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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #272330
Title: Safe Procurement and Production Manual: A systems approach for the production of healthy nursery stock

Author
item GRIESBACH, J - Ascent Agricultural Service
item PARKE, J - Oregon State University
item CHASTAGNER, G - Washington State University
item Grunwald, Niklaus - Nik
item AGUIRRE, J - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/2011
Publication Date: 8/8/2011
Citation: Griesbach, J.A., Parke, J.L., Chastagner, G.A., Grunwald, N.J., Aguirre, J. 2011. Safe Procurement and Production Manual: A systems approach for the production of healthy nursery stock. Wilsonville: Oregon Association of Nurseries. 108 p.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The introduction and spread of plant pests and pathogens threatens the long-term health and profitability of the nursery and greenhouse industry. As the global economy has boomed, there has been a dramatic increase in goods moved between countries and continents. These goods can include live plants from foreign sources. Sometimes, these exotic plants can bring equally exotic pests and pathogens along for the ride. These harmful organisms can lead to bad consequences for growers: diminished markets, increased restrictions, higher production costs, delayed production schedules, lower product quality, and plant loss. Unfortunately, the rate of introduction and associated risks from these organisms is increasing dramatically. In just the past decade, the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) branch of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has identified the following exotic pests and pathogens that have gained a foothold in the United States: Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death), emerald ash borer, citrus longhorned beetle, citrus greening, light brown apple moth, European grapevine moth, soybean rust, Sirex woodwasp, gladiolus rust, spotted wing Drosophila, and many others. Federal and state inspection programs have struggled to keep pace. Many experts fear the rate of new plant pest and pathogen problems will further accelerate, placing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), states and industry under increasing pressure to respond. This manual was developed to give the nursery professional a ready source of information for improving sanitary and phytosanitary conditions at their facilities. The ultimate goal of this manual is to provide the nursery professional the information necessary to establish and operate an effective systems approach for their operation.