Who wants to be a researcher? Getting meaningful results from on-site nursery research trials^©

INTRODUCTION
Many nursery growers have been conducting on-farm research trials for years, either independently in order to improve upon current production practices, or in cooperation with university, government or industry entities. By conducting research trials to answer specific questions, growers are able to develop real-world solutions based upon their specific needs at their location. Conducting a research trial in addition to managing normal nursery activities could seem like a daunting task. However, research trials can be designed and specifically tailored to meet a grower’s needs in terms of time commitment, resources, space, or any other constraint.
The objectives of this paper are to outline the benefits of conducting on farm research, provide an overview of how to properly design research trials, and illustrate how to draw meaningful conclusions from research results.