Help at your fingertips

Farknot Architect | Adobe Stock

What’s the one piece of equipment likely every single person at your nursery possesses? A smart phone. Use that mini-computer to your advantage and download some or all of these apps to help streamline processes and improve communication.

IRAC MoA (Apple & Google Play) Mode of Action Classification The IRAC Insecticide Mode of Action (MoA) Classification app is an easy-to-use searchable database which allows you to identify insecticide active ingredients and their respective MoA groups without the need for a data connection.

It is essential for insecticide resistance management (IRM) to minimize the selection of resistance to any one type of insecticide.

Planting Nursery (Apple & Google) Tools include production planning such as knowing what production tasks are scheduled for the current week; spray and scouting records; and inventory management.

PGR Mix Master (Google) PGR Mix Master is a tool to assist commercial nursery and greenhouse personnel in calculating correct dilutions for plant growth regulators. PGR Mix Master allows the user to specify a product, final dilution volume (in gallons), and dilution concentration (PPM). Once these three inputs are made PGR Mix Master will display the amount of PGR needed to obtain the desired concentration.

For you iPhone users, navigate to the website where you can access the same calculators (e-gro.org/mixmaster).

Greenhouse Scout (apple & Google) The Greenhouse Scout mobile application has been designed to help growers manage greenhouse insect pests with an easily accessible summary of information on biocontrol of common greenhouse insects;man interactive interface for collecting scouting data and recording product applications; and record keeping with a graphical presentation of scouting data.

Plant Sample Submission (Apple) Nursery and greenhouse growers who need to identify plants, plant diseases, insect pests and other plant problems can use this resource, created by several university labs, including Purdue's Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory. The Plant Diagnostic Sample Submission app includes submission forms with customized questions.

It allows users to take and send digital photos and plant-problem descriptions to any of the participating labs. The university diagnostic labs involved are Alabama Cooperative Extension, University of Connecticut, University of Illinois Extension, University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, University of New Hampshire, Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, and Purdue.

Mix Tank (Apple & Google) Mix Tank is designed to assist agricultural applicators with the proper tank mixing sequence of crop protection products. Mix Tank also captures product use rates and application information with mix sheets and conveniently maintains accurate spray logs for easy record keeping.

Nearly all the major chemical manufacturers have an app where you can access product labels, MSDS, and technical support. Just look for your go-to manufacturer in your app store’s search box.

This is no longer an app, but worth a mention. Visit backpocketgrower.com, which is supported by several university and industry partners. Tools include nutrient solutions, calculators, substrate information, crop scheduling, economics, and water quality.

Editor’s note: This is just a sampling of what’s available. Have you found an app that works wonders for you? Let us know on one of our social media channels. On Facebook we’re @NurseryManagement and on Twitter we’re @NurseryMag and on LinkedIn look for Nursery Management magazine.

Compiled by Nursery Management staff