” and “Gas Exchange and Mineral Nutrients of Twelve Viburnum Taxa Irrigated with Saline Water” have been published on HortScience. Abstract “Salinity Tolerance of Twelve Viburnum Taxa” was accepted by American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) and will be presented at the Annual Conference of ASHS, Orlando, FL, August 9-13, 2020.   7.2 Salt tolerance of ornamental grasses From July to November 2019, Acorus gramineus ‘Minimus Aureus’ (grassy-leaved sweet flag), Andropogon ternarius ‘Black Mountain’ (split bluestem), Calamagrostis ×acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (reed grass), Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ (Japanese sedge), Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (blue fescue), and Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed) was evaluated for salt tolerance in a UAES research greenhouse. Plants were irrigated with a fertilizer solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m-1 (control) or saline solution at an EC of 5.0 dS·m-1 or 10.0 dS·m-1 every four days for 13 weeks. Root zone salinity and pH were monitored weekly using the pour-through technique described by Cavins et al. (2008). Plant growth, visual quality, relative chlorophyll contents (SPAD readings), and physiological parameters including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency were collected. Environmental data including temperature and solar radiation in greenhouse were recorded throughout the experimental period. This experiment has been completed. One manuscript entitled “Morphological and Physiological Responses of Ornamental Grasses to Salinity Stress” is currently in preparation for HortTechnology. Abstract “Salinity Tolerance of Six Ornamental Grass Species” was accepted by American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) and will be presented at the Annual Conference of ASHS, Orlando, FL, August 9-13, 2020.   7.3 Salt tolerance of penstemon plants From October to April 2020, Penstemon barbatus (golden-beard penstemon) and Penstemon strictus (beardtongue) were screened for salinity tolerance using a near-continuous gradient dosing (NCGD) system in a Utah Agricultural Experiment Station (UAES) research greenhouse. Plants were irrigated with saline solutions at eight electrical conductivities (ECs) ranging from 1.0 to 6.7 dS·m-1 for 12 weeks. Plant growth, visual quality, relative chlorophyll contents (SPAD readings), and physiological parameters including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency were collected. Environmental data including temperature and solar radiation in greenhouse were recorded throughout the experimental period. In addition, plant tissue samples were analyzed for mineral nutrition at Utah State University Analytical Laboratory. This experiment has been completed. A final report “Salinity Tolerance of Penstemon Species” has been submitted to the American Penstemon Society. One manuscript entitled “Determining the Salt Tolerance of Two Penstemons Using a Near-continuous Gradient Dosing System” is currently in preparation for HortScience. Abstract “Determining the Salt Tolerance of Two Penstemons Using a Near-continuous Gradient Dosing System” was accepted by American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) and will be presented at the Annual Conference of ASHS, Orlando, FL, August 9-13, 2020.     <ol start="8"> <li>Develop production guidelines to adjust nutrient programs to non-peat-based substrates</li> </ol>   NE Part of developing guidelines for growing plants in soilless systems involves knowing when plants are getting enough nutrients. To that end, we conducted experiments, over 2 years, to visually and quantitatively identify micronutrient element deficiency - specifically iron, manganese and zinc in purple leaf basil as compared to green leaf basil. The experiment design was a split-plot with 4 treatments and the 3 cultivars. The cultivars were ‘Red Rubin’ (a dark purple leaf basil), ‘Italian Large Leaf’ (a green pesto basil) and ‘Aromatto’ (a purple and green –mottled basil). Two hydroponic experiments were conducted under lab conditions and two under greenhouse conditions. Data taken included visual observations, relative greenness (SPAD) measurements and tissue nutrient analysis.   Objective 3: To train growers and students to utilize emerging controlled environment agriculture technologies Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Organize education programs that target CEA growers around the US, our target populations will include Hispanics, Native Americans, and new farmers</li> </ol>   AZ Kacira (co-PI), within NSF-NRT funded project titled “Indigenous Food, Energy, and Water Security and Sovereignty” and in collaboration with Dr. Karletta Chief (PI), continued to educate a cohort graduate students on novel and sustainable off-grid production of safe drinking water, brine management operations, and controlled environment agriculture systems to provide technical solutions for communities, currently with Navajo Nation, challenged to have access to fresh produce and safe drinking water. During this reporting period, Kacira supported and advised 3 graduate students in the project, total of 4 staff members from Dine College and Navajo Technical College were trained on hydroponic crop production during UA-CEAC’s intensive workshop program.   UA-CEAC continued to provide educational opportunities on CEA for new farmers through its 19th Annual Greenhouse Engineering and Crop production Short Course (70 participants, 12 exhibitors), Kacira and Giacomelli were both presenters and organizing committee members. UA-CEAC Intensive Workshops on education of growers producing hydroponics leafy greens (Myles Lewis, Instructor) and tomato crops (Dr. Stacy Tollefson, Instructor) in controlled environments (30 participants). UA-CEAC’s 1st Online Intensive Workshop on Hydroponic Leafy Greens (Lewis and Kacira presenters) was held during June 2020 with 9 industry participants in June 2020.   CT Raudales (SAES, CT) has directly transferred knowledge to over 400 individuals via eight presentations, over 500 individuals via five organized-workshops—of which over 70% indicated increase in knowledge or intention to change a practice— and indirectly transferred knowledge via ten articles in trade magazines (with readerships of 4K-28K individuals). Raudales (SAES, CT) is mentoring one Ph.D. student dedicated to this project and mentored one undergraduate student.   FL A two-day short-course about ‘Greenhouse Ornamental Plant Production’ organized by the USAID’s Partners Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Program was delivered to 20 greenhouse producers in Guatemala City, Guatemala.   MI Coordinated several outreach programs that delivered unbiased, research-based information on producing plants in controlled environments, including the <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/floriculture/expo">Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo</a>, <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/">e GRO</a> and the <a href="http://floriculturealliance.org">Floriculture Research Alliance</a> annual meeting.   Developed a new page on the MSU Extension <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/floriculture/resources">Floriculture & Greenhouse Crop Production</a> website that includes MSU-authored resources on the production of plants in controlled environments, with categories such as “greenhouse temperature management” and “light management in greenhouses & controlled environments”.   NJ Our planned two-day short course titled Greenhouse Crop Production that was scheduled for March 19-20, 2020 was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.   Six-Week Annie’s Project: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe, 128 Blake Hall, Cook Campus, New Brunswick, NJ, and via WebEx to Roseland and Mays’ Landing, NJ, December 3, 2019 – January 21, 2020. Target audiences were women farmers, beginning farmers, and veterans.   OH We organized three workshops during the reporting period as follow: <ul> <li>The 2020 Greenhouse Management Workshop was organized on January 16 and 17, 2020 by Peter Ling and Chieri Kubota with 79 participants (including 19 online). This year’s focus was ‘Sustainable & Safe Crop Production’ covering both ornamental and vegetable crops delivering basics of plant physiology, engineering physics, plant pathology, entomology, and food safety.</li> <li>A “Plant Empowerment Workshop Online” was organized on July 9 and 10, 2020 by Chieri Kubota with 215 participants. This workshop is to introduce the integrative approach of greenhouse climate management to reduce the use of energy and other resources.</li> <li>Three private online one-day workshops were offered to 5 participants to learn basics of physiology and technologies of soilless strawberry and tomato production.</li> <li>On-demand lectures were offered to cover basics of ‘psychrometrics and moist air’, ‘leaf energy balance’ and ‘greenhouse energy balance’ to 6 participants.</li> </ul> TX First urban agriculture -controlled environment conference was held in December 2019 with nearly 60 participants.  Positive feedback was received (see impact statements).     <ol start="2"> <li>Publish a hydroponic production book and an eight-part article series on urban agriculture</li> </ol>   NJ Two recently published articles are closely related to this effort: Gomez, C., C.J. Currey, R.W. Dickson, H.J. Kim, R. Hernandez, N.C. Sabeh, R.E. Raudales, R.G. Brumfield, A. Laury-Shaw, A.K. Wilke, R.G. Lopez, and S.E. Burnett. 2019. Controlled Environment Food Production for Urban Agriculture. HortScience 54(9):1448–1458. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14073-19">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14073-19</a>. Brumfield, R.G. and C. Singer. 2018. Economics of Urban Ag: Targeting high-value, niche markets or products, and adapting a social business model can help urban greenhouses derive profit. Produce Grower. October 2018: 18-20. <a href="https://www.producegrower.com/article/economics-urban-ag-agriculture-series-rutgers-university/">https://www.producegrower.com/article/economics-urban-ag-agriculture-series-rutgers-university/</a>.      <ol start="3"> <li>Enhance undergraduate research training in the area of controlled environment plant production to prepare the students for independent studies</li> </ol>   AZ Gene Giacomelli has hired, trained educated and/or advised 19 undergraduate students working on grant supported research projects to learn and be competent in CEA hydroponic crop production systems design and operations. Kacira mentored 4 undergraduate students, one working on a low-cost vapor pressure deficit sensing unit integrated with a microcontroller, and others evaluating lettuce crop yield and quality in NFT based hydroponic production systems.   FL A new ‘Controlled Environment Plant Production’ course is being offered at the University of Florida, co-taught by the Departments of Environmental Horticulture and Agriculture and Biological Engineering, covering topics about plant production and physiology, engineering, and economic aspects of CEA.   A new course ‘Controlled Environment Systems Design’ is in development and will be available in Spring 2021 taught by Ying Zhang in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The course will provide a concentrated study of design criteria, analysis techniques, and new technologies for plant production under controlled environments. Greenhouse operation and management techniques including CO2 enrichment, irrigation and fertigation, and sensing and control will be introduced to students in the course.   NJ We have been actively pursuing various funding opportunities to restart our instructional and research efforts in controlled environment plant production systems.   OH During this reporting year: <ul> <li>Four undergraduate students were engaged in controlled environment research programs in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.</li> <li>Ten undergraduate students were engaged in controlled environment plant production research programs in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering.</li> </ul>     <ol start="4"> <li>Submit at least three grants to enhance our collaboration within the team</li> </ol>   AZ Kacira has continued to collaborate with several colleagues in NE-1835 team who are part of the USDA-AFRI/SCRI funded project OptimIA: Optimizing Indoor Agriculture for leafy green production   FL Celina Gómez (UF) and Stephanie Burnett (UMaine) submitted a grant to the USDA Higher-Education Challenge grant program to seek funding for the development of virtual field trips for CE-related courses (not funded).   NJ None. We are already collaborating with colleagues at other institutions as part of the USDA-NIFA SCRI project LAMP and the GLASE project.   OH USDA SCRI grant proposal to develop key technologies for indoor agriculture was submitted and funded for 2019-2013. The collaboration team includes Michigan State University, Purdue University and University of Arizona. Project website: <a href="http://scri-optimia.org/">http://scri-optimia.org/</a>       Other accomplishments you want to report that do not necessarily relate to the NE-1835 Multistate Research Project objectives:   AZ UA-CEAC was approved by the University of Arizona to be “essential” operation and has continued its activities during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Throughout pandemic, faculty, staff, and students at the UA-CEAC have banded together to serve our local communities to provide fresh produce including Arizona’s Indigenous peoples in Navajo Nation, food bank, campus pantry, and various refugee groups.   MI Principal investigator and Extension co-coordinator in a new, four-year project supported by the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative entitled “<a href="http://www.scri-optimia.org">Improving the profitability and sustainability of indoor leafy-greens production</a>”, in collaboration with colleagues at Arizona, Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, and the USDA-ARS.   M.S. student Annika Kohler and Roberto Lopez quantified how air and root-zone temperature influence rooting and morphology of cold-tolerant, cold-intermediate, and cold-sensitive bedding plants and herbs. The results indicate that un-rooted cutting responses to air and root-zone temperature are species-dependent. Most cold-tolerant species can be propagated with air average daily temperatures and root-zone temperatures of 16 °C and 21 to 24 °C, respectively, without sacrificing plant quality or delaying rooting.   NJ Professor emeritus William (Bill) J. Roberts passed away on May 21, 2020 at the age of 88. Bill is perhaps best known for the invention of the air-inflated, double-layer polyethylene film system for covering the roof of a greenhouse. In 2004, the site of the original greenhouse at Rutgers University was designated as ASABE’s 44th National Historic Landmark. Bill was a longtime contributor to our committee and retired in 1999. He will be especially remembered for his warm personality that included many hugs, jokes, and stories. We are working on a repository of Bill’s publications that span his 50-year career in agricultural engineering. We plan to make this repository available online later this year.   Tom Manning, greenhouse engineer and longtime contributor to our committee retired in 2019. He continues to offer consulting services, but is no longer involved with the research and outreach at the NJ Ag Experiment Station.   OH We have improved the performance of a previously developed variable-rate sprayer for greenhouse applications. The new system was found effective and efficient from a deposition study in a commercial greenhouse. The system is 53% and 86% more efficient than the variable-rate system reported by Yan et al. (2019) and the conventional system with a fixed spray rate, respectively.     Impact statement (Note that submitting this statement is mandatory):   AZ <ul> <li>Gene Giacomelli, using the controlled environment changed the future in the development of new varieties of field corn for animal feed. Stefanie Boe, Monsanto Company’s Community Relations/Site Enablement Lead stated that: “The UA-CEAC has been an instrumental partner in developing the necessary technology and capacity to conceive and build our new $100M Marana, Arizona Greenhouse Complex, creating 40 - 60 new local jobs which range from HVAC engineers to plant biologists, and access for others within the company." The Marana facility represents a highly automated greenhouse hydroponic crop production system for the continuous yearly production of seed corn for breeding new varieties. Future benefits to the farmer include new breeding lines, developed up to 3 years faster (7 rather than 10 years), that ultimately create new corn varieties with attributes farmers will need, such as drought or salt tolerance to meet the effects of climate change. Given that the Monsanto Company supplies 70% of the world’s feed corn production our science and engineering technology will be affecting billions of dollars of the global agricultural economy. This new system recycles all its irrigation water and nutrients for seed corn production, and it requires only 20% of the total amount that is used in field production. Furthermore, with recycling, there is no discharge to the environment of wastewater or plant nutrients. The closed environment of the greenhouse makes IPM [Integrated Pest Management] highly effective for control of pests and diseases, effectively eliminating the need for chemical pesticides.</li> <li>UA-CEAC organized the 19th Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course (March 2020) with ~70 participants. Hands-on workshops were given to attendees during the short course. These workshops included demonstrating hydroponics crop production and systems basics, greenhouse sensors and instrumentation basics with theory and practical use. UA-CEAC Intensive workshops helped to educated about 40 participants, mostly new/beginner CEA growers, on hydroponic crop production and CEA systems.</li> <li>Total of 10 graduate students (five supervised by Giacomelli and five by Kacira), and 23 undergraduate students [19 Giacomelli and 4 Kacira] were educated on hydroponics crop production, greenhouse, and indoor vertical farming-based systems at UA-CEAC.</li> <li>In our research at experimental scale, consideration of various DLI and CO2 concentration injection combinations evaluated and strategies developed, can help achieving energy savings, and the CFD models developed in our research can help improving environmental uniformity with alternative air distribution system hardware and designs and environmental control strategies in indoor vertical farm-based operations.</li> <li>The outcomes and information generated by our research programs at UA-CEAC with the wavelength selective organic photovoltaics based, and quantum dots-based film technologies can lead to innovation and new frontiers for greenhouse covering material alternatives.</li> </ul>   CT <ul> <li>Raudales (SAES, CT) is advancing our understanding of non-chemical alternatives to control pathogens in nutrient solutions and prevent plant disease development. Her team has transferred knowledge directly and indirectly to hundreds of stakeholders. She is currently mentoring one Ph.D student.</li> </ul>   FL <ul> <li>Three courses are available to train students in CEA at the University of Florida (‘Controlled Environment Plant Production’, ‘Hydroponic Systems’, and ‘Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Culture’). All three courses are offered online to support distance education, and the last two are also offered live. Our research findings are presented to our stakeholders through presentations and written publications. Our program targets small-scale growers/consumers with no horticultural background interested in gardening, and commercial growers interested in producing plant material for this market. Research in this area has focused on developing protocols about minimum light inputs, and resilient nutrient management. We are currently evaluating cultivars of fruiting vegetables that will be of high-quality and will grow well in indoor residential environments. We also serve large-scale commercial producers that are interested in indoor farming technologies, particularly for propagating hard-to-root high-value crops that tend to represent significant economic losses when grown in greenhouses. We continue to conduct research to help optimize leafy green production processes for the indoor farming industry.</li> </ul>     ME <ul> <li>Sub-mist propagation systems reduce water applied by 98% compared to traditional, overhead mist propagation systems.</li> </ul>   MI <ul> <li>The Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo, Electronic Grower Resources Online, and The Floriculture Research Alliance meetings delivered unbiased, research-based information to over 3000 greenhouse growers, plus additional growers and marketers of vegetable and fruit crops.</li> <li>Due to increased plant densities during seedling production, fewer inputs per plant are required, creating the potential to increase production efficiency. Faster growth rates can result in reduced production time and increased yields. By understanding and modeling the effect of daily light integral and CO2 concentration on culinary herbs, growers can conduct cost-benefit analysis to increase profitability and group plants with similar daily light integral and CO2 responses in a common environment.</li> </ul>   NE <ul> <li>When leaves of purple basil are deficient in iron, manganese or zinc, they do not display the typical interveinal yellowing (chlorosis) or whole leaf chlorosis. The loss of the deep purple pigment in the leaves is the initial symptom. This should also be true for other purple leaf plants.</li> </ul>   NJ <ul> <li>Nationwide, Extension and NRCS personnel and commercial greenhouse growers have been exposed to research and outreach efforts through various presentations and publications. It is estimated that this information has led to improved designs of controlled environment plant production facilities and to updated operational strategies that saved an average sized (1-acre) business a total of $25,000 in operating and maintenance costs annually. Greenhouse growers who implemented the information resulting from our research and outreach materials have been able to realize energy savings of between 5 and 30%.</li> </ul>   OH <ul> <li>During the reporting year, Ohio reached out to 324 stakeholders and 64 undergraduate and 18 graduate students through educational programs. Two information websites (<a href="https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry">https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry</a> and <a href="https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics">https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics</a>) recorded a total of 892 sessions with 3119 pageviews.</li> </ul>   TX <ul> <li>The second edition of the book “Plant Factory – Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production” (edited and co-authored) has received positive feedback from indoor farming industry and scientific community, which is why we were asked to work on the second edition. The first edition book was published in 2015.</li> <li>Our first conference in “urban agriculture – controlled environment agriculture” at the Dallas Center attracted 60 participants and received positive feedback from many participants. One grower learned how to prevent lettuce tipburn in his hydroponic production from our conference by installing fans to improve air circulation in his greenhouse. Shortly after installing vertical fans, he noticed an immediate stop of tipburn, while the area without fans still had tipburn. The conference provided a platform to growers who introduced each other and thereafter connected with each other for their business purposes.</li> </ul>   UT <ul> <li>Greenhouse and nursery growers will increase their production of stress tolerant plants and the general public will increase their purchase and use of stress tolerant plants in their own landscapes.</li> <li>Selecting salt tolerant plants for greenhouse and nursery production will enhance the competitiveness of the green industry through improved specialty crop quality, reduced culinary water consumption, reduced inputs, and/or increased economic returns.</li> <li>Increasing the knowledge about whole plant responses to water stress will allow us to promote the use of stress tolerant plants for water-efficient landscaping for water conservation.</li> </ul>

Publications

Annual Meeting Virtual Meeting, Hosted by University of Florida via Zoom August 3rd, 2020   Multistate Research Project Annual Station Publications Report   PROJECT NUMBER:             NE-1835           TITLE:                                    Resource Optimization in Controlled Environment Agriculture   PROJECT DURATION:         October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2023   EXPERIMENT STATION:    Arizona, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio (OSU and USDA-ARS, Toledo), Texas, Utah   PARTICIPANTS:                   AZ: Gene Giacomelli and Murat Kacira, CT: Rosa Raudales, FL: Celina Gomez, Ying Zhang, and Marlon Cordero, ME: Stephanie Burnett, MI: Roberto Lopez and Kellie Walters, NE: Ellen Paparozzi, NJ: AJ Both, and Robin Brumfield, OH: Chieri Kubota, Peter Ling, Jennifer Boldt, and Kale Harbick, TX: Genhua Niu, UT: Youping Sun     REPORTING PERIOD:         April 15, 2019 – July 31, 2020   REPORT DATE:                    August 3, 2020   PUBLICATIONS:   Dissertations, Theses (Published):   AZ Allgeyer, Allie. 2020. Evaluating Mini Tomato Production in a Closed Loop Hydroponic System. Professional Science Master’s Thesis, June 2020, Applied Biosciences, CEA Track, GIDP, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. [Advisor Gene Giacomelli] Heintz, Robert. 2020. Curative Peracetic Acid Treatment for Reuse of Organic Hydroponic Substrates. Professional Science Master’s Thesis, March 2020, Applied Biosciences, CEA Track, GIDP, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. [Advisor Gene Giacomelli] Parrish, Charles. 2020. Quantum Dots Optimize Spectral Quality to Enhance Crop Yield in Controlled Environments. Professional Science Master’s Thesis, July 2020, Applied Biosciences, CEA Track, GIDP, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. [Advisor Gene Giacomelli] Recsetar, Matthew. 2019. Design and Performance of a Hydroponic Bioreactor for Removing Emerging Contaminants from Wastewater Effluent. PhD Dissertation, July 2019, Biosystems Engineering Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. [Advisors Joel Cuello and Kevin Fitzsimmons] Zhang, Ying. 2019. Improving Climate Uniformity and Energy Use Efficiency in Controlled Environment Agriculture. PhD Dissertation, November 2019, Biosystems Engineering Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. [Advisor Murat Kacira]   MI Craver, J.K. (Ph.D.) 2019. Manipulating light quality, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration to optimize indoor and greenhouse production of annual bedding plant seedlings.   NJ Li, Y. 2020. The effects of Silicon nutrition on hydroponically grown lettuce, bok choy, and basil. Ph.D. Dissertation. Rutgers University Libraries. 219 pp. (A.J. Both served as major advisor)   OH Gillespie, D.P. 2019. Influence of Nutrient Solution pH on Hydroponic Basil and Spinach Plant Growth, Nutrient Concentration, and Pythium Disease Incidence and Severity. Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science. The Ohio State University., Columbus, OH, MS Thesis. McKean, T.W. 2019. Effects of Soilless Substrate Systems and Environmental Conditions on Yield, Total Soluble Solids, and Titratable Acidity of Greenhouse Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science. The Ohio State University., Columbus, OH, MS Thesis. Ertle, J.M. 2020. Effects of Short-term Chilling Stress on Seedling Quality and Post-transplanting Growth of Grafted and Nongrafted Watermelon. Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science. The Ohio State University., Columbus, OH, MS Thesis.     Books (Published): TX Kozai, T., G. Niu, and M. Takagaki (eds.). 2019. Plant factory: An Indoor Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production. Academic Press, Elsevier Publisher, Second Edition, pp. 487. Book Chapters (Published):   AZ Afterward written by G. Giacomelli for the 10th anniversary edition of The Vertical Farm by Dickson Despommier 2020. Forward written by G. Giacomelli in Growing by Plant Empowerment by P.A.M Geelen, J.O. Voogt and P.A.M. van Weel. 2019.   CT Raudales RE, PR Fisher, N Mattson. Water Quality CH1 in: Ball Red Book 19th Edition (in press)   NJ Shelford, T.J. and A.J. Both. 2020. Plant production in controlled environments. In Introduction to Biosystems Engineering, N.M. Holden, M.L. Wolfe, J.A. Ogejo, and E.J. Cummins (Eds.). Published by ASABE in association with Virginia Tech Publishing. 28 pp.   OH Kubota, C. 2019. Understanding crop responses to controlled climates in greenhouses. Chapter 7. (P.205-223) In: (L.F.M. Marcelis and E. Heuvelink eds.) Achieving sustainable greenhouse cultivation. Burleigh Dodds Science, Cambridge, UK.   TX Dou, H. and G. Niu. 2019. Plant responses to light. In: Plant Factory: An Indoor Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production, T. Kozai, G. Niu, and M. Takagaki (eds.), pp. 153-166. Academic Press, Elsevier Publisher, Second Edition. Kozai, T. and G. Niu. 2019. Role of plant factory with artificial lighting (PAFL) in urban areas, In: Plant Factory: An Indoor Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production, T. Kozai, G. Niu, and M. Takagaki (eds.), pp. 7-34. Academic Press, Elsevier Publisher, Second Edition. Kozai, T. and G. Niu. 2019. Plant factory as a resource-efficient closed plant production system. In: Plant Factory: An Indoor Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production, T. Kozai, G. Niu, and M. Takagaki (eds.), pp. 93-115. Academic Press, Elsevier Publisher, Second Edition. Niu, G., T. Kozai, and N. Sabeh. 2019. Physical environmental factors and their properties. In: Plant Factory: An Indoor Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production, T. Kozai, G. Niu, and M. Takagaki (eds.), pp. 185-195. Academic Press, Elsevier Publisher, Second Edition. Kozai, T. and G. Niu. 2019. Challenges for the next generation PFAL. In: Plant Factory: An Indoor Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production, T. Kozai, G. 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ICES-2019-258. Staats, K., I. Molavanov, J. Adams, J. Deleeuw, K. Morgan, G. Schoberth, T. Curry, G.A. Giacomelli, 2019. An agent-based model for high-fidelity ECLSS and bioregenerative simulation. 49th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 7-11 July 2019, Boston, Massachusetts. ICES-2019-258. Montoya, A.P., M. Kacira, F.A. Obando. 2020. Design and implementation of a low-cost microcontroller in controlled environment agriculture. ActaHorticulturae. 1279: 287-294. Zhang, Y., and M. Kacira. 2019. Enhancing Resource Use Efficiency in Plant Factory. ActaHorticulturae, 1271: 307-313   FL Freyre, R., S. Flores, C. Gómez and P.R. Fisher. 2019. Evaluation of ginger as a greenhouse crop. Acta Hort. 1251:119–124. Zhang, Y. and Kacira, M. (2020). "Enhancing Resource Use Efficiency in Plant Factory," Acta Horticulturae, 1271, 307-314   Popular (Trade Journal) Articles (Published):    AZ Giacomelli, G. and E. Roth, 2020. Feeding the World with Controlled Environments. Agritecture blog post, July 16. Giacomelli, G. 2020. The Critical Technologies That Sparked the CEA Revolution. Agritecture blog post, July 16. CT Raudales RE. 2020. Match the filter to the problem. e-Gro Alert 9(15):1-5 Raudales RE. 2020. Surface disinfectant for use against SARS-CoV-2. <a href="http://e-gro.org/pdf/E507.pdf">E-Gro Edible: 5(07):14</a> Raudales RE. 2020. Test & adjust nutrient in hydroponics. <a href="http://e-gro.org/pdf/E503.pdf">e-Gro Edible 5(3): 1-4</a> Raudales RE. 2020. Three steps to ensure water quality for greenhouse crops. Greenhouse Grower, February: <a href="https://www.greenhousegrower.com/technology/3-steps-to-ensure-water-quality-for-greenhouse-crops/">https://www.greenhousegrower.com/technology/3-steps-to-ensure-water-quality-for-greenhouse-crops/</a> Raudales RE. 2020. The trigonometry of root rot diseases. GrowerTalks. <a href="https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/gt_20_02/index.aspx">February: 68-69</a> McGehee, C.S., R.E. Raudales, L. Pundt. Put a hold on gray mold. Produce Grower. December 2019. Raudales RE. 2019. Three reasons pursuing work-life balance should be your priority. Greenhouse Grower, November. 2019. McGehee CS, RE Raudales. 2019. Put a hold on gray mold. Produce Grower Magazine: December: <a href="http://magazine.producegrower.com/article/december-2019/pest-and-disease-put-a-hold-on-gray-mold.aspx">http://magazine.producegrower.com/article/december-2019/pest-and-disease-put-a-hold-on-gray-mold.aspx</a> Cabrera JC, RE Raudales. 2019. The insoluble iron issue. Greenhouse Grower Magazine: July 2019. <a href="https://www.greenhousegrower.com/technology/how-to-address-insoluble-iron-issues-in-the-greenhouse/">https://www.greenhousegrower.com/technology/how-to-address-insoluble-iron-issues-in-the-greenhouse/</a> Fisher P, G Grant, R Raudales. 2019. Clean up your water with carbon filtration. GPN Magazine: 32-36   FL <ol start="2019"> <li>Fisher, C. Gómez, M. Poudel, and E. Runkle. 2019. 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Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) carbon dioxide injection. Produce Grower:26−28. Lopez, R.G. 2020. LED supplemental lighting providing red and blue radiation = purple leaves on some young plants. e-GRO edible Alert 5(11):1‒5. Hausbeck, M., B. Harlan, and R.G. Lopez. 2020. 2020 Impatiens downy mildew refresher: Use fungicides preventively. e-GRO eAlert 9(21):1‒5. Behe, B.K. and R.G. Lopez. 2020. Retail garden center and florist strategies to sell in the current environment. e-GRO Alert 9(19):1‒6. Lopez, R.G. 2020. Tips for rooting difficult or slow-to-root cuttings. e-GRO Alert 9(4):1‒5. Lopez, R.G., R. Heins, E.S. Runkle, and H. Lindberg. 2020. Tips for holding greenhouse crops during COVID-19 restrictions. e-GRO Alert 9(24):1‒6. <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/jeremy_jubenville">Jubenville</a>, J., B.K. Behe, R.G. Lopez and H. Lindberg. 2020. Garden center retail survival strategy series: Overcoming challenges with a holistic approach. Michigan State University Floriculture Extension News. April 9, 2020. <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/garden-center-retail-survival-strategy-series-overcoming-challenges">https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/garden-center-retail-survival-strategy-series-overcoming-challenges</a> Hausbeck, M. and B. Harlan, and R.G. Lopez. 2020. Don’t let downy mildew on impatiens surprise you. Michigan State University Floriculture Extension News. April 9, 2020. <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/dont-let-downy-mildew-on-impatiens-surprise-you">https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/dont-let-downy-mildew-on-impatiens-surprise-you</a> Runkle, E.S., R.D. Heins, and R.G. Lopez. 2020. Holding greenhouse crops – When temperature and PGRs don’t suffice. Michigan State University Floriculture Extension News. April 16, 2020.<a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/holding-greenhouse-crops-when-temperature-and-pgrs-don-t-suffice">https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/holding-greenhouse-crops-when-temperature-and-pgrs-don-t-suffice</a> Lindberg, H., J. Jubenville, W.G. Owen, R.G Lopez, E.S. Runkle and B.K. Behe. 2020. Resources for greenhouse growers, florists and retailers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Michigan State University Floriculture Extension News. April 20, 2020. <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/resources-for-greenhouse-growers-florists-and-retailers-during-the-covid-19-pandemic">https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/resources-for-greenhouse-growers-florists-and-retailers-during-the-covid-19-pandemic</a> Lindberg, H., Jubenville, J., B.K. Behe, and R.G. Lopez. 2020. Garden center retail survival strategy series: Thinking through the shopping experience. Michigan State University Floriculture Extension News. April 20, 2020. <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/garden-center-retail-survival-strategy-series-thinking-through-the-shopping-experience">https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/garden-center-retail-survival-strategy-series-thinking-through-the-shopping-experience</a>   Lindberg, H., Jubenville, J., B.K. Behe, and R.G. Lopez. 2020. Garden center retail survival strategy series: Marketing and merchandizing. Michigan State University Floriculture Extension News. April 20, 2020. <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/garden-center-retail-survival-strategy-series-marketing-and-merchandizing">https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/garden-center-retail-survival-strategy-series-marketing-and-merchandizing</a> Jubenville, J., B.K. Behe, R.G. Lopez and H. Lindberg. 2020. Garden center retail survival strategy series: Communicating in extraordinary times. Michigan State University Floriculture Extension News. April 20, 2020. <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/garden-center-retail-survival-strategy-series-communicating-in-extraordinary-times">https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/garden-center-retail-survival-strategy-series-communicating-in-extraordinary-times</a> Kohler, A.E. and R.G. Lopez. 2020. How adding far-red radiation to supplemental lighting affects plugs. Greenhouse Grower 38(12):61–62. R.G. Lopez and C. Garcia. 2020. Beyond red and blue radiation: Explore the efficacy of LED supplemental lighting for high-wire vegetable transplants. Produce Grower 18–21.   NJ Both, A.J. 2019. Revisiting the measurement of light. GLASE Technical Article Series. Available at: <a href="https://glase.org/">https://glase.org/</a>   OH Wicks, Mary and Peter Ling. 2019. Sustainable and Safe Greenhouse Crop Production. Ohio Country Journal, Mid-December issue. October issue. Ling, Peter and Mary Wicks. 2019. Space Age Crop Production on Planet Earth. Ohio Country Journal, Mid-December issue. UT Paudel, A., J. Chen, and Y. Sun. 2019. Determining the salt tolerance of two penstemon species using a near-continuous gradient dosing system. Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society 78:29-35. Chen, J. and Y. Sun. 2019. Evaluating physiological responses of viburnums species to salinity stress. PP system application note. <https://ppsystems.com/application-notes>.   Presentations (Papers):    AZ Gellenbeck S., Pryor B., and Giacomelli G. 2019, Mushrooms on Mars: A Subsystem for Human Life Support, 49th International Conference on Environmental Systems, July 2019, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Giacomelli, G., S. Gellenbeck and B. Pryor; 2019. Mushrooms on Mars project. Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), Dubai, UAE, (Invited) Giacomelli, G, 2019. Seed Breeding panel Indoor AgCon 2019, with Aaron Crawford, Bayer Crop Science, Stacy Davis, Germains Seed, Kimberly Kuden, Sakata Seed. (Invited) Giacomelli, G GreenSys 2019 Conference, Angers, France. Ebb and Flood Nutrient Delivery System for Sustainable Automated Crop Production. Giacomelli, G, C. Parrish, S. Gellenbeck and KC Shasteen, 2019. Mars-Lunar Greenhouse - 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, 19th July. Poster and booth display at special commemoration event at the University of Arizona Lunar & Planetary Lab. Kacira, M. 2019. Climate Management and Control in Controlled Environment Agriculture Systems. 3rd International Congress on Controlled Environment Agriculture, Nov 6-8, Panama City, Panama. (Invited) Kacira, M. 2019. Climate Control in Vertical Farming. 1st International Workshop on Vertical Farming, Oct. 13-15, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. (Invited) Kacira, M. 2019. Engineering Challenges and Opportunities in CEA. USDA-NIFA AzCEA Workshop, Sep. 9-12, Biosphere 2, Tucson, AZ. (Keynote) Kacira, M. 2019. Environmental Uniformity and Climate Control in Plant Factory with Artificial Lighting. Indoor AgCafé, hosted by Ohio State University, April 23. (Invited) CT McGehee CS, RE Raudales (2020) Characterization of oomycetes and fungi from the substrate of marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) plants. 79th Annual Meeting of the Northeast Division of the American Phytopathological Society.12 March 2020. Northampton, MA. Award to Best Graduate Oral Presentation Arrunategui M, CS McGehee, RE Raudales (2020) Efficacy of biological fungicides against Pythium root rot of Cannabis sativa. 79th Annual Meeting of the Northeast Division of the American Phytopathological Society.12 March 2020. Northampton, MA (Poster).   FL Gómez, C. 2020. Indoor propagation research and education needs, webinar presented during the GLASE Consortium Webinar Series on July 23, 2020. <ol start="2020"> <li> Gómez. 2020. Indoor home gardening, webinar presented during the Orange County Extension Master Gardener Lunch 'N' Learn series on May 20, 2020.</li> </ol> Gómez, C. 2019. Physiological disorders in Controlled Environments. Plant Health on The Go! Apopka, FL. Gómez, C. 2019. The ‘ultimate’ plug. Vertifarm, Wageningen, The Netherlands. (poster pitch and poster) Gómez, C. 2019. The ‘ultimate’ plug. USDA NIFA ‘Controlled Environment Indoor and Vertical Food Production Coordinated Research Conference’, Tucson, AZ. ME Sanchez, O., S. Burnett, and B.J. Peterson. 2019. Photosynthesis of cuttings propagated in overhead mist, submist, and a combination system. HortScience 54:202. Machesney, L.M., S. Burnett, and B.J. Peterson. 2019. Effects of commercial fertilizers and mycorrhizal inoculants during commercial production of ‘Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil’. HortScience 54:292.   MI Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2019. The influence of average daily temperature and daily light integral on growth, development, and color of purple basil, sage, and spearmint. HortScience, 54(9), S75. Walters, K.J., B.K. Behe, and R.G. Lopez. 2019. Consumer sensory preferences in response to manipulating fresh basil flavor through controlled environment light, temperature, and carbon dioxide management. HortScience, 54(9), S90. Second Place Award Kohler, A.E. and R.G. Lopez. 2019. Short duration prior-to-shipping cooling and red and blue radiation enhances foliage color of ornamental cabbage and kale. ISHS International symposium on advanced technologies and management for innovative greenhouses. Meeting, 16−20 June, 2019. Angers, France. Lopez, R.G., A.J. Soster, and K.J. Walters. 2019. Supplemental lighting providing blue radiation induces flowering of long-day perennials. ISHS International symposium on advanced technologies and management for innovative greenhouses. Meeting, 16−20 June, 2019. Angers, France. Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2019. Temperature and daily light integral influence growth and development of sweet basil. ISHS International symposium on advanced technologies and management for innovative greenhouses. Meeting, 16−20 June, 2019. Angers, France. Kohler, A.E. and R.G. Lopez. 2019. Enhancing foliage color of ornamental cabbage and kale with prior-to-shipping light and temperature treatments in coolers. NCERA 101: Committee on Controlled Environment Technology and Use Annual Meeting. 14-17 Apr., 2019. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.   NE Meyer, G. E., E. T. Paparozzi, Erin Stevens.  2020. Classification of Plant Moisture Conditions Using Canopy and Leaf Temperature Responses to Step Changes of Incident Radiation. ASABE paper 2001085. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. 16 pp.   NJ Brumfield, R.G., D. Greenwood, M. Flahive DiNardo, A. Rowe, J. Zientek, R. VanVranken, J. Heckman, M. Melendez, L. Lawson, N. Polanin, A.J. Both, A. Rouff, and M. Taylor. 2020. Annie’s Project: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe. Presented Virtually at the Extension Risk Management Educators National Conference, April 1-2, 2020. Brumfield, R.G., B. Özkan, and E. Ilbasmis. 2020. A profile of women farmers who participated in Empowering Women Farmers with Agricultural Business Management Training (EMWOFA) training program. Paper accepted for presentation at the 2020 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Virtual, August 9-13, 2020. Gottlieb, P.D., R.G. Brumfield, and R. Cabrera. 2020. Estimating the private return for water recycling investments at nurseries: multiple simulations using the beta version of an online computer tool. Paper accepted for presentation at the 2020 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Virtual, August 9-13, 2020. Brumfield, R.G., P. Gottlieb, and R. Cabrera. 2019. Recycling irrigation water at New Jersey nurseries: Creation of a comprehensive decision-making system. Paper Presented at the 2019 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Las Vegas, NV, July 21-25, 2019. <a href="https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2019/oral/papers/index.cgi?username=31189&password=143123">https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2019/oral/papers/index.cgi?username=31189&password=143123</a>.   Brumfield, R.G., B. Özkan, and E. Ilbasmis. 2019. Empowering women greenhouse owners in Antalya, Turkey by teaching them best management practices. Paper Presented at the 2019 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Las Vegas, NV, July 21-25, 2019. <a href="https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2019/oral/papers/index.cgi?username=31201&password=242815">https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2019/oral/papers/index.cgi?username=31201&password=242815</a>.  Brumfield, R.G., B. Özkan, and R. Vezne. 2019. Using Workbooks and E-Learning Videos using adult learning techniques to help Small Scale Vegetable Farmers better manage their farms. Presented at the Extension Risk Management Educators National Conference, Louisville, KY, April 3-4, 2019. <a href="https://agrisk.umn.edu/Conferences/Presentation/using_workbooks_and_elearning_videos_using_ad">https://agrisk.umn.edu/Conferences/Presentation/using_workbooks_and_elearning_videos_using_ad</a>.   OH Ling, Peter. 2019. Greenhouse Environmental Control - basics. Workshop for K-12 Educators. Wooster, OH. 6/12/2019. Ling, Peter. 2019. Greenhouse Control – aerial environment. Workshop for K-12 Educators. Wooster, OH. 6/13/2019. Ling, Peter. 2020. Greenhouse temperature & humidity management. Greenhouse Management Workshop. Wooster, OH. 1/16/2020. Ling, Peter. 2020. Greenhouse balance of energy, water and CO2. Greenhouse Management Workshop. Wooster, OH. 1/16/2020.   UT Chen, J. and Y. Sun. (2019, July 24). Comparing the salt tolerance of three landscape plants using near-continuous gradient dosing system, Annual Conference of ASHS, Las Vegas, NV. Hershkowitz, <a href="https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2019/meetingapp.cgi/Person/38881">J.</a> and Y. Sun. (2019, July 24). Salt tolerance of five spirea species. Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Las Vegas, NV. Palmer, A. and Y. Sun. (2019, July 23). Responses of four ornamental grasses to saline irrigation water, Annual Conference of American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Las Vegas, NV. Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. (2019, July 24). Salt tolerance of Sego Supreme™ plants, Annual Conference of ASHS, Las Vegas, NV.       Other Creative Works:   AZ Giacomelli, G. Panel member for the FY2019 USDA-NIFA-AFRI Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural Production Systems (A1102) program. Giacomelli, G. Design/Operations assistance for the Roof Top Greenhouse to Todd Miley, Executive Director Student Union Memorial Center. FL Peer-reviewed Extension Publications in the Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS) J.A. Watson, C. Gómez, D.E. Buffington, R.A. Bucklin, R.W. Henley, and D.B. McConnell. 2019. Heating greenhouses. UFL Ag. Bio. Eng. Dept. AE11 <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae015">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae015</a>   J.A. Watson, C. Gómez, D.E. Buffington, R.A. Bucklin, R.W. Henley, and D.B. McConnell. 2019. Greenhouse ventilation. UFL Ag. Bio. Eng. Dept. AE10 <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae030">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae030</a> J.A. Watson, C. Gómez, R.A. Bucklin, J.D. Leary, D.B. McConnell, and E.G. Wilkerson. 2019. Fan and pad greenhouse evaporative cooling systems UFL Ag. Bio. Eng. Dept. CIR1135 <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae069">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae069</a>  Gómez, C. 2020. Visited six commercial farms in Guatemala and provided individual best production practice recommendations as part of the ‘Greenhouse Ornamental Commission’ organized by the USAID’s Partners Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Program. NJ Both, A.J. 2020. High tunnel design and control. Abstract in the Proceedings of the 65th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show. Atlantic City, NJ. February 4. Lewus, D.C. and A.J. Both. 2020. Using CFD to improve high tunnel ventilation. Abstract in the Proceedings of the 65th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show. Atlantic City, NJ. February 4. Lubna, F. and A.J. Both. 2020. Poster: Life cycle assessment (LCA) of supplemental lighting systems used for controlled environment crop production. Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soils Conference. Philadelphia, PA. January 6-9. Mattson, N. and A.J. Both. 2020. Horticultural lighting systems energy-savings calculations. GLASE Webinar. February 20. Available at: https://glase.org/resources/webinars/ Both, A.J. 2019. Greenhouses: An overview. Presentation for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in East Orange, NJ. May 3. Both, A.J., K. Demchak, E. Hanson, C. Heidenreich, G. Loeb, L. McDermott, M, Pritts, and C. Weber. 2019. High tunnel production guide for raspberries and blackberries. Available at: https://www.tunnelberries.org/   OH Website and social media <ul> <li>Kubota Lab (Controlled Environment Plant Physiology and Technology): <a href="http://u.osu.edu/cepptlab">http://u.osu.edu/cepptlab</a></li> <li>Hydroponics / Soilless Culture Information</li> </ul> <a href="https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics">https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics</a> <ul> <li>Controlled Environment Berry Production Information</li> </ul> <a href="https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry">https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry</a> <ul> <li>Facebook for Controlled Environment Plant Physiology and Technology Lab: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CEPPTLAB/">https://www.facebook.com/CEPPTLAB/</a></li> <li>Indoor Ag Science Café YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwIeYlKrzH_uppaf2SwMIg4JyGb7LRXC">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwIeYlKrzH_uppaf2SwMIg4JyGb7LRXC</a></li> </ul>   UT Palmer, A., Y. Wang, and Y. Sun. 2019. Responses of four ornamental grasses to saline irrigation water. HortScience 54(9): S111. Chen, J., Y. Wang, A. Paudel, and Y. Sun. 2019. Comparing the salt tolerance of three landscape plants using near continuous gradient dosing system. HortScience 54(9): S283. Hershkowitz, <a href="https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2019/meetingapp.cgi/Person/38881">J.</a>, L. Li, Y. Wang, Y. Sun, and X. Dai. 2019. Salt tolerance of five spirea species. HortScience 54(9): S290. Paudel, A., S. Guo, J. Chen, Y. Wang, Y. Sun, L. Rupp, and R. Anderson. 2019. Salt tolerance of Sego SupremeTM plants. HortScience 54(9): S283.       Workshop Sponsor:   AZ Giacomelli, G., M. Kacira and J. Ruiz, 2019. USDA-NIFA AzCEA Conference Indoor Agriculture, Sept 9 – 12, Biosphere 2. Tucson, AZ. Kacira, M., G. Giacomelli, S. Tollefson, B. Pryor, E. Worth. 2020. 19th Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course. The University of Arizona, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, March 2020. CT Raudales, RE. L, Pundt. Tomato Production in Soilless Media in Greenhouses: Pest & Disease Control. 25 March 2020 (Webinars) Raudales, RE. L, Pundt. Tomato Production in Soilless Media in Greenhouses. 18 March 2020 (Webinars) Pundt L, RE Raudales. Bedding plant meeting. Vernon & Torrington, CT. 7 & 22 February 2018 Raudales RE, CS McGehee. A Week in Hydroponics.3-7 December 2019 (Webinars) Raudales, RE, L Pundt. Water & Nutrient Management for Container Production. New Haven, CT. 11 July 2019   FL Gómez, C. 2020. Two-day short-course about ‘Greenhouse Ornamental Plant Production’ organized by the USAID’s Partners Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Program, Guatemala City, Guatemala.   ME Co-organized the Educational session at the National Floriculture Forum in Charlotte, NC (February 28-29, 2020) with Marc van Iersel   NJ Our annual Greenhouse Crop Production Short Course was cancelled due to COVID-19. It was originally scheduled for March 19-20, 2020. Six-Week Annie’s Project: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe, 128 Blake Hall, Cook Campus, New Brunswick, NJ, and via WebEx to Roseland and Mays’ Landing, NJ, December 3, 2019 – January 21, 2020.   OH See the Ohio accomplishment report <ul> <li>The 2020 Greenhouse Management Workshop was organized by Peter Ling and Chieri Kubota with 106 participants (including 16 online). This year’s focus was ‘Sustainable & Safe Crop Production’ covering both ornamental and food crops. (1/16-17/2020) </li> <li>A new workshop series “Basics of the Greenhouse Environment for K-12 Educators” was offered second time in 2019. The workshop was organized by Uttara Samarakoon, Kimberly Sayers, and Peter Ling with 24 participants. (6/12-13/2019).</li> </ul>   Workshop Participant   AZ Giacomelli, G. 2019. AzCEA Conference Session Moderator, Sept -12. Biosphere 2. Giacomelli, G. 2020. Greenhouse Structures- Glazing and Environmental Control. Presented at 19th UA-CEAC Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March 2-6, Marriott Park University Hotel, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Giacomelli, G. 2020. Greenhouse Energy Conservation Practices. Presented at 19th UA-CEAC Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March 2-6, Marriott Park University Hotel, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Giacomelli, G. 2020. Design, Monitoring and Control of Recirculating Nutrient Delivery Systems. Presented at 19th UA-CEAC Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March 2-6, Marriott Park University Hotel, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Kacira, M. 2020. Monitoring Your Greenhouse Environment: Simple Tools to Technology Trends, Presented at 19th UA-CEAC Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March 2-6, Marriott Park University Hotel, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Kacira, M. 2020. Sensors and Environmental Controls. Hands-on Workshop, 19th UA-CEAC Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March 2-6, Marriott Park University Hotel, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.   CT Raudales RE. 2020. “Clean Surfaces to Prevent Diseases” Cultivate’20 Virtual. 13 July 2020 Raudales RE. 2020. “Recirculation, microbial issues, and treatment systems” Greenhouse Crop Production & Engineering Design Short Course. Tucson, AZ. 3 Mar 2020   Raudales RE. 2020. “Nutrient programs based on analyses of water, nutrient solutions & plant tissue” Greenhouse Crop Production & Engineering Design Short Course. Tucson, AZ. 3 Mar 2020   Raudales RE. “What do growers ask a greenhouse specialist?” Bedding Plant Meeting. Vernon, CT. 10 Feb 2020 Raudales RE. “What do growers ask a greenhouse specialist?” Bedding Plant Meeting. Vernon, CT. 6 Feb 2020 Raudales RE. “Water management in containers: How to train your staff” Connecticut Landscape and Nursery Association Annual Meeting, Plantsville, CT, 23 Jan 2020. Raudales RE. “Manejo de nutrientes y agua en propagación” Plug & Cutting Conference. Raleigh, NC. 5 Sept, 2019 Raudales RE. “Enfermedades de raíz: Diagnóstico y control” Plug & Cutting Conference. Raleigh, North Carolina 5 Sept, 2019 Raudales RE. “Selecting water treatments for control of plant pathogens” Plug & Cutting Conference. Raleigh, North Carolina 5 Sept, 2019 Raudales RE. “Water quality for healthy crops and clean irrigation lines” Plug & Cutting Conference. Raleigh, North Carolina 5 Sept, 2019 Raudales RE. “Testing water quality” Water & Nutrient Management for Container Production. UConn Extension. New Haven, CT. 11 July 2019   FL Gómez, C. 2019. Presenter at the Plant Health on The Go! Workshop, Apopka, FL. Gómez, C. 2019. Panel member for the ‘Production Systems’ session during the ‘Controlled Environment Indoor and Vertical Food Production Coordinated Research Conference’, Tucson, AZ. ME Burnett, S. Integrating Service Learning into Floriculture Classes and Labs. National Floriculture Forum. February 29, 2020. Charlotte, NC. NJ Both, A.J. 2019. Hydroponics: Benefits and risks. Presentation during the Annie’s Project Workshop titled: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe. New Brunswick, NJ. Brumfield, R.G. 2020. Developing a mission/vision statement for your farm. Presentation during the Annie’s Project Workshop titled: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe. New Brunswick, NJ. December 10, 2019 Brumfield, R.G. 2020. Rutgers cost accounting program: A tool to estimate your production costs. Presentation during the Annie’s Project Workshop titled: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe. New Brunswick, NJ. January 7, 2020.   OH See the Ohio accomplishment report Refereed Journal Articles (Pending):   AZ <ol start="2020"> <li>H. Parrish II, D. Hebert, A. Jackson, K. Ramasamy, H. McDaniel, G.A. Giacomelli and M.R. Bergren. 2020. Optimizing spectral quality with quantum dots to enhance crop yield in controlled environments. Manuscript submitted to Communications Biology (COMMSBIO- 20-2162-T) (In review)</li> </ol>   FL Solis-Toapanta, E.G, P.R. Fisher, and C. Gómez. 2020. Effects of nutrient solution management and environment on tomato in small-scale hydroponics. HortTechnology accepted pending revision. Zhang, Y. and Kacira, M. (Forthcoming). "Comparison of energy use efficiency of greenhouse and indoor plant factory system," European Journal of Horticultural Science.   NE Paparozzi, E.T., Z. Li, E. E. Blankenship and M. E. Conley.  Purple leaf basil plants express micronutrient deficiencies symptoms differently than green leaf basil plants. Scientia horticulturae (in review). Paparozzi, E. T. and M. E. Conley. Static Liquid Hydroponic Systems for Teaching. HortTechonolgy (in submission).   NJ Shelford, T., C. Wallace and A.J. Both. 2019. Calculating and reporting key light ratios for plant research. Accepted for publication in Acta Horticulturae. Lewus, D. and A.J. Both. 2019. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to improve high tunnel ventilation. Accepted for publication in Acta Horticulturae. Both, A.J. 2020. Crop irrigation. Chapter submitted for the 19th edition of the Ball Redbook. 4 pp. Both, A.J. 2020. Glazing. Chapter submitted for the 19th edition of the Ball Redbook. 6 pp. Li, Y., J. Heckman, A. Wyenandt, N. Mattson, E. Durner, and A.J. Both. 2020. Potential benefits of Silicon nutrition to hydroponically grown sweet basil. Submitted for review to HortScience. Greenwood, D., R.G. Brumfield, M. Flahive DiNardo, A.J. Both, J.R. Heckman, N. Polanin, A. Rouff, A. Rowe, and R. VanVranken. 2020. Annie’s Project: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe. Submitted for review to the Journal of Extension. Llewellyn, D., T.J. Shelford, Y. Zheng, and A.J. Both. 2021. Measuring and reporting lighting characteristics important for controlled environment plant production. Submitted for review to Acta Horticulturae. (The LightSym meeting in Malmö, Sweden was postponed to 2021). Shelford, T.J., N. Mattson, and A.J. Both. 2021. A greenhouse daily light integral control algorithm that takes advantage of day ahead market electricity pricing. Submitted for review to Acta Horticulturae. (The LightSym meeting in Malmö, Sweden was postponed to 2021).

Impact Statements

UT • Greenhouse and nursery growers will increase their production of stress tolerant plants and the general public will increase their purchase and use of stress tolerant plants in their own landscapes. • Selecting salt tolerant plants for greenhouse and nursery production will enhance the competitiveness of the green industry through improved specialty crop quality, reduced culinary water consumption, reduced inputs, and/or increased economic returns. • Increasing the knowledge about whole plant responses to water stress will allow us to promote the use of stress tolerant plants for water-efficient landscaping for water conservation.

Date of Annual Report: 08/25/2021

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/17/2021 - 08/17/2021
Period the Report Covers: 08/01/2020 - 08/31/2021

Participants

First Name Last Name Affiliation State
Miriam Karlsson University of Alaska - Fairbanks AK
Ryan Dickson University of Arkansas AR
Murat Kacira University of Arizona AZ
Gene Giacomelli University of Arizona AZ
Joshua Craver Colorado State University CO
Rosa Raudales University of Connecticut CT
Qingwu Meng University of Delaware DE
Celina Gomez University of Florida FL
Ying Zhang University of Florida FL
Hye-Ji Kim Purdue University IN
Kim Williams Kansas State University KS
Cary Rivard Kansas State University - Olathe KS
Garrett Owen University of Kentucky KY
John Erwin University of Maryland MD
Stephanie Burnett University of Maine ME
Roberto Lopez Michigan State University MI
Ellen Paparozzi University of Nebraska NE
AJ Both Rutgers University NJ
Robin Brumfield Rutgers University NJ
Michael Timmons Cornell University NY
Neil Mattson Cornell University NY
Chieri Kubota Ohio State University OH
Jennifer Boldt USDA ARS Toledo OH
Kale Harbick USDA ARS Toledo OH
Peter Ling Ohio State University OH
Kellie Walters University of Tennessee TN
Genhua Niu Texas A&M Extension - Dallas TX
Brian Poel Fluence Bioengineering TX
Youping Sun Utah State University UT
Joyce Lattimer University of Vermont VT

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

NE-1835 - 2021 Virtual Meeting Minutes (BP).pdf

Accomplishments

Multistate Research Project Annual Station Accomplishments Report   PROJECT NUMBER:             NE-1835           TITLE:                                    Resource Optimization in Controlled Environment Agriculture   PROJECT DURATION:         October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2023   EXPERIMENT STATION:    Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah   PARTICIPANTS:                   AZ: Gene Giacomelli and Murat Kacira, CO: Joshua Craver, DE: Qingwu Meng, FL: Celina Gomez and Ying Zhang, KS: Kimberly Williams and Cary Rivard, MD: John Erwin, John Lea-Cox, and Diana Cochran, ME: Stephanie Burnett, MI: Roberto Lopez, NE: Ellen Paparozzi, NJ: AJ Both, and Robin Brumfield, NY: Neil Mattson, Tim Shelford, and Nathen Eylands, OH: Chieri Kubota, Peter Ling, Jennifer Boldt, and Kale Harbick, TN: Kellie Walters TX: Genhua Niu, UT: Youping Sun     REPORTING PERIOD:         August 1, 2020 – August 31, 2021   REPORT DATE:                     August 25, 2021   OBJECTIVES (included as a reminder):   <ol> <li>To develop up-to-date water and nutrient as well as energy management guidelines for greenhouse crop production and provide stakeholders with educational opportunities that teach proper implementation at their own facilities.</li> <li>To develop these guidelines using research and development involving sensors and control strategies devised by current team members, and through and future collaborations among team members who may become part of this research project.</li> </ol>   METHODS (please include your activities and accomplishments where appropriate):   Objective 1: To evaluate and develop strategies to improve energy efficiency in controlled environment agriculture Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop recommendations for optimal lamp choices and layouts for greenhouses and indoor production facilities</li> </ol>   CO Colorado State University investigated the impact of end-of-day (EOD) far-red (FR) lighting varying in intensity, red to FR ratio (R:FR), and duration on early leaf expansion of two Petunia ×hybrida (petunia) cultivars, ‘Wave Purple’ and ‘Dreams Midnight’, grown in a greenhouse. An early increase in leaf area may allow for enhanced light capture, and thus increase lighting efficiency as supplemental lighting is often required to produce high quality young plants when natural light levels are low. While leaf area was not impacted, stem length increased for both cultivars under EOD FR applications with the greatest increase observed under lower R:FR ratios and longer EOD lighting duration.   Colorado State University also characterized the timing and extent of acclimation responses to CO2 enrichment for Viola ×wittrockiana (pansy) and Petunia ×hybrida (petunia) using ambient (425 μmol·mol–1) and elevated (1,000 μmol·mol–1) CO2 concentrations in growth chambers. While crops often respond immediately to enriched CO2 concentrations (e.g., increased photosynthesis), this initial response is often not sustained throughout production, reducing the benefit of this input. Increased biomass for both pansy and petunia was observed under the elevated CO2 concentration after four weeks. However, physiological acclimation to the CO2 enrichment was apparent after one week, limiting the potential benefit of this input due to reduced photosynthesis.   Colorado State University investigated the timing and duration and of CO2 enrichment for the production of Viola ×wittrockiana (pansy) and Petunia ×hybrida (petunia) seedlings in growth chambers. Seedlings grown under an elevated CO2 concentration (1,000 μmol·mol–1) were of higher quality and had increased biomass compared to those under an ambient concentration (425 μmol·mol–1). However, no differences in quality or biomass were observed for seedlings grown under an elevated CO2 concentration for four weeks and those grown under ambient for two weeks and elevated for two weeks, suggesting acclimation and that CO2 enrichment is most beneficial during the final week(s) of propagation.   FL We evaluated the use of different off-the-shelf LED fixtures for maintaining high-quality foliage plants indoors in living green wall planters. This project is funded by the National Horticulture Foundation and will results in a peer-reviewed publication and recommendations for interiorscape designers.   NJ We continue to evaluate a variety of lamps for light output, light distribution and power consumption using our 2-meter integrating sphere and a small darkroom. We evaluated the spectral output of a variety of lamp technologies (INC, CFL, CMH, HPS, and LED) and compared various waveband ratios with sunlight. A peer-reviewed publication containing an overview of our measurement results was submitted to a scientific journal (AgriEngineering).   We are also conducting research on the environmental impacts of plant lighting systems. We’re using life cycle analysis calculations to assess various lighting technologies and strategies.   NY Cornell University: Skyscraper farms (a multi-level building with transparent wall to let in sunlight) have been proposed as alternatives to greenhouses (more space use efficient) or warehouse farms (potentially less supplemental light) however previous work has not attempted to model light distribution and supplemental light energy use in skyscraper farms. Using daylight modeling software and Typical Meteorological Year datasets, natural light distribution in a 20-story skyscraper farm for lettuce production in Los Angeles and New York City was modeled. In models without surrounding buildings 13-15% of the light required to meet a 17 mol/m2/d target could be met by sunlight, however when shading from surrounding buildings is considered, natural light can supply as little as 5% of the lighting requirements. Overall skyscraper farms require 4-11 times more electricity for lighting than greenhouses per crop canopy area. Climate control/HVAC of skyscraper farms requires further study – but there do not appear to be substantial energy benefits of skyscraper farms over warehouse farms and there are significantly less benefits than greenhouses.   Cornell University: The electrical grid encounters volatile energy demand based on time of day, season, and weather conditions. In Day Ahead Market Price (DAMP) structure for electricity commercial users agree to use a fluctuating price structure for electricity and are provided with the price structure information a day ahead of time. On average, peak electricity use comes during hot summer days when greenhouses do not need to use supplemental light. A greenhouse supplemental lighting control algorithm was modified to take into account DAMP price structure. Based on an annual simulation, a greenhouse lettuce operation could save more than half of their electricity use costs (real dollar savings but not energy savings) by switching to a DAMP price structure. More work is needed to determine the impact on a whole-systems energy cost.   TX <ul> <li>Texas A&M AgriLife Research continues research on improving energy efficiency in greenhouses and indoor farming. We have conducted the following studies:</li> </ul> <ol> <li>Preharvest lighting treatment with commercially available LED lights. Since supplemental lighting increases production costs significantly, we want to see if preharvest can improve lettuce quality. We used “UV-A” LED (24% UV-A and 76% Blue photons with a peak at 405 nm) and red and blue (RB) LED for preharvest lighting for 2 or 4 days, 12 h/d. Results showed that that preharvest supplemental lighting using UV A/Blue or RB light can increase the growth and nutritional quality of lettuce grown hydroponically. The enhancement of lettuce growth and nutritional quality by the pre-harvest supplemental lighting was more effective under low daily light integral (DLI) compared to a high DLI and tended to be more effective when applied during the night.</li> </ol>   <ol start="2"> <li>Another on-going study is to reduce energy cost for greenhouse temperature control. Heating and cooling the entire greenhouse are energy intensive. We are proposing to cool or heat the nutrient solution instead. For example, heating the solution in winter with a lower air temperature set point can save energy while still producing quality crops in warm climate like Texas. While we have not calculated the energy saving yet, our research has shown promising results.</li> </ol>     <ol start="2"> <li>Improve ventilation alternatives for high-tunnels that result in better cooling in the summer and reduced heat loss in the winter</li> </ol>   NJ We are continuing our work on a comprehensive evaluation of ventilation strategies for high tunnel crop production. We are using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess ventilation rates in high tunnels equipped with several different ventilation configurations. We are also assessing the impact of crop canopies (short and tall) on the ventilation rates in high tunnels.     Objective 2: To reduce fresh water use and evaluate alternative fertilizers and growing substrates for the production of greenhouse crops Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop practical production guidelines to increase the efficiency of organic fertilizers in production of container-grown ornamentals and hydroponically-grown vegetables</li> </ol>   NY Cornell: Organic hydroponic production can represent a value-added production practice however organic fertilization can be quite difficult to development of biofilm that can coat roots and reduce dissolved oxygen availability. Hydrogen peroxide has been used by hobby hydroponics growers to act as a disinfesting agent to reduce biofilm as well as decompose to provide added dissolved oxygen. Hydroponic lettuce was grown with a conventional or organic fertilizer and then given 0, 37.5 or 75 mg/L hydrogen peroxide every 3 days. Plants with conventional fertilizer performed substantially better than organic fertilizer plants in the absence of hydrogen peroxide. With conventional fertilizer both 37.5 and 75 mg/L hydrogen peroxide led to poor plant performance (due to toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide on roots). For organic fertilizer, plants with 37.5 mg/L hydrogen peroxide had biomass that matched conventional control plants at 0 mg/L hydrogen peroxide. Therefore hydrogen peroxide applications may make organic hydroponic fertilization a more viable method in the future. More work is needed to optimize hydrogen peroxide addition rate (smaller concentrations applied more frequently may be more desirable).   TX Organic CEA production methods are still in their infancy and there is extremely limited research-based information. We have been conducting several experiments on comparing conventional vs. organic hydroponic lettuce production with or without application of microbial inoculant using various propagation plugs. Our study showed that hydroponic production with organic fertilizer is feasible and can produce lettuce with yields similar to conventional fertilizer. Also, our results emphasize the importance of a microbial inoculant in conjunction with an organic fertilizer for more effective mineralization and enhanced plant growth. There is also potential for organic hydroponic production to produce high quality crops with increased pigmentation and phytonutrients. We also found that managing organic fertilizer solution with inoculant over multiple growing cycles can be challenging and supplemental organic fertilizers with different macro nutrients such as Ca, K and Mg may be needed to match the need for optimal plant growth. The EC and pH of the organic fertilizer solution can fluctuate widely. More research is needed to better understand the mineralization process of organic fertilizer and the role of microbial inoculants in a nutrient solution for effective organic hydroponic production.     <ol start="2"> <li>Develop practical management guidelines yield and quality of vegetables grown in recirculating hydroponics and aquaponics systems.to improve production efficiency and increase</li> </ol>   AZ Graduate student of Gene Giacomelli, Joe Alcon completed progress producing tomato (truss and cherry), cantaloupe and cucumber within a recirculating top-drip hydroponic nutrient delivery system. He is also producing basil and lettuce within a deep-water culture, floating raft hydroponic system. All crops and both nutrient delivery systems are within a single-bay, gutter-connected, double-wall acyclic covered greenhouse 7.5 x 15.1 m. Crops are produced in high solar radiation, high air temperature and modest VPD conditions to determine the effect on harvest quality and yield compared to standard, optimal conditions. The work is supported by sub-contract to UC-Merced from an INFEWS-T2 NSF grant, whose primary goal is to develop a solar-energized greenhouse for the purification of the salt-laden drainage water from field production agriculture in the Central Valley of California. It will further produce edible vegetable crops while operating at its excessive air temperatures required for desalinization. Wavelength altering properties of quantum dots in plastic film for the improvement of lettuce plant production was continued in collaboration with UbiQD company (Blum, Giacomelli, Bergen).   Kacira, in collaboration with Vulpes Corp., evaluated the effects of carbon nanoparticles on yield and water use efficiency with tomato crop grown hydroponically, and also evaluated the effects on timeliness and quality of tomato seedlings.   Graduate student KC Shasteen in Kacira Lab has developed a machine vision application and implemented a predictive modeling-based system monitoring crop growth and yield to be used in indoor vertical farming system.   MD Studied the impact of hydroponic solution temperatures on growth and yield of herbs that varied in indigenous habitat. Determined that optimal hydroponic solution temperatures varied dramatically.   NY Cornell University: Liquid or solid waste from aquaculture and aquaponic systems can be an important organic source of nutrients in hydroponic production, however the ratio of nutrients is not always balanced to plant needs. The practice of complementing aquaponic water (that is adding additional mineral elements) was tested for hydroponic strawberry and basil production and compared to conventional hydroponics and unamended aquaponic water. Iron deficiency was noted in plants grown in unamended aquaponic water as well as substantially smaller plant size than conventional hydroponic. When aquaponic water was amended with mineral elements to match the concentration of hydroponic water performance of strawberries and basil was similar to conventional hydroponic plants. The work demonstrates that a combination of aquaponic waste water use with amended nutrients may allow growers to use this important waste-stream without compromising plant yield.     OH We have updated a new web-based information resource “Hydroponics / Soilless Culture Info” (<a href="https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics/">https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics/</a>) and posted 16 comprehensive lectures on hydroponics nutrient management. The website was accessed by 368 users (552 sessions) over the past year.     <ul> <li>Nutrient solution dynamics</li> <li>Root-zone dynamics</li> <li>Fertilizer calculation basics</li> <li>Designing nutrient solution and formula 1 & 2</li> <li>Leafy greens – Production systems, species and management</li> <li>Tomato and vine crops – Production systems and management</li> </ul>   We have updated a web-based information resource ‘Controlled Environment Berry Production Information” (<a href="https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry">https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry</a>) that contains the following topics. The website was accessed by 893 users (1,287 sessions) over the past year.   <ul> <li>Planting materials</li> <li>Flowering basics</li> <li>Production systems</li> <li>Productivity (yield)</li> <li>Environment</li> <li>Lighting</li> <li>Fertigation</li> <li>Crop management</li> <li>Automation</li> <li>Disorders</li> <li>IPM</li> <li>Costs</li> <li>Resources</li> </ul>   TN We determined that increasing the daily light integral (DLI) up to 17.3 and 34.6 mol·m–2·d–1 during purple lettuce ‘Teodore’ and green lettuce ‘Rex’ seedling production, respectively, increased fresh mass yield at transplant and after finishing in a common environment for three weeks. We also determined that differences in anthocyanin concentration due to propagation environment did not persist through harvest, but carotenoid concentrations tended to decrease as propagation DLI increased.   TX Using alternative waters for irrigating greenhouse and nursery crops and landscapes can conserve fresh water when no high-quality water is available for irrigation. Alternative waters include municipal reclaimed water and brackish groundwater that have high salt levels, which can cause salt damage or even death on sensitive plants. We assessed salt tolerance of over 200 ornamental species and cultivars including Earth-Kind® roses and Texas Superstar® landscape plants and other commonly used landscape ornamental plants in other regions. Our research results will help nursery and landscape professionals and homeowners to choose appropriate plants for landscapes where low-quality water may be used     <ol start="3"> <li>Develop recommendations for application of flexible wavelength lighting and selective cover materials or shading elements for greenhouses</li> </ol>   AZ Kacira Lab, through Binational Agriculture Research Development funds (BARD) project in collaboration with Volcani Research Center and Triangle Research Center, evaluated the effects of wavelength selective organic photovoltaic film deployed as greenhouse roof covering on growth and yield of tomato crop. Studies conducted both in Israel and UA-CEAC (with Graduate Student Rebekah Waller) have shown higher light use efficiency with OPV covered greenhouse with acceptable crop yield and quality. The project has also determined the power output and efficiency of the OPV films. The overall efficiency of the OPV panels evaluated under the environmental conditions evaluated ranged between 2-4%.   NY Cornell University: In hydroponic production of lettuce, blue light is an important component of the lighting spectrum for high quality pigment production (i.e. making green leaves greener and red-leaf lettuce redder). However, blue light can also cause a plant to be more compact and have lower biomass. A strategy was tested in a controlled environment chamber whereby 80% red and 20% green light was used for most of the crop cycle and then the green light was substituted with red light 0, 2, 4, or 8 days before harvest. Plants with 2 days of blue light had similar green and red pigment as 4 or 8 day plants and did not have a reduced biomass compared to 0 day plants. Therefore 2 days of blue light treatment at the end of the crop cycle may be sufficient to induce pigment (visual) effects without comprising yield for sole-source lettuce production.       <ol start="4"> <li>Develop strategies to reduce water use in propagation of ornamentals and vegetables</li> </ol>   FL We evaluated different daily light integrals for producing compact tomato plants indoors. Water use was recorded for all treatments and will be included in an upcoming publication from one MS student.   KS Published research to optimize propagation of blueberries in hydroponic and soilless substrates: Schwab, J.D., K.A. Williams, and J.J. Griffin. 2021. Asexual propagation by stem cuttings of half-high and low-bush blueberries in soilless substrates. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 39(2):47-51. KRES no. 21-140-J.   MD Lea-Cox, J.D. 2020. Advances in Irrigation Practices and Technology in Ornamental Cultivation. Chapter 12. In: Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Ornamental Plants. M. S. Reid. (Ed.) Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK. This publication was a summary of the past 15-20 years of mine (and others) research. It maps out techniques and strategies that should inform and educate academic and extension colleagues as well as growers as to the options available for increasing irrigation use efficiency and profitability together with reducing the environmental impacts of production practices.   ME The University of Maine continues to work to develop a commercial scale propagation system that will reduce water use. We modified an existing commercial scale submist system, which applied water to the base of cuttings so that it included a small amount of overhead mist. Overhead mist was applied every 10 seconds every 15 minutes for the first two days of propagation, and it was gradually reduced to 10 seconds every 60 minutes. Using submist with a small amount of supplemental overhead mist reduced water applied during propagation by 87% compared to traditional overhead mist (applied overhead 10 seconds every 10 minutes for the duration of the experiment). Cuttings grown in both submist and overhead mist were comparable.   OH We have developed a precision variable rate applicator for greenhouse water and chemical applications. The system determines plant canopy density and apply the precisely right amount accordingly. A spray volume saving of 20.3-89.3% was achieved in 2019. An additional savings of 53% over our 2019 accomplishments was documented in this reporting cycle.     <ol start="5"> <li>Accelerate propagation timing by reducing water use</li> </ol>   FL A new PhD student will develop models to optimize vapor pressure deficit and control in greenhouses and indoor propagation systems to reduce shrinkage and improve growth and quality of hard-to-root young plants (primarily focused on tissue culture transplants and unrooted cuttings).   <ol start="6"> <li>Generate new knowledge about environmental management practices that enhance beneficial microbes in hydroponic solutions</li> </ol>   FL We compared nine commercial biostimulant products to determine their potential at increasing growth and yield of indoor-grown hydroponic lettuce. Results will be described in an upcoming peer-reviewed publication.     <ol start="7"> <li>Develop management guidelines to use low-quality water for irrigating greenhouse crops</li> </ol>   UT Salt tolerance of woody ornamental plants (new) From June to September 2020, Albizia julibrissin (mimosa), Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), Sophora japonica (Japanese pagoda tree), and Gleditsia triacanthos (honeylocust) were evaluated for salt tolerance in a Utah Agricultural Experiment Station (UAES) research greenhouse. Plants were irrigated with a fertilizer solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m-1 (control) or saline solution at an EC of 5.0 dS·m-1 or 10.0 dS·m-1 weekly for three times and subsequently every other day for nine more times. Root zone salinity was monitored after each irrigation event using the pour-through technique described by Cavins et al. (2008). Plant growth, visual quality, relative chlorophyll contents (SPAD readings), and physiological parameters including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency were collected. Environmental data including temperature and solar radiation in the greenhouse were recorded during the experiment.   From January to May 2021, these four plant species were evaluated again in an 8-week experiment. Plants were irrigated weekly with the irrigation solutions described above. Robinia pseudoacacia and Gleditsia triacanthos were not responded well, possible due to dormancy.   One manuscript entitled “Growth, Gas Exchange, and Mineral Nutrient of Albizia julibrissin and Sophora japonica Irrigated with Saline Water” is currently in preparation for HortScience. It was presented at the Graduate Sustainability Research session, the Virtual Intermountain Sustainability Summit, Weber State University, Ogden, UT, March 19, 2021. Abstract “Determining the Salt Tolerance of Woody Ornamental Plants for Landscape Use” was accepted by American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) and will be presented at the Annual Conference of ASHS, Denver, CO, August 8, 2021.   Salt tolerance of ornamental grasses (Update after last report) From July to November 2019, Acorus gramineus ‘Minimus Aureus’ (grassy-leaved sweet flag), Andropogon ternarius ‘Black Mountain’ (split bluestem), Calamagrostis ×acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (reed grass), Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ (Japanese sedge), Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (blue fescue), and Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed) were evaluated for salt tolerance in a UAES research greenhouse. Plants were irrigated with a fertilizer solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m-1 (control) or saline solution at an EC of 5.0 dS·m-1 or 10.0 dS·m-1 every four days for 13 weeks. Root zone salinity was monitored weekly using the pour-through technique described by Cavins et al. (2008). Plant growth, visual quality, relative chlorophyll contents (SPAD readings), and physiological parameters including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency were collected. Environmental data including temperature and solar radiation in the greenhouse were recorded during the experiment. One manuscript entitled “Morphological and Physiological Responses of Ornamental Grasses to Salinity Stress” have been published on HortScience. “Salinity Tolerance of Six Ornamental Grass Species” was presented at the ASHS 2020 Virtual Conference, August 11, 2020.   7.3 Salt tolerance of penstemon plants (Update after last report) From October to April 2020, Penstemon barbatus (golden-beard penstemon) and Penstemon strictus (beardtongue) were screened for salinity tolerance using a near-continuous gradient dosing (NCGD) system in a UAES research greenhouse. Plants were irrigated with saline solutions at eight electrical conductivities (ECs) ranging from 1.0 to 6.7 dS·m-1 for 12 weeks. Plant growth, visual quality, relative chlorophyll contents (SPAD readings), and physiological parameters including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency were collected. Environmental data including temperature and solar radiation in the greenhouse were recorded during the experiment. In addition, plant tissue samples were analyzed for mineral nutrition at Utah State University Analytical Laboratory.   One manuscript entitled “Determining the Salt Tolerance of Two Penstemons Using a Near-continuous Gradient Dosing System” has been published on the Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society. “Determining the Salt Tolerance of Two Penstemons Using a Near-continuous Gradient Dosing System” was presented at the ASHS 2020 Virtual Conference, August 13, 2020.     <ol start="8"> <li>Develop production guidelines to adjust nutrient programs to non-peat-based substrates</li> </ol>     Objective 3: To train growers and students to utilize emerging controlled environment agriculture technologies Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Organize education programs that target CEA growers around the US, our target populations will include Hispanics, Native Americans, and new farmers</li> </ol>   AZ Kacira (co-PI), within NSF-NRT funded project titled “Indigenous Food, Energy, and Water Security and Sovereignty” and in collaboration with Dr. Karletta Chief (PI), continued to educate a cohort graduate students on novel and sustainable off-grid production of safe drinking water, brine management operations, and controlled environment agriculture systems to provide technical solutions for communities, currently with Navajo Nation, challenged to have access to fresh produce and safe drinking water. During this reporting period, Kacira supported and advised 3 graduate students in the project, total of 2 staff members from Dine College and Navajo Technical College were trained on hydroponic crop production during UA-CEAC’s intensive workshop program. Kacira participated (with graduate students Amy Pierce, Jaymus Lee) in the 2021 Virtual Tribal Colleges and Universities Internship event, with educational module development and presentations on controlled environment agriculture food production. UA-CEAC continued to provide educational opportunities on CEA for new farmers through its 20th Virtual Annual Greenhouse Engineering and Crop production Short Course (200+participants, 18 exhibitors). Kacira and Outreach Specialist Ellen Worth were event organizers, and Kacira and Giacomelli were both moderators and presenters. UA-CEAC Intensive Workshops on education of growers producing hydroponics leafy greens (Myles Lewis, Instructor) and tomato crops (Dr. Stacy Tollefson, Instructor) in controlled environments (50 participants). UA-CEAC’s 1st Online Intensive Workshop on Hydroponic Leafy Greens (Lewis and Kacira presenters) was held during June 2020 with 9 industry participants in June 2020.   FL Gómez developed an English/Spanish online lesson for the new ‘Hydroponics’ extension course from the UF/IFAS Extension Greenhouse Training Online Program   MD Helped organize a greenhouse production conference including >6 speakers. This conference had not been held for several years. The audience included new growers. NJ We organized a four-hour virtual workshop on hydroponics and controlled environment crop production as part of the 66th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show.   NY Cornell outreach efforts (presentations/webinars) during the reporting period resulted in training of 777 New York State participants and 255 out-of-state participants.   OH We organized three workshops during the reporting period as follow: <ul> <li>The 2021 Greenhouse Management Workshop was organized on January 27 and 29, 2021 by Peter Ling and Chieri Kubota with 164 online participants. This year’s focus was ‘Improving Production via Listening to Plants’.</li> <li>A “Soilless Strawberry School” was organized on March 26, 2021 by Chieri Kubota and Mark Kroggel with 120 participants.</li> <li>A “Greenhouse Basics” workshop was offered to K-12 teachers on June 15, 2021. The workshop was organized by Uttara Samarakoon and taught by Uttara Samarakoon and Peter Ling to 12 participants.</li> </ul>   TX <ul> <li>we have organized annual controlled environment urban agriculture conferences at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension at Dallas since 2019. These conferences have reached a wide range of audience and benefited growers and other stakeholders.</li> </ul>   <ol start="2"> <li>Publish a hydroponic production book and an eight-part article series on urban agriculture</li> </ol>   FL Gómez and Both (Rutgers University) developed an outline of potential topics and corresponding co-authors to help write a new Hydroponics Textbook.   NJ Efforts related to the publication of a book on hydroponic crop production have stalled due to the increased workload resulting from the pandemic. A recently published Rutgers Cooperative Extension bulletin is related to this effort: Ayeni, A., J. Dmitruck, W. Sciarappa, A.J. Both, D. McNamara, and A.M. Lotfi. 2021. Indoor cultivation instruction at the Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ. RCE Bulletin E-360.   <ol start="3"> <li>Enhance undergraduate research training in the area of controlled environment plant production to prepare the students for independent studies</li> </ol>   AZ Giacomelli has hired, trained educated and/or advised 15 undergraduate working on grant supported research projects, and 5 graduate students (2 as my graduate student supported by grant funds, and 3 as committee member) to be competent in CEA hydroponic crop production systems design and operations. Kacira has hired, mentored 4 undergraduate students, three working in hydroponics crop production and water use efficiency project, and one student working in NASA funded water/nutrient deliver for crop production system. tomato hydroponics crop production project.   DE Qingwu Meng designed and taught a new course, Introduction to Hydroponics, in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Delaware. The 100% asynchronous online course covered hydroponic system design, crop selection, water chemistry, nutrient solution management, and economics of hydroponic crop production. A total of 14 undergraduate students enrolled in the course and participated in a home hydroponics challenge with provided kits.   Qingwu Meng mentored and trained a summer undergraduate student, Stefanie Severin, who was a participant in the Summer Institute program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware. The student conducted alternating lighting research on indoor-grown seedlings of tomatoes and leafy greens.   FL Gómez mentored one undergraduate student in an independent research project presented at the ASHS annual conference in 2021. The student will pursue graduate studies in Controlled Environments.   Zhang mentored one undergraduate student in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering for an independent study on CO2 sensing and enrichment for indoor farming.   MD Led a section of a capstone course that utilized student’s past education to identify a problem, design an experiment to answer a question related to the problem, conduct that experiment, and develop actionable new practices based on that work. The section I led focused on 1) hydroponic herb production, and 2) utilizing growth regulators to reduce labor costs.   ME The University of Maine developed online training materials for students taking PSE110, Introduction to Horticulture, as part of the transition to online learning for this course. Students built a relatively inexpensive weather station with moisture and temperature and relative humidity sensors. The sensors were controlled and monitored using a Rasperry Pi microcomputer. The students grew plants at home and monitored their home environment using their weather stations. They were able to make conclusions about the impact of their environment on plant growth. Students were introduced the basics of using Raspberry Pi, Python programming, and the importance of the environment on plant growth.   NJ During the spring 2021 semester, we taught a (mostly virtual) 4-credit undergraduate course titled Indoor Cultivation of High Value Crops and enrolled 22 students. The hands-on component of the course was covered by having students grow crops at home using a small commercially-sourced table-top hydroponic growing system (AeroGarden).   NY Three undergraduate students were mentored in independent research projects with hydroponic plant nutrient management as well as studying alpine strawberries as a possible high value plant for vertical farms. These efforts resulted in one Plant Sciences Honor’s Thesis (B.S.) and two peer-reviewed journal articles.   OH During this reporting year: <ul> <li>Four undergraduate students were engaged in controlled environment research programs in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.</li> <li>Two undergraduate students and five graduate students were engaged in controlled environment plant production research programs in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department.</li> </ul>   TN Mentored four undergraduates in controlled environment research. Two undergraduate students have shared results through university-wide undergraduate poster research symposia.   <ol start="4"> <li>Submit at least three grants to enhance our collaboration within the team</li> </ol>   AZ Kacira has continued to collaborate with several colleagues in NE-1835 team who are part of the USDA-AFRI/SCRI funded project OptimIA: Optimizing Indoor Agriculture for leafy green production.   FL Gómez (UF) and Niu (Texas A&M) submitted three grants as PDs to the USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant program to seek funding for projects evaluating indoor propagation of hard-to-root plants (not funded), hydroponic systems for production in the southern US (not funded), and ethnic crop production in the US (not funded). Zhang (UF) collaborated as a Co-PI for the first two proposals.   Gómez (UF) and Kubota (OSU) submitted a grant as co-PIs to the USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant program to seek funding for a project evaluating indoor propagation of strawberries (funded).   KS Completed undergraduate research project: Goossen, R., K.A. Williams, and J. O’Mara. 2021. Characterizing the phytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide root dips on Phalaenopsis orchids. Project was presented at ASHS 2021 by Goossen in the undergraduate research competition.   MD <ol> <li>Hu, M.-J., J.D. Lea-Cox and C. Johnson. Development and evaluation of microclimate-based</li> </ol> decision support tools, for sustainable strawberry production. USDA-NIFA NE Integrated Pest Management Grant. $49,850. (2019-2021).   The work that we are doing as a part of this grant will likely have the greatest environmental and economic impact for MD small fruit growers in terms of reduced fungicide applications. The sensing capabilities we use also provide multiple ROI for growers as it can be used for row cover management (frost monitoring, quantification of degree day accumulation) as well as fungal disease (Anthracnose and Botrytis) monitoring through the models we are developing. Our efforts to target the precision and accuracy of all this monitoring will help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions. First Output: Mengjun Hu, Scott Cosseboom, Anita Schoeneberg, Chuck Johnson, Natalia Peres, and John Lea- Cox. 2021. Validation of the strawberry advisory system in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Plant Disease <a href="https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-20-2162-RE">https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-20-2162-RE</a>)   <ol start="2"> <li>Aydilek, A.H., A.P. Davis, J.D. Lea-Cox and A.G. Ristvey. 2020. Effect of Geotechnical and</li> </ol> Environmental Properties of Maryland Compost and Compost Amended Topsoils on Vegetation Establishment and Growth. Maryland State Highway Administration. $399,313. (2 Years).   <ol start="3"> <li>Davis, A.P., A. Aydilek, G. Felton, B. Kjellerup, G. Li, J.D. Lea-Cox, A.G. Ristvey and A.Torrents.</li> <li>Environmental Stewardship in Transportation Networks. Maryland Transportation Institute</li> </ol> Faculty Leader Initiative Program $25,000. (Planning Grant - 2 Years).   <ol start="4"> <li>Hu, M.-J., S. Cosseboom and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2020. Novel Strategies for Improved Control and</li> </ol> Sustainability of Grapevine Bunch Rot Management. USDA-NIFA New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award. $364,825 (3 Years). Role: Collaborator   NJ We are already collaborating with colleagues at other institutions as part of the USDA-NIFA SCRI project LAMP and the GLASE project.   OH <ul> <li>USDA SCRI grant proposal to develop key technologies for indoor agriculture was submitted and funded for 2019-2013. The collaboration team includes Michigan State University, Purdue University and University of Arizona. Project website: <a href="http://scri-optimia.org/">http://scri-optimia.org/</a></li> </ul>   TN Submitted one grant to USDA AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program with NE1835 member Dr. Garrett Owen.     Other accomplishments you want to report that do not necessarily relate to the NE-1835 Multistate Research Project objectives:   DE Qingwu Meng designed, developed, and constructed the Delaware Indoor Ag Lab (<a href="https://www.indooraglab.com">DIAL</a>) at the University of Delaware. In addition, Qingwu Meng led the construction of photoperiodic lighting structures in a research greenhouse.   KS Qingwu Meng (University of Delaware) collaborated in development of a component of high school science classroom materials to introduce CEA as a career path. This project is part of the work for USDA Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grant (SPECA). Sept. 1, 2017 – June 30, 2021. Williams, K.A., C.T. Miller, and G. Hock. Online Modules for High School Teachers that Hybridize Horticulture and Science Curricula while Promoting Horticulture as a Career. It was presented at ASHS 2021 as Williams, K.A., C.T. Miller and N. Busch. 2021. Introducing controlled environment horticulture as a career through a phenomena-based storyline for use in high school science classrooms.   NJ Rutgers Cooperative Extension formed a committee that is investigating the opportunities for farmers to install agrivoltaic systems that retain the opportunity to farm the land, but at the same time generate electricity for on-site use and export to the local utility grid. This effort was recently supported by a $2M appropriation from the NJ state legislature.   As part of the Energy Answers for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher project, several videos were developed that can be viewed here: <a href="https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/">https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/</a>   Two write-ups on crop irrigation and greenhouse glazing were contributed to the 19th edition of the Ball Red Book (Volume 1, Greenhouse Structures, Equipment, and Technology).   Impact statement (Note that submitting this statement is mandatory):   AZ <ul> <li>Gene Giacomelli, using the controlled environment changed the future in the development</li> </ul> of new varieties of field corn for animal feed. Stefanie Boe, Monsanto Company’s Community Relations/Site Enablement Lead stated that: “The UA-CEAC has been an instrumental partner in developing the necessary technology and capacity to conceive and build our new $100M Marana, Arizona Greenhouse Complex, creating 40 - 60 new local jobs which range from HVAC engineers to plant biologists, and access for others within the company." The Marana facility represents a highly automated greenhouse hydroponic crop production system for the continuous yearly production of seed corn for breeding new varieties. Future benefits to the farmer include new breeding lines, developed up to 3 years faster (7 rather than 10 years), that ultimately create new corn varieties with attributes farmers will need, such as drought or salt tolerance to meet the effects of climate change. Given that the Monsanto Company supplies 70% of the world’s feed corn production our science and engineering technology will be affecting billions of dollars of the global agricultural economy. This new system recycles all its irrigation water and nutrients for seed corn production, and it requires only 20% of the total amount that is used in field production. Furthermore, with recycling, there is no discharge to the environment of wastewater or plant nutrients. The closed environment of the greenhouse makes IPM [Integrated Pest Management] highly effective for control of pests and diseases, effectively eliminating the need for chemical pesticides.   <ul> <li>UA-CEAC organized the 20th Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short</li> </ul> Course (March 3, 10, 17, 2021) with 200+ participants to help educate and inform those on fundamentals of growing crops in CEA systems, technologies, innovations. Virtual UACEAC Intensive workshops helped to educated about 60 participants, mostly new/beginner CEA growers, on hydroponic crop production and CEA systems. <ul> <li>Total of 9 graduate students (3 supervised by Giacomelli and 6 by Kacira), and 19</li> </ul> undergraduate students [15 Giacomelli and 4 Kacira] were educated on hydroponics crop production, greenhouse, and indoor vertical farming-based systems at UA-CEAC. <ul> <li>In our research at experimental scale, consideration of various DLI and CO2 concentration</li> </ul> injection combinations evaluated, and strategies developed, can help achieving energy savings, and the computer vision and models developed to evaluate various what-if scenarios for co-optimization of environmental variables in indoor vertical farming systems can help improving resource consumption leading to improved resource use efficiencies. <ul> <li>The outcomes and information generated by our research programs at UA-CEAC with the</li> </ul> wavelength selective organic photovoltaics based, and quantum dots-based film technologies can lead to innovation and new frontiers for greenhouse covering material alternatives.   CO Controlled environments research at Colorado State University has identified both short- and long-term growth and physiological responses to production inputs such as far-red lighting and CO2 enrichment. With inputs such as electric lighting accounting for up to 50% of variable costs for controlled environment growers, proper management throughout crop production is critical to ensure resources are being used efficiently. Based on our understanding of physiological responses to these inputs, applied techniques and protocols can be developed to accelerate production and increase crop quality with the use of fewer resources.     DE The development and establishment of the Delaware Indoor Ag Lab enable controlled-environment research to optimize lighting and environmental variables for a wide range of specialty crops. We will use this research facility to help indoor vertical farmers determine efficient lighting and environment management strategies.   FL Four courses are available to train students in CEA at the University of Florida (‘Controlled Environment Plant Production’, ‘Hydroponic Systems’, ‘Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Culture’), and ‘Controlled Environment Production Systems Design’. All four courses are offered online to support distance education, and the last three are also offered live. Our research findings are presented to our stakeholders primarily through presentations and written publications. Gómez’s research is primarily focused on one of three main areas: 1) indoor propagation of high-value crops; 2) urban gardening; and 3) lighting for indoor plant production. Zhang’s research has been focusing on system design and control optimization through climate simulation, building energy modeling, sensing and control algorithms development. All areas cover topics that are increasingly becoming important in the CEA industry and have strong stakeholder support. In collaboration with industry partners, Gómez recently established the ‘Research on Urban Gardening’ (RUG) consortium to help develop research-based solutions for the horticulture industry and for consumers in the edible gardening sector. In addition, her program is supporting the establishment of a local ginger and turmeric industry.   KS <ul> <li>Two CEA graduate students completed their theses and graduated during the reporting period. Work was completed on development of curriculum support materials to introduce CEA as a career to high school students. 58 undergraduate students were trained in CEA lighting and nutrient management. 1 undergraduate research project was reported at ASHS-21.</li> <li>Information was delivered to over 60,000 individual visitors of <a href="http://www.hightunnels.org">hightunnels.org</a> from every country in the world.</li> <li>A Virtual Field Day was held surrounding the work at the Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center on August 31, 2020. 81% of the 107 participants agreed that they would implement knowledge learned during the meeting right away.</li> <li>8350 grafted tomato plants were produced at the Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center during Spring 2021 as part of our custom grafting services operation. Based on our research trials, we estimate that those plants yielded an additional 93,186 lbs of locally-grown tomatoes in the food system, which provided at least $116,483 in combined revenue for the ten growers that participated in the program.</li> </ul>   MD Identified new plant growth regulator combinations to reduce pruning costs in nursery liner and foliage plant production. Collaborative research program has identified 2 candidate genes that impart strong rust resistance in wheat.   Initiated a study to introduce a Fusarium resistance gene into succulents to reduce losses and fungicide use.   ME Forty-five students in the online class, PSE110 (Introduction to Horticulture) built a weather station using microcomputers and environmental sensors. A majority of students indicated they felt more comfortable using microcomputers after this experience.   A propagation system that applied water infrequently overhead and frequently at the base of cuttings in an enclosure reduced water usage by 87% compared to traditional propagation systems.   NJ Nationwide, Cooperative Extension and NRCS personnel and commercial greenhouse growers have been exposed to research and outreach efforts through various presentations and publications. It is estimated that this information has led to improved designs of controlled environment plant production facilities and to updated operational strategies that saved an average sized (1-acre) business a total of $25,000 in operating and maintenance costs annually. Greenhouse growers who implemented the information resulting from our research and outreach materials have been able to realize energy savings of between 5 and 30%.   NY Cornell: Organic hydroponics can be a value-added production method, however growers cite that management of organic fertility is one of the primary barriers to this production method. A methodology was developed and tested whereby hydrogen peroxide was used as an oxidizing agent to decrease biofilm and increase dissolved oxygen. When tested for hydroponic lettuce, organically grown plants with 37.5 mg/L hydrogen peroxide performed as well as conventional hydroponic plants without hydrogen peroxide. The use of aquaponic/aquaculture fish waste can be an important nutrient source for plants as well as reduce environmental waste-streams. Two experiments found that supplemental aquaponic water with mineral elements led to high quality plant performance while enabling use of this waste-stream.   Cornell: Skyscraper farms are a much talked about production methods for cities however previous work has not attempted to evaluate how much natural light is available in multi-layer skyscraper production. Our simulations found that 13-15% of the light required to meet a 17 mol/m2/d target could be met by sunlight, however when shading from surrounding buildings is considered, natural light can supply as little as 5% of the lighting requirements. Overall skyscraper farms require 4-11 times more electricity for lighting than greenhouses per crop canopy area.   OH During the reporting year, Ohio reached out to 1,557 stakeholders and 36 undergraduate and 10 graduate students through educational programs.   TN By increasing the light intensity during green- and purple-leafed butterhead lettuce seedling production, increases in yield can be realized at harvest. Due to high plant density during propagation, increased lighting costs can be spread across more plants. This strategy has the potential to increase lettuce yields or decrease production duration.   TX <ul> <li>Pre-harvesting supplemental lighting can enhance crop quality such as pigmentation and other phytonutrients and/or yield while significantly reducing production costs.</li> <li>Information on using alternative water to irrigation greenhouse and nursery crops can conserve fresh water for other usage.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Educating stakeholders and growers on CEA technologies is imperative, especially in southern states because historically CEA industry is less developed with fewer skilled workers.</li> </ul>   UT <ul> <li>Selecting salt-tolerant plants for greenhouse and nursery production will enhance the competitiveness of the Green Industry through improved specialty crop quality, reduced culinary water consumption, reduced inputs, and/or increased economic returns.</li> <li>Greenhouse and nursery growers will increase their production of stress-tolerant plants and general public will increase their purchase and use of stress-tolerant plants in their own landscapes.</li> <li>Increasing the knowledge about whole plant responses to water stress will allow us to promote the use of stress-tolerant plants for water conservation.</li> </ul>

Publications

Annual Station Publications Report   PROJECT NUMBER:             NE-1835           TITLE:                                    Resource Optimization in Controlled Environment Agriculture   PROJECT DURATION:         October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2023   EXPERIMENT STATION:    Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah   PARTICIPANTS:                   AZ: Gene Giacomelli and Murat Kacira, CO: Joshua Craver, DE: Qingwu Meng, FL: Celina Gomez and Ying Zhang, KS: Kimberly Williams and Cary Rivard, MD: John Erwin, John Lea-Cox, and Diana Cochran, ME: Stephanie Burnett, MI: Roberto Lopez, NE: Ellen Paparozzi, NJ: AJ Both, and Robin Brumfield, NY: Neil Mattson, Tim Shelford, and Nathen Eylands, OH: Chieri Kubota, Peter Ling, Jennifer Boldt, and Kale Harbick, TN: Kellie Walters TX: Genhua Niu, UT: Youping Sun     REPORTING PERIOD:         August 1, 2020 – August 31, 2021   REPORT DATE:                     August 25, 2021 PUBLICATIONS:   Dissertations, Theses (Published): AZ Alcorn, Joseph R. 2021. Sustained Growth and Yield in Elevated Greenhouse Air Temperatures through Control of VPD. Internship Report. Professional Science Masters, Controlled Environment Agriculture Track, Graduate Interdisciplinary College, The University of Arizona. [Advisor: Gene Giacomelli]   Farrow, Samuel Lawrence, 2021. Table Grape Production Automation in CEA. Internship Report. Professional Science Masters, Controlled Environment Agriculture Track, Graduate Interdisciplinary College, The University of Arizona [Advisor: Gene Giacomelli]   Waller, Rebekah. 2021. Explorations in the Food-Energy Nexus: Organic Potovoltaics Applications to Greenhouse Crop Production Systems. PhD Dissertation, Biosystems Engineering Department, The University of Arizona. [Advisor: Murat Kacira]   CO McKinney, D.W. 2021. Characterizing acclimation of pansy and petunia to CO2 enrichment for controlled environment production. Colo. State Univ., Fort Collins, MS Thesis Abstr. 28413364.   FL Retana-Cordero, Marlon. 2021. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) as alternative crops for Florida. Univ. Florida, Gainesville, FL, MS Thesis.   KS Schneck, K.K. 2020. Studies in floral crops production: effects of root-zone temperature on dahlia growth and optimizing graphical tracks for poinsettia height management. M.S. thesis.   Schwab, J.D. 2020. Controlled and protected environment production of blueberries in the Midwest United States. M.S. thesis.   Gude, K.M. 2020. Altering solar light with high tunnel coverings to improve health-promoting phytochemicals of lettuce and tomato. PhD Dissertation.   NJ Michael Ilardi, M.S. 2021 (University of Georgia). Thesis title: Supplemental lighting time best justifies the efficacy of transition from HPS lighting to LED lighting in greenhouses. A.J. Both served as an external member of the thesis advisory committee.   Masaki Kurosaki, M.S. 2021 (Cornell University). Thesis title: Optimizing lighting and carbon dioxide enrichment for controlled environment production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and tomato (Solanum esculentum L.). A.J. Both served as an external member of the thesis advisory committee.   Matthew Patterson, Ph.D. 2021 (Rutgers University). Dissertation title: Characterization and analysis of three-dimensional flow processes in soils: Laboratory and field applications. A.J. Both served as a member of the dissertation advisory committee.   NY Mi, R. 2020. Cultural management, production, and consumer sensory evaluation of baby leaf hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) as an edible salad green. M.S. Thesis. Cornell University. 128pp.   Xia, J. 2021. Cultural management and consumer sensory evaluation of common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) as an edible succulent leafy green. M.S. Thesis. Cornell University. 97pp.   OH Nair, U. 2020. Development of an Intelligent Sprayer with Improved Canopy Estimations for Greenhouse Spray Applications. Dept. of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. MS Thesis.   Papio, G. 2021. Development of a New Hydroponic Nutrient Management Strategy and a Tool to Assess Microclimate Conditions in Indoor Leafy Green Production. Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science. The Ohio State University., Columbus, OH, MS Thesis.   Raj, A. 2021. Aerial Sensing Platform for Greenhouses. Dept. of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. MS Thesis.   Books (Published): TX Kozai, T., Niu, G., Masabni, J. 2021. Plant Factory: Basics, Advances, and Application, Academic Press (in Press).   Book Chapters (Published): KY Owen, W.G. and B.E. Whipker. 2021. Water, media, and nutrition testing, p. 48–63. In: J. Nau, B. Calkins, and A. Westbrook. Ball RedBook, Vol. 2, Crop Culture and Production. 19th ed. Ball Publishing, West Chicago, IL.   NY Currey, C.J. and N.S. Mattson. 2021. Hydroponic systems in Ball Redbook 19th Edition, Vol. 1. Greenhouse structures,   Currey, C., N.S. Mattson, P. Cockson and B. Whipker. 2021. Mineral Nutrition in Ball Redbook 19th Edition, Vol. 2. Crop culture and production. (J. Nau, B. Calkins, and A. Westbrook eds.). Ball Publishing, West Chicago. pp. 30-37.   Mattson, N.S. and J. Holley. 2021. Carbon dioxide: building block for plant growth in Ball Redbook 19th Edition, Vol. 1. Greenhouse structures, equipment, and technology. (C. Beytes eds.). Ball Publishing, West Chicago. pp. 133-137.   Nicholson, C.F., K. Harbick, M.I. Gómez and N.S. Mattson.  2020.  An economic and environmental comparison of conventional and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) supply chains for leaf lettuce to US cities”, in Food Supply Chains in Cities, (E. Aktas and M. Bourlakis, eds.), Palgrave Macmillan.   Raudales, R.E., P.R. Fisher and N.S. Mattson. 2021. Water quality in Ball Redbook 19th Edition, Vol. 2. Crop culture and production. (J. Nau, B. Calkins, and A. Westbrook eds.). Ball Publishing, West Chicago. pp. 2-17.   Refereed Journal Articles (Published): AZ <ol> <li>H. Parrish II, D. Hebert, A. Jackson, K. Ramasamy, H. McDaniel, G.A. Giacomelli and M.R. Bergren. Optimizing spectral quality with quantum dots to enhance crop yield in controlled environments. Communications Biology (COMMSBIO-20-2162-T)</li> </ol>   Waller, R., M. Kacira, E. Magadley, M. Teitel, I. Yehia. 2021. Semi-Transparent Organic Photovoltaics Applied as Greenhouse Shade for Spring and Summer Tomato Production in Arid Climate. Agronomy ,11(6): 1152.   Maayan Friman-Peretz, Shay Ozer, Asher Levi, Esther Magadley, Ibrahim Yehia, Farhad Geoola, Shelly Gantz, Roman Brikman, Avi Levy, Murat Kacira, Meir Teitel. 2021. Energy partitioning and spatial variability of air temperature, VPD and radiation in a greenhouse tunnel shaded by semitransparent organic PV modules. Solar Energy, 220: 578-589.   Maayan Friman-Peretz, Shay Ozer, Farhad Geoola, Esther Magadley, Ibrahim Yehia, Asher Levi, Roman Brikman, Shelly Gantz, Avi Levy, Murat Kacira, Meir Teitel. 2020. Microclimate and crop performance in a tunnel greenhouse shaded by organic photovoltaic modules Comparison with conventional shaded and unshaded tunnels. Biosystems Engineering, 197: 12 31.   CO McKinney, D.W. and J.K. Craver. 2020. Characterizing acclimation of pansy and petunia to CO2 enrichment for controlled environment production. HortSci. 55(9):S61–S62.   DE Meng, Q. and E.S. Runkle. 2020. Growth responses of red-leaf lettuce to temporal spectral changes. Front. Plant Sci. 11:571788.   Kelly, N., D. Choe, Q. Meng, and E.S. Runkle. 2020. Promotion of lettuce growth under an increasing daily light integral depends on the combination of the photosynthetic photon flux density and photoperiod. Sci. Hort. 272:109565.   Lopez, R.G., Q. Meng, and E.S. Runkle. 2020. Blue radiation signals and saturates photoperiodic flowering of several long-day plants at crop-specific photon flux densities. Sci. Hort. 271:109470.   FL Izzo, L.i, M. Mickens, G. Aronne, and C. Gómez. 2021. Blue and red spectral effects on growth, anatomy, and single-leaf physiological responses of lettuce. Physiologia Plantarum https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.13395 Kim, T., S. Samraj, J. Jiménezi, C. Gómez, T. Liu, and K. Begcy. 2021. Surveying the lettuce genome: Genome-wide identification of Hsfs and Hsps in response to UV and high light stress. BMC Plant Biology 21(185) <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-02959-x">https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-02959-x</a>   Solis-Toapanta, E.G, P.R. Fisher, and C. Gómez. 2020. Effects of nutrient solution management and environment on tomato in small-scale hydroponics. HortTechnology 30: 697–705. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04685-20   KS Schwab, J.D., K.A. Williams, and J.J. Griffin. 2021. Asexual propagation by stem cuttings of half-high and low-bush blueberries in soilless substrates. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 39(2):47-51. KRES no. 21-140-J.   Lee, M., C.L. Rivard, E.D. Pliakoni, W. Wang, C.B. Rajashekar 2021. Supplemental UV-A and UV-B affect the nutritional quality of lettuce and tomato: Health-promoting phytochemicals and essential nutrients. American Journal of Plant Sciences 12: 104-126   Gude, K.M, H. Stanley, C.L. Rivard, B. Cunningham, Q. Kang, and E.D. Pliakoni. 2021. Quality of day-neutral strawberries grown in a high tunnel system. Scientia Horticulturae 275: 19726   Gude, K.M., C.B., Rajashekar, B., Cunningham, Q., Kang, W., Wang, M., Lee, C.L., Rivard and E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. Effect of high tunnel coverings on antioxidants of breaker and light red tomatoes at harvest and during ripening. Agronomy 10:1639   Batziakas, K.G., S. Singh, K. Ayub, Q. Kang, J. Brecht, C. L. Rivard, and E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. Reducing post-harvest losses of spinach stored in non-optimum temperatures with the implementation of passive modified atmosphere packaging. HortScience 55 (3): 326-335   Batziakas, K.G., C.L. Rivard, H. Stanley and E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. Reducing pre-harvest food losses in spinach with the implementation of high tunnels. Scientia Horticulturae 265:109268   Batziakas, K.G., H., Stanley, A.G., Batziakas, J.K Brecht, C.L. Rivard, and E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. Reducing postharvest food losses in organic spinach with the implementation of high tunnel production systems. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 40:42   Stanley, H., K.G. Batziakas, S.E. Gragg, C.L. Rivard, E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. Impact of modified atmosphere packaging and ozonated water on the shelf life, quality, and safety of vegetables stored at non optimum temperatures. J. Postharvest Technol., 08 (3): 79-95   KY Owen, W.G. 2020. Perovskia leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency ranges by chronological age unaffected by constant micronutrient supply. HortScience 55:1303–1307.   ME Burnett, S.E, B.J. Peterson, and M. Peronto. 2021. Commercial scale evaluation of sub-mist for propagation of woody and herbaceous perennials. HortTechnology 31:274-279.   NJ Knuth, M.J., H. Khachatryan, C.R. Hall, M.A. Palma, A.W. Hodges, A.P. Torres, and R.G. Brumfield. 2021. Trade flows within the United States nursery industry in 2018. J. Environ. Hort. 39(2):77–90.   NY Eaton, M., Harbick, K., Shelford, T. and Mattson, N., 2021. Modeling natural light availability in skyscraper farms. Agronomy, 11(9), p.1684.   Lau, V., and Mattson, N. 2021. Effects of hydrogen peroxide on organically fertilized hydroponic lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Horticulturae. 7(5), 106. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7050106">https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7050106</a>   Levine, C.P. and Mattson, N.S., 2021. Potassium-deficient nutrient solution affects the yield, morphology, and tissue mineral elements for hydroponic baby leaf spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Horticulturae, 7(8), p.213.   Li, Y., Heckman, J., Wyenandt, A., Mattson, N., Durner, E. and Both, A.J. 2020. Potential benefits of silicon nutrition to hydroponically grown sweet basil. HortScience, 55(11):1799-1803. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15320-20">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15320-20</a>   Mi, R., Taylor, A.G., Smart, L.B. and Mattson, N.S. 2020. Developing production guidelines for baby leaf hemp (Cannabis sativa L. as an edible salad green: cultivar, sowing density and seed size. Agriculture. 10(12), 617. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10120617">https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10120617</a>    OH Gillespie, D.P., G. Papio, and C. Kubota. 2021. High nutrient concentrations of hydroponic solution can improve growth and nutrient uptake of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) grown in acidic nutrient solution. HortScience. 56:687-694.   Nair, U., P. Ling, and H. Zhu. 2021. Improved Canopy characterization with laser scanning sensor for greenhouse spray applications. Transactions of the ASABE. Accepted for publication.     Teng Y., U. Samarakoon, J. Altland, and P. Ling. 2021. Photosynthesis, biomass production, nutritional quality, and flavor-related phytochemical properties of hydroponic-grown arugula under different electrical conductivities. Agronomy 11: (7). 1340.     TN Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Modeling growth and development of hydroponically grown dill, parsley, and watercress in response to photosynthetic daily light integral and mean daily temperature. PLOS One. 16(3):e0248662. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248662">https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248662</a>   Walters, K.J., B.K. Behe, and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Leveraging controlled-environment agriculture to increase key basil terpenoid and phenylpropanoid concentrations: The effects of radiation intensity and CO2 concentration on consumer preference. Frontiers in Plant Science. 11:598519. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.598519">https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.598519</a>   Slack, S., K.J. Walters, C. Outwater, and G.W. Sundin. 2021. Effect of kasugamycin, oxytetracycline, and streptomycin on in-orchard population dynamics of Erwinia amylovora on apple flower stigmas. Plant Disease. PDIS-07. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-20-1469-RE   TX Hooks, T., Masabni, J., Sun, L., Niu, G. Effect of pre-harvest supplemental UV-A/Blue and Red/Blue LED lighting on lettuce growth and nutritional quality. Horticulturae, 2021, 7, 80; <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7040080">https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7040080</a>.   Dou, H., Niu, G., Gu, M., Masabni, J. 2020. Morphological and physiological responses in basil and brassica species to different proportions of red, blue, and green wavelengths in indoor vertical farming. J. Amer. Soc. Sci. 145(4): 267-278. DOI:<a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS04927-20">https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS04927-</a>20.   Yu, P., Li, Qiansheng, Huang, L., Qin, K., Niu, G., Gu, M. The effects of mixed hardwood biochar, mycorrhizae, and fertigation on container tomato and pepper plant growth. Sustainability 2020, 12, 7072; doc:10.3390/su12177072.   Chen, J.J., Xing, H., Paudel, A., Sun, Y., Niu, G., Chappell, M. 2020. Gas exchange and mineral nutrition of 12 viburnum taxa irrigated with saline water. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14941-20">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14941-20</a>.   Niu, G., Sun, Y., Hooks, T., Altland, J., Dou, H., Perez, C. Salt tolerance of hydrangea plants varied among species and cultivar within a species. Horticulturae, 2020, 6, 54; doi:10.3390/horticulturae6030054.   Liu, Q., Sun, Y., Altland, J., Niu, G. 2020. Morphological and physiological responses of Cornus alba to salt and drought stresses under greenhouse conditions. HortScience 55(2): 224-230. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14460-19">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14460-19</a>.   Sun, Y., Chen, J.J., Xing, H., Niu, G., Chappell, M. 2020. Growth, visual quality, and morphological responses of 12 viburnum taxa to saline water irrigation. HortScience 55(8):1233-1241. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14940-20.   UT Xing, H., J. Hershkowitz, A. Paudel, Y. Sun, J. Chen, X. Dai, and M. Chappell. 2021. Morphological and physiological responses of ornamental grasses to saline water irrigation. HortScience 56(6): 678-686. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15700-21   Niu, G., Y. Sun, T. Hooks, J. Altland, H. Dou, and C. Perez. 2020. Salt tolerance of hygrangea plants varied among species and cultivar within a species. Horticulturae 6(54): 1-12. doi:10.3390/horticulturae6030054.   Liu, Q., Y. Sun, J. Altland, and G. Niu. 2020. Morphological and physiological responses of Cornus alba to salt and drought stresses under greenhouse conditions. HortScience 55(2):224-230. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14460-19.   Symposium Proceedings Articles (Published):   KS Loewen, D., E.D. Pliakoni, and C.L. Rivard. 2021. Yield and compatibility for ten tomato scion varieties grafted with ‘Maxifort’ rootstock. Proceedings of the 2020 Urban Food Systems Symposium (in press)   Meyer, L.J., H. Pontes-Chiebao, E.D. Pliakoni, M.M. Kennelly, K.A. Garrett, and C.L. Rivard. 2021. The role of grafting for local tomato production in high tunnels. Acta Hortic. 1302: 49-56   Loewen, D.E., E.D. Pliakoni, and C.L. Rivard. 2021. Evaluating Capsicum and Solanum rootstocks for fresh market bell pepper production. Acta Hortic. 1302: 259-264   NJ Brumfield, R.G. 2021. Building financial resilience during tough times. New Jersey Vegetable Growers’ Meeting. Atlantic City, NJ, February 22-25, 2021, Virtual. Pp. 20-21. <a href="https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf">https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf</a>.   Brumfield, R.G. 2021. Constructing and interpreting a balance sheet. New Jersey Vegetable Growers’ Meeting. Atlantic City, NJ, February 22-25, 2021, Virtual. Pp. 22. <a href="https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf">https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf</a>.   Brumfield, R.G. 2021. Managing risks using 3 key ratios from your balance sheet. New Jersey Vegetable Growers’ Meeting. Atlantic City, NJ, February 22-23, 2021, Virtual. Pp. 23. <a href="https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf">https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf</a>.   Brumfield, R.G. 2021. Income statement: Measuring profitability. New Jersey Vegetable Growers’ Meeting. Atlantic City, NJ, February 22-25, 2021, Virtual. Pp. 23-25. <a href="https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf">https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf</a>.   Govindasamy, R., S. Arumugam, R. Brumfield. 2021. Marketing tools for small businesses. New Jersey Vegetable Growers’ Meeting. Atlantic City, NJ, February 22-25, 2021, Virtual. Pp. 13-16. <a href="https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf">https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-VGANJ-Proceedings-Book.pdf</a>.   Brumfield, R.G. and B. Özkan. 2020. Empowering women farmers and their families. Proceedings of the Conference on Women Empowerment in the World, Pp. 375-389. Virtual, December 26-27, 2020. ISBN 978-93-5437-392-3.   Brumfield, R.G., D. Greenwood, M. Flahive DiNardo, A.J. Both, J.R. Heckman, R. Govindasamy, N. Polanin, A.A. Rouff, A. Rowe, R. VanVranken, and S. Arumugam. 2020. Farming in New Jersey’s cities and the urban fringe: A successful educational program for women producers, beginning farmers, and military veterans. 2020. Proceedings of the Conference on Women Empowerment in the World. Pp. 355-363. Virtual, December 26-27, 2020. ISBN 978-93-5437-392-3.   OH Ertle, J., C. Kubota, and E. Pliakoni. 2021. Transplant quality and growth of grafted and non-grafted watermelon seedlings as affected by chilling during simulated long-distance transportation. Acta Horticulturae 1302:87-94.   Popular (Trade Journal) Articles (Published):  AZ Larissa Zimberoff, Business Week, How to Grow Better Lettuce In Space, Growing Better Lettuce in Space May Improve Agriculture on Earth - Bloomberg [Giacomelli]   Anne Treadwell, Eating Well Magazine, How the Largest Greenhouse in the U.S. Is Using 90% Less Water to Grow Their Tomatoes. <a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7895739/appharvestindoor-%20growing-innovators/">https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7895739/appharvestindoor- growing-innovators/</a> [Giacomelli]   David Kuack. GPN Greenhouse Product News. Choosing the Right Environmental Control System https://gpnmag.com/article/choosing-the-right-environmental-control-system/ [Kacira]   DE Meng, Q. and E.S. Runkle. 2021. LEDs on lettuce: white light versus red + blue light. Produce Grower.   FL Gómez, C., S. Cruz, and P. Fisher. 2021. Finding fail-proof veggies. May issue <a href="https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/IG_21_05/index.aspx">https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/IG_21_05/index.aspx#</a> Fisher, P.R., C. Gómez, M. Poudel, and E. Runkle. 2021. The economics of lighting young plants indoors. In The Indoor Lighting Guide, GrowerTalks, July issue <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/floriculture/uploads/files/Indoor%20lighting%20guide-mid.pdf">https://www.canr.msu.edu/floriculture/uploads/files/Indoor%20lighting%20guide-mid.pdf</a> Fisher, P.R., C. Gómez, Y. Zhang, and A. Goff. 2020. Five tips to improve indoor propagation of cuttings and tissue culture plants. Greenhouse Grower, December issue. <a href="https://www.greenhousegrower.com/crops/5-tips-to-improve-indoor-propagation-of-cuttings-and-tissue-culture-plants/">https://www.greenhousegrower.com/crops/5-tips-to-improve-indoor-propagation-of-cuttings-and-tissue-culture-plants/</a>   KS <ol start="2020"> <li>Peterson and C.L. Rivard. 2020. Multiyear rotation in high tunnels curbs soil pathogens. Organic Grower. Fall 2020.</li> <li>Peterson and C.L. Rivard. 2020. Multiyear rotation in high tunnels curbs soil pathogens. Vegetable Grower News. August 2020.</li> </ol>   KY Owen, W.G. 2021. Monitoring nutrition. Nursery Management Magazine. 7 June 2021. <a href="https://www.nurserymag.com/article/pourthru-monitoring-nutrition/">https://www.nurserymag.com/article/pourthru-monitoring-nutrition/</a> Cockson, P., P. Veazie, D. Logan, B.E. Whipker, and W.G. Owen. 2020. A ‘pipe to plant’ nutrient monitoring program. Cannabis Business Times. 5(11):32–37. <a href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/cannabis-nutrition-nutrient-fertility-monitoring-cultivation/">https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/cannabis-nutrition-nutrient-fertility-monitoring-cultivation/</a> Whipker, B.E., P. Cockson, P. Veazie, D. Logan, and W.G. Owen. 2020. Put your fertilizer program to the test. Cannabis Business Times. 5(10):22–30. <a href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/cultivation-matters-ncsu-north-carolina-cannabis-fertilization-program-management-npk-nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium/">https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/cultivation-matters-ncsu-north-carolina-cannabis-fertilization-program-management-npk-nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium/</a> Whipker, B.E., P. Cockson, P. Veazie, D. Logan, and W.G. Owen. 2020. What’s in your water? Cannabis Business Times. 5(9):18–22. <a href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/cannabis-irrigation-water-quality-nutrients-cultivation-matters/">https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/cannabis-irrigation-water-quality-nutrients-cultivation-matters/</a> Cockson, P., P. Veazie, D. Logan, B.E. Whipker, and W.G. Owen. 2020. Nutrient monitoring in Cannabis cultivation: A step-by-step guide. Cannabis Business Times. 5(8):18–24. <a href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/nutrient-monitoring-for-cannabis-step-by-step-guide/">https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/nutrient-monitoring-for-cannabis-step-by-step-guide/</a>   NY Gagne, C., D. Kovach and N. Mattson. 2021. Learn the basics of greenhouse tomato crop steering. Greenhouse Grower Magazine. (February).   Gagne, C., N. Mattson and D. Kovach. Your guide to high-wire tomato growing. Greenhouse Grower Magazine. (November).   Gagne, C., M. Kurosaki, D. Kovach and N. Mattson. 2020. A guide to grafting tomatoes: Cornell’s tips for success. Greenhouse Product News. October:24-28.   Gagne, C., N. Mattson and J. Holley. 2020. 5 top takeaways from trials of hydroponic kale cultivars. Greenhouse Grower Magazine. (October).   Gagne, C., N. Mattson and R. Mi. 2020. Baby leaf hemp: A new edible salad green. Greenhouse Grower Magazine. (September).   Mattson, N. 2020. Yellow shoulder: A ripening disorder of greenhouse tomato fruit. e-Gro Edible Alert 5(1). 5 pp. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/E501.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/E501.pdf</a>   Ronzoni, R. and N. Mattson. 2020. A guide to home hydroponics for leafy greens. 97 pp. <a href="https://blogs.cornell.edu/cornellcea/files/2020/05/Guide-To-Home-Hydroponics-For-Leafy-Greens.pdf">https://blogs.cornell.edu/cornellcea/files/2020/05/Guide-To-Home-Hydroponics-For-Leafy-Greens.pdf</a>   Shahid, M., and N. Mattson. 2020. Biochar: A potential substrate amendment in container production. e-Gro Edible Alert 5(8). pp. 7.   OH Kubota, C. 2021. Get the inside scoop on why greenhouse strawberries are trending. Greenhouse Growers. https://www.greenhousegrower.com/crops/get-the-inside-scoop-on-why-greenhouse-strawberries-are-trending/   TN Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. March 2021. Culinary Herbs: Balancing light and average daily temperature. Produce Grower.   Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. December 2020. Indoor production of culinary herb seedlings: Light intensity and carbon dioxide. Produce Grower. 20-24.   UT Paudel, A., J. Chen, and Y. Sun. 2021. Determining the salt tolerance of two penstemon species using a near-continuous gradient dosing system. Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society 80:58-65.   Presentations (Papers):  DE Meng, Q. and E.S. Runkle. 2020. Growth responses of red-leaf lettuce to temporal changes in light quality. HortScience, 55(9), S32. (Oral)   Stallknecht, E., E.S. Runkle, and Q. Meng. 2020. Phasic lighting strategies to improve indoor lettuce production. HortScience, 55(9), S32. (Poster)   Meng, Q. 2021. New CEA research programs in US. GLASE Webinar Series. (Oral)   FL Gómez, C. 2021. Advancing controlled environment horticulture through research and education. ASHS annual meeting, Denver, CO, Aug. 5-9. Humphrey, S. M. Retana-Cordero, and C. Gómez. 2021. Effect of broadband white light supplemented with far-red and blue LEDs on intumescence injury of compact tomato transplants. ASHS annual meeting, Denver, CO, Aug. 5-9. Retana-Cordero, M.G, P.R. Fisher, and C. Gómez. 2021. Modeling sprouting of ginger and turmeric rhizomes in response to temperature. ASHS annual meeting, Denver, CO, Aug. 5-9. Retana-Cordero, M.G, P.R. Fisher, and C. Gómez. 2021. Kaolin foliar sprays in open-field ginger and turmeric production as a strategy to reduce radiation stress. ASHS annual meeting, Denver, CO, Aug. 5-9. Cruz, S.G, P.R. Fisher, and C. Gómez. 2021. Light requirements for indoor gardening of tomatoes. ASHS annual meeting, Denver, CO, Aug. 5-9. Gómez, C. 2020. Indoor propagation research and education needs, webinar presented during the GLASE Consortium Webinar Series, July. Gómez, C. and P.R. Fisher. 2020. Research insights to facilitate container and hydroponic gardening of herbs and vegetables. ASHS annual meeting (virtual). Campbell-Martínez, G.g, M. Thetford, S.B. Wilson, C. Gómez, and D. Miller. 2020. Effects of container type, substrate type, and fertilizer rate on growth of sandhill milkweed (Asclepias humistrata). ASHS annual meeting (virtual). Humphrey, S.u and C. Gómez. 2020. Ground validation testing of a novel plant growth chamber designed for spaceflight. ASHS annual meeting (virtual). Retana-Cordero, M.G, P.R. Fisher, and C. Gómez. 2020. Overcoming winter dormancy of ginger and turmeric plants with night interruption. ASHS annual meeting (virtual). Cruz, S.G, P.R. Fisher, and C. Gómez. 2020. Evaluation of compact tomato and pepper cultivars for container patio and indoor gardening. ASHS annual meeting (virtual).   KS Williams, K.A., C.T. Miller and N. Busch. 2021. Introducing controlled environment horticulture as a career through a phenomena-based storyline for use in high school science classrooms. ASHS-21. Poster presentation.   Rivard, C.L., E. Pliakoni, L.J. Meyer, D.E. Loewen, R. Poudel, and K.A. Garrett. 2020. The role of grafting for local tomato production in high tunnels. 2020 Urban Foods Systems Symposium. 21 October, 2020. Virtual Conference (oral)   Batziakas, K.G, S. Singh, K. Ayub, Q. Kang, J. Brecht, C.L. Rivard and *E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. Maintaining the Quality of Locally Grown Spinach with the Implementation of Passive Modified Atmosphere Packaging. Urban Food Systems Symposium. (poster)   *Gude, K.M., C.L. Rivard, C.B. Rajashekar and E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. The Impact of Different High Tunnel Covering on Microclimate, Yield, and Phenolic Accumulation of Red and Green Leaf Lettuce. Urban Food Systems Symposium. (poster)   *Jenkins, T.M., C. Kubota, C.L. Rivard and E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. ‘Tasti Lee’ Tomatoes Produced in a High Tunnel System. Urban Food Systems Symposium (oral)   *Jenkins, T.M., C. Kubota, C.L. Rivard and E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. Rootstock Effect on Yield and Fruit Quality of ‘Tasti Lee” Tomatoes Grown in a High Tunnel. HortScience 55(9) S198 (oral)   *Gude, K.M., C.L. Rivard, C.B. Rajashekar and E.D. Pliakoni. 2020. The Impact of Different High Tunnel Covering on Microclimate, Yield, and Phenolic Accumulation of Red and Green\ Leaf Lettuce. HortScience 55 (9): S235 (poster)   ME Burnett, S. February 23rd, 2021. Novel Techniques for Plant Propagation. Zoom presentation for the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.   Burnett, S. December 2nd, 2020. Irrigation Management: Greenhouse and Nursery. Zoom presentation for the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and the Maine Nursery and Landscape Association.   NJ Brumfield, R.G., S. Arumugam, A.J. Both, M. Flahive Di Nardo, R. Govindasamy, D. Greenwood, J. Heckman, N. Polanin, A.A. Rouff, A. Rowe, and R. VanVranken. 2021. A successful educational program for women producers, beginning farmers, and military veterans that helped address farm risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paper presented at the 2021 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Hybrid, Denver, CO, August 5-9, 2021.     Dube, A.K., R.G. Brumfield and B. Özkan. 2021. The effects of the market outlet on welfare of smallholder horticultural producers in Ethiopia. Paper presented at the 2021 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Hybrid, Denver, CO, August 5-9, 2021.   Wei, X., H. Khachatryan, A.P. Torres, R.G. Brumfield, A. Hodges, M. Palma, and C.R. Hall. 2021. Exploring firms’ marketing choices in the US ornamental horticulture industry. Paper presented at the 2021 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Hybrid, Denver, CO, August 5-9, 2021.   NY Eaton, M., Harbick, K., Shelford, T., and Mattson, N.S. 2020. Modelling natural light availability in skyscraper farms. ISHS LightSym2020. 9th International Symposium on Light in Horticultural Systems. Malmö, Sweden (online), May 31-June 2.   Eylands, N.J. and N.S. Mattson. 2020. Influence of far-red intensity during the seedling stage on photomorphogenic characteristics in leafy greens. Abstract and presentation at Annual ASHS Conference. August 9-13, 2020.   Harbick, K. and Mattson, N.S. 2020. Optimization of spatial lighting uniformity using non-planar arrays and intensity modulation. ISHS LightSym2020. 9th International Symposium on Light in Horticultural Systems. Malmö, Sweden (online), May 31-June 2.   Kurosaki, M. and N.S. Mattson. 2020. Blue and green light quality impact biomass, morphology, and color of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Abstract and presentation at Annual ASHS Conference. August 9-13, 2020.   Kurosaki, M. and N. Mattson. 2021. Blue and green light quality impact biomass, morphology, and color of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). ISHS LightSym2020. 9th International Symposium on Light in Horticultural Systems. Malmö, Sweden (online), May 31-June 2.   Mattson, N.S., Allred, J.A., de Villiers, D., Shelford, T.J. and K. Harbick 2020. Response of hydroponic baby leaf greens to LED and HPS supplemental lighting. ISHS LightSym2020. 9th International Symposium on Light in Horticultural Systems. Malmö, Sweden (online), May 31-June 2.   Shelford, T., Both, A.J. and Mattson, N.S. 2020. A greenhouse daily light integral control algorithm that takes advantage of day ahead market electricity pricing. ISHS LightSym2020. 9th International Symposium on Light in Horticultural Systems. Malmö, Sweden, June 8-12. Malmö, Sweden (online), May 31-June 2.   OH Hollick, J. and C. Kubota. 2021. Effect of self- and inter-cultivar grafting on growth and nutrient content in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Abs. presented at Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science (August 5-9, 2021; Denver, CO).   Horvat, M., M. Kroggel, and C. Kubota. 2021. Architectural analysis and flower mapping for better management of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) grown under controlled environment. Abs. presented at Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science (August 5-9, 2021; Denver, CO).   Papio, G. and C. Kubota. 2021. Developing a microclimate assessment tool using simple dishes to evaluate potential transpiration in indoor farms. Abs. presented at Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science (August 5-9, 2021; Denver, CO).   TN Walters, K.J., D. Del Moro**, J.R. Wheeler, S. Parker*, C. Sams. 2021. Purple lettuce yield and anthocyanin concentration: The effect of light intensity during seedling production. International Society for Horticultural Science, IX International Symposium on Light in Horticulture, Malmo, Sweden.   Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. The influence of light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration during seedling production on dill, parsley, and sage growth and development at harvest. International Society for Horticultural Science, IX International Symposium on Light in Horticulture, Malmo, Sweden.   UT Determining the salt tolerance of woody ornamental plants for landscape use. Graduate Sustainability Research session, the Virtual Intermountain Sustainability Summit, Weber State University, Ogden, UT, 19 March 2021.   Determining the salt tolerance of two penstemons using a near-continuous gradient dosing system. ASHS 2020 Virtual Conference, 13 August 2020.   Salinity tolerance of twelve viburnum taxa. ASHS 2020 Virtual Conference, 11 August 2020.   Salinity tolerance of six ornamental grass species. ASHS 2020 Virtual Conference, 11 August 2020.   Other Creative Works: KS Research Videos <ul> <li>Mukherjee, E. Pliakoni, and C.L. Rivard. 2020. Yield, Quality, and Economics of High Tunnel Strawberries. K-State OHREC YouTube Channel. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0FgxQ_ATZk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0FgxQ_ATZk</a></li> <li>Wyatt, E. Pliakoni, J. Griffin, and C.L. Rivard. 2020. High Tunnel and Open Field Production Systems for CBD Hemp. K-State OHREC YouTube Channel. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvEm9AoKuLw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvEm9AoKuLw</a></li> <li>L. Rivard. 2020. Tomato and Pepper Variety Trials. K-State OHREC YouTube Channel. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SakuQlXJf-g">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SakuQlXJf-g</a></li> </ul>   NRCS Webinar Series on High Tunnel Production <ul> <li>Grower practices and crops in high tunnel systems. 2 Sept, 2020</li> <li>Crop rotation and cover crops for high tunnels. 16 Dec, 2020</li> <li>Soil and nutrient management for organic tunnels. 26 Jan, 2021</li> </ul>   KY e-GRO Ornamental Alerts: <ol> <li>Whipker, B.E., P. Veazie, T. Rich, P. Cockson, and G. Owen. 2021. Plants gone crazy! What is fascinating with fasciation? e-GRO Alert 10(29):1–6. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-29.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-29.pdf</a></li> </ol>   <ol start="2"> <li>Owen, W.G. Garden mums: Crown buds induced by cool night temperatures. e-GRO Alert 10(28):1–4. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-28.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-28.pdf</a></li> </ol>   <ol start="3"> <li>Owen, W.G., N. Gauthier, and J. Beale. 2021. White mold (Sclerotinia) on coleus. e-GRO Alert 10(22):1–4. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-22.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-22.pdf</a></li> </ol>   <ol start="4"> <li>Owen, W.G. Begonia and vinca sensitivity to paclobutrazol. e-GRO Alert 10(20):1–4. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-20.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-20.pdf</a></li> </ol>   <ol start="5"> <li>Owen, W.G. PourThru method for large containerized crops. e-GRO Alert 10(10):1–7. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-10.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-10.pdf</a></li> </ol>   <ol start="6"> <li>Owen, W.G. Sampling irrigation water for routine lab analysis. e-GRO Alert 10(9):1–5. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-09.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-09.pdf</a></li> </ol>   <ol start="7"> <li>Owen, W.G. Sampling substrates for routine or diagnostic lab analysis. e-GRO Alert 10(1):1–5. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-01.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2021-10-01.pdf</a></li> </ol>   e-GRO Edible Alerts: <ol> <li>Owen, W.G. and P. Cockson. 2021. Chilling injury symptomology of greenhouse cucumbers. e-GRO Edible Alert 6(5):1–5.</li> </ol>   e-GRO Blog: <ol> <li>Owen, W.G. High pH-induced iron deficiency of fall garden mums. e-GRO Blog. 8 July 2021. <a href="http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=155">http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=155</a> </li> <li>Owen, W.G. Check your containers. e-GRO Blog. 8 April 2021. <a href="http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=149">http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=149</a> </li> <li>Owen, W.G. e-GRO welcomes three new members. e-GRO Blog. 21 Jan. 2021. <a href="http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=138">http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=138</a></li> </ol>   Extension Bulletin: <ol> <li>Gauthier, N., J. Kight, G. Owen, and S. Anderson. 2020. Cleaning and Sanitizing Commercial Greenhouse Surfaces. PPFS-GH-07:1–4. <a href="https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-gh-07.pdf">https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-gh-07.pdf</a></li> </ol>   NJ Ayeni, A., J. Dmitruck, W. Sciarappa, A.J. Both, D. McNamara, and A.M. Lotfi. 2021. Indoor cultivation instruction at the Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ. RCE Bulletin E-360.   Both, A.J. 2021. The science and art of crop irrigation. In Ball Redbook (19th Edition), C. Beytes (ed.), Volume 1: Greenhouse Structures, Equipment, and Technology. Ball Publishing. pp. 64-68.   Both, A.J. 2021. Glazing: It’s what makes the greenhouse. In Ball Redbook (19th Edition), C. Beytes (ed.), Volume 1: Greenhouse Structures, Equipment, and Technology. Ball Publishing. pp. 26-30.   Brumfield, R.G. 2021. USDA pandemic assistance for producers. Write-up for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Plant & Pest Advisory Website. Available at: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/usda-pandemic-assistance-for-producers/.   Brumfield, R.G. 2021. What farmers need to know about the latest relief bills. Write-up for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Plant & Pest Advisory Website. Available at: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/what-farmers-need-to-know-about-the-latest-relief-bills/.   Fathel, S.L., A.J. Both. D. Ciolkosz, K. DiMarco, A. Go, M.C. Gould, S. Guran, F.J. Hay, J. Ignosh, E. Johnstonbaugh, S. Sanford, D. Specca, X. Wang. 2021. Farm energy Extension material development from a multi-institutional team. Poster presented at the Annual International Meeting of the ASABE. Virtual meeting, July 12-16.   Murphy, J., C. Ripberger, M. Westendorf, and A.J. Both. Developing an extension program (presentation and panel discussion). Rutgers Cooperative Extension Annual Conference (virtual). January 14, 2021.   Shelford, T.S. and A.J. Both. 2020. Plant lighting fact sheet. Published by Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE; https://glase.org/). 4 pp.   OH Website and social media <ul> <li>Kubota Lab (Controlled Environment Plant Physiology and Technology): <a href="http://u.osu.edu/cepptlab">http://u.osu.edu/cepptlab</a></li> <li>Hydroponics / Soilless Culture Information</li> </ul> <a href="https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics">https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics</a> <ul> <li>Controlled Environment Berry Production Information</li> </ul> <a href="https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry">https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry</a> <ul> <li>Facebook for Controlled Environment Plant Physiology and Technology Lab: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CEPPTLAB/">https://www.facebook.com/CEPPTLAB/</a></li> <li>Indoor Ag Science Café YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwIeYlKrzH_uppaf2SwMIg4JyGb7LRXC">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwIeYlKrzH_uppaf2SwMIg4JyGb7LRXC</a></li> </ul>   TN Del Moro, D., K.J. Walters. 2021. The effect of light intensity during hydroponic seedling production on yield and morphology of green and purple lettuce. University of Tennessee Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement | Knoxville, TN.   Givens, S., S. Parker, and K.J. Walters. 2021. Light intensity during seedling production affects carotenoid accumulation in butterhead lettuce at harvest. University of Tennessee Summer Research Poster Symposium | Knoxville, TN.   How completing a teaching as research (TAR) project impacted my career. Panelist. November 2020. Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning.   UT Conference Abstracts <ol> <li>Chen, J., H. Xing, A. Paudel, Sun, and G. Niu. 2020. Salinity tolerance of twelve viburnum taxa. HortScience 55(9): S113.</li> <li>Hershkowitz, , H. Xing, A. Paudel, J. Chen, and Y. Sun. 2020. Salinity tolerance of six ornamental grass species. HortScience 55(9): S113-114.</li> <li>Paudel, A., J. Chen, and Sun, 2020. Determining the salt tolerance of two penstemons using a near-continuous gradient dosing system. HortScience 55(9): S339-340.</li> </ol>   Webinar Sponsor: AZ Marcelis, L., F. Orsini, M. Kacira. ISHS Talks on Vertical Farming. ISHS HortiDialogues Series. https://www.ishs.org/news/ishs-talks-vertical-farming   KY Owen, W.G. 2020. In-house nutritional monitoring of greenhouse food crops and transplants. Greenhouse Training 2.0 for Cooperative Extension Agents, Online, Dec. 4, 2020. 75 Attendees. Owen, W.G. 2020. Nutrient monitoring of greenhouse and nursery crops. Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association, Online, Dec. 11, 2020. 12 Attendees. Owen, W.G. 2020. Energy efficient bedding plant production. Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association, Online, Dec. 11, 2020. 13 Attendees. Fawns, M., S. Fannin, and W.G. Owen. 2020. Growing fall garden mums. Women in Agriculture, Online, Oct. 7, 2020. 23 Attendees.   NY Mattson, N.S. 2020. Webinar: Biochar as a substrate in container production. Ornamental and Nursery Applications of Biochar Webinar Series. November 17, 2020, 65 participants, length in hours=0.66, total contact hours=43.3.   Mattson, N.S. 2020. Webinar: Greenhouse basil production basics from container grown to indoor production systems. 2020 Basil Workshop. December 10, 2020, 90 participants, length in hours=0.60, total contact hours=54.   Mattson, N.S. 2020. Webinar: The future of farming and food: controlled environment agriculture and disrupting technologies. United Fresh 365! October 29, 2010. 70 participants, length in hours=1.5, total contact hours=105. Mattson, N.S. 2020. Webinar: Managing temperature, humidity and light for greenhouse vegetables. Hosted by Greenhouse Production News magazine. October 27, 2020. 110 participants, length in hours=1.0, total contact hours=110.   Mattson, N.S. and M. Nyman. 2020. Webinar: Nutritional composition of CEA leafy greens: A case study on carotenoids of kale grown in field, greenhouse, or indoors. Indoor Science Café. August 25, 2020. 115 participants, length in hours=1.0, total contact hours=115.   Workshop Sponsor: AZ Kacira, M., G. Giacomelli, S. Tollefson, B. Pryor, E. Worth. 2021. 20th Virtual Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course. The University of Arizona, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, March 2021.   FL Virtual Field Day, highlighting results from trials evaluating compact vegetables for home gardening, with presentations from four breeding companies: Syngenta (Vegetalis), PanAnamerican Seed, Sakata, and Prudac. Jan. 20, 2021   NJ Sciarappa, W., A.J. Both, and A. Ayeni. 2021. Hydroponics/Controlled Environment Systems. Four-hour virtual workshop that was part of the 66th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show. February 22-25.   OH <ul> <li>The 2021 Greenhouse Management Workshop was organized on January 27 and 29, 2021 by Peter Ling and Chieri Kubota with 164 online participants. This year’s focus was ‘Improving Production via Listening to Plants’.</li> <li>A “Soilless Strawberry School” was organized on March 26, 2021 by Chieri Kubota and Mark Kroggel with 120 participants.</li> <li>A “Greenhouse Basics” workshop was offered to K-12 teachers on June 15, 2021. The workshop was organized by Uttara Samarakoon and taught by Uttara Samarakoon and Peter Ling to 12 participants.</li> </ul>   Workshop Participant: AZ Giacomelli, G. 2021. Greenhouse Structures- Glazing and Environmental Control. Presented at 20th UA-CEAC Virtual Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March 3, 10, 17. The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.   Giacomelli, G. Panel Moderator, VLAB UC-Berkeley, VLAB Indoor AgTech: Planting the Seeds of a Better Food Supply Featured Startup - Sam Bertram, 0ne.0ne, Commercial Leader – Sam Schatz, AeroFarm, Adaptor/Incumbent – Marta Baptista, Driscolls, Venture Group – Michael Rose, Better Food Ventures. May 27.   Giacomelli, G. Panel Member, Is Controlled Environment Agriculture the Future of Secure and Sustainable Food Production? Moderated by Nadia Sabeh for ASHRAE, June 29   Giacomelli, G. Committee Member CEADS (Controlled Environment Agriculture Design Standards) development group   Kacira, M. 2021. Monitoring Your Greenhouse Environment: Simple Tools to Technology Trends, Presented at 20th UA-CEAC Virtual Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March 3, 10, 17. The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.   Kacira, M. 2021. Enhancing Environmental Uniformity in CEA systems. ASHRAE Annual Conference. Panel “Up, Down and All Around: Modeling Airflow in Indoor Plant and Animal Environments,” June 29, ASHRAE Virtual Conference.   Kacira, M. 2021. Precision & Resource Use Efficient Controlled Environment Agriculture. Texas A&M Department of Horticulture Webinar Series, February 4, 2021   Kacira, M. 2021. UArizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Programs and Phenotyping in CEA. Bayer Crop Sciences Open AgInnovation Forum. July 17.   Kacira, M. 2020. Advancing Sustainability in CEA through Technology and Design. Panel member, Agritecture Xchange. Nov., 2020. Virtual Conference.   Kacira, M. 2020. Environmental Control and Enhancing Resource Use Efficiency. USDA OptimIA Stakeholder Project Progress Meeting Webinar. July 2020. Amitrano, C. V. De Micco, G. Battista, Y. Rouphael, S. De Pascale, KC Shasteen, M.   Kacira. 2020. Application of the Energy Cascade Model (MEC) on lettuce crop grown in controlled environment agriculture at two different scales: A small growth chamber and a vertical farm. 2020 Virtual Melissa Conference, Nov 3-5.   TN Walters, K.J. Feb. 6, 2021. Growing Herbs and Microgreens Indoors | Gardening in the Air | University of Illinois and Iowa State University. Online.   Walters, K.J. 2020. Herb Production | Greenhouse Training 2.0 for Cooperative Extension Agents | North Carolina State University, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee. Online.   Refereed Journal Articles (Pending):   FL Flores, S., M. Retana-Cordero, P.R. Fisher, R. Freyre, and C. Gómez. Effect of photoperiod, propagative material, and production period on greenhouse-grown ginger and turmeric plants. HortScience (in print). Gómez, C., M. Poudel, M. Yegros, and P.R. Fisher. 2021. Light intensity and quality affect indoor acclimation of tissue culture blueberry transplants. HortScience (submitted on 08/08/2021). Retana-Cordero, M.G, P.R. Fisher, and C. Gómez. 2021. Modeling the effect of temperature on ginger and turmeric rhizome sprouting. Agronomy (submitted on 08/30/2021). S.H. van Delden, M. SharathKumar, M. Butturini, L.J.A. Graamans, E. Heuvelink, M. Kacira, E. Kaiser, R. Klamer, L. Klerkx, G. Kootstra, A. Loeber, R. Schouten, C. Stanghellini, W. Van Ieperen, J. Verdonk, S. Vialet-Chabrand, E. Woltering, R. van de Zedde, Y. Zhang, and L.F.M. Marcelis. 2021. Vertical farming: a new paradigm for the production of high-quality fresh produce. Nature Food (Submitted on 06/28/2021) <ol start="2021"> <li>Zhang and M. Kacira. 2021. Analysis of climate uniformity in indoor plant factory system with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Biosystems Engineering (submitted on 07/21/2021)</li> </ol>   ME Burnett, S.E. 2021. Using microcomputers in an online introduction to horticulture class. HortTechnology (In Submission).   NE Paparozzi, E.T., Z. Li, E. E. Blankenship and M. E. Conley.  Purple leaf basil plants express micronutrient deficiencies symptoms differently than green leaf basil plants. Journal of Plant Nutrition (in press).   University Research on Winter Growing of Container-Grown Strawberries Translates to Grower’s Farm Trial.  Stacy A. Adams, Ellen T. Paparozzi, Ryan Pekarek, David P. Lambe, George E. Meyer, M. Elizabeth Conley, and Paul E. Read. International Journal of Fruit Science (in press).   The Potential for Off Season Commercial Greenhouse Production of Basil for Essential Oils Ellen T. Paparozzi, George E. Meyer and M. Elizabeth Conley. HortTechnology (in review).   NJ Brumfield, R.G., D. Greenwood, M. Flahive DiNardo, A.J. Both, J.R. Heckman, R. Govindasamy, N. Polanin, A.A. Rouff, A. Rowe, R. VanVranken, and S. Arumugam. 202x. A non-parametric approach to evaluate a risk management-training program designed to empower women farmers in New Jersey. Submitted for publication to Vimarsh Journal.   Gottlieb, P.D., R.G. Brumfield, R.I. Cabrera, D. Farnsworth, and L. Marxen. 202x. An Online Tool for estimating return-on-investment for water recycling at nurseries. Submitted for publication to HortTechnology.   Greenwood, D., R.G. Brumfield, M. Flahive DiNardo, A.J. Both, J.R. Heckman, N. Polanin, A. Rouff, A. Rowe, and R. VanVranken. 202x. Annie’s Project: Farming in New Jersey’s Cities and the Urban Fringe. Submitted for review to the Journal of Extension.   Llewellyn, D., T.J. Shelford, Y. Zheng, and A.J. Both. 202x. Measuring and reporting lighting characteristics important for controlled environment plant production. Submitted for publication to Acta Horticulturae. Presented at LightSym, Malmö, Sweden, June 2021.   Shelford, T.J., A.J. Both, and N. Mattson. 202x. A greenhouse daily light integral control algorithm that takes advantage of day ahead market electricity pricing. Submitted for publication to Acta Horticulturae. Presented at LightSym, Malmö, Sweden, June 2021.   Shelford, T.J. and A.J. Both. 202x. On the technical performance characteristics of horticultural lamps. Submitted for publication to AgriEngineering.   Wei, X., H. Khachatryan, A.P. Torres, R.G. Brumfield, A. Hodges, M. Palma, and C.R. Hall. 202x. Exploring firms’ marketing choices in the US ornamental horticulture industry. Submitted for publication to Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics.   OH Cui, S., E.A. Alfaro Inocente, N. Acosta, H. Keener, P. Ling, and H. Zhu. 2021. Development of portable E-nose system for fast diagnosis of whitefly infestation on tomato plant in greenhouse. Chemosensors. In review.   TN Walters, K.J. and R. G. Lopez. 2021. Hydroponic basil production: Temperature influences the profile of volatile organic compounds, but not overall consumer preference. Horticulturae. Under Review.   UT Sun, Y., G. Niu, H. Dou, C. Perez, and L. Alexander. 2022. Growth, gas exchange, and mineral nutrients of hydrangea hybrids irrigated with saline water. Submitted to HortScience   Book Chapters (Pending): NJ Both, A.J. 202x. Greenhouse energy efficiency and management, Chapter 11. Submitted for publication in Regional Perspectives on Farm Energy. 10 pp. Both, A.J. 202x. On-farm energy production – Solar, wind, geothermal, Chapter 12. Submitted for publication in Regional Perspectives on Farm Energy. 13 pp.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 09/29/2022

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/30/2022 - 08/03/2022
Period the Report Covers: 08/01/2021 - 07/31/2022

Participants

Gene Giacomelli and Murat Kacira (Arizona – University of Arizona); Qingwu Meng (Delaware – University of Delaware); Celina Gómez and Ying Zhang (Florida – University of Florida); Kimberly A. Williams and Cary Rivard (Kansas – Kansas State University); W. Garrett Owen (Kentucky – University of Kentucky); Stephanie Burnett (Maine – University of Maine); John Erwin, John Lea-Cox, and Diana Cochran (Maryland – University of Maryland); Roberto G. Lopez (Michigan – Michigan State University); Ellen T. Paparozzi (Nebraska – University of Nebraska); Robin Brumfield, A.J. Both, Tim Shelford, Farzana Lubna, and David Lewus (New Jersey – Rutgers University); Neil Mattson and Nate Eylands (New York – Cornell University); Peter Ling and Chieri Kubota (Ohio – Ohio State University); Kellie Walters (Tennessee – University of Tennessee); Genhua Niu, Joe Masabni, and Shuyang Zhen (Texas – Texas A&M University); Brian Poel and Casey Barickman (Texas – Fluence); Youping Sun (Utah – Utah Agricultural Experiment Station); Jennifer Boldt (USDA-ARS); Joshua Craver (Colorado – Colorado State University); Ellen T. Paparozzi (Nebraska – University of Nebraska); and Yujin Park (Arizona – Arizona State University)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

2022 NE-1835 meeting minutes QM.pdf

Accomplishments

Multistate Research Project Annual Station Accomplishments Report   PROJECT NUMBER: NE-1835           TITLE: Resource Optimization in Controlled Environment Agriculture   PROJECT DURATION: October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2023   EXPERIMENT STATION: Arizona; Delaware; Florida; Kansas; Kentucky; Maine; Maryland; Michigan; Nebraska; New Jersey; New York; Ohio; Tennessee; Texas; and Utah   PARTICIPANTS: Gene Giacomelli and Murat Kacira (Arizona – University of Arizona); Qingwu Meng (Delaware – University of Delaware); Celina Gómez and Ying Zhang (Florida – University of Florida); Kimberly A. Williams and Cary Rivard (Kansas – Kansas State University); W. Garrett Owen (Kentucky – University of Kentucky); Stephanie Burnett (Maine – University of Maine); John Erwin, John Lea-Cox, and Diana Cochran (Maryland – University of Maryland); Roberto G. Lopez (Michigan – Michigan State University); Ellen T. Paparozzi (Nebraska – University of Nebraska); Robin Brumfield, A.J. Both, Tim Shelford, Farzana Lubna, and David Lewus (New Jersey – Rutgers University); Neil Mattson and Nate Eylands (New York – Cornell University); Peter Ling and Chieri Kubota (Ohio – Ohio State University); Kellie Walters (Tennessee – University of Tennessee); Genhua Niu, Joe Masabni, and Shuyang Zhen (Texas – Texas A&M University); Brian Poel and Casey Barickman (Texas – Fluence); and Youping Sun (Utah – Utah Agricultural Experiment Station)   REPORTING PERIOD: August 1, 2021 – July 31, 2022   REPORT DATE: September 29, 2022   OBJECTIVES (included as a reminder):   <ol> <li>To develop up-to-date water and nutrient as well as energy management guidelines for greenhouse crop production and provide stakeholders with educational opportunities that teach proper implementation at their own facilities.</li> <li>To develop these guidelines using research and development involving sensors and control strategies devised by current team members, and through and future collaborations among team members who may become part of this research project.</li> </ol>   METHODS (please include your activities and accomplishments where appropriate):   Objective 1: To evaluate and develop strategies to improve energy efficiency in controlled environment agriculture Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop recommendations for optimal lamp choices and layouts for greenhouses and indoor production facilities</li> </ol>   DE   PhD student, Eva Birtell, and Qingwu Meng evaluated the growth and morphology of hydroponically grown hot peppers under sole-source LED lighting treatments that varied in spectral composition and light intensity. They collected data on plants pre-transplant and later at the mature vegetative stage. They found that spectral quality influenced the effect of increased light intensity on peppers.   Undergraduate student, Ian Kelly, and Qingwu Meng tested different timings and lamp types (white and red + far-red LEDs) for photoperiodic control of flowering in greenhouse long-day crop production. Red + far-red LEDs were more effective than white LEDs at promoting flowering of far-red-sensitive crops, although white LEDs were as effective for other crops and increased branching and compactness.   FL   Gómez evaluated different LED fixtures for the use in living green walls mounted on walls. Light spectrum was evaluated as a potential strategy to increase light distribution within the canopy of plants.   MI   M.S. student Devin Brewer and Roberto Lopez quantified the influence of blue or blue + red end-of-production (EOP) sole-source lighting on red leaf lettuce. Results indicate that radiation intensity is more effective at increasing anthocyanin content than radiation quality alone. However, EOP lighting providing 100:0 B:R was effective at increasing mineral nutrient content beyond levels quantified in plants not receiving EOP lighting.   M.S. student Caleb Spall and Roberto Lopez investigated the influence of supplemental light (SL) quality on time to harvest and finished quality of several specialty cut flowers. Time to harvest of cut flowers having a long-day flowering response was hastened when grown under SL containing blue, red, and far-red radiation, or 100% blue radiation compared to cut flowers grown under 100% red SL. Stem lengths were greatest under 100% red SL, although stem lengths from all treatments were of sufficient length.   Ph.D. student Hyeonjeong Kang and Roberto Lopez investigated the influence of the photosynthetic daily light integral and root-zone temperature on rooting of tropical foliage plants during propagation. A daily light integral between 6 to 10 mol∙m–2∙d–1 is recommended because further increases have minimal impact on root growth or quality. The greatest root dry mass was recorded when cuttings were rooted at root-zone temperature of 25 °C.   Sean Tarr and Roberto Lopez modeled how the photosynthetic photon flux density and CO2 concentrations interact with mean daily temperature (MDT) to influence the growth, yield, and quality of hydroponically grown green butterhead and red oakleaf lettuce ‘Rex’ and ‘Rouxaï RZ’. Dry mass of both cultivars was influenced by the interaction of CO2 and MDT; biomass accumulation was greatest at 800 µmol·mol–1 CO2 at MDTs of 23 and 26 °C.   Sean Tarr and Roberto Lopez investigated how the day length provided to marigold ‘Xochi’ young plants influences subsequent flowering and cut flower quality. Regardless of the photoperiod provided, time to visible bud and open flower were similar across the young-plant photoperiods tested. Stem length at day of harvest was greatest when seedlings were grown under photoperiods of 13 to 16-h.   NJ   We continue to evaluate a variety of lamps for light output, light distribution and power consumption using our 2-meter integrating sphere and a small darkroom.   We are also conducting research on the environmental impacts of plant lighting systems. We’re using life cycle analysis calculations to assess various lighting technologies and strategies.   NY   Cornell: Supplemental light is necessary in winter to promote high productivity of hydroponic crops. While LEDs are more energy efficient than traditional high pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide (MH) fixtures. More information is needed on how light spectrum impacts yield, water-use efficiency, and plant nutrition. In a greenhouse lettuce study during winter, growth of lettuce ‘Rex’ and ‘Rouxai’ was compared under HPS, MH, red:blue LEDs, and white LEDs. The same daily light integral was applied across treatment and the experiment was repeated three times. HPS fixtures led to greater fresh weight than red:blue LEDs. While HPS plants consumed more water per plant, on a water used per unit of fresh mass basis the HPS plants used less water than red:blue LEDs. The nutritional composition (anthocyanins and xanthophylls) were greatest under red:blue LEDs as compared to white LEDs or HPS. More work is needed to balance high plant productivity with nutrition, suggesting promise in dynamically changing light spectrum during the crop cycle.   Cornell: Far-red radiation (700-750 nm) is often ignored by lighting manufacturers as the traditional definition of photosynthetically active radiation includes 400-700 nm light. In experiments with lettuce under sole-source lighting we found plants that received 20% far-red (vs. 2% far-red control) had a 70-80% larger fresh and dry weight.   Cornell: Winter producers of petunias as bedding plants have difficulties getting some cultivars to flower on time and have sufficient branching and size to fill their containers. In a greenhouse experiment, the impact of daily light integral (DLI, at 6, 9, 12, or 15 mol m-2 d-1) combined with 0 or 30 µmol m-2 s-1 far-red during the liner production stage was evaluated on subsequent size and flowering. Little impact of far-red was observed except at 6 mol m-2 d-1 where far-red caused early flowering but also resulted in excessive plant stretch). Increasing DLI to 12 or 15 mol m-2 d-1 substantially improved plant quality (branching, flower number, and days to flower).   TX   Develop integrated lighting and temperature management approach for indoor production of leafy greens and herbs. Improving the cost-effectiveness of crop lighting is critical to the sustainability and profitability of indoor farms. However, lighting strategies are often developed with little consideration of other environmental conditions in the production environment. Temperature in particular plays an important role in crop growth, development, and quality. Additionally, efficient thermal environment management is important to reducing the carbon footprint of indoor farms. We conducted multiple studies in the past year to better understand how yield and morphology of popular leafy greens and herbs, such as lettuce and basil, were affected by light spectral quality and temperature. We found that light spectral quality (specifically, far-red light) and temperature interactively regulate plant morphology and yield. The inclusion of far-red light tended to promote leaf expansion and biomass production under cooler temperature (20-24 °C) but reduced or had no effect on crop yield under higher temperature of 28 °C. Those findings highlight the needs to co-optimize multiple environmental factors in indoor crop productions.   Shifting greenhouse sunlight spectrum to improve crop yield. Quantum dot (QD)-enabled luminescent films are an innovative, electricity-free technology to modify the light spectrum in a greenhouse. These films convert high-energy UV and blue photons to lower-energy red and far-red photons, which could potentially benefit crop growth. We tested the effect of luminescent greenhouse films on growth and yield of two lettuce cultivars (green leaf ‘Rex’ and red leaf ‘Outredgeous’) and basil ‘Genovese’. Compared to a control film containing no QDs, the spectral shift by the QD films promoted leaf expansion and biomass production in both lettuce and basil. However, the films (QD films and control films) caused a reduction in total light intensity by ~20-23% compared to no-film greenhouse control. Those reductions in light intensity led to either reductions or no significant effects on yield depending on the magnitude of spectral shifts. Further studies have been planned to investigate the potential applications of this relatively new greenhouse technology.   Replacing/adding UVA and far red (FR) light to white LED affected growth, morphology and phytochemicals of indoor-grown microgreens. However, the magnitude of effect is relatively small, considering the costs of LED lights with UVA and FR spectrums.  To investigate the effects of adding UVA and FR light to white LEDs on plant biomass, height, and the concentrations of phytochemicals, four species of microgreens including basil, cabbage, kale, and kohlrabi were grown under six light treatments. The first three treatments were white LED (control) and two UVA treatments (adding UVA to white LED for the whole growth period or for the last 5 days). Another three treatments consisted of adding FR to the first three treatments. The total photon flux density (TPFD) for all six light treatments was the same. The percentages of UVA and FR photons in the TPFD were 23% and 32%, respectively. Compared to white LEDs, adding UVA throughout the growth period did not affect plant height in all the species except for basil, where 9% reduction was observed regardless of the FR light. On the contrary, the addition of FR light increased plant heights by 9–18% for basil, cabbage, and kohlrabi, regardless of the UVA treatment, compared to white LED. Furthermore, regardless of UVA, adding FR to white LEDs reduced the plant biomass, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant concentrations for at least one species. There was no interaction between FR and UVA on all the above growth and quality traits for all the species. In summary, microgreens were more sensitive to the addition of FR light compared to UVA; however, the addition of FR to white LEDs may reduce yields and phytochemicals in some species.   Short-term pre-harvest supplemental lighting with different LEDs improves greenhouse lettuce quality. Winter–spring greenhouse vegetable production is limited by low-level natural light, resulting in decreased growth and quality. To investigate whether short-term pre-harvest supplemental lighting (SL) with light emitting diodes (LEDs) can address this issue, a study was conducted in a greenhouse in Dallas, Texas. Red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. ‘Red Mist’) plants grown in a hydroponic system were treated with daytime or nighttime SL with red (R) and blue (B) LEDs (RB-LED), blue and UVA LEDs (B/UVA-LED), or white LEDs (W-LED) for three days before harvest and compared to those without SL (control). All SL treatments provided a photon flux density of 167 μmol·m−2·s−1 for 12 h daily. Compared with the control, SL treatments increased leaf thickness and greenness, antioxidant capacity, and concentrations of phytonutrients such as anthocyanins, carotenoids, and total phenolics; however, shoot fresh biomass and total leaf area were generally not affected by SL. There were no differences in all of the above traits among W-LED, RB-LED and B/UVA-LED. Compared with daytime SL, nighttime SL increased leaf greenness and carotenoid concentration. In summary, all three LEDs with different spectra were effective in improving lettuce quality as short-term pre-harvest SL sources and nighttime SL was more effective than daytime SL; however, plant fresh weight and total leaf area were not affected.   TX (Fluence)   Our work on the optimal light intensity for indoor cannabis is on-going, but we have preliminarily concluded between 1500 and 1800 µmol·m-2·s-1 is optimal for cannabis floral yield and total cannabinoid and terpene content. While under experimental conditions, floral yield peaked at 2100 µmol·m-2·s-1 and the linear increase in yield generally ceased around 1800 µmol·m-2·s-1, optimal environmental management in terms of meeting optimal temperature, vapor pressure deficit, and airflow becomes limiting above 1500 µmol·m-2·s-1, especially in vertically tiered production systems.   With respect to spectrum, we concluded a broad-spectrum is ideal for cannabis production unless producer energy costs are exceptionally high to counteract the drawbacks of a monochromatic red and blue spectrum. While floral yield decreased as spectral red content increased, integrating cannabinoid concentration resulted in a greater total active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) yield as red light content increased. However, under high-red conditions (above 60%), plants are susceptible to photo-bleaching which can severely reduce the value of fresh product due to appearance, though it may not significantly alter the chemical composition. Additionally, plant husbandry and labor tasks become more difficult as red light increases, especially in dichromatic red and blue environments. Therefore, broad-spectrum light with up to 45% red light is generally recommended for indoor cannabis production, unless energy costs are sufficiently high and/or plants are solely grown for extraction.   Though it has been traditionally recommended due to a 1987 academic paper, UV-B is detrimental to cannabinoid production. Our results have shown that delivering UV-B during the flowering phase reduces total cannabinoid yield linear with dose due to the reduction in total plant growth via plant stress and reduced photon capture.   <ol start="2"> <li>Improve ventilation alternatives for high-tunnels that result in better cooling in the summer and reduced heat loss in the winter</li> </ol>   NJ   We are continuing our work on a comprehensive evaluation of ventilation strategies for high tunnel crop production. We are using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess ventilation rates in high tunnels equipped with several different ventilation configurations. A peer-reviewed publication containing an overview of our initial results was submitted to a scientific journal (AgriEngineering).   Objective 2: To reduce fresh water use and evaluate alternative fertilizers and growing substrates for the production of greenhouse crops Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop practical production guidelines to increase the efficiency of organic fertilizers in production of container-grown ornamentals and hydroponically-grown vegetables</li> </ol>   DE   Undergraduate student, Evyn Appel, and Qingwu Meng conducted two greenhouse experiments investigating unadjusted nutrient solutions of varying electrical conductivities in hydroponically grown leafy greens. They used imaging as a tool to measure the plant canopy size and identify nutrient insufficiency as early as 4 days after transplant.   NY   Cornell: Aquaculture (fish) and aquaponic (fish + plants) is an emerging sector agricultural sector. These systems produce large volumes of waste solids from fish. Anaerobic, aerobic and a combination digestion approach were developed to use microbes to process fish solid waste and make nutrients plant available. We found the combined approach (anaerobic digestion followed by aerobic digestion) led to positive outcomes for the nutrient solution including greater nitrate and iron concentration with and an optimal pH (6 vs. 7). When used as an organic fertilizer source for lettuce growing in deep water culture, combined digestion performed nearly as well as conventional mineral fertilization and better than aerobic or anaerobic digestion.   <ol start="2"> <li>Develop practical management guidelines to improve production efficiency and increase yield and quality of vegetables grown in recirculating hydroponics and aquaponics systems </li> </ol>   AZ   Graduate student of Gene Giacomelli, Max Smith completed progress producing tomato (truss and cherry), cantaloupe and cucumber within a recirculating top-drip hydroponic nutrient delivery system.  All crops are within a single-bay, gutter-connected, glass-covered greenhouse 7.5 x 15.1 m. Crops are produced in high solar radiation, high air temperature and modest VPD conditions to determine the effect on harvest quality and yield compared to standard, optimal conditions.  This is continuing work supported by sub-contract to UC-Merced from an INFEWS-T2 NSF grant, whose primary goal is to develop a solar-energized greenhouse for the purification of the salt-laden drainage water from field production agriculture in the Central Valley of California. It will further produce edible vegetable crops while operating at its excessive air temperatures required for desalinization.   Wavelength altering properties of quantum dots in plastic film for the improvement of tomato and lettuce plant production was continued within a single-bay, gutter-connected, ETFE film-covered greenhouse 7.5 x 15.1 m, by Michael Blum and Morgan Mattingly, graduate students of Gene Giacomelli, in collaboration and support of Matt Bergren, UbiQD company .   Graduate student KC Shasteen, graduate student of Murat Kacira, developed a machine vision application and implemented a predictive modeling-based system monitoring crop growth and yield, planting density optimization and yield predictions, that can be used in a DFW or NFT based production system.   Kacira Lab, through collaboration and support of Red Sea Farms company, are evaluating the effect of wavelength selective greenhouse covering materials to reduce energy demands for cooling and on varieties of tomato crop growth and yield. The outcomes of the project are also directed towards evaluating humidity controls, wireless monitoring technology, and company’s patented technology which combines thermal energy storage and saltwater evaporative cooling to both actively and passively maintain an ideal greenhouse temperature.    DE   PhD student, Eva Birtell, and Qingwu Meng investigated the performance of four compact hot pepper cultivars under different light intensities, fertilizer strengths, and nutrient management styles in Kratky-style hydroponic systems. Eva collected data on plant health, morphology, yield, and the amount of nutrient solution required per treatment. After evaluating the cultivars, Kitchen Mini ‘Tamale’ pepper was recommended for use in future research.   FL   Zhang and her students studyed combined air and root-zone temperature treatments for lettuce production in indoor farming systems to develop management guidelines on temperature management for improving lettuce productivity, reducing tipburn, and saving energy.   Gómez evaluated the use of nine commercial biostimulant products for the production of hydroponic lettuce grown indoors.   OH   We have updated our web-based information resource “Hydroponics / Soilless Culture Info” (<a href="https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics/">https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics/</a>) which inlcude 16 comprehensive lectures on hydroponics crop production methods and management. The website was accessed by 289 users (607 pageviews) over the past year.   We have updated a web-based information resource ‘Controlled Environment Berry Production Information” (<a href="https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry">https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry</a>) that contains the following topics. The website was accessed by 3467 users (13,233 pageviews) over the past year.   We also initiated a new monthly grower discussion forum ‘Strawberry Café’ in October 2021 and the membership increased more than three times over the past nine months (to 180 members) (mostly growers).   TN   Our objectives were to: 1) quantify the extent light intensity during seedling production influences sweet basil and butterhead lettuce yield and morphology, 2) determine if yield and morphological differences remain present after transplant in a common greenhouse environment, and 3) quantify the extent light can be removed during the first 5 days of seedling production without reducing yield at harvest. ‘Rex’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and ‘Italian Large Leaf’ basil (Ocimum basilicum) were sown in 162-cell peat cubes, irrigated, and placed in a walk-in growth chamber with light intensities of 200 and 800 µmol·m2·s-1 provided by broad-spectrum light-emitting diodes for a 16-h photoperiod. Flats were covered with black plastic for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days. After 14 days, the seedlings were transplanted into raft hydroponic systems in a common greenhouse environment where they were grown for 21 days. At transplant and harvest, height, growth index, fresh and dry mass, stomatal conductance to water vapor, and chlorophyll fluorescence were quantified. In general, both lettuce and basil seedlings grown under 800 compared to 200 µmol·m-2·s-1 had a greater fresh mass, thicker stems, and were shorter. For lettuce and basil grown under 800 µmol·m-2·s-1, and lettuce grown under 200 µmol·m-2·s-1, fresh mass at transplant was reduced if seedlings were germinated the dark for longer than ~2 days with some fresh mass reductions persisting through harvest. Additionally, after ~2 days in darkness, seedlings tended to have longer hypocotyls, thinner stems, and a greater height. However, basil grown under 200 µmol·m-2·s-1 had no difference in fresh mass regardless of the dark duration. Therefore, for basil seedlings grown under 800 µmol·m-2·s-1 and lettuce seedlings regardless of light intensity, dark germination should be no longer than 2 days.   Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a popular herb used as a flavoring agent in culinary dishes. Two foliage color types, green and purple, differ not only in color due to anthocyanin concentration, but their ability to handle excess sunlight, shade avoidance response, vigor, and yield. Growing multiple plants per cell, increasing planting density, to a certain point may be an effective method to increase space-use efficiency. However, too high of plant density may reduce yield or crop quality. Therefore, the objective was to determine the optimal planting density to increase yield of green and purple basil while maintaining color, high leaf to stem ratio, and uniform plants. In this study, ‘Red Rubin’ purple and ‘Italian Large Leaf’ green basil seeds were sown in 162-cell oasis horticubes at a density of 1, 5, 10, 15, or 20 seeds per cell, and were placed in an ebb-and-flow hydroponic system. After 10 or 14 days of growth for green and purple basil, respectively, seedlings were transplanted to deep-water culture hydroponic systems and grown for 18 days (rep 1) or 21 days (rep 2 and 3) for ‘Italian Large Leaf’ and 21 days (rep 1) or 25 days (rep 2 and 3) for ‘Red Rubin’. At harvest, stem thickness, height, fresh mass per cell, and individual stem and leaf dry mass were collected. With the information from this study, basil producers can optimize space-use efficiency while maintaining crop quality.   TX (Fluence)   Research on high-wire cucumbers showed a minimum need for some broad-spectrum compared to a monochromatic red and blue when delivered as supplemental lighting. Weekly yield increased by 9% under three broad spectrum top-light treatments compared to monochromatic red and blue. Additionally, due to the increased blue content of broad-spectrum treatments, vine length, and therefore labor input for crop lowering was lower compared to the monochromatic red and blue treatment. Considering the above results along with spectrum efficacy, we have concluded broad-spectrum supplemental lighting with 80% red is the optimal for high-wire cucumber production.   <ol start="3"> <li>Develop recommendations for application of flexible wavelength lighting and selective cover materials or shading elements for greenhouses</li> </ol>   <ol start="4"> <li>Develop strategies to reduce water use in propagation of ornamentals and vegetables</li> </ol>   ME   Maine has developed a commercial scale submist system for propagation that applied water to the base of cuttings, rather than overhead. This system was expanded to test the addition of small amounts of overhead mist to determine whether a small amount of overhead mist would improve rooting and quality of cuttings compared to overhead mist. Two species (Coreopsis verticillata and Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’) had more roots and higher quality roots in overhead mist systems and would not be recommended for propagation in submist. Four species (Amsonia tabernaemontana, Hydrangea paniculata, Physocarpus opulifolius, and Myrica gale) had relatively equivalent rooting in submist and overhead mist. These four species could be propagated in either submist or overhead mist. Water usage was reduced 86% in submist systems, which may allow growers to propagate plants using water conserving techniques.   NJ   We completed the development of Rutgers Water Recycling Investment Tool. We created this online tool to allow producers to estimate costs and benefits of a water recycling investment at their commercial nursery, using information that they enter about their nursery operation. This tool then gives them a “regulatory risk score” based on their drought and pollution risk. Next, using a partial budget approach, the program determines the net present value of the investment, the upfront capital cost, and the expected change in annual cash flow. The tool is available at: <a href="https://tessera.rutgers.edu/recycle-flowchart/">https://tessera.rutgers.edu/recycle-flowchart/</a> This work also resulted in a publication (Gottlieb et al, 2022).   <ol start="5"> <li>Accelerate propagation timing by reducing water use</li> </ol>   <ol start="6"> <li>Generate new knowledge about environmental management practices that enhance beneficial microbes in hydroponic solutions</li> </ol>   <ol start="7"> <li>Develop management guidelines to use low-quality water for irrigating greenhouse crops</li> </ol>   KS   During Spring 2022, an undergraduate research project by six students taking HORT 705 Hydroponic Food Production at Kansas State University evaluated wastewater from a commercial water purification system for use for plant production by comparing growth of hydroponic lettuce and basil to that produced with reverse osmosis or municipal water. There were no growth differences across treatments. (See ASHS-22 poster presentation).   UT   Salt tolerance of Utah native plants. From August to October 2021, five Utah native plants [Amelanchier pumila (dwarf serviceberry), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick), Cercocarpus ledifolius (curl-leaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus montanus ‘Coy’ (alder-leaf mountain mahogany), and Shepherdia × utahensis ‘Torrey’ (hybrid buffaloberry)] were evaluated for salinity tolerance in a Utah Agricultural Experiment Station (UAES)’s greenhouse. Each species was irrigated with a nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m-1 (control) or saline solution at an EC of 5.0 dS·m-1 or 10.0 dS·m-1 for 8 weeks. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with ten replications. Root zone salinity was monitored after each irrigation event using the pour-through technique described by Cavins et al. (2008). Plant growth, visual quality, relative chlorophyll contents (SPAD readings), and physiological parameters including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency were collected. Environmental data including temperature and solar radiation in the greenhouse were recorded during the experiment.   Develop best water management practices for nursery and greenhouse production. I have collaborated with four nursery growers (Butterfield Gardens Ground Cover, Sandy, UT; Cache Valley Nursery, Hyrum, UT; Tri City Nursery, Kaysville, UT; Zollinger Fruit & Tree Farm, Logan, UT) and two greenhouse producers (Garden Gateway, Hyde Park, UT; Pineae Greenhouses, Layton, UT) to develop best water management practices for nursery and greenhouse production. In January to December 2020 and 2021, water samples were collected monthly from their production sites and submitted to USU Analytical Laboratory. Water quality monitoring systems were installed in the production sites of three nurseries (Butterfield Gardens Ground Cover, Spanish Fork, UT; Perennial Favorites, Layton, UT; Pineae Greenhouses, Layton, UT).   <ol start="8"> <li>Develop production guidelines to adjust nutrient programs to non-peat-based substrates</li> </ol>   NE   Published journal article on response of hydroponic purple versus green basil cultivars to iron, manganese, zinc, and copper deficiency.   Objective 3: To train growers and students to utilize emerging controlled environment agriculture technologies Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Organize education programs that target CEA growers around the US, our target populations will include Hispanics, Native Americans, and new farmers</li> </ol>   AZ   Kacira (co-PI), within NSF-NRT funded project titled “Indigenous Food, Energy, and Water Security and Sovereignty” and in collaboration with Dr. Karletta Chief (PI), continued to educate a cohort graduate students on novel and sustainable off-grid production of safe drinking water, brine management operations, and controlled environment agriculture systems to provide technical solutions for communities, currently with Navajo Nation, challenged to have access to fresh produce and safe drinking water. During this reporting period, Kacira supported and advised 3 graduate students in the project, Kacira participated (with graduate students Jaymus Lee, Calder Bethke, Chantel Harrison, and Chrisa Whitmore) in the 2022 Tribal Colleges and Universities Internship in-person event at the Dine College Campus in Navajo Nation, with educational module development and presentations on controlled environment agriculture food production.   UA-CEAC continued to provide educational opportunities on CEA for new farmers through its 21st Annual Greenhouse Engineering and Crop production Short Course (110+ participants, 18 exhibitors). Kacira, Giacomelli, and Outreach Specialist Ellen Worth were event organizers, and Kacira and Giacomelli were both moderators and presenters. UA-CEAC Intensive Workshops on education of growers producing hydroponics tomato production (Triston Hooks, Instructor) (50 participants).   DE   Qingwu Meng initiated a student-run hydroponics club to expose more students to hands-on learning opportunities. This club further engaged the local community by setting up a farmers’ market and participating in local events seeking to foster science communication. He and his students led tours of hydroponic facilities to educate prospective students and local residents about controlled environment growing systems.   FL   Gómez gave one presentation in Spanish to train greenhouse growers in the North Eastern US and about strategies to produce compact vegetables for the urban gardening market. In addition, she gave two presentations in Spanish in Ecuador to train cut flower growers on the potential use of LEDs for greenhouse production.   MD   Helped organize a greenhouse production conference (Chesapeake Green) including >6 speakers.  This conference had not been held for several years.  The audience included new growers (approx. 300 total attendance).   Initiated a statewide summer greenhouse grower conference (collaboratively with the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association) that includes talks and demonstrations of new information (approx. 100 total attendance).   MI   Coordinated several outreach programs that delivered unbiased, research-based information on producing plants in controlled environments, including the <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/floriculture/expo">Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo</a>, <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/">e GRO</a> and the <a href="http://floriculturealliance.org">Floriculture Research Alliance</a> annual meeting.   We updated the MSU Extension <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/floriculture/resources">Floriculture & Greenhouse Crop Production</a> website that includes MSU-authored resources on the production of plants in controlled environments.   NJ   We presented at the Cultivate’22 trade show.   NY   Cornell: Our outreach efforts (workshops, presentations, and webinars) during the reporting period resulted in the training of 452 New York State participants and 913 out-of-state participants. Participants represent aquaponics, hydroponics, and greenhouse industry members, extension educators, Master Gardeners, middle-school and high-school teachers.   OH   We organized three workshops during the reporting period as follow: <ul> <li>The 2022 Greenhouse Management Workshop was organized on January 26 - 28, 2022 by Peter Ling and Chieri Kubota with 170 online participants.  This year’s focus was ‘Integrated Disease and Pest Management’.</li> <li>The 2022 Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Annual Conference was organized on July 20, 2022 by Chieri Kubota, Carly Becker, Michelle Jones, Chris Taylor and James Altland with a total of 169 participants. This year’s focus was ‘Advancement of Microbial Technologies in Controlled Environment Agriculture’.</li> </ul>   TX   The annual conference of Urban Controlled Environment Agriculture was held in December 2021 at the Dallas Center. Joseph Masabni and Genhua Niu co-organized the conference. The 2021 conference was a hybrid with both virtual and in person. We continued to receive positive comments and feedback from the participants and the regional CEA industry.   <ol start="2"> <li>Publish a hydroponic production book and an eight-part article series on urban agriculture</li> </ol>   NJ   We published a peer-reviewed opinion article that discusses several of the challenges involved with vertical farming (title: What you may not realize about vertical farming).   <ol start="3"> <li>Enhance undergraduate research training in the area of controlled environment plant production to prepare the students for independent studies</li> </ol>   AZ   Gene Giacomelli has hired, trained, educated and/or advised 19 undergraduates working on grant supported research projects to be competent in CEA hydroponic crop production systems design and operations.   Murat Kacira has hired, trained, and educated 6 undergraduate students working in hydroponics crop production, indoor vertical farming, wavelength selective greenhouse covering, and space horticulture focused research projects funded through USDA, NASA, and private sector funding   DE   Qingwu Meng designed and taught a new in-person laboratory session of his undergraduate-level Hydroponic Food Production course in Fall 2022. In Spring 2023, Qingwu Meng designed and taught a new graduate-level course, Controlled Environment Crop Physiology and Technology, in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Delaware.   In Summer 2022, Qingwu Meng mentored and trained a summer undergraduate student, Evyn Appel, who was a participant in the Envision program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware. The student conducted fertility and imaging research on greenhouse hydroponic lettuce.   FL   Zhang hired two undergraduate students in the past year to guide them on research related to CO2 monitoring and indoor farming management.   Zhang developed a AOM course, Controlled Environment Agriculture Principles and Practices, to educate students on sensing and control technologies for CEA. In the course, students participated in a mentor group project and were trained to develop a research plan, build an indoor propagation system with a growth tent, and conduct data analysis.   KS   Williams: Incorporated undergraduate research project into HORT 705 Hydroponic Food Production at Kansas State University to evaluate wastewater from a commercial water purification system for use for plant production by comparing growth of hydroponic lettuce and basil to that produced with reverse osmosis or municipal water. (See ASHS-22 poster presentation).   KY   In Fall 2021, the Department of Horticulture at the University of Kentucky offered greenhouse and controlled environment operations and management course (PLS 465; lecture and laboratory) for the first time since Fall 2009 and was taught by Dr. W. Garrett Owen.   In addition, Dr. W. Garrett Owen provided numerous guest lectures to courses across disciplines (HRT 100, IPS 625, PLS 386, PLS 470G, and PLS 520) in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky and outside the University of Kentucky (Michigan State University – HRT 221; University of Tennessee-Knoxville – PLSC 333.   During the reporting period, three undergraduate senior capstone projects have been performed and/or on-going. These projects investigate the influence of daily light integral (DLI) on growth, development, and marketability of 1) vegetable transplants; 2) deep-water cultured red- and green-leaf lettuce; and 3) Boston and Australian swordferns. To date, the undergraduate senior capstone project investigating the influence of DLI on deep-water cultured red- and green-leaf lettuce is a collaborative effort between Dr. Kellie Walters, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and Dr. W. Garrett Owen, the University of Kentucky. This project will accomplish two senior capstone project, one each from each university. Finally, the undergraduate senior capstone project investigating the influence of DLI on Boston and Australian swordferns was communicated by submitting a manuscript to HortScience in which it was accepted in July 2022.   ME   Maine worked with New York and Vermont to develop a curriculum for an online training program in greenhouse scouting for insects, mites, and diseases. This online training program could be offered to greenhouse growers or undergraduate students studying Controlled Environment Agriculture. We are pursuing funding to hopefully offer this training program next spring.   MD   3 sections of a capstone course that utilized student’s past education to identify a problem, design an experiment to answer a question related to the problem, conduct that experiment, and develop actionable new practices based on that work.  The section I led focused on 1) hydroponic herb production, and 2) utilizing growth regulators to reduce labor costs.   Initiating a new course (undergraduate and graduate level) in Controlled Environment Agriculture for Spring ’23.   NJ   During the spring 2022 semester, we taught a (mostly virtual) 4-credit undergraduate course titled Indoor Cultivation of High Value Crops and enrolled 19 students. The hands-on component of the course was covered by having students grow crops at home using a small commercially-sourced table-top hydroponic growing system (AeroGarden).   NY   Cornell: Two virtual greenhouse tours were given to middle and high-school students, and one virtual tour was given to a 4-H club. Nine undergraduate students and 2 graduate students were trained in aquaponics/hydroponics independent research and outreach.   OH   During this reporting year: <ul> <li>Three undergraduate students were engaged in controlled environment research programs in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.</li> <li>Several undergraduate students were engaged in controlled environment plant production research programs in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department.</li> </ul>   TN   Mentored 11 undergraduates in controlled environment research. Three undergraduate students have shared results through university-wide undergraduate poster research symposia. Incorporated group research projects into a 300-level plant physiology and nutrition course.   <ol start="4"> <li>Submit at least three grants to enhance our collaboration within the team</li> </ol>   FL   Zhang (UF) collaborated with Gómez (UF), Niu (Texas A&M), and other researchers as collaborators to support a grant application led by Zahid (Texas A&M) for a USDA-NIFA-SCRI planning grant proposal “Greenhouse Microenvironment Control for Hydroponic Leafy Greens in Hot and Humid Climate”.   Gómez (UF) submitted a USDA-NIFA-SCRI proposal “Improving specialty crop propagation with controlled environments” in 2022. Zhang (UF) and others participated as Co-PIs.   MI   Principal investigator and Extension co-coordinator in a new, four-year project supported by the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative entitled “<a href="http://www.scri-optimia.org">Improving the profitability and sustainability of indoor leafy-greens production</a>”, in collaboration with colleagues at Arizona, Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, and the USDA-ARS.   NJ   We are already collaborating with colleagues at other institutions as part of the USDA-NIFA SCRI project LAMP and the GLASE project.   TN   Submitted one grant to USDA SCRI Program with several NE1835 members.   Other accomplishments you want to report that do not necessarily relate to the NE-1835 Multistate Research Project objectives:   AZ   Gene Giacomelli with efforts of Masters students Sam Farrow and Max Martin and private company grant support has determine most of the management practices for automating continuous, year-round table grape production in the greenhouse.   Kacira has continued to collaborate with several colleagues in NE-1835 team who are part of the USDA-AFRI/SCRI funded project OptimIA: Optimizing Indoor Agriculture for leafy green production, and also submitted new grant proposals to USDA-SCRI for funding.   KS   Williams: One CEA graduate student presented their research on use of anti-gibberellin plant growth regulators in interior green walls at ASHS-22.   MD   Identified differences in optimal hydroponic solution temperatures among different commercialized herb species and varieties to maximize above media growth and flavor.   Identified the effects of elevated media/root temperature on photosynthesis and growth of tomato (heat tolerant and heat intolerant).   Identified new plant growth regulator combinations to reduce pruning costs in nursery liner and foliage plant production.   Collaborative research program has identified 2 candidate genes that impart strong rust resistance in wheat.   Initiated a study to introduce a Fusarium resistance gene into succulents to reduce losses and fungicide use.   MI   Former M.S. student Sean Tarr and Roberto Lopez established the base (Tb), and optimum (Topt) temperatures for fresh accumulation of arugula (Tb 6.6, Topt 24.7 °C), kale (Tb 7.0, Topt 22.9 °C), and red oakleaf lettuce (Tb 8.5, Topt 26.2 °C) and green butterhead lettuce (Tb 8.4, Topt 24.7 °C).   NJ   Rutgers Cooperative Extension initiated the Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program that is investigating the opportunities for farmers to install agrivoltaic systems that retain the opportunity to farm the land, but at the same time generate electricity for on-site use and export to the local utility grid. This effort was supported by a $2M appropriation from the NJ state legislature.   As part of the Energy Answers for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher project, three narrated PowerPoint presentations were developed that can be viewed here: <a href="https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/">https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/</a>   Two book chapters on Greenhouse energy efficiency and management and on On-farm energy production – Solar, wind, geothermal were contributed to the book titled: Regional Perspectives on Farm Energy (D. Ciolkosz, Ed.).   The third edition of the Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge (organized by Wageningen University and Research) focused on hydroponic lettuce production. The winning team was the only team that outperformed professional growers and consisted of employees of the commercial company Koidra (Ken Tran, CEO) and advisors from Cornell University (Neil Mattson) and Rutgers University (A.J. Both).   We held a four-week Annie’s Project workshop online in March 2022 called “Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options for the Northeast” for women producers in the Northeast. The course focused on farm financial literacy to help participants: Improve their financial literacy, Understand the importance of preparing financial statements for their business, Objectively review the financial position of their business using financial ratios, Understand the cost of production for their enterprises, Enhance their decision-making skills, and Effectively communicate with family, business partners, and others about the financial position of the business. This material is based on work supported by USDA/NIFA under award number 2018-70027-28588.  We recorded four webinars that were part of the workshop: <ul> <li>Benchmarking and Financial Analysis: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5olIibcRNX8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5olIibcRNX8</a></li> <li>Pricing for Profit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo77FXb9nYc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo77FXb9nYc</a></li> <li>Record Keeping <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQZ9964r_yg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQZ9964r_yg</a></li> <li>Who are Your Winners and Losers? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxsTo38NlWM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxsTo38NlWM</a></li> </ul>   From 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm on November 4th, 2021, we celebrated 10 years of Annie’s Project in New Jersey by having an evening workshop online to celebrate and give women farmers information to help manage their farm risks through and post-pandemic. Videos of the workshop are available here: <a href="https://sites.rutgers.edu/annies-project/workshops/annies-project-workshop-videos-new-jersey-10-years-of-empowering-new-jersey-farmers/">https://sites.rutgers.edu/annies-project/workshops/annies-project-workshop-videos-new-jersey-10-years-of-empowering-new-jersey-farmers/</a>.

Publications

Multistate Research Project Annual Station Publications Report   PROJECT NUMBER: NE-1835           TITLE: Resource Optimization in Controlled Environment Agriculture   PROJECT DURATION: October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2023   EXPERIMENT STATION: Arizona; Delaware; Florida; Kansas; Kentucky; Maine; Maryland; Michigan; Nebraska; New Jersey; New York; Ohio; Tennessee; Texas; and Utah   PARTICIPANTS: Gene Giacomelli and Murat Kacira (Arizona – University of Arizona); Qingwu Meng (Delaware – University of Delaware); Celina Gómez and Ying Zhang (Florida – University of Florida); Kimberly A. Williams and Cary Rivard (Kansas – Kansas State University); W. Garrett Owen (Kentucky – University of Kentucky); Stephanie Burnett (Maine – University of Maine); John Erwin, John Lea-Cox, and Diana Cochran (Maryland – University of Maryland); Roberto G. Lopez (Michigan – Michigan State University); Ellen T. Paparozzi (Nebraska – University of Nebraska); Robin Brumfield, A.J. Both, Tim Shelford, Farzana Lubna, and David Lewus (New Jersey – Rutgers University); Neil Mattson and Nate Eylands (New York – Cornell University); Peter Ling and Chieri Kubota (Ohio – Ohio State University); Kellie Walters (Tennessee – University of Tennessee); Genhua Niu, Joe Masabni, and Shuyang Zhen (Texas – Texas A&M University); Brian Poel and Casey Barickman (Texas – Fluence); and Youping Sun (Utah – Utah Agricultural Experiment Station)   REPORTING PERIOD: August 1, 2021 – July 31, 2022   REPORT DATE: September 29, 2022   PUBLICATIONS:   Dissertations, Theses (Published):   AZ   Shasteen, KC. 2022. Predictive Modelling and Computer Vision Based Decision Support to Optimize Resource Use in Vertical Farms. Master Thesis, Biosystems Engineering Department, The University of Arizona.  [Major Advisor: M. Kacira]   MI   Sean Tarr (M.S. student) Improving yield and quality of leafy greens grown indoors with precise radiation, temperature, and carbon dioxide. Graduation, May 2022. Caleb Spall (M.S. student) Manipulating photon flux density, photon spectrum, and photoperiod to improve the greenhouse production of specialty cut flowers. Graduation, July 2022.   NY   Holley, J. 2022. Enhancing yield, morphology, nutrition, and water-use efficiency of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) with greenhouse light spectrum and carbon dioxide enrichment. Ph.D. Dissertation. Cornell University. 131pp. Kurosaki, M. 2022. Optimizing lighting and carbon dioxide enrichment for controlled environment production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). M.S. Thesis. Cornell University. 97pp.   Books (Published):   KY   Owen, W.G. and J.G. Latimer. 2022. Growth regulators for containerized herbaceous perennial plants. GrowerTalks, 76 p. <a href="https://www.growertalks.com/pdf/PGR_Guide_2022-23.pdf">https://www.growertalks.com/pdf/PGR_Guide_2022-23.pdf</a>   Book Chapters (Published):   AZ   G.A. Giacomelli, Updated Foreword to "Basic Principles of Growing by Plant Empowerment" by P.A.M. Geelan, J.O. Voogt, P.A. van Weel, The Netherlands.   FL   Park, Y., Gómez, C. and Runkle, E.S. 2022. Indoor Production of ornamental seedlings, vegetable transplants, and microgreens. p 351-375 in. Plant Factory: Basics, Applications and Advanced Research. Eds. T. Kozai, G. Niu, and J. Masabni. Elsevier <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85152-7.00020-3">https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85152-7.00020-3</a> Balal, R.M., Shahid, M.A., Khan, N., Sarkhosh, A., Zubair, Rasool, A., Mattson, N. Gómez, C., Bukhari, M.A., Waleed, M., and Nasim, W. 2022. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical modulations in crops under salt stress. pp 195-210 in Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture. Eds. W.N. Jatoi, M. Mubeen, A. Ahmad, M.A. Cheema, Z. Lin, and M.Z. Hashmi. Springer <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79408-8_13">https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79408-8_13</a>  Zhang, Y. and Kacira, M. 2022. Environmental control of PFALs, in Kozai, T., Niu, G., and Masabni, J. Ed., Plant Factory Basics, Applications and Advances,Academic Press,pp.391- 400.   KY   Owen, W.G. and B.E. Whipker. 2021. Chapter 5. Water, media, and nutrition testing, p. 48–70. In: J. Nau, B. Calkins, and A. Westbrook (eds.) Ball redbook: Crop culture and production 19th ed., vol. 2. Ball Publishing, West Chicago, IL.   MI   Currey, C. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Managing photoperiod in the greenhouse. p. 47−49. In: C. Beytes (ed.). 19th Edition Ball Red Book vol. 1. Ball Publishing, West Chicago, Il. Lopez, R.G. and C. Currey. 2021. Light management. Crop culture and production. p. 80−89. In: J. Nau et al. (eds.). Ball Redbook, 19th ed., vol. 2. Ball Publishing, Chicago, IL. Twaddell, J. and R. Lopez. 2021. Propagating vegetative crops p. 154−169. In: J. Nau et al. (eds.). Ball Redbook, 19th ed., vol. 2. Ball Publishing, Chicago, IL.   NJ   Both, A.J. 2022. Greenhouse energy efficiency and management, Chapter 11. In Regional Perspectives on Farm Energy (D. Ciolkosz, Ed.). Springer, Switzerland. pp. 85-93. Both, A.J. 2022. On-farm energy production – Solar, wind, geothermal, Chapter 12. In Regional Perspectives on Farm Energy (D. Ciolkosz, Ed.). Springer, Switzerland. pp. 95-105.   NY   Balal, R.M., Shahid, M.A., Khan, N., Sarkhosh, A., Zubair, M., Rasool, A., Mattson, N., Gomez, C., Bukhari, M.A., Waleed, M. and Nasim, W. 2022. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical modulations in crops under salt stress. In: Jatoi W.N., Mubeen M., Ahmad A., Cheema M.A., Lin Z., Hashmi M.Z. (eds) Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79408-8_13   TX   Masabni J. and Niu G. (2022). Aquaponics. In Plant factory: basics, applications and advances (Kozai, Niu, Masabni, eds.), pp. 167-180. Academic Press. Niu G. and Masabni J. (2022). Hydroponics. In Plant factory: basics, applications and advances (Kozai, Niu, Masabni, eds.), pp. 153-166. Academic Press. Zhen S., Kusuma P., and Bugbee B. (2022). Toward an optimal spectrum for photosynthesis and plant morphology in LED-based crop cultivation. In Plant factory: basics, applications and advances (Kozai, Niu, Masabni, eds.), pp. 309-327. Academic Press.   Refereed Journal Articles (Published):   AZ   Waller, R., M. Kacira, E. Magadley, M. Teitel, I. Yehia. 2022. Evaluating the performance of flexible, semi-transparent large-area organic photovoltaic arrays deployed on a greenhouse. AgriEngineering (Accepted) van Delden., S.h., M. Sharath Kumar, M. Butturini, L. J. A. Graamans, E. Heuvelink, M. Kacira, et al.. 2022. Current status and future challenges in implementing and upscaling vertical farming systems. Nature Food, 2: 944–956. Zhang, Y. and M. Kacira. 2022. Analysis of climate uniformity in indoor plant factory system with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Biosystems Engineering, 220: 73-86   FL   Gómez, S. and C. Gómez. 2022. Evaluating the use of biostimulants for indoor hydroponic lettuce production HortTechnology 324:348-355 <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05045-22">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05045-22</a> Cruz S. and C. Gómez. 2022. Effects of daily light integral on compact tomato plants grown for indoor gardening. Agronomy 127:1704 <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12071704">https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12071704</a> Cruz S., E. van Santen, and C. Gómez. 2022. Evaluation of compact tomato cultivars for container gardening indoors and under sunlight. Horticulturae 84:294 <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040294">https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040294</a> Zhang, Y. and Kacira, M. 2022. Analysis of climate uniformity in indoor plant factory system with computational fluid dynamics CFD, Biosystems Engineering. 220, 73-86. Delden, S., Sharathkumar, Malleshaiah, Butturini, Michele, Graamans, L., Heuvelink, E., Kacira, M., Kaiser, E., Klamer, R., Klerkx, L., Kootstra, G., Loeber, A., Schouten, Rob, Stanghellini, Cecilia, Ieperen, Wim, Verdonk, Julian, Vialet-Chabrand, S., Woltering, Ernst, Van de Zedde, Rick, Zhang, Y. and Marcelis, L.F.M.. 2021. Current status and future challenges in implementing and upscaling vertical farming systems. Nature Food. 2. 10.1038/s43016-021-00402-w   KS   Goossen, R. and K.A. Williams. (2021). Characterizing the phytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide root dips on phalaenopsis orchid plants. HortTechnology 31(6):810-816. KAES # 21-326-J. Gude, K. M., Pliakoni, E. D., Cunningham, B., Ayub, K., Kang, Q., Rajashekar, C. B., & Rivard, C. L. (2022). High Tunnel Coverings Alter Crop Productivity and Microclimate of Tomato and Lettuce. HortScience, 57(2), 265-272. Gude, K., Stanley, H., Rivard, C. L., Cunningham, B., Kang, Q., & Pliakoni, E. D. (2021). Quality of day-neutral strawberries grown in a high tunnel system. Scientia Horticulturae, 275, 109726. Jenkins, T., Kubota, C., Rivard, C. L., & Pliakoni, E. D. (2022). Evaluating Ethylene Sensitivity and Exogenous Ethylene Impact on Early Growth of Grafted and Nongrafted Tomato Seedlings. HortTechnology, 32(2), 129-133. Lee, M., Rivard, C., Pliakoni, E., Wang, W., & Rajashekar, C. B. (2021). Supplemental UV-A and UV-B affect the nutritional quality of lettuce and tomato: Health-promoting phytochemicals and essential nutrients. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 12(1), 104-126. Lee, M., Rivard, C., Wang, W., Pliakoni, E., Gude, K., & Rajashekar, C. B. (2021). Spectral Blocking of Solar Radiation in High Tunnels by Poly Covers: Its Impact on Nutritional Quality Regarding Essential Nutrients and Health-Promoting Phytochemicals in Lettuce and Tomato. Horticulturae, 7(12), 524.   KY   Owen, W.G. 2021. Rooting response of herbaceous perennial cuttings to foliar applications of a novel indole-3-butyric acid liquid product. Intl. J. Innovative Sci. Eng. Technol. 8(11):417–420. <a href="http://ijiset.com/vol8/v8s11/IJISET_V8_I11_37.pdf">http://ijiset.com/vol8/v8s11/IJISET_V8_I11_37.pdf</a>   ME   Burnett, S.E. and B.J. Peterson. 2022. Propagation of Herbaceous and Woody Perennials in Submist and Overhead Mist Systems. Journal of Environmental Horticulture (Submitted July, 2022).   MD   Swanson, E. O., Carlson, J. L., Perkus, L. A., Grossman, J., Rogers, M., Erwin, J. E., Slavin, J. L.#, Rosen, C. J.# (2022). Nutrient and nitrate composition of greenhouse-grown leafy greens: A trial comparison between conventional and organic fertility treatments (811995th ed., vol. 6, pp. 1-15). Hu, M., Cosseboom, S., Schoeneberg, A., Johnson, C., Perez, N., Lea-Cox, J. D. (2021). Validation of the strawberry advisory system in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Plant Disease, 105(9), 2670-2679.   MI   Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Hydroponic basil production: Temperature influences volatile organic compound profile, but not overall consumer preference. Horticulturae 8(1):76. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010076">https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010076</a> Kohler, A., DuRussel, N. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. A foliar spray application of indole-3-butyric acid promotes rooting of herbaceous annual cuttings similarly or better than a basal dip. Scientia Horti. 305:1–11. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111298">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111298</a> Kohler, A. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Air temperature during cutting propagation of cold-intermediate and –sensitive crops can be reduced if root-zone heating is provided. Scientia Hort. 304:1–8. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111307">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111307</a> Kohler, A.E. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Propagation of herbaceous unrooted cuttings of cold-tolerant species under reduced air temperature and root-zone heating. Scientia Hort. 281:1–11. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110485">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110485</a> Walters K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Modeling growth and development of hydroponically grown dill, parsley, and watercress in response to photosynthetic daily light integral and mean daily temperature. PLOS ONE. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248662">https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248662</a>   NE   Paparozzi, E.T., Z. Li, E. E. Blankenship and M. E. Conley. 2021.  Purple leaf basil plants express micronutrient deficiencies symptoms differently than green leaf basil plants. Journal of Plant Nutrition 45:10, 1466-1479, DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2021.2014885">10.1080/01904167.2021.2014885</a> University Research on Winter Growing of Container-Grown Strawberries Translates to Grower’s Farm Trial.  Stacy A. Adams, Ellen T. Paparozzi, Ryan Pekarek, David P. Lambe, George E. Meyer, M. Elizabeth Conley, and Paul E. Read. International Journal of Fruit Science 21(1):1104-1113. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15538362.2021.1994510">https://doi.org/10.1080/15538362.2021.1994510</a>   NJ   Gottlieb, P.D., R.G. Brumfield, R.I. Cabrera, D. Farnsworth, and L. Marxen. 2022. An online tool for estimating return-on-investment for water recycling at nurseries. HortTechnology 32(1): 47-56. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04925-21">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04925-21</a>. Lubna, F.A., D.C. Lewus, T.J. Shelford, and A.J. Both. 2022. What you may not realize about vertical farming. Horticulturae 8(4), 322. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040322">https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040322</a> Shelford, T.J. and A.J. Both. 2021. On the technical performance characteristics of horticultural lamps. AgriEngineering 3:716-727. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering3040046">https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering3040046</a> Knuth, M.J., H. Khachatryan, C.R. Hall, M.A. Palma, A.W. Hodges, A.P. Torres, and R.G. Brumfield. 2021. Trade flows within the United States nursery industry in 2018. J. Environ. Hort. 39(2):77–90. <a href="https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-39.2.77">https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-39.2.77</a>.   NY   Ashenafi, E.L., Nyman, M.C., Holley, J.M., Mattson, N.S. and Rangarajan, A., 2022. Phenotypic plasticity and nutritional quality of three kale cultivars (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) under field, greenhouse, and growth chamber environments. Environmental and Experimental Botany, p.104895. Chen, W.H., Mattson, N.S. and You, F., 2022. Intelligent control and energy optimization in controlled environment agriculture via nonlinear model predictive control of semi-closed greenhouse. Applied Energy, 320, p.119334. Rodgers, D., Won, E., Timmons, M.B. and Mattson, N., 2022. Complementary nutrients in decoupled aquaponics enhance basil performance. Horticulturae, 8(2), p.111. Xia, J. and Mattson, N., 2022. Response of common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) to photoperiod/daily light integral in vertical hydroponic production. Horticulturae, 8(7), p.653. Xia, J. and Mattson, N., 2022. Response of common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) to sodium chloride concentration in hydroponic nutrient solution. HortScience, 57(7), pp.750-756. Yamori, N., Levine, C.P., Mattson, N.S. and Yamori, W., 2022. Optimum root zone temperature of photosynthesis and plant growth depends on air temperature in lettuce plants. Plant Molecular Biology, pp.1-11.   OH   Hollick, J.R. and C. Kubota. 2022. Effect of self- and inter-cultivar grafting on growth and nutrient content in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Front. Plant Sci. 13:921440. Doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.921440 Ertle, J.M. and C. Kubota. 2022. Watermelon seedling quality, growth, and development as affected by grafting and chilling exposure during simulated transportation. HortScience. 57:889-896. Doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI16557-22 Chowdhury, B.D.B., Y.J. Son, C. Kubota, and R. Tronstad. 2022. Automated workflow analysis in vegetable grafting using an Ultra-Wide Band based real-time indoor location tracking system. Computer and Electronics in Agriculture. 194:106773. Doi:10.1016/j.compag.2022.106773   TN   Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Hydroponic basil production: Temperature influences volatile organic compound profile, but not overall consumer preference. Horticulturae 8(1),76. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010076">https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010076</a>   TX   Hooks T., Sun L., Kong Y., Masabni J., and Niu G. (2022). Short-term pre-harvest supplemental lighting with different light emitting diodes improves greenhouse lettuce quality. Horticulturae 8, 435. Doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8050435. Hooks, T., Sun L., Masabni J., and Niu G. (2022). Effects of organic fertilizer with or without a microbial inoculant on the growth and quality of lettuce in an NFT hydroponic system. Technology in Horticulture (in press) Zhen, S., M.W. van Iersel, and B. Bugbee. 2022. Photosynthesis in sun and shade: the surprising importance of far-red photons. New Phytologist <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.18375">https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18375</a> Kang, S., J.E. Kim, S. Zhen, and J. Kim. 2022. Mild-Intensity UV-A Radiation Applied Over a Long Duration Can Improve the Growth and Phenolic Contents of Sweet Basil. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13:858433.   UT   Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2022. Growth, gas exchange, and mineral nutrients of two popular landscape plants irrigated with saline water. HortScience 57(8):841-850. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16479-21 Sun, Y., G. Niu, H. Dou, C. Perez, and L. Alexander. 2022. Growth, gas exchange, and mineral nutrients of hydrangea hybrids irrigated with saline water. HortScience 57(2): 319-325. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16196-21 Rauter, S., Y. Sun, and M. Stock. 2021. Visual quality, gas exchange, and yield of Anemone coronaria and Ranunculus asiaticus irrigated with saline water. HortTechnolgy 31(6): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04930-21   Symposium Proceedings Articles (Published):   AZ   Alcorn, J.R. G.A. Giacomelli and B.T. Scott (2023). Sustained Growth and Yield in Elevated Greenhouse Air Temperatures through Control of VPD. Presented at IHC 2022, Anger, France. ActaHorticulturae (In Review).  Blum, M.A., C.H. Parrish II, D. Hebert, D. Houck, N. Makarov, K. Ramasamy, H. McDaniel, G.A. Giacomelli and M.R. Bergren (2023). Enhancing light use efficiency and tomato fruit yield with quantum dot films to modify the light spectrum. Presented at IHC 2022, Anger, France. ActaHorticulturae (In Review). Shasteen, KC., J. Seong, S. Valle De Souza, C. Kubota, M. Kacira. 2022. Optimal Planting Density: Effects on Harvest Time, and Yield. Presented at IHC 2022, Anger, France. ActaHorticulturae (In Review).   DE   Runkle, E.S., Y. Park, and Q. Meng. 2022. High photosynthetic photon flux density can attenuate effects of light quality. Acta Hort. 1337:333–340.   FL   Solis-Toapanta, E., M. Retana-Cordero, and C. Gómez. 2022. Effects of daily light integral on growth and nitrate content of basil grown for indoor gardening. Acta Horticulturae 1337 <a href="https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.22">https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.22</a> Izzo, L.G., F. Capozzi, G. Aronne, and C. Gómez. 2022. Shoot and root growth and morphology and its effect on single-leaf water-use-efficiency of lettuce grown under different red:blue ratios. Acta Horticulturae 1337 <a href="https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.44">https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.44</a> Arjona, K., L.J. Clavijo, L.G. Izzo, M.E. Kane, and C. Gómez. 2022. Growth of micropropagated Pontederia cordata using broadband white light with or without far-red radiation. Acta Horticulturae  <a href="https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.53">https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.53</a>   MD   Hu, M., Lea-Cox, J. D., Samtani, J. (2022). Microclimate and Disease Risk under Row Covers for Strawberries. Hershey, PA: Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Association. Rom, C., Friederich, H., Ruiz-Menjivar, J., Swisher, M., Samtani, J., Chase, C., Lea-Cox, J. D., McWhirt, A. (2021). Collaborative Development of a National Strawberry Research and Outreach Project for Underserved Growers (1309th ed., vol. IX International Strawberry Symposium, pp. 635-641). Acta Hort.   NJ   Llewellyn, D., T.J. Shelford, Y. Zheng, and A.J. Both. 2022. Measuring and reporting lighting characteristics important for controlled environment plant production. Acta Horticulturae 1337:255-264. Shelford, T., A.J. Both, and N. Mattson. 2022. A greenhouse daily light integral control algorithm that takes advantage of day ahead market electricity pricing. Acta Horticulturae 1337:277-282. Xuan, W., H. Khachatryan, A. Torres, R.G. Brumfield, A. Hodges, M. Palma, and C. Hall. 2021. An analysis of market channel alternatives for the U.S. ornamental plants growers. 31st International Conference of Agricultural Economists. August 20-21. Avalable at: <a href="https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/315190/files/0-0_Paper_19034_handout_506_0.pdf">https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/315190/files/0-0_Paper_19034_handout_506_0.pdf</a>   NY   Harbick, K. and Mattson, N.S. 2022. Optimization of spatial lighting uniformity using non-planar arrays and intensity modulation. ISHS LightSym2022. 9th International Symposium on Light in Horticultural Systems. Acta Horticulturae. 1337: 101-106. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.14 Mattson, N.S., Allred, J.A., de Villiers, D., Shelford, T.J. and K. Harbick 2022. Response of hydroponic baby leaf greens to LED and HPS supplemental lighting. ISHS LightSym2022. 9th International Symposium on Light in Horticultural Systems. Acta Horticulturae. 1337:395-402. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.54 Shelford, T., Both, A.J. and Mattson, N.S. 2022. A greenhouse daily light integral control algorithm that takes advantage of day ahead market electricity pricing. ISHS LightSym2022. 9th International Symposium on Light in Horticultural Systems. Acta Horticulturae. 1337:277-282. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.37   Popular (Trade Journal) Articles (Published):    DE   Meng, Q. and E.S. Runkle. 2022. Photoperiod, light intensity, and daily light integral. Produce Grower. Meng, Q. and E.S. Runkle. 2022. Fixed vs. dynamic light quality for indoor hydroponic lettuce. Produce Grower. Meng, Q. and E.S. Runkle. 2021. Far-red and PPFD: A tale of two lettuce cultivars. Produce Grower. Meng, Q. and E.S. Runkle. 2021. Differentiating broad spectra. Produce Grower.   FL   Pinkerton, M., B. Whitman, H. Wooten, and C. Gómez. 2022. Common media used in hydroponics. EDIS EP623/ENH1359 <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ep623">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ep623</a>  Zhang, Y., Watson, J. A., Bucklin, R. A., and Henley, R. W. 2021, Auxiliary Power Units for Greenhouse Operations, EDIS AE033. Zhang, Y., Watson, J. A., Bucklin, R. A., Jones, P.H., Barmby, B. A., McConnell, D.B., and Henley, R. W. 2021, Greenhouse Heating Checklist, EDIS AE025 Zhang, Y., Watson, J. A., Bucklin, R. A., Henley, R. W., and McConnell, D. B. 2021, Maintenance Guide for Greenhouse Ventilation, Evaporative Cooling Heating Systems, EDIS AE024 Zhang, Y., Watson, J. A., Buffington, Bucklin, R. A., Henley, R. W., and McConnell, D. B. 2021, Fans for Greenhouses, EDIS AE020 Zhang, Y., Watson, J. A., and Bucklin, R. A., 2021, Florida Greenhouse Design, EDIS AE016   ME   Burnett, S. 2022. Garden Profile: Garland Farms. Maine Home Garden News. Burnett, S. 2022. Plant Profile: Buxus sp. Beatrix Farrand Society Newsletter.   MD   Fisher, P., Erwin, J. (2021). Rethinking the black nursery pot (8th ed., vol. 85). West Chicago, Illinois: Ball Publishing. Erwin, J., Guenthner, G. (2021). The importance of soil temperature (7th ed., vol. 85). West Chicago, Illinois: Ball Publishing. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=25459 Cochran, D. R. (2021). Pre-emergent Herbicide Crop Safety.  https://ir4.cals.ncsu.edu/EHC/RegSupport/Reports/20220128b.pdf Cochran, D. R. (2021). Iron HEDTA Crop Safety. https://ir4.cals.ncsu.edu/EHC/RegSupport/Reports/20220128c.pdf    MI   Kohler, A., A. Soster, and R.G. Lopez. 2022. PGRs and Succulents. Greenhouse Product News 32(7):26–31. Spall, C. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Blooming by lamplight. Greenhouse Product News 32(6):28–31. Kohler A. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. A study of the latest young plant technology: Getting to the root of basell cuttings. GrowerTalks 85(11):48–49. Lopez. R., C. Kubota, E. Runkle and C. Mitchell. 2022. Indoor Farming FAQs. Inside Grower 10(2):48–49. Lopez. R. 2022. Are there Risks of Working under LED Supplemental Lighting? E-GRO Alert 11(10):1–5. Walters, K. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Lighting up basil flavor. Produce Grower. 40–44. Kohler, A. and R. Lopez. 2021. Rooting cold-intermediate and cold-sensitive greenhouse crops. Grower Talks 85(11):58–62. Kohler, A. and R. Lopez. 2021. Producing high-quality liners with root-zone heating. Grower Talks 85(7):56–60. Kacira. M., P.-E. Bournet, L.R. Khot, Q. Yang, I.L. Cruz, W. Luo, H.J. Schenk, H. Fatnassi and <ol start="2021"> <li> Lopez. 2021. ISHS Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering: sustaining the future with precision horticulture and engineering. Chronica Horticulturae 61(2):17−20.</li> </ol> Lopez R.G. 2021. Do micro drenches on annuals and perennials work? Greenhouse Grower 39(5):16–18. Lopez R.G. 2021. Using and maintaining high-pressured sodium lamps in greenhouses. Produce Grower. 20–24. Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Culinary herbs: Balancing light and average daily temperature. Produce Grower. 18–21. Kohler, A., N. Durussel, and R. Lopez. 2021. Keys to rooting success. Greenhouse Product News 32(7):16−18. Lopez R.G. and C. Garcia. 2021. Culinary herbs: To flower or not to flower? Produce Grower. 20–24.   NY   Levine, C. and N. Mattson. 2021. Managing western flower thrips in CEA strawberry operations. E-Gro Edible Alert 6(12). pp 5. https://e-gro.org/pdf/E612.pdf Mattson, N. and M. Daughtrey. 2022. Common diseases of hydroponic leafy greens and herbs. E-Gro Edible Alert 7(1). pp 7. https://e-gro.org/pdf/E701.pdf  Timmons, B. E. Hernandez, and N. Mattson. 2022. Fusarium wilt of hemp. E-Gro Edible Alert 7(7). pp. 7. https://e-gro.org/pdf/E707.pdf Xia, J. and N.S. Mattson. 2021. Ice Plant: A novel salad green for greenhouse and indoor growers. Greenhouse Grower Magazine. (December).   OH   Lopez, R., C. Kubota, E. Runkle, and C. Mitchell. 2022. Indoor Farming FAQs. Inside Grower. May 2022 issue.   TN   Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. November, 2021. Lighting up Basil Flavor. Produce Grower. Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. August 2021. Culinary Herbs: Balancing light and average daily temperature. Produce Grower. 18-21.   Presentations (Papers):    DE   Meng, Q. and E.S. Runkle. 2021. Blue photons in broad spectra determine lettuce yield, morphology, and color. HortScience, 56(9), S12-S13. (Oral)   FL   Perez-Lugones, D. and C. Gómez. 2022. Evaluation of nitrogen rates during production and consumer phases of compact pepper plants. ASHS annual meeting, Chicago, IL, July 30- Aug.3.  Gómez, A.S. and C. Gómez. 2022. Cultivar evaluation of compact vegetables for container gardening indoors and under sunlight. ASHS annual meeting, Chicago, IL, July 30- Aug.3.  Perez-Lugones, D. and C. Gómez. 2022. A citizen science approach to surveying self-efficacy, satisfaction, and needs of home gardeners. ASHS annual meeting, Chicago, IL, July 30- Aug.3.  Tello, N. and C. Gómez. 2022. Quality survey of edible ginger and turmeric products. ASHS annual meeting, Chicago, IL, July 30- Aug.3.  Gómez, C. 2021. Uso de luces LED para la producción de plantas en invernadero, Invited talk in Spanish at Siflor 2021, Quito Ecuador, Nov. 24. Gómez, C. 2021. INTER ILUMINACIÓN, ventajas de aplicar luz al interior de la planta, Invited talk online in Spanish at Siflor 2021, Oct. 15. Gómez, C. 2021. Growth of micropropagated Pontederia cordata using broadband white light with or without far-red radiation, virtual poster at IX International Symposium on Light in Horticulture ISHS, May 31-June 2. Gómez, C. 2021. Effects of daily light integral on growth and nitrate content of basil grown for indoor gardening, virtual presentation at IX International Symposium on Light in Horticulture ISHS, May 31-June 2. Gómez, C. 2021. Consejos para garantizar el éxito del consumidor con vegetales compactos para jardinería, Invited talk in Spanish at Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo, Boxborough, MA, Nov. 3. Gómez, C. 2021. Advancing Controlled Environment Horticulture through research and education. ASHS 2021 annual conference, Aug. 8. Leelertkij, T., Zhang, Y., and Harbick. 2022. Energy modeling and control optimization for indoor farming. Florida Section of ASABE, Clearwater, FL, May 19-21. Pompeo, J., Yu, Z., Zhang, Y., Zhang, C., and Wu, S. 2022. Assessing the impact of agriculture operations on quality of data from sensor arrays in a controlled environment plant production system. ASABE Annual International Meeting, Houston, TX, July 17-20.   KS   Goossen, R.*, K.A. Williams, and J. O’Mara. 2021. Characterizing the phytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide root dips on Phalaenopsis orchids. HortScience 56(9):S119-120. Abstr. Wiens, L.W.* and K.A. Williams. 2022. Pre-treatement of Potted Tradescantia spp. With Anti-Gibberellin Plant Growth Regulators Slows Growth in an Interior Green Wall. Oral presentation, ASHS 2022. Williams, K.A. and L.W. Wiens. 2022. Face-to-face versus Zoom Lecture Participation as a Predictor of Performance in a Greenhouse Management Course. Poster presentation, ASHS 2022. Williams, K.A. and O. DeWolf. 2022. Wastewater from a Commercial Water Purification System Results in Hydroponic Lettuce and Basil Growth Comparable to Reverse Osmosis and Municipal Water. Poster presentation, ASHS 2022.   KY   Baloh, A.G.*, W.G. Owen, and R.L. Geneve. 2022. Impact of foliar applied paclobutrazol in combination with auxin on rooting and subsequent shoot growth in Angelonia cuttings. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July 31–Aug. 3, 2022. Rich, W.T.* and W.G. Owen. 2022. Rudbeckia hirta L. ‘Sunny’ growth control with paclobutrazol and uniconazole substrate drenches. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July 31–Aug. 3, 2022. Rich, W.T.* and W.G. Owen. 2022. Effect of fertilizer concentration on growth of Rosmarinus officinalis and leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency ranges. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July 31–Aug. 3, 2022. Seltsam, L.E.* and W.G. Owen. 2022. Photosynthetic daily light integral influences growth, morphology, and quality of Boston swordferns. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July 31–Aug. 3, 2022. Seltsam, L.E.* and W.G. Owen. 2022. Carbon and water footprinting of greenhouse and high tunnel annual bedding plant production in Kentucky. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July Wuetcher, L.T.* and W.G. Owen. 2022. Effect of fertilizer concentration on growth of three Lavandula cultivars and leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency ranges. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July 31–Aug. 3, 2022.   MI   Brewer, D. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Quantifying the influence of blue or blue + red end-of-production sole-source lighting on red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa). HortScience, 57(9), S. Kang, H. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Rooting and growth of foliage plant cuttings is influenced by the photosynthetic daily light integral. HortScience, 57(9), S. Higgins, D.S., N.T. Lukasko, A. Job, M.C. Buitrago, R.G. Lopez, and M.K. Hausbeck, M.K. 2022. The prevalence of blind Botrytis cinerea strains in Michigan greenhouses and potential implications for fungistatic lighting treatments. Plant Health 2022. Tarr, S. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Quantifying the influence of increasing day and night temperature and carbon dioxide concentration on growth and development of red and green lettuce (Lactuca sativa). HortScience, 56(9), S110. Kohler, A.E. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Propagation of cold-tolerant to cold-sensitive herbaceous unrooted cuttings under reduced air temperature and root-zone heating. HortScience, 56(9), S88. Spall, C. and R.G. Lopez. 2021. Manipulating supplemental radiation quality to improve time to flower and finished quality of several long-day specialty cut flowers. HortScience, 56(9), S27.   NJ   Brumfield, R.G., S. Arumugam, A.J. Both, M. Flahive Di Nardo, R. Govindasamy, D. Greenwood, J. Heckman, N. Polanin, A.A. Rouff, A. Rowe, and R. VanVranken. 2021. A successful educational program for women producers, beginning farmers, and military veterans that helped address farm risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented at the 2021 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Hybrid, Denver, CO, August 5-9. Dube, A.K., R.G. Brumfield, and B. Özkan. 2021. The effects of the market outlet on welfare of smallholder horticultural producers in Ethiopia. Presented at the 2021 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Hybrid, Denver, CO, August 5-9. Wei, X., H. Khachatryan, A.P. Torres, R.G. Brumfield, A. Hodges, M. Palma, and C.R. Hall. 2021. Exploring firms’ marketing choices in the US ornamental horticulture industry. Presented at the 2021 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Hybrid, Denver, CO, August 5-9.   NY   Eylands, N. and N. Mattson. 2022. Temporal and spatial localization of cellular elongation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in response to far-red radiation. Abstract and presentation at Annual ASHS Conference. Chicago, IL, July 30-August 3, 2022. Timmons, B. and N. Mattson. 2022. The effect of complementary far-red radiation with a background of white light on Cannabis sativa. Abstract and presentation at Annual ASHS Conference. Chicago, IL, July 30-August 3, 2022.   OH   Hollick, J. and C. Kubota. 2021. Effect of self- and inter-cultivar grafting on growth and nutrient content in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Abs. presented at Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science (August 5-9, 2021; Denver, CO). Horvat, M., M. Kroggel, and C. Kubota. 2021. Architectural analysis and flower mapping for better management of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) grown under controlled environment. Abs. presented at Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science (August 5-9, 2021; Denver, CO). Papio, G. and C. Kubota. 2021. Developing a microclimate assessment tool using simple dishes to evaluate potential transpiration in indoor farms. Abs. presented at Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science (August 5-9, 2021; Denver, CO).   TN   Walters, K.J., S. Parker, D. Del Moro, C.E. Sams. 2021. Butterhead lettuce yield and carotenoid concentration: The effect of sole-source light intensity during propagation. HortScience. 56(9):S4. Parker, S., J.R. Wheeler, K.J. Walters, C. Luckett, J. Davis, T. Bjorkman, and C. Sams. 2021. Storage temperature, duration, and cultivar alter the concentration of nutritionally important secondary metabolites and phytochemicals in broccoli. HortScience. 56(9):S63.   UT   Paudel A. and Y. Sun. 2021. Determining the salt tolerance of woody ornamental plants for landscape use. ASHS Annual Conference, Denver, CO, 8 August 2021. Perez, C., Y. Sun, G. Niu, and L.W. Alexander. 2021. Salinity tolerance of Dichroa ×Hydrangea hybrids. ASHS Annual Conference, Denver, CO, 8 August 2021. Matthews, J., J. Chen, and Y. Sun. 2021. Application of Sensorweb™ irrigation control system in plant production. ASHS Annual Conference, Denver, CO, 6 August 2021.   Other Creative Works:   AZ   G.A. Giacomelli, Committee Member CEADS (Controlled Environment Agriculture Design Standards) development group. G.A. Giacomelli, member, Plant Production and Resource Use Efficiency Working Group. Leo Marcelis and Paul Gauthier, Chairs, April-May. G.A. Giacomelli, collaborator, SAM2 (Space Analog for Moon & Mars) at Biosphere 2, Kai Staats, Director Sam2. Prepared hydroponic lettuce production system for Analog Astronaut Conference May 6 – 8, 2022.   KS   Horticulture Storylines: <a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/horticulture-storylines/">https://hnr.k-state.edu/horticulture-storylines/</a> (web address will change in October 2022 before national release). Four modules, including two Horticulture Storylines with anchoring phenomena associated with light quality, information for back-of-the-classroom light quality demonstration or student research, and careers and technology in horticulture, have been developed for use in high school science classrooms.   KY   Peer-Reviewed Extension Publications Owen, W.G. and D. Scott. 2022. Controlled Environment Horticulture. CEH-01-FS:1–6. <a href="https://greenhousehort.ca.uky.edu/sites/greenhousehort.ca.uky.edu/files/2022-03/Controlled-Environment%20Horticulture_0.pdf">https://greenhousehort.ca.uky.edu/sites/greenhousehort.ca.uky.edu/files/2022-03/Controlled-Environment%20Horticulture_0.pdf</a>   e-GRO Alerts Seltsam, L.E. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Heat stress and injury of high tunnel-grown bedding plants. e-GRO Alerts 11-25: 1–5. <a href="https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-25.pdf">https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-25.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. and J. Beale. 2022. Blackleg of geranium. e-GRO Alerts 11-14: 1–4. <a href="https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-14.pdf">https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-14.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. and B.E. Whipker. 2022. Jar test: Determining fertilizer solubility and compatibility. e-GRO Alerts 11-8: 1–5. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-08.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-08.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E., P. Veazie, D. Logan, M.S. Balance M. Bertone, W.G. Owen, W.T. Rich, and L. Seltsam. 2022. Coleus pest disorder guide. e-GRO Alerts 11-7: 1–7. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-07.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-07.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E., P. Veazie, D. Logan, M.S. Ballance, W.G. Owen, W.T. Rich, and L. Seltsam. 2022. Coleus disease disorder guide. e-GRO Alerts 11-6: 1–7. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-06.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-06.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E., P. Veazie, D. Logan, M.S. Ballance, W.G. Owen, W.T. Rich, and L. Seltsam. 2022. Coleus physiological disorder guide. e-GRO Alerts 11-5: 1–7. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-05.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-05.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E., P. Veazie, D. Logan, M.S. Ballance, W.G. Owen, W.T. Rich, and L. Seltsam. 2022. Coleus nutritional disorder guide. e-GRO Alerts 11-4: 1–7. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-04.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-04.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. 2022. Plant growth regulator guide for herbaceous perennials update. e-GRO Alerts 11-2: 1–4. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-2.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-2.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. 2021. Potassium deficiency of greenhouse cucumbers. e-GRO Edible Alerts 13-6: 1–5. <a href="http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/E613.pdf">http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/E613.pdf</a>   e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Factsheets Owen, W.G. and B.E. Whipker. 2022. Sage. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series: 5-12:1–7. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/sage.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/sage.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. and B.E. Whipker. 2022. Rosemary. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series: 5-11:1–7. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/rosemary.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/rosemary.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. and B.E. Whipker. 2022. Lavender. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series: 5-10:1–8. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/lavender.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/lavender.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. and B.E. Whipker. 2022. Torenia. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series: 5-9:1–7. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/torenia.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/torenia.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. and B.E. Whipker. 2022. Lobelia. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series: 5-8:1–7. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/lobelia.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/lobelia.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. and B.E. Whipker. 2022. Angelonia. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series: 5-7:1–7. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Angelonia.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Angelonia.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Sulfur. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series – Element Edition: 5-6EE:1–5. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Sulfur%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Sulfur%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Magnesium. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series – Element Edition: 5-5EE:1–5. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Magnesium%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Magnesium%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Calcium. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series – Element Edition: 5-4EE:1–5. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Calcium%20Fix%2022%20v3.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Calcium%20Fix%2022%20v3.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Potassium. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series – Element Edition: 5-3EE:1–5. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Potassium%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Potassium%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Phosphorus. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series – Element Edition: 5-2EE:1–5. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Phosphorus%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Phosphorus%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf</a> Whipker, B.E. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Nitrogen. e-GRO Nutritional Monitoring Series – Element Edition: 5-6EE:1–5. <a href="https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Sulfur%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf">https://fertdirtsquirt.org/pdf/Sulfur%20Fix%2022%20v1.pdf</a>   Newsletters Owen, W.G. 2022. Growin’ with Dr. Owen: Be aware of greenhouse rodent damage and activity in vegetable transplants. Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association. 3(1), pp. 10. <a href="http://kyvga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/KVGA_Vol3_No1.pdf">http://kyvga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/KVGA_Vol3_No1.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. 2021. Growin’ with Dr. Owen: Daily light integral impacts vegetable transplant quality. Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association. 2(4), pp. 14. <a href="http://kyvga.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/KVGA_Vol2_No4.pdf">http://kyvga.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/KVGA_Vol2_No4.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. 2021. Growin’ with Dr. Owen: Electronic grower resources. Kentucky Vegetable Growers Association. 2(3), pp. 13. <a href="http://kyvga.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/KVGA-Vol2_No3.pdf">http://kyvga.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/KVGA-Vol2_No3.pdf</a>   Podcast Owen, W.G. 2022. Highly controlled crop production systems. Questions in Sustainability.        <a href="https://sustainableag1.podbean.com/e/highly-controlled-crop-production-systems/">https://sustainableag1.podbean.com/e/highly-controlled-crop-production-systems/</a>   Webinars Owen, W.G. American Floral Endowment Grow Pro Series: Nutritional Monitoring of Greenhouse Crops. Feb. 22, 2022. 171 Attendees. Owen, W.G. Long Island Ag. Forum. Nutritional Monitoring of Greenhouse Crops. Jan. 20, 2022. 82 Attendees.   ME   Maine worked with New York (Cornell University), Vermont (University of Vermont), and grower collaborators representing each state to develop a curriculum for an online greenhouse scouting school.   NJ   Both, A.J. and N. Mattson. 2022. What to expect when you’re selecting? Light systems and economics. Presentation at Cultivate’22, Columbus, OH. July 19. Both, A.J. 2022. Review of greenhouse energy issues. Online presentation for the Greenhouse Grower School (Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County). February 9. Both, A.J. 2022. Hydroponics. Online presentation for students at the Sojourner Truth Middle School, East Orange, NJ. January 28. Both, A.J. 2022. Greenhouse design. Online presentation for the 5th Annual Urban Farmer Winter Meeting (University of Maryland Cooperative Extension). January 24. Both, A.J. 2021. Sustainable crop production. Online presentation for students at Delaware Valley University. December 7. Both, A.J. 2021. Energy conservation strategies for greenhouse crop production. Presentation at the Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo. Boxborough, MA. November 4. Both, A.J. 2021. Focusing on sustainability: Crop production, soils and energy (Agrivoltaics as a solution?). Presentation for Annie’s Project New Jersey: 10 Years of Empowering New Jersey Farmers. New Brunswick, NJ. November 4. Both, A.J. 2021. Are LED lamps better for crop production in greenhouses? Narrated PowerPoint presentation for the Energy Answers for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Project. Available at: <a href="https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/">https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/</a> Both, A.J. 2021. How can we improve energy efficiency in greenhouses? Narrated PowerPoint presentation for the Energy Answers for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Project. Available at: <a href="https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/">https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/</a> Both, A.J. 2021. What alternative energy systems can be used in the greenhouse industry? Narrated PowerPoint presentation for the Energy Answers for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Project. Available at: <a href="https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/">https://farm-energy.extension.org/energy-answers-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher/</a>   NY   Mattson, N.S. 2021. Webinar: Hydroponic production systems for leafy greens and herbs. Hosted by Greenhouse Production News magazine. Nov. 2, 2022. 96 participants, length in hours=1.9, total contact hours=96. Mattson, N.S. 2021. Webinar: Unique crop requirements: Vegetables vs. ornamentals. Hosted by Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering – Lighting Short Course. October 14, 2021. 244 participants, length in hours=0.5, total contact hours=122. Mattson, N.S. 2021. Webinar: Lighting up CEA hemp: Light quantity, quality, and photoperiod demystified. Hosted by Greenhouse Production News magazine. September 22, 2021. 45 participants, length in hours=1.0, total contact hours=45.   OH   Factsheets and other extension media See the Ohio accomplishment report Kubota, C. 2021. Tool-based analysis of monthly heating costs for protected cultivation in Ohio. (factsheet). Ohio State University Extension. <a href="https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-98">https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-98</a>   Website and social media Kubota Lab (Controlled Environment Plant Physiology and Technology): <a href="http://u.osu.edu/cepptlab">http://u.osu.edu/cepptlab</a> Hydroponics / Soilless Culture Information <a href="https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics">https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics</a> Controlled Environment Berry Production Information <a href="https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry">https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry</a> Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC) <a href="https://ohceac.osu.edu">https://ohceac.osu.edu</a>   TX   Poel, B. and D. Hawley. 2021. Optimal lighting strategies for cannabis bud quality and yield. CannaCon Midwest Convention. Detroit, MI. June 25.   Workshop Sponsor:   AZ   Workshop sponsor Kacira, M., G. Giacomelli, J. Cuello. 2022. NCERA 101 International Meeting on Controlled Environment Technology and Use. September 11-14 Tucson, Arizona. [with Program Coordinator J. Cadogan] Kacira, M. 2022. OptimIA Project annual Stakeholder Meeting. September 15-16, University of Arizona, Tucson. [with Program Coordinator J. Cadogan] Kacira, M., G. Giacomelli, B. Pryor, T. Hooks, E. Worth. 2022. 21th Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course. The University of Arizona, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, March 2022. Kacira, M. 2022. Hydroponics Intensive Workshop. The University of Arizona, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, Jan 7, 8, 9. [with Instructor Triston Hooks, and program Coordinator Ellen Worth]   Webinar sponsor Marcelis, L., F. Orsini, M. Kacira. ISHS Talks on Vertical Farming. ISHS HortiDialogues Series. https://www.ishs.org/news/ishs-talks-vertical-farming   KY   Owen, W.G. Considerations for Fall Garden Mum Production. Maysville, KY. Sept. 28, 2021. 34 Attendees. Owen, W.G. Fall Garden Mum and Greenhouse Tomato Twilight Tour. Hopkinsville, KY. Aug. 10, 2021. 56 Attendees.   MD   Erwin, Lea-Cox, D. Cochran.  Maryland Greenhouse Conference and Field Day, Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Catoctin Mountain Growers, Keymar, MD. (July 8, 2021).   NJ   Both, A.J., D. Specca, D.P. Birnie, and K.P. Sullivan. 2022. Agrivoltaics. Information session at the 67th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show. February 8-10. Brumfield, R.G. 2022. General Vegetables. Information session at the 67th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show. February 8-10.   OH   See the Ohio accomplishment report.   Workshop Participant:   AZ   Workshop participant Giacomelli, G. 2022. Huerta and Agritecture Workshop by Yara Nagi, Agritecture, “Session 5: Farm Overview.” Online, Jan 10, 3pm - 5pm (EST). Giacomelli, G. 2022. Greenhouse Design- Structures, Glazing, & Cooling. Presented at 21st UA-CEAC Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March. The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Kacira, M. 2022. Monitoring Your Greenhouse Environment: Simple Tools to Technology Trends, Presented at 21st UA-CEAC Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March. The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Kacira. M. 2022.Controlled Environment Agriculture. FEW Educational Module presentation at Diné College Tribal Colleges and Universities Internship Program, May 31-June 3.   Webinar participant Kacira, M. 2022. Innovative Technologies for Small-Scale Farmers. FAO & ISHS Joint Webinar, June 21st. (Keynote presentation) Kacira, M. 2022. Optimizing air distribution in CEA. Indoor AgScience Café, May 24th. (Invited presentation) Kacira, M. 2022. Sustaining the future with precision horticulture and engineering focusing on resource use efficiency. Annual South Korean Society for Bio-Environment Control, May 12. (Keynote presentation)   KY   Owen, W.G. Basics of Greenhouse Lighting. 2022 Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Bowling Green, KY. Jan. 3, 2022. 24 Attendees. Owen, W.G. Managing Substrate pH of Containerized Crops. 2022 Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Bowling Green, KY. Jan. 3, 2022. 14 Attendees. Owen, W.G. A Sampler on Sampling Substrate, Water, and Leaf Tissue for Nutrient Analysis. 2022 Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Bowling Green, KY. Jan. 3, 2022. 15 Attendees. Owen, W.G. A Grower’s Guide to Greenhouse Gadgets. 2022 Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Bowling Green, KY. Jan. 3, 2022. 21 Attendees. Owen, W.G. Kentucky Greenhouse Extension and Research Programming. Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Agent Meeting, Richmond, KY. Oct. 25, 2021. 12 Attendees. Owen, W.G. Kentucky Greenhouse Extension and Research Programming. Horticulture Extension Agent Meeting, Louisville, KY. Oct. 13, 2021. 22 Attendees.   MD   Temperature Management in Crop Production Invited, Erwin, J., Cultivate '22, "Temperature Management in Crop Production," (Presentation) AmeriHort, Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH, United States. (July 17, 2022). Foliage Plant Production Invited, Erwin, J. (Professor and Chair), Cultivate '22, "Foliage Plant Production," (Presentation) AmeriHort, Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH, United States. (July 16, 2022). High temperature effects on rooting:  Impact on fungicide application Invited, Erwin, J., Metrolina Greenhouse Meeting, "High temperature effects on rooting:  Impact on fungicide application," (Presentation) Gowan Chemical, Metrolina Greenhouse, Huntsville, NC, United States. (April 28, 2022). Maximizing Profitability in Ornamental Crop Production Invited, Erwin, J. (Professor and Chair), Chessie Greenhouse Conference, "Maximizing Profitability in Ornamental Crop Production," (Presentation) Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Linithicum, MD, United States. (February 18, 2022). Flowering Plants on Time Invited, Erwin, J. (Professor and Chair), Chessie Greenhouse Conference, "Flowering Plants on Time," (Presentation) Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Linithicum, MD, United States. (February 17, 2022). Plant Growth Regulators in Greenhouse Crop Production Invited, Erwin, J. (Professor and Chair), Chessie Greenhouse Conference, "Plant Growth Regulators in Greenhouse Crop Production," (Presentation) Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Linithicum, MD. (February 17, 2022). Advances and Annual Update on the University of Maryland Invited, Erwin, J. (Presentor), MANTS, "Advances and Annual Update on the University of Maryland," (Presentation) Maryland Nursery, Landscaper and Greenhouse Association, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD. (January 5, 2022). Opportunities in Plant Science Invited, Erwin, J., Hereford High School - Plant Science Class, "Opportunities in Plant Science," (Presentation), Hereford High School, Monkton, MD. (December 8, 2021). Advances in Ornamental and Greenhouse Vegetable Production Invited, Erwin, J. (Presentor), Floriculture Research Alliance National Meeting, "Advances in Ornamental and Greenhouse Vegetable Production," (Presentation) USDA-ARS; FNRI, Floriculture Research Alliance, Online. (October 18, 2021 - October 20, 2021). University of Maryland Research Update Invited, Erwin, J., NC-1835 National Conference, "University of Maryland Research Update," (Presentation) NIFA, Online. (August 17, 2021). Basic Plant Propagation Principles and Methods. Greenhouse Growers Field Day at Catoctin Mountain Growers. July 8, 2021. Hop Propagation: 1 or 2 Node Cuttings. Greenhouse Growers Field Day at Catoctin Mountain Growers. July 8, 2021. Advanced Nursery, Greenhouse and Controlled Environment Nutrient Applicator Training. Extension Signature Program. January 11, 2022. Wye REC, Queenstown MD (11 January, 2022 April). 12 Participants Notes & Annotations: Field-Test Procedures for Determining Substrate Air-Filled Porosity and Water Holding Capacity: Implications for Better Irrigation Management Grower Certification (FTC) Training to write Water and Nutrient Management Plans for Controlled Environment Operations. Extension Signature Program. November 9, 2021 - December 14, 2021. Training, UM-Wye REC (9 November, 2021); Certification Exam; UM-Wye REC (14 December, 2021) Joint presentations and plan-writing sessions with Andrew G. Ristvey. (22 registrants; 8 Growers certified). MNLGA Greenhouse Grower Field Day. Guest Lecture. July 8, 2021. MNLGA Greenhouse Grower Field Day. Catoctin Mountain Growers. Invited Presentation on Predictive Sensing for Farm-based Risk Management. >50 Attendees. UMD Extension Urban Farmer Field School. Guest Lecture. June 21, 2021. UMD Extension Urban Farmer Field School.  Oliver Community Farm, Baltimore.  Invited Presentation on Substrate Management for Urban Farmers.  10 Registrants Grower Certification (FTC) Training to write Water and Nutrient Management Plans for Controlled Environment Operations. Extension Signature Program. January 18, 2021 - April 8, 2021. Training, UM-Wye REC (18 January, 2021); Certification Exam; UM-Wye REC (8 April, 2021) Joint presentations and plan-writing sessions with Andrew G. Ristvey. (8 registrants; 3 Growers certified). Manor View and Perennial Farms Education Event. Online Indsutry Educational Webinar. February 26, 2021. Online Educational (Zoom) Event Hosted by University of Maryland Extension.  John Lea-Cox helped organize the event for Manor View Nursery and the Perennial Farm.  175 Participants.  Three invited speakers (one International, from UK)   NJ   Both, A.J. 2022. National Extension Energy Summit combined with the National Sustainability Summit. Penn State University. May 15-18.   KS   Williams, K.A. 2022. Tips and Techniques for Incorporating Scholarship of Teaching and Learning into Your Classroom In: C.T. Miller, Chair. Promoting Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. ASHS Workshop, Chicago.   OH   See the Ohio accomplishment report   Refereed Journal Articles (Pending):   AZ   Blum, M.A. Blum, C.H. Parrish II, D. Hebert, D. Houck, T. Moot, N. Makarov, K. Ramasamy, H. McDaniel, G.A. Giacomelli, and M.R. Bergren. Enhancing Light Quality with Luminescent Films Through Tunable Quantum Dot Emission for Hydroponic Lettuce Production, (In review, Hort Technology) Valencia Islas, J. O., M. Kacira, I. Lopez-Cruz, G.A. Giacomelli, G.A. Ruiz, P. Li 2022. Controller Design for a Greenhouse-Type Solar Dryer Based on Product Temperature Model. Biosystems Engineering Journal.   KY   Seltsam, L. and W.G. Owen. Photosynthetic daily light integral influences growth, morphology, physiology, and quality of Nephrolepis cultivars. Accepted July 2022: HortScience.   FL   Retana-Cordero, M., S. Humphrey, and C. Gómez. 2022. Effect of radiation quality and relative humidity on intumescence injury and growth of tomato seedlings. HortScience 1–10 <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16712-22">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16712-22</a> Retana-Cordero, M., S.J. Flores, P.R. Fisher, R. Freyre, and C. Gómez. 2022. Effect of container volume and planting density on ginger and turmeric growth and yield. HortTechnology 1–10. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05092-22">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05092-22</a> Retana-Cordero, M., S. Flores, R. Freyre, and C. Gómez. 2022. Strategies to reduce radiation stress in open-field ginger and turmeric production. Agronomy 128:1910 <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081910">https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081910</a>   MD   Beaulieu, J., Belayneh, B. E., Ristvey, A. G., Lea-Cox, J. D., Swett, C. L. (in press). Improving containerized nursery crop sustainability: Effects of conservation-driven adaptations in substrate and water use on plant growth and disease. HortScience. Accepted.   NJ   Lewus, D.C. and A.J. Both. 2022. Using computational fluid dynamics to evaluate high tunnel roof vent designs. Accepted for publication in AgriEngineering.   TN   Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. The influence of mean daily temperature and daily light integral on the growth, development, biomass partitioning, and color of purple basil, sage, spearmint, and sweet basil. PLOS One. Wedegaertner, K., A. Shekoofa, S. Purdom, K.J. Walters, L. Duncan, T. Raper. 2022. Cotton stomatal closure under varying temperature and vapor pressure deficit, correlation with the hydraulic conductance trait. The Journal of Cotton Research.

Impact Statements

AZ Education and experience for operations management, labor, technical services and business development remain the most limiting factors for the continued growth of the CEA industry in the US. The UA-CEAC and its faculty and staff has for 22 years provided education, training and experience at appropriate levels for students [K – 20], industry and company personnel, government agencies, entrepreneurs, gardeners, and the general public, through undergraduate and graduate CEA education programs [in the Colleges of Engineering and ALVSCE, Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences and Cooperative Extension] that include both engineering and horticulture studies, as well as internships, work studies, campus visits and tours, general and targeted short courses, web-based information, meetings and phone discussions. Gene Giacomelli has recently hired, trained, educated and/or advised 23 undergraduates [in 2020-21 for about 3300 hours] and 19 undergraduates [in 2021-22] working on grant supported research projects. Many are now employed in various aspect of the CEA industry providing competence in design and operations of CEA hydroponic crop production greenhouse systems. UA-CEAC organized the 21st Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course (March 7-8-9, 2022) with 110+ participants to help educate and inform those on fundamentals of growing crops in CEA systems, technologies, innovations. UA-CEAC Intensive workshop helped to educated about 50 participants, mostly new/beginner CEA growers, on hydroponic crop production and CEA systems. Total of 12 graduate students (3 supervised by Giacomelli and 9 by Kacira), and 29 undergraduate students [23 Giacomelli and 6 Kacira] were educated on hydroponics crop production, greenhouse, and indoor vertical farming-based systems at UA-CEAC. UA-CEAC (with undergraduate student greenhouse helpers, research associate-Tilak Mahato, engineering support and supervisor-Murat Kacira) in collaboration with Todd Millay of UArizona Student Union Affairs, supported operations of UArizona’s Roof Top Greenhouse facility at the Student Union, and provided 3000+ lbs of free fresh produce to Campus Pantry for students to help alleviating food insecurity challenges on the university campus. In our research at experimental scale, consideration of various DLI and CO2 concentration injection combinations evaluated, and strategies developed, can help achieving energy savings, and the computer vision and models developed to evaluate various what-if scenarios for co-optimization of environmental variables in indoor vertical farming systems can help improving resource consumption leading to improved resource use efficiencies. The outcomes and information generated by our research programs at UA-CEAC with the wavelength selective organic photovoltaics based, NIR reflecting greenhouse cover, and quantum dots-based film technologies can lead to innovation and new frontiers for greenhouse covering material alternatives.

Date of Annual Report: 09/17/2023

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/31/2023 - 07/31/2023
Period the Report Covers: 08/01/2022 - 07/31/2023

Participants

Ryan Dickson (Arkansas – Arkansas Experiment Station); Yujin Park (Arizona – Arizona State University); Gene Giacomelli, Murat Kacira, and Joel Cuello (Arizona – The University of Arizona); Md Shamim Ahamed (CA- UC Davis); Qingwu Meng (Delaware – University of Delaware); Ying Zhang (Florida – University of Florida); Celina Gómez (Indiana – Purdue Unviersity); Kimberly A. Williams and Cary Rivard (Kansas – Kansas State University); John Erwin, Shirley Micallef, and John Lea-Cox (Maryland – University of Maryland); Stephanie Burnett (Maine – University of Maine); Robin Brumfield, A.J. Both, Tim Shelford, David Lewus and Farzana Lubna (New Jersey – Rutgers University); Neil Mattson, Timothy Shelford, Michael Timmons, and John Osborn (New York – Cornell University); Chieri Kubota, W. Garrett Owen, and Peter Ling (Ohio – The Ohio State University); Jennifer Boldt and Kale Harbick (Ohio – USDA-ARS); Kellie Walters (Tennessee – University of Tennessee); Genhua Niu and Shuyang Zhen (Texas – Texas A&M University); and Youping Sun (Utah – Utah Agricultural Experiment Station)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

2023 NE-1835 meeting minutes.pdf

Accomplishments

METHODS (please include your activities and accomplishments where appropriate):   Objective 1: To evaluate and develop strategies to improve energy efficiency in controlled environment agriculture Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop recommendations for optimal lamp choices and layouts for greenhouses and indoor production facilities</li> </ol>   AZ (Arizona State University)   In ever-bearing strawberries, researchers at Arizona State University identified that sole-source lighting with a photosynthetic photon flux density of 300 µmol∙m-2∙s-1 or higher, coupled with a 16-hour photoperiod, resulted in superior plant growth, flowering, and fruit production. Additionally, adding far-red light in the sole-source lighting spectrum accelerated fruit harvest and increased fruit yield and brix value in the ever-bearing strawberry variety 'Albion'.   DE   The University of Delaware collaborated with Michigan State University on a peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. This paper discussed a unique flowering response of chrysanthemum to light quality when grown indoors. The inclusion of far-red light, but not green light, in the main photoperiod is necessary for day-extension blue light to inhibit flowering in chrysanthemum grown indoors.   The University of Delaware and Michigan State University collaborated on and published a peer-reviewed publication in Plants. We found that the blue photon flux density in a broad spectrum determined growth and morphological responses of indoor hydroponic lettuce ‘Rouxai’ to broad spectra. Plants had increased biomass and extension growth, but less intense red coloration, under broad-spectrum LEDs fixtures with lower blue photon flux densities.   IN Gómez conducted experiments evaluating intumescence response of susceptible vegetable plants grown under different light qualities from LEDs and in a glass-glazed greenhouse. She also evaluated different light intensities to propagate strawberry plants indoors.   NJ   We continue to evaluate a variety of lamps for light output, light distribution and power consumption using our 2-meter integrating sphere and a small darkroom.   We are also conducting research on the environmental impacts of plant lighting systems. We’re using life cycle analysis calculations to assess various lighting technologies and strategies.   NY   Cornell: Carbon dioxide supplementation is often used in hydroponics/aquaponics to increase photosynthesis and thereby yield/biomass while reducing the need for supplemental lighting. However, there is little information available on the impact of CO2 enrichment on human nutrition of leafy greens. Lettuce cultivars ‘Rex’ and ‘Rouxai’ were grown under CO2 concentrations from 400 (ambient) to 1600 ppm. Lettuce fresh weight increased with elevated CO2 concentrations with most of the benefit achieved by 800 ppm (20-28 percent yield increase) and further benefits of only 3-11% with CO2 increasing up to 1600 ppm. Regarding nutritional impact, ‘Rouxai’ exhibited a slight decline in violaxanthin (an antioxidant), but there were no significant differences in anthocyanins (antioxidant), lutein (eye-health pigment) or mineral content. Therefore, CO2 supplementation is an effective method to significantly increase yield for lettuce while having only subtle effect on nutritional components.   USDA-ARS   The USDA-ARS/Ohio developed and released a beta version of Virtual Grower 4.0.  Virtual Grower is a decision-support software tool that allows users to build a simulated greenhouse and estimate energy costs for various geographic locations, greenhouse designs, heating and lighting setups, and crops.  In this new version of Virtual Grower, we have transitioned from a downloadable PC application to a web interface.  Planned features and upgrades include the addition of LED lighting, ASHRAE heat balance calculations for more accurate heating and cooling loads, and multiple thermal zones to better model thermal curtains.   TX   PhD student Seonghwan Kang and Shuyang Zhen investigated the effect of orange light (peak at 627 nm) on growth, morphology, and photosynthesis of two lettuce cultivars and a dwarf tomato. When compared to a standard red light (peak at 660 nm), the use of orange light did not significantly improve (nor reduce) crop photosynthesis or growth. This contradicts previous findings that suggested orange light may support more efficient photosynthesis. The application of far-red light, in combination with orange or red light, significantly improve growth of both lettuce and dwarf tomato and promoted early flowering in tomato.   M.S. student Yilin Zhu and Shuyang Zhen evaluated how the intensity and duration of blue light at the end-of-production regulate anthocyanins production in red leaf lettuce. We found that blue light intensity and application duration co-regulate anthocyanin production, and sufficient anthocyanin production could only be achieved when both the threshold of blue light intensity and a minimal application duration are met.   At Dallas Center, Niu team compared the growth and mineral nutrition of two leafy greens, ‘Cegolaine’ lettuce and ‘Petite Star’ pak choy, under three commercial LED lights with different spectra and two temperatures: 21 ℃ and 30 ℃. In each temperature, there are three spectra: red and blue LED, and white LED with or without 5% far red (FR) of the total photon flux density of 250 mmol m-2 s-1. Results indicate that light spectra in this study had no or minor effect, while the two temperatures made significant differences in plant growth, morphology, yield and mineral nutrition in both species.   (Dallas) For microgreen indoor production, replacing or adding UV-A and far-red (FR) light to white LED affected growth, morphology, and phytochemicals. However, the magnitude of the effect is relatively small, possibly due to the relatively short period (from emergence to harvest of microgreens). Also, adding FR may reduce yield and some phytochemical concentrations of microgreens, similar to the results in baby leaves. Therefore, considering the costs of adding UV-A and FR to LED fixture, commonly available white LED lights are recommended for commercial production.   (Dallas) In another study, we determined the effect of temperature variation and blue and red LEDs on the elongation of arugula and mustard microgreens. Two microgreen species were grown under two light spectra and two temperatures, 18 ℃ and 28 ℃ under 110 µmol m−2 s−1 and a photoperiod of 12 h d−1. The elongation promotion in arugula by blue light was greater at 18 °C than at 28 °C, showing interactions between light and temperature on most plant traits. For mustard, plant elongation was promoted at 28 °C compared to 18 °C independent of light treatment, showing no interactions between light and temperature on most plant traits. These results suggest that the blue light-mediated elongation as a shade-avoidance response is not reversed by high temperature, despite the varying sensitivity with temperatures and species.   (Dallas) Heat tolerance of eight spinach cultivars was determined based on plant growth index, biomass, and chlorophyll fluorescence measurement (potential maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II, Fv/Fm, and performance index, PIabs). Plants were grown under three temperatures: 22, 26, and 32 ◦C. Among the eight cultivars, Lakeside, Lizard, Seaside and Red Tabby grew more uniformly and were better quality at harvest than Space, Mandolin, Kolibri, and Koiwa. Koiwa had the lowest germination percentage and bolted under 26 ◦C.   (Dallas) Supplemental lighting (SL) is necessary to enhance growth and quality in greenhouse hydroponic leafy green production in Texas. We found that short-term SL with different commercial LED lights: UV-A and blue combination, red and blue LED, and full spectrum white LED are equally effective to significantly enhance the quality of leafy greens in terms of leaf thickness and greenness, antioxidant capacity, and concentrations of phytonutrients such as anthocyanins, carotenoids, and total phenolics; however, shoot fresh biomass and total leaf area were generally not affected by the short-term SL.   <ol start="2"> <li>Improve ventilation alternatives for high-tunnels that result in better cooling in the summer and reduced heat loss in the winter</li> </ol>   CA   The Controlled Environment Engineering (CEE) Lab at UC Davis investigated the potential of an adsorption cooling system as an alternative solution for efficient cooling systems for greenhouse applications.   Develop the potential of ground-source heat pumps as an energy-efficient and sustainable solution for nursery greenhouses in California.   Develop AI-based indoor temperature prediction algorithms for efficient control systems to reduce energy wastage for environmental control in greenhouses.   Investigate the potential of different dehumidification techniques for greenhouses in cold regions in terms of energy and water harvesting efficiency.   UF   A research and extension team at the University of Florida (UF) led by Ying Zhang is collaborating with other investigators from Auburn University, Michigan State University, and Tuskegee University for a 4-year multistate USDA project, “Reimagining Controlled Environment Agriculture in a Low Carbon World,” led by PD, Brendan Higgins, at Auburn University. UF team will breed heat-tolerant lettuce for greenhouse production, optimize greenhouse ventilation, and develop crop models and a climate management tool to reduce greenhouse crop production carbon emissions and climate control efficiency.   NJ   We completed our work on a comprehensive evaluation of ventilation strategies for high tunnel crop production. We used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess ventilation rates in high tunnels equipped with several different ventilation configurations. A dissertation was published by (former) graduate student David Lewus, who also first-authored a peer-reviewed publication (AgriEngineering).   Objective 2: To reduce fresh water use and evaluate alternative fertilizers and growing substrates for the production of greenhouse crops Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Develop practical production guidelines to increase the efficiency of organic fertilizers in production of container-grown ornamentals and hydroponically-grown vegetables</li> </ol>   MD   Swanson, E. O., Carlson, J. L., Perkus, L. A., Grossman, J., Rogers, M., Erwin, J. E., Slavin, J. L.#, Rosen, C. J.# (2022). Nutrient and nitrate composition of greenhouse-grown leafy greens: A trial comparison between conventional and organic fertility treatments. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6(811995), 1-15.   TX   Information on growing organic vegetable seedlings under controlled environment is limited. At Dallas Center, weconducted experiments to determine the effects of three organic fertilizers (Sustane 4-6-4, Nature Safe 7-7-7, and Dramatic 2-4-1) and the rates (4 nitrogen (N), matched among the fertilizer treatments) in comparison to a conventional fertilizer with matching rates on the performance of watermelon seedlings. Due to the nature of organic fertilizers, it was difficult to match all the macronutrients levels. For comparison and convenience, we only matched N rates among treatments. Results indicated that both fertilizer type and rate significantly affected seedling growth and morphology. We found that K and P nutrients, in addition to N, significantly impacted seedling growth, morphology and mineral nutrition, especially root growth and morphology. We concluded that a combination of two or more organic fertilizers may be necessary to meet the nutrient requirement to produce healthy and strong watermelon seedlings.   <ol start="2"> <li>Develop practical management guidelines to improve production efficiency and increase yield and quality of vegetables grown in recirculating hydroponics and aquaponics systems</li> </ol>   AR   Conducted research modeling the effects of growing temperature and daily light integral on the crop timing and quality of compact vegetable crops (tomato, pepper, cucumber) in controlled-environments.   AZ (University of Arizona)   Research for providing food systems for SAM (Space Analog for Moon and Mars) at the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 was initiated by Gene Giacomelli with PhD student Atila Meszaros and the SAM Director, Kai Staats.   Research on resource accounting and digital twin application for crop production in Lunar Mars Greenhouse prototype system, with re-circulating cable/culture/NFT system at the University of Arizona LMGH lab. Murat Kacira-PI, Phil Sadler-Collaborator, with graduate students Megan Kane and Samuel Jesse.   Research on design, development and evaluation of water/nutrient deliver efficient crop production system prototype for Ohalo-3 unit for crop production in microgravity setting of International Space Station. Murat Kacira-PI, Phil Sadler-Collaborator, with graduate students Megan Kane and Samuel Jesse, undergrad student Tamara Friedman.   CA   CEE lab at UC Davis develops machine learning algorithms for fault detection and diagnosis for hydroponic system monitoring systems (EC and pH sensors) to improve water and nutrient use efficiency. We have investigated the potential ion-based monitoring system to improve the water and nutrient use efficiency for a closed loop hydroponic production.   DE   The University of Delaware collaborated with an industry partner, Croda, Inc. and validated that a calcium-mobilizing chemical biostimulant, when applied to the nutrient solution, was effective at reducing tipburn of greenhouse hydroponic lettuce ‘Rex’ by 88% compared to the control (without the biostimulant) without affecting biomass in a tipburn-inducing environment, thereby improving lettuce quality and sellable yield for controlled-environment hydroponic growers.   UF   Ying Zhang and his MS student, Jean Pompeo, investigated the effect of adapting higher air temperature setpoints, heat-tolerant crops, and root zone cooling (RZC) for improving the resource use efficiency in controlled environment agriculture, in terms of biomass production, energy, and water use efficiencies. Three lettuce cultivars were studied, including Rex, Skyphos, and Muir. Experiments were conducted where three lettuce cultivars were grown under warm air temperature settings of 24 °C, 26 °C, 28 °C, and 30 °C with a root-zone temperature of 22 °C and ambient. The results suggest that plant genotype (cultivar) is an important contributing factor to lettuce quality regardless of the temperature setpoints. RZC lowered fresh/dry biomass production and light/energy use efficiencies but improved water use efficiencies at all temperature treatments. Air temperatures at 28 °C produced the greatest overall yield, with its control group resulting in the highest light and energy use efficiencies, while 30 °C reduced yields for all except Muir, and its treatment group resulted in the lowest overall yields.   IN Gómez conducted experiments evaluating strategies to reduce fertilizer and water use for greenhouse production of vegetable bedding plants.   MD   Experiments: Conducted experimentation focusing on how hydroponic solution temperature impacts growth and yield of 6 different herb species.   Conducted experimentation focusing on how episodic high temperature stress affect stomatal conductance and photosynthesis of 3 vegetable species that vary in indigenous habitat.   Conducting experiment around how environment and hydroponic solution composition affects prevalence of Salmonella and Listeria on leafy greens grown in hydroponic systems.   Conducting experiments on how abiotic stresses impacts the phytonutrient content of leafy greens grown in hydroponic systems.   ME   The University of Maine started trials to compare cultivars of carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus ‘Mokum’, ‘Purple Haze’, ‘Deep Purple’, ‘Atlas’), kale (Brassica oleracea ‘Winterbor’, ‘Black Magic’, ‘Red Russian’, and ‘Redbor’), and peas (Pisum sativum ‘Avalanche’, ‘Royal’, and ‘Oregon Giant’) for hydroponic and container production in controlled environments. This work will continue through the next year.   NY   Cornell: Aquaponic trials were conducted with additional leafy greens beyond lettuce (previously tested) including arugula, kale, and Pac choi. Three fertilization methods were tested: conventional hydroponic, recirculating aquaponics (fish tank and plant hydroponic ponds in continuous recirculation), and aerobically digested fish solids. We found that recirculating aquaponics performed almost as well as conventional hydroponic for the leafy greens tests. Aerobically digested fish solids were not suitable as the sole nutrient source and should be amended with other nutrients for optimal yields.   OH   We have updated our web-based information resource “Hydroponics / Soilless Culture Info” (<a href="https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics/">https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics/</a>) which includes 16 comprehensive lectures on hydroponics crop production methods and management. The website was accessed by 307 users (1591 pageviews) over the past year.   We have updated a web-based information resource ‘Controlled Environment Berry Production Information” (<a href="https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry">https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry</a>) that contains the following topics. The website was accessed by 4,383 users (18,898 pageviews) over the past year.   TN   This study aims to determine which mizuna cultivar provides the best genotype for further light optimization studies. Twenty-two cultivars of mustard greens including 12 cultivars of mizuna were grown under ISS like conditions to determine which would provide the greatest yield and highest nutrient concentrations. Plants were grown for 31 days, harvested, and flash frozen. Morphological and fresh mass data were collected prior to freezing. Half of the plants were processed and analyzed to determine concentrations of carotenoids, anthocyanins, and vitamins C, B1, and K1. The remaining half were analyzed to determine concentrations of calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium. This was conducted thrice and the resulting data was then normalized and weighted to determine which cultivar would provide the best phytonutrient and morphological profile for further optimization of space-based cultivation. It was found that ‘Green Amara’ (B. carinata) provided the best overall nutrient profile, while ‘Hybrid Red’ mizuna provided a complimentary profile for a more complete dietary supplement.   The objective of this study is to determine the optimal combination of light intensity and photoperiod when growing mustard green Brassica carinata ‘Green Amara’ under elevated CO2 concentrations. This was determined by growing ‘Green Amara’ under 200, 400, 600, and 800 μmol·m-2·s-1 in a factorial design with a 16- or 24-hour photoperiod for a total of 8 treatment combinations. Seedlings were irrigated with deionized water with 100 mg·L-1 N from 12.0-1.7-13.3 complete fertilizer supplemented with MgSO4. After 14 days, seedlings were transplanted into raft hydroponic systems under the same environmental conditions, but with a nutrient solution providing 200 mg·L-1 N and pH adjusted to 5.8 as needed. The plants were all grown under hyper elevated CO2 (2,800 μmol·mol-1) and a 23°C target air temperature to emulate ISS conditions. This was repeated twice over time. The plants were then evaluated according to a series of key metrics identified by NASA as important for future mission success, including morphological characteristics (mass, volume, and water content), mineral nutrient accumulation (Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Fe3+), and phytonutrient concentrations (thiamine, ascorbic acid, phylloquinone, β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and total anthocyanins). After normalization and weighing, we found a combination of 800 μmol·m-2·s-1 and a 16-hour photoperiod provided the best overall profile of ‘Green Amara’ greens. Interestingly, this combination of light and photoperiod did not outperform the other treatments across each metric. Rather, it had an exceedingly high yield skewing the weighted ranking. The 200 μmol·m-2·s-1 and 16-hour photoperiod treatment ranked second, providing the highest scores across zeaxanthin, β-carotene, lutein, and ascorbic acid. However, this was outweighed by its lower yield. Interestingly, the increased photoperiod was associated with lower carotenoid concentrations while increased intensity was associated with greater plant mass but not with greater volume.   ‘Hybrid Red Mizuna’ (Brassica rapa var. nipposinica) and ‘Green Amara’ mustard greens (Brassica carinata) were sown and placed in a growth chamber under light intensities of 200, 400, 600, or 800 µmol·m-2·s-1 for a 16-h photoperiod. The target air temperature was 23°C and the CO2 concentration was superelevated at 2,800 ppm. After 14 days, seedlings were transplanted into a common greenhouse environment and grown for 10 days in a raft hydroponic system. At transplant and harvest leaf number, plant height, growth index (GI), dry matter concentration (DMC), and fresh and dry mass were quantified. At transplant, similar trends were seen in fresh mass, although the response of ‘Hybrid Red Mizuna’ was quadratic, and in leaf number, although this response was only seen in 'Green Amara'. Interestingly the DMC of 'Green Amara’ increased linearly with increasing light at transplant, a trend that was reversed at the time of harvest. Trends in plant height and in GI (calculated in part from plant height) were more complex, with discrepancies seen between replications and cultivars in response models (linear or quadratic) and in trends (increasing or decreasing with increased light intensity).   Increased sowing density could improve yields in controlled environment agriculture at relatively low cost. Culinary herbs are often grown for fresh use, and herb biomass yield and morphology characteristics dictate production profit. If we determine sowing density impacts on herb biomass yield and morphology, producers could benefit. Our primary objective was to determine the extent sowing density influences yield and morphology of four culinary herbs. Cilantro ‘Santo’ (Coriandrum sativum), parsley ‘Giant of Italy’ (Petroselinum crispum), mint (Mentha spicata), and sage (Salvia officinalis) seeds were sown in phenolic-foam substrate with 1, 5, 10, 15, or 20 seeds per cell. Seedlings were grown using ebb-and-flow hydroponic systems in a greenhouse with 23°C target average daily temperature. We maintained a 16-hour photoperiod with a target daily light integral of 14 mol·m‒2·d‒1. After 14 (cilantro), 21 (parsley, sage), or 28 (mint) days, seedlings were transplanted into hydroponic rafts for final production. Plants were harvested after 16 (cilantro), 21 (mint), 25 (sage), or 28 (parsley) days. During harvests we recorded height, number of surviving plants, stem and leaf fresh and dry mass, and leaf number. As sowing density increased, fresh mass per cell increased. However, in general, as sowing density increased, an increasing proportion of biomass was allocated to stems compared to leaves, thus reducing crop quality   <ol start="3"> <li>Develop recommendations for application of flexible wavelength lighting and selective cover materials or shading elements for greenhouses</li> </ol>   AZ (University of Arizona)   Kacira Lab, through collaboration and support of Red Sea company, evaluated the effect of wavelength selective (NIR blocking) greenhouse covering material on yield and quality of eight varieties of Roma tomato crop as well as several leafy greens including two varieties of lettuce, dill, and kale.   Wavelength altering properties of quantum dots in plastic film for the improvement of tomato and lettuce plant production was completed within a single-bay, gutter-connected, ETFE film-covered greenhouse 7.5 x 15.1 m, by Michael Blum and Morgan Mattingly, graduate students of Gene Giacomelli, in collaboration and support of Matt Bergren, UbiQD company.   <ol start="4"> <li>Develop strategies to reduce water use in propagation of ornamentals and vegetables</li> </ol>   IN   Gómez conducted experiments evaluating the effect of light quality and carbon dioxide concentration on water loss of unrooted cuttings propagated in indoor facilities   NJ   We completed the development of Rutgers Water Recycling Investment Tool. We created this online tool to allow producers to estimate costs and benefits of a water recycling investment at their commercial nursery, using information that they enter about their nursery operation. This tool then gives them a “regulatory risk score” based on their drought and pollution risk. Next, using a partial budget approach, the program determines the net present value of the investment, the upfront capital cost, and the expected change in annual cash flow. The tool is available at: <a href="https://tessera.rutgers.edu/recycle-flowchart/">https://tessera.rutgers.edu/recycle-flowchart/</a> This work was summarized in a peer-reviewed publication (Gottlieb et al, 2022).   <ol start="5"> <li>Accelerate propagation timing by reducing water use</li> </ol>   <ol start="6"> <li>Generate new knowledge about environmental management practices that enhance beneficial microbes in hydroponic solutions</li> </ol>   MD   Experiments: Conducted experimentation on identifying optimal temperatures for root growth and yield. This data is a precursor to experiments related to identifying microbes that a) increase root heat tolerance and/or b) decrease susceptibility to Pythium root rot.   <ol start="7"> <li>Develop management guidelines to use low-quality water for irrigating greenhouse crops</li> </ol>   KS   In follow-up to a Spring 2022 experiment, an undergraduate research project at Kansas State University was conducted during Summer 2023 to evaluate wastewater from a commercial water purification system for hydroponic lettuce production compared to reverse osmosis or municipal water. There were no growth differences across treatments. In addition to essential nutrients, sodium, chromium, arsenic, lead, and cadmium were measured in water sources, nutrient reservoirs, and plant tissue. Nutrient budgets were created to assess ion accumulation based on water source.   NY   Cornell: We developed hydroponic production techniques for a novel salt-tolerant hydroponic plant: ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum). Ice plant is found adjacent to salt-water coasts and is considered a halophyte (salt tolerant plant). It is a fast-growing edible succulent plant with a savory flavor. We determined that ice plant grows optimally when it has sodium chloride added to the hydroponic nutrient solution at 0.05 to 0.10 Molar and it can survive concentrations of 0.2 Molar (which is one-third as salt as seawater). When propagated from seed we found good growth/yield with a 4 week seedling period (144 plants per square foot) and then transplanted and grown on for three weeks. Ice plant benefited from supplemental lighting in winter greenhouse production. We believe this crop shows promise as a novel hydroponic crop and one that can also be used to reduce Na and Cl from accumulating in recirculating hydroponic and aquaponic nutrient solutions enabling more sensitive leafy greens (ex. lettuce) to grow in higher salinity water source.   OH   We developed a new hydroponic nutrient solution formula that would allow using low pH (4.0-4.5) solution for growing most common leafy greens (arugula, basil, lettuce, kale, pakchoi, and spinach)    UT   Salt tolerance of Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’ (pomegranate) and four penstemon species   Two studies were conducted to evaluate the salinity tolerance of four penstemon species [Penstemon barbatus ‘Blue’ (Rock Candy series beardtongue), Penstemon strictus ‘Rocky Mountain’ (Rocky Mountain beardtongue), Penstemon davidsonii (Davidson's penstemon) and Penstemon heterophyllus (foothill penstemon)] in a greenhouse at the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. We examined how varying salinity levels, with electrical conductivity (EC) ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 dS·m-1, affected the growth and physiology of the penstemon species. Additionally, a separate greenhouse study was performed to assess the salinity tolerance of Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’ (pomegranate). Plants were irrigated with a nutrient solution at an EC of 1.2 dS·m-1 (control) or saline solutions at EC levels of 5.0 or 10.0 dS·m-1 for a duration of 8 weeks.   The experiments were designed using a randomized complete block design with ten replications. The salinity levels in the root zone were monitored after each irrigation using the pour-through technique described by Cavins et al. (2008). Various parameters including plant growth, visual quality, relative chlorophyll contents (SPAD readings), and physiological parameters such as net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency were collected. Environmental variables such as temperature and solar radiation within the greenhouse were recorded throughout the course of the experiment.   <ol start="8"> <li>Develop production guidelines to adjust nutrient programs to non-peat-based substrates</li> </ol>   AR   Conducted research and developed guidelines for formulating species-specific hydroponic solutions to minimize nutrient and water waste for controlled-environments. Initiated new research evaluating novel practical strategies to manage nutrient levels in recirculating hydroponics. Concluded and published research on the effects of micronutrients and silicon on lettuce growth and disease resistance in hydroponics. Conducted research evaluating new hemp fiber and paper products as alternative substrate materials and developed guidelines for manufacturing and using these materials in commercial practice.   MD Swanson, E. O., Carlson, J. L., Perkus, L. A., Grossman, J., Rogers, M., Erwin, J. E., Slavin, J. L.#, Rosen, C. J.# (2022). Nutrient and nitrate composition of greenhouse-grown leafy greens: A trial comparison between conventional and organic fertility treatments. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6(811995), 1-15.   Objective 3: To train growers and students to utilize emerging controlled environment agriculture technologies Planned Outputs: <ol> <li>Organize education programs that target CEA growers around the US, our target populations will include Hispanics, Native Americans, and new farmers</li> </ol>   AZ (Arizona State University)  Arizona State University hosted Indoor Farming Workshop from May 8 to May 10 in collaboration with City of Phoenix. We totally had 70 workshop participants, including Hispanics and local farmers. The workshop consists of a mixture of lecture, discussion, networking sessions, and hands-on training. The participants learned about indoor vertical farming design and operation fundamentals and indoor crop production and management.   AZ (University of Arizona) UA-CEAC continued to provide educational opportunities on CEA for new farmers through its 22nd Annual Greenhouse Engineering Design and Crop production Short Course (110+ participants, 18 exhibitors). M. Kacira, G.A. Giacomelli, and Outreach Specialist Jaclyn Cadogan were event organizers, and M. Kacira and G.A. Giacomelli were both moderators and presenters. UA-CEAC Intensive Workshops on education of growers producing hydroponics tomato production (Triston Hooks, Instructor) (25 participants).   UA-CEAC Indigeponics Workshop Series. Beginners Hydroponic: Microgreens (Instructors: Chantel Harrison-UA PSM/CEA Track, Jamus Lee-UA PSM/CEA Track Grad Student, Calder Bethke-UA BE MS Grad student) (8 participants).   UA-CEAC Indigeponics Workshop Series. Beginners Hydroponic: Nutrient Film Technique (Instructors: Chantel Harrison-UA PSM/CEA Track Grad Student, Jamus Lee-UA PSM/CEA Track Grad Student, Calder Bethke-UA BE MS Grad student) (10 participants).   MD Presentations:  Erwin, J. (Presentor), Cultivate '23, "The Most Common Problems, and Their Solutions in Greenhouse Crop Production," AmeriHort, Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH. (July 17, 2023).   Erwin, J. (Presentor), Cultivate '23, "The Big Four:  Do's and Don'ts of Geranium, New Guinea Impatiens, Calibrachoa and Fuchsia Prodction," AmeriHort, Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH. (July 16, 2023).   Erwin, J. (Presentor), Cultivate '23, "Potted Herb Production," AmeriHort, Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH. (July 15, 2023).   Erwin, J. (Presentor), Maryland Greenhouse Conference, "Direct Sticking - A New Technique to Reduce Labor Costs," Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Tidal Creek Growers, Earlesville, MD. (July 11, 2023).   Erwin, J. (Presentor), Chesapeake Green Greenhouse Conference, "Gerring Perennials to Flower When you Want," Maryland Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Maritime Museum, Linithicum, MD, United States. (February 17, 2023).   Erwin, J. (Presentor), Chesapeake Green Greenhouse Conference, "Plant Growth Regulators to Reduce Labor Costs in the Greenhouse and Nursery Industry," Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Maritime Museum, Linithicum, MD, United States. (February 17, 2023).   Erwin, J. (Presentor), BFG Regional Greenhouse Meeting, "Foliage Plant Production," BFG, Hyatt Regency, Bloomington, MN. (February 9, 2023).   Erwin, J. (Presentor), BFG Regional Greenhouse Conference, "Growing Edible Greens in Greenhouses and other Controlled Environments," BFG, Hyatt Regency, Bloomington, MN, Australia. (February 9, 2023).   Erwin, J. (Presentor), American Floral Endowment Webinar Series, "Getting Perennials to Flower when you Want - Question and Answer Session," Society of American Florists, Online Webinar, Online, MD. (November 29, 2022).   Erwin, J. (Presenter), American Floral Endowment Webinar Series, "Getting perennials to flower when you want," Society of Allied Florists (SAF), Web, Alexandria, VA. (November 29, 2022).   Erwin, J. (Presenter), Floriculture Research Alliance Webinar Series, "Using temperature to effectively schedule greenhouse crops," Floriculture Research Alliance; University of Florida, Web, Gainesville. (November 15, 2022).   Erwin, J. (Presenter), Floriculture Research Alliance Annual Meeting, "Research Update:  University of Maryland," Floriculture Research Alliance, Miami Hyatt Coral Gables, Miami, FL. (October 26, 2022 - October 28, 2022).   Lea-Cox, J., USBG Lunch and Learn Webinar Series, "What's up on the United States Botanic Garden Roof?," United States Botanic Garden, Online, Washington, United States. (October 18, 2022).   Lea-Cox, J., Samtani, J., Cornerstone Event: Optimize Urban Environments Through Design, Green Technology, and Community Engagement, "Quantifying and Valuing Ecosystem Services  of Green Infrastructure," College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States. (October 12, 2022).   Helped organize 2 greenhouse conferences in Maryland. Chessie Greenhouse Conference (Timonium, MD; February 15-16, 2023) Maryland Greenhouse Conference (Earlesville, MD; July 12, 2023)   NJ   We presented at the Cultivate’23 trade show (Columbus, OH) as part of the half-day workshop titled Essentials of Hydroponic Production.   NY   Cornell: Our outreach efforts included 13 in-state and 14 out-of-state workshops, presentations, and webinars during the reporting period. This resulted in the training of 932 New York State participants and 1015 out-of-state participants. Participants represent aquaponics, hydroponics, and greenhouse industry members, extension educators, Master Gardeners, school teachers, and middle-school and high-school teachers. A signature outreach activity that was co-organized was the 2022 Short-Course on recirculating aquaculture, hydroponics and aquaponics. The format was online for 12 hours over 4 days. The Short-Course had 29 attendees from industry, 17 from academia and 2 from governmental organizations. Project participants represent diverse audiences including middle-school and high-school students, teachers, farmers, educators, college students, Master-Gardeners, and members of the public interested in aquaponics and hydroponics. Several programs were held during evenings or weekends to accommodate diverse schedules. Many presentations were made online with recordings made available to accommodate remote learners.   Cornell/Rutgers: In February/March 2023, the Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) consortium which is led by Cornell University, Rutgers University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and with 30 industry members held a virtual climate control short course spanning six weeks. The course drew 239 participants.   OH   We organized three workshops during the reporting period as follow: <ul> <li>The 2023 Greenhouse Management Workshop was organized on January 26 - 27, 2023 by Peter Ling, W. Garrett Owen and Chieri Kubota with a total of 81 in-person/online participants. This year’s focus was ‘More with less energy’.</li> <li>A self-paced course ‘Greenhouse Strawberry School Online’ was organized in May 2023 by Chieri Kubota and Mark Kroggel with 215 online participants.</li> <li>The 2023 Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Annual Conference was organized on July 19, 2023 by Chieri Kubota, Carly Becker, Uttara Samarakoon and Darren Drewry with a total of 198 participants. This year’s focus was ‘Advancement of Sustainable Controlled Environment Crop Production Sciences and Technologies’.</li> </ul>   Unfortunately, demographic information was not collected.   USDA-ARS   The USDA-ARS/Ohio, in collaboration with NASA, the Dept. of Energy, and the University of Toledo, hosted a CEA workshop on “Advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture on Land and in Space in the Next 20 Years” in Toledo, OH in June 2023.  Approximately 120 university faculty, graduate students, government researchers, industry members, and growers attended the three-day workshop to better understand the current and future challenges of CEA and strategies to address them.   TX   (Dallas, TX) We hosted our 4th annual conference on Urban Agriculture-Controlled Environments in December 2022. The total number of participants was 90 including growers, speakers, students, industry, and exhibitors. Another 14 growers attended virtually as the conference was held both in-person and virtually.   <ol start="2"> <li>Publish a hydroponic production book and an eight-part article series on urban agriculture</li> </ol>   KS Yujin Park (Arizona State University) and Kimberly Williams (Kansas State University) are collaborating on a review of recent literature related to organic hydroponic production.   NJ   We published a peer-reviewed opinion article that discusses several of the challenges involved with vertical farming (title: What you may not realize about vertical farming).   <ol start="3"> <li>Enhance undergraduate research training in the area of controlled environment plant production to prepare the students for independent studies </li> </ol> AR   Developed new Hydroponic and Soilless Food Crops course at the University of Arkansas. This course is part of the ACCEPtS online consortium and is also available at Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University.   AZ (Arizona State University) At Arizona State University, three undergraduate students enrolled in ABS 489, an Undergraduate Research course, where they actively engaged in innovative indoor vertical farming research. After the research experience, one student got the position at one commercial vertical farm upon his graduation.   AZ (University of Arizona)   Gene Giacomelli has hired, trained, educated and/or advised 17 undergraduates working on grant supported research projects to be competent in CEA hydroponic crop production systems design and operations.   Murat Kacira has hired, trained, and educated 9 undergraduate students working in hydroponics crop production, indoor vertical farming, wavelength selective greenhouse covering, and space horticulture focused research projects funded through USDA, NASA, and private sector funding.   CA Develop a new course (TAE 121 Controlled Environments for Plants and Animals) for the new undergraduate program (Agricultural and Environmental Technology) at UC Davis   Seven undergraduate students worked at CEE Lab as part of their research works or capstone projects.   Several high-school students worked at CEE Lab to expose their knowledge of controlled environment agriculture.   Submitted one literature review article for energy efficiency and precision control in indoor vertical farming in collaboration with other members of NE1835.    Organized the annual meeting for NCERA 101 for networking and showcasing the new research and development in CEA.   DE   Qingwu Meng taught an undergraduate 300-level Hydroponic Food Production course in Fall 2022 (with 13 students enrolled). He coordinated a field trip to hydroponic greenhouse producer, Gotham Greens, for the class to better understand industry practices and needs. He also mentored and trained three undergraduate students, who assisted with various experiments in controlled environment agriculture.   IN   Gómez established a new Hydroponic Systems course at Purdue University.   MD   Courses Taught: PLSC425 0101 (Spring 2023), Green Roofs and Urban Sustainability. 24 enrolled. PLSC461 0101 (Spring 2023), Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Substrates. 26 enrolled. PLSC462 0101 (Spring 2023), Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems; Irrigation. 25 enrolled. PLSC464 0101 (Spring 2023), Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Nutrients. 24 enrolled. Taught 1 course on the Biology of Food Safety (Micallef).   Co-teach a ‘capstone’ course in which students design experimentation to address a current problem that the industry is experiencing in greenhouse crop production.  Students design and conduct experiments to address the issue and report results at the end of the semester.  The course was taught Spring, 2023 (Erwin)   Teaching a course (PLSC201) – Plant Form and Function- which is predominantly focusing on Environmental Physiology using references and examples in greenhouse and growth chambers (Erwin).   Proposed teaching a pilot course ‘Controlled Environment Agriculture’ which will be taught for the first time at UMD in Spring, 2024 (Erwin).   Proposed teaching a pilot course ‘Spring Ornamental Crop Production’ which will be taught in Spring, 2025 (Erwin).   ME   The University of Maine trained three undergraduate students in controlled environment agriculture by including them as part of our research projects. Dr. Stephanie Burnett joined a community of practice focusing on SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) at the University of Maine to expand understanding of integrating those practices into undergraduate courses in controlled environment agriculture. Dr. Burnett worked with the University of Maine Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning to develop a virtual tour of Wyman’s Farm, a lowbush blueberry farm in Deblois, ME.   NJ   During the spring 2023 semester, we taught a 4-credit undergraduate course titled Indoor Cultivation of High Value Crops and enrolled 22 students. The hands-on component of the course was covered by having students grow crops at home using small commercially-sourced table-top hydroponic growing systems (AeroGarden).   NY   Cornell: Four undergraduate students and 4 graduate students were trained in aquaponics/hydroponics independent research and outreach.   OH   During this reporting year: Five undergraduate students were engaged in controlled environment research programs in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.   USDA-ARS   USDA-ARS/Ohio employed three undergraduate students during the 2022-2023 academic year.  They learned how to grow plants in controlled environments and conduct research studies, and they assisted a post-doctoral researcher with various experiments in controlled environments.   TN   Mentored 17 undergraduates in controlled environment research. Eight undergraduate students have shared results through university-wide undergraduate poster research symposia. Incorporated group research projects into a 300-level plant physiology and nutrition course.   TX   Zhen developed and taught a new 3-credit undergraduate-level Hydroponic/soilless Crop Production course in Fall 2022 with an enrollment of 15 students.  She also taught a 3-credit  undergraduate-level Greenhouse Technology & Sustainable Crop Production Systems in Fall 2022 with an enrollment of 35 students. Zhen mentored an undergraduate student, Jarred Lake, and helped him design his undergraduate research project in summer 2023. Jarred investigated the effect of rootzone cooling on the growth of two lettuce cultivars and spinach in a greenhouse deep water culture system.         4. Submit at least three grants to enhance our collaboration within the team   IN   Gómez (UF) collaborated with Niu and Masabni (Texas A&M), and other researchers to support a grant application led by the University of Hawaii for a USDA-NIFA-SCRI planning grant proposal   NJ   We are collaborating with colleagues at other institutions as part of the USDA-NIFA SCRI projects LAMP and ADVANCEA, as well as the GLASE consortium.   TN   Submitted one grant to USDA AFRI Foundational and Applied Sciences Program with a couple NE1835 members.

Publications

Dissertations, Theses (Published):   AR   Micronutrient concentration effects on hydroponic lettuce growth and susceptibility to Pythium. Kalyn Helms M.Sc. Thesis. University of Arkansas. 2022. R.W. Dickson, M. Bertucci, A. Rojas, K. Gibson. Genetic control of prickles and plant height in blackberry. Carmen Johns M.Sc. Thesis. University of Arkansas. 2022. M. Worthington, J. Clark, R.W. Dickson, J. Lee, M. Egan.   AZ (Arizona State University)   McClintic, N. 2022. Improving the Efficiency of Organic Fertilizer for Soilless Cultivation Using Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms. MS thesis, Arizona State University   AZ (University of Arizona)   Blum, Michael. 2022.  Enhancing Light Quality Using Tunable Quantum Dots in Luminescent Films to Improve Lettuce and Tomato Yields. Master Thesis, Biosystems Engineering Department, The University of Arizona.  [Major Advisor: G.A. Giacomelli] Smith, Max, 2022. Effects on Tomato Plant Growth Using VPD Control to be Used For A Saltwater Greenhouse System. Master Thesis Report, PSM-CEA GIDP, The University of Arizona.  [Major Advisor: G.A. Giacomelli] Mattingly, Morgan. 2023.  Greenhouse Applications of Poluyethylene Terephthalate Film Embedded with Quantum Dots to Improve Growth of Lettuce. Master Thesis, Biosystems Engineering Department, The University of Arizona.  [Major Advisor: G.A. Giacomelli]  Valencia-Islas, Jose Olaf. 2022. Modeling and Optimization of a Greenhouse-type Solar Dryer System. PhD Dissertation. Biosystems Engineering Department, The University of Arizona.  [Major Advisor: M. Kacira] Shasteen, KC. 2022.  Predictive Modelling and Computer Vision Based Decision Support to Optimize Resource Use in Vertical Farms. Master Thesis, Biosystems Engineering Department, The University of Arizona.  [Major Advisor: M. Kacira] Kaufmann, C. 2023. Reducing Tipburn in Lettuce Grown in Indoor Vertical Farm: Comparing the Impact of Vertically Distributed Airflow vs. Horizontally Distributed Airflow in the Growth of Lactuca Sativa. [Major Advisor: M. Kacira]   DE   Kennebeck, E., 2023. Characterizing Leafy Greens Growth in Response to CO2, Relative Humidity, Photon Spectrum, and Nitrogen Concentration for Space Production (Master’s thesis, University of Delaware).   IN Tello, N. 2023. Removing obstacles to expand the ginger and turmeric industry in Florida. MS Thesis, University of Florida.   KS   Wiens, Lane. 2023. Effects of anti-gibberellin plant growth regulators on Tradescantia, Epipremnum, and Philodendrongrowth in interior green walls. Kansas State University   MD   Schulden, Taylor; MS Thesis (Erwin, J and N Rawat Advisors).   NJ   Lewus, D.C. 2023. Simulation of high tunnel ventilation using computational fluid dynamics. Dissertation, Rutgers University Libraries. 189 pp.   NY   Karall, J. 2023. Identifying target supplemental light and carbon dioxide enrichment schemes for strawberry production in controlled environments. PhD Dissertation. Cornell University. 174pp. Eylands, N. 2023. Anatomical, physiological, and photomorphogenic responses of lettuce and basil to far-red radiation under sole-source lighting. PhD Dissertation. Cornell University. 158pp.   OH   Jeffrey P. Bates. 2022. Crop-specific sensitivity to nutrient availability in low-pH hydroponic nutrient solution. M.S. Thesis. Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University. John M. Ertle. 2023. Tipburn management through controlled environment for indoor vertical farm lettuce production. Ph.D. Dissertation. Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University.   Books (Published):   N/A   Book Chapters (Published):   CA   Asfahan, H. M., Sultan, M., Ahmad, F., Majeed, F., Ahamed, M. S., Aziz, M., ... & Farooq, M. (2022). Agrovoltaic and Smart Irrigation: Pakistan Perspective. In Irrigation and Drainage-Recent Advances. IntechOpen. Sultan, M., Mahmood, M. H., Ahamed, M. S., Shamshiri, R. R., & Shahzad, M. W. (2022). Energy Systems and Applications in Agriculture. Energies, 15(23), 9132.   Refereed Journal Articles (Published):   AR   Helms, K.M., R.W. Dickson, M.B. Bertucci, A.A. Rojas, K.E. Gibson. 2023. Metal micronutrient and silicon concentration effects on growth and susceptibility to Pythium root rot for hydroponic lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Horticulturae, 9(6): 670. Houston, L.L., R.W. Dickson, M.B. Bertucci, T.L. Roberts. 2023. Evaluating species-specific replenishment solution effects on plant growth and root zone nutrients with hydroponically-grown arugula (Eruca sativa L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Horticulturae, 9 (4), 486. DeGenring, L., R.W. Dickson, and A. Poleatewich. Inhibition of Botrytis cinerea growth and suppression of grey mold on petunia leaves using chitosan. 2022. Plant Disease. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-22-1628-RE">https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-22-1628-RE</a> Harrison, D., M. de Oliveira, C. Wu, L. Florez-Palacios, A. Acuna, M. da Silva, F. Ravelombola, J. Winter, K. Brye, R.W. Dickson, A. Rojas, P. Chen, H. Nguyen, and L. Mozzoni. 2022. Developing a high-throughput method to screen soybean germplasm for hypoxia tolerance in a hydroponic system. Crop Science. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20674">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20674</a> Estepp, C.M., R.W. Dickson, and D.M. Johnson. 2022. Rapport, course technology, and self-regulated learning as predictors of student satisfaction in an online horticulture program. NACTA. Volume 66; pg 9-17.  Dickson, R.D., K.M. Helms, B.E. Jackson, L.M. Machesney, and J.A. Lee. 2022. Evaluation of peat blended with pine wood components for effects on substrate physical properties, nitrogen immobilization, and growth of petunia (Petunia x hybrid Vilm.-Andr.). HortScience.      DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16177-21">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16177-21</a>   AZ (Arizona State University)   Park Y, Sethi R, Temnyk S. Growth, Flowering, and Fruit Production of Strawberry ‘Albion’in Response to Photoperiod and Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density of Sole-Source Lighting. Plants. 2023 Feb 7;12(4):731. Park Y, Runkle ES. Spectral-conversion film potential for greenhouses: Utility of green-to-red photons conversion and far-red filtration for plant growth. PloS one. 2023 Feb 23;18(2):e0281996. Ries J, Chen Z, Park Y. Potential Applications of Food-Waste-Based Anaerobic Digestate for Sustainable Crop Production Practice. Sustainability. 2023 May 24;15(11):8520.   AZ (University of Arizona)   Shasteen, K., Kacira M. 2023. Predictive Modeling and Computer Vision-Based Decision Support to Optimize Resource Use in Vertical Farms. Sustainability, 15(10): 7812. Waller, R. M. Kacira, E. Magadley, M. Teitel, I. Yehia. 2022. Evaluating the Performance of Flexible, Semi‐Transparent Large‐Area Organic Photovoltaic Arrays Deployed on a Greenhouse. AgriEngineering, 4: 969-992. van Delden., S.h., M. SharathKumar, M. Butturini, L. J. A. Graamans, E. Heuvelink, M. Kacira, et al. 2022. Current status and future challenges in implementing and upscaling vertical farming systems. Nature Food, 2: 944–956.   CA   Aleem, M., Sultan, M., Farooq, M., Riaz, F., Yakout, S. M., Ahamed, M. S., ... & Shahzad, M. W. (2023). Evaluating the emerging adsorbents for water production potential and thermodynamic limits of adsorption-based atmospheric water harvesting systems. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 145, 106863. Hosseini Monjezi, P., Taki, M., Abdanan Mehdizadeh, S., Rohani, A., & Ahamed, M. S. (2023). Prediction of Greenhouse Indoor Air Temperature Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Combined with Sensitivity Analysis. horticulturae, 9(8), 853.Asfahan, H. M., Sultan, M., Farooq, M., Riaz, F., Ibrahim, S. M., Ahamed, M. S., & Imran, M. (2023). Performance Evaluation of Phenol-Resin-Based Adsorbents for Heat Transformation Applications. Materials, 16(15), 5262.   DE   Kohler, A.E., E.M. Birtell, E.S. Runkle, and Q. Meng. 2023. Day-extension blue light inhibits flowering of chrysanthemum when the short main photoperiod includes far-red light. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 148(2):89–98. Meng, Q. and E.S. Runkle. 2023. Blue photons from broad-spectrum LEDs control growth, morphology, and coloration of indoor hydroponic red-leaf lettuce. Plants 12(5):1127.   IN   Cruz, S. E. van Santen, and C. Gómez. 2023. Evaluation of compact pepper cultivars for container gardening indoors under light-emitting diodes and in a greenhouse under sunlight. HortTechnology 33:317–324. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05194-23">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05194-23</a> Retana-Cordero, M., S. Humphrey, and C. Gómez. 2022. Effect of radiation quality and relative humidity on intumescence injury and growth of tomato seedlings. HortScience 57:1257–1266.<a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16712-22">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16712-22</a>  Retana-Cordero, M., S.J. Flores, P.R. Fisher, R. Freyre, and C. Gómez. 2022. Effect of container volume and planting density on ginger and turmeric growth and yield. HortTechnology 32:425–434. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05092-22">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05092-22</a>   KS   Miller, C.T., R.L. Harkess, C. Haynes, K.A. Williams, and A. Wright. 2023. Conference Workshop Proceedings: Developing a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Portfolio in Applied Horticulture. HortTechnology33(1):59-64. Wiens, L. W., & Williams, K. A. 2023. Treatment of Potted Zebra Plant and Inch Plant with Antigibberellin Plant Growth Regulators Slows Stem Elongation in an Interior Green Wall. HortTechnology, 33(4), 391-397. Retrieved Aug 11, 2023, from <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05178-22">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05178-22</a> Digiacomo, Gigi & Gieske, Miriam & Grossman, Julie & Jacobsen, Krista & Peterson, Hikaru & Rivard, Cary. (2023). Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems Economic trade-offs: analysis of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) cover crop use in organic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) high tunnel systems across multiple regions. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 38. 1-11. 10.1017/S1742170523000029. Haley, Olivia & Pliakoni, Eleni & Rivard, Cary & Nwadike, Londa & Bhullar, Manreet. (2023). The Attenuation of Microbial Reduction in Blueberry Fruit Following UV-LED Treatment. Journal of Food Protection. 86. 100056. 10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100056. Haley, Olivia & Zhao, Yeqi & Hefley, Trevor & Britton, Logan & Nwadike, Londa & Rivard, Cary & Bhullar, Manreet. (2023). Developing a decision-making tool for agricultural surface water decontamination using ultraviolet-C light. Journal of Food Protection. 100129. 10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100129. Poudel, Ravin & Jumpponen, Ari & Kennelly, Megan & Rivard, Cary & Gomez-Montano, Lorena & Garrett, Karen. (2023). Integration of Phenotypes in Microbiome Networks for Designing Synthetic Communities: a Study of Mycobiomes in the Grafted Tomato System. Applied and environmental microbiology. 89. e0184322. 10.1128/aem.01843-22. Zhao, Yeqi & Haley, Olivia & Xuan, Xu & Jaberi-Douraki, Majid & Rivard, Cary & Pliakoni, Eleni & Nwadike, Londa & Bhullar, Manreet. (2023). The potential for cover crops to reduce the load of E. coli in contaminated agricultural soil. Journal of Food Protection. 86. 100103. 10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100103.   MD   Swanson, E. O., Carlson, J. L., Perkus, L. A., Grossman, J., Rogers, M., Erwin, J. E., Slavin, J. L.#, Rosen, C. J.# (2022). Nutrient and nitrate composition of greenhouse-grown leafy greens: A trial comparison between conventional and organic fertility treatments. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6(811995), 1-15.  Schulden, T., ChhabraPerkus, B., Steadham, J., Yadav, I., Kolmer, J., Gill, B., Bowden, R., Chhuneja, P., Erwin, J.,Rawat, N., Tiwari, V. (2022). Fine-mapping of wheat leaf rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici) resistance gene Lr57 from Aegilops geniculata. Phytopathology, 112(8), 19.  Cosseboom, S., Schoeneberg, A., Lea-Cox, J. D., Johnson, C. S., Samtani, J., Hu, M.# (2023). Impact of floating row cover and sensor placement on strawberry anthracnose and Botrytis fruit rot risk assessment. Plant Pathology. Redding, M., Bolten, S., Gu, G., Luo, Y., Micallef, S. A., Millner, P., Nou, X. (2023). Growth and inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in sterile extracts of fruits and vegetables: Impact of the intrinsic factors pH, sugar and organic acid content. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 386, 110043. Liu, X., Li, Y., Micallef, S. A. (2023). Natural variation and drought-induced differences in metabolite profiles of red oak-leaf and Romaine lettuce play a role in modulating the interaction with Salmonella enterica. International journal of food microbiology, 385, 109998. Kim, S., Paul, M., Negahban-Azar, M., Micallef, S. A., Goldstein, Rachel E. Rosenberg, Hashem, F., Parveen, S., Sapkota, A., Kniel, K., Sapkota, A. R., Pachepsky, Y., Sharma, M. (2022). Persistent Spatial Patterns of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica Concentrations in Surface Waters: Empirical Orthogonal Function Analysis of Data from Maryland. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL, 12(15). Liu, X., Li, Y., Micallef, S. A. (2022). Developmentally related and drought-induced shifts in the kale metabolome limited Salmonella enterica association, providing novel insights to enhance food safety. Food microbiology, 108, 104113. Malayil, L., Ramachandran, P., Chattopadhyay, S., Allard, S. M., Bui, A., Butron, J., Callahan, M. T., Craddock, H. A., Murray, R., East, C., Sharma, M., Kniel, K., Micallef, S., Hashem, F., Gerba, C. P., Ravishankar, S., Parveen, S., May, E., Handy, E., Kulkarni, P., Anderson-Coughlin, B., Craighead, S., Gartley, S., Vanore, A., Duncan, R., Foust, D., Haymaker, J., Betancourt, W., Zhu, L., Mongodin, E. F., Sapkota, A., Pop, M., Sapkota, A. R. (2022). Variations in Bacterial Communities and Antibiotic Resistance Genes Across Diverse Recycled and Surface Water Irrigation Sources in the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest United States: A CONSERVE Two-Year Field Study. Environmental science & technology, 56(21), 15019-15033. Micallef, S. A., Han, S., Martinez, L. (2022). Tomato Cultivar Nyagous Fruit Surface Metabolite Changes during Ripening Affect Salmonella Newport. Journal of food protection, 85(11), 1604-1613. Solaiman, S., Handy, E., Brinks, T., Goon, K., Bollinger, C., Sapkota, A. R., Sharma, M., Micallef, S. A. (2022). Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Activity and Cephalosporin Resistance in Escherichia coli from U.S. Mid-Atlantic Surface and Reclaimed Water. Applied and environmental microbiology, 88(15), e0083722. Solaiman, S., Patterson, R., Davey, K., Katz, Y., Payne-Sturges, D., Sapkota, A. R., Micallef, S. A. (2022). Effects of season and water type on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecalis and Ent. faecium from surface and reclaimed water. Journal of applied microbiology, 133(2), 477-487.   ME   Burnett, S.E., B.J. Peterson, I. Oliviera, and T. Bowers. (In Press). Production of dahlias for cut flowers in the northeastern United States. HortTechnology. Schattman, R. E., Jean, H., Faulkner, J. W., Maden, R., McKeag, L., Campbell Nelson, K., Grubinger, V., Burnett, S., Erich, M. S., & Ohno, T. (In Press). Effects of Irrigation Scheduling Approaches on Soil Moisture and Vegetable Production in the Northeastern U.S.A. Agricultural Water Management.  Burnett, S.E. and B.J. Peterson. 2022. Propagation of Herbaceous and Woody Perennials in Submist and Overhead Mist Systems. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 40:164-169.   NJ   Lewus, D.C. and A.J. Both. 2022. Using computational fluid dynamics to evaluate high tunnel roof vent designs. AgriEngineering 4(3):719-734. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering4030046">https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering4030046</a> Gottlieb, P.D., R.G. Brumfield, R.I. Cabrera, D. Farnsworth, and L. Marxen. 2022. An online tool for estimating return-on-investment for water recycling at nurseries. HortTechnology 32(1):47-56. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04925-21">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04925-21</a>. Lubna, F.A., D.C. Lewus, T.J. Shelford, and A.J. Both. 2022. What you may not realize about vertical farming. Horticulturae 8(4), 322. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040322">https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040322</a>   NY   Ashenafi, E.L., Nyman, M.C., Holley, J.M. and Mattson, N.S., 2023. The influence of LEDs with different blue peak emission wavelengths on the biomass, morphology, and nutrient content of kale cultivars. Scientia Horticulturae, 317, p.111992. Eaton, M., Shelford, T., Cole, M. and Mattson, N., 2023. Modeling resource consumption and carbon emissions associated with lettuce production in plant factories. Journal of Cleaner Production, 384, p.135569. Ajagekar, A., Mattson, N.S. and You, F., 2023. Energy-efficient AI-based Control of Semi-closed Greenhouses Leveraging Robust Optimization in Deep Reinforcement Learning. Advances in Applied Energy, 9, p.100119. Ashenafi, E.L., Nyman, M.C., Shelley, J.T. and Mattson, N.S., 2023. Spectral properties and stability of selected carotenoid and chlorophyll compounds in different solvent systems. Food Chemistry Advances, 2, p.100178.      Holley, J., Mattson, N., Ashenafi, E. and Nyman, M., 2022. The Impact of CO2 Enrichment on Biomass, Carotenoids, Xanthophyll, and Mineral Content of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Horticulturae, 8(9), p.820. Nicholson, C.F., Eaton, M., Gómez, M.I. and Mattson, N.S., 2023. Economic and environmental performance of controlled-environment supply chains for leaf lettuce. European Review of Agricultural Economics, p.jbad016. Xia, J., Mattson, N., Stelick, A. and Dando, R., 2022. Sensory Evaluation of Common Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) in Response to Sodium Chloride Concentration in Hydroponic Nutrient Solution. Foods, 11(18), p.2790.   OH   Miller, C.T., M. Drewery, T.M. Waliczek, R.N. Contreras, and C. Kubota. 2023. Engaging undergraduate students in research. HortTechnology. 33:1-6. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05130-22">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05130-22</a>  Seltsam, L. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Photosynthetic daily light integral influences growth, morphology, physiology, and quality of swordfern cultivars. HortScience 57:1564–1571. <a href="https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16717-22">https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16717-22</a>   TN   Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2022. Basil seedling production environment influences subsequent yield and flavor compound concentration during greenhouse production. PLOS One 17(8) e0273562 Wedegaertner, K., A. Shekoofa, S. Purdom, K. Walters, L. Duncan, and T. Raper. 2022. Cotton stomatal closure under varying temperature and vapor pressure deficit, correlation with the hydraulic conductance trait. Journal of Cotton Research 5(1), 1-11. Givens, S., D. Del Moro, S. Parker, A. Renny, C. Sams, and K. Walters. 2023. Light intensity during green-leaf butterhead lettuce propagation influences yield and carotenoids at harvest. Horticulturae. 9(2), 223.   TX   Caddell, D., Langenfeld, N. J., Eckels, M. J., Zhen, S., Klaras, R., Mishra, L., Bugbee, B., and Coleman-Derr, D. (2023). Photosynthesis in rice is increased by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transformation of two truncated light-harvesting antenna. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1050483. Hooks, T.; Sun, L.; Kong, Y.; Masabni, J.; Niu, G. Adding UVA and Far-Red Light to White LED Affects Growth, Morphology, and Phytochemicals of Indoor-Grown Microgreens. Sustainability 2022, 14, 8552. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148552">https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148552</a> Hooks, T., L. Sun, Y. Kong, J. Masabni, and G. Niu. 2022. Effect of nutrient solution cooling in summer and heating in winter on the performance of baby leafy vegetables in deep-water hydroponic systems. Horticulturae 2022, 8, 749. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080749">https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080749</a> Jeong, S., Niu, G., Zhen, S. 2023. Far-red light and temperature interactively regulate phytochrome activities, plant growth, and morphology of lettuce and basil. Frontiers in Plant Science (in revision). Kong, Y., Masabni, J., Niu, G. Temperature and light spectrum differently affect growth, morphology, and leaf mineral content of two indoor-grown leafy greens. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 331. DOI.org/10.3390/horticulturae9030331. Kong, Y., Masabni, Niu, G. Effect of temperature variation and blue and red LEDs on the elongation of arugula and mustard microgreens. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 608. DOI.org/10.3390/horticulturae9050608. Zhang, Q., Masabni, J., Niu, G. 2023. Organic fertilizer type and rate influence growth, morphology, and mineral nutrition of watermelon seedlings. Plants (in press).   USDA-ARS   Kostic, E., S. Heckathorn, A. Bagrowski, J.T Franklin, and J. Boldt. 2022. The relative sensitivity of marigold vs. tomato to iron (Fe) toxicity is associated with root traits: Root-to-shoot mass ratio, failure to sequester plant Fe in roots, and levels of the major Fe-uptake protein, IRT. Horticulturae 8:803, doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8090803. Muhindi, S., W. Zellner, C. Flora, J. Boldt, and S. Leisner. 2022. Silicon supplementation induces expression of a histidine-rich defensin gene family in Nicotiana tabacum. J. Plant Nutr. 46(9):2003-2015, doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2022.2108446.   UT   Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2023. Growth, morphological, and biochemical responses of four native species to salinity stress. HortScience 58:651-659.   Symposium Proceedings Articles (Published):   AR   Dickson, R.W., S.W. Doty, L.M. Machesney, E.O. Henderson. 2023. A simple temperature-based model for scheduling long-cane blackberry crops. In press, Acta Hortic.   AZ (University of Arizona)   Alcorn, J.R. G.A. Giacomelli and B.T. Scott (2023). Sustained Growth and Yield in Elevated Greenhouse Air Temperatures through Control of VPD. Presented at IHC 2022, Anger, France. Acta Horticulturae (Accepted).   Blum, M.A., C.H. Parrish II, D. Hebert, D. Houck, N. Makarov, K. Ramasamy, H. McDaniel, G.A. Giacomelli and M.R. Bergren (2023). Enhancing light use efficiency and tomato fruit yield with quantum dot films to modify the light spectrum. Presented at IHC 2022, Anger, France. Acta Horticulturae (Accepted).  Shasteen, K.C., Seong, J., Valle De Souza, S., Kubota, C., and Kacira, M. (2023). Optimal planting density: effects on harvest time and yield. Acta Horticulturae. 1369, 41-48.   CA   Ahsan, T. M. A.; Ahamed, M. S, (2022).  Potential of Solar-assisted Adsorption Cooling System for Mediterranean Greenhouses. In: In XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International symposium on innovative technologies and production strategies for sustainable controlled environment horticulture.    MD   Lea-Cox, J. D., Hall, C., Mims, R., Adams, J., Pell, S. Real-Time Sensor-Controlled Irrigation to Optimize the Stormwater Retention Capacity of Native vs. Non-Native Green Roofs. in X International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops. Leuven: International Society for Horticultural Science.   NJ   Brumfield, R.G., M. Flahive Di Nardo, A.J. Both, J. Heckman, A. Rowe, R. VanVranken and M. Bravo. 2023. Online workshop empowers women farmers to manage business risk during the pandemic. Acta Horticulturae 1368:315-321. <a href="https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1368.40">https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1368.40</a>   OH   Kubota, C., G. Papio, and J. Ertle. 2023. Technological overview of tipburn management for lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in vertical farming conditions. Acta Horticulturae 1369:65-73.  Shasteen, K.C., J. Seong, S. Valle De Souza, C. Kubota, and M. Kacira. 2023. Optimal planting density: effects on harvest time and yield. Acta Horticulturae 1369:41-48.   Popular (Trade Journal) Articles (Published):    AZ (University of Arizona)   Kuack, Dave. 2023. How can modeling help to grow a better indoor farm lettuce crop? Urban AgNews article series, published in July 14. Interview with M. Kacira and C. Kubota. Kuack, Dave. 2022. What Technological Advancements Are Being Made In Controlled Environment Agriculture. Urban AgNews article series, published in Oct 14. Interview with M. Kacira.  Kuack, Dave. 2022. Expect Vertical Farming To Continue To Gain Credibility As A Reliable Food Source. Urban AgNews article series, published in Feb 22. Interview with M. Kacira.  Runkle E., M. Kacira, and C. Mitchell. 2022. Answering Key Questions About Indoor Crops: More Questions Answered, OptimIA project FAQ series. Inside Grower 10(3):16–17.   DE   Meng, Q. 2023. Measuring the efficacy of LEDs: timing white versus red + far-red LEDs to control flowering. GrowerTalks 4:42–43.   MD   Cosseboom, S., Lea-Cox, J., Samtani, J., Johnson, C., Hu, M. (2022). Sensor Placement and Floating Row Cover Impact on Fruit Rotting Diseases. Virginia Strawberry Association News, Virginia Strawberry Association (Extension Publication).   ME   Burnett, S. and B. Peterson. 2023. Research Report for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers. https://www.ascfg.org/wp-content/uploads/2022-Foundation-Grant-Winner-Burnett-report.pdf Burnett, S. 2022. Garden Profile: Garland Farms. Maine Home Garden News. Burnett, S. 2022. Plant Profile: Buxus sp. Beatrix Farrand Society Newsletter.   NJ   Shelford, T.J. and A.J. Both. 2023. Lighting: The design phase. Produce Grower. April Issue.   NY   Timmons, B., E. Hernandez, and N. Mattson. 2022. Powdery mildew of hemp. E-Gro Edible Alert 7(14). pp. 7. https://e-gro.org/pdf/E714.pdf  Helmer, J., M.B. Timmons, and N. Mattson. 2022. CEA strawberry runner propagation for deep water culture. pp. 10. Available online: https://cea.cals.cornell.edu/crops/cea-strawberry-runner-propagation-for-deep-water-culture/  Timmons, B., E. Hernandez, and N. Mattson. 2022. Fusarium wilt of hemp. E-Gro Edible Alert 7(7). pp. 7. https://e-gro.org/pdf/E707.pdf  Mattson, N. and M. Daughtrey. 2022. Common diseases of hydroponic leafy greens and herbs. E-Gro Edible Alert 7(1). pp 7. https://e-gro.org/pdf/E701.pdf     OH   Kubota, C., E. Runkle, C. Mitchell, and R. Lopez. 2022. Answering key questions about indoor crops. Inside Grower 10(4):14-15 Lopez. R., C. Kubota, E. Runkle and C. Mitchell. 2022. Indoor farming FAQs. Inside Grower 10(2):48–49.   Presentations (Papers):    AR   R.W. Dickson. New techniques in crop scheduling for long-cane blackberry. North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association Annual Meeting. Tampa, FL. R.W. Dickson. Case study in costing and profitability for long-cane raspberry systems. North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association Annual Meeting. Tampa, FL. R.W. Dickson. Investigating new techniques in blackberry production. Horticulture Industry Show. Fayetteville, AR 2022. R.W. Dickson. Overview of substrate and container production for blackberry. Annual North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association. (February 2022, online because of COVID) R.W. Dickson. Long-cane blackberry production: Research updates, cultivar trials, and future directions. Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Savannah, GA 2022. R.W. Dickson. Cutting Types and Transplant Strategies. AmericanHort Plug and Cutting Conference. Denver, CO 2022. R.W. Dickson. Environmental control: Light, temperature, CO2, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). AmericanHort Plug and Cutting Conference. Denver, CO 2022.   CA   Abir, T. M. A.; Saeed, K.; Kashif, M.; Ahamed, M. S.  (2023). Geothermal heating and cooling for sustainable nursery production in greenhouses. In 2023 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Omaha, Nebraska, July 9-12, 2023.  Saeed, K.; Chowdhury, M.; Ahamed, M. S.  (2023). Fault detection and diagnosis of hydroponic system using intelligent computational model. In 2023 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Omaha, Nebraska, July 9-12, 2023.  Ahsan, T. M. A.; Ahamed, M. S. (2023). Optimized Energy Requirement of Nursery Greenhouses Under Mediterranean Climate, NCERA 101 2023 Annual Meeting, UC Davis, April 19-21.  Ahsan, T. M. A.; Ahamed, M. S. (2022). Potential of Solar-assisted Adsorption Cooling System for Warm Mediterranean Greenhouses. In: International horticultural Congress, Angers, France. (Poster)   DE   Appel, E.Y. and Q. Meng. 2022. Increasing nutrient solution electrical conductivity in Kratky-style hydroponics increases lettuce growth following the law of diminishing returns HortScience, 57(9S), S52–S53. (Oral) Birtell, E.M. and Q. Meng. 2022. Blue light increases hot pepper seedling compactness and determines the influence of light intensity HortScience, 57(9S), S63. (Oral) Kennebeck, E.J. and Q. Meng. 2022. Mustard ‘Amara’ seedlings benefit from superelevated CO2, but not far-red light HortScience, 57(9S), S25. (Oral) Meng, Q. 2022. Far-red light as a signal in flowering and photomorphogenesis. HortScience, 57(9S), S168. (Oral)   FL   Zhang, Y. (2023). Indoor Farming Temperature Management to Enhance Resource Use Efficiency. (ASABE). 2023 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Omaha, NE, July 10-12. Oral Presentation. Zhang, Y., Pompeo, JG. & Leelertkij, T.G (2023). Climate Control for Sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture. 2023 Florida Section of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (FASABE). Duck Key, FL, June 5-7. Oral Presentation. Leelertkij, T.G, Zhang, Y., Harbick, K, & Bliznyuk, N. (2023). Energy Modeling and Control Optimization for Indoor Farming. 2023 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Omaha, NE, July 10-12. Oral Presentation.   IN   Tello, N., B.J. Pearson, C. Gómez, P.R. Fisher, P. Langenhoven, E. Kirk, A. Ahmad, E. Collier, T. Radovich, G. Niu, J. Masabni. 2023. Multi-site characterization of ginger and turmeric rhizome yield and quality. ASHS annual meeting. Perez-Lugones, D., C. Campbell, and C. Gómez. 2023. A citizen science approach to surveying home gardeners in support of consumer horticulture research and extension. ASHS annual meeting.   ME   Burnett, S and B. Peterson. Comparison of Dahlia Cultivars for Production in the Northeast. Online presentation for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers. February 21, 2023. Burnett, S. Basics of Irrigation Control, Systems, and Sensors. Webinar and Q&A for GLASE (Greenhouse Lighting & Systems Engineering) Climate Control Short Course. February 16, 2023.   NY Eaton, M. and N. Mattson. 2022. Modeling resource consumption and carbon footprint of lettuce production in plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs). Abstract and poster at NCERA-101 Committee on Controlled Environment Technology and Use annual conference. Tucson, AZ, September 11-14, 2022. Landau, J., A. Rangarajan, N. Mattson, U. Samarakoon, and C. Kubota. 2022. Accelerating Workforce Development for the Controlled Environment Agriculture Industry. Abstract and poster at Urban Food Systems Symposium, Kansas City, Missouri, September 26, 2022. Timmons, B. and N. Mattson. 2022. Response of Cannabis sativa to a gradient of additive far-red radiation under a background of continuous white light at the vegetative stage. Abstract and poster at NCERA-101 Committee on Controlled Environment Technology and Use annual conference. Tucson, AZ, September 11-14, 2022.   OH   Seltsam, L.E.* and W.G. Owen. 2022. Photosynthetic daily light integral influences growth, morphology, and quality of Boston swordferns. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July 31–Aug. 3, 2022.  Wuetcher, L.T.* and W.G. Owen. 2022. Effect of fertilizer concentration on growth of three lavandula cultivars and leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency ranges. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July 31–Aug. 3, 2022. TN   <ol start="2022"> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Kurtis, K.J. Walters, C. Sams, and G. Owen. 2022. End-of-production lighting influences redbor and winterbor kale quality during greenhouse production. HortScience. 57(9):S140.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Hagen, S. Parker, and K.J. Walters. 2022. The effects of planting density on green and purple basil yield and quality. HortScience. 57(9):S74.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Del Moro, S. Parker, and K.J. Walters. 2022. Is germinating in the dark beneficial? The influence of light intensity and days without light on butterhead lettuce and basil. HortScience. 57(9):S133.</li> </ol> Givens, S., D. Del Moro, S. Parker, C.E. Sams, and K.J. Walters. 2022. Light intensity during purple butterhead lettuce seedling production influences carotenoid concentration at harvest. HortScience. 57(9):S74.   TX Niu, G. 2022. Future farming-– an overview of high-tech controlled environment agriculture. Forum on Global Ecology, Agriculture and Rural-Uplift Program. National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. November 14, 2022. (Virtual - invited) Niu, G. 2022. Urban Horticulture – controlled environment agriculture. University of North Texas, March 29 (Virtual- invited). Niu, G. 2022. An overview of CEA research and extension at Texas A&M Dallas Center, GLASE, Cornell University, February 24 (Virtual - invited). Niu, G. 2022. Incorporating culturally important crops into controlled environment agriculture production, Great Plain Conference, January 8 (Virtual - Invited). Kong, Y., J. Masabni, and G. Niu. 2023. Temperature and light spectrum affect lettuce and pak choy growth and morphology. Lone Star Hort Forum, College Station, Jan 9-11. Zhang, Q., J. Masabni, and G. Niu. 2023. Organic fertilizer type and rate affect watermelon seedling production. Southern Region ASHS. Feb 3-5, Oklahoma City, OK. Jeong, S., G. Niu, and S. Zhen. 2023. The interactive effects between far-red light and temperature on plant growth and morphology in lettuce and basil. Lone Star Hort Forum, College Station, Jan 9-11. Zhang, Q., J. Masabni, and G. Niu. 2023. Organic fertilizer type and rate affect germination and plant growth of watermelon seedlings. Lone Star Hort Forum, College Station, Jan 9-11. Jeong, S., G. Niu, and S. Zhen. 2023. Light intensity regulates interactive effects between far-red light and temperature on plant growth and morphology in lettuce and basil. Southern Region ASHS. Feb 3-5, Oklahoma City, OK. Jeong, S., G. Niu, and S. Zhen. 2022. The involvement of light intensity effects between far-red and temperature on plant growth and morphology. International Meeting on Controlled Environment Technology and Use, Arizona, Sept 11-14. Jeong, S., G. Niu, S. Zhen. The interactive effects between far-red and temperature on plant growth and morphology: dependency of the predictive power of phytochrome photoequilibrium on temperature. Annual Conference of ASHS, Chicago, July 31 to Aug 3. Hooks, T., L. Sun, Y. Kong, J. Masabni, and G. Niu. 2022. Adding UVA and Far-red light to white LED affects biomass, height, and phytochemicals of indoor-grown microgreens. Annual Conference of ASHS, Chicago, July 31 to Aug 3. Zhen. 2023. Re-visiting the photosynthetic activity of far-red photons. 40th annual Eastern Regional Photosynthesis Conference, Woods hole, MA. (invited keynote). Zhen. 2022. Nutrient management using mass balance principles. 4th annual Urban Agriculture conference, Dallas, TX. (invited). Zhen. 2022. Evidence for the photosynthetic activity of far-red light in agriculture and ecology. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. (invited). Zhen, S. and M. W. van Iersel. 2022. Far-red, photosynthesis, and redefining PAR. Symposium ‘What is Far-red Light’s Role in Plant Science’. 2022 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science, Chicago, IL (invited). Zhu, Y.L. and S. Zhen. 2023.  Controlling end-of-production blue light intensity and photoperiod to enhance anthocyanins production in red leaf lettuce. Lone Star Hort Forum, College Station, TX Jan 9-11. Zhu, Y.L. and S. Zhen. 2023.  Enhancing Anthocyanins Production in Red Leaf Lettuce with end-of-production Blue Light. 9th annual Texas A&M Plant Breeding Symposium. College Station, TX Feb. 16.  Kang S., C.H. Parrish, D. Hebert, M.R. Bergren, and S. Zhen. 2022.  Photosynthetic Efficiency, Plant Growth, and Yield of Lettuce and Basil Under Luminescent Quantum Dot Greenhouse Films. Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science. Chicago, July 31 to Aug 3.  Kang, S., J. E. Kim, S. Zhen and J. Kim. 2022. Mild UV-A Radiation Applied over a Long Duration Is Beneficial for Indoor Sweet Basil Production by Increasing Yield and Phenolic Contents. 2022. Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science. Chicago, July 31 to Aug 3.   USDA-ARS   Boldt, J. Longevity of silicon substrate amendments in containerized ornamental production. American Society for Horticultural Science annual conference. HortScience 57(9):S125 (Abstr.), Aug 2023. (oral presentation)   Boldt, J.K., M.L. Banks, and J.E. Altland. Silicon accumulation by sunflowers at low substrate pH. International Society for Horticultural Science, XXXI International Horticultural Congress: IHC2022, Symposium 6 – Innovative Technologies and Production Strategies for Sustainable Controlled Environment Horticulture, Angers, France (virtual attendance), Aug. 2023 (oral presentation).   UT   Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2023. Evaluating two penstemon species for salinity tolerance. USU Student Research Symposium, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 12 April 2023. Wang Z., P. Nepal, A. Paudel, and Y. Sun. 2023. Selecting salt tolerant penstemon plants for landscape use. USU Student Research Symposium, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 12 April 2023. Paudel, A., J. Chen, and Y. Sun. 2022. Monitoring irrigation water quality and developing best water management practices for nursery production. USU’s CWEL Virtual Field Day, Logan, UT, Zoom, 13 September 2022. Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2022. Responses of Utah native plants to saline water irrigation. ASHS Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, 3 August 2022. Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2022. Responses of Utah native plants to saline water irrigation. HortScience 57(9): S200.     Other Creative Works:   AZ (Arizona State University)   Indoor Farming Workshop, May 8-10, Phoenix, Arizona (Instructors: Yujin Park and Zhihao Chen at Arizona State University, Sponsored by City of Phoenix and Arizona State University)   AZ (University of Arizona)   Published in Highlights for Children on Travel to Mars about the Mars-Lunar Greenhouse. May 2023.   CA   Sultan, M., Mahmood, M. H., Ahamed, M. S., Shamshiri, R. R., & Shahzad, M. W. (2022). Energy Systems and Applications in Agriculture. Energies, 15(23), 9132.   DE   Meng, Q. 2023. Invited talk: An overview of current research and development in controlled environment agriculture in the United States. International Forum on Bio-optics and Smart Agriculture Industry. Guangzhou, China. June 2023. Meng, Q. 2023. Seminar: Light optimization for specialty crops in controlled environments. China Agricultural University College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering Key Laboratory Seminar Series. Beijing, China. June 2023. Meng, Q. 2023. Seminar: Photobiological impacts on indoor specialty crop production. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Department of Plant Biology Core Graduate Seminar Series. New Brunswick, NJ. April 2023.   NJ   Both, A.J. 2023. Supplemental lighting technology for crop production. Presentation at Cultivate’23, Columbus, OH. July 14. Both, A.J. 2023. Different controlled environment crop production systems. Online presentation for the course Annie Goes Online: Risk Management on Your Kitchen Table. Annie’s Project of New Jersey. February 22. Both, A.J. 2023. High tunnel construction. Abstract in the Proceedings of the 68th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show. Atlantic City, NJ. February 7. Both, A.J. 2023. High tunnel control with sensors. Abstract in the Proceedings of the 68th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show. Atlantic City, NJ. February 7. Both, A.J. 2023. Humidity control. GLASE Short Course on Climate Control. February 2. (webinar) Both, A.J. 2023. Overview of agrivoltaics. Webinar series: Planning with Agrivoltaics in Mind. Hosted by Penn State University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Farm Bureaus of PA and NY. January 19. (webinar) Both, A.J. 2023. Energy efficiency in greenhouse operations. Greenhouse Grower School, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County. January 18. (webinar) Both, A.J. 2023. How can you reduce your greenhouse energy bill? Presentation for the Long Island Greenhouse and Floriculture Conference. Riverhead, Long Island. January 17. Both, A.J. 2023. Environmental sensors 101. Indoor Ag Science Café (USDA-SCRI project Optimia). November 15, 2022. (webinar) Both, A.J. 2022. Strategies to reduce greenhouse energy costs. Presentation for the GLASE Summit. Ithaca, NY. November 8.   NY   Mattson, N.S. 2022. Book Review: Plant factory basics, applications, and advances. Chronica Horticulturae. 62(1):38.   OH   Abstracts Bates, J. and C. Kubota. 2022. Classifying low-pH sensitivities of hydroponic leafy green crop species. HortScience 57(9) S38 (abstract) Ertle, J.M. and C. Kubota. 2022. Nighttime dim lighting for indoor lettuce farm reduced stomatal resistance but not tipburn. HortScience 57(9): S46 (abstract) Ertle, J.M. and C. Kubota. 2022. Tipburn inductive conditions for testing cultivar-specific sensitivity under indoor vertical farm conditions. HortScience 57(9): S36 (abstract) Hollick, J. and C. Kubota. 2022. Role of scion and rootstock on vigor and nutrient uptake in reciprocally grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). HortScience 57(9): S35 (abstract) Hollick, J. and C. Kubota. 2022. Rootstock effects on flower development in grafted triploid watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). Cucubitaceae 2022 Abstract Book:31 Krage, L., C. Kubota, K.C. Shasteen, M. Kacira, and S. Valle de Souza. 2022. Optimizing lettuce planting density in a shallow-water culture vertical farm: Plant biomass accumulation, system productivity and produce quality in short-cycle production. HortScience 57(9): S139 (abstract)  Rich, W.T.* and W.G. Owen. 2022. Effect of fertilizer concentration on growth of Rosmarinus officinalis and leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency ranges. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July 31–Aug. 3, 2022.  Seltsam, L.E.* and W.G. Owen. 2022. Carbon and water footprinting of greenhouse and high tunnel annual bedding plant production in Kentucky. 2022 Amer. Soc. for Hort. Sci. Annu. Mtg., Chicago, IL USA. July 31–Aug. 3, 2022.    e-GRO Alerts Kubota, C. 2022. Are your air temperatures accurate? eGro Edible Alerts Vol 7.12 https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/E712.pdf  Kubota, C. 2022. Why does condensation happen on your plants? eGro Edible Alerts Vol 7.15. https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/E715.pdf   Kubota, C. and J. Ertle.+ 2023. Lettuce tipburn sensitivity trial – Preliminary results. eGro Edible Alerts Vol 8.10 https://e-gro.org/pdf/E810.pdf  Owen, W.G. 2023. Improving rooting uniformity with rooting hormones. e-GRO Alerts 12-08: 1–8. <a href="https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2023-12-8.pdf">https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2023-12-8.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. 2023. Proper application of controlled-release fertilizers. e-GRO Alerts 12-13: 1–5. <a href="https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2023-12-13.pdf">https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2023-12-13.pdf</a> Owen, W.G. 2023. Utilizing color psychology in greenhouses and garden centers. e-GRO Alerts 12-02: 1–7. <a href="https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2023-12-2.pdf">https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2023-12-2.pdf</a> Saunders, G.N. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Poinsettia mosaic virus (PnMV). e-GRO Alerts 11-33: 1–6. <a href="https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-33.pdf">https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2022-11-33.pdf</a> Saunders, G.N. and W.G. Owen. 2022. Spider mites on greenhouse strawberries. e-GRO Edible Alerts 7-13: 1–8. <a href="https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/E713.pdf">https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/E713.pdf</a>   e-GRO Blogs Owen, W.G. 2023. Propagation reminders: poinsettia and fall garden mums. Posting date: May 4, 2023. <a href="http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=204">http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=204</a> Owen, W.G. 2023. Increasing daily light integral improves vegetable transplant quality. Posting date: Feb. 23, 2023. <a href="http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=196">http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=196</a> Owen, W.G. 2023. Growth control of rooted cuttings. Posting date: Feb. 3, 2023. <a href="http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=192">http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=192</a> Owen, W.G. 2022. Optimizing rosemary fertility. Posting date: Oct. 19, 2022. <a href="http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=187">http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=187</a> Owen, W.G. 2022. White mold in hydroponic lettuce. Posting date: Aug. 18, 2022. <a href="http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=183">http://www.egroblog.com/showblog.php?ID=183</a>   Website and social media <ul> <li>Kubota Lab (Controlled Environment Plant Physiology and Technology): <a href="http://u.osu.edu/cepptlab">http://u.osu.edu/cepptlab</a></li> <li>Hydroponics / Soilless Culture Information</li> </ul> <a href="https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics">https://u.osu.edu/hydroponics</a> <ul> <li>Controlled Environment Berry Production Information </li> </ul> <a href="https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry">https://u.osu.edu/indoorberry</a>  <ul> <li>Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC)</li> </ul> <a href="https://ohceac.osu.edu/">https://ohceac.osu.edu</a>   TN   Bumgarner, N., K.J. Walters, A. Rihn, and R. Painter. September 27, 2022. Horticulture Hot Topics | Microgreens: Controlled Environment Production and Consumer Preference Insight. Oral. Online. Walters, K.J. 2023, February. Spicing up CEA (Herb Production). | PickTN Conference. | Franklin, TN.  Walters, K.J. 2023, March. Herb Production in CEA. | University of Arizona Controlled Environment Short Course. | Tucson, AZ. Walters, K.J. 2023, July. Leveraging Environmental Controls to Improve Crop Quality. | The Ohio State University Controlled Environment Conference – Advancement of Sustainable Controlled Environment Crop Production Sciences and Technologies | Columbus, OH.   USDA-ARS   Boldt, J. 2022. Substrate culture. Basic Knowledge for Indoor Farming lecture series, OptimIA University (optimiauniversity.org; a series of videos developed as a component of USDA-NIFA-SCRI funded project #2019-51181-30017 Boldt, J. Optimizing photosynthesis: Light, temperature, and CO2. Floriculture Research Alliance Advanced Grower webinar series (virtual), Oct. 2022. Boldt, J. Environment and plant health. Floriculture Research Alliance Advanced Grower webinar series (virtual), Nov. 2022. Thomas, M., S. Heckathorn, and J. Boldt. Warming plus elevated CO2-induced leaf hyponasty in tomato may share chemical signaling pathways with shade avoidance and thermomorphogenesis. Botany 2023, Boise, ID, July 2023 (oral presentation). Muller, C., M. Thomas, S. Heckathorn, and J. Boldt. Uptake of microcystin-LR in tomato occurs via diffusional pathways and is not mediated by specific nitrogen transporters. Botany 2023, Boise, ID, July 2023 (poster).   Workshop Sponsor:   AZ (University of Arizona)   Kacira, M., G.A. Giacomelli, B. Pryor, T. Hooks, E. Worth. 2023. 22nd Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course. The University of Arizona, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, March   MD   Chessie Greenhouse Conference (Timonium, MD; February 15-16, 2023) Maryland Greenhouse Conference (Earlesville, MD; July 12, 2023)   NJ   Both, A.J. 2023. High tunnels. Hosted a session at the 68th New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show. February 7.   TX Texas A&M AgriLife Extension organized the 4th Annual conference on Urban Agriculture – Controlled Environment, December 8-9, Dallas, 2022 with approximately 90 participants: growers, students, industry stakeholders, and exhibitors. Another 14 growers attended virtually as the conference was held both in person and virtually.   USDA-ARS   Boldt, J. and K. Harbick. Co-organizers of a joint USDA, DOE, NASA, and University of Toledo sponsored workshop on Advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture on Land and in Space in the Next Twenty Years. Toledo, OH, June 27-29, 2023.   Workshop Participant:   AZ (University of Arizona) Giacomelli, G.A. 2023. Greenhouse Design- Structures, Glazing, & Cooling. Presented at 22nd UA-CEAC Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March. The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Kacira, M. 2023. Monitoring Greenhouse Environments. Presented at 22nd UA-CEAC Annual Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course, March. The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Kacira, M. 2023. Resource use Efficient and Precision-Controlled Environment Agriculture. Cornell University Ezra Round Table Seminar Series. Presented in March 3rd. (Virtual)  Kacira, M. 2023. Advancement of Plant Sensing Technology for Sustainable Crop Production Under Controlled Environment. Presented at OH-CEAC Conference: Advancement of Sustainable Controlled Environment Crop Production Sciences & Technologies, on July 19, Columbus, Ohio. (Keynote presentation) Kacira, M. 2023. Hydroponic Systems. Presented at Workshop on Hydroponics at Cultivate 2023, on July 15, Columbus, Ohio. (Invited presentation)   FL Humidity and Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) Control in Greenhouse Production,” 2023 Virtual Climate Short Course, GLASE (Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering), Video recording with a live Q&A session.   IN   Floriculture Research Alliance annual meeting. Presentation title: Production of container vegetables for consumers, Oct. 25, 2022 in Miami, FL. 2023 Great Plains Growers Conference. Presentation title: VIP: Vertical Indoor Propagation, Jan. 14, 2023 in St. Joseph, MO. Workshop on advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture on land and in space in the next 20 years. Joint workshop organized by the Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Presentation title: Traits to consider for indoor productions of fruiting vegetable crops, June 27, 2023 in Toledo, OH. Essentials of Hydroponics Production: A tHRIve Symposium, presented at Cultivate 2023. Presentation title: Crop Production Methods for Leafy Greens, July 15, 2023 in Columbus, OH 2023 IPPS ER: Area Meeting presented at Spring Meadow Nursery. Presentation title: Update on VIP research, July 27, 2023 in Grand Haven, MI.   MD   Chessie Greenhouse Conference (Timonium, MD; February 15-16, 2023) Maryland Greenhouse Conference (Earlesville, MD; July 12, 2023)   TN   Walters, K.J. Temperature: Control basics and plant responses. Virtual. Climate Control Short Course hosted by the Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) consortium and Cornell University. January 26, 2023. Walters, K.J. Growing plants to enable humans to thrive in deep space. Virtual SPARKS: The space between aerospace and biomedical engineering. University of Tennessee. October 18, 2022. Walters, K.J. Controlled Environment Agriculture: From Earth to Mars. Iowa State University Department of Horticulture Seminar. August 29, 2022. Walters, K.J. 2023, June. Leveraging CEA to Yield Nutritious Crops. | Workshop on Advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture on Land and in Space in the Next 20 Years. | Toledo, OH.   USDA-ARS   Boldt, J. Comparison of wollastonite to dolomitic lime to increase substrate pH. Floriculture Research Alliance, Coral Gables, FL, Oct. 2023. Boldt, J. Temperature and lighting strategies to improve energy efficiency in greenhouses. The Ohio State University Greenhouse Management Workshop, Wooster, OH, Jan. 2023. Boldt, J. Co-management of lighting and CO2. Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering (GLASE) Virtual Climate Control Short Course (virtual)., Feb. 2023.   Refereed Journal Articles (Pending):   AR   Kenani Chiwina, Haizheng Xiong, Gehendra Bhattarai, Ryan William Dickson, Theresa Makawa Phiri, Yilin Chen, Ibtisam Alatawi, Derek Dean, Neelendra K. Joshi, Yuyan Chen, Awais Riaz, Paul Gepts, Mark Brick, Patrick F. Byrne, Howard Schwartz, James B. Ogg, Kristin Otto, Amy Fall, Jeremy Gilbert, Ainong Shi. Genome-wide Association Study and Genomic Prediction of Fusarium Wilt Resistance in Common Bean Core Collection. In review, International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Dickson, R.W., L.M. Machesney, E.O. Henderson. 2023. Quantifying temperature effects on plant development rates for four blackberry cultivars grown as long-canes. In review, Horticulturae   AZ (University of Arizona)   Blum, M.A. Blum, C.H. Parrish II, D. Hebert, D. Houck, T. Moot, N. Makarov, K. Ramasamy, H. McDaniel, G.A. Giacomelli, and M.R. Bergren. Enhancing Light Quality with Luminescent Films Through Tunable Quantum Dot Emission for Hydroponic Lettuce Production, (to be submitted, Hort Technology) Valencia-Islas, J. O., M. Kacira, I. L. Cruz, G. A. Giacomelli, A. R. García, P. Li. Energy Savings in a Greenhouse Type Solar Dryer using a Model Predictive Control based on Product Temperature. (to be submitted, Applied Energy)   CA   Chowdhury, M.; Ahsan, T. M. A.; Ahamed, M. S. (2023). Assessment of Health Hazards of Greenhouse Workers Considering UV Exposure and Thermal Comfort. Smart Agricultural Technology. (Under Review).   Ahamed, M. S.; Sultan, M.; Monfet, D.;Rahman, M. S.; Zhang, Y.; Zahid,A.; Bilal, M.; Ahsan, T. M. A; Achour, Y (2023). A Critical Review on Thermal Environment Controls in Indoor Vertical Farming Systems. Journal of Cleaner Production. (Under Review)   FL   Pompeo, JG., Zhang, Y., Yu, Z., Gomez, C. & Correll, M. The Impact of Air Temperature and Root Zone Cooling on Resource Use Efficiency of Heat-Tolerant Lettuce in Indoor Farming. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture (submitted in 2023).   IN   Campbell-Martínez, G., M. Thetford, S.B. Wilson, D. Miller, and C. Gómez. 2023. Effect of fertilizer rate, substrate, and container type on greenhouse production of sandhill milkweed (in press, HortScience). Pompeo, J., Z. Yu, C. Zhang, S. Wu, Y. Zhang, C. Gómez, and M. Correll. 2023. Identifying uncertainties in air temperature data of an indoor farming system. (submitted to Frontiers in Remote Sensing on July 31, 2023). Duong, H.T., R. Beeson, C. Gómez, T. Martin, L. Hipps, and R. Kjelgren. 2023. Implication of a minimum irrigation from drought stress response strategies in two contrast signature landscape trees in a humid climate (submitted to Agricultural Water Management on April 14, 2023).  Pompeo, J., Y. Zhang, C. Gómez, and M. Correll. 2023. Assessing the impact of root zone cooling on heat tolerant lettuce cultivation in indoor farming (submitted to Scientia Horticulturae on March 21, 2023). Duong, H.T., R. Beeson, C. Gómez, T. Martin, L. Hipps, and R. Kjelgren. 2023. Water use and an irrigation model to maximize growth of landscape trees in a humid climate (submitted to Urban Forestry & Urban Greening on Jan. 27, 2023).  Fisher, P.R., C. Gómez, and S. Gómez. 2023. Potential to improve current mist irrigation control practices by young plant operations in the U.S. (submitted to Acta Horticulturae on Jan. 19, 2023).   NJ Brumfield et al. 2023. A risk management training program designed to empower urban women farmers. Submitted for publication in HortScience.   TN   Walters, K.J. and R.G. Lopez. 2023. The influence of mean daily temperature and daily light integral on the growth, development, biomass partitioning, and color of purple basil, sage, spearmint, and sweet basil. PLOS One. Under Review.  Rihn, A., Walters, K.J., and N. Bumgarner. 2023. The influence of risk perceptions on consumer willingness-to-pay for nutrient enhanced microgreens. PLOS One. Under Review.  Carr, T.Q., Brosnan, J.T., Horvath, B.J., Walters, K.J., and J.C. Sorochan. 2023. Irrigation frequency effects on ‘Prizm’ zoysiagrass establishment from sprigs. Frontiers in Agronomy. Under Review.   USDA-ARS   Boldt, J.K., M.L. Banks, and J.E. Altland. Silicon accumulation by sunflowers at low substrate pH. International Society for Horticultural Science, XXXI International Horticultural Congress: IHC2022, Symposium 6 – Innovative Technologies and Production Strategies for Sustainable Controlled Environment Horticulture. ActaHort (accepted Nov. 2022). Dey, M.G., J.K. Boldt, and B. Bugbee. Dissolution of silicon from soilless substrates and additives. HortScience (accepted May 2023).   UT   Sun, Y., G. Niu., and J.G. Masabni. 2023. Growth, gas exchange, and mineral nutrients of Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’ irrigated with saline water. Submitted to Technology in Horticulture. Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2023. Effect of salt stress on the growth, physiology, and mineral nutrients of two penstemon species. In preparation for HortScience Nepal, P., Z. Wang, M. Carnahan, W. Maughan, J. Hershkowitz, K. Forsyth, N. Volesky, A. Devkota, A. Paudel, and Y. Sun. 2023. Morphological and physiological responses of two penstemon species to saline water irrigation. In preparation for HortScience

Impact Statements

AR Applied greenhouse and hydroponic research Problems addressed: Recirculating and reusing hydroponic nutrient solutions is needed to reduce fertilizer costs and negative environmental impacts. However, managing nutrients is one of the more challenging aspects of producing crops in closed hydroponic systems. Food and water -borne pathogens create human food safety risks and cause major crop losses during hydroponic production of leafy greens, particularly in warm Southern climates. Blackberry is a major high-value small fruits crop in Arkansas and the Southeast. However, the harvest and market window for field production is limited to summer. Why problems were addressed: Mismanagement of hydroponic nutrient solutions resulting in nutrient deficiency/toxicity symptoms is a common problem. To minimize the risk of nutritional issues, growers often dump and replace solutions frequently, which has both economic and environmental consequences. Food-borne pathogens can contaminate recirculating hydroponic solutions, however, the risk of internalization of these pathogens into plant tissues and the actual food safety risks have been minimally researched. In addition, there is preliminary evidence that management of the nutrient solution—particularly micronutrients and pH—can mitigate infection of important crops with root rot pathogens such as Pythium. Using novel genetics as well as soilless substrate and controlled-environment agriculture techniques, blackberries can be produced during the offseason. Production during fall and early spring would allow growers to capitalize on higher offseason yield prices and increase cash flow. Accomplishments in 2022 We have conducted multiple projects quantifying nutrient and water uptake of leafy greens crops grown in closed hydroponic systems. Major findings include that plant species differ considerably in individual nutrient and water uptake. Using a “mass balance” modelling approach, we have calculated nutrient replenishment solutions that more efficiently match nutrient and water supply with plant demand. Studies have been conducted to validate the “mass balance” model. We have started developing a grower spreadsheet tool that helps educate and train growers how to replenish nutrients efficiently in close hydroponic systems. Preliminary research projects have been started to understand micronutrient effects on the susceptibility of hydroponic leafy greens to Pythium root rot. Several projects have been started evaluating the potential of substrate-grown blackberry for producing off-season yield. Our substrate projects focused on evaluating (1) novel genetics from the UofA Fruit Breeding Program, (2) blackberry cane management practices in substrate and containers (3), temperature and planting date effects on harvest timing, (4) effects of high tunnel and greenhouse culture on blackberry yields, and (5) potential cost-benefits of growing blackberry crops using substrate and controlled-environment techniques. We have updated a “Berries on Demand” spreadsheet tool for growers, designed to help growers schedule blackberry crops in greenhouses and high tunnels to meet certain market/harvest dates. Concluded research projects consisted of (1) evaluating the application of natural plant bio-stimulants for effects on flower susceptibility to Botrytis, (2) evaluation of residual fertilizer and plant growth regulators on post-harvest performance of container-grown crops, (3) controlled-release fertilizer trials, (4) and evaluation growing substrates amended with different wood products for effects on container plant growth and performance. AZ (Arizona State University) Through our research, we have gained deeper insights into how everbearing strawberries respond to sole-source lighting control, affecting their growth, flowering, and fruit development. This valuable discovery holds the potential to significantly enhance indoor strawberry production by enabling precise and efficient lighting control, ultimately leading to improved productivity. Amidst the challenges of soaring fertilizer costs, unreliable supplies, a worldwide phosphorus scarcity, and the environmental impacts linked to chemical fertilizer production such as greenhouse gas emissions and high energy consumption, our research findings demonstrate a promising prospect in utilizing food waste fertilizer as a viable and sustainable substitute for chemical fertilizers in supporting crop production. Indoor Farming Workshop served as an invaluable platform, fostering a deeper understanding of indoor vertical farming crop production and management techniques. By bringing together all stakeholders, it facilitated meaningful connections and collaborations aimed at advancing the implementation of indoor vertical farming for the provision of accessible, fresh, and healthy food to Phoenix residents residing in food deserts. AZ (University of Arizona) Education and experience for operations management, labor, technical services and business development remain the most limiting factors for the continued growth of the CEA industry in the US. The UA-CEAC and its faculty and staff has for 23 years provided education, training and experience at appropriate levels for students [K – 20], industry and company personnel, government agencies, entrepreneurs, gardeners, and the general public, through undergraduate and graduate CEA education programs [in the Colleges of Engineering and ALVSCE, Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences and Cooperative Extension] that include both engineering and horticulture studies, as well as internships, work studies, campus visits and tours, general and targeted short courses, web-based information, meetings and phone discussions. CA A new course (TAE 121 Controlled Environment for Plants and Animals) has been developed and offered for upper-division undergraduates and possible enrollment for graduate students at UC Davis. The course focuses on managing aerial and root zone environments for optimal and efficient control and precision operation. Seven undergraduate students, including a senior year design project and five high-school students, were trained in various aspects of CEA. UC Davis also hosted the NCERA 101 annual meeting to connect the researchers and industry involved with CEA. We have also investigated the solar power trigeneration and geothermal energy potential for nursery greenhouses in California to reduce the industry's carbon footprint. We have connected with the growers to share the key findings with them and related stakeholders. DE Tipburn of lettuce is a major crop physiological disorder that severely affects crop quality and leads to economic losses in the controlled-environment agriculture industry. The collaboration between the University of Delaware and Croda, Inc. has leveraged a chemical biostimulant as an effective solution to mitigate lettuce tipburn by 88% in greenhouse conditions. This product thus has potential for wider industry adoption. UF The research mission of Ying Zhang’s program is to improve resource use efficiency and sustainability of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems with interdisciplinary knowledge and technical expertise in Engineering. The main research areas include climatic modeling with computational fluid dynamics, building energy modeling, and climate management. She teaches three courses related to CEA and continuously mentors undergraduate student research in her program to support CEA workforce development. Their findings were presented to our stakeholders, growers, and researchers through presentations and written publications to promote CEA BMP guidelines development. IN One new course is available at Purdue University to train students in CEA (‘Hydroponic Systems’). Gómez’ research program is primarily focused in three main areas: 1) indoor propagation of high-value crops; 2) urban gardening; and 3) lighting for indoor plant production. All areas cover topics that are increasingly becoming important in the CEA industry and have strong stakeholder support. Her research findings are presented to stakeholders primarily through presentations and written publications. KS Williams: Curriculum support materials to introduce CEA as a career to high school students have been used by 1,081 freshman high school biology students in the USD-383 school district over the past two years. 58 undergraduate students were trained in CEA lighting and nutrient management in greenhouse management and herbaceous crop production coursework. 1 CEA graduate student thesis was completed in 2023. 2 CEA undergraduate research projects were completed during Summer 2023. Rivard: Presented and submitted for publication an experiment with grafted vs. non-grafted tomatoes in three different aquaponics systems from work in 2022 with collaborators in Greece. MD University of Maryland researchers are conducting research teaching and extension activities focusing on a) increasing ornamental and vegetable plant heat tolerance, b) increasing ornamental and vegetable plant disease resistance, c) optimizing irrigation practices to minimize excess water/nutrient use in ornamental crop production systems, and d) identifying how growing environments and abiotic stresses impact disease prevalence and phytonutrient content of leafy greens. Successful impacts have been published in 9 refereed research articles, presented at 14 industry conferences and taught in 6 courses this past year. Two new courses are being developed focusing on controlled environment agriculture and spring greenhouse ornamental crop production. Significant research finding include: 1) short-term high temperature exposures can depress photosynthesis for in excess of 5 days in ornamental and vegetable crops, 2) new sensor technologies allow for holistic management of irrigation systems in ornamental crop nurseries through new models, 3) food-borne disease prevalence on leafy greens is affected by the growing environment, 4) leafy green phytonutrient levels are impacted by abiotic stresses during production, 5) herb root zone temperatures in hydroponic systems greatly affect yield, and 6) thermomorphogenic responses in herb species varies with indigenous habitat. ME Research experience has provided in-depth training in Controlled Environment Agriculture to three undergraduate research technicians. Virtual tours and other experiences provide broader training with larger groups. Field trails of dahlias suggest that ‘Rock Run Ashley’ would be a good plant to grow for early flower production, while ‘Blizzard’ and ‘Tempest’ produced consistently long stems. NJ Nationwide, Cooperative Extension and NRCS personnel and commercial greenhouse growers have been exposed to research and outreach efforts through various presentations and publications. It is estimated that this information has led to improved designs of controlled environment plant production facilities and to updated operational strategies that saved an average sized (1-acre) business a total of $25,000 in operating and maintenance costs annually. Greenhouse growers who implemented the information resulting from our research and outreach materials have been able to realize energy savings of between 5 and 30%. NY Cornell: Energy is the second largest production input for greenhouse operators (behind labor). Energy efficient LEDs can reduce electricity for lighting by 30-40% but require trials to determine impact on yield, cultural management practices (such as irrigation and fertigation) and human nutritional compounds. Over a multi-year period we found LEDs could be an effective, energy efficient lighting source for lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries with some subtle impacts on yield (can be slightly less than HPS due to lower crop canopy temperature) and nutrition (can be a higher than HPS-grown in some cases). Knowledge generated will help farmers adopt best management practices for high efficient LED lighting systems and become aware of how lighting impacts cultural management. Cornell/Rutgers: Over 80 percent of surveyed participants of the GLASE climate control short course plan to implement new practices in their operation as a result of the course including: light respacing, installing controllers for dehumidification, evaluation sensor location and calibration, integrating new sensors and controls and implementing energy saving tips. OH During the reporting year, Ohio reached out to 5472 stakeholders and 6 undergraduate and 7 graduate students through educational programs. USDA-ARS Heating and electrical lighting are a huge proportion of the total energy costs of a greenhouse. Decision-support tools that allows growers to estimate energy use for a new greenhouse design or a retrofit provide them with a low-risk opportunity to select structural features, heating systems, and lighting setups that are more cost effective and resource use efficient. The improvements made to the newest version of Virtual Grower provide growers with better accessibility to the program and enhanced models that improve the accuracy of the energy use predictions, which will lead to better decision-making and cost savings for growers. TN While controlled environment agriculture (CEA) has given us the ability to precisely control the growing environment, the “optimal” environmental conditions for maximum plant yield, quality, and energy efficiency are largely unknown for most crops. Thus, there is a critical need to improve environmental growing models for leafy greensand culinary herbs. Through our work, we are working towards improving production efficiencies, increasing CEA crop yields, and improving phytonutrient concentrations. TX Our research in developing improved lighting strategies can benefit CEA growers by improving crop yield and reducing energy costs. We trained 50 undergraduate students in greenhouse technology, indoor production with electric light, and hydroponic crop production. Dallas, TX. Our fourth controlled environment conference held in December 2022 was well received by the CEA industry. Comments and suggestions by participants were very positive which encouraged us to continue this program. The CEA industry in Texas is developing rapidly as evidenced by the increased number of several hydroponic greenhouse companies and small urban farms including indoor vertical farms and hydroponics and aquaponics companies surrounding major cities (Austin, Dallas, and Houston areas). UT Salt-tolerant plants and best water management practices for greenhouse and nursery production will enhance the competitiveness of the Green Industry through improved specialty crop quality, reduced culinary water consumption, reduced inputs, increased economic returns, greater access for public to stress-tolerant plants, and/or increased adoption of stress-tolerant plants in urban landscapes. Increased knowledge about whole plant responses to water stress will allow us to promote the use of stress-tolerant plants for water conservation.