Thesis research focused on: 1) Water and fertilizer gradients
within the plant root zone, and effects of chemical and physical
gradients on Trichoderma harzianum populations. 2) Regulation of root
growth physically with permeable fabric containers and chemically with
copper compounds. 3) Effects of copper coatings for fabric containers
on Glomus...
The goal of the work in this dissertation was to identify alternative soil amendments to improve plant growth and yield during establishment of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium hybrid). Woody materials, such as sawdust and wood chips, have a high carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio and low water holding capacity, which can...
Currently, fungicide applications are the predominant method of control for the cool weather pathogen Microdochium patch (Microdochium nivale). Increasing pesticide restrictions have generated concern regarding management of Microdochium patch. Three separate field trials exploring non-traditional fungicides were conducted between 2013 and 2015 on an annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) sand-based...
European hazelnut, Corylus avellana L., is the only economically important nut crop
in the family Betulaceae. One of the threats to the hazelnut industry in the Pacific
Northwest is the fungal disease eastern filbert blight (EFB) caused by the
pyrenomycete Anisogramma anomala. Host genetic resistance to EFB identified in the...
The hundred-year history of the hazelnut industry in the Pacific Northwest is threatened by eastern filbert blight (EFB) caused by the fungus Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) has been extensively used for ‘Gasaway’ resistance in the hazelnut breeding program at Oregon State University. Concern over breakdown of...
Although the concept of breeding crops for organic agricultural systems has been around for decades, few studies have been reported for vegetable crops to quantify and compare how conventional and organic systems differ in their selection pressures on genotypes advancing through the breeding cycle; especially research utilizing modern sequencing capabilities....
Improving crop cultivars for use on organic farms is pertinent, as current elite germplasm is less resilient within the more variable context of organic farm environments. Although a growing number of studies have focused on organic plant breeding in cereal crops, very few have focused on vegetable crops, especially those...