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.

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 […]

What’s growing on?

By Ryan Contreras — Posted June 21, 2023

OSU plant breeding program shows progress on promising new cultivars The plant breeding program at Oregon State University is continually working to bring new plants to market that will make growers more profitable and perform well for consumers. On behalf of the program, I wanted to update the industry on these efforts. New plants build […]

Measuring low-water stress

By Lauren Oki — Posted May 31, 2023

Expansive study evaluates climate-ready landscape plants for the western U.S. By Loren Oki and Jared Sisneroz We have all experienced extreme weather conditions, from heavy rain and snow to prolonged droughts, which have become more frequent in recent years. In response to the droughts that have threatened our water supplies, regulatory restrictions have been put […]

Learning, connecting, engaging

By Silvia Rondon — Posted April 20, 2023

Oregon’s Integrated Pest Management Center serves as an innovative pest management hub for growers Article and photos By Silvia I. Rondon Since the early 1960s, the Oregon Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center has accumulated a rich history of leading and coordinating multistate research and outreach programs to help a broad audience in the agricultural and […]

Going with the flow

By Lloyd Nackley — Posted March 24, 2023

Research on plant hydraulics helps explain the effect of drought stress on shade trees By Sadie Keller, Rebecca Sheridan, Scout Dahms-May, Carolyn Scagel and Lloyd Nackley In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the heart of the nursery industry, rainfall is scarce during the summer and humidity is low. The plant stress resulting from the low soil moisture, […]