@article{fulcher_rihn_warner_lebude_schexnayder_altland_bumgarner_marble_nackley_palma_et al._2023, title={Overcoming the Nursery Industry Labor Shortage: A Survey of Strategies to Adapt to a Reduced Workforce and Automation and Mechanization Technology Adoption Levels}, volume={58}, ISSN={["2327-9834"]}, DOI={10.21273/HORTSCI17230-23}, abstractNote={US nurseries are experiencing a workforce shortage that is expected to intensify. A mixed-mode survey of decision-makers representing the US nursery industry was conducted in 2021. The survey assessed practices used in 2020 to elicit a better understanding of nursery approaches to the challenges presented by persistent labor scarcity. We compare our results with survey data collected ∼15 years earlier at container nurseries. Survey responses revealed that nurseries were undertaking strategies that aimed to improve production efficiency, better recruit and retain employees, and secure other sources of labor to overcome this shortage. Specifically, more than 65% of surveyed US nurseries increased worker wages, and more than 55% of respondents adopted automation to address the labor shortage. Strategies in use by ≥23% of respondents may limit future growth or jeopardize long-term nursery survival. These include diversifying tasks of current employees, reducing production of labor-intensive plants, or delaying expansion plans. Survey results suggested that production tasks excluding irrigation were on average 31% automated or mechanized at container nurseries, an increase from 16% during the prior survey. Field nurseries were 35% automated or mechanized in 2020. Newly developed or yet-to-be developed automated and mechanized technology (AMT) that decision-makers perceive as being helpful were reported. This article explores linkages between nursery characteristics and AMT adoption and highlights research and extension programming initiatives that are needed to help growers make informed decisions regarding adopting automation.}, number={12}, journal={HORTSCIENCE}, author={Fulcher, Amy and Rihn, Alicia L. and Warner, Laura A. and LeBude, Anthony V and Schexnayder, Susan and Altland, James E. and Bumgarner, Natalie and Marble, S. Chris and Nackley, Lloyd and Palma, Marco and et al.}, year={2023}, month={Dec}, pages={1513–1525} }
 @article{warner_rihn_fulcher_lebude_schexnayder_joshi_2022, title={A Theory of Planned Behavior-Informed Evaluation of Growers' Intent to Use Automated Nursery Technologies}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2311-7524"]}, DOI={10.3390/horticulturae8111028}, abstractNote={Labor scarcity and rising production costs due to increasing labor wages and benefits are key concerns among nursery growers. Automated nursery technologies are a means to address labor challenges, but they are not widely adopted. The research objective was to use the Theory of Planned Behavior to evaluate nursery growers’ intention of using automated technologies in their operations to support future educational initiatives. Using a mixed-mode survey, four technology clusters, or a grouping of connected ideas, were examined: Irrigation application, Plant transport, Plant handling, and Agrochemical application. Overall intent to adopt technologies within each cluster was neutral but slightly negative. Attitudes towards adopting automated nursery technologies and perceptions of others’ approval for adoption were positive, and perceived behavioral control and perceptions of others’ adoption were neutral. When used to predict likelihood of adoption through multiple linear regression models, there was variability in characteristics that predicted intent to adopt technologies within each cluster with attitude being the most consistent predictor across the clusters. There were both positive and negative relationships between the social norms variables and behavioral intent. Overall, social norms and attitudes appear to be among the most important characteristics in disseminating automated nursery technology adoption to address labor issues.}, number={11}, journal={HORTICULTURAE}, author={Warner, Laura A. and Rihn, Alicia L. and Fulcher, Amy and LeBude, Anthony V and Schexnayder, Susan and Joshi, Arati}, year={2022}, month={Nov} }
 @article{rihn_velandia_warner_fulcher_schexnayder_lebude_2022, title={Factors correlated with the propensity to use automation and mechanization by the US nursery industry}, volume={7}, ISSN={["1520-6297"]}, DOI={10.1002/agr.21763}, abstractNote={Abstract}, journal={AGRIBUSINESS}, author={Rihn, Alicia L. and Velandia, Margarita and Warner, Laura A. and Fulcher, Amy and Schexnayder, Susan and LeBude, Anthony}, year={2022}, month={Jul} }
 @article{lebude_owen_holmes_2021, title={High pH, Low Alkalinity Pond Water Used for Overhead Irrigation Does Not Affect Plant Growth of Select Flowering Shrubs}, volume={39}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-39.1.22}, DOI={10.24266/0738-2898-39.1.22}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={1}, journal={Journal of Environmental Horticulture}, publisher={Horticultural Research Institute}, author={LeBude, A.V. and Owen, J.S. and Holmes, C.}, year={2021}, month={Mar}, pages={22–32} }
 @article{dove_rogers_leppanen_simberloff_fordyce_brown_lebude_ranney_cregger_2020, title={Microbiome Variation Across Two Hemlock Species With Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation}, volume={11}, ISSN={["1664-302X"]}, DOI={10.3389/fmicb.2020.01528}, abstractNote={The hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae, HWA), an invasive insect, is devastating native hemlock populations in eastern North America, and management outcomes have so far had limited success. While many plant microbiomes influence and even support plant immune responses to insect herbivory, relatively little is known about the hemlock microbiome and its interactions with pathogens or herbivores such as HWA. Using 16S rRNA and ITS gene amplicon sequencing, we characterized the needle, branch, root, and rhizosphere microbiome of two hemlock species, Tsuga canadensis and T. sieboldii, that displayed low and high levels of HWA populations. We found that both archaeal/bacterial and fungal needle communities, as well as the archaeal/bacterial branch and root communities, varied in composition in both hemlock species relative to HWA population levels. While host species and plant-associated habitats explained a greater proportion of the variance in the microbiome than did HWA population level, high HWA populations were associated with enrichment of 100 likely fungal pathogen sequence variants across the four plant-associated habitats (e.g., needle, branch, root, rhizosphere) compared to trees with lower HWA populations. This work contributes to a growing body of literature linking plant pathogens and pests with the changes in the associated plant microbiome and host health. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the need to further investigate plant microbiome effects across multiple plant tissues to understand their influences on host health.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY}, author={Dove, Nicholas C. and Rogers, Timothy J. and Leppanen, Christy and Simberloff, Daniel and Fordyce, James A. and Brown, Veronica A. and LeBude, Anthony V and Ranney, Thomas G. and Cregger, Melissa A.}, year={2020}, month={Jul} }
 @article{klingeman_chong_harmon_ames_lebude_chandran_2020, title={Scale Insect Records from Ornamental Plants Help to Prioritize Plant Health Resource Development}, volume={21}, ISSN={["1535-1025"]}, DOI={10.1094/PHP-05-20-0045-S}, abstractNote={ Estimates about which scale insect species are most frequently encountered in U.S. landscapes and commercial production systems are largely anecdotal. This survey of records maintained across about 15 years within the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) National Data Repository (NDR) returned information from 10,671 records of 192 scale insect species and 23 suspected species that were associated with ornamental plants. This broad species diversity challenges our ability to effectively train diagnosticians, can confound species identification accuracy, and impedes outreach efforts and resource development. To help focus future efforts in the development of outreach resources and diagnostic training guides, lists were assembled that identified the 60 top-ranked soft, armored, mealybug, and other scale insect taxa most frequently diagnosed within NDR records. Diagnostic service records from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee provided more extensive information regarding sites or client types from which submitted samples originated. Results are being used to develop web-based, image-rich guides to key scale insect taxa in the southeastern United States that will explain life cycles, behaviors, and biology for pest species. These web-based guides can be exploited to optimize pest management actions. }, number={4}, journal={PLANT HEALTH PROGRESS}, author={Klingeman, William E. and Chong, Juang-Horng and Harmon, Carrie and Ames, Lisa and LeBude, Anthony V and Chandran, Predeesh}, year={2020}, pages={278–287} }
 @article{leppanen_fordyce_lebude_ranney_simberloff_2019, title={Variable colonization by the hemlock woolly adelgid suggests infestation is associated with hemlock host species}, volume={21}, ISSN={["1573-1464"]}, DOI={10.1007/s10530-019-02020-x}, number={9}, journal={BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS}, author={Leppanen, Christy and Fordyce, James A. and LeBude, Anthony V. and Ranney, Thomas G. and Simberloff, Daniel}, year={2019}, month={Sep}, pages={2891–2906} }
 @article{rogers_leppanen_brown_fordyce_lebude_ranney_simberloff_cregger_2018, title={Exploring variation in phyllosphere microbial communities across four hemlock species}, volume={9}, ISSN={2150-8925 2150-8925}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ECS2.2524}, DOI={10.1002/ECS2.2524}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={12}, journal={Ecosphere}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Rogers, Timothy J. and Leppanen, Christy and Brown, Veronica and Fordyce, James A. and LeBude, Anthony and Ranney, Thomas and Simberloff, Daniel and Cregger, Melissa A.}, year={2018}, month={Dec}, pages={e02524} }
 @article{lebude_white_fulcher_frank_klingeman iii_chong_chappell_windham_braman_hale_et al._2012, title={Assessing the integrated pest management practices of southeastern US ornamental nursery operations}, volume={68}, ISSN={1526-498X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ps.3295}, DOI={10.1002/ps.3295}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={9}, journal={Pest Management Science}, publisher={Wiley}, author={LeBude, Anthony V and White, Sarah A and Fulcher, Amy F and Frank, Steve and Klingeman III, William E and Chong, Juang-Horng and Chappell, Matthew R and Windham, Alan and Braman, Kris and Hale, Frank and et al.}, year={2012}, month={Apr}, pages={1278–1288} }
 @article{frank_lebude_2011, title={SEASON-LONG INSECTICIDE EFFICACY FOR HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID, ADELGES TSUGAE (HEMIPTERA: ADELGIDAE), MANAGEMENT IN NURSERIES}, volume={94}, ISSN={["0015-4040"]}, DOI={10.1653/024.094.0223}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT 
 Nursery growers and extension personnel have to rely on efficacy data from forest and landscape systems to manage hemlock woolly adelgid in nurseries. Considerable differences in tree size and culture and application logistics could make such data unsuitable. We evaluated 12 different insecticide formulations for short and long-term control of hemlock woolly adelgid in container grown Eastern hemlocks, Tsuga canadensis. All products provided control of first generation hemlock woolly adelgids, though efficacy of foliar applications of neonicotinoids dinotefuran, imidacloprid (Marathon® II), and acetamiprid and foliar or drench applications of spirotetramat acted the most quickly. Foliar and soil applications of neonicotinoids and spirotetramat also prevented reinfestation of second generation crawlers. In contrast, second generation hemlock woolly adelgids successfully colonized trees treated with the contact insecticides, horticultural oil and bifenthrin. Systemic insecticides provided season-long control of hemlock woolly adelgid when applied to foliage, which is the preferred method of application of nursery growers.}, number={2}, journal={FLORIDA ENTOMOLOGIST}, author={Frank, Steven D. and Lebude, Anthony}, year={2011}, month={Jun}, pages={290–295} }
 @article{hebert_touchell_ranney_lebude_2010, title={In vitro shoot regeneration and polyploid induction of rhododendron 'Fragrantissimum Improved'}, volume={45}, number={5}, journal={HortScience}, author={Hebert, C. J. and Touchell, D. H. and Ranney, T. G. and LeBude, A. V.}, year={2010}, pages={801–804} }
 @article{lebude_lindsay_spafford_bradley_wallace_ruth_2009, title={Improving the landscape design skills of North Carolina citizens}, volume={47}, number={6}, journal={Journal of Extension}, author={LeBude, A and Lindsay, P. and Spafford, A. and Bradley, L. K. and Wallace, M. and Ruth, C.}, year={2009} }
 @article{lebude_goldfarb_blazich_wright_cazell_wise_frampton_2006, title={Container type and volume influences adventitious rooting and subsequent field growth of stem cuttings of loblolly pine}, volume={30}, number={3}, journal={Southern Journal of Applied Forestry}, author={LeBude, A. V. and Goldfarb, B. and Blazich, F. A. and Wright, J. A. and Cazell, B. and Wise, F. C. and Frampton, J.}, year={2006}, pages={123–131} }
 @article{lebude_goldfarb_blazich_frampton_wise_2005, title={Mist level influences vapor pressure deficit and gas exchange during rooting of juvenile stem cuttings of loblolly pine}, volume={40}, number={5}, journal={HortScience}, author={LeBude, A. V. and Goldfarb, B. and Blazich, F. A. and Frampton, J. and Wise, F. C.}, year={2005}, pages={1448–1456} }
 @article{isik_goldfarb_lebude_li_mckeand_2005, title={Predicted genetic gains and testing efficiency from two loblolly pine clonal trials}, volume={35}, ISSN={["1208-6037"]}, DOI={10.1139/X05-064}, abstractNote={Clonal field trials were established at two sites using rooted cuttings from 450 clones of eight full-sib families of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Height, survival, fusiform rust infection (caused by Cronartium quercuum (Berk) Miyabe ex Shirai f.sp. fusiforme), bole straightness, and diameter were measured after four growing seasons. There were significant differences among full-sib families and among clones within families for all traits studied. Moderately high within-family repeatabilities of clone means (0.50 to 0.75) for growth traits and a very high within-family repeatability of clone means (0.94) for fusiform rust infection were estimated. When the best eight clones were selected regardless of family structure, the volume yield was 52% greater than that of the unimproved seedlings at two sites. Selection of the best two clones from each of four families produced only slightly lower estimated genetic gains than the above scenario. The probability of fusiform rust infection ranged from 0.08 to 0.93 among clones at the South Carolina site. Predicted genetic gain for rust resistance was relatively insensitive to selection intensity, as there were numerous clones with high apparent resistance. The number of ramets per clone necessary to reliably characterize performance on one site was estimated to be between four and six. These results contribute to estimates of the gains available from clonal forestry and will help guide clonal testing and selection programs. Implementation of clonal forestry and cost issues are discussed.}, number={7}, journal={CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH}, author={Isik, F and Goldfarb, B and LeBude, A and Li, BL and McKeand, S}, year={2005}, month={Jul}, pages={1754–1766} }
 @inproceedings{goldfarb_lebude_isik_mckeand_li_2004, title={Advance and Challenges in Clonal Forestry with Rooted Cuttings of Loblolly Pine}, booktitle={Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding in the Age of Genomics: Progress and Future,  IUFRO Joint Conference of Division 2, Conference Proceedings}, author={Goldfarb, B. and LeBude, A. and Isik, F. and McKeand, S. and Li, B.}, editor={Li, B. and McKeand, S.Editors}, year={2004}, pages={41} }
 @inproceedings{goldfarb_mckeand_lebude_cumbie_isik_li_2004, title={Deployment issues: what kinds of research, development
and demonstration activities are needed to address critical topics, such as public concerns, performance monitoring, and technologies for merchandising harvested clones?}, booktitle={Conference Proceedings}, author={Goldfarb, B. and McKeand, S. E. and LeBude, A. V. and Cumbie, W. P. and Isik, F. and Li, B.}, year={2004} }
 @article{goldfarb_mckeand_lebude_cumbie_isik_li_2004, title={Deployment issues: what kinds of research, development and demonstration activities are needed to address critical topics, such as public concerns, performance monitoring, and technologies for merchandising harvested clones?}, journal={Agenda 2020 Technology Summit II: Meeting the Challenge of Deployment}, author={Goldfarb, B. and McKeand, S. E. and LeBude, A. V. and Cumbie, W. P. and Isik, F. and Li, B.}, year={2004} }
 @article{lebude_goldfarb_blazich_wise_frampton_2004, title={Mist, substrate water potential and cutting water potential influence rooting of stem cuttings of loblolly pine}, volume={24}, ISSN={["1758-4469"]}, DOI={10.1093/treephys/24.7.823}, abstractNote={We investigated the influence of cutting water potential (Psicut) on rooting of juvenile hardwood (dormant) and softwood (succulent) stem cuttings of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) propagated under varying substrate water potentials (Psisub) and volumes of mist application. Mist treatment and Psisub contributed to the Psicut of unrooted stem cuttings. When Psisub was held constant across mist treatments, mist treatment contributed strongly to Psicut. Substrate water potential affected rooting percentage when mist treatment was sub-optimal or excessive, otherwise mist treatment had a stronger effect than Psisub on rooting percentage. Cuttings rooted best when subjected to moderate cutting water potentials (-0.5 to -1.2 MPa) during the initial 4 or 5 weeks of the rooting period. Cuttings experiencing either severe water deficit or no water deficit rooted poorly. We conclude that the rooting environment should impose a moderate water stress on loblolly pine stem cuttings to achieve optimum rooting.}, number={7}, journal={TREE PHYSIOLOGY}, author={Lebude, AV and Goldfarb, B and Blazich, FA and Wise, FC and Frampton, J}, year={2004}, month={Jul}, pages={823–831} }
 @article{goldfarb_lebude_gocke_li_isik_mckeand_2004, title={Producing rooted cutting reforestation stock of Loblolly pine: progress and challenges}, journal={IEG-40 Meeting}, author={Goldfarb, B. and LeBude, A. and Gocke, M. and Li, B. and Isik, F. and McKeand, S.}, year={2004} }
 @article{goldfarb_isik_lebude_mckeand_li_2003, title={Four-year results from a clonal test of loblolly pine}, volume={27}, journal={Proc. 27th Biennial Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference}, author={Goldfarb, B. and Isik, F. and LeBude, A. and McKeand, S. and Li, B.}, year={2003}, pages={42} }