Annual/Termination Reports:

[09/29/2004] [09/12/2005] [07/20/2006] [08/01/2007] [07/01/2008]

Report Information

Participants

Albright, Lou ldai@cornell.edu, NY ;
Both , A.J. both@aesop.rutgers.edu, NJ ;
Brehner , Melissa mlk38@cornell.edu, NY ;
Brumfield, Robin brumfield@aesop.rutgers.edu, NJ ;
Connellan, Geoff geoffc@unimelb.edu.au, AUSTRALIA ;
Dayan , Ehud ehudayan@agri.gov.il, ISRAEL ;
de Villiers, David dsd5@cornell.edu, NY ;
Duncan , George gduncan@uky.edu, KY ;
Fisher , Paul Paul.Fisher@unh.edu, NH ;
Fretz , Tom tfretz@umd.edu UMD-NERA ;
Gates , Rich rich.gates@uky.edu, KY ;
Gent , Martin martin.gent@po.state.ct.us, CT ;
Giacomelli, Gene giacomel@ag.arizona.edu, AZ ;
Goudarzi, Sara goudarzi@bioresource.rutgers.edu, NJ ;
Hansen , Robert hansen.2@osu.edu, OH ;
Holcomb , Jay ejh3@psu.edu, PA ;
Hoogeboon, John jhoogeboon@roughbros.com, Rough Bros. Inc.;
Huang , Jinsheng huang@cisunix.unh.edu NH ;
Langhans, Robert rwl2@cornell.edu, NY ;
Ling , Peter ling.23@osu.edu, OH ;
Logendra, Logan logendra@aesop.rutgers.edu, NJ ;
Mears , Dave mears@bioresource.rutgers.edu, NJ ;
Montgomery, Jill jm424@cornell.edu, NY ;
Reiss , Eugene reiss@aesop.rutgers.edu, NJ ;
Rigazio , Amy amy@xssmith.com, X.S. Smith, Inc. ;
Sase , Sadanori sase@nkk.affrc.go.jp, JAPAN ;
Shelford, Tim tjs47@cornell.edu, NY ;
Ting , K.C. ting.14@osu.edu, OH ;
Wei Fang, Philip weifang@ntu.edu.tw, TAIWAN ;
Wien , H. Chris hcw2@cornell.edu, NY

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Annual Meeting<br /> Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey<br /> New Brunswick, NJ 08901<br /> June 3-4, 2004<br /> <br /> Multistate Research Project <br /> Annual Station Accomplishments Report<br /> <br /> PROJECT NUMBER: NE-1017 <br /> <br /> TITLE: Developing and Integrating Components for Commercial Greenhouse Production Systems<br /> <br /> PROJECT DURATION: October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2008<br /> <br /> REPORTING PERIOD: October 1, 2003 to June 1, 2004<br /> <br /> REPORT DATE: June 1 2004<br /> <br /> OBJECTIVES:<br /> <br /> Topic No. 1. Managing nutrients and water in greenhouses<br /> 1. Develop and evaluate methodologies (CT, NY, NE, OH, AZ, KY, NJ).<br /> Projects are underway at several locations that have potential to increase crop quality and yield, while optimizing nutrient and water use. These projects focus on innovative ways to sense and model the greenhouse environment and plant stress, and include:<br /> <br /> A study is quantifying the effects of environmental conditions and salinity on tomato plant growth status (AZ). Experimental data and modeling approaches are being taken to quantify stomatal resistance, transpiration rate and leaf temperature. The ability of reflectance sensors to detect plant response to electrical conductivity (EC) treatments is under evaluation.<br /> <br /> Researchers at OH are using load cells to measure and log changes in weight of potted plants every 10 min with controlled moisture tension in the potting medium. Evapotranspiration was measured and compared to potting medium moisture tension based on weight loss between irrigation events.<br /> <br /> NY researchers are evaluating and optimizing crop evapotranspiration in hydroponic production systems so that environmental control faults or problems can be detected. Lettuce crops are being grown with continuous and batch deep flow hydroponic systems, and evaporatranspiration is being modeled with the Penman-Monteith equation. The relationship between tip burn, which is a marginal necrosis of the rapidly expanding young leaves of lettuce caused by a localized Ca deficiency, root pressure, and vapor pressure deficit is being quantified. A modeling approach is also being used to investigate the relationship between nitrate and carbon as osmoticum for lettuce crops.<br /> 2. Evaluate the entire fertigation system (AZ, CT, NE, NH, NY, OH, PA).<br /> Optimum plant growth and health can be achieved by conserving water, nutrients and/or pesticides thus limiting runoff while avoiding plant stress due to deficient applications. Projects include:<br /> <br /> A quantitative model is being developed to simulate pH in container growing media (NH). As an outreach component to this project, a collaboration was initiated between NH and Massey University, New Zealand on interactive internet-based training tools including interactive case studies and technical information for horticulture.<br /> <br /> Analysis of irrigation water use efficiency in semiarid greenhouse, where water resources are scarce, is in progress by AZ in collaboration with Shingo Yokoi, Chiba University (Japan). A project with hydroponically-grown sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) by Japanese and AZ researchers monitored concentrations of critical individual chemical species over time in the hydroponic solution to provide for optimal nutrient management. <br /> <br /> A fertigation controller developed by OH (the OARDC Fertigator) delivered water and nutrients to nursery crops during the 2003 summer growing season. The decision of when to irrigate for the poplar trees was based on evapotranspiration during June, switched to tension-initiated irrigation events during July followed by scheduled events during August and September. Soil water sensors are also being evaluated.<br /> <br /> In PA, excessive salts were leached from Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) and the leachate was retained. It was concluded that SMS can be used as a component in the growing mix at a rate of either 25 or 50%. 1 part SMS leachate to 4 parts of water plus 50 ppm N from ammonium nitrate was as effective as a commercial fertilizer treatment.<br /> <br /> A study in NY compared three sterile, soil-less media (Agrifoam, Oasis, and Grodan) to determine which media characteristics favor seedling development and establishment, along with factors affecting pop-outs, a growth development in which the roots do not anchor into the media, causing the newly emerged seedlings roots to circle on the media surface.<br /> <br /> 3. Improve design of water and nutrient recirculation systems (NJ, NY, KY, OH, AZ, PA). <br /> An innovative improved version of the traditional fertilizer injection system has been designed and will be tested by AZ.<br /> <br /> Selected commercial organic fertilizers were used with limited success to grow bibb lettuce in a pond production system (KY). Water soluble materials derived from algae (Algamin and EcoNutrients) had little value as an organic fertilizer for lettuce in a tank hydroponic system. Water tests showed very low nutrient values in these fertilizer solutions. Dry weight of lettuce grown with a formulated organic fertilizer (Omega) was similar with Red Sails lettuce or significantly lower with Ostinata lettuce than lettuce grown in inorganic fertilizer.<br /> <br /> Work was completed to characterize evapotranspiration of nutrient film technique grown lettuce in a collaboration between KY and Brazilian colleagues. Evapotranspiration was found to be strongly influenced by light level and air VPD in naturally ventilated greenhouses with moderately warm to hot growing conditions. <br /> <br /> Continued efforts to develop a functional model of poinsettia root development and growth, as affected by the temperature in the root zone of the propagation media, were completed (KY). Root zone temperature optima for root initiation and root elongation stages for rooting in poinsettia cuttings was determined to be 28 and 26oC, respectively.<br /> <br /> Research by PA on green roofs shows promise to manage and treat stormwater, or irrigation runoff from greenhouses or nurseries and their support facilities. The Center for Green Roof Research at Penn State has six small (6x8) buildings, 3 with asphalt roofs and 3 with green roofs. Results from the fall of 2002 and summer of 2003 show that green roofs retained 20-100% of the runoff from storms measured during this period, and nearly 50% of the total summer rainfall in 2003. Runoff from green roofs contained significantly fewer nitrates, and air conditioning energy consumption was reduced.<br /> Topic No. 2. Managing the aerial environment for greenhouse plant production<br /> 1. Develop design and control recommendations for naturally ventilated greenhouses (OH, NE, NY, NJ). <br /> AZ researchers are collaborating with Japanese researchers to study interactions between environments inside and outside of the greenhouse, structure, and environmental control methods under semiarid climate. Tracer gas techniques were also used to develop empirical models of ventilation rates in a collaboration between AZ and Mexico.<br /> <br /> NY and OH researchers are collaborating in the use of Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling to develop pressure coefficients as a function of wind speed and direction as input to a buoyancy model was defined. The buoyancy model will allow for quick analysis that can be used to set ventilation opening configurations.<br /> <br /> KY and NJ are researching climate control in high tunnel greenhouses. These low-tech greenhouses allow season extension and increased production compared with field production, without the energy use of heated greenhouses.<br /> <br /> 2. Enhance technology transfer and research in light integral control (CT, MI, NH, NY, AZ). <br /> NY and MI co-edited a book on greenhouse lighting Lighting Up Profits aimed at growers, industry, and university students. Chapters were serialized in an industry magazine, with 19 extension and research faculty from U.S., Canada, and The Netherlands (including NH, NJ, MI, and NY) contributing. Powerpoint slides and study questions were included as a training guide for growers and students, and were presented as a collaborative extension presentation (NH, NJ, MI) on greenhouse lighting at the OFA Short Course in 2004. The project will improve the energy-efficient use and profitability and reduce management risk of investment decisions in greenhouse lighting.<br /> Greenhouse plant production under the same daily light integral and temperature control protocol is more likely to be uniform, consistent, and of high quality. Researchers at NY developed a computer algorithm that considers a range of light and CO2 control combinations for the next decision period, estimates the ventilation rate expected, and finds the optimum (lowest cost) combination. The algorithm was tested by computer simulation (using hourly weather data for one year) and was predicted to save approximately one-half the lighting energy and nearly forty percent of the operating cost of supplementing the two resources, with no loss of plant production potential when lettuce is the crop of interest. Crop growth simulations models for hydroponic lettuce are also being improved and show promise for early fault detection in hydroponic production systems. Other research found that supplemental lighting did not appear to increase aphid populations in hydroponic lettuce.<br /> Topic No. 3. Integrating sustainable and economically profitable systems and processes for the greenhouse industry<br /> 1. Develop an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of supplemental lighting for seedling plugs, other greenhouse crop types, and photoperiodic lighting (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH). <br /> UNH initiated a collaboration with NY to develop educational programming and commercial data on greenhouse profitability. NJ developed a cost accounting program to help floricultural and nursery producers calculate crop production costs for their businesses. An internet version (http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~farmmgmt) is linked to the national risk management website. In addition, an Excel version allows producers to calculate costs for producing specialty cut flowers and greenhouse crops. <br /> <br /> A collaborative research project between NJ and NH provided and published data on growth and economics of plug production using supplemental lighting. KY researchers also evaluated production benefits of supplemental lighting for godetia cut flowers.<br /> 2. Improve the understanding of using shade to optimize production of high-quality greenhouse tomato for spring and early summer production (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH).<br /> A simple spreadsheet tool was developed by NJ allowing for the evaluation of single and multiple shade curtains on the light conditions in greenhouses. This tool can be used for locations where hourly weather data (wet and dry bulb temperature and horizontal radiation) and greenhouse characteristics are available for an entire reference year.<br /> CT found that shading a greenhouse increased the fraction of tomatoes that were marketable, and the marketable yield, in a comparison of greenhouse tomato yields across years, in some of which the greenhouses were shaded. In 2003, among other results, shade increased the fraction of marketable fruit from 54% under no shade to 63% under 50% shade, and in general fruit quality increased linearly with the degree of shade applied.<br /> 3. Quantitatively evaluate seasonal and annual water balances for greenhouses (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH). <br /> AZ is researching greenhouse water and energy-use efficiency, evaluating evaporative cooling methods in combination with both mechanical and natural ventilation systems. Two evaporative cooling methods will be studied; 1) pad and fan system and 2) high-pressure fog system. Water-use efficiency will be determined for both evaporative cooling systems, in combination with ventilation and shading, to compare the amount of water required to obtain the desired greenhouse conditions, while maintaining crop production and quality.<br />

Publications

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

1. Albright, Lou ldai@cornell.edu , NY
2. Both , A.J. both@aesop.rutgers.edu , NJ
3. Brechner , Melissa mlk38@cornell.edu , NY
4. Brugger, Mike brugger.1@osu.edu, OH
5. de Villiers, David dsd5@cornell.edu , NY
6. Fisher , Paul Paul.Fisher@unh.edu , NH
7. Ge, Zhenyang ge.27@osu.edu , OH
8. Gent , Martin martin.gent@po.state.ct.us , CT
9. Giacomelli, Gene giacomel@ag.arizona.edu, AZ
10. Hansen , Robert hansen.2@osu.edu , OH
11. Holcomb , Jay ejh3@psu.edu , PA
12. LaFrance, Tim LaFrance.5@osu.edu, OH
13. Ling , Peter ling.23@osu.edu , OH
14. Mackenzie, Alec Alec@arguscontrols.com, Canada
15. Mackenzie, Marlene MMackenzie@arguscontrols.com, Canada
16. Meyer, George gmeyer1@unl.edu, NE
17. Murdoch, Don dsm17@cornell.edu, NY
18. Norikane, Joey jnorikane@bae.uky.edu, KY
19. Reiss , Eugene reiss@aesop.rutgers.edu , NJ
20. Runkle, Erik runkleer@msu.edu MI
21. Short, Ted short.2@osu.edu, OH
22. Wien , H. Chris hcw2@cornell.edu , NY

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Annual Meeting<br /> Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center<br /> The Ohio State University<br /> Wooster, OH 44691<br /> July 13-14, 2005<br /> <br /> Multistate Research Project <br /> Annual Station Accomplishments Report<br /> <br /> <br /> Project No. and Title: NE1017 Developing and Integrating Components for Commercial Greenhouse Production System <br /> Project Duration: October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2008 <br /> Report Information:<br /> Annual Meeting Dates: 13-Jul-2005 to 14-Jul-2005<br /> Period the Report Covers: June 2004 to July 2005<br /> Date of Report: 12-Sep-2005 <br /> <br /> Participants:<br /> <br /> 1. Albright, Lou ldai@cornell.edu , NY <br /> 2. Both , A.J. both@aesop.rutgers.edu , NJ <br /> 3. Brechner , Melissa mlk38@cornell.edu , NY <br /> 4. Brugger, Mike brugger.1@osu.edu, OH<br /> 5. de Villiers, David dsd5@cornell.edu , NY <br /> 6. Fisher , Paul Paul.Fisher@unh.edu , NH <br /> 7. Ge, Zhenyang ge.27@osu.edu , OH<br /> 8. Gent , Martin martin.gent@po.state.ct.us , CT <br /> 9. Giacomelli, Gene giacomel@ag.arizona.edu, AZ <br /> 10. Hansen , Robert hansen.2@osu.edu , OH <br /> 11. Holcomb , Jay ejh3@psu.edu , PA <br /> 12. LaFrance, Tim LaFrance.5@osu.edu, OH<br /> 13. Ling , Peter ling.23@osu.edu , OH <br /> 14. Mackenzie, Alec Alec@arguscontrols.com, Canada<br /> 15. Mackenzie, Marlene MMackenzie@arguscontrols.com, Canada<br /> 16. Meyer, George gmeyer1@unl.edu, NE<br /> 17. Murdoch, Don dsm17@cornell.edu, NY<br /> 18. Norikane, Joey jnorikane@bae.uky.edu, KY<br /> 19. Reiss , Eugene reiss@aesop.rutgers.edu , NJ<br /> 20. Runkle, Erik runkleer@msu.edu MI<br /> 21. Short, Ted short.2@osu.edu, OH<br /> 22. Wien , H. Chris hcw2@cornell.edu , NY<br /> <br /> Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:<br /> URL: Copy of Minutes<br /> <br /> Accomplishments:<br /> Annual Meeting at <br /> The Ohio State University<br /> The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center<br /> Wooster, OH 44691<br /> July 13 and 14, 2005<br /> OBJECTIVES: <br /> Topic No. 1. Managing nutrients and water in greenhouses<br /> 1. Develop and evaluate methodologies such as evapotranspiration modeling, non-contact sensing of plant responses to drought stress, and measurement of root zone water tension for plant water status assessment and compare these assessments to actual water and nutrient use for tomato, salad greens and potted ornamental plants, as a part of managing delivery of nutrients and water in greenhouses (CT, NY, NE, OH, AZ, KY, NJ).<br /> A team project called the Young Plant Center was initiated at NH, with floriculture production, breeding, pathology, and entomology faculty collaborating on several topics related to breeding, propagation and shipping of vegetatively-propagated plants. Several of these research topics relate directly to water and nutrient use, including developing new soil testing methods suitable to the propagation environment, optimizing humidity and mist levels, and management of disease (botrytis) and pests (fungus gnats) that are very dependent on moisture level.<br /> Ohio researchers continued to work with the hypothesis that by regularly limiting water supply during the early morning hours of a growing season, it is possible to suppress stretching in flowered bedding plants without adversely affecting plant growth and/or quality. The testing apparatus was assembled in a controlled environment greenhouse. Soil moisture was monitored with tensiometers and irrigation was well managed. The results were mixed, but encouraging.<br /> 2. Evaluate the entire fertigation system, including water delivery, plant uptake, and runoff, while accounting for optimization of micronutrient, media pH, and EC levels (AZ, CT, NE, NH, NY, OH, PA).<br /> Several research topics were initiated at NH for this objective. That includes (a) surveying physical and chemical qualities of commercial propagation media, (b) quantifying lime reactivity and residual (unreacted) lime in container media, (c) micronutrient levels in both fertilizer and contaminant sources, (d) quantifying tissue and media nutrient levels from the stock plant stage through to propagation for vegetatively-propagated cuttings, (e) a new nutrition-training website (FloraSoil), and quantifying leaching of nutrients during propagation.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ohio researchers reported that the Landscape Nursery Crop Engineering Research Laboratory (LNCERL) was filled with trees again for the 2004 summer growing season. A major improvement in the fertigation system was implemented to permit more accurate delivery of nutrient concentrations specified for each treatment. A timer-controlled outlet valve was installed and activated at the start of each irrigation event so within-the-fertigator tubing could be purged to a waste tank and then primed with the next recipe in the queue before the valve to the specified treatment was opened. This was required because the number of trees in each treatment was small and the quantity of nutrient solution to be delivered to each tree was small relative to the amount of solution retained by the fertigator plumbing and tubing. Therefore, solutions to be delivered to the currently queued treatment were being diluted by the previously delivered solution. <br /> <br /> Studies by OH of biomass production and plant tolerance to herbivory were continued during 2004 by growing 120 poplar trees (hybrid poplar clone NC5271, Populus nigra) for the second year in a row. The trees were grown at two levels of fertility this year: (1) 30 ppm N and (2) 150 ppm N in a randomized block experimental layout identical to the layout used in 2003. Analyses of laboratory measurements of treatment effects on biomass production, constitutive resistance to gypsy moth and white marked tussock moth are pending.<br /> <br /> Collaborative experiments by OH using computer-controlled fertigation to grow 240 Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) trees in containers (two years old/approximately 8 inches tall) were initiated during 2004. The trees were grown at three levels of fertility: (1) 30 ppm N, (2) 75 ppm N and (3) 150 ppm N in a randomized block experimental layout. The 2004 growing season was used to grow the plants in preparation for pathogen and insect treatments during 2005 and 2006. <br /> <br /> This OH research project was designed to measure lag time from the moment water is added to the container at the surface until the sensor detects additional moisture. This information will contribute to more effective placement of moisture sensors in containers.<br /> <br /> OH researchers designed a laboratory experiment using three VWC targets to make irrigation decisions. The objective was to determine if a VWC Sensor could be successfully used to decide when to irrigate a container grown crop. The targets were 20, 30 and 40 % VWC plus or minus 5 %. Dry mass measurements of stems, leaves and roots were measured at the beginning and end of the growing season for each target level. Results indicated dry matter production increased as the VWC targets increased but water use efficiency (grams of dry matter produced divided by liters of water delivered) deceased.<br /> In NY, researchers hypothesized that hydroponic lettuce production system failures sometimes correlated with manganese deficiency. This may be due to a buildup of the synthetic chelator in the system. Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare the fates and effects on plant nutrition of three chelators, EDTA, DTPA, and EDDS. In addition, the researchers designed a model system to mimic environmental conditions in the lettuce greenhouse and to track the effects of the three chelators.<br /> The NY researchers also completed a study that compared three sterile, coil-less media; Agrifoam and Oasis growth foams, and Grodan, an expanded rockwool substrate. Focus was on pop-outs during lettuce seedling development and growth for the first week and a half from seeding.<br /> 3. Improve design of water and nutrient recirculation systems (NJ, NY, KY, OH, AZ, PA). <br /> No accomplishments during this reporting period.<br /> Topic No. 2. Managing the aerial environment for greenhouse plant production<br /> 1. Develop design and control recommendations for naturally ventilated greenhouses (OH, NE, NY, NJ, KY). <br /> Kentucky researchers have initiated a study examining thermal control strategies for double poly greenhouses. The goal is to develop natural ventilation methods that would allow existing greenhouse facilities that were used in tobacco seedling production to be used in the cultivation of other plants.<br /> New Jersey researchers are investigating the utility of high tunnels (simple greenhouse-like structures clad with a single layer of polyethylene film) for the production of tomatoes in NJ. <br /> 2. Enhance technology transfer and research in light integral control (CT, MI, NH, NY, AZ). <br /> Michigan and New Hampshire researchers coordinated a 14-article series of magazine articles that appeared in Greenhouse Grower magazine from September 2003 through September 2004. A 98-page book was published by MeisterMedia Worldwide in July, 2004 and includes information in the articles, plus case studies, study questions, and research highlights. The book also includes a CD that contains PowerPoint presentations for each chapter and light conversion tables. The intended audience for the book includes greenhouse growers, industry sales and technical staff, and university students. The book can be purchased through MeisterMedia Worldwide and Ball Publishing. Proceeds benefit the Floriculture Industry Research and Scholarship Trust. Contributors to this project included: Theo Blom (Univ. of Guelph), A.J. Both (Rutgers Univ.), Art Cameron (Michigan State Univ.), Martine Dorais (Laval Univ.), John Erwin (Univ. of Minnesota), Jim Faust (Clemson Univ.), Paul Fisher (Univ. of New Hampshire), Royal Heins (Michigan State Univ.), Erik Runkle (Michigan State Univ.), Marc van Iersel (Univ. of Georgia), Helma Verberkt (DLV Facet, The Netherlands) and Ryan Warner (formerly Univ. of Minnesota). Additional contributors authored research highlights.<br /> <br /> In NY, a pilot-plant for year round lettuce production is in operation. The production strategy requires tight management of light integral. Two control methods were evaluated in an initial study.<br /> Topic No. 3. Integrating sustainable and economically profitable systems and processes for the greenhouse industry<br /> 1. Develop an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of supplemental lighting for seedling plugs, other greenhouse crop types, and photoperiodic lighting (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH). <br /> A collaborative research project with NH provided data on growth and economics of plug production using supplemental lighting. The results of this research have been published as a chapter in the book titled Lighting Up Profits, Understanding Greenhouse Lighting, edited by Paul Fisher (NH) and Erik Runkle (MI) (Published by Meister Media Worldwide). <br /> Dr. Brumfield (NJ) developed a cost accounting program to help floricultural and nursery producers calculate crop production costs for their businesses. A simplified version is on the Rutgers University Farm Management Website (http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~farmmgmt) and linked to the national risk management website. In addition, an Excel version is distributed through Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension so that producers can calculate their own costs for producing specialty cut flowers and greenhouse crops. <br /> The Lighting Up Profits book was published, with contributions from 19 authors and several NE1017 states. This book and the associated magazine series and Powerpoint CD is a potential model for future collaborations in NE1017. Workshops were presented at the OFA Short Course and New England Greenhouse Conference on lighting management during 2004.<br /> New York researchers conducted research focusing on methods to produce baby-leaf spinach. Although, hydroponic spinach is not produced commercially in the United States today, there is a growing consumer demand for clean, fresh spinach of consistent quality. The goal is to develop an optimized, both physiologically and economically, method for continuous-mode spinach production.<br /> 2. Improve the understanding of using shade to optimize production of high-quality greenhouse tomato for spring and early summer production (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH).<br /> Tomatoes were grown in spring and summer in CT in greenhouses covered with a double layer of 4-mil clear polyethylene film. Some sections were covered with reflective aluminized shade cloth that provided 85%, 70% or 50% transmittance of direct radiation. This shading was applied in mid June, after fruit began to ripen, and remained for the rest of the summer. Fruit was picked through August. A similar experimental protocol was used in 2003 and 2004. The maximum shading only decreased daily integrated solar radiation to 69% of that without shade, as measured by PAR sensors set at a 2 m height in each greenhouse. Shading reduced yield of ripe fruit from 16.6 to 13.1 kg/m2, proportional to the measured decrease in radiation. Neither fruit size nor weight fraction of marketable fruit was affected by shading in 2004. Nutrient content was analyzed in tissues of ripe fruits, and upper-most expanded leaves harvested in early August. As shading decreased transmittance, it increased the concentration of most elements in leaves. Thus, shading a greenhouse to improve fruit quality had no effect on the value of ripe tomatoes as a dietary source of mineral nutrients.<br /> A simple spreadsheet tool was developed by NJ allowing for the evaluation of single and multiple shade curtains on the light conditions in greenhouses. This tool can be used for locations where hourly weather data (wet and dry bulb temperature and horizontal radiation) and greenhouse characteristics are available for an entire reference year.<br /> 3. Quantitatively evaluate seasonal and annual water balances for greenhouses (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH). <br /> No accomplishments during this reporting period.<br /> Other accomplishments that do not necessarily relate to the 2003-2008 NE-1017 Multistate Research Project objectives:<br /> <br /> 1. At the request of the NJ State Agricultural Development Committee, Drs. Wulster, Both, and colleagues have written Agricultural Management Practices (AMPs) for permanent greenhouses. The goal of these AMPs is to provide guidance in case of disputes between members of the greenhouse industry and others (e.g., other industries and homeowners). The text of the AMPs is in its final review stages and should be available shortly through the Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension web site: http://www.rcre.rutgers.edu/.<br /> <br /> 2. Research in underway investigating the utility of high tunnels (simple greenhouse-like structures clad with a single layer of polyethylene film) for the production of tomatoes in NJ. <br /> <br /> 3. Research is underway investigating the surface temperature distribution and heat transfer associated with greenhouse floor heating systems in NJ. <br /> <br /> 4. Kentucky researchers continue to evaluate a hypoxic fumigation treatment for infested greenhouse plants. Current testing examines the effect of the treatment on whole plants. Prior findings established the effectiveness of low-oxygen condition against several greenhouse pests. The goal is to evaluate the commercial potential of this treatment.<br /> <br /> 5. A user-friendly, Internet-based, version of the NiCoLet lettuce model that includes most of the versions currently available was developed for Internet access by NY. The potential use of this simulation is as a decision-support iad for growers and extension agents, as well as for use in teaching students crop simulation modeling.<br /> <br /> 6. New York has initiated research to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of lettuce growth models through precise monitoring of the morphological and physiological characteristics of each leafs growth. The methodology to extract the required information is under development.<br /> <br /> 7. The optimal design of supplemental lighting systems for greenhouse crop production using a genetic algorithm technique was developed by NY. The approach uses evolutionary parallel search capabilities of genetic algorithms to design the layout of luminaries, their mounting heights and wattages.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. 1. USDA Economic Research Service data (2001) show the size of the greenhouse/nursery industry in the US as nearly $14B, which was 6.8% of the value for all US commodities. 2001 data shows that the greenhouse/nursery industry in the ten NE-164 member states generated approximately 17.5% of all sales in greenhouse/nursery nationwide. Three of the ten member states (NJ, CT, NH) have greenhouse/nursery sales ranked the highest of all agricultural commodities within that state.
2. 2. NE1017 members collaborate on numerous research and extension efforts that focus on the interface between greenhouse engineering and production, and provide unbiased results on irrigation, climate control, greenhouse design, and crop management.
3. 3. One example collaborative effort was a 14-article magazine series, book, and CD on greenhouse lighting. The 19 contributors to this project included national and international researchers and members of the NE1017 regional committee. As of October 2005, 261 copies of the Lighting Up Profits book were sold.
4. 4. A further example is increasing collaboration on energy conservation and auditing for greenhouse firms in response to rising fuel costs. Stations share educational materials and personnel to present this information to growers throughout the NE1017 states.

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Report Information

Participants

2006 meeting participants:
John Bartok (CT)
A.J. Both (Secretary, NJ)
Stephanie Burnett (ME)
Don Dwyer (Hoogendoorn Automation, Inc., CO)
Martin Gent (Host, CT)
Gene Giacomelli (AZ)
Paul Fisher (Past Chair, NH)
Tom Fretz (Administrative Advisor, MD)
Robert Hansen (OH)
Jay Holcomb (PA)
Ron Lacey (TX)
Rich McAvoy (CT)
George Meyer (NE)
Joey Norikane (Chair, KY)
Eugene Reiss (NJ)
Erik Runkle (MI)

Brief Summary of Minutes

NE-1017 Annual Meeting Minutes
June 1-2, 2006
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Valley Laboratory, Windsor, Connecticut

Participants (in alphabetical order):
John Bartok, (CT), A.J. Both (Secretary, NJ), Stephanie Burnett (ME), Don Dwyer (Hoogendoorn Automation, Inc., CO), Martin Gent (Host, CT), Gene Giacomelli (AZ), Paul Fisher (Past Chair, NH), Tom Fretz (Administrative Advisor, MD), Robert Hansen (OH), Jay Holcomb (PA), Ron Lacey (TX), Rich McAvoy (CT), George Meyer (NE), Joey Norikane (Chair, KY), Eugene Reiss (NJ), Erik Runkle (MI).

12:30 pm
Participants are welcomed by Dr. Louis A. Magnarelli, Director of the CAES, who gives a brief overview of the activities of the experiment station. Dr. James A. LaMondia, chief scientist at the Valley Laboratory in Windsor, also welcomes us.

12:45 pm
Business meeting is started. Participants introduce themselves. John Bartok mentions that this group was started in 1972 and received its first project code in 1973 (NEC-15).

Martin Gent updates us on the local arrangements.

Joey Norikane summarizes last years meeting minutes. The minutes are approved by unanimous vote.

Tom Fretz provides an update on the status of Hatch funding at the federal level. This is the second year changes in Hatch funding are proposed (shift from formula funding to competitive grants), but again it is very unlikely the proposal will pass. Tom believes this proposal will not pass next year either. However, an implementation committee is in place just in case. In addition, a possible future realignment of the USDA research enterprise is under consideration (CREATE-21) for possible consolidation under one enterprise (similar to NSF). Tom also mentions that our project is due for a mid-term (2.5 years) review. The items that he is looking for include:
" Are we making collaborative progress?
" Are we demonstrating collaborations?
" Are we demonstrating leverage?
" Are we demonstrating information and technology transfer?
" Are we demonstrating interdependence among the participating scientists?
Tom also encourages us to improve the quality of our impact statements.
Our project is due for renewal in 2008 (to be submitted before the March 2008 directors meeting). At next years project meeting we should already have an idea of what we want to propose for the next project term and we should probably have identified volunteers willing to start the proposal writing process. We also need to make sure we dont miss the deadline for the submission of a request to renew.

Review of project obligations:
Erik Runkle discusses the lighting book he and Paul Fisher edited (450 copies sold to date) and that was written by a group of 19 contributors (many of them are participants in NE-1017). The content of the book formed the basis for a 2004 workshop at the OFA conference (23 participants), as well as a follow-up workshop to be organized later this year. The book received an ASABE Blue Ribbon Award at the 2005 annual ASABE meeting in Tampa, FL. Erik mentions that the approach used for the lighting book can also be used to address other topics such as temperature, relative humidity, and energy.

Paul Fisher mentions that he organized an energy workshop in February and that Erik Runkle has started a web site that serves as a repository for energy related information.

John Bartok mentions that he has made 15 presentations since last fall. The emphasis of these presentations was on alternative energy sources and energy conservation. John is working on new NRAES books on greenhouse mechanization and on water (collection, reuse, and efficiency) that includes issues related to the nursery industry.

NE-1017 Web Site
A.J. Both mentions that the NE-1017 web site hosted at Rutgers has not been updated since our last project meeting and asks the participants whether it is useful to have this web site updated and maintained in addition to our official NIMSS web site (http://nimss.umd.edu/). The NE-1017 web site might be particularly useful as a repository of old station reports, project proposals, and meeting photos. A lively discussion ensued that focused around the idea that a web site could be a great tool for NE-1017 to collect useful and independent information, show collaborative efforts, and address timely topics (e.g., energy, water, etc.). Don Dwyer suggested that his company could host such a web site. A.J. Both wondered whether a company-hosted site would interfere with the independence maintained by all participating universities and their experiment stations.

The idea of using a web site with contributions from NE-1017 members as a teaching and outreach tool was generally supported by all participants. Paul Fisher suggested that our approval implied that each of us would submit useful information to be included at this site. However, it was suggested that a subcommittee should be formed to review whether the information submitted was deemed appropriate. John Bartok and Ron Lacey volunteered for this sub-committee. A motion was made and passed that the web site created by Erik Runkle for Energy Efficiency in Greenhouses should be expanded, based on information and publications from members of the NE1017 committee, after review by the subcommittee. Links from the NIMSS and NE-1017 web sites should be set up to point to it (http://www.hrt.msu.edu/florAoE/GreenhouseEnergy.htm).

Meeting Location
Jay Holcomb agreed to host the 2007 meeting at Penn State.
For 2008, New York, Michigan, Texas, Maine, and Nebraska were discussed as possible meeting locations. However, no decision was made.

New Officers
Ron Lacey gracefully volunteered to be the incoming secretary for 2007.

Other Business
It was suggested that each of us encourage colleagues from other experiment stations to join NE-1017.

The business meeting adjourned around 3:30 pm and was followed by several station reports and a major thunderstorm. On June 2, the remaining station reports were presented. The meeting was concluded with a tour of the CAES at the Windsor location and a tour of two commercial greenhouse operations (Cromwell Growers, Cromwell, CT and Geremia Greenhouse, Wallingford, CT).

With thanks to our local host Martin Gent and respectfully submitted,
A.J. Both
Secretary, 2006

Accomplishments

Topic No. 1. Managing nutrients and water in greenhouses<br /> <br /> 1. Develop and evaluate methodologies such as evapotranspiration modeling, non-contact sensing of plant responses to drought stress, and measurement of root zone water tension for plant water status assessment and compare these assessments to actual water and nutrient use for tomato, salad greens and potted ornamental plants, as a part of managing delivery of nutrients and water in greenhouses (CT, NY, NE, OH, AZ, KY, NJ).<br /> <br /> NY<br /> <br /> Laboratory experiments were conducted 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, even though chelator is added in the make-up solution over the course of the experiment, 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. Although the measured concentrations do not account for the amount of chelator lost from the system, photodegradation of the Fe-chelate complex inside the tissue may have occurred over the course of the experiment. In one experiment comparing EDTA and DTPA, metal concentrations were measured daily over the growth period. Fe concentrations remained steady, Zn and Cu steadily increased, likely due to greenhouse contamination, and Mn concentrations decreased steadily. The rockwool cubes used for crop support contained high levels of Mn at the end of the experiment and may have acted as a sink for Mn.<br /> <br /> An economically viable means to employ pond (or deep-flow) hydroponics in continuous production of salad spinach has been identified. In such a system the nutrient solution will be 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. Moreover, treatment with UV led to severe problems with nutrient availability, particularly iron. One can conclude that UV treatment may work in hydroponic systems where make-up water forms a large part of the recirculated solution mass and nutrient concentrates are added in large measure, but not in deep flow hydroponic systems where daily new water addition is a small part of the total water volume and nutrient concentrate addition is a small part of the total nutrients available. In the later case, recirculated solution is not permitted to achieve sufficient iron concentration to be useful to the plants.<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> 12-chamber phytotron system: Renovation of a gas exchange chamber facility was initiated in 2005. The goal is to modernize a research facility for better environmental control in order to gain better understanding of plant growth and development as affected by modified atmospheric environment. The drought stress detection methodologies developed from earlier stages of this research will be implemented to better understand effects of modified atmosphere on plant water usage. The custom built facility has 12 large reach-in cylindrical chambers (133 cm height; 54 cm radius) located in a stand alone building. Temperature and relative humidity of all the 12 chambers are currently controlled using a common air handler. The facility is being renovated to have multiple independent environmental conditions as well as non-contact, real-time sensing capabilities to monitor photosynthetic efficiency, water usage efficiency, and effects of modified atmosphere on plants.<br /> <br /> 2. Evaluate the entire fertigation system, including water delivery, plant uptake, and runoff, while accounting for optimization of micronutrient, media pH, and EC levels (AZ, CT, NE, NH, NY, OH, PA).<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> 1. New nutrient delivery system designed specifically for small treatment sizes required for research plots: Our nutrient delivery team continues to make notable progress with design and construction of a completely new nutrient delivery system that accounts specifically for small treatment sizes required for research plots. Alec Mackenzie, Argus Control Systems LTD., White Rock, B.C. V4B 3Y9, Canada was selected as a sole supplier by our team to develop this new system. Expected design features were summarized by Mr. Mackenzie on October 31, 2005 as follows: <br /> <br /> a. Independent, multi-stock feed support (minimum of 8 stock feeds)<br /> b. Confirmation of injection of each stock solution<br /> c. Quantification of injection of each stock solution<br /> d. Minimized parts count<br /> e. Minimum number of dynamic parts<br /> f. Fail soft, fail safe design<br /> g. High accuracy<br /> h. Very high turn-down ratio (>1000:1)<br /> i. Very short time constant for in-line applications with no blending tank<br /> j. Exceptional self testing and self diagnostics<br /> k. Serviced by horticultural staff. <br /> <br /> 2. Landscape Nursery Crop Engineering Research Laboratory (LNCERL): The year 2005 was another successful year for maximizing use of the space available in the LNCERL. The OARDC Fertigator again was used to automatically deliver water and nutrients for three different experiments consisting of 14 uniquely specified treatments totaling 470 trees. Two-hundred forty of the 470 trees were container-grown Austrian pines that were started in the lab summer 2004. They were left in the lab over winter and continued to grow summer 2005. Routine measurements and services provided by our lab included: (1) flow rate calibration of all 470 fertigation system emitters, (2) pre season tensiometer calibration, (3) continuous monitoring and recording of potting medium moisture tension (PMMT), (4) daily pH and EC measurement of treatment solutions at the point of delivery, (5) daily records of total water and nutrients delivered to each plant and treatment, (6) as needed measurement of the pH and EC of nutrient solutions retained in container mediums using a standard pour through procedure and (7) continuous fertigation system monitoring and troubleshooting seven days per week.<br /> <br /> 3. Effects of defoliation and nutrient availability on growth, secondary metabolism and rapid induced resistance in poplar: Studies of biomass production and plant tolerance to herbivory were continued during 2005 by growing 150 poplar trees (hybrid poplar clone NC5271, Populus nigra). This was the third year in a row for growing poplars. Each year the trees are started from rooted cuttings after which they are delivered to our lab. This year (2005) they were delivered May 26. The trees were grown at three levels of fertility: (1) 30 ppm N, (2) 75 ppm N and (3) 150 ppm N in a randomized block experimental layout similar to the layouts used in 2003 and 2004. N, P2O5 and K2O were added to irrigation water in a 3 1 2 ratio proportionate to treatment levels. In addition to the three fertility treatments, after a 6-week growing period, the trees were subjected to four levels of defoliation: (1) 0%, (2) 25%, (3) 50% and (4) 75%. This was done to simulate insect attacks by removing leaves from the plants. Since each lateral of the thirty lateral irrigation system was used to deliver water and nutrients to five trees, four were randomly identified to be defoliated as specified by the four defoliation treatments while the fifth tree was harvested entirely. Its dry biomass was determined as a starting point reference for the defoliated trees. One hundred and twenty trees or ten trees per treatment remained to be harvested at the end of the 14-week experiment. Potting medium moisture tension (PMMT) measurements using six Irrometer LT tensiometers were recorded every ten minutes. The measurements were used by the OARDC Fertigator to automatically determine when to irrigate the trees using a set point of 6 kPa May 26 followed by 5 kPa July 10. The quantity of water delivered ranged from 500 ml per plant per fertigation event when the plants were small to 750 ml later in the season when they were larger. Laboratory measurements of treatment effects on biomass production are pending.<br /> <br /> 4. Mechanisms and Outcomes of Host-Mediated Systemic Interactions between Pathogens and Insects in Austrian Pine over a Nutrient Gradient: The same 240 Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) trees that were grown summer 2004 continued to grow during summer 2005 at the same three levels of fertility: (1) 30 ppm N, (2) 75 ppm N and (3) 150 ppm N in the same randomized block experimental layout that was established at the beginning of summer 2004. N, P2O5 and K2O were added to irrigation water in the same 3 1 2 ratio proportionate to treatment levels. However, on July 8, 2005, half of the trees (120) were manually infested with a fungus popularly know as Diplodia pinea shoot blight (more recently know as sphairopsis sapinea shoot blight). The trees were also subjected to defoliation with European pine sawflies. After gathering data from the infested plants, they were removed and replaced with 120 uninfected Austrian pine trees. Results from the infestations randomly imposed on the trees summer 2005 are pending. All 240 trees were again left in the lab to over winter 2005-2006.<br /> <br /> 5. The effects of fertility, VWC targets, choice of VWC sensors and pH modification on biomass production of poplar trees: Nursery crops are typically grown in containers outdoors in custom designed beds. Most growers make irrigation decisions for these crops based on subjective observations. An experiment was designed to grow 80 poplar trees in containers, outdoors, on a gravel bed using four controllable factors at two levels: Fertility (30 ppm N, 150 ppm N), VWC target (40%, 20%), pH modification (Yes, No) and type of VWC sensor (WET Sensor, HydroSense). Measured responses included dry biomass production (leaf, stem, root and total) and water use efficiency. A primary objective was to determine if a VWC Sensor could be successfully used to decide when to irrigate a container grown crop. The VWC target had the greatest impact on maximizing growth while fertility levels and choice of VWC sensor were also significant. The best combination of factors and levels for maximizing total biomass was Treatment No. 1 where the 30 ppm N recipe was used with the VWC target set at 40% while making decisions about when to irrigate with the WET Sensor. Dry biomass produced per unit of water delivered averaged 5.7 g/L/plant for the 40% VWC target and 13.5 g/L/plant for the 20% VWC target.<br /> <br /> PA<br /> <br /> Quantifying evaporation and transpirational water losses from green roofs, plant selection and survival, and green roof media capacity for neutralizing acid rain.<br /> <br /> Progress summary:<br /> The green-roof industry in North America is still very small relative to the potential market. Growth is limited by high costs, misinformation, and a lack of local experience and understanding of the potential benefits by both developers and policy makers. The Penn State Center for Green Roof Research was established to provide and disseminate research based data to the North American green roof market. Current research projects at the Center include a major effort to address and better quantify two potential benefits to green roofs. There is excellent data available from many research sites which demonstrates that a green roof will retain 50% or more of the stormwater intercepted by the roof. It is also clear that the retention is a function of the media, the roof buildup, plants and the environment. What is less clear is the rate of water loss (evapotranspiration) from the various plants used on a green roof. We have developed a greenhouse based system of weighing lysimeters and are using them to determine evapotranspirtaion rates from selected green-roof plants. Data suggest that water loss rate during the first 3-5 days after irrigation (rain) follows classic evapotranspiration models. After 4-10 days water loss rates of planted systems slows, shows potential CAM activity and in fact often shows plant water gain from the atmosphere. There is also a great interest in using green roofs in North America as a tool for improving runoff water quality. Preliminary data we have collected suggests that one of the most consistent positive effects of a green roof on runoff is the neutralization of acid precipitation. A test procedure to evaluate accelerated acid rain aging of green roof media was developed and tested with 2 commercial green roof media. The two media had differing overall buffering capacities and differing patterns in pH change. Both media (calculated for a 4 inch deep media layer) were able to neutralize approximately 750cm (300 inches) of acid precipitation (based on the acid content in a storm measured at our research center in Rock Springs, PA). Given an average annual rainfall in Pennsylvania of 40 inches this translates into about 8 years of acid rain before the roof medium pH is affected. The accelerated aging test suggests that following this period of relatively stable buffering ability, the medium undergoes a phase change where medium pH gradually drops and responds more to acid additions (see progress to date for more details). This data can be used to predict when a green roof medium will need to be limed to maintain buffering capacity.<br /> <br /> 3. Improve design of water and nutrient recirculation systems (NJ, NY, KY, OH, AZ, PA). <br /> <br /> No accomplishments during this reporting period.<br /> <br /> Topic No. 2. Managing the aerial environment for greenhouse plant production<br /> <br /> 1. Develop design and control recommendations for naturally ventilated greenhouses (OH, NE, NY, NJ). <br /> <br /> KY<br /> <br /> Drs. Robert Anderson and Joey Norikane have a project with the goal to develop natural ventilation methods for existing greenhouse facilities. Tobacco was a major crop in Kentucky, but production has been in decline. Alternative uses of the greenhouse facilities for tobacco seedlings need to be developed.<br /> <br /> NJ<br /> <br /> - A research project was completed investigating the temperature distribution and heat transfer associated with greenhouse floor heating systems. <br /> <br /> - A research project was completed investigating the use of an energy curtain to improve temperature conditions for early season tomato production in high tunnels.<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> Computational fluid dynamic modeling was used to develop pressure coefficients for a typical six-bay naturally ventilated greenhouse. Coefficients were developed with the wind at 0, 90 and 180 degrees to the ridge line for wind speeds of 0.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 m/s. All possible combinations of vent configurations were modeled. The results of the CFD runs were also used to calculate air exchange rates and mass flow rates through each vent. <br /> <br /> The coefficients were then used in the simple airflow prediction model developed by Louis Albright to predict air exchange rates and mass flow rates. The results of the CFD and Albright models were compared. <br /> <br /> There was very good agreement in air exchange and mass flow rates between the two models. The best agreement was when the wind was at 180 degrees to the ridge line. In this case a ridge opening was either a pure inlet or outlet. When the wind was parallel to the ridge line, the vent was both an inlet and outlet depending on the location along the length of the greenhouse. Dividing the opening into several smaller areas improved the correlation. A statistical analysis of the pressure coefficients did not show any clear correlation between typical parameters, such as wind speed. Therefore, a look up table approach will be needed to use the Albright model. <br /> <br /> This work showed the ability to use CFD modeling to develop pressure coefficients for a naturally ventilated greenhouse and then use the coefficients in a simple model that will allow real time control of the vent openings. Since no good correlations between pressure coefficients and other parameters could be developed. The CFD models will have to be run for each specific type of greenhouse and conditions. The resulting coefficients can then be placed into the Albright model for possible real time control.<br /> <br /> 2. Enhance technology transfer and research in light integral control (CT, MI, NH, NY, AZ). <br /> <br /> MI<br /> <br /> MI performed experiments to quantify the effect of daily light integral (DLI) on flowering responses of ornamental annuals and herbaceous perennials. Models were generated for four bedding plant species (celosia, impatiens, marigold, and salvia) to predict the interactive effects of DLI and temperature during the finish stage of greenhouse production (Pramuk and Runkle, 2005; unpublished data). In addition, MI published a study on the effects of DLI on seedling plug and subsequent flowering (Pramuk and Runkle, 2005). This study indicated the value of supplemental lighting and high light environments during the plug stage on plug quality and during the finish stage. Using this data, we can estimate the cost-benefit of increasing the DLI when the ambient DLI is low.<br /> <br /> MI investigated flowering responses of several herbaceous perennials when plants were forced under long days with or without supplemental lighting. In some species, a high DLI can at least partially substitute for a vernalization requirement. In most species studied, plants grown under a high DLI are of higher quality: plants have more and larger flowers and greater branching. Examples include Achillea ×Moonshine, Delphinium elatum Guardian Early Blue, Echinacea purpurea × paradoxa Sunrise, Gaillardia ×grandiflora Arizona Sun, and Phlox paniculata Lilac Flame<br /> <br /> MI performed experiments to further understand the role of DLI on rooting of shoot-tip cuttings (Lopez and Runkle, 2005). Cuttings placed in under a low DLI (< 2 mol"m-2"d-1) were delayed in rooting compared to cuttings rooted under a higher DLI (3 to 5 mol"m-2"d-1). By understanding the effects of light integral control during propagation, growers can improve rooting percentage of cuttings, reduce rooting time, and improve rooting uniformity.<br /> <br /> Also in 2005, MI performed an experiment to determine the impact of DLI during the young plant stage for Phalaenopsis orchids. Three different cultivars were grown under 3 DLI treatments until plants were of flowering size. Although responses varied among cultivars, in general, plants grown under the lower DLI (3 to 4 mol"m-2"d-1) had larger leaves at the end of treatments. Plants were then transferred to a cooler greenhouse for flowering, and plants grown under the lower DLI generally had a higher flowering percentage. These results indicate that moderate to high light environments should be avoided when young Phalaneopsis orchids are grown during the vegetative stage.<br /> <br /> In fall of 2005, MI initiated a research project to investigate the effects of DLI on stock plant production (cutting number and quality) and the residual effects on subsequent rooting and finish plant performance. We hope to have results available in 2007.<br /> <br /> Topic No. 3. Integrating sustainable and economically profitable systems and processes for the greenhouse industry<br /> <br /> 1. Develop an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of supplemental lighting for seedling plugs, other greenhouse crop types, and photoperiodic lighting (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH). <br /> <br /> NY<br /> <br /> A study 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. These media were studied during days 7-10 of the seed gemination stage. One problem with foam media is"pop-outs", a disorder in 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. This, in combination with low pH and a decrease in number of cation exchange sites, lead to toxicity in the roots. 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. Root hairs did not form as readily in Oasis and Agrifoam as in Grodan possibly contributed to poor anchorage and increased pop-outs. More frequent watering increased the severity of pop-outs. Foams that are too wet have more pop-outs and spiraling roots. A flooded root zone might also allow more cations in the foam to go into solution and to be taken up by the roots.<br /> <br /> 2. Improve the understanding of using shade to optimize production of high-quality greenhouse tomato for spring and early summer production (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH).<br /> <br /> CT<br /> <br /> Some amount of shade may be optimal to produce high quality tomatoes in a greenhouse during summer months in the northeast USA. Tomatoes were grown in a similar way in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Simultaneous comparisons were made among greenhouses that were either not shaded, or covered with reflective aluminized shade cloth that attenuated 0, 15%, 30% or 50% of direct sunlight. The shade cloth was applied at the start of warm weather in early June. The houses were shaded for the rest of the summer, and fruit was picked until late August. Total yield decreased linearly with increasing shade, but there was no difference among shade treatments in yield of marketable fruit in any of three years. The fraction of marketable fruit was greatest for plants grown under 50% shade. This fraction was 9% greater than in a greenhouse with no shade in 2003, and 4% greater in 2004 and 2005. Shade decreased average fruit size only in 2003. Cracked skin was the defect most affected by shade. Up to 35% of the fruit produced in greenhouses with no shade had cracked skin, whereas in greenhouses covered with 50% shade, only about 25% of the tomatoes had cracked skin. Over three years, there was no consistent trend with shade in the fraction of fruit with green shoulder, blossom end rot, or irregular shape. <br /> <br /> Within each of the years 2003 to 2005, yields were compared among greenhouses under different degrees of shade. Shade reduced total yield significantly in each year. Total yield under 50% shade was 24, 14 and 11% less than that under no shade, in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. However, shade did not decrease marketable yield significantly in any year. The marketable yield under 50% shade was only 9% less than that under no shade in 2003, and the same as that under no shade in 2004 and 2005. Compared to the number of fruit produced under 50% shade, 16, 14 and 14% more of the fruit was unmarketable when produced under no shade, in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively.<br /> <br /> The effect of shade on fruit size and the fraction of fruit with various defects varied among the three years of the experiment. In part, this was because two of the cultivars grown in 2003 differed from those grown in 2004 and 2005. In 2003, Rapsodie had the largest fruit, 220 to 245 g, while Buffalo had the smallest, 175 to 189 g. Buffalo had the highest fraction of marketable fruit overall, 57 to 69%, but the marketable fraction was least under 50% shade. Match had the lowest fraction of marketable fruit, 41 to 51%, and this fraction increased with shade. Buffalo had the fewest fruit with cracked skin, 21 to 29%, while Rapsodie had the most, 28 to 42%. For all cultivars except Buffalo, plants grown under 50% shade produced the fewest fruit with cracks. The incidence of blossom end rot was lower in 2003 than in other years, because JetStar was not included.<br /> <br /> The treatments had little effect on fruit quality in 2004, except shade decreased total yield in proportion to the degree of shade. In 2005, a 15% shade resulted in the highest yield. The largest fruit were also produced under 15 or 30% shade. Both a linear and quadratic effects of shade were significant for total yield and fruit size. The decrease in the number of fruit with cracks was proportional to the degree of shade. The number of irregular fruit also varied with shade. All of these characteristics differed between cultivars, and the effect of shade on fruit size, and fruit with cracked skin or irregular shape differed between cultivars. <br /> <br /> The cultivars differed in most yield characteristics in 2004 and 2005. In these two years, Cabernet had the highest total yield, but it also had the lowest marketable yield and the greatest fraction of non-marketable fruit. Only 22 to 37% of Cabernet fruit was marketable, compared to 58 to 77% for Buffalo. In 2005, the fraction of marketable fruit increased with shade for all cultivars except Buffalo. The poor market quality of Cabernet was due to cracks in the skin; 47 to 67% of the fruit had cracked skin. The incidence for other cultivars was 24 to 36% for JetStar, 14 to 16% for Buffalo, and 23 to 25% for Quest. The effect of shade was more marked in those cultivars that were prone to cracks in the skin. Quest had the most fruit with rough skin, 8 to 11 % in 2004, and 4% in 2005. Cabernet had the most fruit which ripened unevenly or had green shoulder, 21 to 47%. JetStar had the most blossom end rot, and the highest incidence was observed under no shade. JetStar also had the most irregularly shaped fruit, 8 to 18%, and more fruit were an irregular shape when grown under 30 and 50% shade. For the other cultivars, only had 1 to 5% of the fruit ripened unevenly or had an irregular shape. The cultivars differed only slightly in fruit size in 2004. In 2005, Buffalo had the smallest fruit, 198 to 216 g. Fruit size of the other cultivars ranged from 223 to 272 g, and the largest fruit were picked from plants grown under 15% shade.<br /> <br /> Shade appeared to be a useful means to reduce the number of fruit with cracked skin without also reducing fruit size. Although shade did not increase marketable yield significantly, the fraction of fruit that was marketable was least without shade and greatest under 50 percent shade. There would be an economic benefit to shade, in that less labor would be used to pick non-marketable fruit. The labor cost per unit of marketable fruit would be lower under some degree of shade than without shade.<br /> <br /> 3. Quantitatively evaluate seasonal and annual water balances for greenhouses (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH). <br /> <br /> No accomplishments during this reporting period.<br /> <br /> Other accomplishments that do not necessarily relate to the 2003-2008 NE-1017 Multistate Research Project objectives:<br /> <br /> KY<br /> <br /> Drs. Robert Anderson and Joey Norikane continue to evaluate a low-oxygen (anoxia) fumigation treatment for infested greenhouse plants. Current testing examines the effect of the treatment on whole plants. Testing has been completed for the 0 to 1% O2 range. Additional testing is continuing.<br /> <br /> NJ<br /> <br /> Recent renewal of interest in energy requirements for greenhouses has prompted a series of presentations around the US and abroad on conservation and alternatives. Interestingly, commercial greenhouses that have adopted most practices developed under the predecessor projects of NE-1017, including gutter connected double IR inhibited poly structures with movable insulation and floor heating require about one tenth the heating energy of the average Ohio greenhouse in 1979. Recent efforts to further reduce fossil fuel requirement have focused on designing systems with heat pumps contributing to the first increment of base load heating. Using a spreadsheet design approach with hourly weather data, the advantage of using storage so a small heat pump can operate 24 hours per day is shown to be advantageous. Utilizing the first increment of energy for floor heating at relatively low delivery temperatures maximizes the COP of the heat pump. The feasibility of using the heat pump to cool water in the daytime with a heat exchanger for first stage cooling and storing the heat for night use in floor heating is also being investigated as a design option.<br /> <br /> NY<br /> <br /> An improved lettuce growth model for optimizing environmental control is being developed based on accurate and detailed morphological and physiological characteristics of each leafs growth. Unfolding of each lettuce leaf was described by using a series of flap patterns, each composed of a triangle and an ellipse. This method enables an accurate presentation of the morphological changes within each leaf and tracks plant growth by sequential measurements of each leaf length, width, and distance between the leaf base and the location of the maximal leaf width. Quantification of the leaves morphological changes can also be used for drawing information about the initiation and maturity states of each leaf life cycle.<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> The OSU Hydroponic Program is continuing to assist in the business development of one or two 25-acre hydroponic greenhouses in Ohio. Each 25-acre greenhouse would employ 100 people with an estimated payroll of $2,000,000 per year and generate gross profits of $12,000,000 per year. The OSU Hydroponic Program has provided research-based information for the greenhouse feasibility study, connected the investors with businesses which have excess heat that could reduce energy expenses for the greenhouse, participated in meetings with economic development professionals, and facilitated meeting planning. <br /> - The economic multiplier for income generation in the state of Ohio from fruits and vegetables is 2.03. (Sporleder, 1999, OHFOOD, An Ohio Food Industry Input-Output Model, Ohio State University, Dept. of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics).<br /> - If both 25-acre greenhouses are built, they will produce an economic impact of $49,000,000 in Ohio. <br /> <br /> PA<br /> <br /> Because of the high cost of fuel and the issue of cost of heating a greenhouse, we have initiated a project to help growers better conserve greenhouse heat. A pilot project was initiated during the fall semester to help greenhouse growers identify ways they could save energy in their production systems. Students in the Greenhouse Management class were divided into 3 groups with each group having 6 individuals. Each group was assigned a commercial greenhouse to study and provide recommendations on energy saving practices. Greenhouse growers were selected by extension specialists in three different regions of the state of Pennsylvania, but not necessarily based on greenhouse size or energy use. <br /> Student involvement began with training on greenhouse structures, heating, cooling and control systems as well as energy conservation and how to conduct an energy audit. After 8 training sessions, the three commercial growers involved in the project accompanied by their regional floricultural extension agents met with the students in the classroom to discuss their business practices, production systems, and their energy conservation concerns. Following this initial consultation, students planned a site visit to gather data. The students, accompanied and assisted by a faculty member, took detailed notes on the size, shape, construction material, and cover for the greenhouses. They also made notes on how energy was used, managed, and lost in the greenhouse crop production systems at that business. Digital photos were used to document observations, notes, and measurements of the structure and production systems. <br /> <br /> After the site visit, the students had 3-4 weeks to prepare a final report recommending up to 10 energy conservation or management practices. Suggestions for implementation as well as estimated costs and savings were included. A copy of the students report (unedited by the faculty) was delivered to each of the growers.<br /> <br /> Although all the growers structures, and production systems were different, some commonalities were obvious in the three student reports; 1. Repair and maintain the greenhouse structure. The students suggested sealing cracks and repairing tears in the greenhouse coverings. 2. Replacement of inefficient components. Two groups suggested replacing doors that did not close very well and the third group suggested replacing a side wall that was in poor condition. 3. Add insulation. The students suggested adding more insulation to the perimeter, north or other walls, over unused exhaust fans, and around distribution pipes for root zone heating. 4. Thermal blankets. Two groups suggested that thermal blankets could reduce heating costs in multi-bay greenhouses. 5. Modify heating system or fuel. One group proposed installing more efficient unit heaters while another group suggested moving the convection tubes used to heat the greenhouse. The third group looked at changing fuel type. 6. Space utilization. The last commonality was using the space more efficiently either by placing a temporary wall in a gutter-connected greenhouse or moving more plants to one house while closing the other. <br /> <br /> TX<br /> <br /> Plant Growth at Sub-Ambient Atmospheric Pressures with Control of the Partial Pressures of Constituent Gases<br /> Objectives of this research were to determine the influence of hypobaria and the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) on carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation, dark respiration and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Buttercrunch). Lettuce plants were grown under variable total gas pressures [25 and 101 kPa (ambient)] at 6, 12 or 21 kPa pO2. While plant growth was comparable between ambient and low pressure lettuce during the 10-day study, growth was lower at 6 kPa pO2 than 12 or 21 kPa pO2. The specific leaf area (SLA) of 6 kPa pO2 plants was lower than 12 or 21 kPa pO2 lettuce, indicating thicker leaves associated with plant stress. Greater carbon partitioning into above ground dry mass (higher leaf/root ratio) occurred with 6 kPa pO2 plants. Leaf chlorophyll levels were greater at low than ambient pressure. Relative water content (RWC) was the same among treatments, indicating that hypobaria and pO2 did not adversely affect plant water relations. <br /> <br /> There was comparable CO2 assimilation (net photosynthesis) and 25% lower dark respiration rate in low (25/12 kPa pO2) than ambient (101/21 kPa pO2) pressure plants. The ratio of CO2 assimilation/dark respiration was higher at low than ambient total pressure, particularly at 6 kPa pO2 indicating a greater efficiency of CO2 assimilation/dark respiration with low pressure plants. Hypobaric plants were more resistant to hypoxic conditions (6 kPa pO2) that reduced gas exchange and plant growth. The considerably lower dark respiration rates (reduced consumption of metabolites) could lead to greater plant growth (biomass production) under low pressure than under ambient conditions during longer crop production cycles.<br /> <br /> This research shows that lettuce can be successfully grown in a hypobaric environment. Lettuce has high potential of being included in NASAs Advanced Life Support System (Campbell et al., 2001; Goins et al., 2003; Wheeler et al., 2001). Lettuce plants grown under low total pressure (25 kPa) had comparable growth to plants under ambient pressure conditions in a series of short-term experiments lasting up to 10 days. Ambient pressure plants had comparable CO2 assimilation rates and much higher (approximately 20-25%) dark-period respiration rates (higher night consumption of metabolites) than low pressure lettuce plants.<br />

Publications

Dissertations, Theses (Published)<br /> <br /> NJ<br /> <br /> Lefsrud, M.G. 2006. Environmental manipulation to increase the nutritional content in leafy vegetables. Ph.D. dissertation. University of Tennessee Libraries. 328 pp.<br /> Note: A.J. Both served as an outside member on the dissertation advisory committee.<br /> <br /> Reiss, E. 2006. Modeling greenhouse floor heating using computational fluid dynamics. M.S. thesis. Rutgers University Libraries. 120 pp.<br /> Note: A.J. Both served as major advisor; D. Mears and G. Wulster served as thesis advisory committee members.<br /> <br /> NY<br /> <br /> Montgomery, J. 2005. Evaluation of solid artificial media for lettuce seedling growth and anchorage. M.S. Thesis, Cornell University Libraries, Ithaca, NY. 77 pp.<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> LaFrance, T. 2005. Determining pressure coefficients for natural ventilation purposes by computational fluid dynamics modeling. M.S. Thesis. The Ohio State University, Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. <br /> <br /> PA<br /> <br /> Thuring, C.E. (Advisor: Robert Berghage) 2005. Green Roof Plant Responses to Different Media Depths When Exposed to Drought. M.S. Thesis. The Pennsylvania State University.<br /> <br /> Rezaei, F. (Advisor: A.R. Jarrett) 2005. Evapotranspiration Rates from Extensive Green Roof Plant Species. M.S. Thesis. The Pennsylvania State University.<br /> <br /> TX<br /> <br /> Lovelady, April. 2005. Development of a control algorithm for a dynamic gas mixing system, M.S. Thesis, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station.<br /> <br /> Books (Published)<br /> <br /> TX<br /> <br /> Starman, T.W. 2005. Vegetative Annuals: Guide to Crops and Container Gardens. Meister Media Worldwide, Willoughby, Ohio.<br /> <br /> Refereed Journal Articles (Published) <br /> <br /> CT<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N., Z.D. Parrish, and J.C. White. 2005. Exudation of citric acid and nutrient uptake among subspecies of Cucurbita. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130:782-788.<br /> <br /> KY<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 /> 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. Paper No. 05ICES-2774. 35nd International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES). Rome, Italy. 11-14 July 2005. <br /> <br /> MI<br /> <br /> Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Environmental physiology of growth and flowering of orchids. HortScience 40:1969-1973.<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. 130:813-818.<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 40:1336-1339.<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 /> NJ<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 /> 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 /> 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 /> NY<br /> <br /> Ferentinos, K.P. and L.D. Albright. 2005. Optimal design of plant lighting systems by genetic algorithms. Artificial Intelligence 18:473-484.<br /> <br /> Dayan, E., E. Presnov and L.D. Albright. 2005. Methods to estimate and calculate lettuce growth. Acta Horticulturae 674:305-312.<br /> <br /> Linker, R., J. Mathieu and L.D. Albright. 2005. A user-friendly, Internet-based, version of the NICOLET simulation model for lettuce. Acta Horticulturae 675:337-342. <br /> <br /> Seginer, I., L.D. Albright and I. Ioslovich. 2005. Improved strategies for a constant daily light integral in greenhouses. Biosystems Engineering 93(1):69-80.<br /> <br /> OH<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. Transactions of the ASAE 48 (2): 841-847.<br /> <br /> Hale, B.K., D.A. Herms, R.C. Hansen, T.P. Clausen and D. Arnold. 2005. Effects of drought stress and nutrient availability on dry matter allocation, phenolic glycosides, and rapid induced resistance of poplar to two lymantriid defoliators. Journal of Chemical Ecology 31(11): 2601-2620.<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. Meteorol. 61(1):15-22.<br /> <br /> Prenger, J.J., P.P. Ling, R.C. Hansen and H.M. Keener. 2005. Plant response-based irrigation control system in a greenhouse: system evaluation. Transactions of the ASAE 48(3): 1175-1183. <br /> <br /> Ramalingam, N., P.P. Ling, and R. Derksen. 2005. Background reflectance compensation and its effect on multispectral leaf surface moisture assessment. Transactions of the ASAE 48(1): 375-383.<br /> <br /> PA<br /> <br /> DeNardo, J.C., A.R.Jarrett, H.B. Manbeck, J.Beattie and R.D.Berghage. 2005. Stormwater mitigation and surface temperature reduction by green roofs. Transactions of ASAE 48(4):1491-1496 <br /> <br /> Holcomb, E.J., Charles Heuser, Paul Heinemann and Fred Miller. 2005. Nutrient changes in spent mushroom substrate during composting. Mushroom News 53(10):6-11.<br /> <br /> TX<br /> <br /> Carpio-Amaya, L., F. T. Davies, Jr. and M. A. Arnold. 2005. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Organic and Inorganic Controlled-Release Fertilizers  Effect on Growth and Leachate of Container-Grown Bush Morning Glory [Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa] Under High Production Temperatures. Journal of American Society for Horticultural Sciences 130(1):131-139.<br /> <br /> Davies, F.T. Jr., C. He, A. Chau, K. M. Heinz and J. D. Spiers. 2005. Fertilizer Application Affects Susceptibility of Chrysanthemum to Western Flower Thrips Abundance and Influence on Plant Growth, Photosynthesis and Stomatal Conductance. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 80:403-412.<br /> <br /> Symposium Proceedings Articles (Published)<br /> <br /> CT<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. 2005. Greenhouse Tomato: Nutrition and Watering through the Year. Proceedings New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference, Manchester NH, p 208-211.<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. 2005. Nutrient Composition of Salad Greens as a Function of Season and Fertilization. Proceedings New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference, Manchester NH, p 288-292.<br /> <br /> MI<br /> <br /> Blanchard, M.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Temperature effects on flower induction of two Phalaenopsis orchid hybrids. Proceedings of the 18th World Orchid Conference, Dijon, France. March 11-20. pp. 120-123.<br /> <br /> Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Temperature and photoperiodic effects on growth and flowering of Zygopetalum Redvale Fire Kiss orchids. Proceedings of the 18th World Orchid Conference, Dijon, France. March 11-20. p. 319.<br /> <br /> NJ<br /> <br /> Both, A.J., E. Reiss, D.R. Mears, and W. Fang. 2005. Designing environmental control for greenhouses: Orchid production as example. Acta Horticulturae 691(2):807-813.<br /> <br /> Reiss, E., A.J. Both, S. Garrison, W. Kline, and J. Sudal. 2004. Season extension for tomato production using high tunnels. Acta Horticulturae 659:153-160.<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> Donnell, M.A. 2005. Staying Competitive in a Global Market. Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Production, Pest Management and Global Competition, Acta Hort 659: 41-45. <br /> <br /> Finer J.J., Beck S, Buenrostro MT, Chi Y, and 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 /> Short, T.A., C.M. Draper and M.A. Donnell 2005. Web-Based Decision Support System for Hydroponic Vegetable Production. Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Greenhouse Systems, Acta Horticulturae 691: 867-869.<br /> <br /> PA<br /> <br /> Berghage, R.D., D.J. Beattie, A.R. Jarrett, F. Rezaei, and A. Nagase, 2005, Quantifying evaporation and transpirational water losses from green roofs and green roof media capacity for neutralizing acid rain. In Proc. International Green Roof Congress, Basel, Switzerland, Sponsored by the International Green Roof Association. <br /> <br /> Gaffin, S., C. Rosenweig, D. Beattie, R. Berghage, D. Braman and L. Parshall. 2005. Energy Balance Modeling Applied to a Comparison of White and Green Roof Cooling Efficiency. Greening rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Washington DC.<br /> <br /> Gaffin, S., C. Rosenweig, L. Parshall , D. Beattie, and R. Berghage. 2006. Quantifying Evaporative Cooling from Green Roofs and Comparison to Other Land Surfaces. Greening rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Boston MA.<br /> <br /> Jarrett, A. R., F. Rezaei,, R. D. Berghage, and D. J. Beattie. 2005. Green Roofs as Stormwater BMPs ASAE - NABEC 05-0002. <br /> <br /> Jarrett, A. R., Hunt, W. F. and Bean, E. 2005. BioRetention Attenuates Stormwater; A Model Study. In Proceeding of the 2005 Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Symposium, Villanova University, October 12-13, 2005.<br /> <br /> Jarrett, A. R., Beattie, D. J., Berghage, R. D. and Rezaei, F. 2005. Annual and Individual-Storm Green Roof Stormwater Response Models. In Proceeding of the 2005 Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Symposium, Villanova University, October 12-13, 2005.<br /> <br /> Rezaei, F., Jarrett, A. R., Beattie, D. J. and Berghage, R. D. 2005. Annual and Individual-Storm Green Roof Stormwater Response Models. In Proceeding of the 2005 Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Symposium, Villanova University, October 12-13, 2005.<br /> <br /> Nagase, A. and C. Thuring. 2006. Plant responses to Drought on Extesnive Green Roofs: The Effects of Temperature, Substrate Type, and Substrate Depth. . Greening rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Boston MA.<br /> <br /> Rezaei, F, A. R. Jarrett, R.D. Berghage, and D. J. Beattie. 2005. Evapotranspiration Rates from Extensive Green Roof Plant Species. ASAE  052150. Tampa, FL, July 17-20, 2005.<br /> <br /> Popular Articles (Published) <br /> <br /> CT<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. 2006. Benefit of shade for greenhouse tomato production. CT Weekly Agricultural Report 86(18) 1 page.<br /> <br /> MI<br /> <br /> Blanchard, M. and E. Runkle. 2005. PGR liner dips on bedding plants. Greenhouse Product News, 15(13): 44-51.<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 /> Padhye, S., C. Whitman, E. Runkle, and A. Cameron. 2005. Cool Campanula. Greenhouse Product News, 15(10): 72-79.<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 /> Runkle, E. 2005. Business COK to debut. Greenhouse Grower, 23(12): 60-62.<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 /> Lopez, R., E. Runkle, Y.-T. Wang, and M. Blanchard. 2005. The orchid grower, Part III. Greenhouse Grower, 23(10): 96-104.<br /> <br /> Blanchard, M., M. Olrich, and E. Runkle. 2005. Fascination on poinsettia. Greenhouse Product News, 15(9): 66-71.<br /> <br /> Runkle, E.S. 2005. Growing Trends: How to increase plant height. Greenhouse Management and Production, 25(8): 74-77.<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 /> Runkle, E., Y.-T. Wang, M. Blanchard, and R. Lopez. 2005. The orchid grower, Part I. Greenhouse Grower, 23(8): 64-70.<br /> <br /> Lopez, R. and E. Runkle. 2005. Managing light during propagation. Greenhouse Product News, 15(6): 48-58.<br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2005. Get educated. Greenhouse Grower, 23(6): 52-54.<br /> <br /> Whitman, C., M. Olrich, and E. Runkle. 2005. Sumagic on bedding plants. Greenhouse Product News, 15(4): 66-71.<br /> <br /> Runkle, E. 2005. Growing Trends: Whats up with orchids? Greenhouse Management and Production, 25(4): 60-61.<br /> <br /> Fisher, P. and E. Runkle. 2005. 10 lighting tips to help your bottom line. Greenhouse Management and Production, 25(4): 36-40.<br /> <br /> NJ<br /> <br /> Both, A.J. and D.R. Mears. 2006. Build and maintain greenhouses with energy conservation in mind. Greenhouse Management and Production (GMPRO). May issue. pp. 54-56.<br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2006. How to keep your greenhouse cool this summer. Greenhouse Management and Production (GMPRO). April issue. pp. 45-48.<br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2005. Agricultural management practices aim to help resolve legal conflicts. Greenhouse Management and Production (GMPRO). June issue. pp. 43-46.<br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2005. Is your greenhouse strong enough? Greenhouse Management and Production (GMPRO). May issue. pp. 38-41.<br /> <br /> OH<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. Number 890. 4 pages. OFA  an Association of Floriculture Professionals. pp. 3-6.<br /> <br /> PA<br /> <br /> Holcomb, E. Jay and Robert Berghage. 2006. Greenhouse Energy ConservationA Case Study Approach. Proceeding of the 2006 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, page 67.<br /> <br /> TX<br /> <br /> Davies, F.T. Jr. 2006. Optimizing the water relations of cuttings. American Nurseryman 203(8): 30-33.<br /> <br /> Presentations (Papers) <br /> <br /> CT<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. Effect of Shade on Quality of Greenhouse Tomato. Int. Soc. Hort. Sci. Symposium, Agadir Morocco, February 2006.<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. 2005. Effect of shading on composition of fruit and leaves of greenhouse tomato. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. meeting, Las Vegas NV. HortScience 40(4) 1057.<br /> <br /> KY<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 /> Sager, J. C., A. J. Both, T.W. Tibbitts, and J.H. Norikane. 2005. Quality Assurance for Environment of Plant Growth Facilities. Paper No. 054137. Presented at the International ASAE Mtg. Tampa, Florida. Jul. 17-20.<br /> <br /> MI<br /> <br /> Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Evaluating the effectiveness of Prohexadione-Ca as a plant growth retardant on Buddleia, Dianthus, Eupatorium, and Lilium. Presented at the 102nd Annual International Conference of the ASHS, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 17-21. ASHS, 113 South West St, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.<br /> <br /> Padhye, S., E.S. Runkle, and A.C. Cameron. 2005. Coreopsis grandiflora Sunray flowers in response to short days or vernalization. Presented at the 102nd Annual International Conference of the ASHS, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 17-21. ASHS, 113 South West St, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.<br /> <br /> Kim, K.S., A. Cameron, and E. Runkle. 2005. Echinacea purpurea Magnus: Is it an intermediate-day or a short-day/long-day plant? Presented at the 102nd Annual International Conference of the ASHS, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 17-21. ASHS, 113 South West St, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.<br /> <br /> Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Quantifying the thermal tolerance of nonrooted petunia cuttings and their subsequent performance. Presented at the 102nd Annual International Conference of the ASHS, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 17-21. ASHS, 113 South West St, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.<br /> <br /> Blanchard, M.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Temperature regulates flowering of two Odontioda orchid hybrids. Presented at the 102nd Annual International Conference of the ASHS, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 17-21. ASHS, 113 South West St, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.<br /> <br /> Pramuk, L.A. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Photosynthetic daily light integral during the seeding stage influences subsequent growth and flowering of Celosia, Impatiens, Salvia, Tagetes, and Viola. Presented at the 102nd Annual International Conference of the ASHS, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 17-21. ASHS, 113 South West St, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.<br /> <br /> Kim, K.S., A.C. Cameron, and E. Runkle. 2005. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides is an intermediate-day plant. Presented at the 102nd Annual International Conference of the ASHS, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 17-21. ASHS, 113 South West St, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.<br /> <br /> Padhye, S., E.S. Runkle, and A.C. Cameron. 2005. Quantifying the vernalization response of Dianthus gratianopolitanus Baths Pink. Presented at the 102nd Annual International Conference of the ASHS, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 17-21. ASHS, 113 South West St, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.<br /> <br /> Shimizu, H., Z. Ma, M. Douzono, E. Runkle, and R. Heins. 2005. Blue light effect on stem elongation rate in chrysanthemum. Presented at the ISHS 5th International Symposium on Artificial Lighting in Horticulture, Lillehammer, Norway, June 21-24.<br /> <br /> Runkle, E.S. and R.D. Heins. 2005. Manipulating the light environment to control flowering and morphogenesis of herbaceous plants (invited lecture). Presented at the ISHS 5th International Symposium on Artificial Lighting in Horticulture, Lillehammer, Norway, June 21-24.<br /> <br /> Cameron, A., E. Runkle, B. Fausey, and R. Heins. 2005. Light responses of herbaceous perennial plants. Presented at the ISHS 5th International Symposium on Artificial Lighting in Horticulture, Lillehammer, Norway, June 21-24.<br /> <br /> Padhye, S., E. Runkle, and A. Cameron. 2005. Short days and vernalization are effective for flower induction of the long-day plant Coreopsis grandiflora Sunray. Presented at the ISHS 5th International Symposium on Artificial Lighting in Horticulture, Lillehammer, Norway, June 21-24.<br /> <br /> Blanchard, M.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Effects of daily light integral on growth and flowering of potted Phalaenopsis orchids. Presented at the ISHS 5th International Symposium on Artificial Lighting in Horticulture, Lillehammer, Norway, June 21-24.<br /> <br /> Lopez, R.G., E.S. Runkle, and A.C. Cameron. 2005. Daily light integral influences rooting and quality of New Guinea impatiens and petunia cuttings. Presented at the ISHS 5th International Symposium on Artificial Lighting in Horticulture, Lillehammer, Norway, June 21-24.<br /> <br /> NJ<br /> <br /> Reiss, E., A.J. Both, and D.R. Mears. 2005. Comparing greenhouse floor heating designs using CFD. ASAE paper No. 05-4136. ASAE, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA. 19 pp.<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 No. 05-4137. ASAE, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA. 11 pp.<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> Hansen, R.C. and A.C. Clark. 2005. A study of lateral moisture migration in container mediums. Paper No. 05-4057. Presented at the ASAE Annual International Meeting, Tampa Florida. July 17-20. <br /> <br /> Hansen, R.C. and J.C. Christman. 2005. Growth rates of container-grown poplar when using a volumetric water content sensor to decide when and how much to irrigate. Paper No. 05-033. Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference, University of Delaware, Lewes, DE. August 7-10.<br /> <br /> TX<br /> <br /> He, C., F.T. Davies, Jr., C. He and R.E. Lacey. 2005. Influence of Hypobaria on Gas Exchange and Growth of Lettuce For Advanced Life Support Systems (ALS). Presented at ASHS National Meetings, July 2005 Las Vegas, Nevada.<br /> <br /> Lacey, Ronald E., Chuanjiu He, and Fred T. Davies Jr. 2006. Engineering a Low Pressure Plant Growth System  Generation IV. Paper read at Habitation 2006, February 5-8, 2006, at Orlando, Florida.<br /> <br /> Lovelady, April, John C. Sager, and Ronald E. Lacey. 2006. Dynamic Low Pressure Gas Mixing. Poster presented at Habitation 2006, February 5-8, 2006, at Orlando, Florida.<br /> <br /> Davies, F.T., Jr.. 2005. Emma Lausten Horticultural Symposium, Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Keynote Address: Challenges & Opportunities in the Changing World of Horticulture. April 4, 2005. http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~plantbiopath/news/lausten/2005/2005lausten-davies.pdf<br /> <br /> Cartmill, A.D., F.T. Davies, Jr., A. Alarcón, L.A. Valdez-Aguilar. 2005. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Enhance Tolerance of Rose Plants to Bicarbonate in Irrigation Water. HortScience. 40: 1035.<br /> <br /> He, C., F.T. Davies, Jr. and R.E. Lacey. 2005 Influence of Hypobaria on Gas Exchange and Growth of Lettuce For Advanced Life Support Systems (ALS). HortScience. 40:1011.<br /> <br /> Spiers, J. D.F.T. Davies, C. He, C. Bogran, A. Chau, K.M. Heinz, T.W. Starman. 2005. Impact of selected insecticides on gas exchange, vegetative and floral development, and overall quality of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii var. Festival Salmon). HortScience. 40:1046.<br /> <br /> Davies, F.T. Jr. Invited presentation: Mycorrhizal Fungi Enhance Host Crop Resistance to Abiotic Stress. Plant-Microbe Interactions Symposium. The Program of Biology of Filamentous Fungi, Texas A&M University, College Station. April, 14-15, 2005.<br /> <br /> Davies, F.T. Jr. 2005. Invited presentation: The Biology of Growing Plants Under Low-Pressure (Hypobaric) Systems for NASA." CINVESTAV Plant Biology Institute, Irapuato, Mexico, June 14, 2005.<br /> <br /> He, C., R.E. Lacey, and F.T. Davies. Plant Growth at Sub-Ambient Atmospheric Pressures with Control of the Partial Pressures of Constituent Gases NASA: Advanced Life Support Technical Interchange Meeting. TAMU. June 23, 2005.<br /> <br /> Other Creative Works<br /> <br /> NJ<br /> <br /> Abstracts<br /> Both, A.J., L.S. Logendra, J. Cavazzoni, T. Gianfagna, T.C. Lee, and H.W. Janes. Effects of a two-week temperature perturbation during flowering of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Habitation 10(3/4):131.<br /> <br /> Both, A.J., E. Reiss, J. Sudal, K. Holmstrom, W. Kline, S. Garrison. 2006. Rutgers high tunnel research update. Proceedings of the Annual NJ Vegetable Growers Association Meeting. January 10-12. Atlantic City. pp. 121-124.<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> Ted Short and Mary Donnell. 2005. Economic evaluation and technical support of new hydroponic vegetable growers using HID supplemental lighting via personal visits and interactive web-site tools at http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/hydroponics/, Ohio State University Research & Extension.<br /> <br /> Workshop Sponsor <br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> Ling, P.P. Organizer. Greenhouse Engineering Workshop  energy management. 1/31-2/1/2006. <br /> <br /> Ling, P.P. and J.M. Frantz, Co-organizers. NCR-101 committee on controlled environments. 4/8-11/2006.<br /> <br /> Short, T.H. Hydroponic Short Course, Waldo, Ohio. April 20-22, 2005. The short course attracted an audience of 30 people from New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, Michigan and Mississippi.<br /> <br /> Workshop Participant <br /> <br /> NJ<br /> <br /> Presentations by A.J. Both:<br /> <br /> Greenhouse energy conservation. Bedding Plant Grower Day. Randolph, NJ. March 3, 2006.<br /> <br /> Designing greenhouse systems for reduced run-off. Emma Lausten Annual Horticulture Symposium. NJ EcoComplex, Columbus, NJ. February 22, 2006. <br /> <br /> Greenhouse energy considerations. Greenhouse Energy Efficiency Workshop. University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH. February 15, 2006. <br /> <br /> Rutgers high tunnel research update. Tomato Advisory Committee. Rutgers EcoComplex, Bordentown, NJ. January 25, 2006. <br /> <br /> Energy conservation from the engineers point of view. South Jersey Greenhouse Conference. RCRE, Clayton, NJ. January 24, 2006 <br /> <br /> Minimizing your greenhouse fuel heating bill. Vegetable Integrated Crop Management Twilight Meeting. Landisville Produce Cooperative, Landisville, NJ. October 19, 2005. Note: presented by Eugene Reiss, prepared by A.J. Both. <br /> <br /> Farm safety for children. Farm Safety Twilight Meeting. Toyland Farm, Jobstown, NJ. September 21, 2005. <br /> <br /> Greenhouse operation. Twilight Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Meeting, Secor Farms, Mahwah, NJ. April 27, 2005. <br /> Controlled environments: The future of NJ agriculture? Emma Lausten Horticultural Symposium, Cook College, New Brunswick, NJ. April 4, 2005.<br /> <br /> Presentations by D.R. Mears:<br /> <br /> Greenhouse technology to meet the next energy crisis. OFA Shortcourse, Columbus, Ohio. July 2005.<br /> <br /> Rutgers research on energy for greenhouses. Handout for OFA Shortcourse, Columbus, Ohio. July 2005.<br /> <br /> Greenhouse energy-past successes and future hopes. 100th Anniversary Seminar, NIRE, Tsukuba, Japan. December 2005.<br /> <br /> Get over the difficulty of climate change. Handout for 100th Anniversary Seminar, NIRE, Tsukuba, Japan. December 2005.<br /> <br /> Rutgers research on energy for greenhouses. Handout for 100th Anniversary Seminar, NIRE, Tsukuba, Japan. December 2005.<br /> <br /> Greenhouse energy conservation. CEA Workshop. University of Arizona. January 2006.<br /> <br /> Greenhouse energy alternatives. CEA Workshop. University of Arizona. January 2006.<br /> <br /> Lessons learned from 1980 energy crisis. Greenhouse energy management workshop. Wooster, Ohio January 2006.<br /> <br /> Studies of solar energy, power plant waste heat and landfill gas as an energy source. Greenhouse energy management workshop. Wooster, Ohio February 2006.<br /> <br /> Greenhouse energy conservation and possible alternatives. Grower meeting, Cincinnati, Ohio. February 2006.<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> Ling, P.P., G.A. Giacomelli, and M. Tiffany. Crop Diagnostics: Learning to use the latest tools& technology on site. 7/9/2005.<br /> <br /> Refereed Journal Articles (Pending)<br /> <br /> KY<br /> <br /> Kim, H.-H., R.M. Wheeler, J.C. Sager, G.D. Goins, and J.H. Norikane. 2005. Evaluation of supplemental green light with red and blue light-emitting diodes growing lettuce in a controlled environment - A review of research at Kennedy Space Center. Acta Horticulturae (submitted).<br /> <br /> NJ<br /> <br /> Goudarzi, S., A.J. Both, J. Cavazzoni, and A. Kusnecov. 2006. Dynamic modeling of crew performance. In Press. Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments.<br /> <br /> Mathieu, J., R. Linker, L. Levine, L. Albright, A.J. Both, R. Spanswick, R. Wheeler, E. Wheeler, D. deVilliers, R. Langhans. 2005. Evaluation of the NiCoLet Model for Simulation of Short-Term Hydroponic Lettuce Growth and Nitrate Uptake. Submitted to Biosystems Engineering.<br /> <br /> Reiss, E., D.R. Mears, T.O. Manning, G.J. Wulster, and A.J. Both. 2006. Modeling greenhouse floor heating using computational fluid dynamics. Submitted to Transactions of the ASAE.<br /> <br /> OH<br /> <br /> Glynn C., D.A. Herms, C. M. Orians, R.C. Hansen and S. Larsson. 2006. Dynamic responses of willows to nutrient availability  a test of the growth-differentiation balance hypothesis. Functional Ecology (Revised; resubmitted).<br /> <br /> Hale, B.K., D.A. Herms, R.C. Hansen and T.P. Clausen. 2006. Comparison of the effects of intermittently and constantly applied drought stress on growth and <br /> secondary metabolism of poplar. (Target journal to be selected)<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. Accepted for publication with revisions.<br /> <br /> TX<br /> <br /> He, C., F. T. Davies Jr. and R. E. Lacey. Hypobaric Conditions Effect Gas Exchange, Ethylene Evolution and Growth Of Lettuce for Advanced Life Support Systems (ALS). 2006. Journal of Habitation. In Press  June 2006.<br /> <br /> He, C., F. T. Davies Jr. and R. E. Lacey. 2006. Hypobaria and the Partial Pressure of Oxygen Affect Gas Exchange and Growth of Lettuce Plants. Journal of American Society for Horticultural Sciences. Submitted.<br /> <br /> He, Chuanjiu, Fred T. Davies, and Ronald E. Lacey. Hypobaria and the Partial Pressure of Oxygen Affect Gas Exchange and Growth of Lettuce Plants. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences. In Review.<br /> <br /> <br />

Impact Statements

1. Under the leadership of Paul Fisher (NH) and Erik Runkle (MI), a group of 20 contributors was assembled to write chapters for the book titled Lighting Up Profits, Understanding Greenhouse Lighting. The book provides a comprehensive review of plant lighting for greenhouse crop production. Powerpoint slide presentations and study questions are included and can be used as instructor aids. Most chapters were serialized in a national trade magazine (Greenhouse Grower; 21,000 subscribers) to further increase adoption and technology transfer.
2. As greenhouse energy use is receiving increased attention due to high fuel prices, several member states are developing and organizing educational materials, workshops, and class projects to help growers cope (AZ, MI, NH, NJ, OH, PA). Relatively simple approaches have shown the potential to generate energy savings of 10-30%. Significant information exchange is occurring among member states resulting in up-to-date grower information and improved educational content. Not surprisingly, grower interest is high.
3. After extensive research, NY developed a floating hydroponic spinach production protocol that permits the production of baby spinach (up to 14-day old) while avoiding root disease resulting from the pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum. By maintaining a 20°C root environment, spinach grows rapidly, but the reproduction cycle of the pathogen is significantly slowed. Longer cropping cycles may be possible by transplanting crops to sequential reservoirs after 14 days. Two commercial greenhouse operations have expressed interest in using this technique.
4. Using CFD analysis, OH expanded a natural ventilation model previously developed by NY. As a result, a future natural ventilation control program can be developed for improved greenhouse temperature control and uniform air distribution. The expanded model uses CFD techniques to determine appropriate wind pressure coefficients as a function of wind direction, and incorporating that information into a look-up table that can be directly accessed by a control program for use in its calculations.
5. Greenhouse tomato research in CT showed that shade appeared to be a useful means to reduce the number of fruit with cracked skin without also reducing fruit size. Although shade did not increase marketable yield significantly, the fraction of fruit that was marketable was least without shade and greatest under 50 percent shade. There can be an economic benefit to shade, in that less labor is used to pick non-marketable fruit. Thus, the labor cost per unit of marketable fruit is lower using some degree of shade compared to without shade.

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Report Information

Participants

Albright, Lou (LDA1@cornell.edu) - Cornell University;
Ashworth, Ed (AA) (Edward.ashworth@umit.maine.edu) - University of Maine;
Berghage, Rob (rdb4@psu.edu) - Penn State University;
Both, A.J. (Chair) (both@aesop.rutgers.edu) - Rutgers University;
Brechner, Melissa (mlk38@cornell.edu) - Cornell University;
Brumfield, Robin (brumfield@aesop.rutgers.edu) - Rutgers University;
Burnett, Stephanie (Sburnett@maine.edu) - University of Maine;
Gent, Martin (Martin.Gent@po.state.ct.us) - Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station;
Giacomelli, Gene (giacomel@ag.arizona.edu) - University of Arizona;
Holcomb, E.J. (Host) (ejh3@psu.edu) - Penn State University;
Jamaludin, Diyana (diyana@eden.rutgers.edu) - Rutgers University;
Kubota, Chieri (ckubota@ag.arizona.edu) - University of Arizona;
Ling, Peter (ling.23@osu.edu) - The Ohio State University;
Manning, Tom (manning@njaes.rutgers.edu) - Rutgers University;
Mears, Dave (mears@aesop.rutgers.edu) - Rutgers University;
Meyer, George (gmeyer1@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska;
Norikane, Joey (Sec) (jnorikane@bae.uky.edu) - University of Kentucky;
Reiss, Eugene (reiss@aesop.rutgers.edu) - Rutgers University;
Sanford, Dave (dls30@psu.edu) - Penn State University;
Shelford, Tim (tjs47@cornell.edu) - Cornell University;
de Villiers, David (dsd5@cornell.edu) - Cornell University;

Brief Summary of Minutes

8:40 AM Meeting called to order by chair.


Jay Holcomb - Local host orientation. Introduction of Dave Sanford (local host) and refreshments and lunch arrangements. Berks campus tour 4:30 to 4:45. Dinner at Casa Grande. Carpooling to Longwood Gardens on Friday.


Ron Lacey (TX) unavailable, so Joey Norikane volunteered to serve as secretary. Submit materials to Ron.


Introductions


Agenda additions?
Project renewal needs to be discussed. Later in meeting.


2006 Minutes. Approval (LA). Second (GM).


Ed Ashworth is the new administrative advisor for the group after Tom Fretz' retirement. What's new? The research section of the Farm Bill is still up in the air. There is some concern about the balance between special grants and formula funds. Specialty crops are getting more attention in the current bill under development. The renewal proposal of the NE-1017 committee is due in March 2008. The Experiment Directors will meet to review proposals in the spring 2008. GM - specialty crops $100M add-on to the farm bill. Daniel Schmoldt (USDA/CSREES) had meeting and biofuels, landscape crops, immigration, organics were some of the issues. EA - some changes are needed from the USDA side. AJB - move from Hatch to competitive funding raises concerns with committee. EA - USDA trying to maintain both with formula funds for base and competitive funds for projects. What is being developed is comparable to NIH with teaching hospitals with large grants. There needs to be something different for USDA, since maintaining the status quo is a poor option. The Danforth Institute has put forth a plan for more competitive grants. There is also CREATE-21 for more formula funding to maintain agricultural programs, traditionally black universities, and others.


Project renewal - The NE1017 committee needs to have collaborative projects. More collaborative projects would strengthen this committee. Check station reports to find out what projects our members are working on. An overall of the current and future projects of committee members plus discussions follow with emphasis on potential collaborative projects.


MG (CT) Work on shade for greenhouse tomato production has been completed. New areas of research are the partial saturation of ebb & flood irrigation and water stress control ornamental crops (USDA SBIR). Conducting research examining the environmental variables affecting lettuce production, i.e., growth and composition (Hatch project). Refer to Cornell's work on lettuce, but would like to look at lettuce composition.


PL (OH) Three techniques for early detection of water stress 24 to 36 hours with impatients. Three projects: 1) whole canopy photosynthesis measurement rather than single leaf measurements. In addition, measuring/monitoring transpiration as a means for stress detection. 2) Alternative energy usage for higher efficiency and CO2 enrichment. 3) Nutrient delivery system (Robert Hansen's project) high turn down ratio on nutrient delivery systems.


LA (NY) continuing a project with nutrient solutions in hydroponic systems. Also looking at how to handle waste. Interested in high value crop production beyond vegetables. Continuing interest in natural ventilation modeling and control. There was a natural ventilation project with Mike Brugger (OH) that could be restarted. Transfer of lettuce greenhouse facility to Challenge Industries. There could be some collaborative work to develop other potential production crops. There is interest in developing adaptive controls, i.e., a learning system using neural networks and/or programmed changes.


GM (NE) greenhouse industry in Nebraska is different with large growers and small Mom and Pop growers. Nebraska is also going through a transition with corn going to ethanol production and not for food. Energy costs are a problem for everyone. Biomass furnaces operation and feed-forward control, since heat output from these systems respond differently from traditional methods. GM has plant growth modeling background and sees the need to understand crop requirements for optimal growth, energy requirements. Teaches class on thermodynamics of living systems with emphasis on energy requirements. Instrumentation and control class to try to get students to understand the integration of sensors and controls. Modeling (AJB) mostly a research tool. But (GM), engineers should look at practicality of modeling as an application tool for growers. LA would like to get more industry participation to address their needs and concerns. PL simple plant growth models are being used in industry. Which models are commercially applied currently? To try to get a better understanding of industry needs, perhaps an externship for students is needed. PL states that Argus has integrated VPD control, but funding is difficult to find in this area for further model and/or operational development. Models on environmental control and plant growth are typically developed, but trying to get something applicable for industry with focus on mass and energy balances is a challenge. A lighting control system was developed by LA and has been patented. LA small company has rights from patents from Cornell to develop a stand alone system that integrates into Argus through SBIR. GG mechanism (externship) to get the word out, but IP is something to think about. Is technology transfer part of our (NE1017) charge? Recognize the day-to-day pressures for faculty, e.g., research, teaching, extension, student advising, publishing, etc. GM another big topic is water management.


JN (KY) There are changes among the UK representatives for the NE 1017 committee. Robert Anderson has retired. Jack Buxton is also ready to retire. For the past few years new greenhouse facilities have been a part of the KY station report and finally this spring six replicated greenhouses (Nexus from CO) are currently being installed. There are also two 10ft x 10ft x 14ft walk-in growth chambers available. So, there are facilities available, but support for greenhouse research, i.e., new faculty hires, from the horticulture side at UK is unclear.


EJH (PA) cultivar evaluation projects in trial garden. Gardens are no longer available. Variety evaluations are being done at Landisville and not at University Park. Mostly teaching, but does have some small undergraduate projects. There is interest in conducting green roof research. So, greenhouse research per se is changing. The direction of the Horticulture Dept. is unclear. Now, new faculty maybe joint appointments. Eileen Wheeler is working in animal structures, so greenhouse structures and environment research is transitioning.


RB (NJ) energy costs are the major concern. There is more interest in greenhouse economics. Needs to develop benchmarks for greenhouse production, but obtaining the required information is difficult.


AJB (NJ) future activities in engineering. Land-fill gas for electricity generation with micro turbines and the energy could be used for greenhouse heating. Evaluate how such a system can work? Alternative energy sources for greenhouse production. Open roof greenhouse still available. AJB has collaborated with Dr. Sase in Japan. The open roof greenhouse has floor heating and ebb and flood irrigation. Growth chamber work is on-going, which was started with NASA funds. The work is concerned with tomato growth and yield after plants are exposed to temperature perturbations. There is also high tunnel work.


EA (ME) one of the trends is interest in high value crops, e.g., pharma crops by Cary Mitchell (Purdue) where GMO corn grown in vacant limestone mine. LA tobacco cellulose production in greenhouse. GM biofuels also has many questions: 1) is it economical and 2) energy value of biomass, quality, water content, etc.


GG (AZ) Energy, Water, and Labor. AZ has water limitations with tensions between economics and politics. Water is used for both irrigation and cooling. Energy is a major concern. Coal fired power plant in south AZ using coal gasification technology. Waste heat from energy production could be used in greenhouses along with the excess CO2. Labor and immigration will impact field and greenhouse production. Economic development for different applications of existing technologies, i.e., technology transfer. New product development: GMO, natural products from plants, fresh greens. New faculty member will join ABE CEAC: Murat Kaçira. There is interest in closed loop nutrient delivery systems, but no funding. Modeling (plant based environmental controls) for better environmental control. Lunar symposium at Rutgers, interest in closed systems for water, air recycling to produce multiple crops.


CK (AZ) value added production with tomatoes for lycopene production. Project internally funded through BIO5. The project was examining the enhancement of crop quality through environmental control. An LED lighting system from Japan will be available for testing and research. A project is under development to work with ASU on vaccine or pharma-crop production in controlled environments with potential funding from the AZ science foundation. There is a seedling production project using grafted plants. This approach is based on Asian technology with wild type rootstocks that could include resistances. The project could potentially impact field production. On-going projects looking at production and storage of seedlings. Japanese collaboration with Drs. Sase and Kurata on natural ventilation and control of evaporative cooling to minimize water use. An extension for the collaborative project has been submitted to JSPS. Another project is water recovery systems using condensation of water vapor in the exhaust air from the greenhouse.


SB (ME) working on soil moisture sensor integration from field to greenhouse and is collaborating with Marc van Iersel (GA). Looking at modeling to incorporate more information, control, and optimization into greenhouse production. Currently using $60 sensors (Decagon ECH2O EC-5). Working on ornamentals and water requirements, fertilizer needs, lighting and other parameters. One of the future projects is converting bedding plant systems to organic ornamental bedding plant systems. There is interest in the Northeast in organic bedding plants.


10:12-10:31 Break


Renewal discussion continuing - AJB asked if a sub-committee should be formed to develop the areas of focus in the renewal? EA maybe focus on specific areas (regions/interests), e.g., cultivar evaluations in different climates. The work could be done at different member locations covering different regions. AB that is the intent, but this group has tendency to return home and continue present course, whereas perhaps more collaborative projects would further strengthen the NE-1017 proposal. MG this is maybe too much for a sub committee. This probably needs to have a larger group discussion. LA the sub-committee needs guidance.


Possible topics:


1.Environmental effects in plant composition (NY, AZ, OH, NJ, CT)


a.GMO gene expression


b.Human health


2.Natural ventilation design and control (NJ, AZ, NY)


3.Energy conservation & Alternative fuels sources (NE, NY, NJ, OH, KY, AZ, MI)


4.Water and nutrient solution management (water stress detection, etc.) (AZ, NY, CT, OH, NE, PA, KY, ME, GA)


5.Sensors and control systems (NY, NE, KY, ME, OH, AZ)


GM goals of NE-1017 from last proposal. TM there maybe more emphasis on value added crops and energy conservation and alternative fuels. GG energy has been a topic for several rounds in this committee. TM control algorithms, low-cost sensors and controls, etc. PL is there interest in industry participation? TM has the experience that decisions in a production setting are based on experience as opposed to science based, i.e., researched models. LA perhaps Argus should be involved in this committee. GM growers would want to know how to use research output. TM vendors say that growers are unfamiliar with technology. Vendors have systems that work and that is what is available. GG is education part of our charge? EA it would depend on the outcomes that you set in the proposal, so tech transfer could be part of the effort. LA there needs to be a first user, so someone takes the risk. SB reminded group of the energy management website proposed by Erik Runkle (MI) last year. The website is useful and collaborative. AJB there is an extension component among the group. DM talked about industry participants and would also like to get interaction with growers, industry and researchers. LA there are some configuration problems, e.g., greenhouse sizes, that could be addressed with standards, so when technology is developed it would be applicable to all greenhouses and not manufacturer A's greenhouse only. Perhaps this is a National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) question. NGMA is interested in how can we sell more? AJB should this group invite ourselves to an NGMA meeting? PL mentioned NCERA-101 has good industrial participation and their involvement will take time. Group needs to think about strengthening ties with industry. MG to get more participation perhaps tie NE1017 to ASHS or other type of meetings. EA what will this group be working on for the new proposal/renewal. DV need to publish output from the committee. EA simple renewal proposal on topics that the group is working on. Perhaps these topics: Environmental effects in plants, energy conservation and alternative energy sources, and adaptive controls. TM pharma companies maybe interested, but may already have the greenhouse facility and know-how. MB GMO work is expensive, so perhaps greenhouse production projects could be funded through pharmaceutical company interests in plant made products. MG suggests that verbiage needs to be added in the proposal to describe the collaboration. AJB what is collaboration? MB working on the project together. TM minimally it is not duplicating efforts. GG all of the above opportunities, but try to find avenues among the group to work together. MG the proposal for the group needs to be putting deadlines together for the March 2008 submission date. AJB perhaps we need to have someone heading up each topic and try to coordinate efforts and look for collaboration. DM recalls that previously certain topics were divided among interested group members' research programs.


The volunteers (the underlined individual/group in the list of topics) to lead the research areas talk to other groups working in the area to get ideas for collaboration together for submission to AJB and later discussion to the rest of the group.


Industry interest and collaborations


AJB what should this group do to get more industry participation. DM perhaps tie in with NGMA. NGMA in early April 2008, location unknown. Should this group attempt to get involved with NGMA? ER... yes.


Backup Location in 2008.


If we do not meet with NGMA, then an alternative site. Ron Lacey at Texas A&M will be asked. Louis Albright (NY) is interested in being the backup for the backup.


New officer for 2008


Stephanie Burnett graciously volunteered and was approved as incoming secretary.


New business


Letter of appreciation to Tom Fretz. Yes.


Station reports hard copy distribution.


Greenhouse energy website of Erik Runkle comments? DM: used and translated into Japanese and published.


12:10 to 12:55 Lunch break


12:55 to 4:27 Oral station reports


4:28 AJB: Carbon footprint is a metric more and more used in our fields. Perhaps this is a metric our group should consider calculating for the various components of the plant industry. The numbers will be likely high, but it would be better for us to calculate the numbers and include explanations rather than letting others. MG paper published from Israel on this topic.


4:31 AJB: adjournment of the business meeting.


4:42 to 5:00 Campus tour.


6:30 PM Dinner at Casa Grande.


With thanks to our local host Jay Holcomb and respectfully submitted,


Joey Norikane for Ron Lacey, Secretary, 2007

Accomplishments

Topic No. 1. Managing nutrients and water in greenhouses<br /> 1. Develop and evaluate methodologies such as evapotranspiration modeling, non-contact sensing of plant responses to drought stress, and measurement of root zone water tension for plant water status assessment and compare these assessments to actual water and nutrient use for tomato, salad greens and potted ornamental plants, as a part of managing delivery of nutrients and water in greenhouses (CT, NY, NE, OH, AZ, KY, NJ).<br /> <br /> AZ: The effect of environmental conditions and salinity on tomato plant growth status includes, manipulating the environmental factors, which affect transpiration, both at the canopy level (potential transpiration), and at the root level (electrical conductivity, EC), to change photoassimilate distribution between source [leaves] and sink [fruits] during the fruiting cycle of the crop and steer the plant towards more vegetative or more reproductive growth. The main goal of this study was to quantify the individual and combined effect of canopy and root environments on certain plant morphological characteristics, which are being used as indicators of plant growth status, and establish a correlation between these morphological characteristics and productivity. <br /> <br /> GA: During studies on increasing irrigation efficiency in greenhouses, physiological responses to different substrate water contents were studied. Surprisingly, we found that there was little or no effect on leaf photosynthesis, even though plant growth was severely reduced at low water contents. There was no correlation between plant growth and leaf photosynthesis. So what reduces plant growth at low substrate water content? It turns out that leaf elongation is very sensitive to water availability in the substrate. When plants are exposed to drought, leaf elongation is inhibited, thus reducing the total area of leaves that are photosynthesizing.<br /> <br /> ME: Leaching of nutrients from substrates is becoming an important environmental concern for growers throughout the United States, and watering efficiently would decrease leaching. Efficient, automated irrigation conserves water and may reduce labor costs for growers who hand water crops. In an on-going collaborative research effort (GA, ME), a system that waters crops based on plant need using capacitance sensors (EC-5, Decagon Devices, Pullman, WA) has been used to determine plant water use of herbaceous perennials and annuals. In this system, plant water use causes substrate water content to decrease over time. If it drops below a predetermined set-point, containers are irrigated. Using this system, it is possible for growers to irrigate plants without producing leachate. While this system has not been directly compared to conventional irrigation systems, it is likely that applied water volumes are lower in capacitance automated irrigation systems. For example, 1Gaura lindheimeri Engelm. & Gray Siskiyou Pink (gaura) grown in substrates maintained at volumetric water contents of 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, or 0.45 m3.m-3 using a capacitance sensor controlled irrigation system for five weeks were irrigated with 13.8-53 L of water. Plants irrigated at lower set-points have shorter and fewer branches and lower shoot dry weights. However, plants irrigated at set points ranging from 0.25-0.35 m3.m-3 were all of acceptable and equivalent quality.<br /> <br /> NJ: In collaboration with Joey Norikane (University of Kentucky) pictures were taken of young tomato plants using an infrared camera. The objective was to compare the different surface temperatures of plants under severe drought stress as well as well-water plants. Preliminary results showed significant temperature differences of both leaf and stem surfaces.<br /> <br /> TX: <br /> A study was conducted to characterize the morphological and physiological responses of four herbaceous perennial species subjected to two subsequent drought cycles. Lantana camara L. cv. New Gold (lantana), Lobelia cardinalis L. (cardinal flower), Salvia farinacea Benth. cv. Henry Duelberg (mealy sage), and Scaevola aemula R. Br. cv. New Wonder (fan flower) were subjected to two consecutive 10-day drought cycles. Growth response, leaf gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured during the experiment. In general, substrate water content averaged 0.60 mm3/mm3 for control and 0.15 mm3/mm3 for drought treated plants. The morphology of L. cardinalis and L. camara was not affected by drought, while S. farinacea had reductions in plant height and leaf area and S. aemula had reductions in dry weight. Overall, plant growth and development continued even when substrate water content was reduced to 0.13 mm3/mm3 which indicated a level of substrate water below container capacity was sufficient for greenhouse production of these species. The drought treatments had little effect on the photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) of Photosystem II. An increase in minimal fluorescence (Fo) was observed in S. aemula on the last day of the second cycle. Net carbon assimilation rate (A) was less affected than transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (gs) which caused a general increase in leaf-level water use efficiency (WUE). Plants of L. camara, S. farinacea and S. aemula that had received drought during both cycles became more water use efficient by the end of the second cycle, but L. cardinalis did not. <br /> <br /> PA: To investigate and quantify the role of common green roof plants like sedum and delosperma, a series of 8 weighing lysimeters were constructed in a greenhouse at The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA Each lysimeter consisted of a load cell (LCEB-150, Omega Engineering Company) connected to a data logger (Campbell Scientific). Sixteen green roof modules were constructed from wood and suspended from the load cells with metal cable. Modules were 1.05 x 0.54 x 0.10 m (LxWxH) with a 10 mm (0.5) drainage slit at one end. Each module was filled with a 12 mm (0.5) thick drainage layer (Enka drain 9715; Cold Bond, ENKA  North Carolina) and 89 mm (3.5) of a commercial green roof medium (Gerick Corp., Ohio). The media had a bulk density of 0.534 g/cc and a volumetric water content at field capacity of 28%. The total water storage potential for the module was thus about 25 mm of water. Four modules were planted with Sedum spurium, 4 modules were planted with S. sexangulare, 4 modules were planted with a mixture of 80% Delosperma nubigenum and 20% S album, and 4 modules were left unplanted. Modules were grown until plants covered 95-100% of the surface of the module before any measurements were made. Vegetated roof modules were installed in the weighing lysimeters one species at a time. Modules were installed with a 1:12 slope (8%). After each planted module change, load cell module units were recalibrated with standard brass weights between 100 and 2000g. A light meter (LI-COR quantum sensor Q25338), and 6 copper-constantan (Omega) thermocouples were also installed. <br /> Modules were fully saturated followed by a dry-down period of 14  21 days. Each species was subjected to multiple saturation and dry-down cycles at different times of the year (different environmental conditions). During the measurement period module weights were recorded every 10 minutes. Weight changes were converted to mm of water. The sedum and delosperma tested were found to use water rapidly when it was available. The water loss rate from planted roof modules was about 2x that from unplanted modules during the first 5 or so days following irrigation. After 5 days the rate of water loss was similar for planted and unplanted roof modules. The relative effect of plants on the total water loss for the roof modules suggest that the plants could contribute as much as about 40% of the stormwater retention function of the green roof. The relative affect of plants would be greatest with relatively frequent (3-5 day) relatively small (12.7 mm, 0.5) storms. With longer dry periods the effect of the plants is less, i.e. the medium alone is capable of the same or nearly the same water retention as a planted system.<br /> <br /> 2. Evaluate the entire fertigation system, including water delivery, plant uptake, and runoff, while accounting for optimization of micronutrient, media pH, and EC levels (AZ, CT, NE, NH, NY, OH, PA).<br /> <br /> GA: High salt levels in irrigation water are an increasing problem worldwide. We studied the effects of high salinity levels (either from NaCl or by using high fertilizer concentrations) on the physiology and morphology of tomato. High salinity levels reduced plant height, dry weight, and leaf elongation. High levels of NaCl (but not high fertilizer concentrations) reduced leaf chlorophyll and photosynthesis and the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II. Increasing the Ca2+ concentrations of the nutrient solution prevented these effects of high NaCl on leaf photosynthetic parameters, but did not restore growth. High Ca2+ did not prevent the effects of salinity on leaf elongation. Growth was highly correlated with leaf elongation, but was not correlated with leaf photosynthesis.<br /> <br /> PA: Seeds of 3 taxa (pansy (Viola Golden Yellow), geranium (Geranium Elite Cherry), and dianthus (Dianthus Supra Purple)) were sown December 19, 2006. The geraniums were transplanted to 5-inch pots on January 5, the dianthus on January 18, and the pansy on January 22, 2007. The growing mix was Sunshine #4. The design was a split plot where part of the pots were subirrigated and the remainder were trickle irrigated as needed. There were 10 pots for each taxa for each of nine treatments. The fertilizer used was Osmocote Exact 16-11-11 at 7 lbs/cuyd. Pour-through tests were done on a regular basis to determine the amount of salt that could be recovered from the media. At the initial measurement, the pour-through values from the pots where the Osmocote was placed in the bottom of the pot were highest. Where the Osmocote was placed in the middle of the pot or mixed with the media, the pour-though values were intermediate. The lowest values were where the Osmocote was placed on the top of the pot. After about 5 weeks of growth, the pour-through values were all similar to each other, perhaps reflecting the fact that the plants were growing rapidly and taking up most of the nutrients being released by the Osmocote. After 5 weeks of growth, the pour-through values of the bottom placement were consistently higher than any of the other three placements. Bottom placement of Osmocote tended to produce smaller plants than any other placement. Bottom placement of Osmocote produced higher EC values of the pour-through compared to other placements. The lowest pour-through values were top placement suggesting that there may be less leaching of nutrients when the Osmocote is placed on the surface. There was no difference in the trends whether or not the plants were subirrigated or trickle irrigated. The EC of the soluble fertilizer leachate was about twice the value of the Osmocote leachate and the placement of the Osmocote had no consistent effect on leachate EC.<br /> <br /> NY: Synthetic chelators are commonly used in hydroponic media to solubilize Fe; however, the fate of these chelators is unknown. The persistences of three synthetic chelators, ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), and ethylenediaminedisuccinate (EDDS) were 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. Chelator photodegradation can become a very serious problem in hydroponic systems where the nutrient solution is exposed to light for a little as twenty minutes. Despite large differences in solution chemistry, the final shoot concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn were similar among chelator treatments, whereas root concentrations of these same elements were highly variable. We also measured the concentration of DTPA in a commercial lettuce production system and found highly variable concentrations. <br /> <br /> 3.Improve design of water and nutrient recirculation systems (NJ, NY, KY, OH, AZ, PA). <br /> <br /> AZ: The goal of this project was to examine the feasibility of installing a water recovery system for reducing semi-arid greenhouse water consumption. Specifically, a water recovery system was placed in the stream of the exhaust air of the greenhouse equipped with a fan and pad evaporative cooling system, where chilled water naturally generated and used as an energy sink to recover the water via condensation. The energy balance model of condenser used in the simulation was validated by data obtained using a condenser unit placed under a semi-arid greenhouse condition. Comparing to water use in the plant canopy transpiration of 0.0036-0.0105 m3 m-2 d-1and 0.0033-0.0081 m3 m-2 d-1 during the pre-monsoon day and monsoon day, respectively , our steady-state model simulated that, relative to minimum and maximum irrigation water use (min/max), 26.9% / 9.2% and 15.1% / 6.2% of water can be recovered in pre-monsoon day and monsoon day, respectively, when equipped even with the relatively inefficient (bypass factor =0.92) condenser units. With an increase of condenser efficiency to 50% (BF= 0.5), the proposed system could recover 100% / 57.6% of irrigation water in pre-monsoon day and 94.3% / 38.4% recovery in monsoon day. The result showed that integration of a water recovery system using the pad sump water as chilled water source into a pad and fan cooled semiarid greenhouse is technically feasible.<br /> <br /> AZ: A slow sand filter (SSF) with 3.3 m2 of surface area has been used to treat nutrient solution drainage from the greenhouse hydroponic system. The primary goal is to improve the performance of the SSF by maintaining the Shmutzdecke layer with mechanical cleaning methods. <br /> <br /> CT: A Partial Saturation Ebb and flow Watering System (PSEFW) restricted the uptake of water by limiting the contact time of the solution with the base of the pots. The supply interval could be varied from 2 to 12 minutes. Water was in contact with pots roughly two times longer that the duration of watering. In practice, a minimum of 30% of capacity and a maximum of about 70% of capacity were the limits to adding water with a single watering cycle of the PSEFW system. When crops were watered repeatedly by PSEFW, a difference in water content was maintained from one watering cycle to the next. Water content of the root medium was 43 to 46% at the start of watering, and 89 to 94% at the end of watering using a long duration intended to saturate the pots. In comparison, water content was 20 to 35% at the start of watering, and 60 to 74% at the end of watering with the short duration intended to partially water the pots. Both the initial and final water content were higher in small compared to large pots, and PSEFW more effectively maintained a low water content at larger pot sizes. There were differences between watering regimes in the amount of water and nutrients in various layers of the potting medium. However, there were no fundamental differences in the distribution of water or nutrients due to PSEFW compared to conventional watering. The leaf-canopy of plants grown with PSEFW filled the allotted bench space more slowly than did that of plants with full-saturation watering. The full-saturation plants began to stretch sooner because the canopy closed earlier. The result was more compact plants with PSEFW. Plants in both treatments started flowering on about the same date. Both treatments produced market quality plants. However, plants produced with PSEFW maintained good quality if the crops were held for an additional 7 days, while the quality declined rapidly for plants grown with full saturation watering. This scenario occurs often during the bedding plant season when local weather conditions unexpectedly delay retail demand. <br /> <br /> PA: Pythium aphanadermatum is a devastating root disease organism to which spinach is particularly susceptible. This disease has prevented successful hydroponic spinach production in the United States. Ultraviolet radiation, sonication, filtration, and electrochemical treatment were evaluated to determine their efficacies in suppressing disease in continuous production for at least as long as required for baby-spinach to reach harvest (approximately two weeks after germination). Additionally, aeroponics production was contrasted to deep-pond production. No conventional method worked in the deep-flow system. The method that worked was to reduce nutrient solution temperature to 20 C (68 F) and produce commercial-quality crops within 14 days. A surer method was to create sequential production ponds where plants are moved from one to a second part-way through the production cycle. The method is believed to work by taking advantage of the disease reproduction period, which appears to be approximately 15 days at 20 C. This method requires limited refrigeration capacity in an insulated deep-pond system of commercial size but does absolutely require supplemental lighting and daily light integral control to achieve sufficient productivity within the allowable production period before disease strikes.<br /> <br /> Topic No. 2. Managing the aerial environment for greenhouse plant production<br /> 1. Develop design and control recommendations for naturally ventilated greenhouses (OH, NE, NY, NJ). <br /> <br /> AZ: The effect of greenhouse natural ventilation rate on air humidity and water use for fog cooling was investigated. A control algorithm using Visual VETH software based on the steady-state energy balance equations for adjusting ventilation openings was evaluated for simultaneously maintaining air relative humidity and temperature (65-75 percent and 24-25 Celsius), and ultimately VPD, with high-pressure fog cooling, roll-up side vents with insect screens, and a roof vent. The greenhouse air relative humidity decreased with an increase in ventilation rate, while the water use for fog cooling increased. For example, the humidity decreased from approximately 80 to 65 percent on a clear day when the ventilation rate was increased from 1 to 3.5 cubic meter per square meter per minute, while the water use increased from 18 to 21 gram per square meter per minute. There was a good agreement between the measured ventilation rates and the predicted ventilation rates by Visual VETH. Effective control of air temperature and humidity, and subsequently the VPD and water use, in greenhouse climate control is critical for the viability of food crop production in semi-arid regions.<br /> <br /> AZ: Transpiration of Tomato Plant Canopy and Water Use for a Fog Cooled Naturally Ventilated Greenhouse in Semiarid Climate was studied within a US-Japan international collaboration. The ultimate goal of this collaborative project is to develop an effective environmental control strategy to cool the greenhouses for plant production and minimize the water use in semiarid climate. Using a single-span double-polyethylene greenhouse with tomato plant canopy at The University of Arizona, the canopy transpiration rate and the water balance of greenhouse were investigated. The greenhouse was equipped with high-pressure fog nozzles, roll-up side vents with insect screens, and a roof vent. Fogging was operated cyclically with an air temperature set point of 24C. Under different vent configurations, the transpiration rate was measured using a stem gage. The amounts of generated fog and non-evaporated water droplets were collected and measured. The natural ventilation rate was measured continuously using SF6 gas as a tracer. Preliminary results showed that the transpiration rate increased linearly with an increase in vapor pressure deficit (VPD) of the air. When the ventilation rate was decreased by reducing the vent openings, the total water use in the greenhouse decreased by 13% and relative humidity increased as expected from simulation based on the steady-state energy balance. The decrease in canopy transpiration was driven by the decrease in VPD, and was at a greater magnitude than that of fog evaporation rate under the present experimental conditions with relatively high humidity ranging 70-94%. These results suggest that by optimizing natural ventilation rate, we could effectively cool the greenhouse with less water use.<br /> <br /> AZ: Modeling of Natural Ventilation for Mexican Greenhouses has been completed as part of US-Mexico TIES program for international collaboration. Tracer gas techniques were used in a greenhouse at Chapingo Autonomous University in Mexico to obtain empirical models in order to relate ventilation rates with respect to air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and solar radiation. Ventilation rates were calculated by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as theoretical approach, results of which are compared to the solution from the measured tracer gas technique. Once verified, an improved greenhouse design was proposed to supply required ventilation rates through modification of greenhouse characteristics such as insect screen, roof and side-wall vents, and extended screening. The input weather conditions are considered from the climate in the central part of Mexico during the hottest months. Experiments were performed during the summer 2004. Thesis was completed in 2005.<br /> <br /> 2.Enhance technology transfer and research in light integral control (CT, MI, NH, NY, AZ). <br /> <br /> No activity this year.<br /> <br /> Topic No. 3. Integrating sustainable and economically profitable systems and processes for the greenhouse industry<br /> 1. Develop an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of supplemental lighting for seedling plugs, other greenhouse crop types, and photoperiodic lighting (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH). <br /> <br /> No activity this year.<br /> <br /> 2. Improve the understanding of using shade to optimize production of high-quality greenhouse tomato for spring and early summer production (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH).<br /> <br /> No activity this year.<br /> <br /> 3. Quantitatively evaluate seasonal and annual water balances for greenhouses (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH). <br /> <br /> AZ: Water Use by Greenhouse Evaporative Cooling Systems and the Effect on the Greenhouse Climate in Semi-Arid Regions. This project focuses on evaporative cooling methods in combination with both mechanical and natural ventilation systems. Two evaporative cooling methods are being studied; 1) pad and fan system (completed in 2005-06) and 2) high-pressure fog system. <br /> <br /> AZ: Water-use efficiency in semi-arid regions includes both for cooling and irrigation. These will be determined for both evaporative cooling systems, in combination with ventilation and shading, to compare the amount of water required to obtain the desired greenhouse conditions, while maintaining crop production and quality. Tomato plant water use for the extreme summer conditions was measured to be 14.8 liter per square meter per day for the pad & fan evaporative cooling system and 8.9 liter per square meter per day for the drip irrigation system. At the lowest ventilation rate (0.017 cubic meter per square meter per second) the cooling efficiency was 85 percent whereas at the highest ventilation rate (0.079 cubic meter per square meter per second) the cooling efficiency was 75 percent. The efficiency was defined as the ratio of the air temperature reduction from outside to inside, to the difference of the outside air temperature and the inside wet bulb air temperature. Increasing the ventilation rate increased water use by the evaporative cooling system without necessarily improving the greenhouse conditions.<br /> <br /> Other accomplishments that do not necessarily relate to the 2003-2008 NE 1017 Multistate Research Project objectives:<br /> AZ: 1. Evaluation of growth and development of safflower under semiarid greenhouse conditions. <br /> 2. High lycopene tomato production: Effects of consumption on human plasma lycopene levels and oxidative stress.<br /> 3. Evaluation of antioxidants in tomato during postharvest<br /> 4. Use of narrow-waveband LEDs for in vitro induction and development of carrot somatic embryos<br /> 5. Design of cyanobacterial flat-plate photobioreactor for sequestration of CO2<br /> 6. South Pole Food Growth Chamber project<br /> 7. New graduate course, PLS 579/ABE 579 Applied Instrumentation for Controlled Environment Agriculture<br /> <br /> NJ: 1. In collaboration with Peter Ling (Ohio State University) a simulation study was conducted investigating greenhouse energy consumption and savings strategies. <br /> 2. A 250 kW landfill gas fired microturbine installation is being completed at the NJ EcoComplex research greenhouse facility. The system will generate heat and electricity for the 1-acre greenhouse facility. Excess electricity will be sold back to the local utility grid. The entire system is expected to be operational in the fall of 2007.<br /> 3. In collaboration with Bruce Bugbee (Utah State University) and Apogee Instruments, Inc., a small set of light emitting diode (LED) lamps was evaluated for their spectral output as well as their spectral efficiency and yield photon flux (also termed a photosynthetic correction factor). <br /> 4. In collaboration with Erik Runkle (Michigan State University) and funded by the Michigan Floriculture Growers Council, Extension materials were developed addressing energy conservation issues for commercial greenhouse production. These materials are available online at: http://www.hrt.msu.edu/Energy/Default.htm.<br /> <br /> PA: 1. A simulation model was developed to predict energy flows and thermal conditioning advantages of green roofs on commercial/industrial buildings. <br /> 2. A process based model of a tree seedling nursery was created to assist greenhouse energy management.<br /> <br /> TX: Lettuce was determined to grow well under low pressure (25 kPa) compared to ambient (101 kPa) conditions and there is comparable level of CO2 assimilation (net photosynthesis) and a 25% lower dark respiration rate in low (25/12 kPa pO2) than ambient (101/21 kPa pO2) pressure plants Ethylene was reduced under low pressure (about 3-fold less).<br /> <br />

Publications

Dissertations, Theses (Published)<br /> <br /> Wu, M. (Advisor: C. Kubota) 2006. Effect of Electrical Conductivity of Nutrient Solution on Plant Physiological Responses and Fruit Quality of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Ph.D. Dissertation University of Arizona.<br /> <br /> Books (Published)<br /> <br /> None<br /> <br /> Book Chapters (Published)<br /> <br /> Costa, G.J.C. and Cuello, J.L. 2006. Using a Correct Watt-Based Measurement of Light for Plant Applications. In Floriculture, Ornamental and Plant Biotechnology. J. Texeira (ed.). Global Science Books, UK. 4:23-29.<br /> <br /> Cuello, J.L. 2006. Novel Lighting Technologies and Strategies for Plant Production on Earth and Space. In Floriculture, Ornamental and Plant Biotechnology. J. Texeira (ed.). Global Science Books, UK. 4:131-136.<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 /> Hoshino, T. and Cuello, J.L. Designing the Lighting Environment for Somatic Embryogenesis. In Floriculture, Ornamental and Plant Biotechnology. J. Texeira (ed.). Global Science Books, UK. 4:294-298. <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 /> Refereed Journal Articles (Published) <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 /> Cuello, JL. 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 /> Cuello, JL. 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 /> 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 /> 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 /> Gent, M.P.N. 2006. Modeling the Effect of Nutrient Solution Composition and Irradiance on Accumulation of Nitrate in Hydroponic Lettuce. Acta Horticulturae 718:469-476.<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. 2007. Effect of Degree and Duration of Shade on Quality of Greenhouse Tomato. HortScience 42:514-520.<br /> <br /> He, C., F. T. Davies Jr. and R. E. Lacey. (2006). Hypobaric conditions affect gas exchange, ethylene evolution and growth of lettuce for advanced life support systems (ALS). Habitation 11: 49-61.<br /> <br /> Javanmardi, J. and C. Kubota. 2006. Variation of lycopene, antioxidant activity, total soluble solids and weight loss of tomato during postharvest storage. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 41:151-155. <br /> <br /> Kim, K-S, G.A. Giacomelli, S. Sase, J-E. Son, S-W. Nam, and F. Nakazawa. 2006. Opimization of growth environment in a plant production facility using a chlorophyll fluorescence method. Japan Ag. Res. Quarterly JARQ 40(2):149-156.<br /> <br /> Kubota, C. and M. Kroggel. 2006. Air temperature and illumination during transportation affect quality of mature tomato seedlings. HortScience 41:1640-1644.<br /> <br /> Kubota, C., C.A. Thomson, M. Wu, and J. Javanmardi. 2006. Controlled environments for production of value-added food crops with high phytochemical concentrations: High lycopene tomato as an example. HortScience 41:522-525<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 /> Mathieu, J., R. Linker, L. Levine, L. Albright, A.J. Both, R. Spanswick, R. Wheeler, E. Wheeler, D. deVilliers, R. Langhans. 2006. Evaluation of the NiCoLet model for simulation of short-term hydroponic lettuce growth and nitrate uptake. Biosystems Engineering 95(3):323-337.<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 /> Nam, S.W., G.A. Giacomelli, K.S. Kim, N.C. Sabeh. 2005. Analysis of temperature gradients in greenhouse equipped with fan and pad system by CFD method. J. BioEnv Cntrl. 14(2): 76-82.<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 /> 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 /> Ono, E. and J.L. Cuello. 2006. Feasibility Assessment of Microalgal Carbon Dioxide Sequestration. Technology with Photobioreactor and Solar Collector. Journal of Biosystems Engineering. 95(4): 597-606. <br /> <br /> Ono, E. and J.L. Cuello. 2007. Carbon Dioxide Mitigation Using Thermophilic Cyanobacteria. Journal of Biosystems Engineering. 96(1): 129-134. <br /> <br /> Philips, Jonathan, E.J. Holcomb, and K. Kelley. 2007. Determining Interest in Value-added Planters; Consumer Preference and Current Grower and Retailer Perceptions. HortTechnology 17(2): 238-246<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 /> 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 /> 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 /> Son, J-E. M-M. Oh, Y-J. Lu, K-S. Kim, and GA. Giacomelli. 2006. Nutrient-Flow Wick Culture System for Potted Plant Production: System Characteristics and Plant Growth. Scientia Horticulturae 107: 392-398.<br /> <br /> Starman, T.W. and L. Lombardini. 2006. Growth, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence of four ornamental herbaceous perennials during water deficit conditions. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 131(4):469-475. <br /> <br /> van Iersel, M.W. 2006. Respiratory Q10 of marigold (Tagetes patula L.) in response to long-term temperature differences and its relation to growth and maintenance respiration. Physiologia Plantarum 128:289-301.<br /> <br /> Wehry, R.H., K.M. Kelley, R.D. Berghage, and J.C. Sellmer. 2007. Capturing Consumer Preferences and Interests in Developing a State Plant Promotional Program. HortScience 42(3):574-580.<br /> <br /> Symposium Proceedings Articles (Published)<br /> <br /> Berghage, R., D. Beattie, A. Jarrett, and T. OConnor. 2007. Greenroof Runoff Water Quality. Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Minneapolis April 29-May 1, 2007<br /> <br /> Costa, G.J.C. and J.L. Cuello. 2006. A Phytometric Irradiance Measuring Instrument. R. Moe (ed.). Acta Horticulturae 711:405-410.<br /> <br /> Costa, G.J.C. and J.L. Cuello. 2006. Application of the Point-by-Point Method for Calculating Irradiance in Greenhouses Based on the Phytometric System. Proceedings of the 10th PanAmerican Congress on Illumination (LuxAmerica). Paper 51, 10 pp.<br /> <br /> Costa, G.J.C. and J.L. Cuello. 2006. The Point Irradiance and the Phytomteric System. Acta Horticulturae 711:455-460.<br /> <br /> Craven, L., R.J. Richman, and G.A. Giacomelli, 2006. How a non profit trade development center and state university have teamed to overcome training deficit in food crop industry. Proceedings of PLASTICULTURE 2006, 33rd National Agricultural Plastics Congress, American Society for Plasticulture, San Antonio, TX, November 2 - 5, 2006.<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. 2006. Factors Affecting Starch Mobilization in Greenhouse Vegetables. Proceedings Canadian Greenhouse Conference, Toronto CA.<br /> <br /> Ishii, M., S. Sase, H. Moriyama, C. Kubota, K. Kurata, M. Hayashi, A. Ikeguchi, N. Sabeh. P. Romero, and G.A. Giacomelli. 2006. The effect of evaporative fog cooling in a naturally ventilated greenhouse on air and leaf temperature, relative humidity, and water use in a semiarid climate. Acta Horticulturae 719:491-498.<br /> <br /> Kubota, C., M. Hayashi, Y. Fukuda, S. Yokoi, and S. Sase. 2006. Using ventilation-evaporation-temperature-humidity (VETH) chart software for developing a strategy for evaporative cooling of semiarid greenhouses. Acta Horticulturae 719:483-490.<br /> <br /> Romero, P., Giacomelli, G.A., Choi, C.Y. and Lopez-Cruz, I. 2006. Ventilation rates for a naturally ventilated greenhouse in central Mexico . Acta Horticulturae 719:65-72. <br /> <br /> Sabeh, N.C., G.A. Giacomelli, and C. Kubota. 2006. Water use for pad and fan evaporative cooling of a greenhouse in semi-arid climate. Acta Horticulturae 719:409-416.<br /> <br /> Sase, S., M. Ishii, H. Moriyama, C. Kubota, K. Kurata, M. Hayashi, N.C. Sabeh, P. Romero, G.A. Giacomelli. 2006. Effect of natural ventilation rate on relative humidity and water use for fog cooling in a semiarid greenhouse. Acta Horticulturae. 719:385-392.<br /> <br /> Shimomachi, T., Larson, D., Jordan, K. and Cuello, J.L. 2006. Energy Balance and Three-Dimesional Radiation Distribution of Water-Cooled HPS Lamps and of a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Array. Acta Horticulturae 711:393-398.<br /> <br /> Tabares Velasco, P. C., J. Srebric and R. Berghage. 2007. Thermal Performance of a Lightweight Tray for the Green Roof Growing Media. Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Minneapolis April 29-May 1, 2007<br /> <br /> Tignor, M.E., G.A. Giacomelli, C. Kubota, E. Fitz, S.B. Wilson, T.A. Irani, E. Rhoades, and M.J. McMahon. 2006. Development of a web-based multi-media resource for environmental control modeling and greenhouse education. Acta Horticulturae 719:303-310.<br /> <br /> van Iersel, M.W., S.E. Burnett, and S. Dove. 2006. Increasing irrigation efficiency: Water requirements of petunia and salvia. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Association Research Conference, Atlanta, Georgia. 51:640-643.<br /> <br /> Popular Articles (Published) <br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2006. Airflow options affect crop growth. GMPRO, May issue. pp. 59-64.<br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2006. Keep your greenhouse cool this summer. GMPRO, April issue. pp. 45-48.<br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2007. Maintain temperatures with evaporative cooling. Greenhouse Management and Production (GMPro). April issue. pp. 39-42.<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 /> Burnett, S. and L.B. Stack. 2006. Energy tax incentives. Greenhouse Grower April:61-62. <br /> <br /> Burnett, S. and M. van Iersel. 2006. Irrigation automation: Current technology. OFA Bulletin (Mar/Apr).<br /> <br /> Cotton, Susan E. (2006). Outer space researchers say lettuce grows better in less atmospheric pressure. Texas Engineering Communications 2006 [cited February 19 2007]. Available from http://engineeringnews.tamu.edu/news/1348. This story appeared on the Houston Chronicle on-line version July 11, 2006.<br /> <br /> Giacomelli, G.A., L. Patterson, J. Nelkin, P.D. Sadler and S. Kania. 2006. CEA in Antactica: Growing vegetables on the ice. Resource 13:3-5.<br /> <br /> Holcomb, E.J. and R. Berghage. 2006. Greenhouse Energy Conservation. Grower Talks 70(10):42-43.<br /> <br /> Holcomb, E.J. and R. Berghage. 2007. Greenhouse Energy AuditA Case Study Approach. Proceedings of the 2007 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Page 54.<br /> <br /> Holcomb, E.J. C.W. Heuser, and P.H. Heinemann. 2007. Recycled Leachate from Fresh Spent Mushroom Compost for Greenhouse and Nursery. Mushroom News 55(5):4-10.<br /> <br /> Mathias, M. 2006. US Initiative puts models closer to growers. Fruit & Veg Tech 6.7 (www.HortiWorld.nl)<br /> <br /> Phillips, Kathleen. (2006). Galaxy Gardening More Than Hobby for Future Moon, Mars Residents. Texas A&M University, Agricultural Communications 2006 [cited February 19 2007]. Available from http://agnews.tamu.edu/stories/HORT/Oct0506a.htm. This story appeared on the following web pages: MarsDaily.com, PhysicsOrg.com, ScienceDaily.com, SpaceRef.com, Astrobiology.com, NorthTexas eNews, My Garden Guide, Gardening News, and Texas Gardeners Seeds<br /> <br /> Stack, L.B., S. Burnett, and D. Zhang. 2006. Floriculture at the University of Maine. OFA Bulletin (May/June).<br /> <br /> van Iersel, M. and S. Burnett. 2006. Irrigation automation: Looking at the future. OFA Bulletin (May/June).<br /> <br /> van Iersel, M.W., S.E. Burnett, and L.B. Stack. 2006. Automation aids efficient irrigation. Fruit & Veg. Tech. 6.7:10-12.<br /> <br /> Presentations (Papers) <br /> <br /> Both, A.J., D.R. Mears, T.O. Manning, E. Reiss, P.P. Ling. 2007. Evaluating energy savings strategies using heat pumps and energy storage for greenhouses. ASABE paper No. 07-4011. ASABE, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA. <br /> <br /> Burnett, S. and D. Zhang. 2006. Using active learning to teach irrigation concepts in greenhouse management. Presented at the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, New Orleans, Louisiana, July 27-30. ASHS, 113 S. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314. <br /> <br /> Burnett, S. and L.B. Stack. 2006. Energy tax incentives. Reprinted at: Greenhouse Energy: Energy Conservation and Alternative Energy Sources for Greenhouses. Runkle, E., M. Blanchard, J. Bartok, and R. Lacey (eds.). 6 Feb 2007. http://www.hrt.msu.edu/Energy/resources.htm.<br /> <br /> Costa, G.J.C. and J.L. Cuello. 2006. The Point-by-Point Irradiance Method Applied to Plant Systems Based on the Phytometric System. Proceedings of the 36th International Conference on Environmental Systems. SAE: Engineering Society for Advanced Mobility in Land, Sea, Air and Space. ICES2006-01-2215. 6 pp. <br /> <br /> Costa, G.J.C. and JL. Cuello. 2006. The Point-by-Point Irradiance Method Applied to Plant Systems Based on the Phytometric System. Proceedings of the 36th International Conference on Environmental Systems. ICES2006-01-2215.<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. 2007. A Dynamic Model of Water Potential and Movement in Whole Plants Based on Compartment Volumes and Water Contents. Biological Systems Simulation Group Meeting, Beltsville, MD, April 2007<br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. Effect of Degree and Duration of Shade on Quality of Greenhouse Tomato. (Abstract) NE regional ASHS meeting College Park MD, January 2007. <br /> <br /> Gent, M.P.N. Modeling the Effect of Nutrient Solution Composition and Irradiance on Accumulation of Nitrate in Hydroponic Lettuce. I.S.H.S. symposium Hortimodel 2006 Wagenigen Netherlands, November 2006<br /> <br /> Giacomelli, G.A., P. Sadler, and L. Patterson, 2006. Telepescence Technologies and Practices for Enabling Remote Semi-Autonomous CEA Food Production. 27th International Horticultural Congress (IHC), Symposium 6. Environmental Control. Invited keynote speaker.<br /> <br /> Giacomelli, G.A. 2006. Controlled Environment Cultivation Systems for Moon and Mars. 2nd International Workshop Agrospace Territory and Research, Sperlonga, Italy. Invited speaker.<br /> <br /> Giacomelli, G.A., P. Sadler, L. Patterson, J. Nelkin, and B. Salazar. 2006. Operations and experiences with the food growth chamber at the Amundsen-Scott New South Pole Station. Habitation 2006 Conference, Orlando, FL.<br /> <br /> He, Chuanjiu, Fred T. Davies, Ronald E. Lacey, and Sheetal Rao. (2006). Effect of Hypobaria, Oxygen, and Carbon Dioxide on Gas Exchange, Ethylene Evolution, and Growth of Lettuce Plants for NASA Advanced Life Support Systems. American Society for Horticultural Science meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.<br /> <br /> Jarrett, A.R., W.F. Hunt, and R.D. Berghage. 2006. Annual and Individual-Storm Green Roof Stormwater Response Models. ASABE, Portland Or. July 9-12, 2006. Paper # 062310.<br /> <br /> Kubota, C. 2006. Current technology and status of seedling grafting in North America. Workshop speaker, 27th International Horticultural Congress, Seoul, Korea<br /> <br /> Kubota, C. 2006. Use of grafted seedlings for vegetable production in North America. Colloquium speaker, 27th International Horticultural Congress, Seoul, Korea<br /> <br /> Kubota, C. and M. Kroggel. 2006. Application of 1-MCP for quality preservation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) seedlings during long distance transportation. HortScience 41: 976. (American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meetings, New Orleans, July.<br /> <br /> Lacey, Ronald E., Chuanjiu He, and Fred T. Davies Jr. (2006). Engineering a Low Pressure Plant Growth System  Generation IV. Habitation 2006 meeting in Orlando, Florida.<br /> <br /> Lovelady, April, John C. Sager, and Ronald E. Lacey. (2006). Dynamic Low Pressure Gas Mixing. Habitation 2006 meeting in Orlando, Florida.<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 /> Montesano, F., and M.W. van Iersel. 2006. NaCl stress in hydroponic tomatoes can be alleviated by calcium. 2006 Annual meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, New Orleans, LO.<br /> <br /> Rao, Sheetal, Scott Finlayson, Chuanjiu He, Ronald Lacey, Raymond Wheeler, and Fred T. Davies. (2006). Effect of Hypobaria on the Expression of Ethylene Biosynthesis Genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. American Society for Horticultural Science meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.<br /> <br /> Roberts, W.J. 2007. History of the agricultural engineering program at Rutgers University with special emphasis on the unique aspects of the program. NABEC paper No. 07-008. ASABE, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA.<br /> <br /> Sabeh, N.C., A. Ikeguchi, S. Sase, L. Okushima, M. Ishii. 2006. Effects of Buoyancy and Wind Direction on Airflow and Temperature Distribution in a Naturally Ventilated, Single-Span Greenhouse using a Wind Tunnel. Presented at American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Portland, OR. July 9-12, 2006.<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 /> van Iersel, M.W. 2006. Beyond routine measurements: Using dataloggers for control and complicated measurements. 2006 Annual meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, New Orleans, LA.<br /> <br /> van Iersel, M.W. 2006. Whole-plant photosynthesis measurements: What, how and why? 2006 Annual meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, New Orleans, LA.<br /> <br /> OTHER CREATIVE WORKS<br /> <br /> Video<br /> <br /> Arizona greenhouse videos: http://badger.uvm.edu/dspace/handle/2051/1932//browse-title<br /> 26 sec promotional: UA The First University - Building the Industry. A short promotional video that focused on the CEAC's vision toward building a CEA tomato industry in Arizona was produced by Kate Jensen, UA Director of Marketing. <br /> <br /> Websites<br /> <br /> The University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center home page: http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac<br /> <br /> Tomato Live! Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/tomlive/index.htm<br /> <br /> Greenhouse education materials repository: http://badger.uvm.edu/dspace/handle/2051/1924<br /> <br /> Growing Hydroponic Tomatoes http://ag.arizona.edu/hydroponictomatoes/<br /> <br /> Abstracts, Posters, Newsletters, Bulletins<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 /> Jordan, J., K. Fitzsimmons and JL. Cuello. 2006. A Hybrid Hydroponic and Aquaculture System. Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. July 10. Portland, OR.<br /> <br /> Jordan, J., K. Fitzsimmons and JL. Cuello. 2006. Designing a a Greenwater Aquaponic System. Annual Meeting of the Institute of Biological Engineering. March 10-12. Tucson, AZ.<br /> <br /> Kubota, C. 2006. Use of grafted seedlings for vegetable production in North America. 27th International Horticultural Congress, Seoul, Korea.<br /> <br /> Kubota, C. 2006. Current technology and status of seedling grafting in North America. 27th International Horticultural Congress, Seoul, Korea<br /> <br /> Kubota, C. and Kroggel, M. 2006. Application of 1-MCP for quality preservation of tomato seedlings during long distance transport. Hort Sci 41: 976<br /> <br /> Mears, D.R. 2006. Proposals for action to solve some key industry problems. NGMA Newsletter. Fall 2006.<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 /> 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 /> Software<br /> <br /> Greenhouse Environment Simulator 1.0 Users Manual. Developed as part of the World Wide Greenhouse Education Grant [http://www.uvm.edu/wge/simulator/]. Primary author was Efren Fitz-Rodriguez, ABE PhD student, The University of Arizona, CEAC with support from Chieri Kubota.<br /> <br /> Patents<br /> <br /> 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 /> Workshop Sponsor <br /> <br /> Evaporative Cooling Workshop. May 30, 2007. Educated public about greenhouse evaporative cooling systems and how to maximize their effectiveness and reduce water and energy use through design and operation. N. Sabeh and G.A. Giacomelli. 75 participants.<br /> <br /> Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course. January 14-17, 2007. Continuing professional education short course, University of Arizona. http://www.ag.arizona.edu/ceac/. Included a tour to EuroFresh Farms (Willcox, AZ). G. McCreedy, G. A. Giacomelli, C. Kubota, P. Rorabaugh, M. Jensen, Mark Kroggel. 150 participants.<br /> <br /> Growers Marketing Forum: GMF3 Farm to Fork Short Course. January 18-19, 2007. Continuing professional education short course, University of Arizona. http://www.ag.arizona.edu/ceac/. Included a tour to EuroFresh Farms (Willcox, AZ). G. McCreedy, R. Furash, G. A. Giacomelli, C. Kubota, P. Rorabaugh, M. Jensen, M. Kroggel. 25 participants.<br /> <br /> Tomato Grafting Workshop. August 18, 2006. The workshop included a lecture on basics of grafting techniques and demonstration of grafting and welding for tomato. Technical and financial support from De Ruiter Seed Co. The University of Arizona, CEAC. 25 particpants.<br /> <br /> Terrestrial Carbon (CO2) Sequestration Workshop. December 7, 2006. University scientists, USDOE program managers, and SWPG [Southwestern Power Group] personnel to consider environmental and engineering studies for a proposed 600 MW IGCC electrical power plant to be constructed in Bowie, Arizona. The focus was research and development of technologies for terrestrial carbon sequestration. Organized cooperatively with Dr Gary Crane, SWPG. Supported by Drs Chieri Kubota, KeeSung Kim, and Gene Giacomelli. The University of Arizona, CEAC. 25 participants.<br /> <br /> Design and operation of greenhouse, high tunnel, and nursery systems short course. Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Centerton, NJ, September 28, 2006. Presented by Both, A.J., W. Kline, G. Zinati, and A. Wyenandt. 2006. <br /> <br /> Workshop Participant <br /> <br /> Both, A.J. 2006. Technologies for greenhouse energy conservation. OFA Workshop. Michigan State University, Lansing, MI. December 12, 2006.<br /> <br /> Burnett, S. Automated irrigation for greenhouses. 2006. Presented at the New England Greenhouse Conference, November 1-3, Worchester, MA. <br /> <br /> Mears, D.R. 2006. Challenges to opportunities to action. The National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association, Phoenix, AZ. October 19, 2006.<br /> <br /> Mears, D.R. 2007. Energy conservation: The future - Whats next. Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. January 2007.<br /> <br /> van Iersel, M., S. Burnett, and L.B. Stack. 2006. Irrigation automation: options and benefits. Presented at the Ohio Short Course, July 7-11, Columbus, OH.<br />

Impact Statements

1. AZ examined the feasibility of installing a water recovery system in the stream of the exhaust air of the greenhouse equipped with a fan and pad evaporative cooling system, where chilled water naturally generated and used as an energy sink to recover the water via condensation. Results showed that integration of a water recovery system using the pad sump water as chilled water source into a pad and fan cooled semiarid greenhouse is technically feasible.
2. A CT study evaluated a partial saturation ebb and flow watering system (PSEFW) to restrict the uptake of water by limiting the contact time of the solution with the base of the pots. There were no fundamental differences in the distribution of water or nutrients due to PSEFW compared to conventional watering. Plants produced with PSEFW maintained good quality if the crops were held for an additional 7 days, while the quality declined rapidly for plants grown with full saturation watering.
3. Collaborative research between GA and ME has evaluated an irrigation system based on plant need using capacitance sensors (EC-5, Decagon Devices, Pullman, WA) . In this system, plant water use causes substrate water content to decrease over time. Once it drops below a predetermined set-point, the containers are irrigated. Using this system, it is possible for growers to irrigate plants without producing leachate.
4. Studies in GA on increasing irrigation efficiency in greenhouses, physiological responses to different substrate water contents found that there was little or no effect on leaf photosynthesis, even though plant growth was severely reduced at low water contents. There was no correlation between plant growth and leaf photosynthesis but leaf elongation was very sensitive to water availability. Drought inhibited leaf elongation, thus reducing the total area of leaves.
5. A TX study to characterize the morphological and physiological responses of four herbaceous perennial species subjected to two subsequent drought cycles determined that the morphology of L. cardinalis and L. camara was not affected by drought, while S. farinacea had reductions in plant height and leaf area and S. aemula had reductions in dry weight. A level of substrate water below container capacity was sufficient for greenhouse production of these species.
6. Synthetic chelators are commonly used in hydroponic media to solubilize Fe; however, the fate of these chelators is unknown. NY studied the persistences of three synthetic chelators in a bench-scale lettuce production system. Despite large differences in solution chemistry, the final shoot concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn were similar among chelator treatments, whereas root concentrations of these same elements were highly variable.
7. The cost of energy for greenhouse heating has increased considerably over the past several years and greenhouse growers are seeking strategies to improve energy conservation and delving into alternative energy sources. A website with a compendium of resources for information on greenhouse energy, reducing energy consumption, and opportunities for loans and grants has been developed in coordination with the NE-1017 Working Group, managed by Erik Runkle (Michigan State University).

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Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Multistate Research Project <br /> Annual Station Accomplishments Report<br /> <br /> Topic No. 1. Managing nutrients and water in greenhouses<br /> <br /> 1. Develop and evaluate methodologies such as evapotranspiration modeling, non-contact sensing of plant responses to drought stress, and measurement of root zone water tension for plant water status assessment and compare these assessments to actual water and nutrient use for tomato, salad greens and potted ornamental plants, as a part of managing delivery of nutrients and water in greenhouses (CT, GA, NY, NE, OH, AZ, KY, NJ).<br /> Photosynthesis was characterized for Hibiscus rosa-sinensis with the goal of developing an irrigation model that maintains a high photosynthetic rate while minimizing water use. Plants were subjected to a drought period during which photosynthesis was measured at 800 µmoles s-1 m-2 of light for a range of increasingly drier volumetric water contents (VWC). Hibiscus plants were produced in the greenhouse with irrigation set points for substrate moisture levels that correlate to 100%, 100%, 98.3%, and 69% of maximum photosynthesis. Substrate moisture levels were determined and controlled using ECHO-5 dielectric probes connected to a Campbell CR1000 datalogger with AM16/32 multiplexer. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, internal CO2, and leaf water potential were significantly greater for plants in the 3 wettest irrigation treatments. Plants under these treatments used 1.4, 1.2, and 1.05 times more water during the course of the experiment than those plants in the driest treatment. There was no significant difference among irrigation treatments for flower number, branch number, or plant width. Total dry weight for the second wettest treatment was greater than that for the driest treatment. This research demonstrates that plants can maintain maximal photosynthesis and growth with reduced irrigation cycles.<br /> <br /> USDA-ARS GPRG and Ohio State University (OSU) Extension developed a sensor package using the NCR-101 sensor package as a model, to be used by greenhouse growers in the NW Ohio area. A line quantum sensor and dual radiation sensor (Apogee Instruments), a CO2 sensor (Spectrum Technologies), hot wire anemometer (Extech), and infrared temperature sensor (Extech) have been purchased so far. This will enable greenhouse growers to spot check their environment with common instruments and enable better communication between researchers, extension agents, and stakeholders.<br /> <br /> The effect of a water barrier between light sources and plants in a chamber was evaluated at OSU. Water barriers are sometime used with artificial lighting to reduce heat load in chambers. 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 that may have further implications on the plants growth and development. <br /> <br /> The University of Georgia has started a trial at a commercial nursery to determine the benefits of soil moisture sensor-based irrigation. Previous small scale research has shown that soil moisture sensor-based irrigation works in greenhouses, but this is the first trial at a commercial scale, with several thousand plants. Water use and plant quality of plants irrigated based on substrate moisture content are compared with those irrigated according to standard nursery practices. Preliminary results indicate that soil moisture sensor-based irrigation reduces water use by 85%, while improving plant quality. In addition, leaching of water and nutrients is greatly reduced when using soil moisture sensors to control irrigation. At the end of the study, energy savings and other economic benefits (less need for plant growth retardants and fertilizer) will be quantified. Results so far suggest that soil moisture sensor have an excellent return on the initial investment.<br /> <br /> Dr Murat Kacira, joined the University of Arizona. His research will focus on non-contact sensing.<br /> <br /> 2. Evaluate the entire fertigation system, including water delivery, plant uptake, and runoff, while accounting for optimization of micronutrient, media pH, and EC levels (AZ, CT, NE, NH, NY, OH, PA).<br /> Precision Nutrient Irrigation Recipes - Recycling Effluent in Field, Nursery and Commercial Greenhouses: A Controlled Nutrient Delivery System (CNDS) ® and an Acidic Control Remediation System (ACRS)® have been recently developed. These systems are specialized tools designed for the application and precise metering of a family of fluid plant essential nutrients, fungicides, hormones, etc. Based on the mechanical principles of these systems, the product being injected into the process stream can be controlled with ultimate precision. Both systems are precise, accurate and able to replicate results as desired. This precision makes it possible to calculate, chart and deliver the exact ppm (parts per million) concentration of a nutrient element into the feed water irrigation stream. The ppm concentration can be adjusted in real time. The end result will include maximizing nutrient intake by plant roots through control of the irrigation solution pH. This will influence mass water diffusion within the growing media. Maintenance of appropriate pH will result in the solubility of the plant essential nutrients for pot-in-pot drip irrigation, drip ground irrigation, or overhead application of irrigation water.<br /> <br /> State-of-the-Art Computer-Controlled Nutrient Delivery System for Container-Grown landscape Nursery Crop Research: Development of a new nutrient delivery system, which accounts specifically for small treatment sizes required for research plots, continued at Ohio State during 2007 under the direction of Alec Mackenzie, Argus Control Systems LTD., White Rock, B.C., Canada. This site will serve as a beta test site through 2008. <br /> <br /> Landscape Nursery Crop Engineering Research Laboratory (LNCERL): The OARDC Fertigator automatically delivered water and nutrients to three different experiments consisting of 10 uniquely specified treatments totaling 428 trees. Routine measurements and services provided by our lab included: (1) pre season flow rate calibration of all 428 fertigation system emitters, (2) pre season fertigator, tensiometer and weather station calibration, (3) continuous monitoring and recording of potting medium moisture tension (PMMT), (4) daily pH and EC measurement of treatment solutions at the point of delivery, (5) potting medium volumetric water content (VWC) measurements, (6) daily records of total water and nutrients delivered to each plant and treatment, (7) as needed measurement of the pH and EC of nutrient solutions retained in container mediums using a standard pour through procedure and (8) continuous fertigation system monitoring and troubleshooting seven days per week.<br /> <br /> Effects of imidicloprid on physiology of stress tolerance of hybrid poplar: A full factorial experiment compared four species of woody plants: hybrid poplar, shrub willow, river birch, and burning bush; two levels of nutrition: 30 ppm N and 150 ppm N and two levels of imidicloprid drenching: standard concentration and zero application. In a companion experiment, three controllable factors were compared. Plant species: burning bush and hybrid poplar; nutrition: 30 ppm N and 150 ppm N and imidicloprid application method: drench, tablet and untreated (control). A dry-down period was imposed at the end both experiments to determine effects of imidicloprid on stress tolerance. The hypothesis was that trees treated with imidicloprid would lead to a greater mass of leaves, greater numbers of leaves and enhanced plant quality compared to untreated trees. <br /> <br /> Mechanisms and Outcomes of Host-Mediated Systemic Interactions between Pathogens and Insects in Austrian Pine over a Nutrient Gradient: The 2007 summer growing season was the final summer of four summers for this USDA/NRI project. Computer-controlled fertigation was employed to grow the 120 Austrian pine trees that remained during summer 2007. Three levels of fertility were delivered: (1) 30 ppm N, (2) 75 ppm N and (3) 150 ppm N with N, P2O5 and K2O added to irrigation water in 3:1:2 ratios proportionate to treatment levels. Fertigation events were delivered automatically by Q-COM GEM3 software based on accumulated evapotranspiration. Randomly selected trees and stems were challenged with European pine sawfly insect infestations and Shaeropsis sapinea (formally known as Diplodia pinea) pathogen infections. The 120 remaining trees were harvested August 22. <br /> <br /> Parboiled Rice Hulls Affect Plant Growth: A new potential growing medium component is parboiled rice hulls (PBH) which may replace perlite and/or peat. Seven growing mixes were created from peat moss, coir, PBH, bark (5/8), perlite, and vermiculite. The first media was a control with no PBH, treatments 2-4 evaluated PBH as a substitute for peat, and treatments 5-7 evaluated PBH as a substitute for perlite. All mixes had adequate aeration. Media #5 and #6 had similar container capacities and had the highest water holding capacities of the media tested. Media #4 had the lowest container capacity which was probably caused by the 30% PBH. Other media were intermediate. <br /> <br /> Calibrachoa, sunflowers, heuchera, and poinsettia were grown in the media containing different percentages of PBH. Media #1, #2 and #3 had decreasing levels of peat and coir replaced by increasing levels of PBH. There was never an instance where decreasing peat and increasing PBH increased growth. The probable explanation is that reducing peat and coir reduced the water holding capacity of the media. <br /> <br /> For media treatments #5, #6, and, #7 perlite was substituted for PBH. Substituting PBH for perlite did not affect calibrachoa growth. Perlite was the better substitute for sunflower and poinsettia; however, PBH was the better substitute for Heuchera. Again the water holding capacity may be the factor to explain the plant responses. In summary, PBH effectively substituted for perlite as a growing media amendment, but was not an effective substitute for peat moss under the conditions of this experiment.<br /> <br /> Saturated media extract testing of green roof media. Green roofs hold great promise for stormwater management, but one of the potential issues with their use in areas where runoff quality is a concern is managing the nutritent content of the media. Sufficient plant nutrients must be present to support a healthy plant community, but excess nutrients should be avoided to reduce runoff quality impacts of the green roof. To date no standards exist for evaluating nutrient content in green roofs. This study evaluated the nutrient content of over 30 established green roofs in the US. Plant community data including, surface coverage, weed and moss surface coverage, and dominant species were correlated with nutrient content data to develop a set of standard values for test results. For example total nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) content of the media Saturated Media Extract should be between 1.5 ppm and 3 ppm. Nitrogen levels lower than this promote poor plant surface coverage and the development of moss, while levels in exces of 3 ppm do not improve sedum population surface coverage but do encourage weed growth and result in nutrient rich runoff. As a result of this study we can now test a green roof on an annual basis to determine the need for additional fertilizer. By limiting fertilizer applications to that which is required we can reduce excess nutrient runoff while making a green roof greener by optimizing plant growth. <br /> <br /> 3. Improve design of water and nutrient recirculation systems (NJ, NY, KY, OH, AZ, PA). <br /> <br /> Partial Saturation Ebb and Flow Watering (PSEFW) for short-duration watering was compared to a control floor on which water was held for 10 to 15 min, followed by 3 min to drain the floor. Three crops were grown: Geranium Allure Red Passion, two cultivars of chrysanthemum, and Poinsettia Prestige Red. When watered repeatedly by PSEFW, the root medium of these crops retained about 0.1 L/L volumetric water content less water than when watered for a longer duration. More water was taken up and used by plants under control compared to PSEFW regimes, an average of 0.55 and 0.43 L per plant per water cycle, respectively.<br /> <br /> The PSEFW treatment provided a variable, low-level water stress, and this affected the growth of geranium throughout. On 15 June, the control plants weighed 20% more than those grown under PSEFW. Initially, the PSEFW regime applied to chrysanthemum resulted in slower growth of than the controls. However by bud break, plants from both treatments had an equal fresh weight. At final harvest, fresh weight was about 20 g less for plants under PSEFW than for the controls. Dry weight differed less than fresh weight, and Nancy had greater dry matter content under PSEFW than control watering. <br /> A row of poinsettia plants inoculated with Pythium and Phytophthora were set over the inlet and outlet holes for nutrient solutions on each floor. Non-inoculated plants developed disease symptoms one month after inoculated plants were placed on the flooded floor. As many as 20 control plants developed disease symptoms, but no plants developed symptoms under the PSEFW regime. All plants with disease symptoms had roots infected with Pythium. A free copper concentration of about 1 ppm was necessary to significantly lower the density of viable pathogens to about 30% of the density observed before treatment. Pathogen densities were consistently greater in PSEFW than in control solutions. This behavior was also noted in our first attempts to isolate pathogens in Nov 2007. <br /> <br /> A slow sand filter (SSF) is under development by PhD student Peter Livingston, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. The SSF with 3.3 m2 of surface area will treat nutrient solution drainage from the greenhouse hydroponic system. The primary goal is to improve the performance of the SSF by maintaining the Shmutzdecke layer with mechanical cleaning methods. After an initial design and development phase, progress has been minimal. There are no new items to report on this project.<br /> <br /> Topic No. 2. Managing the aerial environment for greenhouse plant production<br /> <br /> 1. Develop design and control recommendations for naturally ventilated greenhouses (OH, NE, NY, NJ). <br /> <br /> No accomplishments during this reporting period.<br /> <br /> 2. Enhance technology transfer and research in light integral control (CT, MI, NH, NY, AZ). <br /> <br /> Over the period June 6, 2007 to the present, a coordinated CO2 concentration and daily light integral controller has been developed and tested. The algorithm for the controller was originally developed in simulation and a patent was issued in 2007. A Phase 1 USDA SBIR was received during 2007-2008 to translate the algorithm into a functional controller and then test the controller in a greenhouse setting. The controller was programmed using National Instruments LabVIEW software, with a Fieldpoint system as the sensor and output signal interface. <br /> <br /> To test the control algorithm a greenhouse compartment in the Kenneth Post greenhouses at Cornell University was placed under control of the algorithm. A matching compartment utilizing only daily light integral control was used for comparison. Three crop cycles of lettuce (24 days each, transplant to harvest) were produced during winter and spring periods, covering a range of climatic conditions from the typical low light integral and cold winter days to the transition period of the spring where shading and significant venting becomes necessary. Each compartment was controlled achieve a target integral of 16 mols/m2-day (virtual mols in the case of the CO2 supplemented compartment). There was no statistical difference in the fresh weight production of the compartments although the light integral plus CO2 control algorithm utilized 47% fewer hours of supplemental lighting than light integral control without CO2 supplementation.<br /> <br /> Topic No. 3. Integrating sustainable and economically profitable systems and processes for the greenhouse industry<br /> <br /> 1. Develop an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of supplemental lighting for seedling plugs, other greenhouse crop types, and photoperiodic lighting (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH).<br /> <br /> No accomplishments during this reporting period.<br /> <br /> 2. Improve the understanding of using shade to optimize production of high-quality greenhouse tomato for spring and early summer production (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH).<br /> <br /> Some amount of shade may be optimal to produce high quality tomatoes in a greenhouse during summer months in the northeast USA. Simultaneous comparisons were made among greenhouse sections that were either not shaded, or covered with reflective aluminized shade cloth that attenuated 15%, 30% or 50% of direct sunlight. The shade cloth was applied at the start of warm weather in June. The houses were shaded for the rest of the summer, and fruit was picked until late August. Total yield decreased linearly with increasing shade, but there was no significant difference among shade treatments in marketable yield. Marketable fruit percentage was greatest for plants grown under 50% shade. This fraction was 9% greater than in a non-shaded greenhouse in 2003, and 7% greater in 2004 and 2005. Cracked skin was the defect most affected by shade. Among sensitive cultivars, up to 35% of the fruit produced in non-shaded greenhouses had cracked skin, whereas in greenhouses covered with 50% shade, only 24% to 26% of tomatoes had cracked skin. There was no consistent trend for shade density in the fraction of fruit with green shoulder, blossom end rot, or irregular shape. The effect of shade increased with duration of shading. There was no effect of 50% shade compared to no shade on total yield within 3 weeks, but yield decreased by 20% in the interval from 3 to 6 weeks after shading, and by 30% after more than 6 weeks of shading in 2005. Marketable yield only decreased after more than 6 weeks of shading for cultivars that were not sensitive to cracked skin or uneven ripening. Shade decreased fruit size over the entire season only in 2003. In general, shading increased the fraction of marketable tomato fruit without affecting fruit size.<br /> Shading a greenhouse may have a time-dependent effect on fruit production, and water and nutrient uptake in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.), due to acclimation to light, and a dependence on stored carbohydrate and nutrients. The amounts of water, nitrogen and potassium taken up per day were calculated for successive 3-week intervals after shade was applied. The effect of shade on uptake rates was compared to the effect on fruit production rate. There was a linear decline in water, nitrogen and potassium uptake with increasing shade density. In each 3-week interval, water uptake under 0.5 shade density was 25% and 20% less than under no shade, in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Nitrogen and potassium uptake under 0.5 shade density was about 25% less than under no shade. Shading did not affect the rate of fruit production within 3 weeks of application, but after more than 6 weeks, it was 30% less under 0.5 shade density than under no shade. The use efficiencies of radiation, water, and nutrients for fruit production increased with shade density immediately after shade was applied. These effects of shade on apparent resource use efficiencies dissipated from 3 to 6 weeks after shade was applied, as the effect of shade density on fruit production became proportionally the same as the effects on water and nutrient uptake. The water and nutrient uptake of greenhouse tomato acclimated to the change in irradiance due to shade within 3 weeks, but the full effect of shade on fruit production was not seen until 6 weeks after the application of shade. <br /> <br /> 3. Quantitatively evaluate seasonal and annual water balances for greenhouses (AZ, CT, KY, MI, NE, NH, NY, NJ, OH). <br /> <br /> Water Conservation Methods for Evaporative Cooling Systems. The goal of the project was to determine how to use the least amount of water to evaporatively cool greenhouses and then educate other users of evaporative cooling systems on how to implement those strategies through demonstrations, publications, and training. The outcomes were a reduction in water use and waste by University of Arizona greenhouse evaporative cooling systems, by local nursery operators using greenhouse evaporative cooling systems, by other non-commercial users of greenhouse evaporative cooling systems, and by non-agricultural users of evaporative cooling systems. <br /> <br /> Water Use by Greenhouse Evaporative Cooling Systems and the Effect on the Greenhouse Climate in Semi-Arid Regions. This project focused on evaporative cooling methods in combination with both mechanical and natural ventilation systems. Two evaporative cooling methods are being studied; 1) pad and fan system (completed in 2005-06) and 2) high-pressure fog system. Water-use efficiency in semi-arid regions includes water used for cooling and irrigation. These will be determined for both evaporative cooling systems, in combination with ventilation and shading, to compare the amount of water required to obtain the desired greenhouse conditions, while maintaining crop production and quality. Tomato plant water use for the extreme summer conditions was measured to be 14.8 liter per square meter per day for the pad & fan evaporative cooling system and 8.9 liter per square meter per day for the drip irrigation system. At the lowest ventilation rate (0.017 m3m-2s-1) the cooling efficiency was 85 percent whereas at the highest ventilation rate (0.079 m3m-2s-1) the cooling efficiency was 75 percent. The efficiency was defined as the ratio of the air temperature reduction from outside to inside, to the difference of the outside air temperature and the inside wet bulb air temperature. Increasing the ventilation rate increased water use by the evaporative cooling system without necessarily improving the greenhouse conditions. These results are important for the design and control of evaporative cooling systems inside the greenhouse.<br /> <br /> Other accomplishments that do not necessarily relate to the 2003-2008 NE 1017 Multistate Research Project objectives:<br /> <br /> 1. A 250 kW landfill gas fired microturbine installation is being completed at the NJ EcoComplex research greenhouse facility. The system will generate electricity and heat for the 1-acre greenhouse facility. Excess electricity will be sold back to the local utility grid. The entire system is expected to be operational in the summer of 2008.<br /> <br /> 2. Under the leadership of Peter Ling (OH), colleagues from OH, AZ and NJ developed a joint proposal titled: "Development of an Undergraduate Course: Greenhouse Engineering and Technology". The proposal was submitted to the USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants Program.<br /> <br /> 3. Japanese colleagues from the research team directed by Dr. Sadanori Sase translated the book "Energy Conservation for Commercial Greenhouses", published in 2001 by NRAES. NJ helped facilitate the securing of translation rights and provided assistance with some of the translation work.<br /> <br /> 4. Colleagues from ME, GA, and OH developed a USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant entitled, Development of Interactive DVDs to Integrate Experiential Learning Diagnostics and for Rapid Diagnosis of Greenhouse Physiological, Plant Pathological, and Entomological Problems.<br /> <br /> 5. ME joined a new Sustainable Research Coalition for floricultural greenhouse growers with Roberto Lopez and Jennifer Dennis (Purdue) and Brian Krug (University of New Hampshire). The goal of this coalition is to coordinate sustainable floriculture research and Extension activities on a national level.<br /> <br /> 6. Surveys of the research needs for organic bedding plant growers and the potential market value of organically grown bedding plants were conducted. Organic bedding plant growers find insect and disease management, fertility, and managing organic substrates to be their greatest production challenges. Organic fertility is the greatest barrier against conversion to organic production for conventional growers. According to the market analysis, the average consumer is interested in purchasing organically grown ornamentals and would pay approximately 13% more for organically grown plants compared to conventionally grown plants.<br /> <br /> 7. A paper study was completed to quantify energy types and amounts required to grow and ship selected types of fresh produce into New York State from open-field production outside the state, and contrast the sources and amounts of energy required to grow the same crops in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facilities in New York State, and with open field, seasonal production in the state. An extensive final report was filed with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).<br /> <br /> 8. Hypericum perforatum, or St. Johns wort, is currently used medicinally to treat neurological disorders, while research continues to seek practical methods to harness the plants proven potential as an anti-cancer and anti-retroviral drug source. More than other medicinal plant preparations, bioactive components of H. perforatum are often found to vary by a factor of two compared to concentrations reported on labels for the prepared drug. Variability is attributable to environmental condition fluctuations to which the plants were exposed during growth and development. Investigations were completed on the effects of varying light intensity, light integral and light quality on biomass and secondary metabolite concentration of Hypericum perforatum. A demonstration of the effects of a short photoperiod was also completed.<br /> <br /> 9. A model of a seedling nursery greenhouse was created using Simulink, a modular graphical computer language. Although validation with actual greenhouse measurements was not possible, we were able to demonstrate qualitative agreement, and showcase some of the features of the Simulink language, and highlight its utility in creating greenhouse and crop energy models. The graphical, object-oriented nature of Simulink made creating the initial model and subsequent improvements relatively easy. It is hoped that by taking a graphical and object-oriented approach towards crop modeling, will allow for greater use of models in the horticultural industry.<br /> <br /> 10. A study for alternative biomass energy sources for greenhouse heating was begun. Initial results indicate that biomass heating is quite feasible depending on fuel prices and heating system efficiency. Continued testing may reveal some design and operational problems in some biomass systems, although automation seems to be well-adopted. Proportional control and heat combustion optimization should improve efficacy for greenhouse operations.<br /> <br /> 11. John Hay was an organizer and facilitator for the April 25, 2008 Biofuels forum that included a live and video presentation on biomass heating furnaces by Mark Setzer, Heat Source One, Beatrice, NE. The archived presentation is located at: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p14821468/<br /> <br /> 12. The Ohio Hydroponic Crop Research and Extension Program (OHCP) developed a water quality assessment package to assess and improve water management and fertilization practices in hydroponic facilities, a series of comparative diagnostic tools for determining nutrient imbalances in hydroponic lettuce production, and an instrumentation package of environmental sensors to assess greenhouse environmental conditions and their impact on crop growth and yield. Key outreach efforts include consultations and site visits, a monthly greenhouse newsletter, an interactive hydroponic website (www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/hydroponics/), as well as the development of fact sheets and educational bulletins. <br /> <br /> 13. The Greenhouse Crop Production and Engineering Design Short Course was held January 20 to 23, 2008, 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/. <br /> <br /> 14. Internet Sites developed include: <br /> The University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center home page: http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac<br /> Tomato Live! Website: http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/tomlive/index.htm<br /> Worldwide Greenhouse Education Website: http://www.uvm.edu/wge/<br /> <br /> 15. Efficacy of PGR on Branch Architecture of Container-Grown Trees and Shrubs - Plant growth regulators (Fascination, Maxcell, Tiburon, and Exilis Plus) were applied to Hydrangea quercifolia Alice (both tissue culture and conventional cutting-produced liners), Oxydendrum arboreum, Ilex opaca Helen Hahn and Sadyr Hill, and Euonymus alatus Compacta and Rudy Haag. Branch number, height, width, and growth index were calculated and analyzed.<br /> <br /> 16. Container production of Cornus florida has been a challenge for nursery producers, in part due to root rot. Surveys showed that the most prevelant root rot was Rhizoctonia. Commercial products containing Trichoderma harzianum, a naturally occurring fungus, as the active ingredient were evaluated as a biological control for Rhizoctonia root rot of flowering dogwoods in container production. Treatments included topdressing with RootShield® Granules which was an experimental application method; drenching with PlantShield HC, 2.8 g per 5 gallons of water; drenching with 3336"; and drenching with a water control. Results indicated that an unidentified Pythium species, while found in low population levels was likely playing a key role in Rhizoctonia infections; when Pythium was controlled Rhizoctonia was not lethal, regardless of the severity of the Rhizoctonia infection. <br /> <br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Research on automated irrigation at OH, GA, KY, and ME has increased the technology base for automating irrigation according to plant water use. KY has developed a model that correlates substrate water content to photosynthesis. GA is working with commercial nurseries to integrate moisture sensor automated irrigation into everyday nursery practices.
2. Intact parboiled rice hulls, a new, sustainable substrate component for container plant production, has physical and chemical properties that indicate it is an appropriate substitute for perlite, but not peat, in greenhouse substrates.
3. PA developed fertilizer recommendations for green roofs that will promote growth of green roof species while preventing excessive runoff and weed growth.
4. CT evaluated partial saturation irrigation on ebb and flow systems. Water applied is approximately 0.1 L less using partial saturation irrigation than in conventional ebb and flow systems; however, fresh weight of geranium was 20 g less than with conventional systems.
5. NY developed and tested a coordinated CO2 concentration and daily light integral controller. When this controller was compared to a daily light integral controller, plants were the same size. However, 47% fewer hours of supplemental light were used in greenhouses operated using the CO2 and light algorithm than just using the light control.
6. The water use efficiency of greenhouse cooling and irrigation systems were evaluated in AZ. Increasing the ventilation rate of greenhouses increased water use by the evaporative cooling system without necessarily improving the greenhouse conditions.

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