Executives weigh in on presidential choices
While people in TX, OH, VT and RI vote today in presidential primaries, corporate executives have already voiced their opinions that the next president should run the country like a business. In a survey of 500 U.S. executives by global human resources company Development Dimensions Int'l., the top responses regarding the key attributes the U.S. president should have to be successful are: courage to make major changes (51%), ability to make things happen (41%) and skills to develop a strong leadership team (32%). Respondents rated entrepreneurship, executive presence and learning orientation as least important. As important as they consider leadership to be for a president, executives still said they would vote on candidates' positions on issues (60%) before leadership traits and abilities (28%).

OHP sets up PGR trials in California
OHP Inc., in cooperation with American Takii in Salinas, Calif., has set up a number of plant growth regulator trials at the upcoming Calif. pack trials, March 31-April 3, and will share the results with attendees. OHP sr. tech. mgr. Dave Barcel will show the effects of PGRs alone or in combinations on various crops. The PGR trials focus on Cycocel, B-Nine and Paczol. Barcel will be on hand to answer questions and provide trial details. Some of the newest OHP publications, including the Prescription Disease Solutions PDSx, Prescription Growth Solutions PGSx, OHP Chemical Class Chart and OHP Quick Reference Product Guide, will be available.

Natural compound controls fungi
New fungicides isolated from natural sources hold potential for effective disease control. Scientists at Univ. of Southern Miss. and USDA-ARS compared the effect of sampangine, a natural product-based fungicide, to the effect of 7 commercial fungicides. 5 fungal pathogens (Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae, C. gloeosporioides and Fusarium oxysporum) were treated with the natural product-based and commercial fungicides. The effect of the fungicides was measured on spore germination and on subsequent mycelial growth. Sampangine performed as well as the commercial products on 4 of the 5 fungi. Further evaluation is planned.

Seeley Conference to examine profit
The topic for the 23rd Seeley Conference at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., June 21-24, will be Profit Squeeze: Is Differentiation the Solution? Last year's conference looked at issues related to horticulture being a mature industry and the importance of efficiency and controlling costs. This year's conference will continue with presentations on the value of differentiation, led by Charles Hall, who holds the Ellison Chair in Int'l. Floriculture at Texas A&M. There will be examples of differentiation at the independent retail and large-scale grower levels. Also to be discussed is the value of sustainability as a part of differentiation, with a focus on what really works, and what may be thrust upon the horticulture industry.

Biologicals provide thrips control
Here is a brief rundown of biologicals effective in controlling western flower thrips, supplied by Univ. of Conn. greenhouse IPM specialist Leanne Pundt. (Prophylactic introductions should start on young plants or in propagation areas.)
• Neoseilus cucumeris, a predatory mite, feeds on young 1st instar thrips larvae.
• Hypoaspis miles or H. aculifer, soil-dwelling predatory mites, feed on pupal stages of thrips in the soil as well as fungus gnat larvae.
• Predatory rove beetles (Atheta coriaria) feed on thrips, shore flies and fungus gnats.
• Predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii feeds on thrips and whiteflies.
• Apply Beauveria bassiana (fungal spores) early in the cycle (before plants flower and produce pollen) to ensure thorough coverage.
• Steinernemia feltiae, an entomopathogenic nematode used primarily against fungus gnat larvae, also attacks thrips pupae and prepupae in growing media.

Discovering the world of sustainability
How many companies are guilty of greenwashing? Would you believe 99.9%, according to one survey? Project: Green Industry

Worth a visit
Unless a grower or retailer truly creates a niche market, selling purely from any one sustainable category isn't commercially viable. So how does a retailer make selling multiple sustainable categories viable? Only on GreenBeam.com.

• Fine Americas
• Walters Gardens
• OHP
• OFA Short Course

Fine Americas, Inc. offers you a complete range of plant growth regulators to improve your crop quality and increase profit margins. Contact your distributor today.

Fresh Inspiration 137 new varieties of perennials for '07-'08. developed by our own hybridizers and breeding programs worldwide. For your free color catalog call 1-888-WALTERS.

OHP, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of Prescription Solutions, where growers can find program solutions to the pest issues they face. Visit www.ohp.com for more details.

Connect with peers, industry leaders, customers, suppliers, and the next generation at the 2008 OFA Short Course!