Ryan Dickson Recognized by Greenhouse Grower for Root Zone Research
Research focused on root zone health, hydroponic food production
By Michael Gjellum – Feb. 23, 2024
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Greenhouse Grower, a national publication and online platform focusing on greenhouse production and crop management, recently highlighted an Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researcher for his work in rootzone research.
Ryan Dickson, assistant professor of greenhouse and controlled-environment agriculture for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was among the horticulture researchers included in the article “Four Names to Watch in Horticulture Research.”
“Greenhouse Grower is a popular trade magazine, so it means our work is having an impact, and we are achieving visibility on the national level,” Dickson said.
Dickson’s research focuses on root zone health, floriculture, hydroponics and soft fruit crops like strawberries and blackberries. The root zone is where soil and roots interact, he explained. By studying the root zone, researchers like Dickson can develop strategies for higher crop yields, conserving water and mitigating soil degradation.
“Mismanagement of the root zone causes many of the grower problems and crop losses we see today,” Dickson said. “The root zone is a complex and dynamic environment, and addressing issues such as imbalances in fertilizer nutrients, pH levels, and soilless substrate components is crucial.”
Dickson’s passion for the industry stems from his background as a commercial grower.
“I love this industry — I was a commercial grower before becoming a researcher and academic,” he said. “The greenhouse floriculture and hydroponics industries produce living products that have so many societal and human health benefits, and the growers in this field are absolutely top-notch.”
As Dickson looks toward the future of floriculture and how the industry is constantly evolving, he said he’s excited for new opportunities to come.
To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow us on 𝕏 at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on 𝕏 at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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