48 News & Press Releases found
American Society for Horticultural Science News
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Select groundcover management systems found viable for organically managed apple orchard
Determining and implementing orchard management practices that can improve soil organic matter is one of the primary goals of the USDA`s National Organic Program. For producers in the southeastern United States, where interest in small-scale and ...
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Optimal substrate moisture content determined for high-quality bedding plants
The bedding plants sold in retail outlets are typically grown in greenhouse production environments where professionals can monitor irrigation, light, and temperature. When the greenhouse-grown plants reach the retail market, however, they are often ...
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Living mulch, organic fertilizer tested on broccoli
Cover crops provide many benefits to agricultural production systems, including soil and nutrient retention, resources and habitat for beneficial organisms, and weed suppression. In regions where short growing seasons can hinder the establishment of ...
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Producing strawberries in high-pH soil at high elevations
Fruit and vegetable production in high-elevation areas can be a difficult enterprise. Variable weather and soil conditions typical of these regions, such as the southwestern United States, present multiple challenges for growers. "High frequency and ...
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Liquid corn, fish fertilizers `good options` for organic blackberry production
Managing soil nutrients in organic production systems presents multiple challenges for fruit growers. The availability and release rate of nitrogen from organic fertilizers, ease of application, and cost are among the important factors that ...
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Hydrolyzed fish fertilizer tested in organic vegetable production
In the production of organic vegetables, nitrogen is important, yet can be quite costly to manage. Nitrogen management is even more challenging when production practices call for the use of polyethylene mulch combined with fertigation. The authors ...
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Water content thresholds recommended for Gardenia jasminoides
More efficient irrigation management has become a primary focus in sustainable container plant production as growers look for ways to improve resource use and mitigate negative environmental impacts of fertilizers and pesticides that are often found ...
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First raisin grape that dries naturally on vine developed
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in California have developed a new raisin grape that dries naturally on the vine, making it unnecessary for growers to cut into the woody “canes” connecting the grapes to the mother vine ...
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New training, ultra-high-density planting systems recommended for sweet cherry
As a result of new dwarfing rootstock selections, improvements in crop protectants, and better methods of postharvest handling and storage, production of sweet cherry is increasing around the world. New sweet cherry cultivars that allow for improved ...
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Root hydraulic conductance linked to trees` post-transplant recovery
Survival of field-grown trees grown for transplanting into landscapes depends on many factors, such as transplant timing and tree size. Species-specific characteristics also contribute to trees` ability to withstand and survive environmental ...
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Early protection, fungicide effectively reduce downy mildew in basil
Sweet basil, a consumer favorite culinary herb, has a tough adversary. Downy mildew caused by the fungus Peronospora belbahrii has become the most devastating disease of basil plants grown in the United States. Discovered in Uganda in 1933, the ...
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Abscisic acid treatments can prevent tomato blossom-end rot
Plants are subjected to numerous environmental stresses -- drought, extreme temperatures, and excess light can all affect plant growth and quality. Looking for methods to improve the quality of tomato plants, researchers at the University of ...
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Cation exchange capacity analyzed for nursery pine bark substrates
A new study contains valuable recommendations that can inform container nursery fertilization practices in the northeastern United States. In this region, most nursery substrates are comprised primarily of pine bark and sphagnum moss, with minor ...
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Study reveals causes of apple skin spot
For fruit crops such as apples, compromised skin appearance usually results in reduced market value. Identifying causes of fruit disorders and diseases can help producers modify growing strategies and increase profits. Researchers in Germany ...
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Fertilizer placement affects nutrient leaching patterns
Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) are a widely used method of delivering nutrients to nursery container crops. The fertilizers contain encapsulated solid mineral nutrients that dissolve slowly in water, and are then released into substrates over ...
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Organic mulch lets insect pollinators do their job
As interest in organic agricultural and horticultural practices continues to grow, so does the need to identify alternative weed control practices. Mulching, a common practice used to control weeds and reduce the need for tillage, can also reduce ...
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Machine harvesting may increase apple supply for hard cider market
Cider - or "hard cider" as it is typically known in the United States - is experiencing a real revival. The fermented apple juice with 0.5% to 7% alcohol-by-volume is the fastest growing alcohol market segment in the US, boasting a 54% increase in ...
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Vermicompost leachate improves tomato seedling growth
Worldwide, drought conditions, extreme temperatures, and high soil saline content all have negative effects on tomato crops. These natural processes reduce soil nutrient content and lifespan, result in reduced plant growth and yield, and ultimately ...
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Polyethylene mulch, glazing create optimal conditions for soil solarization
Soil solarization, a process that uses solar radiation to rid the soil of pests, is most common in regions with high solar radiation and high temperatures during the summer season. An alternative to soil fumigation, the process is used either alone ...
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Stenospermocarpic fruit linked to unmarketable black walnuts
Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) is native to much of the eastern United States and is highly valued for its nuts and timber. Black walnut fruit generally reach most of their size by mid-August and mature by late September or early October. The fruit ...