Home Project Statement Project Participants Annual Reports Meeting Minutes Resources		ANNUAL REPORT OF COOPERATIVE REGIONAL PROJECTS Supported by Allotments of the Regional Research Fund, Hatch Act, as Amended August 11, 1955 January 1 to December 31, 1994 PROJECT: S-103, TECHNICAL AND ECONOMICAL EFFICIENCIES OF PRODUCING AND MARKETING LANDSCAPE PLANTS   USEFULNESS OF FINDINGS Due to the nationwide level of participation on the S-103 project, and the breadth of interdisciplinary work conducted, research results continue to reach all levels of the horticultural industry, from the producer and industry support firms to the wholesale/intermediate marketers and service industries to the retail marketer to the consumer.   Objective 1: Evaluate alternative landscape (environmental) plant production, establishment and maintenance systems. The closed, insulated pallet system (CIPS) addresses the major factors limiting horticulture - water, labor, pest management and energy. Horticultural and economic evaluations of new production media and specialized techniques (growth of trees to larger size, CIPS, and irrigation and overwintering technologies) will provide needed recommendations for the nursery industry Landscape planting recommendations are in a state of transition. This research indicates a growth benefit in the first year when red maples are planted in larger holes (3x root ball) and no difference in tree growth with taper- vs. straight-sided holes. Since much more soil removal is required to dig straight-sided holes, the adoption of taper-sided holes will result in labor savings for the industry. This research also suggests a growth benefit when backfill amendments are incorporated for trees planted in sandy soils. The water stress associated with growth in sandy soils had a major impact on tree growth. When backfill amendments were used on a sandy site, growth improved, probably due to increased moisture-holding capacity of the amended backfill. Water use is a critical issue in many state that experience regular water shortages. When water restrictions are imposed, irrigation of landscape plants is often curtailed. Nurseries require irrigation for proper production and demand for landscape plants decreases dramatically when homeowners are not unable to irrigate. The development of efficient irrigation and identification of drought tolerant species for proper plant selection can improve this situation for the nursery industry. Cost of production budgets continue to provide current and potential nursery operators information necessary to make sound business decisions. By updating existing publications that have been used by nurseries and financial institutions, we provide our constituents with accurate, relevant information. Garden center surveys are beginning to provide valuable information for an aspect of the industry that has previously been underserviced. Creating and assessing market demand for nursery products is essential to the health of the nursery industry. Studies regarding the purchasing behavior of consumers help retailers and producers match their efforts to satisfy the desires of consumers. Reclamation of mines for the Mountain States has become an important environmental issue. Investigation of possible wildflower industry for mining reclamation may serve as a new industry for economic development in the Mountain States. Use of wildflowers and native grasses along roadways is an attractive and cost-effective alternative to mowed turf. Many states are seeking recommendations for highway plantings.   Objective 2: Evaluate the regional competitiveness within the landscape (environmental plant industry. Data from the national nursery trade flow survey will provide valuable information about the structure of the nursery industry. With changing trade policies from NAFTA to GATT, the impacts to major agricultural sectors have been analyzed in past studies. However, agricultural sectors such as horticultural and greenhouse industries are overlooked. Through computable general equilibrium model analysis, which incorporates the horticultural sector, impacts from changes in trade policies on the U.S. horticultural and greenhouse industry may be derived. Optimal plant mix research is used to make recommendations about product mix and management strategies to nurseries, garden center operators and landscapers.   Objective 3: Evaluate the demand for landscape (environmental plants, materials and service) Estimation of population thresholds are useful to urban and rural areas in focusing local economic development programs. Documentation of the size and scope of the nursery/landscape and turf industries will help these industries achieve the political clout they deserve.