(07/22/24) HAMMOND, La. — As they drove into the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station under an overcast sky, visitors attending the facility’s annual horticulture field day passed bed after bed of colorful flowers and other plants.

Attendees of the July 19 event got their chance to explore the station’s trial gardens, where scientists evaluate the performance of hundreds of up-and-coming cultivars. But much of their morning was spent listening intently as researchers discussed another aspect of their work: numerous projects aimed at making it more sustainable and profitable to produce vibrant plants like those on display in the trial gardens.

This type of research is a growing area of focus, said Jeb Fields, associate professor at the station.

“Everywhere you go, people are talking about sustainability,” Fields said. He and his colleagues are trying to identify solutions that will allow nursery producers, landscapers and others in the green industry to use fewer resources — such as water, fertilizer and even time and money — while continuing to grow strong, healthy and beautiful plants.

“That’s the whole goal of my lab — to keep doing what we’re doing, keep growing what we’re growing, just using less as we do it,” Fields said.

Much of his and his team’s work centers on the use of alternative, soilless substrates, or materials in which plants are grown. They’re studying how these materials — which include different wood products as well as agricultural byproducts such as sugarcane bagasse — can improve the movement of air and water in container-grown plants and lead to better results.

Fields was excited to showcase the AgCenter’s wide range of horticultural research at the field day.

“This is the most important thing we do. I can write papers all day long, but this is the day where we bring all the stakeholders in and show them what we’re doing,” he said. “There’s nothing that’s going to get a grower or a landscaper to adopt a better practice or buy into something than seeing it in person.”

Faculty, staff and students gave updates on several projects at the event.

—Fields covered his research on using sensors and artificial intelligence to optimize substrate mixtures to achieve the best plant performance.

— Station research associate Maureen Thiessen and graduate students Kristopher Criscione and Amanda Mizell discussed projects investigating how different soilless substrates affect propagation success, root growth and microbial activity.

— Ashley Hickman, a research associate and graduate student at the station, described her work on moderating soil temperature with irrigation scheduling and lighter-colored containers.

— Damon Abdi, the station's assistant professor of landscape horticulture, talked about a few of his projects. He is studying how to use rain gardens to manage water, how different transplanting practices affect tree growth and how mulch depth and color affect soil temperature.

— M.P. Hayes, an AgCenter water quality researcher, showed attendees equipment for monitoring water quality and a floating solar panel unit that can be used in ponds. “We’re looking to utilize space that might be of noneconomic value — industrial oxidation ponds, municipal wastewater treatment facilities, agricultural irrigation ponds,” Hayes said. He wants to compare how much energy the floating solar panels can gather as opposed to land-based units.

— Eric DeBoer, an AgCenter turfgrass scientist, spoke about his research on how various soil amendments affect sod establishment.

Attendees then had the chance to tour the expansive trials in the station’s Sun Garden. Each person received three flags they could use to vote for their favorite plants; the results will be tallied by station staff and used to determine which plants will earn this year’s Industry Choice Awards.

AgCenter administrators who spoke at the event emphasized the importance of supporting Louisiana’s green industry. The AgCenter’s 2023 Ag Summary estimates the value of Louisiana nursery crop production at $193.9 million, with more than 1,000 nursery operations covering nearly 3,000 acres in 39 parishes.

Matt Lee, LSU vice president for agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture, said AgCenter research and extension personnel are committed to serving constituents. They’re bringing in more grant dollars to fund research than ever before, he said, and increasing their number of educational contacts.

He also said there is growing interest in agriculture among young people. Enrollment in the College of Agriculture has risen in each of the past seven years.

“Interest in the industry and in horticultural and agronomic issues remains very strong,” Lee said. “It’s going to be important that we continue to not only give those students a top-flight education but keep them in Louisiana to help grow the industry.”

Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, said research and extension are critical as producers navigate an evolving set of challenges.

“It’s getting hotter,” Strain said. “The weather’s kind of crazy. We’re in the transition phase between El Niño and La Niña. We’ve got to keep our eye out for pests and diseases. Things are changing.”

Jeb Fields, right, an associate professor at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station, discusses his work during the facility's annual field day July 19, 2024. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Damon Abdi, a landscape horticulture researcher at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station, shows attendees of the facility's annual field day test plots where he is studying the effects of different mulch depths and color on soil temperature. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Graduate student Kristopher Criscione, right, shows attendees of the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station field day some of the tools he uses in his research on soilless substrates. Looking on in background are, from left, station research associates Maureen Thiessen and Ashley Edwards and graduate student Amanda Mizell. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Eric DeBoer, right, an LSU AgCenter turfgrass scientist, speaks about his research on how various soil amendments affect sod establishment during the AgCenter Hammond Research Station field day July 19, 2024. Looking on at left is DeBoer's graduate student, Yaohui Liu. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

A floating solar panel unit developed by LSU AgCenter water quality researcher M.P. Hayes sits on display in a pond during the AgCenter Hammond Research Station field day July 19, 2024. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Maureen Thiessen, far right, a research associate at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station, answers questions from a visitor while others browse the trial gardens during the facility's annual field day July 19, 2024. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter