NC1186: Water Management and Quality for Specialty Crop Production and Health

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Active

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SAES-422 Reports

07/16/2026

Refereed Scientific Journal Articles (Published):



  1. Buss, H., D. Thakulla, J. A. Rollins, and P.R. Fisher. 2025. Testing infectivity of a Pythium aphanidermatum strain for use in hydroponic research. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 138:2025.

  2. Huang, J. and P.R. Fisher. 2025. Micronutrient solubility in response to root zone pH for soilless plant culture: Simulation of chemical equilibria. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-025-02839-5

  3. Ezequelle, M., K. Xiao, Y. Zhang, P.R. Fisher, and A. Martin-Ryals. 2025. Development of a wireless IOT sensor system as an alternative to the pour-through method for substrate fertility monitoring. Smart Agricultural Technology. 12:101663, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2025.101663.

  4. Crawford, D., Y. Zhang, and P.R. Fisher. 2025. Monitoring Leaf Temperatures and Environmental Dynamics in Propagation Greenhouses. Smart Agricultural Technology, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2025.101638

  5. Fisher, P.R. and B. MacKay. 2025. Estimating solar light accumulation using peak sunshine and photoperiod. Proc. of the International Symposium on Models for Plant Growth, Environments, Farm. Management in Orchards and Protected Cultivation – HorchiModel2023. Acta Hortic. 1425:389-396. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1425.50.

  6. McKim, K., L. Fessler Mathews, W. Wright, X. Sun, H. Zhu, and A. FulcherC. 2025. Evaluating the Use of An Air-Blast Sprayer with Variable-Rate Technology for High Coverage Trunk Applications in Multi-Row Blocks of Field and Pot-in-Pot Nursery Production. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 43(3):173–187. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-43.3.173

  7. Krauss, C., E. Eady, W.C. Wright, J.S. Owen, X. Sun, and A. FulcherC. 2026. Establishing the zone of interference for substrate moisture sensors in three soilless substrate components. HortTechnology. 36(2):158-166. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05806-25

  8. Shreckhise, J., A. Fulcher, J. Altland, and A. LeBude. 2026. Introduction to the Special Topic Session: Understanding labor constraints and opportunities, and the behavioral, economic, engineering, and production influences on automation adoption in the Green Industry. HortTechnology. 36(2):217-218. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05747-25

  9. LeBude, A.V., A. Fulcher, J. Altland, M. Velandia, Z. Turner, A. Rihn, L. Warner, D. Hu, N. Bumgarner, C. Marble, and J. Shreckhise. 2026. Current labor challenges and opportunities in nursery crops production. HortTechnology. 36(2):240-244. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05753-25

  10. Rihn, A., A. Fulcher, L. Warner, and A. LeBude. 2026. US nursery producers' perceived benefits from adopting select automation and mechanization technologies. HortTechnology. 36(2):219-230. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05740-25

  11. Fulcher, A.C, A.L. Rihn, M. Velandia, L.A. Warner, A.V. LeBude, J.E. Altland, S. Schexnayder, and J.S. Owen. 2026. Automated Irrigation: Exploring the Paradox of Plateauing Adoption Levels and High Perceived Benefits Amid a Labor Shortage in US Nurseries. HortTechnology. 36(2):231-239. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05748-25

  12. Fessler, L., K. McKim, W.C. Wright, X. Sun, H. Zhu, and A. FulcherC. 2026. Exploring target and non-target applications when applying pesticides to trunks with variable-rate spray technology. HortScience. 61(5):862-873. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI19139-25

  13. Altland, J., Shreckhise, J., & Pancerz, M. 2026. Ferrous Sulfate Reduces Phosphate Leaching in Peat-based Substrates. HortScience, 61(6), 1121-1130.

  14. LeBude, A.V., Fulcher, A., Altland, J.E., Velandia, M., Turner, Z., Rihn, A., Warner, L., Hu, D., Bumgarner, N., Marble, C. and Shreckhise, J.H. 2026. Current labor challenges and opportunities in nursery crops production. HortTechnology, 36(2), 240-244.

  15. Shreckhise, J. H., Fulcher, A., Altland, J. E., & LeBude, A. V. 2026. An Introduction to Understanding Labor Constraints and Opportunities and the Behavioral, Economic, Engineering, and Production Influences on Automation Adoption in the Green Industry. HortTechnology, 36(2), 217-218.

  16. Alexander, L., Jennings, C., Sherwood, A., Shreckhise, J., Baysal-Gurel, F., & Hokanson, S. C. 2026. Field Evaluation of Wild Oakleaf Hydrangea Populations Highlights Trait Networks for Breeding Selection. HortScience, 61(2), 287-296.

  17. Fatunmbi, MM, Sahoo, D, SA White, AE Scaroni, D Jeong, CB Sawyer. Freshwater Pond Function Drives Contrasting Water Quality and Influences Cyanotoxin Bloom Potential. Scientific Reports (submitted 3/2026, revise & resubmit 5/19/2026, accepted 7/1/2026)

  18. Escamilla, C, SA White, AE Scaroni, D Sahoo, WC Bridges. Floating treatment wetlands for brackish ponds: plant salinity tolerance evaluation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-026-06287-9 (Submitted 5/19/2025; revise & resubmit 5/3/26, published 6/20/26)

  19. Jeffers, AH, M Vassalos, BK Behe, WC Bridges, Q Jiang, SA White. 2026. S. Consumers’ willingness to pay for scouting and integrated pest management-related services offered by landscape service providers. Agricultural and Resource Economics Review. https://doi.org/10.1017/age.2026.10035 (Revise and resubmit 7/17/2025, accepted 5/18/2026, published 6/6/2026).

  20. Batame, M, AJ Lamm, KJ Lamm, JS Owen, Jr., J Altland, SA White. 2026. From Guilt to Pride: Exploring Emotional Drivers of Consumer Preferences for Sustainable Plant Containers. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115494 (submitted 5/6/2026, published 6/1/2026).

  21. Bell, NL, LM Garcia Chance, WHJ Strosnider, DR Hitchcock, JC Majsztrik, ‡SA White. 2026. Water Quality Dynamics of Irrigation Reservoirs in Series at a Production Plant Nursery. Agricultural Water Management 325:110167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110167 (IF=6.5, CiteScore=12.5, Q1 journal for Agronomy & Water Resources)

  22. Yazdanpanah, M, AJ Lamm, JS Owen, JE Altland, SA White. 2026. Healthy harvests: Reducing plastic use and associated water contaminants in U.S. greenhouses and nurseries. Environmental Development. 57:101369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101369

  23. Landaverde, AC, WHJ Strosnider, SA White. 2025. Salinity and Nutrient Uptake Potential of Two Plant Species in Constructed Floating Wetlands. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 236:977. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-025-08657-w

  24. Fatunmbi, M, D Sahoo, AE Scaroni, SA White, C Sawyer, E Smith. 2025. Coastal Stormwater Pond Age and Phosphorus Cycling within Water and Sediment. Journal of Ecological Engineering Design. 3(1): https://doi.org/10.70793/jeed.26

  25. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Irrigation water quality: Essential for the growth and quality of ornamental crops, pp. 28-31. Proceedings of the 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo. Atlantic City, NJ. 20-22 January 2026. https://nj-vegetable-crops-online-resources.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-NJAG-Educational-Sessions-Proceedings.pdf

  26. Tabares, M. H. Gonzalez, J. Owen, Jr., R. Longley, P. Chain, R.T. Fernandez, G. Reguera. In-press. Scalability and tunability of woodchip bioreactors for agrochemical removal and water reuse in commercial production settings. Sci. and Technol. Water

  27. Abdi, D.E., J.S. Owen Jr., J.C. Brindley, A.C. Birnbaum, P.C. Wilson, F.O. Hinz, B.M. Cregg, T. Fernandez. in-review. Irrigation scheduling based on substrate moisture sensors conserves water and reduces nutrient movement without affecting growth of container produced crops. Agr Water Manage: In-review

  28. Gonzalez, H.A., J.S. Owen Jr., J. Shreckhise, and R.T. Fernandez. In-preparation. Engineered substrates and irrigation management to improve nitrogen, phosphorus and water retention in nursery container production. Scientia Hortic.

  29. Amiri, Z., Merhaut, D. and Verdi, A. 2026. Evaluation of deficit irrigation effects on growth and evaporative cooling potential of four groundcover species using field measurements and numerical modeling. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 116 (2026) 129233. www.elsevier.com/locate/ufug

  30. Fields, J.S. and K.S. Criscione. 2026. Biochar derived from sugarcane bagasse can be used to reduce peat use without compromising growth in Marigold. Hort. Sci. 61:1609–1615.

  31. Criscione, K.S., G. Spinelli, J.S. Fields, and J. Altland. 2026. The physiochemical properties of two domestic biomasses as potential growing media components. Hort. Sci. 61:1310-1317. 21273/HORTSCI19426-26

  32. Criscione, K.S. 2025. A case-study of irrigation pondwater and soilless substrate quality across nine large nurseries in Eastern Virginia. Hort. Tech. 35:968–971. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05773-25

  33. *Chen, L; Qin, K; Chen, Y; Yu, P. 2026. Evaluating Tomato and Kale Water use Efficiency Using Biochar-amended Substrate Under Three Irrigation Regimes. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr26, 7047–7060 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-026-03320-7


Refereed Scientific Journal Articles (Pending):



  1. Criscione, K.S., and R. Cabrera. Stratified substrates did not improve plant growth and physiology under deficit irrigation for Hibiscus growth. Scientia Hort. (in submission).

  2. Criscione, K.S., J.S. Fields, and B. Wolfe. Soilless substrate hydrology can improve plant morphological development and predict stomatal regulations under harsh growing conditions. Scientia Hort. (in submission).

  3. Criscione, K.S., J.S. Fields, and R. Stewart. Root development occludes pore spaces and enhances moisture retention in a sphagnum peat substrate. Scientia Horticulturae. (in submission).

  4. Criscione, K.S., J.S. Fields., and A. Villordon. A Two-Dimensional Understanding How Stratified Substrate Systems Impact Root Architecture. Scientia Horticulturae. (in submission).

  5. Fields, J.S., K.S. Criscione, and J.S. Owen, Jr. Bark-based stratification depth layer does not negatively impact shrub rose growth as traditional pine bark substrates. Hort. Tech. (accepted).

  6. Criscione, K.S., A. Fischman, and O. Lucas. 2026. An On-Farm Virginia Nursery Trial to Improve Containerized Root Development and Substrate Moisture Balances. Hort. Tech. (accepted).

  7. Ray AO, AV LeBude, J Altland, C Harlow, JC Neal. 2026. Assessing the presence of weed seeds in surface irrigation water in container nurseries. Weed Science DOI: 10.1017/wet.2026.10083. 


Conference proceedings:



  1. Gonzalez, H.A., S. Valles Ramirez, J.S. Owen, Jr., G. Reguera, C.M. Ranger, and R.T. Fernandez. In-press. Scaling up two-stage woodchip bioreactors to recycle nutrients in greenhouse irrigation return water. Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators’ Society Conference. May 8-11, 2025. New Plymouth, NZ

  2. Gonzalez, H., J.S. Owen, G. Reguera, and R.T. Fernandez. (in-press).Recycling contaminated irrigation water after treatment with a two-stage woodchip bioreactor in greenhouse systems. Acta Hortic.

  3. Cabrera, R.I., E. Petit, J.E. Simon, D.L. Ward, A. Vasilatis and C.A. Wyenandt. 2026. Irrigation management and container shape effects on growth, yield and cannabinoid content of hemp. Acta Hortic. xx: xx-xx (In Press).


Dissertations, Theses (Published):



  1. Asare, John Mark. “Comparative Lifecycle Assessment of High-Density Polyethylene Floating Treatment Wetlands and Eco- Friendly Floating Treatment Wetlands.” (MS). August 2026.

  2. Torres, Maria. “Biomimetic sensor for detecting and measuring Phosphorus (P) in soil samples.” (MS). December 2025

  3. Medi, Quintino. “Environmental sustainability assessment of field phosphate monitoring methods for natural surface freshwater using life cycle analysis and preliminary survey of creek water samples with low-cost commercial tools.” Aug 2026. (MS)

  4. Montoya, Camila. “Developing floating treatment wetland scaffolds using non-plastic materials.” May 2026. (MS)


Industrial Pertained Publications (Published):



  1. Hernández, N., P. Fisher, P. Lamiño, and J. Díaz. Submitted July 2026. Identifying Workforce Training Priorities in the Floriculture Industry. UF IFAS EDIS.

  2. Lindberg, H. and P.R. Fisher. 2026. Increasing Success with Tissue Culture Acclimation. eGro Alert Fact Sheet Vol. 15 #7, February 2026.

  3. Hernandez, N. and P.R Fisher. 2026. The Professional Irrigator training series. Proceedings of the International Plant Production Society 75:377-384.

  4. Thakulla, D. and P.R. Fisher. 2026. Focus on Feed: Water treatment steps that work best with micronutrient fertilizers. Produce Grower Mar/Apr 2026.

  5. Anderson, C., N. Hernández*, D. Thakulla*, B. MacKay, and P.R. Fisher. 2026. Six steps to better AI prompts for growers. Greenhouse Grower Jan 2026:48,50.

  6. Crawford, D., Y. Zhang, and P.R. Fisher. 2026. Use infrared temperature sensors to fine-tune mist control. GrowerTalks, Jan 2026:56,58. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=27757


Presentations:



  1. Cabrera, R.I. 2025. Basics of Landscape Irrigation and Fertilization (in Spanish). 2025 New Jersey GREEN EXPO Turf & Landscape Conference. Atlantic City, NJ. December 11, 2025. 9 Attendees

  2. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Irrigation Water Quality: Essential for the Growth and Quality of Ornamental Crops. 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo Educational Sessions and Workshops. Atlantic City, NJ. 21 January 2026. 21 Attendees.

  3. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Basics for Successful Container and Planter Gardening in Urban Landscapes. Total Pro Expo & Conference – NJ Nursery and Landscape Association. Edison, NJ. 19 February 2026. 70 Attendees.

  4. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Nitrogen Nutrition Management in Flower Crops and its Environmental Impact (In Spanish). 4º Simposio de Nutrición Vegetal de Sunshine Bouquet, Cota, Colombia. 4 March 2026. 240 Attendees.

  5. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Salinity Tolerance and Management in Flower and Ornamental Crops (In Spanish). Rovensa-Cosmocel Seminar to Flower Growers. Cota, Colombia. 6 March 2026. 60 Attendees.

  6. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Plant Biology For Home Gardeners. 45th Home Gardeners School, NJAES Office of Continuing, SEBS, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. 14 March 2026. 51 Attendees.

  7. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Principles of Soils, Fertilization and Irrigation Management in Urban Gardens (In Spanish). 2026 Urban Gardening Education Series (virtual), RCE of Hudson, Essex and Cape May Counties. 16 April 2026. 25 Attendees.

  8. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Avoiding Salinity and Toxicity Issues from Fertilizers. Ornamental IPM Program Webinar Series, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland Co, NJ. 28 April 2026. 15 Attendees.

  9. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Principles of Plant Nutrition, Physiology and Soilless Substrates applied to Export Flower Crops (In Spanish). Convención de Directores de Producción GHT. Chía, Colombia. 3-4 June 2026. 120 Attendees.

  10. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. Managing Substrates for the Production of Container-grown Plants: Physical and Chemical Properties (In Spanish). Cultivate’26. AmericanHort, Columbus, OH. 11 July 2026. 44 Attendees.

  11. Cabrera, R.I. 2026. BMP’s for Nitrogen Fertilization of Ornamental Crops (In Spanish). Cultivate’26. AmericanHort, Columbus, OH. 12 July 2026. 41 Attendees.

  12. — Flynn, J.J., R.J. Smeda, and X. Xiong. 2026. Rye allelopathy effects on the initial growth of sweet potato slips. 2026 Great Plains Growers Conference. St. Joseph, MO. January 9, 2026.

  13. Slade, B.A., Abdi, D.E., Blankenship, C.D., Hayes, M.P., Beasley, J., Pardue, J., Kuehny, J. 2026. Evaluating Weed Establishment in Mixed-Media Rain Garden Beds (Poster). Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science. Louisville, KY. January 31st, 2026.

  14. Slade, B.A., Abdi, D.E., Blankenship, C.D., Hayes, M.P., Beasley, J., Pardue, J., Kuehny, J. 2026. Cool-Season Weed Emergence in Blended Rain Garden Medias. Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science. Louisville, KY. January 31st, 2026.

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