Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The nursery industry is an important agricultural sector in the U.S., in terms of both annual sales and the untold value that woody ornamentals provide in ecosystem services. The industry is facing a serious threat from vascular streak dieback (VSD), which has been identified in more than 25 ornamental and woody plant genera in multiple U.S. states since it was first identified in 2020. Eastern redbud has the most cases, followed by maple and dogwood. Foundational research is needed to support woody plant producers in growing healthy and thriving plants and in safeguarding natural landscapes to reduce VSD's impact on vital ecosystems. Our multi-state team consists of transdisciplinary researchers and extension specialists with vast experience in woody ornamental plant pathology, diagnostic, fungal and population genetics, breeding, plant physiology, plant production systems, and agricultural economics. This Specialty Crop Research Initiative Planning Project proposes a two-part approach to the VSD challenge. First, we'll conduct a nationwide needs-assessment survey of nursery growers, regulatory agencies, state agricultural leaders, and research and extension personnel in VSD-affected regions. Then, we'll convene these groups and industry stakeholders for a two-day workshop offered both in person and online, to share information and to identify the most critical research and extension priorities for addressing VSD. Our transdisciplinary team will take a systems approach and work closely with stakeholders to plan research and outreach activities to help nursery growers manage VSD while also laying the groundwork for future grant proposals and outreach materials to help solve this growing disease problem.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
This Specialty Crop Research Initiative Planning Project proposes a two-part approach to vascular streak dieback (VSD) challenge. First, we'll conduct a nationwide needs-assessment survey of nursery growers, regulatory agencies, state agricultural leaders, and research and extension personnel in VSD-affected regions. Then, we'll convene these groups and industry stakeholders for a two-day workshop offered both in person and online, to share information and to identify the most critical research and extension priorities for addressing VSD. Our transdisciplinary team will take a systems approach and work closely with stakeholders to plan research and outreach activities to help nursery growers manage VSD while also laying the groundwork for future grant proposals and outreach materials to help solve this growing disease problem.
Project Methods
We will conduct a needs-assessment survey to better understand the impact VSD is having and how it's currently being managed. The survey will be distributed online to nursery growers, regulatory agencies, state agricultural leaders, and research and extension personnel in VSD-affected areas across the nation. It will enable us to collect much-needed data about the impact VSD is having on growers and the nursery production industry as a whole and to identify issues in nursery management practices. The survey will also include open-ended questions to encourage respondents to share suggestions and information they consider crucial to understanding and managing VSD.The next step will be to bring together growers, scientists, and other stakeholders for a two-day meeting that will be offered both in-person and online via Zoom.The meeting will be held at the TSU Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, Tennessee.