College of Agricultural Sciences

A look into the world of plant breeding and the tools ornamental plant breeders have at their disposal to expedite breeding for specific traits. Topics addressed in the article include flow cytometry and molecular genetics.

A comprehensive discussion about the issues concerning pre-packaged fungicide mixes, which can elevate the risk of developing pathogens that are resistant to treatment. Strategies for avoiding resistance are included in the discussion.

A systems approach for the production of healthy nursery stock. The manual, published by the Oregon Association of Nurseries, is divided into 3 main parts. A systems approach introduction, voluntary best practices for your nursery, and the next step: systems approach certification.

A discussion about live plant imports as an important invasion pathway for non-native plant pests. The authors discuss the effect of current regulation, the need for updated regulation, and the recent and proposed changes to plant import regulation.

Oregon State University affiliated author discusses the top 10 tips for preventing disease in nurseries. Specific topics addressed include site selection and drainage, sanitation practices, disease free plant sources, plants in container, and irrigation.

Research was conducted to take advantage of the reduction in plant size and vigor often associated with induced polyploidy. The principle objectives were to induce polyploidy in seedlings from H. acetosella ‘Panama Red’ and to evaluate the effects on growth, morphology, and fecundity.

These studies were conducted to determine the compatibility of M. anisopliae (F52) with a wide range of fungicides commonly applied to container-grown ornamentals for the management of soil-borne plant pathogens. In addition, the impact of fungicide application to M. anisopliae population in soilless potting media (bulk and rhizosphere soil) was also determined.

The black vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.) is the primary insect pest of field and container-grown woody ornamentals in the Pacifc Northwest (PNW). These studies were conducted to determine the natural occurrence of soil-borne entomopathogens in PNW nursery soils and determine their virulence to black vine weevil.

Studies on the biological control of black vine weevil (BVW) in container-grown ornamentals were conducted to determine the persistence and ecology of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin incorporated into peat and bark-based potting media with and without a crab meal amendment in container-grown Picea abies ‘Nidiformis.’

Using green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) trees as a model for fast-growing shade trees, the objective of this study was to determine whether N application rate and fertilizer type differentially influence cold tolerance of green ash.