We mentioned earlier that an Oregon State University research project aimed at developing mini-choppers for nursery applications was among several projects that received grant funding from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The dimunitive helicopters, weighing about 2 pounds and costing about $3,500 each, would be outfitted with digital cameras and used to automate the process […]
ODA awards nursery research grants
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The Oregon Department of Agriculture has approved nine nursery research grants totaling almost $180,000, the agency announced last week. “Oregon has a great reputation for high quality nursery stock,” said Gary McAninch, supervisor of the ODA Nursery and Christmas Tree Program. “The industry counts on that quality to sell plants. Research helps the industry improve […]
Trees: Is there anything they can’t do? (Updated)
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[Originally posted 12.Jan.2011; Updated 18.Jan.2011] I thought I’d seen it all until I saw this story. The Associated Press reports that according to U.S. Forest Service researchers, there’s a correlation between healthy babies and homes with more shade trees. For each 10 percent increase in tree coverage within about 50 yards of a home, the […]
USDA awards $2.7 million for research into plant pathogens
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded group of colleges, led by Virginia Tech, a $2.7 million grant to conduct research on integrated management of zoosporic pathogens and irrigation water quality. Researchers will look for biological control methods for fighting Phythophthora, Pythium and other pathogens. Researchers will also “develop […]
Duke researchers: ‘Choose your fronds carefully’
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The ferns you find at garden centers or from wholesalers that are labeled as American natives may not be authentic. Researchers from Duke University report that they found falsely-labeled ferns at nurseries in North Carolina, Texas and California. It’s hard to say whether this happened intentionally or accidentally, because ferns aren’t as easy to tell […]
OSU scores $5.8 million grant to research fruit fly
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Oregon State University tentatively has scored a $5.8 million grant to battle the spotted wing drosophila. As we reported last fall, this fruit fly has been attacking ripe fruit in the Pacific Northwest and causing widespread damage. Fruit and berry growers are the main victims, but nurseries growing fruit trees and shrubs also have reason […]
Growing technology conserves both water and space
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Vertical farming – one of the 50 best inventions of 2009, according to Time magazine.
Robots in horticulture project has video, Web site
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Last week we told you about research into the use of robots in horticulture. Here’s a little more information about it. The consortium looking into this is called Comprehensive Automation for Specialty Crops (CASC), and has a Web site at www.cascrop.com. Here’s a video on the subject from Washington State University:
Researchers look at robots in horticulture
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A consortium of researchers from universities, private industry and the federal government is taking a new look at how robots could be used in specialty crop production. Several heavy hitters are on board, including Carnegie-Mellon University, so this is an effort to take seriously. One such technology already being used in fruit orchards is called […]
NWREC would like your input
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Officials from the North Willamette Research and Extension Center and Oregon State University are developing a comprehensive, robust strategic plan for the future of the station that reflects the dynamic changes and trends in the agricultural community. Accordingly, they are in the process of conducting stakeholder meetings with members of the nursery industry. The first […]