The cut flower industry is growing in the United States and farmers are looking to expand production and enter larger markets. However, farmers growing lisianthus ( Eustoma grandiflorum ) in the field often see reduced stem length and flower quality. Limited work has been conducted to optimize flower quality of field-grown lisianthus, especially in the southeastern United States, which is crucial for growers to maximize profits. In this study, lisianthus (group I and II ‘Arena’ white) was grown under field conditions with three shade treatments (0%, 30%, and 50%) to determine the effect on flower development, flower quality, marketability, and yield. Results showed a delay in the number of stems harvested with the addition of shade. Group I was more impacted by heavy shade treatments in terms of overall flower quality and delayed the timing of flower development by 10 to 15 d. Although group II was less affected by the addition of shade, both groups show trends of maintained quality marketability, and increased stem length with the 30% shade treatments by increasing stem length on average of 6.3 and 9.0 cm for group I and group II, respectively. These results indicate that inexpensive shadecloth may improve stem length and marketability while highlighting the need for further studies to examine lower shade intensities for cut flower production under field conditions for southern growers.

Prunus species exhibit physiological dormancy (PD), requiring dormancy-breaking treatments for successful germination in horticultural and ecological applications. Although stratification, gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) application, and endocarp removal are commonly used, their effectiveness varies by species and dormancy depth. Despite the ornamental and ecological value of Prunus maackii and P. virginiana , their dormancy characteristics remain poorly understood. This study evaluated seed dormancy characteristics and effective germination treatments for both species. Seeds and stones were exposed to four alternating temperature regimes, seven stratification treatments, four GA 3 concentrations with or without endocarp removal, and combined GA 3 and stratification treatments. Water imbibition tests indicated that both species lack physical dormancy (PY), and fully developed embryos excluded morphological dormancy (MD). In P. maackii , the highest germination rate (65.6%) was achieved through a warm and cold stratification regime consisting of 30 days at 20 °C followed by 60 days at 4 °C. In P. virginiana , the highest germination rate (70.8%) was achieved with warm and cold stratification (30 days at 20 °C followed by 90 days at 4 °C) combined with 1000 mg·L −1 GA 3 . Based on their responses to stratification and GA 3 treatment, P. virginiana was classified as having intermediate PD. In comparison, P. maackii exhibited characteristics of both nondeep and intermediate PD, indicating the presence of interspecific variation in dormancy types between the two species. These results provide species-specific protocols for improving the propagation efficiency of underutilized Prunus species.

Dry-farmed tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) is emerging as a popular crop along the west coast of the United States. A number of blemishes of the fruit, including blossom-end rot (BER), yellow shoulders, sunscald, and splitting and cracking, can diminish marketable yields for dry-farmed tomato. Growers want to produce intensely flavored dry-farmed tomatoes while preventing blemishes like BER. Two trials were conducted during the 2023 growing season to test methods for controlling BER in dry-farmed tomato. The first trial was conducted at a university research farm and tested five different treatments, including sheltering the tomato plants from the wind by intercropping with maize ( Zea mays ), no organic fertilizer, reduced application (50 lb/acre nitrogen) of organic fertilizer, tighter in-row spacing, and trellising, against a control. The second trial was a fertilizer trial with three treatments; organic fertilizer was applied at 0, 50, and 100 lb/acre nitrogen, and it was conducted at the research farm and five commercial farms. Reducing the amount of fertilizer applied decreased BER, but it also increased the average fruit size, decreased fruit soluble solids concentrations (SSCs), and increased the incidence of yellow shoulder. Additionally, on a site with an exceptionally low soil pH and phosphorus concentration, fertilizer applications increased total and unblemished yields. Other treatments tested at the research farm, including intercropping with maize, decreasing in-row spacing, and trellising, did not affect BER incidence. However, the research farm trial had very little BER (BER incidence of plots, 0%–7%), especially compared with that in on-farm trials (BER incidence, 0%–87%). Trellising increased unblemished yields and average fruit weights. Both trellising and decreasing in-row spacing reduced sunscald incidence, likely because of increased foliar coverage of the fruit. Sites differed considerably in yield, BER incidence, and fruit SSC. The results suggest that dry-farmed tomato flavor intensity is affected by site properties (i.e., “terroir”), and factors that increase drought stress may also increase fruit SSC. This presents a conundrum for growers because methods that control BER and increase unblemished yields may decrease tomato flavor intensity.

Jumping worm species belonging to the genus Amynthas (Kinberg) threaten biodiversity and soil health significantly across temperate ecosystems. One inadvertent method of invasive jumping worm spread is through container-grown nursery stock. In nursery production, jumping worms modify substrate characteristics such as water holding capacity and nutrient availability by consuming and redepositing organic matter, resulting in negative effects to plant quality and appearance. There are currently no products listed for controlling jumping worms in the United States, leading to challenges in managing their spread. With increasing regulation on the transport of jumping worms by state agencies, plant producers may face unrealistic or labor-intensive management options. We hypothesized that control methods not yet listed for jumping worms in the United States have the potential to suppress jumping worm populations effectively in container-grown crops. Therefore, we studied chemical and biological controls touted as potential options for controlling jumping worms in nursery containers by measuring their effects on jumping worm mortality. In addition to an untreated control, we evaluated BotaniGard Ⓡ 22WP, T-Bird Ⓡ 4.5L (thiophanate-methyl fungicide), Root Cleaner Ⓡ (sodium lauryl sulfate and soybean oil), Cedarcide Ⓡ (cedarwood oil), Conserve Ⓡ SC (spinosad), Castaway Ⓡ 3-0-1 Tea Seed Meal Fertilizer, Slug Magic TM (iron phosphate), and Sevin Ⓡ (zeta-cypermethrin). The results of our work suggest differential efficacy among treatments and highlight viable options with the potential for application in horticultural production. Specifically, T-Bird Ⓡ 4.5L (thiophanate-methyl fungicide) and Sevin Ⓡ (zeta-cypermethrin) demonstrated at least 80% mortality in two trials, whereas all remaining products yielded no effect or less than 12% mortality. Identifying effective control methods benefits the scientific community and the horticultural industry by providing a foundation for future research activities centered on jumping worm management and by supporting the goal of limiting their spread through horticultural products.

Twin-row planting arrangements are commonly used in agronomic crops to improve production and enhance disease management, but little information exists on their application in onion production. This study evaluated the impact of twin-row arrangements at high planting density on yield and bulb size distribution of short-day onion (‘Sweet Magnolia’). Treatments combined within-row and between-row distances and the number of rows per bed top to achieve the desired planting arrangement and resultant planting densities. Treatments were four single rows of plants per bed top spaced 6 inches × 12 inches (within by between row), four single rows spaced 4 inches × 12 inches, or four twin rows (eight rows in total) spaced 6 inches × 4 inches among twins with 12 inches between twin-row pairs from middle to middle, resulting in planting densities of 58,000, 87,000 (commercial standard), and 116,000 plants per acre, respectively. Onion total and marketable yields increased while bulb size decreased as planting density rose. The twin-row high planting density was equivalent to the commercial standard in both total and marketable yield. Most important, twin rows had a favorable bulb size distribution, with both the highest yield and percentage of jumbo bulbs (≥3 inches in diameter) at 998.3 40-lb bags per acre and 80.2%, respectively. Culls decreased with increased planting density with no difference between twin-row high planting density and the commercial standard. Significant bolting was observed in 2024 at high planting density in conjunction with cooler weather. Our data indicate that twin-row planting arrangements do not outperform the commercial standard planting density in marketable yield but have potential applications for targeting specific bulb sizes by altering the bulb size distribution to favor smaller bulbs.

Hemp ( Cannabis sativa ) seed germination can be variable and unreliable. Exposure of seeds at 7 days postharvest for 10 minutes in sulfuric acid increased germination percent for ‘Tsunami’ but not for ‘Cherry Wine’ × ‘Tsunami’ or ‘Tangerine’ × ‘Tsunami’. Seeds stored dry in plastic bags at room temperature (20 °C) for 60 days lost germination ability, but seeds undergoing cold (4 °C) moist stratification had maintained germination ability at >75% germination. Cold moist stratification for 30 to 60 days or exposure for 10 minutes to sulfuric acid may increase germination for recalcitrant hemp seed like ‘Tsunami’.

Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) production in southern Georgia contributes significantly to the agricultural economy but faces challenges from low-fertility soils and heavy reliance on chemical inputs. This study evaluated the effects of biochar application rates (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 tons/acre) combined with conventional (granular and liquid) or poultry litter fertilizers on tomato growth, yield, fruit quality, and economic viability over two growing seasons (2023–24). Field trials were conducted on a Coastal Plain soil at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus, Hort Hill Farm, using a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Results showed that poultry litter significantly improved plant height (+32%), stem diameter (+27%), and marketable yield (+39%) compared with conventional treatments. Biochar application had no significant effect on plant growth or yield but reduced fruit defects such as zippering by up to 47% at higher rates (15–20 tons/acre). Economic analysis revealed that combining poultry litter with biochar at 20 tons/acre achieved the highest profitability, with a cumulative benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.08, while conventional treatments remained below the economic viability threshold (BCR <1). These findings suggest that integrating poultry litter with high biochar rates (15–20 tons/acre) can enhance soil health, improve crop resilience, and increase profitability in tomato production. This research provides actionable insights for growers in southern Georgia to optimize soil amendments, reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and improve climate resilience in Coastal Plain soils.

Growing fall-planted strawberries on plastic mulch in high tunnels is a promising strategy for strawberry production in Indiana. Despite previous success, the system faces challenges, including increased populations of soft-bodied insects such as twospotted spider mites (TSSMs) and aphids. Although using row covers for winter protection is a common practice in open-field plasticulture strawberry production in the region, the optimal use of row covers in the winter inside high tunnels remains unclear. To address this, three row cover management strategies—no cover (NC), active cover with hoops (AH), and passive cover with hoops (PH)—were applied during the winters of the 2021–22 and 2022–23 strawberry seasons in high tunnels in Vincennes, IN, USA. This study assessed strawberry yield and the population dynamics of TSSMs and aphids throughout the seasons. Although the row cover treatments created varying environmental conditions during the winter, no significant differences in strawberry yield were observed among the treatments in either season. Row covers increased temperatures, which facilitated the overwintering of TSSMs and created more favorable conditions for aphid reproduction, potentially leading to higher pest pressure and greater management challenges in the spring. Although the findings suggest that winter use of row covers did not provide significant benefits under the strawberry production system during the experimental years, they remain a valuable insurance measure during extremely cold conditions.

Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and simple payback are two methods of estimating the cost-effectiveness of a business decision. LCCA considers factors that simple payback does not, such as the time value of money and energy price escalation. Several case studies of greenhouse supplemental lighting systems are presented that demonstrate how simple payback can be misleading, underestimating the time required for an investment to become profitable. In some cases, the project does not become profitable within the building’s estimated lifespan. These case studies show that for significant investments, LCCA should be used to evaluate whether they are actually cost-effective.

Recommended techniques for planting root-bound, store-bought tomato plants vary considerably, leaving home gardeners at a loss for which technique to choose. Researchers investigated the impact of four transplanting methods on the yield of two tomato hybrids, the determinate ‘Bella Rosa’ and the indeterminate ‘Big Beef’. Field experiments were conducted at the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center in Los Lunas, NM, USA, in 2018 and 2019. Pruning treatments applied to transplanted root-bound seedlings immediately before planting included 1) “pop-n-drop,” seedlings planted with minimal root disturbance; 2) “scuffed,” the outer surface of the root ball was gently chafed, 3) “halved,” half of the root ball was completely severed diagonally; and 4) “washed,” the entire root ball was submerged in water and freed of soil. Response variables included above- and belowground tissue dry weight, stem diameter, and tomato yield. Yield data were collected separately for red fruit (harvested as they ripened) and green fruit (harvested before the first frost). The total fruit yields of ‘Big Beef’ and ‘Bella Rosa’ were not significantly affected by any of the tested root disturbance techniques, according to our findings. However, there was a significant increase in the end-of-season green fruit yield with the scuffed method for ‘Big Beef’ and with the pop-n-drop for ‘Bella Rosa’. Both scuffed plants and the cultivar Big Beef exhibited the largest root sizes. ‘Big Beef’ exhibited greater mortality compared with ‘Bella Rosa’.