VNLA Newsletter Spring 2018

“I believe our industry has to do a better job of policing our- selves, particularly when it comes to growing very susceptible varieties like Buxus suffruticosa . This plant, in my opinion, should be absolutely banned. It is highly susceptible and is most likely spreading the disease and jeopardizing the future market potential of the entire genus of Buxus .” Once boxwood blight was discovered in the U.S, HRI acted quickly and established a fund for boxwood blight re- search, making some of the first fungicide efficacy trials possible. Since then, HRI has continued support of the indus- try by leveraging these funds for additional support and the de- velopment of a best management practices (BMP) document through collaboration with AmericanHort and the National Plant Board. The BMPs help gold standard growers ensure clean boxwood production. One of HRI’s latest projects is working with researchers towards a standardized protocol where boxwood varieties can be assessed for boxwood blight tolerance. Previous stud- ies have been conducted to evaluate boxwood varieties in terms of tolerance and susceptibility; however, the studies var- ied in methodology and, in some cases, results. Due to this var- iability, a more streamlined approach is desired. The boxwood blight research fund was reopened in 2018 and is now accept- ing donations to help guide the industry towards production of boxwood blight tolerant varieties. Jill M. Calabro, Ph.D. is science and research programs direc-

tor at the Horticultural Research Institute, the AmericanHort re- search and scholarship foundation. The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) has provided more than $7.5 million in funds to research projects covering a broad range of production, envi- ronmental, and business issues important to the green industry since 1962. Nearly $11 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations, and associations. www.hriresearch.org or call 614-884-1155. Jennifer Gray, Research Programs Administrator, jenniferg@americanhort.org

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April/May/June 2018 VNLA Newsletter April / May / June 2018 V LA Newsletter