Recipient Organization
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
800 BUCHANAN ST, RM 2020
BERKELEY,CA 94710-1105
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
(N/A)
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
60%
Applied
30%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
There are increasingly high costs of compliance with federal, state, and local water quality regulations, and restrictions imposed by local governments that are concerned with the impact of greenhouse crop production on nearby residents. The economic vitatlity of the floriculture industry depends on the development of practices that reduce the cost of production and minimize the impact of crop production on the environment. Objectives will be to 1) develop improved methods for fertilization and irrigation in greenhouse production, particularly for cut flower production and flowering potted plant production, 2)to develop sustainable production systems that optimally produce greenhouse flower crops while reducing the discharge of waste fertilizer and pesticides.
Project Methods
Conduct research in production floriculture to develop information to improve the sustainability of greenhouse operations, with emphasis on fertilization, irrigation, and recycling irrigation water. Using a systems approach, optimize key components of complex, dynamic greenhouse practices to improve production efficiency and minimize environmental impacts. Utilize systems analysis techniques and mathematical crop modeling to quantify the multitude of factors that are of importance, and develop tools to improve management of crop production methods. Understand and optimize the physiology and genetics of floral crops for compatibility with profitable, environmentally-friendly production systems. Develop a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with the floriculture faculty at UC-Davis, within ARS, and elsewhere as needed. Work with outreach and extension personnel/groups to transfer technology to growers. Replacing 5306-13210-001-00D (09/2008)