TSUAg Field Day Connects Nursery Research with Tennessee Growers

The Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center welcomed growers, industry leaders and TSU officials to McMinnville for a hands-on look at research supporting one of Tennessee agriculture's strongest industries

By Zekeya Harrison

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NRC Field Day From robotic spraying technology to innovative disease prevention strategies, the 麻豆传媒 Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center Field Day 2026 highlighted how research at the TSU College of Agriculture continues to support and strengthen Tennessee鈥檚 thriving nursery industry. 听

Growers, researchers, educators, vendors and students gathered Thursday, May 7, at the Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville for a day of presentations, demonstrations and hands-on learning opportunities focused on the future of nursery production. 听

The annual event featured sessions on听developing听pest threats, pre-emergent herbicides, robotic spraying in specialty crops, vascular streak dieback updates,听ambrosia听beetle management and irrigation system design. Attendees also toured research labs and participated in live demonstrations听in听the afternoon. 听s

Located in the heart of one of the nation鈥檚 most significant nursery production regions, the Nursery Research Center plays a vital role in supporting growers across Tennessee and beyond through research and Extension efforts in horticulture, entomology, pathology, sustainability and nursery production. 听

Dr. Anthony听Witcher, associate professor in TSU鈥檚 Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering,听shared research focused on the timing and effectiveness of pre-emergent herbicides in field nurseries and how growers can maximize weed control while reducing costs. 听

鈥淭he research that we鈥檙e doing is really for them,鈥澨齏itcher听said of the growers in attendance. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to do things that are practical and applicable to them. It gives them a chance to come in, talk to us and really get an idea about the work we鈥檝e been doing recently and how it affects them.鈥� 听s

Witcher听said the event also gives researchers an opportunity to directly connect with industry stakeholders and provide information growers can immediately apply to their operations. 听

鈥淲hich herbicides can benefit them, which听ones may be more cost effective听and which ones save them money in the long run while still working effectively on their crops -听those are the kinds of things we鈥檙e focused on,鈥� he听added. 听s

A large TSU contingent traveled from Nashville to support the event, including Interim Provost Dr. Erik听Schmeller听and representatives from the College of Agriculture. Members of TSU Facilities Management, who recently completed renovations at the Nursery Research Center, were also in attendance. 听s

With nearly 700 growers contributing approximately $285 million in annual cash receipts, Tennessee鈥檚 nursery industry remains one of the state鈥檚 strongest agricultural sectors. Events like Field Day help ensure growers remain informed about the latest research, emerging challenges and evolving technology shaping the industry. 听

As conversations continued between researchers and growers throughout the day, the event reinforced the Nursery Research Center鈥檚 mission of delivering practical solutions and meaningful innovation to one of Tennessee agriculture鈥檚 most important industries. 听

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