FW: New USDA Vegetable Laboratory Dedicated Today

**"Lon J. Rombough" l*@hevanet.com**

----------
From: ARS News Service <NewsService@ars.usda.gov>
Reply-To: ARS News Service <NewsService@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 10:24:00 -0400
To: ARS News subscriber <lonrom@hevanet.com>
Subject: New USDA Vegetable Laboratory Dedicated Today

NEWS RELEASE:
New USDA Vegetable Laboratory Dedicated Today

___________________________________________

ARS News Service
Agricultural Research Service, USDA
Luis Pons, (301) 504-1628, lpons@ars.usda.gov
August 20, 2003
___________________________________________

CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 20--A new, state-of-the-art vegetable research
facility dedicated here today will give scientists with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and Clemson University the tools to continue
bringing new and improved varieties to breeders and consumers.

The new complex provides research and office space for 20 scientists--13
from the Agricultural Research Service's U.S. Vegetable Laboratory located
here, and seven from the university. ARS is USDA's chief in-house
scientific research agency.

"Combining the regional USDA and Clemson research staffs into one facility
will optimize the use of equipment and other resources, and will stimulate
cooperative interaction between the department and the university," said
Rodney J. Brown, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and
Economics, during a dedication ceremony with state and local officials.
"The Clemson Center and the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory are already
internationally recognized for their distinguished research programs on
important vegetable crops. The new facility will further expand
scientists' capabilities to perform excellent studies that will have a
significant impact on agriculture worldwide."

U.S. Vegetable Laboratory researchers include plant geneticists,
physiologists, pathologists, entomologists, nematologists and weed
scientists. This laboratory has developed and released more than 160
improved vegetable varieties and breeding lines. The Clemson Center has
developed and released more than 40.

Many of these improved vegetables have gained wide recognition and
acceptance. Notables include Charleston Gray and Congo watermelons,
Planter's Jumbo cantaloupe, Goldcoast snap bean, Homestead tomato, Wando
pea, Charleston Hot pepper, Charleston Greenpack southernpea, Polaris
cucumber, Charleston Belle bell pepper and Ranger squash.

Laboratory scientists have released many disease- and pest-resistant
breeding stocks used worldwide to develop hybrid vegetables. In addition,
they also study the biology and ecology of vegetable diseases and pests in
order to develop new, environmentally compatible control methods that rely
on biocontrol, host-plant resistance and other integrated pest management
practices.

The new facility replaces many of the old buildings housing the U.S.
Vegetable Laboratory and Clemson University's Coastal Research and
Education Center. Most were built during the 1930s and did not allow for
expansion to meet future program requirements. The new facility
consolidates laboratory and office operations into one location, on the
north side of U.S. Highway 17 in Charleston.

Containing all the offices, laboratories and other physical plant
requirements to support the two research staffs and allow for some
expansion, the complex represents the first phase of a new research
facility. This phase, which includes the 54,000-square-foot laboratory,
cost $20.5 million. The next phase, which is being designed, will add
55,800 square feet of headhouse and greenhouse area.

The U.S. Vegetable Laboratory solves vegetable production and protection
problems common to the Southeast. Most of these problems are also of
national importance. Studies focus on broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower,
collard, cucumber, snap bean, squash, tomato, melon, pepper (hot and
bell), southernpea, sweetpotato and watermelon.

This laboratory is one of 17 research facilities in ARS' South Atlantic
Area, which includes Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands.

___________________________________________

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