Agrobacterium tumefaciens creates cancer-like galls on the roots of plants such as Gaillardia. (Photo by OSU Plant Clinic) Oregon State University announced plans to use a $3 million grant to study two groups of bacteria that result in millions of dollars in losses annually to the nation’s nursery industry. According to a press release, OSU researchers […]
September Digger features fetching conifers, Farwest highlights
By — Posted
Fascinating foliage and shifting colors are just two of the captivating qualities that landed Cryptomeria (PDF) on the cover of the new issue of Digger magazine. Other features in the September 2014 issue include: • “Farwest continues its momentum in 2014” (PDF) — The 2014 Farwest Trade Show was a smashing success, with exciting new […]
Oregon gets a B- in invasive species management
By — Posted
Oregon, as a whole, could be doing better in its fight against invasive species. That’s the verdict from the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC), which gave the state a B-minus on its annual Invasive Species Report Card (PDF). That’s down a full letter grade from 2012, when the state received an A-minus. The main difference? […]
USDA revises Phytophthora regulations
By — Posted
Update, Jan. 15: The Capital Press agricultural newspaper (Salem, Ore.) has published a news story about the change in rules and what it means, including more in-depth comments from OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone. ——————————— The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it has revised regulations (PDF) that are intended to […]
Sudden oak death wreaking havoc on the Isle of Man
By — Posted
One might expect an island to be less susceptible to an invasive plant pathogen than most places. Phytophthora ramorum, which causes sudden oak death, can’t cross the sea on its own — it has to be carried across via infected plant material. At some point, that’s exactly what happened on the Isle of Man. The island […]
Oregon gets an A minus on invasive species report card
By — Posted
Oregon deserves an A-minus for its efforts to limit and control the introduction of invasive plants, animals and pathogens into the state, according to the Oregon Invasive Species Council. The group issued its annual Invasive Species Report Card on Jan. 9. Some highlights pertaining to the nursery industry include the following: The Oregon Legislature passed […]
Dwarf conifers highlight the May issue of Digger
By — Posted
Dwarf conifers (PDF) are on the cover of the May issue of Digger magazine. This issue has an unmistakable greenhouse focus. Go here to read the entire issue as a flipbook — fast connection recommended — or download the individual articles as PDF files. Additional articles in the May issue include: Leader Profile (PDF) — […]
Quarantines that outlive their utility
By — Posted
Most agree that from time to time, plant quarantines are needed to protect against invasive species, pests and pathogens. But what happens when a quarantine is no longer needed, or it no longer conform to the best available practices? According to Dan Hilburn, plant division administrator at the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the answer, all […]
All aboard for the September issue of Digger!
By — Posted
September is here! That means the Farwest Show is in the books, the days are shorter, football is back, the kids are headed for school, the Halloween candy is almost on store shelves … and, of course, the September issue of Digger is out and available! We have several exciting features in this month’s issue […]
OAN publishes 100-page guide to reducing pest and disease risks
By — Posted
The Oregon A The Oregon Association of Nurseries has published the “Safe Procurement and Production Manual,” a 100-page guide to producing healthy nursery stock by using a systems approach. The book is available online now as a PDF download, at no cost. In addition, a free, full-color print version is available for the asking at […]