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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #317116
Title: Soilborne Diseases of the Nursery Industry: USDA-ARS and OSU Team Up to Tackle this Pernicious Problem

Author
item Weiland, Gerald - Jerry
item Scagel, Carolyn
item Grunwald, Niklaus - Nik
item FOSTER, ZACH - Oregon State University
item SANTAMARIA, LUISA - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Digger
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2015
Publication Date: 7/1/2015
Citation: Weiland, G.E., Scagel, C.F., Grunwald, N.J., Foster, Z., Santamaria, L. 2015. Soilborne Diseases of the Nursery Industry: USDA-ARS and OSU Team Up to Tackle this Pernicious Problem. Digger. 59(7):33-36.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soilborne diseases are a serious problem affecting many crop plants of the ornamental nursery industry. Recently, the Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory (USDA-ARS) and Oregon State University received funding from the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative via the Horticultural Research Institute to study the interaction of soilborne diseases and environment on nursery plant health. The objectives of our study include: 1) identifying the most common plant pathogens in commercial nursery production systems (including Pythium, Phytophthora, and Verticillium species); 2) developing assays that growers can use to detect the most common plant pathogens; 3) characterize the roles that soil fungi play in nutrient cycling and soil health, and 4) to evaluate methods of disease control. Our research team includes expertise in the nursery industry, soilborne plant pathogens, mycorrhizae, plant physiology, and extension. Together, we hope to improve disease management and soil health for Pacific Northwest nursery production.