Postharvest process is environmentally friendly
Metabolic stress disinfection and disinfestation is a new method of destroying insect pests and microorganisms on harvested flowers, vegetables and fruits. Developed by researchers at Univ. of Calif.-Davis, the process does not use ozone-depleting chemicals like methyl bromide. Unwanted organism are controlled when forces produced by alternating vacuum and pressurized carbon dioxide applications cause irreversible changes in cell chemistry and damage to essential respiratory structures. Ethanol gas is also applied briefly to accelerate killing of fungi and bacteria and to damage insect eggs. The carbon dioxide and ethanol used during the treatment are recovered and recycled. Research chemist Manuel Lagunas-Solar said treated flowers, vegetables and fruits retain their quality. Commercial processing units could be available in 2-3 years.
Plastic pellets could be alternative fuel
While we're all wondering how the recent closing of the Alaska oil pipeline will affect the price of fuel, researchers at Penn State Univ. have developed an alternative fuel source - recycled plastic pellets. Plastofuel is made from ag. waste plastics such as pots, flats, tray inserts, pesticide containers, irrigation tubing and poly film. Jim Garthe and Matt Lawrence of the Dept. of Ag. and Biological Engineering have developed a commercially available burner that can be used in conjunction with a hot-water boiler. The extremely clean-burning system operates at 2,000 degrees F. The energy value for Plastofuel is slightly lower than oil, but higher than coal and wood.
Watch for mites in hot weather
Warm and humid conditions in many parts of the country are favorable for mite outbreaks, says Dave Pattison with Western Farm Service in San Marcos, Calif. With all of the mite control products available for rotation, he said resistance should not be a great concern. However, because many products have a long residual life (i.e., 28 days), new, untreated growth is more susceptible to mite attack. He recommends growers monitor spray timing and coverage and scout plants regularly.
Richard Smith dies
Richard "Dick" Smith, who with his father X.S. Smith, co-founded X.S. Smith Inc., died July 31; he was 90. Smith had been a former president of the greenhouse structures and systems manufacturing company, which began operating in 1946. The company has manufacturing facilities in New Jersey and Florida. Smith was also a former v.p. of Nat'l. Greenhouse Manufacturers Assoc.
Rutgers offers design, operation course
Rutgers Univ. in New Brunswick, N.J., is offering a course on Oct. 26-27 that will focus on greenhouse design parameters, including heating, ventilation and cooling, supplemental lighting, shading, glazing, environmental control, developing a master plan, open-roof greenhouses, crop production, greenhouse economics and high tunnels. Tuition is $345 before Oct. 5, and $395 after. Meals and a tour of research and commercial greenhouse facilities are included.
Worth a visit
Can you name the Top 12 unWanted Pests, as selected by the our readers? We can! Check out No. 4 this month. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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Better air movement with less fans and energy used. Dramm will DESIGN a fan layout for your greenhouse. Click for more information.
Think... Maverick™ Geraniums for proven performance on the bench and in the garden! To order, call your favorite supplier. Bred by Goldsmith.
Blooms of Bressingham is dedicated to carrying on the Blooms family tradition of introducing sturdy garden plants for discriminating growers and gardeners.
Produce a perfect poinsettia crop with Piccolo®, the PGR with 0.4% paclobutrazol. Piccolo produces more compact, sturdier plants for more consistent quality and encourages earlier flowering.
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