The Latest Greenhouse Advancements From the Root Health Symposium
Photo: A.M.A. Horticulture
The first-ever Root Health Symposium was held earlier this month. Hosted by the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association (FNGLA), the Root Alliance, and the University of Florida, growers, researchers, and industry personnel from across the country attended this event to learn about the latest advancements in CEA and root health management.
Topics included:
- Automation
- Biocontrols
- Growing transplants
- Heavy metals
- Irrigation
- Recirculating nutrient solutions
- Soil pests and diseases
- Water treatment
- And more!
A few key greenhouse and horticulture industry relevant takeaways from the Root Health Symposium were shared by the A.M.A. Horticulture Inc. staff and are as follows:
‘Do It Yourself’ Disease Management
From the University of Florida, Dr. Carrie Lapaire Harmon gave a talk on plant disease diagnosis and training. Specifically, she covered when a situation advised calling a professional, and when it’s recommended to start with DIY grower solutions.
“If you can name the problem, that’s half the battle!” she said, stating that the first step to identifying and managing diseases is noticing and describing the changes to the plant and how it reacts to water and nutrition.
Harmon also advised growers to be proactive regarding what enters and leaves a greenhouse, as disease management begins far before anything steps inside.
Plant Breeding Design Trends
Also from the University of Florida, Dr. Germán Sandoya talked about the trends and opportunities related to plant breeding that can provide growers more control over their products and the marketing process.
For example, varieties are now being bred for a large range of varying characteristics, both generalized and niche. That includes:
- Cold and heat resistance
- High yield
- Marketing characteristics
- Nutritional values
- Pest resistance
- Post-harvest behavior
- And more!
From this, many researchers are focusing on key issues to improve performance after a crop/product leaves the greenhouse. This kind of targeted breeding helps to better align the aims of both the production and post-harvest ends of the product’s process. Examples A.M.A. Horticulture note are that “growers can tailor programs for watering and nutrition, and implement precise timing around when to pick, when to ship, how long that product will last on the truck, and how long it can stay on shelf at the grocery store.”
Greenhouse Grower Tips and Tricks
With nearly a dozen presentations featured at the Root Health Symposium, quite a lot of information and ground was covered. Some pertinent information shared for the horticulture industry includes the following:
- Find smart ways to save on costs. Consider if the lighting schedule of your greenhouse can be coordinated to lower electricity/hydro rate schedules without compromising plant needs.
- Have a marketing plan. Even if your greenhouse is optimized and growing a great yield of superb plants, you’ll likely run into trouble if you don’t have a proper plan about how to market and sell them.
- Optimize your airflow. Good airflow both above and below the substrate is critical for all areas of healthy growth in your plants.
- What’s your plant’s diet? It can be easy to overlook, but make sure that the water and nutrients you’re providing to your plants are routinely tested, up to once a week if possible.
To read the full report with additional information and details, please read the original article hosted on A.M.A. Horticulture’s website.
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