UC ANR Nursery Conference Spotlights Practical Solutions

A special plastic mat, combined with disinfectants, can serve as the first line of defense against plant diseases in nurseries, where young plants are especially vulnerable. Such a simple measure could prevent millions of dollars in losses, and it was just one of the practical solutions highlighted at the 2025 Nursery Conference, hosted by the University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR).

The event featured greenhouse tours, research presentations, and one-on-one consultations. “This conference allows us to share the results of our research with the industry and listen directly to growers’ needs,” said UC ANR horticulture advisor Gerry Spinelli. From irrigation efficiency to recycling protocols, UC ANR specialists worked to turn research into actionable strategies. As plant pathology advisor Ana María Pastrana put it, “Our goal is to communicate science in plain language, focused on the real problems farmers face today.”

California’s horticulture industry generated $2.6 billion in 2019. In San Diego County, horticulture production tops $1.2 billion annually, making it one of the state’s leading agricultural sectors.