FIVE YEAR REPORT: 1993-1997

The mission of the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center is to provide leadership for the vitality and sustainability of the environmental horticulture industries (nursery, landscape, urban tree care, turf) through programs in applied research, extension, graduate instruction, and continuing education.

 VISION STATEMENT

The vision of the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center is to have outstanding applied research, extension, graduate instruction, and continuing education programs in the horticultural and related sciences to meet the following goals:

1. Maintain outstanding applied research programs in the areas of horticulture and related plant sciences critical to the Commonwealth's programs in agriculture and environmental quality.

2. Continue as an outstanding information resource to the people of Virginia, the country, and the world in the areas of environmental horticulture and related plant sciences.

3. Provide graduate training of the highest quality for students in horticulture and related plant sciences.

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State of the Hampton Roads AREC

The Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center, formerly known as the Virginia Truck Experiment Station (1907-1967), Virginia Truck and Ornamentals Research Station (1967-1987), and Hampton Roads Agricultural Experiment Station (1987-1992), has conducted research and extension programs that provided answers to the agricultural community of the eastern Virginia region. Originally its focus was on vegetable production, but with the decline of the commercial vegetable industry, research activities were redirected beginning in 1967 towards the nursery and landscape production industries. The urbanization of the Hampton Roads area generated economic opportunities for the Tidewater agricultural community to shift their efforts to nursery production. Research projects involved cultural production, pest management, plant selection and improvement, and environmental stewardship applicable to the commercial nursery and related service industries. Turfgrass, greenhouse crops, vegetable and annual flower evaluations, and alternative crops for niche markets are under study.

The emphasis on nursery crops is justified as the nursery industry in eastern Virginia is healthy and growing with the potential for becoming larger. It is one of the few areas of agriculture that has returned a profit to well-managed operations in recent years. Environmental horticulture (including floriculture) is the fastest growing segment in U.S. agriculture in grower cash receipts, averaging 9% growth and ranked 6^th among commodity groups in cash receipts in the U.S. There are approximately 450 wholesale nursery and greenhouse operations in Virginia, occupying 11,200 acres of open and 5.4 million square feet under cover. Virginia's wholesale value of all commercial floriculture sales totaled $61.1 million, an increase of 17%, placing it 5^th among the state's top crops. The wholesale segment employed over 10,000 people. To insure that the Virginia nursery industry remains competitive, it is essential that new research is conducted and that research-based information is made available to the industry. This remains the primary focus of Hampton Roads AREC activities.

Retirements by Drs. Dan Milbocker and Ed Borchers and the resignation of Dr. Ron Walden have reduced faculty in horticultural research. In April, 1997, Laurie Smith was hired into a new Extension position, Horticulture Associate, to improve our outreach activities. The critical need is for a plant pathology faculty position to address the needs of the nursery and landscape industries. This position has become more critical within the last 2 years, as production practices that maximize growth and profits contribute to major disease outbreaks. A turf specialist is needed to address that industry in the eastern Virginia region. Both positions are in the Plan to Serve Virginia Agriculture, developed by the College.

Following the retirement of C.D. Haverty, maintenance of AREC equipment and facilities suffered greatly. Efforts are being made to outsource many of the maintenance tasks. Custodial service and boiler maintenance is now successfully outsourced. The cost of outsourcing plumbing, electrical, and carpentry repairs is far greater than the salary of a person skilled in these areas, and frequently there are significant delays between notification and repairs. Outsourcing has provided assistance in those areas where a service call market exists, but failed in the critical areas of farm machinery and farm vehicle repair. Addressing this need with a classified position is a high priority, and will be filled in 1999. Carmella Whitaker who has worked for several years as an entomology technician part-time, has assumed the lead role in information technology, assisting AREC personnel and serving as a liaison with the AGNIS group on campus.

The extended campus graduate program graduated 26 students, and 14 are currently enrolled in coursework. In addition to on-site teaching our faculty are major advisors or on graduate committees of students enrolled in programs on the main campus in Blacksburg in the departments of Entomology, Horticulture, and Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science. In addition to publishing journal articles, faculty and staff presented new research-based information at a number of conferences, commodity group meetings, and training sessions during the period. Faculty authored a number of chapters of the Virginia Tech Pest Management Guides. AREC faculty handled requests for plant and insect identification and plant disease diagnosis. Center faculty assisted clients by telephone and site visits, and cooperated with the garden writers of the daily newspapers to get timely information to the general public.

The Hampton Roads AREC continued to benefit from the Master Gardener program by utilizing these volunteers in projects that would otherwise be impossible to complete. Master Gardeners have complete responsibility for conducting the annual flower trials, installing and maintaining the perennial, herb, and vegetable demonstration areas, and assisting in the Arboretum.

Our AREC hosted numerous events and groups. The Tidewater Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association hold an annual cookout in April with nearly 100 attendees. Our annual Field Day in September has nearly 400 attendees. The largest event was the Monarch Fest hosted by the Butterfly Gardening Society of Virginia and held at our AREC, which had 1500 attendees. Our AREC continues to make its facility available to related state agencies such as VDACS who have several offices in the building and use the classroom for pesticide recertification examinations and training sessions. Space is also provided to Tidewater Community College classes in horticulture and Master Gardener training sessions. Our AREC hosts a number of monthly planning meetings such as the Professional Horticulture Conference and the Virginia Flower and Garden Show. Field trips to our AREC include classes from Norfolk State University, Hampton University, and Old Dominion University. Two graduate students at ODU used greenhouse space for their graduate research. We serve as an adoptive partner to Bayside Elementary School.

From 1993-1996 the AREC budget was extremely inadequate, creating very difficult conditions for the faculty and staff. A legislative budget amendment provided additional resources that allowed us to purchase some very essential items and to replace some outmoded equipment. New equipment obtained through the SCHEV Equipment Trust Fund to upgrade our teaching capabilities has been of great assistance. Recent acquisitions include a digital camera, automatic weather recorder, and environmental controls for the greenhouse. External funding of research at our AREC continues to be successful despite the minor crop status of nursery crops in the overall industry of agribusiness and the applied nature of our mission. In addition we receive donations of plant materials, growing media, and are loaned equipment, such as professional mowers for the turfgrass program.

We passed our 90^th year of serving the agricultural community of eastern Virginia. The past five years have been as exciting and productive as any I can recall in my 25 years at the AREC. The ability to replace obsolete equipment and make critical repairs has made a tremendous impact on our appearance to the industry and the public. The Virginia Tech Display Garden has generated tremendous media coverage, both newspaper and television.

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BONNIE L. APPLETON - Associate Professor (Ph.D., Oklahoma State University)

Provides leadership, pertinent information and training to the nursery, landscape management, cut holly and urban tree care industries in Virginia; provides technical assistance to agents of Virginia Cooperative Extension; conducts extension programs to train nursery personnel, helps establish and promote employee educational standards through association certification programs, and conducts programs and applied research to introduce new and underused nursery and landscape technologies. Applied research projects include evaluation of root modification techniques, cut holly production, and alternative trees and shrub species for use under/near utility lines. Provides information to consumers when referred by agents or industry.

THOMAS J. BANKO - Associate Professor (Ph.D., University of Idaho)

Research interests are in the area of landscape and nursery crops, and include plant pathology, plant propagation, micropropagation, chemical growth control, and container media. Evaluate and make recommendations for disease and cultural problems for wholesale and retail nurseries, landscape maintenance firms, homeowners, and extension agents. Director of Tidewater Arboretum.

JEFFREY F. DERR - Associate Professor (Ph.D., North Carolina State University)

Responsibilities are to develop weed management strategies for horticultural crops and to incorporate those results into cooperative extension programs. Provide information on weed identification and weed management in horticultural crops (tree and small fruit, nursery, and vegetable production, landscape maintenance). Extension commodity responsibilities include tree and small fruit, vegetables, nursery crops, landscape plants, and Christmas trees.

PETER B. SCHULTZ - Professor (Ph.D., VPI & SU)

Provide leadership in the development of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for the optimal suppression of insect pests of landscape plants. Research is in the management of insect pests of shade trees, nurseries, and other ornamental plants. Emphasis is on the IPM of several oak pests and in reducing pesticide usage in urban landscapes. Additional interests are in plant/pest interactions in the urban landscape, including insect resistance studies of lace bugs, and in biological control of scale insects.

LAURIE J. SMITH - Horticulture Associate (M.S., N.C.S.U.)

 Responsibilities are educational programming for Virginia commercial horticulture industries including landscape contractors and Virginia nurserymen. Duties also include support for environmental horticulture agent faculty, while acting as liaison between agent faculty, specialists, and industry. Additional interests are in new plant introductions.

RONALD F. WALDEN - Assistant Professor (Ph.D., VPI & SU) 1992 -1997.

Provide nutrient management information to nursery operators and turfgrass managers through workshop participation. Research emphasis is placed on the integration of irrigation and nutrient management to maximize water and nutrient use efficiency in container nurseries using computer-based technologies. Other projects include evaluation of turfgrass varieties and cultural practices. Dr. Walden resigned his position in 1997.

 CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL

Lawrence L. deBoxtel, Jr., Agricultural Manager B

Galina Epelman, Laboratory Specialist A

Susan C. French, Research Specialist Senior

Alfred Smith, Grounds Lead Man

Marcia A. Stefani, Research Specialist Senior

Robert A. Taylor, Research Specialist Senior

Raymond L. Valentine, Agricultural Technician B

Chloe W. Vance, Executive Secretary

Carmella Whitaker, Agricultural Technician B (restricted)

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Banko, T.J. and M.A. Stefani. 1996. Growth response of large, established shrubs to Cutless, Atrimmec, and Trim-Cut. J. Environ. Horticulture 14: 177-181.

Banko, T.J. and M.A. Stefani. 1996. Do chemical growth regulators stimulate new shoot growth and improve overwintering of deciduous azalea cuttings? J. American Rhododendron Society 50(1):32-33.

Derr, J. F., R. S. Chandran, and W. D. Ward. 1996. Preemergence and postemergence yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) control with halosulfuron. Weed Technology 10:95-99.

Derr, J. F. and S. Salihu. 1996. Preemergence herbicide effects on nursery crop root and shoot growth. J. Environ. Hort. 14(4):210-213.

Appleton, B.L. 1995. New nursery production methods lead to tree root circling reduction or elimination. Arboricult. J. 19:161-174.

Appleton, B.L. 1995. Production nursery and landscape management uses for geotextiles. Plasticulture 106:4046.

Appleton, B.L. 1995. Nursery production methods for improving tree roots. J. Arboricult. 21 : 265-270.

Banko, T.J. and M.A. Stefani. 1995. Cutless and Atrimmec for controlling growth of woody landscape plants in containers. J. Environ. Hort. 13: 22-26.

Banko, T.J. and M.A. Stefani. 1995. Growth regulators for management of fruit production of American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). J. Arboricult. 21:88-89.

Jefferson, D.K. (student), P.B. Schultz, and M.D.Bryan. 1995. Differential susceptibility of six euonymus species and cultivars to euonymus scale, Unaspis euonymi (Comstock). J. Environ. Hort. 13:140-142.

Jefferson, D.K. (student) and P.B. Schultz. 1995. Natural enemy distribution of euonymus scale, Unaspis euonymi (Comstock) in Virginia. J. Entomol. Sci. 30-273-278.

Walden, R.F. and R.D. Wright. 1995. Interactions of high temperature and exposure time influence nitrification in a pine bark medium. HortSci. 30: 1026-1028.

Walden, R.F. and R.D. Wright. 1995. Supraoptimal root-zone temperature influences the medium solution and growth of 'Helleri' holly. HortSci. 30: 1029-1025.

Coffelt, M. A. and P. B. Schultz. 1994. Within-tree distribution for the orangestriped oakworm (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) with a fixed-precision-level sampling plan. J. Econ. Entomol. 87(2): 382-388.

Derr, J. F. 1994. Innovative herbicide application methods and their potential for use in the nursery and landscape industries. HortTechnology 4(4):345-350.

Derr, J. F. 1994. Weed control in container-grown herbaceous perennials. HortScience 29:95-97.

Milbocker, D. C. 1994. 'Chuck Hayes' Gardenia. HortScience 29:829-830.

Appleton, B. L. 1993. Nursery production alternatives for reduction or elimination of circling tree roots. J. of Arboriculture 19(6):383-388.

Coffelt, M. A., P. B. Schultz, and D. D. Wolf. 1993. Impact of late season orangestriped oakworm, Anisota senatotia (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), defoliation on oak tree growth and vigor. Environ. Entomol. 22(6):1318-1324.

Coffelt, M. A., P. B. Schultz, and 'I'. J. Banko. 1993. Tree growth regulator influences orangestriped oakworm (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) development and survival. Journal of Econ. Entomol. 86(5): 446-1452.

Coffelt, M. A. and P. B. Schultz. 1993. Relationship among orangestriped oakworm (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) frass length, frass production, host plant, and defoliation. J. Entomol. Sci. 28(3):201-208.

Coffelt, M. A. and P. B. Schultz. 1993. Quantification of an aesthetic injury level and threshold for an urban pest management program against orangestriped oakworm (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 86(5):1512-1515.

Coffelt, M. A. and P. B. Schultz. 1993. Larval parasitism of orangestriped oakworm (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in the urban shade tree environment. Biological Control. 3:127-134.

Coffelt, M. A. and P. B. Schultz. 1993, Population biology of orangestriped oakworm (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in southeastern Virginia. J. Entomol. Sci. 29(2):218-229.

Coffelt, M. A. and P. B. Schultz. 1993. Host plant suitability of the orangestriped oakworm (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) J. Environ. Hort. 11(4):182-186.

Derr, J. F. 1993. Wildflower tolerance to metolachlor and metolachlor combined with other broadleaf herbicides. HortScience. 28:1023-1026.

Derr, J. F. 1993. English Ivy (Hedra helix) response to postemergence herbicides. J. Environ. Hort. 11:45-47.

Derr, J, F. and J. W. Wilcut. 1993. Control of yellow and purple nutsedges (Cyperus esculentus and C. rotundus) in nursery crops. Weed Technology.

Derr, J. F. 1993. Tolerance of apple and peach trees to triclopyr. HortScience.

Schultz, P. B. 1993. Host plant acceptance of azalea lace bug (Heteroptera: Tingidae) for selected azalea cultivars. J. Entomol. Sci. 28(2):230-235.

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Smith, L.J. 1997. Weed Chapter of the Virginia Nurserymen's Association Training Manual. 20 p.

Banko, T.J. and M.A. Stefani. 1996. (Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC.). (Sourwood), pp. 231-243. In: Y.P.S. Bajaj (ed). Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry. Trees IV. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg.

 Schultz, P. B. and D. J. Shetlar. 1994. Major insect pests of ornamental trees and shrubs. In. Leslie, A.R. ed. Handbook of IPM for turf and ornamentals. Lewis Publ./CRC Press. Boca Raton, FL. 660p.

Skroch, W. A., J.C. Neal, J. F. Derr and A. F. Senesac. 1994. Weed control suggestions for Christmas trees, woody ornamentals, and flowers. l00p.

Appleton, B. L. Trees, Shrubs and Vines. In Rodale's Successful Organic Gardening. 1993, Rodale Press. 70p.

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 Conference Proceedings

Smith, L.J. and R.T. Taylor. 1997. Effects of preemergence-applied herbicides on container grown perennials. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 42:312-314.

Appleton, B. and S. French. 1996. The Cellugro System® - a new nursery production method. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 41:107-110.

Banko, T.J. and M.A. Stefani. 1996. Chemical growth control of Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 41:214-217.

Banko, T.J. and M.A. Stefani. 1996. Timing of Sumagic application influences Kalmia flower bud initiation and plant size. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 41:218-222.

Mitchell, W.H. and P.B. Schultz. 1996. Identification, seasonality and host preference of tip-feeding pests of red maples. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 41:168-169.

Walden, R.F. and A.X. Niemiera. 1996. Container irrigation based on substrate moisture tension reduces N leaching. In Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assoc. Res. Conf. 41:337-340.

Banko, T.J. and M.A. Stefani. 1995. Promotion of flower bud development on Kalmia latifolia with growth retardants. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf 40: 255-258.

French, S.C. and B.L. Appleton. 1995. Full vs. partial container coating with SpinoutÔ . In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf 40:90-93.

Schultz, P.B. 1995. Evaluation of aphid control in multi-plant containers. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf 40:207-208.

Touchette, B. and B.L. Appleton. 1995. Alternative utility line plants. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf 40:39-42.

Walden, R.F. 1995. Fall fertilization of nursery crops. In Combined Proc. Internat. Plant Propagator's Soc. 45:

Walden, R.F. and R.D. Wright. 1995. Growth response of nandina as influenced by substrate temperature and limestone amendment. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 40:135-137.

Appleton, B.L. and A. Salzman. 1994. Root modification of container-grown azaleas using SpinOutÔ . In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 38:73-74.

Appleton, B. L. 1994. Using copper compounds to modify roots on container-grown trees. In Comb. Proc. Intern. Plant Prop. Soc. 43:10-13.

Appleton, B. L. Elimination of circling tree roots during nursery production. The Landscape Below-Ground. In Proc. Intl. Workshop on Tree Root Development in Urban Soil. pp. 93-97.

Banko, T. J. and M. A. Stefani. 1994. Growth management in commercial production of bedding plants: Pansies (Viola x Wittrockiana.) In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 39:266-268.

Banko, T. J. and M. A. Stefani. 1994. Chemical growth regulation of established landscape shrubs. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 38:270-272.

Banko, T. J. and M. A. Stefani, 1994. Response of Catharanthus roseus (Vinca) to shearing and application of uniconazole. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 38:268-270.

Derr, J. F. 1994. Tolerance of groundcovers to preemergence herbicides. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 39:303-304.

Schultz, P. B. 1994. Management of aphids on river birch. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res.Conf. 39:185-186.

Walden, R. F. and R. D. Wright. 1994. Supraoptimal rootzone temperature influences medium solution composition. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf., 39:110-112.

Banko, T. J. and M. A. Stefani. 1992. Chemical growth control of container-grown woody plants. In Proc. Son. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 37: 238-240.

Banko, T. J. and M. A. Stefani. 1993. Chemical growth regulation of established landscape shrubs. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 38:270-272.

Banko, T. J. and M. A. Stefani. 1993. Response of Catharanthus roseus (Vinca) to shearing and application of uniconazole. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 38:268-270.

Coffelt, M.A. and P.B. Schultz. 1993. Comparison of mortality of an early and late instar defoliator with Bacillus thuringiensis. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 39:178-180.

Derr, J. F. 1993. Control of summer annual weeds. In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 39: 317-319.

Milbocker, D. C. 1993. Advantages of the low profile container. Proc. Landscape Below Ground Workshop. Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Ill.

Schultz, P. B. 1993. Rearing euonymus scale predators, is it practical? In Proc. Sou. Nurs. Assoc. Res. Conf. 38:177-178.

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1994

Euonymus scale, Unaspis euonymi (Comstock): host preference, and distribution of native and imported natural enemies in Virginia. M.S. thesis, David K. Jefferson.

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Nursery Stock Root Modification (Appleton) Several root modifying techniques, including copper on container interior walls and impregnated in polypropylene fabric bags for container-grown plants, and grow bags with herbicide for field-grown plants, are being tested for their effectiveness on a variety of nursery species.

Root Ball Holding Techniques (Appleton) An increase in nursery stock being dug in the spring and held for summer planting has led to a need to find good B&B root ball holding techniques. Several are being compared including containerization, stretch wrapping, sleeving in polypropylene with and without copper, and individual root ball drip irrigation.

Alternative Trees and Shrubs for Planting in Utility Easements (Appleton) A utility line arboretum has been started at HRAREC under two spans of uncharged lines erected by Virginia Power. Small trees and large shrubs are being trialed that could be used in utility easements without requiring pruning for line clearance.

Cut Holly Production (Appleton) Production of deciduous and evergreen holly for harvest as a cut crop for decorative use is being investigated. A collection of English, American, deciduous and various hybrid hollies has been planted, and is being added to yearly, to determine the best species, hybrids and cultivars for cut production.

New Nursery Production System (Appleton) The new multiplant in-ground CelluGro^TM unit is being evaluated for direct seeding propagation of trees, and production of trees and shrubs for wetland mitigation and transplanting into wet landscape sites.

Salt-tolerant Trees for Oceanfront Landscaping (Appleton) A cooperative study is being conducted with the City of Virginia Beach to select trees that will be tolerant of airborne salt for use along the oceanfront. Trees must show not only salt tolerance, but must also have characteristics that make them good street trees in a heavily used resort area. Thus far two, goldenraintree and the fruitless cultivar of sweetgum, have shown good salt tolerance and are being used by the City to replace less tolerant Londonplane trees. Another promising tree is the 'Little Gem' southern magnolia.

Evaluation of Chemical Growth Retardants. (Banko) Frequent shearing is often required to maintain desirable plant form during production of nursery crops. This can be labor intensive and costly. Several chemical growth regulator treatments are being evaluated for their use in reducing the need for mechanical trimming of plants during nursery production and to improve plant quality. Herbaceous plants being tested include Verbena and Petunia for size control, and Coreopsis, Salvia, and Portulaca for increased branching. Promotion of flowering of Kalmia latifolia (Mountain laurel) with growth regulators was also studied.

Chemical Defoliation of Deciduous Holly (Banko) Deciduous holly branches are harvested for their berries, primarily for Christmas decorations. These branches need to be free of the senescing leaves when they are utilized. Since deciduous hollies loose their leaves late in the season, the leaves usually need to be removed by hand. Chemical defoliants for possible use on hollies are being evaluated for this purpose.

Pathology of Nursery Crops (Banko) Evaluation of some new fungicides for control of common nursery crop diseases was continued. This year fungicides for control of Rhizoctonia Blight of Ajuga reptans and Colletotrichum leaf spot of Hedera helix were evaluated.

Effect of Chemical and Nonchemical Weed Management Strategies on Nursery Crop Growth (Derr) Determine the impact of nursery management strategies on the growth and quality of ornamental plants.

Landscape Integrated Pest Management (Derr) Evaluate the use of mulches, landscape fabrics, and herbicides for integrated management of landscape weeds.

Management of Annual and Perennial Broadleaf Weeds in Tree Fruit and Nursery Production (Derr) Evaluate strategies for management of prostrate spurge, common ragweed, poison ivy, and troublesome broadleaf weeds infesting container and field nursery production, and apple production.

Management of Yellow and Purple Nutsedge (Derr) Evaluate control strategies for these perennial weeds in horticultural crop production and landscape maintenance.

Pest Life History (Schultz) Trapping studies are being conducted to determine life histories of nursery and landscape plant pests, and to relate the information to degree day predictive models. The Asian ambrosia beetle and key scale pests are currently being studied.

IPM of Holly Orchards (Schultz) A season-long scouting program with cooperating Virginia growers identified the key pests of holly orchards and resulted in a monitoring table for growers to use in conjunction with Pest Management Guides.

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Commercial Nursery Production (Appleton) Extension programs concentrate on conveying production, landscape management, professional certification, and urban tree care information via newsletters, short courses, site and office visits, phone calls, extension agent requests, and the annual HRAREC Field Day. Over 3,000 contacts were made with clients.

 Tree Fruit Weed Management (Derr) Provide information on weed identification and weed management for tree fruit production.

Nursery Weed Management (Derr) Develop weed management programs for container and field nursery production. Provide weed identification and diagnosis of herbicide injury services to growers.

Landscape Integrated Pest Management (Derr) Develop environmentally-sound, cost-effective weed control strategies utilizing research findings and to develop alternatives to chemicals for weed control. Provide weed identification and diagnosis of herbicide injury services to landscape firms.

Small Fruit Weed Management (Derr) Develop integrated weed management programs for the production of grapes, blueberries and other small fruit in this statewide extension program.

Nursery IPM Program. (Schultz)The diversity of species in production and the industry's distribution throughout Virginia results in a complex of key pests. Extension programs for degree day models for Virginia climates were developed for several of the many pests of woody ornamentals which decreased the amount of pesticide applications through improved timing. In addition, demonstration projects evaluate new biorational pesticides (less toxic to the environment and to pesticide applicators) for national registration.

Landscape IPM Program. (Schultz) The primary goal of this program is to develop and transfer new technology that replaces calendar scheduled pesticide applications. Development and implementation of a street tree IPM program in the City of Norfolk incorporated research on natural enemies of oak leucanium scale and ecology of orangestriped oakworm. Development of aesthetic injury thresholds served as a model for municipal government decision makers. The seasonal life cycle, the optimal timing for suppression, and the use of biorational approaches, including resistant cultivars for azalea lace bug were developed.

Greenhouse IPM Program. (Schultz) A primary goal in greenhouse and interiorscape IPM is to provide monitoring and suppression information that managers can incorporate into pest management programs. Research on biorational products contributed to two national pesticide registrations.

Turfgrass Variety Evaluations (Chalmers) Varieties of tall fescue, bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass are evaluated in cooperation with the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP). The location of HRAREC in a large population center with a more transitional climate than the Blacksburg campus provides an opportunity to examine the local performance and adaptation of turfgrass species and varieties, while affording ready access to demonstration plots for lawn care professionals.

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Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station.