The 2009 ASHS Annual Conference

Objective(s):
This colloquium will focus on efficient use of both fresh and recycled water in horticultural crop production and in landscapes. The topics will include growth and physiological responses of plants to water stress and salinity stress related to irrigation with recycled water, health issues involved in edible horticultural crop production when irrigated with recycled water, and influence of different quantities of fresh irrigation water or recycled water on horticulture production, yield, quality, and landscapes.

The horticulture industry is facing a sharply decreased supply of fresh water for irrigation and growing competition for water resources from other economic sectors. The drought conditions that occur on a regular basis in many states have tremendously affected horticultural production, and raised awareness of more efficient use of water resources and interest in alternative water resources including recycled water. Different from the clean fresh water, recycled water might be associated with higher levels of salt contents and presence and persistence of contaminants, such as drugs, hormones and pathogens. A myriad of research activities have been contributed to our knowledge of growth and physiological responses of plants when crops are irrigated less, and yet, to date, there has not been a concerted effort to conserve, or use recycled or reclaimed water for horticultural production. Advanced systems are now being developed and implemented for these purposes. A panel consisting members invited from the industry will demonstrate the latest technology and instruments applicable in research related to water application, conservation, and remediation, and stress physiology especially water stress and salinity stress, and illustrate the key barriers to implementation in crop production and in the landscape. From the colloquium, members of ASHS would be well served to be updated on breakthroughs in the aforementioned research activities and new technology and tools in the research area.