ASHS 2025 Conference

Herbal products with an estimated global market of $10.7 Billion in 2023 continue to gain popularity as health supplements. A lack of adapted, high yielding varieties, and production technology are major limiting factors for commercial production of ready-market herbs. The objective of this research was to address these limitations, and in the process develop production practices for a high-value multiple use herb, Virginia mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) that can be easily grown in North Alabama, USA. Mountain mint is used in the medicinal and confectionery industries and could serve as an alternative to pepper mint. Four Virginia mountain mint varieties were evaluated for growth and essential oil content and composition using replicated field trials. The greenhouse-grown plants of the four varieties, (M1, M2, M3 and M4) were transplanted onto raised beds, covered with plastic mulch with drip irrigation tubing underneath in mid-May, and grown using organic production methods. The crops were harvested at 135 (H1), 155 (H2), and 170 (H3) days after planting (DAP) to determine growth, biomass, essential oil yield, and composition. The chemical compositions of essential oils were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Two of the four mountain mint varieties with high biomass showed consistently high yield potential in North Alabama. They were rich in isomenthone concentrations, which increased dramatically from 20% to 69% as the season advanced, whereas pulegone and thymol tended to decrease. The essential oil components varied with varieties and with time. The two mountain varieties with desirable essential oil composition offer potential for production as high-value medicinal crop in North Alabama.

Specialty tea made from Camellia sinensis has gained popularity in the U.S. This sensory evaluation study was conducted to understand consumer acceptance and preferences for cold brewed U.S.-grown black tea. Six cold brew black tea samples were evaluated: five from U.S. growers (‘Big Easy’, ‘Black Magnolia’, ‘Hawaii Black Assamica’, ‘Hawaii Black Sinensis’, ‘Summer Black’) and one from Taiwan (‘Sun

Saffron, scientifically recognized as Crocus sativus, is a perennial plant celebrated for its vibrant red stigmas. This crop has been cultivated for more than 3,000 years, originating in ancient Persia. The climate of northern New Mexico appears conducive to saffron cultivation, suggesting its viability for small-scale farmers in the area. The initiative seeks to introduce saffron as a low-input, high-value crop suited for New Mexico's agricultural landscape. Research performed during 2023 and 2024 indicates that saffron can flourish in this region's climate, demonstrating promising stigma yields in the initial years. This research program assesses how corm size, planting timing, and irrigation levels impact saffron flower and stigma production within both hoop house and open field systems at the Certified Organic Farm of the Alcalde Sustainable Agriculture Science Center of New Mexico State University. Results reveal that larger corms yield significantly more stigmas compared to smaller ones; specifically, corms larger than 10 produced over 5 kg/ha of dry stigma yield in their first and second years. However, there was no significant difference noted between yields from high tunnel versus open field systems. Additionally, planting saffron corms earlier—around mid-August—instead of later dates like late August or mid-September resulted in enhanced stigma production (approximately 6 kg/ha). Conversely, variations in irrigation treatments did not significantly affect first-year stigma yield. Measurements of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity demonstrated that both saffron stigmas and flowers lacking stigmas are valuable sources of phenolic compounds, with saffron stigmas exhibiting higher TPC than those flowers without stigmas. In conclusion, the findings from this research indicate that saffron can be successfully cultivated even in an open field system in northern New Mexico. Employing larger corms and opting for mid-August planting could lead to increased yields in the first year.

Soil salinity, often governed by complex ion mixtures, remains a significant challenge in agriculture. However, most salinity research focuses on simple salts like sodium chloride. To develop effective salinity mitigation techniques in real-world applications, it is crucial to understand the impact of complex salts on plant physiology. Endophytic mycorrhizal fungi offer a promising method to mitigate salinity stress in plants by colonizing the plant roots. Shiso (Perilla frutescens L.) is a valuable culinary herb with rich source of phytochemicals. This study investigated the interaction of mycorrhizal inoculation and complex salinity on two shiso cultivars, Asia IP and Britton, and impacts on plant growth and phytochemical composition. Two replicated trials were designed to assess the effect of three different salinity rates (1, 3, 5 dS/m and control DI water) on both inoculated and non-inoculated shiso cultivars. Plant parameters like plant height, shoot and root fresh and dry weight along with root length were measured. Phytochemicals, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), proline and chlorophyll were also measured. Results showed that complex salts significantly reduced the overall fresh and dry biomass in both cultivars across both trials. The interaction of salinity and cultivar affected TPC of shiso in the first trial whereas only cultivar affected TPC in the second trial. No effect of salinity was seen in the second trial. However, TFC was significantly reduced by salinity in the second trial and no effect of salinity was seen in the first trial. Greater TFC was found in the Britton cultivar across both experiments. Proline content was increased steadily with increases in salinity rate across both trials. Greater proline content was found in the Britton cultivar in both trials. Chlorophyll content of shiso was unaffected by cultivar and salinity rates. The effect of salinity was cultivar dependent on growth and phytochemicals which was found in this experiment where Britton cultivar was more severely affected by salinity. These results show that complex salt negatively impacts the growth of shiso with no beneficial impact in increasing phytochemicals. Additionally, mycorrhizal inoculation was unable to mitigate the negative effect of salinity in shiso cultivars. Selection of effective mycorrhizal products is necessary in order to see their beneficial effects, so more screening should be done in the future. Further in-depth research is also required to fully understand the relationship of complex salts and mycorrhizal inoculation in shiso.

Many hydroponic fresh-cut herb producers in the United States utilize water sources with a high pH. Nutrient solutions with a high pH can prevent essential nutrients from being accessible for plant growth and development, especially micronutrients. The objectives of our research were to better understand how the growth of culinary herbs is impacted by supra-optimal pH and determine if supplemental micronutrients are an effective mitigation technique. Two week old seedlings of basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Nufar’), and three week old seedlings of dill (Anethum graveolens ‘Hera’), parsley (Petroselinum crispum ‘Giant of Italy’), and sage (Salvia officinalis), grown in phenolic foam cubes were transplanted into one of six deep-flow technique (DFT) systems in a greenhouse. Herbs were grown in nutrient solutions with a pH of 6.0. 7.0, and 8.0, and either with a 1X or 2x micronutrient concentration. The DFT systems contained nutrient solutions made with tempered municipal water supplemented with a complete water-soluble fertilizer (16N-2.2P-14.3K) to create a target electrical conductivity of 2.0 dS·m–1, plus a supplemental micronutrient blend provided from the manufacturer to increase micronutrient concentrations for 2x micronutrient treatments. The nutrient solution pH was maintained through a dosing system using 2% H2SO4 v/v or 2% KOH w/v as the acid and alkali, respectively. One-third (by vol.) of the nutrient solution was renewed with freshly mixed fertilizer each week of production. Target greenhouse environmental conditions consisted of day and night air temperatures of 22 °C and 18 °C respectively, and a daily light integral of 12 mol∙m–2∙d–1. The experiment was replicated four times over time, and data was collected four weeks after herbs were transplanted into DFT systems. There were no significant interactions between micronutrients and pH. While high pH decreased dill, parsley, and sage shoot height, width, and fresh mass, providing supplemental micronutrients in the nutrient solution did not mitigate growth suppression induced by high pH. Additionally, all species had significantly shorter roots at a high pH of 8.0 compared to a moderate pH of 6.0, without a subsequent reduction in root mass. This study indicates nutrient solutions with a high pH can severely limit the growth of culinary herbs. While providing supplemental micronutrients does not alleviate the impact of high pH, producers can rely on other methods, such as acid injection, to lower the nutrient solution pH to maximize nutrient uptake.

Today, fresh herbs can be sourced as live container-grown plants year-round in the produce section of most retailers. Commercial fertilizers are selected based on several factors, including the ratio of ammonium- and nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorous concentration. The objective of this research was to quantify the effects of increasing phosphorus concentrations alongside different ratios of nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations in commercial water-soluble fertilizers on the post-production performance of containerized culinary herbs. Seedlings of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Genovese’) were transplanted into 11.4 cm-diameter containers filled with soilless substrate compromised of peat moss and coarse perlite. Upon transplant and throughout the experiment, seedlings were irrigated with commercially available water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) solutions variying in potential acidity (PA) or potential basicity (PB) and the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous (N:P), including: 15N-0.9P-12.5K (PB 195 CCE/ton; 167N:10P); 15N-1.8P-16.6K (PB 77 CCE/ton; 83N:10P); 15N-2.2P-12.5K (PB 69 CCE/ton; 68N:10P); 15N-4.8P-14.1K (PA 58 CCE/ton; 15N-7P-24.1K (PA 122 CCE/ton; 21N:10P); and 20N-4.4P-16.6K (PA 401 CCE/ton; 45N:10P); 31N:10P). Plants were grown in two different phases: 1) in a greenhouse for 28 d at 22°/18° and 12 mol∙m–2∙d–1 to simulate a greenhouse production phase; and 2) in a growth chamber for 7 d at 20° ADT and 1 mol∙m–2∙d–1, to simulate a production and retail environment, respectively. After each phase, data was collected on half of the plants.. Plant height increased by 1.7 cm across treatments between the end of the greenhouse phase and the end retail phase. The relative growth rate of fresh mass accumulation decreased from 5.7 g∙d–1 during production to 1.2 g∙d–1 during the retail phase. Similarly, relative growth rate of dry mass accumulation decreased from 0.5 g∙d–1 during production to -0.2 g∙d–1 during the retail phase. The pH during the greenhouse phase was higher for basil fertilized with higher-nitrate formulations compared to those receiving fertilizers with more ammonium, but these differences were diminished during the retail phase. The results of this study indicate environment has a greater impact on plant growth and development than both the potential basicity or acidity and phosphorus content of fertilizer provided.

Lavender (Lavandula sp) is an important source of high-quality perfumes and has multiple medicinal properties, such as anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and hypnotic properties. Due to its high market price and medicinal value, lavender essential oil was analyzed. There is a need for rapid, robust, easy, accurate, and cost-effective methodologies for quality control of essential oils from medicinal and aromatic plants. This research evaluated the ability of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques to identify the of lavender essential oil. Principal component analysis (PCA) was successfully used with 100% accuracy to differentiate lavender essential oil samples from three cultivars. The essential oils linalool and linalyl were identified. The results demonstrated that FTIR spectroscopy can be used as a reliable, robust, rapid, accurate, and low-cost analytical technique for quality assessment of Lavandula essential oil. This study aimed to develop a new and rapid spectroscopic method using chemical modeling techniques for the qualitative and quantitative identification of essential oils in three lavender essential oil species (Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula intermedia, and Lavandula stoechas). Fifty-two principal component analysis (PCA) models were created, and the one with the best statistical results was evaluated. The best discrimination and quantitative analysis models were found to be those using standardized spectra. The results obtained demonstrated the possibility of successfully detecting the essential oils of three lavender species within a wide concentration range, without the use of any toxic chemicals or pretreatments. The results showed that FTIR models were able to accurately predict all constituents and identify essential oils in lavender. Lavender essential oil was extracted from lavender samples using the Soxhlet technique using 70% alcohol and compared using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR analysis of the pure essential oil extracted from three lavender species revealed distinct peaks for linalool and linalyl, the two main chemical components.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, education has undergone a significant transformation. By utilizing Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, educators can offer personalized learning experiences, generate adaptive content, and provide real-time support to students. This study integrated Generative AI tools into the HORT 431 Nursery Production and Management course to develop and enhance the “Nursery Business Plan” assignment. The objective was to improve student brainstorming and writing skills through AI-assisted processes while fostering critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and reflective practices. Students worked in teams to develop their nursery business plans, utilizing tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to generate ideas and create structured outlines. Each team also developed a logo for their proposed business, adding a creative dimension to the assignment and allowing exploration of branding and marketing concepts. Multiple rounds of feedback from AI tools enabled students to refine their drafts and improve the quality of their writing, emphasizing the importance of revision and continuous improvement. Teams submitted reflections on their experiences with AI tools, including what worked well, the effectiveness of different prompts, and the role of human oversight. At the end of the semester, teams submitted their finalized nursery business plans and defended them through oral presentations. Overall, this project provided a holistic learning experience aimed at preparing students for their future careers.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in educational settings has transformed traditional teaching methods, offering enhanced personalization and efficiency. However, ensuring the safe and ethical use of AI among college-level learners remains a critical challenge, particularly in specialized fields like horticulture. This study explores the implementation of AI practices in the classroom with 15 two-year (associates degree) horticulture students, focusing on cultivating technical competence, ethical awareness, and industry relevance. Students were asked about their previous experience with AI and if they could detect which bodies of text were AI-generated versus human-generated. Students were then analyzed via an exercise by their ability to detect fact accuracy, depth of the topic, bias, and awareness of content ownership. Data was taken by observation and data collection. Results indicate that structured guidelines and instructor-led interventions significantly improve students' ability to responsibly use AI while understanding its limitations and potential biases. The study highlights the importance of embedding AI literacy within horticulture curricula to build student success of using the technology appropriately and fostering a culture of ethical AI utilization. These findings can be used to influence the introduction and usage of AI as a tool in two-year program horticulture curriculum.

There has been increased interest in Virtual Reality (VR) applications in academic settings. Instructors aim to create and enhance tangible experiences for students in their courses, especially for online classes. These VR applications can be of significant interest for horticulture courses, considering many core curriculum courses include laboratory or hands-on learning components. Including VR applications for online students to experience these activities has the potential to increase engagement and learning outcomes. Feedback from students in the online HORT 260 Plant Propagation course at Colorado State University indicated accessibility challenges with materials and the ability to successfully execute course assignments taught online. More specifically, they noted the unit on greenhouse mist systems was not as comprehensive or tangible as they needed to complete an assignment on designing mist systems. With this in mind, we developed a VR mist system media component for the course using ThingLink software and annotated 360° images. For our study, students received static, annotated images in a PowerPoint presentation and the VR 360° images which the students could review. Assessment quizzes were created with one pertaining to the static images and the second to the VR 360° images. Five questions in each quiz were identical and asked about mist system concepts, and each quiz had 2 to 3 questions about the ability to understand concepts using the media. The second quiz also asked students to compare the two approaches, their general experience with VR in the classroom, and an open-ended feedback question. In total, 47 students participated between the Spring 2024 (n=7) and Fall 2024 (n=40) semesters. The questions included in both surveys did not yield statistical differences when their answers were compared. When asked about their perceptions of VR material, 66% of the respondents indicated that the VR material made concepts easier to visualize. Students were surveyed about their overall use and experience with VR in the classroom. Of the respondents, 42% had experienced VR before and 81% indicated they would like more VR material incorporated into the curriculum. Additionally, common themes were observed in the open-ended responses, including the desire for further improvement of VR material, an appreciation for increased visibility of concepts, and the desire for access to many forms of media like VR videos. Considering students’ perceived comprehension and confidence in the course concepts, further VR implementation in the course would be a worthwhile pursuit.

Generative AI has the potential to transform instruction, especially in the online environment. As technology continues to change the educational paradigms we have been accustomed to, we need to understand how students utilize AI in the classroom. We describe results from self-reported student surveys in an online plant physiology course. Students could use AI or not to complete their work, however, regardless they had to report after each assignment. The discussions and lab reports are part of the course’s normal assessment activities. Additionally, students reported the time spent completing the assignment, and wrote a summary to include: (1) how did AI help you complete the assignment? (2) What did you do to revise or further improve it? (3) Did you cross-check the AI-generated information, i.e. factual and references? Of the AI tools students reported using, ChatGPT was used most (80%), followed by CoPilot, Gemini, and Google image search. The most common reason for AI use was to help with concept understanding (43%), followed by draft a script or outline (17%), proofreading and improve writing (11%), generate ideas (8%), and identify plants (5%). In fewer than 1% of the cases, students reported that AI helped them with troubleshooting. Students cross-checked the AI-generated information 76% of the time. There was no significant difference in time spent completing an assignment between students who reported that they used AI compared to the ones that did not use AI. Implementation of any new tool in education requires thoughtful planning, consideration, and support. Schools and educational institutions should provide robust training programs to equip teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to use AI tools effectively and confidently. This guidance should include not only the technical aspects, but also ethical considerations, potential limitations, and best practices to integrate it into their instruction methodology.

As horticulture careers increasingly demand adaptability, communication, and cross-cultural understanding, developing soft skills is essential for preparing future professionals. This study examined how participation in a faculty-led horticulture study abroad program influenced student growth in interpersonal and professional competencies. The program, Flowers and Photography in Europe, combined visits to botanical gardens, public green spaces, and production facilities across Spain, France, and Italy. Students engaged in group travel, horticultural site visits, and guided cultural immersion while completing reflective prompts centered on navigating unfamiliar environments and understanding cultural perspectives. Pre- and post-program surveys assessed student confidence in these areas, while reflective writing provided qualitative insights. Results indicated that navigating diverse environments and interpreting horticultural practices abroad fostered stronger communication skills, cultural awareness, and confidence in professional interactions. Students also reported greater appreciation for the social role of horticulture in global settings. These findings suggest that integrating intentional reflection into experiential learning abroad can help students connect horticultural content with essential career skills, offering a well-rounded model for global horticulture education.

Previous research has indicated that exposure to indoor plants can reduce stress, improve air quality, and enhance cognitive function. This study builds upon this foundation by specifically examining the classroom environment. In the spring of 2024, the study was conducted to investigate the effects of indoor plants on student well-being and academic performance in university classrooms. Two similar classrooms were used: Room 101 (experimental group, with plants) and Room 105 (control group, without plants). A total of 105 students took a survey at the beginning of the study (Feb 2024) and 91 took the end survey (Apr 2024) with a 78.1% completion at the beginning and 86.8% completion at the end. Demographics presented an unbalanced distribution of gender (66% female, 34% male) and majority of academic year falling into freshman classification (54%). Most participants were aged 18-24 years. Students completed surveys of self-reported depression, anxiety and stress levels using the DASS-21 4-pt Likert scale, and classroom satisfaction. Data set reliability showed a 0.81 Cronbach’s alpha score. After Wilcoxon/Kruskall Wallis analysis, results displayed students in Room 101 reported lower overall DASS scores (p < 0.05) with significantly decreased stress levels (p = 0.025) compared to Room 105. A statistical analysis using Spearman's ρ correlation coefficient revealed no significant relationship between depression and anxiety scores in relation to room types. However, a significant correlation was found between stress scores and room types (p = 0.0498). Common factors in student satisfaction were the lab instructors and the green wall in room 101. These results have important implications for classroom design and educational policy, suggesting that the simple addition of indoor plants and artificial greenery could significantly enhance the learning environment and student outcomes in higher education settings.

Greenhouse Management (HORT 310) at Colorado State University equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage a greenhouse production facility, which 88% of students reported is their career plan (n=156). However, based on historic grades, students struggle with heating and cooling principles, which involve calculations of standard heating and cooling needs given a particular structure and climate. In Spring 2023, a Design Project (DP) was implemented as a learning opportunity to apply the principles and skills gained in the class in a context that matters to students. Over the course of the semester, students research and write about a greenhouse operation that they are designing, detailing their production strategies and citing current research. According to Social Practice Theory, learning is intimately intertwined with context, meaning that one’s identity, with which they are emotionally attached, guides participation. Thus, having the agency to choose relevant locations and crops suggests that they would have greater investment and engagement with the DP because the learning matters, or is meaningfully connected, to their own lives. A DP pre- and post-assessment was administered in Spring 2024 (n=36) to better understand if students’ relationships with the DP improved confidence and learning of fundamental HORT 310 principles, specifically greenhouse heating and cooling. In the post-assessment, 98% of respondents felt the DP assisted in their learning, and of respondents that included a free response (n=20), 20% indicated that they enjoyed the DP. Additionally, pre- and post-assessments revealed improved participant performance on questions pertaining to cooling principles following DP implementation, while performance on heating principles was unchanged. Together, these results support the use of Social Practice Theory as a framework for the development of assignments, such as the DP, that foster student learning and engagement by connecting content to student motivations and interests.

The objective of this study was to survey student perceptions of mastery of learning outcomes in the 100% online asynchronous course Nutritional Management taught at the University of Florida. There are many ways to perceive if students have mastered learning outcomes in a course. Quizzes are one way to measure if students understand concepts and terminology. However, in online courses there is the concern that students may ‘cheat’ and a quiz is not an effective measure of student achievement. Online instructors need to look for other assessments, like assignments that ask students to apply what they have learned to solve a problem. This is easy to measure in-person classrooms and laboratories but more challenging online. This study conducted a mid-term survey to students in the spring 2025 offering of Nutritional Management. The survey asked students about their perceived learning and mastery of course learning outcomes based on two quizzes and two authentic challenge assignments. This study was deemed IRB exempt.

Many direct-market farmers in western Washington are interested in sweetpotatoes (Ipomoea batatas) for crop rotations, to increase farm sales, offer a culturally relevant crop to consumers, and adapt to climate change. We conducted research station and on-farm trials in 2023, 2024, and 2025 with the goal of testing cultivars, developing production guidelines, and introducing sweetpotato as a new crop for the region. The trials were a partnership between WSU researchers, who led the research station trials, and WSU Extension, who led the on-farm trials. Research station trials provided yield and wireworm resistance data for nine cultivars and breeding lines, and on-farm trials introduced sweetpotato to farmers in the region. On-farm trial participants were provided with slips or roots of three sweetpotato cultivars and a production guide. In 2023, 20 farmers across three counties signed up to participate, 15 farmers planted trials (75% of signups), 11 farmers returned surveys with some data (73% of planted trials), and 5 farmers provided complete data (33% of planted trials). Due to varying management practices and incomplete responses, 2023 on-farm trial data were largely unusable for evaluating yield or wireworm resistance. In 2024, 33 farmers across nine counties signed up to participate, 29 farmers planted trials (88% of signups), 25 farmers returned surveys and/or had data collected by a WSU Extension Field Assistant (89% of planted trials), and 20 farmers provided complete data (71% of planted trials). Hiring a part-time field assistant in 2024 who visited farms and collected data increased farmer response rate and data completeness. Yet, on-farm trial yield and wireworm resistance data still were not fully usable due to inconsistencies in how data were collected, and lack of adherence to production guidelines. In 2025, we redesigned on-farm trial data surveys to focus on farmers’ perceptions regarding suitability of sweetpotato production and marketability for their farm. Participating farmers are uniquely well-suited to answer these qualitative questions, which will assess if sweetpotato has been successfully introduced in the region. In all years of the project, online growing classes, in-person field days, and farm walks proved useful for introducing sweetpotato to new farmers in the region. Visits to on-farm trial locations proved an important avenue of offering support to farmers experimenting with sweetpotato. Completed surveys and conversations with on-farm trial participants provided valuable feedback that was incorporated into our sweetpotato production guide, and expanded and improved our on-line resources including several short production videos.

Urban areas are expanding throughout the world, increasing infrastructure and impermeable surfaces and concurrently decreasing quantity and quality of natural landscapes. With a decrease in green spaces, human communities experience an increase in food scarcity. Ecological communities experience a decrease in biodiversity and suitable habitat. Here, we aim to utilize native wildflowers, vegetable crops and urban infrastructure to provide healthy food as well as biodiversity options to urban areas. In this study we examine (a) how the presence of native perennial Colorado wildflowers may influence the yield of crop plants, specifically the three sister’s guild of maize, beans and squash, plus sunchokes and sunflowers and (b) to evaluate how the crop yields may differ between sites in full sun and partial shade landscapes. To do so, we utilize green roofs and ground plots at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado to evaluate the yield differences. We hypothesize that the crops with wildflowers nearby will produce a higher crop yield than the crops grown without wildflowers. Additionally, we expect that shade treatments will reduce yield compared to the full sun treatments. Thus far with preliminary data analysis, we find crops grown on the green roof with native wildflowers nearby had a higher average leaf number (as a proxy for the size of the plant). The yield of the squash crop was the highest on the green roof with the native wildflowers while the yield of the pole bean crop was highest at grade with native wildflowers nearby. This shows the proximity to wildflowers may have a significant effect and there may be an effect of shade for the yield of pole beans. With this research, we hope to provide notable insight to continue working towards the most efficient crop growth on green roofs in urban environments.

Climate change progression has created many challenges for our current agriculture system such as the degradation of arable land and more intense weather patterns. Rates of food insecurity and population growth are simultaneously increasing in urban areas, so reimagining food production and land management is vital for the future of agriculture. Rooftop agrivoltaics (RAV), growing crops under solar panels on a green roof, may be an effective way to produce clean energy and high yields of specialty crops in underutilized spaces. Chile peppers hold economic and cultural significance to the southwest region of the US. Previous studies show chile peppers perform better under 35% shade than in full sun due to heat stress reduction. This study focused on three cultivars of chile peppers: ‘Hatch’, ‘Mosco’, and an unnamed CSU experimental. Individuals of each cultivar were planted in four on the green roof (under opaque photovoltaics (PV), under bifacial PV, under 40% shade cloth, and full sun) and in one at-grade plot. The 40% shade cloth was used to simulate semi-transparent solar panels. Plants were evaluated by yield (fruit production), water efficiency (stomatal conductance), and plant growth index (average of two widths and height). Analysis shows yield was significantly higher in the full sun and shade cloth plots than all other plots, possibly due to the bifacial and opaque plots providing too much shade for optimized fruit production. Stomatal conductance was reduced in the shade cloth, bifacial, and opaque plots in the first part of the growing season and varied by cultivar and treatment at other times. Plant growth index was highest for plants grown in the shade cloth plot at most time points, but significance varied by cultivar across treatments. Growing chile peppers in RAV systems utilizing semi-transparent solar panels can reduce plant water use while producing more fruit than traditional at-grade growing. Sensory evaluation using a just-about-right (JAR) test and was conducted to assess consumer acceptance of sensory attributes of roasted ‘Hatch’ and ‘Mosco’ chile peppers grown in full sun on a green roof and at grade. A standard 9-point hedonic scale was used to assess overall liking. There was no significant difference in JAR ratings for each of the 7 attributes assessed and no significant difference in overall liking. Growing ‘Hatch’ and ‘Mosco’ chile peppers on green roofs does not significantly impact consumer acceptance. This provides urban farmers with more confidence to grow chile peppers on green roofs.

Intercropping mushrooms with field-grown vegetables may provide farmers additional revenue without sacrificing bed space or investing in indoor production facilities. The King Stropharia mushroom (Stropharia rugosoannulata), also called wine cap, can colonize organic material, like woodchips or straw mulch, making it a good candidate for intercropping with vegetables that can be grown on organic mulches. However, no research has evaluated the impact of this strategy on the vegetable yield. This project seeks to evaluate the compatibility of intercropping wine-cap mushrooms with asparagus in woodchip mulch. A randomized complete block experimental design (RCBD) experiment was initiated in 2021, and data was collected during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. The trial evaluated two factors: intercropping – inoculated vs. non-inoculated and mulch depth – 0 in (control), 4 in, 8 in, and 12 in. Wine-cap mushrooms were successfully established in the inoculated plots. The woodchip mulch depth had no effect on the timing or overall yield and marketability of the mushrooms, although 4 in mulch produced a smaller proportion of small-medium, Grade 1 mushrooms resulting in higher average weight fruiting bodies compared to deeper mulch treatments. During the first spring harvest, wine-cap mushrooms were also observed on the edges of non-inoculated plots; therefore, we were unable to evaluate the effects of mushroom on asparagus growth. Woodchip mulch did not affect the date of first harvest or harvest duration in either year, except at 12 in depth, which delayed harvest and shortened the production season. Relative to bare ground, woodchip mulch only affected asparagus yield (by number or weight) at 12 in depth, which decreased the number and weight of harvested asparagus. In 2023, asparagus spears grown with 8 in non-inoculated woodchips weighed 80 % more, on average, than spears grown in 4 in and 12 in inoculated plots. While the experiment provides a proof of concept for intercropping wine-cap mushrooms with asparagus, further research is needed to determine whether intercropped mushrooms directly impact asparagus production.

Small-scale growers face challenges in optimizing the quantity and quality of new broccoli cultivars due to shifting weather patterns and the prevalence of heat-sensitive cultivars. This study aims to identify high-performing cultivars and optimal planting dates for late spring to enhance the competitiveness of cool-season specialty crop growers in North Dakota. The research took place at the NDSU Horticulture Research Farm, near Absaraka, ND, to examine how planting time impacts cultivar performance through field experiments on four planting dates: May 1st, May 15th, June 1st, and June 15th. Early planting of broccoli, particularly in May, resulted in higher yields and better quality across all cultivars. Some cultivars outperformed others. 'Jacaranda' yielded significantly more than any other cultivar, which is a noteworthy. Conversely, 'Gypsy' and 'Monty' had yields similar to the standard cultivar 'Green Magic', while 'Purple Peacock' yielded less across all planting dates, indicating poor adaptation. Early planting benefited all broccoli cultivars, with later dates bringing higher temperatures that negatively impacted head formation and curd size across all cultivars. These elevated temperatures alter key physiological parameters, such as increased transpiration and vapor pressure deficit, while potentially reducing photosynthetic efficiency and stomatal conductance. The physiological changes induced by higher temperatures ultimately lead to accelerated maturation, smaller heads, and reduced overall yields. Notably, early planted broccoli potentially achieved up to 35% higher yields than late-planted crops. The findings provide valuable insights into the relationships between planting dates, temperature effects, and cultivar-specific responses, emphasizing the importance of these factors in maximizing yield and quality for cool-season specialty crop growers in the region.

As a tropical crop, ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizomes will not fully mature inside high tunnels in Virginia. The objective of this study was to monitor the growth and development of ginger rhizomes throughout the season, as reflected in the fresh and dry weights. The ultimate goal was to determine the harvest time of rhizomes for profitable fresh and dry ginger. Ginger cultivars Bird, Blue Ring, Buffalo Gung, Chinese, Indian, Peruvian Yellow, Red, and Yellow were pre-sprouted in a greenhouse in mid-March of 2024. Sprouted ginger rhizomes were transplanted into raised beds in a 26’ x 150’ high tunnel on May 16, 2024, on Randolph Farm of Virginia State University. The in-row spacing was 1 ft. Monthly destructive samples of 3 plants/cultivar (one in each of the 3 replications) were conducted for fresh and dry weights. Cultivars differed in the rhizome fresh and dry weight over time. Fresh rhizome weight of cultivar Bird, Chinese, Indian, Peruvian Yellow and Yellow reached 0.5 lb/plant 3 months after transplanting (MAT). “Red” had significantly higher percentages of dry weight (> 8%) than other cultivars (< 6%) until 5 MAT, when other cultivars began to catch up. Pooling data from all cultivars, we found that ginger rhizomes will reach 0.5 lb/plant, which is a profitable yield, around 3 MAT. The percentage of dry weight remained low (5.3-5.7%) until 4 MAT, but the number spiked quickly to 8.3 % at 5 MAT and 13.4 at 6 MAT. Our results suggest that young ginger harvest can happen as early as 3 MAT. However, to harvest rhizome for dry ginger, 5 MATs are needed and harvest should occur at the end of season for maximal yield. “Red” is a unique cultivar. It has the lowest yield (1.3 lb/plant), but its percentage of dry weight remained high (8.2-8.8%) for 5 months, compared to all other cultivars (4.4-6.4%).

Sweet corn is one of the important high-value crops in the Columbia Basin, and it requires a significant amount of nitrogen (N) input to achieve the optimal yield target. However, with many varieties planted, the N requirements should be evaluated to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability. In a field trial conducted from May to August in Hermiston, OR, six sweet corn varieties were tested under six nitrogen application rates (ranging from 0 to 308 kg N/ha). The results showed that the optimal N rate for maximizing corn yield and marketable ear number was approximately 247 kg/ha across all tested varieties. Among the varieties, Driver R and Sorel produced the highest yields, the most marketable ears, and relatively longer ear lengths, while Turbine had the lowest yield. Megaton had the highest proportion of non-marketable yield, which may reduce its marketable value, although it produced the longest cobs. Multiple-year evaluation is needed to develop a conclusive recommendation for nitrogen fertilization of sweet corn in the region.

The need to improve crops has never been critical with the rising population and climate change resulting in high abiotic stress and disease pressures in production areas. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches have been implemented in the context of plant breeding and crop improvement. Modern AI tools hold the promise of accelerating the development of resilient, higher-yielding, and more sustainable horticultural crops, by rendering a deeper understanding of complex genetic systems and phenotypes, and how these interact with their environment to express desirable traits. As an approach, AI is an important component of the plant breeding toolbox which may now currently be an indispensable addition to modern vegetable breeding programs. For example, AI allows for the prediction of phenotypic values through genetic markers, and this allows plant breeders to perform selection even before the trials are conducted in the field. The ASHS Vegetable Breeding and Interest Group seeks to provide research updates from experts who have worked on the applications of AI in crop breeding and genetic improvement. The workshop will provide a summary of various AI methodologies, recent advances, and render opportunities for future collaboration and research directions in the implementation of AI in vegetable breeding programs. Objectives 1. Summarize the different AI approaches used in breeding and genetic improvement of various traits in vegetables 2. Provide the attendees with recent advances in AI for plant breeding 3. Discuss future research directions and applications of AI in plant breeding programs The workshop will be conducted during the annual ASHS meeting (July 28- August 1, 2025) in New Orleans, Louisiana. The workshop will be in-person. Audience: The workshop will be open to all ASHS attendees (both public and private sectors) and will be interactive.

Moderators: Dennis Lozada, New Mexico State University
Devi Kandel, Langston University

Speakers:

• Cheryl Dalid, University of Florida - Leveraging Phenomics and Genomics Data in Strawberry Breeding
• Stephen Ficklin, Washington State University - Towards Identification of Biomarkers for Environmentally-controlled Traits
• Madhi Haghshenas-Jaryani, New Mexico State University - AI-enabled Agricultural Robots and Intelligent Machines for Precision Farming of Chile Pepper Cultivation in New Mexico
• Tanzeel Rehman, Auburn University - AI-Driven High-Throughput Phenotyping for Assessing Physiological Stress in Blueberry
• Kevin Wang, University of Florida - AI-Powered Phenomics: Accelerating Breeding Across Horticultural Crops