6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Networking Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Friday, February 26
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
8:00 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. Introduction/Welcome
8:10 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. 2010 - Not Business As Usual
Speakers: Jim Bethke, University of California Cooperative Extension, Scott Ludwig, Texas A&M, Paul Fisher, University of Florida and Cristi Palmer, IR-4
This session will provide a preview of how the conference will address emerging issues and challenges in the nursery and greenhouse industry.
8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Alternative Pathogen Control
Speaker: Dave Norman, University of Florida
Biopesticide science is expanding as newly formulated products provide an alternative to synthetic chemicals in response to environmental regulations and consumer demand. Our research details efficacy trials of biofungicides and biobacteriacides from natural plant and animal sources. Additionally, novel delivery technologies are being explored and screened.
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Alternative Pest Control
Speaker: Ray Cloyd, University of Kansas
Greenhouse producers are continually looking for alternative pest control materials that will alleviate the prospect of resistance and preserve already existing products. Pest control materials based on plant-derived essential oils and sugar-based compounds have been promoted as means to deal with arthropod pests (insects and mites) in greenhouses. However, minimal information is available on their efficacy and other factors that may influence their use by greenhouse producers. This presentation will discuss the issues associated with plant-derived essential oil and sugar-based products.
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. New Plant Growth Regulation Tips for Improving Drought Tolerance, Branching and Height Control
Speaker: Sonali Padhye, University of Florida
There are noteworthy additions to the plant growth regulator (PGR) toolbox available to ornamental growers. In this presentation, research-based information will be presented on new products and tips on successful uses of existing PGRs. Strategies to improve drought tolerance with ABA, improving branching with BA, and techniques for controlling height of aggressive ornamental plants will be discussed.
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pathogens in Water: Their Biology
Speaker: Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University
Phytophthora and Pythium are called water molds because of their unique life cycle that uses water to find new plant targets. Water can appear clean, yet harbor water molds that nibble on roots and cause crown and root rot. Is your production system at risk? Emphasis will include cultural strategies and fungicides that can be used to protect your plants.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Pathogens and Algae in Water: Treatment Technologies
Speaker: Paul Fisher, University of Florida
With several treatment technologies available, it can be confusing to select a water treatment system that works for your location. We will discuss factors to consider, and the technical and financial features of different options.
Speakers: Paul Fisher, University of Florida, Bill Argo, The Blackmore Company
Water quality includes the salts and specific ions in your water, and what is living in the irrigation system including microbes, biofilm, and pathogens. We will demonstrate how to use and interpret different types of water tests, with an emphasis on techniques you can use on site, including measurement of bacteria, yeasts and molds using Petrifilms; measuring sanitizing agents such as ORP and chlorine levels; pH, EC and alkalinity.
Breakout B: PGR's How To Apply & Ask The Experts
Speakers: Jim Barrett, University of Florida, Sonali Padhye, University of Florida
Proper PGR use is an important factor in successful production of many greenhouse and nursery crops. Often, obtaining the best efficacy depends on how the product is applied. This discussion will cover the variety of PGRs available and various application techniques.
Breakout C: Bio-control Organisms
Speakers: Lance Osborne, University of Florida, Jim Bethke, University of California Cooperative Extension, Scott Ludwig, Texas A&M and Ray Cloyd, Kansas State University
Bio-control organisms are a key component to managing pests of many greenhouse and nursery crops. It is important to recognize resident bio-control organisms as well as how best to encourage the continued maintenance of resident and introduced species. This interactive session will cover these topics and feature microscopes to view living biological control agents and parasitized or killed pests. Examples of banker plants and plants grown using natural enemies will also be available for inspection.
Breakout D: Disease Diagnosis
Speakers: Dave Norman, University of Florida, Margery Daughtrey, Cornell University and Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University
When crops are unhealthy or even dying, proper diagnosis is critical when deciding on how to manage the problem(s). Speakers will draw on local examples of common and uncommon diseases, and problems mimicking disease, to cover how to diagnose the more common issues and when to send samples to a diagnostic lab.
Whether B or Q, managing Bemisia whiteflies can pose a significant challenge for greenhouse growers. Drs. McKenzie and Palmer will share the history of Q in the US, recent understandings, and strategies for managing whiteflies.
8:50 a.m. - 9:35 a.m. Thrips Management
Speakers: Scott Ludwig, Texas A&M, Lance Osborne, University of Florida
Chilli thrips have joined western flower thrips as a major pest of ornamental crops. Both of these thrips can cause significant crop damage, but with a proper management program damage can be limited. This presentation will provide an overview of new management strategies including the use of systemic insecticides, pheromones, soil drenches, insect pathogens, and natural enemies.
The IR-4 Project provides safe and effective pest management tools for specialty crop growers. The Ornamental Horticulture program focuses on research for greenhouse, nursery, landscape, Christmas tree and forestry producers. IR-4 works with growers, researchers, registrants and regulatory agencies to facilitate new product registrations and add new crops, diseases, insects and weeds to already registered products for the ornamental horticulture industry.
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Viable Alternative Substrates Components For Use In Nursery and Greenhouse Production
Speaker: Anthony Witcher, USDA
The supply of pine bark has been unstable in recent years due to economic downturns as well as the increased use of pine bark as a fuel source. In addition peat moss and perlite are costly components, which require tremendous energy inputs to produce and transport. Research has identified viable renewable sources of biomass suitable for use as nursery and greenhouse substrate components. These raw components are available in close proximity to most horticultural producers.
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Nutritional Water Quality
Speaker: Bill Argo, The Blackmore Company
The pH, alkalinity, electrical conductivity, and specific salts in the water affect plant health and the best fertilizer and irrigation strategy. Dr. Argo will discuss how to interpret water quality results for your nursery, and use this information to decide on the best options such as leaching rates, fertilizer types, acidification, and reverse osmosis.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.Lunch/Exhibit Hall Open
1:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Closes
1:00 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. Managing Plant Height Using PGR's
Speaker: Jim Barrett, University of Florida
There are many different factors that interact to affect the use of PGR's. Dr. Barrett will discuss some of the important strategies for using PGR's to obtain desired size control needed. Information on some of the newer strategies and products will be covered.
This presentation will discuss the management of diseases caused by four different kinds of pathogens (water molds, fungi, bacteria, and viruses), describing how their biology determines which control measures are effective. The key examples to be covered will be downy mildew on coleus, powdery mildew on verbena, Xanthomonas bacterial blight on geranium and INSV on almost everything. Improved knowledge of the pathogens that cause these diseases can help you to develop a more effective IPM strategy for your crops.
2:20 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Understanding Nonpathogenic Plant Disorders: Their Causes and Cures
Speaker: Kim Williams, Kansas State University
Oedema, latex eruption, splitting, crown bud development, heat delay, physiological wilt--all are disorders caused by the production environment and influenced by cultural practices, not pests or nutrient management problems. Dr. Williams will take a look at the wide range of physiological disorders that crop up during crop production and present data that sheds some light on why they occur--and how to prevent them.
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