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, 1996 PROJECT: S-103, TECHNICAL AND ECONOMICAL EFFICIENCIES OF PRODUCING AND MARKETING LANDSCAPE PLANTS   USEFULNESS OF FINDINGS Each of the projects have provided benefits to the public, whether they be businesses, political entities, or consumers of landscape plants. Some relevant examples include the pest management work directed towards the greenhouse and nursery industry, as well as landscape maintenance firms. Regional competiveness analysis indicates that though the southern region has had a higher than average increase in market share of grower cash receipts in nursery crops, the north central region has experienced an even higher increase. Furthermore, an innovative analysis of consumer preferences for geraniums revealed that interest in a blue geranium was less than for the standard colors of red and lavender. This type of research can assist plant breeders and retailers in developing new varieties of landscape plants.