@article{veazie_chen_hicks_holley_eylands_mattson_boldt_brewer_lopez_whipker_2024, title={A Data-driven Approach for Generating Leaf Tissue Nutrient Interpretation Ranges for Greenhouse Lettuce}, volume={59}, ISSN={["2327-9834"]}, DOI={10.21273/HORTSCI17582-23}, abstractNote={In the absence of controlled sufficiency studies, foliar interpretations for many horticultural crops are based on survey concentrations from small data sets. In addition, both survey and sufficiency ranges provide little interpretation regarding zones that are above or below the concentration range deemed “sufficient.” While providing a critical initial set of ranges, it was based on a limited set of data and therefore improvements in interpretation of data are needed. This study presents a novel method based on 1950 data points to create data-driven nutrient interpretation ranges by fitting models to provide more refined ranges of deficient (lowest 2.5%), low (2.5% to 25%), sufficient (25% to 75%), high (75% to 97.5%), and excessive (highest 2.5%). Data were analyzed by fitting Normal, Gamma, and Weibull distributions. Corresponding P values were calculated based on the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality for the Normal and Gamma distributions, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for the Weibull distribution. The optimal distribution was selected based on the lowest Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) value and visual fitness. The Weibull distribution best represented nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, manganese, zinc, and copper, and the Gamma distribution best represented magnesium, sulfur, iron, and boron. Using the selected distributions, we propose a refined set of nutrient evaluation ranges for greenhouse-grown lettuce. These refined standards will aid growers and technical specialists in more accurately interpreting leaf tissue sample data.}, number={3}, journal={HORTSCIENCE}, author={Veazie, Patrick and Chen, Hsuan and Hicks, Kristin and Holley, Jake and Eylands, Nathan and Mattson, Neil and Boldt, Jennifer and Brewer, Devin and Lopez, Roberto and Whipker, Brian E.}, year={2024}, month={Mar}, pages={267–277} }
 @article{whipker_veazie_ballance_hicks_owen_rich_seltsam_cockson_2024, title={Coleus cultivars nutritional status as a function of leaf coloration}, ISSN={["1532-4087"]}, DOI={10.1080/01904167.2024.2325939}, journal={JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION}, author={Whipker, Brian and Veazie, Patrick and Ballance, M. Seth and Hicks, Kristin and Owen, W. Garrett and Rich, W. Tyler and Seltsam, Lauren and Cockson, Paul}, year={2024}, month={Mar} }
 @article{kulesza_burns_woodley_gatiboni_shupe_hicks_2022, title={Distribution and Fractionation of Zinc and Copper in Poultry Litters Across North Carolina}, volume={5}, ISSN={["1532-2416"]}, DOI={10.1080/00103624.2022.2072866}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are necessary micronutrients for crop production. However, excess Zn and Cu applied through land application of manures can result in Zn and Cu toxicity, reducing yields. With many integrators and little information on the formulation of poultry feeds in North Carolina (NC), it is difficult to predict the fractionation of Zn and Cu in litters generated at facilities, as the form of Zn and Cu determines mobility and bioavailability. Therefore, statewide data from the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was analyzed to determine regional variation of total Zn and Cu. The results showed a significant effect of the region on the total Zn and Cu among the three production regions in the state. Additionally, 11 broilers and broiler breeder litter samples were analyzed to determine the distribution of Zn and Cu in acid soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions. Total Zn and Cu averaged 675 mg/kg and 629 mg/kg, respectively. There was a significant interaction between the region and Zn concentration in the fractions. However, there was no region interaction when converted to a percentage of the sum of the fractions, indicating Zn partitions similarly across a wide range of concentrations and 37%, 40%, 21%, and 0.6% was found in the acid soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions, respectively. Region did not have an effect on Cu fractionation, with 26%, 8%, 67%, and 2% of Cu in the acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions, respectively. Results indicate greater bioavailability and mobility potential for Zn as compared to Cu.}, journal={COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS}, author={Kulesza, Stephanie and Burns, Joseph and Woodley, Alex and Gatiboni, Luciano and Shupe, Maggie and Hicks, Kristin}, year={2022}, month={May} }
 @article{veazie_pandey_young_ballance_hicks_whipker_2022, title={Impact of Macronutrient Fertility on Mineral Uptake and Growth of Lactuca sativa 'Salanova Green' in a Hydroponic System}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2311-7524"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8111075}, DOI={10.3390/horticulturae8111075}, abstractNote={Lactuca sativa (commonly referred to as lettuce) is one of the most popular grown hydroponic crops. While other fertilizer rate work has been conducted on lettuce, the impact of each element has not been evaluated independently or by determining adequate foliar tissue concentrations when all nutrients are plant-available. This study explores the impact that macronutrients have on the growth and yield of lettuce at different stages of the production cycle. Additionally, this study explores the adequate nutrient rates by regressing nutrient curves to find the concentration of each element that corresponds to optimal growth. Plants were grown under varying macronutrient concentrations (0, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 100%) utilizing the concentrations of a modified Hoagland’s solution based on 150 mg·L−1 N. Lettuce plants were grown in a silica sand culture and received a nutrient solution in which a single element was altered. Visual symptomology was documented, and leaf tissue mineral nutrient concentrations and biomass were measured at Weeks 3, 6, and 8 after transplant. Optimal elemental leaf tissue concentration and biomass varied by macronutrient rates and weeks of growth. Nitrogen rate produced a linear increase in total plant dry weight, but foliar N followed a quadratic plateau pattern. Other elements, such as phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium, produced distinct total plant dry weight plateaus despite increasing fertility concentrations. These results demonstrate that fertility recommendation can be lowered for nutrients where higher rates do not result in higher plant biomass or foliar nutrient concentrations.}, number={11}, journal={HORTICULTURAE}, author={Veazie, Patrick and Pandey, Piyush and Young, Sierra and Ballance, M. Seth and Hicks, Kristin and Whipker, Brian}, year={2022}, month={Nov} }
 @article{landis_hicks_mccall_henry_whipker_2021, title={Customizing the leaf tissue nutrient ranges for blue and pink hydrangeas}, ISSN={["1532-4087"]}, DOI={10.1080/01904167.2021.1952431}, abstractNote={Abstract Pink, blue, and red hydrangea [(Hydrangea macrophylla subsp. Macrophylla var. macrophylla (Thunb.)] cultivars contain the anthocyanin pigment delphinidin-3-glucoside that color the sepal. Without aluminum (Al), the natural color of the pigment is pink or red depending on the cultivar. To produce blue sepals, plants are fertilized with Al2(SO4)3 (AS) under low phosphorus (P) conditions. To determine the effect of AS on nutrient tissue concentrations ‘Early Blue’, ‘Hor Tivoli’, ‘Jip’, and ‘Mathilda Gutges’ plants were treated with 0 (pink), 12, or 15 g (blue) of AS. Pre-bloom leaf tissue concentrations were analyzed with blue cultivars generally having higher concentrations of sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), copper (Cu), and Al, while the pink plants had higher nitrogen (N), P, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations. Concentrations of N, potassium (K), Mg, B and Cu were consistent with published sufficiency ranges regardless of color or cultivar, while S, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations were below sufficiency in some pink cultivars. The P concentrations in both pink and blue cultivars and Ca in some blue cultivars were lower than the published sufficiency range. The difference in leaf tissue nutrient concentrations among cultivars and coloration, suggest that nutrient uptake in hydrangeas varies and that lab recommendations should be customized depending on cultivar and color production system.}, journal={JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION}, author={Landis, Hunter and Hicks, Kristin and McCall, Ingram and Henry, Josh B. and Whipker, Brian E.}, year={2021}, month={Jul} }
 @article{landis_hicks_mccall_henry_whipker_2021, title={Enhancing blue hydrangea sepal coloration by applying aluminum sulfate through constant liquid fertilization}, volume={1305}, ISSN={["2406-6168"]}, DOI={10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1305.60}, journal={III INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON GROWING MEDIA, COMPOSTING AND SUBSTRATE ANALYSIS}, author={Landis, H. and Hicks, K. and McCall, I and Henry, J. B. and Whipker, B. E.}, year={2021}, pages={455–461} }
 @article{thiessen_schappe_cochran_hicks_post_2020, title={Surveying for Potential Diseases and Abiotic Disorders of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Production}, volume={21}, ISSN={["1535-1025"]}, DOI={10.1094/PHP-03-20-0017-RS}, abstractNote={ Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has recently been reintroduced as an agricultural commodity in the United States, and, through state-led pilot programs, growers and researchers have been investigating production strategies. Diseases and disorders of industrial hemp in the United States are largely unknowns because record-keeping and taxonomy have improved dramatically in the last several decades. In 2016, North Carolina launched a pilot program to investigate industrial hemp, and diseases and abiotic disorders were surveyed in 2017 and 2018. Producers, consultants, and agricultural extension agents submitted samples to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services Division (n = 572) and the North Carolina Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (n = 117). Common field diseases found included Fusarium foliar and flower blights (Fusarium graminearum), Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum), and Helminthosporium leaf spot (Exserohilum rostratum). Greenhouse diseases were primarily caused by Pythium spp. and Botrytis cinerea. Common environmental disorders were attributed to excessive rainfall flooding roots and poor root development of transplanted clones. }, number={4}, journal={PLANT HEALTH PROGRESS}, author={Thiessen, Lindsey D. and Schappe, Tyler and Cochran, Sarah and Hicks, Kristin and Post, Angela R.}, year={2020}, pages={321–332} }
 @article{cockson_landis_smith_hicks_whipker_2019, title={Characterization of Nutrient Disorders of Cannabis sativa}, volume={9}, ISSN={["2076-3417"]}, DOI={10.3390/app9204432}, abstractNote={Essential plant nutrients are needed at crop-specific concentrations to obtain optimum growth or yield. Plant tissue (foliar) analysis is the standard method for measuring those levels in crops. Symptoms of nutrient deficiency occur when those tissue concentrations fall to a level where growth or yield is negatively impacted and can serve as a visual diagnostic tool for growers and researchers. Both nutrient deficiency symptoms and their corresponding plant tissue concentrations have not been established for cannabis. To establish nutrient concentrations when deficiency or toxicity symptoms are expressed, Cannabis sativa ‘T1’ plants were grown in silica sand culture, and control plants received a complete modified Hoagland’s all-nitrate solution, whereas nutrient-deficient treatments were induced with a complete nutrient formula withholding a single nutrient. Toxicity treatments were induced by increasing the element tenfold higher than the complete nutrient formula. Plants were monitored daily and, once symptoms manifested, plant tissue analysis of all essential elements was performed by most recent mature leaf (MRML) tissue analysis, and descriptions and photographs of nutrient disorder symptomology were taken. Symptoms and progressions were tracked through initial, intermediate, and advanced stages. Information in this study can be used to diagnose nutrient disorders in Cannabis sativa.}, number={20}, journal={APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL}, author={Cockson, Paul and Landis, Hunter and Smith, Turner and Hicks, Kristin and Whipker, Brian E.}, year={2019}, month={Oct} }
 @article{landis_hicks_cockson_henry_smith_whipker_2019, title={Expanding Leaf Tissue Nutrient Survey Ranges for Greenhouse Cannabidiol-Hemp}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2374-3832"]}, DOI={10.2134/cftm2018.09.0081}, abstractNote={Core Ideas Leaf tissue nutrient concentration survey values do not exist for greenhouse CBD-hemp. Growers can use these ranges as a nutrient management tool for CBD-hemp stock plants. Different leaf tissue nutrient concentrations have been found in CBD-hemp cultivars. There are no researched nutrient recommendations specific to greenhouse CBD-hemp. CBD-hemp products have great market potential.}, number={1}, journal={CROP FORAGE & TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT}, author={Landis, Hunter and Hicks, Kristin and Cockson, Paul and Henry, Josh B. and Smith, James T. and Whipker, Brian E.}, year={2019}, month={Jan} }
 @article{saikaly_hicks_barlaz_reyes_2010, title={Transport Behavior of Surrogate Biological Warfare Agents in a Simulated Landfill: Effect of Leachate Recirculation and Water Infiltration}, volume={44}, ISSN={["1520-5851"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-78449246551&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1021/es101937a}, abstractNote={An understanding of the transport behavior of biological warfare (BW) agents in landfills is required to evaluate the suitability of landfills for the disposal of building decontamination residue (BDR) following a bioterrorist attack on a building. Surrogate BW agents, Bacillus atrophaeus spores and Serratia marcescens, were spiked into simulated landfill reactors that were filled with synthetic building debris (SBD) and operated for 4 months with leachate recirculation or water infiltration. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to monitor surrogate transport. In the leachate recirculation reactors, <10% of spiked surrogates were eluted in leachate over 4 months. In contrast, 45% and 31% of spiked S. marcescens and B. atrophaeus spores were eluted in leachate in the water infiltration reactors. At the termination of the experiment, the number of retained cells and spores in SBD was measured over the depth of the reactor. Less than 3% of the total spiked S. marcescens cells and no B. atrophaeus spores were detected in SBD. These results suggest that significant fractions of the spiked surrogates were strongly attached to SBD.}, number={22}, journal={ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY}, author={Saikaly, Pascal E. and Hicks, Kristin and Barlaz, Morton A. and Reyes, Francis L., III}, year={2010}, month={Nov}, pages={8622–8628} }