Growing Knowledge archive

Note: This article is part of the Growing Knowledge series in Digger magazine. This series is provided by Oregon State University in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture and in partnership with the Oregon Association of Nurseries.

Researchers at Oregon State University are testing pots made from recycled materials

By Jooyeoun Jung — Posted May 1, 2024

The industry needs sustainable solutions to reduce plastic waste and an alternative is the use of plantable biopots without separating biopots before planting, which favors microbial biodegradation.

Update on flatheaded borer management in specialty tree crops

By Karla Addesso — Posted March 29, 2024

In 2020, a multi-state research project led by Drs. Karla Addesso and Jason Oliver of Tennessee State University was funded by the USDA-Specialty Crop Research Initiative to coordinate research on this pest group.

Exploring stratified substrates and soil hydraulics in agricultural science

By Lloyd Nackley — Posted February 29, 2024

Stratified substrates involve arranging potting media of varying textures in layers within a single container. This structured layering entails placing coarser-textured substrates at the bottom and finer-textured ones on top, mimicking natural soil layers.

PACE courses coming for nursery, greenhouse IPM

By Lloyd Nackley — Posted January 30, 2024

The Nursery Program at the Oregon State University Northwest Extension Center in Canby, Oregon, will soon be offering online courses for Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Credits (PACE) and to the nursery community at large. The upcoming PACE classes are intended to provide more industry-specific information about strategies for pest management in greenhouses and nurseries, and […]

Pulse electric field technology may be a viable pest control alternative to methyl bromide

By Jerry Weiland — Posted December 28, 2023

Pulse electric field (PEF) employs bursts of high-voltage electricity to inactive microorganisms. Primarily used in the food industry, some researchers have reported promising results in nematode and plant disease control (Riga et al. 2020). We are collaborating with Lisi Global to adapt an existing technology for a new use in the ornamental nursery industry.

Program equips growers with knowledge to prevent and diagnose nursery crop diseases

By Luisa Santamaria — Posted November 29, 2023

Our mission is to provide nurseries and their teams with the information and resources they need to protect and improve plant health.

Progress towards effective Phytophthora root rot control

By Jerry Weiland — Posted October 31, 2023

OSU research shows different approaches required for management of common rhododendron disease.

A slimy scourge

By Casey Richart — Posted October 12, 2023

Researchers seek effective biological controls against invasive North American slugs

The genetic revolution comes home

By Melodie Putnam — Posted September 5, 2023

Researchers seek new ways to make use of whole genome sequencing in plant production.

Researchers roundup

By Lloyd Nackley — Posted July 26, 2023

Get to know the horticultural researchers at OSU and USDA Many programs focus on nursery, greenhouse, landscape and related crops at Oregon State University (OSU) and the Horticulture Crops Research Laboratory at the Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. Here are some of the […]