(07/18/25) HAMMOND, La. — From turfgrass to tea production and rain gardens to robotics, there was something for just about everyone at the LSU AgCenter’s annual horticulture field day July 18.

Cloudy skies and occasional mist provided a cool backdrop for the event at the Hammond Research Station, which is devoted to improving the horticulture industry through research and plant evaluations.

Dozens of industry professionals turned out to wander the station’s trial gardens featuring hundreds of the latest and greatest plants. They also took part in an extensive walking tour that showcased research endeavors and gave people a chance to ask scientists questions about their work.

Speakers on the research tour included:

— M.P. Hayes, an AgCenter water quality expert who demonstrated a small, remote-controlled boat that can gather data to help monitor pond conditions and discussed his work on floating solar panels.

— AgCenter horticulture agent Mary Helen Ferguson, who reviewed top-performing blueberry varieties for Louisiana.

— Vinit Sehgal, assistant professor in the AgCenter School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, who talked about the Louisiana Climate and Digital Ag Network, or LaCADIAN, and ways that improved weather data can be used in agriculture.

— AgCenter horticulturist Yan Chen, who guided visitors through tea plots and discussed the growing tea industry in the South.

— Congliang Zhou, AgCenter precision agriculture researcher, who told about his work to help nurseries by using AI and robotics. One of his projects involves using these tools to develop insect defoliation thresholds.

— Eric DeBoer, AgCenter turfgrass specialist, who showed attendees his study comparing the performance of common turfgrass species in sun vs. shade. He also wants to see which species do the best with low inputs.

— Damon Abdi, AgCenter assistant professor of landscape horticulture, who walked visitors through research aimed at identifying the best materials for use in rain gardens and determining whether there are benefits to manipulating tree roots before planting. He also showed off the station’s outdoor living lab, which is under development and focuses on hardscapes.

— Trials coordinator Caroline Blanchard and research associates Maureen Thiessen and Ashley Hickman, who led a tour of the station’s plant-packed Sun Garden.

Many of the scientists emphasized that their projects are designed to provide solutions for real-world concerns for nurseries and others involved in horticulture. This type of practical research is critical, said Mike Salassi, interim LSU vice president for agriculture.

“Our goal is to support the horticulture industry in this state and keep it economically viable,” he said.

Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, agreed that research is key to ensuring the future of an economically valuable industry.

He referenced a recent report by AgCenter economist Matt Fannin that estimates Louisiana’s green industry to be worth $4 billion annually. Landscaping services and arborists add another $1.7 billion to the economy.

Salassi also announced that a new weed scientist will start working at the station next month.

Christine Coker, who began July 1 as station director, applauded the hard work of the facility’s faculty and staff.

“It is a pleasure to work at such a beautiful place,” she said, “but really more of a pleasure to work with such a fantastic group.”

Attendees of the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station field day read handouts while touring the Sun Garden. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Damon Abdi, LSU AgCenter assistant professor of landscape horticulture, shows field day attendees a study examining the use of various materials in rain gardens. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Attendees of the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station field day browse blueberry trials. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Vinit Sehgal, assistant professor in the LSU AgCenter School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, talks about the Louisiana Climate and Digital Ag Network at the Hammond Research Station field day. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

LSU AgCenter horticulturist Yan Chen, right, smiles while speaking about her tea research at the Hammond Research Station field day. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Eric DeBoer, LSU AgCenter turfgrass specialist, discusses his research on different turfgrass species. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

M.P. Hayes, an LSU AgCenter water quality expert, demonstrates a small, remote-controlled boat that can gather data to help monitor pond conditions. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter