Plant Pests and Diseases

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.

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.

Olive trees are migrating north

By Mike Darcy — Posted November 29, 2023

Olive trees are now available at most local garden centers and in most cases, have seemed to grow well in our local conditions.

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.

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.

The replacements

By Erica Browne Grivas — Posted September 5, 2023

Over-reliance on certain trees often prompts the need to turn to newer varieties in place of faltering favorites.

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 […]

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, […]

The tribulations of big trees

By Jon Bell — Posted March 24, 2023

Growing bigger trees that will flourish in a changing climate takes a long-game approach For decades, tree-lined streets across the country — largely in the Southeast — would erupt in the bright white blossoms of Callery pear trees (Pyrus calleryana) every spring. Affordable, fast-growing and easily shipped, the trees had become the darlings of landscapers, […]

Boxing out boxwood blight

By Jon Bell — Posted December 27, 2022

Growers must work vigilantly to keep the fungus that causes boxwood blight out of their nurseries Boxwood is one of the most popular landscaping plants around. It’s evergreen and pretty, it provides natural privacy, it’s easy to maintain and it can be shaped into attractive ornamental topiaries. In fact, so popular is boxwood that it’s […]