APHIS confirms gladiolus rust in Florida
USDA Nat'l. Mycologist of APHIS in Beltsville, Md., confirmed the presence of gladiolus rust, Uromyces transversalis, on gladiolus stock plants at a 1,400-acre commercial grower in Palmetto, Fla. The pathogen is a quarantine pest in the U.S. All interstate movement of infected material is prohibited unless the product has been inspected and found to be free of visible rust symptoms. USDA, which convened a technical committee to focus on eradicating the disease, had scheduled a meeting for April 24 with its main objective being development of appropriate eradication objectives for the affected area.
Salt plus drought can lead to toxicity
Univ. of Mass. researchers are warning growers in New England that increased use of deicing salt on roadways and low precipitation levels could lead to accumulation of sodium and chloride salts in well water. The dry winter and spring conditions in Southern New England have resulted in lower well water levels. Univ. of Mass. Floriculture program has been working with growers for 3 years to monitor and identify irrigation water supplies that may be contaminated with sodium and chloride. About 10% of growers in the program have identified moderate to excessively high salt levels in their irrigation water. Road salt is the likely source of this contamination. Growers should have their well and pond water tested periodically to determine if it is usable for irrigation.
Research to look at biodegradable containers
Horticultural Research Institute signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with USDA ARS to study biodegradable animal and plant byproducts to produce biodegradable nursery containers. Initial research will focus on feather-derived plastics from the poultry industry. The 3-year agreement will look at developing technology for manufacturing biodegradable pots that can be recycled or composted.
Bolusky to receive award
Ben Bolusky, exec. dir. of FNGLA, will be awarded the Horticultural Initiative Award at the Southeast Greenhouse Conference in Greenville, S.C., June 21-24. Bolusky is being recognized for his extensive service to the industry. He has been diligent in his efforts to ensure the industry receives as much assistance as possible after the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes caused millions of dollars in damage in Florida. Terri Cantwell of Bates Sons & Daughters Inc. in Lake Placid, Fla., said her company was significantly damaged, particularly by the 2004 hurricanes. "Bolusky's momentum to get as much assistance as possible has made a difference in our recovery," she said.
Cornell offers tomato database online
Research studies on genes governing tomato ripening and nutritional content are the basis of the Tomato Expression Database, a Cornell Univ. Web site funded by USDA ARS and the Nat'l. Science Foundation. The site, part of the NSF's ongoing Tomato Genomics Project, gives researchers worldwide access to data to develop theories on tomato genetics and to expand upon what's already known about tomatoes.
Worth a visit
Where some people see a nursery, we see a body of complex parts and systems working together. This month we dissect procedures for weed control. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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