Foreword

Welcome to the 2020 Ornamentals Review supplement to AHDB Grower, which summarises the current research AHDB is funding on behalf of ornamentals growers.

The range of projects covered within the Review supplement reflect the current AHDB strategy, developed to address the key needs of industry. So the main emphasis has been on labour efficiency measures and automation, crop protection with a focus on integrated pest management, and resource use optimisation to ensure production inputs are used effectively while minimising the potential risk of environmental pollution.

Work programmes

The AHDB SmartHort programme aims to reduce labour requirements in horticulture by improving efficiencies and via the adoption of new technology and automation. The adoption of Lean working practices continues to be central to the programme, but recently a challenge has been issued to the Warwick Manufacturing Centre to develop a purpose-built autonomous guided vehicle to facilitate plant movement on nurseries (CP 187). Alongside this, the GROWBOT project has investigated the potential of ‘learning from demonstration’ to teach a robot to undertake complex, repetitive nursery tasks (HNS PO 194).

In terms of crop protection, the process of screening for new suitable active ingredients and crop protection products continues within SCEPTREplus (CP 165), while the push to improve our knowledge of biopesticides and their use is the challenge for AMBER (CP 158). Working in conjunction with these broader projects are more sector-specific targeted work, looking at weed and vine weevil control in hardy nursery stock (HNS 198 and 195 respectively), biocides for inclusion in bulb hot water treatments (BOF 77) and alternative plant growth regulators (PO 019a). five-year joint-funded Defra/AHDB/industry project on responsibly sourced growing media, with the development of a growing media performance prediction model (CP 138). Alongside this, AHDB has commissioned two new projects on nutrient management for both container- and field-grown crops to optimise fertiliser use (HNS 200 and PO BOF 003).

Get involved

We are always looking for grower input, so if you would like to become more involved with projects or the panels, please contact Georgina Key, AHDB Ornamentals Research Manager, and she will be happy to advise you of the latest opportunities.

Two grower panels, the Hardy Nursery Stock Panel and Protected Ornamentals, Bulbs and Outdoor Cut Flowers Panel, represent the industry. Both panels continually consider how to proactively support the industry in the face of both imminent and longer-term challenges and help the industry adapt in this everchanging environment. Each panel meets twice a year and both are a great way to guide the research and knowledge exchange that AHDB does for the industry and to network with a wide range of other growers.

Whatever crops you grow in your business, I wish you a successful production season during 2020.

Jamie Dewhurst J & A Growers Ltd AHDB Horticulture Board Member