ASHS 2024 Conference

Explore cutting-edge techniques, tools, and strategies to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into postharvest research. Learn how AI can enhance data analysis, optimize storage conditions, and improve quality assessment for fruits and vegetables. During this workshop, we’ll delve into organizing datasets, determining the number of variables, and understanding their types. Join us to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of postharvest science. Join us for this dynamic workshop, where experts share insights, foster collaboration, and propel postharvest science into the future! 🌱

The goal of this workshop is to empower researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to revolutionize postharvest practices. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and non-destructive technologies, we aim to achieve the following objectives: 1. Enhanced Quality Control 2. Efficient Resource Management 3. Scientific Advancements 4. Sustainable Practices 5. Industry Transformation

Coordinator(s)

• Randolph Beaudry, Michigan State University, Horticulture, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
• Angelos Deltsidis, University of Georgia, Horticulture, Tifton, GA, United States

Moderator(s)

• Angelos Deltsidis, University of Georgia, Horticulture, Tifton, GA, United States

Speaker/Participant(s)
Welcome and Objectives: Set the context for the workshop (10) minutes
Overview of AI in Postharvest Research (10 minutes)
Dr. Carolina Torres, Washington State University, Wenatchee, Washington, United States
Summary: Overview of AI applications, emphasizing data analysis, optimization, and quality assessment and discuss principles for designing experiments that maximize AI potential.Session 1: Analyzing Physical Properties (20 minutes)

Session 1: Analyzing Physical Properties (20 minutes)
Dr. Manuela Zude-Sasse (Liebniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bio-economy)
Summary: Explore non-destructive techniques for fruit assessment.

Session 2: Investigating postharvest chilling injury in horticultural crops using AI-based imaging technology (20 minutes)
Dr. Tie Liu (University of Florida)
Summary: Methods used to predict the appearance of chilling injury in fresh horticultural crops.

Session 3: AI in Molecular Biology (20 minutes)
Dr. Huiting Zhang (Washington State University). Summary: Discuss molecular indicators related to postharvest tree fruit disorders using AI techniques.

Session 4: Remote Sensing and AI (20 minutes)
Dr. Luan Oliveira (University of Georgia). Summary: Explore how remote sensing, combined with AI algorithms, accelerates data processing for fruits and vegetables.

Session 5: Q&A and Group Discussion (20 minutes).
Interactive Session: Encourage participants to ask questions and share experiences. Collaboration Opportunities: Explore potential collaborations among attendees.

Session 6: Recap, Key Takeaways, and Feedback Collection (10 minutes)

Impact of Lawn Age on Soil Organic Matter, Microbial Respiration, and Nitrogen Mineralization - Alex Lindsey
Effect of Organic Fertilizers and Biostimulants on ‘TifEagle’ Bermudagrass Greens - Marco Schiavon
Detection of QTL Associated with Morphological, Adaptive, and Reproductive Traits in Common Bermudagrass - Shuhao Yu
Alternate Products to Control Silvery Thread Moss in a Creeping Bentgrass Putting Green - Shehbaz Singh
Evaluation of Gypsum and Fertilizers for Enhanced Bermudagrass Performance Under Salinity Conditions in Florida Sandy Soils - Idalia Sierra
Cold-hardiness, Flowering, and Disease Resistance of 24 Camellia Cultivars and Selections in Tennessee, USA - Jacob Shreckhise
The American Rose Trials for Sustainability® (A.R.T.S.®) Program Announces Five Winning Roses for 2025 - Kristine Lang

Aesthetically appealing and ecosystem servicing turfgrass lawns require proper nutrition and adequate water, which are generally provided by fertilization and supplemental irrigation. However, mismanaged fertilizer and irrigation practices can lead to nutrient losses to the environment, especially nitrogen (N). Model simulations suggest that as the age of the turf stand increases it may be possible to reduce N fertilization and still maintain acceptable turf quality. This is likely due to increases in soil organic matter with turf maturation, which has the potential to provide plant-available N. However, little research has been performed on carbon (C) sequestration and N mineralization in urban residential soils in Florida. It is hypothesized that as lawn age increases it will result in greater C sequestration, microbial activity, and N mineralization. This study was conducted at Lakewood Ranch, FL. Soil samples were collected from lawns with the following ages: 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years old. The soil samples were sieved, homogenized, and air-dried prior to soil analysis. Soil analysis included soil organic matter (loss-on-ignition), microbial activity (potentially mineralizable C), and N mineralization (potentially mineralizable N). Data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and treatment mean comparisons were separated using Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) at the p ≤ 0.05 level. Lawn age had an impact on soil organic matter, microbial activity, and N mineralization. In general, as a lawn ages, especially after 5 years, it increases the soil organic matter, microbial respiration, and N mineralization. This is the first-year data and a second year with multiple locations will be evaluated to confirm results. Future studies will involve optimizing fertilizer and irrigation recommendations for lawns of various ages.

Turfgrass areas and golf industry have been under scrutiny for their potential impact on the environment, but more environmentally friendly organic fertilizers are increasingly being used to reduce and replace some inorganic fertilizers. A study was conducted on an 8-year-old ‘Tifeagle’ ultradwarf bermudagrass green mowed daily at 0.125 in. located at the University of Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, FL to evaluate the effect organic fertilizers and biostimulants on turfgrass performance of Tifeagle’ bermudagrass green. Treatments included: a) XP Stress Rx (applied at 6 6 fl oz./1000 sq. ft.); b) XP-N Stress Rx (applied at 6 6 fl oz./1000 sq. ft.); XP-N Stress Rx Nautilus NuRelease (applied at 6 6 6 0.35 fl oz./1000 sq. ft.). Initial treatment was applied on June 1, 2023, with subsequent applications every 14 days for a total of nine applications. Data was collected every two weeks until three weeks after final application. Turf quality was measured on a 1-9 scale with 9=dark green dense turf, 1=dead/brown turf, and 6=minimally acceptable turf; Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was assessed using a RapidSCAN CS-45; percent green cover and Dark Green Color Index (DGCI) were assessed through Digital Image Analysis of one image taken per plot; volumetric water content was measured at a 3-inch depth using a time domain reflectance sensor. During the summer turfgrass quality, NDVI and DGCI were affected by treatment applications during five of the rating days. Overall, turfgrass fertilized with XP Stress Rx, XP-N Stress Rx and XP-N Stress Rx Nautilus NuRelease showed a higher quality, NDVI and DGCI compared to the unfertilized. Volumetric water content was affected by treatments only after the first application, and no differences were found thereafter. When temperature dropped, and up to three months after last application, biostimulants had a tremendous effect on ultradwarf bermudagrass health preventing the grass from Curvularia spp. infection and helping turfgrass maintaining quality and functionality through the winter.

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. is frequently used as turf and to cross with C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy in the creation of F1 hybrid cultivars that are widely used on home lawns, golf courses, and sports fields worldwide. However, molecular information associated with adaptive and morphological traits in this species is limited. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to identify genomic regions associated with establishment rate, spring green-up, drought response, leaf length and width, and stem internode length and width. In this study, we used a ‘A12359’ common bermudagrass high-density linkage map constructed with 3,544 markers. A total of 130 first-generation selfed progeny were evaluated in the field for two seasons for adaptive and morphological traits. A total of 36 genomic regions were identified to be associated with morphological, adaptive, and reproductive traits . The results provide important genetic resources towards understanding the molecular information associated with target traits as well as provide a foundation for using marker-assisted selection in bermudagrass breeding.

Silvery thread moss (Byrum argenteum Hedw.) and others are considered cosmopolitan weeds of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stoloniferous L.) golf putting greens. These putting green surfaces are vulnerable to moss infestations due to low mowing height, plant growth regulator applications, and restricted nitrogen all required for maintenance. On the actual putting surface, moss interrupts both golf ball roll and visual aesthetics. As a bryophyte, moss is a primitive photosynthetic plant without true leaves or roots and reproduce both sexually (sporophyte) and asexually (fragmentation). Early detection in putting greens is difficult because the protonema (the early stage of moss) resemble blue-green algae or Cyanobacteria. Once established, mosses can tolerate a range of environments from cool-to-hot, and wet-to-dry. Thus, mosses are a chronic problem of creeping bentgrass putting greens. In the past decade, the herbicide carfentrazone (QuickSilver; FMC Corp., Philadelphia, PA) has become the dominant strategy to suppress moss in putting greens, but requires multiple spray applications for efficacious control. In 2023 and 2024, a field study was conducted using a 25-year-old ‘L-93’ plus ‘Providence’ creeping bentgrass nursery green at North Shore Country Club (Glenview, IL). The objective was to explore moss control by two new granular products: Fiesta (chelated iron) and Castaway (tea saponin), both from The Andersons Inc. (Maumee, OH). Granular treatments at product label rate and QuickSilver at 3.35 fl oz/A were applied every 14 days for a total of 8 applications. QuickSilver was applied using a CO2-powered backpack sprayer operated at 40 psi with a three nozzle boom of XR TEEJET 8004VS applied in 2 gal water carrier/1000 sq ft. Year one evaluated granular products versus QuickSilver. Year two compared an additional standard of a once-applied spot treatment of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in solution. Both trials were arranged as a randomized complete block design with four replications per treatment. In 2023, Untreated, QuickSilver, Castaway, and Fiesta were evaluated. In 2024, two additional treatments were included of ½ rate Fiesta, and baking soda.. The results indicate that both Castaway and Fiesta granular products were capable of moss suppression in a putting green. Moss control with Fiesta was similar to the QuickSilver herbicide standard or spot treatment by baking soda. Therefore, these granular products could be used alone or in rotation with QuickSilver to control moss in golf course putting greens

Coastal regions, facing saltwater intrusion due to overpumping, exacerbate challenges for turf managers facing soil salinization, and sodium and bicarbonate hazards. Given the prevalence of gypsum applications to counter sodium hazard and the utilization of acidifying fertilizers for neutralizing bicarbonate hazards, there is a need to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in alleviating soil salinity and bicarbonate hazards and their impact on turfgrass performance. An 8-week study was conducted at the University of Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center to assess the impact of ammonium sulfate and calcium nitrate, either alone or in combination with gypsum, on turfgrass performance and soil properties of a ‘Celebration’ bermudagrass fairway under salinity conditions. To replicate high salinity conditions, table salt (NaCl) was applied to half of the area at a rate of 5 lb of NaCl 1000 ft-2, with the rest of the area serving as a control. Gypsum was applied at a rate of 230 lb gypsum 1000 ft-2 and divided in two applications at mid-point (week 3) and prior to completion of the study (week 7). Fertilizers were applied at a rate of 0.5 lb N/1000 ft2. Salt and fertilizer were applied every two weeks, alternating between each other, for a total of four applications each. Experimental design was a split-split-split design with four replications, with salt serving as a main plot, gypsum as a sub-plot and fertilizer treatment as a sub-sub-plot. Turfgrass visual quality (1=worst, 9=best), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), percent green cover, and dark green color index (DGCI), turf injury, volumetric water content (VWC) and electrical conductivity (EC) were assessed weekly. Gypsum had no effect on turfgrass performance. Plots fertilized with AMS initially showed a higher quality than plots fertilized with calcium nitrate after fertilization, however no differences were found toward the end of the trial. Salt reduced turfgrass quality, NDVI and percent green cover and resulted in turfgrass injury, particularly following initial applications. However, it appears that the turfgrass gradually adapted to the salinity conditions, as turfgrass injury from salt decreased during the second half of the experiment. Volumetric water content and EC were affected by the interaction of salt and gypsum. During the experiment, plots treated with gypsum and salt consistently exhibited higher VWC and EC compared to plots that did not receive gypsum. Results suggest that disproportioned amounts of gypsum to improve turfgrass performance applied to golf courses are not justified.

Cold hardiness, flowering, and disease resistance of ornamental camellia (Camellia spp.) cultivars are poorly documented when grown in a climate subjected to occasional -18°C (0°F) temperatures. To comprehensively understand cold-hardiness, flowering, and disease resistance, 24 cultivars and selections of camellia species and hybrids were evaluated in McMinnville, TN, USA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7a). Camellias were planted in field plots in Mar 2011, evaluated for flowering from year 2011 to 2020, and rated for low-temperature damage in 2014 and 2023. The Camellia Yellow Mottle Virus, monochaetia leaf spot (Monochaetia sp.), edema, flower blight (Ciborinia camelliae), and flower spot (Botrytis cinerea) severity (% affected) were evaluated from Oct to Nov in 2016 and 2017, and the season-long area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. ‘April Remembered’, ‘April Rose’, ‘Arctic Snow’, ‘Ashton’s Ballet’, ‘Autumn Carnival’, ‘Autumn Spirit’, ‘Elaine Lee’, ‘Survivor’, and a C. chekiangoleosa selection were least affected by low winter temperatures, whereas ‘Korean Snow’, ‘One Alone’, a C. sasanqua selection, ‘Pink Icicle’, and ‘Shishigashira’ were severely damaged. Cultivars that flowered most reliably (5 to 6 of 8 years) included ‘Arctic Snow’, ‘April Remembered’, ‘April Rose’, ‘Ashton’s Ballet’, ‘Autumn Spirit’, and ‘Survivor’, whereas ‘Maroon Mist’, ‘One Alone’, and ‘Shishigashira’ never flowered. ‘Korean Fire’, ‘Classic Pink’, ‘Maroon Mist’, and ‘Spring’s Promise’ displayed the highest virus severity and AUDPC. ‘Arctic Snow’, a C. sasanqua selection, and a C. chekiangoleosa selection had no viral symptoms. A C. sasanqua selection and ‘Red Aurora’ were significantly impacted by edema disorder, with severity ratings of ∼43% and 26%, respectively. Monochaetia leaf spot severity was highest in ‘Red Aurora’ and ‘Spring’s Promise’, whereas ‘Anacostia’, ‘Arctic Snow’, ‘Ashton’s Ballet’, ‘Autumn Spirit’, ‘Classic Pink’, ‘Kuro Delight’, ‘One Alone’, ‘Pink Icicle’, ‘Shishigashira’, and ‘Survivor’ exhibited the least monochaetia leaf spot severity and AUDPC. Flower blight and flower spot were observed only in ‘Arctic Snow’ and ‘Survivor’. These findings will aid landscapers and nursery growers with selecting and managing camellia cultivars effectively.

The American Rose Trials for Sustainability® (A.R.T.S.®) is a US rose trialing program in its eighth year of announcing winning roses. A.R.T.S.® evaluates newer roses in the marketplace using scientific methodology (blocking, randomization, control cultivars, etc.). Roses are evaluated over two growing seasons and are grown using minimal inputs (i.e. no pesticides, no deadheading, etc.). Entries that score equal to or higher than the control cultivars (Double Knock Out® [‘RADtko’] and Sunrise Sunset™ [‘BAIset’]) and have >50% survival by the end of the trial period, earn regional Local Artist awards. Roses winning in four or more Köppen climate regions earn Master Rose awards. The 2025 award winning roses were planted in 2022. Data was collected monthly during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons on floral attributes (42.5% of score), foliar health and quality (45% of score), and growth habit (12.5% of score). There were six trial sites representing five US Köppen climate regions (Cfa, Csa, Dfa, Dfb, and H). Five roses won 2025 A.R.T.S.® Local Artist awards: Arctic Blue™ (‘WEKblufytirar’; Csa), Easy to Please™ ('WEKfawibyblu'; Cfa), Pretty Polly® Lavender (‘ZLEpolthree’; Dfa), Sunset Horizon™ (‘MEIsistoma’; Dfa and Dfb), and True Bloom™ True Friendship™ (‘ALTmine’; Csa and Dfa). Performance data will be provided by region for the two control and five winning rose cultivars.

The goal of this workshop is to bring together consumer horticulture stakeholders working to create sustainable, enjoyable, healthy communities and to identify methods for achieving greater impact through effective process of program identification, development, and measurement. Those active in any role of developing and delivering consumer horticulture programs, including Master Gardener activities, are encouraged to attend. Creating impactful programming in this field is influenced by stakeholders with varied goals and resources, content specificity due to planting zones and habitat, and the audience’s diverse economic and social demographics. To achieve greater success, more effort must be invested in the process of goal setting, stakeholder participation, resource allocation, collaborative implementation, and measurement. However, drilling down from a state-wide vision through regional, county-based resources and content to be delivered to locally diverse residents requires effective processes and creative thinking. Through discussion, we will identify internal roadblocks to success and learn the creative ways our peers may have overcome similar situations.

Workshop attendees are assigned a number 1, 2 or 3 upon entry. For the first 5 minutes, the participants of the workshop complete one of three pre-workshop surveys
1 - Your Role in the Field of Consumer Horticulture
2 – Success Indicators of Impactful Consumer Horticulture Programs
3 – Identifying Appropriate Consumer Horticulture Programs). For the next 10 minutes, the participants will discuss the definition of the term ‘consumer horticulture’ to ensure clarity of purpose.
This will include an activity generating a list of potential stakeholders and types of programs to illustrate the complexity of the field and to further clarify national, state and local needs. The presenters will then spend 40 minutes sharing a specific example of a layered, complex program development system including their success indicators and impediments. The moderator will represent the flow of information through the system, illustrating the places, sometimes obvious and others unexpected, where the process stops or gains momentum. Presenters represent state, regional and local roles. Workshop participants spend the next 40 minutes in round-robin breakout groups, rotating through 4 topics. The topics are in the form of questions regarding different aspects of goal setting, stakeholder development, program identification and success measurement. Each break out group will be moderated by one of the presenters. The group will reassemble for 20 minutes to discuss the outcome of their work. Notes will be taken for distribution to the group. For the last 5 minutes the group will take different versions of the pre-workshop test as a post-workshop assessment.

Consumer horticulture is a critical topic for national to local level stakeholders invested in developing healthy, sustainable communities. There are few focus areas that affect the quality of life of communities to the degree that this field can. Successful consumer horticulture efforts result in economic development opportunities, increased food access, strengthened social structures, mental health support and more. Yet, while the importance of integrating gardening on individual and community levels is widely recognized, efforts to develop and conduct programs to achieve consumer horticulture goals are difficult to establish and have little data supporting impact. To achieve greater success, more effort must be invested in the process of goal setting, stakeholder participation, resource allocation, collaborative implementation, and measurement. There is a plethora of information available about specific consumer horticulture activities such as community gardens, schoolyard habitats and classes for homeowners. However, before beginning activity development, the field would be strengthened by discussion of the purpose of these programs and the process of delivering information effectively to the intended audience.

The goal of this workshop is to bring together professionals in the field of consumer horticulture from different geographic and organizational systems and, through guided discussion, identify methods for achieving greater impact through effective program identification, development, and measurement.


Coordinator(s)

• Ruth Carll, Rutgers, Agriculture and Natural Resources, New Brunswick, NEW JERSEY, United States

Speaker/Participant(s)

• Peter Nitzsche, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, United States
  Member of Panel (10 mins)
  Summary: Peter Nitzche, Director of the Clifford E. & Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm at Rutgers Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and the Department Head for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County represents the perspective of county-level program leadership. He leads events, programming and task force teams while overseeing extension staff that implement programs. He also actively conducts research and contributes to departmental goals.
• Belinda Chester, Rutgers, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
  Panel Member (10 mins)
  Summary: Belinda Chester is a Horticulture Program Associate II and Master Gardener Coordinator with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County. On this panel, she represents the challenges of creating and managing programs with regional and local specificity. She must meet goals of both Rutgers and her county. Her constituents are urban, suburban and rural, including a large farming demographic. This large county also presents a geographic challenge.
• Ruth Carll, Rutgers, Agriculture and Natural Resources, New Brunswick, NEW JERSEY, United States
  Panel Member (10 mins)
  Summary: Ruth Carll, State Coordinator of Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardener Program, leads Rutgers statewide consumer horticulture activities, ensuring that the University’s goals are achieved. Her research involves impact studies designed to guide program development and determine success. Ruth will represent state-level goal setting and program oversight.