Speaker: John Erwin, Professor/Chair - Plant Science, Landscape Architecture at Univ of Maryland

Session Title: Efficiency Trends for Greenhouse Production

Saturday, July 10 • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Description: This session will explore some of the new techniques and research being used to increase efficiency in greenhouse production. Techniques include using PGR combinations to reduce labor cost, reducing chemical cost with linear drenches, using Hydrafiber to reduce media costs, and looking into new, more efficient LED lighting systems.

Level: Fundamental Type: Trends

Session Title: Basics of Growing Common Foliage Plants

Saturday, July 10 • 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Description: Foliage plants are back! They can be easy to produce and profitable. What fertilizers, light levels, and temperatures are best? Which PGRs work with foliage plants? What are common disease and pest issues with foliage and ways to control them? Get your questions answered and learn about new research results from the University of Maryland to help you be successful in marketing these old-new popular plants.

Level: Fundamental Type: Growing

Session Title: Great PGRs to Reduce Labor Costs

Sunday, July 11 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Description: Florel and Configure can be applied to reduce labor costs (with pinching) as well as to increase branching. A bonus is that they generally reduce stem elongation, too. This session will discuss how water pH, temperature, humidity, and drying time affect Florel and Configure efficacy. In addition, we will discuss application timing (both during the day and during production) to get the most bang for your buck!

Level: Fundamental Type: Growing

Speaker / Sponsor

John Erwin

Professor and Chair, Plant Science & Landscape Architecture at University of Maryland

EDUCATION

B.S. Ornamental Horticulture Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture (1983)
M.S. Horticulture Michigan State University (1986)
PhD. Horticulture Michigan State University (1989)

My scholarship is grounded in a strong belief in the importance of the Land-grant mission to society. My research around environmental plant physiology addresses current and future societal and industry concerns; two such concerns are negative high temperature impacts on crop yield, and reducing agricultural chemical application to benefit our communities and the environment. For instance, annual Maryland temperatures increased 1.8oF, and Baltimore sea levels increased 30 cm since 1895 (Figure 1); every 1oC increase in day temperature, reduces crop yield 2.5-16% (Battisti & Naylor, 2009). Over-application of fertilizers (nitrogen and phosphorus, in particular), as well as pesticides/fungicides can negatively impact surrounding natural ecosystems (such as the Chesapeake Bay) and ground and surface water that can impact ecosystem and human health. In addition, increases in labor costs are reducing farm profitability. Taken together, my research aims to 1) reduce negative impacts of high temperature on crop yield by accelerating high temperature tolerant crop development through molecular and traditional breeding techniques, to 2) reduce chemical, energy and labor crop production inputs while increasing postharvest life, and to 3) introduce new drought and/or heat tolerant crops.

University of Maryland -- Agriculture, Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
Founded in 1856, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is the Cornerstone of the University of Maryland. Learn about our rich history, our current initiatives, our talented students, and our passionate faculty and staff.

Address:
4291 Fieldhouse Dr BLDG 2104 College Park, MD 20742
Email: jerwin@umd.edu Contact: John Erwin
Phone: 301-405-3341 FAX: