College of Agricultural Sciences

An initial report on research conducted on two intelligent, or precision, sprayers designed for use in the ornamental horticultural industry. The goal of this research is to develop efficient and affordable sprayers that use technology to respond to crop size and presence.

Researchers at Oregon State University evaluated the potential of a remote soil-moisture-sensing technology in ornamental container production systems. The authors discuss the system they used, implications of the study, and their conclusions.

Growers can minimize their risk of exposure to plant diseases and reduce pesticide use by ensuring that their irrigation water is free of Pythium and Phytophthora species. The authors discuss several different disinfestation methods for nursery and greenhouse operations.

Researchers at Oregon State University have been studying how soilless substrates can be used together with moisture monitoring equipment to get the best results while reducing the need to irrigate. Topics specifically addressed include soilless substrate and water management.

A report on Oregon State University affiliated research conducted with the purpose of documenting the chromosome number and genome size of Callicarpa species to add to the available information on the genus.

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.

The purpose of this article is to report on progress in the development of Phytophthora-ID and the validation of its data sets using an extensive sample of Phytophthora spp. It is expected that Phytophthora-ID will also help in development and maintenance of culture collections.

This study on interspecific hybridization in Tecoma Juss. was conducted to develop novel forms for the nursery industry. The selection of species used in the study included T. garrocha, T. stans, T. guarume, and T. capensis.

A review of the different means by which the potential for invasiveness in woody ornamentals can be reduced using genetic methods. Progress is reviewed in conventional breeding and transgenic biotechnology approaches to producing sterile forms of ornamental woody plants.

Oregon State University professor Ryan Contreras discusses the Nursery Crop Breeding Program at OSU and the current research being conducted into woody landscape cultivars with reduced invasive potential, increased disease resistance, and increased abiotic stress tolerance.