Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

CA: Hydrology data was collected at critical points within a wholesale nursery in order to quantify overall water use, determine water use efficiency, and examine the benefits of capturing and reusing surface runoff. A popular article was published in the American Nurseryman in partnership with the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension focusing on assisting growers with improving irrigation efficiency reducing water use and runoff. In collaboration with Clemson University and Texas A & M, researchers from the University of California Davis and Cooperative Extension published the results of a cost analysis for using recycled water in a Southern California container nursery in a refereed journal.

CA: University of California researchers conducted a study to determine optimal dolomite rates in different rooting media for nurseries that acidify well water high in alkalinity.  Information acquired by this project will help growers develop a better understanding and control of rooting media pH for one-year growth cycles of perennial plant production in containers.

MD: A primary focus of the MD research team is to better relate substrate volumetric water content (VWC) to plant-available water (matric potential, MP), so growers can better establish irrigation thresholds, increase the precision of irrigation applications, and maintain growth rates by avoiding water stress. Experiments with Chrysanthemum and Poinsettia between peat-based and wood-fiber substrates revealed few differences in available water and plant growth between these substrates.  Reductions in substrate moisture below 25% VWC resulted in MP lower than -50 kPa, with increasing levels of water stress in both substrates.

MI: We assessed growth and physiological responses of 2 woody shrubs and 1 herbaceous perennial to exposure to five rates each of isoxaben, chlorpyrifos, or oxyfluorfen in simulated runoff irrigation in a greenhouse trial.  After three months of irrigation with simulated runoff, exposure to 0.015 mg L-1 or greater of oxyfluorfen resulted in reduced growth and visible injury to hydrangea plants.  Hydrangeas were not injured by lower rates of oxyfluorfen or the other pesticides.  Simulated pesticide runoff did not affect growth or physiology of Cornus or Hosta plants.

MI: Three irrigation methods were compared: a control using overhead irrigation at 19 mm per day (control), spray stake irrigation at 2 L per day (SS2L), and spray stake to replenish to container capacity with 0 leaching fraction (SSCC).

MI: In a 5-month study, a 2-stage nutrient remediation process with the first stage consisting of a 68 L woodchip denitrifying bioreactor and the second stage a 68 L expanded shale aggregate adsorption bed were shown to be capable of reducing daily influent of 70-90 mg/L nitrate after the first stage and 2.5-3.0 mg/L phosphate after the second stage to below detection limits (0.2 mg/L) in the effluent with a three day hydraulic retention time, or approximately 15 L per day. A follow-up study with the same system was conducted with a high flow rate (80 L per hour) to determine remediation capabilities under levels likely to be encountered in nursery systems, data are currently being analyzed.

NC: NC State measured proximal and distal free chlorine at one grower in North Carolina and the grower lowered their chlorination injection rate which decreased chlorine toxicity symptoms and increased survival of several species and reduced fungicide applications, which saved the grower $30,000 over two years including federal FY 2017-2018.

NJ: Rutgers University carried out an experiment to evaluate the effect of laundry graywater irrigation on container-grown plants. The graywater treatments contrasted conventional versus new generation organic/bio-degradable fabric detergent and softener products. Regardless of detergent/softener types, higher concentrations of sodium, chloride, boron and alkalinity in the graywater negatively affected the growth and aesthetics of the evaluated plant species. The results to date lead to the recommendation to carefully consider the chemical constituents of grawater effluents to determine their suitability as an alternative irrigation water source for ornamental plants.  (NC-1186 project area 1)

NJ: Integrative nutrient diagnosis studies are being conducted in greenhouse rose crops to improve on crop nutrient uptake and fertilizer use efficiency. While the efforts have largely been aimed at nitrogen, the ammonium to nitrate ratios used in the experiments are significantly affecting the availability of micronutrients due to collateral effects on soil solution. Incipient micronutrient disorders (deficiency), in particular manganese, distort the crop response to nitrogen supply, and the expected asymptotic behavior is not restored until the collateral micronutrient disorder is corrected. Growers are being advised to systematically monitor soil solution pH and nutrient availability as to promptly correct fertilization programs and avoid undesirable reduction on flower yield and quality. (NC-1186 project area 4)

OH, VA: Researchers from USDA ARS and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and developed an online survey to determine international trends in substrate physical properties analysis. This survey was used to determine which methods for physical properties analysis are used throughout different regions of the world.  This information was then used to develop an international consortium to discuss the merits of each method utilized, and how the different methods should be interpreted for comparing results across regions. 

OH: Researchers from USDA-ARS developed models relating pine bark particle size to pH buffering.  Pine bark is being supplied to nursery producers after being screened or ground to varying particle size distributions.  There was interest by the bark suppliers in developing a pine bark product with very fine particle size, to be comparable to sphagnum peatmoss in container crop production.  These data and resultant models can be used by bark suppliers to construct pine bark products with pH buffering similar to sphagnum peatmoss.

OR: Established a new Surface Renewal (SR) Station at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC), Aurora, Oregon. The SR station has been installed to generate data about the water use of plants grown in container production systems in Oregon. The goal is to demonstrate how this type of technology can be used to reduce labor and increase irrigation efficiency. Renovated the NWREC micro irrigation pad. The micro irrigation pad is a research facility built to conducted high-resolution irrigation efficiency trials. The pad was built over ten years ago; and had been unused for the past seven years, and become dysfunctional and decrepit. The renovation has restored functionality to the pad and now provides a facility to conduct research grade irrigation experiments in Oregon.  Established a wireless soil moisture sensor network at a commercial growing facility. The goal is to demonstrate how wireless sensor networks can provide information to reduce labor and increase irrigation efficiency. Guided student development of Sap Flow sensors.  Provided technical expertise, quality assurance and quality control for undergraduate engineering student project to develop sap flow sensors for herbaceous perennials. Sap flow sensors are a useful tool for measuring plant water use.

SC: Researchers from Clemson University developed an online survey to determine irrigation volumes applied and water quality concerns for greenhouse and nursery growers in South Carolina.  This survey was used to develop projections for water use across greenhouse and nursery producers in the Piedmont, Midlands, and Coastal regions of South Carolina.  Water use information will inform water volume projections for statewide water budget efforts, ensuring adequate water allocations for greenhouse and nursery producers in future water planning efforts.

SC: Researchers from Clemson University conducted experiments to determine if iron-oxide residuals from mine drainage can be used in filters to remove phosphorus from irrigation runoff.  Laboratory and pilot-scale experiments were conducted.  Iron oxide mixed evenly with sand can quickly bind 11.5 mg of phosphorus per g of substrate.  Iron-oxide:sand filters show promise for removal of phosphorus from irrigation runoff.

TX: Punica granatum is a small fruit tree and a landscape shrub/small tree with high tolerance to abiotic stresses such as salt and drought by anecdotal observation. ‘Wonderful’ is currently the industry standard cultivar that accounts for over 90% of all commercial trees planted. Little research based information is available on its salt tolerance. We conducted a salt tolerance study in the greenhouse by irrigating small trees in 5 gal containers with nutrient solution or saline solution at electrical conductivity (EC) of 5 dS/m (EC 5) or 10 dS/m (EC 10).  We found that the sodium (Na) concentration in the leaf and stem tissue of ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate in all treatments was less than 1 mg g-1 on a dry weight basis, while that in the root tissue was 0.8, 3.7, and 4.5 mg g-1 in control, EC 5, and EC 10, respectively. The chloride (Cl) content in leaf, stem, and root tissue increased by 36-90%, 101-156%, and 254-299%, respectively. These results indicate that ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate is very tolerant to the saline water irrgation and has a strong capability to exclude Na and Cl accumulation in the leaf tissue to avoid salt damage. Many growers in recent years growing edible crops in a hydroponic system in the US and worldwide due to a trend of local food awareness. However, information on water quality and nutrient management is scarce. We have conducted two greenhouse experiments to examine the growth and mineral nutrition of four leafy vegetables in a nutrient film technique (NFT) system with different sources of water. Our purpose was to use water sources that are commonly accessible to most growers and to recycle and reuse the nutrient solution as much as possible. Our results indicated that the tested leafy vegetables differed in response to various types of water used as supplementing or as primary water source, which means that there are crops tolerating low quality (high salts) in a recirculating hydroponic system. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and especially potassium (K) depleted more quickly than other elements and should be supplemented in the late stage of the growing cycle, while replacing the whole tank nutrient solution is not necessary for crops with a short growth cycle, unless Na and/Cl are built up to harmful levels.

OUTPUTS

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER TO STAKEHOLDERS:

CA: The University of California group organized the California Nursery Conference and Grower Tour in June 2018 to highlight water-related research results from NC-1186 group members to an audience of 97 growers. This conference format has proven to be very popular with California growers as it provides an opportunity to learn about water issues impacting nurseries across the nation and how these issues are being addressed in USDA sponsored collaborations.

CT: Delivered seven presentations to an audience of 571 individual growers, co-sponsored five workshops and trained 210 new and experienced farmers, organized a seven-part webinar series and trained 366 individuals.

FL: Online training of growers on nutrient management in four-week courses (hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training). 178 industry participants enrolled, 138 passed (78% completion).

FL:  Three refereed and one industry extension publication (see publication list).

MI: 2 refereed journal publications, 5 national trade journal publications, 10 abstracts/presentations to scientific audiences, 2 webinars to grower audiences, 11 presentations at grower conferences, 1 MSU Extension publication.

NC: Over 150 cooperative extension agents, growers and landscapers increased their knowledge and attitudes about water quality and use in the nursery and landscape. In 2017, we trained over 100 individuals in five locations across North Carolina on water use in the landscape. We also delivered a webinar series on irrigation source water used for nursery production to 57 individuals.

SC: Delivered five presentations nationwide and reached an audience 189 growers and gardeners.

ONLINE RESOURCES:
FL, CT:  WaterQual, http://cleanwater3.org/wqi.asp, an online water test interpretation tool was published at cleanwater3.org in a collaboration between UF and UConn.

FL: The CleanWater3.org website (2,919 users) continued to be upgraded with research information from several NC 1186 providers, and outputs were promoted through a biweekly newsletter with 845 subscribers.

MI: Fernandez, R.T. 2018. Water Alkalinity and pH: What They Mean in Regards to Water Quality. MSU Nursery and Christmas Tree Production Newsletter, April 12, 2018. http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/water_alkalinity_and_ph_what_they_mean_in_regards_to_water_quality

NC: The Nursery Crop Science website, www.Nurserycropscience.info, is an outreach project of the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University and is dedicated to providing current information for Extension field faculty, students, researchers, and growers of commercial horticultural products.  Between October 2017 and September 2018, the site has had 2,350 new users that viewed over 9,750 pages and increased their knowledge of water use in nursery production. 

VA: GroZone Tracker, grozonetracker.com, is a free website for use on your mobile device (and desktop) that provides a digital platform to record, monitor, and share crop fertility and water quality related data within your company. Virginia cooperative extension publications HORT-227P (http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/HORT/HORT-227/HORT-227.html) provides FAQ and additional resources for the website. 

ACTIVITIES

CA: University of California researchers initiated a study to determine the fate of applied nitrogen fertilizers in container nursery production. Growers in the Central Valley of California must submit annually a nitrogen budget to attempt to determine where applied N is distributed in the plant, harvested product and the environment.  However, the required reporting forms are not compatible with container nursery production systems and omit gaseous N emissions.   Information gained from this project will provide a better understanding of the fate of applied N and may contribute to improved nutrient management methods.

CA: In order to develop best management practices to reduce the potential impact of diseases caused by water-borne pathogens, a pathogen risk assessment of a large wholesale nursery was conducted in partnership with Oregon State University plant pathologists. Experiments continued to evaluate the effectiveness of pairing slow sand filtration with vegetative filters to reduce Phytophthora capsici in captured greenhouse irrigation runoff; allowing nurseries to reuse water safely and conserve this limited resource.

CT: We conducted six experiments on the interaction of biofilm with disease incidence, factors that affect biofilm formation, characterization of pipes surfaces after biofilm colonization, and effect of beneficial microbes in water on plant health. 

FL: Five experiments were conducted on chemical control of biofilm in irrigation lines and hydroponic systems, carbon filtration to remediate agrichemical contaminants in irrigation lines, and x-ray scanning of root systems and container substrates. Runoff water management & quality: A series of experiments under commercial and university laboratory conditions were completed to evaluate granular activated carbon (GAC) filters for irrigation water

LA: Researchers from the LSU AgCenter have begun research involving soilless substrate composition under normal and low water irrigation systems commonly used by the Louisiana Nursery Industry, in an effort to determine how small changes to substrate material, utilizing just traditional materials, can allow growers to lessen irrigation volumes on a daily basis.

LA: Dr. Fields at the LSU AgCenter is assisting researchers at Virginia Tech and University of Maryland in compiling substrate physical and hydraulic properties measured by researchers and allied suppliers across the country in order to create a grower oriented online tool to help growers better understand water availability. Also, this tool can be utilized to better set more efficient irrigation levels.

MA: UMass is conducting research to assess the impact of substrate water content and fertilizer rate on plant growth and leaching. Other research includes assessing substrate amendments used to decrease irrigation (both incorporated into the substrate or applied as a drench). We are also conducting a survey to determine the greatest needs and concerns of the industry. The survey has been sent to recipients of the UMass Extension Landscape Nursery and Urban Forestry listserv as well as the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association listserv.

MD:  Additional studies investigating the effects of reduced substrate MP on pathogen survival were done in collaboration with a pathology team at UC-Davis (Drs. Johanna del Castillo and Cassandra Swett). Two repeated studies were performed with tomato and poinsettia in 2017.  One paper has been submitted to Phytopathology; one is in preparation.  Further experimentation is continuing in 2018.

MD: Runoff studies were implemented in spring, 2018 at Catoctin Mountain Growers, to quantify the concentration of Paclobutrazol runoff from production areas into interior flood recycling tanks, the exterior containment pond and through the ½ acre slow-sand filtration unit and into filtered return water for the greenhouse.  Routine samples are being taken on a weekly basis from March through October; more intensive runoff sampling from interior crops are also being analyzed, together with dilution rates from rainfall, over time. 

MD: An urban agriculture project was initiated with new funding in 2017, to examine the effect of various organic amendments incorporated in green roof substrates, on the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leaching potential from those substrates used in rooftop urban farms in Washington, DC and Maryland.

MI: We have initiated an experiment to look at the effects of irrigation method and substrate type on water, nutrient and pesticide movement in runoff water and water that infiltrates below production beds.

MI: We have initiated a study to investigate the compare water source (well, recycled pond, recycled and remediate pond) on growth and physiology of woody plants known to be sensitive to pesticides.

MI: We continue to investigate the ability of bioreactors to remediate nutrients and pesticides from runoff water and the effects of pesticides on the microbial communities involved in remediation.

MI: We plan to continue analyses on the water word survey where we compared consumer perceptions of “recycled” and “reclaimed” water and tested a nursery priming message (the water was recycled/reclaimed from a plant production facility and used for more crop production. We also plan to collect eye-tracking data on consumers who view signs with water messages in TX, FL, and MI this fall.

MS: Cultivation practices on athletic fields reduce compaction caused by continuous traffic from sporting events; however, this cultural practice can reduce turf coverage and quality. Most high school and municipal athletic fields are typically constructed on native-type soils, which may contain a high amount of clay and silt, resulting in high water-holding capacity and poor drainage. Graduate student Jordan Craft published a paper in HortScience on a study that examined the effects of combining dry-injection cultivation with a traditional hollow-tine cultivation program on soil physical properties. The study found that dry-injection cultivation used once per year over a 2-year period at a 24.4-cm depth combined with hollow-tine cultivation on a native soil athletic field is an effective option to reduce soil compaction and allow optimal water infiltration.

MS: In the eastern part of the US transition zone, bermudagrass and tall fescue are commonly planted turfgrass species. Because of quality improvements and cost effectiveness of bermudagrass seed relative to sod, establishing bermudagrass by seed continues to gain popularity as a preferred method of establishment in the eastern part of the US transition zone. Although both species are regarded as relatively drought-resistant turfgrasses once established, adequate moisture is necessary for germination. Graduate student Matthew Tucker published a paper in the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal on a study that examined use of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) as a tool for screening for water stress during seed germination and to determine potential cultivar differences within each species. Results indicated that use of PEG-6000 is an effective technique for screening turfgrass cultivars that require less water for seed germination.

MS: Nursery and greenhouse growers who heavily rely on groundwater or are located in drought prone regions are under constant pressure to minimize water waste for the sake of their plants, their production budgets, and the environment, and thus are in need of practices that allow them to be more efficient with natural water resources, even in times when water may be plentiful. Graduate student Daniel Greenwell completed a series of studies and published his Ph.D. dissertation that examined the potential use of the nonionic surfactant Tween 20 to reduce water waste and/or increase water use efficiency in containerized plant production. Results of these studies will be published in journals during the coming months.

NC: NC State installed small scale acid injection systems at six North Carolina nurseries with high pH low alkalinity source water from open ponds to test effect of high pH on plant growth.

NC: NC State has installed several treatments at a nursery in North Carolina to improve hydraulic conductivity of irrigation water delivered by drip emitters to increase water movement and accessibility in 100 gallon container grown shade trees.

NC: NC State in collaboration with Virginia Tech determined that growers could use substrates with lower air filled porosity and less irrigation volume to use less nitrogen and maintain similar plant quality as conventional practices.

VA: Bioreactors are being evaluated to continually treat nursery runoff for remediation of nitrogen and phosphorus. An impermeable nursery is irrigated ¾ to 1” daily to generate runoff which is collected before being pumped continuously to bioreactors. Bioreactors are made up of individual cells consisting of water only, zeolite only or a chain of wood chips + zeolite.  Before reaching the reactors, water is injected with ferric sulfate.  The main objective of our research is to determine if zeolite can serve as a molecular sieve to remove phosphorus via P-Fe-zeolite bridging under oxidized (no wood chips) and reduced conditions (with wood chips). We will also look at the efficacy of woodchip bioreactors receiving continuous flow and resonance time of less than or equal to 4 hours.

VA & MD. NC1186 members Owen and Ristvey are serving on the Chesapeake Bay Program AgWG: Expert Panel Establishment Group Nomination for Nursery Capture and Reuse Management Practices.

AWARDS

US Experimental Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP): Excellence in Multistate Research award. 2017.  Awarded to USDA NC-1186: Water Management and Quality for Ornamental Crop Production and Health.

Outstanding Education Publication Award. 2018. LeBude, A.V., A. Fulcher, J.-J. Dubois, S. K. Braman, M. Chappell, J.-H. Chong, J. Derr, N. Gauthier, F. Hale, W. Klingeman, G. Knox, J. Neal, and A. Windham. 2017.  Experiential nursery integrated pest management workshop series to enhance grower practice adoption. HortTechnology 27:772-781. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Ann. Conf. 31 Jul.- 3 Aug. 2018, Washington, D.C.

Blue Ribbon Extension Publication Award. 2018. Owen, J.S., Jr., A.V. LeBude, M. Chappell, and T. Hoskins. 2016. Advanced irrigation management for container-grown ornamental crop production.  Virginia Cooperative Extension: Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, Publication HORT-218P. 18 pp. South. Reg. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Conf. 2-6 Feb. 2018, Jacksonville, FL.

GRANTS

$309,348 (CA) Landscape Plant Performance: Water Use and Disease Resistance Assessments and New Cultivar Selections. L. Oki, Principle Investigator. CA Dept. of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. 2016-2019. Agreement No. SCB16045.

$25,000 (CA) Evaluating water usage tolerances of landscape plant in partial shade. D. Haver, UCCE Orange County Principle Investigator. 2018-19.

$21,897 (CA) Utilizing microcalorimetry for the rapid assessment of plant salinity tolerance. L. Oki, Principle Investigator. California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers. 2018-19.

$35, 000 (CA) A system nitrogen balance for container plant production. L. Oki, Principle Investigator. Horticultural Research Institute. 2018-2019.

$331,376 (CA) A System nitrogen balance for container plant production. L. Oki, Principle Investigator. CA Dept. of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. 2017-2019.

$224,704. (CA) A System nitrogen balance for container plant production. L. Oki, Principle Investigator. CA Dept. of Food and Agriculture Fertilizer Research and Education Program. 2017-2020.

$15,000 (CA) A System Nitrogen Balance for Container Plant Production. L. Oki, Principle Investigator. California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers. 2017-2018.

$15,000 (CA) Utilizing microcalorimetry for the rapid assessment of plant salinity tolerance. L. Oki, Principle Investigator. California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers. 2017-2018.

$114,389 (CA) University of California Nursery and Floriculture Alliance Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition Education Program. CA Dept. of Food and Agriculture Fertilizer Research and Education Program. L. Oki, Principle Investigator. 2017-2018.

$584,992 –subward (CA) Clean WateR3 - Reduce, Remediate, Recycle - Enhancing alternative water resources availability and use to increase profitability in specialty crops. Sarah White, Clemson University, Principle Investigator. USDA ARS FNRI Grant Program. Total $8,734,105 (Subaward No. 1759-207-2020386. L. Oki & D. Haver portion). 2014-2019.

$5,000 (CT) Preventing Clogging of Drip Irrigation Caused by Iron Precipitates. New England Floriculture, Inc. J. Cabrera and R.E. Raudales 2017-2018.

$406,000 (CT) Understanding the Human Health Impacts to Exposure from Nontraditional Water Used in Agriculture. Vadas T., C. Kirchhoff, R.E. Raudales. USDA-NIFA: Water for Agriculture. 2017-2020

$19,272 (KY) Viloria, Zenaida, Winston Dunwell, Ric Bessin, Edwin Ritchey, Daniel Becker, Amanda Martin. 2018. Engaging elementary students into horticulture with cooperation of master gardeners and through multidisciplinary approaches in rural KY. Sustainability Challenge Grant. 2018

$29,954 (KY) Raul Villanueva, Ricardo Bessin, John Obrycki, and Winston Dunwell. Studies on Ambrosia Beetles Affecting Nursery Crops and Fruit Trees in Kentucky. SCBGP. 2017.

$41,600 (MI) Overcoming barriers to use of nursery run-off water: Understanding plant sensitivity to residual pesticides. MSU Project GREEEN. Poudyal, S., B.M. Cregg and R.T. Fernandez. 2017-2019.

$24,375 (MI) Physiological response of nursery crops to reduced phosphorus fertilization. MDARD Horticulture Fund. Poudyal, S., B.M. Cregg and R.T. Fernandez. 2017-2019.

$80,000 (MI) Efficiency of bioreactor nutrient remediation in the presence of the organophophate chlorpyrifos. MSU Project GREEEN. Abdi, D., B.M. Cregg, W.C. Wilson and R.T. Fernandez. 2016-2018.

$20,000 (MI) Efficiency of bioreactor nutrient remediation in the presence of the organophophate chlorpyrifos. MDARD Horticulture Fund. Abdi, D., B.M. Cregg, W.C. Wilson and R.T. Fernandez. 2016-2018.

$789,867 (MS) Activities in this Station were funded in part by a cooperative agreement between the USDA and Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center: USDA-ARS. Establishing Best Agronomic and Pest Management Practices for Vegetable and Fruit Growers Along the Gulf Coast. 2017-2018. P.R. Knight, C. Coker, E. Stafne, E. Blythe, G. Bachman, and B. Posadas

$101,082 (NC) LeBude, A.V. Improving water quality increases profits. North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Specialty Crops Block Grant. 2017-2018

$1,500 (NC) LeBude, A.V. and S. Jones. Controlling irrigation in pot in pot production to reduce granulate ambrosia beetle infestation. North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association. 2017-2018.

$89,083. (SC) /1/2018 – 2/29/2020. USDA-AFRI Food and Agriculture Science Enhancement pre-doctoral fellowship. NL Bell, White, SA. Potential of woody substrate-based bioreactors to remediate plant pathogens in Agricultural runoff for onsite water reuse. 2018-2020

$58,662 (SC) SC Water Resources Commission. White, SA, NL Bell, L Garcia Chance, ME Chase. “Statewide survey of irrigation source water quality and water use techniques in the specialty crops production industry.” 2018-2019

$7,808 (VA) Owen, J.S., Jr., and J. Brindley. Quantifying the acidity of fertilizer amendment on growing media pH. VNLA Horticulture Research Foundation Inc.  2018-2019

$18,790 (VA) Owen, J.S., Jr., and A.X. Niemiera. Understanding nitrogen fate to increase profitability in ornamental container-grown plant production. Virginia Agricultural Council. 2017-2019

$9,921 (VA) Owen, J.S., Jr., and A.X. Niemiera. Nitrogen fate in container crop production. VNLA Horticulture Research Foundation Inc.  2017-2018

SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS

Albano, J.P., J. Altland, D.J. Merhaut, S.B. Wilson and P.C. Wilson. 2017. Irrigation water acidification to neutralize alkalinity for nursery crop production: Substrate pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient concentrations, and plant nutrition and growth. HortScience 52(10):1401-1405 doi:10.21273/HORTSCI11439-17

Altland, J.E. and J.K. Boldt. 2017.  Effect of rice hull mulch on nutrient concentration of fertilized irrigation water.  HortScience 52:1288-1292. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI12122-17

Altland, J.E. and K.Y. Jeong. 2018. Initial substrate moisture content and storage temperature affect chemical properties of bagged substrates containing poultry litter fertilizer. Hortscience 53(8):1–6. 2018. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13004-18

Belayneh, B.E. and J. D. Lea-Cox. 2018.  Determining Plant Available Water to Practically Implement Deficit Irrigation Strategies in Strawberry Production.  Acta Hort. 1197:163-170

Cabrera, R.I., J. Altland and G. Niu. 2018. Assessing the potential of nontraditional water sources for landscape irrigation. HortTechnology (In Press).

Chappell, M.R., S.A. White, A. Fulcher, A.V. LeBude, G.W. Knox, J.-J. B. Dubois. 2017. Assessing impact of coordinated comprehensive regional extension publications: a case study of the Southern Nursery Integrated Pest Management Working Group. HortTechnology 27:765-771

Chen, L., Y., G. Niu, Q. Liu, and J. Altland. 2017. Relative salt tolerance of eight Japanese barberry cultivars. HortScience 52(12):1810–1815

Copes, W.E., H. Zhang , P.A. Richardson, B.E Belayneh, A.G. Ristvey, J.D. Lea-Cox and C.X. Hong. 2017. Nutrient, pH, alkalinity, and ionic property levels in run-off containment basins in Maryland, Mississippi and Virginia ornamental plant nurseries. HortSci. 52(4):641–648

Copes, W.E., H. Zhang , P.A. Richardson, B.E Belayneh, A.G. Ristvey, J.D. Lea-Cox and C.X. Hong. 2018. Monthly Patterns of Nutrient, pH, Alkalinity and Ionic Variables in Run-off Containment Basins in Ornamental Plant Nurseries. HortScience 53(3):360-372.  DOI:10.21273/HORTSCI12458-17

Fields, J.S., J.S. Owen, Jr., and H. Scoggins.  2017. The influence of substrate hydraulic conductivity on Plant water status of an ornamental container crop grown in suboptimal substrate water potentials. HortScience 52(10):1419-1428. DOI 10.21273/HORTSCI11987-17

Fields, J.S., J.S. Owen, Jr., J.E. Altland, M.W. van Iersel, and B.E. Jackson. 2018. Soilless substrate hydrology can be engineered to influence plant water status for an ornamental containerized crop grown within optimal water potentials. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. (In Press)

Fulcher, A., A. LeBude, S.A. White, M.R. Chappell, S.C. Marble, J-H Chong, W. Dunwell, F. Hale, W. Klingeman, G. Knox, J. Derr, S. K. Braman, N. W. Gauthier, A. Dale, F.P. Hand, J. Williams-Woodward, S. Frank. 2017. Advancing integrated pest management adoption and achieving extension impact: a working group success story. HortTechnology 27:759-764

Grant, G.A., P.R. Fisher, J.E. Barrett, and P.C. Wilson. 2018. Removal of Paclobutrazol from Irrigation Water using Granular Activated Carbon. Irrigation Science 36:159–166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s0027

Grant GA, PR Fisher, JE Barrett, PC Wilson, RE Raudales. 2018. Paclobutrazol removal from irrigation water using a commercial-scale granular activated carbon system. Scientia Horticulturae 241: 160-166 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2018.06.093

Guo, Y., G. Niu, T. Starman, A. Volder, and M. Gu. 2018. Poinsettia Growth and Development Response to Container Root Substrate with Biochar. Horticulturae 4(1), 1; doi:10.3390/horticulturae4010001

Huang, P, AJ Lamm, LA Warner, SA White, P Fisher. 2018 (Accepted). Exploring nursery growers’ relationships with water to inform water conservation education. Journal of Human Science and Extension.

Knuth, M., B.K. Behe, C.R. Hall, P.T. Huddleston, and R.T. Fernandez. 2018. Consumer perceptions, attitudes, and purchase behavior with landscape plants during real and perceived drought periods. HortScience 53(1):49-54.

Knuth, M., B.K. Behe, C.R. Hall, P.T. Huddleston, and R.T. Fernandez. 2018. Consumer perceptions of landscape plant water sources and uses in the landscape during real and perceived drought. HortTechnology 28(1):85-93.

LeBude, A.V., A. Fulcher, J.-J. Dubois, S. K. Braman, M. Chappell, J.-H. Chong, J. Derr, N. Gauthier, F. Hale, W. Klingeman, G. Knox, J. Neal, and A. Windham. 2017.  Experiential nursery integrated pest management workshop series to enhance grower practice adoption. HortTechnology 27:772-781

Liu, Q., Y. Sun, G. Niu, J. Altland, L. Chen, and L. Jiang. 2017. Morphological and physiological responses of ten ornamental species to saline water irrigation. HortScience 52(12):1816–1822

Majsztrik, J.C., A.G. Ristvey, D.S. Ross and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2018.  Comparative Water and Nutrient Applications among Ornamental Operations in Maryland.  HortScience (In Press).

McGehee C.S., R.E. Raudales, W.H. Elmer. 2018. First report of Pythium dissotocum causing Pythium root rot on hydroponically-grown lettuce in Connecticut. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-18-0365-PDN 

Pitton, Bruno J.L., C.R. Hall, D.L. Haver, S.A. White, and L.R. Oki. 2018. A cost analysis for using recycled irrigation runoff water in container nursery production: a Southern California nursery case study. Irrig Sci.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-018-0578-8.

Riley, E.D., H.T. Kraus, T.E. Bilderback, J.S. Owen, Jr., and W.F. Hunt. 2018. Impact of engineered filter bed substrate composition and plants on stormwater remediation within a rain garden system. J. Environ. Hort. 36:30–44.

Shreckhise, J.H., J.S. Owen, Jr., and A.X. Niemiera. 2018.  Growth response of Hydrangea macrophylla and Ilex crenata cultivars to low-phosphorus controlled-release fertilizers. Scientia Horticulturae ##:##-##. (accepted 29 June 2018)

Shreckhise, J.H., J.S. Owen, Jr., and A.X. Niemiera. 2018.  Growth response of three containerized woody plant taxa to varying low Phosphorus fertilizer concentrations. HortScience 53(5):628-637. DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI12449-17

Warner, L.A., A.J. Lamm, P. Beattie, S. White, and P.R. Fisher. 2018. Identifying Opportunities to Promote Wter Conservation Practices among Nursery and Greenhouse Growers. HortScience 53(7):1–5

White, SA. 2018. Design and season influence nitrogen dynamics in two surface flow constructed wetlands treating nursery irrigation runoff. Water. 10(1) article #8, 16pp. DOI:10.3390/w10010008

Yafuso, E.J. and P.R. Fisher. 2017. Oxygenation of irrigation water during propagation and container production of bedding plants. HortScience. 52(11):1608–1614. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI12181-17

BOOKS OR BOOK CHAPTERS

Blythe, E.K., J.P. Albano and D.J. Merhaut. 2018. Chapter 9: Root media pH, In: In: Water, Root Media and Nutrient Management for Greenhouse Crops. Merhaut, D.J., K.A. Williams and S.S. Mangiafico (Eds).  University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Publication 3551.

Cabrera, R.I., A.R. Solis-Perez and W.J. Cuervo-Bejarano. 2017. Tolerancia y manejo de salinidad, pH y alcalinidad en el cultivo de flores, Chp. 4, p. 63-73. In: Florez R., V.J. (Ed.). Consideraciones sobre producción, manejo y poscosecha de flores de corte con énfasis en rosa y clavel. Bogotá: Editorial Universidad Nacional de Colombia. ISBN 978-958-783-185-6

Lea-Cox, J. D. and D. S. Ross. 2018.  Managing Water and Nutrients to Reduce Environmental Impact. Chapter 16.  In: Water and Nutrient Management for Greenhouse Crops. D. Merhaut. (Ed.).  University California Agriculture and Natural Resources Communication Resources, Davis, CA. Publ. No. 3551. pp.273-288

Merhaut, D.J., K.A. Williams and S.S. Mangiafico (Editors).  2018. Water, Root Media and Nutrient Management for Greenhouse Crops. 307 pages.  University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Publication 3551.

Merhaut, D.J. and S.S. Mangiafico. 2018. Chapter 3: Water quality and correction, In: Water, Root Media and Nutrient Management for Greenhouse Crops. Merhaut, D.J., K.A. Williams and S.S. Mangiafico (Eds).  University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Publication 3551.

Mangiafico, S.S. and D.J. Merhaut. 2018. Chapter 4: The use of reclaimed water in greenhouse crops, In: Water, Root Media and Nutrient Management for Greenhouse Crops. Merhaut, D.J., K.A. Williams and S.S. Mangiafico (Eds).  University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Publication 3551.

Lea-Cox, J.D. and D.S. Ross. 2018. Chapter 16: Managing water and nutrients to reduce environmental impact. In: Water, Root Media and Nutrient Management for Greenhouse Crops. Merhaut, D.J., K.A. Williams and S.S. Mangiafico (Eds).  University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Publication 3551.

PROCEEDINGS (Abstracts or full articles)

Abdi, D.E., B.M. Cregg, J.S. Owen and R.T. Fernandez. 2017. Efficiency of bioreactor nutrient remediation in the presence of the organophosphate chlorpyrifos. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Waikoloa, HI. HortScience (Oral Presentation)

Abdi, D.E., B.M. Cregg, J.S. Owen and R.T. Fernandez. 2018. Pesticide and water movement in nursery container production: Managing irrigation to reduce agrichemical losses. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington D.C. HortScience (Oral Presentation)

Abdi, D.E., B.M. Cregg, J.S. Owen, R.O. Hinz, P.C. Wilson and R.T. Fernandez. 2018. Remediating pesticides from water through biological degradation and adsorptive mechanisms. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington D.C. HortScience (Oral Presentation)

Behe, B.K., M. Knuth, C.R. Hall, R.T. Fernandez and P. Huddleston. 2017. Four key factors in water conservation attitudes of Americans. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Waikoloa, HI. HortScience (Oral Presentation)

Belayneh, B.E. and John D. Lea-Cox. 2017. Growth, Yield and Quality of Strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa) as Affected by Soil Moisture Regimes.  HortScience 52(9):S151. (Oral Presentation).

Bell, NL, LM Garcia-Chance, and SA White. 2018. Clean WateR3: Evaluation of 3 Treatment Technologies to Remove Contaminants from Recycled Production Runoff. Acta Horticulturae. Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Woody Ornamentals of the Temperate Zone, Number 1191, 199-205

Del Castillo-Múnera, J., C. Swett, B.E. Belayneh, A.G. Ristvey and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2016.  Adapting to water insecurity: Co-managing oomycete pathogens and water use using deficit irrigation sensor networks. Phytopathology 106:80 (Poster).

Fernandez, R.T. 2018. Reducing water and pesticide movement in nursery production. Special Session. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington D.C. HortScience (Oral Presentation)

Fields, J.S. and J.S. Owen, Jr. 2017. Influence of substrate composition when producing containerized horticultural crops at optimal and sub-optimal substrate water potential. International Symposium on Growing Media, Soilless Cultivation, and Compost Utilization in Horticulture, Portland, OR. International Society for Horticultural Science. 65-65. Aug. 21. Acta Horticulturae (abstr., presentation)

Fields, J.S. and J.S. Owen, Jr. 2018. Investigating the Hydraulic Conductivity of a Pine Bark Substrate and Crop Responses to Two Irrigation Regimes. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington D.C. HortScience (abstr., in press, oral presentation)

Guéry, S., J.D. Lea-Cox, M.A. Martinez-Bastida, B.E. Belayneh and Francesc Ferrer-Alegre. 2018.  Using Sensor-based Control to Optimize Soil Moisture Availability and Minimize Leaching in Commercial Strawberry Production in Spain. Acta Hort. 1197:171-178. 

Knuth, M., B.K. Behe, C.R. Hall, P. Huddleston and R.T. Fernandez. 2018. Actively interested and passively disinterested in water conservation cluster segments on horticulture product spending in 2016. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington D.C. HortScience (Oral Presentation)

Knuth, M., B.K. Behe, C.R. Hall, P. Huddleston and R.T. Fernandez. 2018. Landscape importance components related to consumer active interest and passive disinterest in water conservation. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington D.C. HortScience (Oral Presentation)

Lea-Cox, J.D. and B.E. Belayneh. 2017. Evaluating Ag-Zoom Software for Near Real-Time Access of Remote Sensor Data.  HortScience 52(9):S421-422. (Poster).

Lea-Cox, J.D., J. Williams and M.A. Mellano. 2018. Optimizing a Sensor-based Irrigation Protocol for a Large-Scale Cut-Flower Operation in Southern California. Acta Hort. 1197:219-225

Majsztrik, JC, DR Hitchcock, S Kumar, D Sample, SA White. 2018. Clean WateR3: Developing Tools to Help Specialty Crop Growers Understand the Costs and Benefits of Recycling Water. Acta Horticulturae. Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Woody Ornamentals of the Temperate Zone, Number 1191, 187-192

Liu C, RE Raudales, R McAvoy, D Theobald, X Yang. An experimental study on energy and water uses of a newly developed GREENBOX farming system. ASABE paper No. 180 (Accepted):: April 2018

Owen, Jr.. J.S., R. Jarrett, J.E. Atland. 2018. Influence of Lime Type and Rate on Pine Bark Substrate pH. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington D.C. HortScience (abstr., in press, oral presentation)

Owen, J.S., Jr. and LeBude A.V. 2017. Controlled release fertilizer placement and rate effect crop growth and substrate ph and electrical conductivity. International Symposium on Growing Media, Soilless Cultivation, and Compost Utilization in Horticulture, Portland, OR. International Society for Horticultural Science. 65-65. Aug. 21. Acta Horticulturae (abstr., oral presentation)

Poudyal, S., B.M. Cregg and R.T. Fernandez. 2018. Overcoming barriers to use of nursery run-off water: Understanding plant sensitivity to residual pesticides. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington D.C. HortScience (Oral Presentation)

Raudales R.E. and J.C. Cabrera. 2017. Biofilm buildup on PVC and polyethylene at three irrigation frequencies. American Society for Horticultural Sciences Annual Conference. 52(9):S222 (Abtr.)

Raudales R.E. 2017. Sensitivity of Impatiens walleriana to Chlorine in Irrigation Water. American Society for Horticultural Sciences Annual Conference. 52(9):S450 (Abtr.)

Ristvey, A.G, J.D. Lea-Cox, B.E. Belayneh and J. Iferd. 2018. Automated sensor-control strategies for drip irrigation of containerized Chrysanthemum. Acta Hort. 1197:211-218.

Wu J, C. Liu, R. McAvoy, R.E. Raudales, D. Theobald, X Yang. Energy and water use analysis for the GREENBOX system in comparison with greenhouses. ASABE paper No. 180(Accepted): April 2018

Shreckhise, J.H., J.S. Owen, Jr., A.X. Niemiera, and J.E. Altland. 2018. Rate of phosphorus needed to grow seven ornamental taxa and subsequent fate within the container system. Special Session. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington D.C. HortScience (abstr., in press, oral presentation)

Trelstad, D., J.S. Owen, and R.T. Fernandez. 2017. Comparison of calcined aggregates for use in pine bark based substrates in woody ornamental container production. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Waikoloa, HI. HortScience 1st Place Undergraduate Poster Competition (Poster)

Viloria Z., W. Dunwell, G. Travis and D. Wolfe.  2018. Lagerstroemia fauriei ‘Kiowa’ Propagation by Hardwood Cutting. International Plant Propagation Society-Eastern Region Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI. Comb. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. In Press.

Viloria, Z., G. Travis, W. Dunwell R. and Villanueva. Seasonal Emergence of Invasive Ambrosia Beetles in Western Kentucky in 2017. International Plant Propagation Society-Eastern Region Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

White, SA. 2018. “Clean WateR3: Helping Growers Save Water and Money.” SNA Research Conference Proceedings, In Press.

White, SA. 2018. Clean WateR3: Integrating Research and Extension to Help Specialty Crop Growers Recycle Water. Acta Horticulturae. Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Woody Ornamentals of the Temperate Zone, Number 1191, 193-198

Wolfe, D.W., A.T. DeGaetano, G. M. Peck, M. Carey, L.H. Ziska, J.D. Lea-Cox, A.R. Kemanian, M.P. Hoffmann and D.Y. Hollinger. 2018.  Unique challenges and opportunities for northeastern US crop production in a changing climate.  Climatic Change 146:231–245.

POPULAR PRESS

Behe, B.K., M. Knuth, C. Hall, P. Huddleston and R.T. Fernandez. 2018. Conserving water, irrigation importance Part 2. Nursery Manager Pro. http://www.nurserymag.com/article/irrigation-importance/

Behe, B.K., M. Knuth, C. Hall, P. Huddleston and R.T. Fernandez. 2018. Conserving water, sales Part 1. Nursery Management Pro. http://www.nurserymag.com/article/conserving-water-sales/

Bell, NL, JC Majsztrik, SA White. 2018. “Microbial technology.” Nursery Management. January, 35(1): 18-22

Garcia Chance L, JC Majsztrik, SA White. 2017. “Plants with Purpose.” Nursery Management. December, 34(12): 14-18.

Fernandez, R.T. 2018. Good timing: Learn how to properly schedule irrigation to improve water management. Nursery Management Pro. http://www.nurserymag.com/article/good-timing-june-2018/

Fernandez, R.T. 2018. Where do nutrients go when you irrigate? How to better manage irrigation to enhance nutrient retention in container production. Nursery Management Pro. May 2018 http://www.nurserymag.com/article/where-do-nutrients-go-when-you-irrigate/

Fernandez, R.T. 2018. Keeping nutrients in their place: Irrigation management to enhance nutrient retention in container production. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. Eastern Region.

Fisher, P. R. Raudales, and B. MacKay. 2018. WaterQual – A new online tool to interpret your irrigation water quality. Nursery Management June 2018:16-21

Gomez C, RE Raudales (2018) Urban agriculture: Agriculture’s homecoming. Produce Grower Magazine. February 2018: 18-21

Lea-Cox, J.D.  A New Way to Measure Electrical Conductivity. Greenhouse Product News. Sparta, Michigan 49345. January Issue, 2017.

Majsztrik, J, SA White. 2017. “Successful sanitation.” Nursery Management. October, 34(10): 23-27.

Majsztrik, J, SA White. 2017. “Water Quality Quest: Consider carbon and membrane filtration systems to improve water quality.” Nursery Management. September, 34(9): 22-24, 26.

McGehee C, R.E. Raudales (2018). Powdery mildew in lettuce. Produce Grower Magazine. February 2018:

McGehee C, R.E. Raudales (2018-in press). Powdery mildew in lettuce. Produce Grower Magazine. February 2018: In press

Owen J., A. LeBude, and A. Fulcher. 2017. Hydrangea primer: nutrient management.  Nursery Management 33(8):16-22

Pitton, BJL, LR Oki, SA White. 2018. “Slow Sand Filters.” American Nurseryman. January:24-27.

Raudales R.E. (2018) A taste of water quality. GrowerTalks. June 81(2): 52-53

Raudales R.E. (2018) The three D’s: diseases, disease triangle and diagnosis. Greenhouse Canada, March/April: 16-18

Raudales R.E. (2018) Sanitation: Start clean, stay clean. e-Gro Alert 7(31):1-3

Raudales R.E. and J.C. Cabrera (2018) N is for plant health. e-Gro Alert 7(20):1-4

Raudales, R.E. (2018) How Clean is your Greenhouse Irrigation System? Greenhouse Grower Magazine. January 2018

Raudales R.E and C. McGehee (2017) Microbes against microbes. Produce Grower Magazine.  December 2017: 30-33

Ristvey, A., L.R. Oki, D.L. Haver, B.J.L. Pitton. 2017. Improving Irrigation Efficiency Reduces Water Use. American Nurseryman. https://www.amerinursery.com/water-management/improving-irrigation-efficiency-reduces-water-use/

Shreckhise, J.H., J.S. Owen, Jr., and A.X. Niemiera. 2018. Understanding phosphorus for containerized nursery crops. Nursery Management (online and in-press), July.  http://www.nurserymag.com/article/understanding-phosphorus-for-containerized-nursery-crops/