ASHS Headquarters is pleased to announce the Workshops to be offered at ASHS–08.

Thank you to all speakers, moderators, and sponsors of these Workshops, which cover a wide range of topics and are described below (subject to change).

To view the latest updates to the ASHS-08 Program schedule (including event dates and times), Click here.

A National Initiative in Plant Breeding: A Critical Role For Horticultural Breeders

A national initiative has been established to address important issues in plant breeding research, education, and practice. Breeders from the full spectrum of commodities at universities, the federal government, and the private sector have come together to be a forum for leadership regarding issues, problems and opportunities of long-term strategic importance to the contribution of plant breeding to national goals. This workshop will provide an opportunity for horticultural plant breeders to learn about the reasons for this national initiative and to become familiar with current breeding efforts in the United States. There will be discussions on ways to enhance communication between plant breeders in different sectors who work with a variety of plant genera. Issues concerning the education and training of future plant breeders will be addressed, and the role of plant breeding in addressing national goals in the sciences will be stressed. The latter include ways that plant breeding exemplifies excellence in science and technology, enhances the harmony between agriculture and the environment and contributes to globally competitive agricultural systems.

Achieving the Promise of Transgenic and Genomic Horticultural Crops

Transgenic or genomic projects to alter physiological processes have produced several horticultural products. Some have found a place in the market and some have not. This workshop will explore why many promising projects have hit insurmountable obstacles, and how those obstacles were avoided or overcome in successful projects.

Biofumigants and Other Alternatives to Methyl Bromide in Vegetables

In 1992, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed to a phase-out of methyl bromide, a soil fumigant used to control soilborne fungi, nematodes, and weeds in more than 100 crops worldwide. The phase-out was based on methyl bromide’s contribution to the depletion of the earth’s stratospheric ozone protection layer. Commodities that have been able to continue limited use of methyl bromide due to critical use exemptions (CUEs) know they will soon lose the use of the product. Growers are therefore looking for efficacious and economical alternatives to methyl bromide in an effort to maintain their competitiveness in domestic and international markets. Research has been conducted worldwide to find replacements or replacement systems that offer similar efficacy to methyl bromide. It has become obvious that there will likely be no single alternative that will provide the level of broad-spectrum control as methyl bromide, and it appears that successful alternatives will be based on combinations of various pest control strategies. This workshop will present research on alternatives to methyl bromide, including conventional fumigant and non-fumigant alternatives, biological control, cultural or cropping system approaches, as well as a growers’ experience in dealing with the loss of methyl bromide.

Current Analytical Techniques to Identify Nutritionally Important Secondary Metabolites in Fruit and Vegetable Crops

Bioactive plant secondary metabolites can be divided into three chemically distinct groups: terpenes, phenolics, and nitrogen-containing compounds. Terpenes (terpenoids), such as carotenoids and essential oils, are classified by the number of basic structural 5-carobon (isoprene) units present. Phenolics, such as anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid, are secondary products that contain a phenol group (a hydroxyl functional group on an aromatic ring). Phenolics represent nearly 10,000 individual plant compounds. A large number of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, and glucosinolates, have nitrogen in their chemical structure and are biosynthesized from common amino acids. Secondary metabolites possess a wide range of bioactive functions in plants including herbivory defenses, pollinator attraction, and general antioxidant activities. Consumption of fruits and vegetables provides the human diet with many essential vitamins and minerals important for health maintenance. These crops also contain a myriad of secondary metabolites referred to as phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are broadly defined as food components that elicit profound effects on health maintenance and disease prevention. Phytonutrient enhancement of horticultural crops is a research focus that parallels the effort to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables in the diet. The health benefits conferred to consumers with a diet high in fruits and vegetables are many, including decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and many types of cancer. The goal of this workshop is to highlight current methods for assessing phytonutrient concentrations in the three chemically distinct secondary metabolite groups. Speakers will discuss current extraction and analytical measurements of carotenoids (terpenes), flavonoids (phenolics), glucosinolates (nitrogen-containing compounds), and general antioxidant evaluation (ORAC). Discussion will focus on applications of LC, GC, and mass spectroscopy in plant phytonutrient assessment, as well as experimental considerations to ensure accurate and repeatable results.

Current Innovative Computer Applications in Horticulture

With ever-changing developments in computers, software, and high technology, one’s professional development calls for keeping abreast of the latest, innovative applications. Three speakers will present their experiences with applied applications of computer usage developed for research, extension, and teaching. The audience will learn about open source software and computer applications for modeling the growth of crops.

Developing a Teaching Module on Human Issues in Horticulture

What is “human issues in horticulture?” Is it currently being taught in our horticulture curricula? If so, in what capacity? If not, should it be? This workshop will begin with a brief overview on the history of human issues in horticulture and a panel discussion from instructors currently teaching on this subject. The workshop will conclude with a working session to develop a teaching module on human issues in horticulture that could be used in introductory horticulture classes.

Emerging Technologies for Biotechnology and Crop Improvement

Technology drives discovery-based science. In the past 5-years ,many new technologies have emerged that are having significant impacts on horticulture through discovery and how we approach science. The new technologies enable researchers to solve problems with new methods that provide new approaches to historically intractable problems. As new technologies emerge, there are challenges to their application, especially to applied problems. Specialized equipment, cost, data management and ramping up research programs are some of the considerations. This workshop will introducing a selection of new technologies, their application to horticulture, and the challenges to implementation.

Energy Efficiency in Greenhouse Production: Heating and Heating Alternatives

In the greenhouse industry, heating represents one of the largest costs associated with production for much of the U.S. Reliance on fossil fuels as the primary fuel source has increased this cost significantly in the past five years. Switching to so-called alternative fuels such as corn or other biomass for combustion have contributed to changing market prices and availability for these materials for other industries. This workshop will examine three aspects of efficient heating for greenhouse production: 1) the impact of changing the temperature on plant growth, 2) taking steps to improve efficiencies in existing production systems, and 3) what the next generation of efficient heating systems will bring. Alternatives to heating, such as improved plant growth lighting or utilizing supplemental CO2, will be discussed.

Established and Emerging Tropical Fruits: New Cultivars and New Species for the U.S. Consumer

Tropical fruits have long excited the imaginations and palates of people living in temperate countries. Bananas became commonplace in the few decades ending the 19th century since they were so amenable to shipping and marketing. Pineapples made the transition from canned-only to routine fresh availability and avocados, mangoes, and papayas rapidly joined them as routine grocery products in the last two decades of the 20th century. Affluence and affordable jet freight have made it possible for many U.S. consumers to periodically sample such delights as Annona species (cherimoyas and atemoyas), carambolas, lychees, longans, pitayas, and passionfruit. In addition, distinctive cultivars of the staple tropicals are finding their way to market. The future seems likely to offer an even greater variety of tropical fruits that will be explored in this session. The workshop will be followed by a tasting of some of these fruits and the American Pomological Society business meeting.
Fast Forward: Developments in the Production, Marketing, and Utilization of Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants
Among horticultural crops, producing and marketing plants for culinary and medicinal purposes presents particular challenges and opportunities. More often than not, interested growers, extension agents, researchers, and educators find that research results, market information, and suitable inputs tend to be in short supply. In this workshop we want to present trends, developments, and new research on production and market information of herbs, spices, and medicinal plants.

Floriculture Going Going “Green”

What is sustainable floriculture and how can our education and research programs become green? There are many broad definitions of sustainability. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency defines sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is an admirable goal. However, which areas of floriculture should programs focus to have meaningful impacts. Allen Hammer suggests a list of sustainable production practices for the floriculture industry that include: energy, water and fertilizer, pesticides, structures, breeding, and computers. There are also several programs that promote and support sustainable research (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), education (GrowerTalks’ Sustainability Conference, greenTalks), and production (VeriFlora). This workshop will provide a forum for discussing the many issues related to sustainability, how these relate to floriculture crop production, and how sustainable practices might be successfully implemented.

Horticulture in Asia: Opportunities and Challenges for Collaborative Research and Education

Enriched with a great diversity of germplasm resources, crops, cultivation systems and products, horticulture has deep roots in Asian history and culture. For centuries, people in many Asian countries have depended heavily on horticulture for their health and wealth. Recent economic growth has spurred a rapid advance of horticulture in many Asian countries. Demands for high-quality horticultural products are strong; interests in introduction and development of outstanding cultivars as well as efficient production and processing technologies are high; and governmental agencies and industrial entities have increased funding for research and higher education. All these factors have led to an unprecedented expansion in horticultural research and a drastic increase in student enrollment in many Asian countries. This expansion has also created remarkable opportunities for researchers and educators in the United States and other developed countries in the West for collaborative research, student training, and international consulting. Nevertheless, the differences between the East and the West in history, culture, geography, climate, and other aspects have resulted in unique experiences and challenges to those who pioneered collaboration of this nature. In this workshop, speakers who are knowledgeable of the horticulture in Asia or have been collaborating with horticulture researchers and educators in Asia will discuss recent developments and potential opportunities in horticulture, horticultural research and education in Asia, and share their experience with attendees.

If I Use That on My Crop, Can I Sell It? An Exploration of Organic Amendments

The relationship of organic amendments and fertilizers to crop safety has never been a more important consideration in the produce industry than it is today. Laws and regulations require certain manures, composts, and fertilizers be used only in certain ways, or not used at all. Wholesale buyer of food products have their own unique policies regarding the use of organic amendments and fertilizers in the production of the food products they purchase. Consumers have demands and perceptions that impact what amendments and fertilizers a grower should and should not use to produce a crop. Growers also have their own perspectives and objectives when using organic amendments and fertilizers. In this workshop, the relationship of these groups and their requirements when it comes to organic amendment utilization will be explored. The workshop is designed to help audience members understand and appreciate the viewpoints and roles of each stakeholder in determining how organic materials should be managed on the farm.

Increasing the Flowering of Bearing Apple Trees with PGRs

Many modern apple cultivars are prone to develop a biennial bearing habit, which is a repeating cycle of heavy and light blooming/cropping years. Biennial bearing can have pronounced negative economic consequences due to its effect on orchard productivity and fruit quality. While a successful chemical thinning program will result in adequate return bloom and consistent cropping for most apple cultivars, commercial reality has shown that cultivars with a strong tendency for a biennial bearing habit may not produce sufficient bloom to guarantee a return crop even where chemical thinning reduced crop load in the previous year. Recent research has shown that NAA or Ethrel treatments in the on year of a biennial cycle may promote flower bud formation to a level that is more likely to ensure a commercial crop however, these treatments have not been universally successful.

Integration of Sensory Analysis into Postharvest Research

Postharvest researchers typically utilize instrumental measurement of parameters related to product quality (chemical composition, texture, color) and ratings of condition (appearance, decay). Although useful, these measurments do not quantify the sensory characteristics of the product. There is increasing awareness of the value of sensory analysis for defining the impact of postharvest conditions and treatments on product quality.

International Consulting Opportunities in Organic Horticulture

Opportunities in overseas organic horticultural consulting are a continuing need that requires special skills. Organic agricultural sales increased to a $15 billion in the U.S. in 2005 and continue to expand 20% annually. Current estimates place the value of organic agriculture at $25 billion worldwide. Increasing interest in organic agriculture from less developed countries (LDC) and newly industrialized countries (NIC) has propelled many horticultural scientists to offer their services in voluntary and paid consultancies related to organic horticultural operations. India, for example, has over 2.5 million hectares under organic management and has employed several U.S. consultants to ensure their organic products entry into U.S. markets. Among the most important production issues confronting small-scale LDC and NIC organic producers are managing soil fertility under organic conditions, proper cultivar selection, and pest management. Because all organic food imported into the U.S. must meet the standards of the USDA National Organic Program, several key factors must be known when embarking on a consultancy in a LDC or NIC, including the ability of the exporting country to meet these standards. Examples presented from the former Soviet country of Georgia, Mexico, Africa, and other international sites will include the need to conduct an inventory of the country’s resources that relate to its organic potential, such as access to technical and market information as well as cultural understanding and outreach programming. Knowledge of the laws and market factors that may impact organic production and sales is key. Benefits attached to conversion to organic production include the potential for achieving higher earnings and a better standard of living; reduction in health risks posed by costly chemical pesticides and fertilizers; and improved soil management. Additionally, overseas organic experiences provide opportunities for American professors and students to learn and apply new sustainable methods on a global basis.

Irrigation in a Future of Limited Water Supplies: Making Every Drop Count

The production of horticultural crops, regardless of commodity, requires at the most basic level, light and water. While the sun will rise tomorrow, the prospects for rain are less certain. The occurrence of droughts and the increasing demands on water resources from municipal entities, presents both challenges and opportunities for horticultural enterprises in a future of limited supplies of irrigation water. The challenge that horticulture faces is efficiently using every drop of water, and to meet this challenge, new tools and technologies to assist growers on when and how to irrigate, are required. The opportunity for horticulture is a relatively “untapped” supply of irrigation water in the form of treated municipal wastewater. Meeting these challenges and exploring new opportunities in horticultural irrigation will promote both water conservation and environmental stewardship; ensuring sustainable irrigation into the future.

It’s a Weedy World . . . And in Horticulture, We Strive to Handle It

Weeds remain one of the big hurdles in horticultural systems, and more so for organic growers who cannot use conventional heribicides and for sustainable growers that have to rely on fewer herbicides. Lowering herbicide rates and enhancing their efficacy, as well as improving weed suppression with alternative management practices is a topic of continuing importance for horticultural researchers and growers. This workshop is intended to present advances in methods for reducing herbicide use, mulches, organic ammendments and teas, and weed suppression under conservation tillage in horticultural crops.

New Technology for Nursery Crop Production

Cash sales and employment opportunities associated with the nursery and landscape industry are strong economic forces in many communities in the U.S. Therefore, it is important to maintain the vitality of this industry through the development and application of new technologies to increase productivity and improve crop performance while conserving natural resources. This workshop will present and discuss two new technologies for nursery crop production: retractable-roof greenhouse (RRG) and a new capillary irrigation system, Aquamat®. Some of the advantages of RRG over conventional greenhouses include moderating extreme summer heat and/or acclimating crops to natural environment in winter months through opening or closing of the roof and sidewalls. Comparative results on crop performance grown in RRG versus field production will be presented. The Aquamat® irrigation system provides a new way to save water and fertilizer and accelerate crop growth. Research results and commercial application will be presented and discussed.

Pomology in the Year 2040

Without doubt, pomology will be challenged continually and will need to change accordingly. Among these challenges to be considered are: 1) globalization vs. the local-foods movement; 2) labor costs, immigration policies, and mechanization; 3) land uses and real estate development pressures; 4) the promise of new biological tools for genetic improvements 5) improvements in varieties vs. patenting, trademarking and variety restrictions; 6) government-supported research vs. industry-supported research. To face these challenges, researchers of today need to set directions for solving these future challenges. This workshop will present perspectives on potential targets for future pomological research leading to the Year 2040.

Recent Advances in Ornamental Palm Horticulture

Palms are perhaps the most distinctive group of ornamental landscape plants. They are increasingly common in outdoor landscapes in tropical and subtropical regions and have long been favorites for interiorscapes everywhere. In the United States, landscape palms are common in Florida, California, and Hawaii, and their use is increasing in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and some of the Gulf States. Palms are even being used outdoors in some temperate regions. However, palms differ significantly from other woody landscape plants in their unusual anatomy, morphology, and developmental growth features. Not surprisingly, these biological differences are reflected in their cultural needs and unconventional management practices and techniques that differ from those of other woody plants. Fortunately, the past 20 years has seen a rapid increase in palm landscape horticulture research. Speakers will present and discuss palm biology, seed propagation, planting and transplanting, nutrition and fertilizers, irrigation and water requirements, and leaf removal and pruning, and the use of palms in temperate climates and the interiorscape.

Information about the concentrations and benefits of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), and nickel (Ni) in horticultural crops, and management strategies to maximize their benefits, is scarce due to the fact that Si and Al are currently not considered essential nutrients and Ni was determined to be essential much later than all other known essential mineral nutrients. Although Si is not essential, Si deficiency has been recognized as being a limiting factor in plant health and overall plant development and production when plants are constantly exposed to different stresses and/or soils are low in plant-available Si, such as in certain greenhouse or field production. Although high levels of Al are toxic to plants, Al can also be toxic to soilborne plant pathogens in the organic potting media used in horticultural production systems, and soil amendments that acidify soils and thus increase Al activity can be used as part of an integrated approach to managing root diseases caused by soilborne pathogens. As an essential element, Ni can prevent physiological diseases, such as certain forms of mouse-ear, little-leaf, and orchard replant disease, and increase plant resistance to certain pathogens, but producer attention to Ni management is lacking. Although iron (Fe) management has received considerable attention from horticultural researchers and producers, new issues regarding Fe management have emerged, such as the increased occurrences of alkaline irrigation water-induced Fe deficiency and the chlorosis paradox in the diagnosis of Fe deficiency in horticultural crops. In the first part of this workshop, three speakers will share new information about Si, Al, and Ni in soils and plants, and discuss new insights into nutrient management strategies for maximum the benefits of Si, Al, and Ni to horticultural crops. In the second part, two speakers will discuss new methods of diagnosing Fe deficiency and integrated strategies for combating high pH-induced Fe deficiency.

Status and Outlook of Commerical Horticulture in Florida

Florida ranks second in horticulture production value for U.S. states. The horticulture industry in Florida includes a wide mix of vegetables, tropical fruits, and ornamentals. The industry faces major issues such as: urban encroachment; the need for hand labor; high capitalization costs; competition for water resources; catastrophic weather events; increasing transportation costs; and global competition. These same issues are or will be faced by horticultural producers in other production areas. This workshop will include a mix of industry speakers that will provide insight into Florida’s vegetable, tropical fruit, greenhouse, and outdoor ornamental production industries. They will provide a status report on the current business climate and future challenges and opportunities.

The Nuts and Bolts of High Tunnel Production and Manipulation for Specialized Applications

Growers and researchers are using high tunnels and other protected environment systems to shelter plants from adverse weather conditions and for extending the harvest season. In some locations, however, cropping a particular crop under protected environment may not be economically feasible because of the high cost (>$40,000/acre) for high tunnels and other structures. In this workshop, four speakers will address what additional benefits that could be derived from high tunnel cropping systems and new production technologies for environmental manipulation to improve food safety, fruit quality and plant productivity. The workshop should foster discussions between crop production specialists and plant physiologists for ways to improve cropping efficiency.

The Out-of-Class Experience: The Teaching–Learning Experience Through Co-curricular Activities.
Do They Support the Mission or Dilute the Focus?

Ideally, the “educational experience” should have two component parts: Education and Experience. Some of the experiences that complement education and from which students learn are provided within the structure and confines of the classroom and laboratory. However, other experiences that can be equally educational and contribute to the intellectual and professional development of horticulture students happen outside of the formal classroom. For years, horticulture and plant science departments across the country have had clubs and teams that emphasize learning by seeing and doing. As the horticulture vocations and student body becomes more diverse, and the industries and sciences evolve, so too should these activities. The Teaching Methods Working group will host a panel discussion on the use of co-curricular activities as part of the teaching–learning experience of 21st century higher education. Panelists will present and discuss topics including using teams and competitions to supplement classroom learning, studying abroad, service learning, and providing diverse activities for diverse purposes and students. Panelists will present information from their own institutional experience and knowledge base. The discussions will try to resolve questions of the validity and justification of credit and noncredit student activities in the academic environment, especially in times of tightening academic economies. Audience participation and discussion will be encouraged.

The Role for Consumer Horticulture in eXtension

The national eXtension Initiative officially launched its public Web site (www.extension.org) on 21 Feb. 2008, at the USDA Agriculture Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C. Work on this Initiative has been ongoing for several years. In 2005, eight communities of practice (CoPs) were funded to begin identifying and/or developing content for eXtension. Among these pioneer CoPs was one devoted to consumer horticulture which participated in the public launch using a more user-friendly identity of Gardens, Lawns, and Landscapes (GLL). The main components of the GLL site include highlights and features, topically arranged basic content, frequently asked questions (FAQ), Ask an Expert, and an on-line calendar for public events related to horticulture. This workshop will provide an in-depth look at these components and discuss their history and development. Speakers will also discuss how Extension Master Gardeners are contributing to the program, and provide/solicit input for future activities related to this project.

The Roots of Physiological Heterogeneity in Root Systems

Roots have evolved to explore a spatially and temporally variable soil environment. In this workshop, we will explore the nature of physiological heterogeneity within seemingly homogenous root systems. Speakers will discuss recent developments in the characterization of developmental changes in root metabolism and function, as well as the response of roots to heterogeneity within the soil environment.

Transplant Technology: Trends and Challenges

Mass production of healthy uniform transplants has revolutionized the horticulture industry. However, the current method of producing transplants has high environmental impact. Environmentally appropriate techniques and energy efficient systems need to be developed by bringing together the transplant industry and the scientific community to formulate immediate and long-term sustainable research and development. Industry leaders and experts will present their views on trends, challenges, and issues in producing quality transplants emphasizing cultural practices substrate selection, water management and water quality, seed quality, germination/propagation environment, nutrient management, IPM, and packaging and shipping.