Commercial Growers

Three researchers in a crop field

Commercial Growers

Commercial growers use the UConn Plant and Soil Health Center to identify plant diseases and pest problems, fine-tune fertility, protect crop yield and quality, and manage soils responsibly. This page brings together the most common tests, submission forms, and Extension contacts for agronomic, vegetable, fruit, nursery, greenhouse, and turf producers. 

Commercial Contacts

For agronomic soils, hay, and pasture questions, contact: 

Richard Meinert
Agriculture (Dairy/Livestock) Nutrient Management Extension Educator 
Phone: 860-626-6240 
email: richard.meinert@uconn.edu 

Most useful tests: 

  • Standard Nutrient Analysis 
  • Organic Matter 
  • pH only (for quick liming checks) 
  • PSNT (field corn and some vegetable systems) 
  • Cornstalk Nitrate Test 
  • Soluble Salts (where manure or salts are a concern) 

For greenhouse, horticulture, and floriculture questions, contact Extension Specialist for Greenhouse Growers 

Dr. Rosa Raudales
Assistant Professor, Plant Science & Landscape Architecture 
Phone: 860.486.0627 
Email: rosa.raudales@uconn.edu 

For Greenhouse IPM, Greenhouse and Nursery questions 

Dr. Charles Krasnow
Controlled Environment Agriculture – Associate Extension Educator 
Phone: 617-780-0289 
Email: charles.krasnow@uconn.edu 

Helpful Tests for Greenhouse Growers 

  • Saturated Media Extract (SME) 
  • Soluble salts & pH 
  • Plant Tissue Analysis 

Irrigation Water Testing 

For questions about vegetable and fruit systems, contact: 

Extension Specialist for Vegetables 

Dr. Shuresh Ghimire
Associate Extension Educator 
Phone: 860-875-3331 
email: shuresh.ghimire@uconn.edu 

Extension Specialist for Fruits 

Evan Lentz
Assistant Extension Educator 
Phone: 860-486-6449 
Email evan.lentz@uconn.edu 

Most useful tests: 

  • Standard Nutrient Analysis 
  • Organic Matter 
  • Plant Tissue Analysis for diagnosing deficiencies or imbalances 
  • Soluble Salts (where high salts or irrigation water are concerns) 

Extension Specialists for Nursery Crops 

Dr. Julia Kuzovkina
Professor, Plant Science & Landscape Architecture 
Phone: 860-486-3438 
Email: jkuzovkina@uconn.edu 

Dr. Mark Brand
Professor, Plant Science & Landscape Architecture 
Phone: 860-486-2930 
Email: mark.brand@uconn.edu 

Helpful Tests for Commercial Nursery Growers 

  • Standard Nutrient Analysis (for mineral soil) 
  • SME (for Nursery Crops grown in soilless media) 
  • Organic Matter Test (for mineral soil or compost) 
  • pH & Soluble Salts (for mineral soil or compost) 
  • Plant Tissue Analysis 

For general Lawn Care Companies General Questions contact: 

Home and Garden Education Center 
Phone: 877-486-6271 (toll-free in CT, out-of-state, use (860)) 
Email: ladybug@uconn.edu 

For Turf Grass Diseases of Golf Course and Other Commercial Turf Systems 

Dr. John Inguagiato
Associate Professor, Plant Science & Landscape Architecture 
Phone: 860-486-0162 
Email: john.inguagiato@uconn.edu 

Helpful Tests for Lawn Care/Commercial Turf Companies 

  • Standard Nutrient Analysis   
  • pH ONLY 
  • Organic Matter 
  • Textural Analysis 
  • Discount Policy for Bulk Samples 

Lab contact and logistics 

For questions about test selection, forms, sample status, or your lab report, please contact the appropriate lab below. 

Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory: For questions related to soil, plant nutrients and compost  

Plant Diagnostic Laboratory: For questions related to plant pests and disease 

Turf Grass Diagnostic Laboratory: For questions related to Turf Grass Diseases of Golf Course and Other Commercial Turf Systems 

Note: 

For crop management questions (what to plant, varieties, pest and disease management, etc.), please contact the appropriate UConn Extension specialist listed above or the UConn Home & Garden Education Center for homeowner-focused questions.