DATE:     8/25/04
CONTACT:  Bob Polomski, (864) 656-2604                                                             WRITER:   Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741

Clemson student’s paper is tops
at Nursery Association conference

CLEMSON - Clemson University student Deidre Jones won first place in the undergraduate competition at the 2004 Southern Nursery Association Research Conference in Atlanta on Aug. 11.

Jones won the award for her paper entitled, "Comparison of Canna and Willow for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Uptake and Accumulation." 

Clemson Extension horticulturists Bob Polomski, Milton Taylor, and Ted Whitwell were co-authors.

Jones' research is part of a more extensive research project where 19 species of herbaceous and woody ornamental plants were screened for their ability to absorb nitrogen and phosphorus.          

Polomski said they would like to ultimately find attractive ornamental plants that can be cultivated in nursery production areas while using the nutrients in the irrigation runoff to protect water quality.

"We're also interested in seeing if these plants can be used in stormwater retention ponds in communities and subdivisions to capture any nutrients that may be present in the water," said Polomski. "These plants may also have a place in the landscape as buffers to capture any fertilizer runoff from the landscape and lawn."

Jones is from Liberty and is a senior majoring in horticulture.

The research project is part of a larger USDA-funded Phytoremediation project that involves N.C. State, the University of Florida, Tennessee State University and USDA facilities in McMinnville, Tenn. and Fort Pierce, Fla.

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