California Ag Network

Tag: Plant Health

  • Secretary Rollins Announces New Priorities for Research and Development in 2026

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has signed a Secretary’s Memorandum that puts forth a focused effort to establish new priorities for future research and development activities funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen U.S. Agriculture for farmers and consumers.

    The American farm economy suffered under failed Biden-Harris Administration policies that drove up inflation, created a weak trade agenda that resulted in no new trade deals for American commodities, and propagated crippling overregulation. Further, misguided policies focused on DEI and environmental justice in agricultural research, extension, and education programs diverted resources away from solving actual programs that American farmers and ranchers are facing.

    Since January, the Trump Administration has been working nonstop to strengthen the farm safety net, create new export opportunities for American commodities, lower the cost of critical agricultural inputs, and root out DEI from all USDA programs. However, strategic investments in agricultural research and development will help American farmers and ranchers increase profitability while continuing to provide consumers with the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food and fiber supply in the world for decades to come.

    “When he created the People’s Department and the land-grant university system in 1862, President Lincoln had a vision for American agriculture rooted in agricultural innovation and education. Since that time, research coming from USDA and our colleges of agriculture have successfully helped American farmers and ranchers address countless challenges,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “The priorities we are announcing today further reiterates President Trump’s commitment to put Farmers First and provides our agricultural researchers with a strategic roadmap to help keep our producers at the forefront of productivity.”

    New Research and Development Priorities:

    Moving forward, new research and development activities funded by USDA will be focused on projects that address one or more of the following priorities that put Farmers First:

    1 Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers: While research to increase productivity has allowed American farmers and ranchers to provide the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food and fiber supply, the volatility in profitability of American agriculture leads to significant uncertainty for producers. Research and development that results in increased profitability—such as reducing inputs or increasing mechanization and automation—will benefit American farmers and ranchers.

    2 Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products: With many producers experiencing record yields this growing season, it is more important than ever to ensure USDA is expanding markets and creating new uses for these American-grown commodities. Research and development that seeks to open new markets—such as generating science and data to resolve longstanding sanitary and phytosanitary trade barriers—or expand the utilization of these commodities in novel biobased products and bioenergy (including biofuels) will result in increased demand.

    3 Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species: The resurgence of New World Screwworm in Mexico, continued westward expansion of the Spotted Lanternfly, persistence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry flocks, and decimation of our domestic citrus industry due to citrus greening are just a few examples of how invasive pests and diseases threaten American agriculture and natural resources. Research and development focused on new and effective methods for preventing, detecting, controlling, and eradicating these threats is a top priority for USDA and the security of U.S. agriculture.

    4 Promoting Soil Health to Regenerate Long-Term Productivity of Land: American farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists as no one stewards their land more than those whose entire livelihood, and that of their successive generations, depend on it. Research and development that promotes soil health practices, increases water-use efficiency, and reduces inputs will ensure farms and ranches remain productive for generations to come.

    5 Improving Human Health through Precision Nutrition and Food Quality: Substantial and increasingly robust evidence shows that a healthy diet can help people achieve and maintain good health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases throughout all stages of life. Rigorous research on precision nutrition is needed to better understand how healthy dietary patterns impact people at the individual level with the goal of more targeted nutritional recommendations to encourage healthy choices, healthy outcomes, and healthy families. Additionally, research and development on increasing the nutritional content and quality of foods will lead to increased demand for American agricultural products.

  • Growers & Landscapers Invited to California Nursery Conference Sept. 10-11

    Nursery owners and landscapers – do you know about the latest invasive pest lurking in greenhouses? Are you getting the most efficiency out of your irrigation systems? What are you doing to protect your plants from the next record-breaking heat wave?

    Scientists from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources will address these pressing questions and other research findings at the 2025 California Nursery Conference on Sept. 10-11 at the Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula.

    For more than 40 years, this conference has assembled UC researchers to catch horticultural business owners up to speed on science that can influence their bottom line.

    The first day of the conference will feature seminars, demonstrations and poster sessions in English and Spanish. Day two will offer hands-on experiences, with attendees invited to tour local nurseries, greenhouses and landscapes. Stops will include Seaside Gardens, Boething Treeland and more.

    To see the agenda and register, visit https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/events/california-nursery-conference-2025.

    During last year’s California Nursery Conference, growers demonstrated plant propagation and pest management practices in greenhouses. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    Photo Caption: During last year’s California Nursery Conference, growers demonstrated plant propagation and pest management practices in greenhouses. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    Tapping into low-water landscaping

    Nursery agriculture is a billion-dollar industry in California, generating more value than processing tomatoes or broiler chickens. It’s also diverse in its products, including backyard citrus trees, flower bouquets or native plants used for habitat restoration.

    Despite the industry’s size and broad offerings, there are some challenges all nursery growers must contend with, says UC Cooperative Extension horticulture advisor and conference organizer Gerardo Spinelli. Water is at the top of that list.

    “Whether you grow a dieffenbachia in a big greenhouse, or you grow an agave outdoors, you need to irrigate it. There’s no way out of it in California,” Spinelli said. “Irrigation efficiency is something that is relevant for everybody.”

    “Low-water” plants and landscapes are a hot topic for discussion in this drought-prone state, and this conference taps into the issue. Seminar topics will include water retention in various substrates, managing pathogens in recirculating irrigation systems and advice on successfully managing a low-water landscape.

    Knowledge exchange goes both ways – input shared by horticultural professionals may inspire the next research projects taken on by UC scientists. Spinelli is looking forward to this social aspect of the conference and hopes to understand the market pressures growers may be facing. For example: which flowers are selling well this year? Which are out of fashion?

    “Nursery and floriculture is an industry that is always very dynamic…the trends are fast,” Spinelli said. “You are more picky when you choose something that has to do with beauty.”

    The event is intended to meet growers’ specific needs, while offering broad value to more general audiences as well. In fact, the conference agenda was developed to include issues facing landscaping professionals, according to Natalie Levy, UC Cooperative Extension soil health and organic materials management advisor.

    Levy is looking forward to the landscaping session, which will include a talk highlighting the market demands and extreme climate conditions weighing on nursery growers and landscapers alike. Growers may want to consider selling plants that have been evaluated through research as being high performing under low-water treatments, such as those Blue Ribbon Winners identified in the UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials. That recognition from scientists could be a marketable quality.

    “This information just gives another edge of marketability to the grower,” Levy said.

    The California Nursery Conference 2025 will have hands-on learning components, including demonstrations and field trips. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    Photo Caption: The California Nursery Conference 2025 will have hands-on learning components, including demonstrations and field trips. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.

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  • USDA Invests $17.7 Million in Plant Health and Production Workforce

    Washington, D. C., (June 1, 2017) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced 54 grants totaling more than $17.7 million for plant research that helps optimize crop production, mitigate disease, and increase yield. The funding is made possible through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

    “Plants are the foundation of diet for both humans and animals,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “It is imperative to invest in research to stay ahead of the biological and environmental constraints, and develop new technologies to produce a secure, nutritious food supply for a growing population.”

    AFRI is USDA’s flagship competitive grants program for foundational and translational research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. The AFRI program area of Plant Health and Production and Plant Products (PHPPP) supports projects on foundational knowledge of agricultural production systems, pests, and beneficial species in agricultural production systems, physiology of agricultural plants, and plant breeding for agricultural production.

    FY16 Plant Health and Production and Plant Products grants include:

    Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural Production Systems

    • University of California, Berkeley, California, $500,000
    • Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, $400,000
    • Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa, $500,000
    • University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, $500,000
    • Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, $400,000
    • Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, $500,000
    • Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, $500,000
    • Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi, $400,000
    • University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, $461,187
    • Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, $461,187
    • University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, $500,000

    Plant Breeding for Agricultural Production

    • University of California, Davis, California, $490,000
    • University of California, Davis, California, $490,000
    • University of California, Davis, California, $25,000
    • University of California, Davis, California, $25,000
    • USDA Agricultural Research Service, Midwest Area, Peoria, Illinois, $490,000
    • Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa, $490,000
    • Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa, $490,000
    • Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, $150,000
    • University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, $20,000
    • Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, $244,618
    • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, $456,727
    • Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, $25,000
    • University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, $490,000
    • Gordon Research Conferences, West Kingston, Rhode Island, $25,000
    • South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, $244,618
    • Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, Texas, $490,000
    • University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, $490,000
    • University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, $25,000

    Physiology of Agricultural Plants

    • Chapman University, Orange, California, $149,980
    • University of California, Davis, California, $499,995
    • University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, $150,000
    • University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, $24,950
    • Florida International University, Miami, Florida, $116,830
    • University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, $455,000
    • University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, $451,747
    • University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, $410,000
    • USDA Agricultural Research Service, Midwest Area, Peoria, Illinois, $410,000
    • Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, $470,000
    • Louisiana State University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, $499,627
    • American Society of Plant Biologists, Rockville, Maryland, $25,000
    • University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, $499,032
    • University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, $425,200
    • Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, $135,578
    • Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, $470,000
    • Gordon Research Conferences, West Kingston, Rhode Island, $20,740
    • Gordon Research Conferences, West Kingston, Rhode Island, $18,500
    • University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, $410,000
    • University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, $17,500
    • Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, Texas, $455,000
    • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, $470,000
    • Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, $410,000
    • Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, $494,390
    • University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, $25,000

    Among these FY16 projects, NIFA and a multistate consortium led by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, in response to the commodity board provision in the 2014 Farm Bill, are co-funding Iowa State University researchers to study the use of soil nitrate sensors and genotyping to improve yield prediction models for next generation breeders. Among other projects, Michigan Technological University researchers will investigate novel timber production systems to protect productivity and sustainability of northern hardwoods in the North-Central region. Rutgers University researchers will target cranberry fruit chemistry to develop cultivars for use in healthier, low-sugar products.

    More information on these projects is available on the NIFA website.

    To date, NIFA has awarded more than $68 million through the PHPPP program. Past projects include a University of Pennsylvania effort to aid plant pollination by producing improved honeybees. A University of Florida project sought to develop drought-resistant peanut cultivars and developed an irrigation-scheduling tool.