Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The meeting was held in a hybrid format where attendees who were able traveled to LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station, while others were able to attend virtually via MS Teams. Meeting started at 8:30 with welcome and introduction from Dr. Fields - LSU. STation reports from all attendees followed, each lasted approximatley 10 min with an additional 5-10 min for questions. Presentations were provided via Powerpoint so in-person and virtual attendees could follow. The station reports continued until the group was dismissed for lunch, and resumed after lunch until 3PM. After station reports were completed, a business meeting was held (also hybrid format) where a new secretary (J. Shreckhise) was elected by the membership. Dr. Fields introduced the new leadership group including incoming chair (W. Owen; UK); co-chair (R. Cabrera; Rutgers), and Secretary (Shreckhise - USDA). Plans were developed for the following year's meeting. Oregon and Kentucky were both discussed as potential sites for the upcoming year. Further, a group proposed hosting in conjunction with the ISHS Irrigation Symposium, held in February 2023 in South Africa. Incoming President Owen offered to look into the possibility of hosting an international meeting. Attendees brought forth ideas to support the potential meeting in South Africa. Leadership decided to await decision until further information was garnered. Business meeting ended approximatley 4:45PM. After business meeting, an on-site tour of LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station was provided. This tour covered current research and the gardens. The following day, a tour of local nurseries was held for in-person attendees including two large, wholesale nurseries, a plant breeding facility, a native plant nursery, and a tea production facility. Tours lasted from 730AM to 530PM. 

Florida: 

Objective (2) Crop production runoff management: Experiments were completed with recirculating nutrient solutions including lettuce, basil, tomato, and hemp in order to quantify changes in nutrient balance over time with variables that included the plant species, irrigation water quality, and acid/base type for pH correction. These data are being analyzed for a nutrient mass balance model to help growers conserve water and fertilizer by reducing the need to regularly dump nutrient solution. Emerging areas (with initial experimentation conducted in 2022) are related to (a) minimizing heavy metal contamination in medicinal crops including hemp, (b) quantifying climate in greenhouse and indoor vertical farms for control of irrigation using vapor pressure deficit, and (c) use of cold plasma and ozone for sanitation of recirculating nutrient solutions.

Two extension courses were taught in Florida to a total of 341 participants greenhouse and nutrient management techniques. Thirty-eight extension videos added to Greenhouse Training Online YouTube channel, including interviews with other NC1186 members (Dr. Sarah White, Dr. Jim Owen, Dr. Jacob Shreckhise). The Greenhouse Training Online YouTube channel had 24.5K views, CleanWater3.org – water quality and treatment has 4.7K users, FloricultureAlliance.org – greenhouse propagation has 2.4K users, and BackPocketGrower.org – calculators and training has 1.2K users. Researchers at Florida provided 29 site visits with presentations both nationally and internationally.

International Presentations: NZ Plant Producers Inc. and NZ International Plant Propagators Society four one-day Nursery best management practice nursery workshops in New Zealand (Pukekohe, Tauranga, Palmerston North, and Christchurch); Webinars in Singapore Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Food Agency (water quality, and urban horticulture); Canadian Greenhouse Conference webinar presentation on water quality; Guatemala Flower Export Association: two webinars on fertilizer in Spanish; Canada British Columbia Grower Association on nutrient management and water conservation

National Presentations: Floriculture Research Alliance annual meeting presenter and co-organizer; University of Connecticut Extension presentation on “Managing the root zone in plug trays”; Bowery Farming (leading vertical farming company) presentation on “Nutrition for indoor vertical farming”; University of New Hampshire Extension presentation on “Root Zone pH and Nutrient Management for New Hampshire Growers”

South Carolina:

Researchers from Clemson University and USDA-ARS Wooster completed sampling at two irrigation reservoirs in SC in November 2021. From both a small (area = 0.95 acres) and large (area = 7.69 acres) reservoir, we captured data related to storm event runoff and reservoir refill rates, irrigation return flow, and water quality (e.g., suspended sediments, nutrients, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen). Data (both volume and quality based) were integrated and movement of contaminants within water during storm and irrigation events was characterized. Growers used this information to determine reservoir refill rates during irrigation and storm events, to better understand water use and recharge rates. Researchers are exploring P dynamics in coastal stormwater ponds. They are investigating the implication of age of the pond on P dynamics. Currently, they engaged in site selection in the coastal region of South Carolina. Results from the study could help the growers in understanding P dynamics in irrigation reservoirs.

Researchers are exploring the importance of stream restoration on nutrient dynamics in agricultural and urban streams. Currently, they are engaged in nutrient injection studies at a couple of sites in the City of Greenville and at the Simpsons farm, Clemson experiment station.   Results from this study could help understand the growers the importance of the riparian area, vegetation, and other in-stream best management practices that could be adopted and implemented for better source water quality. Analysis is ongoing for experiments completed by researchers from Clemson University in July 2021 related to potential of phosphorus-saturated iron-oxide residuals from mine drainage for use as both (1) a phosphorus filter to remove phosphorus from irrigation return flow or runoff and then (2) and potential for the P-saturated iron-oxide sorbed to the filter for reuse as a P fertilizer source in container production. Differences in crop appearance were evident among the five test species. Analytical results related to leachate, plant P uptake, and P remaining in the substrate were completed and results are being analyzed for publication and communication to stakeholders. Researchers are exploring the use of technologies (both contact and non-contact sensors) for water monitoring. Adoption of these technologies by the growers could greatly help in understanding and quantifying water and nutrient budgets. Currently, some of these technologies are already in place at the Clemson campus.

Researchers from Clemson university completed experiments with floating treatment wetlands paired with bioreactors and iron oxide filters (in varied order) over two winter seasons (2019-20, 2020-21) and determined that iron oxide filters enhanced P removal over winter, and supplemented removal efficacy from dormant plants in the floating wetlands and from bioreactors with reduced microbial activity due to cooler temperatures. Publications are being finalized and one MS thesis was completed with this research project. Clemson researchers are engaged in developing educational materials for the Extension agents, NRCS agents, and farmers on harmful algal blooms (HAB) in livestock and irrigation ponds. The materials include a HAB manual, presentation, and factsheets on HABs.

Ohio:

Outputs: Stakeholder engagement in research to identify needed benefits and barriers to adoption; Research summaries (1 page) of published journal papers were disseminated to Ohio stakeholder groups including the Maumee Valley Growers Association and the Nursery Growers of Lake County.

Activities: Experiments were conducted on substrate hydrology, fertility, and weed management; Water quantity and quality research was conducted at two Ohio stakeholders’ nurseries identifying runoff amounts and load under varying irrigation storms and different storm intensities.; Alternative substrates were evaluated and recommended for tomato and cucumber production in Dutch buckets. These substrates, including pine bark and wood fiber, reduced water use and leachate compared to the industry standard perlite.

Milestones: Runoff water management & quality: A water reservoir review and design parameters was published; Runoff water management & quality: Novel on farm runoff data, volume and load, comparing cultural practices was completed and will be published in winter of 2022/2023; Research on substrate alternatives to perlite for Dutch bucket hydroponic systems has concluded with specific recommendations for growers to adopt regionally available and effective organic substrates (pine bark, for example).

New Jersey: 

Activities: Rutgers University has found that specialty hemp grown under plasticulture responds to irrigation management, where mild water stress (allowing soil matric potential reach -45 to -50 kPa before irrigation) significantly reduced harvested flower yields compared to a well irrigated treatment (soil matric potential allowed to reach -15 to -25 kPa). Irrigation management did not affect the cannabinoid or terpene profile of the harvested flowers.   

Outputs: An online tool to estimate costs and benefits of installing a water recycling system in commercial nurseries was developed and validated. A grower can input data on an existing nursery operation and the online tool returns an initial “regulatory risk score” based on the user’s drought and pollution risk, and then, using a partial budget approach, it returns a net present value of investing on a water recycling system, upfront capital cost, and expected change in annual cash flow. Simulations of this computer tool pointed that capital cost and profit vary significantly with the precise method used to size the runoff water recapture pond.

Massachusetts: 

Research and outreach efforts have focused on 1) post-production stress management for container produced plants, and 2) the use of alternative containers during production. The post-production environment, including shipping and the retail setting, is very stressful for plants as the environment is less than ideal in terms of water management, light and environmental conditions. There is potential for water management and the use of water retention additives during production to help plants better manage post-production stress. Finally, the use of alternative production containers is important because of the dependence of petroleum-based plastics by the green industries. Alternative containers, such as fabric and fiber containers, are a more sustainable option and have the potential to improve production related challenges such as circling roots. This is important to container plant producers as well as the public that wants to see more sustainable production practices used by the green industry.

 Post-production stress management research focused on the use of reduced irrigation applications for water stress management and the use of water retention additives. Multiple studies were completed assessing different additives (granular, liquid, organic), the impact of different substrate types, and container types. Research looked at both the impact of reduced irrigation and additives on plant growth and water use during production as well as time to wilt in post-production. Alternative container research was conducted both in a greenhouse and outdoor production setting. The first study is looking at growth of Cornus floridain plastic and two different fabric containers over the course of two years. A second study looked at the growth of Heuchera in fabric, fiber, and plastic containers. A third study looked at the growth of Lavendula in fiber and plastic containers grown at different substrate water contents. A fourth study looked at the growth of Dianthu

North Carolina:

Medium-term outcomes. NC State measured plant growth of five common flowering shrubs that received either high pH, low alkalinity irrigation water (pH 7.0-9.0; total alkalinity

Outputs. Over 75 cooperative extension agents, growers and landscapers increased their knowledge, skills, and attitudes approximately one point on a five point Likert type scale after receiving training for monitoring pH and electrical conductivity of source water quality.  

Activities. The Nursery Crop Science website 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 2020 and September 2021, the site has had 975 new users that viewed over 5,712 pages and increased their knowledge of water use in nursery production. 

Four weed species were deployed in submersible “pods” at four nurseries to determine effect of submersion time on germination.  Pods were deployed 2019 Nov and seeds have been extracted every 15 days for 360 days and germinated in controlled environments for 30 days. A second pod was deployed June 2020 to June 2021. Results are being analyzed.

In collaboration with Oregon State University, several field tests of shade trees were planted to determine the effect of various cultural practices to prevent infestation of flatheaded appletree borer.

A mobile disc filtering rig was constructed to pump large volumes of water from surface water to determine quantity of weed seeds in water.  Approximately 10 days of irrigation for an acre inch at each nursery (~270,000) will be filtered through 130 micron screens and the backwash will be sieved to remove seeds between 0.5 and 2.0 mm and germinated in a shade structure outside.   

Oregon:

The Climate-ready Landscape-Plant irrigation trials provides information for compliance with state water conservation regulations NC1186 members at the University of California, and Oregon State University in collaboration with non-NC1186 researchers at the Universities of Arizona, Washington, and Utah State have established a western regional irrigation plant trial to determine how climate gradient affects water use of common and uncommon landscape plant species.

Continued research into sensor-based irrigation management. Third year using the DIY low cost open source weather station to monitor crop water stress. Added infra-red sensors to this years build and are developing crop water stress index for hazelnuts grown in Oregon. Also, built a mini-lysimeter system and established the Experimental Hemp Plant Irrigation Center. 

Louisiana:

Activities: Research activities in Louisiana focused on substrate management techniques, including stratified substrates to provide more uniform moisture gradient. Researchers are currently evaluating water dynamics and plant response in substrate systems. Further research to pursue potential cost savings by using lower-cost substrate (bark) below a higher quality substrate (peat) is ongoing. Research shows stratification can even out moisture level in top v bottom container. Sugarcane bagasse as substrate amendment to convert waste into a substrate resource – challenges include decomposition, low pH, and may be best for quick turn crops. Other projects including fertilizer placement and nutrient leaching, quality of bark sources, ground covers and interactions with irrigation, branding and consumer preferences for landscape varieties, container citrus production, and benchmarking nursery labor efficiency

Outputs: Louisiana led a national collaborative effort to develop a soilless substrate industry survey and needs assessment.

Knowledge transfer to stakeholders. Louisiana researchers hosted annual grower field day in July with 130 stakeholders in attendance who learned about current research findings. Louisiana researchers also facilitated knowledge transfer to stakeholders involving substrate science via grower webinars (IPPS-SR Micromeeting; Feb 2022), and a grower presentation (Cultivate – July 2022).

Tennessee:

In collaboration with the USDA, we are developing a hyprop packing procedure to help ensure that we achieve the desired Db and that the Db is consistent throughout the height of the substrate column. We are also evaluating dielectric probe proximity for interference in VWC measurements to aid future research and as a tool for other researchers.

Researchers with the USDA-ARS/U.S. National Arboretum (Tennessee) conducted research exploring the effect of adding ferrous sulfate-amended pine bark to nursery containers on phosphorus (P) leaching and plant growth of ten economically important nursery crops. They concluded that potting nursery crops in ferrous sulfate-amended pine bark at a rate of 0.3 or 0.6 kg/m³ Fe can reduce P leaching by 32% and 57%, respectively, without negatively affecting plant growth. USDA-ARS/U.S. National Arboretum researchers have also teamed up with NC1186 collaborators from the USDA-ARS/Application Technology Research Unit (Ohio), Louisiana State University, and Oregon State University to investigate the influence of container color and irrigation regime on substrate temperature and nutrient release characteristics from polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs). These CRF studies are currently underway (July 2022), the results from which may identify value-added benefits (e.g., improved CRF longevity) of growing nursery crops in white versus black containers and scheduling cyclic (3 cycles daily) versus once-per-day irrigation.

Outputs. Knowledge transfer to stakeholders - Green Industry Field Day, led a team of organizers, Knoxville, TN, June 29, 2021.; Advances in Irrigation and Pesticide Application Technology for Nursery Crops. Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Seminar, Purdue University, December 2, 2021, West Lafayette, IN (Virtual). State.; Advanced Irrigation and Water Use Concepts, Advance Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program, 1-hour module. Offered throughout 2021.; Making the Transition: From Nursery to Landscape, Grounds Maintenance Shortcourse, Knoxville, TN, January 21, 2022; Curate the NC1186 Listserv.

Activities. In collaboration with the USDA, we are evaluating water availability and developing an experimental system to evaluate water movement and retention in various pine bark blends. The University of Tennessee is conducting research to develop information that nursery producers can utilize when selecting container inputs among economic inflation, limiting water, and supply chain constraints. We are working toward our overarching goal of reducing excess water use. 

California:

Activities: The projects active during the reporting year developed information that addressed each of the five areas of concern: (1) research examines the removal of plant growth regulators from captured irrigation runoff to mitigate detrimental effects on non-targeted crops when the captured runoff is reused for irrigation. (2),( 3) videos have been developed on topics of irrigation efficiency, nutrient management, and runoff management. (3),( 4) information was developed on the irrigation needs of ornamental landscape plants to optimized water use.  (3), (5) research determined the pathways of nitrogen fertilizers usage and losses in containerized plant production. (5) Workshops for nursery and greenhouse growers on plant nutrition and fertilizer use were organized and will be presented in 2022 in both English and Spanish.

Outputs: The project team has developed informational videos on water management on topics that cover irrigation efficiency, runoff management, and fertilizer management to assist growers to be more efficient with these resources and to mitigate issues related to runoff water quality.  The project team also develops information on the water needs of landscape plants to produce programs to irrigate urban landscapes to minimize water use and to comply with California regulations on urban landscape irrigation.  For growers, information on the use of nitrogen fertilizers is produced to optimize nitrogen nutrition, minimize nitrogen fertilizer applications and to comply with regulations regarding nitrogen management on California crops.  Also for growers, research was initiated on the removal of plant growth regulators from captured runoff to mitigate the effects of these compounds on non-targeted crops when the water is reused for irrigation.  The workshops on fertilizers and plant nutrition in English and Spanish presents information on the roles of these nutrients, diagnosing deficiencies and toxicities, monitoring plant health and nitrogen in water.

Scientific Journals:

1. Rihn, A., M. Velandia, L.A. Warner, A. Fulcher, S. Schexnayder, and A. LeBude. 2022. Factors correlated with the propensity to use automation and mechanization by the U.S. nursery industry. Agribusiness: An International Journal. (in press)
2. Warner, L. A., A. L. Rihn, A. Fulcher, S. Schexnayder, and A.V. LeBude. Relating between perceptions and adoption of automated nursery technologies to address labor needs. Journal of Agricultural Education. (in press)
3. Chen, L., H. Zhu, L. Horst, M. Wallhead, R. Reding, and A. Fulcher. 2021. Management of pest insects and plant diseases in fruit and nursery production with laser-guided variable-rate sprayers. HortScience 56(1):94-100. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15491-20
4. Cypher, Q., A. Fulcher, L. Fessler, W. Wright, and X. Sun. 2021. Leachate and irrigation sensor development and performance. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 37(1):65-75. https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.14080
5. Nackley, L., B. Warneke, L. Fessler^MW. Pscheidt, D. Lockwood, W. Wright, X. Sun, and A. Fulcher. 2021. Variable-rate spray technology optimizes pesticide application by adjusting for seasonal shifts in deciduous perennial crops. HortTechnology 31(4):479-489.
6. Fessler, L., A. Fulcher, L. Schneider, W. Wright, and H. Zhu. 2021. Reducing the nursery pesticide footprint with laser-guided, variable-rate spray application technology. HortScience 56(12):1572-1584. Issue selected for HortScience cover. https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/56/12/article-p1572.xml
7. Ammons, A., A.V. LeBude, J.S. Owen, Jr., and M. McGinnis. 2022. Effect of irrigation, fertilizer rate and placement, and two substrates on growth of rose and hydrangea. J. Environ. Hort. In print.
8. LeBude, A.V., J.S. Owen, and C. Holmes. 2021. High pH, low alkalinity pond water used for overhead irrigation does not affect plant growth of select flowering shrubs. J. Environ. Hort. 39(1):22–32. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-39.1.22.
9. McCauley, D.M. and L.L. Nackley†. 2022. Development of mini-lysimeter system for use in irrigation automation of container-grown crops. HardwareX
10. Sheridan, R.A. and L.L. Nackley†. 2022. Applying the plant hydraulics framework to investigate desiccation during prolonged cold storage of horticultural trees. Frontiers in Plant Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.818769
11. AL-agele, HA*, H. Jashami, L.L. Nackley, and C. Higgins. 2021. A Variable Rate Drip Irrigation Prototype for Precision Irrigation. Agronomy 11
12. AL-agele HA, Mahapatra DM, Nackley L, Higgins C. Economic Viability of Ultrasonic Sensor Actuated Nozzle Height Control in Center Pivot Irrigation Systems. 2022. Agronomy. 12(5):1077 https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12051077
13. Rodrigues, P.H.V., M.F. Trientini* and P.R. Fisher. 2022. Biofilm management in irrigation lines and hydroponic lettuce solutions using sanitizing chemicals. ISHS IX International Symposium On Irrigation Of Horticultural Crops, Matera Italy, Acta Horticulturae 1335. ISHS 2022. DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1335.89
14. Fisher, P.R. and G. Mohammad-Pour*. 2022. Interactions of fertilizer and chemical sanitizing agents in water. ISHS IX International Symposium On Irrigation Of Horticultural Crops, Matera Italy, Acta Horticulturae 1335. ISHS 2022. DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1335.4
15. Trientini, F.*, P.R. Fisher, and G.H Nunez. 2022. pH buffering of nutrient solutions with differing water quality in small-scale hydroponic systems. Journal of Plant Nutrition, DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2022.2072739. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2022.2072739
16. Fang, Y.*, P. Muñoz, G., Nuñez, and P.R. Fisher. 2022. Effect of container size, substrate composition, and genotype on growth and fruit quality of young southern highbush blueberry in a container-based intensive production system. Scientia Horticulturae 302:111149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111149.
17. Garcia Chance, LM, CR Hall, SA White. 2022. Viability assessment for the use of floating treatment wetlands as alternative production and remediation systems for nursery and greenhouse operations. Journal of Environmental Management. 305:114398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114398
18. Yazdi, MN, JS Owen, SW Lyon, SA White. 2021. A Critical Review of Irrigation Retention Reservoir Performance and Design Considerations to Enhance Water Security for Specialty Crops. Journal of Cleaner Production. 321:128925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128925
19. Bell, NL, SN Jeffers, SA White. 2021. Potential susceptibility of six aquatic plant species to infection by five species of Phytophthora. Plant Disease. 105(12):4074-4083. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-20-2190-RE
20. Isiguzo, C., S. Washington, L. Dickes, T. Walker, M. R. Rad, D. Sahoo, and J. Allen. 2021. Stakeholder voice in water resources planning. Journal of South Carolina Water Resources, 8(2), 7-14.
21. Burkhardt, B. J., D. Sahoo, B. Hammond, M. Long, T. Haxton, and R. Murray. 2022. Near real-time event detection for watershed monitoring with CANARY. Environmental Sciences: Advances, 2: 170-181.
22. Busari, I., D. Sahoo, R. Jana, and C. Privette. 2022. Chlorophyll-a predictions in a piedmont lake in upstate South Carolina using machine learning approaches. Submitted to the Journal of South Carolina Water Resources.
23. Busari, I., D. Sahoo, and R. Jana. 2022. Prediction of harmful algal blooms using deep learning with Bayesian approximation for uncertainty assessment. Submitted to the Journal of Hydrology.Sahoo, D., and A. Anandhi. Conceptualizing turbidity for vulnerability assessments. Under Revision.
24. Anandhi, A., and D. Sahoo. Complex system approach to teaching natural resource engineering using concepts. Working paper. Under Revision. 
25. Pitton, B.J.L., Johnson, G.E., Haver, D.L. and Oki, L.R. 2022. Water use and estimated evapotranspiration at a California container plant nursery. Acta Hortic. 1335, 651-656. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1335.82.
26. Chen, J., Y. Sun, K. Kopp, L. Oki, S.B. Jones, L. Hipps. Accepted. Effects of Water Availability on Leaf Trichome Density and Plant Growth and Development of Shepherdia × utahensis. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13. 18 May 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.855858.
27. Gottlieb, P., R. Brumfield, R.I. Cabrera, D. Farnsworth and L. Marxen. 2022. An online tool for estimating return-on-investment for water recycling at nurseries. HortTechnology 32(1): 47-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04925-21
28. Uresti-Porras, J.G., M. Cabrera-De-la-Fuente, A. Benavides-Mendoza, A. Sandoval-Rangel, A. Zermeño-Gonzalez, R.I. Cabrera and H. Ortega-Ortíz. 2021. Foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles and grafting improves the productivity of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in a NFT system. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici 49(2): 12327.  https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha49212327
29. López-Vargas, E.R. Y. González-García, M. Pérez-Álvarez, G. Cadenas-Pliego, S. González-Morales, A. Benavides-Mendoza, R.I. Cabrera and A. Juárez-Maldonado. 2020. Seed priming with carbon nanomaterials modify the germination, growth and antioxidant status of tomato seedlings. Agronomy 2020, 10, 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10050639
30. Criscione, K., J.S. Fields, J.S. Owen, Jr., L. Fultz, and E. Bush. 2021. Evaluation of stratified substrate effects on containerized crop growth under traditional and alternative irrigation protocols. HortScience. 57:400-413. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16288-21
31. Behrouz, M.Z.*, M.N. Yazdi, D.J. Sample, D. Scott, & J.S. Owen Jr. 2022. What are the relevant sources and factors affecting event mean concentrations (EMCs) of nutrients and sediment in stormwater? Sci. Total Environ. 828:154368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154368.
32. Poudyal, S.*, D. E. Abdi*, J.S. Owen Jr., R.T. Fernandez & B.M. Cregg. 2022. Effect of residual pesticides in recycled nursery runoff on growth and physiology of six ornamental shrubs. Water Air Soil Pollut 233, 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05468-7
33. Yazdi, M.*, J.S. Owen Jr., S.W. Lyon, & S.A. White. 2021. A critical review of irrigation retention reservoir performance and design considerations to enhance water security for specialty crops. J. cleaner Prod. 321:128925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128925
34. Quino, J.*, J.M. Maja, J. Robbins, J.S. Owen Jr., M. Chappell. J.N. Camargo & R.T. Fernandez. 2021. The relationship between drone speed and the number of flights in RFID tag reading for plant inventory. Drones 6:2. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6010002
35. Sahoo, D., Yazdi, M.N., Owen Jr, J.S., White, S.A. 2021. The basics of irrigation reservoirs for agriculture. Clemson Cooperative Extension, Land-Grant Press by Clemson Extension.October. LGP 1121. https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/the-basics-of-irrigation-reservoirs-for-agriculture/
36. Abdi, D.E.*, J.S. Owen Jr., P.C. Wilson, F. Hinz, B.M. Cregg, & R.T. Fernandez. 2021. Reducing pesticide transport in surface and subsurface irrigation return flow in specialty crop production. Agric. Water Mgmt. 256: 107124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.107124
37. Khamare, Y., S.C. Marble, J.E. Altland, B.J. Pearson, J. Chen, and P. Devkota. (2022). Effect of substrate stratification on growth of common nursery weed species and container-grown ornamental species, HortTechnology, 32(1):74-83.  https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/32/1/article-p74.xml
38. Altland JE. The Pour-Through Procedure for Monitoring Container Substrate Chemical Properties: A Review. Horticulturae. 2021; 7(12):536. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7120536
39. Boldt, J. K., & Altland, J. E. (2021). Petunia (Petunia ×hybrida) Cultivars vary in silicon accumulation and distribution, HortScience 56(3):305-312.
40. Yang, T., J. Altland, U. Samarakoon. 2021. Evaluation of organic substrates as an alternative to perlite for cucumber production in the Dutch bucket hydroponic system.  Acta Hort. 1317:319-326. DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1317.37
41. Yang, T.; U. Samarakoon, J. Altland, J., and P. Ling, P. 2021. Photosynthesis, biomass production, nutritional quality, and flavor-related phytochemical properties of hydroponic-grown arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) ‘Standard’ under different electrical conductivities of nutrient solution. Agronomy 2021, 11, 1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ agronomy11071340

Proceedings (abstracts or full articles):

1. Witcher, A., K. Addesso, J. Oliver, B. Campbell, A. Fulcher, K. Jensen, W. Klingeman, A. LeBude, O. Liburd, L. Nackley, A. Rihn, C. Seavert, N. Wiman, A. Acebes, F. Baysal-Gurel, B. Blaauw, J-H. Chong, D. Held, S. Jospeh, J. Moulton, C. Palmer, J. Rijal, and E. Vafaie. 2021. Improving flatheaded borer management practices for specialty tree crops - a multidisciplinary approach. HortScience 56(9)S9-10.
2. Fessler, L., D. Lockwood, G. Pietsch^M Wright, H. Zhu, and A. Fulcher. Improving pesticide application efficiency through variable-rate spray applications to ‘Auvil Fuji’ apple trees trained to a tall spindle trellis system. HortScience 56(9)S116.
3. Wright, H.E., N. Bumgarner, A. Fulcher, J.T. Brosnan, R. Florence, F.A. Hale, Z.R. Hansen, R. Holland Jr., D.W. Lockwood, A. Rihn, T.J. Samples, J. Tsuruda, A.S. Windham, A.L. Wszelaki, and M.M. Velandia. 2021. Insights gained from distance technology during COVID-19: Evaluation of the Horticulture Hot Topics Series. HortScience 56(9)S147.
4. Fessler, L., W. Wright, D. Lockwood, G. Pietsch, K. Kilpatrick, H. Zhu, and A. Fulcher. 2021. Reducing spray volume across developmental stages of apple with variable-rate spray technology. HortScience 56(9)S168.
5. Fessler, L., G. Pietsch, W. Wright, D. Lockwood, H. Zhu, and A. Fulcher. 2021. Reducing Spray Drift in Trellised Malus Domestica ‘Auvil Fuji’ with Variable-Rate Spray Technology. HortScience 56(9)S168-9.
6. Sheridan, R.A. and L.L. Nackley*. 2021. A primer on plant hydraulic physiology for nursery professionals. Tree Planters’ Notes 64
7. amm, AJ, LA Warner, K Gibson, KW Lamm, P Fisher, SA White. (under review). A theoretical comparison of nursery and greenhouse growers’ water conservation and water treatment technology adoption in the United States. Acta Horticulturae. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Water: a Worldwide Challenge for Horticulture!
8. White, SA. 2022. “Water (Policy) and Limitations for the Future of Nursery Production.” American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Chicago, IL. (August)
9. Nix, H., D Sahoo, SA White. 2022. "Current topics in water quality." 2022 Clemson University Water Research Symposium, Clemson, SC (May)
10. White, SA, M Tomlin, MN Yazdi, JS Owen. 2022. “Piedmont Ecoregion Irrigation Reservoir Water Quality Dynamics Under Stormwater Irrigation Return Flow.” Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA (Feb)
11. Tomlin, M, SA White, J Adelberg. 2022. “Seed Propagation Protocol Development for Brackish Plants.” Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA (Feb)
12. Landaverde, A, White, SA, WHJ Strosnider. 2022. “Plant selection for Floating Treatment Wetlands in Brackish Waters.” Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA (Feb)
13. Escamilla, C, AE Scaroni, SA White. 2022. Guiding Successful Application of Floating Treatment Wetlands in Brackish Coastal Ponds. Universities Council on Water Resources Annual Water Resources Conference, Greenville, SC (June)
14. White, SA, M Tomlin, M Yazdi, JS Owen, Jr. 2022. Irrigation reservoir water quality dynamics under stormwater and irrigation return flow. Universities Council on Water Resources Annual Water Resources Conference, Greenville, SC (June)
15. Escamilla, C, SA White, AE Scaroni, WHJ Strosnider. 2022. Guiding Successful Application of Floating Treatment Wetlands in Brackish Coastal Ponds. 2022 Clemson University Water Research Symposium, Clemson, SC (May).
16. Singh, G, M Cutulle, SA White, B Ward, J Rohilla, M Vassalos, R Karthikeyan. 2022. "Exploration of salt-tolerant germplasm to increase rice production in South Carolina." 2022 Clemson University Water Research Symposium, Clemson, SC (May).
17. Belk, P., A Brawner, L Coulombe, C Kurz, B Deuty, M Mulligan, H Motro, J Seiter, JC Melgar Jimenez, K Gasic, S Kutty, DM Park, V Suseela, G Schnabel, SA White. 2022. Sustainable Agriculture through Enhanced Plant Resilience. Poster presentation at Clemson University 17th Annual Focus on Creative Inquiry Forum, Clemson, SC (April).
18. Fields, J.S., A. Edwards, and M. Thiessen. 2022. Supplementing commercial floriculture substrates with wood fiber and sugarcane bagasse. Annual meeting Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Chicago, IL
19. Criscione, K. and J.S. Fields. 2022. Stratifying high-performance peat-based substrates above pine bark for cost-effective floriculture production. Annual meeting Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Chicago, IL
20. Oliva, F. D. Abdi, and J.S. Fields. 2022. Evaluation of pine bark and expanded aggregate for nutrient removal. Annual meeting Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Chicago, IL
21. Criscione, K.S. and J.S. Fields. 2022. Hydration of traditional and stratified substrates under varied moisture contents. Annual meeting Southern Region Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. New Orleans, LA
22. Fields, J.S. 2022. Single-screen fractionation for simplified substrate stratification. Annual meeting Southern Region Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. New Orleans, LA
23. Criscione, K.S., Field, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S. 2022. Exploring water movement through stratified substrates. Combined Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators Society. 71:116-124.
24. Brown, F., Niemiera, A., Owen, J. S. Jr., Stewart, R., & Altland, J. E. (2021) Nitrogen Fate in Containerized Crop Production [Abstract]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2021am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/138518
25. Fields, J.S., Owen, J., Lamm, A., Altland, J.E., Jackson, B.E., Zheng, Y., Oki, L., Fontenot, K., Samtani, J. and Campbell, B. (2021). Soilless substrate science: a North American needs assessment to steer soilless substrate research into the future. Acta Hortic. 1317, 313-318. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1317.36
26. Forrest J Brown, James S Owen, Alexander X Niemiera, Ryan Stewart, Mohammad Yazdi, James Altland. 2021. A comparison of nitrogen fate in containerized crop production when using two different controlled release fertilizer formulations HortScience 56(9):S102-S103.

Book Chapters:

1. Cabrera, R.I. 2021. Optimización del fertirriego en flores de corte (Optimization of fertigation in cut flowers), p. 153-159. In: G. Fischer, D. Miranda, S. Magnitskiy, H.E. Balaguera-López and Z. Molano (eds.), Avances de la Horticultura y la Mejora en la Calidad de Vida. Sociedad Colombiana de Ciencias Hortícolas, Bogotá, Colombia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17584/VIIIHorticultura
2. Cabrera, R.I. 2021. Irrigation and nutrition management, p. 224-257 (Chapter 3). In: J. Faust and J. Dole (eds.) Cut Flowers and Foliages, Crop Production Science in Horticulture Book Series, CABI, Wallingford, UK.

Popular press:

1.  Fulcher, A., L. Fessler, T. Stackhouse. 2022. Branded! How a common marketing strategy is changing the way the green industry does business. Part 2 Trademarks. Tennessee Green Times. 23(1):20-23.
2. Fulcher, A., J. Bruhin, B. English, K. Jenson, J. Menard, and S. Schexnayder. 2021. A growing future: Statewide economic impacts of the Tennessee nursery industry. Tennessee Green Times. 22(2):1-13.
3. Fulcher, A., L. Fessler, T. Stackhouse. 2021. Branded! How a common marketing strategy is changing the way the green industry does business. Part I Patents. Tennessee Green Times. 22(1):18-23
4. Fisher, P.R. Be watchful of your water. 2022. GrowerTalks Jan 2022.
5. Fisher, P.R. and J. Erwin. Rethinking the black nursery pot. 2021. GrowerTalks Dec 2021: 54-55.
6. White, SA and JS Owen. 2022. “Water Security.” Greenhouse Management. July, 42(7):5 pp. https://www.greenhousemag.com/article/water--security/ (Subscribers: 22,460 per month)
7. White, SA and JS Owen. 2022. “Reservoir Design and Water Security.” Nursery Management. June, 38(6):16-21. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/reservoir-design-water-security/ (Subscribers: 16,795 per month)
8. White, SA. 2021. “Pesticides, Water Quality, & $$$.” Grower Talks. January. https://youtu.be/HH7Fo5rLSZM (Posted November 19. Views: 333)
9. Rutgers Water Recycling Investment Tool© (2020 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey): https://tessera.rutgers.edu/recycle-flowchart/
10. Owen. Jr., J.S., J.S. Fields, J.E. Altland, A. Lamm, and B.E. Jackson. Soilless substrate science: Part 3 – A glimpse into the future of soilless substrates. GrowerTalks. May 2022, pg 52-53.
11. Jackson, B.E., J.S. Fields, J.S. Owen, Jr. and J.E. Altland. Soilless substrate science: Part 2 – Science for current and future growers. GrowerTalks. April 2022
12. Owen, J.S. Jr., J.S. Fields, and J.E. Altland. Utilizing stratified growing media to invent the future. Nursery Management. March 2022.
13. Jackson, B.E., Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S., Altland, J.E. 2022. Soilless substrate science for current and future growers. Growertalks. 82(12):52-45. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=25658.
14. Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S., Altland, J.E., Jackson, B.E., Lamm, A. 2022. Soilless substrate science: Part 1 in a series on a collaborative effort to support our industry's needs for soilless sustrates. Growertalks. 85(11):46-47 (March).  https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=25618
15. Jackson, B.E., Fields, J.S., Altland, J.E., Owen Jr, J.S. 2022. The latest on growing media research. Growertalks. 85(9): 56-60. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=25544
16. Marble, C. and J. Altland. 2022.  Using growing media to control weeds. NMPro Magazine. June 2022. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/using-growing-media-to-control-weeds/

Extension publications:

1. Rihn, A.L., A. Fulcher, H. Khachatryan, A. LeBude, L.A. Warner, and S. Schnexnayder. 2022. A ten-year review of the Southeast U.S. green industry, Part II: Addressing labor shortages and internal and external factors affecting business strategies. UT Extension Publication. In press.
2. Rihn, A., A. Fulcher, and H. Khachatryan. 2021. A ten-year review of the Southeast U.S. Green Industry, Part I: Labor and firm characteristics. UT Extension Publication W1026. https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W1026.pdf
3. Fulcher, A., L. Fessler, and T. Stackhouse. 2020. A Green Industry guide to plant patents and other intellectual property rights. UT Extension Publication PB 1882. 12pp. 
https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/PB1882.pdf
4. Fulcher, A., M. Leffew, A. Wszelaki, and M. Velandia. 2020. Operating a garden center during the COVID-19 pandemic. UT Departmental Extension Publication D 114. 10pp. https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/D114.pd
5. Nix, HB, D Sahoo, SA White, J Hains, I Busari. 2022. Harmful Algal Blooms: Prevention, Response, and Avoidance Manual. Clemson Extension.
6. Busari I, D Sahoo, HB Nix, CG Wallover, SA White, CB Sawyer. Introduction to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in South Carolina Freshwater Systems. Clemson (SC): Clemson Cooperative Extension, Land-Grant Press by Clemson Extension; 2022 Jun. LGP 1146. https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/introduction-to-harmful-algal-blooms-habs-in-south-carolina-freshwater-systems/.
7. Sahoo D, Yazdi MN, Owen, Jr. JS, White SA. The Basics of Irrigation Reservoirs for Agriculture. Clemson (SC): Clemson Cooperative Extension, Land-Grant Press by Clemson Extension; 2021 Oct. LGP 1121. https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/the-basics-of-irrigation-reservoirs-for-agriculture/.  https://doi.org/10.34068/LGP.R.01

Dissertations/ Thesis:

• Trientini, F. 2021. Simplified fertilizer supply and pH management for small-scale hydroponics. M.S. Dissertation. University of Florida.