2005 greenhouse construction totaled $135 million
Based on results of Nat'l. Greenhouse Mfg. Assoc.'s 2005 commercial greenhouse structure survey, 13 manufacturers reported total gross revenues of nearly $135 million. Of that total, more than $102 million was for new construction and over $2 million was generated by export sales. This new construction, which includes both traditional-style greenhouses and shade structures, covered more than 18 million sq. ft. of production area, of which nearly 10.4 million sq. ft. was gutter connected, 1.4 million sq. ft. was open/moving roof structures and 2.2 million sq. ft. was fixed shade structures.
Pollinator populations decline
A new report from the Nat'l. Research Council indicates long-term population trends for some N. American pollinators, including bees, birds, bats and other animals and insects, are "demonstrably downward." The committee that wrote the report said there is little or no population data for many pollinators, which prompted it to call for more efforts to monitor these creatures and improve understanding of their basic ecology. There was sufficient evidence for the committee to conclude that some N. American species are in decline, especially the honeybee. To bear fruit, 3/4 of all flowering plants rely on pollinators for fertilization.
Study focuses on flower senescence
Ohio St. Univ. researchers are working to identify genes that control flower senescence in petunias and daylilies. Anthony Stead, who holds the D.C. Kiplinger Chair in Floriculture at OSU, along with hort. professor Michelle Jones, created a petunia DNA microarray that contains 4,500 unique genes from petunia leaves and flowers. The microarray can be used to identify the genes that control specific plant responses including flower senescence, floral scent, drought tolerance, flower initiation and seed germination. Identifying these genes will allow researchers to use genetic engineering to modify plant responses to create improved products. Knowledge gained from petunia microarray experiments should be transferable to other floriculture crops.
Plants at Work helps develop curriculum
Plants at Work Inc., a nonprofit member of the U.S. Green Building Council, is working with the USGBC dir. of development to create a curriculum on the benefits of plants for green-building professionals as part of a new Education Provider Program. USGBC is launching the program as continuing education.
Technology could eradicate produce pathogens
Purdue Univ. researchers are developing 2 inexpensive technologies that could prevent food-borne illnesses similar to the recent outbreak of E. coli bacteria in contaminated spinach. The 1st method, which is nearly 3 times faster and 1/10th as expensive, uses a laser to detect and identify bacteria. This Bacteria Rapid Detection Using Optical Scattering Technology determines bacterium type based on how the light is refracted when shined on colonies. The 2nd technique uses chlorine dioxide gas to kill pathogens on fruits and vegetables. Current methods of washing and scrubbing produce cannot completely remove a pathogen like E. coli.
Worth a visit
Where some people see a nursery, we see a body of complex parts and systems working together. This month we dissect a propagation facility. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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Concise™, the new uniconazole-p ornamental plant growth regulator, offers flexible control options and produces more compact and marketable plants at exceptional value.
Inaccurate thermostats COST MONEY! Save on your heating costs with Dramm's ACCURATE, DURABLE, and RECALIBRATABLE thermostats.
New England Grows is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6 - Thursday, February 8, 2007 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Register online today!
Something’s keeping you awake at night. You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. 3 intense days. 75 business changing sessions. 1000 green industry professionals.
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