Departmental Newsletter, Spring 2006
 NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEAD
- by Julia Kornegay
- This past year we've had a number of changes in the Hort Science faculty. Two of our senior professors, Mason Pharr (Carbohydrate Metabolism Research) and Kim Powell (Extension Landscape Specialist), retired at the end of 2005. We were fortunate in these times of reduced budgets to be able to hire three new faculty: Dennis Werner as Director of the JC Raulston Arboretum; Sara Spayd as the new Viticulturist; and Connie Fisk as the Muscadine Extension Associate.
- Dennis Werner is the new Director of the JC Raulston Arboretum. Dr. Werner joined N.C. State University in 1979 as an assistant professor of Horticultural Science, rising to the rank of professor in 1988. He also served as the Horticultural Science Graduate Program Director for 11 years. On December 1 Denny became the third Director of the Arboretum, following the legacies of JC Raulston and Bob Lyons. Dr. Werner has had a successful and productive career in research and teaching. As a plant breeder, Denny's research led to the development of numerous peach varieties that are highly regarded and widely grown in the southeast. In recent years, his research has shifted to ornamental plant breeding and genetics. Dr. Werner has twice received the N.C. State University Outstanding Teacher Award and was named the Outstanding Academic Advisor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 1999. He is a member of the American Society of Horticultural Science, the American Horticultural Society, the International Plant Propagator's Society, the Perennial Plant Association and the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Denny has been a long-standing member and supporter of the JC Raulston Arboretum. He received his BS degree in Horticulture from Pennsylvania State University and MS and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture from Michigan State University. Denny brings a strong science and teaching background to the arboretum, extensive knowledge and passion for ornamental plants, and a desire to expand the number of public programs in the arboretum.
- Sara Spayd is the Department's new Viticulturist, with a 60 Extension: 40% Research appointment. Sara joined us from Washington State University where she was a full professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser. Her research and extension activities focused on improving the quality of grapes and their products through vineyard and winery management practices. Her major areas of research have been the role of irrigation, crop level, nitrogen, and canopy microclimate influences on fruit composition, fermentation characteristics, and sensory characteristics of the final product, fruit yield and vine growth. Dr. Spayd has over 32 referred journal articles, 4 book chapters, and numerous other publications. She offered short courses on wine making and developed a Professional Certificate Program in Viticulture and Enology. She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2006 Washington Association Wine Grape Growers Industry Service Award, 2005 Washington State Grape Society Service Recognition Award; 2003 American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Best Viticulture Paper for 2002, and many others. Dr. Spayd did her BS in Horticultural Science (1974) at NC State University and her MS (1977) and PhD (1980) at the University of Arkansas. Sara will be responsible for vinifera grape research and extension in the Horticultural Science Department and will serve as a key member of a multidisciplinary team of faculty and county agents working in this area. She will interact closely with the NC Wine and Grape Council as well as other universities and community colleges to advance the NC wine and grape industry.
- Connie Fisk is the Department's new Muscadine Extension Associate, with a 100% Extension appointment based at the Duplin County Cooperative Extension Service Office. She recently completed her MS degree at Oregon State University and had a dual major in Food Science & Technology and Horticulture. Her BS degree is from OSU in Nutrition and Food Management. Connie's thesis research was on hardy kiwifruit (a crop that is similar in production practices to grapes) and focused on fruit quality from production through post-harvest storage and processing. She also did a three-month internship in the Berry Research Program at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center where she worked on a wide variety of fruit crops. Connie responsibilities will include training and support for extension agents in counties where muscadines are commercially grown; providing assistance to growers in site selection, vineyard management practices, and fruit quality control; establishment of demonstration and applied research trials; assistance in the organization of annual meetings and workshops; and working closely with growers and the Muscadine Grape Growers Association to advance the industry.
- On March 6-7, the Department of Horticultural Science held its second annual two-day retreat to review programs and activities within the department and to foster interaction and exchange of ideas among faculty. The first day was dedicated to presentations and discussions of our floriculture, fruit and vegetable programs. These discussions were timely considering that Dole Foods is in the process of constructing a fresh salad plant and individual quick frozen (IQF) and fresh pack fruit plants in North Carolina. There is much to be done to help prepare NC growers to become suppliers of high quality produce for Dole. The second day of our retreat we took a coach bus trip to visit Mount Olive Pickle Factory, Old Courthouse Nursery, and Duplin Winery. We had a great time while touring these different industries in eastern North Carolina and are greatly appreciative of the hospitality of our hosts.
- Hope to see you at the PAX Spring Plant Sale on April 8-9 at the JC Raulston Arboretum
- DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHT
- by Todd Wehner
- The Horticultural Substrates Lab consists of four scientific groups (see photo) headed by Ted Bilderback, Bill Fonteno, Paul Nelson, and Stu Warren. Dr. Fonteno conducts research on physical and chemical properties and safety issues of potting soils (substrates), soil amendments and mulches for professional and consumer use. His lab also conducts testing for a national certification program for consumer products.
- For more information, see http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/project/hortsublab/index.html
- INTERESTING WEB SITES
- by Mary Peet
- In the last issue, I listed sources of information for agricultural statistics. Another area where information is very useful is water quality. Plants need water, and high quality irrigation water is getting harder and harder to come by and keep. Before starting an operation, growers should have their water tested. But how do you interpret those water tests? And what do you tell growers to do if their water doesn't meet one or more quality specifications? There are a lot of water treatment options out there, but which are the best for a particular situation?
- Realizing the importance of water quality, the Horticulture Research Institute (HRI) has targeted water quality (http://www.gpnmag.com/gpn/index.cfm?fuseaction=showNewsItem&newsItemID=1104 8) for recent funding and partnering initiatives. GPN (Greenhouse Product News) has established a Water Quality Online newsletter Phone: 847-391-1000 or via email at hgillette@sgcmail.com to be added to the list. This newsletter is the first in a bi-monthly series designed to help educate growers on water quality issues, on treatment technologies, proper testing procedures, pending regulations that could be implemented and what some growers did to lessen the impact of poor water quality. GPN also has a Water quality zone http://www.gpnmag.com/gpn/index.cfm?fuseaction=showZoneMenu&zoneID=38 where you can reach water quality articles from their archives, see articles on water treatment equipment and supplies, and consult the FAQ file, and ask questions of the experts.
- However, we have our own experts on water quality. Some of the best resources in the country on water quality have been developed right in our own Department! The Floriculture and nursery groups have put together two excellent bulletins on water quality and cooperated with Allen Hammer at Purdue in developing a very useful alkalinity calculator (http://www.gpnmag.com/gpn/index.cfm?fuseaction=showZoneMenu&zoneID=38). The Commercial Floriculture site (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/floriculture/cfr/) has lots of useful information, but for water quality information, consult HIL 558 Alkalinity Control for Irrigation Water used in Nurseries and Greenhouses and HIL 557 Water Considerations for Container Production of Plants. Both documents are available in HTML and .pdf format.
- In the past, North Carolinians have taken a high quality water supply for granted. With water resources shrinking and the demand for water increasing statewide, neither water quality or quantity can be guaranteed. These web-based resources will help growers make decisions on whether and how to treat their water to ensure successful crops now and in the years to come!
- FACULTY NEWS
- by Todd Wehner
- Darren Touchell is working as a postdoctoral research associate on tissue culture and new plant development with Tom Ranney.
- Gerald Holmes, Jonathan Schultheis and Todd Wehner are hosting the Cucurbitaceae 2006 conference in Asheville at the Grove Park Inn on September 17-21. The conference is held in North America once every four years, dealing with all aspects of cucurbit crops.
- Beth Larrea has joined the department as food safety program manager, working with Doug Sanders.
- Faculty Awards
- Frank Blazich has been selected as one of this year's two Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professors, based on his exceptional record of graduate student training. Blazich's outstanding record of scholarly productivity, in which he so generously included his graduate students as junior colleagues, demonstrates the synergy that exists between outstanding scholarship and exemplary teaching.
- At the ASHS southern region meeting, Sylvia Blankenship received the leadership and administration award.
- David Monks received the Outstanding Educator of the Year award from the NC Vegetable Growers Association.
- Craig Yencho was initiated into Pi Alpha Xi.
- Dick Bir is the recipient of the 2006 Scott Medal and Award in recognition of his outstanding national contribution to the science and art of horticulture. The Scott Medal and $10,000 award is given by the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College as an acknowledgement of achievement of great merit, a recognition of work in creating and developing a wider interest in gardening. Since 1929, the Scott Medal and Award has been given to horticultural pioneers such as Liberty Hyde Bailey (1931), Fred C. Galle (1986), J.C. Raulston (1991), and Michael Dirr (1993).
- STAFF NEWS
- by Dolores Lawson
- Dolores Lawson will be joining the department in March as the new Administrative Secretary III to replace Barb Amos.
- Autumn Keck will be joining the department in March as the new Associate Director of Membership and Fundraising Events at the JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Mary Lorscheider will be leaving the department in January.
- Phillip Sanders has joined the tomato and blueberry breeding projects at Fletcher, working with Randy Gardner and Jim Ballington.
- Thomas Breeden has joined the sweetpotato breeding project in January as technician.
- UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
- by
Bryce Lane
- At the ASHS southern region meeting, Megan Ulmer (undergraduate with Brian Sosinski) placed first in the undergraduate poster competition.
- The following undergraduate students were initiated into Pi Alpha Xi: Andrea Burke, Cliff Reid, Melissa Smith, David Web, Daniel Benjamin Pender, Nicholas Serrano, Diana Thomas.
- GRADUATE PROGRAM
- by John Dole and Rachel McLaughlin
- The following graduate students were initiated into Pi Alpha Xi: Vikramjit Bajwa, Antonia Tetteh, Ramon Molina Bravo, Lynn Swank.
- Graduate Students Awards
- At the ASHS southern region meeting, Jim Cervantes placed 2nd in the PhD competition, Peter Dittmar placed 3rd and Ryan Contreras placed 1st in the MS competition.
 NEWS FROM AROUND NORTH CAROLINA- Cunningham Research Station (Kinston)
- by Bill Jester
- Phillip Winslow is the new superintendent at the Cunningham Research Station. With the merger of the Caswell and Lower Coastal Plains Station, Phillip will be serving double duty and will need our cooperation. We are happy to have him on the job.
- As of March 18, all three plantings of broccoli, cabbage, romaine and head lettuce have been established on the station. Thirty-one cultigens of romaine lettuce are being evaluated in a replicated trial. Other experiments on lettuce deal with the influence of different transplant fertilization regimes on transplant field performance. An on-farm test will examine the influence of different nitrogen sources on romaine lettuce quality and yield.
- David Monks is evaluating a number of herbicide based lettuce weed management systems on the station.
- Horticultural Crops Research Station (Clinton)
- by Allan Thornton
- Sampson county is a major vegetable producing county in North Carolina, and overall acreage of most vegetable crops is expected to be down in 2006 primarily in reaction to two consecutive years of weak markets.
- Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station (Fletcher)
- by Tom Ranney
- The first day of Spring brought sleet and snow at higher mountain elevations. The cooler weather is helping keep plants in check, though flowering pears, early magnolias, early cherries, osmanthus, daphne, witch hazels, and winter jasmine are in full bloom. The greenhouses are adorned with rhododendron flowers as part of a Tom Ranney’s breeding program to develop extremely adaptable, fragrant evergreen rhododendron and azaleas (see photo).
- Anthony and Joe Conner have been building the new Ornamental Plant Production and Evaluation facility utilizing the help of the Station Crew. In these times of reported economic hardship, Anthony's program has utilized Research Station resources considerably. For example, Denny Thompson, Station Superintendent, has provided extensive use of both heavy equipment and experienced operators for grading, gravel placement, and greenhouse construction. Marcus Martin and Steve Chambers have provided experience in building construction, wiring and project sequencing to make the optimal use of labor invested. Overseeing the entire project, Joe Conner has acted as liaison between the Extension Center, PI's, and Station Crew to keep communication and relations at a respectable level. Anthony has been lobbying donors to provide economic relief for the project in exchange for sole naming rights of the new facilities. Please e-mail him if you are interested in participating (see photo).
 Interdepartmental mountain biking has started every Tuesday evening after work; volleyball over lunch.
- Muscadine Grape Program (Kenansville)
- by Connie Fisk
- Connie Fisk is settling into her new office and visiting muscadine growers in the local area. She looks forward to serving the North Carolina muscadine industry, and welcomes comments and suggestions.
- Vernon James Research and Extension Center (Plymouth)
- by Mark Clough
- In January, Mark Clough and Craig Yencho went to Beltsville, MD for the annual Northeast Regional Potato meeting. Accolades were given to Mark Clough for his development and maintenance of the NE1014 regional potato database (http://potatoes.ncsu.edu/nesearch.html).
- DEPARTMENTAL NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE
- Editor: Todd Wehner
- Assistant: Rachel McLaughlin
- Send items for the newsletter to Todd Wehner (todd_wehner@ncsu.edu)
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