Posts Tagged ‘Nursery Production’Sustainable Substrates for Nursery Production – New VideoApril 18th, 2013 by Gary KnoxA review of the types of alternatives for soil-less potting media, known as substrates, used in commercial nursery production. More information is available at the project website: http://snpp.caes.uga.edu
Wax scale eggs hatchingMay 25th, 2012 by Steven FrankIndian wax scale Ceroplastes ceriferus is a common scale on landscape plants. In particular we find it on hollies, cherry laurel, spirea, boxwood, and barberry. Indian wax scale is a soft scale that, as the name suggests, looks like white, gray, or pinkish wax on the branches of infested plants. Indian wax scale secrete a lot of honey dew as do most soft scales. This can create sooty mold and reduce the aesthetic appeal of landscape plants. Heavy infestations will reduce plant vitality. Indian wax scale has one generation per year. They overwinter as mostly as adults but we have found younger stages in the fall and spring that apparently overwintered. In spring crawlers emerge and crawl around to find a new feeding site. Crawlers are the best stage to target for control of any scale and for wax scale the time is now. Crawlers are emerging from eggs under the heavy wax covers on campus right now. At this stage crawlers can be killed very easily as they are small and unprotected. Thus horticultural oil is a very viable option. Systemic products such as neonicotinoids make the plant toxic so crawlers and later stages will be killed as they feed. More information can be found at: http://ecoipm.com/ or http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/shrubs/note156/note156.html Safe Procurement and Production Manual (Oregon State)February 3rd, 2012 by Matthew ChappellManual outlines pest and pathogen prevention methodsThe Oregon Association of Nurseries has published the “Safe Procurement and Production Manual,” a 100-page guide to producing healthy nursery stock by using a systems approach. The book is available online now as a PDF download, at no cost. A print version will be made available to growers later this summer. When it comes to preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests and pathogens, a proactive approach that intelligently targets areas of highest risk is better than reacting to things as they happen. This easy-to-follow book helps growers evaluate their own nursery operations. It contains best practices that are proven to be effective at reducing risks from plant pests and pathogens. Different chapters of the book address the various components of plant production, from propagation to final shipment.
CEU/WORKSHOP for Growers — Nursery and Greenhouse: Water Treatment and Quality WorkshopJanuary 22nd, 2012 by Sarah WhiteSarah White, Clemson University
When/Where: Davidson and Huntersville, North Carolina. January 26 2012, 9 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. You will learn how to:
Benefit from:
Who should attend: Personnel from nurseries, greenhouses and associated industries, extension agents Low Registration Cost: Only $44 per person if pre-registered by 12 January. $59 after 12 January. See attached registration form for details. Preregistration is required for lunch.
Program: 9.00 Meet at Turtle Creek Nursery, 12037 Mooresville Road, Davidson, NC 28036; Tel 704 663-3154 9.00-9.15 Introductions and goals for the day (Paul Fisher, University of Florida [UF]); Welcome from North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Clemson University 9.15-10.30 Tour Turtle Creek Nursery—including presentation on management of algae by NCSU 10.30-11.00 Drive to Metrolina Greenhouses, 16400 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville, NC 28078; Tel 704 948 3974 11.00-11.30 Biology of water-borne plant pathogens (Kelly Ivors, NCSU) 11.30-12.30 Selecting water treatment options (Paul Fisher, UF) 12.30-1.30 Lunch—including displays by water treatment companies 1.30-1.40 Website resources (Rosa Raudales, UF) 1.40-2.00 Algaecides for managing species of Phytophthora (Steve Jeffers, Clemson University) 2.00-2.30 Ecological alternatives for water treatment (Sarah White, Clemson University) 2.45-4.15 Tour Metrolina Greenhouses—including presentation on water use in herbaceous propagation (Jim Faust, Clemson University) and managing salt, pH, and alkalinity (Brian Whipker, NCSU)
Speakers and Topics Algae management in irrigation ponds, 30 mins; Rob Richardson, Ph.D., North Caroline State University Best management practices will be described for management of irrigation catchment basins. A combination of pond design, managing nutrient levels, algaecides, and cultural practices reduce algae levels in ponds. These BMPs can improve the quality of water applied to nursery crops and make it more feasible to reduce runoff of water, fertilizers, and pesticides from the nursery property.
Biology of waterborne plant pathogens, 30 mins; Kelly Ivors, Ph.D., North Carolina State University Dr. Ivors will discuss the biology and ecology of plant pathogens that are problematic in irrigation water, mainly focusing on Phytophthora and Pythium species. The life cycle, survivability, and various spore types of these pathogens will be reviewed in order to understand their risks associated with ornamental plant health.
Selecting water treatment options, 60 mins; Paul Fisher, Ph.D., University of Florida A challenge for growers is how to select from and implement several options for controlling plant pathogens and other water-related issues. Chemical and physical technologies (chlorine, chlorine dioxide, copper ionization, copper salts, filtration, ultraviolet radiation) will be discussed, in terms of efficacy, ease of use, interactions with water chemistry and fertilizers, and installation and operation cost.
Rosa Raudales, Ph.D. student and research assistant, University of Florida Website resources for growers on control of water quality issues, including plant pathogens, algae, biolfim, alkalinity, and salts are available at the www.watereducationalliance.org website.
Algaecides for managing species of Phytophthora, 20 mins; Steve Jeffers, Ph.D., Clemson University New research will be presented on the effect of pond algaecides on Phytophthora levels in irrigation water.
Ecological Alternatives for Water Treatment, 30 mins; Sarah A. White, Ph.D., Clemson University Protecting and enhancing the quality of water used to irrigate ornamental crops is increasingly essential. Contaminant removal from nursery and greenhouse water via ecological (non-chemical) treatment options is one means of improving water quality while reducing operation dependence on chemical treatments. The basic principles controlling agrichemical, sediment, and biotic (pathogen, weed, etc.) contaminant removal by vegetative buffers, constructed wetlands, floating wetlands, and slow sand filters will be discussed.
Water Testing for Nutrients, Brian Whipker, NC State University, 20 mins
Water use in herbaceous propagation, 20 mins; James Faust, Ph.D. Clemson University Over-application of water is a major cause of disease issues and crop losses during propagation. Learn how to fine tune your irrigation practices to only provide the water your crop needs, using tools such as VPD and measuring the volume of applied water. Protecting and enhancing the quality of water used to irrigate ornamental crops is increasingly essential. Contaminant removal from nursery and greenhouse water via ecological (non-chemical) treatment options is one means of improving water quality while reducing operation dependence on chemical treatments. The basic principles controlling agrichemical, sediment, and biotic (pathogen, weed, etc.) contaminant removal by vegetative buffers, constructed wetlands, floating wetlands, and slow sand filters will be discussed.
Water Testing for Nutrients, Brian Whipker, NC State University, 20 mins The most important elements to measure when it comes to chemical water quality are pH, EC and alkalinity levels. These factors affect plant nutrition, and also interact with treatment technologies for plant pathogens. A quick demonstration will show you how easy it is to monitor these parameters in house.
Diagnostics System for Crop History and Disorders in Greenhouses and NurseriesJanuary 9th, 2012 by Matthew ChappellBodie Pennisi, Extension Horticulture Specialist, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223 bpennisi@uga.edu This manual has been put together based upon consultation with Extension specialists and industry consultants with a great body of experience. Hundreds of greenhouse problems, and our experience with hundreds of business owners (as well as their responses to problems and the outcomes) have provided much insight into the best ways to handle problems, especially large scale losses. Based upon this experience, we recommend that each business owner decide in advance of implementation: 1) Who will be in charge of developing the records and documents required to maintain the information required for this system to work, and 2) Which management person will be given the ultimate responsibility/accountability for overseeing the diagnostic process, reporting the findings, implementing the recommendations from the owner/board, and finally, documenting the outcomes. In general, the owners of most businesses (even small businesses with only five or more full time employees) are the least efficient people to handle the duties of record keeping, and absolutely the worst possible choice for handling the responsibilities of problem diagnosis. Ignoring the obvious impact an owner inquest has on employee morale, a major point to consider is how spending time on problem diagnosis might affect ongoing business. Most owners cannot afford to drop everything and dive into a production problem, although their emotions and attachments tell them to do so. The owner should be the one receiving the reports, taking recommendations from the staff, and formulating a response to the problem(s) based upon facts and recommendations. The likelihood the diagnosis will be carried out in a consistent manner increases dramatically by making this work a formal part of a manager’s duties, or by hiring a qualified consultant, rather than the owner taking on the work. This strategy also keeps the owner out of the emotional stresses problem diagnosis can generate. By keeping a clear mind and some distance from the problem diagnosis process, rational and effective decisions are more easily made. Owners will also find reading this document a bit easier if they decide in advance this is not work they will have to incorporate into their busy schedules. We respectfully offer this advice as perhaps the most important issue to be considered within this document. For the full manual (publication) – visit: Soybean Cyst Nematode: A Potential Problem for NursuriesDecember 16th, 2011 by Win DunwellNicole Ward and Don Hershman, University of Kentucky Department of Plant Pathology Win Dunwell, University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture
Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most serious disease pest of soybean in the United States and results in an estimated $1 billion in losses annually. SCN is a microscopic roundworm (Heterodera glycines) that feeds on root of soybean and reduces its capacity to absorb water and nutrients. Yield losses of 30% or more are common where SCN-susceptible soybean varieties are grown and SCN levels are high. SCN was first discovered in Kentucky in 1957 in Fulton County but is now found in every Kentucky county in which soybean is grown commercially. SCN causes a problem for field production nurseries because Canada and some states—for example, California— do not allow soils (in ball-andburlapped materials) to be imported without proof that the nursery stock comes from SCN-free counties. Other states, including Pennsylvania and New York, assume that the blanket statement “free from all pests” includes SCN. SCN survives in soil as long-lived cysts (Figure 1). The cysts can be spread by any means that spreads soil particles, including windblown soil; soil attached to roots of host or non-host plants; soil peds in bird droppings, seed bags, or stock feed; flood water; or farm and construction equipment. Essentially anything that causes soil to be moved from one place to another can spread SCN cysts into previously un-infested soil. Quarantine restrictions are an attempt to limit the continued spread of the nematode or more aggressive types of SCN in places like Ontario, Canada, that already have an SCN problem. To learn more – check out the following website: Soybean Cyst Nematode: A Potential Problem for Nursuries FREE Irrigation Webinars by The Water Education AllianceNovember 4th, 2011 by Sarah WhiteThe Water Education Alliance for Horticulture is working with University of Florida Cooperative Extension, OFA, FNGLA, and the German grower association Zentralverband Gartenbau and several experts at universities and companies on topics to help growers conserve, recirculate, and treat irrigation water.
Announcements in your e-magazines or grower association newsletters would be much appreciated (if you can make repeated announcements as new webinars are coming up, even better J!).
Registration is free at watereducationalliance.org (click on “workshops”), and 45-minute presentations will run at noon EDT on the following Tuesdays:
Top 10 Nursery Production Integrated Pest Management Practices in the SoutheastOctober 19th, 2011 by Matthew ChappellAnthony V. LeBude3 Matthew Chappell1 Jean Williams-Woodward2 Amy Fulcher4 Sarah White5 Steve Frank6 Joe Neal7 To download an Adobe pdf of this file, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/Publications/displayPDF.cfm?pk_ID=7976 Integrated pest management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. One hundred and seventy-eight horticultural producers were surveyed in 2009-10 to determine the IPM practices used by growers in the southeastern U.S. Growers were asked a series of questions about monitoring or scouting for pests, prevention practices or interventions used to control pests. For each of the 230 questions asked, growers could answer whether they used the practice “Always,” “Often,” “Rarely” or “Never.” Below are 10 notable practices that have a high potential impact on southeastern ornamental plant production and the combined percentage of growers that use them “Always” or “Often.” |
|
