ASHS 2024 Conference: Full Schedule

9:59am HST

Marketing and Economics (MKEC)

Tuesday September 24, 2024 9:59am - 11:45am HST

Consumer Shopping Destination Preferences For Outdoor Garden Plants In The United States - Vivek Bist
Producer Awareness and Treatment of Ambrosia Beetle: Evidence from a Producer Survey - Ben Campbell
Consumer Awareness, Treatment Perception, and Purchasing Response to Flathead Borer - Ben Campbell
Market Research to Reinvigorate the Processed Vegetable Industry using Consumer Sensory Evaluations - Ann Colonna
Consumer Preferences for Commercially Available Poinsettia Cultivars in South Mississippi - Patricia Knight
Understanding the Characteristics of Ethnic Markets and Help Small Growers to Find Niche - ChyiLyi Liang
Consumers' WTP on Sustainability Turfgrass Attributes with Consideration of Aesthetic Attributes and Water Conservation Policies - Chanjin Chung

Moderator

Chanjin Chung

Oklahoma State University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 9:59am - 11:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Marketing and Economics

SUBJECT Marketing and Economics

10:00am HST

MKEC - Consumer Shopping Destination Preferences For Outdoor Garden Plants In The United States

Tuesday September 24, 2024 10:00am - 10:15am HST

South Pacific 1

Outdoor garden plants are integral products in the nursery and garden stores industry in the United States. Industry reports indicate that home improvement centers and big-box stores pose a significant threat to small garden centers, nursery stores, and ornamental farmers through price competition while small local ornamental businesses tend to focus on personalized products and services to compete with chain retail stores. Identifying the key characteristics of consumer clusters that influence consumer shopping destination preferences can be useful for industry players to devise efficient marketing plans for their niche markets. This study employs cluster analysis techniques and multinomial logistic regression on the cross-sectional data collected from an online survey of 609 consumers to estimate the influence of consumer economic and socio-demographic characteristics on their shopping destination choices. The results from this study indicate that retail consumers of outdoor garden plants can be categorized broadly into four clusters: home improvement center shoppers (47.4%), big-box center shoppers (13.5%), local garden center shoppers (21.2%), and farmers’ market shoppers (17.9%). This study also finds that age, ethnicity, education, household income, number of children in the household, urbanicity, housing arrangements, and political inclination are useful predictors of shopping destination preferences for outdoor garden plants. This study adds valuable information to the market research literature for the retail ornamental horticulture industry.

Speakers

Vivek Bist

Agricultural & Natural Resources Extension Agent, University of Georgia Extension

Co-authors

Benjamin Campbell

University of Georgia

Jeffrey Mullen

University of Georgia

Tuesday September 24, 2024 10:00am - 10:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Marketing and Economics

SUBJECT Marketing and Economics

10:15am HST

MKEC - Producer Awareness and Treatment of Ambrosia Beetle: Evidence from a Producer Survey

Tuesday September 24, 2024 10:15am - 10:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Ambrosia beetles are creating a larger negative impact on tree crops throughout the U.S. As such, research is on-going to better understand ambrosia beetles and the impact of varying treatment methods. However, little is known about awareness and the treatments currently being utilized by producers throughout the U.S. This research takes an in-depth look at producer awareness, treatments utilized pre- and post-ambrosia beetle infestation, and expenditures associated with treating ambrosia beetles. Utilizing a survey of producers throughout the U.S., most producers were aware of ambrosia beetles; however, treatments to control ambrosia beetles varied considerably. Interestingly, many producers chose not to treat, which implies many producers currently do not see a positive benefit/cost to treat. A reason for lack of treatment could be the lack of consistency of ambrosia beetle infestations as many producers indicated ambrosia beetles were not a problem each year. Further, this research does provide stakeholders with information on what treatment methods are preferred and means to increase information dissemination about new ambrosia beetle treatments.

Speakers

Ben Campbell

University of Georgia

Co-authors

Adam Rabinowitz

Auburn University

Alicia L Rihn

University of Tennessee

Julie Campbell

University of Georgia

Tuesday September 24, 2024 10:15am - 10:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Marketing and Economics

SUBJECT Marketing and Economics

10:30am HST

MKEC - Consumer Awareness, Treatment Perception, and Purchasing Response to Flathead Borer

Tuesday September 24, 2024 10:30am - 10:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Flathead borers cause extensive damage for specialty crop producers throughout the U.S. As specialty crop producers attempt to mitigate damage, various treatments are being utilized. Furthermore, flathead borers cause damage in landscapes. To this end, this research examines the impact of consumer awareness and perception of flathead borer, consumer views on potential treatments in their landscape and in specialty crop production systems, and how the purchasing decision for a tree, bush, etc. might change given different probabilities of the tree, bush, etc. being impacted by flathead borer. An online survey on a representative sample of U.S. consumers conducted in 2024 found that there is little consumer awareness of flathead borer, but consumer’s recognized damage when shown pictures of what damage looked like. However, consumers had definitive opinions about flathead borer treatments, notably negative opinions about chemical treatments, though this view was heterogenous in nature. Finally, purchase decisions were impacted by the probability of a tree, bush, etc. being impacted, such that consumers were more accepting of a higher probability for minor damage, but a low probability of major damage would decrease the probability of purchase. From this research, stakeholders and researchers get a better understanding of which treatments may have a negative purchasing impact.

Speakers

Ben Campbell

University of Georgia

Co-authors

Alicia L Rihn

University of Tennessee

Mounata Dahal

The University of Georgia

Tuesday September 24, 2024 10:30am - 10:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Marketing and Economics

SUBJECT Marketing and Economics

10:45am HST

MKEC - Market Research to Reinvigorate the Processed Vegetable Industry using Consumer Sensory Evaluations

Tuesday September 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:00am HST

South Pacific 1

In an effort to understand perceived quality and purchase interest in processed frozen vegetables vs. their fresh counterparts, consumer sensory evaluations were conducted with Oregon consumers (n=108, 68% female, aged 18 and over). Consumers were served blind coded samples to investigate consumer preference for fresh vs. frozen select processed vegetables in appearance, aroma, color, overall liking, flavor, and texture. Utilizing hedonic scales and just-about-right methodology, consumers both rated their liking for each and assessed the ideal sweetness, texture, and moisture content. Additionally, the survey was used to probe the best strategies for increasing consumer awareness and marketability of processed vegetables and to understand consumer purchasing behavior and motivation when it relates to buying processed vegetables. Consumers also responded to questions about quality, purchase intent and ideal packaging size for processed vegetables. Consumer perception of frozen processed broccoli, while not as high as fresh, was positive. When asked about the characteristics of produce that most influence their purchasing decisions, quality and freshness were the two most important considerations to these consumers. Seventy-five percent responded either yes or depends on the price when probed about their interest in a frozen vegetable and fruit consumer supported agriculture (CSA) model. Consumers were also asked which reasons would most convince them to join a frozen vegetable and fruit CSA. The most frequently chosen options were 1) to support the livelihoods of growers and their communities, 2) frozen produce reduces waste and 3) frozen produce tastes fresher than off season produce. These ideas could be leveraged to encourage consumers to support the purchase of processed frozen vegetables as well as support a subscription service to high quality frozen produce.

Speakers

Ann Colonna

Oregon State University Food Innovation Center

Co-authors

Edward Peachey

Oregon State University

James Myers

Oregon State University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 10:45am - 11:00am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Marketing and Economics

SUBJECT Marketing and Economics

11:00am HST

MKEC - Consumer Preferences for Commercially Available Poinsettia Cultivars in South Mississippi

Tuesday September 24, 2024 11:00am - 11:15am HST

South Pacific 1

Mississippi State University’s South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station began hosting a Poinsettia Open House in 2021. The goal of this event was to provide retail consumers and commercial producers with up-to-date information about poinsettias currently available for production. The first two events were single day events in early December (December 2, 2021 and December 1, 2022). Due to the success of the first two events, a decision was made to expand the event to two days in 2023 (December 1-2, 2023) and include educational presentations. Photography backdrops with poinsettia enhancements have been provided each year for anyone wishing to use them for Christmas card photos or to simply commemorate their visit. Attendees were given the opportunity to participate in several surveys at each open house. Participants completing a survey were allowed to choose and take home a poinsettia. Attendees were allowed to walk through the production greenhouse, view the poinsettia cultivars, and record their personal favorites. Participants viewed 35, 52, and 40 poinsettia cultivars in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. In 2021, attendees identified Ice Punch, Orange Glow, Premium Ice Crystal, Superba New Glitter, and Autumn Leaves as their top five favorites. In 2022, attendees identified Superba New Glitter, Ice Punch, Norwin Orange, Prestige Maroon, and Grande Italia as their top five. In 2023, attendees identified J’Adore Soft Pink, Premium Picasso, Christmas Feelings Merlot, Christmas Spirit, and Tapestry as their top five.

Speakers

Patricia Knight

Mississippi State University

Co-authors

Anthony Bowden

University of Arkansas

Ben Posadas

Mississippi State University

Christine Coker

Mississippi State University

Haley Williams

Mississippi State University

James DelPrince

Mississippi State University

Jenny Ryals

Mississippi State University

Scott Langlois

Mississippi State University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 11:00am - 11:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Marketing and Economics

SUBJECT Marketing and Economics

11:15am HST

MKEC - Understanding the Characteristics of Ethnic Markets and Help Small Growers to Find Niche

Tuesday September 24, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Many small and socially disadvantaged producers grow fruit and vegetables. These farmers start small to satisfy family needs and support a preferred lifestyle. However, many small and socially disadvantaged farmers aim to be economically sustainable and want to create a feasible operation rooted in their communities. Since 2016, we have gathered information from over 3,000 small and socially disadvantaged farmers in the Southeastern region of the US who seek opportunities to improve wealth and health for individuals and communities. Information includes types of operations, family compositions, and needs of training and assistance. In particular, many of these farmers went through a series of experiential training programs to grow medicinal crops originated in Asia. These specialty fruit and vegetables are not familiar to most of the local farmers, and these specialty fruit and vegetables have high potential to serve as medicinal crops based on scientific studies. This presentation will introduce the components in this series of training linking production to market, financial assessment, risk evaluation, and niche opportunities to improve long-term health outcomes. The presentation will focus on connections and characteristics of ethnic markets, where most of these specialty fruit and vegetables are sold to diverse populations, from cultural and health perspectives. Market prices, consumer behaviors, and communication strategies will also be shared as examples to support small and socially disadvantaged farmers in breaking the barriers to access the ethnic market. Since 2016, this training program has assisted more than 1,000 producers to grow Asian medicinal crops, and successfully engaged in market activities serving diverse customers across the US.

Speakers

ChyiLyi Liang

WK Kellogg Distinguished Professor and Director of Center for Environmental Farming Systems, NCA&T

My work involves multifunctional agriculture (integrations across production, value added, agritourism, and community engagement), interdisciplinary food systems, and entrepreneurship in general. My programs serve farmers, community organizations, and government agencies particularly... Read More →

Tuesday September 24, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Marketing and Economics

SUBJECT Marketing and Economics

11:30am HST

MKEC - Consumers' WTP on Sustainability Turfgrass Attributes with Consideration of Aesthetic Attributes and Water Conservation Policies

Tuesday September 24, 2024 11:30am - 11:45am HST

South Pacific 1

This study estimates consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for sustainability turfgrass attributes such as low-input and stress-tolerance attributes, while considering potential trade-off relationships between aesthetic attributes and sustainability attributes. To address our objectives, our study conducts a choice experiment and estimates two mixed logit models. The first model includes low-input, winter kill, and shade-tolerance attributes as predictor variables, and the second model extends the first model by adding interaction terms between aesthetic and sustainability attributes. Another choice experiment is conducted under water policies with various water rate increase and watering restriction scenarios. Results from the mixed logit models show that overall, higher low-input cost reduction, less winter-damaged, and more shade-tolerance grasses are preferred, the direct effect of aesthetic attributes on consumers’ preference is strong, but the indirect effect represented by the interaction terms are generally statistically insignificant. Our results indicate that consumers like to have a pretty lawn, but no strong consideration is given to the aesthetics of their lawn when selecting low-input and stress-tolerance turfgrasses. Our choice experiment under water policy scenarios suggests that water pricing is more effective than watering restriction in increasing consumer demand for water-conserving turfgrasses. Our findings provide useful implications for future research in turfgrass breeding and evaluation of consumer preference for turfgrass. Many researchers have discussed potential degradation of aesthetic characteristics when developing input-saving turfgrass varieties. However, to the best of our knowledge, no earlier studies have investigated the effect of aesthetic deterioration caused by enhanced low-input and stress-tolerance attributed on consumers’ valuation of turfgrasses. Our findings suggest that aesthetic attributes need to be considered when conducting choice experiments for the valuation of the enhanced grasses, but limiting trade-offs may not be as important as enhancing low-input/stress-tolerance attributes when developing future turfgrasses. Another contribution might be the water policy outcomes from our choice experiment. Our experiment finds that the water pricing is more effective than the watering restriction in increasing consumer demand for water-conserving grasses, which could help develop better water policies in the future.

Speakers

Chanjin Chung

Oklahoma State University

Co-authors

Hyojae Jung

Oklahoma State University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 11:30am - 11:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Marketing and Economics

SUBJECT Marketing and Economics

12:14pm HST

Postharvest 1/Produce, Quality, Safety and Health Properties (PH 1/QUAL)

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:14pm - 1:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Identification of Genes Associated with the Chilling Prerequisites for Ripening in European Pear - Adwaita Parida
Effects of Cooling Delay and Harvest Maturity on ‘Gem’ Pear Internal Breakdown Development - Janet Turner
Efficacy of Ultraviolet Radiation for Control of the Mucor Rot Pathogen in Post-harvest Anjou and Bartlett Pears - Shawn McMurtrey
Preliminary Insights Into the Effects of Various Technologies of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) “AnsiP®” on Apple Fruit Quality During Shelf Life -William TC Chang
Pre-Storage Ambient Temperature Delay Reduces Lenticel Blotch by Mediating Metabolic Alteration in Cold-Stored ‘Summer Prince’ Apples - Hyowon Park
1-Methylcyclopropene from HarvestHold Fresh® impact on ‘Red Delicious’ apple during cold storage - Ozge Horzum

Moderator

Randolph Beaudry

Michigan State University

Dr. Randolph Beaudry, Professor, MSU Department of Horticulture (MSc, PhD, University of Georgia). His appointment is 50% MSU Extension and 50% AgBioResearch. His research program includes both regional and international projects and focuses on the physiology of plant responses to... Read More →

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:14pm - 1:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster Session, Postharvest 1

SUBJECT Postharvest

12:15pm HST

PH 1/QUAL - Identification of Genes Associated with the Chilling Prerequisites for Ripening in European Pear

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:15pm - 12:25pm HST

South Pacific 1

The pear (Pyrus communis L.) has been classified as a climacteric fruit, undergoing a ripening process characterized by a transition from system-I to system-II ethylene production. This transition denotes a change in the regulation of ethylene biosynthesis from being auto-inhibitory to auto-stimulatory process. Increased ethylene production during climacteric ripening is accompanied by a corresponding rise in respiration. Pears require chilling for ripening, and the duration of chilling necessary for ripening varies among cultivars. ‘Bartlett

Speakers

Adwaita Parida

Texas A

Co-authors

Amit Dhingra

Texas A

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:15pm - 12:25pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Postharvest 1

SUBJECT Postharvest

12:25pm HST

PH 1/QUAL - Effects of Cooling Delay and Harvest Maturity on ‘Gem’ Pear Internal Breakdown Development

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:25pm - 12:35pm HST

South Pacific 1

‘Gem’ pear is a relatively new European pear cultivar with good fire blight resistance. Fruit can be eaten without ripening, either at harvest or upon removing from cold storage, when still crisp and juicy, or can be expected to ripen to a buttery melting texture after 30-60 days of regular-air (RA) storage (~30 °F). Although research initially indicated ‘Gem’ could be stored in RA conditions for 5 months with good quality retention, in practice ‘Gem’ storage has proved more challenging, primarily due to internal breakdown which can appear as early as 2 months after storage, either in RA or controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. Additionally, with increasing commercial production of ‘Gem’, there is industry interest in extending storage beyond 5 months. This on-going study evaluates factors potentially influencing internal breakdown development, such as cooling delay (representing a delay of room temperature establishment at storage facility) and fruit maturity in year 1 and cooling delay and rate of controlled atmosphere (CA) establishment in year 2. In year 1, internal breakdown incidence was essentially absent for fruit harvested at 56 N flesh firmness but higher for fruit harvested at 44 N, especially where cooling was delayed. Fruit harvested at 56 N did not soften to below 18 N at 60 d storage, indicating a longer period of postharvest chilling is required for less mature fruit.

Speakers

Janet Turner

Bio-Science Research Technician, USDA-ARS Hood River Worksite

Co-authors

Kristal Dowell

USDA-ARS Hood River Worksite

Rachel Leisso

USDA-ARS Hood River Worksite

Yu Dong

State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:25pm - 12:35pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Postharvest 1

SUBJECT Postharvest

12:35pm HST

PH 1/QUAL - Efficacy of Ultraviolet Radiation for Control of the Mucor Rot Pathogen in Post-harvest Anjou and Bartlett Pears

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:35pm - 12:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Mucor rot is caused by the pathogen Mucor piriformis, which can be responsible for severe post-harvest decay in a wide variety of commercially important fruit. There are a minimal number of fungicides that have been shown to be effective against Mucor rot. As a result, alternative methods for control of Mucor rot are currently being investigated. Ultraviolet light in the C spectrum (UV-C) is a germicidal form of radiation that has been demonstrated to kill common post-harvest pathogens. Little information is available for the effectiveness of UV-C light against M. piriformis. For this study, a Far-UV light (222-nm) and a UV-C light (265-nm) were tested for their ability to inactivate M. piriformis. The effects of three UV-C light treatments (0kJ, 10kJ, and 20kJ) were tested on Anjou and Bartlett pears that had been wound inoculated with M. piriformis. Lesion sizes were measured after five weeks in cold storage. The optimal dose required to inactivate M. piriformis in vitro in polystyrene wells with the Far-UV light was found to be 9 kJ, which, with available bulbs set at 8 cm distance, required 17 minutes of treatment. Results showed no significant effect of treatment on final lesion size for both the Far-UV light and the UV-C light. For both lights, final mean lesion sizes were larger for fruit that had been treated with the 20kJ and 10 kJ treatments when compared to the control fruit that received no UV-C treatment. Results from this study suggest that UV-C radiation in the 222-nm and 265-nm light spectrum have minimal impacts on reducing rot caused by M. piriformis in Anjou and Bartlett pears, and, given the duration of treatment required for spore deactivation, this technology may prove impractical for managing M. piriformis on other components of pear packing systems.

Speakers

Shawn McMurtrey

USDA-ARS

Co-authors

Janet Turner

USDA-ARS

Kevin Wang

USDA-ARS

Rachel Leisso

USDA-ARS Hood River Worksite

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:35pm - 12:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Postharvest 1

SUBJECT Postharvest

12:45pm HST

PH 1/QUAL - Preliminary Insights Into the Effects of Various Technologies of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) “AnsiP®” on Apple Fruit Quality During Shelf Life

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:45pm - 12:55pm HST

South Pacific 1

Various postharvest formulations of 1-MCP have been innovated to optimize its efficacy for repeated use across storage, transportation, and retail stages. For small farms or fruits destined for farmers' markets, utilizing postharvest technologies with minimal 1-MCP concentrations is pivotal. In this trial, fruit from ‘Empire’, ‘Red Delicious’, and ‘RubyFrost’ apples was obtained from Cornell orchards in Lansing NY and Cornell AgriTech orchards in Geneva NY, on October 1, 4, and 13, respectively. Fruit were transported to the postharvest laboratory at Cornell University in Ithaca NY and fruit maturity indices were assessed. After cooling the fruit overnight, three different formulations of 1-MCP (tablet - AnsiP®-G, sticker - AnsiP®-Sticker, and sheet - AnsiP®-S, LYTONE Enterprise, Inc., Taiwan) were tested. The treatments were applied to fruit packed in cardboard boxes (30×30×48 cm), each containing 4 trays, at 3 °C for 24 hours. Fruit were then transferred to 20 ⁰C for 4 weeks, and fruit quality including internal ethylene concentration (IEC), flesh firmness, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, fruit color, IAD value index for peel chlorophyll content, and fruit weight were assessed weekly. Additionally, the release dynamics of 1-MCP from tablets, stickers, and sheets were evaluated in different trial. The 1-MCP tablets outperformed other treatments in reducing IEC and maintaining fruit firmness. The effects of different 1-MCP technologies on apple fruit quality and longevity during shelf life will be discussed.

Speakers

Yosef Al Shoffe

Cornell Univeristy

William Chang

Co-authors

Yosef Al Shoffe

Cornell Univeristy

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:45pm - 12:55pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Postharvest 1

SUBJECT Postharvest

12:55pm HST

PH 1/QUAL - Pre-Storage Ambient Temperature Delay Reduces Lenticel Blotch by Mediating Metabolic Alteration in Cold-Stored ‘Summer Prince’ Apples

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:55pm - 1:05pm HST

South Pacific 1

Lenticel blotch as peel physiological disorder occurs in cold-stored apple fruit, characterized by irregular shape breakdown tissue without extending to the flesh. This study aimed to evaluate the postharvest treatment effects on fruit quality attributes, mineral nutrients, targeted metabolites, and incidence of lenticel blotch, and their relationship in cold stored ‘Summer Prince’ apple fruit. Fruits were harvested from 2 orchards, treated with postharvest 1-MCP, pre-storage ambient temperature delay for 7 days (ATC), and 1-MCP ATC at harvest and then stored at 0.5 °C for 5 months. There were significant differences in the organic matter content, nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), and phosphoric acid contents in the soil. Calcium, manganese, copper, and zinc in leaf tissues were significantly different between 2 orchards. Lenticel blotch was effectively controlled by ATC treatment, while exacerbated by 1-MCP. Based on the results of VIP scores, histidine, valine, sucrose, K/Ca ratio, (K Mg P)/Ca ratio, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, ABTS, and DPPH were influenced by the postharvest treatments. In the results of volcano plot analysis, ATC treatment effectively controlled the symptoms and up-regulated in amino acids, such as valine, histidine, proline, and isoleucine. However, 1-MCP treatment caused to induce lenticel blotch by upregulating aspartic acid and glutamic acid. Therefore, the results indicated that pre-storage ambient temperature delay should control the lenticel blotch by mediating targeted metabolic alteration during cold storage.

Speakers

Hyowon Park

Ph.D candidate, Chung-Ang University

Co-authors

Hnin Phyu Lwin

Washington State University

Jeonghee Kim

National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science

Jinhee Lee

Chung-Ang University

Jinwook Lee

Chung-Ang University

Jongtaek Park

National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science

Seung Yeon Han

Chung-Ang University

Soon-il Kwon

National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science

Tuesday September 24, 2024 12:55pm - 1:05pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Postharvest 1

SUBJECT Postharvest

1:05pm HST

PH 1/QUAL - 1-Methylcyclopropene from differing sources: Impact on ‘Red Delicious’ apple during cold storage

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:05pm - 1:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

Ethylene affects the postharvest quality and storage life by affecting the physiological changes related to ripening in apple fruits. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a cyclopropane-derived compound, is an effective ethylene inhibitor that blocks ethylene receptors at the cellular level, preventing ethylene effects and delaying its production. Several commercial products are available that provide controlled release of 1-MCP. In this study, a new 1-MCP technology was used, which uses a polymer sheeting material coated with cyclodextrin-encapsulated 1-MCP that is released when exposed to high humidity. Red Delicious apples were commercially harvested in Elbridge, Michigan, and 1-MCP sheets were applied targeting different 1-MCP concentrations (50, 100, 1000, 4000 ppb) and were placed on top of the fruit held in vented cardboard apple boxes in an open room. Another commercial 1-MCP product, Easyfresh®, powder (EF), (Fine Americas, Walnut Creek, CA) was applied at multiple dosages (0, 5, 50, 100, 1000 ppb) to fruit in cardboard apple boxes within sealed chambers as controls. Treated and untreated apples were stored in a cold room at 0 °C temperature and >90% relative humidity. We examined changes in ethylene production, respiration rate, firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, weight loss, and superficial scald during 7 months cold storage. The EF treatment was more effective than the 1-MCP sheet treatment for a given target concentration. The effect of 4000 ppb 1-MCP sheet was similar to the 50 ppb EF for the first 3 months of cold storage. The lack of effectiveness of the 1-MCP from sheet was likely due to escape of the 1-MCP from the apple box and off-target sorption by the cardboard. EF 100 and 1000 ppb concentrations resulted in the lowest ethylene production, respiration rate, weight loss, and superficial scald values in the overall study for 6 months. These concentrations were also influential in preserving firmness, brix, and titratable acidity values. 1-MCP sheet efficacy could be improved by raising the dosage target or changing the architecture and the materials of the boxes in which treatment occurred.

Speakers

Ozge Horzum

Ankara University

Co-authors

Randolph Beaudry

Michigan State University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:05pm - 1:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Postharvest 1

SUBJECT Postharvest

1:15pm HST

PH 1/QUAL - Effects of Seed Sanitizing Treatments on Germination, Shoot Growth and Mineral Nutrient Composition of Four Microgreen Species

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:15pm - 1:25pm HST

South Pacific 1

Microgreens are an emerging functional food that is sought after due to dense nutrient compositions as well as vibrant colors and textures. Seed contamination is one of the major food safety concerns as microgreens are consumed raw. Plant pathogenic diseases are also a concern as these can cause a reduction in the growth and quality of the crop. Seed sanitation methods should effectively reduce microbial load with minimal adverse effects on seed germination. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of four seed sanitizing treatments on germination, shoot production and mineral nutrient concentrations of four microgreen species including chive (Allium schoenoprasum), shiso (Perilla frutescens var. crispa), scallion (Allium fistulosum) and dill (Anethum graveolens). Microgreen seeds were subject to four sanitizing treatments including: Tsunami 100 (400 ppm, 5 min), hydrogen peroxide (3%, 5 min), vinegar (1%, 15 min), and hot water (85°C, 10 sec). Seeds which were treated with deionized water for 10 min were considered to be the control. The microgreens were grown in a greenhouse and were planted into a peat-based substrate and a jute fiber mat in January 2024. Prior to greenhouse production, a germination test was conducted to investigate germination percentage of seeds for each species in response to the four sanitizing treatments or control. Microgreens were assessed for germination, shoot coverage, shoot height, fresh and dry shoot weight, and mineral nutrient concentrations. There was a significant interaction between microgreen species and the sanitizing treatment on fresh and dry shoot weight. The lowest fresh shoot weight for the three species chive, scallion and shiso was 938.2 g·m-2, 976 g·m-2, 907.8 g·m-2, respectively when treated with hot water, with the other three sanitizing treatments and control resulting in statistically similar fresh shoot weights. Dill microgreens showed little difference in fresh shoot weight among the five sanitizing treatments with values ranging from 506.4 g·m-2 in hot water to 868.2 g·m-2 in control. Sanitizing treatment and substrate type both had a significant effect on the shoot height of tested microgreens. Hot water treated microgreens produced the shortest shoots with a mean shoot height of 7.7 cm regardless of species or substrate type. The other four sanitizing treatments produced statistically similar shoot heights ranging from 8.01 cm with vinegar to 8.1 cm with Tsunami 100. The peat substrate increased overall shoot length in tested microgreens compared with jute fiber mats regardless of sanitizing treatment or species.

Speakers

Jacob Arthur

Mississippi State University

Co-authors

Guihong Bi

Mississippi State University

Shecoya White

Mississippi State University

Tongyin Li

Mississippi State University

Zonia Carvajal

Mississippi State University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:15pm - 1:25pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Produce Quality; Safety and Health Properties

SUBJECT Postharvest, Produce Quality

1:25pm HST

PH 1/QUAL - Towards Development of a Consumer-Preference Driven Digital Guide to Apple Fruit Cultivar Selection

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:25pm - 1:35pm HST

South Pacific 1

There are over 7,500 apple varieties grown worldwide, each with its own set of organoleptic characteristics such as flavor, texture, and appearance. However, no more than 150 varieties have been introduced broadly in the global market. Consumer preference for apples is influenced by a complex interplay of factors beyond taste. The sheer variety of apples available in the market creates a valuable opportunity for a digital app that can help consumers navigate and select the best options based on their quality trait preferences. This project, in cooperation with U.S. Apple Association, aims to ultimately develop a digital app that will recommend apple varieties based on consumer’s preferences regarding sweetness, sourness, juiciness, crispiness, flavor, color, texture, and nutrition content. Thus, we examined the relationship between various sensory and physico-chemical data to understand their significance in apple selection. Five cultivars of apples grown organically (‘Ambrosia’, ‘Cosmic Crisp’, ‘Gala’, “Sugar Bee®’, and ‘Sweet Tango’) were purchased from a retail store in Mid Atlantic area during the winter season. Thirty apples of each cultivar (n=30) were measured for volume, weight, height, width, specific density, surface area, circumference, fizziness and for skin color (L*, a*, b*, hue angle, chroma). Firmness parameters and acoustic texture parameters were also measured. Additionally, total juice content, soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity and pH were assessed. Consumer panels (n=45: female=22, male=23) were conducted to evaluate traits including sweetness, sourness, flavor, texture/mouth feel, and overall eating quality (OEQ) using a five-point scale. Consumers displayed a stronger preference for ‘Cosmic Crisp’ and ‘Sugar Bee®’ varieties compared to ‘Gala’ and ‘Ambrosia’. This preference is driven by significantly higher consumer ratings for firmness, sweetness, and sourness of ‘Cosmic Crisp’ and ‘Sugar Bee®’. As highlighted in previous studies, correlations between consumer-rated sensory scores and their corresponding instrumental measurements were low. Furthermore, OEQ showed a stronger correlation with sensory ratings (r=0.54-0.84 ) than instrumental measurements (r=0.02 to 0.49). This suggests that consumer evaluation is critical, and may be a more reliable indicator, for the development of a digital app, compared to instrumental measurements. An accompanying consumer survey (n=30) indicated that crispness is a key factor considered by consumers when choosing apples. This project provided valuable insights and potential issues when developing a user-friendly app for consumers. It identified the dominant factors influencing apple selection and showed methods to cross-validate sensory ratings with corresponding instrumental measurements.

Speakers

Eunhee Park

USDA-ARS

Co-authors

Bin Zhou

USDA-ARS

Christopher Gerlach

US Apple Association

Dianiris Luciano-Rosario

USDA-ARS

Jorge Fonseca

USDA-ARS

Regina O'Brien

United States Department of Agriculture

Verneta Gaskins

USDA-ARS, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center

Wayne Jurick

USDA-ARS

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:25pm - 1:35pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk)

SUBJECT Postharvest, Produce Quality

1:35pm HST

PH 1/QUAL - Evaluating Fresh-cut Lettuce Quality via Image Analysis

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:35pm - 1:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Visual quality is an important factor for consumer purchasing decisions of fresh-cut lettuce. Consumer behavior towards produce quality has been studied via traditional human evaluations. For sensory studies, quality evaluations are commonly done by trained human panels and consumer panels. This study was to investigate the possibility of replacing human evaluation with a machine based approach, using image capturing and analysis, and determine whether efficiency of produce quality analysis can be enhanced. Three types of data were collected: (a) consumers’(n=200) evaluation of lettuce on the picture, (b) instrumental analysis of samples (package head-space gas composition (O2, CO2) and electrolyte leakage), (c) image analysis of lettuce on the pictures. For image analysis, ImagePro’s smart segment tool was used to classify the lettuce samples into five regions: adult leaf, baby leaf, rib, rib degradation, and leaf degradation. This was used to find and calculate L*a*b, hue angle, chroma values, area, and relative area of these regions. Lettuce samples consisted of four cultivars (Green Forest, King Henry, Parris Island Cos, PI 491224). Samples were measured on day 7, 10, and 13 of storage. To predict browning score, data sets (b) and (c) were fed into a regression algorithm. The scores assigned by trained panels served as the target variables. The results showed a strong correlation between consumer’s browning score on the pictures and predicted scores generated by the regression model (r=0.74). Interestingly, removing the instrumental data set (b) did not worsen the model’s performance. The model achieved an R2 of 0.92 and RASE of 8.90 when using trained data sets (a) and (c), and an R2 of 0.91 and RASE of 8.53 when using trained data set (c) only. While a correlation coefficient of 0.74 indicates a promising relationship between image analysis and human evaluation of browning score, it’s not sufficient to definitively replace human evaluation. Further studies with larger datasets and exploration of more advanced machine learning models could lead to a more robust statistical model.

Speakers

Eunhee Park

USDA-ARS

Co-authors

Ella Evensen

USDA-ARS

Ivan Simko

USDA-ARS

Jorge Fonseca

USDA-ARS

Yaguang Luo

USDA/ARS

Tuesday September 24, 2024 1:35pm - 1:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Produce Quality; Safety and Health Properties

SUBJECT Postharvest, Produce Quality

2:14pm HST

Hemp Research and Extension 1 (HEMP 1)

Tuesday September 24, 2024 2:14pm - 3:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of High Quality Cannabis Sativa - Matthew Taylor
A Three-state Summary on the Critical Weed Free Period for Transplanted Floral Hemp. - Harlene HattermanValenti
Impact of Cover Crops on Weed Pressure and Soil Health in No-till Fiber Hemp Production - Ashlee George
Photoperiod Sensitive CBD Hemp Response to Fertigation Nitrogen Inputs in a Raised-bed Plasticulture Growing System - Francesco Di Gioia
Heavy Metal Application Timing Impacts Plant Growth in Cannabis sativa - Harrison Meekins
Field Evaluation of Controlled Release Fertilizer in Support of Best Management Practices for Industrial Hemp in Florida - Shea Keene

Moderator

Matthew Taylor

Curio Wellness

Tuesday September 24, 2024 2:14pm - 3:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Hemp Research and Extension 1

SUBJECT Hemp

2:15pm HST

HEMP 1 - Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of High Quality Cannabis Sativa

Tuesday September 24, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Scientific research activities focused on production of high-quality Cannabis sativa continue to grow in both the industry and academic sectors. At the university level in the United States, the majority of the research uses hemp-type or low tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) cannabis cultivars due to federal restrictions. Only at the industry level and in states with some level of medical or recreational legalization can production research be carried out on high THCa or drug-type Cannabis. Dried female flower inflorescences are the harvested and saleable portion of the Cannabis plant. The quantitative traits of flowers are relatively clear and easily enumerated. To be considered superior quality, THCa concentration should be 25% or greater and the total terpene concentration should be 2% or greater on a dry weight basis (moisture content of 10-12%). While the average cannabis consumer values these characteristics, they also greatly appreciate many of the qualitative characteristics of cannabis flower, which include visual appearance or sometimes referred to as bag appeal, olfactory characteristics when opening the container of cannabis and while breaking apart the flowers, texture, and taste when smoking. These characteristics are more difficult to define and quantify. When conducting research, both quantitative and qualitative characteristics need to be of great consideration when the goal is to produce high quality Cannabis flower.

Speakers

Matthew Taylor

Curio Wellness

Tuesday September 24, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Hemp Research and Extension 1

SUBJECT Hemp

2:30pm HST

HEMP 1 - A Three-state Summary on the Critical Weed Free Period for Transplanted Floral Hemp.

Tuesday September 24, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

There is a growing demand for hemp-derived products but because of the crop's criminalization history, there is limited University-produced information describing best production practices. The research objective was to define the critical weed-free period (CWFP) for transplanted floral hemp. Field trials were conducted in 2022 and 2023 at an outlying NDSU Agriculture Experiment Station near Prosper, ND (46.57° N, 97.01° W), the Cornell AgriTech campus in Geneva (42.88°N, 77.01°W), and the Clemson University Coastal Research and Education Center (33.46°N, 79.55°W). Four cultivars were transplanted at NY with three cultivars (Bubbatonic, Sour Space Candy, and Quick Spectrum) in common with ND. Three cultivars were transplanted in SC with two cultivars (Cherry Wine and Bubbatonic) in common with NY. The CWFP treatments were weeded for 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, and weed-free. Weeding was accomplished by manually hoeing and hand-weeding. Weed species varied at each location but were mainly annual weed species (both broadleaf and grasses). Plants were harvested after at least a 16-week period in the field and air-dried before removing leaf and floral biomass from stems. At SC, when averaged across cultivars and trial years, a significant increase in mean floral yield with 2, 4, 6, and season long weed-free intervals when compared to 0 weeks weed-free. In addition, a significant decrease in dry weed biomass existed when comparing the same weed-free intervals to the 0 weeks weed-free treatment. At NY, hemp biomass averaged across all cultivars was significantly affected by the duration of weed competition. Per plant yields were reduced >80% when weeds were allowed to compete almost season-long. Biomass production was maximized when weeds were suppressed for at least 6 weeks after transplanting. At ND, results were quite different due to timely rainfall and lack of rain. Under adequate to excellent moisture conditions, the stem diameter, stem number, plant weight:height ratio, and dry biomass yield responses were significantly different only when weed control was provided for one week. However, under extreme season long drought conditions, stem diameter increased 53%, weight:stem ratio increased 172% and dry biomass increased 201% when weeds were controlled the entire season. Results indicate that transplanted hemp is sensitive to competition and preventing weed establishment for several weeks was necessary to reduce competitive interactions. Results also suggested that the need for a weed-free period was exacerbated and most important when rainfall during the growing season was limited.

Speakers

Harlene HattermanValenti

NDSU

Co-authors

Lynn Sosnoskie

Cornell University

Matthew Cutulle

Clemson University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Hemp Research and Extension 1

SUBJECT Hemp

2:45pm HST

HEMP 1 - Impact of Cover Crops on Weed Pressure and Soil Health in No-till Fiber Hemp Production

Tuesday September 24, 2024 2:45pm - 3:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

Current fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa <0.30% total THC) production systems rely on pre-emergent herbicides to manage weeds prior to canopy closure. Due to the rapid growth of fiber hemp, paired with the plastic nature of the crop, the need for weed suppression is most critical in the first month after planting. No-till systems with a rolled cover crop residue may be able to provide weed suppression without the use of herbicides, which can lower the cost of inputs, reduce the risk of negative environmental impacts associated with herbicide use, and improve soil health. Four cover crops - crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), cereal rye (Secale cereale), and triticale (xTriticale)- were roller-crimped into a mulch, and fiber hemp was no-till drilled into the residue. Each cover crop plot was paired with two bare ground plots, one of which was weeded weekly, while the other remained weedy. This design was repeated in three locations in the coastal-plain region of North Carolina (Kinston, Clinton, and Goldsboro). Crop emergence, weed counts and biomass, and fiber hemp biomass and yield were measured in each plot. Cover crop biomass was measured before planting and after retting to determine whether this residue may be a potential contaminant during baling. Soil health parameters were compared among cover and bare plots. Hairy vetch resulted in greater hemp emergence in Kinston, but emergence was not affected by the mulches otherwise. Hairy vetch plots had less weeds than others in Clinton and Goldsboro. Soil respiration and potentially oxidizable carbon did not differ by treatment, with the exception of higher soil respiration in grass covers in Goldsboro. Cover crop biomass remaining after retting was higher in grass plots than legume plots, indicating a potential for bail contamination. These preliminary results indicate that fiber hemp can be grown in a no-till system.

Speakers

Ashlee George

Graduate Student, North Carolina State University

Co-authors

Alex Woodley

North Carolina State University

David Suchoff

North Carolina State University

Shannon Henriquez Inoa

North Carolina State University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 2:45pm - 3:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Hemp Research and Extension 1

SUBJECT Hemp

3:00pm HST

HEMP 1 - Heavy Metal Application Timing Impacts Plant Growth in Cannabis sativa

Tuesday September 24, 2024 3:00pm - 3:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

Cannabis sativa is a known hyperaccumulator of heavy metals (HM), and testing of hemp medicinal products is required for HM contaminants including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). The objective was to evaluate how the timing of HM applications impacts hemp growth. A plant experiment was conducted where 40 Cannabis sativa ‘Wife’ hemp plants were grown in deep water culture systems in a growth chamber. Aqueous nutrient solutions including combined As, Cd, and Pb were applied directly into the hydroponic solution on a weekly basis, with HM concentrations of 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 mg HM/L. During the first six weeks, plants were grown under long days to promote vegetative growth, and 15 plants were harvested at the end of this vegetative growth phase. The remaining 25 plants were grown under short days to initiate flowering, with harvest 6 weeks later. Total dry mass (P < 0.05), shoot dry mass (P < 0.05), and root dry mass (P < 0.01) were significantly affected by HM application timing. The total and shoot dry mass was the highest for the control group, followed by the plants that received HM at 0.5 or 1.0 mg/L during the reproductive phase, and the least growth occurred in plants that received HM at 0.5 or 1.0 mg/L during the vegetative phase. Root dry mass decreased as HM concentration increased (P < 0.05). Flower dry mass was not significantly affected by HM application timing or concentration. Results highlight how exposure to HM at 0.5 to 1.0 mg/L markedly reduce biomass accumulation, especially when exposure occurs early in the production cycle.

Speakers

Harrison Meekins

University of Florida

Co-authors

Paul Fisher

University of Florida

Tuesday September 24, 2024 3:00pm - 3:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Hemp Research and Extension 1

SUBJECT Hemp

3:15pm HST

HEMP 1 - Photoperiod Sensitive CBD Hemp Response to Fertigation Nitrogen Inputs in a Raised-bed Plasticulture Growing System

Tuesday September 24, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Nitrogen (N) fertilization plays a key role in determining the productivity and quality of horticultural crops and limited information is available on the N requirements of photoperiod-sensitive CBD hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). With the objective of providing recommendations on N fertilization to CBD hemp growers a field study was conducted in Pennsylvania to evaluate the response to N inputs of two photoperiod sensitive CBD hemp genetic resources: a clone named ‘FunDip’ (The Hemp Mine) propagated using rooted cuttings and ‘Sour Kush’ (Kayagene) propagated using feminized seeds. Both selections were planted mid-June on raised beds mulched with black polyethylene film and served by drip irrigation. Plants were established at 1.5-m in-row and 2.4-m between rows. After planting both CBD hemp selections were fertigated weekly with urea (46-0-0) using seasonal application rates equivalent of 84, 168, 252, and 336 kg/ha of N. An unfertilized control was used to account for the N available through the soil and to estimate the crop N use efficiency. Treatments were arranged according to a split plot experimental design with four replications. Nitrogen treatments were randomized within the main plots while hemp selections were randomized within subplots. Each experimental unit had a minimum of 12 plants, unfertilized border rows and in-row areas were used as buffer zones to avoid fertilizer cross-contamination between different N applications rates. Plant response to N inputs was evaluated conducting biometric assessments during the growing season and at final harvest. Representative plants were sampled to measure leaf and inflorescence, stem, and total plant fresh and dry biomass. Oven-dried plant tissue samples were analyzed for their total N content to estimate the plant N accumulation during the growing season. At every biometric assessment, soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, EC, and nitrate (NO3-) content. A quadratic response to N inputs was observed in both selections. At final harvest, the total fresh plant biomass of both genotypes was maximized with the application of 252 kg/ha of N and declined at higher N rate. However, no increase in plant dry biomass were observed in plants fertigated with over 168 kg/ha of N in both genotypes. An accumulation of NO3-N and associated increase in EC was observed with the progression of the growing seasons especially in plots fertigated with over 84-168 kg/ha of N, in Sour Kush and FunDip, respectively, which suggest an excess of N was applied with N rates exceeding 84-168 kg/ha.

Speakers

Francesco Di Gioia

Pennsylvania State University

Co-authors

Alyssa Collins

Pennsylvania State University

Ben Morrison

Pennsylvania State University

Misha Kwasniewski

Pennsylvania State University

Trevor Johnson

Pennsylvania State University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Hemp Research and Extension 1

SUBJECT Hemp

3:30pm HST

HEMP 1 - Field Evaluation of Controlled Release Fertilizer in Support of Best Management Practices for Industrial Hemp in Florida

Tuesday September 24, 2024 3:30pm - 3:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Successful field cultivation of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in Florida is restricted to summer months when rainfall is highest, as hemp is exceptionally sensitive to daylength. Given the prevalence of soils in Florida with poor nutrient and water holding capacities, controlled release fertilizer (CRF) could be ideally suited for outdoor cultivation due to its slow-release profile. To assess the effectiveness of CRF to support plant growth while minimizing water quality risks, the plant growth and biomass production of four hemp cultivars (‘Wife’, ‘Sunset Improved’, ‘FunDip’, and ‘Belle’) were evaluated in response to nitrogen and phosphorous availability from ten CRF formulations in Apopka, Florida during the summer of 2023. Plant growth was assessed post-transplant and monthly thereafter until harvest by measuring the height, widest width, and width perpendicular to the widest width of each hemp plant. At harvest, plants were severed at the soil surface and dried at 70 degrees Celsius for three days. For each plant, the total plant biomass and total flower biomass was measured. Significant differences in plant growth and biomass production were found among varieties; however, minimal differences were found in plant growth and biomass production within variety in response to varying CRF formulations. These results suggest that CRF can provide adequate levels of fertility for the growth and development of hemp cultivated outdoors in Florida, and that selection of hemp cultivar affects plant growth and yield.

Speakers

Shea Keene

Postdoctoral Associate, University of Florida

Co-authors

Ajit Williams

University of Florida

Brian Pearson

Oregon State University

Hardeep Singh

University of Florida

Hayden Shellenbarger

UF IFAS

Jehangir Bhadha

University of Florida

Lakesh Sharma

University of Florida

Dr. Lakesh Sharma is an assistant professor of soil fertility and sustainable agriculture at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Lakesh has been farming since he was a child on his own farm. His academic school journey started in 2000. He is currently working on nutrient... Read More →

Tamara Serrano

University of Florida IFAS-TREC

Winniefred D Sharma

University of Florida

Zachary Brym

University of Florida

Tuesday September 24, 2024 3:30pm - 3:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Hemp Research and Extension 1

SUBJECT Hemp

4:00pm HST

Interest Group Session: Plant Intellectual Property

Tuesday September 24, 2024 4:00pm - 6:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

ASHS Intellectual Property Interest Group Session
Proposal Proposed by: Fruit Breeding Interest Group and Intellectual Property Interest Group

Plant intellectual property is an important topic for plant breeders, universities and private companies who handle the release and exchange of plant materials. On the one hand, properly protecting new cultivars is critical to protect the genetic integrity of the genotype and credit the developer. On the other hand, understanding the types of intellectual property laws relevant to plants is important for breeders/researchers to exchange materials for collaborative evaluation and development. Therefore, this interest group session will focus on plant intellectual protection and material transfer. We will invite speakers from public and private plant breeding programs as well as experts on intellectual property laws to share their knowledge and advice on following areas: Domestic plant protection, International plant protection, Domestic plant material transfer, and International plant material transfer. The topic of intellectual property was voted by members of both interest groups (Fruit Breeding Interest Group and Intellectual Property Interest Group) as a high priority area. This session will greatly benefit plant breeders, researchers, and intellectual property officers.

Coordinator(s)

Sushan Ru, Auburn University, Auburn, United States

Moderator(s)
Julia Harshman, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, United States

Speakers/Participant(s) (15 minutes talk, 5 minutes Q & A)
4:00 – 4:10 pm Introduction and Welcome & Presenting the Outstanding Fruit Cultivar Award

4:10 – 4:30 pm Matthew Clark, Associate Professor & Apple and grape Breeder, University of Minnesota

4:30 – 4:50 pm Neil Anderson, Professor & Ornamental Crop Breeder, University of Minnesota

4:50 – 5:10 pm Fred Gmitter Professor & Citrus Breeder, University of Florida
Title: University of Florida Citrus Breeding Team Experiences and Lessons in IP Management.

5:10 – 5:30 pm Megan Bowman, Corporate Patent and Trademark Lead at Ball Horticultural Company
Title: Intellectual Property in Horticulture: Industry Insights

5:30 – 5: 40 pm David Karp, University of California, Riverside.
David will likely give a summary of his talk on Pomological Nomenclature: Recent Developments and Problems.

5:40 - 6:00 pm Group discussion

Moderator

Julia Harshman

Senior Celery Breeder, Duda Farm Fresh Foods

Julia.Harshman@duda.com

Speakers

Sushan Ru

Auburn University

Matthew Clark

Associate Professor, University of Minnesota

Neil Anderson

University of Minnesota

Fred Gmitter

University of Florida

Megan Bowman

Ball Horticultural Company

David Karp

University of California, Riverside

Co-authors

Chiara Amitrano

University of Naple

Patrick Abeli

Kansas State University

Tuesday September 24, 2024 4:00pm - 6:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Interest Group Session

SUBJECT Fruit Breeding, Intellectual Property Rights

7:59am HST

Citrus Crops 2/History of Horticultural Science (CITR 2/HIST)

Wednesday September 25, 2024 7:59am - 9:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Precision Nutrition Management: Finding Optimal Methods for Leaf Nutrient Analysis in HLB-affected Citrus Trees - Meryam Manzoor
Cover Crop Effects on HLB-affected Citrus Tree Growth and Soil Characteristics: Results From a 3-year Field Trial - Lorenzo Rossi
More Frequent Irrigation Increases Yield in HLB-Affected Sweet Orange - Tripti Vashisth
Impact of Different Organic Matter Contents on ‘US-942’ Citrus Rootstock Physiology, Nutrient Uptake, and Root Morphology - Lukas Hallman
Soil Amendment Strategies to Rehabilitate Freeze Damaged Citrus Trees for Sustainable Crop Management - Shad Nelson
Physiological and Metabolomic Changes in Young Citrus Trees Under Elevated CO₂ and High Temperatures: A longitudinal study in Mandarins (C. reticulata.) - Taylor Hornburg
Reports and research on incorporating cover crops in Florida citriculture, 1896 – 2024 - Lorenzo Rossi

Moderator

Lorenzo Rossi

Associate Professor, University of Florida

Dr. Rossi’s research program focuses on improving root health and growth on cultivated crops, leading to the development of environmentally sound and effective management methods. He is a horticulturist with specific expertise related to plant stress physiology, root dynamics and... Read More →

Wednesday September 25, 2024 7:59am - 9:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Citrus Crops 2

SUBJECT Citrus, History of Horticultural Science

8:00am HST

CITR 2/HIST - Precision Nutrition Management: Finding Optimal Methods for Leaf Nutrient Analysis in HLB-affected Citrus Trees

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:00am - 8:15am HST

South Pacific 1

Effective fertilizer management and accurate nutritional analysis are critical for healthy tree growth and maximum yield. Citrus trees perform best in the optimum range of each nutrient, and a deficiency or excess can result in poor tree growth and yield. Accurate fertilizer management decisions for citrus trees begin with proper leaf sampling. To accurately assess tree nutrition status, the appropriate time and procedure for collecting leaves for nutrient analysis must be followed. Historically, nutrient management for healthy citrus trees involved annual leaf sampling from July to August, with subsequent year fertilization plans based on single nutrient analysis. Currently, nearly all commercial Florida citrus orchards are affected by Huanglongbing (HLB), a systemic bacterial disease that affects all citrus varieties and rootstocks, causing extensive tree health decline. Studies suggest that a good nutrition program can improve the tree health and production of HLB-affected trees. However, the key is to supply the nutrients that are deficient or low. This widespread prevalence of HLB needs new approaches for managing fertilizer programs by regular leaf sampling to identify tree nutrient status and requirements. Thus, this study focuses to improve and revise the leaf nutrient sampling guideline for HLB-affected trees by determining the optimal time for leaf sampling and adjusting fertilization for increased production and tree health. Key objectives include assessing the frequency of leaf sampling required per year to capture the tree's nutritional status effectively and adjust fertilizer accordingly to establish the correlation of leaf nutrient concentration with the yield, fruit drop, and canopy density. For this study, spring and summer emerging flushes were tagged on HLB-affected ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’ mild and severe sweet orange trees in a central Florida orchard over two years. The leaves from tagged branches were collected every 3 months for leaf nutrient analysis and the results of both spring and summer leaves were used to adjust the fertilization plan accordingly. It was found that the spring emerging flush was optimal in adjusting the fertilizer for the highest yield compared to the summer emerging flush. With the use of precision fertilization, the improvement in tree canopy density and fruit yield was more obvious in mildly HLB-symptomatic trees compared to severely symptomatic trees. Our results demonstrate the growers should be performing nutrient sampling quarterly and use this information to precisely manage fertilization and improve tree productivity.

Speakers

Meryam Manzoor

University of Florida

Co-authors

Jamie Burrow

University of Florida

Taylor Livingston

University of Florida

Tripti Vashisth

University of Florida

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:00am - 8:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Citrus Crops 2

SUBJECT Citrus

8:15am HST

CITR 2/HIST - Cover Crop Effects on HLB-affected Citrus Tree Growth and Soil Characteristics: Results From a 3-year Field Trial

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:15am - 8:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Citrus greening, or Huanglongbing (HLB), poses a severe threat to Florida’s citrus industry, impacting tree health and yield. Due to the lack of a known cure, growers employ various strategies to manage its effects, including increased nutrient application. However, in regions like the Indian River District (IRD), characterized by poor soil fertility and organic matter content, nutrient retention is challenging. Consequently, there is growing interest in using cover crops to enhance soil fertility. Despite this, there is limited published data on their effectiveness in the IRD. To address this gap, a collaborative study was initiated in Ft. Pierce, Florida, involving a commercial grower and the University of Florida. A three-year field trial, employing a randomized complete block design with four blocks, included ‘Star Ruby’ grapefruit trees grafted on ‘US-942’ rootstock, ‘Bearss’ lemon trees on ‘Sour Orange’ rootstock, and ‘OLL’ sweet orange trees on 'US-942' rootstock. Two treatments were applied: conventional (without cover crops) and experimental (with cover crops). Cover crops were planted bi-annually (winter and summer), grown, and terminated at each season’s end. Soil nutrient content, organic matter, microbiome diversity, moisture, and temperature, as well tree and root growth parameters were measured seasonally. After three years of cover cropping, significant differences in soil nutrient content, organic matter, and microbiome diversity were observed between the conventional and experimental treatments, suggesting potential impacts of cover crops on soil characteristics. However, there were no noticeable effects on tree growth or physiology. This study is ongoing and aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects of cover cropping on soil parameters in HLB-affected citrus groves, informing sustainable management practices in citrus cultivation.

Speakers

Lorenzo Rossi

Associate Professor, University of Florida

Co-authors

Alan Wright

University of Florida

John-Paul Fox

University of Florida

Lukas Hallman

University of Florida

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:15am - 8:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Citrus Crops 2

SUBJECT Citrus

8:30am HST

CITR 2/HIST - More Frequent Irrigation Increases Yield in HLB-Affected Sweet Orange

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:30am - 8:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Huanglongbing (HLB) causes a steady decline in tree health. Part of this decline includes root dieback which limits their capacity to take up water. For this reason, affected trees tend to be more susceptible to drought stress. This raises a significant concern during the dry season (Oct-May) when trees are largely dependent on supplemental irrigation for water. Unfortunately, most growers continue using irrigation schedules that were optimized for healthy trees. We hypothesized that irrigating more frequently, but in smaller doses would provide more opportunities for uptake and improve water relations in HLB-affected trees. The control treatment received the standard practice of irrigating every other day for 2 hours (12 gal/hr). The experimental treatment received water every day, 3 times a day, for 20 minutes (12 gal/hr). The two treatments received the same amount of water over the course of a week, but the experimental treatment received water more often. Treatments were initiated prior to flowering in January 2022 and were continued for two years. Tree water status improved in the experimental trees as reflected in higher mid-day leaf water potentials than in the control. This suggests the experimental regime was better able to maintain tree water status than the conventional method. In the second year, flowering was more synchronized in the experimental treatment. The control treatment saw two peaks in bud production with the latter one being consistent with a drought stress-induced flowering event. The experimental trees also saw an increase in fruit set in both years. Trees receiving the experimental and control treatments dropped a similar proportion of their crop load during June Drop and preharvest fruit drop in year 1 and 2. Finally, the experimental treatment resulted in significantly higher yields on average than the control in both year 1 and year 2 (72% and 200%, respectively). Altogether, more frequent irrigation improved tree productivity.

Speakers

Tripti Vashisth

University of Florida

Co-authors

Mary Sutton

University of Florida

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:30am - 8:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Citrus Crops 2

SUBJECT Citrus

8:45am HST

CITR 2/HIST - Impact of Different Organic Matter Contents on ‘US-942’ Citrus Rootstock Physiology, Nutrient Uptake, and Root Morpholog

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:45am - 9:00am HST

South Pacific 1

The disease citrus greening (HLB, Huanglongbing) continues to decimate Florida’s citrus industry, resulting in the lowest yields since the 1940s. With no cure or tolerant rootstock/scion combinations available, growers must manage the disease. Although increased fertilizer applications have been shown to improve tree health, the additional inputs are expensive and decrease operational profitability. As a result, interest has grown in improving soil fertility parameters such as organic matter, with the goal of reducing inputs and increasing horticultural sustainability. Despite the recognized potential of organic matter, little research has been undertaken to establish the optimal contents required to improve citrus root characteristics. The objective of this study was to answer two specific questions: what are the amounts of organic matter needed to significantly affect citrus root growth and physiology? And how does the incorporation of organic matter influence nutrient availability? To answer these questions, a six-month completely randomized greenhouse experiment was conducted to measure the impact of different soil organic matter contents on potted citrus trees. Six different treatments consisting of different organic matter contents (0% - control, 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, and >10%) were created by mixing different amounts of locally sourced compost with sand. One-year-old ‘US-942’ (Citrus reticulata x Poncirus trifoliata) rootstock plants (n = 6 per treatment) were grown in the different mixtures for six months under controlled greenhouse conditions. During the study, soil moisture, plant height, and stem diameters were assessed every other month. At the conclusion of the study, total plant and root biomass, root nutrients, average root length, and average root diameter were measured. Results from the study indicated that higher organic matter contents (>2%) led to significantly increased plant biomass and stem diameter, and increased root growth. Significant results were also found at the soil level, where increased organic matter contents led to increased nutrient retention and increased root uptake of nutrients. Additional investigation is needed to better understand the advantages of increasing organic matter content, even by marginal percentages, utilizing grafted citrus trees of various cultivars in field trials. Such trials would provide insights into the practical implications of these findings within the industry.

Speakers

Lukas Hallman

University of Florida

Co-authors

Alan Wright

University of Florida

John-Paul Fox

University of Florida

Lorenzo Rossi

University of Florida

Wednesday September 25, 2024 8:45am - 9:00am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Citrus Crops 2

SUBJECT Citrus

9:00am HST

CITR 2/HIST - Soil Amendment Strategies to Rehabilitate Freeze Damaged Citrus Trees for Sustainable Crop Management

Wednesday September 25, 2024 9:00am - 9:15am HST

South Pacific 1

Citrus in key citrus production states in the U.S. have been heavy hit from insect borne and disease pressures. The bacterial disease Huanglongbing (HLB) has had devastating impacts on the citrus industry in Florida. Despite having this threat to the Texas industry as well, the most recent negative impact to decrease citrus acreage has been due to harsh climatic events. In February 2021, citrus groves in south Texas were hit with icy weather that exposed orchards to prolonged freezing temperatures for several hours. The impacts of this one event reduced citrus orchards in south Texas by approximately 25% (over 2,800 ha or 7,000 acres). Climate variability has increased grower awareness to the potential for more frequent extensive drought and freezing winter periods. To better evaluate how to rehabilitate freeze damaged citrus trees, a two-year field study was created aimed at improving tree root health and soil conditions. Compost amendment (CA) was broadcast applied as well as application underneath the tree canopy of grapefruit trees in combination with varying nitrogen fertilizer rate application. Three fertilizer treatments: T1 (base rate = 112 kg N ha-1), T2=1.5x and T3=2x the T1 base rate were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with (11.2 Mg CA ha-1) and without CA in Rio Red grapefruits. Results indicated that root abundance significantly increased under composted trees compared to non-composted trees. Composted trees led to higher yields within 18 months following the freeze event compared to non-composted trees. The impacts of this research may aid Texas citrus growers and other producers looking to improve in-field management strategies that may assist in preparation for post-freeze weather events and extended seasons of water scarcity.

Speakers

Shad Nelson

Dean and Professor, Texas A&M University Kingsville

Dr. Shad Nelson has serves as the Dean of the Dick & Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture & Natural Resource since 2016. Prior to this he served as a Professor teaching Horticulture Science courses and research in alternative irrigation strategies for South Texas Citrus industry... Read More →

Co-authors

Amberly Zaragoza

Texas A

Desiderio De Leon

Texas A

Erik Zamora

Texas A

Joel Cabrera

Texas A

Mamoudou Setamou

Texas A

Wednesday September 25, 2024 9:00am - 9:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Citrus Crops 2

SUBJECT Citrus

9:15am HST

CITR 2/HIST - Physiological and Metabolomic Changes in Young Citrus Trees Under Elevated CO₂ and High Temperatures: A longitudinal st

Wednesday September 25, 2024 9:15am - 9:30am HST

South Pacific 1

As the atmospheric levels of CO₂ continue to rise, the concentration of carbon sources available for the plants also increases photosynthesis. The rise in atmospheric CO₂ is associated with global temperatures, resulting in an array of plant responses. Studies evaluating plant response to CO₂ treatments of 350 plant species show that plant responses are highly variable and species dependent, with the majority of studies being conducted on vegetable and grain crops, leaving a gap in understanding how tree crops respond. Mandarin (C. reticulata) trees are an economically important crop produced in California subject to climate change. This study used nursery trees of cv. Tango budded on C35 rootstock to determine the effect of elevated CO₂ exposure (400 ppm ambient vs. 800 ppm elevated) at elevated temperature (28°C ambient vs. 45°C elevated) to identify the physiological and metabolomic plant responses associated with each treatment. A longitudinal investigation was conducted over eight weeks in growth chambers (Conviron A1000, Winnipeg, CA) utilizing four treatment groups: ambCO2/Tamb (Control: CO2 400 ppm/Temperature 28°C); eCO2/Tamb (elevated CO2 at 800 ppm/Temperature 28°C); ambCO2/eTemp (CO2 at 400 ppm/Temperature 45°C); and eCO2/eTemp (CO2 at 800 ppm/ Temperature 45°C). Every two weeks, four replicates were collected from each treatment group. physiological measurements, photosynthesis response surveys, and metabolomic analysis were performed. Phenotypic measurements such as plant height, branches, leaf area, and leaf count showed that plant growth was impacted by treatment. Plant height, dry weight, and leaf count were significantly lower in the ambCO2/eTemp treatment as compared to the control (ambCO2/Tamb) as well as the other two treatments, indicating heat stress. Under elevated CO2 levels, trees were able to exhibit similar growth behaviors as the control treatment even under heat stress, signaling that the trees under eCO2 could compensate for a higher burden on carbon balance under heat stress. eCO2/Tamb trees accumulated significantly higher starch than all other treatments, whereas trees under both eTemp treatments showed significantly higher soluble sugars while significantly lower starch levels. This indicates that the trees under supplemental CO2 accumulate higher photoassimilates when they are free from heat stress, and the trees under heat stress exhibit starch conversion to soluble sugars as a stress response. Metabolomics analysis using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) will provide valuable insight into the impact of treatment groups of eCO₂ and eTemp impact on Mandarin trees.

Speakers

Taylor Hornburg

Graduate Student, california state university

Co-authors

Dave Goorahoo

California State University, Fresno

GURREET BRAR

california state university

Vishvanathan Krishnan

California State University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 9:15am - 9:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Citrus Crops 2

SUBJECT Citrus

9:30am HST

CITR 2/HIST - Reports and research on incorporating cover crops in Florida citriculture, 1896 – 2024

Wednesday September 25, 2024 9:30am - 9:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Florida is perhaps the state in the U.S. most identified with citrus cultivation. The warm winters, abundant sunshine and significant rainfall are qualities which promote this industry, although other factors make producing these fruits on larger groves more arduous. These include limited nutrient concentrations, problematic drainage dynamics, and low organic matter and cation exchange capacity. Such issues combine to make citrus production in Florida highly dependent on external inputs of labor and material, both of which can be financially burdensome and demonstrate high volatility in price or availability from year to year. Cover crops have the potential to cost-effectively amend many soil issues in Florida citrus groves if they are established and maintained according to certain management practices. This principle was first presented at the Florida State Horticultural Society meeting in the late 1890s, and then clarified by Harold Hume in Citrus Fruits and their Culture in 1904. Later, the non-native legumes Crotolaria pallida and Crotolaria juncea were identified in multiple publications as soil-building cover crops which could be implemented into Floridian citrus production. Florida’s citrus production in the wake of World War II saw a decline in its incorporation of legume cover crops in favor of synthetic fertilizers. More modern research initiatives in Florida focused primarily on the mitigation of transmissible disease like Phytophthora root rot and citrus canker, a trend which has become more apparent following the discovery of citrus greening in 2005 and the stark decreases in yields this bacterial illness has been the primary cause of. In response, a number of Florida citrus growers have adopted cover crop mixes featuring legumes to supply disease-afflicted citrus roots with a sustainable and regular source of nitrogen. This presentation will review past literature and will also discuss current research on legume cover crops that have the potential to bolster citrus operations which is being conducted by individuals in the state of Florida.

Speakers

Lorenzo Rossi

Associate Professor, University of Florida

Co-authors

Joseph Paoli

University of Florida

I am a Master's student at the University of Florida based at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). I am a long-time Florida resident, having gone to Middle and High School in Central Florida before enrolling at the University of Florida. During my four years of... Read More →

Lukas Hallman

University of Florida

Wednesday September 25, 2024 9:30am - 9:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), History of Horticultural Science

SUBJECT History of Horticultural Science

10:14am HST

Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants 1 (HSMP 1)

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:14am - 11:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Saffron (Crocus sativus) Production in North Central New Mexico - Saeid Zehtab Salmasi
Experiences Cropping Wasabi in Inland Oregon - Clint Taylor
Double-season production of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) with photoperiod manipulation in a subtropical climate - Shinsuke Agehara
Brewing Conditions and UV treatment affect Shelf Life of Cold-brew US-grown Tea - Yan Chen
Withering Duration and Drying Temperature Significantly Affect Postharvest Quality of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) - Mengzi Zhang
Consumer preference of saffron uses in baked goods and dishes - Hideka Kobayashi

Moderator

Saeid Zehtab Salmasi

Associate Professor and Research Director, New Mexico State University

Research Director of the Sustainable Agriculture Science Center of New Mexico State University in Alcalde

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:14am - 11:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Herbs; Spices and Medicinal Plants 1

SUBJECT Herbs Spices and Medicinal Plants

10:15am HST

HSMP 1 - Saffron (Crocus sativus) Production in North Central New Mexico

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:15am - 10:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) holds a high economic value as the world's most expensive spice. It plays a crucial role in many small farm economies in countries such as Iran, India, Afghanistan, Greece, Morocco, Spain, and Italy. In this project the effects of three different corm size (10 ,9 , and 8 ) on saffron stigma’s yield were studied in hoop house and open field production systems in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Certified Organic Farm of the Sustainable Agriculture Science Center of New Mexico State University in Alcalde located in north central New Mexico. Saffron corms were planted 6 to 8 inches in depth and 6 inches apart on September 19, 2023. The saffron flowers were harvested from October 18th until November 6th, 2023, in different treatments. Flowering started earlier and the flowering period was longer in plots planted with bigger corms. Saffron flowers picked up in the morning and then the stigmas were separated and dehydrated at 100 °C for ten minutes. The first-year results showed that the highest number of flowers were obtained from 10 corm size plots. The highest yield of dehydrated stigmas was also harvested from 10 corm size in high tunnel production system with 3.43 Kg/ha (3.06 lbs./acre). The bigger corms of saffron produced significantly higher stigma yield than smaller ones; 2.84 kg/ha (2.53 lbs./acre) for 10 corms vs 0.89 kg/ha (0.79 lbs./acre) for 8 corms, however, the difference between saffron yield in high tunnel and open field production systems was not significant. In summary the outcome of this research shows that saffron can be produced successfully even in open field production system in northern New Mexico and using bigger corms for planting may produce higher saffron in the first year, although the evaluation of winter hardiness and the following years performance will be necessary.

Speakers

Saeid Zehtab Salmasi

Associate Professor and Research Director, New Mexico State University

Research Director of the Sustainable Agriculture Science Center of New Mexico State University in Alcalde

Co-authors

Robert Heyduck

New Mexico State University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:15am - 10:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Herbs; Spices and Medicinal Plants 1

SUBJECT Herbs Spices and Medicinal Plants

10:30am HST

HSMP 1 - Experiences Cropping Wasabi in Inland Oregon

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:30am - 10:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) is a high-value and notoriously difficult crop traditionally cultivated in East Asia. There has been some limited commercial cultivation of the crop in the Pacific Northwest, including in the coastal mountains of Oregon. This presentation shares insights into the challenges and approaches to inland wasabi farming, focusing on environmental conditions, potential growing systems, and media types. Key points include: 1. Environmental Conditions: Wasabi has a narrow range of light, temperature, and water requirements and is prone to a myriad of fungal and bacterial diseases. Knowing this narrow range is essential to the practicality of commercial wasabi production. Balancing the ideal environmental factors for wasabi without creating disease outbreaks is a primary challenge in wasabi production. 2. Growing System

Speakers

Clint Taylor

Oregon State University - NWREC

Co-authors

Chip Bubl

Oregon State University

Cynthia Ocamb

Oregon State University

Dalyn McCauley

Oregon State University

Lloyd Nackley

Oregon State University

Lloyd Nackley is a plant ecologist who applies a systems approach to improve nursery and greenhouse management. Nackley's research program at Oregon State University focuses on addressing four challenges facing nursery and greenhouse production in Oregon: irrigation application, pest... Read More →

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:30am - 10:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Herbs; Spices and Medicinal Plants 1

SUBJECT Herbs Spices and Medicinal Plants

10:45am HST

HSMP 1 - Double-season production of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) with photoperiod manipulation in a subtropical climate

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:45am - 11:00am HST

South Pacific 1

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) have an ancient history of cultivation in temperate climates primarily as an ingredient of beer. However, growing hops in subtropical or tropical climates has been challenging because of non-optimal day length conditions. We examined the potential of subtropical hop production with photoperiod manipulation. ‘Cascade’ hops were grown in Florida, United States with extended day length (>16.5 hours) using light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs to inhibit flowering until sufficient vegetative growth was achieved. Phenology, plant growth, yield, and cone quality data were collected during the first two years after planting. With as little as 0.47 μmol/m2/s, photoperiod extension was effective in inhibiting flowering, while promoting vegetative growth. Uniform flowering was induced upon the discontinuation of photoperiod extension. As a result, plants achieved two growing cycles per year, with the spring and fall growing seasons running from February to July and July to December, respectively. Yield increased by 92% from Year 1 to Year 2 but decreased by 37% from the spring to fall growing season. The maximum yield was 465 kg/ha in Year 2 Spring. Cone quality was greatly affected by both year and season, with α acid, β acid, and total oil concentrations ranging from 2.7% to 6.2%, 1.9% to 3.2% and 0.14 to 0.53 mL/100 g, respectively. These results demonstrate that, with an aid of photoperiod manipulation for flowering control, ‘Cascade’ hops exhibit high phenological plasticity and acclimation capacity to subtropical climatic conditions. This study provides a foundation for developing the double-season hop production system in a subtropical climate.

Speakers

Shinsuke Agehara

University of Florida

Co-authors

Aleyda Acosta-Rangel

University of Florida

Jack Rechcigl

University of Florida

Wednesday September 25, 2024 10:45am - 11:00am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Herbs; Spices and Medicinal Plants 1

SUBJECT Herbs Spices and Medicinal Plants

11:00am HST

HSMP 1 - Brewing Conditions and UV treatment affect Shelf Life of Cold-brew US-grown Tea

Wednesday September 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:15am HST

South Pacific 1

Tea, Camellia sinensis, is grown around the world under diverse geographic and climatic conditions and can be cultivated as a specialty crop in the U.S. U.S. specialty tea growers cater to the high-quality specialty tea niche market, and innovations in mechanization and novel products increase profitability. The objective of this study was to develop a cold brew methodology that would maximize the flavor characteristics and shelf life of cold brew black teas to facilitate the development of new products. 'Black Magnolia' from the Great Mississippi Tea Co. (Brookhaven, MS) was used to determine combinations of cold brew conditions affecting taste and health-promoting compositions (polyphenol and caffeine), including selected combinations of tea-to-water ratio (1, 2, and 3g of tea per cup of water), temperature (40, 45, 50, 55, and 60°F), brewing time (6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 hours), and particle size (whole-leaf, coarse, and fine). Selected conditions were then used in a UV light experiment to compare shelf life (microbial growth at 2, 4, and 6 days after brewing) using hot water-brewed tea as a control. Results indicate that, for this specific black tea, 2g per cup at higher temperatures of 55 to 60°F resulted in comparable polyphenol contents to hot water brew, but lower caffeine concentrations. However, compared to lower temperatures, teas made at this range of temperatures resulted in a higher number of yeast and mold by day 4. Brewing at 45°F for 14 hours resulted in comparable polyphenol contents as hot water brew and was described with more positive words compared to a shorter brewing time during sensory surveys conducted on campus with over 100 students. Initial testing of UV light treatments for 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 hours of duration before cold brew indicated that UV light is insignificant in reducing microbial growth. Further research is needed to improve the UV treatment or use other methods to extend the shelf life of cold brew tea. The best brewing conditions obtained from this study could be of guidance for future large-scale consumer sensory evaluations that will compare the flavor of four U.S.-grown black teas to imported specialty teas and their health-benefiting compounds. This next study will provide essential and important information for U.S. tea growers and consumers on how U.S.-grown tea performs in comparison with internationally known black teas and potential enhancements to maximize the health benefits and popularity of U.S.-grown specialty tea.

Speakers

Yan Chen

LSU AgCenter

Co-authors

Zhimin Xu

Louisiana State University School of Nutrition and Food Sciences

Wednesday September 25, 2024 11:00am - 11:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Herbs; Spices and Medicinal Plants 1

SUBJECT Herbs Spices and Medicinal Plants

11:15am HST

HSMP 1 - Withering Duration and Drying Temperature Significantly Affect Postharvest Quality of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)

Wednesday September 25, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an ethnobotanical plant with high medicinal value that has been historically utilized in Southeast Asia as a traditional remedy for fatigue mitigation and productivity enhancement. Recently, it has attracted widespread attention, particularly in North America and Europe, for its potential for pain management and alleviating opioid withdrawal symptoms and has become an important source for future drug development. Postharvest processing represents a key step in the kratom farm-to-pharm chain where products undergo chemical modifications before reaching consumers. In this study, we investigated how different withering durations, drying temperatures, and lighting conditions could affect kratom postharvest product qualities. Leaves were harvested from cultivar H and mixed well before randomly assigned to one of four withering durations (0, 12, 24, and 72 h) at 25 ℃ in the dark and subsequently one of five drying temperatures (-40, 25, 40, 60, and 80 ℃). Additionally, leaves were dried at 25 ℃ under either light or dark. Overall, withering at 25 ℃ significantly increased mitragynine concentration. Compared to 0 h withering, a 12 h withering followed by drying at -40, 25, 40, or 60 ℃ increased mitragynine concentrations by 117%, 17-123%, 16-61%, and 43-103%, respectively. The 12 h withering increased the concentration of speciogynine and paynantheine by 27-28% and 35-67%, respectively, when leaves were dried below 40 ℃. In contrast, speciociliatine levels initially decreased during 12 or 24 h withering but subsequently elevated after the withering duration increased to 72 h. Drying temperatures and light exposure generally had little effect on the biosynthesis of most of the alkaloids. However, an alternation in kratom powder color was noticed for those with a short withering duration and subsequently a high drying temperature. Other minor alkaloids including corynoxine A, corynoxine B, speciofoline, isospeciofoline, mitraphylline, and ajmalicine were below the lower limit of quantifications. Taken together, our study shows that withering and subsequent drying temperatures have significant effects on the color and content of bioactive compounds of kratom, and further research on optimizing kratom postharvest processing is needed.

Speakers

Mengzi Zhang

Biological Scientist, University of Florida

Co-authors

Brian Pearson

Oregon State University

Jianjun Chen

University of Florida

Wednesday September 25, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Herbs; Spices and Medicinal Plants 1

SUBJECT Herbs Spices and Medicinal Plants

11:30am HST

HSMP 1 - Consumer preference of saffron uses in baked goods and dishes

Wednesday September 25, 2024 11:30am - 11:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a perennial cormous crop, possibly originated in Iran, cultivated in the Mediterranean climate region, including Iran, Afghanistan, Spain, Greece, and Kashmir. Due to the labor-intensive harvesting and processing involved, saffron is known as the most expensive spice. Its production has seen a revival in certain regions of the U.S., and Kentucky State University has been evaluating its potential as a niche crop for small and limited-resource farmers in Kentucky since 2019. One objective of this portion of the study was to evaluate consumer preferences for saffron used in various recipes. Two sets of sensory evaluation were conducted with saffron containing cheesecakes and baked goods (i.e., pound cake and short bread). There were three types of cheesecakes (vanilla, lemon, and persimmon) with and without saffron flakes. Overall, test subjects preferred cheesecakes without saffron, with the lemon cheesecake without saffron being the most popular combination. In contrast, participants showed preference for saffron containing recipes over the ones without saffron for the sensory evaluation of both baked goods, especially shortbread. A preliminary test for taste testing was conducted with pound cake to determine the optimal content of saffron. There were three levels of saffron, which was first dissolved in water, and then added to mixture, for both pound cake and shortbread (0, 0.5 and 1.0 tbsp/recipe). The current findings suggest that consumers are favorable of baked goods when saffron is compatible and used in the correct amount and possibly in the correct form.

Speakers

Hideka Kobayashi

Kentucky State University

Co-authors

Sheri Crabtree

Kentucky State University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 11:30am - 11:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Herbs; Spices and Medicinal Plants 1

SUBJECT Herbs Spices and Medicinal Plants

12:14pm HST

Local Food Systems (LOCSY)

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:14pm - 1:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Exploring Markets for Horticultural Food Crops in Midwestern United States - Linda Prokopy
An expanded scope of ethnic crops research and outreach in the United States: implications on immigration and urban food - Fernanda Krupek
Youth Sustainable Agriculture Urban Farming Entrepreneurship Program: An Overview and Pilot Results from Urban Farming - Kathryn Orvis
Connecting the Dots: Creating School Garden and Produce Taste Testing Programs in Kentucky - Cindy Finneseth
Garden to Pantry: An Interactive and Interdisciplinary Approach to Growing and Preserving Produce - Rebecca Catalena
Fermented Hot Pepper Sauce as a Model for New Value-Added Opportunities for Local Food Production - Matthew Behrends
The Missouri Produce Growers Video Newsletter – Digestible, Accessible and Impactful Extension Education - Justin Keay
The Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families: Impacts of The Small Scale Farm Grant on Local Foods in Kentucky - Joni Nelson
The Waimānalo Learning Center: Land-Grant Experiment Stations as a Space to Heighten Community Engagement and Advancement - Ilima Ho-Lastimosa

Moderator

Kathryn Orvis

Professor, Purdue Univ

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:14pm - 1:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster Session, Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

12:15pm HST

LOCSY - Exploring Markets for Horticultural Food Crops in Midwestern United States

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:15pm - 12:25pm HST

South Pacific 1

Agricultural communities in the Midwest face ongoing economic, environmental, and social challenges. A variety of research shows that increasing diversity in an agricultural system can help overcome these challenges. The Diverse Corn Belt (DCB) is a USDA-NIFA funded project focuses on developing an evidence-based framework and vision of how to enable a more diverse agricultural landscape across the Corn Belt (Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana). This interdisciplinary project is exploring and promoting diversity at the farm, landscape, and market levels through Research, Extension, and Education. We have completed 18 focus groups across Indiana, Illinois and Iowa with conventional and diversified farmers, interviews with horticultural growers, and surveys of retailers, processors, and consumers. Last year we presented results from focus groups and interviews. This year, we add results from survey findings to highlight gaps between different stakeholders in the horticultural value chain, as well as the most valuable food labels among consumers, retailers, and processors.

Speakers

Linda Prokopy

Purdue University

Co-authors

Ariana Torres

Purdue University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:15pm - 12:25pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

12:25pm HST

LOCSY - A scope review of ethnic crop research and outreach in the United States: implications on migration and the food environment

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:25pm - 12:35pm HST

South Pacific 1

The participation of immigrants and communities of conflict-displaced former agricultural professionals in the food system has steadily increased in the United States over the past decades. Even though the production and distribution of culturally relevant crops have the potential to nourish the health and social fabric of communities and contribute to the local economy, less is known about the extant literature related to research and outreach on exotic (specialty, ethnic) crops in the United States. This systematic review collating peer-reviewed and gray literature aims to identify, map, and describe existing research and outreach efforts on cultural and ethnic food crops among foreign-born individuals and communities in the United States. Key words relevant to ethnic food crops and immigrant communities were formed into a search string in consultation with agricultural librarian. Review has been conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. This presentation covers preliminary analysis of metadata to understand initial trends in research and publishing. A total of 122 peer review articles were identified using advanced search capabilities of Web of Science. Journal articles on ethnic crops and immigrant communities appeared as early as 1995, and the publication rate since has increased steadily. Journal articles that use the term appear most frequently in Food and Foodways, Food Culture & Society, and Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, publications covering the physical, economic, socio-cultural, and political environment in which ethnic food provisioning occur. Co-occuring terms and top most recent trending topics include adaptation, climate change, consumption, health patterns and food insecurity. Network map of US affiliations publishing research on ethnic crops and immigrant communities indicates author’s collaboration network is still quite dispersed. Understanding the current state of knowledge on ethnic crop research and outreach efforts is key to proposing interventions and policies that can potentially lead to future innovative models of sustainable and culturally relevant local and regional food systems.

Speakers

Fernanda Krupek

Assistant Professor and Urban Food System Horticulturalist, Ohio State University

Co-authors

Jacqueline Kowalski

University of Connecticut

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:25pm - 12:35pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

12:35pm HST

LOCSY - Youth Sustainable Agriculture Urban Farming Entrepreneurship Program: An Overview and Pilot Results from Urban Farming

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:35pm - 12:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Urban agriculture initiatives developed for youth have the capacity to motivate learning, include minority groups, and allow participation in activities that foster self-growth, community engagement, and entrepreneurship. This pilot study builds on a partnership between a midwestern university and the Felege Hiywot Center’s (FHC) successful youth urban farming program, now focusing on how that programing could contribute to developing life skills, sustainable agriculture knowledge, and entrepreneurial skills. A mixed methods approach was utilized, including pre/post surveys, student presentations, and observations. Participants were twenty-eight high school aged youth, of which 91% self-identified as African American. Main foci of the project were participants’ life skills, entrepreneurial skills and mindset, sustainable agriculture content, and community collaborations. Key findings from the summer pilot post survey (n=23) indicate that 70% of participants responded that they could develop their own business plan, 83% believe that external changes create opportunities for an urban ag business; and 65% believed they could build connections with people they had not before. Knowledge around sustainable agriculture shows room for improvement where only 30% could identify what percentage of food grown globally is wasted annually, and 43% believed that technology development, adoption and utilization is not a part of sustainable agriculture; however, sixty five percent of participants could identify the three sustainability pillars: economics, environment, and social. The program's influence on participants' future plans was of interest, with 52% self-reporting a change in their outlook. This impact can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of volunteers, professionals, sponsors, and the structured nature of the FHC program, which also emphasizes the importance of individual backgrounds. The potential to impact and enhance life skills, foster self-awareness, improving family communication, and open avenues for future education and career opportunities will allow for a broader development and expansion of this project. This pilot contributes to the broader discourse on youth programs in urban agriculture by highlighting the integrative approach of experiential learning, farm-based education, and student-centered learning within a youth development framework. While early in the project, this pilot shows promise in underlining the critical role of urban agriculture programs in shaping the lives and future prospects of minority youth.

Speakers

Kathryn Orvis

Professor, Purdue Univ

Co-authors

Aster Bekele

Felege Hiywot Center

Delphine Iradukunda

Purdue Univ

Nathan Shoaf

Purdue University

THEONESTE NZARAMYIMANA

Kentucky State University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:35pm - 12:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

12:45pm HST

LOCSY - Connecting the Dots: Creating School Garden and Produce Taste Testing Programs in Kentucky

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:45pm - 12:55pm HST

South Pacific 1

More than one-third of adolescents are overweight or obese in Kentucky. Access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables is important to maintain a healthy weight and reduce disease risk; however, in Kentucky adolescents, 44.6% reported consuming fruit less than once daily and 42.7% reported consuming vegetables less than once daily. Research has shown that farm to school (F2S) activities lead to improvements in student health behaviors, including: an increase in the consumption of and preference for fruits and vegetables, and improved knowledge and attitudes to nutrition. F2S activities have been shown to have strong benefits relative to economic development, public health, education, environment, and equity and community engagement and include 3 core elements – procurement of local food by schools, agriculture, food, health, and nutrition education, and school gardens. The University of Kentucky (UK), the Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC), Feeding KY, Community Farm Alliance (CFA), and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) partnered to develop a Kentucky F2S Network and awarded 40 schools mini-grants to implement taste testing activities and awarded 5 schools mini-grants to establish school gardens and implement nutrition and food education in the classroom. More than 35 applications for the school garden mini-grants were submitted and 5 schools received $5,000 to install school gardens and conduct related nutrition and cooking education. UK student interns assisted schools and conducted garden/nutrition lessons, reaching over 2,000 students. Garden grantees grew and harvested 35 fruits and vegetables. During the final project reporting period, grantees engaged over 2,000 people in gardens for a total of 3,000 hours collectively spent in the garden with 1,300 of those hours coming from parent and community member involvement. Interns presented 3 school garden educator workshops and developed resources about best practices for school gardens. Over 100 applications were received for $1,000 taste test mini-grants and 40 grants were awarded directly to KY schools to conduct taste test activities of locally-grown fruits and vegetables. The taste testing grantees: purchased $24,369 in produce from 90 Kentucky farms; served 70 different types of fruits and vegetables; and served locally-grown produce to 11,000 students in 55 different schools. The presentation will focus on strategies used to recruit and screen program participants by assessing needs, setting realistic expectations, and increasing production knowledge and skills, with the goal of influencing student food choices and increasing use of locally-grown produce in classroom education and school feeding programs.

Speakers

Cindy Finneseth

Kentucky Horticulture Council

Co-authors

Kendra OoNorasak

University of Kentucky

McKenzie Fox-Potter

Kentucky Horticulture Council

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:45pm - 12:55pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

12:55pm HST

LOCSY - Garden to Pantry: An Interactive and Interdisciplinary Approach to Growing and Preserving Produce

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:55pm - 1:05pm HST

South Pacific 1

Garden to Pantry: An Interactive and Interdisciplinary Approach to Growing and Preserving Produce Rebecca C. Lee1 and Carmen Flammini2, 1 Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Jon Archer Agricultural Center, 1070 N. Schillinger Rd., Mobile, AL 36608, 2Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, 302A Byrne St., Bay Minette, AL 36507 Recent research conducted post-COVID-19 indicates that households experiencing food insecurity have escalated their home food procurement activities, including gardening, fishing, canning, and food preservation. These studies propose that transitioning procurement activities into sustainable lifestyles and enhancing fruit and vegetable consumption among food-insecure populations will necessitate technical support and outreach initiatives like Garden to Pantry (G2P). Home gardening and food preservation programs can play a vital role in educating communities about fruit and vegetable cultivation and preservation. The objectives of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service (ACES) program entitled ‘Garden to Pantry: An Interactive and Interdisciplinary Approach to Growing and Preserving Produce’ aimed to deliver a complete and immersive program from planting to preserving of seasonal fruit and vegetables in a one-day program by offering research-based recommendations for methods of home food preservation. Additionally, the program aimed to provide the community with cross-discipline knowledge and experience from varying disciplines. The pilot program of the ‘Garden to Pantry: An Interactive and Interdisciplinary Approach to Growing and Preserving Produce’ program was presented in five counties in Alabama in 2023 and 2024. Data obtained during the 2023 run of the program revealed the program was positively received by the target community and further interest was expressed in participating in other programs focusing on food safety as a whole concept by integrating all aspects of food preservation. Future challenges of this program include seeking involvement with younger stakeholder demographics as well as individuals interested in the increasing popular homesteading movement.

Speakers

Carmen Flammini

Alabama Extension System, Auburn University

Rebecca Catalena

Food Safety & Quality, Alabama Extension

Rebecca Catalena is a Regional Extension Agent in Food Safety & Quality. Rebecca received her Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of West Florida and an A.A.S degree from Le Cordon Bleu. Before joining the Alabama Extension family, Rebecca served seven years in... Read More →

Co-authors

Dani Reams

Alabama Extension

Wednesday September 25, 2024 12:55pm - 1:05pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

1:05pm HST

LOCSY - Fermented Hot Pepper Sauce as a Model for New Value-Added Opportunities for Local Food Production

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:05pm - 1:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

Development of value-added products by local growers can lead to additional economic opportunities for small farmers by utilization of unsold crops for production of products. Kentucky State University (KSU) received a USDA Capacity Building grant to create a Fermentation and Distillation Sciences Program to train students in this area, but also help local farmers develop new value-added fermented products. There are many job opportunities either supporting or directly involved in the fermentation and distillation sciences in Kentucky and the surrounding region. The goal of the program is to develop new recipes for value-added products for small-scale producers, including pawpaw, hemp, and sorghum beer and kombucha, spirits, and fermented fruit and vegetable products through research supported by new equipment. Hot pepper sauce is of great interest to small producers since it is fairly easy to make and there are many variations in recipes. The objective of this current study was to develop new recipes for fermented hot pepper sauce as new value-added products for small-scale producers. Pepper plantings were established at the Kentucky State University Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm for a range of pepper cultivars including: Shishimai (Shishito Pepper), Sargento (Poblano Pepper), Bottle Rocket (Cayenne Pepper), Mad Hatter (Bishop's Crown Pepper), Roulette (Habanero Pepper), Helios (Habanero Pepper), Carmen (Corno di Toro Pepper), and a number of other peppers over a three year period. Initially, a number of recipes for fermented hot pepper sauce were evaluated and subject to taste trails. These recipes varied in preparation, pepper type, and vinegar addition. Finally, a potential unique fermented hot pepper sauce was developed that would be of interest to local farmer to produce as a value added product. A tasting trail was conducted with 23 individuals on the KSU campus comparing this new recipe to three commercially available hot sauces. There were 14 males and 8 female participants, with 1 participant preferring not to answer. The average age range was between 26 and 45. Hot sauce samples were served on saltines and evaluated from 1 to 5 for color, smell, flavor, heat, and willingness to pay. The individuals were also asked to rank their favorite sauce. Additional data was collected concerning the participants liking of spicy foods. The fermented hot pepper sauce recipe that was developed was well received and should be of interest for production by local farmers.

Speakers

Matthew Behrends

Kentucky State University

Co-authors

Jeremy Lowe

Kentucky State University

Joni Nelson

Kentucky STate University

Kirk Pomper

Kentucky State University

Dr. Kirk W. Pomper is the Professor of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. As Horticulture Research Leader, his program is focused on research and Extension efforts toward developing pawpaw as... Read More →

Sheri Crabtree

Kentucky State University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:05pm - 1:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

1:15pm HST

LOCSY - The Missouri Produce Growers Video Newsletter – Digestible, Accessible and Impactful Extension Education

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:15pm - 1:25pm HST

South Pacific 1

The Missouri Produce Growers Video Newsletter (MPGVN) was established in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented in-person programming. The MPGVN is a bi-weekly video-based email newsletter targeting specialty crop farmers and is an offshoot of a project consisting of weekly live-streamed remote educational town halls, which lacked sufficient attendance to justify continuation. Maintaining impactful, ongoing digital engagement with extension audiences is challenging due to grower’s time constraints and competition with low time-investment and high reward non-extension educational media, such as video hosting and social media platforms. The 3–5-minute narrated PowerPoint™ presentations and live shot videos comprising the educational content in the MPGVN, are easily consumed, introducing key points on a timely cropping systems or farm management topic, with further topic resource links embedded. The MPVGN also features links to workshops, grants, and partner agency and non-profit resources. The core team of content contributors, 5 University of Missouri Extension Field Specialists in Horticulture, meets bi-weekly to plan content. Additional extension collaborators from various disciplines including agricultural business, natural resources, climatology, plant pathology, entomology, and food safety contribute content. The newsletter is created and distributed using the Dotdigital™ platform. The format and content have driven engagement amongst the 950 subscribers. The MPGVN engagement metrics relative to industry benchmarks for educational email newsletters are higher by 188% for unique opens, 345% for unique clickers, and 177% for click-to-open rate. To measure the impact of the MPGVN, a survey was sent to 948 subscribers in 2023, with a 14% response rate. Survey observations showed that 55% identified as growers “currently growing and selling produce or planning to grow and sell produce”, 45% as extension educators, and 5% as home gardeners. The survey showed that of the growers; 85% indicated knowledge gains; 78% reported adoption or change of farming practices ; 63% attended an extension class ; 56% connected with a partner agency ; 23% applied to grants ; and 10% received grant awards, thanks to information delivered in the newsletter. The MPGVN is a valuable educational tool, driving engagement with extension programming and resources.

Speakers

Justin Keay

MU Extension

Justin Keay has served as a Field Specialist in Horticulture with University of Missouri Extension since 2018, and is currently based in Pike County, MO. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Washington University, and an M.S. in Integrated Agricultural Systems... Read More →

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:15pm - 1:25pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

1:25pm HST

LOCSY - The Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families: Impacts of The Small Scale Farm Grant on Local Foods in Kentucky.

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:25pm - 1:35pm HST

South Pacific 1

The Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families: Impacts of The Small Scale Farm Grant on Local Foods in Kentucky. JONI NELSON*, MATTHEW BEHRENDS, ALLISON NOEL, and KIRK W. POMPER. College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension Program, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 40601 Kentucky State University’s Small Farm Grant Program managed through the Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families supports new economic opportunities for limited resource farmers with funding from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and the USDA-NIFA capacity building grant “Extension Approaches to Support Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Producers”. The Small Farm Grant Program, which began in 2012, has awarded more than $8.5 million through 1,976 applications to farmers from 114 Kentucky counties. This funding has been distributed through mini-grants for categories including Value-Added, Organic, Aquaculture, Food Insecure, and Agroforestry projects. New categories added in 2024 including Food Systems Resiliency and Emerging Agricultural Technologies have been added in addition to a beginning beekeeper program in our ongoing efforts to address the diverse needs of Kentucky producers. These new categories support the efforts of producers to implement innovative practices or technologies that enhance sustainability and resource efficiency on the farm. Program funding supports a wide range of needs such as mobile freezer units, pond aerators, canning equipment for fruits and vegetables, tractor implements to support organic crop integrity, goat cheese and soap making equipment, root cellars, equipment for food banks and farmers markets, agroforestry practices, and numerous others. This program has also assisted many new farmers with entering local markets and education toward production methods as well as aiding their efforts to support local economies and cooperative networks.

Speakers

Joni Nelson

Manager CSFF, Kentucky State University

Co-authors

Kirk Pomper

Kentucky State University

Matthew Behrends

Kentucky State University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:25pm - 1:35pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

1:35pm HST

LOCSY - The Waimānalo Learning Center: Land-Grant Experiment Stations as a Space to Heighten Community Engagement and Advanceme

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:35pm - 1:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

The Waimānalo Learning Center (WLC) is a University of Hawai’i (UH) project established in 2012 through seed funding from the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. Located at CTAHR's Waimānalo Research Station, the WLC aims to transform the station into a community learning center that promotes food security, self-sufficiency, and healthy eating, particularly for indigenous and underserved populations. The UH physical facilities supporting WLC include an aquaponics facility and outdoor classroom adjacent to certified organic research plots. A Community Coordinator was added in 2014, and since then the WLC has rapidly expanded its programming through close partnerships with local schools and community organizations. In 2017 the WLC has partnered with a local non-profit, Ke Kula Nui O Waimānalo to run food sovereignty programs including aquaponics (MALAMA), agroforestry (Ulupono Mahi ‘Āina), and backyard egg production (Hui Hua Moa). In a survey of key partners, the vast majority of 75 respondents strongly agreed that: 1) The WLC has been a valuable partner for their organization (98.6%); 2) The WLC plays an important role in serving the Waimanalo community (95.9%); 3) The WLC has helped them elevate their group’s mission and vision (94.5%). Echoing the comments of others, one respondent stated “The Waimānalo Learning Center has served as important ʻāina (land) for our haumana (students) to build pilina (relationship), hana (work), and take on greater kuleana (responsibility) with. The staff and facilities have allowed us to grow and deepen our curriculum of place-based, ʻāina work within our community.” The results from 12 years of activity suggests that the WLC is an effective model for using Land Grant Research Stations to address community needs around food, health and cultural preservation, and increase community engagement and advancement.

Speakers

Heidi Ilima Ho-Lastimosa

University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Ke Kula Nui O Waimanalo

Co-authors

Ikaika Rogerson

Ke Kula Nui O Waimanalo

Jane Chung-Do

University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Ke Kula Nui O Waimanalo

Jari Sugano

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Kenneth Ho

Ke Kula Nui O Waimanalo

Kirk Deitschman

Ke Kula Nui O Waimanalo

LeShay Keliiholokai

Ke Kula Nui O Waimanalo

Richard Fisher

University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Theodore Radovich

University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Ke Kula Nui O Waimanalo

Wednesday September 25, 2024 1:35pm - 1:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

2:14pm HST

Genetics and Germplasm 2 (GG 2)

Wednesday September 25, 2024 2:14pm - 3:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Updates on Curation and Standardization of Phenotypic and Genotypic Data for Horticultural Databases - Jill Bushakra
Identification Of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Derived Volatile Loci In Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) Using GWAS And WGCNA - Austin hart
From 'Agawam' to 'Zinfandel': Fruit Quality And Metabolite Diversity In The USDA Grapevine Repository - Victoria Meakem
Moving Beyond Montmorency: Exploring the Genetic Diversity of Tart Cherry - Benjamin Gutierrez
Population affects growth and plant architecture in wild-collected Hydrangea quercifolia - Lisa Alexander

Moderator

Benjamin Gutierrez

USDA ARS

Wednesday September 25, 2024 2:14pm - 3:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Genetics and Germplasm 2

SUBJECT Genetics and Germplasm

2:15pm HST

GG 2 - Updates on Curation and Standardization of Phenotypic and Genotypic Data for Horticultural Databases

Wednesday September 25, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

The Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR, https://www.rosaceae.org/) and the Genome Database for Vaccinium (GDV, https://www.vaccinium.org/), are databases that support genomics, genetics and breeding in under-represented crops like small fruits. These fruit crops include Fragaria (strawberry), Rubus (red raspberry, black raspberry, and blackberry) in GDR, and Vaccinium (blueberry and cranberry) in GDV. Data include curated genome sequences, genetic maps, markers, QTL, genes, transcripts, germplasm, and publications, made accessible to browse, query and download through easy-to-use web interfaces and tools. One of the objectives of a 2022-funded SCRI- project ‘Advanced National Database Resources for Specialty Crop Research and Improvement’ is to collect, curate, and integrate all types of genomics, genetics, and breeding big data in easy-to-use and robust crop-specific databases. In this presentation, we summarize our progress towards curating and making available phenotype and genotype data for strawberry. We also present a strawberry Crop Ontology we have developed with input from crop researchers and breeders from North America and Europe. Public availability of phenotypic and genotypic data in GDR, GDV, and GRIN-GLOBAL will allow easy access to this data to use in genome-wide association studies. Crop Ontology will enable digital capture and trait data integration across locations and projects.

Speakers

Jill Bushakra

USDA-ARS

Co-authors

Chun Huai Cheng

Washington State University

Doreen Main

Washington State University

Jing Yu

Washington State University

Jodi Humann

Washington State University

Katheryn Buble

Washington State University

Nahla Bassil

USDA-ARS

Ping Zheng

Washington State University

Sook Jung

Washington State University

Taein Lee

Washington State University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Genetics and Germplasm 2

SUBJECT Genetics and Germplasm

2:30pm HST

GG 2 - Identification Of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Derived Volatile Loci In Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) Using GWAS And WGCNA

Wednesday September 25, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

A major focus in plant breeding has been the improvement of crops through various traits that affect disease resistance and yield. However, the focus on productivity has led to an inattentiveness to other traits that specifically affect produce quality. An example of a critical fruit quality trait is its flavor, contributing to our perception of aromatic volatiles. Even at nanomolar concentrations, aromatic volatiles can be perceived by the olfactory system and influence the liking of the fruit. The focus of this study was to investigate the genetic aspect of the branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) volatiles, derived from L-valine, L-isoleucine and L-leucine, in tomato fruits. It is generally considered that these BCAA-derived volatiles contribute positively to overall liking, because these are essential amino acids required by the human diet. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the biosynthetic pathway for 11 BCAA-derived volatiles, a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) was conducted using a diverse and unique panel of 167 tomato accessions. The GWAS was run using the FarmCPU model in GAPIT-R, with a total of 21,893,681 SNPs, 2,735,297 INDELs, and 154 structural variants across the genome. Furthermore, a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted in parallel to identify modules of co-expressed genes that cluster with known genes that affect the BCAA-derived volatile pathway. A total of 113 QTLs were identified from GWAS and 3024 co-expressed genes were identified from the WGCNA. Candidate genes were screened based on annotated biochemical function, overlap within the GWAS QTLs, and gene expression in the red-ripe fruits. This led to the identification of two candidate genes, one on the long arm of chromosome 1 and another on the long arm of chromosome 11. These genes are being knocked-out using CRISPR-Cas9, and current progress is aimed to confirm the validity and function of these genes in the near-future.

Speakers

Austin Hart

University of Georgia

Co-authors

Denise Tieman

University of Florida

Esther van der Knaap

Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics, University of Georgia

Manoj Sapkota

University of Georgia

Wednesday September 25, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Genetics and Germplasm 2

SUBJECT Genetics and Germplasm

2:45pm HST

GG 2 - From 'Agawam' to 'Zinfandel': Fruit Quality And Metabolite Diversity In The USDA Grapevine Repository

Wednesday September 25, 2024 2:45pm - 3:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

The USDA National Plant Germplasm System is a network of germplasm repositories dedicated to conserving genetic diversity of crops and their wild relatives. The USDA grapevine (Vitis) repository contains 5000 unique accessions representing 36 species, and is divided between two locations: Davis, CA and Geneva, NY. While this material is available for distribution to researchers and breeders, there is currently limited characterization data to help requestors identify accessions with unique and valuable traits, particularly for fruit quality. Thus, we began a germplasm screening project to measure fruit quality traits of 481 unique accessions from both locations spanning three years (2022-2024). Fruit samples were juiced, filtered through cheesecloth, and analyzed for Brix, titratable acidity, and available nitrogen. Additionally, composition of phenolic compounds was assessed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and aromas were detected using solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Overall, there was a wide range of diversity in fruit quality traits across the collection. Brix values ranged from 8.5 to 30.1 (average=17.8), and titratable acidity ranged from 2.7 to 25.6 g mol-1 Tartaric acid equivalents (average=8.2). The phenolic compounds commonly detected in grape juice included the anthocyanins malvidin 3-O-glucoside and peonidin 3-O-glucoside, the hydroxycinnamic acid caftaric acid, and the flavonols quercetin 3-O-glucuronide and isoquercetin. Analysis of aromatic compounds revealed accessions that contained higher amounts of linalool, β-myrcene, and geraniol, which are associated with a “Muscat” flavor profile, while others contained methyl anthranilate, which is associated with a “Foxy” flavor profile. We hope this fruit quality dataset not only proves to be a valuable asset to researchers utilizing the USDA Vitis repository, but may also open new directions of exploration into improved grape flavor, nutrition, and quality.

Speakers

Victoria Meakem

USDA ARS

Co-authors

Benjamin Gutierrez

USDA ARS

Erin Galarneau

USDA

Gan-yuan Zhong

USDA-ARS

Wednesday September 25, 2024 2:45pm - 3:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Genetics and Germplasm 2

SUBJECT Genetics and Germplasm

3:00pm HST

GG 2 - Moving Beyond Montmorency: Exploring the Genetic Diversity of Tart Cherry

Wednesday September 25, 2024 3:00pm - 3:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

Genetic diversity is invaluable to the sustainability of American horticulture. In the case of tart cherry, production in the United States is precariously reliant on a single cultivar, ‘Montmorency.’ Our research explores diverse genetic resources in tart cherry to promote utilization of high quality and locally adapted cultivars for plant breeding and improved production. Tart cherry nutritional quality is of particular interest to consumers. The United States Department of Agriculture Tart Cherry collection in Geneva, New York maintains 100 cultivars of tart cherry, including their wild relatives. Over a five-year period, we assayed fruit quality traits, including Brix, titratable acidity, and phenolic content. Total soluble solids (TSS) ranged from 10.9 to 20.7% (average=14.8%) and acidity (TA) ranged from 5.3 to 32.1 g/L (average=16.3%). The sugar/acid ratio ranged from 3.7 to 27.6 (average=10.2). Individual fruit weight ranged from 0.2 to 8.6 g (average of 5.0 g) and pit weight percentage ranged from 6-32% (average=11%). Total anthocyanin content varied from 75.2 to 3760.0 μg/g, with an average of 771.4 μg. We also evaluated bloom phenology over a three-year period. The distribution of bloom ranged from 56.7 to 134.4 GDD, with an average value of 86.0 Growing Degree Days (GDD ). ‘Montmorency’ bloom was above average with values around 95.8 GDD. Sweet cherries (63.5 – 90.6 GDD) tended to bloom much earlier than tart cherries (64.9 –118.0 GDD) and P. fruticosa, the wild progenitor of the tart cherry, bloomed the latest with a range of 85.3 to 134.4 GDD. For Brix, acidity, and phenolic content, ‘Montmorency’ falls significantly below average, though it has a balanced sugar/acid ratio. ‘Montmorency’ is lacking in anthocyanin content which is increasingly relevant for the juice industry. It tends to bloom later than other tart cherries evaluated, though there are some more extreme late bloomers. This data will be available through GRIN-Global, the USDA germplasm database to facilitate future research and breeding.

Speakers

Benjamin Gutierrez

USDA ARS

Co-authors

Victoria Meakem

USDA ARS

Wednesday September 25, 2024 3:00pm - 3:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Genetics and Germplasm 2

SUBJECT Genetics and Germplasm

3:15pm HST

GG 2 - Population affects growth and plant architecture in wild-collected Hydrangea quercifolia

Wednesday September 25, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Hydrangea quercifolia, oakleaf hydrangea, a flowering shrub native to woodlands of the southeastern United States. Oakleaf hydrangea has immense ornamental potential with four-season interest, including traits like showy panicles, striking foliage textures, red fall color, and exfoliating bark. Cultivars are often derived from wild selections either directly or only a few generations removed. Full genetic and phenotypic variation has not been evaluated for the species, and little is known about the diversity in horticulturally important traits for oakleaf hydrangea. For this study, growth and plant architecture of wild-collected oakleaf hydrangea seedlings were observed at the Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville Tennessee over a 3-year period. Seedlings from 14 populations of oakleaf hydrangea spanning the species’ native range were planted in a randomized complete block design containing six blocks and nine replications per block. Two-way ANOVA was used to partition variation in height, width, growth rate, and number of stems into sources attributable to block, population, and block × population. There were significant differences among populations for growth rate, size, and number of stems in all years. Southern populations were smaller than northern populations and showed a slower growth rate. Genetic and phenotypic variation shown among populations will guide conservation efforts and supplement breeding efforts for oakleaf hydrangea.

Speakers

Lisa Alexander

Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS U.S. National Arboretum

Co-authors

A. Sherwood

USDA-ARS, Agricultural Research Service, North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station

C. Jennings

Tennessee State University

S.C. Hokanson

University of Minnesota

Wednesday September 25, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Genetics and Germplasm 2

SUBJECT Genetics and Germplasm

4:00pm HST

Interest Group Session: Choosing the Right Career Path-Research, Extension, Teaching, and Administration

Wednesday September 25, 2024 4:00pm - 6:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

The agricultural production system and the education system in Indian subcontinent and US are very different. Thus, students and post docs coming to US to pursue research and career encounter dilemma and challenges in selecting right career path. For example, in Indian subcontinent higher emphasis is given to research and teaching whereas extension and administration are not fully understood. The goal of this special session will be for students to have open dialogues with experts in the field of research, extension, teaching, and administration with Indian sub-continent background, so the panel understands the challenges faced by incoming students. This session will benefit all the graduate students and researchers who are preparing to for the next step in career.

Coordinator(s)

Tripti Vashisth, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, United States

Speaker/Participant(s)

Bhimu Patil, Texas A&M University, Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, College Station, Texas, United States
Ajay Nair, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
Rajasekaran Lada, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
Pradeep Marri, Pairwise Plants, Associate Director, Controlled Environments and Trait Testing, United States

Moderator

Tripti Vashisth

University of Florida

Speakers

Pradeep Marri

Associate Director, Controlled Environments and Trait Testing, Pairwise Plants

Bhimanagouda Patil

Ajay Nair

Iowa State

Rajasekaran Lada

Emeritus Professor, Dalhousie University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 4:00pm - 6:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Interest Group Session, Student Activities

SUBJECT Professional Development/Career

6:00pm HST

Graduate Student Poster Competition

Wednesday September 25, 2024 6:00pm - 7:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Competition participants must bring your poster pdf on a thumb drive or the physical poster to your assigned room. You will be lined up to present to the judges in order of arrival. You will enter the room one at a time.

Students will be given 5 minutes to make a presentation to the judges, followed by a 2 minute period of questions and answers.

This competition is open to graduate students that have a poster presentation scheduled during the ASHS conference AND have also signed up to participate in this competition (Note: This is separate of the assigned time to present your abstract during the conference program).

Please note that if you do not also present your poster during the regularly scheduled Poster session, you will be disqualified from the Poster Competition.

Speakers

Hannah Voye

South Dakota State University

Carly Strauser

Iowa State University

Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University

Simardeep Singh

Clemson University

Erika Escalona

graduate student, UC Davis

Merci Uwimbabazi

Graduate Research Assistant, Kentucky State University

BSc in Conservation Agriculture / Pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Studies. Highly interested in Controlled Environment Agriculture and Horticulture.

Oluwatunmise Israel Dada

Graduate Research Assistant, Washington State University

A Ph.D. Candidate passionate about the natural environment and sustainable solutions.

Richard Noel Torres

University of Missouri - Columbia

Jeanine Arana

Purdue University

Wednesday September 25, 2024 6:00pm - 7:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Competitions, Student Activities

Audience Students
SUBJECT Competition

7:59am HST

Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2 (O/LT 2)

Thursday September 26, 2024 7:59am - 10:00am HST

South Pacific 1

The Climate Ready Landscape Plants Project. Testing Plants For Drought Tolerance Across The Western U.S. - Lorence Oki
Performance of landscape shrubs under three irrigation levels in Arizona - Ursula Schuch
Performance of Landscape Plants in California’s Central Valley Under Three Levels of Deficit Irrigation - Jared Sisneroz
Field Trials of Landscape Plants under Reduced Irrigation Frequency - Zirui Wang
Understanding Hernando County Residents' Perspectives on Fertilizer Use and Regulations - William Lester
Using Different Ratios of Blue and Red Light to Induce Drought Tolerance Morphology in Zinnia - Anju Chaudhary
Techniques to Improve Growth, Heat, and Drought Tolerance in Container Grown Trees - Drew Zwart
Using Marketing Initiatives to Promote the UF/IFAS Extension Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program - Tom Wichman

Moderator

Jared Sisneroz

UC Davis

Mr. Sisneroz is the project manager of the UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials (UCLPIT) and the ‘Climate Ready Landscape Plants’ programs. He specializes in landscape plant water-use efficiency research and water resource management.

Thursday September 26, 2024 7:59am - 10:00am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2

SUBJECT Ornamental Landscape Turf

8:00am HST

O/LT 2 - The Climate Ready Landscape Plants Project. Testing Plants For Drought Tolerance Across The Western U.S.

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:00am - 8:15am HST

South Pacific 1

The Climate Ready Landscape Plants project evaluates the performance of plants exposed to three different deficit irrigation treatments in six climate zones. The experimental fields are completely replicated at all of the sites with plants spaced in a 2m x 2m layout, 8 replicates per treatment, up to 15 taxa tested per site, and irrigation based on reference evapotranspiration (ETo) with treatments of 20%, 50%, and 80% of ETo. Irrigation applications consist of a fixed volume of water depending on soil plant available water as determined by the US Geological Survey maps accessed via SoilWeb. The interval between irrigations was determined by accumulating daily ETo modified by the treatment factor. Irrigation occurred when the trigger value was attained. Plants were installed in the fall and irrigated with sufficient water for establishment during the first irrigation season and treatments were imposed during the second irrigation season. Monthly during treatment, 6 qualitative assessments of each plant were conducted and measurements in three directions were recorded to calculate a Plant Growth Index until the end of the treatment period that typically concluded in October. A substantial effort was made to ensure site-to-site consistency of the qualitative assessments by developing a ratings rubric and conducting frequent site visits with project management to “calibrate” site staff conducting the evaluations. Open House Field Days were conducted during the treatment season to which horticultural professionals and Master Gardeners were invited to evaluate the plants. This provided additional data and introduced the plants to potential users. This project started in 2004 as a graduate student research project, was expanded periodically at UC Davis, and then duplicated in 2017 at the UC South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, CA as the University of California Landscape Plants Irrigation Trials™ (UCLPIT) project. With an award from the USDA Specialty Crops Multistate Program in 2019, the project was expanded to the University of Washington, Oregon State University, Utah State University, and the University of Arizona which facilitates the comparison of plant performance in response to deficit irrigation treatments across the western region of the U.S. The data collected leads to recommendations for irrigating those plants that are used by homeowners and landscape irrigation managers and assists landscape designers and architects designing landscapes that are water conserving and complying with California's landscape water conservation regulation, the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).

Speakers

Lorence Oki

University Of California, Davis

Dr. Oki is a UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Emeritus. In 2004, Dr. Oki initiated the trial research program that has developed into the current UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials™ (UCLPIT). He currently leads the California Department of Food Agriculture / USDA Specialty... Read More →

Co-authors

Darren haver

University of California

Jared Sisneroz

UC Davis

Karrie Reid

University of California

Lloyd Nackley

oregon state university

Ryan Contreras

Oregon State University

Soohyung Kim

University of Washington

Ursula Schuch

University of Arizona

Youping Sun

Utah State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:00am - 8:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2

SUBJECT Ornamental Landscape Turf

8:15am HST

O/LT 2 - Performance of landscape shrubs under three irrigation levels in Arizona

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:15am - 8:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Fifteen taxa of shrubs growing in a field in Tucson, Arizona were irrigated with three levels of irrigation based on local reference evapotranspiration (ETo) to assess growth and plant quality. Plants established during 2021 under 80% of ETo and in 2022 were irrigated at 20%, 50% or 80% of ETo. Irrigation was applied 2, 9, and 15 times between April 1 and October 31, 2022 for the low, medium, and high irrigation, respectively. Best performing plants were Asclepias linaria ‘Monarch Magnet’, Dodonaea viscosa ‘Emerald Ice’, Eremophila glabra ssp. carnosa ‘Winter Blaze’, Ericameria laricifolia ‘Aguirre’, Hamelia patens ‘Sierra Red’, Leucophyllum frutescens ‘San Antonio Rose’, Leucophyllum langmaniae ‘Rio Bravo’, Tecoma ‘Red Hot’ and Rosmarinus officinalis 'Arp'. Irrigation did not affect plant growth of these nine taxa from April to October. Monthly visual quality assessment of some taxa was temporarily affected by irrigation, however, all performed acceptable or better at the low irrigation with the exception of Asclepias linaria ‘Monarch Magnet’ which had less than acceptable ratings in July and August for the low and high irrigation treatments. This taxa also had 62% mortality of plants under the high irrigation treatment between July and October. Hamelia patens ‘Sierra Red’ plants had frozen to the ground in winter 2022 and started to regrow in May. Five of the taxa (Dodonaea viscosa ‘Emerald Ice’, Eremophila glabra ssp. carnosa Winter Blaze, Ericameria laricifolia Aguirre, Hamelia patens Sierra Red, and Leucophyllum frutescens ‘San Antonio Rose’) maintained a high overall rating at the lowest irrigation treatment. Two field days were held in August and October 2022 where participants from the green industry and related sectors were invited to rate overall appearance, flowering and foliage of one representative plant from each taxa and irrigation treatment. Ratings from field day participants were similar to those from researchers during that month. Most participants’ favorite plants included the five taxa with consistently high overall ratings, only Dodonaea ‘Emerald Ice’ was among the top four favorites at both field days. All nine taxa tested are low water use shrubs that can grow in the landscape with 20% of ETo in the low desert in Arizona. However, some may benefit from additional irrigation during the hottest time of the year for optimum performance.

Speakers

Ursula Schuch

University of Arizona

Dr. Schuch is a Professor and Extension Specialist in Environmental Horticulture in the School of Plant Sciences. Dr. Schuch’s research focuses on plant selection and management strategies to conserve water, maintain plant health, and aesthetic function. She is the principal investigator... Read More →

Co-authors

Darren Haver

University of California

Jared Sisneroz

University of California

Jeffrey Gilbert

University of Arizona

Karrie Reid

University of California, Coop Ext

Lloyd Nackley

oregon state university

Loren Oki

University of California

Natalie Levy

University of California

Ryan Contreras

Oregon State University

Soohyung Kim

University of Washington

Youping Sun

Utah State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:15am - 8:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2

SUBJECT Ornamental Landscape Turf

8:30am HST

O/LT 2 - Performance of Landscape Plants in California’s Central Valley Under Three Levels of Deficit Irrigation

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 8:45am HST

South Pacific 1

To develop landscape irrigation recommendations, 22 taxa of landscape plants were evaluated under three levels of deficit irrigation in a field trial. The taxa consisted of common horticultural perennials and shrubs including multiple cultivars of Hibiscus syriacus, Nandina domestica, Rosa spp., and Salvia spp. Based on anticipated plant size and cultural requirements, taxa were planted in one of three adjoining fields, with each field laid out in a grid pattern with either 2 or 3 meter spacing between rows and between individual plants in each row. All fields were covered with a 2-3” layer of chipped bark mulch. For each taxon, 24 individuals were planted with eight replicates per irrigation treatment in a randomized complete block layout with both taxa and irrigation treatment being randomly assigned. Plants were installed in March as bareroot inputs, with containerized plants installed from April to early June of 2021. Daily reference evapotranspiration (ETo) values from a local weather station were obtained from the California Irrigation Management Information System. The amount of plant available water (PAW) for the trial site was obtained from the US Geological Survey via the Soilweb application. In 2021, plants were irrigated regularly to fully establish their root systems. From April to October 2022, plants were irrigated with one of three deficit irrigation treatments equal to 80%, 50%, or 20% of ETo. The treatments functioned similarly to a crop coefficient to modify daily ETo values. The modified ETo values were used to estimate when 50% of PAW was depleted for each treatment. Irrigations occurred whenever this threshold was reached, with the volume of water applied being equal to 50% of PAW. The volume applied at each irrigation was constant across treatments with the frequency between irrigations varying by treatment. As a result, the 80% treatment was irrigated most frequently with the 20% treatment was irrigated thrice during the deficit period. Monthly during the deficit period, each plant was rated on six categories of aesthetic quality and length, width, and height measurements were collected to develop a plant growth index. Aesthetic performance between the treatments was compared using an ANOVA in conjunction with Tukey’s HSD post-hoc test in R. A majority of the taxa evaluated maintained acceptable aesthetic quality ratings on the lowest irrigation treatment. Two taxa evaluated, Lagerstroemia ‘SMNLCIBF’ Center Stage® Red and Rosa ‘ChewPatout’ Oso Easy® Urban Legend achieved high levels of aesthetic performance on the 20% treatment.

Speakers

Jared Sisneroz

UC Davis

Co-authors

Darren Haver

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Karrie Reid

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Lloyd Nackley

oregon state university

Lorence Oki

University Of California, Davis

Ryan Contreras

Oregon State University

Soohyung Kim

University of Washington

Ursula Schuch

University of Arizona

Youping Sun

Utah State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:30am - 8:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2

SUBJECT Ornamental Landscape Turf

8:45am HST

O/LT 2 - Field Trials of Landscape Plants under Reduced Irrigation Frequency

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:45am - 9:00am HST

South Pacific 1

Utah has experienced significant drought conditions, with 99.3% of the land under drought stress from the previous year to the present. In response to this challenge, deficit irrigation landscapes are gaining popularity in arid regions. This study aimed to investigate the overall appearance, plant growth, and physiological response of ten ornamental plants to deficit irrigation. The selected species include Caryopteris ×clandonensis ‘Blauer Splatz’ (Sapphire SurfTM bluebeard), Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud), Cercis occidentalis (western redbud), Cotoneaster ×suesicus ‘OSUCOT2’ (Emerald BeautyTM cotoneaster), Hesperaloe parviflora ‘Straight Up Red’ (‘Straight Up Red’ texas red yucca), Miscanthus sinensis ‘NCMS2B’ (bandwidth maiden grass), Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ (Diabolo® ninebark), Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Little Devil’ (Little DevilTM ninebark), Rosa ×hybrida ‘Meifranjin’ (Blushing Drift® rose), and Vitex agnus-castus ×rotundifolia ‘Helen Froehlich’ (Summertime BluesTM chaste tree). Eight plants per species were randomly assigned to one of three deficit irrigation frequencies, calculated based on 80% reference evapotranspiration (ETo) (high), 50% ETo (medium), and 20% ETo (low) at the Utah Agriculture Experiment Station’s Greenville Research Farm, North Logan, UT, USA. The overall appearance was evaluated biweekly, spanning from 30 Jun to 31 Oct 2023. Plant growth and stomatal conductance were recorded monthly during the growing season. The growth of plants was not significantly affected by reduced irrigation frequency. However, the impact of deficit irrigation on aesthetic performance and stomatal conductance was notable, particularly during August and September. The results highlight variability in plant performance across species, with Caryopteris ×clandonensis and Cotoneaster ×suesicus showing consistent performance across irrigation levels. However, Cercis canadensis and Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ exhibited a more pronounced difference under varying irrigation levels. Funding Source USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crop Multi-State Program, USDA NIFA Hatch project UTA01666, 2022 Extension Water Initiative Grants Program, Utah State University’s Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping, and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station

Speakers

Zirui Wang

Utah State University

Co-authors

Youping Sun

Utah State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 8:45am - 9:00am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2

SUBJECT Ornamental Landscape Turf

9:00am HST

O/LT 2 - Understanding Hernando County Residents' Perspectives on Fertilizer Use and Regulations

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:00am - 9:15am HST

South Pacific 1

In response to recent revisions to the fertilizer ordinance in Hernando County, our research endeavors to delve into the attitudes and behaviors of residents towards fertilizer usage. With over 100 counties and municipalities in Florida implementing urban landscape fertilizer ordinances, Hernando County serves as a significant case study in understanding the dynamics of public perception and compliance. Our project employs a multi-faceted approach to gather comprehensive insights into resident perspectives. Tailored surveys have been developed to assess various aspects, including residents' knowledge of lawn care, familiarity with the county's fertilizer ordinances, current landscape conditions, and practices regarding fertilizer application. These surveys are being disseminated through diverse channels, encompassing social media platforms, the Hernando Extension networks, and Hernando County Utilities Department customers. Additionally, forthcoming focus group interviews will provide qualitative insights, offering a deeper understanding of community sentiments and the underlying factors shaping attitudes and behaviors. Through the integration of quantitative and qualitative data analysis, our aim is to gain a holistic understanding of the landscape of fertilizer usage in Hernando County. This entails not only identifying prevalent practices but also discerning the concerns and barriers faced by residents in adhering to the fertilizer ordinances. Such insights are pivotal in informing the development of targeted educational materials aimed at addressing community concerns, dispelling misconceptions, and providing practical guidance on responsible fertilizer usage. Our initial online survey revealed that 31% considered themselves very familiar with the Hernando County Fertilizer Ordinance, but 31% were not familiar with the details at all (n=383). Of these respondents, 73% care for their lawn and landscape themselves, with 11% using a professional service. Most residents responded that their lawn was fertilized at least once per year, with 18% saying that their lawn was never fertilized (n=844). Ultimately, the findings of our research hold significance beyond Hernando County, offering valuable lessons and strategies for promoting sustainable landscape management practices in similar contexts across Florida and potentially beyond. By fostering greater awareness, understanding, and knowledge of proper fertilizing practices, our project contributes to the broader goal of safeguarding water quality and environmental integrity for present and future generations.

Speakers

Hayk Khachatryan

Co-authors

William Lester

Dr., University of Florida/IFAS Extension

Yilin Zhuang

University of Florida

Younghyeon Jeon

1University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) Mid-Florida Research and Education Center

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:00am - 9:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2

SUBJECT Ornamental Landscape Turf

9:15am HST

O/LT 2 - Using Different Ratios of Blue and Red Light to Induce Drought Tolerance Morphology in Zinnia

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:15am - 9:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Growing population, rapid urbanization and economic expansion have been raising the demand for fresh water. Additionally, climate changes, characterized by warmer temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and reduced snowpack are diminishing the water availability presenting new challenges for agricultural water use and conservation, particularly in the arid western states. One approach to addressing water scarcity involves inducing drought tolerance in crops. Plants exhibit physiological, morphological, and biochemical changes upon exposure to different wavelengths of light. This study focuses on determining the optimal ratio of blue to red light for inducing drought tolerance morphology in Zinnia elegans ‘Envy’. Seeds were sowed in Metro-Mix® 820 (SunGro Horticulture, Agawam, MA, USA) and kept on a misting bench. After germination, the plugs were exposed to full spectrum LED grow lights (ScynceLED, Mesa, Arizona) maintained at three ratios of blue and red light, 10:90, 25:75, and 50:50, controlled using a spectrometer (StellarNet Inc., Tampa, Florida, USA) in a covered chamber. The Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was maintained at 150 µmol.m-2.s-1 and the photoperiod was maintained at 12 hour dark and 12 hour light period. After four weeks of treatment, physiological and morphological parameters were measured in five destructively harvested plugs per treatment. The leaf number, growth index, and leaf area index showed no significant differences among treatments, however, the rate of assimilation and stomatal conductance were found highest under the 50:50 blue and red light ratio, compared to 25:75 but similar to 10:90. The total dry weight, leaf thickness, SPAD, and NDVI values were also higher at the 50:50 ratio, with total dry weight comparable to the 25:75 ratio. Subsequent irrigation treatments at 25% and 35% volumetric water content (VWC) were applied with the help of automated irrigation system using capacitance sensor, ECH2O 10HS (Meter Group, Pullman, WA, USA) to assess water requirements under different ratios of blue and red light suggesting a potential of these light treatments to reduce the Zinnia’s water needs.

Speakers

Anju Chaudhary

Utah State University

Co-authors

Shital Poudyal

Utah State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:15am - 9:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2

SUBJECT Ornamental Landscape Turf

9:30am HST

O/LT 2 - Techniques to Improve Growth, Heat, and Drought Tolerance in Container Grown Trees

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:30am - 9:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Heat and moisture stress are increasing limitations to production of container-grown trees and growth of landscape trees, while reducing water use is an increasingly common goal. In two experiments, we investigated methods for reducing stress caused by limited water and extreme heat in container-grown tree seedlings in Aurora, Oregon. In the first experiment, we evaluated the potential for several ‘biostimulant’ or stress-tolerance inducing, soil-applied materials to improve growth of tree seedlings (Betula nigra) under limited water conditions. In the second experiment, we evaluated one of the most promising materials from that study in comparison to several other known or potential stress-reducing materials or techniques. In the first study, B. nigra seedlings were grown in pots with full water (determined by site evapotranspiration rate), one-half water, or one-half water with four different commercially available ‘biostimulant’ products that are marketed as inducing tolerance to moisture and heat stress in plants. Caliper growth, visual rating, and chlorophyll fluorescence values all showed that in the low-water groups, the plants treated with a mannitol plus calcium chelate product or a potassium phosphite product performed best and significantly better than the low-water control group. In the second experiment, over the course of two seasons we compared the effects of soil-applied potassium phosphite with other methods previously shown to reduce heat and/or drought stress. Abnormal extreme heat events, or ‘heat domes’, occurred during both growing seasons. Container-grown red maple (Acer rubrum) saplings were grown with moderate water and subjected to one of six treatments: untreated control, fresh-water misters triggered by preset ET value, kaolin foliar treatment, potassium phosphite soil application, propiconazole foliar treatment, and paclobutrazol foliar treatment. After two growing seasons, the mist treatment significantly improved growth compared to control plants while the potassium phosphite and kaolin treatments showed non-significant trends of improved growth. Based on these two studies, it is concluded that where possible, mist treatments during hot and dry conditions can improve container-grown tree seedling growth and condition, while potassium phosphite soil treatment and kaolin foliar treatments are likely to improve growth and condition in landscapes or where installation of misting apparatus is not feasible.

Speakers

Drew Zwart

Plant Pathologist & Physiologist, Bartlett Tree Research Labs

Co-authors

Lloyd Nackley

oregon state university

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:30am - 9:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2

SUBJECT Ornamental Landscape Turf

9:45am HST

O/LT 2 - Using Marketing Initiatives to Promote the UF/IFAS Extension Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:45am - 10:00am HST

South Pacific 1

The UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM (FFL) Program is Florida's premier Extension program for ecologically sustainable, science-based landscape practices that conserve water, protect water quality, and promote biodiversity. Since 1993, the FFL program has promoted water resource protection through both water conservation (water savings) and reducing non-point source pollutants (fertilizer nitrogen and phosphorus; pesticides) that may otherwise be carried into the state’s water bodies via runoff and/or leaching into groundwater. Despite longstanding promotion of FFL through Florida’s 67 county Extension offices, most Florida residents remain unaware of the program and its benefits. To promote public awareness of FFL, the program has undertaken a variety of marketing initiatives involving radio, television, social media, webinars, and online educational opportunities. On the radio, FFL produced a series of one-minute-long spots providing sustainable gardening tips. Called Florida-Friendly Landscaping in a Minute, the episodes aired twice each weekday on two NPR stations covering 19 northeast Florida counties. The daily listening audience was estimated at 4,600 for each airing, with 2.4 million total listeners each year. Webpage links to additional information back-up each episode. A wider audience was reached through the subsequent production of the Flip My Florida Yard television series. Produced in partnership with Crawford Entertainment with funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, each 30-minute episode chronicles the complete makeover, or flip, of a homeowner’s typical Florida landscape into a more sustainable Florida-friendly landscape. All accomplished in eight hours, each episode features local designers and contractors and the local Extension agent, as well as a Maintenance Moment tip and a Yard Science segment featuring experts from UF/IFAS and other state entities. New shows air statewide on PBS and past episodes are streamed online. The program received a regional Emmy award in 2023. Flip My Florida Yard has been viewed more than 9.9 million times in the past year. FFL also recently hired a social media manager to increase FFL’s visibility on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and Linked-In. FFL’s social media reach is now growing exponentially. FFL also offers monthly webinars for both commercial and homeowner audiences. These webinars are archived to the FFL website and have accounted for more than 38,000 live and recorded views in the past year. Finally, the program has developed numerous online trainings and certification programs to help reach audiences at their convenience. As FFL begins its 32nd year, these marketing initiatives are helping it grow and reach new audiences.

Speakers

Tom Wichman

FFL Assistant Dir., University of Florida

Co-authors

Angela Gregory

UF/IFAS Extension Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program

Claire Lewis

Director, UF/IFAS Extension Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program

Florida-Friendly Landscaping, water conservation, green stormwater infrastructure, behavior change, and almost anything at all!

Jen Marvin

UF/IFAS Extension Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program

John Bossart

UF/IFAS Extension Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program

Thursday September 26, 2024 9:45am - 10:00am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Ornamentals/Landscape and Turf 2

SUBJECT Ornamental Landscape Turf

10:14am HST

Fruit Breeding 1 (FRBR 1)

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:14am - 12:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

Validation of Diagnostic Markers for Stenospermocarpic Seedlessness and Flower Sex in Diverse Muscadinia and Vitis Grape - Isabella Vaughn
High-Density Linkage Mapping and Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Leaf-Scab Resistance in Pecan - Gaurab Bhattarai
Genome Wide Association Studies Unmasks Loci Associated With Fruit Size and Sugar Content in Mango - Vincent Njung'e Michael
A Genome-Wide Association Study To Identify Loci Underlying Fruit Color In Red Raspberry - Claudia Baldassi
Relatedness of Luther Burbank’s Plum (Prunus sp.) Introductions based on Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) - Rachel Spaeth
A Deep Learning‐based Smartphone App for Blueberry Yield Prediction - Sushan Ru
Utilizing Optical Sorting Technology for High-Throughput Phenotyping in Sweet Cherry Breeding - Per McCord

Moderator

Per McCord

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:14am - 12:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Fruit Breeding 1

SUBJECT Fruit Breeding

10:15am HST

FRBR 1 - Validation of Diagnostic Markers for Stenospermocarpic Seedlessness and Flower Sex in Diverse Muscadinia and Vitis Grape

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 10:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Muscadine grapes (Muscadinia rotundifolia) are perennial vines grown commercially in the Southeast United States for the fresh market and as wine and juice grapes. Two highly sought-after traits in fresh market muscadine cultivars are stenospermocarpic seedlessness and perfect-flowered vines. However, the genetic disparity between Vitis and Muscadinia subgenera, coupled with differing chromosome numbers (Vitis=38 chromosomes, Muscadinia=40 chromosomes), presents challenges in introgression of stenospermocarpy from V. vinifera to M. rotundifolia. Although conventional breeding has introduced stenospermocarpy into M. rotundifolia, no molecular markers for this trait have been validated in muscadines. Recently, two Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) markers targeting candidate genes for male sterility (VviINP1) and stenospermocarpy (VviAGL11) in V. vinifera have shown promise. Sequence comparisons with published V. rotundifolia genomes suggest that these markers might be effective across diverse Vitis, Muscadinia, and wide hybrid germplasm. In this study, we validated the predictive ability of KASP markers for flower sex and stenospermocarpy across thirteen Vitis x Muscadinia hybrid seedling populations and 191 diverse genotypes. In 2023, 891 seedlings were evaluated for seedlessness, with an additional 214 seedlings assessed for flower sex. Furthermore, 191 diverse accessions underwent evaluation for both flower sex and seedlessness. Of the 891 seedlings, 66 were seedless, 490 were seeded, and 335 could not be phenotyped due to fruit absence. Among the 214 seedlings assessed for flower sex, 88 were perfect, 106 were female, and 20 could not be phenotyped due to flower absence. The stenospermocarpy marker accurately predicted 771 of 783 seedlings and diverse material, while the flower sex marker matched 366 of 383 seedlings and diverse accessions. Discrepancies between marker predictions and observed phenotypes may be due to human error or pollen sterility. Notably, most fruitless seedlings were predicted to be stenospermocarpic, indicating potential issues with partial sterility or cold hardiness in seedless hybrids. We intend to reevaluate the populations for flower sex and seedlessness in summer 2024 to address discrepancies. Overall, the KASP markers developed in V. vinifera exhibited excellent predictive ability across diverse germplasm, offering valuable insights for muscadine breeding programs.

Speakers

Isabella Vaughn

University of Arkansas

Co-authors

Carmen Johns

University of Arkansas

Cheng Zou

BRC Bioinformatics Facility, Institute of Biotechnology, Cornell University

Lacy Nelson

University of Arkansas

Lance Cadle Davidson

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Grape Genetics Research Unit

Margaret Worthington

University of Arkansas

Qi Sun

BRC Bioinformatics Facility, Institute of Biotechnology, Cornell University

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:15am - 10:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Fruit Breeding 1

SUBJECT Fruit Breeding

10:30am HST

FRBR 1 - High-Density Linkage Mapping and Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Leaf-Scab Resistance in Pecan

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:30am - 10:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Genetic maps are essential tools for gene positional cloning and marker-assisted breeding. A pecan mapping population of 119 F 1 trees was derived from a cross of the widely planted cultivars Pawnee and Elliott. Whereas ‘Pawnee’ is susceptible, ‘Elliott’ has long- standing resistance to pecan scab caused by the fungal pathogen Venturia effusa. Molecular markers were developed using genotyping-by-sequencing, and linkage maps were constructed for each parent following the two-way pseudo-test-cross strategy used for cross-pollinated species. The ‘Pawnee’ and ‘Elliott’ maps contain 1,347 and 1,050 single nucleotide polymorphism markers spanning a genetic distance of 4,493.0 and 3,758.4 cM, respectively. While these map lengths are likely inflated due to genotyping errors, a high level of synteny between genetic and physical distances of the markers in both parental maps was achieved. Scab resistance was evaluated through controlled inoculations in the greenhouse using two scab isolates, and a significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) for scab resistance was identified on chromosome 5 in ‘Elliott’. Candidate gene searches within the 2-logarithm of the odds interval of the scab-resistant QTL identified a number of disease resistance related genes, including genes encoding wall-associated receptor kinases, cytochrome P450s, leucine-rich repeats receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinases, a pectinesterase inhibitor, a cellulose synthase, a flavonol synthase, a 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, a caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase, and a MYB domain transcription factor.

Speakers

Gaurab Bhattarai

USDA Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory

Co-authors

Clive Bock

USDA Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory

Cristina Pisani

USDA Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory

Nolan Bentley

University of Texas at Austin

Patricia Klein

Texas A

Patrick Conner

University of Georgia

Shanshan Cao

University of Georgia-Tifton Campus

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:30am - 10:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Fruit Breeding 1

SUBJECT Fruit Breeding

10:45am HST

FRBR 1 - Genome Wide Association Studies Unmasks Loci Associated With Fruit Size and Sugar Content in Mango

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:45am - 11:00am HST

South Pacific 1

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a popular fruit produced widely along tropical climates for fresh consumption. In this study, mature fruits from a collection of 189 mango cultivars were evaluated for fruit weight and sugar content at horticultural maturity. Subsequently, a total of 10958 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated through genotyping by sequencing (GBS) were used to identify quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) associated with fruit weight and sugar content through genome wide association studies (GWAS). Fruit weight over three seasons averaged 454 g. ‘Lancetilla’ and ‘Webber’ cultivars produced the heaviest fruits averaging 1127.5 g and 1108.5 g respectively and the lowest average fruit weights (166.16 g, 184.5 g, and 189.5 g) were observed in ‘Itamaraca’, ‘13-1' and ‘Fralan’ cultivars respectively. The mango cultivars had a mean degrees Brix (°Bx) value of 14.8 with ‘Venus,’ ‘Peach Cobbler’ and ‘Julie’ displaying the highest degrees Brix (°Bx) values of 25.6, 22.4 and 20.6 respectively. Three QTNs in chromosomes 5, 8 and 10 were significantly associated with fruit weight using Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU) association model, while two QTNs in chromosome 2 and chromosome 20 were significantly associated with sugar content using Bayesian-information, Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK) model. Genetic characterization of loci associated with these two traits in mango provides a solid foundation for SNP marker assisted selection (MAS) to accelerate molecular screening of segregating populations and germplasm in a mango breeding program.

Speakers

Vincent Njung'e Michael

University of Florida

Co-authors

Alan Chambers

University of Florida

Jonathan Crane

University of Florida

Rebekah Davis

University of Florida

Xingbo Wu

Chair 2023-2024, University of Florida

Thursday September 26, 2024 10:45am - 11:00am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Fruit Breeding 1

SUBJECT Fruit Breeding

11:00am HST

FRBR 1 - A Genome-Wide Association Study To Identify Loci Underlying Fruit Color In Red Raspberry

Thursday September 26, 2024 11:00am - 11:15am HST

South Pacific 1

Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is a high-value crop, acclaimed for its fruit quality characteristics and putative health benefits. Among fruit quality characteristics, color is a critical trait in determining market acceptability and consumer preference. Red raspberry fruit encompasses a wide array of colors, notably yellow, orange, and red. Red fruited cultivars are the most common in commercial settings and market selection is dependent on the color intensity: while the processing industry needs dark berries for most applications, the fresh market requires bright red and non-darkening fruit. Anthocyanins, a group of water-soluble phenolic compounds, are regarded as the major contributors to raspberry red fruit color. Knowledge on the genetics of raspberry fruit pigmentation would be valuable for breeding programs, but to date the genetic control of the different red intensities of raspberries remains elusive. This research aims to map the genetic regions underlying the red shades of raspberry fruit through a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Fruits from 765 red raspberry cultivars and selections – including red-, orange-, and yellow-fruited genotypes – were harvested over four seasons (2018-2021) and analyzed for total anthocyanin content and color. Total anthocyanins were measured through the pH differential methods and color was assessed using a high-throughput digital phenotyping protocol. Leaves from all genotypes were harvested in summer 2022 and used for genomic DNA extraction. Whole-genome sequencing of DNA samples was achieved through Illumina NovaSeq6000, with an average coverage of 30×. Sequences were aligned to the ‘Malling Jewel’ reference genome using BWA-MEM and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified following the GATK pipeline. Total anthocyanin content ranged between zero (yellow genotypes) and 113.21 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) of peonidin-3-O-glucoside equivalents (P3OG eq.) and averaged 42.09 mg/100 g FW P3OG eq. Color coordinates L* (lightness) varied between 11.99 and 48.21 and averaged 21.21, a* (red-green) spanned -1.18 and 38.38 and averaged 26.85, b* (yellow-blue) ranged between 4.57 and 30.04 and averaged 18.05. The association between the detected genetic variants and the phenotypic data (fruit color and total anthocyanins) will enable the identification of SNP markers that explain the variation in observed red shades of berries. Such markers will be used in raspberry breeding programs to facilitate the development of cultivars with desired fruit color.

Speakers

Claudia Baldassi

University of British Columbia

Co-authors

Michael Dossett

BC Berry Cultivar Development Inc.

Simone Castellarin

The University of British Columbia

Thursday September 26, 2024 11:00am - 11:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Fruit Breeding 1

SUBJECT Fruit Breeding

11:15am HST

FRBR 1 - Relatedness of Luther Burbank’s Plum (Prunus sp.) Introductions based on Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS)

Thursday September 26, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am HST

South Pacific 1

The renowned horticultural artist and plant breeder Luther Burbank worked with many different species of plants. During his 50-year career, he introduced over 800 cultivars, including more than 150 accessions of plums (Prunus spp.) in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Burbank preferred utilizing wide, interspecific crosses to create a vast range of phenotypic variation and then artificially select from the extremes. While a very great artist, Burbank was a substandard scientist because he was derelict in pedigree note-taking. Though many of his introductions are extinct, hobbyists, enthusiasts, and international collections retain nearly a third of the economically viable cultivars he bred. For a century, many of his hybridizations remained inscrutable mysteries until modern genomic and computational tools developed their resolution and statistical power. Today, genotyping by sequencing (GBS) is a useful tool for pedigree reconstruction in the absence of reliable records. GBS can inform principal component analyses (PCA), identity by descent (IBD) kinship, and phylogenetic admixture, revealing complex relationships among taxa. In this study, whole genome sequencing was performed on 53 Prunus taxa used by Luther Burbank in his breeding experiments in the most comprehensive genetic survey of his work to date. Exact parent-offspring relationships between this population may be impossible to discern due to years of back crossing, sibling mating, and open pollination. However, the proportion of genomic similarity amongst these taxa provides information on the relatedness of the genotypes in Burbank’s Prunus experiments, defining four primary lineages within his breeding population. These lineages are comprised primarily of P. salicina and P. simonii, but also have influences from P. americana, P. cerasifera, P. domestica, and P. rivularis. The prevalence of P. simonii in Burbank’s Prunus introductions appears to have been vastly underreported, indicating that some of the seedstock founders of his breeding population could have been P. salicina x P. simonii hybrids at the inception of his career. This research has implications for pedigree reconstruction and prioritizing conservation in collections curation for future studies.

Speakers

Rachel Spaeth

Research Horticulturalist, USDA-ARS-NCGR-Davis

Dr. Rachel Spaeth is currently serving as a postdoc with the USDA-ARS-NCGR as the Interim Curator of the Prunus collection. Prior to that she was the Curator at the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens in Santa Rosa, CA for 15 years. She is the co-host on KSRO's Garden Talk Radio two Saturdays... Read More →

Co-authors

Daniel Potter

University of California at Davis

Domininque Pincot

University of California at Davis

John Preece

USDA-ARS-NCGR Emeritus

Pat J Brown

University of California at Davis

Tom Gradziel

University of California at Davis

Thursday September 26, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Fruit Breeding 1

SUBJECT Fruit Breeding

11:30am HST

FRBR 1 - A Deep Learning‐based Smartphone App for Blueberry Yield Prediction

Thursday September 26, 2024 11:30am - 11:45am HST

South Pacific 1

The global blueberry market has been expanding vastly driven by consumer demand for healthier food. As a top blueberry producer, United States generated a revenue of $932 million in 2020. A profitable blueberry industry relies on continued cultivar improvement. One challenge faced by blueberry breeders, researchers, and growers, is yield data collection. Measuring blueberry yield by manual sampling is labor-intensive and time-consuming. We developed a smartphone application leveraging deep learning techniques to automate yield prediction and maturity assessment for different blueberry cultivars under field conditions. State of the art YOLOv8 models were fine-tuned and evaluated using a dataset of side-view images of various southern highbush and rabbiteye blueberry cultivars. The best performing DL model of YOLOv8-x achieved a mean average precision of 0.708 and 0.372 under 0.5 and 0.5-0.95 Intersection over Union thresholds on validation datasets, respectively. Blueberry yield was predicted using non-linear regression-based machine learning models using the image-derived mature berry count multiplied by user-defined average berry weight and cultivar as explanatory variables with satisfactory accuracy. This proposed smartphone app can enable image-based yield prediction for blueberry growers and breeders, which is valuable for management decision making and accelerated selection for high-yielding cultivars.

Speakers

Sushan Ru

Auburn University

Co-authors

Puranjit Singh

University of Delaware

Yin Bao

University of Delaware

Thursday September 26, 2024 11:30am - 11:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Fruit Breeding 1

SUBJECT Fruit Breeding

11:45am HST

FRBR 1 - Utilizing Optical Sorting Technology for High-Throughput Phenotyping in Sweet Cherry Breeding

Thursday September 26, 2024 11:45am - 12:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

Phenotyping remains a bottleneck in many breeding programs, including sweet cherry. Current fruit evaluation protocols require extensive manual sorting and visual evaluation, which reduces throughput and is subject to evaluator bias and fatigue. The Washington State University Cherry Breeding Program is seeking more efficient methods of evaluating fruit quality. In 2023, the program acquired an optical fruit sorter. Our objective was to customize the sorter parameters according to breeding program needs and compare the results of the sorter with traditional methods. Our Tomra InVision 2 sorter has the same optics, software and computer hardware as a commercial sorter, but operates on a single lane. Fruit are loaded onto an infeed system which passes fruit in single file into the detection area. A combination of fruit rotation, multiple cameras and mirrors is designed to image the entire surface of individual fruit. Both visual and infrared images are captured, generally > 24 images per fruit at a rate of approximately 15 fruit per second. The sorter software identifies fruit and classifies them according to a set of tunable quality parameters or grades. Air-actuated valves then eject the fruit into one of four grade-determined exits. The sorter generates reports that include the fruit size profile as well as the percentage of fruit sorted into the various exits and/or grades. The sorter shipped with a pre-loaded map (sorting algorithm), which we modified by updating with data from representative images of various quality parameters. We then used the sorter to grade fruit from Phase 2 variety trials. We analyzed 50-fruit subsamples in the traditional manner for size and defects. All remaining fruit from each sample were analyzed via the sorter. Out of 20 samples evaluated, the average number of fruit per sample evaluated by the sorter was 154, vs. 50 for manual evaluation. Overall, the sorter detected a lower percentage of cracking, doubles (polycarpy), and pitting vs. manual evaluation, and a higher percentage of skin blemishes. Continued testing will be required to determine whether these differences are due to the effects of small sample size or bias due to the methods themselves (human evaluator vs. sorter). While the sorter required a similar number of personnel as for manual evaluation, it required less time to evaluate each sample even though more fruit were analyzed. We will expanding the use and testing of the sorter in 2024, including evaluation of postharvest quality.

Speakers

Per McCord

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

Co-authors

Marcella Magby

Washington State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 11:45am - 12:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Fruit Breeding 1

SUBJECT Fruit Breeding

12:14pm HST

Plant Nutrient Management (PNM)

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:14pm - 1:35pm HST

South Pacific 1

Aerated Compost Tea Impacts on Soil Parameters and Yield of Tomato, Carrot, and Beet - Charlie Rohwer
The Effect of High Concentrated Liquid Fertilizer at Hydroponic Culture to the Contents of Amino Acids and Mineral in Watermelon Fruits - Sentaro Tomiyama
Changes Of Fruit Profile And Content Of Carotenoids At Different Nutrient Conditions In Hydroponically Grown Watermelon - Xiangyu Cui
Phosphorus Fertilizer Application Strategies to Improve Phosphorus Availability and Utilization in Potatoes. - Samuel Essah
Nitrate Leaching in Processing Tomato Production Subjected to Deficit Irrigation and On-Demand Nitrogen Fertilization - Dave Goorahoo
Greenhouse Nitrogen application rate optimization for optimal bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) growth and productivity in Florida - Cyrus Januarie
Determining Adequate Nutrient Application Rates for Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) Production in Deep Water Culture - Shelbie Bohensky
The incorporation of black soldier fly larvae to fish feed increased fish and plant growth - Most Tahera Naznin

Moderator

Dave Goorahoo

Professor, California State University, Fresno

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:14pm - 1:35pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster Session, Plant Nutrient Management

SUBJECT Plant Nutrient Mgmt

12:15pm HST

PNM - Aerated Compost Tea Impacts on Soil Parameters and Yield of Tomato, Carrot, and Beet

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:15pm - 12:25pm HST

South Pacific 1

The intentions of aerated compost tea are to provide nutrients to plants or beneficial microbes to the soil or phyllosphere. Compost tea may also contain organic compounds which alter plant physiology (growth or induced defenses). Compost tea is mainly encountered in organic systems, but there is evidence for improved outcomes when using both organic and conventional nutrient sources. The objective of this study is to understand more about the impacts of aerated compost tea (ACT) on soil microbial activity and nitrogen status and plant responses. ACT was applied weekly or bi-weekly as a drench or as a spray to field-grown tomatoes, carrots, and beets fertilized organically or conventionally at two locations in Minnesota. Results presented here focus on produce yield from year 1 of the 3-year study. We found no difference in any of the yield parameters measured due to compost tea application. We generally observed higher yields in organically-fertilized produce in both locations. One location, with a longer history of organic production, had higher soil microbial activity in the organically-fertilized treatment but the difference in yield between conventional and organic tomatoes was similar at both locations.

Speakers

Charlie Rohwer

Scientist, University of Minnesota

Co-authors

Emily E Evans

University of Minnesota

Lee Klossner

University of Minnesota

Paulo Pagliari

University of Minnesota

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:15pm - 12:25pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Plant Nutrient Management

SUBJECT Plant Nutrient Mgmt

12:25pm HST

PNM - The Effect of High Concentrated Liquid Fertilizer at Hydroponic Culture to the Contents of Amino Acids and Mineral in Watermelon Fruits

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:25pm - 12:35pm HST

South Pacific 1

We have previously reported the sugar distribution and accumulation in watermelon fruit grown hydroponically (Tomiyama et al. 2023 . Hort Science). In this research, the contents of amino acids and mineral in watermelon fruits grown hydroponically at high concentrated nutrient solution were investigated. Three different hydroponic culture conditions were set by Electric Conductivity: EC 5.0, 3.0, and 1.2 dS-m-¹. Initially watermelon seedlings (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. Et Nakai ‛Hitorijime-BonBon) were grown at EC 1.2 dS-m-¹ (Control) conditions on deep flow technique in a glasshouse. Treatment was initiated two weeks after pollination. Forty days after pollination, watermelon fruits were harvested and measured its size. Then, mineral and amino acids content were analyzed by HPLC. We measured NH⁴⁺, K⁺, Mg⁺, and Ca²⁺ as cations and PO⁴- and NO³- as anions. Twenty amino acids were measured also. As result, the fruit size and weight decreased under high nutrient conditions. At mineral analysis, the cations NH⁴⁺, Mg⁺, and Ca²⁺ content in the flesh did not increase at the high concentrated treatment, but K⁺ increased in the pericarp at higher treatment. Similarly, the anions PO⁴- and NO³- content increased as K⁺. In control, amino acids was accumulated in the center of flesh, whereas in the higher concentration amino acids was concentrated in the pericarp. When we focused on citrulline and proline, they were accumulated more in pericarp than flesh. In conclusion, mineral (K⁺, PO₄³-, NO₃-)and some amino acids such as citrulline, and proline, which accumulate in the pericarp, accumulated under high concentrated liquid fertilizer at hydroponic culture.

Speakers

Sentaro Tomiyama

Graduated student, Meiji University

Co-authors

Masako Osawa

Hagihara farm

Shingo Fujita

Hagihara farm

Takashi Ikeda

Meiji University

Xiangyu Cui

Meiji University

Yusuke Matsumoto

Meiji University

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:25pm - 12:35pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Plant Nutrient Management

SUBJECT Plant Nutrient Mgmt

12:35pm HST

PNM - Changes Of Fruit Profile And Content Of Carotenoids At Different Nutrient Conditions In Hydroponically Grown Watermelon

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:35pm - 12:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Researches on carotenoid content in hydroponically grown watermelon fruits are rarely conducted. In hydroponic system, nutrient condition can be easily monitored and precisely controlled by regulating the concentration of culture solution. To study the changes of fruit profile and content of carotenoids at different nutrient conditions, we cultured watermelon in hydroponic system and changed the electric conductivity (EC) of solution which can represent the condition of nutrient. Forty seedlings were provided by Hagihara Farm company and replanted in the hydroponic system where the electric conductivity of solution equaled 1.2 dS·m-1. Three branches were remained for one plant and each pistil after 20 nodes were pollinated by hands. The nutrient condition was divided 14 days after pollination into 3 groups which were Control (EC = 1.2 dS·m-1), the regime of solution EC = 3.0 dS·m-1 (group 2) and the regime of solution EC = 5.0 dS·m-1 (group 3). Samples were taken every 10 days interval, and the fruit size, weight as well as Brix of flesh were measured on the sampling day. Carotenoid contents were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Results showed that compared to the control group, fruit size and weight were promoted in group 2 but restrained in group 3. However, group 3 had the highest Brix among three groups. In terms of β-carotene, the higher the concentration of solution was the earlier its promotive and restraining effects showed out. Lycopene was also promoted in the early stage (10-30 days) in group 2 and group 3 but the total amount on 40 days decreased and dropped to near or below the control group.

Speakers

Xiangyu Cui

Meiji University

Co-authors

Masako Osawa

Hagihara Farm Co.Ltd.

Sentaro Tomiyama

Meiji University

Takashi Ikeda

Meiji University

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:35pm - 12:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Plant Nutrient Management

SUBJECT Plant Nutrient Mgmt

12:45pm HST

PNM - Phosphorus Fertilizer Application Strategies to Improve Phosphorus Availability and Utilization in Potatoes.

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:45pm - 12:55pm HST

South Pacific 1

Phosphorus (P) is a poorly soluble plant nutrient. Therefore, P uptake by the potato crop is primarily through root interception and short distance diffusion. This limits the percentage of soil supplying P to potato roots. Placement of P fertilizer is a management variable that can influence P uptake and P use efficiency, thereby improving tuber yield and quality. Recent studies conducted at Colorado State University’s San Luis Valley Research Center, USA, has shown that blending orthophosphate fertilizers with 10-34-0 reduces required P fertilizer cost and improves P use efficiency, as well as increase potato tuber yield and quality, compared to using 10-34-0 as sole source of P fertilizer. Information on placement method of blended P fertilizers for maximum use efficiency and tuber performance has not been documented. Studies were conducted at Colorado State University’s San Luis Valley Research Center, USA, with the objective of evaluating the effect of blended liquid P fertilizer placement method on Russet potato performance in the field. Three orthophosphate fertilizers each blended with 10-34-0 were evaluated under three placement methods (banding, in-furrow, and banding in-furrow application). Banding of blended liquid P fertilizers increased medium size (4-10 oz) tuber yield by 22%, compared to in-furrow application. In-furrow application of blended liquid P fertilizers increased production of premium size (> 6 oz and > 10 oz) tuber yield by 8 and 49%, respectively, compared to banding application. Results from this study suggest that appropriate liquid P fertilizer placement method can enhance sustainable potato production.

Speakers

Samuel Essah

Colorado State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:45pm - 12:55pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Plant Nutrient Management

SUBJECT Plant Nutrient Mgmt

12:55pm HST

PNM - Nitrate Leaching in Processing Tomato Production Subjected to Deficit Irrigation and On-Demand Nitrogen Fertilization

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:55pm - 1:05pm HST

South Pacific 1

The information presented in this poster represents the first-year findings of an ongoing two-year study to assess the efficacy of two nitrogen (N) fertilization and irrigation approaches on tomato yield and quality, and the Nitrate (NO3) Leaching Index (NLI) defined as the ratio of the amount of NO3 in 60-120 cm of soil to the amount in 0-120 cm. Water and N use efficiency (WUE and NUE) were determined for processing tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) grown on a Handford Sandy Loam soil, with a pH of 6.7, in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), California, USA. The experiment was a split-plot design with three replications of irrigation rates (I) as the main factor based on evapotranspiration (ET) scheduling amounts of 74% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and two fertilizer (F) application methods as the subplot factor. The Growers Practice (GP) was seven equal applications of CAN-17 for a total of 201 kg N/ha (180 lbs N/ac) over the growing season, whereas the Soil Nitrate Quick Test (SNQT) approach was to apply 17kg N/ha (15lbs N/ac) whenever the NO3 test strip value was less than 20 ppm. A total of 36 beds with a width of 130 cm x length of 2,700 cm were planted so that each subplot comprised three beds, with the two outer beds used as buffer rows. There were no significant differences in the total yield of all tomatoes (reds, breakers, and green) harvested as a function of either the irrigation (p= 0.79) or fertilizer rates (p=0.12). However, for the fully matured marketable red tomatoes, fertilizer practice had a significant effect (p=0.02), with the GP yielding approximately 30% more tomatoes than the plots subjected to SNQT. There was no interaction effect of F x I on the yield of these red tomatoes. With respect to sugar content, I (p

Speakers

Dave Goorahoo

Professor, California State University, Fresno

Co-authors

Aldo Garcia

California State University, Fresno

Florence Cassel

California State University, Fresno

John Bushoven

California State University, Fresno

Thursday September 26, 2024 12:55pm - 1:05pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Plant Nutrient Management

SUBJECT Plant Nutrient Mgmt

1:05pm HST

PNM - Greenhouse Nitrogen application rate optimization for optimal bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) growth and productivity in Florida

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:05pm - 1:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

Bamboo, a giant tropical and temperate region grass, is used for food, timber, furniture, building and construction material, and paper making, among others. With the US being the world's number one importer of bamboo shoots, many growers are venturing into bamboo production with little or no knowledge of the best management practices. There is no reliable literature conducted in Florida about the crop. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop site-specific nitrogen (N) requirements for young bamboo plants in a controlled environment. This study was done in a greenhouse at UF/IFAS Citrus REC in Lake Alfred. One-year-old bamboo plants were transplanted into 37.85 L pots and treated with varying rates of N (0,112,224, and 336 kg N ha-1). Growth, photosynthetic rate, and tissue composition were measured biweekly for five months. Initial and final soil analyses were done. The results demonstrated that higher rates of N (up to a certain amount, i.e. 224 kg N ha-1) increased growth rate, number of culms, and dry matter accumulation. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and regression analysis were conducted for the response variables in R software. Chlorophyll content and culm diameter were comparable. It was concluded that 200 kg/ha N was optimal for young bamboo plants since it demonstrated the peak growth rate, number of culms, and dry matter compared to the rest of the treatments. Key words: Dendrocalamus asper, nitrogen fertilization, best management practices

Speakers

CYRUS JANUARIE

Graduate Research Assistant, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Soil nutrient managementStatistical data analysisField research

Co-authors

Davie Kadyampakeni

University of Florida

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:05pm - 1:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Plant Nutrient Management

SUBJECT Plant Nutrient Mgmt

1:15pm HST

PNM - Determining Adequate Nutrient Application Rates for Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) Production in Deep Water Culture

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:15pm - 1:25pm HST

South Pacific 1

Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is a novel crop within the U.S. that is widely grown throughout southeast Asia. Although considered a noxious weed by USDA, interest from ethnic communities has led to the restricted permittance of cultivation within Georgia, USA. In order to determine nutrient requirements for hydroponic production of water spinach, a study was conducted using a deep-water culture in a greenhouse located in Watkinsville, Georgia, USA in the summer of 2023. Two selections of water spinach were grown in plastic containers filled either a ¼ or ½ strength Hoagland’s solution arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications of each selection by nutrient solution combination. Initially, 15 plants of each selection were placed into the tubs. Beginning at 21 days after transplanting, two plants were removed from each tub for determination of biomass and nutrient concentrations. Additional plants were removed at 10-day intervals until a final harvest at 61 days after planting. The trial was then repeated. Results indicated that biomass (root and shoot) and nutrient removal within foliar tissues were significantly greater in the ½ strength solution compared to the ¼ strength solution. Total nutrient accumulation for most macronutrients exhibited a quadratic response, increasing until 51 days after planting and then plateauing. Plants grown in the ½ strength and ¼ strength Hoagland’s solution accumulated similar concentrations of foliar macronutrients though due to differences in biomass accumulation, total nutrient removal was significantly different between the two nutrient solutions. At harvest (day 61), ½ strength plants had an average potassium (K) concentration of 5.24% (dry weight), while those grown in the ¼-strength Hoagland’s solution averaged 4.48% K on a dry weight basis. However, due to significant differences in biomass production, K nutrient removal rates were more than twice as much in the plants grown in the ½ strength Hoagland’s solution compared to those grown in the ¼ strength solution. Our results suggest that although water spinach may grow in river systems in its native environments, that growth benefits from additional levels of fertilizer nutrients when cultivated in greenhouse systems and that a ½ strength Hoagland’s solution should be an appropriate baseline to develop recommendations for hydroponic nutrient solutions for greenhouse production of water spinach.

Speakers

Shelbie Bohensky

University of Georgia

Co-authors

Timothy Coolong

University of Georgia

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:15pm - 1:25pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Plant Nutrient Management

SUBJECT Plant Nutrient Mgmt

1:25pm HST

PNM - The incorporation of black soldier fly larvae to fish feed increased fish and plant growth

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:25pm - 1:35pm HST

South Pacific 1

The economic success of the aquaponics industry and fish farming is mostly dependent on the use of inexpensive, nutritionally adequate meals. Approximately sixty percent of the economic balance is accounted for by fish feeding. The substitution of insect meal for fish meal appears to offer a promising approach to reducing cost and the environmental impact. The black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) possess 40–45% proteins and a favorable essential amino acid profile. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of commercial and black soldier fly larvae (BSFL)-based diet on Nile tilapia growth, plant growth, and antioxidant accumulation in crops. The results showed that tilapia fish can grow at a higher rate on BSFL-based meals than on commercial diets. On the other hand, a study revealed that BSFL BSFL-based fish feed waste water significantly stimulated plant growth and antioxidant accumulation in aquaponic systems. This study opens up new possibilities for using BSFL as a substitute for fish meal, which could help to reduce the environmental effect of aquaponic production systems while also contributing to a circular economy.

Speakers

Most Tahera Naznin

Associate Professor of Urban & Indoor Agriculture, University of Nevada, Reno

Co-authors

Jessica Nolan

University of Nevada, Reno

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:25pm - 1:35pm HST
South Pacific 1

Poster presentation (individual talk), Plant Nutrient Management 1

SUBJECT Plant Nutrient Mgmt

1:59pm HST

Vegetable Crops Management 5 (VCM 5)

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:59pm - 3:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Evaluation of Wireworm Resistant Sweetpotato Cultivars in Western Washington - Laura Schulz
Variation in Toxic Element Presence in Sweetpotato Storage Roots From A Small Plot Trial: Sampling Implications - Arthur Villordon
Striving to stay clean: Production of sweetpotato nuclear stock used for certified seed growers in North Carolina - Christie Almeyda
Effects on yield, quality, sugar content and soil health indicators of foliar and soil applied Chlorella vulgaris in ‘Beauregard’ sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam). - Brian Ward
The Effect of Potassium Fertilization on Potato Tuber Nutrition in the Columbia Basin of Oregon - ruijun qin
Predicting Potato Tuber Yield Through Hyperspectral Signals and Machine Learning - Ravinder Singh
Evaluating King Stropharia Mushroom as an Intercrop in Asparagus and Tomato Production - Olalekan Sipasi

Moderator

Laura Schulz

Graduate Research Assistant, Washington State University

I am a PhD student at Washington State University working with Carol Miles on introducing sweetpotato as a new crop in western Washington.

Thursday September 26, 2024 1:59pm - 3:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Vegetable Crops Management 5

SUBJECT Vegetable Crops

2:00pm HST

VCM 5 - Evaluation of Wireworm Resistant Sweetpotato Cultivars in Western Washington

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a nutritious, productive, and resilient crop that is grown worldwide and is gaining popularity throughout the U.S. In western Washington, wireworms (Agriotes lineatus, A. obscurus, and Limonius canus) are the primary pest impacting sweetpotato production. Wireworm resistant cultivars can provide an effective and sustainable pest management tool for growers. A field experiment in Mount Vernon, WA included nine sweetpotato cultivars and breeding lines: wireworm-susceptible cultivars Bayou Belle, Beauregard, Covington, and Orleans; wireworm-resistant cultivars Cascade and Monaco; and wireworm-resistant breeding lines USDA-04-136, USDA-04-284, and USDA-04-791. Storage roots were graded according to USDA sweetpotato categories and root weight, number, and wireworm damage [Wireworm-Diabrotica-Systena (WDS) severity index] were measured. Marketable yield ranged from 22 t/ha (USDA-04-136) to 57 t/ha (‘Bayou Belle’) (p

Speakers

Laura Schulz

Graduate Research Assistant, Washington State University

I am a PhD student at Washington State University working with Carol Miles on introducing sweetpotato as a new crop in western Washington.

Co-authors

Carol Miles

Washington State University

Jacob Blauer

Washington State University

Laurel Moulton

Washington State University

Louis Nottingham

Washington State University

Phil Wadl

United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

Srijana Shrestha

Washington State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Vegetable Crops Management 5

SUBJECT Vegetable Crops

2:15pm HST

VCM 5 - Variation in Toxic Element Presence in Sweetpotato Storage Roots From A Small Plot Trial: Sampling Implications

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

The overarching goal of FDA’s Closer to Zero (C2Z) action plan is to reduce dietary exposure to contaminants, in foods commonly eaten by babies and young children, to as low as possible while maintaining access to nutritious foods. In addition to establishing action levels for specific toxic elements (TEs), C2Z proposes to develop new and improved testing methods to measure lower levels of contaminants in food and monitor levels over time to determine potential adjustments to proposed action levels. These proposed testing and monitoring activities represent potential added costs to the producer. The sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a leading baby food raw product but very little information is available on the appropriate frameworks for optimal sampling procedures to ensure accuracy and precision of surveys, especially at the field scale. A field trial to investigate the role of commonly used soil amendments in reducing storage root accumulation of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) revealed interesting trends that merits further investigation. Three random U.S. No.1-sized storage roots were sampled from each of three random plants from each of two unamended (control) plots (plot size=12’ x 3.3’) and analyzed for TE presence at a commercial laboratory. The Pb and Cd content of storage roots from cultivars ‘Bayou Belle’ (BB) (SDs: Cd=1.1, Pb=1.3) and ‘Beauregard’ (BX) (SDs; Cd=1.8 Pb=1.3, Cd=) showed more variability relative to As (SDs: BB=0.5, BX=0.6). There were no differences between two cultivars for all TEs measured. A possible follow-up study could investigate plant- or soil-based variables that contribute to variation in Pb and Cd accumulation. Such findings can be used to improve the accuracy and precision of sampling approaches to enable producers to meet C2Z goals, especially as it concerns sampling of storage roots for monitoring and enforcement purposes.

Speakers

Arthur Villordon

Professor, Louisiana State University AgCenter

No roots left behind! The sweetpotato's root system architecture integrates internal, environmental, and management determinants of storage root yield, quality, and shape attributes. Root architectural adaptations to biotic and abiotic stress variables provide insights about traits... Read More →

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Vegetable Crops Management 5

SUBJECT Vegetable Crops

2:30pm HST

VCM 5 - Striving to stay clean: Production of sweetpotato nuclear stock used for certified seed growers in North Carolina

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

The Micropropagation and Repository Unit (MPRU) produces, maintains and distributes meristemmed-tip culture, virus-tested, indexed, true-to-type sweetpotato nuclear plants to certified seed growers in NC. Under the certification program, seed growers use nuclear plants for production of G0 plants in greenhouses, and subsequently G1 and G2 plants and storage roots (seed) in the field. All these materials are inspected and certified by NC Crop Improvement Association, Inc. (NCCIA). The MPRU is a clean center for sweetpotato under the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) umbrella. It works closely with the NC State sweetpotato breeding and genetics program to clean advanced selections yearly. The MPRU distributes about 90,000 nuclear plants to NC certified seed growers every year. It is estimated that about 70% of the commercial sweetpotato acreage in NC is planted annually with stocks derived from the MPRU. It is known that the accumulation and perpetuation of viruses in sweetpotato is a major constraint for production of seed and the commercial crop. The aphid-transmitted potyvirus complex is prevalent in NC and comprises Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), Sweet potato virus G (SPVG), Sweet potato virus C (SPVC) and Sweet potato virus 2 (SPV2). In order to evaluate the performance and quality of clean seed after it had been integrated into commercial sweetpotato operations, NCPN field trials were carried out in 2021 and 2023 with Covington and Beauregard as evaluated varieties. Because sweetpotato is vegetatively propagated, viruses and mutations can accumulate readily which can lead to cultivar decline. G1 seed was used as a reference to compare the yield and virus incidence of growers’ generation 2 (G2), generation 3 (G3) and generation 4 (G4) seed roots (grown in the growers’ seed production fields 1, 2 or 3 years following the year of clean seed production). Virus detection data suggested a low incidence of viruses (mainly SPFMV) on G1 material. Potyviruses (mainly SPVG, SPVC and SPFMV) started to be prevalent on G2 and G3 material. In the older generation evaluated (G4), all potyviruses (SPVG, SPVC, SPFMV and SPV2) were detected. In general, the prevalence of four potyviruses was associated to higher seed generations, indicating a buildup over the years on clean seed regardless of the variety. Yield data suggested a negative impact due to virus infections in Beauregard. This study will allow us to understand the impact of clean seed on the economic value of the crop to educate growers and stakeholders.

Speakers

Christie Almeyda

MPRU Director, North Carolina State University

Co-authors

Craig Yencho

North Carolina State University

Dustin Auman

North Carolina Crop Improvement Association, Inc

Kenneth Pecota

North Carolina State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Vegetable Crops Management 5

SUBJECT Vegetable Crops

2:45pm HST

VCM 5 - Effects on yield, quality, sugar content and soil health indicators of foliar and soil applied Chlorella vulgaris in ‘Beauregard’ sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam).

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:45pm - 3:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

Commercial sweet potato production has seen a recent surge in both fresh market and processing acreage in South Carolina. Producing quality conventionally and organically grown sweetpotatoes is a challenge in South Carolina due to numerous biotic and abiotic factors. One of the most important deciding factors on sweetpotato yield is germplasm and fertility. In this study we examined effects on yield and quality of foliar and soil applied Chlorella vulgaris (CV) in ‘Beauregard’ sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam). Chlorella vulgaris (EnSoil Algae, Enlightened Soil Corp) is marketed under the USDA/APHIS category of soil amendments and Plant Growth Enhancers (PGE). This study was conducted in 2022-2023 in a randomized complete block full factorial design with 4 replications and a total of 17 treatments with a product rate of 250ml/Ac, including the following: 1) Unfertilized Control, 2) 100 % Preplant Granular Fert. (PGF), 3) Soil Algae Application (SAA), 4) Foliar Algae Application (FAA), 5) 100% PGF SAA, 5) 100% PGF SAA, 6) 100% PGF FAA, 7) 100% PGF SAA FAA, 8) SAA FAA, 9) 25% PGF SAA 75% Drip Irrigation Fert.(DIF), 10) 25% PGF FAA 75% DIF, 11) 25% PGF SAA FAA 75% DIF, 12) 25% PGF SAA, 13) 25% PGF FAA, 14) 25% PGF SAA FAA, 15) 25% PGF 75% DIF, 16) 75% DIF, 17) 25% PGF. Results were mixed over time with 2022 being a better growing year. In 2022, USDA grade Jumbo roots were 10% numerically greater in SAA treated plots, than 25% PGF SAA 75% Drip Irrigation Fert. (DIF) and 9% over SAA and FAA. In 2023 there were similar trends, with USDA grade Number

Speakers

Brian Ward

Clemson University CREC

Co-authors

John Coffey

USDA

Karin Albornoz

Clemson University

Matt Horry

Clemson University

Matthew Cutulle

Clemson

Phillip Wadl

USDA, ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory

Thursday September 26, 2024 2:45pm - 3:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Vegetable Crops Management 5

SUBJECT Vegetable Crops

3:00pm HST

VCM 5 - The Effect of Potassium Fertilization on Potato Tuber Nutrition in the Columbia Basin of Oregon

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:00pm - 3:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crops require a high amount of potassium (K) to achieve the ideal yield and quality. However, the effect of K fertilization on potato tuber nutritional value is largely unknown. Based on the tubers from two-year field trials on a Quincy loamy fine sand soil in the Columbia Basin of Oregon, we evaluated yield, specific gravity, nutritional contents (i.e., ascorbic acid, tyrosine, chlorogenic acid, tryptophan, phenylalanine), and nutrient contents (nitrogen [N], phosphorus [P], K, and sulfur [S]) of three potato varieties (Clearwater Russet, Russet Burbank, and Umatilla Russet) under three K rates (0, 448, and 897 kg ha-1). Our results showed that the K application increased the yield of >170 g tubers but had no considerable effect on the total tuber yield. The application of K tended to decrease specific gravity regardless of varieties and years. Russet Burbank had the lowest specific gravity while Clearwater Russet had the highest one. Most of the nutritional contents were higher in 2020 than in 2021. Russet Burbank generally had the highest nutritional contents except for ascorbic acid compared to two other varieties. The application of K generally did not affect tuber nutritional contents but reduced the amounts of tyrosine in Clearwater Russet and Umatilla Russet in 2020. Fertilization of K resulted in an enhanced K content in the tuber, with the highest K application rate exhibiting a 35% increase in K compared to the control. However, it did not have any discernible effects on N, P, and S contents in the tubers. The tuber P and S were lower in Russet Burbank than other varieties. In general, there is no strong relationship between K fertilization and tuber nutritional contents.

Speakers

ruijun qin

OSU-HAREC

Co-authors

Aymeric Goyer

Oregon State University

Shahram Torabian

Virginia State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:00pm - 3:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Vegetable Crops Management 5

SUBJECT Vegetable Crops

3:15pm HST

VCM 5 - Predicting Potato Tuber Yield Through Hyperspectral Signals and Machine Learning

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Potato production is crucial for global food security, and with an increasing demand for food and a diminishing supply of fertile land, there is a need to boost production. Remote sensing technologies, such as high-resolution hyperspectral sensors, have the potential to provide valuable insights into potato growth, yield, and quality. Narrow spectral bands captured by these sensors are directly linked to biophysical parameters and can accurately estimate crop parameters. Recent studies have utilized hyper-spectral imagery acquired from proximal sensor such as ASD FieldSpec to estimate various crop parameters and yield. The results from these studies are promising, indicating that hyper-spectral sensors have the potential to improve crop management and agricultural practices. Moreover, the integration of remote sensing data with advanced analytical techniques, such as machine learning, helps in accurately estimating yield and yield components. In this study we are testing two machine learning such as PLSR and RF to predict biomass and N uptake in-season. Results from this indicate that PLSR performs better in predicting biomass and N uptake in potatoes. Moreover, yield can be best estimated at tuber bulking stage.

Speakers

Ravinder Singh

Graduate Research Assistant, UF/Bayer

Co-authors

Gopal Kakani

Lakesh Sharma

University of Florida

Rajkaranbir Singh

University of Florida

Sehijpreet Kaur

Agronomy, UF

Simranpreet Sidhu

University of Florida

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Vegetable Crops Management 5

SUBJECT Vegetable Crops

3:30pm HST

VCM 5 - Evaluating King Stropharia Mushroom as an Intercrop in Asparagus and Tomato Production

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:30pm - 3:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Stropharia rugosoannulata (L.), the King Stropharia or Wine Cap mushroom, is a wood-loving fungus that grows well on organic mulches. Some vegetables can be successfully grown using organic mulches like woodchips or straw. As a result, farmers may be able to enhance their income by intercropping Stropharia mushrooms with their vegetable crops. However, no study has been identified that assesses this strategy's potential or effect on vegetable yields. Thus, a Stropharia-asparagus intercrop was evaluated by applying woodchips at three depths (4, 8, and 12 in), and a Stropharia-tomato intercrop was evaluated using woodchips, wheat straw, and soy straw (all at 6 in depth). Both experiments utilized a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications and included bareground controls. The tomato study also included a positive mulch control using black plastic. In the fall of 2021, black plastic, inoculated wheat straw, and uninoculated soy straw and woodchip mulch provided earlier harvest than unmulched plots, while the soy treatments and bareground and black plastic controls increased total fruit numbers. In 2022, overall tomato production decreased, resulting in no marketable fruit. Across both 2022 and 2023 asparagus harvest began earlier with decreasing depths of mulch, and therefore lasted longer. Inoculated plots also produced more marketable spears than uninoculated plots. And, 12 in woodchip mulch significantly inhibited asparagus emergence and is therefore not recommended. These results suggest that a Stropharia-tomato intercrop may not be feasible without additional work, though a Stropharia-asparagus intercrop shows great promise. In fact, in 2023, mushrooms were observed in uninoculated plots demonstrating the gregarious growth of Stropharia in woodchip mulch on asparagus plots. The relative success in asparagus plots supports a need for further research to evaluate other Stropharia-vegetable [or fruit] intercrop candidates and/or strategies to improve compatibility.

Speakers

Olalekan Sipasi

Ph.D. Candidate, Kansas State University

Sipasi Olalekan Ayodele is a Ph.D. Candidate at the Department of Horticulture and Natural Recourses at Kansas State University, ONE Champion 2017, Fellow Thinking School Africa, 2016 Winner of the African Youth Award in Agriculture, a seasoned NYSC SDGs Facilitator, The Future Award... Read More →

Co-authors

Calvin Liu

Kansas State University

Jeremy Cowan

Kansas State University

Thursday September 26, 2024 3:30pm - 3:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Vegetable Crops Management 5

SUBJECT Vegetable Crops

4:00pm HST

American Pomological Society Business Meeting

Thursday September 26, 2024 4:00pm - 5:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Moderator

Ksenija Gasic

Clemson University

Thursday September 26, 2024 4:00pm - 5:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Meetings - Committee/Division/interest Group

SUBJECT APS, Pomology

9:59am HST

Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners 2 (CHMG 2)

Friday September 27, 2024 9:59am - 11:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Evaluating Knowledge Gained from Extension Education Provided in a Citizen-Science Gardening Project - Celina Gomez
Using Citizen Science to Evaluate Cultivar Preferences of Compact Tomato Plants - Michael Fidler
Extension Master Gardeners and Pollinator Research: The Challenges and Benefits - Pam Bennett
Utilizing Facebook and Instagram to Distribute a Residential Horticultural Needs Assessment - Claude Judy Jean
Exploring the Ethical Viewpoints of Proplifiting Among Consumers - Leandria Garrett
Consumer Perceptions of Climate-Smart Products - Abigail Lauterbach
Setting Priorities for Managing Extension Work and Home Life - Esther McGinnis
Predicted Drought Tolerance of Cephalanthus occidentalis L. for Use in Managed Landscapes - John Larsen

Moderator

Esther McGinnis

Extension Horticulturist/Director of the Extension Master Gardener Program, North Dakota State University

I am an Associate Professor within the Department of Plant Sciences and the Director of the NDSU Extension Master Gardener Program.

Friday September 27, 2024 9:59am - 11:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners

SUBJECT Consumer Hort and Master Gardeners

10:00am HST

CHMG 2 - Evaluating Knowledge Gained from Extension Education Provided in a Citizen-Science Gardening Project

Friday September 27, 2024 10:00am - 10:15am HST

South Pacific 1

A citizen-science gardening project was conducted in 2023 with 300 participants from Indiana, Iowa, and Tennessee, who were recruited to compare three cultivars of compact tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants in an 18-week experiment. The study used a pre- and post-test format where participants were asked 15 questions that assessed their confidence levels about pest management, healthy cooking, and safe handling and preservation of home-grown tomatoes. Monthly educational sessions were delivered virtually by Extension faculty at Land-grant institutions from each state, covering the aforementioned topics. The pest-management session was the most popular with 81 live participants and 207 views of the video recording. This was followed by the healthy-cooking session with 67 live participants and 129 views. Participation and views of the last session that focused on safe handling and preservation were lower (58 live participants and 43 views), likely attributed to decreases in engagement throughout the project, or due to relevancy, as not all gardeners engage in produce preservation. At the end of the project, 224 participants completed questions from both surveys enabling an evaluation of knowledge gained. Overall, a positive increase in mean scores was measured across all questions, indicating that participants gained knowledge from the Extension programing provided. The largest knowledge increases were observed for pest-management questions, ranging from 6% to 20%. Most other questions had an increase of 1% to 8%, except those pertaining to knowledge about the use of canning and freezing methods, and food-safety practices for preservation, with 16% and 13% increases, respectively. The largest differences in confidence levels between pre- and post-test responses were found in questions about implementing control strategies for garden pests, using eco-friendly pest management methods, and reducing food waste, for which “very confident” responses changed from 10% to 82%, 14% to 76%, and 11% to 41%, respectively. Similarly, for all three questions, “not very confident” responses decreased from an average of 12% to 0%. However, there was a shift in confidence for a question regarding food-safety practices for preservation, with “very confident” responses decreasing from 57% to 35% and “not very confident” responses increasing from 0.5% to 5%. This suggests participants may have overestimated their knowledge initially. Our findings demonstrate the positive impact of Extension education on gardening-related knowledge and highlight the value of collaboration between university researchers, Extension faculty, and stakeholders as citizen scientists.

Speakers

Celina Gomez

Purdue University

Co-authors

Cynthia Haynes

Iowa State University

Karen Mitchell

Purdue University

Michael Fidler

Purdue University

Natalie Bumgarner

University of Tennessee

Friday September 27, 2024 10:00am - 10:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners 2

SUBJECT Consumer Hort and Master Gardeners

10:15am HST

CHMG 2 - Using Citizen Science to Evaluate Cultivar Preferences of Compact Tomato Plants

Friday September 27, 2024 10:15am - 10:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Citizen science can be used as a research method to evaluate consumer preferences in horticulture. In 2023, 300 participants from Indiana, Iowa, and Tennessee were recruited to grow three cultivars of compact tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants started from seed or as transplants in an 18-week experiment. The cultivars evaluated were Cocoa, Red Robin, and Micro Tom. After completing a pre-experiment survey to characterize demographics and gardening experience levels, participants were provided with a plant kit containing all materials required to complete the experiment. Participant engagement was maintained using a social-media community page, monthly virtual educational sessions, and frequent email communications. At the end of the experiment, 203 participants had completed the post-experiment survey focused on evaluating cultivar and plant-type preferences. Furthermore, three focus group sessions with six random participants each were conducted to further assess survey responses. Cocoa was the preferred cultivar by 41% of participants, followed by Red Robin at 31%. Cultivar preferences of plants started from seed followed the same trend for appearance, fruit number, and fruit taste. However, growth and appearance of ‘Red Robin’ transplants were ranked higher than ‘Cocoa’. Approximately 70% of participants preferred plants started as transplants compared to those from seed, regardless of cultivar. These preferences were attributed to the higher yield, better growth and perceived fruit taste, and lower maintenance required to use transplants. Overall, 69% of participants reported they would be willing to pay between $1.00 to $7.49 more for a transplant of their favorite cultivar compared to currently available tomato plants at local nurseries. Findings from the focus group sessions indicated participants liked the potential gift-use of these compact cultivars, and their versatility to be used in different gardening spaces such as kitchen countertops or windowsills. Results from this study indicate potential consumers value appearance, fruit yield, and fruit taste when selecting compact tomato cultivars, whereas ease of care and plant growth are more important factors when choosing a plant type.

Speakers

Michael Fidler

Purdue University

Co-authors

Celina Gomez

Purdue University

Cynthia Haynes

Iowa State University

Karen Mitchell

Purdue University

Melinda Knuth

North Carolina State University

Natalie Bumgarner

University of Tennessee

Friday September 27, 2024 10:15am - 10:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners 2

SUBJECT Consumer Hort and Master Gardeners

10:30am HST

CHMG 2 - Extension Master Gardeners and Pollinator Research: The Challenges and Benefits

Friday September 27, 2024 10:30am - 10:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) have participated in a variety of citizen science projects providing new knowledge. This knowledge acquisition may not occur without the assistance of EMGs. Research projects that are focused on consumer horticulture challenges are not typically given a high priority by those who financially support scientific research in consumer horticulture. Therefore, researchers turn to EMGs as citizen scientists to assist with consumer horticulture research. In 2022, Ohio State University partnered with the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden, Dawes Arboretum, and Ohio EMGs to evaluate 10 cultivars of native plants to determine if they were attractive to pollinators. EMGs were tapped to monitor the cultivars and collect data on abundance and diversity of species. Thirteen Ohio counties with EMG programs were involved in this research along with the partners. The first year of data collection was a pilot year and the second year was the first year for data analysis. In this session you will learn about the steps involved in this research project as well as the challenges addressed and benefits to both the EMGs and the consumer. You will also learn about the results of the research.

Speakers

Pam Bennett

State Master Gardener Program Director, Professor, Ohio State University

Friday September 27, 2024 10:30am - 10:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners 2

SUBJECT Consumer Hort and Master Gardeners

10:45am HST

CHMG 2 - Utilizing Facebook and Instagram to Distribute a Residential Horticultural Needs Assessment

Friday September 27, 2024 10:45am - 11:00am HST

South Pacific 1

Homeowners and gardeners source their landscape education from various media outlets and social media platforms. Leveraging the substantial following of the UF/IFAS Master Gardener social media page, which boasts over 40,000 followers, presents a unique opportunity to discern the horticultural education needs of homeowners and their preferred dissemination methods. In 2023, a Qualtrics horticultural needs assessment survey was developed and distributed via Facebook and Instagram to followers. Prior to survey distribution, an Institutional Review Board was completed and approved under the non-human/exempt auto-determination tool. The Qualtrics needs assessment comprised twelve questions covering topics such as horticultural interests, availability, and preferred learning platforms. Four visually engaging posts were shared, two each in December 2023 and January 2024. Of these posts, 309 respondents agreed to participate in the study. Our findings aligned with current gardening trends, with homeowners expressing a need for information on native plants, pollinators, vegetable gardening, and invasives. Among respondents, 21% favored online classes over 15% for in-person classes. Additionally, digital documents were preferred by 18% of respondents compared to 14% for print documents. Notably, 20% of respondents expressed a preference for short online videos for receiving horticultural information. Survey participants were also queried on their preferred time of year for attending classes, both in person and online, with no clear preference observed. Regarding in-person classes at local extension offices, 54% indicated willingness to attend, while 11% were unaware of their local extension office's location. When asked about their interactions with Master Gardener Volunteers, 31% reported satisfaction, 12% dissatisfaction, and 48% had not interacted with a Florida Master Gardener Volunteer. Interestingly, 62% of respondents expressed a preference for garden-related content on YouTube. While the response rate was relatively low, it suggests that direct email or in-person approaches might have yielded more productive results. Nonetheless, the findings are compelling, indicating a promising direction for extension programming in the digital age. They underscore the potential benefits of transitioning towards short-form video content and utilizing platforms like YouTube to effectively meet homeowners' horticultural education needs. Overall, the study illuminates the evolving landscape of horticultural education and underscores the importance of adapting dissemination strategies to better engage homeowners in the digital realm.

Speakers

Claude Judith Jean

University of Florida

Friday September 27, 2024 10:45am - 11:00am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners 2

SUBJECT Consumer Hort and Master Gardeners

11:00am HST

CHMG 2 - Exploring the Ethical Viewpoints of Proplifiting Among Consumers

Friday September 27, 2024 11:00am - 11:15am HST

South Pacific 1

In recent years, the trend of owning and propagating houseplants has steadily grown. Consumers find this hobby to be relaxing and find it rewarding when their cuttings successfully grow roots and new leaves. Because of the ease that propagation gives us to clone plants, many people are exploring methods to acquire more plants for free. One common method is through proplifting. Proplifting is the habit of stealing plant material for the practice of creating new plants; this is done through collecting discarded material (leaves, nodes, roots, seed), or by stealing parts of a plant that are still attached. While proplifting appears harmless, it is important to consider all factors, such as how it might affect the business, non-profit, or individual that one is taking this plant material from. Additionally, taking protected plant material – such as from plants that are being grown from conservation efforts – could drastically harm the preservation of a species. This national survey looks at how consumers view the ethics around proplifting and the degree to which they would consider a situation to be ethically acceptable or unacceptable.

Speakers

Leandria Garrett

University of Georgia

Co-authors

Julie Campbell

University of Georgia

Friday September 27, 2024 11:00am - 11:15am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners 2

SUBJECT Consumer Hort and Master Gardeners

11:15am HST

CHMG 2 - Consumer Perceptions of Climate-Smart Products

Friday September 27, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am HST

South Pacific 1

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is a broad term referring to agricultural production methods which aim to increase productivity whilst building resiliency to the threats associated with climate change and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Examples include cover cropping, conservation tillage, agroforestry, and any other methods which support climate change adaptation and mitigation. A critical yet still understudied component of the advancement of CSA lies in understanding how consumers perceive and interact with climate-smart commodities, and with nearly two-thirds (65%) of Americans believing that climate change is a global emergency, a need to investigate what qualities they attribute to “climate-smart” commodities became clear. This study investigates the perceptions of “climate-smart” commodities amongst American consumers through a national survey with consideration of demographic impacts on definitions. Survey questions investigated if consumers were familiar with CSA, what production qualities they perceived as “climate-smart,” and if they were interested in climate-smart commodities. Questions about production methods were categorized into the three main pillars of CSA set forth by the FAO: adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable intensification. The implications for far-reaching climate-smart food policies, marketing/promotional decisions, and sustainability education efforts for Americans are discussed.

Speakers

Abigail Lauterbach

The University of Georgia

Co-authors

Julie Campbell

University of Georgia

Friday September 27, 2024 11:15am - 11:30am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners 2

SUBJECT Consumer Hort and Master Gardeners

11:30am HST

CHMG 2 - Setting Priorities for Managing Extension Work and Home Life

Friday September 27, 2024 11:30am - 11:45am HST

South Pacific 1

Extension careers are uniquely challenging for work/life balance. Extension professionals frequently work with stakeholders outside the university and spend a significant amount of time traveling to give presentations and build relationships. In consumer horticulture, an added stress is that most educational programming is scheduled for evenings and weekends. Overflowing email inboxes further compound the stress. High rates of exhaustion and burnout have been documented in Extension professionals. The problem is one of high demand and limited resources. Extension professionals are expected to navigate the problem of scarce resources by individually setting priorities and saying no to low impact requests. A new prioritization method will be introduced that is based upon real estate appraisal law. The highest and best use analysis can be adapted for setting priorities for the busy Extension professional regardless of career stage. This session will emphasize amending position descriptions to articulate clear boundaries, setting aside time to be physically and mentally rested, and prioritizing high impact projects. The highest and best use analysis is meant to be customized for each individual and takes into account unique traits such as introversion/extroversion, age, and topic expertise.

Speakers

Esther McGinnis

Extension Horticulturist/Director of the Extension Master Gardener Program, North Dakota State University

I am an Associate Professor within the Department of Plant Sciences and the Director of the NDSU Extension Master Gardener Program.

Friday September 27, 2024 11:30am - 11:45am HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners 2

SUBJECT Consumer Hort and Master Gardeners

11:45am HST

CHMG 2 - Predicted Drought Tolerance of Cephalanthus occidentalis L. for Use in Managed Landscapes

Friday September 27, 2024 11:45am - 12:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a valuable landscape shrub revered for its prominent white, globe-shaped blooms which can later develop into brilliant red aggregate fruits. This North American native shrub occurs almost exclusively in riparian habitats, typically in standing water in the wild, but it is curiously adaptable to a range of landscape conditions in cultivation. Because this species appears to perform well when grown using average soil-moisture conditions, we questioned where the limits of drought tolerance occur for this riparian-adapted species. The objective of this study was to evaluate USDA-GRIN germplasm of buttonbush to compare unique provenances representing different regions of the native range of the taxon to generate a relative scale of predicted drought tolerance for the species. Utilizing vapor pressure osmometry, this study examined seasonal osmotic adjustment and predicted leaf water potential at the turgor loss point (ᴪpo) among ten Cephalanthus occidentalis populations grown at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. All populations evaluated demonstrated a minor ability to osmotically adjust (Δᴪ𝝿100) throughout the growing season. NA 79917 exhibited the most osmotic adjustment (-0.22 MPa) whereas NA 61271 exhibited the least (-0.08 MPa). Estimated spring ᴪpo and summer ᴪpo across populations was -1.75 MPa and -1.91 MPa, respectively. NA 79705 exhibited the highest ᴪpo in both spring (-1.56 MPa) and summer (-1.68 MPa). NA 82190 exhibited the lowest ᴪpo in spring (-1.92 MPa ), whereas NA 73814 exhibited the lowest in summer (-2.17 MPa). These data indicate that drought tolerance in buttonbush varies across populations, suggesting that this trait can be improved in landscape selections through selective breeding efforts.

Speakers

John Larsen

Graduate Student, University of Minnesota

John works with winter hardy landscape plants, with a special emphasis on Salix pellita (Satiny Willow). A major interest of John's is looking at the horticultural potential of certain native flora, hoping this could lead to new means of conservation for Minnesota's threatened sp... Read More →

Co-authors

Brandon Miller

University of Minnesota

Kim Shearer

The Morton Arboretum

Friday September 27, 2024 11:45am - 12:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Nursery Crops 2

SUBJECT Nursery Crops

11:59am HST

Human Issues in Horticulture (HIH)

Friday September 27, 2024 11:59am - 1:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Therapeutic Horticulture and Chronic Lower Back Pain: A Pilot Study at the University of Florida - Elizabeth Diehl
Integrating Developmentally Disabled Individuals Into the Oklahoma Green Industry Workforce - Mike Schnelle
The Effect of a Plant Distribution and Care Program on First-Year University Student Retention, Levels of Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Loneliness - Srinivas Reddy Adama
Evaluating the Needs and Barriers of Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers in Southwest Puerto Rico: A Qualitative Approach - Angela Linares Ramirez
Soilborne Disease, Plant-parasitic Nematode, Insect Pest, and Weed Challenges Faced by High Tunnel Growers and Preferred Strategies to Overcome Those Challenges: Preliminary Results from a Kentucky Farmer Survey - Margarita Velandia
Gauging 8th Graders’ Knowledge of Organic Agriculture Production and Labeling Practices - Christine Coker

Speakers

Elizabeth Diehl

Director of Therapeutic Horticulture, University of Florida

The mission of the University of Florida’s Therapeutic Horticulture Program at Wilmot Botanical Gardens is to improve lives through engaging with plants and nature. The program is situated at the nexus of the gardens’ commitment to patient care, education, and research, drawing... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 11:59am - 1:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Human Issues in Horticulture

SUBJECT Human Issues

12:00pm HST

HIH - Therapeutic Horticulture and Chronic Lower Back Pain: A Pilot Study at the University of Florida

Friday September 27, 2024 12:00pm - 12:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

The specific aims of this pilot study were to 1) determine if and which patients, receiving care for chronic lower back pain (LBP) in the UF Health Comprehensive Spine Center, were interested in therapeutic horticulture to manage LBP, and 2) quantify changes in LBP, functional tasks, and anxiety upon completion of a therapeutic horticulture session. The study hypothesis was that individuals participating in the therapeutic horticulture intervention would demonstrate improvements in spine mobility and physical function as well as a reduction in spine pain severity from pre- to post-session. This was a two-part study with a mixed methods design including cross-sectional survey and pilot experimental components. Results revealed that 68% of patients were interested in learning about therapeutic horticulture for LBP. Among those patients who participated in the intervention, improvements were observed in anxiety, spine flexion, and spine rotation to the left.

Speakers

Elizabeth Diehl

Director of Therapeutic Horticulture, University of Florida

Friday September 27, 2024 12:00pm - 12:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Human Issues in Horticulture

SUBJECT Human Issues

12:15pm HST

HIH - Integrating Developmentally Disabled Individuals Into the Oklahoma Green Industry Workforce

Friday September 27, 2024 12:15pm - 12:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Horticulturists throughout the State of Oklahoma have a long history of interacting, mentoring, and often employing individuals with developmental disabilities. Young adults seeking vocational training in western Oklahoma have access to the Center of Family Love, Okarche, OK, whereas individuals and their families enjoy similar training opportunities in eastern Oklahoma utilizing services and programs offered by A New Leaf, Tulsa, OK metropolitan area. While not an exhaustive list of Oklahoma organizations that offer horticultural therapy and employment opportunities for the developmentally disabled, the two aforementioned businesses have a multidecade track record of successfully matching individuals' talents and skills with specific horticultural-type employment. Not only do clients/workers have opportunities to learn more about growing and marketing both ornamental and edible crops, but they also earn wages while being mainstreamed with the “growing public”. An overview of the genesis of these operations and how they have evolved over time will be highlighted. Lastly, examples will be outlined regarding how workers provide a learning opportunity for their clientele (consumers). Specifically, the public is exposed to and thus recognizes often overlooked value in people that have been wrongfully labeled and assumed not capable of commercial horticultural work activities/tasks, successful interaction with the public, and ultimately the ability to often acquire independent living skills.

Speakers

Mike Schnelle

Oklahoma State University

Friday September 27, 2024 12:15pm - 12:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Human Issues in Horticulture

SUBJECT Human Issues

12:30pm HST

HIH - The Effect of a Plant Distribution and Care Program on First-Year University Student Retention, Levels of Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Loneliness

Friday September 27, 2024 12:30pm - 12:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

The retention and recruitment of freshmen students transitioning to higher education or transferring to new institutions represent significant challenges for universities nationwide. Research underscores the mental health challenges encountered by students upon entering higher education, highlighting the necessity for effective resolution strategies. This study aimed to assess the impact of a plant distribution and care program on first-year university student retention, as well as levels of depression, stress, anxiety, and loneliness. The study employed a treatment and control group, both of which underwent pretest and posttest assessments using the DASS-21 and UCLA Loneliness scale, along with demographic information and prior experiences with mental health issues and plants. Recruitment for both groups was conducted through convenience sampling across university students. The treatment group participated in an 8-week program where they received designated plants and were instructed to care for them within their dormitories using plant care tips provided through an online platform. Additionally, they engaged in greenhouse activities. Conversely, the control group underwent pretest and posttest assessments at the same intervals as the treatment group, without any intervention. Results revealed a significant improvement in mental health among participants in the treatment group, despite data collection coinciding with final semester exams. Conversely, the control group exhibited no discernible differences between pretest and posttest assessments. These findings suggest that houseplants may serve as a viable means to mitigate stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness among incoming university students.

Speakers

Srinivas Reddy Adama

Graduate Instructional Assistant, Texas State University

Co-authors

Tina Waliczek Cade

Texas State University

Friday September 27, 2024 12:30pm - 12:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Human Issues in Horticulture

SUBJECT Human Issues

12:45pm HST

HIH - Evaluating the Needs and Barriers of Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers in Southwest Puerto Rico: A Qualitative Approach

Friday September 27, 2024 12:45pm - 1:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the gross value of sales of fruits and vegetables produced in Puerto Rico totaled $52,127,495. Over 60% of these sales were generated in the island’s two main fruit and vegetable-producing regions, namely $25,351,987 in Region 4-Ponce and $7,948,690 in Region 8-San Germán (Census of Agriculture, 2017). This study examined the needs, barriers, and sources of information used by farmers in those regions. We employed a multiple-case research design and conducted in-depth interviews with 15 growers with diverse backgrounds and experiences (e.g., members of agricultural cooperatives, beginning farmers with four years of operation, smallholder farmers with less than 10 acres, farmers with large operations exceeding 250 acres, women-led farms, and farms with different production systems, such as conventional, certified organic, and agroecology). The Theory of Planned Behavior informed the interview protocol to capture attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control affecting farmers’ intentions to continue producing fruit and vegetables in the short and long term. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (UF-IRB: 202102464/ UPRM-IRB: 2023010008), and informed consent was obtained from all participants. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Our preliminary results indicate that the main barriers include issues related to (i) climate variability, (ii) labor, and (iii) market pricing and commercialization. Growers particularly emphasized experiencing crop damage, yield reductions, and sales losses due to climate shocks such as erratic weather patterns, drought, extreme heat, and an increase in the prevalence and severity of insect pests. Concerning labor, growers reported challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified and skilled workers, citing the high cost and administrative burden associated with the H-2A temporary agricultural workers program. Farmers, regardless of scale or production system, expressed difficulties due to recurrent oversupply of similar crops in the market, leading to the acceptance of lower prices. Additionally, growers highlighted issues related to the reliability, efficiency, and lack of distribution channels. Regarding sustainability in their production systems, most participants expressed a need for more information and dissemination of sustainable pest management practices. Notably, farmers’ most frequently utilized sources of information included videos, technical bulletins, and blogs available on the web. Our findings offer valuable insights for designing future outreach programs, developing research priorities, and formulating funding initiatives, with a specific focus on enhancing fruit and vegetable production systems in Puerto Rico.

Speakers

Angela Linares Ramirez

Professor, University of Puerto Rico

Friday September 27, 2024 12:45pm - 1:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Human Issues in Horticulture

SUBJECT Human Issues

1:00pm HST

HIH - Soilborne Disease, Plant-parasitic Nematode, Insect Pest, and Weed Challenges Faced by High Tunnel Growers and Preferred Strategies to Overcome Those Challenges: Preliminary Results from a Kentucky Farmer Survey

Friday September 27, 2024 1:00pm - 1:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

Small farms in Kentucky use high tunnels (HTs) to help increase farm profitability and resilience and give them the ability to extend their growing season for year-round production of high-value specialty crops. Although HTs are semi-permanent structures, many are never moved due to land constraints, the time and labor required to move them, and because corner posts are often cemented into the ground to secure the structure from weather events. The continuous cropping in non-rotated soil can intensify pathogen, insect pest, and weed population densities. The multiple benefits of HTs may be reduced or disappear when soilborne pest pressure increases. We conducted a survey of Kentucky vegetable growers between January and March 2024 to assess production challenges faced when growing vegetables in high tunnels, specifically those related to soilborne diseases, plant-parasitic nematodes, insect pests, and weeds, and the preferred strategies to manage those challenges. We had a particular interest in assessing farmers' use or willingness to use soil solarization as a strategy to manage these issues in high tunnels. Farmers were surveyed using both web-based and mail versions of the survey. We targeted producers growing high-valued crops in their high tunnels, specifically tomato, lettuce, and leafy greens. Preliminary results suggest that common soilborne diseases faced by survey respondents include Sclerotinia spp. A large percentage of respondents indicated they have not had or they do not know if they have soilborne diseases or plant-parasitic nematodes. Regarding insect pests, the most common pests faced by survey respondents are aphids and whiteflies. Finally, common weed problems faced by survey respondents include pigweed, crabgrass, and chickweed. Common strategies used by respondents to address these problems include fungicides, insecticides, and hand weeding. Regarding soil solarization, only a small percentage of respondents are using or have used soil solarization. Nonetheless, more than 75% of those respondents who are not using or have not used soil solarization are willing to use soil solarization. The two most important reasons for wanting to use soil solarization include interest in using more environmentally friendly practices and the belief that soil solarization might be cheaper and more effective in managing weeds, insect pests, diseases and /or plant-parasitic nematodes in high tunnels.

Speakers

Margarita Velandia

The University of Tennessee

Co-authors

Annette Wszelaki

The University of Tennessee

Rachel Rudolph

University of Kentucky

Susan Schexnayder

The University of Tennessee

Friday September 27, 2024 1:00pm - 1:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Human Issues in Horticulture

SUBJECT Human Issues

1:15pm HST

HIH - Gauging 8th Graders’ Knowledge of Organic Agriculture Production and Labeling Practices

Friday September 27, 2024 1:15pm - 1:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Pathways2Possibilities (P2P) is an interactive career expo for 8th graders in Mississippi. P2P encompasses 19 career pathways. The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Pathway focuses on supporting life by ensuring that we are responsibly managing our food production and natural resources. This pathway focuses on preparing students for careers in planning, implementing, producing, managing, processing and marketing of agricultural goods and services. Gulf Coast P2P hosted nearly 7,000 8th graders from 10 Coastal counties in the fall of 2023. from 10 South Mississippi counties. Delta P2P hosted nearly 2,000 8th graders from 10 Delta counties in the spring of 2024. At each event, a six question survey was presented to the students to determine their knowledge of organic agriculture and labeling practices. Questions were posed as Yes or No and were answered by Red (no) or Blue (yes) tickets in opaque boxes. Students were given temporary fruit and vegetable tattoos for participating. The six questions and respective YES responses (by location GC for Gulf Coast and D for Delta) were as follows: 1) Are genetically modified organisms allowed in organic products? GC: 31%, D: 48%; 2) Are organic farmers allowed to use natural methods for pest control? GC: 92%, D: 65%; 3) Are organic farms typically smaller than conventional farms? GC: 63%, D: 65%; 4) Is organic farming regulated by the U.S. government to ensure organic food labels accurately represent the product’s authenticity? GC: 63%, D: 58%; 5) Are organic products labeled with a special certification to help consumers identify them in stores? GC: 81%, D: 79%; and 6) Do certifies organic products have to be produced on a certified organic farm? GC: 53%, D: 62%. Nearly 600 students participated in the Gulf Coast survey and approximately 400 students participated in the Delta survey. Results are mixed as to how much knowledge students have about organic agriculture production and labeling.

Speakers

Christine Coker

Professor or Urban Horticulture, Mississippi State University

Co-authors

Brenton Breland

Mississippi State University

Haley Williams

Mississippi State University

Jenny Ryals

Mississippi State University

Mike Ely

Mississippi State University

Patricia Knight

Mississippi State University

Friday September 27, 2024 1:15pm - 1:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Human Issues in Horticulture

SUBJECT Human Issues

1:30pm HST

HIH - Growing Impact: Evaluating Global Investments in Fruit and Vegetable Production for Healthier Diets

Friday September 27, 2024 1:30pm - 1:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Objective: The Horticulture Investment Study seeks to quantify and qualify public and private investments, alongside identifying challenges and opportunities in horticultural research and development, aimed at facilitating high-level policy engagement. This research is led by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, in collaboration with the World Vegetable Center, the One CGIAR Initiative on Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH), and various university partners. Background: Despite widespread recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable consumption—endorsed by 93% of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines—significant barriers remain. These include limited access, high costs, and entrenched dietary preferences, alongside inadequate global production that disproportionately impacts low-income and Global South populations. Addressing these issues is vital for enhancing nutrition and income, particularly through the empowerment of small-scale farmers in the Global South, where fruits and vegetables often represent women-managed crops. Methods: This study spans several countries including Cambodia, Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Benin, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Guatemala, USA, and Germany. It employs a mixed-methods approach, beginning with a Delphi questionnaire distributed among key stakeholders from government, academia, international NGOs, and the private sector. Subsequent in-person workshops facilitate discussions on investment estimates and the dynamics of horticultural investments in each country. The inaugural workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, gathered 18 local experts who provided critical investment insights and validated the use of Delphi and Q methodologies for this study. Impact: The study aims to illuminate the economic and social impacts of investing in fruit and vegetable production, focusing on enhancing accessibility and affordability. It also addresses environmental considerations such as land use, aiming to support sustainable agricultural practices. By bridging gaps in horticultural investment, the study intends to foster supportive environments that enhance fruit and vegetable production and consumption, thus contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. Conclusion: This study underscores the critical need for enhanced investment in horticulture to overcome systemic barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption, thereby improving global health and economic outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations in the Global South. The outcomes are expected to guide policy decisions and stimulate further research and development in the horticulture sector.

Speakers

Erin McGuire

Director, University of California, Davis

Friday September 27, 2024 1:30pm - 1:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Human Issues in Horticulture

SUBJECT Human Issues

1:59pm HST

Local Food Systems (LOCSY)

Friday September 27, 2024 1:59pm - 3:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

Sustainable Small Plot Farming and Entrepreneurship Training Program - Alexis Howard
Edible Weeds for Sustainable Food Systems: Pilot studies with emphasis on purslane - Roland Ebel
Louisiana Harvest of the Month – Promoting Local Food and Food Literacy - Carl Motsenbocker
Enhancing Food Security and Sovereignty: A Case Study of the University of Connecticut Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program - Shuresh Ghimire
Response of Leafy Edibles Grown on an Extensive Greenroof Compared to Conventional Field Production - Kaitlyn M Lamaster
Diverse Internships as an Opportunity to Engage Underrepresented Students Into Local Food Systems - Angel Cruz
Food Policy and Food Security - Sophia Darrow
Sustainable Small Plot Farming and Entrepreneurship Training Program -Alexis Howard

Moderator

Angel Cruz

North Carolina State University

Research Scholar at NC State University

Friday September 27, 2024 1:59pm - 3:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral Sessions, Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

2:00pm HST

LOCSY - Edible Weeds for Sustainable Food Systems: Pilot studies with emphasis on purslane

Friday September 27, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

An interdisciplinary team at Montana State University (MSU) has initiated a project to evaluate the cultivation, commercialization, processing, and food use of the associated plant agrobiodiversity, or “edible weeds.” The project involves different food system stakeholders and targets underutilized/neglected edible plant species on local farms. In four pilot studies in Montana, conducted in 2023, we emphasized common purslane (Portulaca oleracea) as a model edible weed due to its abundance in local horticultural systems, its relatively limited competition with crops, and rich data on nutritional properties. Annual common purslane exhibits a versatile habitat range, including gardens, crop fields, and orchards. The hermaphroditic plant is self-fertile, flowers from June to September, thrives in well-drained soils, and requires direct sunlight. While considered a weed across the US, purslane is cultivated in diverse countries due to its culinary and medicinal attributes. Stems and leaves are consumed raw and cooked, in salads, sauces, or soups. Purslane also serves as a thickening agent due to mucilaginous properties. The succulent leaves are abundant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. In our first study, we monitored edible weeds on 3 farms in Bozeman, Montana. Purslane exhibited its highest occurrence in emerging carrot crops and on freshly tilled beds. In our second study, we sampled 35 weed species on 7 vegetable farms across Montana. Purslane had a relative abundance of 6.52% and was found in kale, onions, carrots, and bean plots. In our third study, we conducted a sensory test among attendees of the MSU Presidential Luncheon. We presented 3 purslane products: compound herb butter, cornbread muffin, and blueberry compote. 42 attendees responded to an online survey on their overall quality, flavor, and texture. All products were perceived positively with a rate of 7.5 to 7.7 on a Likert-scale from 1 (dislike extremely) to 9 (like extremely). 52% of participants had never thought about eating edible weeds. Finally, for 2 days, a Mexican restaurant in Bozeman, offered 2 traditional dishes, purslane with pork in green salsa and chicken in red salsa. Participants responded to an online and paper survey with a questionnaire similar to the one for the luncheon. Out of 53 validated responses, dishes were assessed with an average of 8.17 (chicken) and 8.53 (pork) on a 1-9 Likert-scale. Over 90% of respondents considered purslane an appropriate vegetable for these dishes. Our findings indicate potential of selectively weeding purslane from vegetable production systems and consumer interest in the vegetable.

Speakers

Roland Ebel

Assistant Professor, Montana State University

Roland Ebel has a Ph.D. in Organic Farming, granted by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. His dissertation project on the diversification if organic tomato systems was conducted in Gran Canaria, Spain. From 2008 to 2014, Dr. Ebel was a member of the Agroecology... Read More →

Co-authors

Emma Kubinski

Montana State University

Fabian Menalled

Montana State University

Wan-Yuan Kuo

Montana State University

Friday September 27, 2024 2:00pm - 2:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

2:15pm HST

LOCSY - Louisiana Harvest of the Month – Promoting Local Food and Food Literacy

Friday September 27, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

The Louisiana Harvest of the Month (HOM) is program that is intended to introduce locally grown food such as fruit and vegetables one time per month to schools. The program started as a pilot program in 2015 in three schools in Louisiana and expanded statewide in 2017. The HOM program is currently in 720 schools around the state and is also used by other programs such as Louisiana 4H. The HOM program highlights a local food item designated by schools with monthly materials such as HOM posters, activity sheets, coloring pages, recipes, sample newsletters, taste test guide and “I tried it stickers,” classroom activities and lessons linked to state standards, all available free of charge. There are 21 HOM items currently available to participants with a majority of the HOM items locally available fruits and vegetables, along with rice, and several proteins (crawfish, catfish, shrimp). The newest additions to the HOM portfolio of resources are short (12 to 14 minute) videos produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting that are targeted to elementary school children. The videos highlight farmers and fishers on location for each HOM and also provide a section in the use of the local product in the kitchen and demonstrate recipes. There are currently 18 HOM videos and their popularity is demonstrated by some having been accessed over ten thousand times on YouTube and Facebook. Data from the HOM program will be presented including data on the use of the program and program analytics.

Speakers

Carl Motsenbocker

Professor, Executive Director Louisiana Farm to School Program, Louisiana State University

Dr. Carl Motsenbocker is a professor of horticulture and sustainable agriculture at Louisiana State University. Motsenbocker is Executive Director of the Louisiana Farm to School Program and teaches Organic Gardening, Sustainable Agriculture and Vegetable Crops at LSU. Motsenbocker... Read More →

Co-authors

Celeste H. Finney

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center

Crystal Besse

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center

Jacey A. Wesley

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center

Tyne Bankester

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center

Friday September 27, 2024 2:15pm - 2:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

2:30pm HST

LOCSY - Enhancing Food Security and Sovereignty: A Case Study of the University of Connecticut Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program

Friday September 27, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

The development of the University of Connecticut (UConn) Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) was a response to the need to enhance food security and sovereignty within the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN), while also reducing rates of obesity and Type II diabetes as the Tribal community faced food insecurity, alongside alarming rates of health disparities compared to their white counterparts. The program aimed to bolster agricultural capacity on Tribal lands, provide workforce development for Tribal members, and deliver health and nutrition education. Through extensive consultations with Tribal leaders and members, UConn FRTEP tailored programs in agriculture, workforce development, youth engagement, and health education. Since the initiation of the program in 2017 to 2023, Extension educators provided comprehensive training on vegetable and fruit production, integrated pest management, and business planning. Additionally, nutrition workshops, fitness classes, and virtual cooking sessions were conducted, fostering community engagement. Tribal youths engaged in educational activities and field trips designed to enhance agricultural literacy and healthy eating behaviors. To ensure sustainability, youths also participated in “train the trainer” opportunities. Project evaluations included resource inventories, focus groups, and pre/post-program surveys to measure immediate outcomes as well as broader impacts and community perceptions. The establishment of a farm that included hydroponic greenhouses, shipping-container farming, in addition to growing an array of vegetables and fruits on 5 acres by 2023 improved food security and sovereignty within MPTN. The farm produced tomatoes, lettuce, summer squash, winter squash, cucumbers, watermelon, chard, broccoli, potatoes, beans, herbs, and strawberries, supporting food distribution programs reaching 15% (180 members) of the Tribal population in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, in the same period, 30 diabetic patients received prescribed fresh produce from the farm. After completing nutritional education lessons (seven 1-hour long) in 2022, survey results indicated notable improvements among youth participants (n = 17): 60% showed enhanced ability in identifying active children, 50% improved recognition of fruits and dairy foods, and 44% exhibited better proficiency in identifying healthy snacks. Overall, the health of the tribal members improved through the consumption of fresh nutritious food, an increase in the number of tribal members practicing healthy eating habits, and exercise learned through training. The success of the project led to the creation of the MPTN Department of Agriculture. UConn FRTEP significantly strengthened university-tribal relations, exemplifying fruitful collaboration, boosting food security, economics, and health. This model partnership promotes sustainable development, empowering Indigenous communities, fostering resilience, and self-reliance.

Speakers

Shuresh Ghimire

University of Connecticut

Co-authors

Erica Benvenuti

University of Connecticut

Joseph Bonelli

University of Connecticut

Michael Puglisi

University of Connecticut

Robert Ricard

University of Connecticut

Sara Tomis

University of Connecticut

Friday September 27, 2024 2:30pm - 2:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

2:45pm HST

LOCSY - Response of Leafy Edibles Grown on an Extensive Greenroof Compared to Conventional Field Production

Friday September 27, 2024 2:45pm - 3:00pm HST

South Pacific 1

Urban green roof (GR) agriculture provides an alternative growing space to supply fresh produce and herbs to local markets or restaurants, which can also help to address food security concerns in cities, by providing nutritional produce in urban and often underserved locations. Although many vegetables can be grown on extensive GRs, few studies have evaluated the performance of edibles grown on green roof environments to those grown under typical field conditions. Unlike traditional agriculture, plants on extensive GRs are grown in a shallow engineered soil to reduce the weight load on the roof. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in 2023 on the Southern Illinois University – Carbondale Agriculture building extensive green roof and at the Horticulture Research Center. This experiment evaluated ‘Dazzling Blue’ and ‘Red Russian' Kale [Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group)], and ‘Green Wave’ Mustard (Brassica juncea) productivity in both an extensive green roof environment and open field conditions. Similar cultural practices were followed regarding plant spacing, fertilizer and water management in both systems. The experiment was setup as a CRD with two treatment locations evaluating three edible green varieties with four replications. Results indicated a significant yield cost for these leafy edibles when gown on the greenroof compared to the conventional field environment. Fresh weight of ‘Dazzling Blue’ and ‘Red Russian Kale were reduced by 85% and 80% when grown in the GR environment, respectively, while that for ‘Green Wave’ Mustard was decreased by 70%. Data for other growth variables, such as plant height and vigor, leaf count, and dry weight were also generally reduced in an extensive GR environment and will be presented and discussed further. Although our research indicates that extensive GRs do not provide similar yields for leafy green edibles as conventional field production, this alternative urban space used to grow fresh food for an urban community may more than make up for the loss in yield due to the various significant positive impacts that GRs can provide.

Speakers

Kaitlyn Lamaster

Horticulture Instructor, Southern Illinois University

Co-authors

Alan Walters

Southern Illinois University

Hunter M Christenson

Southern Illinois University

Friday September 27, 2024 2:45pm - 3:00pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

3:00pm HST

LOCSY - Diverse Internships as an Opportunity to Engage Underrepresented Students Into Local Food Systems

Friday September 27, 2024 3:00pm - 3:15pm HST

South Pacific 1

Climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degradation are complex food system challenges that require innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to agricultural research and education. In addition to attracting and training more students to food system and agricultural careers, there is a critical need for targeted recruitment of under-represented groups. To meet the demand for skilled professionals and increase minority participation in the agricultural workforce, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) has been developing new internship programs that reflect the changing career paths, as well as diverse interests and needs of students. Over the past five years, CEFS has strategically redesigned and expanded our student internship opportunities. In 2023, CEFS hosted 5 different student internship programs with 37 students with opportunities that ranged from summer research intensives to remote year round opportunities where students worked with food based community nonprofits. Key aspects of all of our internship programs include paid work opportunities, experiential learning, mentorship, professional development opportunities and cohort based learning. All student participants participated in pre- and post tests designed to collect program evaluation, participant knowledge and skills gains, as well as participants' intended career choices. Over the past three years, more than 50% of all program participants were from underrepresented minority groups. Additionally, 54% of interns reported that program participation led to a career pursuit in agriculture or food systems. Short term follow up studies to date show the majority of participants are either working in agriculture or food systems or completing additional studies in a related field. By engaging these diverse undergraduate students in hands-on, agriculture and food system research and extension opportunities while providing structured professional development training, we have increased underrepresented student interest and capacity to pursue careers in agriculture and food systems.

Speakers

Angel Cruz

North Carolina State University

Research Scholar at NC State University

Co-authors

Sara Kidd

North Carolina State University

Friday September 27, 2024 3:00pm - 3:15pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

3:15pm HST

LOCSY - Food Policy and Food Security

Friday September 27, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm HST

South Pacific 1

Food policy and food security are two areas crucial to the success and health of many around the world. They take the commitment, hard work, and perseverance of many stakeholders from producer to consumer to legislation. Furthermore, as the population of the world continues to expand, an increase in production does not necessarily correlate to increased accessibility to healthy quality produce, building or support of local food systems or communities. Although methods can be implemented on a small community level, there are many opportunities to create more hospitable environments for horticultural production in Oklahoma. This leads to the current project to evaluate the state of the state’s food policy and plans for food security in hopes of providing strategies to best advise legislation and to ease barriers local producers experience through their advocacy. Additionally, as extenuating factors play into food security, it is important to factor in other areas of concern in policy and available resources, such as economics and regional factors. This presentation follows the research and analysis of the master’s project. Food policy is essential in supporting local producers, whether through resources, addressing barriers, or creating a pro-agricultural environment. Food policy also lead into many additional factors such as accessibility, especially for underserved populations, and the creation of healthier, more aware, and sustainable communities.

Speakers

Sophia Darrow

Oklahoma State University

Co-authors

Justin Moss

Oklahoma State University

Friday September 27, 2024 3:15pm - 3:30pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems

3:30pm HST

LOCSY - Sustainable Small Plot Farming and Entrepreneurship Training Program

Friday September 27, 2024 3:30pm - 3:45pm HST

South Pacific 1

In response to growing concerns of food insecurity within our communities in the big bend region of Florida, Tallahassee State College in partnership with the City of Tallahassee established a training program to empower emerging farmers. This innovative program equips participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to efficiently and sustainably cultivate fruits and vegetables using organic and permaculture practices. The primary aim is to enable individuals to utilize small plots of land effectively, thereby fostering self-sufficiency and contributing to the local food community. The program was conceived as a direct countermeasure to the challenges of food scarcity and the underutilization of available land for food production. By focusing on small-scale, sustainable farming, the initiative seeks to transform even limited spaces into productive market gardens. This approach not only addresses immediate food production needs but also promotes long-term environmental stewardship through sustainable agricultural practices. A distinctive feature of the program is its partnership with local farms, which provides a practical, hands-on learning environment for participants. These collaborations are vital for the integration of theoretical knowledge with real-world farming experiences, enhancing the learning process. Historically, the program supported learners through paid apprenticeships, allowing them to earn while they learn. Since its launch, various sponsors have funded the program, offering scholarships that eliminate cost barriers. Presently, it’s supported by a USDA AFRI Agricultural Workforce Training grant, which includes equipment stipends and industry-recognized certifications. These additions aim to further support and broaden the participants' success in the agricultural sector. The certifications serve as a formal acknowledgment of their technical proficiency and a steppingstone towards further career opportunities in agriculture. Through its comprehensive curriculum, this program not only teaches participants how to grow food but also instills entrepreneurial skills necessary for starting and managing a market garden. This dual focus ensures that graduates are well-prepared to either enter the agriculture industry or start their own farming ventures. Ultimately, this program strives to create a network of skilled, knowledgeable farmers who are capable of contributing to their communities by increasing local food production and enhancing food security. By doing so, it supports not only the participants and their families but also enriches the broader local food ecosystem. The ongoing success of the program underscores its significance as a vital educational resource in the fight against food insecurity through sustainable agriculture.

Speakers

Alexis Howard

Insturction and Project Coordinator, Tallahassee State College

Alexis is an environmental professional with a focus on agriculture education and entrepreneurship training. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the Florida State University (FSU), Alexis acquired a job as a Program Assistant at Tallahassee... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 3:30pm - 3:45pm HST
South Pacific 1

Oral presentation (Individual talk), Local Food Systems

SUBJECT Local Food Systems