Theme A: Individual plant micro-climate in the greenhouse.

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1 Theme A: Individual plant micro-climate in the greenhouse. Activity A-1: Dynamic greenhouse climate control to conserve energy and improve crop quality. Lead Researcher: Dr Xiuming Hao, AAFC, Harrow ON. Annual Report Summary: This project was conducted to develop dynamic greenhouse heating and climate control strategies/technology to conserve energy in greenhouse ornamental crop production while ensuring timely production and maximizing plant quality. Several growth chamber trials on Poinsettias and chrysanthemums and one major greenhouse trial on Poinsettias were conducted. The newly developed dynamic temperature integration (TI) strategy with early morning and pre-morning temperature drop produced more compact poinsettia plants (shorter branches and plant height) and maintained leaf area, bract area and biomass (thus a better quality plants) and also have the potential to save energy. Higher root zone heating temperature could be used with the new TI for more energy saving but irrigation management may need to be adjusted. The data generated from the growth chamber trial on chrysanthemums was used to design treatments for a major greenhouse trial on chrysanthemums, which will be completed in the third year of the project. All the activities planned for the second year of the project are completed. Activity A-2: Winter greenhouse heat consumption reduction. Lead Researcher: Dr Damien de Halleux, Université Laval, Annual Report Summary: Researchers are developing strategies that combine the use of thermal screens, temperature integration and CO 2 injection strategies to provide the optimal microclimate for potted plants. Cold temperature slows plant growth which can be overcome by the stimulating effects of CO2 injection combined with high ventilation tolerances. Boiler controls and ventilation strategies are also being evaluated in order to determine the best strategies for using their existing equipment. A comprehensive literature review has been completed and trials with Poinsettia and Hydrangea are underway, Petunia will begin soon. Preliminary results of climatic strategies with poinsettia have seen energy savings ranging from 10% to 20%. Budget and timelines remain on track. Theme B: Enhancing the diversity and efficacy of pest and weed control agents. Activity B-2: Optimisation of management practices for biological control of thrips and other important pests of ornamental crops. Lead Researcher: Dr Les Shipp, AAFC, Harrow ON. Annual Report Summary: The greenhouse industry is facing significant challenges around the management of arthropod pests; chemical controls are failing and few effective options remain to combat major pest problems in the floriculture sector. This project is assessing techniques to promote the efficacy of these natural enemies by using pollen as a supplemental food source to boost the populations of predatory mites. Laboratory trials have been completed to identify the influence of

2 supplemental food sources on the development and oviposition rates for the predatory mites (A. swirskii and N. cucumeris). Cherry pollen seems to be the most suitable supplementary food studied for both A swirskii and N. cucumeris and is readily available as a commercial product, contrary to the other supplementary foods studied here. Seasonal effects on predation are also being examined with the aim of optimising strategies for winter and summer production. One further year of testing remains. Activity B-3: Biocontrol strategy for the control of aphids on greenhouse ornamentals. Lead Researcher: Dr Dave Gillespie, AAFC Agassiz, BC. Annual Report Summary: A combination of theoretical modelling and experimentation has confirmed that the concept of using Botanigard in combination with natural enemies to control aphids is valid. Results clearly demonstrate that a product such as Botanigard is best applied in conjunction with other natural enemies. Botanigard did not disrupt biological control of aphid in cage experiments and the combination of treatments should provide stable control of aphid populations below injury thresholds. This hypothesis will be tested in the coming year in both laboratory and greenhouse studies with the aim of developing protocols for optimal application. Despite initial delays researchers are confident that the objectives of this project will be achieved. Activity B-4: Biocontrol agents for turf pests. Lead Researcher: Dr Michael Brownbridge, Vineland Annual Report Summary: Five fungal entomopathogens, two nematode species, and neem seed cake were applied alone and in combination to control European Chafer and Chinch Bug pests in turf. Trials are being conducted in Ontario and BC. Overall, neem seed cake provided the best control of chafer larvae although the lack of registration in Canada for insecticidal use at present, will hamper its availability. Soil studies of highly managed turf suggest that there may be no natural fungal controls present that could suppress chafer infestations. This may actually present an opportunity to improve management of chafer in turf by adding beneficial strains of the fungus Metarhizium. Chinch bugs were successfully controlled with nematodes and an experimental essential oil product. Additional trials will be carried out in 2012 to validate effects and provide new biopesticides for the lawn-care industry. Activity B-5: Alternative weed control methods and bioherbicides in turf and nursery production. Lead Researcher: Dr Francois Tardif, University of Guelph. Annual Report Summary: Weed control in turfgrass without the use of synthetic herbicides can be difficult. Field trials done at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute have shown that alternative weed control products vary greatly in their efficacy. While a few can provide control comparable to that of synthetic herbicides, most provide a level of control that would be unacceptable for most users. Overseeding with some grass species can lead to increased turf cover and may be a useful strategy in light of increasing restrictions on pesticide use. Supina bluegrass has never before been tested in Canada and early results suggest that this may be an effective alternative to other grass species for cultural weed management practices.

3 Theme C: Investigation and application of water use reduction technologies. Activity C-1.2: Water treatment technologies. Lead Researcher: Dr Youbin Zheng, University of Guelph Annual Report Summary: A literature review has been conducted and growers and water treatment companies have been interviewed. A comprehensive list of water treatment technologies has been developed with advantages and disadvantages identified for each. A flow chart has been developed to assist growers in deciding which water treatment technology best suits their operations. Application protocols and an interactive website is currently being developed to help growers decide which technologies to use in their own operations. Activity C-1.3: Pathogen suppression in substrates. Lead Researcher: Dr Youbin Zheng, University of Guelph Annual Report Summary: An array of organic materials, either composted or not composted, with potential pathogen suppression properties, were mixed with other components to form a variety of growing substrates. Pathogen-prone ornamental plants (e.g. potted begonia) were grown in these growing substrates under greenhouse conditions. Substrates contain vermicasting or pine bark showed disease suppression, however the results were not consistent. More research is needed to identify substrates with consistent pathogen suppression properties. The next step will be to complete the data analysis for the current project and conduct a literature review for future recommendations. Activity C-1.4: Reducing water applications. Lead Researcher: Dr Youbin Zheng, University of Guelph Annual Report Summary: A thorough literature review and grower consultations have been completed. Some promising irrigation technologies for Canadian ornamental nursery plant production have been identified. A sensor-based automated irrigation system was developed and evaluated in a commercial nursery for pot-in-pot tree production. The first year s results showed that growers could cut their water usage by more than 50%. We have communicated this research to growers and other stakeholders. The trial and technology transfer activities will be carried on for another year. Activity C-1.8: Expand the adoption of precision plant-based irrigation technologies to reduce water use in both greenhouse and nursery product. Lead Researcher: Dr David Ehret, AAFC, Agassiz, BC Annual Report Summary: The CropAssist system, developed by these researchers for greenhouse tomatoes is being modified and used throughout this study in ornamentals. Two greenhouse species and two nursery species, each of which differed in daily water requirements, were monitored for periods of up to 30 consecutive days. In each, water uptake (transpiration) could be measured automatically and continuously and was found to differ among species and in response to changes in climate. In addition, information on substrate moisture status could be obtained. Theme D: Product quality enhancement during shipping and point of sale.

4 Activity D2: Pre- and post-harvest treatments to maintain quality and control diseases of greenhouse and nursery crop species. Lead Researcher: Dr Jun Song, AAFC Kentville, NS. Annual Report Summary: This project is focusing on pre-and postharvest treatments such as 1- methylcyclopropene (1 -MCP) to extend the shelf life of cut flowers. During 2011, vase life of four types of cut flowers was evaluated by measuring color, water uptake and chlorophyll fluorescence. Both ethylene sensitivity and microbial contamination play important roles in determining the vase life of cut flowers. Treatment of 1-MCP significantly delayed the senescence of cut flowers, especially for carnation, rose and gerbera. Antimicrobial agents showed the potential to reduce the microbial population (bacteria, yeast and molds) in stalk solution. The evaluation of microbial agents will continue this year to establish an optimal treatment regime for postharvest management of cut flowers. Quantitative proteomic studies on cut roses will be conducted to gain fundamental insights into flower senescence. Activity D4: Plant height control through nutrition management practices. Lead Researcher: Dr Theo Blom, University of Guelph; Annual Report Summary: This project is investigating the effect of nutrient ratios on the control of plant height. There is a commonly held belief that high nitrate ratios produce smaller plants and high ammonium ratios produce larger plants although analysis of the first year of experimental data showed no significant differences between treatments. Second year data has been collected and statistical analysis is underway. Activity D5: D5: Evaluation of novel materials in postharvest storage of bare root nursery stock. Lead Researcher: Dr Bernard Goyette, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. Annual Report Summary: After some negative results on the original project, in late 2011, this project was redesigned in consultation with the nursery sector and taken over by post-harvest specialist Dr Goyette. A literature review was commenced in Jan 2012 and is being used to design a set of small-scale experiments for post-harvest treatments of bare-root trees. The outcome of the reformatted project will be a literature review and some preliminary experimental results that will include recommendations for future work. Theme E: Innovation in ornamental plants. Activity E-1-2: Innovation in ornamental plant cultivars and native species. Lead Researcher: Dr Rumen Conev, Vineland Annual Report Summary: This is a small scale experiment that is evaluating twenty native species planted at three test locations in Ontario and Newfoundland. In each location plant performance is being evaluated in sun and shade, in different growth media and with different watering regimes. Some plant material has not survived due to a variety of reasons and observations of remaining material are ongoing.

5 Activity E-3: Green roof technologies. Lead Researcher: Dr Rumen Conev, Vineland Annual Report Summary: This project is evaluating new or underutilized plants that have high potential for use in green roofs. The project emphasizes the use of native plants and is being held in 2 distinctively different locations in Nova Scotia and Ontario. To date, 37 species have been planted and data for the performance during year 1 has been collected and analysed with positive results for virtually all species tested. These results will allow green roof designers to significantly expand their palette of useful plants. A second experiment to investigate the invasiveness of these species was initiated. Evaluation of winter survivability is now underway and collection of performance data will continue throughout the summer. In consultation with COHA and AAFC, a $7000 increase to the third year budget for this project was approved, reassigning funds from the bare root project, D5. Theme F: Analysis and reduction of nutrient run-off. Activity F-1: Evaluation of turf fertilization run-off impact and mitigation techniques. Lead Researcher: Dr Yves Desjardins, Université Laval. Annual Report Summary: The objectives of this project are to compare the effect of four different reallife maintenance programs on: turfgrass quality, nutrient losses through runoff and leaching, and soil fertility level. Twelve plots have been established to evaluate five different maintenance regimes that include aerification, topdressing, weed control, fertilization etc. Setup of plots and data collection has been significantly delayed and data collection begins in the spring of 2012.