Plant Industry
Safeguarding Plant and Crop Health in New York State
New York’s horticultural industry is a strong part of the state’s economy, ranking 9th in the country and contributing over $413 million in annual wholesale sales of greenhouse and nursery-grown plants. The state’s apple industry ranks second in the country and its grape industry ranks third.
The Department’s Division of Plant Industry is critical to the protection of New York's plant and crop health by detecting and preventing the spread of diseases and harmful invasive species, promoting integrated pest management, and regulating the sale of seed and fertilizers. The Division conducts inspections of nurseries, orchards, greenhouses, saw mills, apiaries, and more to identify and reduce threats to the plant industry in New York State.
Invasive Species
Protecting Against Invasive Species and Diseases
The Department works to control and eradicate various invasive species, such as spotted lanternfly, European cherry fruit fly, and plum pox virus, which can harm New York’s agricultural crops, particularly grapes, hops, and fruit trees. Staff conduct annual surveys for each of these pests, and inspect the state’s nearly 9,000 greenhouses, retail markets, and nursery growers and dealers for compliance with invasive plant regulations. Horticultural inspectors also monitor for invasive pests and diseases, such as European pepper moth and boxwood blight that are harmful to New York’s lands. Learn more about the invasive species that are a concern for New York agriculture.
Integrated Pest Management
Managing Pests Sustainably
Farmers and homeowners benefit from implementing the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program. IPM is an environmentally and economically sensible way to protect crops like vegetables and tree fruits from insects, plant diseases, weeds, and vertebrate pests. The NYS IPM Program works with local Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, faculty, crop consultants, and agricultural businesses to find IPM answers, develop new IPM methods, and deliver IPM information.
Commodities Program
Ensuring Proper Labeling of Plant Products
Plant products sold in New York State must be labeled properly for their intended use and application. Find out what laws, regulations, and forms must be used to sell seed, fertilizer, lime, and soil and plant inoculants.
Seed Testing
Helping to Safeguard a Successful Crop
Planting high quality seeds is the first step to growing a successful crop. The New York State Seed Testing Laboratory in Albany provides assurances to New York farmers and the agricultural community that seed used in production is healthy and robust.
The Seed Lab tests hundreds of samples annually so that seed purchased by New York State farmers and consumers is true to label claim, meets minimum germination standards, and is free of noxious weed seeds.
