Bruno J. L. Pitton

Bruno Jl Pitton

Environmental Horticulture Advisor

Ph.D. Horticulture and Agronomy, University of California, Davis. 2021
M.S. Horticulture and Agronomy, University of California, Davis. 2012
B.S. Environmental Horticulture, University of California, Davis. 2004

Bruno Pitton is the University of California Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticulture Advisor for Placer and Nevada Counties.

Previously, he worked in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California in Davis, administering a grant-funded research and extension program for California’s nursery and greenhouse industry. Bruno has over twenty years of experience in Environmental Horticulture, beginning with his undergraduate education at UC Davis.

While an undergraduate student, he worked at the UC Davis Student Farm and the Arboretum Teaching Nursery. After graduation, he was employed in operations at the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ research greenhouses and teaching gardens. In the greenhouses, he oversaw integrated pest management, irrigation, and fertilizer programs for plant science research. He managed the teaching gardens and educated students in all aspects of landscape maintenance from urban forestry to perennial propagation and planting.

While working in the CA&ES greenhouses and teaching gardens, he conducted research on residential irrigation runoff with UCCE Environmental Horticulture Specialist Dr. Loren Oki and received an MS in Horticulture and Agronomy. In 2015, he began working full-time with Dr. Oki on a nationwide research project to develop online decision support tools for helping nursery and greenhouse growers reuse their irrigation runoff water. He collaborated with two California nurseries to understand irrigation application and runoff patterns and with academics to develop cleanwater3.org. He secured over $600,000 in funding for his PhD research on nitrogen management in nursery production to help growers meet state regulations, increase nitrogen use efficiency, and reduce the environmental impact of nitrogen loss.

After completion of his PhD, he conducted research to optimize nutrient application rates in the vegetable transplant industry and developed irrigation best management practice training for California’s underserved greenhouse and nursery staff to improve water-use efficiency and plant health.

Bruno is excited to be the UCCE Environmental Horticulture Advisor for Placer and Nevada Counties and wants to help improve the sustainability of the landscape and nursery industry while providing home gardeners with science-based solutions.

Peer reviewed

  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Oki, L.R.; Evans, R.Y.; Zhu-Barker, X. (2025). Contribution of denitrification and ammonia oxidation to nitrous oxide emissions from three organic soilless substrates. Science of the Total Environment. 992, 179899.
  • Zahra, Isabella; Pitton, Bruno; Low, Katie (2025). Defensible Space Landscaping: Mulch. 12/10/2025.
  • Satomi, R.; Low, K.; Pitton, B.J.L.; Zahra, I. (2025). Fire-smart landscaping in the Sierra Foothills. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-07/Fire-Smart%20Landscaping%20in%20the%20Sierra%20Foothills.pdf
  • Pitton, B.J.L. (2024). Nitrogen management in nursery production. Western Region International Plant Propagator's Society 2024 Meeting Proceedings. Stewart, R.
  • Yang, Z.; Oki, L.R.; Sisneroz, J.A.; Haver, D.L.; Pitton, B.J.L. (2023). Effect of landscape irrigation regulations on runoff volume from low-density residential catchments during two California droughts. Heliyon. 10:23602.
  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Wikramanayake, A.M.; Johnson, G.E. (2023). Mechanically-incorporated controlled-release fertilizer results in greater nitrogen and salt leaching losses from soilless substrate in containers. Horticulturae. 9:42.
  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Oki, L.R.; Sisneroz, J.A.; Evans, R.Y. (2022). A system nitrogen balance for production of a containerized woody ornamental plant. Scientia Horticulturae. 291:110569.
  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Johnson, G.E.; Haver, D.L.; Oki, L.R. (2022). Water use and estimated evapotranspiration at a California container plant nursery. Acta Horticulturae. 1335:651.
  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Zhu Barker, X.; Horwath, W.R.; Evans, R.Y.; Oki, L.R. (2021). Gas flux from a fir-bark substrate at an ornamental nursery. Acta Horticulturae. 1305:537.
  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Evans, R.Y.; Zhu-Barker, X.; Oki, L.R. (2021). Greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential from a woody ornamental production system using a soilless growing substrate. ACS Agricultural Science and Technology. 1:35.
  • Redekar, N.; Bourret, T.; Eberhart, J.; Johnson, G.E.; Pitton, B.J.L.; Haver, D.L.; Oki, L.R.; Parke, J. (2020). Assessment of oomycete pathogens in a recycled irrigation water system at a horticultural nursery in southern California. Water Research. 183:116050.
  • Nackley, L.L.; Fernandes de Sousa, E.; Pitton, B.J.L.; Sisneroz, J.A.; Oki, L.R. (2020). Developing a water-stress index for potted poinsettia production. HortScience. 55:1295.
  • Gorgoglione, A.; Bombardelli, F.A.; Pitton, B.J.L.; Oki, L.R.; Haver, D.L.; Young, T.M. (2019). Uncertainty in the parameterization of sediment build-up and wash-off processes in the simulation of sediment transport in urban areas. Environmental Modeling and Software. 111:170.
  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Hall, C.R.; Haver, D.L.; White, S.A.; Oki, L.R. (2018). A cost analysis for using recycled irrigation water in container nursery production: a Southern California nursery case study. Irrigation Science. 36:217.
  • Gorgoglione, A.; Bombardelli, F.A.; Pitton, B..J.L.; Oki, L.R.; Haver, D.L.; Young, T.M. (2018). Role of sediments in insecticide runoff from urban surfaces: analysis and modeling. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 15:7.
  • Oki, L.R.; Bodaghi, S.; Lee, E.; Haver, D.L.; Pitton, B.J.L.; Nackley, L.L.; Mathews, D. (2017). Elimination of Tobacco mosaic virus from irrigation runoff using slow sand filtration. Scientia Horticulturae. 217:107.
  • Bale, A.E.; Greco, S.E.; Pitton, B.J.L.; Haver, D.L.; Oki, L.R. (2017). Pollutant loading from low-density residential neighborhoods in California. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 189:386.
  • Pitton, B.J.L; Dodge, L.L.; Gan, J.; Greco, S.E.; Haver, D.L.; Lee, E.; Majcherek, T.J.; Oki, L.R. (2016). Comparison of pollutant concentrations from weekly discrete versus daily composite samples for residential dry-weather runoff. Journal of Environmental Management. 180:10.
  • Oki, L.R.; Nackley, L.L.; Pitton, B.J.L. (2016). Slow Sand Filters. A Biological Treatment Method to Remove Plant Pathogens from Nursery Runoff. Acta Horticulturae. 1140:139.
  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Levy, N. (In Press). Focus groups of California nursery managers identified education priorities for irrigators. Acta Horticulturae. Ben-Gal, A.

Non-peer reviewed

  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Low, K. (2026). Defensible Space Checklist.
  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Levy, N. (2026). Focus groups of California nursery managers identified education priorities for irrigators. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance Newsletter. Pitton, B.J.L. 3/25/2026. https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/news/focus-groups-california-nursery-managers-identified-education-priorities-irrigators
  • Johnson, G.E.; Pitton, B.J.L. (2026). Managing water quality compliance: "No-discharge" reality. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance Newsletter. Pitton, B.J.L. 3/25/2026. https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/news/managing-water-quality-compliance-no-discharge-reality
  • Pitton, B.J.L.; Johnson, G.E. (2025). A biological treatment technology to remove plant pathogens from irrigation water. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance Newsletter. August 10, 2025. https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/news/slow-sand-filters
  • Del Castillo Múnera, Johanna; Pitton, Bruno (2025). Envío de plantas para diagnóstico. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60rndJFwBRE&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=2
  • Spinelli, Gerardo; Pitton, Bruno (2025). Fracción de lixiviación. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgMKln0j3nM&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=1&t=1s
  • Spinelli, Gerardo; Pitton, Bruno (2025). Interception Efficiency. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCrypt1ok3U&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=5
  • Volk, E.; Pitton, B.J.L. (2025). Interpretative summary for optimizing nitrogen fertilizer concentration in vegetable transplant production. Fertilizer Research and Education Program Conference Proceedings.
  • Spinelli, Gerardo; Pitton, Bruno (2025). La eficiencia de la interceptación. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDxufcuP1tQ&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=4
  • Spinelli, Gerardo; Pitton, Bruno (2025). Leaching Fraction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el3IFAkmIrg&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=3
  • Pitton, B.J.L. (2025). Mulching containers to reduce weed pressure. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance Newsletter. Apr. 8, 2025. https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/news/mulching-containers-reduce-weed-pressure
  • Spinelli, Gerardo; Pitton, Bruno (2025). Optimizar la fertilización. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfMYmqMA5jk&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=6
  • Spinelli, Gerardo; Pitton, Bruno (2025). Optimizing Fertilization. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3BpzqMxb0I&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=7
  • Del Castillo Múnera, Johanna.; Pitton, Bruno (2025). Pasos para identificar patógenos vegetales. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09FZ_aLZnh8&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=8
  • Pitton, B.J.L. (2025). Technical irrigation trainings in California. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance Newsletter. August 10, 2025. https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/news/technical-irrigation-trainings-california
  • Pitton, B.J.L. (2024). Increased grasshopper activity in areas of Placer County. June 6, 2024. . https://www.placer.ca.gov/9777/Increased-grasshopper-activity-in-areas-
  • Volk, E.; Pitton, B.J.L. (2024). Interpretative summary for optimizing nitrogen fertilizer concentration in vegetable transplant production. Fertilizer Research and Education Program Conference Proceedings. 72-75.
  • Volk, E.; Pitton, B.J.L. (2024). Optimizing Fertilizer Practices in Your Container Garden. Part 2: Nutrient Deficiency and Toxicity Management. 12/20/2024. https://productionhortucce.squarespace.com/blog/nutrient-deficiency-and-toxicity-in-container-plants-symptoms-causes-and-solutions
  • Pitton, B.J.L. (2024). Recycling nursery irrigation water could save you a lot of money. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance Newsletter. Nov. 21, 2024. https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/news/recycling-nursery-irrigation-water-could-save-you-lot-money
  • Johnson, G.E.; Pitton, B.J.L. (2024). Rethinking your fertilizer. GrowerTalks. Oct. 1, 2024. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=27007
  • Del Castillo Múnera, Johanna; Pitton, Bruno (2024). Sending Plants for Diagnosis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5-W0nKboFQ&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=9
  • Del Castillo Múnera, Johanna; Pitton, Bruno (2024). Steps to Identify Plant Pathogens with Johanna Del Castillo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oerjwyv0lgI&list=PLLjlfxpbNglZp7_m8b7VX2n4oah8YKhLT&index=10
  • Del Castillo Múnera, J.; Pitton, B.J.L. (2024). UCNFA’s Commitment to Supporting California’s Greenhouse and Nursery Industry. UC Nursery and Floriculture Alliance Newsletter. July 8, 2024. https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/news/ucnfas-commitment-supporting-californias-greenhouse-and-nursery-industry