Annual/Termination Reports:

[05/15/2003] [06/27/2006] [02/10/2006] [07/18/2007]

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Participants

List of the participants, who attended this meeting, is given in the minutes of the meeting.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Previous three years (2000, 2001, and 2002)"minutes of the meetings are posted on the NCR 101 website to download. Please download from the following website address: http://www.ncr101.duke.edu/meetings_past.htm

Accomplishments

Accomplishments are given in the minutes of the meeting.

Publications

Impact Statements

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Participants

Dann Adair (Conviron), Jeffrey Akers (Rutgers Univ.), Lou Albright (Cornell Univ.), Angela Beaman (Iowa State Univ.), Wade and Bettsy Berry (UCLA), Matthew Blanchard (Michigan State Univ.), Mark Blonguist (Apogee Instruments), A.J. Both (Rutgers Univ.), Greg Brenneman (Ohio State Univ./OARDC), Lee Buckingham (USDA-ARS), Bruce Bugbee (Utah State Univ.), Peggy Christman (Ohio State Univ./OARDC), David DeVilliers (Cornell Univ.), Bruno Faucher (Envirosult), David Fleisher (USDA-ARS), Jonathan Frantz (USDA-ARS) and Susan Frantz, Molly Fusselman (Iowa State Univ.), Richard Gladon (Iowa State Univ.), Robert Hansen (Ohio State Univ./OARDC), Alec Hay (Utah State Univ.), Royal Heins (Michigan State Univ.), Henry Imberti (Percival Scientific Inc.), Michelle Jones (Ohio State Univ./OARDC), Ramesh Kanwar (Iowa State Univ.), Meriam Karlsson (Univ. of Alaska), Bruce Kettner (BioChambers Inc.), Mike Klingman (Ohio State Univ./OARDC), Charles Krause (USDA-ARS), Donald Krizek (USDA,ARS,ANRI,SASL) and Betty Krizek, Chieri Kubota (Univ. of Arizona), Kristina Lewis (Ohio State Univ.), Peter Ling (Ohio State Univ./OARDC), Jim Locke (USDA-ARS), Logan Logendra (Rutgers Univ.), Roberto Lopez (Michigan State Univ.), Gioia Massa (Purdue Univ.), Cary Mitchell (Purdue Univ.), Robert Morrow (Orbital Technologies), Desmond Mortley (Tuskegee Univ.), Angie Mu (Environmental Growth Chambers), Genhua Niu (Texas A&M Univ., El Paso), Joey Norikane (Univ. of Kentucky), Medani Omer (USDA-ARS), Reg Quiring (Conviron), Roel Rabara (Ohio State Univ.), Eugene Reiss (Rutgers Univ.), Joe Romagnano (Utah State Univ.), Mark Romer (McGill Univ. Phytotron), A.O. Rule (Environmental Growth Chambers), Erik Runkle (Michigan State Univ.), John Sager (NASA, Kennedy Space Center), Carole Saravitz (North Carolina State Univ.), Daniel Schmoldt (USDA-CSREES), Ted Short (Ohio State Univ./OARDC), Doug Sturtz (USDA-ARS), Gary Stutte (Dynamac Corp.), Noriko Takahashi (Univ. of Tokyo), Marc Theroux (BioChambers Inc.), Ted Tibbitts (Univ. of Wisconsin), Alex Turkewitsch (Greenhouse Engineering) and Eva Turkewitsch, Mirwan Ushada (Osaka Prefecture Univ.), Mark van Iersel (Univ. of Georgia), Peter Vanderveer (Univ. of Wisconsin Biotron), Nicole Waterland (Ohio State Univ./OARDC), Jeff Werner (Univ. of Alaska), Ray Wheeler (NASA, Kennedy Space Center), Ann Widrig (USDA-ARS), Congling Wu (Ohio State Univ./OARDC), Neil Yorio (Dynamac Corp.), Youbin Zheng (Univ. of Guelph).


Executive Committee
Dave Fleisher, Chair
Desmond Mortley, Vice Chair
Erik Runkle, Secretary
Chieri Kubota, Past Chair

Brief Summary of Minutes

For a more complete summary of meeting minutes, visit: http://ncr101.montana.edu/minutes/NCR-101_2006_meeting_minutes.pdf


Administrative Advisor Report
Ramesh Kanwar (Iowa State Univ.) continues to serve as administrative advisor to this committee. The NCR-101 project was approved for a 5-year extension. A letter indicating receipt of the renewal project was distributed to at least one person from each participating Experiment Station. An overview of the project renewal process was discussed. All three reviewers gave an excellent rating for each of the six categories and the group was commended.

The committee name has changed from NCR-101 to NCERA-101 (North Central Extension and Research Activity). There is a need for increased accountability for this groups activities. Meeting minutes should be posted on the website within 60 days after the annual meeting. Without the minutes, the next meeting can not be authorized. Guidelines of minutes were discussed and copies of the guidelines (available on the NIMSS website) are to be followed. Thoughtful impact statements are highly desirable and were stressed.

The 2007 budget was briefly discussed. A handout was distributed that discussed changes to the federal funding agencies (NASA, NRI, etc.). Dr. Kanwar made suggestions for reporting noteworthy events at universities at future meetings. This Working Group should also consider developing an endowment to support this meeting, especially to fund travel for graduate students and technicians to these meetings.

Mark Romer (McGill Univ.) motioned that a more complete version of the minutes should be distributed to members, and a condensed format should be submitted as the official version. A third, even more condensed version should be developed to include highlights for people (e.g., Directors) that want a quick summary. Motion seconded by Don Krizek (USDA-ARS), and all approved.


CSREES Report
Dan Schmoldt (USDA-CSREES) summarized the 2006 and proposed 2007 budgets and how possible changes may affect this group. The 2006 budget included a 2% increase to CSREES. There were minor increases in the National Research Initiative, and the majority (60%) of the budgetary increases was congressionally earmarked for specific projects (not competitive).

The Presidents 2007 Budget proposes that 30% of Hatch Formula Funds be placed into a competitive program to fund nationally focused, multi-state/multi-institutional projects. The committee should also consider submission of other types of proposal(s) for funding, perhaps on an annual basis.

Beginning this calendar year, two national program leaders are being assigned to each state to serve as liaisons between the agency and the research and extension programs in each states institutions. Initially, these liaison activities will focus on developing and reviewing each states new, 5-year plans of work for research and extension. Most program leaders have assignments for two states.

If this group is proactive, we have potential to compete well to receive funding for research-based projects. Dan Schmoldt believes we are well positioned to compete for dollars. During meetings, the group might want to discuss possible projects and PIs and outline the proposals. Dave Fleisher suggested that we form a committee for how we might identify and develop project goals. A committee consisting of Dave Fleisher, Cary Mitchell (Purdue Univ.), Bruce Bugbee, Peter Ling (Ohio State Univ.), Ray Wheeler, Gary Stutte, and Marc Van Iersel (Univ. of Georgia) was identified and discussions were going to ensue on how to proceed.


ASHS CEWG Meeting Highlights
Jonathan Frantz (USDA-ARS) is secretary and chair-elect and reported that the ASHS colloquium entitled Photosynthesis: From Chloroplast to Ecosystem will be held in July, 2006 in New Orleans at the annual ASHS meeting. The exact date of colloquium is unknown but should be released soon. Topics for a workshop or colloquium to be held at the 2007 meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona were discussed.


2005 Meeting Minutes
The minutes had been previously distributed to members via email. Desmond Mortley (Tuskegee Univ.) asked for comments or proposed amendments. None were made. Don Krizek motioned to approve minutes, seconded by Ray Wheeler, and approved by all.


Membership Report
Mark Romer gave a brief membership report. This group is in its 31st year, and currently there are 135 members from 100 institutions, with a healthy balance among phytotrons, universities, governmental institutions, and industries. See Appendix A for a complete membership list. Longstanding members and Founding Members have been recognized in the past several years. Members that have made substantial contributions and long-lasting commitments to the group deserve special recognition. Awards in 2006 are to be given later in the meeting to Royal Heins (Michigan State Univ.), Environmental Growth Chambers (EGC), and Conviron.


Website Update
Mark Romer gave an update of the NCERA-101 website, address is: http://ncr101.montana.edu and resides at the Univ. of Montana. The website is operated by Tracy Dougher (Univ. of Montana) and Mark Romer. Updates to the membership and other additions have been made. The Growth Chamber Handbook is now available in pdf format (courtesy Chieri Kubota) through this website. Hard copies are still available through Iowa State Univ. Press (link available on website).


Instrument Package Report
Bruce Bugbee reminded participants that there are two packages available for rent: a spectroradiometer package and a quantum sensor calibration package. Rental for 2 weeks costs $300 for one package and $450 for both packages. The packages were rented 7 times from March 2005 to March 2006. Current balance of the instrumentation package is $2,696. A sensor that measures the reflectance of a leaf canopy has been donated by Apogee Instruments and will be included in the spectroradiometer package. A four-way radiometer that measures short- and long-wave radiation will be made available from Bruce Bugbee and can be signed out for $300


Awards to Attendees
Chieri Kobota reported that funding of $2,088 was left over from the 2005 meeting. This funding was partially used to support staff members (e.g., technicians and post-docs) to participate in the 2006 meeting. $600 was awarded to two participants (David de Villiers, Cornell Univ. and Jeffrey Akers, Rutgers Univ.). The remaining balance will be used to support future meetings. Graduate student posters awards were given to Nicole Waterland and Richard J. Gladon; Roberto G. Lopez and Erik S. Runkle; S. Contreras, D. Tay, and M. A. Bennett; and Noriko Takahashi and Kenji Kurata.


Other Committee Reports
There was some discussion among members for this group to consider merging with, and/or coordinating activities with, the NE-1017 Group (Developing and Integrating Components for Commercial Greenhouse Production). Some of the NE-1017 members receive funding for being participants and have expressed hesitation of merging with NCERA-101 because of possibly losing that funding.


Guidelines for Measuring and Reporting Environmental Parameters
A.J. Both led the discussion on the posters and pamphlets that have been developed, printed, and distributed to members. Contact Marc van Iersel if you are interested in presenting the poster at future meetings. Letter-size drafts of the minimum guidelines are available electronically on the NCERA-101 website. Full guidelines are available to members of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Guidelines can also be found in the Growth Chamber Handbook that is available in pdf format on the NCERA-101 website. A motion was made by Don Krizek (seconded by Mark Romer) to add to our website the different guidelines and summarize the resources available for the minimum and complete reporting guidelines. Motion was approved by all.


Selection of 2006-2007 Officers
Gary Stutte was suggested by the Executive Committee to be nominated as Incoming Secretary. The funding uncertainty at NASA was discussed, but several members expressed that this should not prevent Gary from being nominated and fully supported Garys nomination. Bruce Bugbee nominated Gary Stutte as Incoming Secretary, seconded by Dick Gladdon (Iowa State Univ.) Members voted unanimously in favor of the nomination.


Site of 2007 Meeting: Tuskegee Univ.
Desmond Mortley informed us that a symposium and NASA site visit is being organized at Tuskegee in July or August, 2007 and the NCR-101 meeting was suggested to be part of this symposium. The symposium is expected to last about 4 days in total (including 1.5 days for the site visit). A motion was made by Don Krizek to have Tuskegee Univ. host the NCERA-101 meeting. Motion was seconded by Ray Wheeler and approved by all.


Site of 2008 Meeting
Dave Fleisher led the discussion about an international meeting to be possibly held at Kennedy Space Center. Interest in this meeting was expressed by the UK CEWG for a meeting in 2008. A draft of the technical program should be developed before the end of 2006 and submitted to the UK CEWG. A committee including members of NCERA-101, UK CEWG, and Australasian Working Group should be developed to coordinate the program. Erik Runkle made a motion to have Kennedy Space Center host the 2008 meeting in Florida. Motion was seconded by Bruce Bugbee and approved by all. A Committee composed of Dave Fleisher, Chieri Kubota, Bruce Bugbee, Mark Romer, Desmond Mortley, Gioia Massa, and Erik Runkle will assist the hosts (Neil Yorio, Ray Wheeler, John Sager, and Gary Stutte) with organizing the program.


New Business
John Sager and Royal Heins suggested that the group generate a list of appropriate instrumentation, to include companies, contact information, caveats of instruments etc., for how to measure particular environmental parameters. Dave Fleisher emphasized that care should taken to avoid endorsements of particular products. A motion was made by John Sager (seconded by Don Krizek) to develop a list of sensors for each of the reporting guidelines, with contact information, and be made available to all members. Bruce Bugbee volunteered to work with John Sager to generate a draft, which will not include explicit recommendations.

Subsequent activities of the group included tours to controlled environment facilities, including:
" Greenhouses and growth chamber facilities of the OARDC
" Green Circle Growers, Oberlin, OH
" Petitti Garden Center, Strongsville, OH
" Cleveland Growers Marketing Company, Parma, OH


Minutes submitted by Erik Runkle, Secretary

Accomplishments

For a more detailed list of accomplishments and current projects, visit http://ncr101.montana.edu/station_reports.htm<br /> <br /> <br /> Agritechnove completed design of a new Biotron for the University of Western Ontario. This multi-story laboratory is topped with a Biome. Among other greenhouses, this facility includes 6 biomes capable of maintaining a wide range of climates on a year-round basis. Each biome has its own airlock/prep room, negative pressure cascade, and high efficiency air filtration. This project is under construction and should open in the fall of 2006. Design of 3 new USDA projects started this year: (1) the Agricultural Research Technology Center in Salinas, CA, (2) the Grape Genetics Research Center, Geneva, NY and (3) the Center for Health-Based Plant Genomics, Ithaca, NY.<br /> <br /> <br /> Alaska evaluated high tunnel field greenhouses to improve and extend seasonal local production. A high tunnel field greenhouse erected for the 2005 growing season supported production of various crops including leafy greens, various types of lettuce, snap beans, peppers, onions, potatoes and culinary herbs. The quality of produce from both high tunnel and field production was exceptional with overwhelming consumer acceptance in limited marketing tests. Results suggest opportunities to produce cultivars not fully adapted to our seasonal conditions.<br /> <br /> <br /> Arizona offered a Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course on January 19 to 22, 2006, as a continuing professional education short course from the University of Arizona. The course programs can be viewed at http://www.ag.arizona.edu/ceac/. The meeting included a tour to EuroFresh Co., Willcox, Arizona.<br /> <br /> <br /> Arizona developed two simulators for greenhouse environmental control. Greenhouse simulator is web-based interactive software (http://www.uvm.edu/wge/) developed in collaboration with University of Vermont, University of Florida, and The Ohio State University. Visual VETH (Ventilation-Evapotranspiration-Temperature-Humidity) is useful for cooling and ventilation design in greenhouses and was developed in collaboration with Tokai University (also downloadable from Worldwide Greenhouse Education website http://www.uvm.edu/wge/).<br /> <br /> <br /> Cornell has developed an algorithm to control supplemental light and movable shade to achieve a desirable daily light integral. The control algorithm has been programmed in LabView and used <br /> in the Cornell CEA lettuce facility for more than six months with very acceptable results.<br /> <br /> <br /> Cornell conducted laboratory experiments to compare the persistence of three chelators, EDTA, DTPA, and EDDS, and the resulting effects on plant nutrition. The EDDS concentration in hydroponic solutions growing lettuce decreased rapidly and remained low, while EDTA and DTPA concentrations remained steady over the course of the growth period. The steady chelator concentration for EDTA and DTPA indicates some loss of the chelator from the solution. One potential loss is photodegradation of the Fe-chelate complex, as indicated by greenhouse studies of nutrient solution exposed to natural sunlight, resulting in half-lives of EDTA and DTPA of 28.3 and 22.7 min respectively. Another potential loss is uptake of chelator into plant tissue. Low concentrations of EDTA and DTPA were found in both root and shoot tissues.<br /> <br /> <br /> Cornell compared three sterile, soil-less media (Agrifoam and Oasis, growth foams, and Grodan, an expanded rockwool substrate) to determine which media characteristics favor seedling development and establishment. One problem with foam media is "pop-outs", a disorder in<br /> which actively growing roots do not penetrate and spiral on the media surface, causing the root tip to die. Pop-outs were more frequently observed in Agrifoam compared to the other media. High soluble salts, particularly high magnesium in the root zone, produced roots that were "burned" and did not grow. Magnesium salts added to Grodan (control substrate), in concentrations equivalent to that found in Agrifoam, increased the number of pop-outs and produced roots resembling those grown in Agrifoarn. More frequent watering increased the severity of pop-outs. Foams that are too wet have more pop-outs and spiraling roots.<br /> <br /> Cornell identified an economically viable means to employ pond (or deep-flow) hydroponics in continuous production of salad spinach. In such a system, the nutrient solution is kept in use (replenished but not changed out) for many crop cycles. At warm temperature, disease was chronic but at cool temperature it was prevented, or died out if already established. Both UV and filtration mitigated immediate effects of inoculation compared to inoculation with no treatment, but a severe chronic disease process eventually became established in each case.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Phytotron at Duke shifted from an NSF facility to one operated by Duke, thus localizing its clientele. Space charges declined and current faculty members are encouraged to use the facility. For the first time in years, all chambers were operating and waiting lists developed. Experiments on global change continue to occupy the most space, but additional, less labor-intensive experiments were also introduced with Arabidopsis, corn, tobacco and soybeans.<br /> <br /> <br /> Georgia determined the effects of elevated CO2, temperature, and their interaction on growth,<br /> biomass production, partitioning and seed yield of two peanut cultivars. The leaf area index of both cultivars responded positively, 28.3% and 49.3% for Pronto and Georgia Green<br /> respectively, to elevated CO2. Overall, elevated CO2 alone resulted in a significant increase in total biomass at final harvest across all temperatures, but decreased seed yield, except for Georgia Green at the highest temperature studied. Higher temperatures reduced the relative response of total biomass to CO2 of both cultivars. The two cultivars responded differently to CO2, temperature and the interaction of these factors for various growth traits.<br /> <br /> <br /> Georgia determined the impact of different irrigation scheduling regimes under dry conditions on cotton growth and development, and evaluated the performance of the CSMCROPGRO-<br /> Cotton model for simulating growth and development of cotton under different irrigation treatments and for simulating irrigation scheduling. Cotton seed yield ranged from 1,981 kg/ha to 2,963 kg/ha, depending on the irrigation thresholds. Results indicate that the dynamic crop growth model CSMCROPGRO- Cotton can be a promising tool for irrigation scheduling. However a variable irrigation management depth should be used and a correct characterization of the soil properties is needed.<br /> <br /> <br /> Georgia developed an irrigation controller that irrigates substrate to a setpoint for several weeks. The controller uses calibrated ECH2O moisture sensors interfaced with a datalogger and solenoid valves connected to controller. When the water content of the substrate drops below the setpoint, the controller opens a solenoid valve, which results in irrigation. Using this controller with bedding plants (salvia, impatiens, petunia, and vinca), four distinct levels of water contact were maintained for 40 days, regardless of changes in plant size and environmental conditions.<br /> <br /> <br /> Greenhouse Engineering is involved in the replacement of research greenhouses for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. Use of soft landscaping and insulated vertical walls and foundation walls will reduce the impact of replacing old and seriously outdated greenhouse facilities. The consolidation of the old facilities will improve space efficiencies, energy conversion efficiencies, shared space and support function efficiencies and user access enhancements.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kentucky is examining thermal control strategies for double poly greenhouses to develop natural<br /> ventilation methods that would allow existing greenhouse facilities that were used in tobacco seedling production to be used in the cultivation of other plants. As tobacco production in Kentucky declines, the greenhouses used for tobacco seedling production will be available for the production of alternative crops. New strategies for environmental control will have to be developed for the new crops.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kentucky has evaluated a hypoxic fumigation treatment for infested greenhouse plants. Testing examines the effect of the treatment on whole plants. Prior findings established the effectiveness of low oxygen conditions (less than 1%) against several greenhouse pests. Testing has shown that high purity nitrogen fumigation treatment for 24 hours was detrimental to the plants. The system has been updated for 0 and 1% oxygen levels to be tested.<br /> <br /> <br /> Michigan State grew and then modeled growth and development of celosia and impatiens in response to the average daily temperature and daily light integral. Rate of progress to flowering of celosia increased as temperature increased up to approximately 25 °C and as the average DLI increased to 15 mol"m-2"d-1. Impatiens grown under a DLI less than 15 mol"m-2"d-1 flowered progressively earlier as temperature increased from 14 to 28 °C, whereas temperature had little effect on flowering time when plants were grown under the highest DLI treatments. The models developed to predict flowering time and plant quality could be used by commercial greenhouse growers to determine the impacts of changing growing temperature, growing plants at different times of the year, and providing supplemental lighting.<br /> <br /> <br /> Michigan State quantified the effects of daily light integral on growth and development of celosia, impatiens, marigold, pansy, and salvia during the seedling stage and determined whether there were any residual effects of a high light environment on subsequent growth and development after transplant. Flowering of celosia, impatiens, salvia, marigold, and pansy occurred 10, 12, 11, 4, and 12 days earlier, respectively, when seedlings were previously grown under the highest light level compared with the lowest. This study indicates the value of growing young bedding plants under a high light environment to produce plants for sale in a shorter growing period. As a result, growers that use lighted plants can shorten production time and consume less energy for heating per crop. <br /> <br /> <br /> Kennedy Space Center completed testing of red (R), red-blue (RB), and red-blue-green (RGB) LED arrays as sources for plant lighting. Plant growth testing was completed with radish using the newly acquired R, RB, and RBG Snap Lite units from Quantum Devices, Inc. Irradiance of the Snap Lite units declined nearly 60% after ~10,000 hours of operation. Irradiance output performance continues to be evaluated for both the Snap Lite and Norlux units. A new high output LED array from ORBITEC with six spectral components (400, 440, 520, 640, 660, and 720 nm) was received and testing is underway.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kennedy Space Center performed environmental baseline studies for typical open cabin atmosphere in space (such as the International Space Station) with radish, lettuce, and onion. Treatments included ambient, elevated, and super-elevated CO2 (400, 1200, and 4000 ppm), air temperatures of 22, 25, and 28 °C, and light intensities of 150, 300, and 450 ¼mol"m-2"s-1 with a 16-h photoperiod with fluorescent lamps. Biomass yields show optimal temperatures for growth and generally increasing yield with increasing light intensity. Significant tipburn was observed on lettuce plants at higher light levels.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ohio State and USDA-Toledo explored the use of a spectroradiometer to detect nitrogen status at deficient, sufficient, and super-optimal concentrations. Four ornamental species (begonia, New Guinea impatiens, butterfly bush, and geranium) were grown in four separate studies that resulted in a range of 1.8% to 6% tissue N concentration. Analysis of the data identified two wavebands that were strongly correlated to all species tissue N concentration. These wavebands did not correlate to chlorophyll peak absorbance, but rather blue, green, red, and far-red edges of known plant pigments.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ohio State and USDA-Toledo investigated supplementing fertilizer solutions with silicon to New Guinea impatiens, seed impatiens, marigold, geranium, dianthus, verbena, zinnia, poinsettia, snapdragon, vinca, petunia, salvia, and phalaenopsis orchid. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), and inductively coupled plasma analysis, silicon content and location was determined. Of these 13 species, eight contained concentrations high enough to be detected with the SEM and EDXA. Over 1% of zinnias dry weight in the leaves was silicon. Interestingly, there was no silicon in stem or root sections of any of the plants. Further studies with silicon-fed zinnia revealed an enhanced ability to fight gray mold and powdery mildew, which are two common diseases of this ornamental crop. <br /> <br /> <br /> Purdue determined growing methods for Arabidopsis for successful, repeatable, and scalable projects. Plants were grown in different commercial soilless mixes, were fertilized with one of two fertilizer strengths, and were either drained or kept in sub-irrigation trays. Clay granule augmentation improved growth for some treatments, including mixes that were hydrophobic or low in iron. Growth and flowering responses to photoperiod were investigated using growth chambers, fluorescent light shelves, or greenhouses over two seasons. Results and advice on results have been posted online at www.hort.purdue.edu/hort/facilities/greenhouse/101exp.shtml. The website has dozens of digital images in high resolution, descriptions of materials and methodology, media and solution analyses, and links to references.<br /> <br /> <br /> Purdue grew five day-neutral or everbearing cultivars of strawberry plants with three different day/night temperature regimes in growth chambers or in a greenhouse. Chamber plants were hand pollinated, while greenhouse plants were pollinated by hand or by vibrating wand. The coolest temperatures (18ÚC days/10ÚC nights) produced more berries with better flavor. No effect of pollination method was found, possibly due to heavier insect loads on plants pollinated more intensively. Two cultivars were eliminated from consideration, and a chamber study continues with varying photoperiods.<br /> <br /> <br /> Purdue assisted with the design and construction of a second-generation controlled environment production facility in the Marengo mine complex in southern Indiana. High-pressure sodium and metal halide lamps were adopted both as light as well as heat sources. The natural cool temperature of the mine was leveraged for rejecting waste heat from lamps. Room temperature can now be controlled by adjusting the amount of cool mine air that is pumped through the light fixtures, thereby not compromising the ventilation rate of the facility. Environmental-monitoring sensors, including temperature, humidity, wind velocity, and CO2 concentration, have been installed in the facility.<br /> <br /> <br /> Rutgers grew tomato plants in a hydroponics production system to determine the effects of temperature on fruit number and size. Tomato seeds were sown in rockwool plugs and transplanted nine days after seeding into pots filled with perlite. When 85% of the plants had developed three flowers, plants were grown at 23/18 °C (day/night), 30/25 °C, and 16/11 °C for 14 days. All harvestable fruits were used for mass and quality measurements, including moisture content, soluble sugar content, pH, acidity, Bostwick consistency, color indices, and firmness. Fruit mass and number were significantly lower at 30/25 °C compared to the other treatments, which were not significantly different from each other. These results illustrate the negative consequences of a high temperature on tomato fruit number and size.<br /> <br /> <br /> Rutgers quantified the impact of a manually operated energy curtain on the recorded inside soil and air temperatures and daily light integrals during early season high tunnel production of tomato. Data collected from late March through mid-May for two New Jersey locations and two growing seasons revealed that the use of an energy curtain inside a high tunnel increased the inside nighttime air temperature on average by 1.4 °C (or 13%) compared to a tunnel without a curtain. The use of an energy curtain inside a high tunnel increased the inside nighttime soil temperature on average by 0.5°C (or 4%) compared to a tunnel without a curtain. Also, the use of an energy curtain inside a high tunnel decreased the accumulated inside light level by approximately 5% compared to a tunnel without a curtain.<br /> <br /> <br /> Texas A&M determined the water use and crop coefficients of landscape plants growing in different landscape conditions and in above-ground containers. Overall growth, plant water use, and crop coefficients were different in the two culture systems. However, water use per leaf area of the same species was statistically similar. This indicates that by quantifying leaf area, plant water use in the two culture systems can be exchanged for the same species. <br /> <br /> <br /> Texas A&M University determined the relative salt tolerance of a number of herbaceous perennials and groundcover species for urban landscapes. Significant differences in salt tolerance among tested species were found. In addition, environmental conditions and growing medium or soil type also affected the response of plants to salinity. The results obtained from greenhouse studies provided base-line information on relative salt tolerance of these species and can be used as a reference for selection of species when non-potable water is used for urban landscape irrigation.<br /> <br /> <br /> USDA-Beltsville grew two cultivars of fresh market tomato in two high tunnels at Beltsville, MD covered with a contrasting material of similar thickness and durability during the Spring/Summer of 2005. One covering material transmitted ambient solar UV radiation while the other material blocked UV. Both films transmitted comparable amounts of photosynthetically active radiation. Ripe tomato fruits were analyzed from the two high tunnels, and the total concentration of three phenolic acids (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid) was approximately 20% higher under film that transmitted the UV light. Therefore, the phenolic content of tomato fruits can be impacted by the amount of ambient solar UV radiation available. Phenolic compounds play a key role as antioxidants in human nutrition, and thus growing tomato with more UV light could increase the value of the fruit. <br /> <br /> <br /> USDA-Beltsville grew two cultivars of tomato ('Oregon Spring' and 'Red Sun') in high tunnels at Beltsville, MD under materials that transmitted UV (+UV) and blocked UV (-UV) energy. Fruit were compared with field- and hydroponics greenhouse-grown fruit obtained from a wholesale warehouse. The soluble solids content of high tunnel-grown tomatoes was higher than that of commercially grown fruit. Field-grown tomatoes had the highest firmness and hydroponics-grown tomatoes had the highest concentration of volatiles. 'Red Sun fruit from plants grown under -UV had a higher soluble solids content than corresponding fruit grown under +UV. High tunnel-grown tomatoes had higher sensory scores for sweetness, flavor, and for acceptability of texture, taste and overall eating quality than commercially grown fruit. These results are the first to show that high tunnel-grown tomatoes generally have better consumer acceptance than those grown commercially.<br /> <br /> <br /> Utah State is continuing studies to establish dose/response curves for ethylene effects on the major crop plants. The threshold for ethylene sensitivity appears to be about 10 ppb for pollination and fruit set; and 30 to 50 ppb for leaf enlargement and vegetative growth. Ethylene dramatically reduces stem elongation in many species. They are also studying the use of 1-MCP to reduce the detrimental effects of ethylene. MCP, which is a gas, can be used in greenhouses to prolong flower life of potted plants and on fruit to delay ripening.

Publications

<br /> Allende, A.J., L. McEvoy, Y. Luo, F. Artes, and C.Y. Wang. 2006. Effectiveness of two-sided UV-C treatments in inhibiting natural microflora and extending the shelf-life of minimally processed Red Oak Leaf lettuce. Food Microbiol. 23:241-249.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ayala-Zavala, J.F., S.Y. Wang, C.Y. Wang, and G. Gonzalez-Aguilar. 2005. Methyl jasmonate in conjunction with ethanol treatment increases antioxidant capacity, aroma compounds and postharvest life of strawberry fruit. Eur. Food Res. Tech. 221:731-738.<br /> <br /> <br /> Baruch, Z. and R.B. Jackson. 2005. Responses of tropical native and invader C4 grasses to water stress, clipping and increased atmospheric CO2 concentration. Oecologia 145:523-532.<br /> <br /> <br /> Berkovich, Y.A., N.M. Krivobok, S.O. Smolianina, A.N. Erokhin and H. G. Levine. 2005. Development and operation of a space-oriented salad machine "Phytoconveyer." SAE Tech. Paper 2005-01-2842.<br /> <br /> <br /> Blanchard, M. and E. Runkle. 2005. PGR liner dips on bedding plants. Greenhouse Product News 15(13):44-51.<br /> <br /> <br /> Blanchard, M., M. Olrich, and E. Runkle. 2005. Fascination on poinsettia. Greenhouse Product News 15(9):66-71.<br /> <br /> <br /> Blanchard, M., R. Lopez, E. Runkle, and Y.-T. Wang. 2005. The orchid grower, Part IV. Greenhouse Grower 23(12):86-92.<br /> <br /> <br /> Both, A.J., L.S. Logendra, J. Cavazzoni, T. Gianfagna, T.C. Lee, and H.W. Janes. 2005. Effects of a two-week temperature perturbation during flowering of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Habitation 10(3/4):131.<br /> <br /> <br /> Both, A.J., E. Reiss, D.R. Mears, and W. Fang. 2005. Designing environmental control for greenhouses: Orchid production as example. Acta Hort. 691(2):807-813.<br /> <br /> <br /> Britz, S., C. Caldwell, R. Mirecki, J. Slusser, and W. Gao. 2005. Effect of supplemental ultraviolet radiation on the concentration of phytonutrients in green and red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivars. Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, 5886:1-8.<br /> <br /> <br /> Buenrostro-Nava, M.T., P. P. Ling, and J.J. Finer. 2005. Development of an automated image acquisition system for monitoring gene expression and tissue growth. Trans.mASAE 48(2):841-847.<br /> <br /> <br /> Caldwell, C.R., S.J. Britz, and R.M. Mirecki. 2005. Effect of temperature, elevated carbon dioxide, and drought during seed development on the isoflavone content of dwarf soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] grown in controlled environments. J. Agr. Food Chem. 53:1125-1129.<br /> <br /> <br /> Cameron, A.C. and B. Fausey. 2005. Ornamental bananas and elephant ears have exotic garden potential. Greenhouse Management and Production, June 30-35.<br /> <br /> <br /> Cameron, A., B. Fausey, S. Padhye, and E. Runkle. 2005. Some perennials like it cold. Greenhouse Grower 23(12):38-46.<br /> <br /> <br /> Canas L., D. Dyke, C. Pasian, P. Konjoian, M. Jones, and P. Ling. 2005. Extension Reloaded tours with commercial clientele: taking university and grower cooperation to a whole new level. OFA Bulletin 890:3-6.<br /> <br /> <br /> Clawson, J.M., A. Hoehn, and R.M. Wheeler. 2005. Inflatable transparent structures for Mars greenhouse applications. SAE Tech. Paper 2005-01-2846.<br /> <br /> <br /> Costa, G.J.C. and J.L. Cuello. 2005. Phytometric system of light units for plants. In: Iluminacao<br /> Economica, 3rd ed. G.J.C. Costa, ed. EDIPUCRS: Porto Alegre, Brazil.<br /> <br /> <br /> Cuello, J.L. and G.J.C. Costa. 2005. Bringing fallacies to light: Debunking radiation-measurement misconceptions for plant photosynthesis. Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World 12(2):9-10.<br /> <br /> <br /> Cuello, J.L. and G.J.C. Costa. 2005. Bringing fallacies to light part 2: Further debunking radiation- measurement misconceptions for plant photosynthesis. Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World 12(9):13-14.<br /> <br /> <br /> Dadson, R.B., F.M. Hashem, I. Javaid, J. Joshi, A.L. Allen, and T.E. Devine. 2005. Effect of water stress on the yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) genotypes in the Delmarva region of the United States. J. Agron. Crop Sci. 191:210-217.<br /> <br /> <br /> Dayan, E., E. Presnov and L.D. Albright. 2005. Methods to estimate and calculate lettuce growth. Acta Hort. 674:305-312.<br /> <br /> <br /> Demmig-Adams, B., W.W. Adams, and A.K. Mattoo. 2006. Photoprotection, Photoinhibition, Gene Regulation and Environment. Springer-Verlag, 400 pp.<br /> <br /> <br /> Doucette, W., B. Wheeler, J. Chard, B. Bugbee, C. Naylor, J. Carbone, and R. Sims. 2005. Uptake of nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates by crested wheatgrass. Environ. Tox. Chem. 24:2965-2972.<br /> <br /> <br /> Duke, S.O., B.E. Scheffler, C.D. Boyette, J. Lydon, and A. Oliva. 2005. Herbicides, biotechnology. In: Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol. 13, Wiley-Interscience, New York, pp. 346-369.<br /> <br /> <br /> Duncan, G.A., R.S. Gates and M. Montross. 2005. Measuring relative humidity in agricultural environments. AEN-87. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ebbert, V., W.W. Adams III, A.K. Mattoo, A. Sokolenko, and B. Demmig-Adams. 2005. Upregulation of a photosystem II core protein phosphatase inhibitor and sustained D1 phosphorylation in zeaxanthin-retaining, photoinhibited needles of overwintering Douglas fir. Plant Cell Environ. 28: 232-240.<br /> <br /> <br /> Eckhard F., J.A.J Brunink, B. Tuinstra, J.W. Assink, N.N. Asbroek, V. Backx, A. Klaassen, G.C.R. Waters, M.A. Stasiak, and M.A. Dixon. 2005. Phases management for advanced life support processes. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Technical Paper, 2005-01-2767.<br /> <br /> <br /> Edelman, M. and A.K. Mattoo. 2006. The D1 protein: past and future. In: B. Demmig-Adams, W. Adams and A.K. Mattoo, eds. Photoprotection, Photoinhibition, Gene Regulation and Environment. Springer.<br /> <br /> <br /> Erkan, M., M. Pekmezci, and C.Y. Wang. 2005. Hot water and curing treatments reduce chilling injury and maintain postharvest quality of Valencia oranges. Intl. J. Food Sci. Tech. 40:91-96.<br /> <br /> <br /> Erwin, J., R.Warner, and C. Rohwer. 2005. Fundamentals of flowering. Greenhouse Grower 23(5):100-104.<br /> <br /> <br /> Erwin, J. R. Warner, C. Rohwer, and N. Mattson. 2005. Fundamentals of flowering. Greenhouse Grower 23(4): 70-77.<br /> <br /> <br /> Erwin, J., R. Warner, C. Rohwer, and N. Mattson. 2005. Fundamentals of flowering. Greenhouse Grower 23(3):108-112.Fisher, P. and E. Runkle. 2005. 10 lighting tips to help your bottom line. Greenhouse Management and Production 25(4):36-40.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fausey, B.A., R.D. Heins, and A.C. Cameron. 2005. Daily light integral impacts flowering and quality of greenhouse-grown Achillea, Gaura, and Lavandula. HortScience 40:114-118.<br /> <br /> <br /> Faust, J., J. Adelberg, K. Lewis, and G. Niu. 2005. Evaluating the storage of elephant ears acclimatized from tissue culture. HortTechnology 15(2):295-298.<br /> <br /> <br /> Favreau M., A. Rodriguez, L. Ordóñez, and G.C.R. Waters. 2005. Application of the non-rectangular hyperbola model to lettuce and beet crop. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Technical Paper, 2005-01-2823. <br /> <br /> <br /> Ferentinos, K.P. and L.D. Albright. 2005. Optimal design of plant lighting systems by genetic<br /> algorithms. Artificial Intelligence 18:473-484.<br /> <br /> <br /> Finer J.J., S. Beck, M.T. Buenrostro, Y. Chi, and P. Ling. 2006. Monitoring gene expression in plant tissues using green fluorescent protein with automated image collection and analysis. In: Plant tissue culture engineering, pp. 31-46, Eds. S. Dutta Gupta and Y. Ibaraki, Springer, The Netherlands.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fleisher, D.H., L.S. Logendra, C. Moraru, A.J. Both, J. Cavazzoni, T. Gianfagna, T.C. Lee, and H. Janes. 2006. Effect of temperature perturbations on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) quality and production scheduling. J. Hort. Sci. Biotech. 81(1):125-131.<br /> <br /> <br /> Folta, K.M.. L.L. Koss, R. McMorrow, H.H. Kim, J.D. Kenitz, R. Wheeler, and J.C. Sager. 2005. Design and fabrication of adjustable red-green-blue LED light arrays for plant research. BMC Plant Biology 5:17-27.<br /> <br /> <br /> Frantz, J.M. and B. Bugbee. 2005. Acclimation to shade: photosynthesis, respiration, canopy quantum yield, and carbon use efficiency. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130:918-927.<br /> <br /> <br /> Frantz, J.M., D.S. Pitchay, J.C. Locke, and C.R. Krause. 2005. Actual performance versus theoretical advantages of polyacrylamide hydrogel throughout bedding plant production. HortScience 40:2040-2046.<br /> <br /> <br /> Gitz III, D.C., L. Liu-Gitz, S.J. Britz, and J.H. Sullivan. 2005. Ultraviolet-B effects on stomatal density, water-use efficiency, and stable carbon isotope discrimination in four glasshouse-grown soybean (Glycine max) cultivars. Environ. Expt. Bot. 53:343-355.<br /> <br /> <br /> Gonzalez-Aguilar, G.A., S. Ruiz, H. Soto, F. Vasquez, and C.Y. Wang. 2005. Biochemical changes of fresh-cut pineapple slices treated with antibrowning agents. Intl. J. Food Sci. Tech. 40:377-384.<br /> <br /> <br /> Henry, A., W. Doucette, J. Norton, S. Jones, J. Chard, and B. Bugbee. 2006. Design and maintenance of an axenic plant culture system to facilitate optimal growth in long-term studies. J. Environ. Qual. 35(2):590-598.<br /> <br /> <br /> Horst, L., J.C. Locke, C.R. Krause, R.W. Mcmahon, L.V. Madden, and H.A. Hoitink. 2005. Suppression of Botrytis blight of begonia by Trichoderma hamatum 382 in peat and compost-amended potting mixes. Plant Disease. 89:1195-1200.<br /> <br /> <br /> Hoshino, T. and J.L. Cuello. 2005. Environmental design considerations for somatic embryogenesis. In: Somatic Embryogenesis. A. Mujib and J. Samaj, eds. Springer-Verlag: Berlin. 257-266.<br /> <br /> <br /> Hoshino, T. and J.L. Cuello. 2005. Regulating radiation quality and intensity using narrow-band LEDs for optimization of somatic embryogenesis. Proceedings of the 2005 ASABE Annual<br /> International Meeting. July 17-20. Tampa, FL.<br /> <br /> <br /> Hu, X., D.P. Roberts, M. Jiang, and Y. Zhang. 2005. Biological control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on oilseed rape with Bacillus subtilis Tu-100. Appl. Micro. Biotech. 68:802-807.<br /> <br /> <br /> Huber, J., Zheng, Y., Dixon, M. 2005. Hydroponic cucumber production using urethane foam as a growth substrate. Acta Hort. 697:139-145.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ikeguchi, A., S. Sase, M. Ishii, K. Kurata, C. Kubota, S. Yokoi, N. Sabeh, and G.A. Giacomelli. 2005. Efficient greenhouse cooling in semiarid climate (II) Natural ventilation measurement with gas tracer method in a single-span double-polyethylene greenhouse. p. 11-16. Proceedings of<br /> International Conference on Research Highlights and Vanguard Technology on Environmental<br /> Engineering in Agricultural Systems Joint Meeting on Environmental Engineering in Agriculture, September 12 - 15, 2005, Kanazawa University, Japan.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kacira, M., S. Sase, L. Okushima, and P.P. Ling. 2005. Plant response-based sensing for control strategies in sustainable greenhouse production. J. Agric. Meterol. 61(1):15-22.<br /> <br /> <br /> Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2005. Research progress reports. Annual Report 2004. Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, p. 16-17, 19-20.<br /> <br /> <br /> Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2005. Daylength effects on pot crops. Greenhouse Product News. Scranton Gillette Communications, Inc. 15(12): 38-40.<br /> <br /> <br /> Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2005. Day length controls flowering and height of sunflower. HortScience 40:1013-1014.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kim, H.-H., R.M. Wheeler, J.C. Sager, and J.H. Norikane. 2005. Photosynthesis of lettuce exposed to different light qualities. Environment Control in Biology 43(2):113-119.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kim, H-H, R.M. Wheeler, J.C. Sager, N.C. Yorio, and G.D. Goins. 2005. Lighting emitting diodes as an illumination source for plants: A review of research a Kennedy Space Center. Habitation 10(2):71-78.<br /> <br /> <br /> Klassen, S. and B. Bugbee. 2005. Shortwave radiation. Ch. 3, pp. 43-58. In:Micrometeorology in Agriculture Systems. Am. Soc. of Agron. Monograph no. 47. Madison, WI.<br /> <br /> <br /> Krizek, D.T. and L. Chalker-Scott. 2005. Symposium-in-print: Ultraviolet radiation and terrestrial ecosystems: Introduction. Photochem. Photobiol. 81(5):1021-1025.<br /> <br /> <br /> Krizek, D.T., H.D. Clark, and R.M. Mirecki. 2005. Spectral properties of selected UV-blocking and UV-transmitting covering materials with application for production of high-value crops in high tunnels. Photochem. Photobiol. 81(5):1047-1051.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kumar, V., A. Abdul-Baki, J.D. Anderson, and A.K. Mattoo. 2005. Cover crop residues enhance growth, improve yield and delay leaf senescence in greenhouse-grown tomatoes. HortScience 40:1307-1311.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kurilich, A.C., B.A. Clevidence, S.J. Britz, P.W. Simon, and J.A. Novotny. 2005. Plasma and urine responses are lower for acylated vs nonacylated anthocyanins from raw and cooked purple carrots. J. Agric. Food Chem. 53:6537-6542.<br /> <br /> <br /> Larrat, E.P., G.W. Stutte, and R.M. Wheeler. 2005. Potential effects of biogenic compound production on human health in closed life support systems. SAE Tech Paper No. 2005-1-2772.<br /> <br /> <br /> Levine, H.G. and W.C. Piastuch. 2005. Growth patterns for etiolated soybeans germinated under spaceflight conditions. Adv. Space Res. 36:1237-1243.<br /> <br /> <br /> Levine, H.G., J.J. Prenger, D.T. Rouzan, A.C. Spinale, T. Murdoch and K.A. Burtness. 2005. Feed-back moisture sensor control for the delivery of water to plants cultivated in space. SAE Tech. Paper 2005-01-2952.<br /> <br /> <br /> Levine, L.H., J. Bauer, S. Edney, J. Richards, N. Yorio, K. Li, P.W. Pare, and R. Wheeler. 2005. Scallion (Allium fistulosum L.) pungency regulated by genetic makeup and environmental conditions (light and CO2). SAE Tech. Paper 2005-01-2770.<br /> <br /> <br /> Li, J-F., R. Qi, L.-H. Qu, A.K. Mattoo, and N. Li. 2005. Cleavage of the carboxy-terminus of LEACS2, a tomato 1-aminocyclpropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase isomer, by a 64-kDa tomato metalloprotease produces a truncated by active enzyme. J. Integ. Plant Biol. 47:1352-1363.<br /> <br /> <br /> Linker, R., J. Mathieu and L.D. Albright. 2005. A user-friendly, Internet-based, version of the<br /> NICOLET simulation model for lettuce. Acta Hort. 675:337-342.<br /> <br /> <br /> Liu, Y., Y.R. Chen, C.Y. Wang, D.E. Chan, and M.S. Kim. 2006. Development of hyperspectral imaging technique for the detection of chilling injury in cucumbers: Spectral analysis and image analysis. Appl. Eng. Agric. 22:101-111.<br /> <br /> <br /> Liu, Y., Y.R. Chen, C.Y. Wang, D.E. Chan, and M.S. Kim. 2005. Development of simple algorithm for the detection of chilling injury in cucumbers from visible/near infrared hyperspectral imaging. Applied Spectroscopy 59:136-143.<br /> <br /> <br /> Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Environmental physiology of growth and flowering of orchids. HortScience 40(7):1969-1973.<br /> <br /> <br /> Lopez, R.G., E.S. Runkle, and R.D. Heins. 2005. Flowering of the orchid Miltoniopsis Augres Trinity is influenced by photoperiod and temperature. Acta Hort. 683:175-180.<br /> <br /> <br /> Lopez, R. and E. Runkle. 2005. Managing light during propagation. Greenhouse Product News 15(6):48-58.<br /> <br /> <br /> Lopez, R., E. Runkle, Y.-T. Wang, and M. Blanchard. 2005. The orchid grower, Part III. Greenhouse Grower 23(10):96-104.<br /> <br /> <br /> Maestre, F.T., M. Bradford, and J.F. Reynolds. 2005. Soil nutrient heterogeneity interacts with elevated CO2 and nutrient availability to determine species and assemblage responses in a model grassland community. New Phytologist 168:637-650.<br /> <br /> <br /> Massa, G.D., M.E. Mick, I. Weiss, J.A. Montgomery, D.G. Mortley, L.J. Mauer, and C.A. Mitchell. 2005. Effects of root-zone volume, vine pruning, and season on yield, proximate composition, and antioxidant capacity of sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas (Lam.) L. TU-82-155). ICES, Paper #2005-01-2816.<br /> <br /> <br /> Massa G.D., J.C. Emmerich, R.C. Morrow, and C.A. Mitchell. 2005. Development of a reconfigurable LED plant-growth lighting system for equivalent system mass reduction in an ALS. ICES, Paper #2005-01-2955.<br /> <br /> <br /> Mattoo, A.K., and A. Abdul-Baki. 2006. Crop genetic responses to management: Evidence of root-to-leaf communication. In: Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems (N. Uphoff, A.S. Ball, E. Fernandes, H. Herren, O. Husson, M. Laing, C. Palm, and J. Thies, eds.), CRC Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 221-230.<br /> <br /> <br /> McMurtrey, J.E., C.S.T. Daughtry, T.E. Devine, and L.A. Corp. 2005. Spectral detection of crop residues for soil conservation from conventional and large biomass soybean. Agr. Sust. Dev. 25:25-33.<br /> <br /> <br /> Middleton, E.M., M.S. Kim, D.T. Krizek, and R.K.S. Bajwa. 2005. Evaluating UV-B effects and EDU protection in soybean leaves using fluorescence. Photochem. Photobiol. 81(5):1075-1085.<br /> <br /> <br /> Mitchell, C.A., C.J. Rutzke, and D.T. Krizek. 2005. Bioderived energy sources for protected horticulture. HortScience 40(2):277-294.<br /> <br /> <br /> Monje, O., G.W. Stutte and D.C. Chapman. 2005. Microgravity does not alter plant stand gas exchange of wheat at moderate light levels and saturating CO2 concentration. Planta 222:336-345.<br /> <br /> <br /> Monje, O., J.T. Richards, I. Eraso, T. P. Griffin, K.C. Anderson, and J.C. Sager. 2005. Designing a reusable ethylene filter cartridge for plant flight hardware: Characterization of thermally desorbing compounds. SAE Tech. Paper 2005-01-2953.<br /> <br /> <br /> Montgomery, J. 2005. Evaluation of solid artificial media for lettuce seedling growth and<br /> anchorage. M. S. Thesis, Cornell University Libraries, Ithaca, NY. 77 pp.<br /> <br /> <br /> Massa, G.D., C.A. Mitchell, J.C. Emmerich, and R.C. Morrow. 2005. Development of a reconfigurable LED plant-growth lighting system for equivalent system mass reduction in an ALS. SAE Technical Paper Series 2005-01-2955.<br /> <br /> <br /> Morrow, R.C., R.W. Remiker, M.J. Mischnick, L.K. Tuominen, M.C. Lee, and T.M. Crabb. 2005. A low equivalent system mass plant growth unit for space exploration. SAE Technical Paper Series 2005-01-2843.<br /> <br /> <br /> Musgrave, M.E., A. Kuang, L.K. Tuominen, L.H. Levine, and R.C. Morrow. 2005. Seed storage reserves and glucosinolates in Brassica rapa L. grown on the International Space Station. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130:848-856.<br /> <br /> <br /> Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2005. Responses of several herbaceous perennials and groundcovers to salinity. HortScience 40:1034.<br /> <br /> <br /> Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2005. Growth responses of Salvia greggii and Dalea frutescens to drought stress. HortScience 40:1036.<br /> <br /> <br /> Niu, G., L. McConnell, and V.R. Reddy. 2005. Propylene glycol vapor contamination in controlled environment growth chambers - Toxicity to corn and soybean plants. J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part B. Vol.B40, No.3: 443-448.<br /> <br /> <br /> Niu, G. 2005. Modeling and simulation in photoautotrophic microprogation. p.225-236. In T. Kozai, F. Afreen and S.M.A.Zobayed (eds.). Photoautotrophic (sugar-free medium) micropropagation as a new propagation and transplant production system. Springer, the Netherlands.<br /> <br /> <br /> Norikane, J.H., J.C. Sager, R.M.Wheeler, G.W. Stutte, and H.H. Kim. 2005. Characterization of nutrient solution changes during flow through media. SAE Tech Paper No. 2005-01-2774.<br /> <br /> <br /> Norikane, J.H., J.J. Prenger, D.T. Rouzan-Wheeldon, and H.G. Levine. 2005. A comparison of soil moisture sensors for space flight applications. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 21(2): 211-216.<br /> <br /> <br /> Norikane, J.H., R.G. Anderson, R.S. Gates, D.A. Potter, and L. Dunn. 2005. Development of a modified atmosphere treatment for arthropod pest control. Paper No. 054149. Presented at the International ASAE Mtg. Tampa, Florida. Jul. 17-20.<br /> <br /> <br /> Norikane, J.H., S.B. Jones, S.L. Steinberg, H.G. Levine, and D. Or. 2005. Porous media matrix potential and water content measurements during parabolic flight. Habitation 10(2):117-126.<br /> <br /> <br /> Novotny, J.A., A.C. Kurilich, S.J. Britz, and B.A. Clevidence. 2005. Plasma appearance of labeled beta-carotene, lutein, and retinol in humans after consumption of isotopically labeled kale. J. Lipid Res. 46:1896-1903.<br /> <br /> <br /> Padhye, S. and A.C. Cameron. 2005 Coreopsis: A great all-American genus. Greenhouse Product News July:100-104.<br /> <br /> <br /> Padhye, S., C. Whitman, E. Runkle, and A. Cameron. 2005. Cool campanula. Greenhouse Product News 15(10):72-79.<br /> <br /> <br /> Pramuk, L.A. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Modeling growth and development of Celosia and Impatiens in response to temperature and photosynthetic daily light integral. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130(6):813-818.<br /> <br /> <br /> Pramuk, L.A. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Photosynthetic daily light integral during the seedling stage influences subsequent growth and flowering of Celosia, Impatiens, Salvia, Tagetes, and Viola. HortScience 40(5):1336-1339.<br /> <br /> <br /> Prenger, J.J., H.-H. Kim, J.T. Richards, O. Monje, H.G. Levine, N. Yorio, G. Stutte, R. Wheeler, and J. Sager. 2005. Crop production in an extraterrestrial (controlled-environment, microgravity) environment. J. Agricul. Meteorology 60(5):385-390.<br /> <br /> <br /> Prenger, J.J., P.P. Ling, H.M. Keener, and R.C. Hansen. 2005. Plant response-based irrigation control system in a greenhouse: system evaluation. Trans. ASAE 48(3):1175-1184.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ramalingam, N., P.P. Ling, and R. Derksen. 2005. Background reflectance compensation and its effect on multispectral leaf surface moisture assessment. Trans. ASAE 48 (1):375-383.<br /> <br /> <br /> Razdan, M.K. and A.K. Mattoo. 2005. Editors: Genetic Improvement of Solanaceous Crops: Volume 1: Potato, Science Publishers, Inc., Enfield, USA. 451 pp.<br /> <br /> <br /> Rice, C., Y.B. Park, F. Adam, A.A. Abdul-Baki, and J.R. Teasdale. 2005. Hydroxamic acid content and toxicity of rye at selected growth stages. J. Chem. Ecol. 31(8):1887-1905.<br /> <br /> <br /> Richards, J.T., S.L. Edney, N.C. Yorio, G.W. Stutte, M.D. Sisko, N.Cranston, and R.M. Wheeler. 2005. Effect of light intensity and temperature on yield of salad crops for space exploration. SAE Tech. Paper No. 2005-01-2820.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ritchie, J.C., J.B. Reeves, III, D.T. Krizek, C.D. Foy, and D.C. Gitz III. 2006. Fiber composition of eastern gamagrass forage grown in a degraded, acid soil. Field Crops Res. 97(2-3):176-181.<br /> <br /> <br /> Reiss, E., A.J. Both, and D.R. Mears. 2005. Comparing greenhouse floor heating designs using CFD. ASAE paper No. 05-4136.<br /> <br /> <br /> Reiss, E. 2006. Modeling greenhouse floor heating using computational fluid dynamics. M.S. Thesis, Rutgers Univ.<br /> <br /> <br /> Roberts, D.P., A.A. Abdul-Baki, I. Zasada, S.L.F. Meyer, and W. Klassen. 2005. Biologically based technologies for the suppression of soilborne pathogens of vegetables. Recent Res. Develop. Appl. Micro.Biotech. 2:51-67.<br /> <br /> <br /> Roberts, D.P., S.M. Lohrke, S.L.F. Meyer, J.S. Buyer, J.H. Bowers, C.J. Baker, W. Li, J. de Souza, J.A. Lewis, and S. Chung. 2005. Biocontrol agents applied individually and in combination for suppression of soilborne diseases of cucumber. Crop Protection 24:141-135.<br /> <br /> <br /> Robinson, S. 2005. Aqueous ozone as an antibacterial agent for enhancing cut rose shelf-life. MSc. Thesis, University of Guelph. <br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E.S. 2005. Growing Trends: 10 ways to lower your spring heating bill and save money. Greenhouse Management and Production 25(12):59-60.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E.S. 2005. Growing Trends: How to increase plant height. Greenhouse Management and Production 25(8):74-77.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2005. Growing Trends: Whats up with orchids? Greenhouse Management and Production 25(4):60-61.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E., Y.-T. Wang, M. Blanchard, and R. Lopez. 2005. The orchid grower, Part I. Greenhouse Grower 23(8):64-70.<br /> <br /> <br /> Sager, J.C., J.H. Norikane, A.J. Both, and T.W. Tibbitts. 2005. Quality assurance for environment of plant growth facilities. ASAE Paper 054137.<br /> <br /> <br /> Sase, S., M. Ishii, A. Ikeguchi, K. Kurata, C. Kubota, S. Yokoi, N. Sabeh, and G.A. Giacomelli.<br /> 2005. Efficient greenhouse cooling in semiarid climate (I) Fog cooling in combination with natural ventilation in a single-span double-polyethylene greenhouse. p. 207-210. Proceedings of<br /> International Conference on Research Highlights and Vanguard Technology on Environmental<br /> Engineering in Agricultural Systems. Joint Meeting on Environmental Engineering in Agriculture, September 12 - 15, 2005, Kanazawa University, Japan.<br /> <br /> <br /> Seginer, I., L.D. Albright and I. Ioslovich. 2005. Improved strategies for a constant daily light<br /> integral in greenhouses. Biosystems Engineering 93(1):69-80.<br /> <br /> <br /> Solomos, T., and A.K. Mattoo. Starch-sugar metabolism in potato (Solanum tuberosum L) tubers in response to temperature variations. 2005. In: Genetic Improvement of Solanaceous Crops: Volume 1: Potato, (M.K. Razdan and Mattoo, A.K., eds), pp. 209-234.<br /> <br /> <br /> Stutte, G.W. O. Monje, G.D. Goins, and B.C. Tripathy. 2005. Microgravity effects on thylakoid, single leaf, and whole canopy photosynthesis of dwarf wheat. Planta 223:46-46.<br /> Stutte, G.W., I. Eraso, S. Anderson and R.D. Hickey. 2006. Bioactivity of volatile alcohols on the germination and growth of radish seedlings. HortScience 41(1):108-112.<br /> <br /> <br /> Stutte, G.W., P.A. Fowler, I. Eraso and L.L. Koss. 2005. Volatile organic compound analysis (VOCA): A system for evaluating atmospheric contaminants on plant growth. SAE Tech. Paper No 2005-01-2771.<br /> <br /> <br /> Wang, C. Y., R.W.M. Fung, and C.K. Ding. 2005. Reducing chilling injury and enhancing transcript levels of heat shock proteins, PR-proteins and alternative oxidase by methyl jasmonate and methyl salicylate in tomatoes and peppers. Acta Hort. 682:481-486.<br /> <br /> <br /> Wang, S.Y. and W. Zheng. 2005. Preharvest application of methyl jasmonate increases fruit quality and antioxidant capacity in raspberries. Int. J. Food Tech. 40:187-195<br /> <br /> <br /> Wang, Y. and G. Niu. 2005. Long-term growth of live oak from seed or cutting. HortScience 40:1000-1001.<br /> <br /> <br /> Wang, Y.-T., M. Blanchard, R. Lopez, and E. Runkle. 2005. The orchid grower, Part II. Greenhouse Grower 23(9):70-74.<br /> <br /> <br /> Warner, R.W. and J.E. Erwin. 2005. Naturally occurring variation in high temperature induced floral bud abortion across Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. Plant Cell Environ. 28:1255-1266.<br /> <br /> <br /> Warner, R.W. and J.E. Erwin. 2005. Prolonged high temperature exposure and daily light integral impact growth and flowering of five herbaceous ornamental species. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130:319-325.<br /> <br /> <br /> Waters, G., D. Gidzinski, Y. Zheng, M. Dixon. 2005. Empirical relationships between light intensity and crop net carbon exchange rate at the leaf and full canopy scale: towards integration of a higher plant chamber in MELiSSA. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Technical Paper 2005-01-3071. <br /> <br /> <br /> Wehkamp, C., M. Stasiak, Y. Zheng, and M. Dixon. 2005. Sweet pepper water status under low atmospheric pressure. In: Closed Habitation Experiments and Material Circulation Technology  Proceeding of the International Symposium on Closed Habitation Experiments and Material Circulation Technology. Ed. Tako, Y., Institute for Environmental Science, Japan. 164-175. <br /> <br /> <br /> Whitman, C., M. Olrich, and E. Runkle. 2005. Sumagic on bedding plants. Greenhouse Product News 15(4):66-71.<br /> <br /> <br /> Wiegner, T.N., L.A. Kaplan, J.D. Newbold and P.H. Ostrom. 2005. Synthesis of a 13C-labeled tracer for stream DOC: labeling tulip poplar carbon with 13CO2 . Ecosystems 8:1-11.<br /> <br /> <br /> Wilkerson, E.G., R.S. Gates, S. Zolnier, S.T. Kester, and R.L. Geneve. 2005. Predicting rooting stages in poinsettia cuttings using a root zone temperature-based model. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130(3):302-307.<br /> <br /> <br /> Wilkerson, E.G., R.S. Gates, S. Zolnier, S.T. Kester, and R.L. Geneve. 2005. Transpiration capacity in poinsettia cuttings at different rooting stages and the development of a cutting coefficient for scheduling mist. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130(3):295-301.<br /> <br /> <br /> Zheng, Y., T. Blom, and M. Dixon. 2006. Fluctuating supplement lighting increases leaf photosynthetic capacity, but reduces growth of pot gerbera. Scientia Hort. 107(4):380-385. <br /> <br /> <br /> Zheng, Y., T. Graham, S. Richard, and M. Dixon. 2005. Can low nutrient strategies be used for pot gerbera production in closed-loop subirrigation? Acta Hort. 691:365-372. <br /> <br /> <br /> Zheng, Y., T. Graham, and M. Dixon. 2005. Potted gerbera profits from low nutrient treatment. FlowerTech 8(4):18-19. <br /> <br /> <br /> Zheng, Y., L. Wang, and M. Dixon. 2005. Greenhouse pepper growth and yield response to copper application. HortScience 40(7):2132-2134. <br /> <br /> <br /> Zheng, Y., P. Zhang, and M. Dixon. 2005. Evaluation of four different lamp types for the production of tomato plants in controlled environment. HortTechnology 15(3):646-652. <br /> <br /> <br /> Zhu, H., R.C. Derksen, C.R. Krause, R.D. Fox, R.D. Brazee, and H.E. Ozkan. 2005. Effect of solution pH conditions on fluorescence of spray deposition tracers. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 21(3):325-329.<br /> <br /> <br /> Zhu, H., C.R. Krause, R.H. Zondag, R.D. Brazee, R.C. Derksen, M.E. Reding, and N.R. Fausey. 2005. A new system to monitor water and nutrient use efficiency in pot-in-pot nursery production systems. J. Env. Hort. 23(1):47-53.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

Impact Statements

1. 1. The low-oxygen fumigation treatment system has commercial potential to be an environmentally friendly method to control greenhouse pests. Greenhouse production has become more and more specialized, where growers import/export product to other growers before delivery to the market. The plant tissue sent between growers is a vector for infestations at the different production facilities. The low-oxygen treatment could be used as an import/export control for biosecurity among greenhouse growers, nursery production facilities, and commercial markets.
2. 2. Tobacco production in the state of Kentucky is declining, so the development of alternative crops has become a priority. Growers need to take advantage of existing production facilities, like the greenhouses used for tobacco seedling production. The environmental controls of the greenhouses are set-up for tobacco, but new control strategies will be needed as alternative crops go into production. This will allow the environment of existing structures to be optimized to produce a higher quality product.
3. 3. Lighting and temperature studies at Michigan State have quantified the effects of growing bedding plants under different environmental conditions. As a result, flowering time and plant quality can be more accurately predicted by commercial greenhouse growers to meet their scheduled market dates. This information can be incorporated with energy consumption models to predict the amount of energy consumed when crops are grown at different temperatures. We estimate that growers who optimize temperature and light can reduce their energy consumption by 10% to 35%.
4. 4. Tomato growth chamber studies at Rutgers quantified the effects of temperature perturbations during a specific time period of the flowering phase. The results point to important management practices growers should follow to optimize the quantity and quality of harvested tomato fruit. It is estimated that improved temperature management practices can increase yields by 5% to 25%.
5. 5. The availability of water for agricultural use is under pressure, and more efficient use of the available water is increasingly important. Research at the University of Georgia has shown that efficiency can be increased by applying water based on the actual needs of the crops. This can be done using automated irrigation controllers that maintain substrate water content at a grower-determined level. Research indicates that a substrate water content of 15% (v/v) is adequate for most crops. Using automated controllers to maintain this substrate water level may reduce water use by 40% to 70%.
6. 6. Currently, there is essentially no hydroponic spinach produced in the United States. The root disease prevention and recovery process developed at Cornell, based on careful control of root zone temperature, provides a means to produce spinach year-round in greenhouses using hydroponic technologies.
7. 7. Over-irrigation of landscape plants is a common problem in Texas and the Southwest, partly due to lack of information on actual plant water needs. Research at Texas A&M is determining the minimum water use for common landscape plants and exploring use of reclaimed water for landscape irrigation. With this information, plants can be grouped with similar water needs so that irrigation efficiency will be greatly improved and water can be conserved. In addition, the salt tolerance of commonly used landscape plants is being identified.
8. 8. Area of greenhouse vegetable production in Arizona continues to increase and currently exceeds 250 acres (it was 153 acres in 2000). Two small commercial greenhouses introduced pad-and-fan cooling systems and started year-round production of tomato, cucumber, and green and red lettuce. This trend toward year-round production using evaporative cooling is expected to continue in Southwestern U.S. and Mexico and has been supported by research at the University of Arizona.
9. 9. Currently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are expensive and their use in large scale controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems can be impractical. LED technologies continue to improve and unit costs continue to drop, suggesting that LEDs may soon be a competitive option for electric lighting in CEA systems. Testing at NASAs Kennedy Space Center has shown that some commercially available LEDs show little degradation in output after more than 9,000 hours of operation, and that combinations of red and blue LEDs provide good growth in a range of crop species. In addition, small amounts of green LED light can be added to provide a more balanced spectrum for better visual assessment of crop health status.

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Report Information

Participants

Attendees at the NCR 101 2005 Annual Meeting Tucson, Arizona;

Adamson George Ontario Scientific Inc. adamson@ontarioscientific.ca
ON/Canada;
Albright Lou Cornell University ldai@cornell.edu
NY;
Berry Wade UCLA wberry@biology.ucla.edu
CA;
Berry Betsy wberry@biology.ucla.edu
CA;
Bonsi Conrad Tuskegee University cobonsi@tuskegee.edu
AL;
Both A.J. Rutgers both@AESOP.rutgers.edu
NJ;
Brault Caroline Agritechnove Inc. r.denis@agritechnove.com
QC/Canada;
Broome Amanda Texas Tech University amanda.broome@ttu.edu
TX;
Bugbee Bruce Utah State University bruce.bugbee@usu.edu
UT;
Cohn Roger Environmental Growth Chambers RCohn@egc.com
OH;
Cuello Joel University of Arizona cuello@ag.arizona.edu
AZ;
Deitzer Gerald University of Maryland gfd@umd.edu
MC;
Denis Richard Agritechnove Inc. r.denis@agritechnove.com
QC/Canada;
Dixon Mike University of Guelph mdixon@uoguelph.ca
ON/Canada;
Dougher Tracy Montana State University tracyaod@montana.edu
MT;
Faulkner Shaun University of Maryland ssfaulkn@umd.edu
MD;
Files Priscilla University of Arizona pfiles@ag.arzona.edu
AZ;
Fleisher David USDA dfleishe@asrr.arsusda.gov
MD;
Frantz Jonathan USDA-ARS jonathan.frantz@utoledo.edu
OH;
Gardner Gary University of Minnesota ggardner@umn.edu
MN ;
Giacomelli Gene University of Arizona giacomel@ag.arizona.edu
AZ;
Giroux Richard Canadian Space Agency richard.giroux@space.gc.ca
QC/Canada;
Gladon Richard Iowa State University gladon@iostate.edu
IA;
Grodzinski Bernie University of Guelph bgrodzin@uoguelph.ca
ON/Canada;
Hay Alec Utah State University alec.hay@usu.edu
UT;
Imberti Henry Percival Scientific Inc. himberti@percival-scientific.com
IA;
Jensen Merle University of Arizona mjensen@ag.arizona.edu
AZ;
Kanwar Ramesh Iowa State University rskanwar@iastate.edu
IA;
Karlsson Meriam University of Alaska ffmgk@uaf.edu
AK;
Kettner Fern Enconair brucek@enconair.com
Manitoba/Canada;
Kettner Bruce Enconair brucek@enconair.com
Manitoba/Canada;
Kim Hyeon-Hye Nasa Biological Sciences Office hyeonhye.kim-1@ksc.nasa.gov
FL;
Krizek Donald USDA, ARS, ANRI, Sustainable Agr. Systems Lab krizekd@ba.ars.usda.gov
MD;
Krizek Betty dtk35@hotmail.com
MD;
Kroggel Mark University of Arizona kroggel@ag.arizona.edu
AZ;
Kubota Chieri University of Arizona ckubota@ag.arizona.edu
AZ;
Ling Peter The Ohio State University ling.23@osu.edu
OH;
Mackenzie Marlene Argus Control Systems Ltd. mmackenzie@arguscontrols.com
BC/Canada;
Mackenzie Alec Argus Control Systems Ltd. alec@arguscontrols.com
BC/Canada;
Massa Gioia Purdue University gmassa@purdue.edu
IN;
McAvoy Richard University of Connecticut richard.mcavoy@uconn.edu
CT;
Mitchell Cary Purdue University cmitchel@purdue.edu
IN;
Morrow Robert C. Orbital Technologies Corp. morrow@orbitel.com
WI;
Mortley Desmond Tuskegee University mortleyd@tuskegee.edu
AL;
Mukanik Bill Conviron bill@conviron.com
NC;
Norikane Joey University of Kentucky jnorikane@bae.uky.edu
KY;
Ono Eiichi University of Arizona eiichi@email.arizona.edu
AZ;
Pollock Robert Southern Sun BioSystems robert@sosun.com
NC;
Prenger Jessica Dynamac Corporation prengjj@kscems.ksc.nasa.gov
FL;
Reid Sharon Conviron sharon@conviron.com
NC;
Rink Westin Controlled Pharming Ventures, LLC w.rink@insightbb.com
IN;
Romer Mark McGill University Phytotron mark.romer@mcgill.ca
QC/Canada;
Rule A.O. Environmental Growth Chambers aorule@egc.com
OH;
Sadler Phil Sadler Machine Co. sadlermachineco@aol.com AZ;
Sager John Kennedy Space Center john.c.sager@nasa.gov
FL;
Saravitz Carole North Carolina State University carole@ncsu.edu
NC;
Schuch Ursula University of Arizona ukschuch@ag.arzona.edu
AZ;
Snider Melissa U.S. Space & Rocket Center melissas@spacecamp.com
AL;
Soutar Bonnie mark.romer@mcgill.ca
QC/Canada;
Starr Stan Dynamac Corporation starrso@kscems.ksc.nasa.gov
FL;
Stutte Gary Kennedy Space Center stuttgw@kscems.ksc.nasa.gov
FL;
Theroux Marc Enconair mtheroux@enconair.com
Manitoba/Canada;
Turkewitsch Alex Greenhouse Engineering alex@greenhouseengineering.com
ON/Canada;
van der Walle Tom Rutgers NJ;
van Iersel Marc University of Georgia mvanier@uga.edu
GA;
Warner Ryan Michigan State University warnerry@msu.edu
MI;
Werner Jeff University of Alaska fnjww@uaf.edu
AK;
Wheeler Ray Kennedy Space Center raymond.m.wheeler@nasa.gov
FL;
Yang Yang Purdue University yang71@purdue.edu
IN;
Yorio Neil Dynamac Corporation yorionc@kscems.ksc.nasa.gov
FL

Brief Summary of Minutes

Project/Activity Number: NCR-101
Project/Activity Title: Annual Committee Meeting
Period Covered: 10/2004  9/2005
Date of This Report: February 6, 2006
Annual Meeting Date(s): March 12  15, 2005
Participants:
See the attached list on pages 5-7.
Brief summary of minutes of annual meeting:
Meeting Synopsis
The 2005 NCR-101 committee meeting was held at the University of Arizona in Tuscon, AZ. This year was the 30th anniversary of the committees founding. The meeting was well attended by over 50 academic, industry, and government scientists and engineers. Information and ideas were exchanged among attendees pertaining to results of research activities and technological developments in controlled environment facilities.

Administrative Advisor Report
Ramesh Kanwar provided a handout on NCRA regional updates and described new changes in annual reporting. The importance of the committees work should be stressed in the annual report. The NCR committee, which is a multi-state committee, may receive a new name in the future, beginning with the prefix NCCC-xxxx or NCERA-xxxx.
Mailing List and Membership Report
Mark Romer reported on the current NCR-101 membership (130 members). There were 94 institutions from 10 countries that comprised the membership. Approximately 95% of all members attended the committee meetings every 3 to 5 years. New institutions from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States were added to the list.
Instrumentation Package Report
Bruce Bugbee reported information on the instrument package from the past year. Different packages were available for on-site calibration of quantum sensors and UV meters. Older instruments, such as net radiometers, will be made available upon request. The importance of calibrating sensors in the same environments in which they are used was discussed. This discussion highlighted the significance of providing the NCR101 instrumentation package to members at a reasonable cost.
USDA Impact Statement
The requirement to renew the committees mandate every 5 years was discussed. Dave Fleisher, Dick Gladden, Ray Wheeler, Chieri Kubota, and Desmond Mortley agreed to write the statement.

Minimum Reporting Guidelines Report
A.J. Both described the progress in developing minimum measurement and reporting guidelines for research work in controlled environments. Guideline brochures were distributed to different member institutions and a large poster of the guidelines was to be presented at the 2005 ASHS meetings. Information was also posted on the NCR-101 website. A.J. Both agreed to wait for additional feedback on the guidelines and develop future revisions as necessary. Chieri Kubota indicated that the NCR-101 guidelines may be adaptable for use in tissue culture operations.

Travel Grant Status
Chieri Kubota announced that approximately $250 was left from travel funds that supported members for the 2004 meeting in Brisbane, Australia. It was suggested that these funds should be used to hire students to scan the pages of the Plant Growth Chambers Handbook.

Station Reports
Oral station reports were presented by the various members.

New Business
Incoming Secretary
Erik Runkles nomination as the incoming secretary was approved collectively by the entire committee.

2006 Meeting
Peter Ling and A.O. Rule agreed that the 2006 meeting would be hosted by Ohio State University jointly with EGC, Inc.

2007 Meeting
Discussion was held on whether to make the 2007 meeting an international venue. It was agreed to keep this meeting in the United States with a future meeting place to be decided upon at a later time.

International Meeting
It was suggested that the group consider an international meeting in either 2008 or 2009. Kennedy Space Center, a location in the U.K., or McGill University (Canada) were suggested as potential locations.
Accomplishments:
The overall goal of the committee is to develop or improve the theory and practice of controlled environment technology with particular reference to problems important to the North Central Region. As a non-funded committee, the objectives of NCR-101 are based on communication and coordination. Accomplishments are listed for the 05 meeting as follows:

1. Technical Advancement: Scientific discussion of topics including (but not limited to) sensor development, limitations, and possible new applications were held during the business meeting and station reports portion of the conference. The technical information exchanged during these sessions helped to identify areas of growth chamber technology that could be improved for research and commercial practice.

2. Technology Transfer: The growth chamber industry was well represented by the major United States and Canadian based manufacturers and sensor companies (greater than 20% of attendees). Discussions during the oral presentations portion of the meeting helped to disseminate new ideas and developments between industry and scientists (and vice versa).

3. Guidelines and Standard: Minimum guidelines for measuring and reporting environmental parameters for experiments on plants in growth rooms and chambers were developed. Work continues on soliciting feedback and revising / improving the guidelines. In addition, avenues for distributing the guidelines to other colleagues outside the NCR-101 committees area of expertise (such as tissue culture research) were discussed.
4. Communication: Current research activities and industry developments were discussed in detail among conference participants. The meeting was also well-attended by post-doctoral committee members and graduate students. All participants had an opportunity to see the controlled environment research facilities of the University of Arizona. The committee also recognized the effort of academic, government, and industrial partners in the NCR 101 committee who provided long-term (> 20 years) service and leadership to the committee.
Future potential accomplishments
Planning for the annual meeting in 2006 is already underway. A historical strength of the committee has been its fostering of partnerships between manufacturers, researchers, and growth chamber operators. The committee expects that these partnerships will continue to fuel the development of new technologies and benefit all parties involved. The committee will also continue to strongly support the standardization of approved research practices and instrumentation.

Accomplishments

Accomplishments: <br /> The overall goal of the committee is to develop or improve the theory and practice of controlled environment technology with particular reference to problems important to the North Central Region. As a non-funded committee, the objectives of NCR-101 are based on communication and coordination. Accomplishments are listed for the 05 meeting as follows:<br /> <br /> 1. Technical Advancement: Scientific discussion of topics including (but not limited to) sensor development, limitations, and possible new applications were held during the business meeting and station reports portion of the conference. The technical information exchanged during these sessions helped to identify areas of growth chamber technology that could be improved for research and commercial practice.<br /> <br /> 2. Technology Transfer: The growth chamber industry was well represented by the major United States and Canadian based manufacturers and sensor companies (greater than 20% of attendees). Discussions during the oral presentations portion of the meeting helped to disseminate new ideas and developments between industry and scientists (and vice versa).<br /> <br /> 3. Guidelines and Standard: Minimum guidelines for measuring and reporting environmental parameters for experiments on plants in growth rooms and chambers were developed. Work continues on soliciting feedback and revising / improving the guidelines. In addition, avenues for distributing the guidelines to other colleagues outside the NCR-101 committees area of expertise (such as tissue culture research) were discussed.<p><br /> <br /> <br /> 4. Communication: Current research activities and industry developments were discussed in detail among conference participants. The meeting was also well-attended by post-doctoral committee members and graduate students. All participants had an opportunity to see the controlled environment research facilities of the University of Arizona. The committee also recognized the effort of academic, government, and industrial partners in the NCR 101 committee who provided long-term (> 20 years) service and leadership to the committee.<br /> Future potential accomplishments<br /> <p><br /> <br /> Planning for the annual meeting in 2006 is already underway. A historical strength of the committee has been its fostering of partnerships between manufacturers, researchers, and growth chamber operators. The committee expects that these partnerships will continue to fuel the development of new technologies and benefit all parties involved. The committee will also continue to strongly support the standardization of approved research practices and instrumentation. <br />

Publications

Publications:<br /> <br /> International Committee for Controlled Environment Guidelines. March 2004. Brochure: Minimum Guidelines for Measuring and Reporting Environmental Parameters for Experiments on Plants in Growth Chambers and Rooms.<br /> International Committee for Controlled Environment Guidelines. December 2004. Poster: Do You Accurately Measure and Report the Growing Conditions of Your Controlled Environment Experiments? <br /> Sager, J.C., J.H. Norikane, A.J. Both, and T.W. Tibbitts. July 2005. Quality Assurance for Environment of Plant Growth Facilities. ASAE paper No. 05-4137. ASAE, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA. 11 pp.<br />

Impact Statements

1. -Minimum reporting and measurement guidelines for environmental parameters in controlled environments were developed and are being disseminated to scientific colleagues through printed media and presentations at professional conferences. Such guidelines help to standardize and improve the quality of research being conducted in controlled environments.
2. -The NCR-101 instrumentation package is available for rent to all growth chamber practitioners and operators for a small maintenance fee. The instruments in the package can be used to characterize environmental parameters in the growth chamber and for on-site calibration of existing sensors. On-site calibration is important because sensor performance can vary depending on the environmental conditions for which they are operated in.
3. The annual committee meeting was well-represented by industry, government, and academic members. Out of 70 attendees, over 20% were from the growth chamber / sensor manufacturing industry. Thus, for 2005, the meetings were an excellent forum for information exchange and technology transfer.
4. In an effort to improve communication and technology transfer among controlled environment practitioners, an updated website (http://ncr101.montana.edu/default.htm) contains downloadable files of NCR-101 activities including member station reports, minutes, meeting highlights, and membership information.
5. Future Potential Impacts: For 2006, the minimum guidelines for reporting environmental conditions in growth environments will continue to be revised. Opportunities for dissemination and / or developing related guidelines for other research areas (such as tissue culture) will be evaluated. The committee will continue to encourage participation from the next generation of growth chamber users, manufacturers, and scientists, promoting technological advancement and transfer. The committee intends on maintaining its international connections with groups in the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand by developing an international meeting targeted for 2008 (a similar meeting was held in 2004).

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Report Information

Participants

Adamson, George (Ontario Scientific); Barta, Daniel (NASA-Johnson Space Center); Blonquist, Mark (Apogee Instruments); Bonsi, Conrad (Tuskegee Univ); Both, A.J. (Rutgers Univ); Brechner, Melissa (Cornell Univ); Bugbee, Bruce (Utah State Univ); Cohn, Roger (EGC); DeVilliers, David (Cornell Univ); Frantz, Jonathan (USDA-ARS); Gardner, Gary (Univ. Minnesota); Gladon, Richard (Iowa State Univ); Hay, Alec (Utah State Univ); Hill Norman (Duke Univ. Phytotron);Imberti Henry (Percival Scientific Inc); Kanwar, Ramesh (Iowa State Univ); Karlsson, Meriam (Univ. Alaska); Kettner, Bruce (BioChambers Inc); Kubota, Chieri (Univ. Arizona); Lacey, Ron (Texas Agric. Exp. Station); Ling, Peter (Ohio State Univ./OARDC); Massa, Gioia (Purdue Univ); Mies, Tim (Univ. Illinois); Mitchell, Cary (Purdue Univ); Morrow, Robert (Orbital Technologies); Mortley, Desmond (Tuskegee Univ); Norikane ,Joey (Univ. Kentucky); Ogden, Andrew (Univ. Georgia); Padhye, Sonali (Michigan State Univ.); Pollack, Robert (Southern Sun); Quiring, Reg (Conviron); Reid Sharon (Conviron); Romer Mark (McGill Univ. Phytotron); Rule ,A.O. (EGC); Runkle, Erik (Michigan State Univ); Sager, John (NASA, Kennedy Space Center); Saravitz, Carole (North Carolina State Univ); Shelford, Timothy (Cornell Univ); Stewart, Ryan (Univ. Illinois); Takahashi, Noriko (Ohio State Univ./OARDC); Theroux, Marc (BioChambers Inc); Tibbitts, Ted (Univ. Wisconsin); Turkewitsch, Alex (Greenhouse Engineering); van Iersel, Mark (Univ. Georgia); Werner, Jeff (Univ. Alaska); Wheeler, Ray (NASA, Kennedy Space Center); Widrig, Ann (USDA-ARS); Yorio, Neil (Dynamac Corp. Kennedy Space Center

Brief Summary of Minutes

Complete meeting minutes are available at http://ncr101.montana.edu/minutes/NCERA-101_2007_meeting_minutes.pdf.

Announcements Ted Tibbitts (Univ. Wisconsin) requested that members consider submitting papers to the annual journal entitled Environment Control in Biology. This journal, formerly known as Biotronics, then the International Journal of Biotronics is an official English publication of the Japanese Society of Environment Control in Biology, the Japanese Society of High Technology in Agriculture, and the Biotron Institute, Kyushu University. The email for the editors is ecb@agr.kyushu-u.ac.jp. The journal homepage is http://133.5.207.201/j-seikan/index-g.html.

ASHS CEWG Meeting Highlights Jonathan Frantz (USDA-ARS), chair of the ASHS working group, reported that planning for the 2007 meeting in Phoenix, Arizona was well under way. The workshop Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in Horticulture, organized by Ray Wheeler (NASA-KSC), is scheduled for July 18, 2007. Speakers will include NCERA-101 members Bob Morrow (Orbital Technologies) and Gioia Massa (Purdue Univ). Jonathan Frantz also reported that the Crop Physiology Working Group was organizing a workshop on July 19th titled Irrigation Sensors and Control organized by Marc Van Iersel (Univ. Georgia).

Administrative Advisor Report Ramesh Kanwar (Iowa State Univ) continues to serve as administrative advisor to this committee. Dr. Kanwar thanked the organizers and remarked that George Washington Carver was the first African American student at Iowa State University and completed his MS degree studies at Iowa State in 1896. He indicated that the NCERA-101 (North Central Extension and Research Activity) committee is the oldest serving and best attended group in the North Central Region. It has had excellent partnerships with industry and is often highlighted at Directors meetings as a good example of national and international cooperation. Dr Kanwar discussed the state of funding indicating that the overall situation has been moving through a slow period of activity but some signs of improvement could be seen.

Approval of the 2006 Meeting Minutes The minutes had been previously distributed to members via email. Erik Runkle (Michigan State) asked for comments or proposed amendments. None were made. Marc Van Iersel motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Bruce Bugbee (Utah State Univ.), and approved by all.

Station Reports Discussion A discussion ensued about the new format for the station reports. Erik Runkle re-emphasized to the group the importance of completing the station reports according to the new format guidelines  particularly the sections on accomplishments and impact statements (outcomes). Mark Romer (McGill University) mentioned that the reports served two distinct functions within the group - to fulfill the USDA mandate (as indicated by Erik Runkle and Dr. Kanwar) as well as a general source of information for sharing with other members (activities, equipment and unique problems or findings).

E-mail Discussion Group Tim Mies and Ryan Stewart (Univ. Illinois) asked the group if there would be any interest in developing an e-mail discussion group for the exchange of ideas between members. The group expressed an interest in this form of communication and Tim Mies indicated that he and Ryan would investigate possible sites and report back to the group.

Website report Mark Romer (McGill Univ. Phytotron) presented the website report in the place of Tracy Dougher (Montana State U.) who was absent. Mark Romer indicated that parts of the website (http://ncr101.montana.edu/) are in need of updating, particularly the sections pertaining to the history of the group and current activities. Ted Tibbitts mentioned that 2 useful resources were now posted on the website: The Growth Chamber Handbook and the Proceedings of the Lighting Conference held in Madison in 1994. Several members indicated that they often supply the URL to interested students and researchers for reference.

Membership Report Mark Romer gave a brief membership report. This group is in its 32st year, and currently there are 139 members from 102 institutions, with a healthy balance among phytotrons, universities, governmental institutions, and industries. Mark Romer indicated that approximately 75% of the members attend meetings regularly and he wondered whether further action should be taken to encourage dormant members to participate. There were no specific suggestions offered by the group.

Awards to Attendees Since 2005, additional funding available from sponsorships and registration fees have been used to subsidize the registration cost for graduate students. In addition, a Graduate Student Poster Competition has been held to defray some of the travel costs associated with meeting attendance. This years winners were Lashelle McCoy (Tuskegee Univ.) and Melissa Brechner (Cornell Univ). At the Awards banquet on Monday evening, a well deserved NCERA-101 Significant Contributor Award was presented to Mark Romer.

Guidelines for Measuring and Reporting Environmental Parameters A.J. Both (Rutgers Univ) spoke to the group about the progress of the International committee preparing guidelines for measuring and reporting environmental parameters in tissue culture. The first set of guidelines (Minimum Guidelines for Measuring and Reporting Environmental Parameters for Experiments on Plants in Growth Rooms and Chambers) was published and presented at the 2004 International meeting in Brisbane, Australia. The guidelines are available as a PDF document (bi-fold flier) as well as two poster sizes: a smaller size for posting in Controlled Environment facilities and a larger size for presenting at poster sessions of scientific meetings. These documents can be found on the NCERA-101 website (http://ncr101.montana.edu/).
A draft of the guidelines Tissue Culture Experimenters has now been developed and was circulated among the NCERA-101 membership several days before the meeting. A.J. Both requested that members review the document and send feedback within the next couple of months. The committee was hopes to have a final published document for launching at the International meeting planned for Florida in 2008.

Instrument Package Report
Bruce Bugbee (Utah State Univ.) reported that the instrument packages were rented 3 times from March 2006 to March 2007. The current balance of the instrumentation package is $962. There was discussion on the appropriate use of the package, and several ideas for increasing the usage were discussed. Dr. Kanwar offered to distribute note to Experiment Station Directors to remind them of its availability. Bruce Bugbee described the various instrument package options and upgrades. More information on the instrumentation package is available at the NCR-101 website (activities section). Interested members should contact Alec Hay (Alec.Hay@usu.edu) for information and bookings. Bruce Bugbee then introduced new psychrometric chart software that is available from http://badger.uvm.edu/dspace/handle/2051/2983.

Measurement Instruments List John Sager (NASA-KSC) spoke to the group concerning a motion from the 2006 meeting concerning the development of a list of appropriate instrumentation for environmental variables commonly measured in controlled environments. The list of radiation, temperature, atmospheric moisture, CO2, air velocity, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and water potential sensors is available on the NCERA-101 website (http://ncr101.montana.edu/).

Project Goals Committee Desmond Motley reminded the group that a committee had been struck in 2006 to examine possible project goals for the group. Marc Van Iersel indicated that no progress had been made in this area. Dr Kanwar mentioned that the NCERA was designated as an information sharing group and did not require specific projects to fulfill its mandate. The committee was disbanded.

Selection of 2007-2008 Officers Erik Rankle reported that the Executive Committee had investigated several active members and had selected Alex Turkewitsch for nomination as Incoming Secretary. Erik mentioned that the group was appreciative of the participation and support of industry members in the group. Members voted vocally and unanimously in favor of the nomination.

2008 International Meeting Report - Florida
Neil Yorio (Dynamac Corp./KSC) outlined the state of planning for the 2008 meeting. The dates for the meeting are March 8-12, 2008 and the venue (Holiday Inn Resort - Cocoa Beach) has been booked. The conference registration will be $275 USD for participating members, $125 for students and $100 for accompanying guests (spouses, children) who wish to participate in the tours, reception & dinners. The tentative Conference schedule is as follows: Sat - March 8  Reception; Sun/Mon March 9-10  Sessions & posters; Tue/Wed March 11-12  Tours of KSC facilities & local area CE facilities. The conference program is currently being developed with an international organizing committee. Details are posted on KSC website (http://www.lssc.nasa.gov/als/ncera101.php) and linked from the NCERA-101 website (http://ncr101.montana.edu/).

2009 Meeting Proposals Two proposals were brought forth for discussion by the group. Mark Romer (McGill University) informed the group about an offer by Dr. Andre Gosselin (Dept. Phytologie, Univ. Laval, Quebec) to meet jointly at the International Symposium on High Technology for Greenhouse Systems Greensys 2009 to be held June 14-19 in Quebec City, Canada. Chieri Kubota (Univ of Arizona) spoke to the group about meeting jointly with the VI International Symposium on Artificial Lighting in Horticulture, which was being organized in Tsukuba, Japan for October 19-23, 2009. C

A request was made for volunteers to consider holding a US-based meeting in 2009. Bruce Bugbee indicated that the group had last met in Utah in 1990 and that he would consider hosting again at some point. Erik Runkle also volunteered to offer Michigan as a fallback location should the international options not work. At this point the group decided to end discussion and poll the membership with an email vote.

Result of E-mail vote on 2009 meeting An email ballot with background information on the International meetings was sent to the membership on 8 May, 2007. Approximately 45% of the membership responded (53 ballots). The membership voted to have a domestic meeting in 2009 (24 votes domestic/22 votes international/5 no preference). If the vote had been for an International meeting, the membership strongly favored the Greensys 2009 venue (27 votes Quebec City/ 10 votes Japan).

The 2009 meeting will be a domestic meeting. The final venue will be decided by the membership at the 2008 International meeting in Cocoa Florida.

Future Meetings
Dick Gladon proposed that the group consider meeting in Iowa State University in 2010 or 2011. Dick mentioned that the group last visited Iowa in 1992 and that many of the facilities had changed.

Adjournment At 2:15 pm, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Marc van Iersel. Seconded by Bruce Bugbee and approved by all.

Subsequent activities of the group at the Tuskegee meeting included:
" Presentation of Station Reports by members on Sunday & Monday
" Group tours: Youngs Plant Farm, Auburn, AL; Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA and the Rhizotron & Greenhouses at the University of Georgias Griffin campus.
" Special Awards Banquet  Monday April 16, 2007-04-27. At a special banquet organized by the Tuskegee University CFESH (Center for Food and Environmental Systems for Human Exploration of Space), The NASA/CFESH Award of Excellence was presented to NASA collaborators who had participated in the sweet potato program since 1986. Awards were given to Dan Barta, Albert Behrend , Bruce Bugbee, Tom Dreschel , Guy Fogelman, Yvonne Freeman, Bill Knot, Shannon Potter, Ralph Prince, John Sager, Ted Tibbitts & Ray Wheeler.


Minutes prepared by Mark Romer. Revised and submitted by Gary Stutte, Secretary
June 15, 2007

Accomplishments

Agritechnove has brought greenhouses at the USDA BARC facility in Beltsville online, and nearly completed the construction of a new Biotron for the University of Western Ontario. Design of three USDA projects are nearing completion: 1)Agricultural and Research Technology Center in Salinas, CA, 2) Grape Genetics Research Center, Geneva, NY and 3) the Center for Health-Based Plant Genomics, Ithaca, NY. Design a new USDA Sugarcane Center in Houma, LA was started. This greenhouse will be about 30 ft tall, subdivided into hundreds of cubicles, and designed to withstand Category 4 hurricanes without damage. <br /> <br /> <br /> Alaska has constructed two greenhouses for tomato and lettuce production that utilize geothermal resources for electric power and heating. The use of geothermal energy allows for the continuous production of fresh produce in the far north. High tunnels have been evaluated for improving and extending the many crops, including leafy greens, various lettuce types, snap beans, peppers, onions, potatoes and culinary herbs. There has been high consumer acceptance of the produce. The high tunnel results show opportunities of r produce cultivars not fully adapted to high latitude conditions.<br /> <br /> <br /> Cornell developed a process based model of a tree seedling nursery to assist greenhouse energy management. The GUESS (Greenhouse Use of Energy & Seedling Simulator), model integrates a lumped parameter dynamic heat and mass transfer model of the greenhouse envelope with a process based model of the crop growth allowing the simultaneous assessment of energy cost and crop health and growth. Hourly weather data and crop/greenhouse parameters are provided as inputs; and a profile of energy use, indoor climate, and crop production are returned as outputs.<br /> <br /> <br /> Cornell evaluated several methods for controlling Pythium aphanadermatum, a devastating root disease organism, which has prevented successful hydroponic spinach production in the United States. Reducing nutrient solution temperature to 20 C (68 F) and producing commercial-quality crops within 14 days did work, as well as sequential production ponds where plants are moved from one to a second part-way through the production cycle effectively prevented infestation. This method requires supplemental lighting and daily light integral control to achieve sufficient yield before disease strikes.<br /> <br /> <br /> Cornell evaluated the persistence of three synthetic chelators, ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), and ethylenediaminedisuccinate (EDDS) was studied in a bench-scale lettuce production system. The EDDS concentration decreased rapidly within 7 days, most likely due to biodegradation. EDTA and DTPA concentrations stayed steady throughout the experiments despite additions to maintain a constant volume and loss of chelator may have been due to either plant uptake or photodegradation of the chelator. <br /> <br /> <br /> Duke Phytotron has modified growth chambers to in accommodate increased demand for genomic research on Arabidopsis for the development of plants genetically modified to resist drought, resist pathogens, and grow in salty soil and higher temperatures due to global warming. An underground conduit system was installed connecting the Phytotron and the TUNL (Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory) to allow direct transfer of the 11C isotope to the Phytotron C-11 chamber. This system will allow for real-time observation of the movement of carbon fixed by plants.<br /> <br /> <br /> Georgia is determining the impact of different irrigation scheduling regimes on peanut growth and development and to evaluate the application of a crop simulation model as a tool for irrigation scheduling. The CSM-CROPGRO-Peanut model was used to define the irrigation treatments by estimating the timing of irrigation and the amount of water to apply. They showed that the CSM-CROPGRO-Peanut crop model can be used for irrigation scheduling, but a variable irrigation management depth needs to be incorporated in the model and a correct characterization of the soil properties is needed.<br /> <br /> <br /> Georgia compared different vegetation establishment methods and products for erosion control. Rainfall simulator tests allowed measurements of runoff and sediment movement from lysimeters to me measured, and the impacts on sedimentation to be quantified. The study provides scientific basis for selection of various turfgrass establishment methods for erosion control of disturbed land.<br /> <br /> <br /> Guelph has found that high dissolved oxygen levels (e.g. 40 mg l-1) in the root zone have negative effects on plant root growth (e.g. tomato, miniature roses, Huang Qing) in hydroponic system, but that elevated levels above normal (~ 8.5) to 30 ppm may enhance overall plant growth and prevent or reduce pythium spp. Infection of roots.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kennedy Space Center completed environmental baseline studies for typical open cabin atmosphere in space (such as the Intl. Space Station) with radish, lettuce, and onion at ambient, elevated, and super-elevated CO2 (400, 1200, and 4000 ppm), air temperatures of 22, 25, and 28°C, and PPF levels of 150, 300, and 450 ¼mol m-2 s-1 with a 16-h photoperiod with fluorescent lamps. Biomass yields show optimal temperatures for growth and generally increasing yield with increasing PPF. Significant tipburn was observed on lettuce plants at higher PPF levels. A similar series of environmental factorial studies was completed with dwarf tomato (Red Robin) and dwarf pepper (Hanging Fruit Basket). Mild oedema (intumescence) continues to occur on pepper leaves, likely due to low UV radiation in these controlled environment tests. <br /> <br /> <br /> Kennedy Space Center completed volatile organic compound exposure studies at 100, 50, 25 and 10% of NASAs Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentration (SMAC) levels for target VOCs and threshold (T10, T50, and T90) levels were published for methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, and t-butanol. Seedling bioassay results indicate that the threshold levels are reasonable exposure guidelines, although species and cultivar variation in sensitivity to VOCs does exist.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kentucky has continued to develop systems to evaluate the effects of low oxygen fumigation on whole plant responses.<br /> <br /> <br /> Michigan has led a team of collaborators including scientists at Rutgers University, University of Georgia, and University of Florida to develop and compile resource documents that can be used by greenhouse growers to help determine options for consuming less energy and improving production efficiency. This information is available online at www.hrt.msu.edu/energy/Notebook.htm and includes articles on greenhouse lighting, temperature and scheduling, energy-saving technologies, alternative fuels, and energy grant and loan opportunities.<br /> <br /> <br /> North Carolina refined a web-based system linking user submitted proposals and data collection from chambers that reduces paperwork and reentry of data. Work has begun on implementing remote data monitoring and control of chambers.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ohio continues to develop Virtual Grower software at USDA-ARS GPRG, a decision support tool for greenhouse growers. In the last 12 months, a shade curtain feature, detailed scheduling, and additional fuel types were added. Current versions are being tested that have plants growth reacting to set points and photoperiods, more shade curtain options, and better descriptions of infiltration. More than 1,200 copies have been distributed.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ohio determined the effects of a water barrier between light sources and plants in a chamber at OSU. It was found that the barrier cuts down long wave energy but does not affect PAR intensity. As a result, plant canopy temperature is lower compared to that without the barrier. Lower canopy temperature, in otherwise similar environment (e.g. air temperature, air relative humidity, and PAR level) in the chamber, is likely to reduce transpiration, and reduce energy costs.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ohio developed a novel tissue preparation procedure was developed by USDA-ARS GPRG for analysis of Si in an ICP-OES that allows us to detect and quantify tissue Si at concentrations of <10 ppm dry weight and <0.1 ppm in solution. USDA-ARS GPRG used the technique to test 15 floriculture species for their ability to take up and accumulate Si with zinnia (1.5% dry weight) and verbena (0.8% dry weight) accumulating the most.<br /> <br /> <br /> ORBITEC developed an LED lighting system that incorporates adaptive control, sensing plant location and powering only those LEDs that are adjacent to plant tissue and delivered to Purdue University for further testing. <br /> <br /> <br /> Purdue has conducted experiments in tall chamber and high-bay growth rooms to evaluate the effects of light quality, planting density, pot size, and temperature management to regulate crop size have been progressing. These experiments have demonstrated a high correlation between average stem diameter and grams of seed produced (r=0.98). This relationship was much stronger than that of plant height or total biomass. <br /> <br /> <br /> Purdue has continued evaluating the use of intracanopy and overhead LED lighting systems with cowpea and dwarf pepper. They found that at either 10% or 15% blue (440 nm), dramatic intumescence (oedema) growth developed on leaves, sepals, and meristematic tissues. These growths were not prevented with the addition of 365 nm light, suggesting that wavelength shorter than 365 nm UV-A is necessary to mitigate intumescence in Triton pepper.<br /> <br /> <br /> Rutgers developed an energy audit checklist that growers can use to evaluate their operations and/or to make smart energy decisions regarding retrofits and/or new construction. <br /> <br /> <br /> Rutgers initiated greenhouse floor heating research was conducted in an experimental open-roof greenhouse. Extensive measurements were collected and used for a computer simulation model that evaluates temperatures and heat distribution throughout the crop environment. The resulting recommendations for the design and operation of greenhouse floor heating systems can be directly applied by greenhouse growers.<br /> <br /> <br /> Utah has found that the threshold for ethylene sensitivity is lower than we once thought. Vegetative growth is significantly reduced by continuous exposure to only 20 ppb ethylene in several crops. Ethylene dramatically reduces stem elongation in many species, but it increases stem elongation in several other species. 1-MCP reduces the detrimental effects of ethylene, but the protective effect last only 3 to 4 days. <br /> <br /> <br /> Wisconsin is in the process of upgrading the environmental control system for the Biotron to a single system for the entire building, which will improve environmental control and reduce energy costs. An energy audit has determined that replacing the 1500 T12VHO lamps used in the Biotron with T5HO lamps could save 47% in energy with an additional savings in the air conditioning load by removing roughly half of the heat from the space. <br />

Publications

Albright, L.D., K.P. Ferentinos, I. Seginer, J.W. Ho and D. de Villiers. 2007. Systems and methods for providing optimal light-CO2 combinations. United States Patent 7,184,846, February 27, 2007.<br /> <br /> <br /> Blanchard, M.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2006. Temperature during the day, but not during the night, controls flowering of Phalaenopsis orchids. J. Exp. Bot. 57(15):4043-4049.<br /> <br /> <br /> Blanchard, M.G., J.A. Chong, J.E. Faust, and E.S. Runkle. 2006. Temperature and light, p. 51-60. In: J.M. Dole and J.L. Gibson (eds.). Cutting propagation: A guide for propagating and producing floriculture crops. Ball Publishing, Batavia, Ill.<br /> <br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2006. Airflow options affect crop growth. GMPRO, May issue. pp. 59-64.<br /> <br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2006. Keep your greenhouse cool this summer. GMPRO, April issue. pp. 45-48.<br /> <br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2007. Greenhouse ventilation. (Abstract) Proceedings of the Annual NJ Vegetable Growers Association Meeting. January 16-18. Atlantic City, NJ. pp. 76-79.<br /> <br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2007. Maintain temperatures with evaporative cooling. Greenhouse Management and Production (GMPro). April issue. pp. 39-42.<br /> <br /> <br /> Both, A.J. and D.R. Mears. 2006. Build and maintain greenhouses with energy conservation in mind. GMPRO, May issue. pp. 54-56.<br /> <br /> <br /> Buenrostro-Nava, M. T. P. P. Ling and John J. Finer. 2006. Comparative analysis of 35S and lectin promoters in transgenic soybean tissue using an automated image acquisition system and image analysis. Plant Cell Reports: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00299-006-0142-5.<br /> <br /> <br /> Burnett, S.E., M.W. van Iersel, and P.A. Thomas. 2006. Medium-incorporated PEG-8000 affects elongation, growth, and whole-canopy carbon dioxide exchange of Tagetes patula. HortScience 41:124-130.<br /> <br /> <br /> Chard, B., W. Doucette, J, Chard, and B. Bugbee. 2006. Trichloroethylene Uptake by Apple and Peach Trees and Transfer to Fruit. Environ. Sci. and Technology 40(15):4788-4793. <br /> <br /> <br /> Chen, X., W. Yang, E. Sivamani, A. Bruneau, B. Wang and R. Qu. 205. Selective elimination of perennial ryegrass by activation of pro-herbicide through engineering E. coli argE gene. Molecular Breeding 15: 339-347.<br /> <br /> <br /> Chiera, J.M., R.A. Bouchard, S.L. Dorsey, E. Park, M.T. Buenrostro-Nava, P.P. Ling, and J.J. Finer. 2007. Isolation of two highly active soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) promoters and their characterization using a new automated image collection and analysis system. Plant Cell Reports (in print).<br /> <br /> <br /> Edney, S.L., J.T. Richards, M.D. Sisko, N.C. Yorio, G.W. Stutte and R.M Wheeler. 2006. Compatibility of salad crops grown in mixed crop hydroponic systems. Proc. Plant Growth Reg. Soc. 32: 133-140.<br /> <br /> <br /> Edney, S.L., J.T. Richards, M.D. Sisko, N.C. Yorio, G.W. Stutte, and R.M. Wheeler. 2007. Mixed vs. monoculture hydroponic production of salad crops at three CO2 concentrations. Proc. 33rd PGRSA Annual Meeting: 193-200. <br /> <br /> <br /> Eraso, I., G.W. Stutte, O. Monje, S. Anderson, and R.D. Hickey. 2006. Sensitivity screening of radish seedlings to spacecraft VOCs. Proc. Plant Growth Reg. Soc. 32: 141.<br /> <br /> <br /> Eubanks, M.W. 2006. Genetic bridge to utilize Tripsacum germplasm in maize improvement. Maydica, vol. 51 no.1.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fausey, B., S. Padhye, E. Runkle, and A. Cameron. 2006. Improving perennial flowering. Greenhouse Grower 24(7):86-98.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fausey, B., S. Padhye, E. Runkle, and A. Cameron. 2006. Vernalization: Life in the cold. Greenhouse Grower 24(1):70-78.<br /> <br /> <br /> Finer JJ, Beck S, Buenrostro MT, Chi Y & Ling P. 2006. Monitoring gene expression in plant tissues Using green fluorescent protein with automated image collection and analysis. In: Plant tissue culture engineering. Eds. S. Dutta Gupta and Y. Ibaraki, Springer, The Netherlands. pp. 31-46.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fitzgerald, D. and M. Karlsson. 2006. Controlled environments in Alaska. Agroborealis 38:26-27.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fitzgerald, D. H. Rader and M. Karlsson. 2006. Small farm viability. Agroborealis 38:31-33.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fleisher, D.H., L.F. Rodriguez, A.J. Both, J. Cavazzoni, and K.C. Ting. 2006. Advanced life support systems in space. CIGR Handbook of Agricultural Engineering. Volume 6: Information Technology. pp. 339-354.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fleisher, D.H., L.S. Logendra, C. Moraru, A.J. Both, J. Cavazzoni, T. Gianfagna, T.C. Lee, and H. Janes. 2006. Effect of temperature perturbations on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) quality and production scheduling. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 81(1):125-131.<br /> <br /> <br /> Frantz, J., N. Cometti, M. van Iersel, and B. Bugbee. 2007. Rethinking Acclimation of Growth and Maintenance Respiration of Tomato in Elevated CO2: Effects of a Sudden Change in Light at Different Temperatures. Jour. Plant Ecology (accepted). <br /> <br /> <br /> Frantz, J.M., J.C. Locke, D. Pitchay. 2007. Improving the growth of calibrachoa in hanging pouches. HortTechnology. Accepted 12-2006.<br /> <br /> <br /> Frantz, J.M., N.N. Cometti, M.W. van Iersel, and B. Bugbee. 2007. Rethinking acclimation of growth and maintenance respiration of tomato in elevated CO2: effects of a sudden change in light at different temperatures. Journal of Plant Ecology. In press.<br /> <br /> <br /> Gazula, A., M.D. Kleinhenz, P.P. Ling, and, J.C. Scheerens. 2007. Transplanting date effects on anthocyanin concentrations in nine lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivars and relationships among anthocyanin levels and instrumented and visual assessments of color. HortScience (in print). <br /> <br /> <br /> Gustafson, R., M. Gustafson, R. French, J. Carter. 2006. Simulants for Testing and Verifying Exploration Surface Activity. AIAA-2006-7513.<br /> <br /> <br /> Hansen, R.C., J.C. Christman and R.C. Derksen. 2006. Statistical evaluation of instruments designed to measure volumetric water content of soilless container media. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 22(5): 753-763. .<br /> <br /> <br /> Henry, A., W. Doucette, J. Norton, and B. Bugbee. 2007. Changes in Crested Wheatgrass Root Exudation caused by Flood, Drought, and Nutrient Stress. Jour. Environmental Quality (in press). <br /> <br /> <br /> Henry, A., W. Doucette, J. Norton, S. Jones, J. Chard, and B. Bugbee. 2006. Design and Maintenance of an Axenic Plant Culture system to Facilitate Optimal growth in Long-term studies. Jour. Environmental Quality 35(2):590-598. <br /> <br /> <br /> Hunter, J.B., R.C. Morrow, and W. Butrymowicz. 2006. Energy Efficient Closed Loop Heat Pump Dryer for Solid Waste Stabilization on Long Duration Space Missions. SAE Technical Paper Series 2006-01-2088.<br /> <br /> <br /> Iverson, J., B. Butrymowicz and T. Crabb. 2006. Advantages of Distributed Humidity and Environmental Control. AIAA-2006-7332.<br /> <br /> <br /> Johnson, J. and T. Crabb. 2006. Resource Recovery: Optimizing the Architecture over the Vehicle. AIAA-2006-7200.<br /> <br /> <br /> Karlsson, M. 2006. Geothermal direct use applications, greenhouse production. Alaska Geothermal Conference. http://gpw.alaskaenergy.govtools.us/default.aspx?menu=agenda<br /> <br /> <br /> Karlsson, M. 2006. Greenhouse tomato production for Alaska. Agroborealis 38:28-30.<br /> <br /> <br /> Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2006. Lettuce transplant growth in response to media surface color. International Society of Horticultural Science. Acta Horticulturae 711:139-143.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kim, H.-H, J.H. Norikane, R.M. Wheeler, J.C. Sager and N.C. Yorio. 2006. Electric lighting considerations for crop production in space. Acta Hort (in press)<br /> <br /> <br /> Kim, H-H., R.M. Wheeler, J.C. Sager, G.D. Goins, and J.H. Norikane. 2006. Evaluation of lettuce growth using supplemental green light with read and blue light-emitting diodes in a controlled environment--A review of research at Kennedy Space Center. Acta Hort. 711:111-119.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kondo, N., N. Kazuhiko, N. Kentaro, P.P. Ling, and M. Mitsuji. 2006. An illumination system for machine vision inspection of agricultural products. ASABE Paper No. 063078. St Joseph, Mich: ASABE. <br /> <br /> <br /> Lefsrud, M., D. Kopsell, R. Augé, and A.J. Both. 2006. Biomass production and pigment accumulation in kale grown under increasing photoperiods. HortScience 41(3):603-606.<br /> <br /> <br /> Leiner, R., H. Geier and M. Karlsson. 2006. Restaurant interviews to determine demand for baby greens in Alaska. AFES Miscellaneous Publication 2006-02. Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks.<br /> <br /> <br /> Levine, L.H., P.A. Bisbee, J.T. Richards, M.N. Birmele, R.L. Prior, M. Perchonok, M. Dixon, N.C. Yorio, G.W. Stutte, and R. M. Wheeler. 2007. Quality characteristics of the radish grown under reduced atmospheric pressure. Advances in Space Research (in press).<br /> <br /> <br /> Ling, P.P. 2006. Tips for the upcoming winter season. Resource. Volume 2(8):5. Ohio State University Extension and Agricultural Business Enhancement Center. Bowling Green, OH.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ling, P.P., C. Pasian, and M. Jones. 2006. Tightening up your Greenhouse to Save Energy: The Horticultural Considerations. GM Pro. Volume 26(8):74:79.<br /> <br /> <br /> Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2006. Daily light integral influences rooting and quality of petunia cuttings. Acta Hort. 711:369-373.<br /> <br /> <br /> Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2006. Temperature and photoperiod regulate flowering of potted Miltoniopsis orchids. HortScience 41(3):593-597. JIF=0.574<br /> <br /> <br /> Maestre, F.T., M. Bradford and J.F. Reynolds. 2005. Soil nutrient heterogeneity interacts with elevated CO2 and nutrient availability to determine species and assemblage responses in a model grassland community. New Phytologist (in press).<br /> <br /> <br /> Massa GD, Emmerich JC, Morrow RC, Bourget CM and CA Mitchell (2006) Plant-growth lighting for space life support: A review. Gravit. Space. Biol. 19 (2): 19-29<br /> <br /> <br /> Massa GD, Mick ME, Mitchell CA (2006) Strawberry cultivar analysis: temperature and pollination studies. ICES, Paper # 2006-01-2030<br /> <br /> <br /> Mathieu, J., R. Linker, L. Levine, L. Albright, A.J. Both, R. Spanswick, R. Wheeler, E. Wheeler, D. deVilliers, and R. Langhans. 2006. Evaluation of NICOLET model for simulation of short-term hydroponic lettuce growth and nitrate uptake. Biosystems Engineering 95(3):323-337. <br /> <br /> <br /> McElrone, A.J., C.D. Reid, K.A. Hoye, E. Hart, and R.B. Jackson. 2005. Elevated CO2 reduces disease incidence and severity of a red maple fungal pathogen via changes in host physiology and leaf chemistry. Global Change Biology, v.11, pp. 1828-1836.<br /> <br /> <br /> Mears, D.R. 2006. Energy use in production of food, feed and fiber. Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS). UNESCO web publication: http://www.eolss.net. <br /> <br /> <br /> Mears, D.R. 2006. Proposals for action to solve some key industry problems. NGMA Newsletter. Fall 2006.<br /> <br /> <br /> Mears, D.R. 2007. Techniques on energy conservation and environment control in greenhouses. NIRE, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. January 25, 2007 (3 papers each in English and Japanese).<br /> <br /> <br /> Monje, O. S. Anderson and G.W. Stutte. 2007. The effects of elevated root zone temperature on the development and carbon partitioning of spring wheat. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 132:178-184.<br /> <br /> <br /> Montesano, F., and M.W. van Iersel. 2007. Calcium can prevent toxic effects of Na+ on tomato leaf photosynthesis, but does not restore growth. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 132: In press.<br /> <br /> <br /> Morrow, R. 2006. Life Sciences Year in Review. Aerospace America, December 2006. (for AIAA Life Sciences Technical Committee).<br /> <br /> <br /> Morrow, R.C. and T.M. Crabb. 2006. Controlled Environment Systems for Biosecure and High Productivity AgManufacturing. Poster A16, Bio2006. http://www.bio.org/events/2006/poster/online/index.asp.<br /> <br /> <br /> Morrow, R.C., L.K. Tuominen, D.J. Smith, M.J. Mischnick, and R.W. Remiker. 2006. Vegetable production using a flat, capillary-based water delivery system. Habitation 10(3/4): 167 (abstract).<br /> <br /> <br /> Nemali, K.S. and M.W. van Iersel. 2006. An automated system for controlling drought stress and irrigation in potted plants. Scientia Horticulturae 110:292297.<br /> <br /> <br /> Nemali, K.S., F. Montesano, S.K. Dove, M.W. van Iersel. 2007. Calibration and performance of moisture sensors in soilless substrates: ECH2O and Theta probes. Scientia Horticulturae 112:227-334.<br /> <br /> <br /> Omer, M., J.C. Locke, J.M. Frantz. 2007. Using leaf temperature as a non-destructive procedure to detect root rot stress in geranium. Accepted 2-2007. HortTechnology.<br /> <br /> <br /> Overstreet, L.F., J.W. rideout, C.D. Raper, Jr. and J.F. Thomas. 2006. Boron deficiency and chilling injury interctions in tobacco transplants grown in the the float system. Tobacco Science 46: 28-34.<br /> <br /> <br /> Padhye, S., B. Fausey, E. Runkle, and A. Cameron. 2006. Day-neutral vernalization. Greenhouse Grower 24(3):38-44.<br /> <br /> <br /> Padhye, S., B. Fausey, E. Runkle, and A. Cameron. 2006. Life after cold! Greenhouse Grower 24(5):58-68.<br /> <br /> <br /> Pitchay, D.S., J. Frantz, J.C. Locke, Krause, C.R. 2007. Impact of nitrogen supply on uptake, utilization, growth, and development of begonia and New Guinea impatiens, and susceptibility of begonia to Botrytis cinerea. 132:193-201.<br /> <br /> <br /> Rader, H. and M. Karlsson. 2006. High tunnels for high latitude snap bean production. HortScience 41:1074. (Abst.)<br /> <br /> <br /> Rader, H.B. 2006. High tunnel production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in a high latitude location. MS Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks.<br /> <br /> <br /> Rader, H.B. and M.G. Karlsson. 2006. Northern field production of leaf and romaine lettuce using a high tunnel. HortTechnology 16:649-654.<br /> <br /> <br /> Reiss, E., D.R. Mears, T.O. Manning, G.J. Wulster, and A.J. Both. 2007. Numerical modeling of greenhouse floor heating. Transactions of the ASABE 50(1):275-284.<br /> <br /> <br /> Richards, J.R., K.A. Corey, A.L. Paul, R.J. Ferl, R.M. Wheeler, and A.C. Schuerger. 2006. Exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana to hypobaric environments: Implications for low-pressure bioregenerative life support systems for human exploration missions and terraforming on Mars. Astrobiology 6(6):851-866.<br /> <br /> <br /> Richards, J.T., S.L. Edney, N.C. Yorio, G.W. Stutte, and R.M. Wheeler. 2006. Yields of salad crops grown under potential Lunar and Mars habitat environments: Effect of temperature and lighting. SAE Tech. Paper 2006-01-2029. <br /> <br /> <br /> Ristaino, J.B., Johnson, A., Blanco-Meneses, M., and Liu, B. 2007. Identification of the tobacco blue mod pathogen Peronospora tabacina by PCR. Plant Disease (accepted)<br /> <br /> <br /> Rofkar, J.R., D.F. Dwyer, J.M. Frantz. 2007. Analysis of arsenic uptake by plant species selected for growth in northwest Ohio by ICP-OES. Accepted 12-2006, Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2006. How to manage stock plants. Greenhouse Management and Production 26(12):53.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2006. Technically speaking: Daily light integral defined. Greenhouse Product News 16(12):70.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2006. Technically speaking: Do you know what your DLI is? Greenhouse Product News 16(13):66.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2006. Technically speaking: Know your application techniques. Greenhouse Product News 16(8):82.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2006. Technically speaking: Light it up! Greenhouse Product News 16(7):102.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2006. Technically speaking: Recovering from a PGR overdose. Greenhouse Product News 16(9):78.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2006. Temperature effects on crop timing and plant quality. Griffin Gazette: Winter, p. 3.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2006. Temperature effects on floriculture crops and energy consumption. Ohio Florists Association Bulletin 894:1-8.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. and P. Fisher. 2006. Growing crops cooler. Greenhouse Grower 24(3):84-85.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E. and R. Beaudry. 2006. Technically speaking: Avoiding ethylene problems. Greenhouse Product News 16(10):78.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle, E.S. and R.D. Heins. 2006. Manipulating the light environment to control flowering and morphogenesis of herbaceous plants. Acta Hort. 711:51-60.<br /> <br /> <br /> Runkle. E. 2006. Temperatures affect growth. Greenhouse Management and Production 26(4):58-60. <br /> <br /> <br /> Russell J.F, Massa G.D, Mitchell CA (2006) Water and energy transport of crops under different lighting conditions. ICES, Paper # 2006-01-2028<br /> <br /> <br /> Sager, J.C., G.W. Stutte, R.M. Wheeler, and N.C. Yorio. 2005. Advanced life support project: Crop experiments at Kennedy Space Center. In: Y. Tako (ed.) Proc. Int. Symp. Closed Habitation Experiments and Material Circulation Tech. Inst. Environ. Sci., Rokkasho, Japan. pp. 120-130.<br /> <br /> <br /> Sager, J.C., J.H. Norikane, A.J. Both, and T.W. Tibbitts. 2005. Quality assurance for environment of plant growth facilities. ASAE Paper 054137.<br /> <br /> <br /> Scoggins, H.L. and M.W. van Iersel. 2006. In situ probes for measurement of EC of soilless substrates: effects of temperature and substrate moisture content. HortScience 41:210-214.<br /> <br /> <br /> Seginer, I., L.D. Albright and I. Ioslovich. 2006. Improved strategies for a constant daily light integral in greenhouses. Biosystems Engineering 93(1):69-80<br /> <br /> <br /> Shelford, T., D. de Villiers, R. Langhans and L. Albright. 2006. A comparison of three treatment systems for suppression of Pythium aphanadermatum in continuous production of hydroponic baby-leaf spinach. Paper No. 064020. ASABE, St., Joseph, MI. 8 pp.<br /> <br /> <br /> Shevtsov, J., I. Eraso, G.W. Stutte. 2006. Paecilomycels lilacinus and Fusarium verticilliodides remove t-butanol from contaminated air. SAE Tech. Paper 2006-01-2150.<br /> <br /> <br /> Shimizu, H., Z. Ma, S. Tazawa, M. 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Physiologia Plantarum 128:289-301.<br /> <br /> <br /> Vian, A., and E. Davies. 2006. Two different wound signals evoke very rapid, systemic CMBP transcript accumulation in tomato. Plant Signaling and Behaviour 1: 261-26.<br /> <br /> <br /> Warner R.M. and J.E. Erwin (2006). Prolonged high temperature exposure differentially reduces growth and flowering of twelve Viola × wittrockiana Gams. cvs. Sci. Hort. 108:295-302.<br /> <br /> <br /> Warner, R. (2006). Supplemental lighting on bedding plants  making it work for you. OFA Bull. 899:1, 7-10.<br /> <br /> <br /> Warner, R.M. (2006). Minimize bedding plant production time to offset high fuel costs. Greenhouse Management & Production 26(1):76-80<br /> <br /> <br /> Warner, R.M. (2006). Using limited inductive photoperiod for scheduling Cosmos bipinnatus and Tegetes tenuifolia. Acta Hort. 711:267-271.<br /> <br /> <br /> Wheeler, R.M. 2006. Potatoes for human exploration of space: Observations from NASA-sponsored controlled environment studies. Potato Research 49:67-90.<br /> <br /> <br /> Wyenandt, A., W. Kline, and A.J. Both. 2006. Important diseases of tomatoes grown in high tunnels and greenhouses in NJ (Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS358).<br /> <br /> <br /> Wyenandt, A., W.L. Kline, A.J. Both, and D. Ward. 2007. Effects of soilless bag production and soil fumigation on the development of white mold (Sclerotinia) in tomato high tunnel production. (Poster) Northeast Region of ASHS Annual Meeting, January 4-6, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.<br /> <br /> <br /> Zhu, H., J. Frantz, C. Krause. 2007. Investigation of Drainage and Plant Growth from Nursery Container Substrate. Journal of Agricultural Engineering and Horticulture. Accepted 12-2006.<br />

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