Location: Southern Horticultural Research Unit
Project Number: 6062-30500-001-010-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 22, 2025
End Date: Sep 21, 2028
Objective:
The overall objective is to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the regional nursery industry in the U.S. by removing entomological, pathological, and cultural barriers to efficient, sustainable production of woody ornamental nursery crops. Specifically, we will investigate the biology, ecology, and behavioural traits of ornamental pests, such as flathead borers, ambrosia beetles, and associates to improve management recommendations. Additionally, this project investigates lower risk products and techniques for managing ornamental pests as well as evaluating insecticide efficacy in alternative substrates for container grown nursery crops, and chemical and non-chemical weed management practices for nursery crop production and propagation. Also, under evaluation for disease efficacy trials are conventional chemical and biorational products for controlling soil-borne pathogens using different application methods, intervals, and reduced-rate applications in woody ornamentals. The project aims to further develop improved root disease management strategies based on cultural approaches for suppression of Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora spp., and other soil-borne pathogens. Additionally, techniques will be developed to use precision agriculture technologies (AI augmented image analysis) to facilitate early detection of disease and insect infestations in nursery production to permit early mitigation strategies.
Approach:
Research will be performed that improves management of trunk-attacking wood borers in commercial nurseries by developing treatments that lower producer costs, improve treatment efficacy, are safer for farm labor, and enhance sustainability while still integrating into existing production systems.