UCNFA Fall Issue 2025
Quick Summary
- Research updates, horticultural techniques, & responding to new challenges facing the CA nursery industry
In this Fall 2025 issue of the UCNFA Newsletter, our Featured Article discusses current ongoing research evaluating the pathogen risks of irrigation with untreated recycled irrigation water on ornamental crops in San Diego County, including preliminary findings and potential grower implications. In Science to the Grower, we introduce an improved metric for measuring greenhouse light levels, Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density, to more accurately adjust lighting for optimal crop production. Next, we present the fourth installment of the Get Cultured: Soil and Water pH series, discussing various methods of adjusting soil/media pH to meet growing requirements. In Regional Advisor Reports, we assess the efficacy of two common soil disinfestation techniques, Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation and Solarization, for field weed and nematode management in Fresno County. Finally, under Campus News and Research Updates we summarize some of the presentations and updates from this year's California Nursery Conference, held this past September in Ventura County. Main topics include new environmental regulations impacting the nursery industry in California, including limitations on single-use plastics, water use efficiency requirements, and nutrient management planning, as well as tips for heat wave management in a warming climate.
- I. Featured Articles
- Evaluating the Pathogen Risk of Implementing Recycled Irrigation Water in Ornamental Crops in San Diego County
- II. Science to the Grower
- Lighting Illuminated
- III. Get Cultured: Horticultural Methods, Techniques, Growing Practices, & Principles
- Soil and Water pH - Part 4
- IV. Regional Advisor Reports
- Assessing Soil Disinfestation Practices for Weed and Pest Management
- V. Campus News and Research Updates
- 2025 California Nursery Conference Summary
Contributing Authors: Caroline Champlin, Haramrit Gill, Grant Johnson, Kayleigh Lampe, Don Merhaut, Raymond Mireles, Johanna Del Castillo Múnera, Ana Pastrana, Gerry Spinelli, Emma Volk
Introduction and Article Summaries by: Dean Watson
Prepared for publication by: Dean Watson