Research

Here comes the sun

By Jennifer Parke — Posted December 28, 2018

Researchers continue to evaluate soil solarization as a weed management technique By Carol Mallory-Smith, Jennifer Parke and Nami Wada In 2017, nursery and greenhouse producers added $947.7 million to Oregon’s economy, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. And for this very valuable Oregon industry, and all agricultural systems, weeds are a major issue impacting […]

Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation, Inc awards $137,000 in grant funding

By Bill Goloski — Posted August 27, 2018

Since the Foundation was established in 1960, their support of floriculture research has totaled $6.75 million. Keeping Frederick Carl Gloeckner’s direction and vision in focus, the Board of Directors met on June 2 to review proposals submitted from many highly qualified researchers from more than 20 colleges and universities in the United States. Covering a […]

Controlling powdery mildew

By Michael Bradshaw — Posted August 1, 2017

Researchers look at four common compounds used in commercial organic fungicides to fight this fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants.

May 2017

By Peter Szymczak — Posted May 1, 2017

The May 2017 issue of Digger looks at three of the major issues facing the horticulture industry’s future.

Researchers look at thermal weed control

By Peter Szymczak — Posted March 15, 2017

Researchers look to control weeds in greenhouse propagation systems with steam and hot water

ODA accepting proposals for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

By Peter Szymczak — Posted January 6, 2015

Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is now accepting concept proposals for project ideas as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for 2015. Approximately $1.5 million is expected to be available to agriculture industry associations, producer groups, processors, commodity commissions, non-profits, for profits, and local government agencies in Oregon. Concept proposals must be submitted by noon on […]

OSU receives $3 million grant to study destructive pathogens

By Curt Kipp — Posted December 3, 2014

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 […]

Smart sprayer demo set for August 14

By Curt Kipp — Posted July 15, 2014

A team of researchers is developing a Smart Sprayer, which will be demonstrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 at Hans Nelson and Sons Nursery, 31020 S.E. Waybill Road, Boring, Oregon. The sprayer, which is still being tested, uses a laser to detect the height, width and volume of the plants in a row. With […]

Researchers: Plants can make complex decisions

By Curt Kipp — Posted March 14, 2014

Is the phrase “smarter than a potted plant” an insult? Not necessarily. Researchers at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the University of Göttingen, both in Germany, have concluded that plants can evaluate risks, consider changing circumstances and make complex decisions. They reached this conclusion after studying barberry shrubs that were aborting their […]

February Digger busts myths about crape myrtles

By Curt Kipp — Posted January 28, 2014

Crape myrtles have been slow to catch on in the Pacific Northwest for a variety of reasons. They’re thought to be unsuitable for our wet climate, and not cold hardy enough to survive here. But that’s not true, according to garden writer Kim Pokorny. Her cover story in the fresh-off-the-press February issue of Digger gives […]