HORT rev 3 - Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

Transcription

Cover Photo
The cover photo for the 2013 Academic Program Review Self Study document features a member of the Fightin’
Texas Aggie Class of 2013, Michael Cook. Michael is working toward a Bachelors of Science in Horticulture,
and will be pursuing graduate school in viticulture and enology upon graduation in May. Michael is holding a
container of Texas maroon bluebonnets, grown by students in the TAMU Horticulture Club for their annual
Spring Plant Fair. Texas maroon bluebonnets were developed by Dr. Jerry Parsons, retired Extension specialist,
and have become the symbol of Aggie Horticulture. After all, what says Texas more than the Texas bluebonnet,
and what could say Texas Aggie Horticulture better than maroon bluebonnets grown by Aggies!
Texas A&M University
Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review
April 21 – 24, 2013
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural Sciences has changed considerably since the last
Academic Program Review was conducted in 2005. Administratively, a period of strong and consistent
leadership has given way to two periods of transition. The first transition was in August, 2011 when the
department head who led the department since 2003 took a leadership position in the Borlaug Institute for
International Agriculture and was replaced by an interim department head for one year. In August, 2012 the
Associate Head for Undergraduate Programs was selected as department head resulting in the filling of the
department head position, necessitating a transition in the teaching program. The transition also affected the
graduate program resulting in the appointment of a new Associate Head for Graduate Programs. At about the
same time, the Associate Head for Extension Programs retired and another faculty member was appointed to take
his place.
On the fiscal side, Horticultural Sciences endured the same budget reductions as the University and state agencies,
resulting in the department’s FY2013 appropriated budget being 18% less than its FY2010 budget. This loss of
funding resulted in the elimination of two non-tenure tracked lecturer positions and the loss of all but one hardfunded research technical support position.
Change has not been positive, but the response it has evoked from the Horticultural Sciences faculty has been one
of increased effort, creative use of available resources, increased attention to competing for extramural resources,
and a sense of getting the job done with less.
This self-study details the faculty’s efforts and successes in dealing with fiscal adversity. The teaching load of
instructional faculty lost to the budget cut has been assumed by those who remain, so that our student credit hours
taught have not decreased substantially. Faculty have re-doubled their effort to obtain extramural funds to support
their research and variety development programs, and many technical support positions have been transferred to
soft-money. Scholarly output has increased from 2008 to 2012 in journal publications as well as in grants
generating indirect costs returns to the unit. The Academic Analytics® faculty scholarly productivity index
ranked Texas A&M University Horticultural Sciences faculty 5th in 2009, 3rd in 2010, and 5th in 2011 compared to
national peers in horticulture. Enrollment in our Ph. D. program has remained steady, our Masters enrollment is
higher in 2012 than it was in 2008, and our undergraduate enrollment has increased substantially since the
implementation of the Bachelor of Arts in Horticulture degree in 2007. Our faculty is the only horticulture
program in the country to offer the BA degree, but it has proven to be an important addition to our offerings.
We’re doing more with less.
The self-study also describes the contributions Horticultural Sciences faculty are making to the twelve
imperatives of Vision 2020 and to the Action 2015 Education First strategic plan. We are increasing the national
standing of Texas A&M horticulture by being more competitive in the national research agenda and being
recognized among the leaders in scholarly productivity, our faculty are engaging their peers across departmental
and college boundaries in projects as diverse as fruit and vegetables for human health and green roof technology,
we are enhancing the undergraduate experience by offering programs that nurture both the art and science of
horticulture, our students are increasing their engagement in work experience and international programs, and we
are providing broad public access to our information and programs through one of the oldest and most widely
used public information servers, Aggie Horticulture.
The Horticultural Sciences faculty await the Academic Program Review with eager anticipation. We are anxious
to have a national panel of peers assess the responses we have made to change. We look forward to interacting
with administrators at the University and College levels to help us address suggestions for program improvements
that necessarily will result from this process.
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
INTRODUCTION
Review Team Members and Charge
Historical Perspective of Horticulture at Texas A&M University
An Overview of the Major Horticultural Industry Sectors in Texas
Departmental Administrative Organization
Departmental Vision and Mission Statement
Overview of Departmental Facilities
Previous External Review and Discussion of Implications
1.1
1.2
1.2
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.6
OVERVIEW OF UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Student Learning Outcomes of the Bachelors Degrees in Horticulture
Curriculum in Horticulture - Bachelor of Arts
Curriculum in Horticulture - Bachelor of Science
Horticultural Specializations
Undergraduate Course Offerings
High Impact Practices – Experiential Learning
Undergraduate Student Enrollment Trends
Gender and Ethnic Diversity of the Horticulture Undergraduate Student Population
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.9
2.12
2.14
2.15
OVERVIEW OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Graduate Courses Offered in the Department of Horticultural Sciences
A Comparison of the Horticultural Sciences To Others on a National Scale
Demographics of Students in Graduate Horticulture Degree or Concentration Programs
Financial Support of Students in Graduate Horticulture Degree Programs
Course Requirements and Experiential Learning in Graduate Horticulture Degrees
Graduate Program Evaluation Metrics
Learning Outcomes Assessment of the Graduate Program
Demographics and Remuneration of Faculty
3.1
3.3
3.7
3.7
3.10
3.12
3.13
3.17
OVERVIEW OF TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION HORTICULUTURE
Extension Horticulture banner programs
Significant individual accomplishments for 2012
FACULTY PROFILE AND SCHOLARLY PRODUCTIVITY
Evaluation, Promotion, and Retention of Faculty
Faculty Research Productivity
Use of Academic Analytics® to Document Scholarly Productivity
Faculty Teaching Workload
Faculty Collaborations
4.1
4.2
5.1
5.4
5.5
5.9
5.11
6.
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FISCAL RESOURCES OF THE HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Changes in Appropriated Funds over Time
Endowed Chairs, Programs and Scholarships
6.1
6.3
7.
FACULTY INFORMATION
7.1
8.
APPENDICES
Appendix 2.1 – Bachelor of Arts Emphases
Appendix 2.2 – Bachelor of Science Emphases
Appendix 2.3 – Horticultural Sciences Undergraduate Student Handbook
Appendix 3.1 – 18 Characteristics of Texas Public Doctoral Programs – TAMU Horticulture
Appendix 3.2 – Horticulture Graduate Policy Manual
Appendix 5.1 – Department of Horticultural Sciences Promotion and Tenure Policy
Appendix 6 – Department of Horticultural Sciences Strategic Plan
9.
8.2
8.8
8.18
8.34
8.36
8.43
8.68
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 – Curricular requirements by categories of the BS and BA in Horticulture degrees
2.2
Table 2.2 - Number of students in the Bachelors programs by semester and emphasis areas
2.5
Table 2.3 – Undergraduate enrollment by year
2.12
Table 2.4 – Horticulture undergraduate degrees awarded by year
2.12
Table 2.5 – Standard CIP codes used to report various subdisciplines in horticulture
2.12
Table 2.6 – Comparison of enrollment and degrees awarded to 19 peers in FAEIS database
2.13
Table 2.7 – Degree completion and time to graduation rates from THECB database
2.13
Table 2.8 – Gender and ethnicity of horticulture students by year
2.14
Table 2.9 – Gender and ethnicity of horticulture students by year as percentage of total
2.14
Table 2.10 – Gender and ethnicity of horticulture students compared to peers in FAEIS data
2.15
Table 2.11 – Gender, ethnicity of horticulture students (%) compared to peers in FAEIS data
2.15
Table 2.12 – Rubric used for evaluation of student eportfolios
2.18
Table 2.13 – Evaluation of student eportfolios comparing BA and BS candidates, 2012
2.19
Table 2.14 – Graduating senior survey summaries, spring 2009 – spring 2012
2.19
Table 2.15 – Employer evaluation of preparedness of TAMU horticulture graduates
2.21
Table 2.16 – Opinions of employers concerning TAMU horticulture graduates
2.22
Table 2.17 – Comparison of employer and former student evaluations of preparedness
2.23
Table 3.1 – Institutions participating in the national 2012 horticulture graduate survey
3.3
Table 3.2 – Degrees offered in horticulture or plant science at peer institutions
3.4
Table 3.3 – Graduate enrollment comparison between TAMU Horticulture and peers
3.4
Table 3.4 – Comparison of graduate degrees awarded between TAMU Horticulture and peers
3.6
Table 3.5 – Gender and ethnicity of TAMU graduate horticulture students (DARS data)
3.7
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Table 3.6 – Graduate student funding by source at institutions offering horticulture degrees
3.8
Table 3.7 – Value of stipends by type in horticulture programs from 2013 national survey
3.8
Table 3.8 – Course requirements across degree programs of 1862 landgrant and non-landgrants 3.11
Table 3.9 – Experiential learning requirements for horticulture graduate programs
3.12
Table 3.10 – Perceived graduate program evaluation metrics
3.12
Table 3.11 – Distribution of faculty by rank in universities offering horticulture degrees
3.18
Table 3.12 – Faculty salaries by rank in universities offering horticulture degrees
3.18
Table 3.13 – FY2013 Department of Horticultural Sciences faculty salaries by rank
3.19
Table 5.1 – Horticulture faculty with teaching, research and Extension appointments
5.3
Table 5.2 – Research metrics for teaching and research faculty, 2008-2012
5.4
Table 5.3 – Academic Analytics® ranking of TAMU Horticulture program, 2009-11
5.5
Table 5.4 – Student Credit Hours (SCH) per faculty FTE by fiscal year
5.9
Table 5.5 – Horticultural Sciences Weighted Student Credit Hours (WSCH) taught by year
10.
5.11
Table 6.1 – Horticultural Sciences budget from all appropriated sources, 2007 – 2013
6.1
Table 6.2 – IEEF collected for horticulture courses by academic year
6.2
Table 6.3 – Computer access funds and faculty workstation funds by year
6.2
Table 6.4 – Endowed scholarships managed by the Department of Horticultural Sciences
6.4
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 – Department of Horticultural Sciences Organization Chart
1.4
Figure 2.1 – Historical trend of participation in study abroad and internships
2.10
Figure 2.2 – Screen capture of the HORTfolio style template used for student eportfolios
2.18
Figure 3.1 – Enrollment in Horticulture graduate programs between 1990 and 2012
3.5
Figure 3.2 – Assistantship budget and CPI-adjusted budget based on 1999 U.S. dollars
3.9
Figure 3.3 – Available teaching assistantships based on hard money budgeted funds
3.10
Figure 3.4 – Screen captures illustrating the graduate student annual evaluation form
3.16
Figure 3.5 – Graduate student performance assessment form to be used at final exam
3.17
Figure 5.1 – Geographic location of Texas A&M Horticulture program faculty
5.1
Figure 5.2 – Academic Analytics® faculty scholarly productivity index, 2009
5.7
5.8
5.8
Figure 5.5 – SCH taught per teaching FTE in departments in College of Ag & Life Sciences
5.10
Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review
Dr. Sylvia Blankenship
Professor & Associate Dean
College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695
Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden
Professor
Department of Horticulture
Director, ISU Center for Excellence
in Learning and Teaching
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-1100
Dr. Marvin Pritts
Professor and Department Chair
Department of Horticulture
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York 14853
Peer Review and Charge
The review team is charged with examining the programs listed below and making recommendations that we may
use to inform continuous quality improvement processes. Resources that you will have for this assessment are a
self-study to be completed by the Department, other materials that may be provided by the Department and our
office, information you gain through personal interactions while visiting Texas A&M University, and any
additional information that you request. Within the broad charge of informing continuous quality improvement
are the following specific questions that we would like you to address:
1) While evaluating the program, please consider the resource context within which the Department operates
(both human and fiscal) and the absolute level of support the department receives from the university.
Please comment on the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s use of these human and
fiscal resources in pursuit of its mission.
2) Please address the following questions about assessment of learning outcomes:
a) Has the department identified specific learning outcomes for its educational programs?
b) Please comment on the appropriateness of these learning outcomes for this department.
c) Does the curriculum and instruction afford students opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes?
d) Does the department have a written plan for assessment of its identified learning outcomes? Is that
plan of acceptable quality? Are the metrics used for assessment appropriate and of acceptable quality?
e) To what extent is the Department successful in achieving its learning outcomes?
f) Does the learning outcome assessment process inform continuous quality improvement?
3) Please share with us any strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to the current and future
quality of each or all of these academic programs.
4) Please comment on the scope, efficacy, and desirability of current and potential collaboration of this
department with other departments and groups, both on campus and off.
5) Please provide us your team’s judgment on the national ranking of this Department, as a percentile rank.
For example, is this Department in the top 5% of programs in horticultural sciences nationally? Top 10%?
Top 50%?
6) Please address the department’s contributions to two guiding strategic initiatives developed by Texas
A&M University. The first of these is a document developed in 1999, entitled Vision 2020: Creating a
Culture of Excellence, and identifies twelve specific areas of focus for Texas A&M’s future. The other is
the more recent Action 2015: Education First, intended to build on our gains made since the inception of
Vision 2020. Both documents may be referenced at http://provost.tamu.edu/strategic-planning-2010.
Summaries of both documents will be provided upon your arrival at Texas A&M University.
Section 1 Page 2
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SELF STUDY
This self-study document was created as part of the requirements for the comprehensive Academic Program
Review, a process through which Texas A&M University fulfills the mandate of the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board to review all doctoral programs every seven years. The University has extended the review
process to include all aspects of departmental programs to include undergraduate and graduate programs as well
as research, service, and engagement activities. The Department of Horticultural Sciences graduate programs
were reviewed last in May, 2005. Except where noted otherwise, the self-study refers to the 5-year period of
2007-2012 as directed in the Academic Program Review Guidelines document.
Historical Perspective of Horticulture at Texas A&M University
The practice of horticulture has been taught at Texas A&M University since its founding as the A&M College of
Texas in 1876. Dr. Carlisle P. B. Martin, a professor of practical agriculture, taught in the Department of
Agricultural and Scientific Courses and his subjects included chemistry, farm tillage, horticulture, arboriculture
and care of stock. The Department of Horticulture and Botany was formed in 1892 with Robert H. Price as head,
and the first degree in horticulture (a Master of Science) was awarded in 1898. Horticulture and Botany were
separated in1906, and the reorganized Horticulture Department was led by E. J. Kyle, namesake of Kyle Field,
who later became Dean of Agriculture. Guy Adriance was appointed head of the Department of Horticulture circa
1920, and he served in that capacity until 1961. The Department of Horticulture during the Adriance era had its
primary focus on fruit and vegetable crop production, horticultural food processing, and plant breeding for fruit
and vegetable variety improvement.
The study of ornamental horticulture had its roots in the Department of Landscape Art which was organized and
led by F. W. Hensel beginning in 1925. This department was reorganized to include the study of greenhouse crop
production and floristry into the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Art in 1950 and the new unit was led
by A. F. DeWerth. In 1961 the name of the department was changed to the Department of Floriculture.
In 1962, the horticulture departments (Horticulture and Floriculture) were merged with the Department of
Agronomy and the resulting department was named Soil and Crop Sciences. Horticulture faculty retained their
crop and commodity focus and they functioned somewhat like a section of the Soil and Crop Sciences Department.
The very large increase in horticulture student enrollment that occurred in the early 1970s served as justification
for the horticulture faculty, and their ardent supporters in the horticulture industry, to propose and to be granted
the right to form their own department, the current Department of Horticultural Sciences, in 1976. The
Horticulture/Forest Sciences Building in which the department resides today was completed in 1985.
The Department of Horticultural Sciences executes the tripartite mission of the landgrant university. Faculty who
teach in the undergraduate and graduate programs are all physically located on the College Station campus.
Faculty who conduct research and mentor graduate students and postdoctoral research associates are physically
located on campus in College Station, or at off campus research centers in Weslaco, Uvalde, El Paso, Lubbock,
Dallas, and Overton. Extension faculty are located in College Station, Weslaco, Uvalde, El Paso, Lubbock,
Dallas, and Fredericksburg.
An Overview of the Major Horticultural Industry Sectors in Texas
The horticultural sectors in Texas are significant contributors to the State’s agricultural economy. Horticultural
crops combined are the leading agricultural sector on the crop side and are only second to the livestock sector.
Two broad segments comprise the horticultural industry including the green industry and the produce industry.
Each is discussed separately in this overview.
The Green Industry Sector
The green industry complex is comprised of wholesale nursery, greenhouse, and turfgrass sod growers; landscape
service firms such as architects, designers/builders, contractors, and maintenance firms; retail firms such as
Section 1 Page 3
garden centers, home centers and mass merchandisers with lawn and garden departments, and marketing
intermediaries such as brokers and horticultural distribution centers (re-wholesalers). There is also a substantial
allied trade industry that supplies various production inputs to the industry.
Total industry sales, including grower, landscaping and retailing sales increased 8.74% in 2011 for a total of $15.6
billion in gross sales. The grower sector experienced the highest increase in growth with almost 20% for a total of
$1.9 billion, the highest sales level recorded for the grower sector. The landscaping sector had a slight increase of
only about 3% in 2011 for total sales over $3.5 billion. With this slight increase sales of the landscaping sector are
still below the highest levels of 2007 and 2008 with a peak of more than $3.9 billion. Gross retail sales increased
8.5% to a total of $10.1 billion in 2011.
Total economic contributions of the Green Industry in Texas were estimated at $17.97 billion in output; 200,303
jobs, and $10.7 billion in value added. For the production and manufacturing sectors, including nursery and
greenhouse, lawn and garden equipment manufacturing, and metal building manufacturers, total output impacts
were $3.7 billion; employment impacts were 32,195 jobs; and value added impacts were $1.7 billion. For the
horticultural services sectors, including landscaping services and landscape architecture services, total output
impacts were $7.6 billion; employment impacts were 88,824 jobs; and value added impacts were $4.1 billion. The
largest economic impact contributions for individual sectors were landscaping services, lawn and garden stores
and nursery and greenhouse.
We continue to see a number of structural changes occurring in the green industry. The shakeout that started with
the Great Recession has slowed, but nonetheless continues at all levels of the supply chain. Several more
reputable growers, landscape service providers, and retailers have gone out of business since last year. Not all of
this productive capacity has exited the industry, however; consolidation activity through mergers and acquisitions
continues to shrink the number of industry participants but some of the capacity is simply being operated under a
different name. Hypercompetitive conditions have fostered a cost-centric mindset, as firms attempt to shave as
many costs out of their value chain as possible.
The Produce Sector
In Texas, the number of acres for fresh market and processed vegetables was estimated to be 73,700 acres with a
value of $361 million (NASS, USDA 2011) and an economic impact in excess of $450 million. Crops in that
estimate include cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, chili peppers, cucumbers, honeydew melons, spring onions,
summer onions, spinach, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon and snap beans. Not included in that estimate
are bell peppers, lettuce, broccoli, okra, other leafy greens (mustard, collard, turnip, kale, etc.), herbs, and potatoes.
From regional focus workshops we have identified several economically important vegetable crops not included
in the 2011 USDA statistics. Those are: 5,850 acres of specialty vegetables grown in the Wintergarden, Hill
Country and Lower Rio Grande Valley (lettuce, tomato, beets, beet-tops, dandelion, parsley, cilantro, celery,
Swiss Chard, collards, kale, kohlrabi, turnip greens, mustard greens, artichoke and habanero peppers) and 39,000
acres in the High Plains (30,000 dry beans, 7,000 southern peas, 2,000 pumpkin). Also not included in the USDA
statistics are 14,040 acres of fresh market-processing potatoes (High Plains, Wintergarden and LRGV). Texas
also grows 18,000 acres of grapefruit, 8,800 acres of oranges in the LRGV, 75,500 acres of improved pecan
(3,000 in the Wintergarden and 12,500 in El Paso), 1,320 acres of peaches (Hill Country), 3,000 of grapes, and 35
acres of apples. Therefore the total combined area for growing vegetables, fruits, citrus, grapes and pecans was
238,745acres in 2011. The gross value of pecan represented $80 million in 2011.
Fruit and vegetable production is scattered across the state. However, the four major vegetable producing regions
of Texas are the Rio Grande Valley, the San Antonio-Wintergarden corridor, the Laredo-Eagle Pass region, the
High Plains, West and East Texas. Other producing areas within the state include the Trans-Pecos, the Coastal
Bend, and the North Texas area along the Red River. The leading vegetable producing counties in the State are:
Hidalgo, Starr, Cameron, Deaf Smith, Frio, Uvalde, Zavala, Webb, Hale, Castro, Lamb, and Duval.
Historically, Texas ranked third in vegetable production behind California and Florida. Over the past decade,
however, vegetable acreage has steadily declined to the point where Texas now ranks seventh in terms of volume
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(3% of the U.S. total). The acreage decline is attributed to serious problems with insects, diseases, and drought
conditions during this period in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the state's major vegetable production region.
Competition from imported sources has also increased in the last 10 years. Currently the share of consumption
derived from imports is 25% for vegetables, compared with 8.3% in 1980 and 15.0% in 2000. On the fruit side,
about 26% of the fruit consumed in the US was imported. That number increased to 42.4% in 2000 and to 48.8%
in 2010. Mexico and other Latin American countries are causing a closing of market windows previously
dominated by Texas. With respect to consumption, it is important to emphasize the new dietary guidelines
established in 2010 with “My Plate” which involves half of the plate with fruits and vegetables. Therefore, the
development of a strategic plan should address these trends in production factors, environmental limitations,
marketing and nutritional health benefits of vegetable and fruits.
Departmental Administrative Organization
Horticultural Sciences is under the administrative leadership of a department head, and three associate heads are
authorized for undergraduate, graduate, and extension programs. The associate head for undergraduate programs
is currently vacant, and the department head is performing those duties. The relationships between the
administrators and their support staff is illustrated below.
Systems Analyst (P. Greer)
Department Head
R. D. Lineberger
Senior Academic Advisor (K. Marek)
Experiential Learning Coord. (M. Faris)
Assistant to Dept. Head (D. See)
Business Support
Staff
Associate Department
Head for Graduate
Programs (Mike Arnold)
Head for Undergraduate
Programs (vacant)
Head for Extension
(Larry Stein)
Research/Teaching
Faculty 20 FTE
Research/Teaching
Support Staff
Academic Advisor I (0.5 FTE)
(Debbie Perez)
Extension Support
Staff
Extension
Specialists 12
FTE
The Department of Horticultural Sciences is one of 14 academic departments in the College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences, and the College represents the academic function of Texas A&M Agrilife (led by Vice Chancellor
and Dean Mark Hussey). In addition to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Alan Sams, Executive
Associate Dean), Texas A&M Agrilife is composed of Texas A&M Agrilife Research (Craig Nessler, Director),
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension (Doug Steele, Director), Texas A&M Forest Service (Tom Boggus, Director) and
the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (Tammy Beckam, Director).
Section 1 Page 5
Departmental Committees
Promotion and Tenure Committee
Tim Davis (Chair), all faculty with rank of full professor
Undergraduate Program and Curriculum Committee
Vacant (Chair), Astrid Volder, Leo Lombardini, Bill McKinley, Terri Starman, Greg Cobb
Graduate Program Committee
Mike Arnold (Chair), the Graduate Program Committee functions as a “committee of the whole;” all graduate
faculty are members
Hort Farm Operations Advisory Committee
Dave Byrne (Chair), Joe Masabni, Mike Arnold, George McEachern, Creighton Miller
Greenhouse Operations Advisory Committee
Matt Kent (Chair), Mike Arnold, Dave Byrne, Terri Starman, Fred Davies, Bhimu Patil, Kevin Çrosby
Departmental Assessment Committee
Dan Lineberger (Chair), Jayne Zajicek, Leo Lombardini, Mike Arnold, Greg Cobb, Astrid Volder, Katie Marek
Scholarship Committee
Vacant (Chair), Leo Lombardini, Bill McKinley, Creighton Miller, Dave Byrne, Trish Klein, Terri Starman
Departmental Building and Safety Committee
Matt Kent (Chair), Greg Cobb, Betsy Pierson
Departmental Vision and Mission Statement
The vision for faculty in Horticultural Sciences is that our department will be widely recognized for excellence in
all our programs and as the best university horticulture department in the United States. This vision, taken from
our departmental strategic plan (Appendix 6), aligns our faculty with the overall goal of the University as stated in
the Vision 2020 statement to “enable our university to be recognized as one of the ten best universities in the
nation by 2020 and as an invaluable resource to the state, nation and the world.” The goal of being recognized as a
leader in our field is further amplified in the vision of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as it aspires to
“be a world leader in agriculture, life and natural resource sciences and the many related disciplines they contain.”
The atmosphere of striving for excellence and recognition is pervasive within our College and the University, and
we are urged to assess honestly the programs that we provide and show quantifiable and steady progress toward
our goals.
The Department of Horticultural Sciences exists to improve the quality of life through teaching, research, and
extension programs related to the aesthetic disciplines of horticulture and the production of high quality, healthful
fruits and vegetables. Our mission is accomplished by:
•
•
•
•
•
educating students who seek careers in horticulture and related fields;
developing and delivering research-based knowledge upon which efficient and profitable horticultural
crop production can be built;
improving the competitive position of the Texas horticulture industry;
increasing the quality, variety, and availability of horticultural products;
developing and delivering research-based knowledge related to how horticulture improves our
environment and serves as a source of personal enrichment.
Section 1 Page 6
Overview of Departmental Facilities
The Department of Horticultural Sciences is located in the Horticulture/Forest Science Building (HFSB). The
90,000 square foot building boasts a beautiful atrium, the Benz Gallery of Floral Art, modern research and
teaching laboratories with the latest
scientific equipment, and a small growth
chamber complex. Greenhouse space,
totaling 38,000 square feet, is conveniently
located behind the building. Adjacent to
the building is the Holistic Garden, a space
used for educational as well as recreational
purposes. The Holistic Garden is in a stage
of transition and will support the increasing
emphasis in student experiential learning as
it becomes the primary growing area of the
Howdy! Farm.
In addition to its central location in HFSB,
the department manages facilities at several
other locations. The Vegetable and Fruit
Improvement Center, located in the Centeq
Building in the TAMU Research Park,
occupies 7,367 sq. ft. of office and lab
space, with labs designed for identification and quantification of phytochemicals, plant tissue culture, and plant
molecular biology. One of the labs in the Institute for Plant Genomics & Biotechnology (Borlaug Center) is
assigned to a faculty member in Horticultural Sciences. Greenhouse, shade area, and test plots for nursery crops
are located in Hensel Park, and the Floriculture Greenhouses located in the central campus area are studentmanaged, student-maintained facilities that house collections of tropical foliage plants used in the teaching
programs of the department and in the Department of Biology. The department is moving the location of the
horticulture farm from its current location northwest of HFSB to an area on the former dairy farm off Harvey
Mitchell Parkway (FM2818).
Previous External Review and Discussion of Implications
The most recent academic program review was conducted in May, 2005 and consistent with the charge to the
review team by then Dean of Graduate Studies John R. Giardino to “examine the doctoral programs with the
Department of Horticultural Sciences” that evaluation included only an evaluation of the Ph. D. in Horticulture.
Topics related to all graduate degrees (graduate assistantships, recruitment, facilities, faculty capability, etc.)
necessarily were part of the review, but clearly the focus was on doctoral programs.
The major decisions associated with specific issues raised in the final report from the review committee were:
•
•
•
•
•
The department adopted a more effective program for dealing with safety training of graduate students.
Graduate assistantship funding was evaluated to be not competitive with the national trend in our
discipline and the department increased the annual amounts from $14,000 (Masters) and $15,000 (Ph.D.)
to $16,000 (Masters) and $17,000 (Ph.D).
Departmental teaching assistantships were “uncoupled” from the faculty who teach high-enrollment,
multiple-section courses in an attempt to recruit the most qualified graduate students and pair them with
faculty who share their research interests. Assistantships would be assigned for one year, but would be
renewable depending on satisfactory progress.
An effort was made to increase the number of graduate level courses in the department through the
offering of several one credit hour mini-courses.
The uncertainty surrounding the location of the horticulture farm was deemed to be a weakness affecting
several programs.
Section 1 Page 7
In later sections of this self-study, consideration will be given to the extent to which the department has made
progress on these recommendations. Several new graduate level courses have been added (some have been
discontinued), the policy of “uncoupling” assistantship funding from high-enrollment courses has proven to be
problematic (not all entering students have the background or interest to teach plant identification or floral design,
for example), and any progress we have made in increasing assistantship stipends has been eroded by cost of
living increases and static funding for assistantships. While the location of the “new” horticulture farm has been
decided, funding for development of the property has not been adequate to replace all facilities at the current
location on west campus, so the transition has not been completed.
2. OVERVIEW OF UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
The Department of Horticultural Sciences offers two baccalaureate degrees, a Bachelors of Science in horticulture
(BS) and a Bachelor of Arts in horticulture (BA). The BS is designed to meet the needs of students who are
pursuing careers in a wide array of horticultural fields including fruit and vegetable crop production, landscape
management, horticultural sales, greenhouse operations, science and biotechnology, and other pursuits typically
associated with the discipline. Students who intend to pursue a graduate degree also are advised into the BS
program. The Bachelor of Arts degree promotes a foundation in the arts, business, communication and language
and is designed for students who intend careers in floral design, event planning, public horticulture,
sociohorticulture, garden writing, or secondary education.
Student Learning Outcomes of the Bachelors Degrees in Horticulture
The Bachelor of Science in Horticulture graduate is expected to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the
theoretical and practical aspects of horticulture. When students graduate from Texas A&M University with a BS
in Horticulture, they should possess a thorough understanding of the principles of plant growth and development,
and a specific grasp of how these principles impact their particular specialization or commodity area. Ancillary
knowledge of other disciplines including genetics, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, plant physiology
and landscape management should also be demonstrated. Specific outcomes of the program are:
• Graduates will demonstrate core science-based horticultural knowledge in the areas of plant growth,
development, propagation, and culture.
• Graduates will demonstrate their ability to communicate core horticultural knowledge orally and in
writing.
• Graduates will demonstrate competency in using electronic technology (e.g. computer, software).
• Graduates will demonstrate their critical-thinking ability in using core horticultural knowledge to
diagnose and solve practical horticultural problems.
• Graduates will become responsible citizens of their respective communities and exhibit leadership skills,
interest in life-long learning, an appreciation for cultural diversity, and have tolerance for different beliefs
and perspectives. Our graduates will demonstrate a high level of professionalism and ethical behavior.
• Students will gain experience in working as a member of a team in the process of completing class
exercises, designs, projects and extracurricular activities.
• Students will be exposed to the importance of continuing their education and skills development and the
role it has in their professional growth.
• Graduates will demonstrate an awareness of the global dimensions of horticulture and the impact that
internationalization plays in the US horticultural enterprise.
The Bachelor of Arts in Horticulture graduate should demonstrate a sound grasp of the principles of the basic
plant sciences, achieve both practical and fundamental mastery of horticultural science, and possess strength in
the fundamentals of the student’s selected minor. The defining element of the Bachelor of Arts degree is that, in
addition to the elements in common with the Bachelor of Science, when students graduate from Texas A&M
University with a BA in Horticulture, they should demonstrate an appreciation and mastery of the basic principles
related to business, the arts and/or the human association with plants depending on their area of emphasis.
Possible areas of interest include floral design, the installation and management of public gardens, business, and
horticultural education. The specific outcomes of the BA are identical to the BS with the addition of the
following:
• Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of how plants impact people, including an awareness of the
social, cultural, aesthetic and functional uses of landscape and floral designs
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree was approved in 2007 to meet the needs of students pursuing careers in the art
or humanistic dimensions of horticulture. Upon graduation, these students may enter the fields of floral design or
event planning, public gardens management or education, sociohorticulture, or landscape design. With the design
and implementation of the BA program, the faculty recognized that the educational background and skills
required of the “art” dimension of horticulture are different than the “science” dimension, and these differences
are reflected in the program requirements.
Section 2 Page 2
The two degrees share many common elements including the entire required horticulture core courses, most of the
university core, and some of the supporting field courses. BA students do not usually take soil science, genetics,
plant physiology, or organic chemistry, but are required to take two additional courses in foreign language and
must specify a minor or the Professional Event Management Certificate.
Table 2.1 Curricular requirements by categories of the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in
Horticulture degrees.
Category
University core
Horticulture core
Support courses-required
Entomology, Plant Path
Horticulture specialization
requirements
Support courses-directed
electives
Free electives
Total semester hours
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
43 hrs
communication elective
9 hrs
20 hrs
soils, organic chem, genetics, plant
physiology
18 hrs
Fruit & vegetable, nursery/floral crops,
landscape management, science &
biotech
43 hrs
public speaking specified
9 hrs
16 hrs
foreign language (2), technical
writing
30 hrs
typically production-based, agronomy,
business, ag eng, ento, plant path, etc.
0
120
18 hrs
urban horticulture, floral design,
landscape design
34 hrs
specified minor (15-18 hrs), or
PEM Certificate; minors include
business, social sciences,
communications, education
0
120
Curriculum in Horticulture - Bachelor of Arts
This degree blends traditional horticulture with the benefits derived from the human association with plants. This
degree offers students the option of pairing a horticulture degree with electives in social sciences, business,
education, art and design. Creative opportunities range from planning gala events, to designing tranquil gardens,
to constructing educational programs for school gardens to pursuing advanced degrees. Graduates may find
themselves working in exciting environments including botanical gardens, international flower markets or upscale
resorts.
UNIVERSITY CORE CURRICULUM
Required course
BIOL 101 Botany
or
BIOL 111 Introductory Biology I
CHEM 101 and 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I and Lab.
COMM 203 Public Speaking
ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric
POLS 206 American National Government
POLS 207 State and Local Government
History electives1
Humanities elective1
Mathematics electives1
Social and behavioral sciences elective1
(Th-Pr)
Credit
4
(3-0)
(3-0)
(3-0)
(3-0)
4
3
3
3
3
6
3
6
3
Section 2 Page 3
Visual and performing arts elective1
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity
* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity
3
1
1
43
(0-2)
(0-2)
HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES CORE COURSES
Required course
(Th-Pr)
HORT 101 Concepts of Horticultural Science
(1-0)
HORT 201 General Horticulture
(3-0)
HORT 202 General Horticulture Laboratory
(0-3)
HORT 326 Plant Propagation
(2-3)
HORT 481 Seminar
(1-0)
Credit
1
3
1
3
1
9
SUPPORT COURSES
Required course
ENTO 201 General Entomology
ENGL 210 Scientific and Technical Writing
or
ENGL 301 Technical Writing
PLPA 301 Plant Pathology
PLPA 303 Plant Pathology Laboratory
Language2
Directed horticulture electives3
Directed electives4
(Th-Pr)
(2-2)
Credit
3
(3-0)
3
(3-0)
(0-2)
3
1
6
18
34
68
total hours
120
NOTES:
1. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum.
2. Student must successfully complete a two-course sequence of a foreign language.
3. Hours to be selected based on the emphasis area chosen in consultation with the student’s academic advisor.
Hours to be selected with approval by the student’s academic advisor and the associate department head from 100–400-level courses in:
ACCT, AGCJ, AGEC, AGLS, SCSC, ALEC, ANTH, ARTS, BESC, COMM, ECON, ENDS, ENTO, EPSY, FINC, FRSC, GENE, GEOG,
HLTH, HORT, INFO, INST, KINE, LAND, MEPS, MGMT, MKTG, NUTR, PSYC, RENR, RLEM, RPTS, SAED, SEFB, SOCI, SPAN,
SPED, STAT, WFSC. No more than 15 hours can be used from HORT.
Curriculum in Horticulture - Bachelor of Science
This degree is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for production, management
and marketing of horticultural and floriculture crops. Each degree also offers students with strong interests in
science and/or technology opportunities in research related fields including graduate studies. Career prospects
range from producing specialty herb crops for upscale restaurants, to managing landscape businesses for growing
communities, to marketing fruits and vegetables for healthier lifestyles. Many former students are self-employed,
owning their own greenhouse, nursery or landscape operation. Others work in upper management of large
corporations or travel the world developing future horticultural crops.
Required courses
BIOL 101 Botany
or
BIOL 111 Introductory Biology I
CHEM 101 and 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I and Lab.
ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric
POLS 206 American National Government
(Th-Pr)
Credit
(3-3)
4
(3-0)
(3-0)
3
3
3
POLS 207 State and Local Government
Communication elective1
History electives1
Humanities elective1
Mathematics electives1
Social and behavioral sciences elective1
Visual and performing arts elective1
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity
* KINE 199 Required Physical Activity
Section 2 Page 4
(3-0)
(0-2)
(0-2)
HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES CORE COURSES
Required course
(Th-Pr)
HORT 101 Concepts of Horticultural Science
(1-0)
HORT 201 General Horticulture
(3-0)
HORT 202 General Horticulture Laboratory
(0-3)
HORT 326 Plant Propagation
(2-3)
HORT 481 Seminar
(1-0)
SUPPORT COURSES
Required course
CHEM 222 Elements of Organic and Biological Chemistry
ENTO 201 General Entomology
GENE 310 Principles of Heredity
or
GENE 315 Genetics of Plants
or
GENE 320 Biomedical Genetics
MEPS 313 Introduction to Plant Physiology
PLPA 301 Plant Pathology
PLPA 303 Plant Pathology Laboratory
SCSC 301 Soil Science
Directed horticulture electives2
Directed electives3
3
3
6
3
6
3
3
1
1
43
Credit
1
3
1
3
1
9
(Th-Pr)
(2-2)
Credit
3
3
3
(3-0)
(3-0)
(0-2)
(3-2)
total hours
3
3
1
4
18
30
68
120
NOTES:
4.
5.
To be selected from the University Core Curriculum.
Hours to be selected based on the emphasis area chosen in consultation with the student’s academic advisor.
Hours to be selected with approval by the student’s academic advisor and the associate department head from 100–400-level
courses in: ACCT, AGEC, SCSC, AGSM, ALEC, BESC, BICH, BIOL, CHEM, COSC, ECON, ENTO, FINC, FRSC, GENE,
HLTH, HORT, INST, JOUR, LAND, MEPS, MGMT, MKTG, NUTR, PHYS, PLPA, RENR, RLEM, RPTS, SPAN, STAT, WFSC.
No more than 15 hours can be used from HORT.
Horticultural Specializations
The concept of “horticultural specializations” is used as an advising tool to further delineate the undergraduate
degree programs into tracks that help students begin to focus their career interests. The BA program currently has
3 specializations (floral design/event planning, landscape design, and urban horticulture) (Table 2.2, Appendix
2.1). The horticultural therapy track in the BA was discontinued 2 years ago because of loss of a faculty member
critical to that area. The low numbers of students expressing an interest in hortitherapy did not justify continuing
this option. The BS program has 4 tracks (nursery/floral production, landscape management, fruit and vegetable
production, and science and biotechnology) (Table 2.2, Appendix 2.2).
Section 2 Page 5
Specializations within the BA degree are predominantly in floral design/event planning or landscape design. The
number of students in floral design/event planning has more than doubled since 2007; the number of students
tracking in landscape design have likewise increased dramatically, and the overall enrollment in the BA program
now outnumbers the BS program. A concomitant decrease in the enrollment in the BS landscape management
program accompanied the dramatic increase in students electing the BA landscape design specialization (Table
2.2).
Table 2.2 Number of students declared in the Bachelors of Horticulture programs by semester and by
the various emphasis areas (8 March 12). A, C refers to the spring and fall semester,
respectively.
Bachelor of Arts
2007C
2008A
2008C
2009A
2009C
2010A
2010C
2011A
2011C
2012A
Floral design
Land design
Urban
Hort therapy
21
20
35
32
26
29
30
40
55
54
8
16
27
31
27
25
23
21
26
22
2
3
9
9
7
7
8
10
9
5
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
TOTAL
BA
32
39
71
73
61
62
62
73
91
82
Bachelor of Science
Nursery/floral
2007C
2008A
2008C
2009A
2009C
2010A
2010C
2011A
2011C
2012A
17
16
22
17
17
14
20
22
21
19
Landscape
Mgmt
32
19
25
13
17
15
13
18
17
15
Fruit/Veg
Science/biotech
7
5
9
12
10
14
14
21
23
21
6
5
13
13
9
9
7
9
12
14
TOTAL
BS
62
45
69
55
53
52
54
70
73
69
Undecided
*Total
59
80
24
37
49
51
67
49
26
40
153
164
164
165
163
165
183
192
190
191
*Total derived from departmental records; slightly higher that the official university number from DARS, as our total
includes students who are double majors or are pursuing two degrees.
Undergraduate Course Offerings
Faculty in Horticultural Sciences offer a diverse and comprehensive array of basic and advanced courses in
horticulture including such specialties as floral design, ornamental plant identification, viticulture and enology,
fruit and vegetable production, plant breeding, and nut culture. Several of our courses meet the requirements of
the various university core areas including HORT 201 (science core), HORT 203 (humanities and performing arts
cores), HORT 225 and 315 (writing intensive courses), and HORT 481 (communication intensive course).
101.
201.
202.
203.
223.
225.
291.
301.
302.
306.
308.
309.
311.
315.
319.
Section 2 Page 6
Concepts of Horticultural Science. (1-0). Credit 1. Introduction to the many facets of horticulture in
Texas and the United States including organization, history and nature of the industry; discussion of
professional development and identification of career opportunities.
Horticultural Science and Practices. (3-0). Credit 3. Structure, growth and development of horticultural
plants from a practical and scientific approach; environmental effects, basic principles of propagation,
greenhouse and outdoor production, nutrition, pruning and chemical control of growth, pest control and
branches of horticulture. (Transfer equivalents AGRI 1315, 1415, 1301, 1401)
Horticultural Science and Practices Laboratory. (0-3). Credit 1. Methods and practices related to
production of horticultural crops; practical exercises in greenhouse and field. Prerequisite: HORT 201 or
registration therein.
Floral Design. (2-2). Credit 3. Principles of design illustrated with the use of floral materials; floral
design elements and techniques including color, form, line and texture; history and utilization of floral art
in society.
Flower Quality Standards. (0-2). Credit 1. Judging quality standards for flowers and potted plants for
retail flower shops. Intercollegiate flower judging team chosen from this class.*Course
Descriptions/Horticultural Sciences 699
Horticulture Learning Community. (1-0). Credit 1. Understanding the personal and professional
competencies that should develop during college career; determine learning style; develop oral and written
communication skills, teamwork and leadership characteristics, analytical and critical thinking, research
and problem solving skills; exposure to current critical issues in horticulture and science. Prerequisite:
Horticulture or floriculture major.*
Research. Credit 1 to 3. Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in horticulture. May
be repeated 2 times for credit. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of
instructor.
Garden Science. (3-0). Credit 3. Identification, propagation, soil management, fertilization, growth
control and protection of common garden plants: indoor ornamentals, landscape ornamentals, fruits and
vegetables; special topics include home landscaping, container gardens, bonsai, herbs and medicinal plants
and hobby greenhouse management. The effects of organic and non-organic practices on the garden
ecosystem.
Garden Science Lab. (0-3). Credit 1. Practical activities in identification, propagation, fertilization,
media preparation, soil management, irrigation and protection of indoor ornamentals, landscape ornamentals, fruits and vegetables common in gardens in Texas. Organic and non-organic methods.
Woody Ornamental Plants. (2-2). Credit 3. Better known woody ornamental trees and shrubs; identification, morphology, classification, nomenclature and adaptability for use in landscape environments.
Prerequisite: BIOL 101 or HORT 201 or approval of instructor.
Landscape Plant Materials. (2-2). Credit 3. Identification and use of indigenous and introduced
landscape plants; plants for special uses in urban environments; emphasis on plants’ ornamental attributes,
cultural requirements, and adaptability in urban and suburban environments. Prerequisite: HORT 201 or
HORT 306 or BIOL 101 or approval of instructor.
Interior Plants. (2-2). Credit 3. Identification, selection and maintenance of interior foliage plants;
emphasis on design solutions for commercial and private facilities. Prerequisites: HORT 201; junior or
senior classification.
Principles of Food Processing. (2-3). Credit 3. Principles and practices of canning, freezing, dehydration,
pickling and specialty food manufacture; fundamental concepts of various techniques of preparation,
processing, packaging and use of additives; processing plants visited. Cross-listed with FSTC 311.
Issues in Horticulture. (3-0). Credit 3. Analysis of contemporary economic, technological, environmental, human resource, and regulatory issues that impact the way global horticultural firms compete;
emphasis on problem recognition and analysis of managerial decisions by firms throughout the entire
horticultural supply chain. Prerequisites: HORT 201 and HORT 202.
Fruit and Nut Production. (2-3). Credit 3. Rootstocks, cultivars, identification, site selection, pollination,
325.
326.
332.
335.
400.
404.
418.
419.
420.
421.
422.
423.
425.
Section 2 Page 7
pruning, fruit thinning, dormancy, orchard culture management, irrigation, pest control, harvesting and
post harvest physiology of temperate fruit and nut species. Prerequisite: HORT 201.*
Vegetable Crop Production. (2-3). Credit 3. Origin, nutritive value, economic importance, botany and
cultural practices of the major vegetable crops. Lab activities include organic and non-organic production
of major vegetable crops.
Plant Propagation. (2-3). Credit 3. Principles, practices and techniques followed in the sexual and
asexual propagation of horticultural plants: seed technology and seed propagation, rooting and propagation
of cuttings, graftage and budding systems, layering and propagation by specialized plant structures,
biotechnology and tissue culture systems for micropropagation.
Horticulture Landscape Graphics. (1-2). Credit 2. Graphic representation of landscape design;
demonstrations of technique; examination of drawing examples and drawing production; basic hand
graphics techniques for visual-thinking and presentation-quality landscape drawings. Prerequisite: Junior
or senior classification.
Sociohorticulture. (3-0). Credit 3. Horticulture as a therapeutic medium for special populations; use of
horticulture in urban development and community garden programs. Prerequisite: Junior classification.
Field Studies in Horticulture. Credit 1 to 3. Field trip to observe operation of horticultural businesses,
governmental agencies affecting horticultural programs, and public and private institutions active in
horticulture in the U.S. and other countries; usually arranged during spring break, between semesters or
during the summer; may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: HORT 201 or HORT 301 and approval of
instructor.*
Plant Breeding. (2-2). Credit 3. Application of genetics and other sciences to breeding and improvement
of horticultural crops; methods and special techniques employed. Offered in even numbered years.
Prerequisite: GENE 301. Cross-listed with GENE 404. Credit cannot be given for both HORT 404 and
SCSC 304.*
Nut Culture. (3-0). Credit 3. Orchard management, native grove development, cultivars, fruit setting,
soils, nutrition, propagation, pest control, harvesting, shelling, storage and marketing of temperate tree nut
crops grown in the U.S. with major emphasis on pecans. Offered in odd numbered years. Prerequisite:
HORT 319 or approval of instructor.*
Viticulture and Small Fruit Culture. (3-0). Credit 3. Classic winegrape culture in Europe and U.S. are
taught; influence of climate, soil, cultivar, rootstock, canopy and management is presented; nutrition, water,
spacing, trellis, pruning, IPM and harvest are integrated for quality yields; culture of muscadines, berries,
figs and persimmons are taught. Offered in even numbered years. Prerequisite: HORT 319 or approval of
instructor.
Concepts of Wine Production. (3-0). Credit 3. Classic wine grapes of the world and where they are
produced; evaluation of wine style and quality through formal laboratory tastings. Prerequisites: HORT
201, HORT 319, HORT 419 or HORT 446 or FSTC 201; must be 21 years of age; junior or senior
classification.
Enology. (2-3). Credit 3. Provides a basic understanding of each step of the wine making process;
emphasis on home and small scale commercial wine production as related to Texas conditions.
Prerequisites: Must be 21 years of age; junior or senior classification.*
Citrus and Subtropical Fruits. (3-0). Credit 3. Various types of citrus: identification, culture, processing,
marketing, and economic future; prepares students to function in a continuously changing production
environment in production areas. Offered in even numbered years. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.*
Tropical Horticulture. (3-0). Credit 3. Production, processing and marketing of coffee, bananas, cacao,
mango, cashew, pineapple, coconut and root and tuber crops; recent significant developments in plant
breeding and cultural practices. Offered in odd numbered years. Prerequisites: HORT 201 or approval of
instructor.
Landscape Maintenance and Construction. (2-3). Credit 3. Principles and practices of grading,
drainage and construction of residential and small commercial landscapes; cost and bid estimation; soil
preparation; transplanting operations; control of landscape diseases and pests; maintenance of landscape
426.
427.
428.
429.
431.
432.
435.
440.
442.
445.
446.
451.
452.
Section 2 Page 8
areas. Prerequisite: HORT 201 or approval of instructor.
International Floriculture Marketing. (2-2). Credit 3. Importance, cost, and opportunities in marketing
floral products, fresh cut flowers, flowering potted plants, foliage plants, and bedding/garden plants; topics
include: world production areas, economic value, species grown, marketing channels, retail environments,
current/future consumers, postharvest handling, promotion/advertising, perceived/added value, marketing
trends and employment opportunities. Prerequisites: HORT 201; junior or senior classification.
Fall Greenhouse Crops. (0-2). Credit 1. Hands-on lab for growing and managing fall greenhouse crops
including fall bedding plants, cut flowers, foliage, poinsettias and other flowering potted plants.
Greenhouse Operation and Management. (2-2). Credit 3. Principles of greenhouse operation and
management for production of horticultural crops; construction and operation of greenhouse structures and
systems; regulating and controlling the environment and applying cultural practices as they affect plant
physiological processes and influence plant growth and development; management of a greenhouse
business. Prerequisite: HORT 201.*
Floriculture Crop Production. (2-2). Credit 3. Production of floriculture crops in the greenhouse
environment; scheduling and controlling crop growth for target market periods; specific flowering crops
will be used as models to demonstrate potted flowering plant, cut flower, and garden plant production
systems; hands-on crop production experience in lab. Prerequisite: HORT 201.*Course
Descriptions/Horticultural Sciences
Nursery Production and Management. (2-2). Credit 3. Container, field and protected culture production
of ornamental nursery plants (shrubs, trees, ground covers, bedding plants and herbaceous perennials);
retail and wholesale nursery-site selection and development, financing, niche-marketing, personnel and
labor management; wholesale nursery production cycles and systems, storage and shipping.*
Horticulture Landscape Design. (2-2). Credit 3. Application of the principles and elements of design to
planning and developing both exterior residential landscape designs and interior commercial designs.
Prerequisites: HORT 203; HORT 332; HORT 306 or HORT 308 or approval of instructor.
Urban Horticulture. (3-0). Credit 3. Introduction to urban horticulture and its role in community
development and well-being; emphasis on career opportunities and the roles of the urban horticulture
programmer. Offered in odd numbered years. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
International Horticulture. (3-0). Credit 3. Examines the source of horticultural commodities; shows
how geography, culture, politics, and history influence our markets, gardens and refrigerators; educates
students on interpreting different garden styles; offered in even number years. Prerequisite: Junior or
senior classification.
Horticulture Landscape Design II. (2-2). Credit 3. Introduce computer-aided-drafting (CAD) to produce
site layout, grading and planting plan, and construction details for small-scale landscape design; advanced
design principles and practices in their historical context, includes design and drafting of hardscape details,
manipulation of earth forms, ecological urban park design to traditional garden design. Prerequisites:
HORT 203, HORT 308 and HORT 432 or approval of instructor; junior or senior classification.
Horticultural Therapy. (2-3). Credit 3. Principles and practices of horticultural therapy; planning and
implementing horticultural programs for persons with special needs. Offered in odd numbered years.
Prerequisites: HORT 335 or HORT 435 or approval of instructor; junior or senior classification.*
Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Processing. (2-3). Credit 3. Pilot plant and laboratory operations
pertaining to processed fruits, vegetables and beverages; new product development emphasized via
individual laboratory projects. Offered in even numbered years. Prerequisite: FSTC 311. Cross-listed with
FSTC 446.
Retail Floristry. (2-3). Credit 3. Principles of floral design in a commercial shop enterprise; aspects of
design in vase arrangements, personal flowers, sympathy flowers and flowers for special occasions;
production costs and profit analysis, selling techniques and customer relations; term project required.
Prerequisite: HORT 203 or approval of instructor.
Floral Design: Weddings and Personal Flowers. (2-3). Credit 3. Basic principles of floral design as
applied to wedding work; design principles and mechanics as applied to corsages, headpieces, hand
Section 2 Page 9
bouquets and ceremony and reception decorations; history of wedding traditions; selling and pricing
weddings. Prerequisite: HORT 203 or HORT 451 or approval of instructor.
453. Floral Art. (1-2). Credit 2. Advanced study of floral design as an art form in contrast to a commercial
florist operation; interpretive expression of design principles and color stressed along with international
design styles. Prerequisites: HORT 203; HORT 451 and/or HORT 452.
454. Special Event Design and Production. (1-2). Credit 2. Role of event planners, production managers,
designers, and decorators within traditional event management practices; analyze how artistic components
are used in visual styling to achieve a specific purpose; impact of collaborative planning, effective research,
and strong communication skills, social psychological and economic influences as they relate to event
planning. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
481. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1. Review of current research literature in field of horticulture presented by senior
students; transition from college to work environment, including professional development and career
advancement; required of all senior students in horticulture.
484. Internship. Credit 1 to 4. On-the-job experience program in the student’s area of horticultural specialization. Must be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory. May be taken three times. Prerequisites: Sophomore,
junior or senior classification; approval of instructor; 2.0 GPR in major and overall.
485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4. Special problems and projects in any area of horticulture. Prerequisite:
Junior or senior classification or approval of department head.
489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4. Selected topics in an identified area of horticultural science. May be
repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.*
491. Research. Credit 1 to 3. Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in horticulture. May
be repeated 2 times for credit. Registration in multiple sections of this course are possible within a given
semester provided that the per semester credit hour limit is not exceeded. Prerequisites: Junior or senior
classification and approval of instructor.
NOTE: Undergraduate floriculture courses are taught under the horticulture designation.
*Field trips required for which departmental fees may be assessed to cover costs.
High Impact Practices – Experiential Learning
Texas A&M University is committed to providing high-impact learning experiences to all students at all levels,
across the whole curriculum. Also known as experiential learning, the concept can be defined as learning that
takes place when students are actively engaged in the educational process, when their learning goes beyond the
classroom to be applied in their lives. In a high-impact learning experience, students actively pose and solve
problems, work collaboratively in a community of peers, experience real-world applications of knowledge, and
reflect on their learning processes. (http://us.tamu.edu/Students/High-Impact-Practices/High-Impact-PracticesDefined )
In 2011, the Department of Horticultural Sciences began promoting high impact practices in earnest.
Departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were asked to write proposals toward the goal of
having 100% of our undergraduate population complete a high impact learning experience by the year 2015 (in a
program named Activity 2015).
Drawing from historical student participation and focusing on desired future learning outcomes for the
undergraduate student population, the Department decided to center its efforts on three primary experiential
learning activities: internships, study abroad/international experiences, and undergraduate research, while
allowing for other significant experiences to be included as well. Target ranges for participation in activity types
are as follows:
Internships – 50%-60% of all Horticulture majors;
Study Abroad/International Experience– 20%-25% of all Horticulture majors;
Undergraduate Research/Directed Studies – 15-20% of all Horticulture majors; and
*Other high-impact experiences – 5-15% of all Horticulture majors.
Section 2 Page 10
*Other high impact experiences may include service learning, honors coursework, and significant/measurable
participation with a university club or organization.
Funding from the Activity 2015 grant was used to hire a half-time experiential learning coordinator, provide funds
to support faculty travel to facilitate international programs and studies abroad, and provide small grants to help
faculty defray the cost of supplies associated with mentoring student researchers in their labs.
With no official requirement built-in to the curriculum, the Department focuses on presenting appealing high
impact learning opportunities drawn from a wide range of sources and encouraging students to take the initiative
to participate in one or more of them in the course of their undergraduate studies. The departmental Website
(http://hortsciences.tamu.edu ) features opportunities prominently as does the student news and events blog
created for this purpose (http://whatsupaggiehort.blogspot.com/ ). Advisor newsletters and departmental bulletin
boards are also employed in the interest of reaching the greatest number of students.
Results
A single year has passed since the Department of Horticultural Sciences began its coordinated efforts at
increasing student participation in high impact areas. Year 1 results showed an increase in the number of students
participating in an internship or study abroad program above historical levels. However, additional years’
reporting will help us determine if our outreach and promotion efforts are consistently increasing student
participation.
Figure 2.1 Historical trend in horticulture student participation in study abroad/international experience
and for credit internship programs (HORT 484).
25
20
15
10
5
0
Study Abroad/
International
Experience
Internships (for
credit)
Studies abroad and HORT 484 internships have increased markedly during the first year of the grant.
In addition to the emphasis on studies abroad and internships, we have begun to formalize and quantify
participation in other experiential learning activities, most notably, participation in the on-campus,
Section 2 Page 11
student-run vegetable crop production enterprise, the Howdy! Farm.
Study Abroad
Two faculty-led study abroad programs are available in the Department of Horticultural Sciences including
International Horticulture in Italy led by Dr. Leo Lombardini and Season Extension Horticulture in China led by
Dr. Mengmeng Gu.
Undergraduate Research and Directed Studies
Several opportunities exist for students to gain high impact experience under the tutelage of departmental faculty.
Dr. Astrid Volder offers HORT 485 credit for students interested in working on the TAMU Green Roof project.
Dr. Koiwa, Dr. Arnold, Dr. Byrne, Dr. Lombardini, Dr. Starman, and Dr. Patil have each offered undergraduates
the opportunity for undergraduate research experience and/or directed studies. However, no central system
currently exists to direct students into programs and not all faculty members offer such opportunities each
semester, leaving room for improvement to facilitate connections between interested students and available
faculty in these areas.
Honors Coursework
Currently, Dr. Patricia Klein offers an honors version of HORT 201, but the course does not always make. Due to
low participation, the 201H option will likely be discontinued. Horticulture majors are able to participate in
honors coursework in other departments.
Service Learning
While not officially sanctioned by the University as a service-learning course, Dr. Jayne Zajicek offers
opportunities and incentives for students in HORT 335 (Sociohorticulture) to engage in course-related volunteer
opportunities.
Internships & Student Employment
The Department of Horticultural Sciences establishes and maintains successful partnerships with many industry
employers. Each spring for the past 14 years, the Department has hosted a Career Fair enabling employers and
students the opportunity to connect. In addition, the Department maintains an active and free job posting board,
http://aggies-for-hire.tamu.edu/. Non-profit institutions and nationally-recognized retailers and horticulture firms
regularly communicate with the department’s staff to advertise opportunities to students on the departmental
bulletin boards, newsletters to students, and the student news and events blog.
Student Organizations and Clubs
The Howdy Farm - The Howdy Farm is a student-led sustainable farm operated by a University-recognized
student group, the Sustainable Agriculture Student Association. The Howdy Farm has grown in prominence and
popularity over the five years since its inception. The recipient of two Aggie Green Fund grants, the Howdy Farm
is currently undertaking the procurement of a ‘portable sustainability demonstration module’ with this funding to
be located behind the horticulture demonstration gardens south of the Horticulture/Forest Science Building. The
structure will be ‘off the grid’ and demonstrate micro-sustainability practices and technologies including the use
of reclaimed building materials, solar capture and storage, and rainwater harvesting and filtration. The Howdy
Farm offers students internships for credit, funds student workers through its seasonal CSA program, and has a
robust volunteer labor force that draws students across the University.
TAMU Horticulture Club - The Texas A&M Horticulture Club is the campus affiliate of the Association of
Collegiate Branches of the American Society for Horticultural Science. The Hort Club travels to the regional and
national meetings of ASHS where students participate in the commodity judging contest, undergraduate paper
competition, and other activities associated with the ACB. The Club was the national outstanding club in 2010
and 2011, and won the commodity judging competition in 2010 and placed second in 2012. Our students often
are elected to leadership positions in the national organization. Taylor Paine served as national president in
2010-11, and Yessica Garcia is national president for 2012-13. The Hort Club supports its participation and travel
to meetings through an aggressive fund-raising program including growing and selling containers of bluebonnets,
bedding plants, vegetable transplants, and foliage plants at their annual Spring Plant Fair.
Section 2 Page 12
SAIFD (Student American Institute of Floral Design) - The TAMU SAIFD is a student group associated with
the Forsyth Chapter of the national organization, the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD). The Texas
A&M group is led by Mr. Bill McKinley, Endowed Chair and Director of the Benz School of Floral Design.
SAIFD acts as an on-campus flower design/event planner while strengthening student members’ design skills.
From the University President’s banquets before Aggie football games and scholarship banquets to Muster and
alumni functions, student members of the organization have many opportunities to gain hands-on experience in
floral design. The organization also offers funds for an annual trip to the AIFD Symposium for selected student
members where they participate in competitions and attend seminars taught by nationally-known floral innovators.
Pi Alpha Xi - The national horticulture honorary annually initiates approximately twenty outstanding juniors and
seniors who are nominated by faculty for their outstanding academic achievements.
Undergraduate Student Enrollment Trends
The student enrollment records maintained by the department
includes both double major and double degree-seeking candidates and
therefore are at a slight variance from the numbers reported by the
official university headcount reported by Data and Research Services.
The most recently available data indicates a total undergraduate
enrollment, including double major/double degree candidates to be
187 students (Table 2.3).
Bachelors degrees awarded by the department have increased by 17%
since 2008 (Table 2.4). This increase is due to an increase in the
number of BA degrees, and the number of BS degrees awarded has
decreased slightly over the same period.
Comparison to Peer Institutions
Many of the aspects of our departmental vision (as well as that of the
College and University) require that we compare our programs and
performance with that of our peers. We used the FAEIS (Food and
Agricultural Education Information System) database to compare
enrollments and student demographics to those of our peers among
the landgrant university system.
Table 2.3 Undergraduate Enrollment
by Year
UG*
UG**
FY 2008
163
170
FY 2009
155
163
FY 2010
172
186
FY 2011
177
190
FY 2012
175
187
* Data from Fall 12th day headcounts, DARS
** Data from departmental records including
double degrees/double majors
Table 2.4 HORT Degrees by Year
FY 2008
FY 2009
FY 2010
FY 2011
BA
14
19
19
27
Table 2.5 Standard CIP codes used to report various subdisciplines in horticulture
CIP Code
Discipline
01.0601
Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Operations, General
01.0603
Ornamental Horticulture
01.0604
Greenhouse Operations and Management
01.0605
Landscaping and Groundskeeping
01.0606
Plant Nursery Operations and Management
01.0608
01.0699
01.1103
Floriculture/Floristry Operations and Management
Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other
Horticultural Science
BS
34
36
22
29
UG Total
48
55
41
56
Section 2 Page 13
For the sake of these comparisons, we defined our peer institutions as the following:
Auburn University, Colorado State University, Cornell University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University,
Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University at
Raleigh, Oregon State University, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University,
University of California, Davis, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Missouri, University of
Nebraska- Lincoln, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Washington
State University
The discipline of horticulture is reported under several CIP codes (classification of instructional programs) in the
FAEIS database, and many institutions do not report their statistics by subdiscipline, often deferring to report in
the inclusive CIP 01.1103, horticultural science (Table 2.5). The FAEIS data summary presented results from
searching all the CIP codes listed, and summing the student numbers in each subdiscipline. We then compared
our combined enrollment and number of degrees awarded (BA + BS) over time to the FAEIS data to get a sense
for how our enrollment compared to the mean of our peer institutions (Table 2.6).
Table 2.6. Comparison of baccalaureate enrollment and degrees awarded in the TAMU Horticulture
programs to the mean of 19 peer institutions reporting to the FAEIS database.
Peer Institution Average (19 peers reporting)
Baccalaureate Enrollment
# Graduates
110
35
108
35
105
31
111
30
122
28
-
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
TAMU Horticulture
Baccalaureate Enrollment
# Graduates
154
56
170
48
163
55
186
41
190
56
187
64
The Texas A&M horticulture program has a higher undergraduate enrollment than the mean of the 19 peer
institutions reporting to the FAEIS. Additionally, in the 2011 reporting year (the last year for which data are
available), our programs graduated twice the mean number of baccalaureate students compared to the peer mean
(Table 2.6). Factors that may explain a higher graduate/enrollment ratio (29% vs 23%) could include the fact that
more of our students arrived in the department as transfers than as new freshmen (decreasing their time in our
program) or that we have less egress from our programs resulting in a higher percentage of our students actually
graduating in our department.
Measurements of Student Retention and Degree Completion
In 2011, nearly 80% of the students who entered the horticulture degree programs completed their degree in our
program (Table 2.7). The success rate climbs to nearly 85% when those who transfer to another program prior to
graduation are considered.
Table 2.7. Degree completion rate and time to graduation of students entering the TAMU horticulture baccalaureate
programs annually from 2009 – 2011. Cohort Data from THECB Database
Completion Rate of Juniors After 4
Years
Fiscal
Year
CIP
Code
2009
2010
2011
0106
0106
0106
Number in Same
Cohort
Program
54
53
78
87.00%
83.00%
79.50%
Time to Degree
Other
Program
Average
No. of
Semesters
Average
No. of
SCH
3.70%
7.50%
5.10%
10.64
10.56
10.91
145.61
143.79
146.32
Baccalaureate Graduate Success
Enrolled
Employed
in
and
Employed Graduate Enrolled in
or
Graduate or
Prof. Prog. Prof. Prog.
65.15%
6.06%
1.52%
65.75%
5.48%
2.74%
59.26%
11.11%
1.85%
Section 2 Page 14
Students complete their degrees in just under 11 semesters, and most enroll in between 24 and 26 more than the
120 hours required for graduation. The percentage of students employed has fallen from 65% to 59% from 2009
– 2011, reflective of the overall economic conditions nationally (Table 2.7).
Gender and Ethnic Diversity of the Horticulture Undergraduate Student
Texas A&M University and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences value ethnic and gender diversity in the
student population as well as among the faculty. Diversifying and globalizing the Texas A&M community is one
of the twelve imperatives (imperative number 6) of Vision 2020 at the University level and is the first goal in the
College and Life Sciences strategic plan: “Enhance and broaden the students’ educational experience to make
them better understand the world around them and how different perspectives contribute to its strength.”
The Horticultural Sciences undergraduate student population has become increasingly female during the period of
2008-2012 (Table 2.8, 2.9). Presently, 70% of our undergraduates are female (Table 2.9). In 2010 our population
was over 18% Hispanic, but that level of diversity has not been maintained.
Table 2.8 Gender and ethnicity of TAMU undergraduate horticulture students during spring semester of
indicated year
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Female
Male
Total
Caucasian
Hispanic
Asian
95
106
105
131
137
69
59
60
61
59
164
165
165
192
196
141
134
131
153
161
16
22
30
31
29
4
4
2
1
1
American
Indian
1
3
2
4
5
African
American
2
2
0
0
0
Not
Reported
3
0
Table 2.9 Gender and ethnicity of TAMU undergraduate horticulture students during spring semester of
indicated year as percentage of total
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Female
Male
Caucasian
Hispanic
Asian
57.9
64.2
63.6
68.2
69.9
42.1
35.8
36.4
31.8
30.1
86.0
81.2
79.4
79.7
82.1
9.8
13.3
18.2
16.1
14.8
2.4
2.4
1.2
0.5
0.5
American
Indian
0.6
1.8
1.2
2.1
2.6
African
American
1.2
1.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
Other underrepresented minorities account for a very small percentage of our undergraduates.
Gender and Ethnic Diversity of TAMU Horticulture Undergraduate Population Compared to Peers
The undergraduate student populations in our baccalaureate horticulture programs have a much higher percentage
of women than the 19 peer institutions reporting in the FAEIS database (70% compared to 40%, respectively)
(Tables 2.9, 2.11). Additionally, the percentage of Hispanic students is much higher than the national norm
(14.8% compared to 4.7%, respectively). The enrollment of other underrepresented minorities is quite low at
TAMU as well as at our peer institutions.
Section 2 Page 15
Table 2.10. Gender and ethnicity of undergraduate horticulture students by year from 19 peer
institutions (FAEIS database, 25 Feb 2013)
Female
Male
2007
638
1261
Total
(M+F)
1899
19
American
Indian
13
African
American
21
2008
628
1231
2009
611
2010
2011
250
Total (all
groups)
2073
54
28
12
26
242
2030
1587
60
33
15
26
261
1982
1881
1505
53
42
17
73
392
2082
2324
1857
108
30
12
32
242
2281
Caucasian
Hispanic
Asian
1720
50
1859
1668
1191
1802
686
1195
928
1396
Other
Table 2.11. Gender and ethnicity of undergraduate horticulture students in indicated year from 19 peer
institutions as percentage of total (FAEIS database, 25 Feb 2013)
Female
Male
Caucasian
Hispanic
Asian
American
Indian
African
American
2007
33.6
66.4
2008
33.8
66.2
2009
33.9
66.1
2010
36.5
63.5
2011
39.9
60.1
83.0
82.2
80.1
72.3
81.4
2.4
2.7
3.0
2.5
4.7
0.9
1.4
1.7
2.0
1.3
0.6
0.6
0.8
0.8
0.5
1.0
1.3
1.3
3.5
1.4
Other
12.1
11.9
13.2
18.8
10.6
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Annual assessment of the baccalaureate programs in horticulture was started in the 2008-2009 academic year.
The undergraduate assessment plan was developed over the course of more than a year of workshops, faculty
meetings, and interaction with colleagues at peer institutions. The planning activity culminated in the
appointment of the departmental assessment committee in June, 2008 which was charged with the finalization of
the learning outcome statements, formulation of achievement targets, development of outcome measures, and
oversight of annual report preparation and entry into the Texas A&M University assessment and planning
management system, WeaveOnline (http://assessment.tamu.edu/weave/weave_index.html).
The primary measures used to assess the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs are the same because
the fundamental learning outcomes of the programs are so similar. Differences between the two programs are
accounted for when the assessment committee evaluates the selected transcripts and eportfolios considering the
degree program in which the students are enrolled. For example, the visual expectations and artifacts presented in
a portfolio from a student with an emphasis in floral design/event planning (BA) are expected to be different from
those expected of a student with an emphasis in fruit and vegetable production (BS).
Not all measures are collected every year. The frequency of use of the measures and the outcomes which they are
designed to assess are indicated below:
1. Academic transcript review (annually; outcome assessed 1*)
Academic transcripts of 20 randomly selected students (grouped by major and specialization) are
reviewed by the Departmental Assessment Committee using a common rubric. These records are
examined for overall performance, with special attention given to courses in which students appear to be
performing either above or below expectations. Problems in student performance are noted and
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Section 2 Page 16
recommendations on how to correct these deficiencies are proposed to the department head.
Portfolio review (annually; outcomes assessed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9)
Students demonstrate their grasp of computer technology, writing skills, organization, and graphic
communication by the sample projects included in their portfolios. The portfolio contains examples of
computer graphic/landscape design projects, photographs of floral designs, photographs of other special
projects, sample presentations (either as slide sets or video recordings), or other examples that
demonstrate the students’ competence in using technology to construct and communicate project work.
The portfolios of 10 randomly selected students graduating in each degree program are reviewed and
evaluated by the assessment committee using a common rubric.
Employer survey (2009-2010 year; outcomes assessed 1, 5, 7)
Employers who hire students for university-sponsored internships and full-time positions are asked to
complete a Web-based survey evaluating students' aptitude in general plant knowledge, specific
horticultural knowledge, and other fundamental plant science knowledge (soils, plant pathology,
entomology, etc.). Employer surveys are summarized and examined for any general trends that impact the
perception of "job readiness" of our students.
Graduating senior survey (annually; outcome assessed 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9)
Graduating students are asked to complete a Web-based survey designed to determine perceptions of how
well they were prepared for the job they accepted. The survey is administered when the students took
HORT 481, Senior Seminar. Students were asked to self assess their competency, skills, abilities and
attitudes related to horticulture in general in and specific, society and their interaction with others.
Alumni self-assessment survey (2008 – 2009; outcomes assessed 5, 6, 7, 8)
Students who graduated in horticulture were asked to complete a Web-based survey designed to
determine perceptions of how well they were prepared for the job they accepted. They also were asked to
self assess their competency, skills, abilities and attitudes related to horticulture in general in and specific,
society and their interaction with others.
Critical thinking assessment test (2009-2010 year; outcome assessed 5)
Students enrolled in HORT 481, Senior Seminar, in the fall, 2009 class served as a test group to
determine the usefulness of using the CAT (Critical Thinking Assessment test) to gauge the critical
thinking ability of students in the programs.
Participation in leadership activities (annually; outcomes assessed 6, 7)
Participation of our students in extracurricular activities such as pre-professional clubs, judging contests
and attendance at professional meetings such as the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS),
Southern Region ASHS, American Instutute of Floral Designers, etc. are used to estimate preprofessional training and leadership development.
*Abbreviated outcome statement (refer to full statement on page 2.1)
1. Demonstrate science-based knowledge
2. Demonstrate knowledge of how plants impact people
3. Communicate core horticultural knowledge
4. Competency in using electronic technology
5. Demonstrate critical-thinking ability
6. Graduates will become responsible citizens
7. Students will gain experience in teamwork
8. Graduates will become lifelong learners
9. Graduates will demonstrate awareness of global horticulture
Examples of Assessment Tools and Findings
The assessment of student eportfolios as indicators of learning is receiving increased emphasis at a number of
peer institutions (notably Virginia Tech and Clemson) because they allow evaluation of a number of different
skills and abilities, as well as an overview of the level of the student’s comprehension of concepts, their ability to
express themselves in written and graphic form, their ability to manage computer technology, and their ability to
reflect on the learning experiences to which they have been exposed. Texas A&M University has evaluated, and
is implementing a module within Blackboard Learn, the eCampus Portfolio, that will facilitate campus-wide
Section 2 Page 17
adoption of eportfolios in the near future.
We have used a number of different systems to create the eportfolios (ex. the TAMU student Webspace on
people.tamu.edu) but we have now settled on Googlesites as a convenient platform. Googlesites are free and the
students can “carry their eportfolio Website” with them after graduation, and have them evolve into a site that can
be used in their later professional careers. A starter template with a graphic presentation similar to the standard
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Web template has been created to give students a quick start into the
process since very little instructional time is devoted to teaching the process of Website creation. An example of
the HORTfolio template is presented below.
Students are introduced to the eportfolio project briefly in HORT 101 and more extensively in the learning
community, HORT 225. Ideally, we will progress to the point where the eportfolios are all started in HORT 101,
Section 2 Page 18
will serve as a collecting point for artifacts of learning throughout the students’ undergraduate programs, and will
be completed during HORT 481, Senior Seminar.
The five-member departmental assessment committee evaluates the eportfolios annually using a standard rubric
(Table 2.12).
Table 2.12 Rubric used for evaluation of student eportfolios. Scale extends from “unacceptable = 1”
to “exceptional” = 5).
Case Identifier:
Assessor:
Date:
Academic Program:
Evaluation Criterion
1
UA
2
3
A
4
5
EX
Portfolio Website created and serving
Website responds to address provided, graphics of template provided or
optional template complete, images all present, links to sections work,
sections representing resume, projects, writing samples, designs (as
appropriate), contact info, and about me are present
Website presents evidence for technological competence
Website has orderly appearance; links to documents and attachments all work;
images load quickly; images are of appropriate resolution and proper
proportionality; documents as artifacts are PDF and not proprietary format;
documents present evidence for understanding of technology
Portfolio exhibits adequate disciplinary strength
Work presented exemplifies excellent grasp of fundamentals of academic
emphasis area (ex. Quality of designs, complexity of projects, summaries of
research); adequate number of artifacts presented to assess;
Portfolio exhibits professionalism
Overall impression gained from portfolio is that it represents the work of a
well-educated horticultural professional
Communication elements in portfolio satisfactory
Student uses the correct terminology of the field; portfolio is free of spelling
and grammatical errors; reflective statements are adequate in number and in
complexity of thought; layout and overall appearance are creative, pleasing,
and effective
Comments:
The sample portfolios evaluated in 2012 from students in the BA program were rated substantially higher on all
criteria than those in the BS (Table 2.13). While the program learning outcomes assessment reports do not
specifically compare the performance of BA and BS students (each program report is independent of the other),
this year’s evaluation did raise concerns among the assessment committee members. The eportfolios of BS
students were “below expectations,” ie., means less than 3.0, in 4 of the 5 evaluation criteria. The rubric was
revised in 2012, and some on the committee thought this might have been a factor. Additionally, since the sample
eportfolios were selected at random, and since the number of samples was very small (only 10 portfolios per
degree program), it is possible that one year’s results may not be conclusive. The committee has elected to track
the portfolio evaluations for another year before taking any definitive action. This discussion is an excellent
example of insuring that the data, in fact, are real. If, for example, students in the BS program are evaluated as
having not met expectations in the areas of technological competence, disciplinary strength, professionalism, or
Section 2 Page 19
communication skills, while those students in the BA have met expectations, then clearly some definitive action
to modify the curriculum is warranted.
Table 2.13 Evaluation of student portfolios in 2012 comparing performance of BS and BA candidates.
Scores in columns are means of 55 observations (5 evaluators x 10 students per program)
Evaluation Criterion
BS
BA
Portfolio Website created and serving
3.0
3.8
Website presents evidence for technological competence
2.6
3.4
Portfolio exhibits adequate disciplinary strength
2.5
3.3
Portfolio exhibits professionalism
2.6
3.3
Communication elements in portfolio satisfactory
2.4
3.1
Students are surveyed in the year in which they are graduating, and asked their perceptions of their preparedness
in areas ranging from plant problem recognition to their ability to perform mathematical calculations. Our survey
was based on the survey implemented for outcomes assessment at Iowa State University with minor modification.
For annual assessment reporting, survey data are collected and analyzed on a academic year basis. For the
purposes of this discussion, however, data from academic years 2009 – 2012 were merged and analyzed to
increase the sample size and to create a longer-range snapshot of student perceptions.
Our students report less satisfaction with their preparedness in areas that involve an integrated systems approach
(recognizing plant problems, management of plant growth in artificial media, horticultural production strategies,
laws and regulations, horticultural practices used in other parts of the world) and the perceptions differ between
the BA and BS degree programs as would be expected (Table 2.14).
Table 2.14 Graduating Senior Survey Summary, Spring 09 - Spring 12
BA
BS
(mean of 64)
(mean of 62)
DIFF
How satisfied were you with each of the following aspects of your educational program at Texas A&M
University?
Overall quality of education within your major
4.46
4.55
-0.09
Usefulness of skills and knowledge taught
4.43
4.58
-0.15
Quality of instruction by faculty in your major
4.54
4.68
-0.14
Quality of instruction by faculty outside of your major
4.14
4.15
-0.01
Personal contact with faculty in your major
4.58
4.74
-0.16
Appropriateness of courses in your major
4.37
4.5
-0.13
Variety of courses in your major
4.35
4.39
-0.04
Quality of academic advising
4.37
4.63
-0.26
Quality of quality of facilities and resources
4.46
4.61
-0.15
What is your feeling about your competence in the following areas?
Apply basic horticulture knowledge
Understand horticultural terminology
Have a basic understanding of technical principles (nutrition,
planting, propagation, etc.)
4.28
4.34
4.48
4.43
-0.2
-0.09
4.14
4.52
-0.38
Implement horticulture production strategies (harvest, quality,
storage, etc)
Recognize plant problems
Understand management of soil-based and artificial substrates
Plant identification
Have general knowledge of horticultural practices used in other
parts of the world
Have an integrated concept of the ecosystem
Understand basic business concepts
Section 2 Page 20
3.92
4.03
-0.11
3.77
3.47
3.98
3.83
3.98
3.96
-0.06
-0.51
0.02
3.67
3.81
-0.14
3.84
4.22
4.19
3.69
-0.35
0.53
4.23
4.34
3.92
4.45
4.61
4.41
4.54
4.36
4.28
4.4
4.23
4.3
4
4.27
4.56
4.24
4.43
4.17
4.1
4.05
0
0.04
-0.08
0.18
0.05
0.17
0.11
0.19
0.18
0.35
4.38
4.31
0.07
3.6
3.95
3.74
3.91
-0.14
0.04
4.25
4.56
4.47
4.58
4.61
4.58
4.26
4.4
4.47
4.52
4.45
4.39
-0.01
0.16
0
0.06
0.16
0.19
4.45
4.28
0.17
4.55
4.46
0.09
12
40
-3
12
What is your feeling about your skill level in the following areas?
Present an oral report
Write a concise report
Debate issues
Motivate and organize others when problem solving
Work as part of a team
Effective use of technology in the workplace
Define problems and propose solutions
Analyze and interpret data
Seek out opportunities for continued education
Use resources such as libraries, journals, and electronic sources
Network with others in your profession, including other former
students, university faculty and extension professionals
Perform mathematical calculations
Interpret laws and regulations
What is your feeling about your capabilities in the following areas?
Possess an awareness of rural and urban influences of horticulture
Recognize moral, legal, and ethical conflicts
Appreciate the individual's role in sustainable management
Possess high standards of achievement
Appreciate cultural differences
Tolerate different beliefs
Application of economic and social science concepts to human
interactions and organizations
Have professional resume and interview skills
Did you register for and complete successfully HORT484, Internship Experience?
yes
no
9
52
Numerical scale values: 5 - Very satisfied; 4 – Satisfied; 3 – Neutral; 2 – Dissatisfied; 1 - Very dissatisfied;
NA - Not Considered
During the 2012-13 academic year, a similar version of the survey was revised and presented to members of the
horticulture industry to gauge their satisfaction with the preparedness of our students as they performed in fulltime jobs or in internships. On almost all of the criteria, employers report a satisfaction higher than 70 on a scale
of 0 to 100, indicating a very positive perception of students from our programs. Two areas in the 70 or below
range (ability to diagnose plant problems, general knowledge of the global dimensions of horticultural business)
Section 2 Page 21
were also identified by graduating seniors as areas potentially needing improvement, so the faculty need to
examine the way we prepare out students in these areas and develop more effective alternatives.
Table 2.15. Responses of horticultural employers when asked for their opinions of the preparedness
of graduates from the Texas A&M horticulture baccalaureate programs.
Min
Value
Max
Value
#
Responses
Mean
Please rate the importance of each of the following indicators of experience in your consideration for
hiring a new employee:
Obtained four-year degree in horticulture
Completed an internship
Worked for another firm similar to yours
Completed an international/study abroad experience
Able to speak Spanish
1
0
0
0
0
100
91
85
65
92
23/24
19/24
20/24
15/24
20/24
67.3
44.2
37.4
14.9
38.6
Based on your experience with Texas A&M Horticulture graduates, please rate your satisfaction with
their competence in the following areas:
General horticultural knowledge
Technical knowledge of horticultural practices
Ability to recognize a problem and independently find
information to address it
Communication ability
Leadership potential
Ethical behavior
62
19
100
100
21/24
21/24
86.0
75.5
40
100
21/24
80.2
61
52
50
100
100
100
21/24
21/24
21/24
83.7
79.4
93.3
Based on your experience with Texas A&M Horticulture graduates, please rate your satisfaction with
their ability to perform the following tasks:
Present and oral report
Thoughtfully formulate and present position on issues
Motivate and organize others when problem-solving
Use technology effectively in the workplace
Ability to diagnose plant problems
0
0
0
0
0
0
100
100
91
91
100
100
20/24
19/24
19/24
19/24
19/24
19/24
72.4
75.2
72.3
74.3
84.1
70.0
Based on your experience with Texas A&M Horticulture graduates, please rate the degree to which
you think they conform to industry expectations in regard to the following character traits:
Have general knowledge of the global dimensions of
horticultural business
Appreciate the individual’s role in sustainable management
Tolerate and respect different beliefs and opinions
Application of economic and social science concepts to
human interactions and organizations
0
0
100
100
20/24
20/24
83.2
83.0
0
100
20/24
68.7
0
0
0
0
100
100
100
100
20/24
19/24
19/24
20/24
81.3
76.1
78.8
81.1
0
100
19/24
75.4
Section 2 Page 22
Data from the 2010 survey of horticultural employers indicate that a majority of employers consider our graduates
much better or better than other employees hired with similar degrees, and almost all would hire another TAMU
graduate. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents consider our students well prepared for an entry level position in
the industry (Table 2.16).
During the 2010 assessment cycle horticulture industry employers and former students who graduated from our
programs were surveyed with instruments that contained similarly stated questions, and those responses were
compared (Table 2.17). Areas of particular interest (those in the 3-4/5 range) are highlighted in Table 2.17, and
those of particular interest are ones in which the employers and former students perceptions differ markedly.
Former students (as a whole, and with acknowledgement of the small sample sizes!) have a higher perception of
their technical knowledge of horticultural practices and their ability to solve/diagnose problems. Both groups
agree that our graduates’ preparedness to participate in the global dimensions of horticultural business are less
well developed than most of their other capabilities.
Survey data such as those illustrated have been used by the faculty as justification for the renewed emphasis on
formal internships and increased attention to studies abroad and international programs, the two cornerstones of
our Activity 2015, high-impact, experiential learning program. We need to increase the breadth of the
horticulture industries responding to our surveys, as our sampling now is very heavy from the green industry. As
more of our students enter careers in events management, wine tourism, sustainable production, and commercial
sales, so too must our outreach for advice and evaluation of our programs.
Table 2.16. Opinions of horticultural employers concerning graduates from the Texas A&M
horticulture baccalaureate programs. From 2010 assessment survey data; n=30.
How do graduates of the Texas
A&M University Horticulture
program compare to other
employees you or your firm have
hired with similar degrees?
Would you hire another graduate
from the Texas A&M Horticulture
Program?
Do you consider graduates from the
Texas A&M Horticulture Program
adequately prepared for an entrylevel position in the workforce?
much better than
others
better than
others
about the
same
not as
capable
don't
know
4
13
6
1
4
definitely
probably
probably not
definitely
not
don't know
17
11
1
0
definitely
probably
probably not
definitely
not
19
5
3
1
don't
know
Section 2 Page 23
Table 2.17. Responses of horticultural employers and former students when asked for their opinions of
the preparedness of graduates from the Texas A&M horticulture baccalaureate programs.
From 2010 assessment survey data.
Employer
Former Student
Diff
n=30
n=83
*Please rate the importance of each of the following indicators of experience in your consideration for hiring a new
employee:
Obtained four-year degree in horticulture
4
Completed an internship
3
Worked for another firm similar to yours
2.7
Completed an international/study abroad experience
Able to speak Spanish
1.4
2.64
**Based on your experience with Texas A&M Horticulture graduates, please rate your satisfaction with their
competence in the following areas:
General horticultural knowledge
.41
4.17
4.58
Technical knowledge of horticultural practices
.89
3.61
4.5
Ability to recognize a problem and independently find
information to address it
Communication ability
Leadership potential
Ethical behavior
4.07
-
4
3.93
4.41
4.26
.15
**Based on your experience with Texas A&M Horticulture graduates, please rate your satisfaction with their ability
to perform the following tasks:
Present and oral report
Thoughtfully formulate and present position on issues
Motivate and organize others when problem-solving
Use technology effectively in the workplace
Ability to diagnose plant problems
4
3.96
4.13
3.81
4.23
3.56
4.31
4.25
3.95
4.33
4.39
4.07
.31
.29
.18
.52
.16
.51
**Based on your experience with Texas A&M Horticulture graduates, please rate the degree to which you think
they conform to industry expectations in regard to the following character traits:
Have general knowledge of the global dimensions of
horticultural business
Appreciate the individual’s role in sustainable
management
Tolerate and respect different beliefs and opinions
Application of economic and social science concepts to
human interactions and organizations
How do graduates of the TAMU Horticulture program compare
to other employees you or your firm have hired
Would you hire another grad from the TAMU Hort Program?
Do you consider grads from the TAMU Hort Program well
prepared for an entry-level position in the workforce?
4.26
4.22
4.56
4.66
.30
.44
3.45
3.44
.01
4.23
3.58
4
4.11
4.17
4.51
4.42
3.78
3.97
2.83/4
3.55/4
3.5/4
*5=Required 4=Critically Important 3=Somewhat Important 2=Slightly Important 1=Not Important NA=Not Considered
**5=Completely 4=Mostly 3=Somewhat 2=Slightly 1=Not at all NA=Not Observed
.59
.51
.31
.19
3. OVERVIEW OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS
The Department of Horticultural Sciences offers two Masters degrees (Master of Science, Master of Agriculture)
and the Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture. A cooperative doctoral program with faculty at Texas A&M
University at Kingsville is offered as a component of the Ph. D. in Horticulture. Faculty in Horticultural Sciences
participate in several interdisciplinary programs (Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences (MEPS; formerly
Plant Physiology), Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Food Science and Technology.
Graduate Courses Offered in the Department of Horticultural Sciences
Advanced work in horticulture may be conducted with areas of specialization in fruit production, nut production,
vegetable production, ornamental horticulture and nursery crops, and fruit, nut and vegetable processing.
Supporting work may be required in several of the related fields such as chemistry, botany, plant pathology, plant
physiology, entomology, soils, genetics, nutrition and agricultural engineering. The specific objective of the
individual student will guide his or her committee in the choice of courses from the departments mentioned above
and others in special cases.
Programs of study leading to the Master of Agriculture, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are
available.
601. Nutrition of Horticultural Plants. (3-3). Credit 4. Principles of nutrition related to horticultural plants;
micro- and macronutrients; root uptake; short- and long-distance transport; management practices of fruit,
nut, ornamental and vegetable plants; development of skills in nutrition research. Prerequisite: MEPS 313
or approval of instructor.*
604. Applied Physiology of Horticultural Crops. (3-0). Credit 3. Chemical, biological and environmental
factors in growth and differentiation and their application to ornamental, fruit and vegetable crops; growth
kinetics; source-sink relations; fruit development; seed development and germination; juvenility; apical
dominance; growth retardants; pruning; photoperiodism; flowering; sex expression; and senescence.
Prerequisites: MEPS 313 or approval of instructor.
605. Internet Applications for Horticulture. (2-2). Credit 3. Internet applications for horticulture presents the
theory and practice of computer networks and networking so that the information and educational content
(not the hardware) is the key; the focus is on the World Wide Web and creating Web materials for teaching,
research and extension applications. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
608. Plants for Landscape Design. (3-2). Credit 4. Identification and use of indigenous and introduced plants
in landscape designs; plants for special uses in commercial and residential developments; emphasis on
ornamental attributes, identification, cultural requirements, limitations and adaptability in urban and
suburban environments for important taxa; discussion of current issues, research, and trends in selection,
marketing, and utilization of plants for landscape design. Prerequisite: HORT 201 or HORT 308 or BIOL
101, or approval of instructor, not open to students with previous credit for HORT 306.*
609. Plants for Landscape Design II.(3-2). Credit4. Identification and use of indigenous and introduced
landscape plants; plants for special uses in urban environments; emphasis on plants’ ornamental attributes,
cultural requirements, and adaptability in urban and suburban environments. Not open to students who have
completed HORT 308. Prerequisites: BOTN 101, HORT 201, HORT 306, HORT 608, or approval of
instructor.
610. Physiological and Molecular Basis for Plant Stress Response. (3-0). Credit 3. Provide the student with
tools to understand the molecular and physiological consequences caused by environmental factors (abotic
and biotic) on plant growth and development and the mechanisms of stress adaptation to stress.
Prerequisite: MEPS 313 or equivalent. Cross-listed with MEPS 610.
611. Ecology of Urban Landscape. (3-0). Credit 3. Basic concepts and current topics in ecology or urban
Section 3 Page 2
landscapes. Role of plants in urban and fragmented ecosystems ranging from individual plant responses to
changes in ecosystem function. Students will discuss recent literature in the field of urban plant ecology.
Prerequisite: An undergraduate or graduate class in plant biology or plant ecology is recommended.
618. Root Biology. (3-0). Credit 3. Basic concepts and current topics in root-soil ecology; managed and natural
ecosystems including grasslands, cropping systems and forests; role of roots in the rhizosphere, the effects
of soil, nutrient and water stress and climate change in C and N cycling and carbon sequestration;
participate in discussions and critique recent literature. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed
with MEPS 618.
622. Citrus and Subtropical Fruits. (3-0). Credit 3. Various types of citrus; identification, culture, processing,
marketing, and the economic future; prepares students to function in a continuously changing production
environment in production areas. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
626. International Floriculture Marketing. (2-2). Credit 3. Importance, cost and opportunities in marketing
floral products, fresh cut flowers, flowering potted plants, foliage plants, and bedding/garden plants; topics
include world production areas, economic value, species grown, marketing channels, retail environments,
current/future consumers, postharvest handling, promotion/advertising, perceived/ added value, marketing
trends and employment opportunities. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
630. Post-Harvest Biology, Physiology and Genetics of Plants. (3-0). Credit 3. Overview of biological,
physiological and genetic mechanisms which impart phenotypes associated with quality and value of plant
products; current emphasis in areas of ripening, senescence, fruit and flower development, and relevant
applications of biotechnology will be focus of course. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed with
MEPS 630.
640. Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables to Improve Human Health.(3-0). Credit3. Current scientific
knowledge about the role of phytochemicals in their diet; increase the knowledge and awareness of
successful, cost effective, public and private integrated approaches to reduce the health and economic
burden of chronic diseases; provide instructional curricular resources media for dissemination through
conventional and distance education technology. Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.
644. Food Quality. (3-0). Credit 3. Physical, chemical and biological properties of foods; fundamental attributes
of flavor, color, odor and texture; esthetic, ethnic and nutritional requirements; role of additives; regulatory
standards and quality control regimes; current techniques in food investigations.*
645. World Agriculture and International Plant Breeding. (1-0). Credit 1. Evolution of world agriculture;
plant breeding and improved varieties; international agricultural research centers and green revolution;
population growth; environmental challenges; IPR; role of plant breeding and biotechnology in meeting
world food needs. Prerequisite: SCSC 304, HORT 404 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with SCSC
645.
681. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1. Student and staff participation in review of literature and reporting on current
developments in research on production and processing of horticultural crops. Required of all graduate
students in horticulture and floriculture.
684. Professional Internship. Credit 1 to 4. Program planned to provide professional training in student’s
particular field of interest. Faculty and employer will supervise the activity. Work-study planned as a part of
the Master of Agriculture degree program in fruit, ornamentals or vegetable production, processing and
handling or landscape or garden design and maintenance. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
685. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4 each semester. Individual problems of research or scholarly activity not
pertaining to thesis or dissertation, or selected instruction not covered by other courses. Final
documentation of directed study is required. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
Section 3 Page 3
689. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4. Selected topics in an identified area of horticulture. May be repeated for
credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department head.
690. Theory of Research. (1-0). Credit 1. Design of research experiments in various fields of horticulture and
floriculture and evaluation of results with the aid of examples taken from the current scientific literature.
May be repeated for credit.
691. Research. Credit 1 or more each semester. Research in horticultural problems for thesis or dissertation.
693. Professional Study. Credit 1 to 9. Approved professional paper undertaken as the requirement for the
Master of Agriculture. May be taken more than once, but not to exceed 3 hours of credit towards a degree.
Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
Comparison of the Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural Sciences’ Graduate Horticulture
Degrees With Others on a National Scale
After a period of interim leadership of the Department, a new Department Head was appointed in late August
2012 and a new Associate Head for Graduate Programs was appointed on October 1. One of the first tasks was to
assess the current state of our academic programs and to determine how we were performing in relation to peers
on a national level in preparation for the Academic Program Review. Initial meetings to address immediate needs
for advancing and updating graduate program policies were initiated. Also, on October 11, 2012 a survey of U.S.
and Canadian universities that offer graduate degree programs with majors in horticulture or concentrations in
horticulture within broader based related plant science majors was initiated. The goal of this effort was to
determine demographics related to our sister (and competing) programs nationally; determine how a variety of
programmatic requirements and procedures were handled; determine the types of graduate programs and support
provided by other departments; determine how our student demographics compared with those of our peer
institutions; determine how departments were financing students and what types of training they were providing;
and to document demographics associated with the faculty at peer institutions (Table 3.1).
Table 3.1 Institutions participating in the national 2012 horticulture graduate survey.
Land Grant University Respondents
University of Arkansas
Kansas State University
University of Tennessee
Cornell University
Oklahoma State University
Auburn University
Virginia Tech University
Iowa State University
Louisiana State University
Mississippi State University
Florida Environ. Horticulture
University of Minnesota
Utah State University
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
North Dakota State University
West Virginia University
University of Delaware
Michigan State University
The Ohio State University
Penn State University
State/Prov. University Respondents
Sam Houston State University
Western Kentucky University
University of Guelph
Southern Illinois University
Texas Tech University
Characterization of Horticulture Degree or Concentration Programs
Among 1862 land grant universities, 36% of horticulture graduate programs were in stand-alone horticulture
departments and 50% were in blended units with one or more related disciplines. Only 14% were in general plant
science departments and none were in general agriculture or life sciences units. In contrast horticulture programs
at state or provincial universities were all housed in either general plant science departments or general
agriculture/life sciences units. The number of programs offering horticulture-oriented graduate degrees at land
Section 3 Page 4
grant institutions was similar to that reported in 2005 (Arnold et al.), although considerably fewer non-land grant
institutions responded to the current survey (five versus thirteen previously).
Ph.D. programs were about evenly split between those with a horticulture major and those with concentrations in
horticulture within a broader plant science major (Table 3. 2). However, enrollment in the plant science major
was approximately twice that of horticulture-only programs and was the only option offered in state/provincial
Ph.D. programs. Slightly more M.S. thesis and non-thesis programs had horticulture only majors than were
present as concentrations within plant science M.S. programs, although as with the Ph.D. programs about twice as
many students were present in the plant science than in the horticulture majors (Table 3.2).
Table 3.2. Degrees offered in residence by units offering either degree programs with a horticulture
major or those with a more generalized plant science type major with some type of
specialization in horticulture. 2012 national survey data.
Programs
Students enrolled
Land State /
Land
State /
TAMU
grant Province
grant
Province
Hort. Sci.
Degree
(#)
(#)
(#)
(#)
(#)
x
x
y
y
Ph.D. Horticulture
12
0
10.6
0.0
15 x
Ph.D. Plant Science
11
3
21.3
17.2
3z
M.S. Horticulture (thesis)
17
3
10.8
8.2
9
M.S. Plant Science (thesis)
10
2
21.6
19.6
5z
M.S. Horticulture (non-thesis) 14
2
4.2
4.0
2
M.S. Plant Science (non-thesis) 6
2
11.5
3.6
0z
Other
5
2
16.3
5.6
1
x
Number of programs indicating they offered this type of program are indicate in this column.
Mean number of students reported enrolled across institutions offering that particular degree program are indicated in
this column.
z
The plant science programs associated with these three values only under the TAMU Horticultural Sciences column
represent the students adloced to the Department, but enrolled in interdisciplinary programs including genetics,
molecular and environmental plant physiology, plant breeding, and food sciences.
y
An additional source of comparative data for enrollments in horticulture graduate programs is the FAEIS database.
The reported enrollments do not match exactly (likely as a result of differences in program titles reported, ie.
differences in CIP codes), however, examination of the trends supports the conclusions derived from the national
survey (Table 3.3).
Table 3.3 Comparison of graduate enrollment in the TAMU Horticulture programs to the mean of
21 peer institutions reporting to the FAEIS database. CIP codes are as reported for
undergraduate students.
Peer Institution Average (21 peers reporting)
TAMU Horticulture
Masters Enrollment
Doctorate Enrollment
Masters Enrollment Doctorate Enrollment
2007
11.7
10.2
14
20
2008
12.1
10.1
21
18
2009
10.6
9.8
24
18
2010
13.4
13.3
20
18
2011
14
14.3
19
20
2012
Section 3 Page 5
Interestingly, the graduate program enrollment in the TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences was opposite
of this with a much greater proportion of the students enrolled in the degree programs in horticulture rather than
the interdisciplinary programs listed in Table 3.2 in the plant science rows.
The largest reduction in graduate enrollment over last two decades within the Department has been at the expense
of the number of Masters students (Fig. 3.1) and students enrolled in the interdisciplinary graduate degrees. This
trend is likely to continue as potential changes to enrollment requirements for viable Ph.D. programs changes at
the State Higher Education Coordinating Board level and Departments are forced to concentrate their resources in
maintaining minimum graduation rates in their Ph.D. programs. Enrollment in the horticulture Ph.D. program
within the Department has remained more stable in enrollment than the other graduate degree programs within the
Department (Fig. 3.1, Table 3.3).
70
3 3
60
3
B
Ph.D.
H
M.Ag.
J
M.S.
F
NDS
3
50
3
Total
3
3
3
3
3
3 3 3
3
3 3
40
3 3
3
3
3
J
30 J J J J
B
B
B B B B
B
J
B B B B
B
J
B J J
B
J
J
J J
B
B
B J
J J
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1990
0
B
B
J
B
H
H
H H
H H
H
F
H
F H H H H H H
H
F H F
H
H
F
H H
F
F
F
F F F F F F F
H
F
F F F
F
F
H F
1993
H
10 F
J B
B
J
B
J
J J
1992
20
3
3
J
1991
Students (# enrolled per degree)
3
Year
Figure 3.1 Enrollment in various degree programs offered through the TAMU Department of
Horticultural Sciences from 1990 – 2012.
Compared to 2005, enrollment in land grant programs in horticulture at both the Ph.D. and Masters levels were
similar to current levels, but enrollment in the horticultural emphasis in the more generalized plant science
programs has increased (Arnold et al., 2005). Although the proportions are still small, the enrollment in nonthesis horticulture Masters programs has increased compared to 2005 levels (Arnold et al., 2005). When “other”
was listed, it was frequently mentioned as either non-degree seeking students or those in some sort of postgraduate certificate program.
No responding institutions offered a Ph.D. program in horticulture or with a horticulture concentration at a
distance. The TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences does participate in a new plant breeding
interdisciplinary degree in cooperation with the TAMU Department of Soil and Crop Sciences that is offered at a
distance, but this program is so new it has no graduates yet. Six Masters level programs in horticulture or in plant
science with a horticulture emphasis were offered at a distance, four by land grant schools and two by non-land
Section 3 Page 6
grant schools. Only one institution offered a thesis option M.S. in plant science with a horticultural emphasis at a
distance, all other available Masters programs were non-thesis degrees. Participation in distance courses within in
residence programs was still done by a minority of students, but appeared to be a growing course option compared
to the previous horticulture graduate program survey (Arnold et al., 2005). Participation in courses offered at a
distance average from 10.7% for non-thesis M.S. programs to 16.5% of thesis requiring M.S. programs.
Graduate programs in horticulture produce few degree candidates on an annual basis, ranging between 3 and 5
students at both the Masters and Doctorate levels (Table 3.4). The problematic issue in that regard at Texas A&M
is that the Texas Higher Coordinating Board requires a minimum of 10 doctoral degrees be awarded over a 5 year
period for all doctoral programs. Programs below that level are labeled “low producing” programs and are
subject to elimination. An additional complication is the fact that the THECB is actively considering raising the
minimum production to 15 degrees/5 years, and if that happens, the doctoral degree in horticulture would be in
the “low producing” category.
Table 3.4 Comparison of graduate degrees awarded in the TAMU Horticulture programs to the mean
of peer institutions reporting to the FAEIS database. CIP codes are as reported for
undergraduate students.
Peer Institution Average (# peers reporting)
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Masters Degrees (20)
3.6
4.3
4.7
4
4.9
Doctorate Degrees (19)
2.3
2.7
2.3
2.4
2.2
TAMU Horticulture
Masters Degrees
2
Doctorate Degrees
5
3
1
2
6
5
3
3
0
3
4
More than half of both land grant (57.1%) and non-land grant (66.7%) units permitted direct admission to Ph.D.
programs without a prior M.S. degree. However, all (100%) of the land grant programs required the identification
of a faculty member willing to serve as the student's advisor prior to admitting the student to the program. A
majority (60.0%) of non-land grant schools also required that a faculty advisor be identified prior to admitting the
student. No schools reported using a lab rotation system during admissions procedures for either land grant or
non-land grant horticulture graduate programs. A majority (60.0%) of non-land grant schools indicated other
admissions criteria, with a visible means of support being mentioned.
Admissions criteria were fairly consistent across programs with 100% of both non-land grant and land grant
schools including prior grade point averages or ratios in the process. All (100%) programs included an English
language proficiency measure for international students who's native language was not English. Recommendation
letters were required by 100% of land grant programs and 80.0% of non-land grant institutions.
Nearly all (95.5 %) land grant schools considered GRE scores in the admissions process and the majority (60.0)
of non-land grant schools also incorporated GRE scores in the matrix of admissions criteria. None of the
responding institutions reported any specialized entrance examinations beyond the GRE. Several (40.9%) of the
land grant schools indicated other criteria were also involved in the admissions process with an essay or statement
of purpose being the most frequently cited measure. No additional criteria were indicated by non-land grant
schools. The Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural of Horticultural Sciences includes all of the
above criteria except a specialized admissions exam in determining admission to our programs.
Section 3 Page 7
Demographics of Students in Graduate Horticulture Degree or Concentration Programs
Domestic students constituted the majority of the enrollment in both land grant and non-land grant programs, but
domestic students (65.2%) were a smaller majority of the population than in non-land grant programs (80.6%)
with international students making up 34.8% of the land grant horticulture graduate students versus only 19.4% at
non-land grant schools. Interestingly, the proportion of domestic versus international students has remained
nearly unchanged since the 2005 survey (Arnold et al., 2005). The TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences
has an even greater international representation (46%) to our student body with only 54% domestic graduate
students. The largest ethnic population of students in the survey was non-Hispanic whites (Caucasian) at both
land grant (63.6%) and non-land grant (75.0%) programs.
Table 3.5 Gender and ethnicity of TAMU graduate horticulture students during fall semester of
indicated year as percentage of total. Data from TAMU DARS report.
Female
Male
Caucasian
Underrepresented minority
Total minority
2008
64.7%
35.3%
38.2%
2.9%
61.8%
2009
56.4
43.6
46.2
2.6
53.8
2010
45.2
54.8
38.1
2.4
61.9
2011
52.6
47.4
42.1
5.3
57.9
The TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences had a minority non-Hispanic white population (42%) when all
domestic and international students were considered (Table 3.5). The second largest ethnic/racial group at land
grant schools (14.0%) was Asian (other than Indian/Pakistani) and was tied for second most populous in non-land
grant schools at 9.0%. At non-land grant schools Indian / Pakistani student enrollment (9.0%) was tied for second,
but this was only 4.9% of students at land grant schools. At land grant schools the third most frequent
ethnic/racial group was Hispanics (6.9%) while this was only the sixth largest group at non-land grant schools
(1.3%). Hispanics were the second largest group of domestic students at the TAMU Department of Horticultural
Sciences. Black students represented 3.0% of students at land grant schools, but only 2.3% of student in non-land
grant degree programs. Black enrollment at 1862 land grant horticulture programs has remained steady since
2005, while that at non-land grant schools has declined substantially (Arnold et al., 2005), perhaps due to the fact
that none of the 1890 land grant schools responded to the current survey (Table 3.1) whereas several did respond
to the 2004 survey (Arnold et al., 2005). Native American enrollment was small in both groups, but greater
(2.5%) in non-land grant institutions than in land grant (0.3%) programs. Native American enrollment has
increased from nearly none at these types of institution in the 2005 survey (Arnold et al., 2005). The ethnic/racial
category of other was not reported for non-land grant institutions, while it constituted 6.1% of the reported
enrollment at land grant programs. Other was often noted to include those indicating no racial or ethnicity group
or to include international students if they were not included in one of the other reported groups. Students of Arab
or Middle Eastern decent were also a group noted under other by some institutions.
Financial Support of Students in Graduate Horticulture Degree or Concentration Programs
At land grant schools, on average 83.1% of graduate students received institutional support, whereas at non-land
grant schools only 66.1% of graduate students were funded (Table 3.6). The largest single funding source for
students was research assistantships, particularly at land grant institutions. Research grants were often mentioned
by participants as funded by grants rather than internal institutional dollars.
At the TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences research assistantships are the predominant funding source at
77.0 % of the students, of which 100% is from soft money (grants contracts, temporary bridge funds, other
external funds, etc.). The second largest source of funding for graduate students was teaching assistantships for
Section 3 Page 8
non-land grant schools (Table 3.6). While teaching only assistantships constituted a smaller proportion of funding
sources for graduate students at land grant schools, when merged with combined responsibility assistantships, the
proportionate funding source (17.0%) was similar to that of teaching assistantships at non-land grant schools
(17.4%).
Table 3.6. Graduate student funding (by source) at landgrants and state/province institutions in
horticulture.
Category
Landgrant (%)
State/province (%)
TAMU HORT (%)
Fellowships
7.5
3.0
0
Teaching Assistantships
8.3
17.4
17
Research Assistantships
60.7
44.8
77
Extension Assistantships
0.5
0
0
Combination Assistantships
8.7
0
0
Home Country
5.0
5.5
0
None/self-funded
11.9
28.4
12
Teaching assistantships at the TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences was also about 17% (our only hard
money assistantship source). Although a relatively small proportion of the overall funding, fellowships were
about twice as much of the funding sources at land grant schools as at non-land grant schools (Table 3.6). On
average, both land grant and non-land grant institutions had about 5% of the horticulture graduate students funded
by their home (non-U.S.) country (Table 3.6). The TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences currently has no
students funded by their home countries. Approximately 12% of the fulltime TAMU Department of Horticultural
Sciences graduate students were not funded in Fall 2012, with a few additional non-funded part-time students.
This was within a few percent of the mean for land grant schools (Table 3.6). The proportion of non-funded
students increased at non-land grant schools compared to 2005, but decreased for land grant institutions over the
same time span (Arnold et al., 2005).
Mean fellowship stipends at land grant institutions ranged from a mean minimum of $19,265 to a mean maximum
of $21,160. These stipends have increased substantially in comparison to those offered by both types of schools
in 2005 (Arnold et al., 2005). The greater value of fellowships is not surprising as they are frequently used to lure
top candidates to the positions. Absolute minimum / maximum ranges for fellowship stipends were from $1,100
to $40,000 encompassing the widest range of variation in stipends for any of the sources of funding. Research
assistantship stipends had an absolute range of $4,368 to $31,000 per year while teaching stipends had an absolute
range of $6,825 to $26,700. Assistantship stipends typically ranged at land grant institutions from a mean
minimum research stipend of $16,568 to a mean maximum extension assistantship stipend of $23,380 (Table 3.7).
Our Departmental minimum assistantship stipend average of $16,500 ($16,000 Masters, $17,000 Ph.D.) is
comparable to the land grant mean minimum assistantships.
Table 3.7 Value of graduate stipends by type in horticulture programs from a 2013 national survey.
Funding type:
Fellowships
Teaching assist
Research assist.
Extension assist.
Combination assist.
y
State/province
Minimum ($/year) Maximum ($/year)
$17,300
$40,000
$10,448
$12,997
$15,303
$23,440
-------------
Values represent means of those reported as minimums or maximums at individual institutions
Tuition/fees
Cost / year
z
1862 Landgrants
Minimum ($/year) Maximum ($/year)
$19,265y
$21,160
$16,863
$18,343
$16,568
$21,349
$19,429
$23,380
$16,728
$18,678
In-state
$10,227z
Out-of-state
$18,963
Values represent means of those reported at individual institutions
In-state
$10,103
Out-of-state
$15,204
Section 3 Page 9
The lowest minimum research assistantship offered was $4,368, while the greatest was $26,700. Non-land grant
institutions offered substantially lower mean minimum assistantship stipends in teaching and research, especially
with teaching assistantships (Table 3.7). Time commitments for fellowships were lower than for most
assistantship classes, with most assistantships requiring in the range of 10 to 20 hours of service.
Remuneration in the form of stipends was offered by 95.5% of land grant programs and 80.0% of non-land grant
programs. In addition, 95.5% of land grant programs provided out of state tuition waivers, with 60.0% of nonland grant programs following suit. A vast majority (90.9%) of land grant programs offered in-state tuition
waivers, whereas only a minority (40.0%) of non-land grant programs offered in-state tuition waivers. Most
(59.1%) land grant programs offered medical insurance but only 20.0% of non-land grant programs provided it.
Few land grant (13.6%) or non-land grant (20.0%) institutions also paid student fees. Other forms of remuneration
were provided by 4.5% of land grant programs, but no non-land grant programs offered additional benefits.
Mean yearly costs of in-state tuition were similar at land grant ($10,227) compared to non-land grant institutions
($10,103) (Table 3.7). However, out-of-state tuition was on average considerably greater ($18,964) at land grant
institutions than at non-land grant institutions ($15,204). Teaching assistantships in-state ($6,348) and out-ofstate ($12,666) tuition are considerably below the means for land grant institutions. However, for the majority of
schools offering out-of-state and in state tuition waivers, this may nearly double the cost of funding a student
compared to the actual amount of the stipend. Along with the cost of health insurance, social security, etc. the
cost can easily be $30,000 or more per year to the Department or principal investigator.
One phenomenon this has created is that it is often more cost effective to hire a technician or post-doc than to hire
graduate students. Considering a mean stay of 3.9 (with prior M.S.) to 4.6 (without prior M.S.) years for Ph.D.
students these numbers can easily translate into an investment of well over a $100,000 in just direct salary and
benefits for a single Ph.D. student, not including the costs of actually conducting the experiments, travel to
meetings for presentations, etc. Ph.D. programs took a similar 3.5 and 5.0 years time frames, respectively, at nonland grant schools. Master of Science degrees took a mean of 2.4 years at land grant and 2.1 years at non-land
grant institutions. Times were nearly reversed for non-thesis Masters programs at land grant schools which were
completed more quickly, with a mean of 2.1 years, while at non-land grant schools non-thesis Masters programs
took longer, 2.5 years. Mean time to completion for students with a prior M.S. at the TAMU Department of
Horticultural Sciences was 3.7 years, slightly below the mean for other land grant institutions.
Figure 3.2. Actual assistantship budget and consumer price index (CPI) adjusted budget based on 1999 U.S. dollars.
Section 3 Page 10
Hard money funded assistantships from internal institutional support remains at the same absolute dollar amount
in the TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences as it was in 2002 at approximately $100,379 per year (Fig.
3.2). Applying the consumer price index calculations to the hard money graduate assistantship funds, this amount
has steadily eroded to an adjusted value of $78,653.
Compounding the eroding value of the funds is the need to increase stipend levels which has resulted in a loss of
about one-third of our previously available assistantship slots (Fig. 3.3). The only saving factor was the provision
of in-state tuition waivers for all internally funded Ph.D. and most internally-funded Masters students beginning
in 2005. Unfortunately, these in-state tuition waivers do not apply to students who are funded on external funds,
so this must be factored into grant requests, possibly decreasing the likelihood of the grant being funded.
Figure 3.3. Available teaching assistantships based on hard money budgeted funds divided by the mean minimum
assistantship stipend in effect at that date.
Course Requirements and Experiential Learning in Graduate Horticulture Degree or Concentration Programs
Total course and credit hour requirements were slightly greater at land grant institutions for horticulture
concentrations within a plant science program than in horticulture only degree programs, however minimum
research hours requirements were slightly greater in the Ph.D. in horticulture programs (Table 3.8). Ph.D.
programs at non-land grant schools required on average fewer total credit hours and fewer research/internship
Section 3 Page 11
hours, but far more formal course work hours (Table 3.8). Requirements were surprisingly uniform among thesis
requiring M.S. in horticulture and M.S. in plant science with emphasis in horticulture programs, varying only
slightly in requirements within a given category of courses (Table 3.8). A similar degree of uniformity was
present for most categories of requirements for non-thesis Masters programs, with the exception of research or
internship hours which were much greater in land grant than in non-land grant non-thesis Masters programs in
plant science with a horticulture concentration (Table 3.8). When available, on-line degrees were reported by all
institutions to have the same requirements as in residence degrees.
Table 3.8. Course requirements across degree programs among 1862 land grant and non-land grant
institutions.
Degree
Ph.D. Horticulture
Requirement
Total hours
Formal courses
Research/internship
Land
grant
(#)
66.5z
28.5
28.0
Ph.D. Plant Science
Total hours
Formal courses
Research/internship
73.8
37.3
26.4
60.0
51.0
9.0
-------------
M.S. Hort. (thesis)
Total hours
Formal courses
Research/internship
30.1
20.6
7.8
34.5
24.0
9.0
32
13
̃10
M.S. Plant Science (thesis)
Total hours
Formal courses
Research/internship
30.2
19.4
8.1
33.0
23.5
9.5
-------------
M.S. Hort. (non-thesis)
Total hours
Formal courses
Research/internship
32.3
29.3
3.0
36.5
32.0
4.3
36
13
3
M.S. Plant Science (non-thesis) Total hours
Formal courses
Research/internship
33.0
29.0
7.7
36.5
36.0
0.0
-------------
z
State /
Province
(#)
-------------
TAMU
Hort. Sci.
(#)
64
16
̃20
All values are converted to semester hours. The total hours represent that required presuming the student already holds a
Masters degree. Note that formal and research/internship hours do not equal the total hours as these represent minimum
requirements in those areas and some programs leave a large proportion of the credit hours flexible at the graduate
committee’s discretion. Where available on-line degrees had the same requirements as in residence.
Emphasis on high impact or experiential learning has increased recently in undergraduate programs at Texas
A&M University and so we were interested in documenting some of these activities required in horticulture
graduate programs. The surveyed institutions were asked to indicate whether additional experiences beyond
normal classes were required in areas other than research, specifically teaching, extension/outreach, internships,
or other. Teaching experiences were the only experiential learning requirement for most horticulture graduate
degrees outside of the typical research experiences for most programs (Table 3.9). Aside from teaching
experiences, only internships in M.S. non-thesis programs at land grant institutions were required by more than
10% of the programs as additional experiential learning requirements among horticulture graduate programs
(Table 3.9).
Section 3 Page 12
Table 3.9. Experiential learning requirements for horticulture graduate programs beyond the normal
research experiences required for thesis or dissertation based programs.
Experience
Teaching
Extension
Internship
Other
z
Ph.D.
Land
Grant
(%)
41.0z
9.1
0.0
4.5
State /
province
(%)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
M.S. (thesis)
Land State /
grant province
(%)
(%)
36.3
20.0
9.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
M.S. (non-thesis)
Land
State /
grant province
(%)
(%)
18.2
0.0
4.5
0.0
13.6
0.0
4.5
0.0
Percentage of institutions requiring experiential learning in this area in addition to basic course work or thesis /
dissertation research.
Graduate Program Metrics Employed in Evaluation of Horticulture Degree or Concentration Programs
Increasing scrutiny of educational programs for accountability at all levels has led to strong motivations for the
development of evaluative metrics to determine the efficacy of graduate programs in meeting institutional goals.
A variety of metrics are being employed at various institutions and the emphasis placed on these metrics likely
differs among institutions and perhaps over time within an institution. Ten metrics commonly mentioned to us in
preliminary conversations were included in the survey (Table 3.10). A category of other with encouragement to
write in the measure(s) under other was also included.
Table 3.10. Ranking of selected program metrics among 1862 land grant programs and state or
provincial non-land grant programs by which horticultural graduate programs perceive
themselves to be evaluated.
Land grants
x
Metric
Total number of graduate students
Number of Ph.D. students
Peer reviewed publications
Student awards
Student scientific presentations
Course/student contact hours
GRE entrance scores
# Graduate courses taught
Students involved in teaching
Students’ GPR/GPA
Other z
Rank
(mean)
4.2x
3.5
2.8
1.9
1.4
1.1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.5
1.2
Ranked
in top 3
(% units)
90.9y
77.3
45.5
40.9
27.3
18.2
13.6
9.1
9.1
4.5
18.2
State / provincial
Ranked
Rank in top 3
(mean) (% units)
4.3 x
100.0y
1.7
20.0
4.0
80.0
3.3
80.0
2.8
80.0
2.5
40.0
1.8
60.0
3.3
60.0
2.0
60.0
2.8
80.0
0.0
0.0
Greater number within the column indicates greater importance in metrics. Highest ranked metric was keyed as a five to
lowest ranked keyed in the analysis as a one. Unranked metrics were assigned a zero weight for that evaluator. The
mean rank scores are presented.
y
Values represent the mean proportion of the programs in which this metric was ranked within the top three metrics for a
given program.
z
Graduation rates and time to degree were most frequently commented under other.
Section 3 Page 13
Among land grant institutions the highest ranked metrics by far were the total number of graduate students
enrolled in the program and secondarily the number of Ph.D. students enrolled in the programs (Table 3.10).
These measures were also the most frequent metrics to appear in the top three metrics for a given land grant
program. Two measures of student’s academic proficiency in the form of student publication of peer reviewed
publications and student awards were the third and fourth ranked metrics, respectively, at land grant programs.
These were also the next most frequently cited metrics in a given program’s top three metrics. The fifth and sixth
highest ranked metrics were other and course or student contact hours, respectively. The two most frequently
mentioned metrics under the other category by respondents that were not directly asked on the survey were
graduation rates or numbers and time to degree completion. All other measures were ranked of low importance
on average and were included in less than 15% of the units surveyed top three metrics. The relative importance of
the various metrics seemed to be much more variable among institutions at non-land grant schools. The number
of Ph.D. students and other category were of much less importance to non-land grant institutions than at land
grant programs. Also, in contrast to land grant programs, non-land grant schools placed a much higher rank on
the number of graduate courses taught, students’ involvement with teaching, students’ grade point averages or
grade point rations, and GRE entrance scores (Table 3.10).
Learning Outcomes Assessment of the Graduate Program
Texas A&M University mandates that graduate programs be subjected to learning outcomes assessment in a
manner analogous to the undergraduate academic program. To that end, departments were directed to develop
assessment plans to address the following university level learning outcomes:
University Masters Learning Outcomes
http://catalog.tamu.edu/pdfs/Master'sOutcomes-1pg.pdf
A student who graduates from Texas A&M University with a master’s degree will:
• Master degree program requirements, including
• theories, concepts, principles, and practice;
• develop a coherent understanding of the subject matter through synthesis across courses and experiences;
and
• apply subject matter knowledge to solve problems and make decisions.
• Use a variety of sources and evaluate multiple points of view to analyze and integrate information and to
conduct critical, reasoned arguments.
• Communicate effectively.
• Use appropriate technologies to communicate, collaborate, conduct research, and solve problems.
• Develop clear research plans and conduct valid (data‐supported), theoretically consistent, and institutionally
appropriate research.
• Choose ethical courses of action in research and practice.
University Doctoral Learning Outcomes
http://catalog.tamu.edu/pdfs/DoctoralOutcomes-1pg.pdf
A student who graduates from Texas A&M University with a doctoral degree will:
• Master degree program requirements, including
• theories, concepts, principles, and practice;
• develop a coherent understanding of the subject matter through synthesis across courses and experiences;
and
• apply subject matter knowledge to solve problems and make decisions.
• Apply a variety of strategies and tools, use a variety of sources, and evaluate multiple points of view to analyze
and integrate information and to conduct critical, reasoned arguments.
• Communicate effectively.
• Develop clear research plans, conduct valid, data‐supported, theoretically consistent, and institutionally
appropriate research and effectively disseminate the results of the research in appropriate venues to a range of
audiences.
• Use appropriate technologies to communicate, collaborate, conduct research, and solve problems.
• Teach and explain the subject matter in their discipline.
• Choose ethical courses of action in research and practice.
Section 3 Page 14
Departmental assessment plans are reviewed by a committee of peers and administrators at the College-level and
evaluated for compliance with reporting guidelines. The Horticultural Sciences graduate program assessment was
found to be “under development,” indicating that it needs to be revised to be in full compliance. Several of the
University level outcomes are not assessed by our measures.
Departmental Ph. D. Program Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan
The Ph.D. program in horticulture exists to provide an advanced science-based education for students through
teaching and directed horticultural research experience.
Outcomes
• Outcome 1. Graduates will have an understanding of the scientific method, statistical methodology, and
ability to apply these to solving horticultural research problems
• Outcome 2. Graduates will be able to find, critically evaluate, and communicate, both orally and written;
plant science literature and the results of horticultural research.
• Outcome 3. Graduates will develop strong problem-solving and management skills related to research
and development
Measures
• Research proposal (outcome assessed, 1)
Timely (12-24 months) and successful completion of research proposal
• Dissertation (outcome assessed, 1)
Timely (36-48 months) and successful presentation (exit seminar) and defense of thesis.
• Presentations (outcome assessed, 2)
Presentations of research study in meetings: Scientific Meetings, Student Research Week, Industry, etc.
• Publications non-refereed (outcome assessed, 2)
Publications accepted in non-referred journals or magazines. Abstracts are included in this category.
• Publications refereed (outcome assessed, 2)
Publications in referred journals.
• Recognition (outcome assessed, 2)
Awards for presentations at scientific meetings, intercollegiate awards, departmental recognition.
• Employment (outcome assessed, 3)
At this point in the assessment this objective is to gather information to see what targets and actions plans
are feasible. One possibility is the target of 75% job placement upon graduation from the program.
Masters of Agriculture Learning Outcomes
The Masters of Agriculture degree program exists to provide an advanced education for students through teaching
and directed horticultural research experience- in the form of internships.
Outcomes
• Outcome 1. Graduates will have proper exposure and experience involving assessment of horticultural
problem solving. They should have understanding regarding scientific method, statistical methodology,
and experience solving horticultural problems as it relates to their specific field of horticulture.
plant science literature and the results of horticultural research and experiences as it relates to their
specific field in horticulture
• Outcome 3. Graduates will develop strong problem-solving and management skills related to industry,
research, horticultural experiences.
Measures
• Internship (outcome assessed, 1)
Completed Horticultural Internship
• Professional paper (outcome assessed, 1)
Student's completion of their professional paper regarding a critical analysis of their internship
opportunity and experience.
• Presentations (outcome assessed, 1, 2)
•
•
Section 3 Page 15
Presentation of internship responsibilities, experiences, learning targets to department
Publications (outcome assessed, 1, 2)
Publication in consumer magazine, extension newsletter, newspaper, etc.
Employment (outcome assessed, 1,3)
Employment in industry leadership position.
Masters of Science Learning Assessment Plan
The Masters of Science degree program exists to provide an advanced science-based education for students
through teaching and directed horticultural research experience.
Outcomes
• Outcome 1. Graduates will have an understanding of the scientific method, statistical methodology, and
ability to apply these to solving horticultural research problems
plant science literature and the results of horticultural research.
• Outcome 3. Graduates will develop strong problem-solving and management skills related to research
and development
Measures
• Research proposal (outcome assessed, 1)
Timely (12-18 months) and successful completion of research proposal
• Thesis (outcome assessed, 1)
Timely (24-36 months) and successful presentation (exit seminar) and defense of thesis.
• Presentations (outcome assessed, 2)
Presentations of research study in meetings: Scientific Meetings, Student Research Week, Industry, etc.
• Publications non-refereed (outcome assessed, 2)
Publications accepted in non-referred journals or magazines. Abstracts are included in this category.
• Publications refereed (outcome assessed, 2)
Publications in referred journals.
• Recognition (outcome assessed, 2)
Awards for presentations at scientific meetings, intercollegiate awards, departmental recognition.
• Continuation (outcome assessed, 2)
Number of graduates that go on to a Ph.D. program.
• Employment (outcome assessed, 3)
Employment in academic, industry research/education/leadership positions.
We recognize that we need to improve our assessment data collection and interpretation. To that end four
processes have been initiated to revise/refine our graduate program learning objectives. First, a series of graduate
faculty meetings have been initiated to revise our graduate program policy manuals and to bring them up to date
and in compliance with University and College. Second, after recognizing that we were having difficulty
accumulating key progress and achievement data on our graduate students, we put in place an annual review
system for each graduate student, a copy of which is included as Fig. 3.4.
Section 3 Page 16
Figure 3.4. Screen captures illustrating the graduate student annual evaluation form.
Third, we will support and ask our faculty and students to participate in a new series of evaluation instruments to
be administered upon completion of the final defense for their degrees that will capture additional information
needed for program assessment (Fig. 3.5). Fourth, we have conducted the current study to determine how our
program compares with its sister programs at other institutions and to determine what programmatic metrics are
being applied at other institutions. As these data become available, our intention is to form a new assessment
committee for the graduate program to recommend revisions to the learning outcomes and objectives in light of
what we have learned about our program and that of our peer institutions.
Section 3 Page 17
Figure 3.5. Graduate student performance assessment form to be used at final exam.
Demographics and Remuneration of Faculty in Graduate Horticulture Degree or Concentration Programs
Although departments were larger in land grant institutions than in non-land grant schools, the distribution of
faculty among ranks was similar at both types of institutions (Table 3.11). The one difference was a slightly
smaller proportion of professors at non-land grant schools and a bit greater proportion of lecturers, but these
differences were minor. The largest sector of faculty are the Professors, with Associate Professors constituting
the second largest proportion. The typical faculty consisted of 32.7 members at land grant schools, but was
smaller at non-land grant schools with an average of 21.2 members. Professorial rank faculty made up 95.4 % of
the faculty at land grant schools. Most of these faculty were at mid to late career stages (Professor and Associate
Professors). Early career stage faculty (Assistant Professors) consisted of only 18.3 to 18.9 % of the faculty at
land grant and non-land grant institutions, respectively. This suggests that the horticulture faculty is an aging
population. Our faculty at the Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural Sciences is even more senior
as we have no Assistant Professors in our on campus teaching/research positions, and only three extension
specialists and one off-campus researcher who are Assistant Professors. Presuming a level or increasing number
of positions in horticulture programs in the future, this would suggest that there would be an increase in the
demand for new Ph.D. students in the coming years as this aging population reaches retirement ages.
Section 3 Page 18
Table 3.11. Distribution of faculty by rank in North American land grant and non-land grant
universities which offer graduate programs in horticulture or emphasis in horticulture
within plant science graduate programs.
Rank:
Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Senior Lecturer
Lecturer
y
z
Land grant
(# / unit)
(% in unit)
15.9y
48.6z
9.0
27.5
6.3
18.3
1.0
3.1
0.5
1.5
______State / Province
(# / unit)
(% in unit)
9.3y
43.9z
6.3
28.3
4.0
18.9
0.8
3.8
0.8
3.8
Values within a column represent mean number of faculty at a given rank.
Values within a column represent mean percentage of the total unit’s faculty at a given rank.
Most (66.5%) of the faculty at land grant schools are still in full year (11/12 month) appointments, while slightly
more than half (54.3%) of faculty at non-land grant schools were in similar appointments. Most of the remaining
faculty (19.3% land grant, 32.5 % non-land grant) were in academic year (9/10 month) appointments with the
opportunity to obtain external summer funding. A small proportion of the faculty were in academic year
appointments with internal sources of summer funding, 4.0% for land grant schools and 13.2 % for non-land grant
programs. The remaining were on academic year appointments with no options for summer funding internally or
externally through the universities, 8.4% at land grant units and 9.3% at non-land grant programs.
One of the most surprising changes in salary structures from the 2005 survey (Arnold et al., 2005) to present is
that the salaries for senior faculty (Professors and Associate Professors) at non-land grant schools have gone from
trailing those of their land grant counter parts to surpassing them in the current survey (Table 3.12). Salaries at
the Assistant Professor level were similar at both types of institutions. Salaries for lecturers at non-land grant
schools lagged behind those of their land grant counterparts which was a similar situation as in the 2005 survey.
Table 3.12. Faculty salaries at surveyed 1862 land grant and state/provincial universities in units with
horticulture degree programs. All salaries were asked to be submitted at a full year 12
month basis for equal comparisons.
Rank:
Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Senior Lecturer
Lecturer
z
Means reported for land grants
Minimum Average Maximum
($/yr)
($/yr)
($/yr)
94,349 116,028z
158,430z
79,129
91,105
106,122
75,923
80,570
85,068
69,337
75,030
80,722
50,283
53,280
64,580
Means reported for state/provincial units
Minimum
Average
Minimum
($/yr)
($/yr)
($/yr)
109,196
117,426z
150,087z
87,344
94,460
108,213
75,158
80,030
87,496
46,079
46,079
46,079
18,135
26,458
33,750
Mean average and in particular mean maximum salaries are probably under estimated as several schools noted that
their data did not include unit head or other administrators salaries in their reported figures.
Salaries in the TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences on the whole are below the national averages
(compare Tables 3.13 and 3.12). The average salaries of the professors was slightly above that of professors at
peer institutions (both landgrants and sate/provincial institutions), but associate and assistant professors were both
below the peer average. Direct comparison of faculty compensation is complicated by the fact that some of our
faculty are on 10 month appointments and contribute two months salary from grants and contracts. The data we
report is only the budgeted salary exclusive of any supplement from grants or contracts. While we do have
faculty in lecturer positions, we have only one individual at each rank so those salaries cannot be reported without
Section 3 Page 19
listing the person’s salary. The national survey did not include an equivalent to the program specialist position, a
rank that is exclusive to some of our Texas A&M Agrilife Extension personnel.
Table 3.13. Budgeted faculty salaries for FY2013 in the Horticultural Sciences Department. Does not
include any additional salary paid for months 11-12 if on 10 month appointment.
Rank
Lowest ($/yr)
Highest ($/yr)
Average ($/yr)
Professor
86,173.00
170,001.00
126,358.15
Associate Professor
63,634.00
99,659.00
87,725.00
Assistant Professor
74,256.00
81,456.00
77,237.33
Program Specialist
40,378.00
70,380.00
55,043.25
The Department faces several challenges regarding faculty salaries: first is in light of essentially flat or decreasing
take-home pay for the past four years, how do we reward and retain top performers? Secondly, salary
compression is impacting several of the senior faculty. Both of these issues have the potential to seriously impact
morale and retention. The wide disparity in senior faculty salaries further contributes to these potential morale
issues. The threat of forced compression to fewer month appointments with subsequent loss of salary, as has
occurred in several of sister Departments in the College, further complicates the problem and would likely impact
the more senior faculty who were hired on mostly 12 month appointments more so than the less senior faculty
who have been increasingly hired on 9/10 month appointments over recent years. Another alarming trend is the
provision of salary increases as merit pay only, with the increases awarded as either “add to base” or “one time”
adjustments. A relatively high “one time” adjustment (as was provided to many of our high performing full
professors for FY2013) does not permanently alter the individual’s base salary since it is the equivalent of a onetime bonus. Over time, salaries erode as the cost of living increases.
Overall the TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences graduate program is similar to or slightly larger than
that of our peer institutions. Although internal support funds have drastically eroded over recent years, the
enrollment of Ph.D. students in the horticulture degree program remains strong and there is evidence to suggest
that there will be increasing demand for graduates in the future. Faculty have been successful at mentoring
quality students as evidenced by their awards and frequent placement in faculty positions soon after graduation.
4. OVERVIEW OF THE TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE HORTICULTURE PROGRAM
Extension Horticulture has been reduced in size during the last decade. Programmatically, the unit currently
consists of 45 professionals, including: 16 Extension Specialists/Program Specialists, 20 County Extension Agent
– Horticulture positions, an Extension Assistant, a Web Administrator, and 6 partially Extension-funded support
staff professionals.
Extension Horticulture Banner Programs
Small Acreage Horticultural Crop Outcome Program – Extension horticulturists with food and nursery crop
production expertise have combined efforts to create a Small Acreage Horticultural Crop Outcome Program for
implementation by CEAs. In 2009, a Website was established including 9 online training modules and 32 crop
guides/budgets. An outcome evaluation instrument was designed for use by CEAs and specialists. Webinars and
face-to-face educational events are conducted. Outcome evaluation data for educational events and online
materials are tabulated and stored in the Aggie Horticulture database and reported via the TExAS Reporting and
Strategic Plan System. Educational events with outcome evaluation metrics conducted include the Pecan and
Fruit Orchard Management Short Courses and the Nursery Management and Marketing Webinars.
Earth-Kind® Environmental Stewardship – Extension Horticulture specialists
continue to serve as educational and programmatic resources for CEAs by
adopting Earth-Kind® Environmental Stewardship as a unit-wide program.
Extension specialists and CEAs have developed and implemented Earth-Kind®
outcome plans to obtain program impacts measuring knowledge gained, intent to
adopt practices, and anticipated economic impacts. Evaluation data are stored in a
database within the Aggie Horticulture Website and reported via the TExAS
Reporting System. Earth-Kind programs include multiple Earth-Kind landscape
workshops during 2013, an Earth-Kind short course held in College Station in
December, 2012, and the delivery of Earth-Kind training materials and publications through Aggie Horticulture.
Junior Master Gardener® (JMG) Program – Created, trademarked, and administered within the Department, this
international youth gardening 4-H program enrolls more than 200,000 Texas children annually (representing 1/5
of Texas 4-H annual enrollment) through over 300 registered groups. The program continues to expand with JMG
groups in all 50 states; 36 land-grant universities are registered/licensed JMG program partners; and 10 foreign
countries, from Guatemala, Honduras, to South Korea, have JMG programs. Much focus in 2013 will be toward
activities associated with the $5 million USDA-AFRI grant secured by an interdisciplinary team led by Judy
Warren and Lisa Whittlesey. The title of the grant is "Using Family Focused Garden, Nutrition and Physical
Activity Programs to Reduce Childhood Obesity."
Texas Master Gardener™ Program – The Texas program continues to be the largest Master Gardener program in
the nation with over 5,164 Master Gardeners contributing over 454,942 hours of volunteer service. This service
equates to 112 full-time employees and an economic benefit of $10.5 million to the citizens of Texas. In 2013, a
new volunteer reporting system will be implemented to more accurately document the service of the Master
Gardeners.
Aggie Horticulture® Website – Aggie-Horticulture.tamu.edu remains the most
accessed Website in Texas A&M AgriLife, serving over 6 million unique visitors, 9.7
million user sessions, and 39.4 million page views for the time period of January 1,
2012 – December 31, 2012. Much time, effort, and expertise is required to actively
manage and continually update the site. Aggie Horticulture contains over 100,000
documents providing Internet access to every topic in the art and science of
horticulture. Of the 171 Websites reporting to the Texas AgriLife Extension Web
Stats database system, Aggie Horticulture served 58% of the total pages viewed and
57% of the total unique visitors of AgriLife Extension Websites during the past fiscal
year. According to the Alexa Traffic Rankings, for the past 6 months, Aggie Horticulture is the 3rd most active
Website in the tamu.edu domain serving 68.7% of all traffic across websites in the domain. Aggie Horticulture is
Section 4 Page 2
also the number two Website under the category of Horticulture (out of 679 sites) and the number ten Website in
the overarching category of Agriculture (out of 3378 sites) worldwide, according to Alexa Traffic Ranking.
Commercial Horticulture Outreach – Extension Horticulture educational programs and applied research serve
horticultural food crop production and the green industries. Regularly scheduled educational events include the
Pecan Orchard Management Short Course, Better Process Control School, Great Vineyards Program, Pierce’s
Disease Symposium, and High Plains Vegetable Conference.
Significant Individual Accomplishments for 2012
Bill Welch published 12 articles in the Texas issue of Southern Living Magazine (600,000 readership) as well as
one article (August) for the entire Southern Living readership which is about 7 million readers. He also published
Heirloom Gardening in the South, 7000 copies, and completed a new edition of Perennial Garden Color, 50,000
copies.
Lisa Whittlesey led the Junior Master Gardener program in working with academic, community,
and governmental partners to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate two Extension-developed
interventions for 3rd graders: 1) the Junior Master Gardener (JMG) curriculum, and 2) Walk Across Texas
(WAT). The research was organized as a group-randomized factorial design with four conditions: Coordinated
School Health (CSH) alone, CSH with JMG, CSH with WAT, and CSH with both JMG and WAT). Initial pilot
testing for the research project was conducted during the fall and spring of 2011-12 at Evans Elementary in
Corpus Christi, TX. The pilot study results indicate that an increase in fruit and vegetable intake, decrease in
sugar sweetened beverages, increased gardening activities with families at home, and ability to reduce the number
of children classified as overweight or obese was due to the JMG and WAT curriculum.
Juan Anciso’s most significant accomplishment in 2012 was being a grants review panel member for the USDASCRI grants in Washington D.C. The grants panel consists of 15 individuals mainly researchers from various
universities and some horticulture industry participants. However, he was the only full-time Extension
representative on this grants panel that reviews multi-million dollar grants.
Russ Wallace’s accomplishments for 2012 included two manuscripts published from his efforts with a Specialty
Crops Research Initiative grant and a multi-state high tunnel project; one in HortScience, Deterioration of
potentially biodegradable alternatives to black plastic mulch in three tomato production regions and another in
HortTechnology; Lettuce yield and quality when grown in high tunnel and open-field production systems under
three diverse climates. The HortTechnology manuscript was also selected by ASHS for publication as a ‘press
release’ on their website.
In 2012 a team of viticulturists created the first ever Grape Spray Guide for Texas vineyards. This publication is
available online and is now established as the leading go-to resource for grape growers of all regions in
Texas. The Texas Grape Spray Guide will be updated and revised annually to include new products and research
based recommendations. Fritz Westover’s role in this publication was to create the format, contribute content and
organize the team input.
Mengmeng Gu worked with agents and provided Earth-Kind training in 6 counties to MG’s and landscape
professionals. She started a week-long Earth-Kind Landscape Short Course engaging Hort agents and faculty
from 6 departments. These face-to-face presentations resulted in 1,646 contact hours to 515 clienteles.
Jayla Fry coordinates The Texas Master Gardener program; in 2011, there were 5,164 volunteers serving from
100 counties who provided 454,942 hours educational services or the equivalent of 112 people. The economic
impact Master Gardeners provide the people of Texas is over 9 million dollars.
Steve George’s meetings with the Paris ISD Superintendent of Schools and other key school personnel, plus
taking them on tours of an Earth-Kind display garden and an Earth-Kind Rose field trial, convinced officials to
Section 4 Page 3
formally adopt the Earth-Kind Environmental Landscape Management approach campus-wide at their new $50
million dollar Paris High School.
Ed Hellman was selected to present an oral paper to the Ninth International Congress of Viticultural Terroirs held
in Dijon and Reims, France on 25-29 June, 2012. Hellman presented the paper “An Internet-Based GIS
Application for Vineyard Site Assessment in the U.S. and Matching Grape Variety to Site” to an audience of 240
scientists from 22 countries.
Joe Masabni indicated that Extension and refereed publications were his most significant accomplishment for
2012. He submitted 12 new extension publications and one refereed journal article for publication in
WeedTechnology. His Extension publications have been very popular and online downloading ranged between 69
and 732 per publication, with a total of 5,523 downloads in 2012. In addition, sales of 4 fee-based publications
have generated a total of $4,640 in revenue.
Monte Nesbitt served as local coordinator for a new state-wide fruit production conference, with an attendance of
94. This fee-based program generated $7,935 in gross revenue ($1041.65 to cost recovery). Percentage gain in
knowledge of participants ranged from 32% to 53% among six subject areas, with an average improvement of
41%. Based on participant’s economic rating of the program, the Texas Fruit & Nut Conference provided a
collective savings of at least $28,625 dollars to 57 people.
Al Wagner tested, evaluated and provided “process authority” letters on 332 food products submitted by 81
different companies. This saved these Texas companies close to $500,000 over having to go to a company that
specializes in this type of work.
In conjunction with colleagues, Jim Kamas co-authored and edited a practical Pierce's disease management guide
entitled Pierce's Disease Overview & Management Guide: A Resource for Grape Growers in Texas and Other
Eastern U.S. Growing Regions. This resource is the culmination of ten years of applied research and serves as a
major resource in the management of this disease in grape growing regions east of the Rocky Mountains.
Larry Stein organized and coordinated the International Spinach Conference in 2012. He did this previously in
2000, 2004 and 2008. There were 75 participants from 3 countries and 10 states. This work has helped baby
spinach acres in Texas increase from 0 acres in 2010, 30 acres in 2011 to over 450 acres in 2012. Price for baby
spinach leaf spinach is 90 cents/lb. versus 15 cents for curly spinach.
5. FACULTY PROFILE AND SCHOLARLY PRODUCTIVITY
The Department of Horticultural Sciences faculty is organized according to the “typical landgrant” model. The
faculty as a whole executes the combined teaching, research, extension/outreach missions, but individual faculty
may have differing responsibilities depending on their appointment. Funding for salaries comes from Texas
A&M University, Texas A&M Agrilife Research (known as the “experiment station” at many institutions), and
the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service (known as cooperative extension at many institutions). Most oncampus faculty have joint appointments between Texas A&M University and Texas Agrilife Research, but none
of the faculty at off campus research and extension centers has a joint appointment with Texas A&M University.
Joint appointments with the Texas A&M Agrilife
Extension Service and TAMU or Texas A&M
Agrilife Research are uncommon at present, but
may be more likely in the future as per Directors
Steele and Nessler.
Faculty are located geographically on-campus in
College Station or at off-campus research and
extension centers (Dallas, Overton, Weslaco,
Uvalde, El Paso, and Lubbock; and at the Gillespie
County Extension office in Fredericksburg).
Location of scientists throughout the state intends
to address the needs of the horticultural industry for
region-appropriate research and Extension
activities and to provide research support facilities
for faculty, staff and students as they conduct
research appropriate to the diverse cropping
systems of the different horticultural regions in the
state.
Because the focus of this self-study is the academic
program of the Department of Horticultural
Sciences, many of the metrics and much of the discussion will deal with the on-campus teaching/research faculty.
These faculty have their administrative location (adloc) in Horticultural Sciences and they report their scholarly
accomplishments and are evaluated annually within that unit.
Evaluation, Promotion, and Retention of Faculty
Faculty performance appraisals are conducted annually with the unit head or program leader taking the lead role.
In the case of on-campus teaching and teaching/research faculty, this appraisal is done during December of every
year. The faculty member submits a portfolio of documents including an up to date position description, an
annual achievement report, a cumulative CV, a plan of work for the coming year, and an impact statement. About
a week after these documents are submitted, the faculty member and the department head have a face-to-face
meeting to discuss accomplishments for the current year and plans for the upcoming year. The department head
prepares a written document outlining his evaluation, including a space for a written faculty response, and the
evaluation is complete when both sign the document.
Annual evaluations of off-campus faculty appointed through Texas A&M Agrilife Research are initiated by the
resident director of the Agrilife Research Center where their adloc resides. The documents prepared are very
similar to those described for teaching/research faculty, but minor variations occur as deemed necessary by the
resident directors. The annual face-to-face evaluation session usually involves the resident director and the
department head of the disciplinary department with which the faculty member is associated.
Annual evaluations of on-campus and off-campus faculty with Extension appointments are the same within each
department since the adloc of Extension specialists resides in the academic department. The process in
Horticultural Sciences is led by the Program Leader & Associate Department Head for Extension. An annual
Section 5 Page 2
accomplishments form is completed by the faculty member, the associate head writes an evaluation response, and
a face-to-face evaluation session with the faculty member, the associate head, and the department head present is
held.
Faculty with budgeted appointments with Texas A&M University (>25% on 12 month basis, >33% on 9 month
basis) are eligible for professorial rank and tenure. Faculty appointed with Texas A&M Agrilife Research and
the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service are eligible for professorial rank, but are not on a tenure track.
A detailed description of the departmental promotion and tenure policy accompanies this document as Appendix
5.1. The promotion and tenure policy provides a detailed explanation of eligibility for ranks and tenure,
professional expectations of different ranks, expectations to be met prior to the awarding of tenure, composition
of the promotion and tenure committee, and the process for post-tenure review. Non-tenured faculty on the tenure
track are evaluated during their third year in a process analogous to the tenure review and are provided with
extensive feedback to aid them in the process of preparing for tenure review. Junior faculty have an appointed
mentoring committee to provide peer-based feedback at each stage in their professional development.
The voting members of the Horticultural Sciences faculty (all professorial titles that don’t have an adjective
modifier, ex., research assistant professor) participate in and vote on all modifications of the promotion and tenure
policy. The Promotion and Tenure Committee for the department includes all full professors, and the entire
committee votes on recommendations for promotion. The entire committee votes on all considerations of
promotion and tenure, but the votes of tenured and non-tenured members are recorded separately. According to
Texas A&M University regulations, only tenure track faculty can vote on considerations of the awarding of tenure.
Table 5.1 (next page) lists the faculty associated with Horticultural Sciences including those faculty whose adloc
is assigned to the Department (teaching, teaching/research, Extension) as well as those who are adloced to Texas
Agrilife Research centers whose professorial rank process is assigned to the Department because of their
discipline. Appointments are approximate and may vary slightly from year to year depending on budgetary issues.
Many of the off-campus research faculty, and some Extension specialists, are approved members of our graduate
faculty and may co-advise and/or serve on graduate committees.
Section 5 Page 3
Table 5.1 Faculty with teaching, research and Extension appointments in the Texas A&M Horticulture
Program.
On-campus teaching FTE, 11.76; on-campus research FTE, 8.83; off-campus research FTE, 6.0; extension FTE, 11.72
NAME
RANK
APPOINTMENT (%T/%R/%E)
GRAD FACULTY STATUS
Lineberger, R D
Arnold, Michael A
Byrne, David H
Cisneros-Zevallos, Luis
Cobb, B G
Crosby, Kevin M
Davies, Frederick T
Hall, Charles R
Kent, Matthew W
Klein, Patricia E
Koiwa, Hisashi
Lombardini, Leonardo
McEachern, George R
McKinley, William
Miller, Julian C
Patil, Bhimanagouda S
Pierson, Elizabeth A
Reed, David
Starman, Terri W
Volder, Astrid
Zajicek, Jayne M
Cabrera, Raul
Jifon, John
Leskovar, Daniel
Niu, Genhua
Pemberton, Brent
Wang, Xinwang
Stein, Larry
Anciso, Juan
Kamas, Jim
George, Steve
Gu, Mengmeng
Hellman, Ed
Masabni, Joe
Wagner, Al
Wallace, Russell
Welch, Bill
Davis, Tim D
professor & head
professor & associate head
professor
100% Admin (T / R / E, 33% each)
50% T / 25% R / 25% Admin
50% T / 50% R
Member
Member
Member
associate professor
associate professor
associate professor
professor
professor
55% T / 45% R
55% T / 45% R
80% T / 20% R
50% T / 50% R
35% T / 45% R / 20% E
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
assistant lecturer
associate professor
associate professor
associate professor
100% Teaching
25% T / 75% R
45% T / 55% R
60% T / 40% R
Member
Member
Member
professor
senior lecturer
professor
professor & director, VFIC
associate professor
100% Teaching (retired/half time)
100% Teaching
20% T / 80% R (retired/half time)
35% T / 65% R
50% T / 50% R
Member
professor
professor
associate professor
professor
associate professor
50% Teaching/50% Admin
60% T / 40% R
45% T / 55% R
100% Teaching
100% Research
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
associate professor
professor & director, Uvalde
associate professor
professor
assistant professor
100% Research
50% Research/50% Admin
100% Research
100% Research
100% Research
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
professor & associate head
associate professor
assistant professor
professor
assistant professor
50% Extension/50% Admin
100% Extension
100% Extension
100% Extension
100% Extension
Member
professor
assistant professor
professor
associate professor
75% Extension/25% TTU Research
100% Extension
100% Extension (retired/half time)
75% Extension/25% Research
professor
professor
professor & director, Texas
Agrilife Research
100% Extension (retired/half time)
80% Borlaug/20% Teaching
Nessler, Craig
100% Admin
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Section 5 Page 4
Faculty Research Productivity
Departmental faculty are evaluated annually on the basis of teaching, research, and outreach productivity, both
individually and as a group. Quantitative data are collected on a variety of factors believed to be indicators of
productivity. These data are reviewed annually by the Deans and Directors and feedback is given to unit
administrators with the goal of continuous improvement.
Horticultural Sciences faculty pursue extramural funding aggressively to drive their research and graduate
programs, and to support their plant breeding and variety release efforts (Table 5.2). They and their students
publish an average of almost 4 refereed publications per year in journals appropriate to their subdisciplines and
research specialties and they attend national and international conferences as contributing and invited speakers to
Table 5.2. Research metrics for teaching and research faculty administratively located in Horticultural Sciences by
year. The reported metrics are based on 18 faculty.
Publications
Refereed Technical Articles
Books Edited
Book Chapters Authored /Co-Authored
Non-Refereed Tech Publications
Published Abstracts
Published Conf. Proc
Published Tech. Reports
Grants or Contract Reports
Other (please list)
Variety Release Pub
Trade Journal
Newsletter
Grants and Contracts
Number of Grant Proposals Submitted
Federal Competitive Funding Received
Commodity or Industry Funding Rec.
Other External Funding Received
State/Federal Initiative Funding Rec.
Indirect Cost Returned to Unit
Other (please list)
TOP - TAMU
State Competitive
Royalties
Foundation Transfers
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
70
6
9
7
59
10
66
2
2
3
59
22
2
20
57
4
7
3
46
24
6
23
60
15
12
8
46
21
16
18
62
5
13
9
69
27
4
27
2
1
15
1
17
2
1
1
1
1
63
600,989
621,990
160,875
1,003,365
92,294
70
436,592
415,860
117,626
1,491,643
57,718
-
78
794,971
287,866
200,613
1,237,052
85,268
13,000
71
910,645
480,269
45,001
1,481,720
24,372
86
975,125
503,777
196,374
2,021,300
24,766
66,895
60,000
48,000
85,572
120,000
23
33,000
121,079
145,572
105,000
113,726
2
100,000
present their research to their peers. Research funding is derived from a number of federal, state, and industry
sources and grants yielding indirect cost returns have increased dramatically since 2008. The Vegetable and Fruit
Improvement Center had been funded for over a decade on a federal earmark, but the discontinuation of federal
earmarks two years ago has raised considerable concern for the future funding of this Center. Further concern for
future funding has been raised by uncertainties in the federal budget, specifically, the delay in funding for the
Farm Bill since the Specialty Crops Research Initiative (SCRI) funds are bound to the Farm Bill.
Section 5 Page 5
Use of Academic Analytics to Document Scholarly Productivity
We are challenged by College and University administration to document our scholarly productivity in
comparison with our peers at other institutions. One tool to obtain comparative documentation is the Academic
Analytics® database, a metadata warehouse that collects information about the publications, citations, grants,
professional awards, and other indicators of faculty research productivity (http://academicanalytics.com).
The Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences was ranked 5th in overall faculty scholarly productivity
according in the 2009 Academic Analytics® data, 3rd in the 2010 database, and 5th in the recently released 2011
data when compared to the landgrant horticultural programs nationally (Table 5.3). However, since the 2011
dataset incorrectly lists our senior lecturer, we will have to re-run the data once that correction is made. It is our
understanding that the dataset is to be restricted to tenure-track faculty.
Table 5.3. Ranking of landgrant horticulture programs in the 23 peer institutions in the Academic Analytics database (2009,
2010, and 2011 data).
DATABASE
YEAR
RANK
2009
2010
2011
5
3
5
HORTICULTURE PROGRAM
# FACULTY
FSPI
15
18
19
0.9
1.3
0.9
The faculty scholarly productivity index (FSPI) is a weighted algorithm calculated from the following parameters:
1. Books variables; (percentage of faculty who have authored a book, books published per faculty
member)
2. Journal publication variables; (percentage of faculty who have authored a journal article, journal articles
published per faculty member)
3. Conference proceedings variables; (percentage of faculty who have authored a conference proceeding,
conference proceedings published per faculty member)
4. Citations variables; (percentage of faculty for whom at least one published journal article has been cited
at least once, citations per faculty member, citations per journal article)
5. Federal funding variables; (percentage of faculty who have won new and competitive federal research
funding, grants per faculty member, grant dollars won per faculty member, dollars per grant)
6. Honorific awards variables; (percentage of faculty who have won an honorific award, honorific awards
per faculty member)
http://academicanalytics.com/Portal/Documents/2010_Methodology_11_19_12.pdf
Academic Analytics® graphically presents the data categories that are included in the FSPI as a “flower diagram”
in which the radius of the “petals” indicate the group’s performance relative to the national mean. In 2009, our
faculty scored lower than the national mean on parameters related federal grant funding, but above the mean in
other areas of productivity including publications, citations and awards (Fig. 5.2).
Section 5 Page 6
Figures 5.2. Performance of TAMU Horticultural Sciences faculty (radii) compared to the national mean
(inner filled circle) on 22 indicators of scholarly productivity in the 2009 Academic Analytics®
database.
More recently, our faculty performed substantially above the national mean on all but one indicator of
productivity (number of faculty with an article in the 2010 data (Fig. 5.3), and total number of grants in the 2011
data (Fig. 5.4).
Section 5 Page 7
Figures 5.3, 5.4. Performance of TAMU Horticultural Sciences faculty (radii) compared to the national
mean (inner filled circle) on 22 indicators of scholarly productivity in the 2010 and 2011
Academic Analytics® databases.
Section 5 Page 8
We recognize that the Academic Analytics® data do not evaluate the entire breadth of the duties our faculty
perform, nor do they even address many of the research metrics we report to our administration (industry or
commodity funding, for example; teaching related activities). However, use of Academic Analytics® is valuable
as one measure, because it allows comparing ourselves to our peers according to a common yardstick using data
accumulated by a nonbiased source.
Faculty Teaching Workload
Faculty workloads are reported annually by the Office of Data and Research Services (DARS). Workload is
reported as SCH (student credit hours) and WSCH (weighted student credit hours; a number that accounts for the
level of the course, the CIP code of the course, and the level of the students taking the course; a Ph.D. student
taking a 6xx level course has a much higher weighting that a freshman taking a 1xx course, for example). Reports
are available that compute these data in such fine detail that one can determine the dollars generated per FTE per
semester, but that level of cost accounting is beyond the scope and purpose of the self-study.
Faculty workloads over time, and compared to other departments, provides useful information for examining
general enrollment trends, and general trends in faculty workloads.
During the period of FY2009 – 2012, SCH per FTE increased in undergraduate courses and Masters level
instruction, but remained very steady (and comparatively low) in courses at the Ph.D. level (Table 5.4).
Maintaining SCH during a period in which the teaching budget was reduced by over 15% took the cooperation of
many faculty in the department who were willing to assume an additional teaching load. In 2012, Dr. Joe
Novak’s position was lost due to the severe budget cut. During the preceding year (FY2011), he had a heavy
teaching load at the 300 level and in fact, his teaching load alone accounted for over 20% of the departmental
SCH. His courses were assigned to other faculty.
Additionally, Casey Krueger’s position was lost in FY2012 and he also taught several 3xx and 4xx courses, albeit
their enrollment was a fraction of those taught by Dr. Novak. Only one of Mr. Krueger’s courses has been
transferred to another faculty member. These observations explain the increase in SCH per FTE at the
undergraduate level.
Table 5.4 Student Credit Hours (SCH) per faculty FTE by fiscal year.
FY 2009
FY 2010
FY 2011
FY 2012
Lower Div
457
491
521
496
Upper Div
255
260
267
299
UG Total
291
314
325
348
MS
42
31
40
55
PhD
39
36
42
40
*Total
163
174
178
212
*SCH per faculty FTE is computed by dividing the SCH generated at a certain level by the faculty FTE at the same
level. The FTE of faculty and GATs who are not teaching are excluded in the calculation by level but are included
in the Total column.
STAR reports at: http://dars.tamu.edu/Data-and-Reports/Faculty#workload
The Horticultural Sciences faculty rank at about the midpoint in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in
terms of SCH per FTE according to College data (Fig. 5.5). Seven departments teach more SCH/FTE and six
teach less.
Section 5 Page 9
Figure 5.5. Annual student credit hours taught per teaching FTE by department in the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2008-2012. Data from College reports.
Weighted student credit hours data (WSCH) takes into account the level of the course as well as the level of the
students taking the courses. WSCH were lower in 2012 than they were in 2008 in all categories except hours at
the Masters level (Table 5.5). We have noticed decreased enrollments in several of our larger undergraduate
courses, and much of the difference may be accounted for the drop in WSCH at the PhD level since that number
depends so heavily on course enrollment of doctoral students. Since the number of doctoral students in the
department is the same in 2012 as it was in 2008 (Table 3.3), these students may be taking fewer courses in the
department (or fewer graduate students in other departments are taking our upper level courses), either of which
could account for the lower WSCH.
Section 5 Page 10
Table 5.5. Horticultural Sciences Weighted Student Credit Hours Taught by Year
Lower Div
Upper Div
MS
PhD
Total
FY 2008
7656
10405
2117
4848
25028
FY 2009
6222
8555
2239
4478
21493
FY 2010
6041
8817
2123
2926
19908
FY 2011
6069
8133
3132
3011
20346
FY 2012
6328
9069
2522
3503
21605
Faculty Collaborations
Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center
The Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center (VFIC) conducts research to improve human health and reduce risk
from chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The interdisciplinary center works in
partnership with producers, processors, grocery chains, and seed companies to promote increased consumption of
fruits and vegetables, and to develop quality fruit, vegetable, and nut varieties with enhanced health and
nutritional benefits in an efficient, economical and environmentally sound system. The goal of the VFIC is to
provide solutions, through the development of new technologies and plant varieties, for producing quality
vegetable and fruit products. VFIC scientists have contributed to the Texas economy in multiple ways, including
releasing new varieties of pepper, melon, onion, carrot, tomato, peach and plum. In addition, VFIC research on
the health benefits of juice consumption has helped increase Texas citrus juice sales to Japan. In 2004, there was
only one buyer from Japan but now there are seven buyers with approximately $6.5 million in sales of juice from
Texas to Japan. VFIC scientists isolated 56 novel bioactive compounds from fruits and vegetables; these
compounds have potential research value to several researchers across the state and nation.
Under the leadership of Dr. Bhimu Patil, VFIC scientists have secured approximately $14.9 million in grants
including NIH, NSF, TDA-TIE, USDA-Challenge grants, DOE and USDA-Special grants. The interdisciplinary
center has 21 scientists with diverse research expertise ranging from plant breeding, natural product chemistry,
biochemistry, education, economics, postharvest physiology, physiological genetics, plant secondary metabolites,
nutrition, medical science, and cropping systems. VFIC scientists have contributed a wealth of information to the
scientific literature, including 255 peer-reviewed publications, 5 books, 28 editor reviewed publications and 349
invited presentations. The VFIC also hosted one national conference and two international symposia in College
Station, Houston and South Padre Island. Always a priority for VFIC scientists, teaching and graduate advising
has resulted in 42 graduate students (28 PhD and 14 MS) completing their degrees and 121 undergraduate
students receiving hands-on training in lab techniques. Following completion of their degrees, 98% of graduate
students are employed.
Benz Endowed Floral Design Program
Established at the bequest of floral design innovator M. “Buddy” Benz, the Benz Endowed Chair and School of
Floral Design is a multifaceted program which includes the academic Bachelor of Arts program in floral
design/event planning, the Benz Gallery of Floral Art and the Benz School of Floral Design, which offers a
variety of basic and advanced courses for floral designers. The Chair holder is Mr. Bill McKinley, worldrenowned designer and floral educator. The Benz Program has an international impact, collaborating with
designers in Europe, Australia, Canada and Mexico and established a branch program in South Korea in 2007,
The Benz School-Korea. The Benz School-Korea program has grown significantly and will begin its third
sequence of teacher training in August 2013. Mr. McKinley’s collaborations with industry organizations spans
many years and includes multi-phased online educational programs as well as state and national certification
programs.
Section 5 Page 11
Ellison International Chair in Floriculture
The mission of the Ellison Chair in International Floriculture is to advance the health and vitality of the
floriculture industry on a national and international scope through exemplary academic leadership, cutting edge
applied research, innovative extension outreach programs, and by mentoring well-educated, impassioned leaders
to support the future of floriculture. During the past 5 years, Chairholder Dr. Charles Hall obtained $1.1 million
in grant funds, including collaborations with 48 scientists on 19 funded grant projects and authored or co-authored
31 refereed journal articles, 42 industry trade publications, 8 refereed proceedings, 9 professional paper
presentations, and 140 national and international invited presentations at industry-related venues. In addition to
teaching undergraduate courses, the Chair has supervised 6 Master’s and 4 PhD students, and teaches a course
annually in the joint TAMU-UVG Master’s program in Guatemala. The Ellison Chair has high visibility on the
national scene, serving on 12 industry boards. Since 2007 the Chair has been conferred with 5 national awards in
recognition of outstanding service to the green industry.
Basye Endowed Chair in Rose Breeding
Established through the generosity of Dr. Robert Basye to further his passion to develop roses resistant to the
blackspot disease, the mission of the Basye Chair in Rose Breeding has expanded to include the evaluation and
release of the Moore Roses, a collection of patented varieties and over 350 unreleased selections donated by
Ralph Moore in 2008. Under the leadership of Basye Chair Dr. David Byrne, this program has obtained nearly
$400,000 in external funding in the last five years, contributed to the scientific literature in rose and peach
genetics, and mentored graduate students. The impact and scope of the program will increase as the funding
generated by the revenues from variety releases begins to be realized.
Junior Master Gardener® (JMG) Program – Created, trademarked, and administered within the Department,
this international youth gardening 4-H program enrolls more than 200,000 Texas children annually (representing
1/5 of Texas 4-H annual enrollment) through over 300 registered groups. The program continues to expand with
JMG groups in all 50 states; 36 land-grant universities are registered/licensed JMG program partners; and 10
foreign countries, from Guatemala, Honduras, to South Korea, have JMG programs. In 2009, through a
partnership with Texas A&M Texas AgriLife Extension horticulture staff with the Junior Master Gardener (JMG)
program, Dr. Lombardini (HORT) and Dr. Wingebach (ALEC) received federal funding (Higher Education
Challenge Grant) for $147,000 to train TAMU undergraduate and graduate students to conduct experiential
learning activities by using the JMG curricula to teach children in Latin American countries. The current focus of
JMG is toward activities associated with the $5 million USDA-AFRI grant secured by an interdisciplinary team
led by Judy Warren and Lisa Whittlesey titled "Using Family Focused Garden, Nutrition and Physical Activity
Programs to Reduce Childhood Obesity."
Potato Breeding and Variety Development Program
Fourteen improved varieties have been developed/co-developed and/or released from the Texas Potato Breeding
and Variety Development Program. Virtually all of the russet potatoes grown in Texas in 2012 were the improved
Texas Russet Norkotah strains. When this program was initiated in 1973, the average yield of the summer crop in
Texas was about 200 Cwt/A. In 2009 the average yield in Texas was reported to be 460 Cwt/A, the highest in
the nation among 11 states with summer crop production. In addition, the farm gate value of the crop has grown
from less than $20 million to about $100 million with an annual economic impact to the state estimated to exceed
$300 million. Of all varieties released over the past 15 years by the 12 potato breeding programs in the U.S.,
those developed by the Southwest Project, which includes the Texas and Colorado breeding programs, rank
second nationally in total acreage approved for seed certification in 2010 . In 2010, the three Texas Russet
Norkotah selections (TXNS112, TXNS278, and TXNS296) collectively ranked fourth among the top 50 US
varieties in acres accepted for seed certification, behind only Russet Burbank, Frito Lay varieties, and Ranger
Russet. Varieties from the program have brought in some $3 million in royalties to the Texas A&M University
System.
The Texas Superstars® Program
The Texas Superstars® Program is a joint effort among Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension, Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas green industry to promote the use of better regionally-
Section 5 Page 12
adapted plants to minimize the resources required to produce, establish plants in regional landscapes, and to
maintain plants as valuable components of aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable landscapes. A
concomitant effort of this group is to assist the green industry in developing new plant products to provide
consumers sustainable choices for Texas’ regional landscapes. This goal is in part met by promoting in a
coordinated fashion plants proven in research trials to provide excellent aesthetic effects with minimal inputs as
Texas Superstar® plants. These new or underutilized plants may originate from sources outside the Texas A&M
AgriLife system or may be plants selected or bred by programs within the Texas A&M AgriLife system. These
trials are often conducted with involvement from undergraduate and graduate students, Master Gardeners, or other
volunteer groups as well as faculty and staff in the Texas A&M AgriLife system. Promotional efforts are done in
collaboration with the Texas Department of Agriculture and involve numerous media and the statewide
horticulture agent group as well as our industry partners. Funding is primarily through the use of tag revenues,
licensing and grants.
Pecan Physiology and USDA Pecan Breeding Cooperation
Under the leadership of Dr. Lombardini, the pecan research program involves collaborations with USDA-ARS as
well as New Mexico State University and UC Davis. In 2009, this program received SCRI (Co-PI’s: Drs.
Lombardini and Volder) funding to study the effects of nitrogen application rates on above- and belowground
production of pecan seedlings. This research will shed light on various aspects of pecan root development as well
as will likely lead to revised nitrogen application recommendations that can save significant amounts of money as
well as reduce environmental impacts. The scientists at the USDA-ARS are excellent cooperators and their
facilities are a tremendous resource for graduate students’ research and are frequent destination for field trips for
undergraduate courses. Dr. Grauke, Research Horticulturist & Curator of the USDA-ARS Pecan Breeding, has
served on one Ph.D. student’s committee, chaired by Dr. Lombardini, and the collaboration has generated three
refereed publications and five presentations at professional meetings. The collaboration between Dr. Lombardini
and Dr. Grauke is ongoing and the two are currently Co-conveners of the 1st International Symposium on Pecans
and Other Carya in Indigenous and Managed Systems, which is scheduled for summer 2013.
Pecan Physiology and AgriLife Extension
The pecan research program benefits from its strong partnership with Mr. Monte Nesbitt (AgriLife Extension).
Lombardini and Nesbit have joint research projects and frequently advise students and growers on pecan
cultivation and other issues. In 2011, their collaboration with Dr. Pegg at the University of Georgia and Dr.
Cisneros-Zevallos (Texas A&M Horticultural Sciences), developed into a funded SCRI grant which will provide
funding for five years “to increase the long-term competitiveness of U.S. pecans based on their nutritional and
health promoting components.”
Horticultural Biotechnology - Biofuels
The focus of the multi-disciplinary biofuels research team is to develop new sources of biofuel feedstocks for the
emerging bioenergy market. This group has been developing sweet sorghum and high biomass cellulosic energy
sorghum as dedicated bioenergy crops for the past 5 years. More recently the group is exploring intergeneric
hybridization between sorghum and sugarcane that would allow for rapid and efficient introgression of traits from
both sorghum and sugarcane into a new hybrid crop for ethanol production. The sorghum breeding and genomics
team members from Horticulture, Soil and Crop Sciences and Biochemistry have developed first generation sweet
sorghum hybrids that are now being grown in Brazil to extend the sugarcane milling season. Additionally the first
cellulosic energy sorghum hybrids developed by the group are being sold under the Blade® Energy Crops brand
by Ceres, Inc. This research team has secured more than $23.6M in external grants from NSF, USDA, DOE and
industry sources since 2000. The Sorghum Bioenergy Breeding and Genomics Team received the inaugural 2012
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Interdisciplinary Research.
Horticultural Biotechnology – Stress Physiology The abiotic stress physiology (Dr. Koiwa) focuses on
understanding plant responses to various osmotic stresses, such as cold, drought, heat, and salinity, as well as
responses to nutrition deficiency. The gene expression sub-discipline established collaboration with Dr.
Fukuhara's group in Japan, and Dr. Zhu's lab at the University of Maryland. Protein modification sub-discipline
established collaboration with Dr. Fujiyama in Japan and Dr. von Schaewen in Germany. In the last five years,
Section 5 Page 13
Dr. Koiwa's group obtained nearly $1 million for federal research grants as PI (about $600,000 were allocated to
TAMU), and authored and co-authored 20 refereed articles.
Environmental Physiology
In collaboration with the departments of Soil and Crop Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Atmospheric
Sciences as well as the Houston Texas A&M AgriLife Horticultural Extension service a thriving green roof
research program has been developed that combines aspects of controlled green roof research (individual test
plots on Langford building, funded by a $10,000 grant from the College of Architecture), in situ green roof
research (Houston, in-kind industry funding) and experiential learning for undergraduate students (new green roof
and wall built on Langford building, funded by a $300,000 grant from TAMU Dean of Faculties). The
experiential learning project started in summer 2012 and has trained 35 undergraduate research students, attracted
150 undergraduate visitors, and generated two popular press articles, two student research presentations and a
well visited student blog so far. All these research sites are fully instrumented to test for impacts of green roofs on
the microclimate as well as effects of green roofs on runoff quantity and quality. Additional urban environmental
collaborations include testing the effect of pavement on urban tree physiology (in conjunction with the department
of Ecosystem Science and Management, supported by funding from the Texas A&M Forest service), as well as
selecting drought tolerant genotypes of live oak and other urban trees for breeding purposes (collaboration with
ESSM and the Texas A&M Forest Service). The environmental physiology program run by Dr. Volder also
collaborates with a local grower (Millican Farms) to test the potential use of halophytes to alleviate salt stress on
watermelons grown on small acreage farms. This projected is funded by a $73,000 specialty crop block grant
through the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Earth-Kind® Landscaping Program
The Earth-Kind® landscaping program is a collaboration effort between Extension specialists and county agents,
which focuses on education for landscape water conservation, reduction of fertilizer and pesticide use,
landscaping for energy conservation, and reduction of landscape wastes entering landfills. The program promotes
the use of native and adapted plant species to provide habitat and reduce water requirements, and minimizing the
use of potentially harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Fifty-six percent of evaluation respondents indicate
they will adopt one or more water-conservation practices, reducing their annual landscape water use by 31 percent.
This reduction in landscape water could result in an annual savings of approximately 6,800 gallons per household,
and 27.7 million gallons for all participant respondents. The potential water cost savings to these users is
approximately $117,000 per year based on average municipal water rates. More than 5,000 participants indicate
they anticipate a cost savings of $217 per year, or $1 million in total, associated with reducing their use of
pesticides and fertilizer. In addition to these water-costs savings, the ultimate societal benefit to Texas is a more
efficient use of scarce water resources.
Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture Programs
As regional director of the Borlaug Institute programs for Asia, Tim Davis has collaborated with Horticultural
Sciences faculty including Drs. Cisneros, Davies, Patil, Masabni, and Lombardini to support horticultural
development programs at 3 Indonesian universities (Bogor Agricultural University, Udayana University and Sam
Ratulangi University). He is also cooperating with Mengmeng Gu in her developing study abroad program in
China and is currently developing a plan for increasing the emphasis on scholarly activities involving Texas
A&M Horticultural Sciences faculty and their peers in China.
Plant Bioactives & Bioprocessing Research Program
The vision of the Plant Bioactives & Bioprocessing Research Program is to generate scientific information of
drug discovery associated with the prevention and the progression of chronic diseases using US commercial crops
and native crops from centers of biodiversity. This vision is complemented by understanding how healthpromoting secondary metabolites are synthesized in plants using stresses as well as understanding how microbes
and plant surfaces interact to design ways of delivering safe fresh produce.
We aim to have Texas A&M and our collaborators bridge between the US health market (e.g., functional foods,
dietary supplements, cosmetics and pharmaceutical) and growers and processors in the US as well as in Latin
America in a win-win relationship while using these centers of biodiversity in a sustainable way.
Section 5 Page 14
For the past 5 years under the leadership of Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, the program has obtained nearly $ 1.35
million in grants and contracts from TDA, USDA and industry to conduct research in cancer and the metabolic
syndrome (obesity, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular and diabetes), post-harvest biosynthesis of secondary
metabolites and microbe-plant surface interactions. A total of 10 graduate students have been involved (6 PhD
and 4 MS) from the areas of Food Science, Horticulture, MEPS and Chemical Engineering, 3 post-docs, 7
research assistants and 31 visiting scientists. The program has contributed 30 peer-reviewed publications, 3 book
chapters, 4 editor reviewed publications, 6 press releases and more than 45 invited presentations in the US and
internationally.
The program has strong collaboration activities with research institutions in the 3 largest centers of biodiversity in
Latin America (Andean region of Peru, Mexico and the Brazilian Amazon), Europe and Asia. We have been
active in disseminating through short courses, presentations and student exchange activities using different tools
including the FIPSE program, which is a collaborative effort with UC-Davis, U Florida and partner institutions in
Spain, Italy and Greece. More recently, we initiated an agreement with EMBRAPA, Brazil (sponsored by USDA),
through Ricardo Elesbao Alves to conduct research and recruit visiting scientists and new incoming graduate
students sponsored by the Brazilian government.
Our program has strong collaborations with other faculty on campus (A. Castillo, M. Akbulut, C. Wu, M. Taylor)
as well as other groups in our Department including the VFIC (B. Patil), the Pecan Physiology Program (L.
Lombardini), Horticultural Biotechnology Program (H. Koiwa) and the Borlaug Institute (T. Davis) among others.
6. FISCAL RESOURCES OF THE HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Changes in Appropriated Funds over Time
Consistent with the national trend in state and federal appropriations to higher education, the Department of
Horticultural Sciences “hard money” budget has decreased markedly since 2010. The departmental budget from
all appropriated sources is 18% less that was in 2010, much of that decrease occurring during the current
biennium. Because of a reduction in state funds allocated to Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Agrilife
Research, and the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service, and with an added reduction due to an internal
reallocation program at the University level, the budget for the current biennium decreased nearly 15%.
Concurrently on the federal side, the USDA special grant for the Foods for Health program was lost, resulting in
the loss of over $1.2 million that funded several research programs in the department.
Table 6.1. Changes in the Horticultural Sciences budget from all appropriated sources over the
period FY 2007 – 2013.
FY 2007
COALS
1,330,148
FY 2008
Merit, enrollment
growth,
mandates, equity
Reduction
1,457,914
FY 2009
Mandate,
promotion
1,575,484
FY 2010
1,610,265
Mandates, Merit
240908
operating
130029
grad asst
130047
grad prog
enhancemt
30,014
100,379
30,634
30,014
100,379
32,512
84,410
44,327
51,023
120,379
21,724
20,000
44,327
100,379
21,724
20,000
Agrilife
Research
1,236,464
Agrilife
Extension
1,173,119
Total
Budget
3,900,758
1,235,255
1,250,476
4,106,550
35,293
38,592
(18,274)
(23,858)
1,292,396
1,274,712
36,122
31,488
1,406,837
1,313,712
29,336
Reduction
(36,446)
Mid-Year Cut
(39,913)
4,517,244
(42,399)
1,516,247
23,022
Reduction
(145,178)
(21,305)
FY 2012
1,372,153
23,022
Reduction
(239,675)
FY 2013
Merit 3.0%
1,273,839
17,792
4,329,022
(24,000)
FY 2011
(1.5% add to base
and 1.5% one time)
130128
one
time
asst
fund
23,022
100,379
100,379
100,379
21,724
20,638
20,638
20,000
20,000
1,326,138
1,242,450
(80,699)
(105,311)
1,132,468
1,069,384
(212,182)
(154,971)
1,210,195
1,065,613
16,156
14,052
4,249,960
3,738,044
3,693,686
Total loss in departmental funding from all sources since 2010 = $823,558 (18% decrease)
The state budget reduction for the 2012-13 biennium had severe repercussions on our department. On the
teaching side, two non-tenure track positions were lost. Another was lost due to not being able to fill a position
Section 6 Page 2
that became vacant because of a tenure denial. One of these faculty members (Dr. Joe Novak) taught 22% of our
SCH for spring 2011. Another (Casey Krueger) taught our landscape graphics, design, and
maintenance/construction courses, expertise that was unique within our department. A third faculty member (Dr.
Steve King) taught vegetable production and served as the advisor/coordinator for the Howdy! Farm student
sustainable farming operation.
Implications for teaching and research program support were also quite negative. All technical support positions
were transferred to “soft money” support, and those faculty who did not have grants or other sources of funding
for their personnel were forced to terminate them. At present, the department maintains its horticulture farm with
one farm manager and student or part time workers, and its two greenhouse complexes with student workers who
are supervised by a faculty member.
On a positive note, the department did
Table 6.2. Instructional Equipment Enhancement Fees (IEEF)
receive supplemental funding to support
collected for horticulture courses by academic year.
its high impact/experiential learning
2007
$160,546
initiative ($53,000 for academic year
2012, and $57,250 for 2013) and
2008
$141,158
continues to receive Instructional
2009
$152,406
Equipment Enhancement Fees and
2010
$165,150
Computer Access fees to support
2011
$165,125
undergraduate instruction. IEEF fees
are charged at the time of registration
2012
$171,099
and they vary between $10 and $175 per
2013
$150,000
course (Table 6.2). The amount is
determined by the course instructor
(with the approval of the department head and dean of the College) and they represent unique expenses associated
with the course/lab (cost of flowers for floral design, media and supplies for plant propagation, etc.). IEEF fees
are tracked so that they must be spent on the course that generates them, except for a small pool that may be held
at the departmental level for large, multi-course enhancement expenses.
Table 6.3. Computer access funds and faculty workstation program funds allocated to Horticultural
Sciences by year.
Computer Access
Faculty Workstation
2007
$6000
5 for $7500
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Total
$8000
$0
$7000
$6000
$7000
$34,000
6 for $9000
7 for $8400
2 for $3000
4 for $6000
3 for $4500
6 for $9000
$47,400
Computer access fees are collected to support instructional computing equipment and software that is available
for use only by the students (computer labs, special printers, scanners, etc.). Our department has maintained a
computer lab for our undergraduate students since 1990, and in addition, an open access computer lab maintained
by Texas A&M University Computing and Information Services is located on the ground floor of our building.
The Faculty Workstation Program was established to insure that teaching faculty have access to adequate personal
computing equipment. Faculty members may qualify for matching funds to purchase new desktop computers or
laptops for use to support teaching, with the University providing a 3:1 match up to $1500. Generally a faculty
member may qualify for the program every 3 or 4 years.
Section 6 Page 3
Endowed Chairs, Programs and Scholarships
Endowed Chairs
Basye Chair in Rose Breeding and Genetics
Robert Basye was a mathematics professor by vocation, but a world-class rose breeder by avocation. Breeding
roses to increase resistance to diseases was his passion and conquering the blackspot disease of roses was his
lifetime goal. His generous donation established an endowed professorship to support rose breeding and genetics.
The current holder of that distinguished professorship is Dr. David Byrne.
Ellison Chair in International Floriculture
The Ellison Chair in International Floriculture is named after Jim and Ellen Ellison, who spearheaded the
campaign to generate industry funding for the Chair. The mission of this Chair is to advance the health and
vitality of the floriculture industry on a national and international scope through exemplary academic leadership,
cutting edge applied research, innovative extension outreach programs, and by mentoring well-educated,
impassioned leaders to support the future of floriculture. The current holder of the Ellison Chair is Dr. Charlie
Hall.
Benz Chair in Floral Design
The only floral design endowed chair in the world, the Benz Chair was established at the
bequest of floral design innovator M. “Buddy” Benz. The Benz Endowed Chair and
School of Floral Design is a multi-faceted program which includes the Benz Gallery of
Floral Art, located in the expansive atrium of the Horticulture/Forest Sciences Building,
and the Benz School of Floral Design, which offers a variety of basic and advanced
training courses for floral designers annually. The bequest also supports the teaching
activities of the Chair holder, Mr. Bill McKinley, world-renowned designer and floral
educator.
Endowed Programs
Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center
The Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center (VFIC) was established in 1992 under the direction of Dr. Leonard
M. Pike, to support and strengthen the total vegetable industry through research. Its goal is to develop new
technologies for producing quality vegetable products in an efficient, economic and environmentally sound
system, with a focus on achieving health and nutrition benefits. In March 1999, fruit was officially added to the
name and research scope of the Center. The Center is directed by Dr. Bhimu Patil. The Vegetable Improvement
Center Endowment was established to strengthen the Texas vegetable industry by attracting and maintaining the
highest quality scientists, attracting and training the highest quality students, improving innovative research and
extension programs, developing new and advanced research technologies to improve economic productivity, and
protecting and improving the environment while sustaining vegetable production.
Texas Pecan Endowment
The Texas Pecan Endowment supports research, education and extension activities that benefit the pecan industry
and supports ongoing development activities for the benefit of the fund.
Texas Ornamentals Program Enhancement Endowment
This endowment was established to strengthen the Texas ornamental horticulture industry by attracting and
maintaining the highest quality scientists, attracting and training the highest quality students, improving
innovative research and extension programs, developing new and advanced research technologies to improve
economic productivity, and protecting and improving the environment while sustaining ornamental horticulture.
Henry and Mary Nemcik Endowed Garden Fund
This endowment was established to provide support for the Horticultural Gardens near Hensel Park.
Section 6 Page 4
Lou Cashion Memorial Garden Fund
This fund supports all activities and needs at the TAMU Horticultural Gardens and Field Laboratory, with a focus
on maintaining the area identified as the Lou Cashion Memorial Garden
Ralph S. Moore Miniature Rose Excellence Fund
The Moore Rose Excellence Fund are used for activities that preserve the legacy of Mr. Ralph S. Moore’s
research in miniature roses and woody ornamentals and enhance the teaching, research and extension mission of
the department.
Horticulture Teaching Technology Endowment
The Teaching Technology Endowment intends to insure that horticulture students receive instruction in the use of
state of the art equipment, software and educational tools that pertain to the art and science of horticulture. The
goal is that Texas A&M horticulture graduates will be recognized nationally as having received the most
advanced instruction in the application of advanced technology to horticultural problems.
Horticulture Scholarship Endowments
A growing list of endowed scholarships provide awards to outstanding students annually in amounts ranging from
$1,000 to $2,000 (Table 6.4). In addition to the endowed scholarships, other benefactors including commodity
groups, garden clubs, and individuals provide funding and our department generally awards in excess of $50,000
to students at our annual awards banquet held on Parent’s Weekend every year.
Table 6.4. Endowed scholarships managed by the Department of Horticultural Sciences
Floriculture/Greenhouse
Art Nightingale Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Jim Ellison Endowed Scholarship
Ellen Ellison Scholarship
Robert Rucker Floriculture Scholarship
Bill Walker Memorial Scholarship
Margaret Plum Floriculture Scholarship
Robbie Jane Paup
Jim Johnson Scholarship in Horticulture
Initial Endowment
$10,000
$25,000
$25,000
$15,000
$2,050
$10,000
$100,000
Urban/Landscape Horticulture
Don Wilkerson & Sharon Duray Sch.
Pomology - Fruit and Nut Production
Fred Brison Scholarship (Texas Pecan Growers)
$25,000
General
Joel Ray Reese '50 Sch Hort Sci
C.O. Smith, Class '50 (Bethancourt)
Jayson Guy Harris Scholarship
Leon Miller Opportunity Award Scholarship
Everett R Emino Endowment Fund Scholarship
Joe Novak (Warren Barham) Scholarship
Dan Hannah Memorial Scholarship in Hort. Sciences
COADC Sam Cotner Scholarship
Texas Food Processors Scholarship
Leon C. Osborn Memorial Scholarship
Leonard M. Pike Endowed Scholarship
$25,000
$25,000
$5,000
$5,000
$1,000
$25,000
$25,000
$1,000
$1,000
7. FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2007-‐2012 Juan Reymundo Anciso
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
j-anciso@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Anciso is the Extension Specialist for vegetables and citrus for the 21 county area
of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s District 12 which stretches from Brownsville to
Eagle Pass. Since joining the Department of Horticultural Sciences in November 2002,
he had coordinated the IPM program for citrus and vegetable pest management as the
Extension IPM Agent for Hidalgo and Cameron counties from 1989 thru 2002 in the
Department of Entomology.
Dr. Anciso’s area of research is vegetable pest management, vegetable production and
food safety on the farm known as Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). He has written
several scientific and popular articles on vegetable pest management and food safety on
the farm. He attends the annual USDA IR-4 Food Use Workshop as the plant
pathology representative for Texas. He also represents Texas on the National Good
Agricultural Practices committee, Produce Safety Alliance and United Fresh’s GAPs Harmonization effort that addresses
GAPs food safety in produce.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Institution
Ph.D.
1989
M.Agr.
1984
B.S.
1983
Major
Plant Pathology
Plant Protection
Biology
Professional Experience
2008-Present. Associate Professor and Extension Specialist. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. (100% Extension)
2002-2008. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. Texas Cooperative Extension. (100% Extension appointment in
Department of Horticultural Sciences). Assignment is to provide effective planning, development and implementation of
educational programs needed to meet the informational expectations of the clientele and extension agents. These educational
programs have focused on vegetable production including pest management control strategies as well as food safety for
vegetables from the field to the packing shed. Responsibilities include educational outreach on commercial vegetable
production in District 12 for producers, support people and extension agents. Areas of applied research include food safety,
pest management strategies in vegetables, and coordination of the state-wide watermelon variety trials.
1989-2002. Extension Agent-Integrated Pest Management Level III Agent. Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
(100% Extension appointment in Department of Entomology). Responsibility included supervision of the Citrus IPM and
Vegetable IPM programs. Development of IPM programs in citrus and vegetables both in disease and insect pest
management in Hidalgo and Cameron counties. Hosted numerous international scientists, (Canada, China, Eritrea, and India),
on various projects. Other projects as a co-investigator include Florida red scale project, bio-intensive whitefly management,
citrus producers manual, diamondback moth management, and electronic delivery of pest information. International travel to
Honduras and Nicaragua to present vegetable pest management training under the USDA Hurricane Mitch project.
Refereed Publications 2007-2012
Park, S. S., B. Szonyi, R. Gautam, K. Nightingale, J. Anciso and R. Ivanek. 2012. Risk factors for microbial contamination
in fruits and vegetables at the pre-harvest level: A systematic review. J. Food Prot. 75(11):2055-2081.
Ribera, L., M. Palma, M. Paggi, R. Knutson, J. Masabni, and J. Anciso. 2012. Economic analysis of food safety compliance
costs and foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States. HortTechnology 22(2):150-156.
Goolsby, J.A.,, J. Adamczyk, J. Crosslin, N. Troxclair, J. Anciso, G. Bester, J. Bradshaw, E. Bynum, L Carpio, D. Henne, A.
Joshi, J. Munyaneza, P. Porter, P. Sloderbeck, J. Supak, C. Rush, F. Willett, B. Zechmann, and B. Zens. 2012. Seasonal
population dynamics of the potato psyllid and its associated pathogen “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” in
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review Section 7 Page 2
potatoes in the southern Great Plains of North America. J. Econ. Entomol. 105(4):1268-1276.
Nansen, C., K. Vaughn, Y. Xue, C. Rush, F. Workneh, J. Goolsby, N. Troxclair, J. Anciso, A. Gregory, D. Holman, A.
Hammond, E. Mirkov, P. Tantravahi, and X. Martini. 2011. A decision-support tool to predict spray deposition of
insecticides in commercial potato fields and its implications for their performance. J. Econ. Entomol. 104(4):1138-1145.
Showler, A. T., J. R. Anciso and B. A. Castro. 2010. Effect of garlic extract on selected pests and yield of bell pepper
Capsicum annuum L. (var. Capistrano). Biopestic. Int. 6:36-44.
Showler, A. T., J. R. Anciso and B. A. Castro. 2010. Effect of garlic extract on injury by cowpea curculio, Chalcodermes
aenus Boheman and other pests, to cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L.. Biopestic. Int. 6(2)112-120.
Editor reviewed publications, abstracts or conference proceedings 2007-2012
Park, S.S, B. Szonyi, R. Gautam, J. Anciso, K. Nightingale and R. Ivanek. 2012. “Risk factors for microbial contamination
in fruits and vegetables at the pre-harvest level: A systematic review.” International Association for Food Protection,
July 22-25, 2012, Providence, RI. abstract online.
Park, S.S, B. Szonyi, R. Gautam, K. Nightingale, J. Anciso and R. Ivanek. 2012. “Systematic review: What do we really
know about risk factors for produce contamination at the pre-harvest level?” International Spinach Conference
Proceedings, November 29-30, 2012, San Antonio, TX. pg. 20.
Park, S.S, S. Navratil, A. Gregory, I. Srinath, M. Jun, B. Szonyi, K. Nightingale, J. Anciso and R. Ivanek. 2012. “E. coli in
spinach at the pre-harvest level as affected by farm management and environmental factors”. International Spinach
Conference Proceedings, November 29-30, 2012, San Antonio, TX. pg. 15.
Goolsby, J. A., J.J. Adamczyk, J.M. Crosslin, N.N. Troxclair, J.R. Anciso, G.G. Bester, J.D. Bradshaw, E.D. Bynum, L.A.
Carpio, D.C. Henne, A. Joshi, J.E. Munyaneza, P. Porter, P.E. Sloderbeck, J.R. Supak, C.M. Rush, F.J. Willett, B.J.
Zechmann, and B.A. Zens. 2011. “Regional monitoring of potato psyllid populations and the associated pathogen, Ca.
Liberibacter psyllaurous”. Proceedings of the 11th Annual SCRI Zebra Chip Reporting Session, November 6-9, 2011,
pp. 12-16.
Anciso, J. R. 2011. “Weed control in watermelons using Reflex”. Southern Region ASHS. Corpus Christi, TX. abstract in
HortScience.
Anciso, J. R. 2011. “Texas GAPs and GHPs program”. Produce Safety Alliance Conference and Proceedings. Orlando, FL.
June 29-30, 2011. pp. 53-54.
Anciso, J. R. 2011. “GAPs food safety in Texas”. National Annual ASHS. Waikoloa, HI. abstract in HortScience
Paggi, M., F. Yamazaki, L. Ribera, R. Knutson, J. Anciso, M. Palma, and J. Noel. 2010. “Comparative producer costs of
GAP and GHP standards: Can the playing field be made level?” Selected paper – EAAE/AAEA Seminar Proceedings.
Freising, Germany. September 15-17, 2010. pp 1-19.
Nansen, C., K. Vaughn, Y. Yingen, C. M. Rush, F. Workneh, J. A. Goolsby, N. Troxclair, J. Anciso, and X. Martini. 2010.
“Spray Coverage and Insecticide Performance”. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session,
November 7- 10, 2010, pp. 78-82.
Goolsby, J. A., J. Adamczyk, J. Crosslin, J. Munyaneza, N. Troxclair, J. Anciso, R. Villaneuva, P. Porter, E. Bynum, C.
Rush, F. Workneh, D. Henne, C. Nansen, P. Sloderbeck, A. Joshi, L. Buschmann, J. Bradshaw, B. Lee, B. Zechmann,
and G. Bester. 2010. Regional monitoring of potato psyllid populations and the associated pathogen, “Ca. Liberibacter
psyllaurous”. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session, November 7-10, 2010, pp. 1-4.
Showler, A. T., J. R. Anciso and B. A. Castro. 2009. “Effects of garlic extract on pests and yield of Capistrano bell pepper”.
Proceedings of the 12th Texas Pepper Conference, Nov. 2009. pp
Anciso, J. R. 2009. “Fungicide trials on leafy greens”. Southern Region ASHS. Atlanta, GA. abstract in HortScience.
Anciso, J. R. 2008. “The undiagnosed onion disease and Iris Yellow Spot Virus”. Southern Region ASHS. Dallas, TX.
abstract in HortScience.
Anciso, J. R. 2008. Food Safety co-chair “Food safety white paper” National Vegetable Crops Initiative. Denver, CO. May
12-13, 2008. publication online.
Valdez, M., J. Anciso, J. Lopez, O. Gonzales, L. Stein, J. Taylor, R. Griffin, R. Zamora, O. Montemayor, and B. Storz. 2008.
“Food safety GAPs initiative for the spinach industry”. International Spinach Conference Proceedings, San Antonio,
TX. Dec. 2008. pp. 17-18.
Anciso, J. R. 2007. “A comparison of triploid and diploid watermelon production in Texas”. Southern Region ASHS.
Mobile, AL. abstract in HortScience.
Smith, D. T., M. A. Matocha, and J. R. Anciso. 2007. “Pesticide clearance for specialty crops”. Association for
Advancement of Industrial Crops. Portland, Maine. Jan. 2007. p. 35.
Anciso, J. R. 2007. “Management of the pepper weevil”. Proceedings of the 11th Texas Pepper Conference, Nov. 2007. p.
15.
Extension Publications 2007-2012
Ribera, L. A., M. Raulston, R. T. Villanueva, J. Enciso-Siller, B. Storz and J. Anciso. 2012. “Economic feasibility of a small
acreage organic vegetable farm in South Texas”. Agricultural and Food Policy Center Research Report 12-2. Free.
Masabni, J., J. R. Anciso and R. Wallace. 2012. “What makes tomato leaves twist or curl?” pp. 5. Extension publication E626. Free.
Masabni, J., J. R. Anciso, P. Lillard, and F. J. Dainello. 2011. “Texas Commercial Vegetable Production Guide”. revised.
pp. 140. Extension publication B-6159 revised. $10.
Anciso, J. R. and A. Gregory. 2010. “Texas GAPs and GHPs Food Safety Curriculum”. pp 68. Extension publication B6244. $10.
Anciso, J. R. 2009. “What are GAPs?/What does GAPs approved mean?” Extension publication ESP-366. Free.
Popular Press Articles 2007 -2012
Texas experts hope citrus greening disease is not widespread
AgriLife Today
January 18, 2012
Citrus experts: Get informed about citrus greening
AgriLife Today
January 26, 2012
Diseased South Texas citrus trees destroyed
AgriLife Today
February 9, 2012
Rains wreak havoc on South Texas onion crop
AgriLife Today
April 19, 2012
South Texas winery beating the odds
AgriLife Today
June 28, 2012
Extension expert: China shipping more food products to U.S.
AgriLife Today
July 20, 2012
Lower Rio Grande Valley’s first winery slates open house
AgriLife Today
September 4, 2012
Disease and Weed Control New technologies lead to efficient herbicides and fungicides
Growing Magazine
March 2012
Citrus greening quarantine unchanged in Texas Valley
Southwest Farm Press January 30, 2012
South Texas update: beneficial rains, damaging hail storms
Southwest Farm Press
June 4, 2012
Citrus Greening Disease Has Growers on Alert
New York Times/Texas Tribune
February 11, 2012
Texas citrus officials remain hopeful, despite greening find
The Grower
January 18, 2012 Texas officials hope they’ve caught citrus greening early
The Grower
February 21, 2012
Texas Co-op Power Magazine
July 2012 Texas onion acreage leaps, crop escapes winter damage
Produce News Daily
March 9, 2011
AgriLife Extension, others offer small-acreage grower business series
AgriLife News
March 24, 2011
New food safety site caters to farmers
AgriLife News
April 21, 2011
Water quality critical for food safety
Southwest Farm Press
May 20, 2011
Market for onions still fresh
Country World News
June 21, 2011
Tropical storm could be godsend
My SanAntonio News
July 27, 2011
Weak markets push down South Texas acreage
AgriLife News
November 11, 2011
Texas vegetables enduring worst drought in 50 years
Produce News Daily
November 18, 2011
Mexican drug violence could help South Texas onion farmers
Ag News
November 24, 2010
Area producers receive food safety training in Uvalde
Ag News
October 19, 2010
Spiders and pumpkins and bats, oh my!
Ag News
October 13, 2010
Keeping Vegetables Safe: $1 million grant will seek ways to reduce pathogen
Ag News
August 6, 2010
Rio Grande Valley row crops vulnerable to Alex
Ag News
June 29, 2010
South Texas onion growers grin as prices soar
Ag News
May 28, 2010
Ag-related classes, conferences start soon in South Texas
Ag News
January 21, 2010
Anciso receives Superior Service Award from Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Ag News
January 8, 2010
Peppers’ nutritional punch, popularity highlight conference
Ag News
November 05, 2009
Rains and El Niño Help Texans Look Beyond Drought
Wall Street Journal Online
October 03, 2009
Rains help break heat wave in deep South Texas
Ag News
September 03, 2009
South Texas drought devastating crops
Ag News
June 09, 2009
Insect mystery boon to Texas onion harvest
Ag News
April 06, 2009
Staples leads initiative to help farmers
Jack County Herald
March 10, 2009
Drought-Proofing the Valley
The Business Times
February 26, 2009
Rio Grande Valley Horticultural Society to address threats, opportunities
Ag News
Jan. 16, 2009
Electronic media/software (websites, videos, etc.) 2007-2012
Contribute to three websites:
GAPs Food Safety Website - agrilifefoodsafety.tamu.edu
Local Produce and Small Acreage Website - texaslocalproduce.tamu.edu
Statewide Watermelon Variety Trial Website - aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/variety-trials/statewidewatermelon-trials/
Smart Phone app for food safety:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/agrilifefood-safety/id445935229?mt=8
Interagency and interdisciplinary program participation 2007-2012
Texas Legislature - Committee Meeting of Senate Public Health Committee on Food Safety of Produce. SB 81. September
23, 2010. Austin, Texas
Texas Legislature - Joint Hearing of House Public Health Committee and House Intergovernmental Affairs Border
Committee on Food Safety. August 26, 2010. Austin, Texas
FDA - Food Safety Listening Session on Food Safety. April 27, 2010. San Antonio, Texas
USDA - National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Public Comment and Hearing. October 8, 2009. Denver, Colorado
Texas Legislature – Committee Meeting of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. HB 1908. April 20, 2009. Austin, Texas
Graduate student’s committee member 2007-2012
Sang Shin Park. Current student. Ph.D. Microbial contamination in spinach at the pre-harvest level as affected by farm
management and environmental factors. College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Texas A&M
University. (Dr. Renata Ivanek advisor).
Ashley Gregory. Current student. M.A. non-thesis. Development of olfactory attractants for Asian citrus pysllid. College
of Agriculture in Plant and Soil Science. Texas A&M University Kingsville. (Dr. Mamadou Setamou advisor).
Jacob Pekar. Current student. M.S thesis. Volunteer cotton control in Rio Grande Valley in sugarcane and vegetables .
College of Agriculture in Plant and Soil Science. Texas A&M University Kingsville. (Dr. Greta Schuster advisor).
Adrianna Ochoa. 2012. M. S. thesis. Disease spread of zebra chip in potatoes. College of Agriculture in Plant Soil Science.
Texas A&M University Kingsville. (Dr. Greta Schuster advisor).
First job taken by graduate students 2007-2012
Adrianna Ochoa – County Extension Agent for Armstrong County. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Grants and contracts awarded (competitive and non-competitive) 2007-2012
$ 2,000
Agraquest funding for insecticide trial in onions 2012.
$ 4,000
Gowan Corporation funding for insecticide trial in onions 2012.
$ 6,000
Marrone Bio funding for fungicide trial in onions 2012.
$ 1,000
Luxemburg Corporation funding for fungicide trial in onions 2012.
$ 7,000
Syngenta Corporation funding for fungicide trial in cantaloupes 2012.
$ 4,000
FMC Corporation funding for fungicide trial in honeydews 2012.
$ 8,500
Gowan Corporation funding for fungicide trial in honeydews 2012.
$ 6,000
Marrone Bio funding for fungicide trial in honeydews 2012.
$ 1,000
Grow More funding for trial in grapes 2012.
$ 5,600
Abbott and Cobb Seed funding for statewide watermelon variety trial 2012.
$ 1,750
Seminis Seed funding for statewide watermelon variety trial 2012.
$ 1,050
Syngenta/Rogers Seed funding for statewide watermelon variety trial 2012.
$ 1,050
Willhite Seed funding for statewide watermelon variety trial 2012.
$ 1,050
Zeriam Gedera funding for statewide watermelon variety trial 2012.
$ 2,500
Speedling Incorporated funding for greenhouse watermelon trials 2012.
$ 1,000
HEB funding for GAPs food safety workshop to produce vendors 2012.
$ 500
Texas Vegetable Association funding for food safety conference 2012.
$ 2,000
BASF funding for fungicide trial in summer squash 2011.
$ 6,000
Gowan Corporation funding for fungicide trial in summer squash 2011.
$ 1,050
Syngenta/Rogers Seed for statewide watermelon variety trial 2011.
$ 3,500
Abbott and Cobb Seed for statewide watermelon variety trial 2011.
$ 1,400
Seminis for statewide watermelon variety trial 2011.
$ 1,400
Willhite Seed for statewide watermelon variety trial 2011.
$ 1,400
Zeriam Gedera for statewide watermelon variety trial 2011.
$ 1,615
Speedling Incorporated funding for greenhouse watermelon trials 2011.
$ 2,000
$ 4,000
USDA-NIFA-SCRI grant “Novel methods for control of microbial contamination in spinach in Texas and
Colorado” (R. Ivanek PI, 2011) 2 year study with total grant award of $299,874.
$10,097
TDA-SCBG grant “Produce food safety conference and workshops” (awarded to Texas Vegetable
Association, 2011) with total grant award of $60,000.
$ 4,000
TDA Zebra Chip Grant. Psyllid sampling in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (D. Henne P.I., 2011) 2 year study
with total grant award of $183,040.
$23,469
USDA Citrus Greening grant “Commercial citrus producers education and training on citrus greening” (M.
Dozier P.I., 2011) with a total grant award of $100,000.
$18,500
USDA-NIFA- SCRI grant “Impacts of Evolving Food Safety Standards on the Sustainability of Small- and
Medium-Size Produce Farms: Implications for Implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act”
(L. Ribera P.I., 2011) 2 year study with total grant award of $408,472.
$11,000
Syngenta Corporation funding for herbicide trial in watermelons 2010
$ 2,200
Gowan Corporation funding for fungicide trial in watermelons 2010
$ 3,850
$ 700
Shamrock Seed for statewide watermelon variety trial 2010.
$ 4,200
$ 1,400
Seminis for statewide watermelon variety trial 2010.
$ 2,100
$ 700
$ 4,000
$ 9,250
USDA-NIFA-SCRI zebra chip mini-grant “Spray Coverage and Insecticide Performance for potato psyllid
in commercial potato fields” (C. Nansen PI, 2010) with a total grant award of $40,000.
$177,983
USDA-NIFSI-SCRI grant “Role of surface-related factors on contamination and survival of pathogens in
fresh produce grown in Texas and Mexico - Produce food safety-systems approach” (E. Murano PI, 2010) 3
year study with a total grant award of $999,190.
$10,000
Gowan Corporation funding for fungicide trial in watermelons 2009.
$ 4,000
Valent Corporation funding for fungicide trial in watermelons 2009.
$ 4,000
Grow More funding for fungicide trial in watermelons 2009.
$ 2,450
$ 1,050
$ 3,850
$ 1,050
$ 2,100
$ 700
$ 4,000
$ 1,200
$95,682
$45,000
$ 6,000
$ 3,000
$ 8,000
$ 3,850
$ 1,400
$ 3,500
$ 1,400
$ 2,000
$21,520
$92,000
$ 5,000
$ 1,500
$ 5,000
$ 3,850
$ 700
$ 2,800
$ 1,400
$ 2,000
$ 9,811
$ 2,500
Harris Moran for statewide watermelon variety trial 2009.
Hazera for statewide watermelon variety trial 2009.
USDA IR-4 grant for fungicide trials in leafy greens 2009.
TDA-SCBG grant “Produce Safety in Texas: A Systems Approach (GAPs Curriculum, Website, and
Conference)” (J. Anciso and J. Masabni PI’s, 2009) with a total award of $181,500.
USDA-NIFA-SCRI “Marketing and Risk Management for Horticultural Producers in Texas” (L. Ribera PI,
2009) 3 year study with a total grant award of $298,735.
DuPont Corporation funding for fungicide trial in onions 2008.
Valent Corporation funding for fungicide trial in onions 2008.
Syngenta Corporation funding for insecticide trials in cabbage and cantaloupes 2008
Harris Moran for statewide watermelon variety trial 2008.
USDA-ARS 018-08S grant “Technology Transfer Program for Integrated Pest Management of Potato Psyllid
to Minimize the Incidence of Zebra Chip in Potatoes” (J. Anciso PI, 2008) with a total grant award of
$29,680.
TDA-SCBG grant “Field Certification of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in Texas” (J.Anciso PI, 2008)
with a total grant award of $92,000.
BASF Corporation funding for insecticide trial on cabbage 2007.
Grow More funding for fungicide trial on onions 2007.
Syngenta Corporation funding for fungicide trial on peppers 2007.
USDA IR-4 grant for fungicide trial in leafy greens 2007.
TDA grant “Sampling of soil in potato fields for potato cyst nematode” a joint project with West Texas A&M
(G. Schuster PI, 2007) with a total grant award of $15,000.
Grant review panel service and workshops 2007-2012
2012
USDA-SCRI Grants Review Panel member – Washington D.C.
2012
USDA-SCRI Grants Writing Workshop and Regional Team Building Meeting – Atlanta, GA
Editorial boards on which you served 2007-2012
Subtropical Plant Science
Journals for which you reviewed papers 2007-2012
HortScience
Subtropical Plant Science
Internal university / agency service on committees 2007-2012
Committee member Minor Use Pesticide Advisory Committee (Dr. Mark Matocha) 2007 - present
Co-Chair with Dr. Monty Dozier for Fresh Produce Food Safety Task Group (Dr. Monty Dozier) 2007- present
Co-Chair with Dr. Joe Masabni for Produce Food Safety Initiative Task Force (Dr. Pete Gibbs) 2009 - present
Committee member Water Initiative Task Force (Dr. Pete Gibbs) 2009 - present
Committee member Multi-State Food Safety Committee (Dr. Elsa Murano) 2010 - present
Professional association leadership roles 2007-2012
Director Educational Section of Texas Vegetable Association 2009 – present
Secretary/Treasurer of Texas Vegetable Association 2006-2008
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review Section 7 Section director for vegetables of the Subtropical Plant Science Society
(previously Rio Grande Valley Horticultural Society) 2007- present
Watermelon workgroup of American Society of Horticultural Science and Southern Region ASHS 2007- present
Awards and recognitions 2007-2012
2012
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Superior Service - Team Category (HEB Produce Food Safety Course)
2010
Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence – Specialist Category
2010
Texas County Agricultural Agents Association Specialist of the Year
2009
Texas AgriLife Extension Service Superior Service - Specialist Category
Page 7
Michael Aloysius Arnold
Professor of Landscape Horticulture and Associate Department Head for Graduate
Programs
ma-arnold@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Arnold holds a three way split between teaching, research and administration.
Teaching responsibilities include two undergraduate and two graduate courses in the
field of plant materials and plant materials utilization in the landscape. He also serves
as the chair of two Ph.D. student committees and as a member of about a dozen
graduate student committees within and outside the Department. His research program
involves investigations in three primary areas, two long-term and one short-term.
Long-term projects include the selection and development of commercial genotypes
from regionally native or well adapted species. Much of this program has been aimed
at developing native genotypes tolerant of salinity, soil alkalinity, and drought
exposure which could replace higher resource requiring species or exotic species which
may pose an environmental threat through invasive tendencies. These efforts are
highly integrated with extension programs through joint efforts with CEMAP
(Coordinated Education and Marketing Assistance Program) and the Texas Superstar®
program. The other closely related long-term project which is to investigate container nursery production practices and
landscape establishment practices which minimize the resources required and losses of plants associated with landscape
establishment of container grown plants. A third shorter term area of research operates as a fund generating effort
capitalizing on short-term industry requested investigations associated with greenhouse, nursery, or plant establishment
issues, for instance our recent cooperative efforts with a firm interested in adapting a traditional ornamental species for
production of a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product. Dr. Arnold has also recently (October 2012) resumed duties as the
Department’s Associate Head for Graduate Programs where he is charged with leading the Department’s efforts related to M.
Agric., M.S., and Ph.D. degree programs. In a service capacity, Dr. Arnold holds or has recently held officer positions with
the national level American Society for Horticultural Sciences and with the Southern Region ASHS, as well as positions on
the editorial boards for HortTechnology and the Journal of Environmental Horticulture.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1990
M.S.
1987
B.S.
1984
B.S.
1983
Institution
Major
Horticulture
Landscape Horticulture
Production & Operations Management
Professional Experience:
2012 – present
Associate Head for Graduate Programs (30% administration), Dept. of Horticultural Sciences,
2005-present
Professor, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University (2005-2012: 70 % teaching, 25%
research, 5% service) After 2012: 50 % teaching, 15% research, 5% service)
2003-2007
Associate Head for Research& Graduate Studies (5% administration), Dept. Horticultural
Sciences, Texas A&M University
1997-2005
Associate Professor of Landscape Horticulture, Texas A&M University
(65% teaching, 30% research, 5% admin./service)
1993-1997
Assistant Professor of Landscape Horticulture, Texas A&M University
(75% teaching, 25% research)
1990-1992
Assistant Professor of Ornamental Horticulture, Tennessee Tech. Univ.
(18% teaching, 45% research, 37% outreach/service)
Publications 2007-2012
Refereed Publications (underlined names indicate graduate students in the faculty members lab)
Arnold, M.A., D.L. Bryan, R. Cabrera, G.C. Denny, J.J. Griffin, J.K. Iles, A.R. King, G.W. Knox, L. Lombardini, G.V.
McDonald, C.B. McKenney, D.T. Montague, G. Niu, H.B. Pemberton, A.L. Purnell, L.J. Shoemake, D.K. Struve., and
W.T. Watson. 2012. Provenance experiments with baldcypress, live oak, and sycamore illustrate the potential for
selecting more sustainable urban trees. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 38(5):205-213.
Bryan, D.L., A. Alarcon, A. Volder, L.A. Valdez-Aguilar, M.A. Arnold, and A.D. Cartmill. 2012. Arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungi alleviate growth of Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. at suboptimal planting depths. Scientia Horticulturae 144(2012):74-80.
Adams, R.P., M.A. Arnold, A.R. King, G.C. Denny, and D. Creech. 2012. Taxodium (Cupressaceae): one, two, or three
species? Evidence from DNA sequences and terpenoids. Phytologia 94(2):159-168.
King, A.R., M.A. Arnold, D.F. Welsh, and W.T. Watson. 2012. Developmental stage and growth regulator concentration
differentially affect vegetative propagation of select baldcypress clones. HortScience 47(2):238-248.
Adams, R.P., M.A. Arnold, A.R. King, and G.C. Denny. 2012. Geographic variation in the leaf essential oils of Taxodium
(Cupressaceae). Phytologia 94(1):53-70.
King, A.R., M.A. Arnold, D.F. Welsh, and W.T. Watson. 2011. Substrates, wounding, and hormone concentrations affect
adventitious rooting of baldcypress cuttings. HortScience 46(10):1387-1393.
Pemberton, B., M. Arnold, T. Davis, D. Lineberger, C. McKenney, D. Rodriguez, L. Stein, C. Hall, M. Palma, and R. De Los
Santos. 2011. The Texas Superstar® program - success through partnership. HortTechnology 21(6):698-699.
Bryan, D.L., M.A. Arnold, A. Volder, W.T. Watson, L. Lombardini, J.J. Sloan, A. Alarcon, L.A. Valdez-Aguilar, A.D.
Cartmill. 2011. Planting depth and soil amendments affect growth of Quercus virginiana Mill. Urban Forestry &
Urban Greening 10(2):127-132.
Bryan, D.L., M.A. Arnold, A. Volder, W.T. Watson, L. Lombardini, J.J. Sloan, L.A. Valdez-Aquilar, and A.D. Cartmill.
2010. Effect of planting depth and selected cultural practices on landscape establishment of baldcypress and sycamore.
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 36(2):57-65
Arnold, M.A., G.V. McDonald, G.C Denny, S.T. Carver, and A.R. King. 2010. Screening potential new tropical ornamentals
for alkalinity, salinity, and irradiance tolerances. J. Environ. Hort. 29(1)45-50.
Bryan, D.L., M.A. Arnold, A. Volder, W.T. Watson, L. Lombardini, J.J. Sloan, L.A. Valdez-Aguilar, and A.D. Cartmill.
2009. Planting depth during container production and landscape establishment affects growth of Ulmus parvifolia.
HortScience 45(1):54-60.
Martinez-Trinidad, T., W.T. Watson, M.A. Arnold and L. Lombardini. 2009. Carbohydrate injections as a potential option
to improve growth and vitality of live oaks. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 35(3):142-147.
Arnold, M.A. and G.V. McDonald. 2009. Groundcovers, organic and inorganic mulches, and masonry surfaces
differentially affect establishment and root zone characteristics of urban trees. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry
35(5):232-240.
McDonald, G.V., M.A. Schnelle, and M.A. Arnold. 2009. Cold hardy palms: species and strategies for landscape utilization.
HortTechnology 19(4):705-709.
Martinez-Trinidad, T., W.T. Watson, M.A. Arnold, D.N. Appel, and L. Lombardini. 2009. Temporal and spatial
carbohydrate partitioning in live oak. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 35(2):63-67.
Martinez-Trinidad, T., W.T. Watson, M.A. Arnold, and L. Lombardini. 2009. Investigations of exogenous applications of
carbohydrates on the growth and vitality of live oaks. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 8(1):41-48.
St. Hilaire, R., M.A. Arnold, D.A. Devitt, B.H. Hurd, B.J. Lesikar, V.I. Lohr, C.A. Martin, G.V. McDonald, R.L. Morris,
D.R. Pittenger, D.A. Shaw, D.C. Wilkerson, and D.F. Zoldoske. 2008. Efficient water use in urban landscapes.
HortScience 43(7):2081-2092.
Denny, G.C., M.A. Arnold, and W.A. Mackay. 2008. Evaluation of alkalinity tolerance of selected provenances of
Taxodium Rich. HortScience 43(7):1987-1900.
McDonald, G.V., G.C. Denny, M.A. Arnold, L.W. Barnes, and D.L. Bryan. 2008. Comparative canopy damage among
provenances of baldcypress associated with the presence of Cercosporidium sequoiae (Ellis and Everth.) W. A. Baker
and Partridge. HortScience 43(6):1703-1705.
Persyn, R., X. Duan, B. Lesikar, A. Kenimer, and M.Arnold. 2008. Performance of wastewater subsurface drip emitters at
low and normal pressure. Water Environment Research :80(2)142-148.
Mackay, W.A., M.A. Arnold, G.V. McDonald, N. Sankhla. 2007. Cyclanilide alterations in growth of five landscape plant
species during container production are location dependent. J. Environ. Hort. 25(2):109-115.
Watson, T., D. Appel, M. Arnold, and T. Martinez-Trinidad. 2007. Inoculation, symptoms, and colonization in
containerized apple trees by Phymatotrichopsis omnivora (Duggar) Hennebert. Agrociencia 41(4):459-468.
Denny, G.C. and M.A. Arnold. 2007. Taxonomy and nomenclature of baldcypress, pondcypress and montezuma cypress:
one, two or three species? HortTechnology 17(1)125-127.
Denny, G.C. and M.A. Arnold. 2007. Pre-germination seed treatments and stratification affect germination of montezuma
cypress. J. Environ. Hort. 25(1):1-3.
Arnold, M.A., G.V. McDonald, D.L. Bryan, G.C. Denny, W. T. Watson, and L. Lombardini. 2007. Below grade planting
adversely affects survival and growth of tree species from five different families. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry
33(1):64-69.
Editor reviewed publications or conference proceedings 2007-2012
Arnold, M.A., G.V. McDoanld, G.C. Denny, A.R. King, and S.T. Carver. 2011. Germination of scarified seeds of Neptunia
lutea and Mimosa (Schrankia). Proc. 2012 Southern Nursery Research Conference 57:280-283.
Blythe, E.K., W. Dunwell, E. Bush, J.W. Adelberg, M. Arnold, R. Bracy, Y. Chen, D. Fare, W. Klingeman, P. Knight, G.
Knox, A.V. LeBude, J. Lindstrom, A.X. Niemiera, A. Owings, J. Robbins, J. Ruter, and T.P. West. 2010. Nursery crop
and landscape systems plant evaluations by SERA-27 in the southeastern U.S.: 2010 update. 2010. Comb. Proc. Intl.
Plant Prop. Soc. 60:607-609.
Arnold, M.A., A.R. King, and S.T. Carver. 2011. Growth and flowering responses of three novel landscape plants to
summer shade levels in central Texas. Proc. 2011 Southern Nursery Research Conference 56:304-307.
Arnold, M.A. and G.V. McDonald. 2009. Organic mulches, inorganic mulches, or living groundcovers – do they make a
difference in establishment of urban trees? Proc. of the Landscape Below Ground III Conference. Lisle, IL, Oct. 7 – 9,
2008. pp. 40-47.
Bryan, D.L., M.A. Arnold, A. Volder, W.T. Watson, L. Lombardini, J.J. Sloan, and A.D. Cartmill. 2009. Overview of
selected studies on the influence of planting depth on landscape establishment of container-grown trees. Proc. of the
Landscape Below Ground III Conference. Lisle, IL, Oct. 7 – 9, 2008. pp. 125-130.
Arnold, M.A. and G.V. McDonald. 2008. Surface area and method of weed control surrounding green ash trunks affects
landscape establishment. Proc. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. 53:391-393.
Arnold, M.A., G.V. McDonald, and G.C. Denny. 2008. Screening promising tropical plants for alkalinity, salinity, and
irradiance tolerances when used as summer annuals in a warm temperate climate. Proc. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res.
Conf. 53:481-483.
Arnold, M.A. and G.V. McDonald. 2007. Green ash growth was unaffected by interactions between drip irrigation
placement and pine bark mulch applications. Proc. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. 52:196-198.
Popular press articles 2007-2012
Pemberton, B., M. Arnold, and D. Rodriquez. 2012 Texas Superstar promotions for 2012. TNLA Green 14(1):18-20.
Arnold, M.A. 2011. Providence provides provenances for proper plants. Nursery Management 27(9): 46-49. On line
version http://nmpro.texterity.com/nurserymanagement/201109#pg46 .
Arnold, M.A. 2010. Road trip, Super Bowl parties, and Horticulture - life is good! Southern Region of the American Society
for Horticultural Sciences Newsletter (preconference). November, 2010. pp. 1.
Arnold, M.A. 2010. Embracing adversity as an opportunity for change. Southern Region of the American Society for
Horticultural Sciences Newsletter Sept. 2010. pp. 1-2.
Pemberton, B., M. Arnold, and C. McKenney. 2010. 2011 Texas Superstar®. January 2010, TNLA Green 13(1):14-16.
Arnold, M., E. Bush, R. Cabrera, G. Denny, J. Griffin, J. Iles, A. King, G. Knox, G. McDonald, C. McKenney, T. Montague,
G. Niu, A. Owings, and D. Struve. 2010. Testing tolerances of Taxodium. Landscape Plant News 20(3):10-11.
Files, P., M. Arnold, D. Welsh, and F. Daneillo (Emeritis). 2009. Building a Raised Bed Garden (Revised Edition). B-6102,
Texas AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX. p. 10.
Arnold, M.A. 2008. Two new Texas Superstars™ for spring. TNLA Green: 10(8):20 & 22.
Arnold, M.A. 2007. The pride-of-Barbados becomes the pride-of-Texas! TNLA Green Magazine 9(8):20 & 35.
Arnold, M.A. 2007. Jumping jatropha, a spicy plant for hot spots! TNLA Green Magazine 9(8):20.
Struve, D., J. Sammons, J. Altland, B.L. Appleton, M. Arnold, R. Beeson, J. Cole, and S. Clark. 2007. A team effort.
American Nurseryman 205(4):36-43.
Electronic media/software (websites, software, videos, etc.) 2007-2012
Maintain three class websites and contribute to the content of the graduate portion of our Departmental website:
HORT 306 website: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/206/home/frameset.htm
HORT 608 website: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/608/index.html
Graduate portion of HortSciences.tamu.edu website: http://hortsciences.tamu.edu/graduate-programs/
Books or chapters in books 2007-1012
Arnold, M.A. 2008. Landscape Plants for Texas and Environs, Third.Ed. Stipes Publ. Co., Champaign, IL. p. 1334 plus 82
pages of color plates.
Patents / plant variety releases / plant variety patents
Arnold, M.A. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station via Ball Horticulture & Pan American Seed. 2010. PVP No.
200600009 Helenium 'Dakota Gold' issued on 06/22/2010.
Classes taught (2007-2012)
Undergraduate courses
Horticulture 306 Woody Ornamental Plants: Fall 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012
Horticulture 308, Landscape Plant Materials: Spring 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012
Horticulture 485, Problems in Horticulture: Fall 2008, Fall 2011, and Spring 2012
Graduate courses
Horticulture 608 (initially taught as Horticulture 689), Plants for Landscape Design in Spring 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
and Fall 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 at Texas A&M University
Horticulture 609 (initially taught as a Horticulture 689), Plants for Landscape Design II in Spring 2009, 2010, 2011, and
2012.
Horticulture 685, Problems in Horticulture, Spring 1993, Fall 1994, Summer 1996, Spring 1997, Fall 2006, Spring 2007 at
Horticulture 691, Research, each semester year-round from Spring 2007 through Fall 2012 at Texas A&M University.
Graduate students (2007-2012)
Advised/co-advised
Donita L. Bryan. 2008. Ph.D. Influence of Planting Depth on Landscape Establishment of Container-Grown Trees.
Sean Carver. Current Ph.D. student. Evaluating the Ornamental Potentials of Four Native Texas Coastal Species.
Geoffrey C. Denny. 2007. Ph.D. Evaluation of Provenance on Drought, Alkalinity and Salinity Tolerance of Bald Cypress.
Andrew King. M.S. 2010. Vegetative Propagation and Topophytic Responses of Selected Baldcypress Clones. p. 96.
Andrew King. Current Ph.D. student. Investigating Container Production, Drought Tolerance and Consumer Preferences in
Five Native Texas Species.
Garry V. McDonald. 2007. Ph.D. Ozone (O3) Efficacy on Reduction of Phytophthora capsici Leonian in Recycled
Horticultural Irrigation Water. (Co-advised with Drs. Don Wilkerson and M.A. Arnold)
Alma Rosa Solís-Pérez. 2009. Ph.D. Characterizing Salinity Tolerance in Roses. (Co-advised with Drs. Raul
First job taken by each of your graduate students 2007-2012
Donita L. Cartmill (Donita L. Bryan, maiden name) – Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Geoffrey C. Denny – Assistant Professor, University of Florida, now Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University
Garry V. McDonald – Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas
Alma Rosa Solís-Pérez – Returned to a professorial position in Mexico, since moved to a research associate position at the
Texas A&M University Research and Extension Center at Uvalde.
Graduate student committees (non-advisees)
Nick K. Biewenga. Current student. M.L.A., Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. (project changed, so was
substituted for on the committee, spring 2008).
Kelly Bryan. 2010. M.Ag. Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute and Botanical Garden:
Summer Internship.
Naishi Bu. Current student. M.L.A., Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. Changed committee
composition due to change in project.
Yangye Cao. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Project in preparation.
Yuxi Cheng. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Project in preparation.
Brett Doreck. M. Agric. student, Dept. of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, internship at Brazos Valley Tree Farm.
Michael Droske, M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, A Sustainable Homestead Landscape
Plan Based on Principles of Ecological Succession.
Xiaojing Duan. 2006. M.S. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Characterization of Wastewater Subsurface
Drip Emitters and Design Approaches Concerning System Application Uniformity. p. 119.
Fitzgerald, A. 2011. Ph.D. Melbourne School of Land and Environment, The University of Melbourne, Australia. Tree
root system and canopy relationships in urban trees.
Charles Henry Fontanier. M.S. 2010. Dept. Soil and Crop Sciences. Effects of Winter Overseeding and Three-Dimensional
Clipping Management on Warm-Season Turfgrasses.
Myron "Mike" Gray. 2007. Ph.D. Dept. of Plant Pathology and Microbiology. The Use of Population Genetics to Test for
Genetic Resistance to Oak Wilt in Live Oak.
Ben Hagood. Current M. Agric.. Student. Dept. of Soil and Crops, internship undefined.
Micah E. Hale. 2010. M. Agric., Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Internship at Moody Gardens.
Hayley Hannah. Current M.S. student, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, project in development.
Tamara Hughes. M.L.A. student. Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Design approaches to city entrances
in highway right-of-ways: a case study and project development.
Benjamin D.D. Langford. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, project in development on
conversion of street area to a park in Byran, TX.
Miao, Lingyan. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Project in preparation.
Lauren L. McAdow. M.L.A. student, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, project in development on
a Bryan church.
Sheila A. McBride. M.S. student, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology. Project on Pierce’s disease in grape in
development.
Matthew A. McGinley. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, project in development on
caliche mine park in Alston, TX.
Julie Christine Rothe. M.S. 2010. Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences. The Identification and Quantification of Leaf Mesophyll
Oil Bodies During the Development of Native or Adapted Plant Species.
Sara Ann Smith. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, project in development. Changed
committee members due to alteration in project selection.
Mark Swapp. Current M.L.A. student Dept of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. Changed committee members
due to a change in research projects.
Tomas Martinez Trinadad. 2008. Ph.D. Dept. of Forest Science. Effects of carbohydrate applications on growth and vitality
of live oak (Quercus virginiana).
Tanner Lyndon Watkins. 2008. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Bella Vista: A residential golf
course development, Grayson County, TX.
Yi Xue. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. A Comprehensive Master Plan for a 1,300
Acre Lake Methodist Conference Center (LMCC) in Anderson County, TX.
Xin Yang. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. A Comprehensive Master Plan for an
Active Retirement Community in Hainan, China.
Wenjie Zhao. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Project in preparation.
Lu Zhou. M.L.A. student, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Project in preparation on wild land
development for private residence in Grimes County, TX.
Interdisciplinary program participation (2007-2012)
None
Grants and contracts awarded 2007-2012
$158,847 Developing Production Protocols for Xxxx xxxxx (blocked out due to nondisclosure agreement) for
Pharmaceutical Extractions. Berry Pharmaceuticals. Funded $158,847. 2010-2013.
$605
Participation in the American Society for Horticultural Sciences Board Meeting. $605. Expenses reimbursed to
Texas AgriLife Research by the American Society for Horticultural Sciences.
$4,262
Development and promotion of QR codes for increasing sales of Texas Superstar® plants. $71,434 Texas
Department of Agriculture: Specialty Crop Block Gran Program. H.B. Pemberton, M. Arnold, T. Davis, L. Stein,
D. Rodriquez, and C. McKenney (Co-PIs). $4,262 portion for M.A. Arnold (Funded for 2012-2013).
$24,790 Does Size Really Matter With Container-Grown Trees? Hyland Johns Grant, Tree Research and Education
Endowment Fund. M.A. Arnold. Funded $24,790.
$400
Participation in Presentation of Texas Excellence in Landscaping (TEIL) Awards. Texas Nursery and Landscape
Association. $224 cash for travel, plus room and meals in kind.
$8,000
Cutting Baldcypress Off At The Knees. J. Frank Schmidt Family Charitable Foundation. M.A. Arnold.
$30,254.requested, funded for $8,000.
$609
Recent Research on Transplant Establishment Planting Decisions – Giving Trees a Fighting Chance in the Urban
Jungle! (travel funding) American Society of Consulting Arborists. M.A. Arnold. Funded $609.
$9,931
Does Propagation Method Impact Survival and Growth of Below Grade Planted Trees? Duling Grants Program,
Tree Research and Education Fund. M.A. Arnold. Funded $9,931.
$9,982
Cutting Baldcypress Of At The Knees Duling Grants Program, Tree Research and Education Fund. M.A. Arnold.
Funded $9,982.
$2,000
Determination of drought tolerance and parentage of live oak (Quercus virginiana) and escarpment live oak
(Quercus fusiformis) accessions for adaptation to demanding environments. $11,017. Tom’s Tree Place through
Texas Tech University. C. McKenney, T. Montague, R. Wright, and D. Auld. (subcontract portion for M.A.
Arnold $2,000).
$10,000
$1,150
$1,500
$125
$5,000
$7,441
$7,500
$10,000
$500
$7,865
$30,000
$5,635
$2,291
$3,092
$2,906
$2,296
$2,245
$2,296
$2,995
$487
$5,536
Planting Depth Impacts on Production and Landscape Establishment of Container-Grown Trees (a progress report
and request for renewal for follow-up experiments). J. Frank Schmidt Family Charitable Foundation. M.A.
Arnold (PI).
Travel funds for M.A. Arnold and D.L. Bryan to present our laboratory group’s work at the Landscape Below
Ground III Conference in Lyle, IL. The Morton Arboretum. M.A. Arnold and D.L. Bryan (co-PIs).
Images for on-line plant identification portion of Texas Master Certified Nursery Professional exam. Texas
Nursery and Landscape Association. M.A. Arnold (PI).
Travel expenses for talk to Southeast Texas Nursery & Greenhouse Growers Association. Southeast Texas
Nursery & Greenhouse Growers Association. M.A. Arnold (PI).
Development of trailing low water requiring perennials as hanging basket, groundcover, and patio planter crops.
$5,000. Texas Ornamentals Enhancement Endowment. Michael Arnold (PI) and Garry McDonald (cooperator).
Assessing field level cold tolerance in improved genotypes of Taxodium distichum tolerant of alkaline soils and
drought. $7,441. TREE Fund. M.A.Arnold (PI).
Soil, irrigation, and production factors influencing establishment of container-grown trees at various planting
depths. TREE Fund. M.A. Arnold (PI).
Investigating impacts of planting depth during production and transplant on initial landscape establishment (a
progress report and request for renewal). J. Frank Schmidt Family Charitable Foundation. M.A. Arnold (PI).
Irradiance effects on the growth and inflorescences in four different Texas coastal species for potential
commercial usage. $500. Experiential learning undergraduate research grant, TAMU Department of
Horticultural Sciences. Funded.
Endowment funds from Nemcik Endowment to support maintenance of the TAMU Horticultural Gardens.
Funded.
Maintenance funding to sustain the Horticulture Gardens during transition to physical plant control. $30,000.
Internally funded by the Dean’s Office in the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Funded.
2011 Support of the CEMAP program IP136-Texas Superstar ($39,450 from tag sales). C. McKenney, T.D.
Davis, M.A. Arnold, R.D. Lineberger, L.A. Stein, B. Pemberton, and R. Rodriguez (co-PIs). Portion attributable
to M.A. Arnold $5,635 (1/7th of total $39,450). 1 year.
2011 License agreement between Ball Horticultural Company and the Texas A&M University System for
Helenium amarum selections (TAMUS 1699) – Dr. Michael Arnold.
Davis, M.A. Arnold, R.D. Lineberger, L.A. Stein, B. Pemberton, and R. Rodriguez (co-PIs). Portion attributable
to M.A. Arnold $3,092 (1/7th of total $21,650). 1 year.
Helenium amarum selections (TAMUS 1699) – Dr. Michael Arnold.
Davis, M.A. Arnold, R.D. Lineberger, L.A. Stein, and B. Pemberton (co-PIs). Portion attributable to M.A. Arnold
$2,296 (1/6th of total). 1 year.
Helenium amarum selections (TAMUS 1699) – Dr. Mike Arnold.
Davis, M.A. Arnold, R.D. Lineberger, L.A. Stein, and B. Pemberton (co-PIs). Portion attributable to M.A. Arnold
$2,296 (1/6th of total). 1 year.
2007 Support of the CEMAP program ($4,379.21 from tag sales). Mackay, W.A., C. McKenney, T.D. Davis,
M.A. Arnold, R.D. Lineberger, J.M. Parsons, L.A. Stein, B. Pemberton, and G.G. Grant (co-PIs). Portion
attributable to M.A. Arnold $438 (1/9th of total). 1 year.
Review panels for grants and journals
Grant review panel service 2007-2012
None.
HortTechnology
Journal of Environmental Horticulture
Arboriculture and Urban Forestry (formerly Journal of Arboriculture)
Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences
HortScience
HortTechnology
Journal of Environmental Horticulture
Internal university / agency service on committees 2007 – 2012
Texas A&M University Tree Advisory Committee, 2010 – present.
Texas A&M University Evaluation Committee for the Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Awards
for 2010.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Tenure and Promotion Committee, 2005 – present, chair from 2009 to 2012.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Graduate Program Committee, 2001 – 2012; chair from 2003 – 2007 and 2012
- present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Outcome Assessment Committee, 2008 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Farm Operations Advisory Committee, 2011 – present
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Garden Operations Advisory Committee, 2011 – present, chair 2011 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Greenhouse Operations Advisory Committee, 2011 – present
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, member 2011.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Garden Steering Committee, member 2010 – 2011.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Mentoring Committee for Dr. Joseph Masabni on the College Station Campus,
2009 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Mentoring Committee for Dr. Xin Wang Wang at the Dallas Research Station,
2009 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Mentoring Committee for Dr. Astrid Volder on the College Station Campus,
2006 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Plant Diagnostics at a Distance, member 2000 - present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Outcome Assessment Committee, 2008 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Budget Committee, 2009-2011.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Ad Hoc Outcome Assessment Plan Committee, 2007- 2008.
Texas AgriLife (TCE/TAES) Executive Committee of the Coordinated Education and Marketing Assistance Program
(CEMAP), member 1999 – present; chair 2003 - 2009.
Texas AgriLife Research (TAES) Mentor Committee for a Dr. Genhua Niu faculty member at the El Paso Research Station,
2004 – present
Texas AgriLife Research Ornamentals Plant Development Position at Dallas Search Committee, 2008.
TAES/AgriLife Research Ornamentals Plant Development Position at Dallas Search Committee, 2008.
TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Tom Slick Fellowship Evaluation Committee, member 2005-present.
TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Horticultural Sciences Department Head Search Committee, member 2012.
TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Tenure and Promotion Committee, 2009-2011.
TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Association of Former Students Teaching Award (College-level), 2008.
TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Graduate Program Council, 2003 – 2007 and 2012 - present.
TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Water and Ecological Sustainability Signature Program Team, 2003 – 2007.
Served on the American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS) Board of Directors, 2011 – present.
Served as a member of the HortTechnology Editorial Board, 2011 – present.
Served as a member of the ASHS Fellows Selection Committee, 2011 -2013.
Member of the ASHS Nominations and Elections Committee, Education Division Representative 2006 – 2009.
Served as president elect-elect (2008-2009), president elect (2009-2010), president (2010-2011), past-president (2011-2012),
and senior past president (2012-2013) of the Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences.
Served as a member of the SR-ASHS Executive Committee, member 2003 – 2011; chair 2009.
Served as a member of the SR-ASHS Nominations Committee, 2011 – 2013; chair 2012-2013.
Served as a member of the SR-ASHS Smeal Senior Leadership/Administration Award Committee, member 2012-present.
Served as a member of the SR-ASHS J. Creighton Miller, Jr. Distinguished Educator Award Committee, 2010-2012, chair
2012.
Served as a chair of the SR-ASHS Masters oral paper competition section, 2010.
Served as a chair of the SR-ASHS Ph.D. oral paper competition section, 2010.
Served as a chair of the SR-ASHS Collegiate Branch Section, 2009.
Served as a member of the SR-ASHS L.M. Ware Distinguished Teacher Award Committee/J. Creighton Miller, Jr.
Distinguished Educator Award Committee, 2004 – 2007, chair 2006-2007.
TNLA Best of Texas Task Force, 2011-2012
TNLA TIEL Task Force, 2009.
Advisor to the TNLA Landscape Committee, 2007 – 2009
Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards Evaluation Committee, 2007 – 2009.
Landscape Plant Development Center Board of Directors, 2007-2008
Landscape Plant Development Center Plant Introduction Committee and Research Committee, 2007-2008
Member of the Southern Region ASHS L.M. Ware Distinguished Teacher Award Committee/J. Creighton
Miller, Jr. Distinguished Educator Award Committee, 2004 – 2007, chair 2006-2007
Chair of the Southern Region ASHS Collegiate Branch Section, 2009
Chair of the Southern Region ASHS Ph.D. oral paper competition section, 2010
Chair of the Southern Region ASHS Masters oral paper competition section, 2010
Texas Invasive Plant & Pest Council Board, member 2009 - 2012.
Inducted as a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences in 2010.
Received the 2009 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching, highest teaching award in the Texas
A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Received the 2009 Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science J. Creighton Miller, Jr. Distinguished
Educator Award (the organization’s highest teaching award).
Received a 2007 Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching at the College-Level.
David Hawkins Byrne
Professor, Prunus and Rosa Breeding and Genetics
dbyrne@tamu.edu
Program Summary
The thrust of the applied plant improvement work is breeding for adaptation: disease
resistance, consistent yield and fruit quality under mild winter conditions in stone fruit, and
disease (black spot, powdery mildew) resistance, heat tolerance, compact plant form,
thornlessness and a range of colors and flower forms in landscape rose breeding. In addition,
a strong effort is made to collect useful plant material from throughout the world.
Horticultural traits being introgressed into the low chill stone fruit breeding population
include high sugars, low acidity, white/orange/red flesh, high firmness, flat fruit shape, and
nectarine. My work with the RosBREED project focuses on the inheritance of high sugar
content in peaches and nectarines. I have planted the same progenies in both California and
Texas to ensure that these are well phenotyped and we can estimated the GxE interaction for
the range of traits that we will measure.
I am developing a joint breeding and research program with the fruit breeding Program at
EMBRAPA Clima Temperado to better use our facilities and germplasm to develop fresh market peach and nectarine varieties
and to do research in the areas of climatic restrictions of stone fruit production, embryo rescue techniques, and the health benefits
of stone fruit consumption. Additional collaborative breeding efforts are being pursued with CLONE in Brazil and Vinedos Alta
SA de CV, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
I also do collaborative work with Dr. Cisneros, Porter, Talcott, and Turner on the health benefits of stone fruit. We have
looked at the levels of phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and the effects of extracts on cancer (breast and colon)
proliferation, LDL oxidation, platelet aggregation, and inflammation.
With roses the breeding is done independently at the diploid and tetraploid levels. On the diploid level the excellent sources of
black spot resistance derived from once blooming species are introgressed into the disease susceptible everblooming germplasm
to develop recurrent blooming black spot resistant genotypes with the best possible bush type and flower characteristics. On the
tetraploid level, black spot resistant types are crossed with genotypes with superior bush and flower characteristics. The third
breeding program is the diploid to tetraploid introgression. This is to incorporate the generally superior disease resistance from the
diploid species into the tetraploid germplasm which has superior horticultural and flower characteristics. This is done via direct
crosses and/or by doubling the chromosomes of the diploid selections before crossing into the tetraploid germplasm. Currently we
are evaluating the large Moore rose collection (~800 genotypes) that was donated to Texas A&M University to determine its
usefulness in breeding as well as commercially. Ongoing graduate student projects include the determination of ploidy levels of
rose germplasm, effectiveness and subsequent ploidy levels of seedlings from crosses using a triploid pollen parent, screening
techniques, mapping and marker discovery for heat tolerance, black spot resistance and the length of the flowering cycle, and the
response of rose roots to heat stress. I am training my doctoral graduate students in the use of Pedimap and FlexQTL as we plan to
use this technology in their graduate work.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1980
B.S.
1975
Institution
Cornell University
Rutgers University
Major
Plant Breeding and Biometry
Plant Science
2007-2012
Associate Head for Research& Graduate Studies (5% administration), Dept. Horticultural
2004-present
Robert E. Basye Endowed Chair in Rose Genetics
2004 -2005
Fulbright Scholar. Fruit and Ornamental Breeding at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas and EMBRAPA, Pelotas,
RS, Brazil.
1997-present
Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, Texas A&M University
19891997
Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, Texas A&M University
1983-1989
Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Science, Texas A&M University
19811983
Plant Breeder, Research Scientist, International Plant Research Institute, Inc., San Carlos, CA
Vizzotto, M., L. Cisneros, W. R. Okie, D. W. Ramming, and D. H. Byrne. 2007. Large variation found in the phytochemical
content and antioxidant activity of peach and plum germplasm. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 132: 334-340
Kiani,M., Z. Zamani, A. Khalighi, R. Fatahi and D. H. Byrne. 2008. Wide Genetic Diversity of Rosa damascena Mill.
Germplasm in Iran as Revealed by RAPD Analysis. Scientia Hort. 115:386-392.
Promchot, S. U. Boonprakob, and D. H. Byrne. 2008. Genotype and environmental interaction of low-chill peaches and
nectarines in subtropical highlands of Thailand. Thai J. Agric. Sci. 41(1-2):53-61.
Lea, M., C. Ibeh, C. desBordes, M. Vizzotto, L. Cisneros-Zevallos, D. H. Byrne, W. R. Okie, and M.P. Moyer. 2008.
Inhibition of Growth and Induction of Differentiation of Colon Cancer Cells by Peach and Plum Phenolic Compounds.
Anticancer Research 2008 Jul-Aug; Vol. 28 (4B), pp. 2067-76.
Byrne, D. H. and U. Boonprakob. 2008. Thai Tiger low chill peach series. HortScience 43:2226-2227.
Byrne, D. H. 2009. Rose structural genetics. In: Gardiner and Folta (editors). Plant Genetics and Genomics. Volume 6.
Genetics and Genomics of Rosaceae. Springer.
Kiani, M., Z. Zamani, A. Khalighi, and D. H. Byrne. 2009. Microsatellite analysis of Iranian damask rose (Rosa damascena
Mill.) germplasm. Plant Breeding 128:1-7.
Noratto, G, W. Porter, D. H. Byrne, and L. Cisneros-Zevallos. 2009. Identifying peach and plum polyphenols with
chemopreventive potential against estrogen-independent breast cancer cells. J. Agric. Food Chem 57:5219-5226.
Spiller, M., M. Linde, L. Hibrand-Saint Oyant, C. Tsai, D. H. Byrne, M. J. Smulders, F. Foucher, and T. Debener. 2011.
Towards a unified genetic map for diploid roses. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 122(3):489-500.
Gar O, D. J. Sargent, C-J Tsai, T. Pleban, G. Shalev, D. H. Byrne and D. Zamir. 2011. An Autotetraploid Linkage Map of
Rose (Rosa hybrida) Validated Using the Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) Genome Sequence. PLoS ONE 6(5): e20463.
Doi:10.1371 /journal.pone.0020463
Puerta-Gomez, A. F., D. H. Byrne, and L. Cisneros-Zevallos. 2011. Postharvest studies beyond fresh market eating quality:
Phytochemical antioxidant changes in peach and plum fruit during ripening and advanced senescence. Postharvest Biol.
Technol. 60: 220-224. (note that this was originally published without Byrne as an author, this mistake is being
corrected).
Frett, T. J., K. Gasic, J. R. Clark, D. H. Byrne, T. Gradziel and C. Crisosto. 2012. Standardized phenotyping for fruit quality
in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc.66 (4): 214-219.
Byrne, D. H. and N. Anderson. 2012. ‘TexFirst’, An early ripening low chill peach for the subtropics. HortScience. 47:18031804.
Byrne, D. H. 2007. Molecular marker use in perennial plant breeding in fruit and ornamental crops. Acta Hort. 751:163-168.
Anderson, N. and D. H. Byrne. 2007. Methods for rose germination. Acta Hort. 751:503-507.
Shupert, D. A., D. H. Byrne, and H. B. Pemberton. 2007. The inheritance of flower traits, leaflet number and prickles in rose.
Acta Hort. 751:331-336.
Byrne, D. H., N. Anderson, and H. B. Pemberton. 2007. The use of Rosa wichurana in the development of landscape roses
adapted to hot humid climates. Acta Hort. 751:267-274.
Hess, G., C. Scheuring, D. Byrne, and H. Zhang. 2007. Towards positional cloning of the everblooming gene in plants: A
BAC library of Rosa chinensis cv. Old Blush. Acta Hort. 751:169-174.
Byrne, D. H., G. Noratto, L. Cisneros Zevallos, W. Porter and M. Vizzotto. 2009. Health benefits of peaches and plums. Acta
Hort., 841: 267-274.
Noratto, G., L. Cisneros-Zevallos, D.H. Byrne, W.R. Okie, and W. Porter. 2009. Molecular mechanisms involved in the
inhibition of MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells by phenolic acids from the red flesh peach BY00P6653. Acta Hort.,
841:67-74.
Noratto, G., W. Porter, D. Byrne, and L. Cisneros Zevallos. 2009. Phenolics in peaches and plums preferentially suppress the
growth of estrogen-independent MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells. Acta Hort. 841:567-570.
Byrne, D. H., N. Anderson, M. Orwat, and V. Soules. 2010. Field assessment of black spot resistance in roses in a hot humid
climate. Acta Hort.870:115-120
Kiani, M., Z. Zamani, A. Khalighi, R. Fatahi, and D. H. Byrne. 2010. A unique germplasm of Damask roses in Iran. Acta
Hort. 870:131-136.
Byrne, D. H. 2010. Environmental challenges of breeding peaches for low chill regions. Acta Hort. 872:129-138.
Iezzoni A, Peace C, Weebadde C, Luby J, Yue CY, Bassil N, Bink M, Brown S, Byrne D, Clark J, Crisosto, C,
Davis T, Evans K, Fazio G, Finn C, Gallardo K, Gasic K, Gradziel T, Hancock J, Jussaume R, Luby J, Main D,
McCracken V, Oraguzie N, Reighard G, Stone A, Taylor M, van de Weg E, Wang D, and Xu K. 2010. RosBREED:
Enabling marker-assisted breeding in Rosaceae. Acta Horticulturae 859: 389-394.
Peaches by Design. June 6, 2007. Written by Peggy Grodinsky, based on interview with David Byrne, Houston Chronicle
feature article in Food Section.
Plums poised to give blueberries run for the money. January 28, 2009. Written by Kathleen Phillips. Luis Cisneros and
David Byrne. Research. This news release generated articles in many newspaper and magazines.
Peaches, plums induce deliciously promising for breast cancer cells. June 02, 2010. Written by Kathleen Phillips.
Luis Cisneros and David Byrne. Research done by Giuliana Noratto, Weston Porter, Luis Cisneros, and David
Byrne. This news release generated articles in many newspaper and magazines.
Well-adapted and gorgeous, roses vie for top billing in Texas breeding program. Article and video prepared by Kathleen
Phillips. November 17, 2010. David Byrne
Rose torture: severe heat in Texas yields better varieties for research. Article and video prepared by Kathleen Phillips.
December, 2011. David Byrne. This press release generated articles in the major gardening magazines as well as an
interview on television at the local television station.
Rose researcher seeks public input to sniff out best traits. Article prepared by Kathleen Phillips. November, 2012. David
Byrne.
Maintain two class websites, two research web sites, and the Rose Program Facebook page:
Peach Breeding and Genetics website: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/stonefruit/
Rose Breeding and Genetics website: http://agrilife.org/rose/
Rose Breeding and Genetics Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/tamuroses
Rose Program listserve: This is to send out updates about the Rose Breeding and Genetics Program to about 1,000 email
addresses.
Raseira, M. C. B, D. H. Byrne, and R. C. Franzon. 2008. Pessegueiro, p. 679-705. In: Barbieri, R. L. and E. R. T. Stumpf.
(eds.), Origem e evolução de plantas cultivadas., Embrapa Informação Tecnológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil (English
versión published in 2012).
Byrne, D. H. 2009. Rose structural genetics. In: Gardiner and Folta (editors). Introduction to Genetics and
Genomics in
Rose. Plant Genetics and Genomics. Volume 6. Genetics and Genomics of Rosaceae. Springer.
Badenes, M. and D. H. Byrne (eds.). 2012. Handbook of plant breeding: Fruit breeding. Springer, January 31, 2012.
Byrne, D. H. 2012. Trends in fruit breeding, p 3-36. Handbook of plant breeding: Fruit breeding. In: M. Badenes and D. H.
Byrne (eds.). Springer, January 31, 2012.
Byrne, D. H., M. C. Raseira., S. Perez, D. Bassi, M. C. Piagnani, M. C. Moreno, K., Gasic ,and G. Reighard. 2012. Peach
breeding, p 505-570. Handbook of plant breeding: Fruit breeding. In: M. Badenes and D. H. Byrne (eds.). Springer,
January 31, 2012.
Wargovich, M., J. Morris, V. Moseley, R. Weber, and D.H. Byrne. 2012. Developing fruit cultivars with enhanced health
properties, p 37-68. Handbook of plant breeding: Fruit breeding. In: M. Badenes and D. H. Byrne (eds.). Springer,
January 31, 2012.
Thai Tiger series – A series of four low chill yellow fleshed peaches released as an alternative crop to poppy in Northern
Thailand. Not patented. 2008. Byrne, D. H. and U. Boonprakob. 2008. Thai Tiger low chill peach series. HortScience
43:2226-2227.
TexFirst – A low chill yellow peach that ripens before Flordaking. Patent pending. 2012. Byrne, D. H. and N. Anderson.
2012. ‘TexFirst’, An early ripening low chill peach for the subtropics. HortScience. 47:1803-1804.
Horticulture 319 Temperate Frui and Nut Production: Fall 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012
Horticulture 423, Tropical Horticulture: Fall 2007, 2009, and 2011
Horticulture 491, Problems in Horticulture: Fall/Spring 2010, and Fall/Spring 2012
Graduate courses
Horticulture 691, Research, each semester year-round from Spring 2007 through Fall 2012 at Texas A&M University.
Advised/co-advised
Giuliana Noratto, Ph.D., 2008. Anticancer activity of peach and plum extracts against human breast cancer in vitro and in
vivo
Valerie Eitreim Soules, M.S., 2009. Analysis of genetic diversity and relationships in the China rose group.
Natalie Anderson, M.S., 2010. Peach germplasm diversity.
Matthew Orwat, M.Ag., 2010. Texas AgriLife Extension Horticulture Internship, A community education approach.
Professional paper.
Current students:
Amy Tsai, Ph.D. Mapping diploid and tetraploid rose with microsatellites. Began Spring, 2006, estimated graduation
August 2013.
Tim Hartmann, M.S. Heritability and Combining Ability for Fruit Quality Traits in Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Began Fall
2009. Estimated graduation December 2013.
Ockert Greyvenstein, Ph.D. Mosanto Plant Breeding Scholar. Rose breeding and genetics. CoChair with Dr. Starman. Began
January 2010. Estimated graduation December 2013.
Jake Ueckert, M. S. Rose genetics and breeding. Began Sept 2010. Expected graduation in December 2013.
Quianni Dong, Ph.D. Monsanto Plant Breeding Scholar. Rose Breeding and Genetics. Co chair with Dr. Wang at Dallas. To
begin in January, 2011. Expected graduation in December 2014.
Guiliana Noratto – Assistant Research Scientist, Nutrition & Food Science, Vet. Physiology & Pharmacology working with
Dr. Talcott, Texas A&M University. Currently an Assistant Professor with the Food Science Department at Washington
State University
Natalie Anderson – Research Associate, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University.
Valerie Eitriem – Married.
Matt Orwat - Extension Agent, Horticulture, UF / IFAS Washington County Extension, 1424 Jackson Ave., Suite A., Chipley
Fl. 32428-1628
Graduate student committees
Emily Townsley, M.S. Health benefits of peach and plum. Susanne Talcott, December 2010.
Leigh Ann Piefer, M.S. Effect of chlorogenic acid and quercetin on the inflammation in a rat model of colitis. Nancy Turner.
May 2012.
Sean Carver, Ph.D. Evaluating the Ornamental Potentials of Four Native Texas Coastal Species. Michael Arnold. Expected
graduation Dec 2013.
Anna M. Burrell, Ph.D. (Molecular and genetic analysis of adaptive evolution in the rare serpentine endemic, Caulanthus
amplexicaulis var. barbarae. Alan Pepper). December 2011.
Andrea Maeda, MS. Cotton cytogenetics. David Stelly. Expected graduation December 2013.
Amy Cai, Ph.D. Drought and salinity tolerance in roses. Terri Starman. Expected graduation. August, 2013.
Zainab Mansur, M.S. Pecan physiology. Leo Lombardini and Astrid Volder. Expected graduation. August 2014.
Visiting Scientists
Dr. Ruidan Chen, a professor at the Beijing Forestry University to work in the research area of peach and rose genetic
diversity (Dec. 2007 – Jan 2009).
Anil Shukla, a scientist from India who was at TAMU for 6 weeks (Feb-March 2009) on a Borlaug Scholarship.
Amjad Farooq, a Ph.D student at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. He did microsatellite research on the
genetic diversity of Rosa damascena which is part of his dissertation project (August 2009 to February 2010).
Saowanee Kongsri, a Ph.D student from Kasesart University in Bangkok, Thailand. She spent 8 months here and performed
experiments on the tolerance of Prunus rootstocks to drought and soil acidity (October 2010 to June 2011). We collaborated
with Dr. Lombardini on this project.
Hui Feng, a Ph.D student from Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, PRC. She spent 6 months (January 2011 – June 2011)
studying rose diversity and breeding.
Jihong Hu, a Stone Fruit Breeder from the Forestry and Fruit Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences
in Shanghai, China. She spent 6 months (March 2012 to August 2012) working with me in the Prunus Breeding and Genetics
program.
Xiaonan Yu, a peony breeder from the Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China. She will stay for 6 months (August 2012
to February 2012) and will work in the area of ornamental research.
Gulzar Aktar, Ph.D student at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. He did microsatellite research on the
genetic diversity of Rosa centifolia which is part of his dissertation project (January 2013 to July 2013).
Silvia Carpenedo, Ph.D student at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. She is studying heat
tolerance in peach. (January 2013 to January 2014).
Member of the Plant Breeding faculty
$50,000 License agreement Selecciones Donana for testing and commercialization of Prunus selections from Prunus
Breeding and Genetics Program. Funded at $10,000 per year. 2007-2011.
$6,000
License agreement Burchell Nursery for testing and commercialization of Prunus selections from Prunus Breeding
and Genetics Program. Funded $1,000 per year. 2007-2012. This company also maintains a peach experimental
orchard and facilitates the production of hybrid seed for the breeding effort.
$30,000 License agreement PICO, Modern Agriculture Company for testing and commercialization of Prunus selections
from Prunus Breeding and Genetics Program. Funded at $5,000 per year. 2007-2012.
$6,000
License agreement CLONE Viveiros for testing and commercialization of Prunus selections from Prunus
Breeding and Genetics Program. Funded at $1,000 per year. 2007-2012.
$25,000 License agreement Colors Fruit (South Africa) for testing and commercialization of Prunus selections from
Prunus Breeding and Genetics Program. Funded at $5,000 per year. 2007-2012.
$50,000 License agreement Grupo Alta (Mexico) for testing and commercialization of Prunus selections from Prunus
Breeding and Genetics Program. Funded at $10,000. 2007-2012.
$2,700
Texas Fruit Growers Association. Travel expenses to evaluate the breeding plots in Floresville, Terrel, and
Fairfield. Funded $2,700.
$3,000
California Dried Plum Board. Dried plum contribution to colon health through microbial-derived mechanisms.
Turner, Byrne. Carrol, and Azcárate-Peril. Funded $122,776 ($3,000 to Byrne).2012-2013.
$135,900 SCRI. RosBREED: Enabling marker-assisted breeding in Rosaceae. Iezzoni et al., $14,400,000 over 4 years.
Byrne funding, $135,900. 2010-2013.
$9,500
California Fruit Tree Agreement. Supplement to High Sugar Studies with RosBREED. Byrne, Ramming,
Slaughter and Gaarde. $9,500. 2010-2011.
$5,500
California Fruit Tree Agreement. Promoting stone fruits for Protection against the Metabolic Syndrome Funded
for $49,708. Byrne ($5,500) and Cisneros ($44,208, joint post doctoral student and supplies for work in his
laboratory). 2010-2011.
$3,000
USDA Special Grant Allocation. Designing Foods for Health. Byrne, Talcott and Turner. Effect of stone-fruit
phenolics on the development of colon cancer through its effects on the regulation of colon epithelial cell
numbers. Funded for $25,000. Byrne ($3,000). 2009-2010.
$3,500
International Research Support Initiative Program, HRD, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan. $3,500,
Bench fee to support work done by Amjad Farooq. 2008-2009.
$10,000
USDA/FAS. Peach germplasm diversity in China and the Americas. Byrne, Raseira, and Wang. $10,000. 20072009.
$5,500
California Fruit Tree Agreement. 2009-2010. Cardiovascular health benefits of peaches and plums. Funded for
$49,708. Byrne ($5,500) and Cisneros ($49,708, joint post doctoral student and supplies for work in his
laboratory)
$1,500
USDA Special Grant Allocation. Designing Foods for Health. Byrne and Talcott. The antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects of peach and plum extracts in an in vivo OB/OB mouse model. Funded for $25,000. 20082009.
$1,500
USDA Special Grant Allocation. Designing Foods for Health. Turner and Byrne. Effect of chlorogenic acid and
quercetin on the inflammation in a rat model of colitis. Funded $25,000. 2008-2009.
$100,000 Moore Donation to the program. $100,000 plus rose germplasm and IP rights.
$5,000
California Fruit Tree Agreement. 2008-2009. Health benefits of peaches and plums. Funded for one year.
$42,141. Byrne ($5,000) and Cisneros ($37,141).
$1,500
USDA Special Grant Allocation. Designing Foods for Health. Byrne and Talcott. Anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory effects of peach and plum extracts in a cell culture model with peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Funded for $25,000. 2007-2008.
$1,500
USDA Special Grant Allocation. Designing Foods for Health. Turner and Byrne. Effect of chlorogenic acid and
quercetin on the inflammation in a rat model of colitis. Funded $25,000. , 2007-2008.
None.
none
HortScience
HortTechnology
Phytopathology
Euphytica
Scientia Horticulturae
Theoretical and Applied Genetics
USDA Program review for the Designing Foods for Health program at the VFIC. 2009
Participate in Horticulture Industry Advisory Meetings (2008-2011)
Search Committee for Graduate Advisor for the Department. 2010.
Participated in the VFIC SWOT analysis. 2012
Chair of Horticulture Farm Committee (2007-2012). Department of Horticultural Sciences.
Member of the Plant Review Committee (COALS) which is responsible to review all plant release proposals.
Various other committees as needed.
Serve on scientific organizing committee of the International Rose Symposium, Hannover, Germany in August 2013.
Serve on the scientific organizing committee of the International Symposium on Temperate Fruit in the Subtropics and
Tropics to be held in Changmai, Thailand in March 2013.
Prunus Crop Germplasm Committee
Chairperson (1995- 2008) and member of executive committee (1990 –2008)
Chair of Evaluation Priorities Committee (1993-1999, 2004-2008)
Chair Peach Crop Committee (1995 – 2008)
International Rose Genomics Executive Committee (2007 – present)
RosBREED Executive Committee. 2012-present.
Technical Advisory Committee. Buck Rose Collection, Reiman Gardens, Ames, Iowa
Served on the scientific organizing committee of the International Rose Symposium held in Gifu, Japan. May 2009.
Awards and recognitions
Robert E. Basye Endowed Chair in Rose Genetics. 2004 - present
Honorary Scientist of the Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Peach Breeding and Germplasm, Zhengzhou, Henan,
People’s Republic of China
Fulbright Scholar, August 2004 – February 2005. Fruit and Ornamental Breeding at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas
and EMBRAPA, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Ulysses P. Hedrick Award given by the American Pomological Society for best paper in the competition. Co author.
Raul I. Cabrera
Associate Professor of Ornamental Horticulture
r-cabrera@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Cabrera conducts research on ornamental plant and crop physiology, mineral
nutrition, fertilization and water management in intensively managed plants and crops
(including nursery, floriculture, landscape, arboriculture). Research emphasis deals
with water quality and crop salinity tolerance, landscape water use and conservation,
hydroponics and fertigation management; characterization of nutrient/water uptake
and use efficiency in ornamental crops and landscape plants. Current research
projects include optimization of flower crop mineral nutrition and environment and
their effects on cut flower (roses, heliconias) productivity and quality, graywater as a
potential alternative to landscape irrigation and conservation, characterization of
water/nutrient use in mistletoe-infested urban trees. He also maintains activities and
collaborative projects with colleagues at international universities and institutes, and he is often invited to give seminars,
lectures and participate in extension/educational activities with students, growers, horticulturists and arborists in various
countries. Dr. Cabrera holds or has recently held several editorial positions (Scientia Horticulturae, Acta Horticulturae,
Revista Chapingo- Serie Horticultura, Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Hortícolas) and participates with peer-reviewer
activities (HortScience, HortTechnology, J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., J. Hort. Sci. & Biotech. etc.).
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1994
M.S.
1992
B.S.
1986
Institution
Major
University of California at Davis
Plan Biology
University of California at Davis
Plant Physiology
Universidad Agraria Antonio Narro (Mexico) Horticultura
2012-present
Associate Professor of Ornamental Horticulture, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension
Center at Uvalde (100% research)
1999-2012
Associate Professor of Woody Ornamental Horticulture, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and
Extension Center at Dallas (100% research)
1994-1999
Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor of Nursery Crops Management, Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey (75% extension, 25% research)
1988-1993
Research and Teaching Assistant, Dept. of Environmental Horticulture, Univ. of California- Davis
1987-1988
Landscape Maintenance Supervisor. Federal IRS Building Complex, Fresno, CA.
Arnold, M.A., D.L. Bryan, R.I. Cabrera, G.C. Denny, J.J. Griffin, J.K. Iles, A.R. King, G.W. Knox, L. Lombardini, G.V.
McDonald, C.B. McKenney, D.T. Montague, G. Niu, H.B. Pemberton, A.L. Purnell, L.J. Shoemake, D.K. Struve and
W.T. Watson. 2012. Provenance experiments with baldcypress, live oak, and sycamore illustrate the potential for
selecting more sustainable urban trees. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 38(5): 205-213.
Niu, G., R.I. Cabrera, T.W. Starman and C.R. Hall. 2011. Water conservation team in ornamental crops through the use of
alternative irrigation water sources. HortTechnology 21(6): 1-2.
Wang, X., P.A. Wadlb, C. Pounders, R.N. Trigiano, R.I. Cabrera, B.E. Scheffler, M. Pooler and T.A. Rinehart. 2011.
Evaluation of genetic diversity and pedigree within crapemyrtle cultivars using simple sequence repeat markers. Journal
of the American Society for Horticultural Science 136(2): 116–128.
Ampim, Peter A.Y., J.J. Sloan, R.I. Cabrera, D.A. Harp and F.H. Jaber. 2010. Green roof growing media: Types, ingredients,
composition and properties. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 28(4): 244-252.
Niu, G. and R.I. Cabrera. 2010. Growth and physiological responses of landscape plants to saline water irrigation - A review.
HortScience 45(11): 1605-1609.
Sloan, J.J., R.I. Cabrera, P.A.Y Ampim, S.A. George and W.A. Mackay. 2010. Performance of ornamental plants in
alternative organic growing media amended with increasing rates of expanded shale. HortTechnology 20: 594-602.
Wang, X., D. Dean, D. Hadziabdic, P.A. Wadl, B.E. Scheffler, T.A. Rinehart, R.I. Cabrera and R.N. Trigiano. 2010.
Development of microsatellite markers from crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia L.). HortScience 45(5):842–844.
Cabrera, R.I., A.R. Solís-Pérez and J.J. Sloan. 2009. Greenhouse rose yield and ion accumulation responses to salt stress as
modulated by rootstock selection. HortScience 44(7): 2000-2008.
Cabrera, R.I. 2009. Revisiting the salt tolerance of crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.). Arboriculture & Urban Forestry
35(3): 129-134.
Rubio-Covarrubias, O.A., P.H. Brown, S.A. Weinbaum, R.S. Johnson and R.I. Cabrera. 2009. Evaluating foliar nitrogen
compounds as indicators of nitrogen status in Prunus persica trees. Scientia Horticulturae 120(1): 27-33.
Mackay, W.A., S.W. George, C. McKenney, J.J. Sloan, R.I. Cabrera, J. Reinert, P. Colbaugh, L. Lockett and W. Crow. 2008.
Performance of garden roses in North Central Texas under minimal input conditions. HortTechnology 18(3): 417-422.
Cabrera, R.I., J.A. Reinert and C.B. Mckenney. 2008. Differential resistance among crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) species,
hybrids and cultivars to foliar feeding by adult flea beetles (Altica litigata). HortScience 43: 286-583.
Cabrera, R.I. 2012. Tolerancia a estrés salino en híbridos de azalea para jardín, p. 40-44. In: I. Alia-Tejacal et al. (eds.),
Memorias del Segundo Simposium de Nutrición de Ornamentales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos,
Cuernavaca, México.
Solís-Pérez, A.R. and R.I. Cabrera. 2012. Aplicaciones suplementarias de calcio para aminorar los efectos del estrés salino en
rosas de invernadero. p. 45-47. In: I. Alia-Tejacal et al. (eds.), Memorias del Segundo Simposium de Nutrición de
Ornamentales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, México.
Cabrera, R.I. 2012. Localized fertigation with stressing solutions and growth-quality responses in potted greenhouse roses.
Acta Horticulturae 947: 63-67.
Solís-Pérez, A.R. and R.I. Cabrera. 2012. Characterizing hourly, daily and seasonal ion and water uptake in hydroponicallygrown roses. Acta Horticulturae 947: 347-354.
Akond, M., R.I. Cabrera and X. Wang. 2012. Evaluation of wild rose species for alkalinity tolerance. Proceedings of the
Southern Nursery Research Conference 57: 263-267.
Cabrera, R.I. 2011. Growth and quality of greenhouse roses subjected to partial rootzone stresses. Proceedings of the
Southern Nursery Research Conference 56: 41-45.
Wang, X., M. Akond, R.I. Cabrera and J.A. Reinert. 2011. Seed stratification, germination and greenhouse performance of
diverse rose species. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Research Conference 56: 16-20.
Cabrera, R.I. 2011. Optimizando la fertilización nitrogenada en cultivos ornamentales intensivos, 12 pages. In: I. Alia-Tejacal
et al. (eds.), Memorias del Primer Simposium en Nutrición de Plantas Ornamentales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado
de Morelos, Cuernavaca, México.
Cabrera, R.I. 2010. Cut-flower greenhouse rose production, p. 97-101. Proceedings of the 55th Atlantic Coast Agricultural
Convention and Trade Show (W.A. Kline and M.L. Infante-Casella, Eds.). Vegetable Growers Assn. of NJ and Rutgers
Cooperative Extension. Atlantic City, NJ.
Wang, X., J.A. Reinert and R.I. Cabrera. 2010. Identification of unknown crape myrtle cultivar with SSR molecular markers.
Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Research Conference 55: 53-57.
Wang, X., C. Pounders, R.I. Cabrera, T. Rinehart and J. McCormick. 2010. Inter- and intra-specific hybrid breeding in crape
myrtle (Lagerstroemia). Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Research Conference 55: 58-62.
Solís-Pérez, A.R., R.I. Cabrera and J.J. Sloan. 2010. Characterizing seasonal and diurnal ion and water uptake patterns in
greenhouse roses. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Research Conference 55: 121-127.
Cabrera, R.I. 2009. Uso de aguas de riego salinas y de mala calidad en la producción y manejo de plantas ornamentals.
Memorias del XII Congreso Nacional y V Internacional de Horticultura Ornamental. ISBN 978-607-7533-27-6.
Córdoba, Veracruz, México.
Fernandez, T., J. Lea-Cox, G. Zinati, C. Hong, R.I. Cabrera, D. Merhaut, J. Albano, M. van Iersel, T. Yeager and D. Buhler.
2009. NCDC216: A new multistate group for water management and quality for ornamental crop production and health.
Solís-Pérez, A.R. and R.I. Cabrera. 2009. The effect of rootstocks on the salinity tolerance of greenhouse roses. Proceedings
of the Southern Nursery Research Conference 54: 411-417.
Solís-Pérez, A.R. and R.I. Cabrera. 2008. Do supplemental calcium applications improve salt-tolerance in greenhouse roses?
Cabrera, R.I. and Jennifer McCormick. 2008. Evaluating nutrient and water use in leafy mistletoe (Phoradendron spp.) and
some of its native host trees growing in managed landscapes. SNA Research Conf. Proc. 53: 56-59.
Cabrera, R.I. 2008. Evaluating partial crown chlorosis in mature ornamental pears. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery
Research Conference 53: 67-71.
Sloan, J.J., R.I. Cabrera, C. McKenney and W. Mackay. 2008. Growth and landscape performance of shrubs in soil amended
with manure compost. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Research Conference 53: 78-84.
Sloan, J.J., W. Mackay, S. George and R.I. Cabrera. 2008. Performance of ornamental plants in expanded-shale based
landscape mixes. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Research Conference 53: 99-104.
Cabrera, R.I. 2007. Greenhouse rose productivity and nutrient status in response to fertilization with a controlled-release
fertilizer. Acta Horticulturae 751: 77-82.
Solís-Pérez, A.R. and R.I. Cabrera. 2007. Evaluating counter-ion effects on greenhouse roses subjected to moderately-high
salinity. Acta Horticulturae 751: 375-380.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, R.I. Cabrera, C. McKenney and W. Mackay. 2007. Determining water use and crop coefficient for
selected herbaceous perennials. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Research Conference 52: 122-127.
McCormick, J. and R.I. Cabrera. 2007. Landscape performance of miniature and dwarf crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.)
cultivars in North Texas. Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Research Conference 52: 219-225.
Cabrera, R. I. y A.R. Solís-Pérez. 2007. Evaluación y manejo de salinidad en el cultivo de rosas. Asocolflores (Colombia) 69:
19-25.
Cabrera, R.I. 2012. Estimating water use by Texas green industry activities. TNLA Green, November: 19-22.
Cabrera, R.I. 2012. Evaluating rootzone stresses and the role of the root system on rose crop productivity and water use
efficiency: Tissue nutrient contents, whole plant biomass and quality. International Cut Flower Growers Assn. Bulletin,
July-Sept. Issue. p. 13-18.
Cabrera, R.I. 2011. Enhancing fertilization efficiency. American Nurseryman 211(3): 12-15 (March Issue).
efficiency: First flower harvests. International Cut Flower Growers Assn. Bulletin, Jan.-Mar. Issue. p. 7-10.
efficiency: Setting up the experiment. International Cut Flower Growers Assn. Bulletin, Jul.-Sep. Issue. p. 9-13.
Arnold, M., E. Bush, R.I. Cabrera, G. Denny, J. Griffin, J. Iles, A. King, G. Knox, G. McDonald, C. McKenney, T.
Montague, G. Niu, A. Owings, and D. Struve. 2010. Testing tolerances of Taxodium. Landscape Plant News 20(3):1011.
Cabrera, R.I. and A.R. Solís-Pérez. 2009. Optimizing rose crop fertilization and irrigation over hourly, daily and seasonal
time scales: Cyclical ion and water uptake over different time scales. International Cut Flower Growers Assn. Bulletin,
Sep.-Oct. Issue. p. 16-19.
time scales: Ion and water uptake over daily cycles. International Cut Flower Growers Assn. Bulletin, Mar.-Apr. Issue.
p. 27-30.
time scales: Rootstocks and ion uptake over a flowering cycle. International Cut Flower Growers Assn. Bulletin, Nov.Dec. Issue. p. 23-27.
Cabrera, R.I., A.R. Solís-Pérez and J. McCormick. 2007. The role of calcium and boron in rose development and petal
blackening: Observations in commercial rose greenhouses and shoot tissue nutrient status. International Cut Flower
Growers Assn. Bulletin, October Issue. p. 18-22.
Niu, G., R.I. Cabrera, C. McKenney and W. Mackay. 2007. Determining water use and crop coefficients of nursery and
landscape plants. TNLA Green, March: 18-22.
Cabrera, R.I., A.R. Solís-Pérez and J. McCormick. 2007. The role of calcium and boron in rose development and petal
blackening: Symptoms and Hydroponics System. International Cut Flower Growers Assn. Bulletin, January Issue. p. 1722.
Has contributed to electronic publications produced by the International Society of Arboriculture:
International Society of Arboriculture. 2007. Introducción a la Arboricultura: Diagnóstico y Desórdenes (Introduction to
Arboriculture: Diagnosis and Disorders). Educational CD (6 CEU). R.I Cabrera entirely responsible for the translation
and technical adaptation of the Spanish version of the CD.
International Society of Arboriculture. 2007. El Valor de los Árboles (Tree Values). Factsheet in the series ISA Consumer
Information Guides posted electronically at http://www.isahispana.com/pubs/pubs.htm. R.I Cabrera responsible for the
translation and technical adaptation of the Spanish version of this factsheet.
Sloan, J.J, P.A.Y. Ampim, R.I. Cabrera, W.A. Mackay and S.W. George. 2011. Moisture and nutrient storage capacity of
calcined expanded shale. In: E.B. Ozkaraova Gungor (ed.) Principles, Application and Assessment in Soil Science,
Chapter 2, p. 29-42 . InTech - Open Access.
Cabrera, R. I. 2011. Importancia de la calidad química del agua en el fertirriego en cultivos ornamentales. In: V.J. Flórez
Roncancio (Ed.), Avances sobre Fisiología de la Producción de Flores de Corte en Colombia. p. 17-26. Editorial
Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá.
Cabrera, R. I. and A.R. Solís-Pérez. 2011. Particularidades de fisiología vegetal y nutrición mineral, con énfasis en estreses,
en rosas de invernadero. In: V.J. Flórez Roncancio (Ed.), Avances sobre Fisiología de la Producción de Flores de Corte
en Colombia. p. 91-105. Editorial Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá.
Niu, G. and R.I. Cabrera. 2010. Irrigating ornamental horticultural crops with alternative water sources. In: A.N. Sampson
(Ed.), Horticulture in the 21st Century, Chapter 5, p. 143-160. Nova Science Publishers, Inc., Hauppauge, NY.
N/A
N/A
Advised/co-advised
John Jairo Franco-Hermida. Current PhD student (Co-advising with Dr. M. Guzman). Herramientas de diagnóstico
nutricional para el cultivo rosa bajo invernadero y con gestion de fertirriego (Nutritional diagnostic tools for greenhouse rose
crops grown with managed fertigation). Graduate Program in Protected Agriculture, Universidad de Almería, Spain
Alma Rosa Solís-Pérez. 2009. Ph.D. Characterizing Salinity Tolerance in Roses. (Co-advised with Dr. M.A. Arnold).
John Jairo Franco-Hermida – Technical Advisor and Flower Crop Consultant, Grupo Chia, Colombia
Alma Rosa Solís-Pérez – Returned to a professorial position in Veracruz, Mexico (2009-2012), now on a research assistant
position at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Uvalde.
Wilson Bohórquez Santana. MS in Agricultural Science-Crop Physiology, Facultad de Agronomía – Escuela de Postgrados,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Bogotá. 2008-2011. Papel de la interacción de calcio y boro en el ennegrecimiento de los
pétalos en rosa (Influence of the interaction calcium-boron in the petal blackening disorder in roses).
John Jairo Franco-Hermida . MS in Soil Science, Facultad de Agronomía – Escuela de Postgrados, Universidad Nacional de
Colombia-Bogotá). 2005-2007. Determinación de normas de diagnóstico nutricional para el cultivo de rosa de corte en
Colombia (Determination of nutritional diagnostic standards for cut-flower rose crops in Colombia).
N/A
$24,500 Optimizing rose crop nutrient status and productivity through balanced cation and anion ratios. J.H. Hill
Foundation, International Cut Flower Grower’s Association. (2011-2013). R.I. Cabrera (PI)
$65,154 Strategies and Water Use Efficiency for High-Value Crops in South Texas. Rio Grande Water Conservation
(TWRI-RGBI, Texas A&M AgriLife Research). D.I. Leskovar, M. Palma and R.I. Cabrera. (2012-2013). $21,718
portion for R.I. Cabrera.
$100,000 Graywater Use and Native Plant Landscaping for Urban Water Conservation. Rio Grande Water Conservation
(TWRI-RGBI, Texas A&M AgriLife Research). R.I. Cabrera (PI), D.I. Leskovar, D. Rodriguez, W. Mills, R.
Berry, A. Gabriel and M. Trevino. (2012-2013). $25,000 portion for RI Cabrera.
$60,000 Enhancing Horticultural Crop Production and Commercialization of Small-scale South African Farmers. Ukulima
Farm, Borlaug Institute, Texas A&M AgriLife Research. D. Leskovar, J. Jifon, K. Crosby, R.I. Cabrera, M. Palma
(2012). $5,000 portion for RI Cabrera.
$71,700 Evaluate effects of elevated application rates of MAT28 products on potted ornamental plants. Scotts Company
LLC. B. Wherley, R.I. Cabrera, T. Pannkuk (2011-2012). $23,900 portion for RI Cabrera
$5,654
Saving groundwater by encouraging household use of rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation and adapted plants.
Wintergarden Groundwater Conservation District. S. Cooper and R.I. Cabrera. (2011-2012). $2,825 portion for RI
Cabrera.
$18,500 Evaluating rootzone stresses and the role of the root system on rose crop productivity and fertilizer-water use. J.H.
Hill Foundation, International Cut Flower Grower’s Association. R.I. Cabrera (PI) (2010-2011).
$10,725 Evaluation of 40 wild rose species for horticultural traits, alkalinity tolerance and aphid susceptibility. Woody
Landscape Plant Crop Germplasm Committee (USDA- ARS). X. Wang, R.I. Cabrera and J.A. Reinert (2010).
Requested $18,000, funded $10,725. $3,575 portion for RI Cabrera.
$319,799 Agricultural NPS remediation in the Cedar Creek Reservoir watershed. Texas State Soil and Water Conservation
Board. J. Sloan, R.I. Cabrera and F. Jaber (2007-2011). Project grand total was $736,619, with $319,799 for
Texas AgriLife Research-Dallas. $106,600 portion for R.I. Cabrera.
$23,500 Portable Gas Exchange System (Photosynthesis-respiration-fluorescence) for Texas AgriLife Research Center at
Dallas. Texas AgriLife Research Equipment Replacement/Purchase (PUF funds) Program. R.I. Cabrera and J.J.
Sloan. (2009). $11,750 credited to RI Cabrera.
$20,000 Dissolved Organic Carbon Analyzer for Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas. Texas AgriLife
Research Equipment Replacement/Purchase (PUF funds) Program. J.J. Sloan and R.I. Cabrera. (2009). $10,000
credited to R.I. Cabrera.
$22,000 Optimizing rose crop fertilization and irrigation over hourly, daily and seasonal time scales. J.H. Hill Foundation,
International Cut Flower Grower’s Association. R. I. Cabrera (PI) (2007-2009).
$288,750 Urban Landscape Water Conservation. Task #5 of Rio Grande Basin Initiative. USDA-CREES (through Texas
AgriLife Research). J. Harris, B. Lesikar, G. Niu, R.I. Cabrera, R. Kaiser, R. White (2007-2011). Over $5 million
for overall project, $288,750 for Task 5). $23,300 portion for R.I. Cabrera.
$28,185 Nitrogen-Carbon- Sulfur Analyzer for Texas AgriLife Research Center at Dallas. Texas AgriLife Research
Equipment Replacement/Purchase (PUF) Program. J.J. Sloan and R.I. Cabrera. (2008). $14,092 credited to RI
Cabrera.
$10,000 Chemical and biological control of Azalea bark scale, Eriococcus azaleae, on crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica
L. Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (Education and Research Foundation). M. Merchant, K. Schofield, S.
Ludwig, R.I. Cabrera, C. Bográn (2008). $2,000 portion for RI Cabrera.
$10,000 Evaluation of turfgrass species and varieties for drought tolerance in a renovated Linear Gradient Irrigation
System (LGIS). Texas Research, Extension and Education Endowment. J. Heitholt (PI), J. Sloan, M.C. Engelke
and R.I. Cabrera. (2008). $2,500 portion for RI Cabrera.
$35,000 Evaluation of dairy compost utilization in newly constructed landscapes. Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality. J.J. Sloan and R.I. Cabrera. (2007-2009). $17,500 portion for R.I. Cabrera.
$30,000 Screening turfgrass genotypes for drought tolerance in a renovated linear gradient irrigation system. Turfgrass
Producers of Texas. J. Heitholt (PI), M.C. Engelke, J. Sloan and R.I. Cabrera (2007-2010). $7,500 portion for RI
Cabrera.
$7,500
Determining plant water use and crop coefficients of nursery and landscape plants. Texas Nursery and Landscape
Association (Education and Research Foundation). R.I. Cabrera (PI), G. Niu and W.A. Mackay (2007). $2,500
portion for RI Cabrera.
$4,000
Upgrade to Weather Station Equipment at TAES-Dallas. Texas AgriLife (TAES) Equipment
Replacement/Purchase (PUF) Program. R.I. Cabrera, J.J. Sloan. (2007). $2,000 credited to RI Cabrera.
$6,900
The role of calcium and boron in rose development and petal blackening. J.H. Hill Foundation, International Cut
Flower Grower’s Association. R.I. Cabrera (PI). (2007).
N/A
Scientia Horticulturae. Editorial Advisory Board Member, 1997-present
Revista Chapingo- Serie Horticultura. Editorial Board Member, 2008-present
Proc. of Southern Nursery Assn. Research Conference. Section Editor (Field Production), 2004-2007
Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Hortícolas. Scientific Committee Member, 2006- 2012
International Symposium on Soilless Culture and Hydroponics. Scientific Committee and Editorial Team Member. 2011.
Fifth International Symposium on Rose Research and Cultivation. Scientific Committee and Editorial Team Member. 2009.
HortScience
Acta Horticulturae
HortTechnology
Arboriculture and Urban Forestry
Revista Chapingo- Serie Horticultura
Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology
Ciencia Forestal en México
Texas A&M AgriLife at Dallas and Dept. Horticultural Sciences - Chair, Search Committee for Ornamental Plant
Development Horticulturist. 2008.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas – Chair, Greenhouse Facilities Committee, 2009-2010
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas – Chair, Facilities Maintenance Committee. 2006-2007
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas – Management Advisory Committee. 2005- 2007
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas – Housing Committee. 2002- 2007
Serving as Texas Representative for USDA Multistate Project NC1186: “Water Management and Quality for Ornamental
Crop Production and Health”. 2010-2015
Served as Chair of Floriculture, Ornamentals and Turf Section of Southern Region-ASHS, 2010.
Served as member of Hispanic Committee of International Society of Arboriculture, 2005-2010.
Served as member of Board of Directors of Trinity Blacklands Urban Forestry Council (TBUFC, Dallas). 2002- 2012.
Served as Texas A&M liaison to the McKinney Crape Myrtle Trials Foundation, McKinney, TX. 1999- 2011.
2008 Texas Environmental Excellence Award (Agriculture Category) from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ) to the Rio Grande Basin Initiative Team of the Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service. R.I.
Cabrera was member (2001-2011) of RGBI’s Task 5: Urban Landscape and In-Home Water Conservation.
2007 President’s Volunteer Service Award presented by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation and the
White House, Washington, DC. For service as Invited Expert Volunteer on USAID program (Farmer-to-Farmer) in El
Salvador.
2007 National Water Program Award in the Outstanding Integrated Activities for Water Resources to the Rio Grande Basin
Initiative (RGBI) project. U.S. Department of Agriculture–Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
(USDA–CSREES). R.I. Cabrera was member (2001-2011) of RGBI’s Task 5: Urban Landscape and In-Home Water
Conservation.
Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
lcisnero@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Cisneros-Zevallos holds a two-way split between teaching and research. Current
teaching responsibilities include one undergraduate and two graduate courses in the
fields of postharvest physiology and food processing. He serves as the chair/co-chair of
two Master’s and four Ph.D. student committees and as a member of ten graduate
student committees within and outside the Department.
Research interest includes two major areas, a) drug discovery of bioactive compounds
with health promoting properties against chronic diseases from commercial and native
crops and, b) post-harvest technology and biology of crops including the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites under stress
conditions and the interaction between microorganisms and plant surfaces.
His research program has active collaborations with research institutions in the three major centers of plant biodiversity in
Latin America, including the Andean region, the Amazon and Central America/Mexico. His courses at TAMU attract
students from different fields including majors of Food Science, Horticulture, Nutrition and Ag Economics. In addition, his
program has an active international component including invitations to give seminars and short courses in Europe, Asia and
Latin America.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Institution
Ph.D.
1998
University of California, Davis
M.S.
1995
B.S., Eng.
1988
National Agrarian University - La Molina
Major
Food Science
Food Science
Food Industries Engineering
2004-present
Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
1998-2004
Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station
1992-1998
Research Assistant, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis
1988-1991
Teaching Instructor, Department of Food Engineering, National Agrarian University – La Molina, Peru
Refereed Publications
Pedreschi P and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2007. Pheonolic profiles of Andean purple corn. Food Chemistry 100:956-963
Chirinos R, Campos D, Arbizu C, Rees J, Larondelle Y, Herve R., Noratto G and
Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2007. Effect of genotype, maturity stage and post-harvest storage on phenolic compounds, carotenoid
content and antioxidant capacity of Andean mashua tubers (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz & Pavón). J of Sci Food
Agri. 87: 437-446
Reyes LF and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2007. Degradation Kinetics and Colour of
Anthocyanins in Aqueous Extracts of Purple- and Red-Flesh Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). Food Chemistry
100:885-894
Reyes L, Villarreal JE and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2007. The increase in antioxidant
capacity after wounding depends on the type of fruit or vegetable tissue. Food Chemistry 101:1254-1262
Villarreal JE, Lombardini L and Cisneros-Zevallos L 2007. Phytochemical constituents
and antioxidant activity of different pecan (Carya illinoinensis (Wagenh.) K. Koch) cultivars. Food Chem. 102:
1241-1249.
Brovelli E and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2007. Horticultural Maturity Revisited: From Peaches to Echinacea. Fresh Produce.
1(1):1-3.
Reyes LF and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2007. Electron-beam radiation stress affects mango
fruit (Mangifera indica L.) antioxidant constituents before and during post-harvest storage. J. Agric Food Chem. 55:
6132-6139.
Kalbasi A and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2007. Fractionation of monomeric and polymeric
anthocyanins frm concord grape (Vitis labrusca L.) juice by membrane ultrafiltration. J. Agric Food Chem. 55:
7036-7042.
Vizzotto M, Cisneros-Zevallos L, Byrne D, Ramming D and Okie W. 2007. Large
Variation found in the phytochemical and antioxidant activity of peach and plum germplasm. J. Amer. Soc. Hort.
Sci. 132 (3): 334-340.
Lea M, Ibeh C, desBordes C, Vizzotto M, Cisneros-Zevallos L, Byrne D, Okie W and
Moyer M. 2008. Inhibition of growth and induction of differentiation of colon cancer cells by peach and plum
phenolic compounds. Anticancer Research, 28: 2067-2076.
Heredia B and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2009. The effect of exogenous ethylene and methyl
jasmonate on PAL activity, phenolic profiles and antioxidant capacity of carrots (Daucus carota L.) under different
wounding intensities. Postharvest Biology & Technology, 51: 242-249.
Heredia B and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2009. The effect of exogenous ethylene and methyl
jasmonate on the accumulationof phenolic antioxidants in selected whole and wounded fresh produce. Food Chem.
115: 1500-1508.
Noratto G, Porter W, Byrne D and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2009. Identifying peach and
plum polyphenolics with chemopreventive potential against breast cancer cells and low toxicity in normal cells. .J.
Agric. Food Chem. accepted.
Zevillanos R, Cisneros-Zevallos L and Cisneros FH. 2009. Characterization of starch
from two ecotypes of Andean achira roots (Canna edulis). J. Agric. Food Chem. accepted.
Jacobo-Velazquez D and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2009. Correlations of antioxidant activity
againts phenolic content revisited: A new approach in data analysis for food and medicinal plants. J Food Sci.
accepted.
Villarreal E, Lombardini L and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2009. Electron beam irradiation
effects on phytochemical constituents and antioxidant capacity of pecan kernels [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K.
Koch] during storage. J. Agric. Food Chem. Accepted.
Malik N, Perez J, Lombardini L, Cornacchia R, Cisneros-Zevallos L and Bradford J.
2009. Phenolic compounds and fatty acid composition of organic and conventional grown pecan kernels. J Sci Food
Agric. accepted.
Nihal R, He C, Cisneros-Zevallos L and Davies F. 2009. Hypobaria and hypoxia affects
growth and phytochemical contents of lettuce. Scientia Horticulturae 122: 171-178..
Cevallos-Casals, B and Cisneros-Zevallos L. 2009. Impact of germination on phenolic
content and antioxidant activity of 13 edible seed species. Food Chemistry, accepted.
Jacobo-Velazquez, D. A. Hernandez-Brenes, C. Cisneros-Zevallos, L. Benavides, J.
2010. Partial purification and enzymatic characterization of avocado (Persea americana Mill, cv. Hass)
lipoxygenase. Food Research International, 43, 4: 1079-1085.
Neal, J. A., B. Booren, L. Cisneros-Zevallos, R. K. Miller, L. M. Lucia and A. Castillo.
2010. Shelf-Life and Sensory Characteristics of Baby Spinach Subjected to Electron Beam Irradiation. Journal of
Food Science. 75:S319-S326.
Feng, Y., Cao, C.M., Vikram, M., Park, S., Kim, H.J., Hong, J.C., Cisneros-Zevallos, L.,
and Koiwa, H. 2011. A Three-Component gene expression system and its application for inducible flavonoid
overproduction in transgenic arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS One 6, e17603.
Jacobo-Velazquez, D; Martinez-Hernandez G, Rodriguez S, Cao CM and
Cisneros-Zevallos, L. 2011. Plants as biofactories: Physiological role of reactive
oxygen species on the accumulation of phenolic antioxidants in carrot tissue under wounding and hyperoxia Stress.
J. Agric. Food Chem. accepted.
Puerta-Gomez and Cisneros-Zevallos, L. 2011. Postharvest studies beyond fresh market
eating quality: Phytochemical antioxidant changes in peach and plum fruit during ripening and advanced
senescence. Postharvest Biology & Technology, 60: 220-224.
Becerra-Moreno A, Benavides J, Cisneros-Zevallos, L and Jacobo-Velazquez D. 2012.
Plants as biofactories: Glyphosate-induced production of shikimic acid and phenolic antioxidants in wounded carrot
tissue. J. Agric. Food Chem. 60 (45): 11378-86
Jacobo-Velazquez D and Cisneros-Zevallos, L. 2012. An alternative use of horticultural
crops: stressed plants as biofactories of bioactive phenolic compounds. Agriculture, 2, 259-271.
Zhang M, Ann Ellis E, Cisneros-Zevallos L and Akbulut M. 2012. Uptake and translocation of polymeric nanoparticulate
drug delivery systems into ryegrass. RSC Adv, 2, 9679-9686.
Perez KL, Lucia LM, Cisneros-Zevallos L, Castillo A and Taylor TM. 2012. Efficacy of
antimicrobials for the disinfection of pathogen contaminated green bell pepper and of consumer cleaning methods
for the decontamination of knives. Int J Food Microbiol, 156, 1, 76-82.
He C, Jacobo-Velazquez D, Cisneros-Zevallos L and Davies T. 2012. Hypobaria and
hypoxia affects phytochemical production, gas exchange, and growth of lettuce. Photosynthetica, accepted.
Surjadinata B and Cisneros-Zevallos, L. 2011. Biosynthesis of Phenolic Antioxidants in
Carrot Tissue Increases with Wounding Intensity . Food Chem. Accepted.
Book chapters
Vicente A, Manangaris GA, Cisneros-Zevallos L, Crisosto C. 2011. Prunus. Chapter 13. In: Health promoting properties of
fruits and vegetables. CABI book. In press
Ortiz-Quezada, A. G, Lombardini, L, Cisneros-Zevallos, L. 2011. Antioxidants in Pecan Nut Cultivars [Carya illinoinensis
(Wangenh.) K. Koch]. In V. R. Preedy, R. R. Watson, V. B. Patel (Editors), Nuts & Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention
(1st ed.) (pp 881-889). London, Burlington, San Diego: Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier. In press
Hong L, Barth M and L Cisneros-Zevallos. 2013. Modified atmosphere packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables. In Han
(Editor), Innovations in Food Packaging (2nd ed). In press.
Lombardini L., J.E. Villarreal, and L. Cisneros-Zevallos. 2009. Antioxidant properties and fatty acid composition of pecan
kernels. Acta Hort. 841:91-96.
Byrne, D. H., G. Noratto, L. Cisneros Zevallos, W. Porter and M. Vizzotto. 2009. Health benefits of peaches and plums.
Acta Hort., 841: 267-274.
Noratto, G., L. Cisneros-Zevallos, D.H. Byrne, W.R. Okie, and W. Porter. 2009. Molecular mechanisms involved in the
inhibition of MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells by phenolic acids from the red flesh peach BY00P6653. Acta Hort., 841:6774.
Noratto, G., W. Porter, D. Byrne, and L. Cisneros Zevallos. 2009. Phenolics in peaches and plums preferentially suppress
the growth of estrogen-independent MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells. Acta Hort. 841:567-570.
“El mensajero de lechugas a marte”. November 2, 2009. Written by Elisa Sanchez. Released by newspaper from Spain,
Valencia page 8 (innovadores@elmundo.es). L Cisneros-Zevallos talks about research activities.
http://www.atlantisvr.com/media/descargas/productos/17.pdf
“Plums poised to give blueberries run for the money”. January 28, 2009. Written by Kathleen Phillips. Released by AgriLife,
TAMU. L Cisneros-Zevallos and D Byrne. Research. This news release generated articles in many newspaper and
magazines.
http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=950
“What will we eat tomorrow”. Presentation at the Presidential Conference in Jerusalem, Israel, Nov 2009. Youtube
presentation by L Cisneros-Zevallos about nutraceuticals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vn34Dpw64s
“Peaches, plums induce deliciously promising for breast cancer cells”. June 02, 2010. Written by Kathleen Phillips. Released
by AgriLife, TAMU. L Cisneros-Zevallos and D Byrne. Research. This news release generated articles in many newspaper
and magazines and a radio presentation.
http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1942
“Tortured veggies better for you”. May 28, 2010. Written by James Williams. Released by Discovery News. L CisnerosZevallos. Research
http://news.discovery.com/earth/plants/stressed-veggies-better-for-you.htm
“Peaches, plums, nectarines give obesity, diabetes slim chance”. June 18, 2012. Written by Kathleen Phillips. Released by
AgriLife, TAMU. L Cisneros-Zevallos. This news release generated articles in many newspaper and magazines.
http://today.agrilife.org/2012/06/18/peaches-plums-nectarines-give-obesity-diabetes-slim-chance/
HORT/FSTC 311, Principles of Food Processing: Fall 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,
HORT/FSTC 446 , Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Processing: Spring 2010,
and 2012
Graduate courses
HORT 644, Food Quality: Spring 2007, Spring 2009
HORT 685/485, Principles of Post-harvest Biology and Technology: Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009
HORT 630, Postharvest Biology and Technology: Spring 2013
.
Graduate students (2007-2012), Advised/co-advised
Giuliana Noratto, Ph.D. Food Science, 2008. (Co-Chair: D. Byrne)
Ana G. Ortiz-Quezada. M.S. Food Science, 2010. (Co-Chair: L. Lombardini)
Daniel Jacobo, Ph.D. Food Science, 2010.
Paula Simons. MS. Food Science, 2012.
Current students:
Facundo Ibanez. Ph.D. MEPS-Horticulture. (Co-Chair: L. Lombardini)
Jun Oh, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering (Co-Chair: Mustafa Akbulut)
Ming, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering (Co-Chair: Mustafa Akbulut)
Elisa Schreckinger, Ph.D. Food Science
Prerna Bhargava, MSc. Food Science
Fang-Mian Chang, MS. Horticulture
Guiliana Noratto – Assistant Research Scientist, Nutrition & Food Science, Vet. Physiology & Pharmacology working with
Dr. Talcott, Texas A&M University. Currently an Assistant Professor with the Food Science Department at Washington State
University.
Ana G. Ortiz-Quezada. Research Associate, Tech de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Daniel Jacobo-Velazquez- Assistant Professor at the Tech de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Paula Simons- Internship at Kelloggs in Michagan.
Graduate student committees
Linda Wong, PhD, Expected F08, Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Linda Dykes, PhD, Expected S08, Deparment of Soil and Crop Sciences (FST)
Malcom Gerngross, PhD, Expected F09, Department of Agricultural Engineering (FST)
Jaejoon Han, PhD, F07, Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering (FST)
Jongsoon Kim, PhD, F07, Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering (FST)
Carmen Gomes, PhD, Expected F09, Department of Agricultural Engineering (FST)
Numsa, PhD, F07, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (FST)
Novie Alviola, MS, S07, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (FST)
Kakani, MS, F07, Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Amy Cafflin, PhD, F09, Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Jay Neal , PhD. F08, Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Maria Pia, MS, F07. Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Ana Paola Cardenas, MS, F08. Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (FST)
Sara Guajardo, Ph.D. S08. Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (FST)
David Guajardo, Ph.D. F07. Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (FST)
Youngmok Kim, Ph.D. F08. Department of Nutrition and Food Science (FST)
Lizbeth Pacheco, Ph.D. F09. Department of Nutrition and Food Science (FST)
Nenge Linda, Ph.D. Expected F09. Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (FST)
Dilek Austin, Ph.D. F08, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (FST)
Yolanda Nunez Gallegos, MS, F08, Department of Agricultural Engineering (FST)
Ezekiel Chimbombi, PhD, S09, Department of Agricultural Engineering (FST)
Dae Keu Shin, Ph.D. F09, Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Keila Perez, MSc, F10, Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Megha Adavi, MSc, F11, Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Liyi Yang, MSc, F10, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (FST)
Megha Adavi, MSc, S11, Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Keila Perez, PhD, F12, Department of Animal Sciences (FST)
Isin Karagoz, Ph.D., F12, Department of Agricultural Engineering
Georgia Barros, Ph.D., F12, Department of Agricultural Engineering
Zainab Mansur, M.S. F 14. Department of Horticultural Sciences.
Postdoctorals/Research assistants
Dr. Vimal Nair (postdoctoral), S13- present
Dr Woo Young Bang (postdoctoral), F12- present
Dr. Cong Mei Cao (postdoctoral), F09- summer 12
Freddy Ibanez, BS (research assistant). S10-Summer 12.
Paula Castillo, BS (research assistant), S10-S12.
Huiyong Ma, MS (research assistant), S10- summer 11.
Armando Del Follo, BS (research assistant), S08
Gabriela Angel, BS (research assistant), S08
Judith Rocha, BS. (research assistant), F06-S07
Alex Puerta, MS. (research assistant), S07-F09.
Visiting Scientists
Daniel Paredes, S07 (San Ignacio de Loyola University, Lima, Peru)
Fedele Colantuono, F07 (University of Foggia, Italy)
Alicia Siles, Summer 07 (University of Cordoba, Spain)
Carmen Melero, Summer 07 (University of Cordoba, Spain)
Eleni Pliakoni, F07 (University of Thessaly, Greece)
Navindra Boodia, F 07 (Borlaug Scholar, Mauritius).
Dr. Patricia Guevara, F07 (Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, UNAM)
Dr. Zory Quinde, S07 (Universidad Nacional Agraria, Lima, Peru)
Dariana Rodriguez, F07 (Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico)
Benito Gines Martinez, F07-present (Universidad de Cartagena, Spain)
Dr. Basilio Heredia, Summer 08 (CIAD, Culiacan, Mexico)
Rosaria Cornacchia, S08, Summer 08 (University of Foggia, Italy)
Benito Gines Martinez, F07-F08 (Universidad de Cartagena, Spain)
Dr. Ginacarlo Colleli, Summer 08 (June 18-20) (University of Foggia, Italy)
Dr. Francisico Artes Hernandez, Summer 08 (June 17-20) (University of Cartagena, Spain)
Dr. Silvia Rodriguez, F08 (University Santiago del Estero, Argentina)
Natalia Naranjo, January-April, 08 (University of Zamorano, Honduras)
Dr. Juana Aranda, January, 08. (Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico)
Dr. Mauricio Gonzalez, Summer 09 (IVIA, Santiago, Chile)
Leon Goity, December 09 (Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile)
Two students of Dr. Basilio Heredia, May 09 (CIAD, Culiacan, Mexico)
Dr. Kissinger Maalekuu, F 09 (Research Institution in Ghana)
Dr. Leandro Camargo, Spring 2010 (Brazil)
Cristina Clavijo, Summer 2010 (Spain)
Dr. Leandro Camargo, Spring 2011-Spring 2012 (Brazil)
Leon Goity, PhD student. Fall 2011-Spring 2012 (Chile)
Carla Alegria, Ph.D. student. Spring 2011-summer 2011 (Portugal)
David Dufoo, MSc, student, Spring 2011 (Mexico)
Dr. Daniel Jacobo-Velazquez, summer 2011 (Mexico)
Dr. Ricardo Elesbao, EMBRAPA, Fall 2011 (Brazil)-present
Undergraduate student workers
Elizabeth Pappenfort, S07, F07, (FST)
Paula Simons, S09, F09 (FST)
Laura Zimmerer, S09, F09 (FST)
Peter Deleeuw, F09 (Medical Sciences)
Contracts and grants awarded 2007-2012
$15,000
Texas Food and Fiber Commission, 2007. Bioassay-directed extraction and characterization of
isoprenoids from peanuts and cottonseeds. Co-PI: Cisneros-Zevallos (Funded proposal: $ 30,000)
$30,000
$15,000
$17,000
$10,000
$320,000
$38,000
$15,000
$18,000
$49,700
$12,000
$15,000
$18,000
$49,700
$89,000
$5,000
$106,059
$125,000
$20,000
$50,000
$14,000
$65,000
$17,000
$ 1,113,459
USDA-CSREES-VIC, 2007. abiotic stress to enhance phytochemicals (Co-PI, Funded proposal: $
1’500,00)
Texas Food and Fiber Commission, 2008. Bioassay-directed extraction and characterization of
isoprenoids from peanuts and cottonseeds (Co-PI with DR Mo, TWU, total funds $ 30,000).
1’500,00)
MARLC, TAMU, 2008. anticancer properties of stone fruit extracts against colon and prostate cancer
cells in vitro.
USDA-NRI, 2008. Nano-Aerosolization as a novel decontamination method fro fresh fruits and
vegetables.
CTFA, 2008. Screening stone fruits for LDL oxidation inhibition (Co-PI with Dr. Byrne, total funds
$42,000)
Texas Food and Fiber Commission, 2009. Isoprenoids from peanuts and cottonseeds against metastasis
(Co-PI with DR Mo, TWU, total funds $ 30,000).
1’500,00)
California Tree Fruit Agreement, CTFA, 2009. Screening stone fruits for adipogenesis inhibition (CoPI with Dr. Byrne)
Conacyt-Tamu, 2009. Mexican native fruits and cardiovascular disease (Co-PI with Dr. Carmen
Hernandez, total funds $25,000)
Texas Food and Fiber Commission, 2010. Isoprenoids from peanuts and cottonseeds against metastasis
(Co-PI with Dr. Mo, TWU, total funds $ 30,000).
1’500,00)
California Tree Fruit Agreement, CTFA, 2010. Screening stone fruits for adipogenesis inhibition
Texas Department of Agriculture, Specialty Crops Program, 2010. Health properties of stone fruits
and pecans
MARLC, TAMU, 2010. Heath properties of stone fruits
USDA grant Food Safety, 2010 (Co-PI, Funded proposal: $1’000,000, PI: Elsa Murano)
USDA grant Food Safety, 2010 (Co-PI, Funded proposal: $500,000, PI: Matthew Taylor)
Bean growers/NIH proposal, 2011. Bean polyphenols against metabolic syndrome
California Tree Fruit Agreement, CTFA/growers, 2011. Screening stone fruits for inhibition of type 2
diabetes
Peruvian SuperFoods, LLC 2011. Development of a super juice high in antioxidants
TDA-USDA-Specialty crops program 2012, Health promoting properties of pecans and stone fruits.
Peruvian SuperFoods, LLC 2012. Development of a super juice high in antioxidants
Total grants and contracts (managed directly by Cisneros-Zevallos)
Additional grants in collaboration with L. Lombardini (more than >75% goes to my group):
$15,000 Investigating the nutritional properties of pecans. Salopek Foundation. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$15,000 Investigating the nutritional properties of pecans. Texas Pecan Growers Assn. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$15,000 Investigating the nutritional properties of pecans. Texas Pecan Board. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$21,000 Identification, isolation, and quantification of hydrolysable and non-hydrolysable tannins present in different pecan
cultivars. USDA – ‘Designing food for health’. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$24,000 Characterization of the human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation inhibition and antiplatelet aggregation
properties of hydrolysable and non-hydrolysable tannins present in kernels and shells of different pecan varieties. USDA –
‘Designing food for health’. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$25,000 Anti-inflammatory effects of pecan extracts and fractions of different pecan cultivars. L. Lombardini. USDA –
$167,656 Systems approach at improving the long-term competitiveness of U.S. pecans based on their nutritional and healthpromoting components. USDA-NIFA. 2011. Specialty Crop Research Initiative. (co-Pis: L. Cisneros-Zevallos, Monte
Nesbitt)
$ 282,656
Total grants (managed in coordination with L. Lombardini)
None.
None
Journal of Food Science
Food Chemistry
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Post-harvest Biology and Technology
Journal of Food Processing and Preservation
Food Hydrocolloids
Bioresource Technology
Hort Science
Member of the Food Science Graduate Group Executive Committee 2001-2011.
Invited Member of the Search Committee for two Faculty position in Microbiology in the Department of Poultry Sciences
(Contact Person: Alejandro Castillo) (2006-2007)
Participation on the Food Science and Technology IDP academic program review process, to consolidate the Food Science
Graduate program into the Food Science Department (contact person: David Reed) 2009-2010.
Member of the Budget Committee from the Horticultural Sciences Department, 2010. (contact person: Tim Davis)
Member of the Graduate Program Committee from the Horticultural Sciences Department, 2011-2012 (contact person: David
Byrne).
Mentoring Borlaug Fellow Navindra Boodia from Mauritious sponsored by USAID through The International Office at
Texas A&M, Fall 2007 and Dr Kissing Maalekuu from Africa, Fall 2009(Dr. Michael McWhorter).
Manage The FIPSE exchange student Program at Texas A&M in partnership with the U of California (Davis), U of Florida
(Gainesville), U of Cordoba (Spain), U of Thessaly (Volos) and the U of Foggia (Foggia) to receive and send students from
and to Greece, Spain and Italy.
Extension services: Lecturer for the Better Process Control School (Sponsor: Dr. Al Wagner, Hort-Extension).
Member of the Executive committee of the Fruit and Vegetable Division of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), 20012012.
Editor of the newsletter for the Fruit and Vegetable division of the IFT, 2003-2012. Published Newsletter each semester
Member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
Member of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)
Member of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)
Awards and recognitions
Adjunct Professor at the Tecnologico de Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Fulbright Scholar, August 2011 – To give seminars in Universities of Santiago del Estero, Santa Fe and La Plata in
Argentina.
Sabbatical, January-June, 2012. At the Universidad Politecnica de Cartagena, Spain.
Invited speaker (over 45 presentations from 2007-2013)
San Salvador, El Salvador, February 23-26, 2007. Trip funded by a USAID-TAMU project to give seminars to scientist and
industry people (Contact person: Ryan Bathrik).
Italy, March 10-18, 2007. Travel to Bari, Italy as part of the activities of the FIPSE program. Gave seminars (Sponsor: Dr.
Giancarlo Colleli).
Monterrey, Mexico May 15-19, 2007. Invited speaker in the internacional conference in Natural Products. Sponsored by the
University Autonoma de Nuevo Leon.
Spain, Italy, May 26-June 9, 2007. Invited speaker in the international short course on post-harvest technology of fresh
produce and invited speaker in the Iberoamerican conference of Post-harvest technology (Sponsor: University of Cartagena,
Dr. Paco Artes). Invited speaker at the University of Foggia, as part of the activities of the FIPSE program (June 2-9,
Sponsor: Dr. Giancarlo Colleli).
Dallas, Texas. October 5, 2007. Invited speaker on “new approaches on bioactive compound discovery” (Sponsor: MaryKay
Co, Mr. David Gan)
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, November 8-10, 2007. Invited speaker in the international conference in food microbiology
(Sponsor: University of Guadalajara, Dr. Alejandro Castillo)
Lisbon, Portugal. December 1-6, 2007. Invited speaker in the international short course on post-harvest technology of
horticultural crops.
Mauritius Island, November 13-23, 2008. Trip sponsored the International Office at Texas A&M (Contact: Dr. Mike
McWhorter) through a USAID exchange Borlaug Scholar Program. Gave two seminars in the University of Mauritius related
to nutraceuticals and high value crops (Contact: Navindra Boodia).
Spain, March 6-16, FIPSE program, 2008. Travel to Cordoba, Spain as part of the activities of the FIPSE program. Gave two
seminars in the international fresh-cut course sponsored by the University of Cordoba (contact: Dr. Maria Teresa Sanchez).
Monterrey, Mexico February 28-March 1, 2008. Invited speaker in the internacional conference in Food Processing,
Sponsored by the Tecnologico de Monterrey (contact: Dr. Carmen Hernandez-Brenes).
Spain, April 23-May 1, 2008. Trip to Valencia, Spain (April 23-27), as invited speaker to give a seminar in abiotic stresses on
fresh produce (sponsor: Instituto Investigacion de Valencia, contact person: Bernar Perez Gago) and trip to Cartagena, Spain
(April 27-May 1) as invited speaker in the international course on Post-harvest technology (Sponsor: University of
Cartagena, Dr. Paco Artes).
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 18-20, 2008. Invited speaker in annual meeting of the American Chemical Society
(ACS), (Contact person: Dr. Bhimu Patil, VFIC)
Mar del Plata, Argentina, December 1-7, 2008. Invited speaker to the internal conference in potato research. Gave a seminar
on nutraceuticals from potato tubers (Contact: Dr. Marcelo Huerta, INTA)
Spain, March 31-April 3, 2009. Invited speaker in a short course in Postharvest Technology sponsored by the Universidad
Politecnica de Cartagena (contact person: Dr. Francisco Artes).
Anthalya, Turkey, April 7-12, 2009. Speaker at the plenary international meeting in Postharvest Biology and Technology
sponsored by the IAHS.
Las Vegas, April 21-22, 2009. Invited speaker to give a seminar on nano-technology applied to post-harvest sponsored by
United Fresh (Contac person: Dr. David Gombas).
Almeria, Spain, Sept 5-12, 2009. Invited speaker to give a lecture on fresh-cut produce physiology and nutrients in the
International short course on post-harvest technology of fresh-cut produce sponsored by the University of Cordoba (contact
person: Maria Teresa Sanchez).
Valencia, Spain, Oct 14-18, 2009. Invited speaker to give a seminar on fresh-cut produce physiology and nutrients organized
by Verdifresh (Contac person: Victoria Gilabert).
Jerusalem, Israel, Oct 19-24, 2009. Invited speaker in the Conference “Facing Tomorrow” sponsored by the Presidential
Office of Shimon Peres. Seminar on centers of biodiversity as source of nutraceuticals
Pailor, San Joaquin Valley, California, 25-27 January, 2010. Seminar given to the CTFA. (Contact person: Gary Van Syckle)
Jakarta, Indonesia and Singapore, 20-28 March, 2010. Invited by the Borlaug Institute to review collaborative efforts in
Indonesia. Bogor, SEFAST, Bali. (Cotact person: Dr. Ed Price).
Spain, March 26-April 2, 2010. Invited speaker at the short course in Postharvest Technology sponsored by the Universidad
Jakarta, Indonesia, 27 September-3 October, 2010. Invited speaker to give a seminar on nutraceuticals sponsored by
SEAFAST (Contac person: Ed Price).
Pailor, San Joaquin Valley, California, 17-19 January, 2011. Seminar given to the CTFA (Contact person: Gary Van Syckle)
Manado, Indonesia and Singapore, September 9-20, 2011. Invited by the Borlaug Institute to review collaborative efforts in
Indonesia and invited speaker in the annual international Food Science conference (Contact person: Dr. Ed Price).
Spain, April 11-April 17, 2011. Invited speaker in a short course in Postharvest Technology sponsored by the Universidad
Queretaro, Mexico, January 24-30, 2011. Invited speaker to give two seminars in the Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro
(contact person: Dr. Edmundo Mercado).
Turku, Finland, April 25-May 1, 2011. Invited speaker at the Unversity of Turku and to participate as committee member in
the Doctorate Dissertation Defense of Ms Ritva Repo.
Argentina, August 11-31, 2011, Invited speaker as a Fulbight Scholar at the University of Santiago del Estero (Santiago del
Estero, 3 seminars), University of el Litoral (Santa Fe, 1 seminar) and the University of La Plata (La Plata, 1 seminar).
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Nov 3-5, 2011. Invited speaker at the National Congress of Microbiology, sponsored by the
University of Guadalajara (contact person: Dr. Elisa Cabrera).
Indonesia, October, 2012. Invited by the Borlaug Institute to review collaborative efforts in Indonesia and invited speaker in
the annual international Food Science conference (Contact person: Dr. Tim Davis).
Spain and Germany, February, 2012. Participated as invited speaker at a short course in Postharvest Technology in Cordoba
sponsored by the Universidad de Cordoba (contact person: Dr. Maria Teresa Sanchez) and as invited speaker in the
international fresh-cut produce short course in Berlin sponsored by the University of Foggia (contact person: Dr Giancarlo
Colleli).
Peru, February, 2012. Seminar at the International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, on Andean root and tuber crops (Contact
person: Ivan Manrique).
Fresno, California, March, 2012. Invited speaker at the Fresno Food Expo sponsored by the California Tree Fruit League and
stone fruit growers (contact person Denver Shultz).
Spain, March, 2012. Invited speaker in the short course in Postharvest Technology sponsored by the Universidad Politecnica
de Cartagena (contact person: Dr. Francisco Artes).
Quito, Ecuador, March, 2012. Invited speaker at the Universidad Central de Ecuador and the Grunenthal pharmaceutical Co.
Trip sponsored by Grunenthal pharmaceutical Co
Philadelphia, Sept, 2012. Speaker at the annual meeting of the ACS (Contact person: Dr Navindra Seeram).
Boston, Sept, 2012. Invited speaker at the Science & Standards Symposium on Ingredients for Functional Foods and Dietary
Supplements sponsored by the Food Standards US Pharmacopeia (contact person: Dr. Markus Lipp)
Argentina, November, 2012. Invited speaker at the Iberoamerican postharvest conference in La Plata (contact person: Dr.
Alicia Chavez).
Aracaju, Brazil, October, 2012. Invited speaker in the international conference on nutraceuticals and tropical fruits (contact
person: Dr. Ricardo Elesbao Alves)
Spain, March, 2013. Invited speaker in the short course in Postharvest Technology sponsored by the Universidad Politecnica
de Cartagena (contact person: Dr. Francisco Artes).
Brazil, February, 2013. Invited speaker at EMBRAPA (San Carlos and Fortaleza) and at the University of Sao Paulo at
Piracicaba and Botocatu (contact person: Dr Ricardo Elesbao).
Bari, Italy, June, 2013 Speaker at the international postharvest meeting in Controlled and modified atmospheres (contact
person: Dr. Giancarlo Colleli).
Indonesia, October, 2013. To participate by the Borlaug Institute to review collaborative efforts in Indonesia and invited
speaker in the annual international Food Science conference (Contact person: Dr. Tim Davis).
Antalya, Turkey, October, 2013. To participate as invited speaker in the international fresh-cut produce short course
sponsored by the University of Foggia (contact person: Dr Giancarlo Colleli).
Kevin M. Crosby
Associate Professor of Vegetable Genetics and Breeding
k-crosby@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Crosby has a split appointment of 70% research and 30% teaching within the Department of Horticultural Sciences. His
teaching efforts include undergraduate courses in plant breeding and vegetable production. He also currently serves as coChair of a PhD student committee and as a member of four graduate student committees in two departments. He also serves
as the undergraduate advisor for the Howdy Farm, student organic agriculture organization. His research program focuses on
genetics and breeding of vegetable crops for adaptation to Texas production environments. Peppers, tomatoes, melons and
onions are the crops which he has worked on over the past 14 years. Research into disease resistance and enhanced
nutritional quality has led to development of many novel breeding lines and eight cultivar releases. His project also
investigates root physiology as it relates to stress tolerance and exploitation of interspecific hybridization in pepper for novel
trait discovery. Additionally, Dr. Crosby’s lab has developed a molecular marker based linkage map of melons with several
useful, PCR-based markers linked to major genes. Genetic transformation of melon to enhance nutritional content and stress
tolerance is another component of his project. He has strong collaborations both internationally and nationally with melon,
pepper and tomato breeders at other institutions in germplasm maintenance and characterization. He is active in the American
Society of Horticultural Sciences at both the national and regional levels and has presented more than 20 posters or talks over
the past five years. He also serves as an ad hoc reviewer for more than a dozen scientific journals and three USDA research
funding programs.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Institution
Ph.D.
1999
M.S.
1993
University of Hawaii, Manoa
B.S.
1991
Major
Plant Breeding
Horticulture (Genetics)
Horticulture (Magna Cum Laude)
2008-present
Associate professor, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, (70% research, 30%
teaching)
2006-2008
Associate professor, Texas AgriLife Research Weslaco, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences,
Texas A&M University (100% research)
1999-2005
Assistant professor, Texas AgriLife Research Weslaco, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M
University (100% research)
Butcher, J.D, Crosby, K.M., Yoo, K.S., Patil, B.S., Ibrahim, A.M.H., Leskovar, D.I., and J.L. Jifon. 2012.
Environmental and genotypic variation of capsaicinoid and flavonoid concentrations in Habanero (Capsicum
chinense) peppers. HortScience 47(5): 574-579.
Ren, Y. Bang, H., Gould, J., Rathore, K.S., Patil, B.S., and K.M. Crosby. 2012. Levels of phytoene and β-carotene in
transgenic honeydew melon (Cucumis melo L. inodorus). Plant Cell Tiss. Org. Cult. (DOI: 10.1007/s11240-0120269-8)
Ren, Y. Bang, H., Gould, J., Rathore, K.S., Patil, B.S., and K.M. Crosby. 2012. Shoot regeneration and
ploidy variation in tissue culture of honeydew melon (Cucumis melo L. inodorus). In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol.- Plant.
DOI 10.1007/s11627-012-9482-8.
Bae, H., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Crosby, K., Jifon, J., and B.S. Patil. 2012. Influence of Extraction Solvents on
Antioxidant Activity and the Content of Bioactive Compounds in Non-pungent Peppers, Plant Food and Human
Nutrition, 67, 120-128.
Yoo, K.S., Bang, H., Lee, E.J., Crosby, K., and B.S. Patil. 2012. Variation of carotenoids, sugars and
ascorbic acid concentrations in watermelon genotypes and genetic analysis. Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. DOI
1007/s13580-012-0066-7.
Cohen, R, Pivonia, S., Crosby, K.M., and R.D. Martyn. 2012. Advances in the biology and management of
Monosporascus vine decline and wilt of melons and other cucurbits. Horticultural Reviews 39. pp.
77-120. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Ren, Y. Bang, H., Curtis, I.S., Gould, J., Patil, B.S., and K.M. Crosby. 2011. Agrobacterium-mediated
transformation and shoot regeneration in elite breeding lines of western shipper cantaloupe and
honeydew melons (Cucumis melo L.). Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) 108 (1):
147-158
Crosby, K.M., Butcher, J., Yoo, K.S., and D.I. Leskovar. 2010. ‘TAM Ben Villalon’- a new multiple-virus
resistant, mild, green-chile pepper. HortSci. 45(11): 1756-1758.
King, S.R., Davis, A.R., Zhang, X. and K. Crosby. 2010. Genetics, breeding and selection of rootstocks for
Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae. Sci. Hortic. 127: 106-111..
Niu, G, Rodriguez, D.S., Cabrera. R. , Jifon, J, Leskovar, D., and K. Crosby. 2010. Salinity and soil type
effects on emergence and growth of pepper seedlings. HortSci. 45(8): 1265-1269.
Niu, G., Rodriguez, D.S., Crosby, K., Leskovar, D., and J. Jifon. 2010. Rapid screening for relative salt
tolerance among chile pepper genotypes. HortSci. 45: 1192-1195.
Hernandez, R., Harris, M., Crosby, K., and T.X. Liu. 2009. Liriomyza (Diptera:) and Parasitoid Species on
Pepper in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Southwestern Entomologist 35(1): 33-43.
Park, S.O., H.Y. Hwang, and K.M. Crosby. 2009. A genetic linkage map including loci for male sterility,
sugars, and ascorbic acid in melon. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 134:67-76.
Lester, G.E, Jifon, J.L and K.M. Crosby. 2009. Superoxide dismutase activity in
mesocarp tissue from divergent Cucumis melo L. genotypes. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 64: 205-211.
Crosby, K.M., Jifon, J.L. and D.I. Leskovar. 2008. ‘Chujuc’- a New Powdery Mildew Resistant U.S. Western Shipper
Melon with High Sugar and Beta-Carotene Content. Hort. Sci. 43(6):1-3.
Park, S.O., J.R. Steadman, D.P. Coyne, and K.M. Crosby. 2008. Development of a coupling-phase SCAR marker linked to
the Ur-7 rust resistance gene and its occurrence in diverse common bean lines. Crop Sci. 48:357-363.
Crosby, K.M., Jifon, J.L., Villalon, B., and D.I. Leskovar. 2007. ‘TAM Dulcito’- a new, multiple-virus resistant, sweet
jalapeño pepper. Hort. Sci. 42 (6): 1-2.
Jayaprakasha, G.K., Bae, H., Crosby, K., Jifon, J.L., and Patil, B.S. (2012), Bioactive Compounds in Peppers and Their Antioxidant Potential, In Hispanic Foods: Chemistry and Bioactive Compounds; Tunick, M., et al.; ACS Symposium Series #1109, pp.43-‐56, American Chemical Society: Washington, DC.
Patil, B., Crosby, K. Proceedings of ISHS Intl. Hort. Congress, Lisbon, 2010. S07.008, pg. 332.
Crosby, K., Leskovar, D., and M. Miller. 2010. Evidence that resistance to gummy stem blight (Didymella
bryoniae) in Dudaim type melons (Cucumis melo ssp. agrestis) is a quantitative trait. In: Eds-J.
Thies, S. Kousik, A. Levi, Cucurbitaceae 2010 Proceedings, ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA, USA.
Crosby, K.M., Jifon, J.L, Yoo, K.S. and D.I. Leskovar. 2009. Novel vegetable cultivars from TAMUimproving human health benefits, flavor and productivity. Proc. of FAV2007, Acta Hort 841.
Leskovar, D.I., Crosby, K. and J.L. Jifon. 2009. Impact of agronomic practices on phytochemicals and quality of vegetable
crops. Proc. of FAV2007, Acta Hort 841.
Jifon, J., Lester, G., Crosby, K. and D. Leskovar. 2009. Improving the quality attributes of melons through modified mineral
nutrition. Proc. of FAV2007, Acta Hort 841.
Crosby, K.M., Villalon, B., Jifon, J.L., and D.I. Leskovar. 2008. Virus Resistance Breeding: Current progress at Texas A&M,
AgriLife Research, Weslaco. Proc. 19th Intl. Pepper Conf. pp.16-17.
Crosby, K.M., J.L. Jifon and D.I. Leskovar. 2008. Genetic improvement of early root vigor in melon (Cucumis melo L.) to
enhance stand establishment. Acta Horticulturae, 782:273-277.
Jifon, J.L., K. Crosby, D. Leskovar and M. Miller. 2008.Possible physiological mechanisms for resistance to vine decline
diseases in grafted watermelons. Acta Horticulturae, 782:329-333.
Whitefly, tomato growers find truce in new Texas variety. AgriLife Today, Dec 5, 2011.
none
John Jifon, Gene Lester, Mike Stewart, Kevin Crosby, Daniel Leskovar, Bhimanagouda S. Patil. Fertilizer
use and functional quality of fruits and vegetables, in: Fertilizing Crops to Improve Human Health: A Scientific
Review. 2012. IPNI, Norcross, GA, USA.
Crosby, K., Jifon, J., and D. Leskovar. 2008. Agronomy and the nutritional quality of vegetables, p.392-411. In: F.A. TomasBarberan and M.I. Gil (eds.). Improving the healthpromoting properties of fruit and vegetable products. CRC
Press, Boca Raton.
Crosby, K.M. 2008. Pepper, p. 221-248. In: J. Prohens, and F. Nuez (eds.). Vegetables II: Fabaceae, Liliaceae, Umbelliferae,
and Solanaceae. Springer, New York.
Crosby, K.M., Villalon, B., Rodriguez, A. TAM Mild Jalapeño 2- Plant Variety Protection No. 200800190,
issued on Aug 20, 2009.
Crosby, K.M, Leskovar, D.I., Rodriguez, A. TAM Mild Habanero- Plant Variety Protection No.
200400329, issued on Jan. 25, 2007.
‘Caro-Tex 313’ hybrid, Habanero pepper- 2012
‘Ben Villalon’ mild, green chile- 2010
‘Chujuc’ western shipper melon- 2008
‘TAM Dulcito’ sweet jalapeño- 2007
License of 3 Habanero and 4 serrano parent lines to Lark Seeds- 2012
HORT 325- Vegetable Production: Fall 2012
HORT 404- Plant Breeding: Spring 2010, 2012
Graduate courses
Horticulture 691, Research, each semester from Spring 2007 through Fall 2012 at Texas A&M University.
Advised/co-advised
Ali Annon, M.S., Horticulture, 2012. Genetic transformation of carrot for stress tolerance.
Sat Pal Sharma, Ph.D., Horticulture, 2013. Exploitation of Genotype X Environment interaction for improving quality
in Melon (Cucumis melo L.)
Yan Ren, Ph.D., Horticulture, 2011. Genetic transformation of honeydew melon with a watermelon PSY gene to
enhance
carotenoid content.
Justin Butcher, Ph.D., Plant Breeding, 2011. Traditional breeding strategies to increase vitamin C and flavonoids in pepper
(Capsicum spp.).
Ali Annon- faculty, Dept. of Agronomy, University of Bagdad, Iraq
Yan Ren- plant lighting research at Philips Elctronics, Shanghai, China.
Justin Butcher- pepper and cucurbit breeder at Emerald Seeds, El Centro, CA.
Jake Ueckert, M.S., Horticulture. Investigation of ploidy level and re-bloom trait in roses.
Wayne Tulle, M.S., Horticulture.
Adam Mahan, M.S., Agronomy, Plant Breeding, 2012. Analysis of food-grade maize: colored and quality protein.
Laura Masor, M.S., Agronomy, Plant Breeding, 2011. Determining salt tolerance among sunflower genotypes.
Haejeen Bai, Ph.D., Horticulture, 2011. Pre and post-harvest factors affecting phytochemical contents in peppers (Capsicum
spp.).
Ricardo Hernandez Moreno, M.S., Entomology, 2009. Liriomyza (Diptera: Agromyzidae), Associated Parasitoid Guilds and
Effects of Insecticides on Liriomyza and Their Parasitoids in South Texas.
Jose Luis Perez, M.S., Horticulture, 2008. Citrus Bioactive Compounds Affecting Phase II Detoxifying Enzymes: Potential
Cancer Chemoprevention.
none
11,000 New Mexico Chile Commission, principal investigator. Development of high-yielding, diseaseresistant chile varieties for New Mexico. K. Crosby PI, 2012
39,700
37,840
10,000
12,000
6,000
44,000
10,000
50,000
15,000
46,904
18,000
83,544
17,000
142,281
USDA-NIFA-SCRI-TDA Block Grants. A Strategy to Expedite Trialing and Introduction of
Heat-Resistant tomato cultivars from Texas A&M Throughout the State, K. Crosby PI, 2012.
USDA-NIFA-SCRI-TDA Block Grants. Production and Marketing Strategies for Specialty
Melons and Artichokes. D. Leskovar PI, K. Crosby Co-PI, 2012.
New Mexico Chile Commission, principal investigator. Development of high-yielding, diseaseresistant chile varieties for New Mexico. K. Crosby PI, 2011
Pickle Packers Inc. Improving Quality and disease resistance in pickling peppers. K. Crosby PI,
2011-2013
New Mexico Chile Commission, principal investigator. Development of high-yielding, diseaseresistant chile varieties for New Mexico. K. Crosby PI, 2010.
USDA-NIFA,CSREES- Designing foods for Health, (total of $1,288,975) Expression of
PSY and Or genes in transgenic melon lines to increase beta- carotene. Test candidate RAPD markers using PCR on
our family with elevated levels of flavonoids and ascorbic acid to verify significant linkages. Bhimu Patil PI, K.
Crosby co-PI, 2010.
USDA-NIFA,CSREES- Designing foods for Health (total of $1,291,218). Molecular marker
development and phenotypic selection for increased flavonoid and carotenoid levels in TAES pepper breeding
lines; Optimizing genetic transformation of advanced melon lines to increase beta-carotene. Bhimu Patil PI, K.
Crosby co-PI, 2009.
USDA-NIFA,CSREES- Designing foods for Health (total of $1,002,500). Molecular marker
development and phenotypic selection for increased flavonoid and carotenoid levels in TAES pepper breeding
lines; Development of melon cultivars for Texas, with genetically enhanced levels of beta-carotene, ascorbic acid
and sugars. Bhimu Patil PI, K. Crosby co-PI. 2008.
USDA-CSREES, Developing foods for Health (total of $1,800,500). Molecular marker
development and phenotypic selection for increased flavonoid and carotenoid levels in TAES pepper breeding lines.
Development of melon cultivars for Texas, with genetically enhanced levels of beta-carotene, ascorbic acid and
sugars. Leonard Pike, PI, K. Crosby co-PI. 2007.
Texas-Israel Exchange/BARD (total of 50,000). Grafting as a strategy for disease and stress
management in muskmelon production. K. Crosby, PI, co-PI’s: John Jifon and Dan Leskovar.
2007 (year 4)
Lark Seeds Intl. Development of molecular markers in tomatoes and peppers for pedigree
analysis, gene mapping and marker assisted selection. K. Crosby, PI. 2006-2008.
USDA-SBIR – 2012
Florida Citrus Board- 2012
USDA Plant Genome- June 2009
USDA-Crop Germplasm Proposal Cucurbits Review- 2009-2010
USDA-AFRI- Integrated Research Program Plant Breeding- 2009
Journal of American Society for Horticultural Sciences- Consulting editor 2008
Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative 2007-present
J. American Society for Horticultural Sciences
HortScience
Crop Science
BMC Genomics
Molecular Breeding
Plant Disease
Euphytica
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology
Tree Genetics and Genomes
International Journal of Vegetable Science
Plant Release Committee- 2007-present
Departmental Budget Committee- 2010
Scientific Advisory Committee for VFIC 2008-present
ASHS Vegetable Breeding Working Group: Secretary, Chair-elect and Chair- 2007-2009
Organized and Convened two Texas Pepper Conferences (2007, 2009)
none
Section 7 Page 43
Fred T. Davies, PhD, CPH
Regents Professor, Texas AgriLife Research Faculty Fellow
Dept Horticultural Sciences, Interdisciplinary program of Molecular & Environ. Plant Sciences
f-davies@tamu.edu Program Summary
Dr. Fred Davies has a 50% teaching, 50% research appointment. Teaching responsibilities currently include Hort 326 – Plant
Propagation, and Hort 431 – Nursery Production & Management. For 23 years through 2010, he chaired the Dept of
Horticultural Sciences Graduate Seminar Program, which entailed organizing, inviting and hosting invited outside speakers.
He is the co-author of the 8th edition of Hartman and Kester’s Plant Propagation-Principles and Practices (2011), which is
the standard text used internationally.
Davies research has been multi-dimensional, multi-disciplined – and well-balanced, with as much effort put into teaching and
service – as supported by national and international recognition and awards. His research has been supported by NASA,
USDA, NSF, Guggenheim Foundation, Fulbright, other foundations and industry. Davies research includes: plant responses
to environmental and biotic stress; NASA⎯ low atmospheric pressure (hypobaric), controlled environment crop systems;
physiology of mycorrhizal enhancement of plant drought and nutrient stress resistance, biofertilizers, ornamental horticulture
production (nursery and greenhouse crops), plant propagation systems, alternative nursery production systems, low input
agriculture sustainable systems utilizing mycorrhizal fungi, tissue culture propagation systems, and the interaction of plant
stress and IPM systems.
He is the only faculty member in Horticulture at TAMU to be recognized as both a Regents Professor (2010) and AgriLife
Research Faculty Fellow (2007) – which is testament of national peer recognition of a productive and balanced teaching,
research and service program – the three pillars of the land-grant system. For the past 6-plus years, he has been involved with
the leadership of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS), serving as International Vice-President, President,
and Chair of the Board of Directors. During this same period, he chaired a national committee of industry and academics to
develop the ASHS-Certified Horticulturist program - which has meant communicating to the public, press and industry the
importance and needs of professionalizing horticulture. Davies has a long-term track record of leadership with industry
groups, such as the International Plant Propagators Society.
His research and teaching direction is currently focused on international horticulture. He was awarded a 3rd CIES – Senior
Fulbright Scholar Fellowship (2012-13) to Indonesia, and is involved in a USAID funded programs with Indonesia, and a
USDA-FAS-SCRP program with Ghana and Nigeria. He is currently a finalist (2013) for a Jefferson Science Fellowship to
the U.S. Dept of State/ USAID.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1978
Institution
University of Florida
M.S.
B.S.
Rutgers University
Rutgers College
1975
1971
Major
Horticulture; Plant Physiology;
Tropical Agriculture.
Horticulture; Plant Physiology
History; minor-Biological Sciences
2012-2013
Fulbright Senior Fellow: Visiting Professor, IPB – Bogor Agricultural Univ., Bogor, Indonesia
2010-present
Regents Professor, TAMU. (50% teaching, 50% research)
2007-present
Texas AgriLife Research Faculty Fellow, TAMU.
Fulbright Senior Fellow, J.S. Guggenheim Fellow: Visiting Professor, National Agrarian University
LaMolina (UNALM), Lima, Peru; Visiting Scientist, Intl Potato Institute (CIP), Lima, Peru.
1993-1994
Fulbright Senior Fellow: Visiting Professor, Monterrey Tech University (ITESM) Queretaro, Mexico;
Visiting Scientist, CINVESTAV Plant Biology Institute, Irapuato, Mexico.
1990-present
Professor Horticultural Sciences & Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences, TAMU.
1987
Visiting Scientist, USDA Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon.
1987
Visiting Associate Professor, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Oregon State Univ., Corvalis, OR.
Assoc. Professor Nursery Crop Physiology, Department of Horticultural Sciences, TAMU, College Station,
TX.
1978-1983
Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, TAMU, College Station, TX.
He, C-J, F. T. Davies Jr. and R. E. Lacey. 2007. Separating the effects of hypobaria and hypoxia on lettuce: growth and gas
exchange. Physiologia Plantarum 131: 226–240. (Cover page of Oct 2007 vol 131 edition).
Alarcon, A., F. T. Davies Jr., R. L. Autenrieth and D. A. Zuberer. 2008. Arbuscular
Mycorrhiza and Petroleum-Degrading Microorganisms Enhance Phytoremediation of Petroleum-Contaminated Soil.
International Journal of Phytoremediation. 10(4): 251-263.
Carpio, L.A., F. T. Davies, Jr., T. Fox and C. He. 2009. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Organic Fertilizer Influence
Photosynthesis, Root Phosphatase Activity, Nutrition and Growth of Ipomoea Carnea ssp. Fistulosa.
Photosynthetica. 47: 1-10.
He, C. , F. T. Davies Jr. and R. E. Lacey. 2009. Ethylene reduces gas exchange and growth of lettuce plants under hypobaric
and normal atmospheric conditions. Physiologia Plantarum. 135: 258–271.
He, C, F. T. Davies Jr. and R. E. Lacey. 2009. Hypobaria, hypoxia and light affect gas
exchange, and the CO2 compensation and saturation points of lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Botany. 87: 712-721.
Rajapakse, N.C., C. He, L. Cisneros-Zevallos, and F. T. Davies Jr. 2009. Hypobaria and
hypoxia affects growth and phytochemical contents of lettuce. Scientia Horticulturae 122: 171–178.
Spiers, J.D., F.T. Davies, C. He, T. W. Starman, S.A. Finlayson, S. A. Senseman, and K. M. Heinz. 2011. Fertilization
Affects Constitutive and Wound-Induced Chemical Defenses in Gerbera jamesonii. J. Environ. Hort. 29(4):180–
184.
He, C., and F. T. Davies Jr. 2012. Ethylene reduces plant gas exchange and growth of lettuce grown from seed to harvest
under hypobaric and ambient total pressure. Journal of Plant Physiology 169: 369– 378.
He, C., D.A. Jacobo-Velazquez, L. Cisneros-Zevallosa, and F. T. Davies. 2013. Hypobaria
and hypoxia affects phytochemical production, gas exchange, and growth of lettuce.
Photosynthetica. 51: In press.
Spiers, J.D., F.T. Davies, Jr., C. He, S. Finlayson, K.Heinz, A. Chau and T. W. Starman.
2007. Fertilization Affects the Susceptability of Gerbera jamesonii to Western Flower Thrips (WFT [Frankliniella
occidentalis (Pergande)]—Impact on Plant Growth and Quality SNA Research Conference Proceedings. 52:.
2007. Reducing Fertilization in Gerbera Production Enhances Host Plant Resistance to Western Flower Thrips.
Combined Proceedings of International Plant Propagators’ Society. 57: 674-679.
L. Amaya-Carpio, L., F. T. Davies, Jr., T. Fox, and C. He. 2008. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal
Fungi aand Organic Fertilizer Influence Photosynthesis, Growth, Nutrient Uptake and Root Phosphatase Activity of
Ipomoea Carnea subsp. Fistulosa. SNA Research Conference Proceedings. 53:
2008. Do Insecticides Affect Plant Growth and Development? Greenhouse Grower.
Vol 2. http://www.greenhousegrower.com/grower_tools/200802_insecticides.html
Feb 2, 2008.
Davies, F.T. 2008. Opportunities from Down Under ⎯ How Mycorrhizal Fungi Can
Benefit Nursery Propagation and Production Systems. Combined Proceedings of International Plant Propagators’
Society. 58: 539-548.
Chow, A. and A. Chau, P. Krauter, C. Bográn, F. Davies and K. M. Heinz. 2009.
Manipulating fertilizer input for container production of woody and herbaceous ornamentals: a viable approach to
pest management? Greenhouse Grower. Aug. 2009. http://www.greenhousegrower.com/production/?storyid=2419#
Davies, F.T. 2010. Back to the Basics and What’s New in Plant Propagation. Combined
Proceedings of International Plant Propagators’ Society. 60: 540-552.
Davies, F.T., M. Lamberts, T, Ferriss, G. Fitzpatrick, S. L. Steinberg, R. Talke, and M.
Neff. 2007. New Opportunities for Horticulture: Certified Horticultural Advisor (ASHS–CHA) Program. American
Society for Horticultural Sciences Newsletter 23 (4): 1, 14-17.
Davies, F.T. 2010. Roots that led to horticulture: In the beginning and good things
happening at ASHS. American Society for Horticultural Sciences Newsletter. 26(8): 3-4.
Davies, F.T. 2010. Opportunities with ASHS professional certification programs. American
Society for Horticultural Sciences Newsletter. 26(9): 3-6.
Davies, F.T. 2010. It happened in Lisbon: Forces affecting international horticulture.
American Society for Horticultural Sciences Newsletter. 26(10): 3, 10-11.
Davies, F.T. 2010. Not Your Typical D.C. Rally: USA Science and Engineering Festival.
American Society for Horticultural Sciences Newsletter. 26(11): 1,4-5.
Davies, F.T. 2010. A success story in extension outreach: The junior master gardner program.
American Society for Horticultural Sciences Newsletter. 26(12): 3-4.
Davies, F.T. 2011. Food miles, CSA, slow food, Agribubia, Permaculture – and Horticulture.
Davies, F.T. 2011. Winter storms, super bowls, and the importance of ASHS regional
meetings. American Society for Horticultural Sciences Newsletter. 27(2): 3-4.
Davies, F.T. 2011. Horticulture: Alive, Well, and Critical for the Developing World. American
Davies, F.T. 2011. The Botany of Desire: It’s All About Horticulture! American Society for
Horticultural Sciences Newsletter. 27(4): 3, 8-9.
Davies, F.T. 2011. The Capitol Hill Connection: Importance for Horticulture and ASHS.
Davies, F.T. 2011. Give-a-WOW: Importance of Peer Recognition & Awards. American
Davies, F.T. 2011. Models for Success: Consilience & Horticulture. American Society for
Horticultural Sciences Newsletter. 27(7): 3, 8-9.
Davies, F.T. 2011. It’s a Wrap: The Final Column. American Society for Horticultural Sciences
Newsletter. 26(8): 3-6.
BBC World Service - Science in Action “Space Salad” by Jon Stewart . Jan 26, 2007.
One might be put off from becoming an astronaut looking at the array of freeze-dried ‘delights’ astronauts have to get by on
for sustenance. Jon Stewart reports from Texas A&M University where scientists are looking into growing food crops up in
space. Perhaps surprisingly, scientists growing lettuce under low pressure conditions have found that the plants would grow
better than they do on earth!
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/faculty/davies/index.html
Research Webpage: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/faculty/davies/ResearchHomepg.html
Faculty Webpage: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/faculty/davies/index.html
NASA Low-Pressure Research Webpage: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/faculty/davies/research/nasa.html
Nursery Crop Physiology/Mycorrhizal Research Webpage: http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/faculty/davies/ResearchHomepg.html
Hort 326: Plant Propagation Webpage:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/326/hort326.htm
Hartmann, H.T., D.E. Kester, F.T. Davies, Jr., and R.L. Geneve. Hartmann and Kester's
Plant Propagation - Principles and Practices. 2011. 8th edition. (Prentice Hall). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
915 pp. (1st full color edition); Co-author of last 4 editions of Hartmann and Kester's Plant Propagation Principles and Practices. 5th Ed. (1990), 6th Ed. (1997), 7th Ed. (2002); the world-wide standard for plant
propagation texts, which has been translated into translated into Spanish, Chinese, Italian, French, Russian and
Portuguese.
Davies, F.T. Jr. and A. Alarcon. 2008. Enhancing Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals with
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi. In: A. Alarcón and R. Ferrera-Cerrato (Eds.), Bioremediation of Soils and Water
Contaminated by Organic and Inorganic Compounds. Mexico City: Editorial Trillas, S.A. DE C.V. (Book
Chapter). .
Estrada-Luna, A.A. and F.T. Davies, Jr. 2008. Estado nutrimental y crecimiento de plantas
micropropagadas de nopal (Opuntia albicarpa Scheinvar ‘Reyna’) colonizadas con tres
cepas seleccionadas de endomircorrizas. In: Montaňo-Arias, N.M., S.L. Camargo-Ricalde, R. Garcías-Sánchez and
A. Monroy-Ata (Eds.). Micorrizas Arbusculares en Ecosistemas Aridos y Semiáridos. Mundi-Prensa, S.A. de C.V.,
Instituto Nacional de Ecología-SEMARNAT, UNAM-Iztapalpa, FES-Zaragoza-UNAM, México, D.F., pp. 203-215.
(Book Chapter)
Fitzpatrick, G. (ed.), M. Lamberts, F.T Davies, T. Ferriss, K. Panter, S. Steinberg, J. Cole and
M. Neff. 2010. Horticulturist’s Certification Study Guide. American Society for Horticultural Science, Alexandria,
Virginia. pp. 227.
Davies, F.T. 2010. Chap 4: Propagation. In: Fitzpatrick, G. (ed.) Horticulturist’s Certification
Study Guide. American Society for Horticultural Science, Alexandria, Virginia.
pp. 97-150. (Book Chapter).
Davies, F.T. Jr.. 2007. Nursery Production and Management Lecture Manual. Texas
A&M University, College Station, TX. 8th edition. 690pp.
Davies, F.T. Jr. and S.A. Duray. 2012. Laboratory Exercises in Plant Propagation. Texas
A&M University, College Station, TX. 12th Edition. 168 pp.
None
Classes taught (2007-2012) Undergraduate courses
Hort 326: Plant Propagation
Hort 431: Nursery Production & Management
Annually incorporate undergraduate students in research program as student workers and laboratory assistants, frequently
with independent research projects – including teaching Hort 485: Independent Studies and Hort 489: Directed Research.
Annually guest lecture in Hort 101: Introductory Horticulture.
Graduate courses
Chair, Horticultural Sciences Graduate Seminar Program, TAMU (for 23 years through May 2010)..Graduate students
(2007-2012) Advised
James D. Spiers. 2007. Ph.D. The Effects of Nutrient Avaialability on the Host Plant
Resistance of Gerbera to Western Flower Thrips.
Have served as the major advisor to 13 PhD and 12 Masters graduate students, who are professors and leaders in horticulture.
.
James D. Spiers – Assistant Professor, Auburn University
D. A. Jacobo-Velázquez. PhD, 2011. Dept Food Science. Xiangfeng Jing. PhD. 2012. Dept Entomology.
Benjamin Fisher. M.S. 2009. Dept of Forestry.
Molecular & Environemental Plant Scienes (MEPS) – have served on various committees including the executive committee.
128,089
NASA-Johnson Space Center NAJ04HF53G. Plant Growth at Sub-Ambient
Atmospheric Pressures with Control of the Partial Pressures of Constituent Gases”. PI with R. Lacey, C-J
He (2007; final year of $432,893 grant)
$200,000
USDA-Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative. Floriculture and Nursery Crop Production with
Reduced Cultural and Pest Management Inputs. Co-PI with K. Heinz. (2007, 2008; last 2-years of $400,000
grant). 58-6204-5-0033.
$123,511
NASA-Johnson Space Center NAJ04HF53G. Plant Growth at Sub-Ambient Atmospheric Pressures with
Control of the Partial Pressures of Constituent Gases” (2008) PI with R. Lacey, C-J He.
$2,000
Travel grant as keynote speaker at 50th Anniversary of Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists. “Challenges
in NASA Low-Pressure Crop Production Systems ⎯ Separating the Effects of Hypobaria and Hypoxia on
Lettuce.” Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. June 2008.
$100,000
NASA-Johnson Space Center NAJ04HF53G. Plant Growth at Sub-Ambient Atmospheric Pressures with
Control of the Partial Pressures of Constituent Gases” (2009) PI with R. Lacey, C-J He (Co-PIs).
$25,000
NASA-Johnson Space Center NAJ04HF53G. Augmentation of NNJ04HF31G: Plant Growth at SubAmbient Atmospheric Pressures with Control of the Partial Pressures of Constituent Gases. PI with R.
Lacey, C-J He (Co-PIs). (2011).
$45,000 USDA-FAS-SCRP Grant. “Enhancing Sustainable Production Systems of High-Value Vegetable Crops in West
Africa Using Host Resistance for Disease Management”. PI with James Starr (Co-PI). (July 2011 – July
2013)
$25,000
CIES – Senior Fulbright Scholar Program (Indonesia): “Enhancing Conservation, Propagation and Use of
Underutilized Indonesian Tropical Plants”. (2012-13).
$30,500
TAMU Support (Dean of Faculties; COALS; Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture) of Senior
Fulbright Program.
(2012-13)
$679,100
TOTAL GRANTS
Review panels for grants and journals, Grant review panel service 2007-2012
None.
Other Review Panels
Review Panel - Graduate Horticulture Program – North Carolina State University, Dept of Horticulture, Raleigh (2010)
Reviewer of Industrial Research Chair in the field of Controlled Environments and Life Support. School of
Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. (2010)
Editorial Board of Propagation of Ornamental Plants. IPPS, Sejani Pub., Sofia, Bulgaria (2001-2010).
International Plant Propagators’ Society; currently serve as Editor of the IPPS-SRNA (1993-present).
HortScience
HortTechnology
International Journal of Phytoremediation
Plant Soil
Photosynthetica
Physiologia Plantarum
TAMU, Faculty Development Leave Committee – COALS respresentative MEPS Exec Committee.
TAMU, MEPS Award Committee, chair, 2007-9
TAMU Horticulture Graduate Program Committee.
TAMU, Appointed by the Deputy Chancellor of Agriculture to Texas Agriculture, TAMU, COALS - New Resources
Strategies Task Force Committee (2011)
University Library Representative, 1987-present
ASHS Task Force on the Future of Horticulture, (2004-07)
ASHS – Fellows Screening Committee (2005-2012)
ASHS- President (2010-11), ASHS – Board of Directors (2009-2012)
ASHS-CH Workshop – Feb 2011. Developed a Study Workshop for ASHS-CH Exam with George Fitzpatrick, Mary
Lamberts and Bill Lemont at ASHS-SR meetings in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Chair, ASHS-Certified Horticulturist program (2005-present). Led the development of a national program to develop
professional certification in Horticulture. The goal of the Certified Horticulturist program is to validate the knowledge
and skills of working horticultural practitioners in the industry of horticulture. While initially targeting the industry
practitioner, self-sustaining certification programs also have great opportunities in assessment of university and
community colleges teaching horticulture, and in attracting and serving non-land-grant horticulturists. As Chair,
developed the business plan to get ASHS to commit $500,000 to fund this national project to professionalize
Horticulture. This has been very time-consuming project – developing a national strategic alliance between ASHS and
the horticulture industries. The project entailed ASHS hiring a professional facilitator, developing national surveys for
industry input and numerous workshops with national industry participants and subject matter experts. The national
examination was completed in fall 2008, and the 1st exam given in 2009. We completed a for-purchase ASHS-CH Study
Guide (2010) and are developing Study Workshops for preparing test takers, as well web-based teaching modules and
testing materials (2011-present). Info on the ASHS-CH program can be found at
http://www.ashs.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=87&Itemid=110.
International Plant Propagator’s Society (IPPS)
Editor, International Plant Propagator’s Society, Southern Region. (1994-present).
Board of Directors Member IPPS-SR. (1990-present)
President, American Society for Horticultural Sci. [ASHS] (2010-11);
Chairman, ASHS Board of Directors (2011-12).
Regents Professor, Texas A&M University (2010-present).
AgriLife Research Faculty Fellow – TAMU (2007-present)
Fulbright Senior Scholar to Indonesia (2012-2013)
Awarded Faculty Development Leave, TAMU (2012-13)
Finalist for Jefferson Science Fellow at US Dept of State/ USAID (2013)
Plenary Speaker, 50th Anniversary of Canadian Society of Plant Physiology: “Challenges in NASA Low-Pressure Crop
Production Systems -- Separating the Effects of Hypobaria and Hypoxia on Lettuce”. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. June 2008.
F.T. Davies. International Potato Center (CIP) and the National Agrarian University (UNALM) "Growing Plants for NASAChallenges in Lunar and Martian Agriculture". Lima, Peru, Dec 2008.
Short course: Guatemala; Short Course CENDEC (Central de Estudios Cooperativos), which is a farmer training center in
Chimaltenango, Guatemala. “PRODUCCION DE PILONES SEMILLEROS Y ALMACIGOS DE HORTALIZAS”.
Técnicas Para la Propagación de Hortalizas, WORKSHOPI TALLER, Chimaltenango, Guatemala, May 24-25, 2011,
F.T. Davies. 2011. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, March 13, 2011.
USDA-funded faculty teaching exchange program - presented workshops on “Commercial Opportunities with Plant
Propagation in Horticulture & Agriculture”, and “Growing Plants for NASA – Challenges in Lunar and Martian Agriculture”.
ASHS Presidential address. Kona, Hawaii, 2011.
Indonesia (2012): Funded, keynote presentations. A) 4th International Conference on Biosciences and Biotechnology,
Udayana University, Bali (2012); B) Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Cibinong (2012); C) Conference on Food
Sovereignty and Natural Resource Management in Archipelago Regions – Student Union of Moluccas or the Spice Islands
(PERMAMA), Bogor (2012); D) Indonesian National Horticulture Meetings (PERHORTI), Surabaya (2012); E) 1st
International Plantation Conference, Bogor (2012).
Membership in Professional and Honorary Societies.
American Society of Horticultural Sciences, International Plant Propagators Society,
Gamma Sigma Delta, Pi Alpha Xi, Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi
Listed in: 1) Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. 2008. 10th Edition; 2) Who's Who in the World. 2008. 25th
Edition; 3) American Men and Women of Science 2011 21st Edition.
TAMU Fulbright Fellows Association
Tim D. Davis
Professor of Horticultural Sciences &
Regional Director for Asia, Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture
t-davis5@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Davis’ current primary responsibility is to serve as Regional Director for Asia for
the Borlaug Institute of International Agriculture at Texas A&M. This includes
developing and implementing a strategy to increase the Institute’s presence in Asia to
improve prospects for procuring projects in the region. This includes fostering
collaborative international research and education, and making exploratory trips to
Asian countries which have potential for collaboration. He also provides technical and
leadership expertise to ongoing Borlaug Institute programs which have a horticultural
or plant science component. This includes, but is not limited to, programs such as the
Global Coffee Quality Research Initiative, Indonesia Tropical Plant Science Project,
the Ukulima Farm Experiment Station, and horticultural development programs in
Rwanda, Tanzania, and Iraq. This also includes participation in new program opportunities as they arise (e.g. USAID
Bangladesh value chain project, Afghanistan AGRED project). Davis represents the Borlaug Institute in the field of
horticulture and, when called upon, more broadly with respect to the Institute’s overall mission. He leads and/or participates
in the development of appropriate international conferences (e.g. Desert Technologies 11 Conference to be held in San
Antonio in November 2013.) In the Department of Horticultural Sciences, he has responsibility for developing Study Abroad
courses. He has significant professional service responsibilities and serves as Chair of the Department’s Promotion and
Tenure Committee. His research background is in adventitious root formation and plant growth regulation. He was named a
Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science in 2006.
Academic Background
Ph.D (Horticulture): Oregon State University, Corvallis, 1983.
M.S. (Horticulture): Oregon State University, Corvallis, 1980.
B.S. (Horticulture): Brigham Young University, Provo, 1978; Magna Cum Laude.
Graduated from Sonoma Valley High School, Sonoma, California, 1974.
Senior Scientist & Regional Director for Asia, Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture, and Professor,
Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (2011-present)
Professor and Head, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (20032011) (100% administrative appointment)
Resident Director, Texas A&M University Research and Extension Center, Dallas, Texas (1996-2005). (100%
administrative appointment)
Professor of Environmental Horticulture, Texas A&M University Research and Extension Center, Dallas, Texas
(1995-2005).
Interim Associate Resident Director, Texas A&M University Research and Extension Center, Dallas, Texas
(September 1995-April 1996).
Associate Professor of Environmental Horticulture-Research Horticulturist, Texas A&M University Research and
Extension Center, Dallas, Texas (1989-1995). Project leader for ornamentals & floriculture/plant physiology
research, 100% research.
Associate Professor of Horticulture, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Brigham Young University, Provo,
Utah (1987-1989; continuing status granted 1987). Responsibilities included conducting research and teaching
courses related to ornamental horticulture and crop physiology. Approximate split: 50% research, 50% teaching.
Assistant Professor of Horticulture, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Brigham Young University, Provo,
Utah (1982-1987).
Abstracts
Zajicek, Z., S.A. Duray, R.D. Lineberger, and T.D. Davis 2009. A preliminary analysis of a novel horticulture
Bachelor of Arts degree program. HortScience 44: 560.
Davis, T.D. and P. Hariyadi. 2011. Horticultural research and education opportunities in Indonesia. HortScience 46:
S64.
Davis, T.D. and P. Haryadi. 2011. Linking horticultural and food sciences to help feed the future. Proc. Nasional
Seminar PATPI 2011, Manado, p. 22.
King, J.N., J.P. Muir, and T.D. Davis. 2012. Ukulima Farm Experiment Station—Advancing African agricultural
research, extension, and education. Abstr. 2nd All Africa Horticulture Congress “Horticulture for Humanity,” p. 183.
Trade/Extension/Proceedings Articles
Riemenschneider, D.E., T.D. Davis, W.A. Mackay, and R.D Ratliff. 2008. Lupinus L.- lupine. The Woody Plant Seed
Manual, USDA/ARS Handbook 727, pp. 691-693
Sankhla, N., W.A. Mackay, and T.D. Davis. 2008. Flower abscission, flower opening, and petal color development in
cut phlox flower heads: Effect of methyl jasmonate, gibberellic acid, and sucrose. Acta Hortic. 774: 315-321.
Sankhla, N., W.A. Mackay, and T.D. Davis. 2008. Postharvest performance of cut racemes of Lupinus havardii
Wats.: Effect of sucrose and gibberellic acid. Acta Hortic. 774: 323-327.
Refereed Journal Articles
Pemberton, B., M. Arnold, T. Davis, D. Lineberger, C. McKenney, D. Rodriguez, L. Stein, C. Hall, M. Palma, and R.
De Los Santos. 2011. The Texas Superstar Program: Success through partnership. HortTechnology 21: 698-699.
Davis, T.D. and P. Hariyadi. 2013. Horticultural Research and Education Opportunities in Indonesia. HortScience
48(3): in press.
Refereed Journals Served as a Reviewer, 2007-2012
HortScience
Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture
Journal of Mountain Science
New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science
Canadian Journal of Plant Science
Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research
Annals of Applied Biology
African Journal of Agricultural Research
Grants and Contracts (serve as PI), 2007-2012
Tropical Plant Science Curriculum Project, funded by USAID, $636,000 for 3 years (2011-2013)
Afghan Agricultural Research and Extension Development , funded by USAID, $2.2 million for 5 years (2012-2016)
Grant Panels/Reviews, 2007-2012
USDA/CSREES review panel member, 2008-2009
USDA/CSREES review panel chair, 2010
ad hoc reviewer for Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, 2008
Georgian National Science Foundation peer reviewer, 2009 and 2012
ad hoc review for BARD, 2010
Invited Presentations, 2007-2012
USAID, Washington, D.C., 2011
National Food Science and Technology Seminar, 2011, Manado, Indonesia
American Society for Horticultural Science annual meeting, 2011 (Hawaii)
International Conference of Food Factors, 2012, Jakarta, Indonesia
Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture, Texas A&M University, 2012
Leadership/Service Roles
Chair, Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding Junior Selection Committee, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas
A&M University, 2007
Scientific Committee, ISHS Quality Management in Supply Chain of Ornamentals Symposium, held December
2007 in Bangkok, Thailand
Participated in Executive Coaching Program, Center for Creative Leadership (including 360 By Design analysis),
2007-2008
Member, Executive Committee, Southern Region, American Society for Horticultural Sciences, 2011-present
Section Chair, Alternate and Horticultural Crops, Texas Plant Protection Association 2009 Annual Meeting, Bryan,
Texas
Reviewer, Texas A&M Association of Former Students, College-level Teaching Awards, 2009
Member, Review Panel, Texas A&M Regents Professor Award Committee, 2009
Member, Scientific Committee, International Conference on Quality Management in Supply Chains of Ornamentals,
held in Thailand, December 2011
Chair, External Department Review Committee, Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida,
October 2010
Member Imperative 9 & 12 Study Team, Vision 2020, Texas A&M University, 2011
Member, Feed the Future Committee, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, 2011
Member, Research/Institutional Partnerships Working Group, USINDO Joint Council on Higher Education, 2012
Member, Advisory Board, Buffett Conflict and Development Endowed Chair, Texas A&M University, 2012
Member, ASHS Fellow Screening Committee, 2013
Member, Remote Review Team, School of Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, 2012
Chair, External Review Team, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University, 2013
Chair, Department of Horticultural Sciences Promotion and Tenure Committee, 2012-present
Chair, 11th International Conference on Desert Technologies, to be held November 2013, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Steven George
Professor and Extension Horticulturist
s-george3@tamu.edu
Program Summary
With a 100 % Extension appointment, the primary focus of both my research and Extension efforts is in the field of researchbased environmental landscape management. To address the major environmental concerns regarding American landscapes, I
first developed the overall Earth-Kind® Environmental Landscape Management System, then I created and serve as the
National Coordinator for the Earth-Kind Rose Program. We are conducting two national Extension programs, one on EarthKind Roses (which has now gone international), the other on Earth-Kind Environmental Soil Management. We have recently
concluded, what is to my knowledge, the largest single site environmental rose research study of its kind in the nation,
supported by randomized, replicated field trials at 70 total sites in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Nebraska, Texas, and West Virginia. We have cooperators testing Earth-Kind roses in 27 states (Alaska to Florida) and five
foreign countries (Bermuda, Canada, India, New Zealand, and Romania). We took our Earth-Kind Rose concept worldwide
at the prestigious World Federation of Rose Societies Convention in Vancouver. Earth-Kind Roses have become, to my
knowledge, the fastest growing and most popular university program of its kind in the nation. This makes Texas A&M
AgriLife Extension a national and international leader in research-based environmental landscape management. Our work
has been favorably reported on in The New York Times.com (three times), London Financial Times.com (twice), ABC
News.com, MSNBC.com, Martha Stewart Living Radio Network (estimated listening audience: 17 million), Reader's Digest,
Christian Science Monitor, American Nurseryman, Better Homes and Gardens.com, Fine Gardening.com, and Mother Earth
News.com. The Associated Press has released a nationwide article devoted exclusively to Earth-Kind Roses. Our National
Earth-Kind Rose Research was featured as the cover photograph for HortScience. I collaborate with valued colleagues at
eight other universities (Colorado State, Iowa State, Kansas State, LSU, and the Universities of: Illinois, Minnesota,
Nebraska, and Wisconsin) on Earth-Kind research matters.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1986
M.S.
1980
B.S.
1970
Institution
Major
Plant Pathology
Horticulture
Zoology
2001-present
Professor and Extension Horticulturist for North Central District
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Dallas
(100 % Extension appointment)
1991-2001
Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist for North Central District
Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Dallas
1988-1991
Extension Horticulturist for North Central District
Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Dallas
1987-1988
Assistant Professor and State Extension Plant Pathology Specialist
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Stillwater
1986-1987
State Extension Plant Pathology Specialist
Arizona Cooperative Extension Service, Phoenix
1979-1982
County Extension Agent-Horticulture
Texas Agricultural Extension Service, San Antonio
1977-1979
County Extension Agent-Horticulture
Kansas Cooperative Extension Service, Newton
Refereed Publications 2007-2012
Reinert, J.A., S.W. George, W.A. Mackay, and C. Campos. 2010. Resistance among
Lantana Cultivars to the Lantana Stick Caterpillar, Neogalea sunia (Lepidoptera:
Noctuidae). Southwestern Entomol. 35(1): 51-58.
Sloan, J.J., R.I. Cabrera, P.A.Y. Ampim, S.W. George, and W.A. Mackay. 2010.
Performance of ornamental plants in alternative organic growing media amended
with increasing rates of expanded shale. HortTechnology 20:594-602.
Zlesak, D., V. Whitaker, S. George, and S. Hokanson. 2010. Evaluation of Roses from the Earth-Kind® Trials: Black Spot
(Diplocarpon rosae Wolf) Resistance and
Ploidy. HortScience 45: 1779-1787.
Harp, D., D. Zlesak, G. Hammond, S. George, and W. Mackay. 2009. EarthKind™ Rose Trials - Identifying the World's
Strongest, Most Beautiful Landscape Roses. Floriculture and Ornamental Biotechnology 3 (1): 166175.
Mackay, W.A., S.W. George, C. McKenney, J.J. Sloan, R.I. Cabrera, J.A. Reinert, P. Colbaugh, L. Lockett and W. Crow.
2008. Performance of Garden Roses in North Central Texas under Minimal Input Conditions. HortTechnology
18(3):417-422.
Sloan, J.J., M.A. Hegemann, and S.W. George. 2008. Dual function growth medium and structural soil for use as a
porous pavement. J.Environ. Qual. 37:2248-2255.
Editor-Reviewed Publications or Conference Proceedings 2007-2012
Church, G., D. Spadoni, K. Schofield, and S. George. 2012. Reaction of Selected Herbaceous Perennials to Low-input
Cultural Practices and Severe Heat and Drought Conditions. HortScience 47(9) (Supplement) - 2012 ASHS Annual
Conference, p. S179.
Church, G., D. Zlesak, D. Harp, K. Schofield, J. Sloan, G. Hammond, P. Smith, and S. George. 2012. Response of Selected
Landscape Roses to Low-input Cultural Practices, High Disease Pressure, and Severe Heat and Drought Conditions.
HortScience 47(9) (Supplement) - 2012 ASHS Annual Conference, p. S230-S231.
Kay, K., D. Harp, D. Zlesak, and S. George. 2012. The Effect of Root Size on Drought Stress and Landscape Performance
of Roses during a Severe Drought. HortScience 47(9) (Supplement) - 2012 ASHS Annual Conference, p. S350.
Sloan, J.J., W.A. Mackay and S.W. George. 2008. Performance of ornamental plants in
expanded-shale based landscape mixes. Southern Nursery Association Research
Conference. Atlanta, Georgia.
Zlesak, D.C., J. Griffin, D. Harp, K. Cue, N. Howell, T. Blunt, R. Nelson, and S. George. 2008. Initiation of the northern
EarthKindTM rose trial. HortScience 43:1144-1145.
News Releases 2007-2012
Jackson, M. and S. George. 2010. Two Long-Established Roses Earn Earth-Kind® Distinction.
Popular Press Articles 2007-2012
Evans, A. 2012. New Soil Amendments. Organic Gardening.
Foderaro, L. 2012. Leading the Search for a Self-Reliant Bloom. The New York Times.com.
Labry, S. 2012. Rose Lady of the Llano Estacado. Texas Gardener.
Madewell, M. 2012. A Culture of Cultivation. The Paris News.
Taylor, P. 2012. Earth-Kind Roses. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Magazine.
Weiss, J. 2012. Unusually Warm Winter Weather. Dallas Morning News.
Brown, B. 2010. Roses Without Pesticides. Organic Gardening and Farming.
Friauf, B. 2010. Roughing It. Dallas Morning News.
Fried, D. 2010. AgriLife Introduces Two New Earth-Kind Roses. TNLA Green Magazine.
Hammond, G. 2010. The Earth-Kind® Revolution: A Recipe For Successful Rose Growing. American Rose Annual.
Langabee, J. 2010. What Roses Are Easy to Grow? American Rose.
Lockwood, F. 2010. Roses - Beautiful and Tough. Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
Raver, A. 2010. Disease-Resistant Roses That Don't Need Pesticides. The New York Times.
Invited Book Chapters 2007-2012
Harp, D., D. Zlesak, G. Hammond, S. George, and W. Mackay. 2011. Earth-Kind® Rose Trials: Identifying the World's
Strongest, Most Beautiful Landscape Roses.
In: The Sustainable Rose Garden, ISBN 978-1-935149-16-3.
Sloan, J., P. Ampim, R. Cabrera, W. Mackay and S. George. 2011. Moisture and Nutrient Storage Capacity of Calcined
Expanded Shale. In: E. Burcu Özkaraova Güngör (Ed.) Application and Assessment in Soil Science, ISBN: 978-953-307740-6.
George, S., G. Wylie, and D. Welsh. 2010. Earth-Kind Rose brochure published by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
George, S., G. Wylie, D. Welsh, and M. Anderson. 2010. Extensive revision of the Earth-Kind Rose web site.
Frost, D., J. Begnaud, M. Clifton, D. Richards, and S. George. 2007. Landscape Roses for Areas with Highly Saline
Irrigation Water. Texas AgriLife Extension Service. 4 pages.
Industry Publications 2007-2012
George, S., M. Chamblee, and C. Thomas. 2012. Earth-Kind Rose section. The Best of Texas Landscape Guide published
by the Texas Nursery and Landscape
Association.
Manuals 2007-2012
Graves, C., G. Hammond, and S. George. 2007. Guide to EarthKind™ Roses and the EarthKind™ Environmental
Landscape Management System. 97 pages.
External Grants 2007-2012
$11,000 George, S. and D. Harp. 2007-2012. Evaluation of roses for insect and disease resistance and garden performance
under minimal input systems in North Central Texas. Funded by Houston Rose Society. Total: $22,000.
Gifts 2007-2012
$250
George, S. 2012. Funds to support our Earth-Kind Drought Management Leadership Conference from Calloway's
Nursery. Total: $250.
$250
George, S. 2012. Funds to support our Earth-Kind Drought Management Leadership Conference from the Texas
Nursery and Landscape Association.
Total: $250.
In-Kind Contributions 2007-2012
$5,000 George, S., D. Harp, D. Zlesak, K. Zuzek, J. Griffin, and G. McDonald. 2012. Support for Phase II (western half)
of the Earth-Kind Rose Display Garden in Columbus, Ohio: in-kind gift of labor and materials from the Columbus
Recreation and Parks Department. Total: $30,000.
$6,680 George, S., G. Church, and K. Schofield. 2012. Support for Phase II Earth-Kind research: in-kind gift of labor and
materials from the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department. Total: $20,040.
$600
Grant, R. and S. George. 2012. Support for Earth-Kind Rose program: in-kind
gift of compost, plants, drip system, and mulch for confirmational field trial in Daingerfield, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$1,600 Green, J., K. Conway, and S. George. 2012. Support for Earth-Kind Rose program: in-kind gift of compost,
plants, drip system, and mulch for confirmational field trial at Clark Gardens in Mineral Wells, Texas. Total: $4,800.
$1,680 Green, J., K. Conway, and S. George. 2012. Support for Earth-Kind Rose program: in-kind gift of compost,
plants, drip system, and mulch for dwarf/compact field trial at Clark Gardens in Mineral Wells, Texas. Total: $5,040.
$2,766.40 Pritz, R., K. Conway, and S. George. 2012. Support for Earth-Kind Rose program: in-kind gift of compost,
plants, drip system, and mulch for dwarf/compact field trial in Abilene, Texas. Total: $8,299.20.
$1,680 Brueckman, D. and S. George. 2011. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip
system, and mulch for field trial in Belleville, Illinois.Total; $1,680.
$320
Clawson, M. and S. George. 2011. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for display bed in Odessa, Texas. Total; $640.
$5,000 George, S., D. Harp, D. Zlesak, K. Zuzek, J. Griffin, and G. McDonald. 2011. Support for Phase II (eastern half)
of the Earth-Kind Rose Display Garden in Columbus, Ohio: in-kind gift of labor and materials from the Columbus
Recreation and Parks Department. Total; $30,000.
$6,680 George, S., G. Church, and K. Schofield. 2011. Support for Phase II Earth-Kind
research: in-kind gift of
labor and materials from the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department. Total: $20,040.
$600
Herrera, J. and S. George. 2011. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial at St. Albans School in Harlingen, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$600
Herrera, J. and S. George. 2011. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial at the Arboretum in Harlingen, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$2,160 Rollins, K. and S. George. 2011. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Total: $4,320.
$1,440 Wente, P. and S. George. 2011. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system, and
mulch for field trial in Columbia, Alabama. Total: $1,440.
$720
Berry, M. and S. George. 2010. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system, and
mulch for field trial in Cooper, Texas. Total:
$1,440.
$1,440 Cue, K. and S. George. 2010. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system, and
mulch for field trial in Bellevue, Nebraska. Total: $2,880.
$30,888.24 George, S. and D. Welsh. 2010. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of publishing and distribution
costs, etc. for the Earth-Kind Rose brochure provided by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Total: $46,337.
$6,680 George, S., G. Church, and K. Schofield. 2010. Support for Phase II Earth-Kind research: in-kind gift of labor and
$720
Janak, J. and S. George. 2010. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system, and
mulch for field trial in Victoria, Texas. Total: $1,440.
$600
Payne, G. and S. George. 2010. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system, and
mulch for field trial in Houston, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$600
Stanford, R. and S. George. 2010. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Orange, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$1,040 Wylie, G. and S. George. 2010. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system, and
mulch for display bed in Cleburne, Texas. Total: $2,080.
$6,680 George, S.W., G. Church, and K. Schofield. 2009. Support for Phase II Earth-Kind research: in-kind gift of labor
and materials from the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department. Total: $20,040.
$840
Gulley, C. and S.W. George. 2009. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Nacogdoches, Texas. Total: $1,680.
$10,000 Hansen, K. and S.W. George. 2009. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of design, plants, materials, and
installation for the Chamblee Rose Garden in Tyler, Texas. Total: $20,000.
$840
Hibler, W. and S.W. George. 2009. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Burnet, Texas. Total: $1,680.
$600
Morrow, M. and S.W. George. 2009. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip
system, and mulch for field trial in Paris, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$600
Neyland, T. and S.W. George. 2009. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Centerville, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$8,250 Owings, A. and S.W. George. 2009. Support for Easy Tea research for first year: in-kind gift of compost, plants,
drip system, and mulch for research study in
Shreveport, Louisiana. Total: $16,500.
$720
Blanek, J. and S.W. George. 2008. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Glen Rose, Texas. Total: $1,440.
$26,667 George, S.W., D. Harp, and D. Zlesak. 2008. Support for Phase II Earth-Kind research: in-kind gift of labor and
$600
Hansard, J. and S.W. George. 2008. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Bowie, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$600
Hiller, M. and S.W. George. 2008. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Edna, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$600
Neier, B. and S.W. George. 2008. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Wichita, Kansas.
Total: $1,200.
$720
Patton, D. and S.W. George. 2008. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Olathe, Kansas. Total: $1,440.
$960
Skipper, R. and S.W. George. 2008. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip system,
and mulch for field trial in Bonham, Texas. Total: $1,920.
$600
Sturdivant, M. and S.W. George. 2008. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip
system, and mulch for field trial in Abilene, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$840
Williams, T. and S.W. George. 2008. Support for Earth-Kind program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip
system, and mulch for field trial in Rockwall, Texas. Total: $1,680.
$720
Arnold, M. and S.W. George. 2007. Support for EarthKind™ program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, irrigation
system, and mulch for field trial in Waxahachie, Texas. Total: $1,440.
$720
Davis, R. and S.W. George. 2007. Support for EarthKind™ program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, irrigation
system, and mulch for field trial in Kaufman, Texas. Total: $1,440.
$5,000 George, S.W. 2007. Support for EarthKind™ program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, irrigation system, and
mulch for field trial in Addison, Texas. Total: $5,000.
mulch for field trial in Canyon, Texas. Total: $1,920.
mulch for field trial in Corpus Christi, Texas. Total: $1,200.
mulch for field trial in Farmers Branch, Texas. Total: $1,200.
mulch for field trial in Fredericksburg, Texas. Total: $1,200.
mulch for field trial in Marshall, Texas. Total: $1,200.
mulch for field trial in Rosenberg, Texas. Total: $1,200.
mulch for field trial in Tyler, Texas, at Chamblee's Rose Nursery. Total: $9,600.
mulch for field trial in Victoria, Texas. Total: $1,440.
mulch for field trial in Glenwood, Iowa, at the home of Annette O'Brien. Total: $1,200.
mulch for field trial in Omaha, Nebraska, at Lauritzen Gardens. Total: $1,200.
mulch for field trial in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, at the home of Kate Lehman. Total: $2,400.
$800
George, S.W. 2007. Support for EarthKind™ program: in-kind gift of expanded shale for field trial in Kansas
City, Kansas. Total: $800.
$800
George, S.W. 2007. Support for EarthKind™ program: in-kind gift of expanded shale for field trial in Wichita,
Kansas. Total: $800.
$3,600 Hansen, K. and S.W. George. 2007. Support for EarthKind™ program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip
system, and mulch for field trial in Tyler, Texas. Total: $7,200.
$600
Richards, D. and S.W. George. 2007. Support for EarthKind™ program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, drip
system, and mulch for field trial in El Paso, Texas. Total: $1,200.
$12,500 Smith, P. and S.W. George. 2007. Support for EarthKind™ program: in-kind gift of compost, plants, irrigation
system, mulch, and hardscaping for the Ruthan Rogers EarthKind™ rose garden in Farmers Branch, Texas. Total: $25,000.
For-Sale Publications 2007-2012
$4,623 Graves, C., G. Hammond, and S.W. George. 2007. Money realized from sales of the EarthKind™ Guide. Total:
$13,870.
Awards and Recognitions 2007-2012
Superior Service Award, Team Category, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 2012
Recognized at the Great Rosarians of the World Conference in New York City, 2008
Mengmeng Gu
Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist, Ornamental Horticulture mgu@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Gu has 100% with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. She provides
leadership and work collaboratively with Extension Specialists and County
Extension Agents to further develop and implement the Earth-Kind®
Environmental Stewardship program.
She works collaboratively with green industry professionals, the Texas Nursery
and Landscape Association (TNLA), other commodity organizations, and
colleagues to develop educational programs for industry professionals. She delivers
Extension educational information and presentations in support of county, regional
and statewide programs. She provides technical expertise and support to green
industry professionals. She also provides leadership for Earth-Kind®
Outcome/Output planning and evaluation.
She serves as the chair of two MS student committees, taught Nursery Production
and Management once and offers a study abroad opportunity every year for
students and agriculture professional to learn horticulture production and marketing
in China. Her research program involves sustainable horticulture crop production, marketing and extension, and sustainable
landscape practices. In a service capacity, Dr. Gu has been serving on the board of Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working
Group and leads the effort on diversity and involving land-grant universities in sustainable agriculture.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
2006
M.S.
2001
B.S.
1998
Institution
Beijing Forestry University
Beijing Forestry University
Major
Plant Sciences/Horticulture
2012- present
Assistant Professor/ Extension Specialist– Commercial Horticulture, Texas A&M University
(100% extension)
2006- 2011
Assistant Extension Professor – Ornamental Horticulture, Mississippi State University (83.4%
Extension 16.6% Teaching)
Refereed Publications (underlined names indicate graduate students and postdoc in the faculty members lab)
M. Gu and M. Tomaso-Peterson. 2012. Efficacy of non-conventional fungicides for control of pythium root rot in poinsettia
(Eurphorbia pulcherrima Wild. Ex Klotzsch). Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences 57(4):250-256.
Gao J., M. Gu, G. Niu, and Y. Chen. 2012. Effects of Salinity on Three Pennisetum Cultivars. J. Food Ag. Environ. 10:10051007.
S.K Jung, H.U. Ryn, M. Gu, H.S. Choi, J.H. Ryu and Y.K. Cho. 2012. Growth and fruit production in young ‘Fuji’ apple
trees as affected by time of downward bending of branches. J. HORT. SCI. BIOTECH. 87:519-523.
Yang, X., M. Gu., Y. Kang, X. Feng. 2012. Contribution of N:P ratio and endogenous phytohormones during development of
phosphorus toxicity in Brassica campestris spp. parachinensis. J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci. 175:582-594.
H.S Choi, K.H. Lim, M. Gu, W.S. Kim, D.I. Kim, K.J. Choi, and H.C. Lee. 2012. Comparison of soil nutrition, tree
performance, and insect and disease occurrence between organic and conventional Asian pear orchards. JAPS 66(2):6877.
Li, X, Z. Zhang, M. Gu, D. Jiang, J. Jia, Y. Lv, Q. Zhang and H. Pan. 2012. Effects of plantscape colors on psychophysiological responses of university students. J. Food Ag. Environ. 10(1):702-708.
Han, F., Y. Su, Z. Shi, Y. Xia, W. Tian, V. Philips, D. Monts, M. Gu and Y. Liang. 2012. Mercury distribution and speciation
in floodplain soil and uptake into native earthworms (Diplocardia spp.). Geoderma 170:261-268.
Niu, G., D. Rodriguez, and M. Gu. 2011. Response of Sophora secundiflora to nitrogen form and rate. HortSci. 46:13031307.
Yuan, X., M. Gu. W. Teng, X. Yang, and J. Wu. 2011. Growth of Calamagrostis brachytricha Steud. and Festuca glauca
Lam. and predicted water savings under evapotranspiration-based deficit irrigation. Journal of Horticultural Science &
Biotechnology 86:583-588.
Jung, S.K., H.S.,Choi, and M. Gu. 2011. Effect of pre- and postload 1-MCP on quality of ‘Tsugaru’ apples exposed to
ethylene. Journal of Food, Agriculture & environment 9(3&4): 214-218.
Choi, H.S., C.R. Rom, and M. Gu. 2011. Effects of different organic apple production systems on seasonal nutrient variations
of soil and leaf. Scientia Hort. 129:9-17.
Choi, H.S., C.R. Rom, and M. Gu. 2011. Plant performance and seasonal of soil and foliar nutrient variations in an organic
apple orchard under four ground cover management systems. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 65(3):130-146.
Genhua Niu, Denise S. Rodriguez, and Mengmeng Gu. 2010. Salinity Tolerance of Sophora secundiflora and Cercis
canadensis var. Mexicana. HortScience 45:424 - 427.
Amy N. Wright, James A. Robbins, and Mengmeng Gu. 2010. Course Content and Attitudes Toward Instructional
Multimedia Use in Nursery Management and Production Courses in the United States. HortTechnology 20:646 - 651.
Christine E.H. Coker, Gary Bachman, Chris Boyd, Pamela B. Blanchard, Ed Bush, and Mengmeng Gu. 2010. Coastal Roots:
Connecting Students with Sustainability in Mississippi and Louisiana. HortTechnology 20:499 - 502.
Kim, Young, Wol-Soo Kim, Hyun-Sug Choi and Mengmeng Gu. 2009. Effects of calcium and indole-3-butyric acid
treatments on calcium concentration and stem-end browing in ‘Fuyu’ sweet persimmon. Korean J. Food Preserv. 16:459462.
Han F.X., S. Shiyab, J. Chen, D.L. Monts, F.B. Matta, M. Gu, and Y. Su. 2009. Phytotoxicity of mercury in Indian mustard
(Brassica juncea L.). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 72:619-625.
Shiyab, S., J. Chen, F.X. Han, D.L. Monts, F.B. Matta, M. Gu, and Y. Su. 2009. Mercury-induced oxidative stress and
phytotoxicity in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Environmental Toxicology 24:462-471.
Gu, M., J.A. Robbins, C.R. Rom, and D. Hensley. 2008. Feeding damage of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) on
sixteen field-grown birch (Betula L.) genotypes. J. Applied Entomology 132:425-429.
Xie, K. and M. Gu. 2007. Advancing cooperative extension with podcast technology. Journal of Extension [On-line], 45(5)
Article 5TOT2. Available at: http://www.joe.org/joe/2007october/tt2.shtml
Gu, M., J.A. Robbins, C.R. Rom, and Hyun-Sug Choi. 2008. Photosynthesis of birch genotypes (Betula L.) under varied
irradiance and CO2 concentration. HortScience 43:314 - 319.
Gu, M., C.R. Rom, J.A. Robbins, and D.M. Oosterhuis. 2007. Effect of water deficit on gas exchange, osmotic solutes, leaf
abscission, and growth of four birch genotypes (Betula L.) under a controlled environment. HortScience 42:1383–1391.
Gu, M., J.A. Robbins, and C.R. Rom. 2007. Role of ethylene in water-deficit stress responses in Betula papyrifera Marsh.
HortScience 42:1392–1395.
Gu, M., J.A. Robbins, and C.R. Rom. 2007. Early landscape performance of twenty field-grown birch genotypes at two
locations in Arkansas, U.S. and response to irrigation. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 33:275-282.
S. Ma and M. Gu. 2012. Effects of Water Stress and Plant Growth Retardants on Flowering and Growth of ‘Raspberry Ice’
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis). Acta Hort. 937. Proceedings of the XXVIII International Horticultural
Congress on Science and Horticulture for People—Proceedings of the International Symposium on Advances in
Ornamentals, Landscape and Urban Horticulture IHC 2010 (editor: G. Groening). Vol 2:237-242.
G. Bi, W. Evans, Mengmeng Gu, Vasile Cerven. 2012. Effects of Cover Crops on Soil Fertility and Sunflower Production in
a High Tunnel. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 57 (In press).
Mengmeng Gu, Mingshu Zhang, Richard Harkess, Brian Trader. 2012. Evaluating Heat Tolerance of Heucheras using
Laboratory Based Methods. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 57 (In press).
Yan Zhao, Mengmeng Gu. 2011. Effects of Fertilizers on Greenhouse Grown Chrysanthemum nakingense Proceedings of
Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 56 (In press).
Yan Chen, Mengmeng Gu, Allen Owings, Regina Bracy. 2011. Effects of Organic Soil Amendment and Nitrogen
Application Rate on the Growth and Establishment of Herbaceous Ornamentals in the Landscape Proceedings of
Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 56 (In press).
Mengmeng Gu, Maria Tomaso-Peterson, Yan Zhao. 2011. Effects of Biofungicides for Control of Pythium in Prestige Red
Poinsettia Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 56 (In press).
Guihong Bi , William Evans, Mengmeng Gu, Vasile Cerven. 2011. Effects of Pre-Planting Compost and Fertigation on
Landscape Performance of Organically-grown Marigold. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association Research
Conference 56 (In press).
Diana R. Cochran, Mengmeng Gu. 2011. Effect of Spent Coffee Grounds on Germination of Palmer Amaranth, Perennial
Rye, and White Clover. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 56 (In press).
Layton, B, M. Gu and Y. Zhao. 2010. Efficacy of selected insecticides for spider mite control on greenhouse-grown
tomatoes, 2010. Arthropod Management Test (In press).
Layton, B, M. Gu and Y. Zhao. 2010. Comparison of commercial and homeowner insecticides for control of western flower
thrips on greenhouse-grown tomatoes, 2010. Arthropod Management Test (In press).
Cochran, D.R and M. Gu. 2010. Effect of coffee grounds on seed germination. International Plant Propagators’ Combined
Proceedings 60:85-90.
Ma, S. M. Gu, R. Harkess, and B. Trader. 2010. Effect of vernalization and day length on flowering Michelia skinneriana.
Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 55:128-131.
Bi, G., W.B. Evans, M. Williams, and M. Gu. 2010. Effect of fertilizer source and rate on zinnia cut flower production in a
high tunnel. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 55:137-140.
Niu, G., M. Gu, and D. Rodriguez. 2010. Nitrogen rate and form affected growth of Texas mountain laurel. Proceedings of
Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 55:349-353.
Genhua Niu, Mengmeng Gu and Denise S. Rodriguez. Effects of Substrate and Irrigation Salinity on the Growth of Sophora
secundiflora and Cercis canadensis var. Mexica. 2009. Proceeding of Southern Nursery Association Research
Conference 54:2-7.
Brian W. Trader, Mengmeng Gu, Alvin May, Karande Gajanayake, and Dinum Perera.Liner Drenches of Trinexapac-ethyl
Reduce Height of Ornamental Grasses. 2009. Proceeding of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 54:391394.
Shen Ma, Mengmeng Gu, Brian W. Trader. Effects of Water Stress and Plant Growth Regulators on Flowering and Growth
of Bougainvillea ‘Raspberry Ice’. 2009. Proceeding of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 54:420-424.
Layton, B and M. Gu. 2009. Control of whiteflies and mealybugs on poinsettia, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 2009
Vol 34 doi: 10.4182/amt.2009.G39.
Layton, B and M. Gu. 2009. Efficacy of ‘homeowner treatments’ against whiteflies and mealybugs, 2008. Arthropod
Management Tests 2009 Vol 34 doi: 10.4182/amt.2009.G40.
Layton, B and M. Gu. 2009. Control of crapemyrtle aphids on greenhouse-grown crapemyrtle liners, 2008. Arthropod
Management Tests 2009 Vol 34 doi: 10.4182/amt.2009.G30.
Layton, B and S. Ma (Graduate student). 2009. Control of crapemyrtle aphids with media-applied systemic insecticides,
2008. Arthropod Management Tests 2009 Vol 34 doi: 10.4182/amt.2009.G31.
Layton, B and M. Gu. 2009. Control of cotton aphid on gerbera daisies, 2008. Arthropod Management Tests 2009 Vol 34
doi: 10.4182/amt.2009.G33.
Gu. M., S. Ma, and B. Trader. Bark Penetrating Surfactant and Ethephon did not Control Leafy Mistletoe in Spring.
Proceeding of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 53:22-23.
Trader, B. and Gu. M. Plant growth regulation of ornamental grasses. SNA Research Conference. Atlanta, GA. 6-7 Aug.,
2008. Proceeding of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 53:515-517.
Trader, B., and M. Gu. 2007. Growth and flowering of ornamental bedding plants under high-night temperatures.
Proceedings of SNA Research Conference 52:581-585.
Gu, M. 2012.The 2012 USDA plant hardiness zone map. TNLA Green March 29-30.
Gu, M. 2012.Down and Up: A horticulture tour in China. TNLA Green May 37-39.
Gu, M. 2012.Qurantine---Dealing with the big headache. TNLA June 18-20
Gu, M. 2012. “Mr. Yang Rose” in Kunming. TNLA Green September 25-26.
Gu, M. 2012.Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunia. Mississippi Gardener 12 February
Gu, M. 2012.Hare’s tail. Mississippi Gardener 12 March
Gu, M. 2012.Shrimp plant. Mississippi Gardener 12 April
Gu, M. 2012.Plumbago auriculata. Mississippi Gardener 12 May
Gu, M. 2012.Snow Princess® alyssum. Mississippi Gardener 12 June
Gu, M. 2012. ‘Sunrise Serenade’ morning glory. Mississippi Gardener 12 July/August
Gu, M. 2012.Mescal bean. Mississippi Gardener 12, September
Gu, M. 2012.Autumn Sage. Mississippi Gardener 12 October
Gu, M. 2012.Texas Bluebonnet. Mississippi Gardener 12 Nov/Dec
Gu, M. 2011. Ornamental Peanut. Mississippi Gardener 11(7):60
Gu, M. 2011. Dessert Willow. Mississippi Gardener 11(6):60
Gu, M. 2011. Hyacinth Bean. Mississippi Gardener 11(5):60
Gu, M. 2011. Kousa dogwood. Mississippi Gardener 11(4):60
Gu, M. 2011. Ruby Spice summersweet. Mississippi Gardener 11(3):62
Gu, M. 2011. Delta Jazz crapemyrtle. Mississippi Gardener 11(2):62
Gu, M. 2011. 2010 and 2011 Mississippi medallion plants. Mississippi Gardener 11(1):60-61
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review Section 7 Gu, M. 2010. Edible chrysanthemum. Mississippi Gardener 10(9):48
Gu, M. 2010. Perennial sunflower. Mississippi Gardener 10(8):48.
Gu, M. 2010. Mexican flame vine. Mississippi Gardener 10(7):48.
Gu, M. 2010. Paperbush. Mississippi Gardener 10(6):48.
Gu, M. 2010.’Pink Cascade’ five-stamen tamarisk. Mississippi Gardener 10(5):48.
Gu, M. 2010. European smoketree. Mississippi Gardener 10(4):48.
Gu, M. 2010. Astilbe. Mississippi Gardener 10(3):49.
Gu, M. 2010. Dwarf fothergilla. Mississippi Gardener 10(2):48.
Gu, M. 2010. ‘Hotspur Yellow’ Florida azalea. Mississippi Gardener 10(1):48.
Gu, M. 2009. Amaryllis. Mississippi Gardener 9(9):48.
Gu, M. 2009. Coralberry. Mississippi Gardener 9(8):48.
Gu, M. 2009. Flameleaf spurge. Mississippi Gardener 9(7):48.
Gu, M. 2009. ‘Gold Edge’ Golden Dewdrop. Mississippi Gardener 9(6):48.
Gu, M. 2009. Golden threadleaf sawara cypress. Mississippi Gardener 9(5):48.
Gu, M. 2009. Starrush whitetop. Mississippi Gardener 9(4):48.
Gu, M. 2009. Parrot lily. Mississippi Gardener 9(3):57.
Gu, M. 2009. White fringe tree. Mississippi Gardener 9(2):43.
Gu, M. 2009. Gu’s spring corner. MNLA Messenger (Spring):12.
Gu, M. 2008. Add value to poinsettia-Part II. MNLA Messenger (Spring):16-17.
Gu, M. 2008. Coppertina ninebark. Mississippi Gardener. 8(9):48.
Gu, M. 2008. Golden Nugget dwarf barberry. Mississippi Gardener. 8(8):49.
Gu, M. 2008. Irish and Scotch Moss. Mississippi Gardener. 8(6):49.
Gu, M. 2008. Tiger eyes sumac. Mississippi Gardener. 8(5):49.
Gu, M. 2008. Royal Frost birch. Mississippi Gardener. 8(2):49.
Gu, M. 2008. Paperbark maple. Mississippi Gardener. 8(1):49.
Gu, M. and B. Layton. 2008. Insecticide Trials on Whitefly and Mealybug. MNLA Messenger (Fall): 19, 23.
Gu, M. 2008. Eschscholzia californica. American Nurseryman (Nov 15):66.
Gu, M. 2008. Adding Value to Poinsettia (Part II). MNLA Messenger (Spring):16-17.
Gu, M. 2008. Adding Value to Poinsettia (Part I). MNLA Messenger (Winter):16-17.
Gu, M. 2007. SARE producer grant. MNLA Messenger (Fall): 24, 26.
Gu, M., J.A. Robbins, and C.R. Rom. 2007. Betula for the south. American Nurseryman 205 (8):14-20.
Gu, M. 2007. Betula x ‘Royal Frost’. American Nurseryman 205 (2):66.
Blog http://greenviion.wordpress.com/
Season extension horticulture in China DVDs. May 10-June 1, 2010.
High tunnel field day DVD. March 11, 2010.
2010 Landscape management short course CD. February 18-19, 2010.
Specialty cut flower workshop presentation CD and DVD. November 17-18, 2009.
Horticulture 341 Nursery Production and Management Fall 2012
Horticulture 489, Special Topics in Horticulture----Study abroad in China: Summer 2012
Graduate courses
Advised/co-advised
Xi Wang. Current MS student.
Yanjun Guo. Current MS student.
$10,000. PI. Promote Earth-Kind Program for Sustainable Urban Agriculture Practices. SARE (Gu-$10,000).
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$17,000. PI. Unrestricted gift. TNLA.
$49,694. PI. Risk Management Education for the Green Industry. Southern Region-Risk Management Education Center.
$4,500(total $52,964). Co-PI. Urban Landscape Water Conservation through Irrigating Landscapes with Reclaimed Water.
RGBI.
$88,905. PI. US-China partnership for strengthening research, education and extension in season extension production and
marketing. USDA NIFA ISE transfer.
$28,634. Co-PI. Creating virtual nursery trips to improve on-campus & distance education in nursery production and
management. USDA NIFA HEC transfer.
$18,555. PI. Extension programs ($9,355—International horticulture field trip; $9,200—Earth-Kind landscape short course).
$49,613. Co-PI. Minimizing Production-Marketing and legal Risks Associated with Adopting Alternative Technologies for
Locally Grown Produce. Southern Risk management Education Center. 2011 (Gu-$3,726).
$23,000. Co-PI. Investigation of an alternative substrate (potting mix) in greenhouse industry. MSU MAFES SRI.
01/01/2011-12/31/2011 (Gu-$23,000; Reduced to $6,576 due to the nature of appointment).
$500. Sole PI. Unrestricted gift. Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association. Feb., 2011.
$12,000 (covering international travel expenses for 15 days for 4 US investigators; ~$3,000/person with a total estimate of
$12,000). PI. TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More------US-China scientific exchange on low-cost season
extension technology for local sustainable specialty crop production and marketing. USDA FAS SECP with PRC.
2011-2012. (Gu’s status was changed to Co-PI due to immigration status).
$10,692. Sole-PI Conducting high tunnel construction workshops in Mississippi. USDA SCBG. 2011.
$307,356. Co-PI. Creating Virtual Nursery Trips to Improve On-Campus and Distance Education in Nursery Production.
USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program.
2010-2012 (Gu-$34,255).
$12,604. Co-PI An Integrated Approach for Managing Pythium Root Rot in Poinsettia Production in Mississippi. USDA
SCBG. 2010-2012. (Gu-$6,072).
$32,000. Co-PI Developing cover crop management systems to optimize sustainability and profitability of specialty crop
production in high tunnels. USDA SCBG. 2010-2012.
$3,000. BioWorks Inc. Co-PI. Fungicide trials on poinsettia pythium root rot. 2010.
$500. Sole PI. Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development Travel Grant Program. Partially
funding travel to International Horticulture Congress. August 2010.
$13,964. Co-PI. Determine the efficacy of biological fungicides for control of pythium stem and root rot in poinsettia. IR-4
Biopesticide Program. 2010-2011.
$22,530. Sole- PI. Investigation of different high tunnel systems for specialty cut flower production in Mississippi. USDA
SCBG. 2009-2012.
$9,350. Sole PI. Fine Americas. PGR trials. 2009.
$42,350. Specialty Cut Flower Risk Management Education in the Mid-South. Co-PI. USDA S-RMA. 2009.
$1,700. Plant biofungicide trial. Sole PI. Keyplex. March, 2009.
$750. Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development Travel Grant Program. Sole PI. July 2009.
$15,000. Investigation of best management practice for specialty cut flower production in Mississippi. PI. USDA SCBG.
2009-2010.
$149,812. PI. US-China Partnership for Strengthening Research, Education and Extension in Season Extension Production
and Marketing. USDA ISE. June 2009-2012.
$496,921. Co-PI. Toward year-round produce markets: Combining low-cost international technologies for year-round
production in high tunnels in the Gulf State. USDA NRI. 2009—2012.
$54,984. Investigation of fertility management to improve nutrient use efficiency in high tunnel. SRI. Collaborator. January
2009-December 2009.
$92,308. Planning meeting for woody landscape plant production and pest management innovation. Collaborator. USDA
SCRI. September 1, 2008-August, 31, 2010.
$10,000. Fine Americas. Sole PI. PGR trials. October 2008.
$1,600. School seedling nursery program for Mississippi habitat restoration. Co-PI. William M. White Special Project
Award. Mississippi State University. 2008
$2,000. Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development Quick Grant Program. Season Extension
Technology for Sustainable Production of Specialty Crops. Sole PI. September 2008.
$750. Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development Travel Grant Program. Sole PI. August 2008.
$4,022. State Bank & Trust company. Sole PI. May 2008.
$1,000. Nature Works Organics. Sole PI. Vermicompost trials. April 2008.
$50,000. Could rice straw and cottonseed serve as alternatives to perlite and peat moss as greenhouse substrates? Sole PI.
MSU MAFES SRI. January 2007- December 2008
$500. Research trial on vermicompost. Nature Works Organics. Sole PI. 2007
$2,950. Improving Teaching of Plant Nutrient in Greenhouse Management Class Using Aeroponics System. Schillig Special
Teaching Grant. Sole PI. Mississippi State University. 2007
Grant Reviewer for USDA AMS
Grant Reviewer for USDA Hort CRSP
Lindbergh Foundation Grants Technical Review Panel
HortScience
HortTechnology
Plant Breeding
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Acta Physiologiae Plantarum
Global Change Biology
USDA-ARS Woody Landscape Plant Crop Germplasm Committee, 2011Board member of Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG), 2009SSAWG Executive Committee, 2009Chair of SSAWG Diversity Committee, 2012Chair of SSAWG Strategic Planning Committee, 2010-2011
Chair of SSAWG Funding Development Committee, 2011- 2011
Chair of SSAWG Scientific Committee, 2010SNA Section Editor for Weed Control, 2007-2013
American Society for Horticultural Science
Chair of ASHS Outstanding International Horticulturist Award Committee, 2012-2013
ASHS Nominations and Elections Committee, 2010ASHS Outstanding International Horticulturist Award Committee, 2009-2012
ASHS Graduate Activities Committee, 2007-2009
Chair of ASHS Water Utilization and Management Working Group, 2008-2009
ASHS Ornamental publication award committee 2008-2011
2012 SR-ASHS Blue Ribbon Extension Communication Award.
2011 Outstanding Specialist Award. Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents.
2011 John E. Hutchison Extension Award for Young Professionals, Southern Region-American Society for Horticultural
Science
Charles R. Hall
Ellison Chair in International Floriculture
c-hall@tamu.edu
Program Summary
The mission of the Ellison chair in International Floriculture is to advance the health
and vitality of the floriculture industry on a national and international scope through
exemplary academic leadership, cutting edge applied research, innovative extension
outreach programs, and by mentoring well-educated, impassioned leaders to support
the future of floriculture. Five strategic objectives have been identified including: 1.)
Increase funding for research and extension program in floriculture and related areas;
2.) Increase partnerships on a disciplinary and multidisciplinary in academia and
industry; 3.) Increase numbers of top-quality undergraduate and graduate students in
floriculture to meet growing needs; 4.) Increase program recognition for the TAMU
floriculture program; and 5.) Increase vitality and productivity of programs in the
identified areas of emphasis: a) economics and marketing; b) environmental
sustainability; c) efficient production systems; and d) people development.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1988
M.S.
1986
B.S.
1984
Institution
Mississippi State University
Professor & Endowed Chair
Professor - tenured
Professor - tenured
Associate Professor - tenured
Assistant Professor
Major
Agricultural Economics
Ornamental Horticulture & Landscape Design
Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology
Horticultural Sciences
August 16, 2007
February 2002
September 2001
September 1997
December 1988
Refereed Publications (underlined names indicate graduate students)
Behe, Bridget K., Charles R. Hall, Benjamin L. Campbell, Hayk Khachatryan, Jennifer H. Dennis, and Chengyan Yue. 2012,
Smartphone use and online search and purchase behavior of North Americans: gardening and non-gardening
information and products. Submitted to HortScience, November 27, 2012.
Behe, Bridget, Ben Campbell, Jennifer Dennis, Charles Hall, Roberto Lopez, and Chengyan Yue. 2012. Consumer
preferences for local and sustainable plant characteristics. Submitted to HortScience, November 2, 2012.
Yue, Chengyan, Ben Campbell, Charles Hall, Bridget Behe, Jennifer Dennis, Roberto Lopez, and Hayk Khachatryan. 2012.
Consumer preference for environment and origin attributes in plants: evidence from experimental auctions.
Submitted to the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, August 2012.
Campbell, Ben, Yue, Chengyan, Hayk Khachatryan, Charles Hall, Bridget Behe, Roberto Lopez, and Jennifer Dennis. 2012.
Consumer segments based on plant purchases reveal preferences for local and sustainable transplants. Submitted to
HortScience, August 2012, in revision.
Yue, Chengyan, Hayk Khachatryan, Ben Campbell, Charles Hall, Bridget Behe, Roberto Lopez, and Jennifer Dennis. 2012.
The effects of the consideration of future consequences on willingness to pay decisions for plant attributes.
Submitted to the Journal of Environmental Psychology, February 2012.
Palma, Marco, Callie McAdams, Ariun Isdorj, and Charles Hall. 2012. A non-hypothetical ranking and auction mechanism
for novel products. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Accepted for publication July 25, 2012.
Cai, Amy, Terri Starman, Genhua Niu, Leo Lombardini, and Charles Hall. 2012. Response of selected garden roses to
drought stress. HortScience 47(8):1050–1055.
Palma, Marco A., Charles R. Hall, Ben Campbell, Hayk Khachatryan, Bridget Behe, and Sue Barton. 2012. Measuring the
effects of firm promotion expenditures on green industry sales. J. Environ. Hort. 30(2):83-88.
Palma, M.A., C.R. Hall and A. Collart. 2011. Repeat buying behavior for ornamental plants: A consumer profile. Journal of
Food Distribution Research 42(2):67-77.
Hall, Charles R. and Alan W. Hodges. 2011. Economic, environmental, and social benefits of lifestyle horticulture. Chronica
Horticulturae. 51(4):5-8.
Niu, G., R.I. Cabrera, T.W. Starman, and C.R. Hall. 2011. Water conservation in ornamental crops through the use of
alternative irrigation water sources. HortTechnology 21(6):694-695.
Pemberton, Brent, Michael Arnold, Tim Davis, Daniel Lineberger, Cynthia McKinney, David Rodriguez, Larry Stein,
Charles Hall, Marco Palma, and Richard De Los Santos. The Texas Superstar® program: Success through
partnership. HortTechnology 21(6):698-699.
Hodges, Alan W., Marco A. Palma, and Charles R. Hall. 2011. Economic contributions of the green industry in the United
States, 2007. HortTechnology 21(5):628-638.
Guo, Xianfang, Chengyan Yue, and Charles Hall. 2011. Investing factors affecting the U.S. national nursery trade: The
implications from a gravity model. HortScience. 46(11):1518–1522.
Rihn, Alicia, Chengyan Yue, Bridget Behe, and Charles Hall. 2011. Generations X and Y attitudes towards fresh flowers as
gifts: Implications for the floral industry. HortScience 46(5):736-743.
Hall, Charles R. and Madeline W. Dickson. 2011. Economic, environmental, and health/well-being benefits associated with
green industry products and services: A review. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 29(2):96-103
Hall, Charles R., Alan W. Hodges, and Marco A. Palma. 2011. Sales, trade flows, and marketing practices within the U.S.
nursery industry. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 29(1):14–24.
Yue, Chengyan, Jennifer Dennis, Bridget Behe, Charles Hall, Benjamin Campbell, and Roberto Lopez. 2011. Investigating
consumer preference for organic, local, or sustainable plants. HortScience 46(4):610-615.
Yue, Chengyan, Charles R. Hall, Bridget K. Behe, Benjamin L. Campbell, Jennifer H. Dennis, and Roberto G. Lopez. 2010.
Investigating consumer preference for biodegradable containers. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 28(4):239243.
Yue, Chengyan, Charles R. Hall, Bridget K. Behe, Benjamin L. Campbell, Jennifer H. Dennis, and Roberto G. Lopez. 2010.
Are consumers willing to pay more for biodegradable containers that for plastic ones? Journal of Agricultural and
Applied Economics 42(4):757-772.
Jeffers, Andrew, William Klingeman, Charles Hall, Marco Palma, David Buckley, and Dean Kopsell. 2010. Estimated
nursery liner production costs for ornamental plant stock. HortTechnology 20(4):804-811.
Behe, Bridget, Benjamin Campbell, Jennifer Dennis, Charles Hall, Roberto Lopez, and Chengyan Yue. 2010. Gardening
consumer segments vary in ecopractices. HortScience 45(10):1475-1479.
Lopez, Roberto, Jennifer Dennis, Bridget Behe, Charles Hall, Chengyan Yue, and Benjamin Campbell. 2010. Sustainable
production practices adopted by greenhouse and nursery plant growers. HortScience. 45(8):1232-1237.
Collart, Alba J., Marco A. Palma, and Charles R. Hall. 2010. Branding awareness and willingness-to-pay associated with the
Texas Superstar™ and Earthkind™ brands in Texas. HortScience. 45(8):1226-1231.
Hall, Charles. 2010. Making cents of green industry economics. HortTechnology. 20(5):832-835.
Hall, Charles, Benjamin Campbell, Bridget Behe, Chengyan Yue, Jennifer Dennis, and Roberto Lopez. 2010. The appeal of
biodegradable packaging to floral consumers. HortScience. 45(4):583-591.
Yue, Chengyan and Charles Hall. 2010. Traditional or specialty cut flowers? Estimating U.S. consumers’ choice of cut
flower varieties at non-calendar occasions. HortScience. 45(3):382-386.
Campbell, Benjamin L. and Charles R. Hall. 2010. Effects of pricing influences and selling characteristics on plant sales in
the green industry. HortScience. 45(4):575-582.
Palma, M.A., Y. Chen, C. Hall, D. Bessler, and D. Leatham. 2010. Consumer preferences for potted orchids in the Hawaiian
market. HortTechnology. 20(1):239-244.
Mathers, Hannah, Alejandra Acuna, Donna Long, Bridget Behe, Alan Hodges, John Haydu, Ursula Schuch, Susan Barton,
Jennifer Dennis, Brian Maynard, Charles Hall, Robert McNeil, and Tom Archer. 2010. Nursery worker turnover and
language proficiency. HortScience. 45(1):71-77.
Campbell, Benjamin L., Charles R. Hall, and Bryan F. Combs. 2009. Regional structural change in production and marketing
practices for the nursery and greenhouse industry: 1988-2003. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 27(3):139144.
Jeffers, Andrew, Marco Palma, William Klingeman, Charles Hall, David Buckley, and Dean Kopsell. 2009. Assessments of
bare-root liner quality and purchasing decisions made by green industry professionals. HortScience. 44:717-724.
Behe, Bridget K., Jennifer H. Dennis , Charles R. Hall , Alan W. Hodges , Robin G. Brumfield. 2008. Regional marketing
practices in U.S. nursery production. HortScience. 43(7):2070–2075.
Hodges, Alan W., Charles R. Hall, Bridget K. Behe, and Jennifer H. Dennis. 2008. Regional analysis of production practices
and technology use in the U.S. nursery industry. HortScience. Volume 43(6):1807–1812.
Haydu, John J., Alan W. Hodges, and Charles R. Hall. 2008. Estimating the economic impact of the U.S. golf course
industry: Challenges and solutions. HortScience. 43(2):759–763.
Haydu, John, Alan Hodges, Charles Hall, and John Cisar. 2007. Sales, value added and employment impacts of the United
States sod production industry. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 25(2):55-60.
Holland, Rob, Megan Bruch, and Charles Hall, A Guide for Considering and Developing a Farmers Market in
Tennessee, PB1770, 2007.
Hodges, Alan, Charles Hall, and Marco Palma. 2010. Economic Contributions of the Green Industry in the United States,
2007. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin #413. ISBN 1-58161-415-2.
Hodges, Alan, Marco Palma, and Charles Hall. 2010. Trade flows and marketing practices within the United States Nursery
Industry:2008. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin #411. ISBN 1-58161-411.
Hall, Charles, Alan Hodges, and John Haydu. 2007. The Economic Impact of the Green Industry in the United States.
Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin #406, ISBN: 1-58161-406-3.
Hall, Charles. 2011. Where have we been in 2011 and where are we headed? Combined Proceedings of the International
Plant Propagators’ Society. 61:6-10.
Hodges, Alan, Charles Hall, and Marco Palma. “The State of the Green Industry: National Nursery Survey Results,”
Proceedings of Southern Nurserymen’s Associations Research Conference: Fifty-Sixth Annual Report, Volume 56,
2011.
Palma, Marco A. and Charles R. Hall. “Economic Impacts of the Green Industry in Texas,” Proceedings of Southern
Nurserymen’s Associations Research Conference: Fifty-Fourth Annual Report, Volume 54, 2009.
Jeffers, Andrew, William Klingeman, Marco Palma, Charles Hall, Dean Jopsell, and David Buckley. “Quality Assessment
and Purchasing Decisions of Nursery Liner Buyers: A Conjoint Analysis,” Proceedings of Southern Nurserymen’s
Associations Research Conference: Fifty-Third Annual Report, Volume 53, 2008
Hall, Charles R., Alan W. Hodges, Bridget K. Behe, and Jennifer H. Dennis. “A Regional Empirical Examination of
Practices and Technologies Used by Growers,” Proceedings of Southern Nurserymen’s Associations Research
Conference: Fifty-Third Annual Report, Volume 53, 2008
Chen, Yu-Jen, Marco Palma, and Charles Hall. “Consumer Preferences in Orchids,” Proceedings of Southern Nurserymen’s
Associations Research Conference: Fifty-Third Annual Report, Volume 53, 2008
Behe, Bridget K., Dennis, Jennifer H. Dennis, Charles R. Hall, and Alan W. Hodges. “Regional Marketing Practices Within
the U.S. Nursery Industry,” Proceedings of Southern Nurserymen’s Associations Research Conference: Fifty-Third
Annual Report, Volume 53, 2008.
Hall, Charles R. “Moving From Satisfied Customers to Enthusiastic Customers,” Proceedings of Southern Nurserymen’s
Associations Research Conference: Fifty-second Annual Report, Volume 52, 2007.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Shout it out loud. Nursery Management 28(11):24-28.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Making cents: The right people on the bus. Big Grower. Nov 2012.
Fisher, Paul, Alan Hodges, Bill Swanekamp, and Charlie Hall. 2012. Fine tuning overhead calculations. OFA Bulletin.
933:1,7-11. Sept/Oct 2012.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Making cents: Value, relevancy, and authenticity. Big Grower. Sept 2012.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Making cents: Ikea-ize the outside. Big Grower. July 2012.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Making cents: The whole enchilada. Big Grower. Mar 2012.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Making cents: The outlook for 2012 and beyond. Big Grower. Jan 2012.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. And the winner is… Greenhouse Grower. Oct 2012.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Use production inputs wisely. Greenhouse Grower. Sep 2012.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Business transitions and growing pains. Greenhouse Grower. July 2012.
Fisher, Paul, Alan Hodges, Bill Swanekamp, and Charlie Hall. 2012. Mine your income statement. OFA Bulletin. 933:1,7-11.
May/June 2012.
Hall, Charles. Business decisions to help me outshine the competition. OFA Bulletin. 932:1,7-8. March/April 2012.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Politics, presidents, and the economy. Greenhouse Grower. Mar 2012.
Jones, Michelle, Terri Starman, Charles Hall, Claudio Pasian, and George Staby. 2012. Taking it to the max: How to
maintain the quality of your plants during shipping and maximize their shelf life. Greenhouse Management
32(2):62-66.
Hall, Charles R. 2012. Will 2012 be a repeat of 2011?. Greenhouse Grower. Jan 2012.
Palma, M.A. and C.R. Hall. 2011. Economic Impacts of the Green Industry in Texas. Texas Nursery and Landscape
Association Green Magazine. January 2011. Vol. XIII. No.I: 12-13.
Thomas, Paul and Charlie Hall. 2011. Steps to implementing benchmark assessment. Greenhouse Management 31(10):74-78.
Hall, Charles. How to market yourself in a questionable economy. OFA Bulletin. Number 929:1, 8-9. September/October
2011.
Hall, Charles. “Generations X and Y attitudes towards flowers as gifts: Implications for the Floral Industry (Part 5),”
Blooming Texan. Volume 37, Number 8, August 2011.
Starman, T., M. Jones, G. Staby, C. Pasian, and C. Hall. 2011 (July). Shrink the shrink. Part 2. Greenhouse Management
31(7):36-38, 63-64.
Hall, C., M. Jones, T. Starman, C. Pasian, and G. Staby. 2011 (Jan). Shrink the shrink. Part 1. January 2011. Greenhouse
Management 31(1):38-42.
Hall, Charlie, Bridget Behe, Ben Campbell, Jennifer Dennis, Roberto Lopez, and Chengyan Yue. 2011. Demand for
sustainability, Part 1: How appealing are biodegradable containers? Greenhouse Grower 29(1):72-76.
Lopez, Roberto, Jennifer Dennis, Bridget Behe, Charlie Hall, Chengyan Yue, and Ben Campbell. 2011. Demand for
sustainability, Part 2: What are growers doing about sustainability? Greenhouse Grower 29(2):32-36.
Behe, Bridget, Ben Campbell, Jennifer Dennis, Charles Hall, Roberto Lopez, and Chengyan Yue. 2011. Demand for
sustainability, Part 3: No two consumers are alike. Greenhouse Grower 29(3):32-36.
Campbell, Benjamin, Bridget Behe, Charlie Hall, Jennifer Dennis, Roberto Lopez, and Chengyan Yue. 2011. Demand for
sustainability, Part 4: The value of biodegradable containers. Greenhouse Grower 29(4):40-44.
Yue, Chengyan, Jennifer Dennis, Bridget Behe, Charlie Hall, Benjamin Campbell, and Roberto Lopez. 2011. Demand for
sustainability, Part 5: Consumer interest in “green” plants. Greenhouse Grower 29(5):58-60.
Hall, Charles. “Generations X and Y attitudes towards flowers as gifts: Implications for the Floral Industry (Part 4),”
Blooming Texan. Volume 36, Number 12, December 2010.
Thomas, Paul and Charles Hall. “Using benchmarking to improve shipping metrics” Greenhouse Management &
Production,” Volume 30, Number 11, November, 2010.
Thomas, Paul and Charles Hall. “Know your costs: Operational benchmarks can improve production efficiency and boost
overall profits” Nursery Management & Production,” Volume 26, Number 10, October, 2010.
Thomas, Paul and Charles Hall. “Use benchmarking to improve management team metrics” Greenhouse Management &
Production,” Volume 30, Number 8, August, 2010.
Hall, Charles. “Generations X and Y attitudes towards flowers as gifts: Implications for the floral industry (Part 3),”
Blooming Texan. Volume 36, Number 8, August 2010.
Hall, Charles and Paul Thomas. “Measuring Marketing and Sales Metrics” Greenhouse Management & Production,” Volume
30, Number 6, June, 2010.
Jefers, Drew, Bill Klingeman, Marco Palma, and Charlie Hall. “Bareroot Liners,” Nursery Management & Production,
Volume 26, Number 6, June 2010.
Thomas, Paul and Charles Hall. “Use benchmarking to improve employee performance” Greenhouse Management &
Production,” Volume 30, Number 5, May, 2010.
Thomas, Paul and Charles Hall. “Use benchmarking to improve your production metrics” Greenhouse Management &
Production,” Volume 30, Number 4, April, 2010.
Hall, Charles and Paul Thomas, “Applying the strategic profit model in the real world” Greenhouse Management &
Production,” Volume 30, Number 3, March, 2010.
Hall, Charles and Alan Hodges, “Growers Increasing Use of Online Benchmarking System,” OFA Bulletin, Number 922,
July/August 2010.
Hall, Charles and Paul Thomas, “Benchmarking Your Way To Success: Part 2” Greenhouse Management & Production,
Volume 30, Number 2, February, 2010.
Hall, Charles and Paul Thomas, “Use Benchmarking to Measure Your Company’s Success, ”Greenhouse Management &
Production,” Volume 30, Number 1, January, 2010.
Hall, Charles. 2010. The view from 30,000 feet. GrowerTalks, 72(9).
Hall, Charles R. Quarterly Op-Ed column for Lawn & Landscape, 2009-2010.
Hall, Charles R. Periodic Op-Ed column for SAF Viewpoint, 2009-2010.
Hodges, Alan, Charles Hall, Bridget Behe, Jennifer Dennis, and Robin Brumfield. “Regional Benchmarking Survey: Pricing,
Advertising, and Expansion,” Nursery Management & Production, Volume 26, Number 1, January 2010.
Hodges, Alan, Charles Hall, Bridget Behe, Jennifer Dennis, and Robin Brumfield. “Regional Benchmarking Survey: Sales
Processes, Volume 25, Number 12, December 2009.
Hodges, Alan, Charles Hall, Bridget Behe, Jennifer Dennis, and Robin Brumfield. “Regional Benchmarking Survey:
Production Practices, Volume 25, Number 11, November 2009.
Hodges, Alan, Charles Hall, Bridget Behe, Jennifer Dennis, and Robin Brumfield. “Regional Benchmarking Survey: Sales &
Employment, Volume 25, Number 10, October 2009.
Hall, Charles R. “It’s All About Mindshare,” The Indiana Flower Grower, Volume 3, Issue 3, Fall 2009.
Hall, Charles. “Are You One Bad Spring Away From Bankruptcy?” OFA Bulletin, Nov/Dec Issue 2009, Number 918, pp. 1,
7-8.
Lopez, Roberto, Joyia Smith, Diane Camberato, Jennifer Dennis, Bridget Behe, and Charles Hall, “Consumer Perceptions of
Sustainably Produced Poinsettias,” Greenhouse Grower, Vol. 27, No. 9, August 2009.
Palma, Marco and Charles Hall. “Economic Impacts of the Green Industry in Texas,” TNLA Green, June 2009.
Hall, Charles R. “Behavioral Pricing: Maximizing Value Relative to Customer Expectations,” OFA Bulletin, March/April
Issue 2009, Number 914, pp. 5, 8-10.
Hall, Charles R. “2009: The Year of Recovery?,” The Indiana Flower Grower, Volume 3, Issue 1, Winter 2009.
Haydu, John J., Charles R. Hall, and Alan W. Hodges. “Lifestyle Horticulture...Document to Be Heard,” Floriculture
International, pp. 34-37, December 2008.
Hall, Charles R. “Competing During Contractions” American Nurseryman, August 1, 2008, Vol. 208, Issue 3, pp. 43-48.
Hall, Charles R. “Benchmarking Your Way to Success,” OFA Bulletin, May/June Issue 2008, Number 908, pp. 2-5.
Hall, Charles R. “Benchmark Your Way to Success,” GMPRO, February 2008, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp.41-47.
Managing Risk in the Green Industry. This strategic multi-faceted risk-management grant project funded by the Southern
Risk Management Education Center involved innovative producer-oriented projects targeting nursery, greenhouse, and
landscape operators. This first phase of this project used concepts from the “Green Industry Risk Management Guide" and
the "2009 National Nursery Industry Survey" to formulate a series of educational materials that addressed timely green
industry-related risk management issues. The second phase of the project involved integrating these materials into targeted
face-to-face educational programs at several key industry events where attendance had been strong historically. The third
phase of the project involved developing online webinars that have been shown to be an effective means of regional
educational delivery in previous SRMEC projects. Lastly, the leading green industry blog entitled "Making Cents of Green
Industry Economics" was used as an important outreach corollary to the online educational programs, as well as e-newsletters
distributed by green industry trade organizations that served as project collaborators.
Administering an online blog entitled Making Cents of Green Industry Economics. To date, there have been 133,570 readers
with 723 regular subscribers (as of December 31, 2011). This weblog provides up-to-the-minute information regarding
economic factors affecting green industry businesses and the strategic responses to enhance profitability.
Introductory Employee Training Program for Greenhouse Crop Production. This training module is offered on the national
eXtension website. The front end is tied to the Extension Conference Services website for fee processing depending on the
funding strategy for the project. The fee-based program generates $55 per registration.
A video series entitled Charlie's Angle is distributed on the ANLA Knowledge Center. This series is a collaborative effort
between Ball Horticultural Company, OFA, and ANLA and ties in with the Making Cents blog and other outreach activities
of the Ellison Chair.
Hodges, Alan W., Charles R. Hall, and John J. Haydu. “U.S. Green Industry’s Economic Contributions,” Green Industry Risk
Management Guide, published by the National Crop Insurance Services, Overland Park, KS, 94 pages, 2008.
Hall, Charles R., John J. Haydu, and Alan W. Hodges, “Mega Trends in the Green Industry,” Green Industry Risk
Management Guide, published by the National Crop Insurance Services, Overland Park, KS, 94 pages, 2008.
Hall, Charles R. “Risk Management for Greenhouse and Nursery Growers” Green Industry Risk Management Guide,
published by the National Crop Insurance Services, Overland Park, KS, 94 pages, 2008.
Haydu, John J. “Eco-Friendly Diversification Strategies” Green Industry Risk Management Guide, published by the National
Crop Insurance Services, Overland Park, KS, 94 pages, 2008.
Hall, Charles R., John J. Haydu, and Alan W. Hodges. “The Basics of Pricing for Nursery and Greenhouse Firms” Green
Industry Risk Management Guide, published by the National Crop Insurance Services, Overland Park, KS, 94 pages,
2008.
Hall, Charles R. “So What is the Best Retail Price?” Green Industry Risk Management Guide, published by the National
Hall, Charles R. “Benchmarking Your Way to Success!” Green Industry Risk Management Guide, published by the National
Hall, Charles, Susan Barton, Bridget Behe, Robin Brumfield, Richard Harkess, Charles Safley, and P.J. van Blokland,
Enhancing Profitability in Greenhouse Firms, Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, NRAES-164,
ISBN 0-935817-95-6, 56 pages.
Barton, Susan, Bridget Behe, Charles Hall, John Haydu, Roger Hinson, Robert McNiel, Travis Phillips, Russell Powell, and
Forrest Stegelin, Establishing and Operating a Garden Center: Requirements and Costs, Natural Resource, Agriculture, and
Engineering Service, NRAES-161, ISBN 0-935817-86-7, 66 pages.
None
Horticulture 315 Component Analysis of Horticultural Systems: Fall 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Horticulture 315 Component Analysis of Horticultural Systems: Spring, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Horticulture 426/626 International Floriculture Marketing: Spring 2009, 2011, 2013
Graduate courses
Taught a course entitled “Strategic Business Management” within the TAMU/UVG Masters Degree Program in
Agribusiness, Guatemala City, Guatemala, 1997-present.
Advised/co-advised
Role
Student Name
Degree
Committee Chair
Madeline Frazier
M.Agr.
Committee Member
Katie Klabunde
M.S.
Agricultural
Economics
2012-2012
Committee Member
Matthew Murch
M.S.
Agricultural
Economics
2012-2012
Co-Committee
Chair
Amy Cai
PhD
Horticultural
Sciences
2010-2013
Co-Committee
Chair
Alba Collart
PhD
Agricultural
Economics
2010-2013
Committee member
Rosa Rodales
M.S.
Univ. of Florida
Environmental
Horticulture
2010-2013
Committee Chair
Anthea Luo
M.S.
Horticultural
Sciences
2010-2012
Committee member
Callie McAdams
M.S.
Agricultural
Economics
2010-2011
Committee member
Travis Britt
M.Agr.
Horticultural
Sciences
2009-2010
Committee Chair
Jay White
M.S.
Horticultural
Sciences
2009-2012
Committee member
Alba Collart
M.S.
Agricultural
Economics
2008-2009
Supervisor
Benjamin Campbell
Ph.D.
Agricultural
Economics
2008-2009
Committee member
Yu-Jen Chen
M.S.
Agricultural
Economics
2007-2008
Data not available
See table above.
Department
Horticultural
Sciences
Year(s)
2012-2013
None.
$20,000 Analyzing the environmental impact (carbon footprint) and economic costs of field-grown flowering tree
production system components. Funded by the Horticultural Research Institute. 2012-2013 Co-PI
$29,900 The Color of Marketing: How much value do consumers place on green (sustainability) and blue (water
conservation) marketing? Funded by the Horticultural Research Institute. 2012-2013 Co-PI
$50,000 What Captures Consumers’ Attention When They Buy Ornamental and Food-Producing Plants? Approved for
funding by the USDA Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). Co-Pi’s include Bridget Behe
(MSU), Ben Campbell (Vineland), Jennifer Dennis (Purdue), Roberto Lopez (Purdue), and Chengyan Yue
(Minnesota). 2010-2012
C0-PI
$34,000 A Social Media Guide for Floral Retailers and Wholesalers – Approved for funding by the American Floral
Endowment. Co-Pi's include Chengyan Yue (Bachman Chair, Univ. of MN) and Bridget Behe (MSU). 2011-2012
PI
$48,311 Managing Risk in the Environmental Horticulture Industry – project funded by the Southern Region Risk
Management Education Center. Marco Palma (TAMU) is Co-Investigator on the project. 2011/2012 Co-PI
$85,875 Containment, Remediation, and Recycling of Irrigation Water for Sustainable Ornamental Crop Production.
Funded by USDA-NIFA as part of the Sustainable Crops Research Initiative planning grant program. 2011/2012
Co-PI
$48,000 Sustainability on the Table and In the Yard: Identifying, Profiling, and Quantifying Markets for SustainablyGrown Ornamental and Food-Producing Plants. Approved for funding by the USDA Federal State Marketing
Improvement Program (FSMIP), July 2008. Co-Pi’s include Bridget Behe (MSU), Ben Campbell (Vineland),
Jennifer Dennis (Purdue), Roberto Lopez (Purdue), and Chengyan Yue (Minnesota). 2011/2012 Co-PI
$47,509 Managing Risk in the Green Industry – project funded by the Southern Region Risk Management Education
Center. Marco Palma (TAMU) is Co-Investigator on the project. 2010/2011
PI
$31,600 The effects of longevity information and guarantees on consumer preferences for cut flowers. This study
Investigates consumers’ preference and willingness to pay for specific longevity guarantees on cut flower
arrangements; investigate consumers’ preference and willingness to pay for enhanced longevity through the
addition of flower food or other treatments; and investigate customers’ preference and willingness to pay for
flowers labeled with “expected longevity X days.” Approved for funding by the American Floral Endowment.
Co-Pi's include Chengyan Yue (Bachman Chair, Univ. of MN) and Bridget Behe (MSU). 2011/2012 Co-PI
$25,000 Texas Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant. Marco Palma (TAMU) is Co-Investigator on the
project. 2009/2010 Co-PI
$40,238 Green Industry Comprehensive Risk Management Education – a proposal funded by the Southern Region Risk
Management Education Center. Marco Palma (TAMU) is Co-Investigator on the project. 2009-2010 Co-PI
$20,000 Structural Changes in the U.S. Nursery Industry: An Assessment of Production and Marketing Trends – a
proposal funded by the Horticultural Research Institute (ANLA) to conduct a national survey of nursery and
greenhouse growers. 2009-2010 PI
$23,705 Managing Risks in the Green Industry in Texas and the Southern U.S. -- a proposal funded by the Southern
Region Risk Management Education Center. Marco Palma (TAMU) is Co-Investigator on the project. 2008-2009
Co-PI
$96,684 Investigation of consumers’ and professionals’ perceptions, attitudes and behaviors about purchasing plastic
alternatives and/or recycling plastic horticultural containers. Approved for funding by the USDA Federal State
Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP), July 2008. Co-Pi’s include Bridget Behe (MSU), Jennifer Dennis
(Purdue), and Chengyan Yue (Minnesota). 2008-2009 Co-PI
$40,000 American Floral Endowment & Horticultural Research Institute proposal to determine the characteristics of
biodegradable pots that consumers deem most desirable and to solicit their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for this type
of sustainable product. Co-Pi’s include Bridget Behe (MSU), Jennifer Dennis (Purdue), and Chengyan Yue
(Minnesota). 2008-2009 PI
$78,431 American Floral Endowment proposal to investigate 1) how and why younger and older consumers react
differently to flowers and alternative gifts, 2) how younger and older consumers feel differently about the risks,
the recipients' positive or negative reaction associated with flowers and alternative gifts, 3) the impacts of positive
information regarding flowers on consumers' choices of gifts, and 4) what can be done by the floral industry to
improve younger and older consumers' satisfaction with flowers. Co-Pi’s include Bridget Behe (MSU) and
Chengyan Yue (Minnesota). 2008-2009 Co-PI
$5,000
Grant from the Texas Ornamentals Enhancement Endowment to conduct an analysis of the awareness levels of the
Texas Superstar and Earthkind “brands.” Marco Palma is the co-investigator. 2007-2009 Co-PI
$300,000 “Risk Management for the Environmental Horticulture Industry in the Southern United States” – a grant funded
by the USDA/RMA Risk Management and Crop Insurance Education Commodity Partnership Program. Alan
Hodges and John Haydu (Florida) were co-investigators. 2007-2008 Co-PI
$49,094 Managing Risk in the Green Industry – a grant funded to the Southern Region Risk Management Education
Center. 2007-2008 PI
$38,000 Enterprise Budgets for Container-grown Woody Ornamental Plants, Climatic Zones 8 and 9 – a grant proposal
funded by the Southern Region Risk Management Education Center. 2006-2008 Co-PI
$15,000 Risk Management Education for Commercial Vegetable and Fruit Producers in Tennessee – a grant proposal
funded by the Southern Region Risk Management Education Center. 2006-2007 PI
$39,000 Regional Multi-state Enterprise Budgets for Fruit and Vegetable Crops - a grant proposal funded by t the Southern
Region Risk Management Education Center. 2006-2007 Co-PI
None
Consulting Editor of HortTechnology
HortTechnology
HortScience
Member of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Peer Review Committee, 2012-2013.
Member of the TAMU Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Awards selection committee, 2011.
Chair of departmental search committee, Extension Sustainable Landscape Management position, 2011.
Member of Graduate Program Committee, Department of Horticultural Sciences, 2011-2012.
Chair of departmental search committee, Benz Chair of Floral Design, 2010.
Chair of departmental Master’s of Horticulture development committee, 2009-2010.
Chair of departmental Branding Strategy Committee, 2008.
Chair of departmental Floriculture Degree Evaluation Committee, TAMU, 2007.
Member of Statewide Research Plan committee, Department of Horticultural Sciences, TAMU, 2007.
Co-hosted the 2011 National Floriculture Forum in Dallas, Texas. The NFF meeting website resides on the Ellison Chair
website (http://ellisonchair.tamu.edu/conferences-workshops/2011nff).
Serving on the Board of Directors of America in Bloom, 2010-2012.
Serving on the Board of Directors for the Seeley Conference, 2010-2012.
Serving on the Board of Directors for Smithers-Oasis, Inc., 2009-2012.
Serving as a member of the TNLA Education Committee, 2011-2012
Serving as a member of the OFA Grower Committee, 2009-2012.
Serving as a member of the SAF Member Services Committee, 2010-2012.
Hosted the Board of Directors meeting of the America Floral Endowment (endowment.org), Jan 2012.
Served as Conference Coordinator for the 2010 Seeley Conference.
Member of SAF Business & Economic Trends Committee, 2009.
Member of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association Education Committee, 2009-2010.
Serve as advisor to Southeast Greenhouse Growers Conference Education Committee, 2009.
Chair of Southwest Growers Conference Steering Committee, 2007-2008.
Member of Education Committee for the Southeast Greenhouse Conference, 2006-2007.
Facilitated the strategic planning sessions for the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association, June 2006 and June 2007.
Editor for the Economics and Marketing Section of the Proceedings of the Southern Nurseryman’s Association Research
Conference, 2005-2007.
Advisory Council, Southern Region Risk Management Education Center, 2005-2007.
Member of the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association Education Committee, 2004-2007.
Elected to Board of Directors, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, 2004-2006.
Member of the Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Conference Planning Committee, 2004-2007
Member of S1019 (formerly S222) Multi-state Regional Research Committee. Project entitled "Fruit and Vegetable
Marketing Innovations and Demand Assessment", 1992-present.
Member (and Chair for 4 years) of S1021 (formerly S290 and S103) Multi-state Regional Research Committee. Project
entitled " Technical and Economic Efficiencies of Producing and Marketing Landscape Plants, 1989-present.
Named the 2012 Hort Hero by Greenhouse Product News magazine.
Appointed as Chief Economist of OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals, July 2012.
Received the Porter Henegar Memorial Award from the Southern Nursery Association for significant contributions to
ornamental horticulture research and to the Southern Nursery Association, January 2012.
Received the ARP Award from the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association for outstanding service to the green industry,
August 2011.
Received the Hall of Fame & Honorary Lifetime Member Award from the Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association,
February 2008.
Edward W. Hellman
Professor of Viticulture
ewhellman@ag.tamu.edu
Program Summary 2007-2012
Dr. Hellman holds joint appointments with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (75%) and Texas Tech University (25%),
serving on the graduate faculties of both universities and conducting extension, teaching and research programs. Extension
activities include management of the Texas Winegrape Network website as the cornerstone of the Viticulture Extension
program, and the Texas Viticulture Certificate Program. He also developed the Vineyard Doctor online diagnostic system and
the Great Vineyards Program. Hellman led the statewide Viticulture Extension Team (4.0 FTE); leadership activities
included assessing regional needs from advisory committees, setting statewide program priorities, approving annual plans of
work, providing professional guidance and technical viticulture support, budget management, personnel supervision, and
related administrative duties. Two innovative and impactful programs developed by Hellman and implemented by the
Viticulture Extension Team are the Prospective Winegrower Workshops, which facilitates expansion of vineyard acreage, and
the Great Vineyards Program, which focuses on encouraging best management practices. A new publication was developed
by the Team, the 2012 Texas Grape Spray Guide. It provides regional recommendations on disease and insect control
products.
Hellman teaches one undergraduate and one graduate course at Texas Tech University. His viticulture research program
involves collaborate investigation of the physiology of grapevine adaptation to climate, evaluation of grape cultivars and
rootstocks, and analysis of climatic and edaphic conditions of Texas winegrowing regions. A recent area of emphasis is
development of a GIS system for vineyard site assessment and matching grape variety to climate. Completion of this project
will provide a rich database for exploring grape variety adaptation to environmental conditions.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Institution
Ph.D.
1982
M.S.
1980
University of Illinois
B.S.
1977
University of Illinois
Major
Plant Sciences
Horticulture
Horticulture
2007-present
Professor and Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife (75%)
Professor of Viticulture, Texas Tech University (25%)
2000-2007
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Texas A&M (75%)
Associate Professor of Viticulture, Texas Tech University (25%)
1994-2000
Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist, Oregon State University. (100% Extension)
1990-1994
Associate Professor of Horticulture, Kansas State University. (60% Teaching, 40% Research)
1984-1990
Assistant Professor of Horticulture, Kansas State University (60% Teaching, 40% Research)
1983-1984
Assistant Professor of Viticulture, Florida A&M University
1980-1982
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Arkansas
1978-1979
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Illinois
Stafne, E.T., E.W. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, J.A. Wolpert, and J-M. Peltier. 2012. Industry Involvement in the Creation and
Funding of the eXtension Grape Community of Practice. HortTechnology 22(5):580-582.
Hellman, E.W., E.A. Takow, M.D. Tchakerian, and R.N. Coulson. 2011. Geology and Wine 13. Geographic information
system characterization of four appellations in west Texas, USA. Geoscience Canada 38 (1):6-20.
Takow, E., E.W. Hellman, A.G. Birt, M.D. Tchakerian, and R.N. Coulson. 2012. An Internet-Based GIS Application for
Vineyard Site Assessment in the U.S. and Matching Grape Variety to Site. Proc. IXth International Terroir
Congress. Vol. 2: 8-7 – 8-10. June 25-29, 2012. Dijon, France and Reims, France.
Hellman, E.W., E.A. Takow, M. D. Tchakerian, and R. N. Coulson. 2010. Texas Terroir: GIS Characterization of the Texas
High Plains AVA. Proc. VIII International Terroir Congress, Vol. 1:2-34 – 2-39. June 14-18, Soave, Italy.
Hellman, E. and A. Basinger. 2009. Evaluation of Regulated Deficit Irrigation in West Texas. Proceedings of the 2009 Texas
Viticulture & Enology Research Symposium. Granbury, TX. June 2. pp 7-9.
Hellman, E., Steven Shelby, Cynthia Lowery. 2009. Evaluation of Abscisic Acid to Delay Budburst of Grapevines.
Proceedings of the 2009 Texas Viticulture & Enology Research Symposium. Granbury, TX. June 3. pp 52-54.
Hellman, E.W. 2009. Current Status of Pierce’s Disease in Texas. Proceedings of 28th Annual Conference New Mexico Vine
& Wine Society, Albuquerque, NM. Feb 27-28. pp 13-18.
Hellman, E.W. 2009. Exploring the Wine Regions of Texas with GIS. Proceedings of 28th Annual Conference New Mexico
Vine & Wine Society, Albuquerque, NM. Feb 27-28. pp 51-57.
Montague, T. and E. Hellman. 2009. Physiology of Field-grown Cool, Warm, and Hot-Climate Grape Varieties on the Texas
High Plains. Proceedings of the 2009 Texas Vitic. & Enol. Research Symposium. Granbury, TX. June 2. pp 4-6.
Takow, E. A., E. Hellman, M. D. Tchakerian, and R. N. Coulson. 2009. Characterizing the Wine Growing Regions of Texas:
An Application of GIS Technology. Proceedings of the 2009 Texas Viticulture & Enology Research Symposium.
Granbury, TX. June 3. pp 28-30.
Montague, T. and E. Hellman. 2009. Influence of wind on gas exchange of field-grown Cabernet Sauvignon in West Texas.
Proceedings of the 2009 Texas Viticulture & Enology Research Symposium. Granbury, TX. June 3. pp 43-45.
Trela, B., E. Hellman, D. Beard, and Z. Edgerton. 2009. Nutrient Status in Texas Wine Grapes and Potential Impacts to Wine
Stability. Proceedings of the 2009 Texas Vitic. & Enol. Research Symposium. Granbury, TX. June 2. pp 22-24.
Pate, D.K., E. Hellman, J. Johnson, P. Adams, T. Burns, F. Pontasch, and F. Westover. 2009. Enterprise Budgets as a Tool
for Commercial Vineyard Management in Texas. Proceedings of the 2009 Texas Viticulture & Enology Research
Symposium. Granbury, TX. June 2. pp 13-15.
Montague, T., E. Hellman, and M. Krawitzky. 2008. Comparison of greenhouse grown, containerized grapevine stomatal
conductance measurements using two differing porometers. Proceedings of the 2nd Annual National Viticulture
Research Conference. Davis, California. pp. 58-59.
Krawitzky, M., T. Montague, and E. Hellman, and M. 2008. Propagation success of grapevines infected with Xylella
fastidiosa. Proceedings of the 2nd Annual National Viticulture Research Conference. Davis, California. p. 41.
Takow, E.A, E.W. Hellman, M.D. Tchakerian, and R.N. Coulson. 2008. Utility of a Geographic Information System
(AVATXIS) as a tool in the characterization of Texas Wine Regions. Proceedings of the 2nd Annual National Viticulture
Research Conference. Davis, California. pp 82-83.
Hellman, E.W. and M. Chien. 2012. Harvest. The Grapevine, July-August, pp. 12-15, 17, 19.
Hellman, E.W. 2012. How to Judge Grape Ripeness Before Harvest. The Grapevine, July-August, pp 26-30.
Hellman, E.W. 2012. Vintage 2011: Texas. Wine & Vines, January, p. 128.
Hellman, E.W. 2010. Vintage 2009 – Texas. Wines & Vines. January, pp 118-119.
Waterhouse, A.L., A. Lakso, M. Keller, E. Hellman, C. Butzke, B. Zoecklein. 2009. Impact of Innovation in Flavor: A Call
to Action. Wine Business Monthly, June 15.
Hellman, E.W. 2009. Vintage 2008 – Texas. Wines & Vines. January pp 126-128.
Hellman, E.W. 2009. Harvest Report 2008 – Texas. Vineyard and Winery Management. January/February. p. 82.
Hellman, E.W. 2008. Vintage 2007 - Texas. Wines & Vines, January.
Hellman, E. 2012. Airblast Sprayer Calibration Worksheet.
http://www.extension.org/pages/65642/airblast-sprayer-calibration-worksheet
Adams, P, E. Hellman, F. Pontasch, D. Timmons, and F.Westover. 2012. Texas Grape Spray Guide.
http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/grow/SprayGuide_2012.pdf
Hellman, E. 2011. The Evapotranspiration Method for Irrigation Scheduling.
http://www.extension.org/pages/32939/the-evapotranspiration-method-for-irrigation-scheduling
Hellman, E. 2011. Frost Injury, Frost Avoidance, and Frost Protection in the Vineyard. 2011.
http://www.extension.org/pages/31768/frost-injury-frost-avoidance-and-frost-protection-in-the-vineyard
Hellman, E. 2010. Parts of the Grape Vine: Roots
www.extension.org/pages/31099/parts-of-the-grape-vine:-roots
Hellman, E. 2010. Parts of the Grape Vine: Shoots
www.extension.org/pages/31098/parts-of-the-grape-vine:-shoots
Hellman, E. 2010. Parts of the Grape Vine: Flowers and Fruits
http://www.extension.org/pages/31097/parts-of-the-grape-vine:-flowers-and-fruit
Hellman, E. 2010. Vineyard Irrigation and Water Management
http://www.extension.org/pages/31516/vineyard-irrigation-and-water-management
Hellman, E. and R. O’Brien. 2010. Pruning Grape Vines: An Overview http://www.extension.org/pages/31140/pruninggrape-vines:-an-overview
Hellman, E. and R. O’Brien. 2010. Cane Pruning http://www.extension.org/pages/31514/cane-pruning
Hellman, E. and R. O’Brien. 2010. Grapevine Pruning Practices http://www.extension.org/pages/31513/grapevine-pruningpractices
Hellman, E. and R. O’Brien. 2010. Spur Pruning http://www.extension.org/pages/31528/spur-pruning
Kamas, J., E.W. Hellman, P.S. Adams, T.H. Burns, F.Pontasch, and F.A. Westover. 2008. Starting a Vineyard in Texas - A
Guide for Prospective Growers. Texas Department of Agriculture. 27 pp.
Hellman, E.W. 2008. Sustainable Viticulture Resources
http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/grow/sustainablevitic.html
Hellman, E.W. 2008. Resources for Organic Grape Production Methods
http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/grow/organicmethods.html
Hellman, E.W. 2008. Grape Gardening Resources
http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/grow/gardening.html
Hellman, E.W. 2008. Summer Bunch Rot.
http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/grow/bunchrot.html
Websites
Hellman, E.W., F.A. Westover, and D. Holman. 2012.
The Vineyard Doctor. (decision-support problem diagnostic system)
https://vineyarddoctor.tamu.edu
Stafne, E.T., E.W. Hellman, R.K. Striegler, K. Kelsey. 2010-present.
eXtension: Grapes. (informational website)
http://www.extension.org/grapes
Takow, E.A, E.W. Hellman, M.D. Tchakerian, and R.N. Coulson. 2008-present.
The Winegrowing Regions of Texas. (Interactive GIS characterization of regions)
http://txwineregions.tamu.edu
CDROM
Pate, D.K., E. Hellman, and J. Johnson. 2011. “Texas Vineyard Budgets – Costs of Production for Commercial Vineyards in
Texas.” Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University. College of Agricultural Sciences and
Natural Resources Report T-1-602.
PSS 4310 Viticulture II: Grape Production. Texas Tech University Spring: 2010, 2012
Graduate courses
PSS 5312 Vineyard Management. Texas Tech University Spring: 2010, 2012
Advised/co-advised
Michael Krawitzky M.S., Horticulture, 2009, Texas Tech University
Yanmei Zhang, M.S., Plant & Soil Science, Texas Tech U. 2012
Christi Townsend, Ph.D., Geography, 2012, Texas State University
Daniel Pate, M.S., Agric. & Applied Econ., 2011, Texas Tech U.
Elvis Takow, M.S., Rangeland Ecology & Mgt., 2008, Texas A&M
None
$200,000. Developing and Maintaining Viticulture Education Programs. Texas Department of Agriculture, Enology and
Viticulture Extension and Research Grant Program. 2011-2013.
$250,000 Viticulture Research to Increase Yields and Enhance Quality. Texas Department of Agriculture, Enology and
Viticulture Extension and Research Grant Program. Hellman, E.W. and T. Montague. (Hellman portion
$125,000). 2010-2012.
$34,015
Development of the Texas Sensitive Crops Website. Texas Specialty Crop Block Grant.
A. Birt, M. Tchakerian, and R. Coulson (Co-PIs). 2011.
$365,000. Hellman, E.W. 2010-2012. Developing and Maintaining Viticulture Education Programs. Texas Department of
Agriculture, Enology and Viticulture Extension and Research Grant Program. Stafne, E.T., E.W. Hellman, R.K.
Striegler, K. Kelsey. 2009-2012. Development of a Grape Community of Practice for the eXtension System.
USDA-NIFA Specialty Crops Research Initiative. Total: $422,964; Hellman portion: $67,260.
$65,000
Enhancing Academic Programs in Viticulture and Enology at Texas Tech University. Texas Department of
Agriculture, Enology and Viticulture Extension and Research Grant Program. (Hellman portion $13,000).
Thompson, T., B. Trela, E.W. Hellman, T. Montague, and C. McKenney. 2010-2012.
$10,074
NE-1020 Coordinated Wine Grape Cultivar Evaluations in the Western U.S. USDA-CSREES Viticulture
Consortium West. Shellie, K., H. Caspari, E. Hellman, B. Maier. (Hellman portion $2,307). 2010.
$8,073
NE-1020 Coordinated Wine Grape Cultivar Evaluations in the Western U.S. USDA-CSREES Viticulture
Consortium West. Hellman, E., H. Caspari, B. Maier, K. Shellie. Hellman portion: $1,306. 2009.
$600
Support for the Texas Viticulture & Enology Research Symposium. Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association.
2009.
$470,000. Developing and Maintaining Viticulture and Enology-Related Programs. Texas Enology and Viticulture Research
and Education Program, Texas Dept. Agriculture. Hellman, E.W. and J. Kamas. 2008-2009.
$220,000 Viticulture Research: Grapevine physiology and cultivar evaluation. Texas Enology and Viticulture Research and
Education Program, Texas Dept. Agriculture. Hellman, E.W. and T. Montague. 2008-Hellman portion: $145,200.
2009.
$100,000 The Effects of Nutrition on the Stability of Texas Wines. Texas Enology and Viticulture Research and Education
Program, Texas Dept. Agriculture. Hellman portion: $4,368. Trela, B. and E.W. Hellman. 2008-2009.
$1,740
Coordinated Wine Grape Variety Evaluations in the Western U.S. Viticulture Consortium – West..
Caspari, H., E.W Hellman, B. Maier, K. Shellie, E. Stover, and J. Wolpert. 2008.
$2,500
National Viticulture Extension Leadership Conference. E. & J. Gallo Winery. 2008.
$118,000 Viticulture Research: Grapevine physiology and cultivar evaluation. Texas Enology and Viticulture Research and
Education Program, Texas Dept. Agriculture. Hellman portion:$77,880. Hellman, E.W. and T. Montague. 2007.
$69,000.
Development of a geographic information system for the study of Pierce’s disease in Texas. USDA-APHIS.
2007.
$20,000.
Renovation of the Viticulture Field Laboratory into a Viticulture and Enology Laboratory. Wine & Food
Foundation of Texas. 2007.
$2,500
National Viticulture Extension Leadership Conference. E. & J. Gallo Winery. 2007.
$470,000. Viticulture Outreach Education Team. Texas Enology and Viticulture Research and Education Program, Texas
Dept. Agriculture. Hellman, E.W. and J. Kamas. 2006-2008.
$54,400.
Viticulture and Enology Certificate Program. Texas Enology and Viticulture Research and Education Program,
Texas Dept. Agriculture. Hellman, E.W., T. Montague, and M. McBurney. 2006-2008.
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review Section 7 Review panels for grants and journals
None.
None.
American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
HortScience
HortTechnology
Journal American Pomological Society
Environmental Modeling & Software
Journal of Maps
Horticultural Sciences Tenure and Promotion Committee, 2007-present
Search Committee, Enology Faculty, Nutrition & Food Science, 2006-2007
Technical Program Committee, American Society Enology and Viticulture, 2011-present
Board of Directors, National Grape and Wine Initiative, 2004-present
Chair, Extension and Outreach Education Committee, National Grape & Wine Initiative. 2004-2009; 2012
Research Committee, National Grape and Wine Initiative, 2012
Executive Committee, National Grape and Wine Initiative, 2007-2009
Texas Wine Industry Development Program Advisory Committee, Texas Department of Agriculture, 2005-2009.
Wilder Medal Committee, American Pomological Society, 2008-2010
Organizing Committee, National Viticulture Research Conference, 2007, 2008
Proposal Reviewer, Viticulture Consortium – East, 2004-2009
Guidance Committee, Viticulture Consortium – West, 2006-2009
Technical Projects Committee, American Society for Enology and Viticulture. 2003-2009
Moderator, 2008 National Viticulture Research Conference
Chair, Outstanding Researcher Award Selection Committee, American Society for Horticultural Science, 2008
Chair, NE1020: Multi-state Evaluation of Winegrape Cultivars and Clones, 2007
Pioneer Award. Kansas Grape Growers and Winemakers Association. 2007.
Page 78
James Stanley Kamas
Asst. Professor & Extension Specialist- Viticulture & Pomology
j-kamas@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Jim Kamas has a 100% Extension appointment with the Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Service and works as an extension fruit specialist, stationed in
Fredericksburg, TX. Jim is active in applied research projects evaluating new and
heirloom Pierce's disease resistant grape varieties, the impact of grape rootstocks on
vine performance and disease tolerance and the management of cotton root rot in Texas
vineyards. Through on-site visitations, phone and email contacts, he assists
commercial and home growers with cultural practice problems including fruit nutrition,
pruning and crop-load management, orchard/vineyard ground cover management and
disease and insect control. Kamas is active in the national Pierce's disease research and
education effort and currently serves as the outreach coordinator for the Texas Pierce's
Disease Research & Education Program.
Academic Background
B.S. Horticultural Sciences, 1977, Texas A&M University
M.S. Horticultural Sciences, 1982, Texas A&M University
March 1996- Present- Asst. Professor & Extension Specialist- Viticulture & Pomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Service, Fredericksburg, Texas
May 1988- March 1996-Area Extension Grape Specialist & Extension Team Leader Lake Erie Regional Grape Program
Cornell University/Penn St. University
September 1980-September 1983-Instructor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station,
Texas. (Introductory Pomology, Temperate Fruit Production, Undergraduate Honors Program
January 1978-September 1983-Research Associate, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station, Texas (Fruit
Breeding and Variety Development)
January 1978- May 1988- Commercial Fruit Grower, Mill Creek Orchards, Austin County, Texas
Kamas, J. and L. Stein. Texas Peach Handbook Texas A&M University Press. April, 2011, 172pp.
Moore, J., J. Clark, J. Kamas, L. Stein, F. Tarkington and M. Tarkington. 2011. Victoria Red Grape. J. Hortscience 46(5):
817-820.
Johnson, S., R. Andersen, W. Autio, T. Beckman, B. Black, P. Byers, J. Cline, C. Chavez-Gonzalez, W. Cowgill, R. Godin,
G. Greene, M. Kaps, J. Kamas, H. Larsen, T. Lindstrom, D. Miller, M. Newell, D. Ophardt, D. Ouellette, R. ParraQuezada, R. Pokharel, G. Reighard, T. Robinson, J. Schupp, L. Stein, K. Taylor, C. Walsh, D. Ward, M. Warmund, and
M. Whiting. 2011. Performance of the 2002 NC-140 Cooperative Peach Rootstock Planting. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc.
65:17-25
G. Reighard, T. Beckman, R. Belding, B. Black, J. Cline, W. Cowgill, R. Godin, R. Johnson, J. Kamas, M. Kaps, H. Larsen,
T. Lindstrom, D. Ouellette, R. Pokharel, L. Stein, K. Taylor, C. Walsh, D. Ward and M. Whiting. 2011. Performance of
Prunus Rootstocks in the 2001 NC-140 Peach Trial. Proc. IXth IS on Orchard Systems. Acta Hort. ISHS 2011. pp463-468.
Black, M. and J. Kamas Progress of Pierce's Disease in Three Vitis vinifera Scions Grafted on Three Rootstocks.
Proceedings of 2010 CDFA Pierce's Disease Research Symposium. pp155-158.
Appel, D., M. Black and J. Kamas. 2010. Biological Control Trials With EB 92-1 in Texas. Proceedings of 2010 CDFA
Pierce's Disease Research Symposium. pp 151-154
Úrbez-Torres, J., P. Adams, J. Kamas and W. Gubler. 2009. Identification, Incidence, and Pathogenicity of Fungal Species
Associated with Grapevine Dieback in Texas. American Journal of Enology & Viticulture (60:4, pp. 497-507).
Black, M. and J. Kamas. 2008. More Texas Xylella fastidiosa isolates colonized Helianthus annuus and Iva annua than
Ambrosia trifida var. texana and Vitis vinifera 'Chardonnay'. Phytopathology[0031-949X] vol 98.iss6: pg S23
Black, M. and J. Kamas. 2007. Assays of Texas Vineyard Soils for Effects on Pierce's Disease of Grape. Proceedings of
2007 CDFA Pierce's Disease Research Symposium. pp228-229.
Contributor to Southeast Peach, Plum and Nectarine Pest Management and Culture Guide, 2008-2013.
Extension Publications
Nesbitt, M., J. Kamas & L. Stein. 2013. Texas Fruit & Nut Production Series: Blueberries. Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension publication E-603. 7pp.
Nesbitt, M., L. Stein and J. Kamas. 2013 Texas Fruit & Nut Production Series: Improved Pecans. Texas A&M AgriLife
Stein, L., M. Nesbitt and J. Kamas. 2013. Texas Fruit & Nut Production Series: Native Pecans. Texas A&M AgriLife
Stein, L., M. Nesbitt and J. Kamas. 2013. Texas Fruit & Nut Production Series: Persimmons. Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension publication E-611. 6pp
Stein, L., J. Kamas & M. Nesbitt. 2013. Texas Fruit & Nut Production Series: Plums, Nectarines, Apricots, Cherries,
Almonds and Prunus Hybrids. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension publication
E-612. 6pp.
Stein, L., J. Kamas and M. Nesbitt. 2013. Texas Fruit & Nut Production Series: Pomegranates. Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension publication E-613. 6pp
Kamas, J., D. Appel, M. Black, J. Lewis and L. Morano. 2012. Pierce's Disease Overview & Management Guide. Texas
Pierce's Disease Research & Education Program. 103pp.
Knutson, A., K. Ong, J. Kamas, B. Ree & D. Mott. 2010(rev). Homeowners' Guide to Pests of Peach, Plum and Pecan.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension publication E-145. 9pp.
Professional Committee Involvement
California Dept. of Food & Ag./PIPRA Transgenic Pierce's Disease Material Review Committee 2012- Present
California Dept. of Food & Ag. Glassy Winged Sharpshooter Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting 2001-present
Viticulture Consortium East- Regional Guidance Committee 2006-2011, Geneva, NY. Reviewed all proposals submitted to
VC-East and participated in discussion and allocation of research fundss.
Proposal & Book Chapter Reviews
2013
Reviewed chapters for Compendium of Grape Diseases, American Phytopathological Society Press
2009/10 Reviewed Research Proposals for the California Dept. of Food & Agriculture's Competitive Pierce's Disease
Research Program
2008- Reviewed Research Proposals Submitted to the Missouri Wine Grape Board
Grants & Contracts Awarded- 2007-2012
$125,300 2012-2013. J. Kamas & M. Black. Identifying Superior Pierce's Disease Varieties and Rootstocks, Texas Dept.
of Agriculture, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Block Grant.
$205,515 2011-2012. J. Kamas. Evaluation of Traditionally Bred PD Tolerant Vitis Germplasm in PD Prone Regions of
Texas; Pierce's Disease Educational Outreach for Texas and Other Eastern U.S. Grape Growing Regions,
USDA/APHIS Cooperative Agreement
$64,664
2011-2012. M. Black & J. Kamas. Expanded Rootstock Trials in High and Moderate Pierce's Disease Risk
Areas in Texas. USDA/APHIS Cooperative Agreement
$90,000
2011-2012. D. Appel, M. Black & J. Kamas. Continuing Studies on Biological and Chemical Control of
Pierce’s Disease of Grapes: does imidacloprid play a role in vine resistance? USDA/APHIS Cooperative
Agreement $147,897 2010-2011. J. Kamas. Evaluation of Traditionally Bred PD Tolerant Vitis Germplasm with Potential Tolerance
to Pierce's Disease, and Extension Outreach for Texas and Other Eastern U.S. Grape Growing Regions.
$68,948
2009-2010. J. Kamas. Evaluation and Investigation of Vitis Germplasm with Potential Tolerance to Pierce’s
Disease, and Pierce’s Disease Extension Outreach for Texas and Other Areas Affected by Pierce’s Disease.
$50,000
2009-2010. J. Kamas & I. Lauziere. Supplemental Pierce’s Disease Investigations on the High Plains of Texas.
$134,280 2009-2010. M. Black, J. Kamas and N. Troxclair. Developing Pierce’s disease control strategies for Texas: host
plant resistance, vegetation management, supplemental hosts of Xylella fastidiosa, and isolate characterization
$69,873
2008-2009 . J. Kamas. Evaluation and Investigation of Vitis Germplasm with Potential Tolerance to Pierce's
Disease, Cooperating in the Exploration of Xylella Hosts & Variability and Pierce's Disease Extension Outreach
for Texas and Other Eastern Affected Areas. USDA/APHIS Cooperative Agreement
$79,395
2007-2008. J. Kamas. Pierce’s Disease Applied Research in Texas & Extension Outreach for Texas and Other
Affected Areas. USDA/APHIS Cooperative Agreement
Patricia Elaine Klein
Associate Professor
pklein@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Klein holds a split appointment between teaching and research. Teaching responsibilities include two undergraduate
courses in the field of general Horticulture and Garden Science. She also serves as the chair of two Ph.D. student committees
and as a member of an additional seven graduate student committees outside the Department. Her research program focuses
on developing the genomic tools and resources in cereal crops to enable map base cloning of genes of economic/agronomic
importance, to understand the underlying mechanisms that plants use to withstand abiotic stress (particularly drought stress),
and to aid in the development of plant feedstocks for the emerging biofuels industry. More recently her program has
broadened into the area of invasive species and her group is working to establish a population genetic profile of the invasive
weed, Imperata cylindrica, as a first step in the development of a host-specific biological control for this federal noxious
weed. Much of Dr. Klein’s program has been aimed at developing genomic tools and resources for sorghum, a model C4
cereal grass. These efforts have resulted in the construction of an integrated genetic, physical, cytogenetic and comparative
map of the sorghum genome, development of more than 200,000 sorghum ESTs, development and use of microarray, RTPCR and RNA-Seq technology for the analysis of gene expression in response to biotic and osmotic stress, and development
of genotyping-by-sequencing technology for sorghum and other C4 grasses. Dr. Klein is actively engaged with other
members of the Horticulture Department to transfer much of this genomic technology to additional crops including rose and
pecan. In a service capacity, Dr. Klein is an Associate Editor of The Plant Genome and serves as an advisory board member
for Gramene, the grass comparative genomics database.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1989
M.S.
1984
B.S.
1982
Institution
Major
Biochemistry
Crop Science
Horticulture
2002 – present Associate Professor, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University (2002-2008: 90%
research, 5% teaching, 5% service; 2008-present: 65% research, 30% teaching, 5% service)
2001-2002
Assistant Professor, Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Texas AgriLife Research (90
% research, 5% teaching, 5% service)
1997-2001
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas AgriLife Research (90 %
research, 5% teaching, 5% service)
1995-1997
Research Associate, USDA-ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA (100%
research)
|1993-1994
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, University of Kentucky
(75% research, 25% teaching)
1989-1992
NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky
(100% research)
Morishige, D.T., P.E. Klein, J.L. Hilley, S.M.E. Sahraeian, A. Sharma and J.E. Mullet (2013) Digital Genotyping of
Sorghum – A Diverse Plant Species with a Large Repeat-Rich Genome. BMC Genomics In press.
Klein, R.R., F.R. Miller, P.E. Klein, and J.J. Burke (2013) Registration of Partially Converted Germplasm from 44
Accessions of the USDA-ARS Ethiopian and Sudanese Sorghum Collections. J. of Plant Registrations. In press.
Wang, Y-H., H.D. Upadhyaya, A.M. Burrell, S.M.E. Sahraeian, R.R. Klein and P.E. Klein (2013) Genetic Structure and
Linkage Disequilibrium in a Diverse, Representative Collection of the C4 Model Plant, Sorghum bicolor. G3: Genes,
Genomes, Genetics. In press.
Felderhoff, T.J., S.C. Murray, P.E. Klein, A. Sharma, M.T. Hamblin, S. Kresovich, W. Vermerris, and W.L. Rooney
(2012) QTLs for Energy-Related Traits in a Sweet × Grain Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (l.) Moench] Mapping
Population. Crop. Sci. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2011.11.0618.
Dugas, D.V. , M.K. Monaco, A. Olsen, R.R. Klein, S. Kumari, D. Ware and P.E. Klein (2011) Functional Annotation of the
Transcriptome of Sorghum bicolor in Response to Osmotic Stress and Abscisic Acid. BMC Genomics. 12: 514.
Murphy, R.L., R.R. Klein, D.T. Morishige, J.A. Brady, W.L. Rooney, F.R. Miller, D.V. Dugas, P.E. Klein and J.E. Mullet
(2011) Coincident Light and Clock Regulation of PRR37 Controls Photoperiodic Flowering in Sorghum. Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA. 108: 16469-16474.
Jordan, D., R.R. Klein, K. Sakrewski, R. Henzell, P.E. Klein and E. Mace (2011) Mapping and Characterization of Rf5: A
New Gene Conditioning Pollen Fertility Restoration in A1 and A2 Cytoplasm in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.)
Moench). Theor. Appl. Genet. 123: 383-396.
O’Shea, B., S. Khare, P. Klein, A. Rousell, L.G. Adams, T.A. Ficht and A.C. Rice-Ficht (2011) Amplified Fragment
Length Polymorphism Reveals Specific Epigenetic Distinctions between Mycobacterium avium subspecies
paratuberculosis Isolates of Varying Invasion Types. J. of Clin. Microbiol. 49: 2222-2229.
Burow, G.B., R.R. Klein, C.D. Franks, P.E. Klein, K.F. Schertz, G.A. Pederson, Z. Xin and J.J. Burke (2010) Registration
of the BTx623/IS3620C Recombinant Inbred Mapping Population of Sorghum. J. Plant Registrations 5: 141-145.
Jordan, D.R., E.S. Mace, R.G. Henzell, P.E. Klein and R.R. Klein (2010) Molecular Mapping and Candidate Gene
Identification of the Rf2 Gene for Pollen Fertility Restoration in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Theor.
Appl. Genet. doi: 10.1007/s00122-009-1255-3.
Kuhlman, L.C., B.L. Burson, D. Stelly, P. Klein, R.R. Klein, H.J. Price, and W.L. Rooney (2010) Early-Generation
Germplasm Introgression from Sorghum macrospermum into Sorghum (S. bicolor). Genome 53: 419-429.
Mace E.S., J.F. Rami, S. Bouchet, P.E. Klein, R.R. Klein, A. Kilian, P. Wenzl, L. Xia, K. Halloran, and D.R. Jordan (2009) A
Consensus Genetic Map of Sorghum that Integrates Multiple Component Maps and High-throughput Diversity Array
Technology (DArT) Markers. BMC Plant Biol. doi: 10.1186/1471-2229-9-13.
Paterson, A.H., J.E. Bowers, R. Bruggmann, I. Dubchak, J. Grimwood, H. Gundlach, G. Haberer, U. Hellsten, T. Mitros, A.
Poliakov, J. Schmutz, M. Spannagl, H. Tang, X. Wany, T. Wicker, A. Bharti, J. Chapman, F.A. Feltus, U. Gowik, I.V.
Grigoriev, E. Lyons, C.A. Maher, M. Martis, A. Narechania, R.P. Otillar, B.W. Pennings, A.A. Salamov, Y. Wang, L.
Zhang, N.C. Carpita, M. Freeling, A.R. Gingle, C.T. Hash, B. Keller, P. Klein, S. Kresovich, M.C. McCann, R. Ming,
D.G. Peterson, M-Rahman, D. Ware, P. Westhoff, K.F.X. Mayer, J. Messing, and D.S. Rokhsar (2009) The Sorghum
bicolor Genome and the Diversification of Grasses. Nature 457: 551-556.
Murray, S.C., A. Sharma, W.L. Rooney, P.E. Klein, J.E. Mullet, S.E. Mitchell, and S. Kresovich (2008) Genetic
Improvement of Sorghum as a Biofuel Feedstock: I. QTL for Stem Sugar and Grain Nonstructural Carbohydrates. Crop
Sci. 48: 2165-2179.
Murray, S.C., W.L. Rooney, S.E. Mitchell, A. Sharma, P.E. Klein, J.E. Mullet, and S. Kresovich (2008) Genetic
Improvement of Sorghum as a Biofuel Feedstock: II. QTL for Stem and Leaf Structural Carbohydrates. Crop Sci. 48:
2180-2193.
Kuhlman, L.C., B.L. Burson, P.E. Klein, R.R. Klein, D.M. Stelly, H.J. Price, and W.L. Rooney (2008) Genetic
Recombination in Sorghum bicolor × S. macrosperum Interspecific Hybrids. Genome 51: 749-756.
Ramasamy, P., M.A. Menz, P.J. Mehta, S. Katile, L.A. Gutierrez-Rojas, R.R. Klein, P.E. Klein, L.K. Prom, J.A. Schlueter,
W.L. Rooney and C.W. Magill (2008) Molecular Mapping of Cg1, a Gene for Resistance to Anthracnose
(Colletotrichum sublineolum) in Sorghum (2008) Euphytica doi: 10.1007/s10681-008-9791-5
Conner, J.A., S. Goel, G. Gunawan, M-M. Cordonnier-Pratt, V.E. Johnson, C. Liang, H. Wang, L.H. Pratt, J.E. Mullet, J.
DeBarry, L. Yang, J.L. Bennetzen, P.E. Klein, and P. Ozias-Akins (2008) Sequence Analysis of Bacterial Artificial
Chromosome Clones from the Apospory-Specific Genomic Region of Pennisetum and Cenchrus. Plant Physiol. 147:
1396-1411.
Klein, R.R., J.E. Mullet, D.R. Jordan, F.R. Miller, W.L. Rooney, M.A. Menz, C.D. Franks, and P.E. Klein (2008) The Effect
of Tropical Sorghum Conversion and Inbred Development on Genome Diversity as Revealed by High-Resolution
Genotyping. Crop Sci. 48: S-12-S-26.
Magalhaes, J.V., J. Liu, C.T. Guimarães, U.G.P. Lana, V.M.C. Alves, Y-H. Wang, R.E. Schaffert, O.A. Hoekenga, M.A.
Piñeros, J.E. Shaff, P.E. Klein, N.P. Carneiro, C.M. Coelho, H.N. Trick, and L.V. Kochian (2007) A Member of the
Multidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion MATE Family is a Major Gene that Confers Aluminum Tolerance in
Sorghum. Nature Genet. 39: 1156-1161.
Yim, Y.S., G. Davis, P. Moak, H. Sanchez-Villeda, T. Musket, P. Close, P.E. Klein, J.E. Mullet, M.D. McMullen, Z. Fang,
M. Shaeffer, J. Gardiner, and E.H. Coe, Jr. (2007) A BAC Pooling Strategy Combined with PCR-based Screenings in a
Large, Highly Repetitive Genome Enables Integration of the Maize Genetic and Physical Maps. BMC Genomics doi:
10.1186/1471-2164-8-47.
Caniato, F., C. Guimarães, R. Schaffert, V. Alves, L. Kochian, A. Borém, P. Klein, and J. Magalhaes (2007) Genetic
Diversity for Aluminum Tolerance in Sorghum. Theor. Appl. Genet. doi: 10.1007/ss00122-006-0485-x.
Nagy, E.D., T-C. Lee, W. Ramakrishna, Z. Xu, P.E. Klein, P. San Miguel, C-P. Cheng, J. Li, K.M. Devos, K. Schertz, L.
Dunkle, and J.L. Bennetzen (2007) Fine Mapping of the Pc locus of Sorghum bicolor, a Gene Controllng the Reaction to
a Fungal Pathogen and Its Host Resistance. Theor. Appl. Genet. 114: 961-970.
Borrell, A., D. Jordan, B. George-Jaeggli, E. Mace, S. Hamlet, G. Hammer, G. Mclean, E. van Oosterom, C. Hunt, P. Klein
and J. Mullet (2010) Fine-Mapping Candidate Genes for ‘Stay-Green’ in Sorghum: Simplicity Beyond Complexity?
2010 Australian Summer Grains Conference, Queensland, AU.
Carmen, J.G., M.S. Jamison, J. Pattanayak, J. Lacey, J.-S. Kim, E.G. Elliot, P. Klein, T. Ulrich, and K Dwivedi (2007)
Genetic Analyses of Aposporous Embryo Sac Formation in Sorghum. In Biotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture
2006 and Beyond (Xu, Z., Li, J, Xue, Y and Yang, W., eds.) Vol. 13, pp. 305-307, Springer Netherlands.
Maintain one class website and one research website:
HORT 301 website: https://www-horticulture.tamu.edu/courses/course/view.php?id=49
Research website: http://sorgblast3.tamu.edu
None
A.K. Borrell, D.R. Jordan, J. Mullet and P. Klein (2011) Drought Tolerant Plants. Provisional Patent Application Number:
61/561763
J.E. Mullet, W.L. Rooney, P.E. Klein, D. Morishige, R. Murphy and J.A. Brady (2009) Discovery and Utilization of
Sorghum Genes (Ma5/Ma6). Provisional Patent Number: US 2010/0024065 A1
L. Kochian, J. Liu, J.V. Magalhaes, C.T. Guimaraes, R.E. Schaffert, V.M.C. Alves, and P. Klein (2009) Sorghum Aluminum
Tolerance Gene, SbMate. Patent Number: US 7,582,809 B2
Horticulture 201H, Horticultural Sciences and Practices – Honors Section, Fall 2009 and 2011
Horticulture 301, Garden Science, Spring 2012 and 2013
Horticulture 491, Undergraduate Research, Spring 2010
Genetics 491, Undergraduate Research, Fall 2012
Genetics 491, Undergraduate Research, Fall 2011
Graduate courses
Horticulture 691, Research, each semester year-round, Spring 2012-present
Molecular and Environmental Plant Science 691, Research, each semester year-round, Fall 2012-present
Advised/co-advised
Mahnaz Kiani. Current Ph.D. student. Annotation of Cell Wall Biosynthesis Genes and Their Expression in High Biomass
Sorghum.
Nikhil Patil. Current Ph.D. student. Mapping of Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Sorghum RIL Populations.
Jason Anderson. 2010. Ph.D. Cytogenomic Analyses of the Genus Sorghum. (Co-advised with Dr. David Stelly)
Bin Zhou. 2006. Ph.D. Construction of a Minimal Tiling Path Across the Euchromatic Arms of Sorghum Chromosome 3 and
Comparative Analysis with the Rice Chromosome 1 Pseudomolecule.
Jason Anderson, Biology Faculty, Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts.
Bin Zhou, Research Scientist, Novavax, Rockville, MD.
Adam Mahan. Current student, Ph.D., Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. Estimation and validation of effective meiotic
recombination rate variation and its importance from a large maize population with different line-cross designs.
John Gill. Current student, Ph.D. Plant Breeding, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Intergeneric hybridization in
sorghum.
Matt Bartek. Current student, Ph.D. Plant Breeding, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Development of sorghum x
sugarcane hybrids and their characterization.
Xiuting Zheng. Current student, Ph.D., Molecular and Environmental Sciences, Analysis and breeding of reniform nematoderesistant cottons by marker-assisted selection.
Melissa Ganotis. Current student, Ph.D. Plant Breeding, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. Mapping kernel traits in a
sorghum RIL population.
Herb Dustin. Current student, M.S. Plant Breeding, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. Analysis of bioenergy related
traits in a sorghum energy association panel.
Sabyasachi Mandal. Current student, Ph.D., Department of Biology. Project in preparation.
Yiyi Wang. 2012. Ph.D., Department of Statistics, Statistical models for next generation sequencing data.
Brock Weers. 2011. Ph.D., Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences, Integrated analysis of phenology, traits, and QTL in
the drought tolerant sorghum genotypes BTx642 and RTx7000.
Dan Packer. 2011. Ph.D., Plant Breeding, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, High-biomass sorghums for biomass fuel
production.
Terry Felderhoff. 2011. M.S., Plant Breeding, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, QTLs for energy related traits in a
sweet x grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) population.
YiYi Wang. 2009. M.S., Department of Statistics, Genome-wide co-expression based prediction of differential gene
expression – Application to sorghum data.
Les Kuhlman. 2007. Ph.D. Plant Breeding, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Sorghum introgression breeding utilizing
S. macrospermum.
Karen Harris. 2007. Ph.D., Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Genetic analysis of the Sorghum bicolor stay-green
drought tolerance trait.
Brian O’Shea. 2007. Ph.D., Veterinary Microbiology, Genetic analysis of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis
reveals sequence and epigenetic variation among field isolates.
Jeff Brady. 2006. Ph.D., Genetics, Sorghum Ma5 and Ma6 maturity genes.
Merribeth Henry. 2006. M.S., Department of Plant Pathology, Characterization of Sclerotinia minor populations in Texas.
Sanghyun Lim. 2006. M.S., Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences, Sorghum gene expression modulated by water
deficit and cold stress.
Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences Faculty
$166,193
Mapping Genetic Determinants of Salinity Tolerance in Sorghum. NuSeed Americas, Inc. Funded
$166,193. 2012-2014.
$323,000
A Population-Genetic Inventory of the Invasive Weed, Imperata cylindrica, to Expedite the Development
of Viable Biological Controls. USDA-NIFA. Funded $500,000 ($323,000 to P. Klein). 2012-2016.
$1,822,886
Development of Bioenergy Sorghum, PhaseII. Ceres, Inc. Funded $9,449,465 ($1,822,886 to P. Klein).
2011-2016.
$105,000
Developmental Plan for Salinity Tolerance in Sorghum. NuSeed Americas, Inc. Funded $109,965
($105,000 to P. Klein). 2011-2012.
$287,500
Genomics of Energy Sorghum Biomass Accumulation. US Department of Agriculture/Department of
Energy. Funded $999,999 ($287,500 to P. Klein). 2010-2013.
$959,117
Development of Bioenergy Sorghum. Ceres, Inc. Funded $3,583,540 ($959,117 to P. Klein). 2007-2011.
$0
MRI: Acquisition of a Roche 454 FLX Pyrosequencing Instrument: Development of a Nexus for CrossPlatform Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics. National Science Foundation. Funded $618,731
with all funds allocated to the Borlaug Center for major instrumentation purchases. 2009-2012.
$65,000
Improving Sorghum Genome Resources for Cereal Crop Improvement. USDA – Specific Cooperative
Funded $65,000. 2009-2014.
$146,561
Molecular Genetic Analysis of Carya. USDA – Specific Cooperative Funded $146,561. 2006-2011.
$25,000
Cloning an Insect Resistance Gene from Sorghum. Department of Employment, Economic Development
and Innovation, Queensland, Australia. Funded $30,000 ($25,000 to P. Klein). 2006-2009.
$174,300
Genetic Enhancement of Sorghum Biomass for Bioenergy. Department of Energy/US Department of
Agriculture. Funded $800,000 ($174,430 to P. Klein). 2006-2008.
$21,587
A Population-Genetic Inventory of the Invasive Plant Species, Imperata cylindrica (Cogongrass) to
Expedite the Development of Viable Biological Controls. Texas AgriLife Research Genomics Seed Grant
Program. Funded $21,587. 2011-2012.
$33,500
QTL Mapping for Three Value Added Traits in Corn: Aflatoxin Resistance, Blue Grain, and High-Oleic
Acid in a High Resolution Population. Texas AgriLife Research Monocot Improvement Program. Funded
$100,000 ($33,500 to P. Klein). 2011-2013.
USDA-NIFA, 2011
Whole Systems Genomics Initiative for Improved Human, Animal, and Environmental Wellbeing (WSGI) Catalyst Grant
Program, May – June 2011
External grant reviewer for The Missouri Life Science Research Board for 2007
Editorial and Advisory boards on which you served 2007-2012
The Plant Genome, Associate Editor, 2005-present
Scientific Advisory Board for Gramene, member, 2005-present
Scientific Advisory Board for the Sorghum Translational Genomics Program at Kansas State University, member, 2007-2010
BMC Genomics
Plant Physiology
Crop Science
PLoS One
Genetics
Molecular and General Genomics
BMC Plant Biology
Genetics
TAMU Institutional Biosafety Committee, member, 2003 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Graduate Program Committee, member, 2011 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Scholarship Committee, 2011 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Ad hoc committee for development of a Master’s of Horticulture degree
program, member, 2010.
TAMU Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Business Administrator Search Committee, member, February 2013.
TAMU Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Facilities Coordinator Search Committee, member, March 2012.
TAMU Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Computer/Bioinformatics Committee, Chair, 2011-present
TAMU Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Growth Chamber/Greenhouse Committee, member, 2005-present.
TAMU Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences Interdisciplinary Program, Graduate Admissions Committee, member,
2012-present.
TAMU Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences Interdisciplinary Program, Nomination Committee, member, 2010.
TAMU Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Quantitative Genetics – Assistant Professor Search Committee, member,
2007-2008.
None
2012 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Interdisciplinary Research.
Hisashi Koiwa
Associate Professor
koiwa@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Koiwa’s research program focuses on molecular basis for plant abiotic stress tolerance. Dr. Koiwa uses a model plant
Arabidopsis thaliana and aim to identify genes important for osmotic stress responses/tolerance and determine their cellular
functions. Particular emphasis is in protein phosphatases that belong to plant RNA polymerase II carboxyl-terminal
phosphatase-like (CPL) family, that are presumed important for global transcriptional regulations. In particular, Dr. Koiwa’s
group focuses on CPL1 and its roles in osmotic stress responses and iron deficiency signaling.
Dr. Koiwa’s group also studies regulation of plant salt/osmotic stress response that operates at post-translational Nglycosylation of proteins. Complex N-glycans that are synthesized in the Golgi determine salt/osmotic stress tolerance of
root growth. Interestingly, N-glycan modification regulates cellulose biosynthesis pathway. A cell-wall –based osmotic
stress tolerance determinant, KORRIGAN1, was identified and its mode of function is under investigation.
In Teaching, Dr. Koiwa offer two graduate courses and 1 graduate lab course. Dr. Koiwa currently advise two Ph.D., student
as a chair and serves on thesis committee of 4 other students.
In a service capacity, Dr. Koiwa serves on Horticulture Graduate Program Committee, MEPS executive committee and chairs
MEPS2013 symposium program committee. Dr. Koiwa also serves on the editorial board for The Journal of Biological
Chemistry.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1996
M.S.
1993
B.S.
1991
Institution
Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Major
Agricultural Chemistry
Sep, 2008-present
Associate Professor, Dept of Hort. Sci., Texas A&M University
(65% Research, 30% teaching, 5% service)
Aug, 2002-Aug 2008
Assistant Professor, Dept of Hort. Sci., Texas A&M University
(50% research, 50% teaching)
1999-Aug, 2002
Research Plant Biologist, Dept of Hort. & LA, Purdue University
1. Amirhusin, B., Shade, R.E., Koiwa, H., Hasegawa, P.M., Bressan, R.A., Murdock, L.L., and Zhu-Salzman, K. (2007)
Protease inhibitors from several classes work synergistically against Callosobruchus maculatus. J. Insect Physiol. 53,
734-40.
2. Ahn, J.E., Lovingshimer, M.R., Salzman, R.A., Presnail, J.K., Lu, A.L., Koiwa, H., and Zhu-Salzman, K.
(2007) Cowpea bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus counteracts dietary protease inhibitors by modulating
propeptides of major digestive enzymes. Insect Mol. Biol. 16, 295-304.
3. Inan, G., Goto, F., Jin, J.B., Rosado, A., Koiwa, H., Shi, H., Hasegawa, P.M., Bressan, R.A., Maggio, A., and
Li, X. (2007) Isolation and characterization of shs1, a sugar-hypersensitive and ABA-insensitive mutant
with multiple stress responses. Plant Mol. Biol. 65, 295-309
4. Manabe, Y., Bressan, R.A., Wang, T., Li, F., Koiwa, H., Sokolchik, I., Li, X., and Maggio, A. (2008) The
Arabidopsis kinase-associated protein phosphatase regulates adaptation to Na+ stress. Plant Physiol. 146,
612-622.
5. Koo, Y.D., Ahn, J.E., Salzman, R.A., Moon, J., Chi, Y.H., Yun, D.J., Lee, S.Y., Koiwa, H., and Zhu-Salzman,
K. (2008) Functional expression of an insect cathepsin B-like counter-defense protein. Insect Mol. Biol.
17, 235-245.
6. Kang, J.S., Frank, J., Kang, C.H., Kajiura, H., Vikram, M., Ueda, A., Kim, S., Bahk, J.D., Triplett, B.,
Fujiyama, K., Lee, S.Y., von Schaewen, A., and Koiwa, H. (2008) Salt tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana
requires maturation of N-glycosylated proteins in the Golgi apparatus. Proc .Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105,
5933-5938.
7. von Schaewen, A., Frank, J., and Koiwa, H. (2008) Role of complex N-glycans in plants, Plant Signaling
Behavior 3, 871-873
8. Ueda, A. Li, P., Feng, Y., Vikram, M., Kim, S., Kang, C.H., Kang, J.S., Bahk, J.D., Lee, S.Y., Fukuhara, T.,
Staswick, P.E., Pepper, A.E., and Koiwa, H. (2008) The Arabidopsis thaliana carboxyl-terminal domain
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
phosphatase-like 2 regulates plant growth, stress and auxin responses, Plant Mol. Biol. 67, 683-697.
Bang, W.Y., Kim, S.W., Jeong, I.S., Koiwa, H., Bahk, J.D. (2008) The C-terminal region (640-967) of
Arabidopsis CPL1 interacts with the abiotic stress- and ABA-responsive transcription factors, Biochem
Biophys Res Comm, 372, 907-912.
Frank, J., Kaulfurst-Soboll, H., Rips, S., Koiwa, H., von Schaewen, A. (2008) Comparative Analyses of
Arabidopsis cgl1 (complex glycan 1) Mutants and Genetic Interaction with stt3a (staurosporin &
temperature-sensitive 3a). Plant Physiol. 148, 1354-1367
Vikram, M., Koiwa, H. (2009) Glyphosate resistance as a versatile selection marker for Arabidopsis
transformation. Plant Mo. Biol. Rep. 27, 132-138
Kang, C.H., Feng, Y., Vikram, M., Jeong, I.S., Lee, J.R., Bahk, J.D., Yun, D.J., Lee, S.Y., and Koiwa, H.
(2009) Arabidopsis thaliana PRP40s are RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain-associating proteins. Arch
Biochem Biophys 484, 30-38.
Feng, Y.. Kang, J. S., Kim, S., Yun, D. J., Lee, S. Y., Bahk, J. D., Koiwa, H. (2010) Arabidopsis SCP1- like
small phosphatases differentially dephosphorylate RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain. Biochem.
Biophys. Res. Commun., 397, 355-360
Kajiura, H., Koiwa, H., Nakazawa, Y., Okazawa, A., Kobayashi, A., Seki, T., and Fujiyama, K. (2010) Two
Arabidopsis thaliana Golgi a-mannosidases I are responsible for plant N-glycan maturation. Glycobiology
20, 235-47
Haeweker, H., Rips, S. Koiwa, H., Salomon, S., Saijo, Y., Chinchilla, D., Robatzek, S., and von Schaewen, A.
(2010) Pattern recognition receptors require N-glycosylation to mediate plant immunity, J. Biol. Chem 285,
4629-4636
Jin, Y.M., Jung, J., Jeon, H., Won, S.Y., Feng, Y., Kang, J.S., Lee, S.Y., Cheong, J.J., Koiwa, H., and Kim, M.
(2011) AtCPL5, a novel Ser-2-specific RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain phosphatase, positively
regulates ABA and drought responses in Arabidopsis. New Phytol. 190, 57-74
Feng, Y., Cao, C.M., Vikram, M., Park, S., Kim, H.J., Hong, J.C., Cisneros-Zevallos, L., and Koiwa, H. (2011)
A three-component gene expression system and its application for inducible flavonoid overproduction in transgenic
Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS One 6, e17603
Chi, Y.H., Jing, X., Lei, J., Ahn, J.E., Koo, Y.D., Yun, D.J., Lee, S.Y., Behmer, S.T., Koiwa, H., and ZhuSalzman, K. (2011) Stability of AtVSP in the insect digestive canal determines its defensive capability. J
Insect Physiol 57, 391-399
Kaulfuerst-Soboll, H., Rips, S., Koiwa, H., Kajiura, H., Fujiyama, K., and von Schaewen, A. (2011) Reduced
immunogenicity of Arabidopsis hybrid glycosylation1 (hgl1) N-glycans due to altered accessibility of
xylose and core fucose epitopes. J Biol Chem. 286, 22955-64
Wu X, Koiwa H (2011) One-step casting of Laemmli discontinued sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis gel. Anal. Biochem. 421, 347-349
Guo F, Lei J, Sun Y, Chi YH, Ge F, Patil BS, Koiwa H, Zeng R, and Zhu-Salzman K (2012). Antagonistic
regulation, yet synergistic defense: effect of bergapten and protease inhibitor on development of cowpea
bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus. PLoS One 7, e41877.
Aksoy, E., Jeong, I., and Koiwa, H. (2013) Loss of Function of Arabidopsis C-terminal Domain Phosphataselike 1 (CPL1) Activates Iron Deficiency Responses at the Transcriptional Level. Plant Physiology 161,
330-345.
Aksoy, E., and Koiwa, H. (2013) Arabidopsis CTD-phosphatase-like 1 regulates iron nutrition and cadmium
tolerance, Plant Signaling & Behavior, in press
Jeong, I., Fukudome, A., Aksoy, E., Bang, W.Y., Kim, S., Guan, Q., Bahk, J.D., May, K.A., Russell, W.K.,
Zhu, J. and Koiwa, H. (2013) Regulation of Osmotic Stress Signaling by Arabidopsis C-terminal Domain
Phosphatase-like 1 Requires Interaction with a K-homology Domain-containing Protein, J. Biol. Chem,
submitted
Graduate courses
MEPS605 Plant Biochemistry 2002 Spring 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 2012, 2013 at
MEPS610/HORT610 (initially taught as a MEPS/HORT 689), Physiological and Molecular Basis for Plant Stress Responses
Fall 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012 at Texas A&M University
MEPS689/HORT689, Physiological and Molecular Basis for Plant Stress Responses (Lab) Fall 2012 at Texas A&M
University.
Advised/co-advised
Yue Feng 2010 Ph. D.
Emre Aksoy Current Student
Akihito Fukudome Current Student
Lavanya Reddivari- Ph.D. Horticulture (Graduated in 2007)
Ji-Eun An- Ph, D. Entomology (Graduated in 2008)
Nan-yen Chou- M.S. MEPS (Graduated in 2008)
Jessica J. Ciomperlik- M.S. Plant Pathology (Graduated in 2008)
Joonhee Shin- M.S. Plant Pathology (Graduated in 2010)
Daniel Jacobo- Ph, D. Food Sci. (Graduated in 2010)
Shawn Christensen - Ph, D. Plant Pathology (Graduated in 2010)
Yong-Soon Park - Ph, D. Plant Pathology (Graduated in 2011)
Jinhee Kim- Ph, D. HORT (Graduated in 2011)
Murli Manor- Ph, D. MEPS (Graduated in 2012)
Anna Nelson- Ph.D. Molecular Cellular Biology (Graduated in 2012)
Jiaxin Lei- Ph. D. MEPS (Current)
Chi Yao – M.S. Soil and Crop Science (Current)
Desiree Kohn- M.S. MEPS (current)
Direction of Undegraduate Projects
Maria Lee (Spring 2007)
Edwin Mendez (Fall 2008)
Trevor Broyles (Summer/Fall 2011)
Justin Welch (registered for Fall 2012)
NSF: (2004-2009) PI
Regulation of plant osmotic-stress-induced gene expression by unique Ser 5-specific RNAP II CTD phosphatases
$405,999
NSF: (2010-2013) PI (with 1 co-PI)
Role of Arabidopsis CTD-phosphatase-like 1 in gene silencing pathway
Research Experience Undergraduate supplement (2011)
Research Experience Undergraduate supplement (2012)
$958,530 ($571,006 to HK)
$7,000
$7,000
USDA-CSREES: (2007-2008), Co-PI
Designing Food for Health: Determine optimum conditions for producing health-promoting antioxidant levels in vegetables
using model and crop plants with osmotically-inducible master-switch transcriptional regulator genes. $24,000
(total of
$1,270,000 to all Co-PI’s)
USDA-CSREES (2008-34402-19195), Co-PI
The mechanism of gene expression that regulates inducible phytochemical accumulation in vegetables
$23,000 (total of $1,375,095 to all Co-PI’s)
USDA-CSREES (2009-34402-19831), Co-PI
Designing Food for Health: Determining stress signature phenylpropanoid profiles of transgenic plants that overproduces
regulatory transcription factors upon osmotic stresses
$25,000 (total of $1,291,218 to all Co-PI’s)
USDA-CSREES (2010-34402-20875), Co-PI
Determine the mechanism of phytochemical overproduction in Arabidopsis fry2-1 mutant
$22,000 (total of $ 1,288,975 to all Co-PI’s)
USDA-CSREES (2009), VFIC director’s award for research excellence grant
$5,000
Gift: Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea:
Studies for molecular analysis of Arabidopsis osmotic stress responses,
Service fee: Henningsen Food, Inc
Internal funding
$3,000
$600
TAES equipment grant (2005):
Ultra-sensitive low light imaging system for studying stress-responsive transcriptions in Arabidopsis thaliana
$28,000
Renovation of Controlled Environment Growth Rooms in Horticulture and Forest Science Building For Functional Genomics
of Plant Drought and Osmotic Stress Tolerance
$36,000
Renovation of Controlled Environment Growth Rooms in Horticulture and Forest Science Building For Functional Genomics
of Plant Drought and Osmotic Stress Toleranc
$20,000
Texas Agrilife Research equipment grant (2008):
Upgrading Dept. Horticultural Science Shared-Use Lab Microscope and Imaging Facility for ultralow-light in vivo microimaging
$22,000
Texas Agrilife Research equipment grant (2009) (PI, with co-PI, E.A. Pierson):
The 3rd Phase of Renovation of Controlled Environment Growth Rooms and an incubator in Horticulture and Forest Science
Building For Functional Genomics of Plant Drought and Osmotic Stress Tolerance and Disease Resistance $21,000
International Research Travel Assistance Grant (2006):
Research travel to Germany
$1,750
Experiential Learning Undergraduate (COALS) (2011)
Experiential Learning Undergraduate Research (Horticulture) (2012)
$500
$1,000
Funding for a conference organized by the applicant
External grant
NSF: Meeting: MEPS 2013: Plant Signaling Systems-From Cells to Environment, College Station, TX$13,000
Industrial contribution
Nikon Instruments, USA
$500
Internal allocations
College of Agliculture and Life Science
$2,900
Office of Graduate Studies
$500
Departmental Contributions
$1,500
NSF Molecular and Cellular Biology panel (November 2011)
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2010-present
Biologia Plantarum
BioMed Central Research Notes
Journal of Experimental Botany
Journal of Plant Research
Molecular Plant
Open Plant Science Journal
Phytochemistry
Plant Cell, and Environment
Plant Cell Physiology
Plant Journal
Plant Physiology
Planta
PLoS ONE
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
HORT seminar committee, Spring 2004-present
Seminar host for Dr. C. Carter (Fall 2007); Seminar host for Dr. N. Dudareva (Spring 2008)
Seminar host for Dr. A. Smith (Fall 2012)
Texas A&M University MEPS executive Committee, 2012 – present.
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review Section 7 Texas A&M University MEPS young investigator award selection committee 2011
Texas A&M University MEPS symposium program Committee 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013(chair)
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Graduate Program Committee 2012TAMU Borlaug Center External Advisory Committee (2006-present)
Search committee
Plant Breeding position for Department of Horticultural Science (2007-2008)
Borlaug Center Faculty Search Committee (2008-2009)
2009
VFIC Director’s Award for Research Excellence, Texas A&M University
2010
MEPS Young Investigator Award, Texas A&M University
Page 90
Daniel Ivan Leskovar Professor of Vegetable Stress Physiology and Resident Director of the Texas A&M
AgriLife Research & Extension Center at Uvalde
d-leskovar@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Leskovar’s research program is centered in the understanding of plant morphological
and physiological adaptation mechanisms to environmental stresses and in the development
of integrated sustainable vegetable cropping systems. Crops of interest include leafy
vegetables, watermelon, melon, onion, tomato and sweet pepper as well as specialty hot
peppers, artichokes, and Tuscan melons. His research emphasis is on: 1) seed-transplant
production and physiology to increase plant survival and enhance stand establishment; 2)
plant hormones to modulate seedling, plant and fruit growth, 3) root/shoot developmental
responses to water conservation strategies, deficit irrigation management and irrigation
technologies (drip, center pivot and hydroponics), 4) impact of cropping systems on water productivity, yield, antioxidants,
and sensory attributes of vegetable crops, and 5) genotype by environment interaction (GxE) for root growth, drought
resistance, high yield, quality, and phytochemical content. The first two areas are looking at optimizing hormonal
applications in the nursery to mitigate the negative effects of transplant shock that lead to poor stand establishment in the
field. His lab has documented the positive effect of ABA on regulating transpiration, while maintaining a favorable water
status, and control of root/shoot growth in several species, including pepper, tomato, melon, watermelon and artichoke. The
water conservation project integrates soil and canopy sensing systems, irrigation technologies, tillage practices, and improved
genetic materials with adaptation to semi-arid conditions. His program is also developing integrated crop production systems
of specialty vegetable crops for Texas (e.g. artichokes, specialty melons). Approaches include precision planting, variable
plant populations, limited irrigation strategies, N management, and spatial and temporal variety testing.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1991
M.S.
1986
B.S. Training
1983
B.S.
1977
Institution
University of Florida
University of Wageningen, Holland
University of Comahe, Argentina
Major
Vegetable Crops Physiology
Vegetable Crops
Vegetable Crops
Horticulture
2011-‐
Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Uvalde
2006 -‐
Assistant Director-‐ Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Texas A&M
2004 -‐
Professor, Vegetable Stress Physiology, Texas A&M University
1997-‐2003
Associate Professor, Vegetable Physiology, Texas A&M University
1991-‐1996
Assistant Professor, Vegetable Physiology, Texas A&M University
1988-1990
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Florida
1986-1987
Laboratory Assistant, Tissue Culture, University of Florida
Refereed Publications (underlined names indicate graduate students in the faculty or co-faculty members lab)
Lee, E., Yoo, K., Leskovar, D. and B. Patil. 2012. Development of an automated method for Folin-Ciocalteu total phenolic
assay in artichoke extracts. Journal of Food Science, 0846.R1
Agehara, S. and D.I. Leskovar. 2012. Characterizing concentration effects of exogenous abscisic acid on gas exchange, water
relations, and growth of muskmelon seedlings during water stress and rehydration. Journal of the American Society for
Horticultural Science 137(6):400-410.
Burger, J., K. Crosby, K.S. Yoo, A. Ibrahim, D.I. Leskovar and J. Jifon. 2012. Environmental and genotypic variation of
capsaicinoid and flavonoid concentrations in Habanero (Capsicum chinense) peppers. HortScience 47(5):574-579.
Leskovar, D., Agehara, S., Yoo, K. and N. Pascual-Seva. 2012. Crop coefficient-based deficit irrigation and planting density
for onion: growth, yield and bulb quality. HortScience 47(1):31-37.
Shinohara, T., Agehara, S., Yoo, K. and D.I. Leskovar. 2011. Irrigation and nitrogen management of artichoke: yield, head
quality, and phenolic content . HortScience 46(3):377-386.
Wang, T., Sistrunk, L.A., Leskovar, D.I. and B.G. Cobb. 2011. Characteristics of storage reserves of triploid watermelon
seeds: association of starch and mean germination rate. Seed Science and Technology 39, 318-326.
Crosby, K.M., Butcher, J., Yoo, K.S., and D.I. Leskovar. 2010. ‘TAM Ben Villalon’- a new multiple-virus resistant, mild,
green-chile pepper. HortScience 45(11): 1756-1758.
Niu, G., Rodriguez, D., Cabrera, R., Jifon, J., Leskovar, D. and K. Crosby. 2010. Salinity and soil type effects on emergence
and growth of pepper seedlings. HortScience 45:1265-1269.
Niu, G., Rodriguez, D., Crosby, K., Leskovar, D. and J. Jifon. 2010. Rapid screening for relative salt tolerance among chile
pepper genotypes. HortScience 45: 1192-1195.
Bang, H., Davis, A. Kim, S. Leskovar, D. and S.R. King. 2010. Flesh color inheritance and gene interactions among canary
yellow, pale yellow and red watermelon. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Science. 135(4)362-368.
Piccinni, G., Ko, J., Marek, T. and D.I. Leskovar. 2009. Crop coefficients specific to multiple phenological stages for
evapotranspiration-based irrigation management of onion and spinach. HortScience 44:421-425.
Crosby, K., J. Jifon and D.I. Leskovar. 2008. ‘Chujuc’ a new powdery mildew resistant western-shipper melon with high
sugar and β-carotene content. HortScience 43(6):1-3.
Crosby, K., Jifon, J., and D. Leskovar. 2007. ‘Pacal’ orange casaba, and ‘Chujuc’ western shipper cantaloupe: two new
melon cultivars from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. HortSci. 42(4):1013.
Goreta, S., Jifon, J., and D.I. Leskovar. 2007. Physiology and growth of pepper seedlings exposed to transient drought stress
is differentially altered by antitranspirants. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences 132(5):603-610.
Crosby, K.M., J.L. Jifon, B. Villalon, and D.I. Leskovar. 2007. ‘TAM Dulcito’, a new, multiple virus-resistant sweet
jallapeno pepper. HortScience 42: 1488-1489.
Bang, H., Kim, S, Leskovar, D. and S. King. 2007. Development of a codominant CAPS marker for allelic selection between
canary yellow and red watermelon based on SNP in lycopene B-cyclase (LCYB) gene. Mol. Breeding. 20:63-72.
Falkenberg, N., G. Piccinni, J.T. Cothren, D. I. Leskovar and C.M.Rush. 2007. Remote sensing of biotic and abiotic stress for
irrigation management of cotton. Review paper. Agricultural Water Management 87:23-31.
Editor reviewed publications or conference proceedings
Leskovar, D., Shinohara, T., Agehara, S. and B. Patil. 2012. Integrated approaches for annual artichoke production in
southwest Texas. Acta Horticulturae, 942, 235-238.
Susan. M. Cooper and Daniel. I. Leskovar. 2012. Selective feeding on artichoke foliage by white-tailed deer in Texas. Acta
Horticulturae, 942, 221-224.
Leskovar, D.I., Agehara, S., Jifon, J., Crosby, K., Rush, C. and S. Goreta-Ban. 2011. Foliar ABA sprays controlled growth
and improved survival and desiccation tolerance of vegetable transplants. Acta Horticulturae, 898, 237-244.
Leskovar, D.I., K. Crosby and J.L. Jifon. 2009. Impact of agronomic practices on phytochemicals and quality of vegetable
crops. Acta Horticulturae, 841, 317-322.
Crosby, K., J.L. Jifon, K.S. Yoo and D.I. Leskovar. 2009. Novel vegetable cultivars from TAMU- improving human health
benefits, flavor and productivity. Acta Horticulturae, 841, 499-502.
Jifon, J., Lester, G., Crosby, K. and D. Leskovar. 2009. Improving the quality attributes of melons through modified mineral
nutrition. Acta Horticulturae, 841, 499-502.
Wen, Y, Piccinni, G., Cothren, J.T., Leskovar, D.I, Rowland, D. and A. Kemanian. 2009. Regulated deficit irrigation and
cotton production responses in southwest Texas. Proceedings of the USCID 5th International Conference on Irrigation
and Drainage: Irrigation and Drainage for Food, Energy and the Environment. Salt Lake City, UT. The U.S. society for
irrigation and drainage professionals. pp. 289-300.
Leskovar, D.I., S. Goreta, J.L. Jifon, S. Agehara, T. Shinohara and D. Moore. 2008. ABA to enhance water stress tolerance of
vegetable transplants. Acta Horticulturae, 782:253-263.
Crosby, K.M., J.L. Jifon and D.I. Leskovar. 2008. Genetic improvement of early root vigor in melon (Cucumis melo L.) to
enhance stand establishment. Acta Horticulturae, 782:273-277.
Jifon, J.L., K. Crosby, D. Leskovar and M. Miller. 2008. Possible physiological mechanisms for resistance to vine decline
diseases in grafted watermelons. Acta Horticulturae, 782:329-333.
Leskovar, D.I., H. Bang, S.L. Kim, K.S. Yoo, S.R. King and K. Crosby. 2007. Environmental and genetic factors on
carotenoids and quality in watermelon fruits. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS) 744:233-241.
Yoo, K.S., L.Pike, B. Patil, D. Leskovar, K. Crosby, and S. King. 2007. Challenges of phytochemical analysis and its
applications in developing new fruits and vegetables with improved health benefits. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS) 744:101105.
Leskovar, D. I., S. Goreta, G. Piccinni and K.S. Yoo. 2007. Strategies for globe artichoke introduction in South Texas. Acta
Horticulturae 630:157-163.
Piccinni, G., J. Ko, D. Leskovar, A. Kemanian, T. Gerik, 2007. E.P.I.C. simulation to manage irrigated crops. Farming
Systems Design p. 69-70.
G. Piccinni, J. Ko, A. Wentz, D. Leskovar, T. Marek, T. Howell. 2007. Determination of Crop Coefficients for Irrigation
Management of Crops. 28th Annual International Irrigation Show, San Diego, CA, December 9-12. 706-719.
http://www.producer.com/Search/Article.aspx?aid=20588 (2010)
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Publish/513992/Forward_513992_1498182.htm?Email=dleskovar%40tamu.edu&Date=10%2f11%2f2010+4%3a41%3a33+PM (Oct. 2010)
Uvalde Leader News. Transplant shock. Dec. 14, 2009.
Zavala Newspaper, Transplant shock. Dec. 14, 2009.
Texas Gardener. Jan. 09. Artichoke and Cardoon
KKVX Radio Show interview. Artichoke growing in TX, Dec. 10.2008
KKVX Radio Show interview. Dec. 19.08. Pepper growing in TX.
Books or chapters
Kahn, B. and D. Leskovar. 2012. Cropping systems. In: Russo, V. (ed) Peppers: Botany, production and uses.
CABI. pp. 137-149.
Leskovar, D. And B. Kahn. 2012. Stand establishment. In: Russo, V. (ed) Peppers: Botany, production and uses. CABI. pp.
112-124.
Jifon, J., Lester, G., Stewart, M., Crosby, K., Leskovar, D.I. and B.S. Patil. 2012. Fertilizer use and functional quality of
fruits and vegetables. In Fertilizing Crops to Improve Human Health: A Scientific Review, IFA-IPNI, 191-214.
Leskovar, D. and M. Bari. 2010. Il carciofo in USA. In: Il carciofo. Angelini e Calabrese eds. BayerCropScience,
Milano, Italia. pp. 406-411.
Crosby, K.M., Jifon, J.L., and D.I. Leskovar. 2008. Agronomy and the nutritional quality of vegetables. Eds. F.A. TomasBarberan and M.I. Gil. In: Improving the health promoting properties of fruit and vegetable products. CRC Press,
Woodhead Publishing. p. 392-411.
Leskovar, D.I. (Ed.) 2008. Proceedings of the IV International Symposium on seed, transplant and stand establishment of
horticultural crops (2006, San Antonio, Texas, USA). ISHS, Acta Horticulturae, 782, pp.385.
Chun, C., J.M. Lee (ERds.-in-chief), D.I. Leskovar, P.Halmer, C.L. Wang and C.W. Lee (Eds.). 2008. Proceedings of the
International Symposium of seed enhancement and seedling production technology (2006, Seoul, Korea). ISHS, Acta
Horticulturae, 771, pp. 256.
Patents / plant variety releases / plant variety patents (collaborator)
2011 Jalapeno pepper inbred lines: GHS10-01, GHS10-02, GHS10-07, GHS10-08, GHS10-09, GHS10-11, GHS10-14,
GHS10-15, GHS10-23, GHS10-24, GHS10-50, GHS10-52-1, GHS06-78, GHS10-TMJ3, GHS10-UV81-1
2011 Habanero pepper: IL88-04 Habanero, UV45-04 Habanero, UV45-04 Habanero
2009 Cayenne pepper: S04408-6-4-1
2009 Jalapeno pepper: F07404, F07442 F07489, F0749; F07502, F07509, F06087
2009 Serrano pepper: S07432-2-1-1-1, S05126-41-1-1, F05155-45-1-1-a, F05006-33-3-3-1
2007 Habanero pepper: TMH (PVP)
Graduate courses and classes
Fall 2012 Class HORT 325. Vegetable Crop Production, Irrigation practices. Dept. Hort. Sciences, Texas A&M
Spring 2012 Graduate course ‘Roots: The foundation of growth, yield and quality’. Universidad Politecnica de Cartagena,
Spain.
Spring 2011 Graduate course ‘Roots: The foundation of growth, yield and quality’. Universidad Politecnica de Cartagena,
Spain.
Fall 2009 Class HORT 489. ‘Cultural Strategies: Impact on Phytochemicals abd Quality on Vegetable Crops’
Science
of Foods for Health. Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Dept. Hort. Sciences, Texas A&M
Advised/co-advised
Shinsuke Agehara, Ph.D. (Horticultural Sciences, current). ABA and stress tolerance.
Sat Pal Sharma, Ph.D. (Horticultural Sciences, current). Genotype x Environment interaction for root growth, yield and βcarotene in melons.
M.S. Christina Bishop, MS (Ecosystem Science and Management, current)
Y.Wen, Ph.D. (Soils and Crops, completed, 2011). Cotton production under traditional and regulated deficit
irrigation schemes in southwest Texas.
M.S. Naoko Nomura, MA (Horticultural Sciences, completed 2011). Variation of phenolics in red and white Texas wines
Nuria Pascual Seva , Ph.D. (Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Spain, completed 2010). Estudios agronómicos sobre el
cultivo de la chufa (Cyperus esculentus, L. var. sativus Boeck.): estrategias de riego, tipos de plantación, análisis
fitoquímico, y absorción de nutrientes.
Togo Shinohara, MS (Horticultural Sciences, completed, 2008). Development of management practices for artichoke
production in southwest Texas.
Undergraduate students (2007-2012)
2012
Sierra King, Southwest Texas Junior College
2012
Sierra Jackson, Southwest Texas Junior College
2012
Adelso Contreras, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2011
Ezequiel Cardona, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2010-11
Diana Garza, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2009
Beau Bealmear, Amarillo College, Texas.
2009-10
Melina Gonzalez, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2009-11
Basilio Quiroga, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2009
Manuel Hurtado, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2009
Erin Rodriguez Allen, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2008
Melissa Clary, Angelo State University.
2008
Jose Perez, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2008
Gus Flores, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2007
Floyd Hood, Southwest Texas Junior College.
2007
Raymondo Balderas, Southwest Texas Junior College.
External Competitive
2012. Leskovar,D.I., Crosby, K. and M. Palma. Production and marketing strategies for specialty melons and artichokes (year
2). TDA-SCBP, $46,000 Uvalde.
2011. Leskovar,D.I., Crosby, K. and M. Palma. Production and marketing strategies for specialty melons and artichokes (year
1). TDA-SCBP, $37,840 Uvalde.
2011. Leskovar. Irrigation and crop strategies to mitigate drought stress and enhance quality and productivity of vegetable
crops in Texas. USDA-NIFA #2011, Rio Grande Basin Initiative, $73,722 Uvalde.
2010. Leskovar. Developing efficient irrigation and crop strategies to mitigate drought stress and enhance quality and
productivity of vegetable crops in Texas. USDA-NIFA #2010, Rio Grande Basin Initiative, $35,000 Uvalde.
2010. Leskovar, D.I. Development and implementation of new strategies to enhance productivity, quality and phytonutrients
of artichoke. USDA-NIFA #2010-34402-20875, Designing Food for Health. $22,000 Uvalde.
2010. Leskovar, D.I. Integrating regulated deficit irrigation with improved production systems and cultivars in spinach and
onion. USDA-NIFA #2010-34402-20875, Designing Food for Health. $22,000 Uvalde.
2009. Leskovar, D.I. Cropping strategies to enhance productivity, earliness and phytonutrients in artichoke, an emerging crop
for Texas. USDA CSREES #2009-34402-19831. Total $1.375,095 $25,000 Uvalde.
2009. Leskovar, D.I. Impact of regulated deficit irrigation, plant population and production systems on quality, productivity
and phytonutrients in spinach and onion. USDA CSREES#2009-34402-19831. $25,000 Uvalde.
2009. Leskovar, D.I. Integrating efficient irrigation and cultural strategies to enhance productivity and quality of vegetable
crops in southwest Texas. RGBI - USDA CSREES 2009-2010. $27,000 Uvalde.
2008. Leskovar, D.I. Selection of cultivars and management strategies to improve stand establishment, yield, sensory
attributes and phenolic compounds in artichoke, a novel crop for Texas. USDA CSREES # 2008. Total $1.3 million
$24,000 Uvalde.
2008. Leskovar, D.I. Irrigation and nitrogen strategies to enhance quality and phytochemical content of cool season vegetable
crops. USDA CSREES # 2008. $24,000 Uvalde.
2008. Leskovar. Deficit irrigation and nitrogen strategies to improve growth, quality and water use efficiency of high-value
vegetable crops. RGBI - USDA CSREES # $25,000.
2007. Leskovar, D.I. Phenolic compounds and sensory attributes of artichoke in response to season, deficit irrigation and
nitrogen USDA CSREES # 2007. $23,520.
2007. Leskovar, D.I. Deficit irrigation and nitrogen strategies to enhance phytochemicals content, sensory attributes and yield
of specialty peppers, onion and spinach.
USDA CSREES # 2007. $23,520.
2007. Leskovar, D.I. Deficit irrigation and nitrogen strategies to improve growth, quality and water use efficiency of highvalue vegetable crops. RGBI - USDA CSREES # $25,000. 2007-08.
Internal Competitive
2012. Leskovar, D.I., Palma, M. and R. Cabrera. Water conservation strategies and water use efficiency for high-value
crops in south Texas. TWRI $ 62,664.
2012. Cabrera, R., Leskovar, D.I., Rodriguez, D. , Mills, W. , Berry, R., Gabriel, A., Trevino, M. Graywater use and native
plant landscaping for urban water conservation. TWRI $100,000.
2012. Leskovar, D.I., Jifon,J., Soundy, P. Enhancing Horticultural Crop Production and Commercialization of Small-scale
South African Farmers. Ukulima, Texas AgriLife Initiative $60,000.
2011. Jifon,J., Leskovar et al. . Input Requirements for Sustainable Feedstock Production. Texas AgriLife Bioenergy
Initiative $100,000.
2011. Morgan, C. Forbes, D., Leskovar et al. Enhancement of profit and resource-use efficiencies through legume-based crop
rotation systems for production of cotton, corn, grain sorghum, and horticultural crops. Texas AgriLife Cropping
Systems $150,000, $10,000 Leskovar.
2008. Leskovar, D. Minirhizotron: A tool for root and drought stress research. Texas AgriLife, TWRI, $10,000.
2008. Leskovar, D., Forbes, D., West, J., Cooper, S., Crosby, K. Block digestion system for Kjeldahl and protein analysis.
Texas AgriLife, $16,000.
2007. Leskovar, D., Forbes, D., Piccinni, G., Perotto, H. and J. Jifon. Automatic N analizer. TAES $30,000.
External Non-Competitive
2012. Leskovar, D.I. ABA for vegetable transplants, Valent BioSciences $50,000.
2011. Leskovar, D.I. 1-MCP: fruit set and yield for cucurbit crops. Rohm & Hass (AgroFresh), $35,000.
2011. Leskovar, D.I. ABA for watermelon and pepper, Valent BioSciences $35,000.
2011. Leskovar, D.I. IBA: Growth enhancement for watermelon and pepper, Valent BioSciences $10,000.
2010. Leskovar, D.I. 1-MCP for Vegetable Crops. Rohm & Hass (AgroFresh), $35,000.
2010. Leskovar, D.I. ABA for Vegetable transplants, Valent BioSciences $48,000.
2009. Leskovar, D.I. AVG to increase fruit set in bell peppers. Valent BioSciences, $17,500.
2009. Leskovar, D.I. ABA for vegetable transplants. Valent BioSciences, $30,000.
2009. Leskovar, D. Capacitance Probes from Sentek and AquaSpy . Monsanto. $15,000.
2008. Leskovar, D.I. ABA for vegetable transplants. Valent BioSciences, $20,000.
2008. Leskovar, D. N slow release fertilizers for cool season vegetable crops. Georgia Pacific $15,000.
2008. Leskovar, D. N soil release and plant absorption during development in cabbage. Georgia Pacific $14,000.
2007. Leskovar, D. Nitamin as slow release fertilizer for cool season vegetable crops. Georgia Pacific. $15,000.
Review panels for grants and journals 2007-2012
2008 USDA-ARS review panel member National Program 207 ‘Specialty Crops and Organic Systems’
2009 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada panel member Organic Federation of Canada ‘Integrated Management of
Horticultural Crops’
2010 HORT CRSP USAID projects – review panel member, UC Davis CA.
Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology.
Acta Horticulturae
Horticultura Argentina
HortScience
HortTechnology
Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology
Horticultural Reviews
Euphytica
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review Section 7 Seed Science and Research
Irrigation Science
Acta Horticulturae
New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science
Molecular Breeding
Agricultural Science Research Journal
Horticultural Science
2008-2010 Texas AgriLife Research Faculty Fellows Review Panel Member
2009 Texas AgriLife Search Committee Chair, Agronomy
2009 Search Advisory Committee member, Director, Texas AgriLife Research
2009-2011 Texas A&M Agriculture College Peer Review Committee Member
2012-2013 Chair Vegetable and Fruit Industry SWOT Committee
2012 Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Committee co-Chair, Crop Physiology/Agronomy
2012 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Committee member, Plant Pathology
2007 Chair ISHS Working Group on Crop Establishment, Seed and Transplant Technology
2007 Publication committee member – FAV Health International Symposium, Houston, Texas (ISHS)
2009 Member of the Scientific Committee Crop Establishment, Seed and Transplant, Murcia, Spain (ISHS)
2009 Member of the Scientific Committee Artichoke Symposium, Saint Pol de Leon, France (ISHS)
2010 Vice-Chair ISHS Section Vegetables (SEVE)
2012 Member of the Scientific Committee Crop Establishment, Seed and Transplant, Brasilia, Brasil (ISHS)
2012 Member of the Scientific Committee Artichoke Congress, Viterbo, Italy (ISHS)
2007 Vice Chancellor Award in Excellence for Research – Texas A&M System
2008 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Agriculture-Team Award
Page 96
R. Daniel Lineberger
Professor and Head
dan-lineberger@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Application of Computer Technology to Horticultural Teaching and Extension
Programs: A teaching and development program designed to integrate web
technology into teaching, research, and extension/outreach programs across all
horticultural commodities and disciplines. Dr. Lineberger developed the World Wide
Web site for the Texas Horticulture Program, Aggie Horticulture (http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/), a gateway to virtual information servers and web-accessible,
interactive databases. Upon assuming the duties of Associate Head for
Undergraduate Programs in June 1, 2008, Dr. Lineberger relinquished maintenance
of the Aggie Horticulture network, but assumed responsibility for the teachingoriented HortSciences website when it was created to reflect the difference in
branding between the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and the AgriLife
Extension Service. Dr. Lineberger was named Head of the Department of
Horticultural Sciences effective August 1, 2012.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph. D.
1978
M. S.
1974
B. S.
1971
Institution
Cornell University
Cornell University
N. C. State University
Major
Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture
2012-present
Professor and Head of Horticultural Sciences - Texas A&M University
2008-2012
Professor and Associate Head for Undergraduate Programs, Department of Horticultural
1994- 2008
Professor of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
1990-1994
Professor and Head of Horticultural Sciences - Texas A&M University
1987-1990
Professor and Head of Horticulture - Clemson University
1982-1987
Associate Professor - The Ohio State University
1977-1982
Assistant Professor - The Ohio State University
1971-1977
Graduate Research Associate - Cornell University
Dravigne, A., T. Waliczek, R. Lineberger and J. M. Zajicek. 2008. The effect of live plants and window views of green
spaces on employee perceptions of job satisfaction. HortScience 43:183-187.
Mason, S. C., T. W. Starman, R. D. Lineberger and B. K. Behe. 2008. Consumer Preferences for Price, Color Harmony,
and Care Information of Container Gardens. HortScience 43:380-384.
Stein, L. A., J. M. Parsons, and R. D. Lineberger. 2011. ‘Lady Bird Johnson Royal Blue’ Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis
Hook.). HortScience 46: 1206-1207.
Pemberton, B., M. A. Arnold, T. Davis, R. D. Lineberger, C. McKenney, D. Rodriguez, L. Stein, C. Hall, M. Palma, and
R. De Los Santos. 2011. The Texas Superstar Program: Success through Partnership. HortTechnology 21: 698-699.
McFarland, A., T.M. Waliczek, J.M. Zajicek and R.D. Lineberger. 2012. The relationship between gardening, eating
habits, and knowledge of nutrition in older adults. Appetite, (submitted for publication).
Lineberger, R. Daniel. 2007. Evolution of Horticultural Education in the Early 21st Century. Proc. XXVII IHC –
Horticultural Plants in Urban and Peri-Urban Life. T. A. Lumpkin and I. J. Warrington, eds. Acta Hort. 762:43-52.
Lineberger, R. Daniel. 2009. Evolution of Web-based Collaborative Learning Environments In Horticulture. Proc.
XVIth International Symposium on Horticultural Economics and Management and the Vth International Symposium on
Horticultural Education, Research, Training and Consultancy. P. Batt and D. Aldous, eds. Acta Hort. 832:13-18.
Lineberger, R. Daniel. 2009. Technology-mediated Instruction—Shifting the Paradigm of Horticultural Education.
Proc. XVIth International Symposium on Horticultural Economics and Management and the Vth International
Symposium on Horticultural Education, Research, Training and Consultancy. P. Batt and D. Aldous, eds. Acta Hort.
832:107-112).
Department of Horticultural Sciences Website (http://hortsciences.tamu.edu/) A dichotomous approach to branding the different components of the Texas Agrilife Program rolled out in 2007 dictated that
Aggie Horticulture be subdivided into two separate sites, one that displayed the Agrilife template and another that displayed
the TAMU (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) template. Aggie Horticulture has been subsequently maintained by
Martin Anderson. I maintain the new site, HortSciences.tamu.edu, as a subdomain on the servers that Martin administers.
The HortSciences Website was moved into a Wordpress content management system in 2010 to make it compatible with the
College Web system. Marissa Faris assumed maintenance of the departmental Website in March, 2012. Texas Superstars® Website http://texassuperstars.com/
I maintain the Website for the CEMAP team, a research/extension collaboration whose role is to develop, evaluate and
promote new, outstanding ornamental plants for Texas landscapes.
Horticulture 225, Learning Community for Horticulture. A course taken primarily by students entering the horticulture
major. The focus of the course is on helping the students adapt to life at Texas A&M and beginning their exploration of
horticulture as a career option. HORT 225 is a writing intensive course. Students also begin the development of their
eportfolio as one of the writing assignments. Leo Lombardini began teaching this course in fall, 2012.
Horticulture 481, Seminar. Senior seminar is designed to assist students in the development of documentation of their job
readiness, including the creation of a comprehensive resume and eportfolio. Students interview a successful member of the
industry who holds a job similar to the one they seek and prepare written and oral reports on the nature of the profession and
the professional.
HORT 489. The Floral/Event Design Portfolio. This course was developed to teach students to design, create, and maintain
an eportfolio Website using modern Web design and content management software. Assignments included digital
photography of floral designs and event settings, management of collections of digital images, enhancement of digital images
using photo editing software, creation of high quality composite graphics using digital images, formatting images for display
on various types of electronic devices, preparing and delivering high quality presentations from various types of electronic
devices and in various settings, and leveraging Web-based media for floral design/event management applications.
Horticulture 491, Undergraduate Research. Advise undergraduate students on a research problem, including the design,
conduct, analysis and writing phases. Isaac Wong, 2008-09; Kathryn Harvey, 2009; Jake Ueckert, 2010.
Graduate courses
Horticulture 605, Internet Technology for Horticulture. A course designed to teach students how to use the World Wide
Web as a source for information, and how to design and operate a server on the Web. Topics include introduction to html,
transfer of files via FTP, configuring helper applications, and graphic image acquisition and manipulation. Co-taught in
summer 1995 with Laurence Sistrunk, co-taught with Rob Terry in summer 1996, and taught independently since summer
1997. Taught as a Web-assisted course until 2012; likely will be discontinued.
Graduate student committees (non-advisees; date is date degree plan was approved)
Student Name
Degree
Department
Year
Taylor Paine
MS
2012
Ruei-Ping Chang
MS
Agricultural Leadership, Economics, &
Communication
2011
Cody Labus
MS
Animal Science
2011
Crystal A. Dube
MS
Communication
2011
Mary J. Schronk
Med
Communication
2011
Kelly M. Pritchett
MS
Communication
2011
Christopher Shepperd
MS
Communication
2010
Scott Paul Langley
MS
Animal Science
2008
Amy Lene McFarland
PhD
2008
Tiffany M. Muras
MS
Food Science & Technology
2008
Sarah Elizabeth West
MS
Animal Science
2008
Aggie Horticulture Behind-the-Scenes-Proof of Concept. 2007. Project funded by HEB to create prototype Web
site with the “look and feel” of HEB.com but pulling educational content from Aggie Horticulture. $5,000 (received
$5,000 renewal)
Revision and maintenance of Texas Pierce’s Disease Web Site. 2007. USDA Special Funds through Jim Kamas to
create a Website for the Pierce’s Disease program, $10,000
Grant from Neuhaus-Shepardson Teaching Enhancement Program to support the adaptation Information
from Aggie Horticulture for use on the iPad. 2010. Amount: $2,000 with $1978 matching from Horticulture
Teaching Technology Endowment.
Conversion of Texas Superstar Growers Team Database. 2010. Amount: $9,537 contract from the Texas
Department of Agriculture
Principal writer of the departmental Action 2015 high-impact educational practices plan. Funded for 2011-12
for $53,000 with potential for annual renewal; continued in 2012-13 with additional $57,250.
HortScience
HortTechnology
Horticulture Club faculty advisor, 1995-2012
Departmental Scholarship Committee, 1995-Present
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Undergraduate Program Committee, 2008-Present
Horticultural Sciences Assessment Committee, 2008-Present
Masters of Horticulture Planning Committee, 2009
TAMU Academic Assessment Committee, 2010
Served on the American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS) Board of Directors, 2000-2002.
ASHS President-elect, 2000-2001.
ASHS President, 2001-2002.
ASHS Chairman of the Board, 2002-2003.
2013
NACADA Region 7 Excellence in Advising-Outstanding Advising Award-Faculty
2012
Margaret Annette Peters Advising Award – University Advisors and Counselors
2008
ASHS Distinguished Undergraduate Educator Award
2007
Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching
2006
Association of Former Students’ Distinguished Achievement Award (College Level)
2006
J. C. Miller, Jr. Distinguished Educator Award, Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science
2001
Director's Award for Innovative Application of Information Technology in Extension Education (co-recipient with
Drs. Parsons, Stein and Wilkerson)
2000
Faculty Achievement Award, TAMU Horticulture Student Council
1997
Fellow , American Society for Horticultural Science
1997
Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence, Extension Team Category, for the PLANTanswers section of Aggie
Horticulture.
1997
Superior Service Award, Team Category, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, for the PLANTanswers section of
Aggie Horticulture.
Leonardo Lombardini
Associate Professor
l-lombardini@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Lombardini holds a two-way split between teaching and research. Current
teaching responsibilities include three undergraduate and two graduate courses in the
field of international horticulture, tree nut culture, and plant physiology. He has also
developed a study abroad course to Italy and helped create opportunities for several
students to conduct experiential learning experiences in Central America. He now
serves as the chair/co-chair of four Master’s and one Ph.D. student committees and as
a member of ten graduate student committees within and outside the Department. Dr.
Lombardini’s research focus is plant physiology, especially in relation to gas exchange
and environmental stress, with particular emphasis to pecan [Carya illinoinensis
(Wangenh.) K. Koch]. In addition, he is investigates the nutritional aspects of pecans
and their properties in relationship to human health. Lombardini is also the Job and
Internship Coordinator for the Department of Horticultural Sciences.
Academic Background
Degree
Ph.D.
Laurea (B.S. + M.S.)
Year
1999
1993
Institution
Università di Firenze, Italy
Major
Horticulture
Forestry
2008-present:
Associate Professor, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University (36% research, 64% teaching)
2002-2008
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University (36% research, 64% teaching)
1999-2002
Post-doctorate, Tree Fruit Res. Ext. Center Wenatchee, WA, Washington State University
1995-1999
Research Assistant, Michigan State University
1994-1995
Research Associate, Università di Pisa, Italy
1993-1994
Research Associate, National Research Council, Italy
1985-1993
Graduate Assistant, Università di Firenze, Italy
Arnold M.A., G.V. McDonald, D.L. Bryan, G.C. Denny, W.T. Watson and L. Lombardini. 2007. Below-grade planting
adversely affects survival and growth of tree species from five different families. Arboric. Urban Forest. 33:64-69.
Villarreal J.E., L. Lombardini, and L. Cisneros-Zevallos. 2007. Phytochemical constituents and antioxidant capacity of
different pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] cultivars. Food Chem. 102:1241-1249.
Sagaram M., L. Lombardini, and L.J. Grauke. 2007. Variation in leaf anatomy of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K.
Koch] cultivars from three ecogeographic locations. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 132:1-5.
Lombardini L., T.M. Waliczek, and J.M. Zajicek. 2008. Consumer knowledge of nutritional attributes of pecans and factors
affecting purchasing behavior. HortTechnology. 18:481-488.
Martinez-Trinidad T., W.T. Watson, M.A. Arnold, and L. Lombardini. 2009. Investigations of exogenous applications of
carbohydrates on the growth and vitality of live oaks. Urban For. Urban Gree. 8:41-48.
Lombardini L., H. Restrepo-Diaz, and A. Volder. 2009. Photosynthetic light response and epidermal characteristics of sun
and shade pecan leaves. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 134:1-7.
Martinez-Trinidad T., W.T. Watson, M. Arnold, L. Lombardini, and D.N. Appel. 2009. Carbohydrate injections as a potential
option to improve growth and vitality of live oaks. Arboric. Urban Forest. 35:142-147.
Martinez-Trinidad T., W.T. Watson, M. Arnold, and L. Lombardini. 2009. Temporal and spatial glucose and starch
partitioning in live oak. Arboric. Urban Forest. 35:63-67.
Malik N.S.A., J.L. Perez, L. Lombardini, R. Cornacchia, L. Cisneros-Zevallos, J. Bradford. 2009. Phenolic compounds and
fatty acid composition of organically grown pecan kernels. J. Sci. Food Agric. 89:2207-2213.
Villarreal Lozoya J.E., L. Lombardini, and L. Cisneros-Zevallos. 2009. Electron beam irradiation effects on phytochemical
constituents and antioxidant capacity of pecan kernels [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] during storage. J.
Sci. Food Agric. 57:10732-10739.
Wood B.W., L. Lombardini, and R.J. Heerema. 2009. Influence of aminoethoxyvinyl-glycine on pecan fruit retention.
HortScience. 44:1884-1889.
Moore E., G. Williams, M. Palma, and L. Lombardini. 2009. Effectiveness of state-level pecan promotion programs: The
case of the Texas pecan checkoff program. HortScience. 44:1914-1920.
Bryan D.L., M.A. Arnold, A. Volder, W.T. Watson, L. Lombardini, J.J. Sloan, L.A. Valdez-Aguilar, and A.D. Cartmill.
2010. Planting depth during container production and landscape establishment affects growth of Ulmus parvifolia.
HortScience. 45:1-7.
Bryan D.L., M.A. Arnold, A. Volder, W.T. Watson, L. Lombardini, J. Sloan, L.A. Valdez-Aguilar, and A.D. Cartmill. 2010.
Transplant season, irrigation, and planting depth effects on landscape establishment of bald cypress and sycamore.
Arboric. Urban Forest. 36: 57-65.
Restrepo-Díaz H., J.C. Melgar, and L. Lombardini. 2010. Ecophysiology of horticultural crops: An overview. Agron.
Colomb. 28:71-79.
Sagaram, M., L. Lombardini, and L.J. Grauke. 2011. Variation in anatomical characteristics in leaves of pecan seedstocks
from Mexico and the United States. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 136:103-108.
Bryan D.L., M.A. Arnold, A. Volder, W.T. Watson, L. Lombardini, J. Sloan, A. Alarcón, L.A. Valdez-Aguilar, and A.D.
Cartmill. 2011. Planting depth and soil amendments affect growth of Quercus virginiana Mill. Urban For. Urban
Gree. 10:127-132.
Ojeda-Barrios D., J. Abadía, L. Lombardini, A. Abadía, and S. Vázquez. Zinc deficiency in field-grown pecan trees: Changes
in leaf nutrient concentrations and structure. 2012. J. Sci. Food Agr. 92:1672–1678.
Cai, X., T. Starman, G. Niu, C. Hall, and L. Lombardini. 2012. Response of selected garden roses to drought stress.
HortScience 47:1050-1055.
Silberg, T.R., T.P. Murphrey, G. Wingenbach, and L. Lombardini. 2012. Exploring profitability of compost micro-enterprises
in Chimaltenango, Guatemala: A strategy for international development. J. Int. Ag. Ext. Ed. 19:57-58.
Silberg, T.R., T.P. Murphrey, G. Wingenbach, and L. Lombardini. 2012. An examination of employee characteristics within
compost micro-enterprises in Chimaltenango, Guatemala: Factors that facilitate success. J. Int. Ag. Ext. Ed. 19:180182.
Lombardini, L., A. Volder, M.L. Nesbitt, and D.L. Cartmill. 2013. Consequences of damage caused by blotch leafminer on
pecan gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Accepted.
Lombardini L., J.E. Villarreal, and L. Cisneros-Zevallos. 2009. Antioxidant properties and fatty acid composition of pecan
kernels. Acta Hort. 841:91-96.
Bryan, D.L., M.A. Arnold, A. Volder, L. Lombardini, W.T. Watson, J.J. Sloan, and A.D. Cartmill. 2009. Overview of
selected studies on the influence of planting depth on landscape establishment of container-grown trees. In: The
landscape below ground III: Proceedings of an International Workshop on Tree Root Development in Urban Soils.
Lisle, IL, Oct. 6-8, 2008. Watson, G.W., L. Costello, B. Scharenbrock, and E. Gilman (Eds.). International Society
for Arboriculture, Champaign, IL. Pp. 126-130.
Silberg, T.R., T.P. Murphrey, G. Wingenbach, and L. Lombardini. 2012. An examination of employee characteristics within
compost micro-enterprises in Chimaltenango, Guatemala: Factors that facilitate success. Proceedings of the 28th
Annual Conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Nakorn Pathom
Province, Thailand, May 21-24, 2012.
Silberg, T.R., T.P. Murphrey, G. Wingenbach, and L. Lombardini. 2012. Exploring profitability of compost micro-enterprises
in Chimaltenango, Guatemala: A strategy for international development. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference
of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Nakorn Pathom Province, Thailand, May
21-24, 2012
Harris, M., B. Ree, T. Fuchs, and L. Lombardini. Pecan aphids, prophylactic pesticide use and IPM, an essay. 2007. Pecan
South 40 (5):26-28.
Maintain websites for all courses taught, using two different learning management systems, Moodle (https://wwwhorticulture.tamu.edu/) and TAMU elearning (http://elearning.tamu.edu/).
Harris, M., B. Ree, T. Fuchs, and L. Lombardini. Pecan aphids, prophylactic pesticide use and IPM, an essay. 2007. Pecan
South 40 (5):26-28.
none
Classes taught (2007-2012) – Undergraduate courses
HORT 418 – Nut Culture. Spring 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013
HORT 440 (taught as HORT 489 in 2008) – International Horticulture. Spring 2008, 2010, and 2012
HORT 440 (taught as HORT 489 in 2008) – International Horticulture. Study Abroad in Italy. Summer 2008, 2010, and 2012
HORT/ALEC 489 – Cultivating Global Leaders in Agriculture. Spring 2010, 2011
HORT/ALEC 489 – Agricultural Leaders without Borders. Spring 2012
HORT 225 – Hort Learning Community. Fall 2012.
Graduate courses’
HORT 610 – Physiological and Molecular Basis for Plant Stress Response. Fall 2008, 2010, 2012.
HORT 604 – Applied Physiology of Horticultural Crops. Fall 2009, 2011.
Advised/co-advised
Cassandra Warren. M.S. student. Project TBD.
Facundo Ibanez. Ph.D. student. Phenylpropanoid metabolism affected by aphids in two contrasting horticultural models. CoChair: L. Cisneros-Zevallos.
Zainab Mansur. M.S. Horticultural Sciences. Quality of Pawnee pecans as influenced by postharvest conditions.
Paige Graves. M.S. Horticultural Sciences. Nitrogen fertilization and root growth. Co-Chair: Dr. A. Volder.
Hayley M. Hannah. M.S. Horticultural Sciences. Aligning root growth with phenology in pecans. Co-Chair: Dr. A. Volder.
Will Cody. M.S. student. Student transferred to another department.
Gokcen Dogan. M.S. Horticultural Sciences. Alternative grafting methods in pecans. Student dropped out due to husband’s
job relocation.
Ana G. Ortiz-Quezada. 2010. M.S. Food Science and Technology. Characterization of phenolic compounds from pecan
kernels and their biological activities on adipogenesis and inflammation. Co-Chair: L. Cisneros-Zevallos.
Ratnaprabha. Ph.D. Project to study the applicability of chemical thinners for crop load manipulation in pecan. Student
dismissed for lack of performance after 3 years.
Anais Carrillo. M.S. Cultivating Global Leaders: Enhancing participation in undergraduate experiential learning
opportunities for minorities. Student suspended her degree for personal reasons after 1 year.
Madhulika Sagaram. 2007. Ph.D. MEPS. Variation in ecogeographical traits of pecan cultivars and provenances.
Madhulika Sagaram. Post-doctoral position at the University of Florida, Lake Alfred Research Station.
Ana G. Ortiz-Quezada. Research Associate, Tech de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Heather Salopek. M.Ag. student, Horticultural Sciences. Project title: International marketing opportunities for pecans. Chair:
J. Zajicek.
Jose Perez. Ph.D. student, Horticultural Sciences. Project: TBD. Chair: B. Patil.
Xiaoya ‘Amy’ Cai. Ph.D. student. Horticultural Sciences. Project title: Earth-Kind rose responses to drought and salt stress.
Chair: T. Starman.
Ann Sultemeier. M.Ed student. Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications. Project: TBD. Chairs: J. Ripley and
L. Lockett.
Clayton Lewis. M.S. student Soil & Crop Sciences. Project TBD on maize. Chair: T. Cothren.
Kevin Fath. M.S. student. Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications. Project TBD. Chair: G. Wingenbach.
Alexis White. M.S. student. Soil & Crop Sciences. Project TBD on cotton. Chair: T. Cothren.
Priyanka Chaudhary. M.S. student, Horticultural Sciences. Project title: Degreening influence on grapefruit bioactive
compounds. Chair: B. Patil.
Holly Leggette. Ph.D. student Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications. Project title: Validity and reliability
of writing assessment instruments. Chair: T. Rutherford.
M’Randa Sandlin. Ph.D. student. Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications. Project title: Perceptions of
organic produce in Trinidad and Tobago. Chair: J. Lindner.
Yuan Chen. 2013. Ph.D. MEPS. Project title: Effect of 1-MCP on cotton plants under abiotic stress. Chair: T. Cothren.
Mark Harris. 2012. M.Ag. Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications. Beyond the Great Debate: Practical
action to increase food security. Chair: T. Murphrey.
Ram Uckhoo. 2012. Ph.D. Horticultural Sciences. Analytical and isolation methods of phytochemicals in citrus fruits and
their effect by production systems and processing. Chair: B. Patil.
Ali Annon. 2012. M.S. Horticultural Sciences. Overexpression of tobacco osmotin protein in carrot (Daucus carota L.) to
enhance drought tolerance. Chair: K. Crosby.
Isin Karagoz. 2012. Ph.D. Food Engineering. Safety assurance of pecans by irradiation without a detrimental effect on
quality. Chair: E. Castell.
Chris Chammoun. 2012. M.S. Agricultural Economics. Economic value of native and improved pecan. Chairs: M. Palma and
J. Outlaw
Alison Bingham. 2012. M.S. Horticultural Sciences. Substrate moisture conditioning effects on growth and shelf life of
Angelonia angustifolia. Chair: T. Starman.
Timothy Silberg. 2011. M.S. Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications. A study of sustainable compost microenterprises in Chimaltenango, Guatemala: Profitability and employee characteristics. Chair: T. Murphrey.
Kasey Miller. 2011. M.S. Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications. Students’ perceptions of international
agriculture after an international agricultural experience. Chair: T. Rutherford.
Andrew Cartmill. 2011. Ph.D. Horticultural Sciences. Effect of warming and precipitation on soil respiration and mycorrhizal
abundance in post oak savanna. Chair: A. Volder.
Sheetal Rao. 2011. Ph.D. MEPS. Elucidation of mechanisms of salinity tolerance in Zoysia matrella cultivars – A study of
structure and function of salt glands. Chair: M. Binzel.
Amit Vikram. 2011. Ph.D. Horticultural Sciences. Citrus bioactive compounds: Isolation and their effect on bacterial quorum
sensing and biofilm formation. Chair: B. Patil.
Vladimir da Costa. 2010. Ph.D. Soil & Crop Sciences. Abiotic stress effects on physiological, agronomic and molecular
parameters of 1-MCP treated cotton plants. Chair: T. Cothren.
Alma R. Solis Perez. 2009. Ph.D. Horticultural Sciences. Characterizing salinity tolerance in greenhouse roses. Chairs: R.
Cabrera and M. Arnold.
Donita Bryan. 2008. Ph.D. Horticultural Sciences. Influence of planting depth on landscape establishment of container-grown
trees. Chair: M. Arnold.
Eli Moore. 2008. M.S., Agricultural Economics. An economic evaluation of the effectiveness of the Texas pecan checkoff
program. Chair: G. Williams.
Joshua Bynum. 2008. Ph.D., Soil & Crop Sciences. Physiological applications for determining water use efficiency among
cotton genotypes. Chair: T. Cothren.
Tomas Martinez-Trinidad. 2007. Ph.D., Forest Science. Effects of carbohydrate applications on growth and vitality of live
oak (Quercus virginiana). Chair: T. Watson.
Basavaraj Girennavar, 2007. Ph.D., Horticultural Sciences. Grapefruit drug interaction: isolation and biological activity of
furocoumarins and their variation due to season, varieties, processing and irradiation. Chair: B. Patil.
Geoff Denny. 2007. Ph.D., Horticultural Sciences. Evaluation of selected provenances of Taxodium distichum for drought,
alkalinity and salinity tolerance. Chair: M. Arnold.
Faculty in the Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences (MEPS)
$15,000 Investigating the nutritional properties of pecans. Salopek Foundation. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$15,000 Investigating the nutritional properties of pecans. Texas Pecan Growers Assn. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$15,000 Investigating the nutritional properties of pecans. Texas Pecan Board. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$21,000 Identification, isolation, and quantification of hydrolysable and non-hydrolysable tannins present in different
pecan cultivars. USDA – ‘Designing food for health’. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$24,000 Characterization of the human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation inhibition and antiplatelet aggregation
properties of hydrolysable and non-hydrolysable tannins present in kernels and shells of different pecan varieties.
USDA – ‘Designing food for health’. (co-PI: L. Cisneros-Zevallos)
$147,798 Advanced sensing and management technologies to optimize resource use in specialty crops: case studies of water
and nitrogen in deciduous crops under control and resource-limited conditions. USDA-CSREES Specialty Crop
Research Initiative. (co-PI: A. Volder)
$4,500
Evaluation of ReTain Plant Growth Regulator to increase nut set and fruit retention in pecans. 2008. L.
Lombardini. Valent BioSciences Corp.
$137,840 Global leaders in agriculture: enhancing participation in undergraduate experiential learning opportunities for
minorities. USDA Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grant. (co-PI: G. Wingenbach)
$5,000
Evaluation of ReTain plant growth regulator to increase nut set and fruit retention in pecans. L. Lombardini.
Valent BioSciences Corp.
$25,000
Anti-inflammatory effects of pecan extracts and fractions of different pecan cultivars. L. Lombardini. USDA –
$167,656 Systems approach at improving the long-term competitiveness of U.S. pecans based on their nutritional and
health-promoting components. USDA-NIFA. Specialty Crop Research Initiative. (co-Pis: L. Cisneros-Zevallos,
Monte Nesbitt)
None.
Acta Horticulturae
Ethiopian Journal of Applied Sciences and Technology
HortScience
Irrigation Science
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Department Seminar Series Committee. Member, 2003-2010.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Undergraduate Program Review Committee. Member, 2003-present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Internship and Job coordinator (see teaching responsibilities). 2003-present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Graduate Degree Program Committee. Member, 2006-2010.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center Outreach Committee. Co-leader,
2005-2007.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Department Scholarship Committee. Member, 2008-present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Graduate Programs Committee. Member, 2008-2010.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Assessment Committee. Member, 2009-present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Internationalization of Curriculum Committee. Chair. 2010-2011.
COALS Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Internship program Interviewing Committee. Member, 2003-present.
TAMU Study Abroad Scholarship (SAS) and the International Educational Fee Scholarship – Undergraduate (IEFS-U)
Screening Committee. Member, 2004-2008.
TAMU International Curriculum Development Grant (ICDG)/International Research Travel Assistance Grant (IRTAG)
Review Committee, Fall 2007
Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Uvalde Resident Director Search Committee. 2011
American Floral Endowment. Reviewer of scholarship applications. 2011.
American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS). Served as judge for undergraduate poster competition at the 2008 and
2009 Conferences.
American Society for Horticultural Science – Southern Region (SR-ASHS).Assisted with training TAMU Horticulture Club
students for the undergraduate student horticulture judging competition. 2004-present. Assisted with conducting the
undergraduate student horticulture judging competition. 2004-present. Association of Collegiate Branch (ACB) Advisor
for years 2009-2011.Coordinated the Pecan Research and Extension Forum at the 68th Annual Meeting in Dallas, TX.
Feb 2-4, 2008.
International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). Currently Co-Convener of the I International Symposium on Pecans
and Other Carya in Indigenous and Managed Systems, to be held at College Station, July 2013.
Recipient of the J. Creighton Miller, Jr. Distinguished Educator Award 2012. Presented at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the
Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science, held in Birmingham, AL on Feb. 3-6, 2012.
First place at the 2009 VFIC Conference “Consumers to Farm: Changing Patterns in the Fruit and Vegetable Industry”
Austin, TX, Aug. 21, 2009 with the paper Ortiz-Quezada A.G. (presenter and award recipient), L. Lombardini, and L.
Cisneros-Zevallos. Identification of tannins from pecan kernels by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Session winner by College (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) at the 12th Annual Student Research Week. Texas
A&M University, Mar. 23-27, 2009 with the paper Ortiz-Quezada A.G. (presenter and award recipient), L. Lombardini,
and L. Cisneros-Zevallos. Identification of tannins from pecan kernels by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Second place Taxonomy Winner by College (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) at the 12th Annual Student Research
Week. Texas A&M University, Mar. 23-27, 2009 with the paper Ortiz-Quezada A.G. (presenter and award recipient), L.
Lombardini, and L. Cisneros-Zevallos. Identification of tannins from pecan kernels by liquid chromatography-mass
spectrometry.
William J McKinley, Jr.
Senior Lecturer and Director/Endowed Chair Benz School of Floral Design
wjmckinley@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Mr. McKinley’s position is multi-faceted; teaching for the Department of Horticulture,
administering the Benz School of Floral Design classes and programs, and the Benz
Gallery of Floral Art. Teaching responsibilities include four senior level
undergraduate courses in floral design/floral art as well as the continuing education
classes for the Benz School. He also serves as the faculty advisor for the Student
Floral Design Club (SAIFD).
Responsibilities of director of The Benz School of Floral Design include managing the
Benz Endowed Chair, maintaining the atrium and scheduling art exhibitions in the
Benz Gallery of Floral Design, manage the curriculum and certification of Benz School – Korea program, teaching two week
(as well as two-day) industry short courses, and liaison with garden clubs and other industry organizations.
The Benz School is considered one of the finest short courses available in the floral design field,
both in the United States and internationally. It is the only professional floristry school associated directly with an institution
of higher education and it is academically recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities, the same
agency that accredits Texas A&M University. The Benz School also contains the only endowed chair in floral design in the
world. The curriculum for the Benz School is basic in concept and there are no prerequisites for enrolling. Students in the
Benz School may receive Continuing Education Units (CEU) if desired.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
BS
1981
MAg
1983
Institution
University of Missouri, Columbia
Major
Horticulture
Floriculture
July 2011 to present
Senior Lecturer, Dept of Horticultural Sciences and Endowed Chair/Director Benz School of
Floral Design, Texas A&M University
January 1997 to present
July 2005 to July 2011
Contributing Editor for FLOWERS & Magazine, Teleflora, Inc, Los Angeles, CA
Associate Dean, Career Technologies Division, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL
Monthly column in Flowers & Magazine (72 articles) published by Teleflora, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Electronic media/software (websites, software, videos, etc.)
2007-2012 Online Administrator for AIFD’s Online Education Courses (Blackboard, then conversion to Moodle)
2009-present Online Instructor Workshops for AIFD, |
2009- present Coordinated and directed AIFD’s third video series on the topic of “Evaluation of Designs,” 2001-12 (also
coordinated/directed/edited previous two video series in 2009 and 2010)
Books
Contributing Author - Horticulture: Principles and Practices, George Acquaah,Prentice Hall, 2008
Horticulture 451 Retail Floristry Fall 2011 (two sections), Fall 2012 (two sections)
Horticulture 452 Weddings and Personal Flowers ,Spring 2012 (two sections)
Horticulture 453 Floral Art, Fall 2011
Horticulture 454 Special Event Design and Production, Fall 2011 (two sections) Spring 2012 (two sections)
Horticulture 485 Directed Studies, Fall 2011 (one student), Spring 2012 (two students), Fall 2012 (one student)
Graduate courses
NA
Graduate students (2007-2012
Advised/co-advised
Cole Etherige, new PhD student fall 2012
NA
NA
NA
Summer 2012 -Benz Online Project, Entrepreneurial Grant from Exe. Associate Dean Dr. Alan Sams, $83,000,
repayment of used portion beginning Spring 2014.
Fall 2012 - Integration of Online/Hybrid Instruction into Hort 203, Distance Education Grant, $35,000, course to be first
taught Spring 2014.
NA
NA
HortTechnology
Horticulture Curriculum Committee
Scholarship Committee
Force
Special Events Certificate Advisory Committee
Horticulture
Floral Design Task
American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) – National Board of Directors 2009 - present, National Certification
Committee Chair & Liaison 2007 - present, National Education Committee 2010 - present, Online Education Administrator
2009- present
Texas State Florists’ Association (TSFA) – Technology Committee 2011 - present, Education Committee 2012
Prior to July 2011, member of Illinois State Florist Association, Certification Committee, Lead Certification Instructor, Board
of Directors, Hall of Fame Inductee
American Institute of Floral Designers Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry Award (2010)
Illinois State Florists’ Association Hall of Fame Award (2009)
Julian Creighton Miller, Jr.
Professor of Horticulture, and of Genetics, and of Biotechnology
jcmillerjr@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Miller is Professor of Horticulture at Texas A&M University, College Station. He is
Director of the Texas Potato and Legume Improvement Program, and has developed or
co-developed 24 new potato and legume varieties. Three of his potato varieties
collectively rank fourth in US seed approved for certification. His varieties have earned
some three million dollars in royalties for the Texas A&M University System. He has
authored/co-authored more than 300 scientific/technical publications. Dr. Miller has
taught six different undergraduate and graduate courses and continues to teach HORT
101 each semester. Dr. Miller has served as major professor for 21 MS and 16 PhD
students. He was the 1992 recipient of the prestigious L.M. Ware Distinguished
Teaching Award from the Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science.
In 2005, he received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching from the
Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University. He is a Past President of the
American Society for Horticultural Science – Southern Region and of The Potato Association of America, and an Honorary
Life Member (Fellow) of the latter organization. He is also a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science and
former Vice-President for Research. He is the 2009 recipient of the Outstanding Researcher Award presented by the
American Society for Horticultural Science. He was co-recipient of the Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for
Partnership Collaboration, 2013. Dr. Miller retired in 2007 but has been re-employed half-time since, and continues to travel
more than 80 days per year in association with the breeding programs.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1972
M.S.
1967
B.S.
1965
Institution
Major
Horticulture (Plant Breeding)
Horticulture
General Studies
2010 – present
Graduate Faculty of Biotechnology
1984 - 2008
Graduate Faculty of Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences
1982 – present Professor, Texas A&M University
1981 – present Graduate Faculty of Genetics
1980-1983
Interim Head, Horticultural Sciences Department, and Director of the Montague Fruit Research Station,
1977-1982
Associate Professor, Texas A&M University
1975-1977
Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University
1972-1975
Assistant Professor, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Lubbock
1968-1972
Research Assistant, Michigan State University
1967-1968
Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin
1965-1967
Research Assistant, Louisiana State University
M. Ndambe Nzaramba, Douglas C. Scheuring, Jeffrey W. Koym, and J. Creighton Miller, Jr. 2013. Relationships among
antioxidant activity, phenolics and specific gravity in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars grown in different
environments. Amer. J. Potato Res. 90.(submitted).
M. Ndambe Nzaramba, Douglas C. Scheuring, John B. Bamberg, Scott A. Senseman, and J. Creighton Miller, Jr. 2013. Total
glycoalkaloids, antioxidant activity, and phenolic levels in Solanum microdontum and Solanum jamesii accessions.
Amer. J. Potato Res. 90.(submitted).
Brown, C. R., K.G. Haynes, M. Moore, M.J. Pavek, D.C. Hane, S.L. Love, R.G. Novy, and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2012. Stability and
broad-sense heritability of mineral content in potato: Calcium and magnesium. Amer. J. Potato Res. 89:255-261.
Bamberg, J. and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2012. Comparisons of ga1 with other reputed gibberellin mutants in potato. Amer. J. Potato Res.
89:142-149.
deBona, C.M., D.C. deCarvalho, D.M. Stelly, J.C. Miller, Jr., and E.S. Louzada. 2011. Symmetric and asymmetric somatic
hybridization in citrus: A review. Citrus Res. Technol., Cordeiropolis. 32:139-153.
Butler, C.D., B. Gonzalez, M.L. Keremane, R.F. Lee, R.G. Novy, J.C. Miller, Jr., and J.T. Trumble. 2011. Behavioral responses
of adult potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae), to potato germplasm and transmission of
Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous. Crop Prot. 30:1233-1238.
broad-sense heritability of mineral content in potato: Zinc. Amer. J. Potato Res. 88:238-244.
Jansky, S. and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2010. Evaluation of Verticillium wilt resistance in Russet Norkotah and six strain selections. Amer.
J. Potato Res. 87:492-496.
Blessington, T., M.N. Nzaramba, D.C. Scheuring, A.L. Hale, L. Reddivari, and J.C. Miller, Jr., 2010. Cooking methods and
storage treatments of potato: Effects on carotenoids, antioxidant activity, and phenolics. Amer. J. Potato Res. 87:479491. (Outstanding Paper Award 2010, Potato Association of America).
Reddivari, L., J. Vanamala, S.H. Safe, and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2010. The bioactive compounds α - chaconine and gallic acid in potato
extracts decrease survival and induce apoptosis in LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cells. Nutr. Cancer. 62(5): 601-610.
broad-sense heritability of mineral content in potato: Iron. Amer. J. Potato Res. 87:390-396.
Hart, J.D., A. Hale, J.C. Miller, Jr. 2009. Kernel density estimation as an alternative to X2 analysis for investigating the
distribution of quantitative traits. J. Amer. Stat. Assoc.
Bona, C.M., D. Stelly, J.C. Miller Jr., and E.S. Louzada. 2009. ‘Fusion of protoplasts with irradiated microprotoplasts as a tool for
radiation hybrid panel in citrus’ Pesq. Agropec. Bras., Brasilia. 44:1616-1623.
Bona, C.M., J.H. Gould, J.C. Miller Jr., D. Stelly, and E.S. Louzada. 2009. Citrus asymmetric somatic hybrids produced via
fusion of gamma-irradiated and iodoacetamide-treated protoplasts. Pesq. Agropec. Bras., Brasilia, 44: 454-462.
Nzaramba, M.N., L. Reddivari, J.B. Bamberg, and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2009. Antiproliferative activity and cytoxicity of Solanum
jamesii tuber extracts on human colon and prostrate cancer cells in Vitro. J. Agric. Food Chem. 57:8308-8315.
Bona, C.M., J.H. Gould, J.C. Miller Jr., G.R. Mceachern, M. Setamou, and E.S. Louzada. 2008. In vitro micropropagation of nine
grape cultivars. Subtrop. Plant Sci. 59:56-63.
Hale, A.L., L. Reddivari, N.M. Nzaramba, J.B. Bamberg, and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2008. Interspecific variability for antioxidant
activity and phenolic content among Solanum species. Amer. J. Potato Res. 85:332-241.
Reddivari, L., J. Vanamala, S. Chintharlapalli, S.H. Safe, and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2007. Anthocyanin fraction from potato extracts is
cytotoxic to prostate cancer cells through activation of caspase-dependent and caspase-indepenent pathways.
Carcinogenesis. 28:2227-2235. (doi 10.1093/carcin/bgm117).
Reddivari, L., A.L. Hale, and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2007. Genotype and location influence antioxidant activity, phenolic content,
caroteneiod content, and phenolic composition in specialty potatoes. J. Agric. Food Chem. 55:8073-8079.
Reddivari, L., A.L. Hale, and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2007. Determination of phenolic content, composition and their contribution to
antioxidant activity in specialty potato selections. Amer. J. Potato Res. 84:275-282.
Nzaramba, M.N., J.B. Bamberg, and J.C.Miller, Jr. 2007. Effect of propagule type and growing environment on antioxidant
activity and total phenolic content in potato germplasm. Amer. J. Potato Res. 84:321-328.
Blessington, T., J.C. Miller, Jr., M.N. Nzaramba, A.L. Hale, L. Reddivari, D.C. Scheuring, and G.J. Hallman. 2007. The effects of
low-dose gamma radiation and storage time on carotenoids, antioxidant activity, and phenolics in potato cultivar
Atlantic. Amer. J. Potato Res. 84:125-131.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Publications 2007-2012
Miller, J.C., Jr., J.W. Koym, D.C. Scheuring, and J.P. Miller. 2013. Southwest Regional Potato Variety Trial Report 2012. Texas
A&M AgriLife Research, College Station and Lubbock. 22p.
Miller, C., D. Scheuring, and J. Koym. 2013. Texas Potato Breeding Report, 2012. Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College
Station and Lubbock. 316p.
Miller, C., J. Koym, and D. Scheuring. 2012. 2012 Field Day Handbook. July 19, 2012. Texas Potato Variety Development
Program. Texas AgriLIFE Research, College Station and Lubbock. 34p.
AgriLIFE Research, College Station and Lubbock. 27p.
Miller, C., D. Scheuring, and J. Koym. 2012. Texas Potato Breeding Report, 2011. Texas AgriLIFE Research, College Station
and Lubbock. 384p.
and Lubbock. 394p.
Miller, J.C., Jr., J.W. Koym, D.C. Scheuring, and J.P. Miller. 2010. Southwest Regional Potato Variety Trial Report 2009.
Texas AgriLIFE Research, College Station and Lubbock. 22p.
and Lubbock. 386p.
and Lubbock. 282p.
Miller, J.C., Jr., J.W. Koym, D.C. Scheuring, and J.P. Miller. 2008. Southwest Regional Potato Variety Trial Report 2007. Tex.
Agr. Expt. Sta., College Station and Lubbock. 28p.
Miller, C., D. Scheuring, and J. Koym. 2008. Texas Potato Breeding Report, 2007. Tex. Agr. Exp. Sta., College Station and
Lubbock. 180p.
Miller, C., J. Koym, and D. Scheuring. 2007. 2007 Field Day Handbook. June 27, 2007. Texas Potato Variety Development
Program. Tex. Agr. Exp. Sta., College Station and Lubbock. 26p.
Miller, J.C., Jr., J.W. Koym, D.C. Scheuring, and J.P. Miller. 2007. Southwest Regional Potato Variety Trial Report 2006. Tex.
Agr. Expt. Sta., College Station and Lubbock. 23p.\
Miller, C., D. Scheuring, and J. Koym. 2007. Texas Potato Breeding Report, 2006. Tex. Agr. Exp. Sta., College Station and
Lubbock. 179p.
J. Levy, C. Tamborindeguy, E. Pierson, D. Henne, J. Koym, D. Scheuring, and J.C. Miller, Jr. 2012. Investigations on
putative ZC tolerant potato selections. (In press). In: F. Workneh and C.M. Rush (eds.), Proceedings of the 12th
Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session, San Antonio Crowne Plaza, San Antonio, TX, Oct 30 –Nov 2, 2012.
J. C. Miller, Jr., J. Levy, D. Henne, J. Koym, and D. Scheuring. 2012. A fast-track breeding methodology for developing ZC
tolerant potato cultivars. (In press). In: F. Workneh and C.M. Rush (eds.), Proceedings of the 12th Annual Zebra
Chip Reporting Session, San Antonio Crowne Plaza, San Antonio, TX, Oct 30 –Nov 2, 2012.
Nansen, C., X. Martini, K. Vaughn, Y. Xue, C. Miller, and C.M. Rush. 2010. Non-insecticidal based approaches to psyllid
management, p 55-58. In: F. Workneh and C.M. Rush (eds.), Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting
Session, Hyatt DFW Airport, Dallas, TX, Nov. 7-10, 2010.
Trumble, J.T., R. Novy, C. Miller, G. Kund, J. Diaz-Montano, and W. Carson. 2011. New materials and resistant varieties in
IPM trials. p 144-148. In: F. Workneh and C.M. Rush (eds.), Proceedings of the 11th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting
Session, San Antonio Crowne Plaza, San Antonio, TX, Nov. 6-9, 2011.
Miller, J.C., Jr., D.C. Scheuring, J. Koym, D. Henne, J. Jifon, J. Levy, C. Tamborindeguy and E.A. Pierson. 2011. Further
Studies on Host-Plant Tolerance to ZC. p 134-136. In: F. Workneh and C.M. Rush (eds.), Proceedings of the 11th
Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session, San Antonio Crowne Plaza, San Antonio, TX, Nov. 6-9, 2011.
Pierson, E.A., C. Miller, D.C. Scheuirng, T.X. Liu, J. Jifon, D. Gross, R. Aravind, and J. Levy. 2010. Investigations on
putative zebra chip (ZC) tolerant advanced selections, p 99-102. In: F. Workneh and C.M. Rush (eds.), Proceedings
of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session, Hyatt DFW Airport, Dallas, TX, Nov. 7-10, 2010
Miller, J.C., Jr. 2010 Progress in Identifying host plant tolerance/resistance to ZC in potato germplasm. In: F. Workneh and
C.M. Rush (eds.), Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session, Hyatt DFW Airport, Dallas, TX,
Nov. 7-10, 2010
Miller, J.C., Jr., D.C. Scheuirng, J. Koym, S.D. Turner, R. Novy, J.T. Trumble, C.D. Butler, C. Nancen, K. Vaughn, T.X.
Liu, J.E. Munyaneza, E.A. Pierson, C.M. Rush, J. Jifon, R. French, C. Tamborindeguy, and P. Porter. 2010. Progress
in identifying host plant tolerance/resistance to ZC in potato germplasm, p 96-98. In: F. Workneh and C.M. Rush
(eds.), Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session, Hyatt DFW Airport, Dallas, TX, Nov. 7-10,
2010.
Butler, C.D., R.G. Novy, J.C. Miller, and J.T Trumble. 2010. Alternative strategies: Plant resistance and biological control, p
69-73. In: F. Workneh and C.M. Rush (eds.), Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session, Hyatt
DFW Airport, Dallas, TX, Nov. 7-10, 2010.
Popular Articles 2007-2012
Miller, J.C., Jr. 2011. Texas A&M Breeder seeks the superior spud. The Grower. Sept-Oct. p 8.
Invited Speaker 2007-2012
Speaker at the 2012 Zebra Chip Annual Reporting Session, San Antonio, TX, Oct 30 –Nov 2, 2012. (A fast-track breeding
methodology for developing ZC tolerant potato cultivars.)
Speaker at the 2011 Zebra Chip Annual Reporting Session. San Antonio, TX. November 6-9, 2011. (Further Studies on HostPlant Tolerance to Zebra Chip).
Speaker at the 2010 Potato Zebra Chip Conference. Dallas, TX. November 7-10, 2010. (Progress in Identifying host plant
tolerance/resistance to ZC in potato germplasm).
Speaker at the Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) and Potato Zebra Chip (ZC) Conference, McAllen, TX, November 16-18, 2009.
(Identification/Development of ZC Tolerant/Resistant Cultivars).
Speaker at the Potato Zebra Chip (ZC) Conference, Dallas, TX, December 4, 2008. (Identification/Development of ZC
Resistant/Tolerant Cultivars).
Invited Speaker at the West Texas Vegetable Conference, Canyon, Texas, January 16, 2007. (Using Line Selection to
Improve Russet Norkotah Strains).
Websites 2007-2012
Turner, S.D., J.C. Miller, Jr., and R.D. Lineberger. 2010-. Texas A&M University Potato Breeding and Variety Development
Program. http://potato.tamu.edu
Alexander, T.W., J.C. Miller, Jr., and R.D. Lineberger. 2010- Texas A&M University Cowpea Breeding and Variety
Development Program. http://cowpea.tamu.edu
Bona, C.M., L.A. Biasi, E.S. Louzada, D.M. Stelly, J.C. Miller Jr., and J.H. Gould. 2007. Mejoramiento genetico: Uso
innovation degenes, studio geneticies, y micro propagacion vegetal. Chapter 3. In: VI Encuentro Latinoamericano y
del Caribe de Biotechnologia Agropecuaria REDBIO 2007, Vina del Mar, Chile.
Referred variety release articles 2007-2012
Brown, C.R., I. Vales, S. Yilma, S. James, B. Charlton, D. Culp, D. Hane, C. Shock, E. Feibert, M. Pavek, R. Knowles, R.
Novy, J. Whitworth, J. Stark, J.C. Miller, Jr., D. Holm, R. Quick, and R. Navrre. 2012. “AmaRosa,” a red skinned,
red fleshed fingerling with high phytonutrient value. Amer. J. Potato Res. 89: 249-254.
'Norgold Russet Strain M' potato in collaboration with Gene Shaver and Warren Trank, Nebraska, 1974.
'Krantz' potato cultivar, with the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, 1985.
'TexSprout' mungbean, with the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, 1988.
'Russet Nugget' potato cultivar, with the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station, 1988.
'Texas Pinkeye' cowpea cultivar (PVP# 910008), 1990.
‘Five multiple-virus resistant common bean lines’, 1995.
‘Century Russet’ potato cultivar with the Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations,
1996.
Russet Norkotah Strains 112 (PVP#9900141), 223 (PVP#9900140), and 278 (PVP#9900139), 1999.
‘AC Stampede Russet’ potato cultivar with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, (Canada Plant Breeder’s Rights, Certificate
No. : 0836), 2000.
‘AC Stampede Russet’ potato cultivar Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, (PVP#200500177), 2005.
‘TX1523-1Ru/Y’ (Sierra Gold) potato cultivar (PVP#200200202), 2002.
Russet Norkotah Strain 296 (PVP#200300288), 2004.
Russet Norkotah Strain 112 (Canada Plant Breeder’s Rights, Certificate No. : 1705), 2003.
‘GemStar Russet’ with Idaho, Oregon, Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations and USDA-ARS, 2004.
‘TX1523-1Ru/Y’ (Sierra Gold) potato cultivar (Canada Plant Breeder’s Rights, Certificate No. : 2093), 2005.
‘Rio Rojo’ potato cultivar (PVP#200600098), 2006.
‘Golden Eye Cream’ cowpea cultivar (PVP#200700383). 2006.
‘ATTX961014-1R/Y’ (Sierra Rose) potato cultivar (PVP#2012200166), 2012.
Classes taught
Genetics 485, Directed Studies: Fall, Spring, Summer 1981Horticulture 101 Concepts of Horticultural Science: Fall, Spring 1983 –
Horticulture 291, Research Credit: Fall, Spring, Summer 2008 –
Horticulture 485, Directed Studies: Fall, Spring, Summer 1975 –
Horticulture 491, Research Credit: Fall, Spring, Summer 2008 –
Graduate courses
Genetics 685, Directed Studies: Fall, Spring, Summer 1981 Genetics 691, Research Credit: Fall, Spring, Summer 1981 Horticulture 685, Directed Studies: Fall, Spring, Summer 1976 Horticulture 690, Theory of Research: Fall, Spring, Summer 1978 Horticulture 691, Research Credit: Fall, Spring, Summer 1978 Graduate students (2007-2012)
Advised/co-advised
De Bona, Claudine Maria. 2007. Symmetric and asymmetric hybridization in citrus spp. (Dissertation).
Reddivari, Lavanya. 2007. Influence of genetic variability on specialty potato functional components and their effect on
prostrate cancer cell lines. (Dissertation).
Nzaramba, Magnifique Ndambe. 2008. Relationships among antioxidants, phenolics, and specific gravity in potato
cultivars, and evaluation of wild potato species for antioxidants, glycoalkoloids, and anti-cancer activity on human
prostate and colon cancer cells in vitro. (Dissertation).
Turner, Sarah Diane. 2012. Effect of Purple and White Potato Extracts on Prostate Cancer Development in Athymic Nude
Mice. (Thesis).
Claudine Maria De Bona – Research Scientist, Insituto Agronomico do Parana, Brazil
Lavanya Reddivari – Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Magnifique Ndambe Nzaramba – Deputy Director General, Export Operations & Market Development, National Agriculture
Export Development Board, Rwanda
Sarah Diane Turner – Graduate Research Assistant (PhD), University of Wisconsin-Madison
About 12 since 2007
Graduate Faculty of Genetics, 1981Graduate Faculty of Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences, 1984 - 2008
Graduate Faculty of Biotechnology, 2010Grants and contracts awarded 2007-2012
$10,000. USPB Grant for National Chip Breeders Trial – Texas. 2012.
$15,000. AgriLIFE Grant for Zebra Chip Research. Evaluating potato germplasm for resistance/tolerance to Zebra Chip.
2012.
$56,000. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research. Potato
Breeding and Cultivar Development in the Southwest. 2012. (With Colorado State University and University of
California - total - $168,000) (no indirect costs permitted).
$10,000. USPB Grant for National Chip Breeders Trial – Texas. 2010.
$41,500. TDA Grant for Zebra Chip Research. Evaluating potato germplasm for resistance/tolerance to Zebra Chip. 2010.
(With AgriLIFE Research cooperators – Total - $800,000).
(With AgriLIFE Research cooperators – Total - $800,000).
$3,000. USDA/ARS Special Grant. Evaluating soybean rust migration on alternate hosts –Cowpea. 2009.
$47,163. Specialty Crop Research Initiative. Development of an Integrated Research and Management Program for Zebra
Chip of Potato. 2009-13. $243,000 (Total $6.9 million).
$32,850. USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Special Research Grants Program, Potato
Research. Potato Breeding and Cultivar Development in the Southwest. 2009. (With Colorado State University
and University of California - total - $99,653) (no indirect costs permitted).
and University of California) (no indirect costs permitted).
(With TAES cooperators – Total - $800,000).
$34,750. USDA/ARS-State Partnership Potato Program. Maximizing the nutritional value/health benefits of potato by
metabolic profiling and identification of compounds with anticancer properties. 2008. (With Roy Navarre,
Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Laboratory, Prosser, WA. Total - $75,000).
(With TAES cooperators – Total - $800,000).
$40,500. USDA/ARS-State Partnership Potato Program. Maximizing the nutritional value/health benefits of potato by
metabolic profiling and identification of compounds with anticancer properties. 2007. (With Roy Navarre,
Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Laboratory, Prosser, WA. Total - $83,025).
and University of California) (no indirect costs permitted). NOTE – This was funded through Hatch Funds from
the TAES allocation.
$4,000. J Pao & Company Limited, Mungbean Variety Evaluation. 2007.
American Journal of Potato Research
HortScience
Journal for the American Society for Horticultural Sciences
Faculty Awards Committee, 1983-; Chair, 1992-2007
Promotion and Tenure Committee, 1982Organized, appointed and served on first P&T Committee
Hisashi Koiwa Tenure Mentoring Committee, 2004-07
Scholarship Committee, 1988Served as judge for Texas 4-H Round Up – Horticulture Demonstration Contests 2010 and 2011
Professional association membership and leadership roles 2007-2012
Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists
American Society for Horticultural Science, Southern Region
Krezdorn Award Committee, 2008-2013.
Vegetable Breeding Working Group, 1978Genetics and Germplasm Working Group, 1979Vegetable Crop Management Working Group, 1980Food Quality and Nutrition Working Group, 1996Plant Biotechnology Working Group, 1985Crop Science Society of America
C-8 Div. Plant Genetic Resources Committee, 1992American Society of Agronomy
The American Genetic Association
Botanical Society of America, Genetics Section
American Association for the Advancement of Science
European Association for Potato Research
The Potato Association of America
Pathology Section, 1975Breeding and Genetics Section, 1978Physiology Section, 1981Membership Committee, 1988Production/Management Section, 1991PAA Endowment Fund Committee 1999- , Chair, 2001-07
IR-1
(NRSP-6): InterRegional Potato Introduction Project, State Agricultural Experiment Station Representative, Southern
Region, 1988- 2012
Chair, 2006-07
Secretary, 2009-10
Vice-chair, 2010 -11
Chair, 2011-12
Potato Crop Germplasm Committee, 1988National Cowpea Improvement Association, founder, 1980Western Regional Potato Variety Development Coordinating Committee (WERA-27), 1988Vigna Crop Germplasm Committee, USDA, 1984National Potato Council, 2000Awards and recognitions
American Society for Horticultural Science, Fellow, 1987
American Society for Horticultural Science, Vegetable Publication Award for 1987 (co-recipient)
Southern Region, American Society for Horticultural Science, President Elect, 1991; President, 1992
Research Division, American Society for Horticultural Science, Vice President Elect, 1993-94
Research Division, American Society for Horticultural Science, Vice President, 1994-95
Potato Association of America, Vice President, 1996-97
Potato Association of America, President Elect, 1997-98
Potato Association of America, President, 1998-99
Horticulture Graduate Council, Faculty Distinguished Service Award, 1997
Southern Region, American Society for Horticultural Science, L.M. Ware Distinguished Teaching Award, 2002
Honorary Life Member, Potato Association of America, 2003
Association of Former Students Distinguished Teaching Award 2005
Outstanding Researcher Award, 2009, American Society for Horticultural Science
Research Patent Award, 2009, TAMU System Office of Technology Commercialization
Co-recipient of the Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for Partnership Collaboration, 2013
Dr. Genhua Niu, Associate Professor
Environmental Horticulture and Urban Landscape Water Conservation
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at El Paso
Texas A&M University System
1380 A&M Circle, El Paso, TX 79927
Email: gniu@ag.tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Genhua Niu is an off campus faculty located at the Texas A&M AgriLife
Research Center at El Paso with 100% Research Appointment. Her areas of
special expertise are in environmental stress physiology and plant production
in controlled environment. Her current research areas include identifying
drought and salt tolerant low water use plant materials for urban landscape,
quantifying growth and physiological responses of crops to drought, salt and
heat stresses, and determining the minimum water requirement for urban
landscape plants for maintaining a healthy landscape while conserving water.
In addition, Dr. Niu is also working on evaluating the salt and drought tolerance of a range of bioenergy crops and vegetables
for the semi-arid region. As a researcher at an off campus research center, Dr. Niu closely works with county extension
agents on local extension programs. She also collaborates with faculty members at the Department and other research centers
on research programs and graduate students education by co-advising and serving as a graduate committee member. In
professional society service, Dr. Niu has been active by serving as officers of several working groups for American Society
for Horticultural Science and USDA regional meetings.
Academic Background
Degree
Ph.D.
M.S.
B.S.
1984
2010 – Present
2004 – 2010
2009 – Present
2006 – Present
Year
1997
1987
Institute
Chiba University, Japan
Zhejiang University, China
Zhejiang University, China
Major
Horticulture
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Engineering
Associate Professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso, Texas A&M University
System
Assistant Professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso, Texas A&M
University System
Adjunct professor, Texas Tech University
Adjunct professor, New Mexico State University
2003 – 2004
Visiting scientist, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD
2001 – 2003
Research Director, Southern Sun Biosystems, Inc., SC
1998 – 2001
Research Associate, Michigan State University
1997 – 1998
Post-doctoral Fellow, Chiba University, Japan
1. Zhao, L., B. Peng, J.A. Hernandez-Viezcas, C. Rico, Y.Sun, J.R. Peralta-Videa, X. Tang, G. Niu, L. Jin, A. VarelaRamirez, J. Zhang, and J.L. Gardea-Torresdey. 2012. Stress response and tolerance of Zea mays to CeO2
nanoparticles: cross talk among H2O2, heat shock protein, and lipid peroxidation. ACS Nano 6 (11): 9615–9622.
2. Niu, G., P. Osuna, Y. Sun, and D. Rodriguez. 2012. Seedling emergence, growth, and mineral nutrition of
ornamental chile peppers irrigated with saline water. HortScience 47(11):1653–1657.
3. Niu, G., D. Rodriguez, and S. McKenney. 2012. Response of selected wildflower species to saline water irrigation.
HortScience 47(9): 1351-1355.
4. Niu, G., M. Wang, D. Rodriguez, and D. Zhang. 2012. Responses of zinnia to saline water irrigation. HortScience
47(6):793–797.
5. Cai, X., T. Starman, G. Niu, C. Hall, and L. Lombardini. 2012. Response of selected garden roses to drought stress.
HortScience 47(8):1050–1055.
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Gao, J., M. Gu, G. Niu, and Y. Chen. 2012. Effects of salinity on three Pennisetum cultivars. Journal of Food,
Agriculture & Environment Vol.10 (3&4): 1005-1007.
Niu, G., W. Xu, D. Rodriguez, and Y. Sun. 2012. Growth and physiological responses of maize and sorghum
genotypes to salt stress. ISRN Agronomy. Article ID 145072, doi:10.5402/2012/145072.
Arnold, M.A., D.L. Bryan, R. Cabrera, G.C. Denny, J.J. Griffin, J.K. Iles, A.R. King, G.W. Knox, L. Lombardini,
G.V. McDonald, C.B. McKenney, D.T. Montague, G. Niu, H.B. Pemberton, A.L. Purnell, L.J. Shoemake, D.K.
Struve., and W.T. Watson. 2012. Provenance experiments with baldcypress, live oak, and sycamore illustrate the
potential for selecting more sustainable urban trees. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 38(5):205-213.
Li, M., T. Kozai, G. Niu, and M. Takagaki. 2012. Air exchange rate in a closed system with artificial lighting
estimated using water vapor as tracer gas. Biosystem Engineering 113:94-101.
Niu, G., D. Rodriguez, M. Mendoza, J. Jifon, and G. Ganjegunte. 2012. Responses of Jatropha curcas to salt and
drought stresses. International Journal of Agronomy. Article ID 632026, 7 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/632026.
Niu, G., R. Cabrera, T. Starman, and C. Hall. 2011. Water conservation in ornamental plant production through the
use of alternative water sources. HortTechnology 21(6):694-695.
Niu, G., D. Rodriguez, and M. Gu. 2011. Response of Sophora secundiflora to nitrogen form and rate. HortScience
46(9):1303–1307.
Lin, M., T. Starman, Y.T. Wang, G. Niu, and J.T. Cothren. 2011. Deferring flowering of nobile dendrobium hybrids
by holding plants under low temperature after vernalization. Scientia Horticulturae 130: 869–873.
Lin, M., T. Starman, Y.T. Wang, and G. Niu. 2011. Light and Cooling Requirement for Vernalization of Three
Hybrid Nobile Dendrobium Cultivars. HortScience 46(3):406-410.
Xiao, Y., G. Niu, and T. Kozai. 2011. Development and application of photoautotrophic micropropagation system.
Plant Cell, Tissue & Organ Culture 105:149–158.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, E. Call, P. Bosland, A. Ulery, and E. Acosta. 2010. Responses of eight chile peppers to
saline water irrigation. Scientia Horticulturae 126:215–222.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, K. Crosby, D. Leskovar, and J. Jifon. 2010. Rapid screening for relative salt tolerance
among chile pepper genotypes. HortScience 45(8):1192–1195.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, R. Cabrera, J. Jifon, D. Leskovar, and K. Crosby. 2010. Salinity and soil type effects on
emergence and growth of pepper seedlings. HortScience 45(8):1265–1269.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and M. Gu. 2010. Salinity tolerance of Sophora secundiflora and Cercis canadensis var.
Mexicana. HortScience 45(3):424-427.
Miyamoto, S., G. Niu, I. Martinez. 2010. Salinity and specific ion effects on onion establishment in relation to
disposal of desalting concentrates. Desalination and Water Treatment 16:381-392.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and T. Starman. 2010. Response of bedding plants to saline water irrigation. HortScience
45(4):628-636.
Niu, G. and R.I. Cabrera. 2010. Growth and physiological responses of landscape plants to saline water irrigation –
a review. HortScience 45(11): 1605-1609.
Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2009. Growth and physiological responses of four rose rootstocks to drought stress.
Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science 134(2):202-209.
Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2008. Responses of growth and ion uptake of four rose rootstocks to chloride or sulfate
dominated salinity. Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science 133(5):633-669.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and L. Aguiniga. 2008. Effect of saline water irrigation on growth and physiological
responses of three rose rootstocks. HortScience 43(5):1479-1484.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and W. Mackay. 2008. Growth and physiological responses to drought stress in four
oleander clones. Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science 133(2):188-196.
Yen, C. Y.T., T. Starman, Y.T. Wang, A. Holzenburg, and G. Niu. 2008. Timing of nutrient termination and
reapplication for growth, flower initiation, and flowering of the nobile dendrobium orchid. Journal of American
Society for Horticultural Science 133(4):501-507.
Yen, C. Y.T., T. Starman, Y.T. Wang, and G. Niu. 2008. Effects of cooling temperature and during on flowering of
the nobile dendrobium orchid. HortScience. 43(6):1765-1769.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, W. Mackay, and L. Aguiniga. 2007. Salinity tolerance of Lupinus havardii and L. texensis.
HortScience 42(3):526-528.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and L. Awuinga. 2007. Growth and landscape performance of ten herbaceous species in
response to saline water irrigation. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 25(4):204–210.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and Y.T. Wang. 2007. Salinity and growing medium regulate growth, morphology and ion
uptake of Gaillardia aristata. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 25(2):89-94.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and W. Mackay. 2007. Effect of water stress on growth and flower yield of big bend
bluebonnet. HortTechnology 17(4):557-560.
1. Fulcher, A., G. Niu, G. Bi, M. Evans, T. Fernandez, R. Geneve, A. Koeser, S. Nambuthiri, N. Pershey, R. Stewart,
S. Verlinden, X. Wang. 2012. Assessing biocontainers and a sustainable irrigation regime for the US nursery
industry. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association 57: 73-77.
2. Niu, G., P. Osuna, and D. Rodriguez. 2012. Salt Tolerance of Ornamental Chile Pepper. Proceedings of Southern
Nursery Association 57: 336-341.
3. Niu, G., Pemberton, B., P. Osuna, and D. Rodriguez. 2012. Plant Growth Regulator Impact on Calibrachoa and
Verbena Branching. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association 57: 151-156.
4. Nambuthiri, S., R. Geneve, T. Fernandez, A. Fulcher, A. Koeser, G. Bi, M. Evans, G. Niu, N. Pershey, R. Stewart,
S. Verlinden, and X. Wang. 2012. Substrate heat buildup and evaporation rate differs between plastic and
alternative one gallon nursery containers. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association 57: 60-62.
5. Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2011. Salt tolerance of bedding plants. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association
56:146-151.
6. Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and C. McKenney. 2011. Salt tolerance of five wildflowers. Proceedings of Southern
Nursery Association 56:152-156.
7. Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, M. Wang, T. Starman, and D. Zhang. 2011. Response of zinnia to saline water irrigation.
Acta Horticulturae 922: 237-244.
8. Niu, G. 2010. Growth and physiological responses of ornamental plants to salinity. Taiwan – USA symposium on
technology of cultivation and molecular breeding for ornamental crops. August 18-21, Taichung, Taiwan, pp. 85101.
9. Niu, G. and D.C. Rodriguez. 2010. Growth Response of Selected Bedding Plants to Three Irrigation Levels.
Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association 55:195-199.
10. Niu, G., M. Gu, and D.C. Rodriguez. 2010. Nitrogen rate and form affected growth of Texas mountain laurel.
11. Wang, M., G. Niu, D.C. Rodriguez, and D. Zhang. 2010. Response of Zinnia Cultivars to Salinity. Proceedings of
Southern Nursery Association 55:189-194.
12. Niu, G., M. Gu, and D.S. Rodriguez. 2009. Effects of substrate and salinity of irrigation water on the growth of
Sophora secundiflora. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association 54:1-7.
13. Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2009. Salt tolerance of ten bedding plants. Proceedings of Southern Nursery
Association 54:405-410.
14. Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2008. Rose rootstocks responded differently to chloride versus sulfate salinity.
15. Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2008. Irrigation levels affected performance of Gaillardia species. Proceedings of
16. Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2008. Responses of four rose rootstocks to cyclic drought stress. Proceedings of
17. Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2007. Heat and drought tolerance of selected bedding plants. Proceedings of Southern
18. Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and W. Mackay. 2007. Drought tolerance of four oleanders. Proceedings of Southern
19. Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez and L. Aguiniga. 2007. Salinity tolerance of 10 herbaceous landscape plants. Proceedings
of Southern Nursery Association 52:128-132.
20. Niu, G., R.I. Cabrera, C. McKenney, W. Mackay. 2007. Water use and crop coefficients of selected herbaceous
perennials. Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association 52:122-127.
21. Niu, G. and D.S. Rodriguez. 2007. Salinity tolerance, water use and crop coefficients of selected shrubs and trees.
1. Fulcher, A., G. Niu, G. Bi, M. Evans, T. Fernandez, R. Geneve, A. Koeser, S. Nambuthiri, N. Pershey, J.R.
Stewart, S. Verlinden, and X. Wang. 2013. Pulp or plastic? American Nurseryman February.
2. Arnold, M., E. Bush, R. Cabrera, G. Denny, J. Griffin, J. Iles, A. King, G. Knox, G. McDonald, C. McKenney,
T. Montague, G. Niu, A. Owings, and D. Struve. 2010. Testing tolerances of Taxodium. Landscape Plant
News 20(3):10-11.
3. Niu, G., R. I. Cabrera, C. McKenney and W. A. Mackay. March, 2007. Determining plant water use and crop
coefficients of nursery and landscape plants. (Texas Nursery and Landscape Association) TNLA Green, p. 1820, 22.
4. Niu, G. and Y.T. Wang. January, 2007. Cloning live oak. American Nurseryman. P. 26-27.
Book Chapter 2007 -2012
1. Niu, G. 2012. Salt tolerance of Capsicum species. In: Peppers – Botany, Production and Uses. V.M. Russo
(Ed.), pp. 150-164. CABI publisher, Nosworthy Way, UK.
2. Miyamoto, S. and G. Niu. 2011. “Suitability of Concentrate Waters for Irrigation.” In Membrane and
Treatment of impaired Irrigation Return and Other Flows for Creating New Sources of High Quality Water.
Fahy and Balliew (Eds.). American Water Works Association. Denver, CO. 4: 27-30.
3. Niu, G. and R. Cabrera. 2010. Irrigating ornamental horticultural plants with alternative water sources. In:
Horticulture in 21st Century, (A.N. Sampson, ed.), pp. 143-160. Nova Science Publishers, Inc., NY.
Grants and contracts awarded 2007 – 2012
$176,538
$52,964
$35,000
$30,000
$20,000
$15,000
$17,500
$7,000
$30,000
$65,400
$6,500
$6,000
$22,215
$16,033
$7,500
Impact and social acceptance of selected sustainable practices in ornamental crop production systems. USDANIFA SCRI, 2010 -2014.
Urban Water Conservation by Irrigating Landscapes with Reclaimed Water. Rio Grande Basin Initiative,
USDA-FINA, 2012-2013.
Urban landscape water conservation, Task 5, Rio Grande Basin Initiative, USDA-FINA, 2010-2013.
Saline wastewater management and water reuse, Task 7, Rio Grande Basin Initiative, USDA-FINA, 20122013.
Determining salinity and drought tolerance of selected landscape plants, Urban landscape water conservation,
Task 5, Rio Grande Basin Initiative, PI, USDA-CSREES through TWRI, 2009-2010.
Salinity tolerance of chile pepper plants, Saline and Wastewater Management and Reuse, Task 7, Rio Grande
Basin Initiative, PI, USDA-CSREES through TWRI, 2009-2010.
Urban landscape water conservation, Task 5, Rio Grande Basin Initiative, PI, USDA-CSREES through TWRI,
2007-2008.
Use of alternative water sources for bioenergy crops production in arid southwest region of the US. Sun Grant
Initiative, 9/2011-8/2013.
Sustainable bioenergy production in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. Texas AgriLife Research Bioenergy
Initiatives Program. 9/2011-8/2013.
Assessing Salt and Water Stress Tolerance, and Soil Sustainability of Oilseed Crops, Cellulosic and Woody
Bioenergy Species for Saline Areas of Texas. Texas AgriLife Research Bioenergy Initiatives Program. 9/20098/2011.
Plant Growth Regulator Impact on Greenhouse or Perennial Herbaceous Ornamental Plant Branching, IR-4
project, 2011.
Augeo Impact on Branching of Hydrangea, IR-4 project, 2012.
Determining water use of landscape plants for El Paso region, El Paso Water Utilities, 2006-2009.
Membrane treatment of impaired irrigation return and other flows for creating new sources of high quality
water, American Water Works Association Research Foundation, USBR, SCERP, EPWU, 2007.
Determining plant water use and crop coefficients of nursery and landscape plants, Texas Nursery and
Landscape Association, 2007.
Journals for which you reviewed papers 2007 – 2012
Bioresource Technology
Biosystem Engineering
Canadian Journal of Plant Science
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture
European Food Research and Technology
HortScience
HortTechnology
Food Research International
International Journal of Plant Science
Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science
PLOS ONE
Transaction of the ASAE
Review panels for grants and proposals
CRDF (Civilian Research Development Foundation)
Chinese National Science Foundation
New Mexico State University
Ohio State University
USBR (United State Bureau of Reclamation)
Graduate students (advised/co-advised) 2007-2012
• Xiaoya (Amy) Cai, Ph.D. candidate, co-advisor, (September 2010 to present)
Graduate student Committee 2007-2012
• Ockert Greyvenstein, Ph.D. Monsanto Plant Breeding Scholar. Heat tolerance of roses, expecting graduation in May
2014.
• Christine Yen, Master degree of Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University. Graduated in 2008.
• Evan Call, MS candidate, graduated in 2011, New Mexico State University.
• Min Lin, Master candidate, graduated in 2011, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University.
• Nicholas Thomas Adams, Department of Environmental Science, New Mexico State University, MS student,
graduated in 2011.
Visiting Scholar advised 2007-2012
• Pedro Osuna, visiting scientist, Universidad Autonoma de Cd. Juarez; Chihuahua, Mexico (June 2011- December
2012)
• Minzi Wang, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, China, June to December 2009
EPCC Research Initiative Science Enhancement (RISE) students advised 2007-2012:
1. Cindy Valdes, EPCC RISE student (2007)
2. Rosie Cabrera, Biology, EPCC RISE student (2007-2008)
3. Erik Acosta, EPCC RISE student (March 2009 – August 2011)
4. Denice Manriquez, EPCC RISE student (April 2010 – present)
5. Mike Mendoza, Biology, EPCC RISE student (August 2010 – present)
6. Christina Perez, Biology, EPCC RISE student (August 2012 – present)
Undergraduate students advised 2007-2012
1. Kristian Ortiz, UTEP Work Study student, February 2006 – August 2007
2. Esteban Mireles, UTEP Work Study student, September 2006 – May 2007
3. Liz Rodriguez, Student worker, EPCC, December 2006 to May 2008
4. Margarita Thornton, Technician II (June to August 2008)
5. Crystal Salcido, Student worker (May to October 2008)
6. Cindy Valdes, EPCC RISE Student (October 2007 to December 2008)
7. Rosie Cabrera, EPCC RISE Student (October 2007 to August 2008)
8. Rosie Cabrera, AgriLife student worker (September 2008 to May 2009)
9. Jose Gonzalez, UTEP work study student (September 2008 to August 2011)
10. Stephanie Murr, EPCC Student Worker (October to December 2008)
11. Anna M. Brew, EPCC RISE student (October 2008 to May 2009)
12. Erik Acosta, EPCC RISE Student (March 2009 to present)
13. Stephanie Renteria, UTEP work study student (February 2009 to May 2009)
14. Jacqueline A. Parisi, AgriLife Student worker (May to August 2009)
15. Gabriel Moreno, UTEP work study student (Sept 2009 to present)
16. Julie Hernandez, AgriLife student worker (April 2010 to April 2011)
17. Alan Lara, AgriLife student worker (April 2010 to August 2010)
18. Liz Rodriguez, Student worker, UTEP, (October 2010 to December 2011)
19. Denice Manriquez, Salt tolerance of wilder flowers (April 2010 to present)
20. Mike Mendoza, biology, EPCC RISE student (August 2010 to present)
21. Melissa Godina, UTEP work study student (Sept 2011- present)
22. Samuel Retana, UTEP Work study student (Sept 2012 – present)
Professional Activities
• American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS). 2000 – present.
o Secretary (2012/2013) for Environmental Stress Physiology
o Outstanding Research Award Committee 2010-2012
o Outstanding Graduate Award Committee 2012-2014
o Secretary, Chair-elect, Chair for Asian Horticulture Working Group (2008-2010)
o Secretary, Chair-elect, Chair for Nursery Crops working group (2005-2007)
• Regional Group NC1186 – “Water Management and Quality for Ornamental Crop Production and Health” North
Central Association Multistate Research Project.
o Secretary – 2012-2014
• Regional Group WERA 1013 “Intermountain Regional Evaluation and Introduction of Native Plants”
o Secretary – 2012-2014
Professional Recognition:
• Bridget Fellow of Japan Society for Promotion of Science, 2010. Host: Chiba University from Nov 6 to Dec 11,
2010.
• USDA CSREES National Water Program Award for Outstanding Integrated Activities for Water Resources, Rio
Grande Basin Initiative Team Member, 2007. First USDA national teamwork award for integrated water resources,
ranked number 1 out of 37 nominations.
Bhimanagouda Patil
Director of the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center and
Professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences
b-patil@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Patil balances his efforts among teaching, research and administration. For
teaching, Patil has provided undergraduate students with opportunities for
experiential learning, enhancing faculty preparation for multidisciplinary courses,
instructional delivery and developing a comprehensive curriculum through USDAChallenge grants. Patil collaboratively developed two first-of-a-kind courses,
‘Science of Foods for Health’, and ‘Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables to
Improve Human Health’, by conducting a curriculum development workshop with
multidisciplinary faculty from three U.S. land grant universities. These unique
courses benefitted not only TAMU students but also three land grant universities
and five other universities in Texas. The enrollment in both courses has been
increasing and similar numbers of students enrolled in other states; we continue to
receive requests from other land grant universities to expand these courses to their
schools. Since 2007, Dr. Patil has also served as the chair/co-chair on 14 Ph.D. and
5 M.S student committees and as a member of four graduate student committees.
He initiated several new and cutting-edge collaborative research projects, related to
processing and pre-and postharvest effects on bioactive compounds. Additionally, the research focus of Dr. Patil's lab has
expanded to include isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds to determine their potential human health benefits.
Further testing of these bioactive compounds is being conducted in cell and animal studies, and recently even human
intervention studies, to understand their mechanisms of action. Specialty crops are also under investigation to understand
their health-maintaining properties. By expanding the research focus of the VFIC to include examination of human health
benefits, this new research direction has synergistically supported traditional breeding efforts, yielding a stronger, diverse
research program. He also collaborated with multidisciplinary faculty, staff and students to develop and implement new
strategic plans to increase VFIC resources, increase the numbers and diversity of undergraduate and graduate students and
faculty, and improve programmatic relevance and excellence. He has published a substantial number of scientific papers in
peer-reviewed journals, editor reviewed proceedings, book chapters, and edited books. Dr. Patil served as an International
Advisory Board Member in 9 professional societies and four industry-related boards. Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1994
M.S.
1987
B.S.
1984
Institution
University of Agricultural Sciences
University of Agricultural Science
Major
Horticulture
Horticulture
Agriculture
2005-present
Director Vegetable & Fruit Improvement Center, Texas A&M University
2008-present
Professor, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
(25% teaching, 25% research, 50% administration)
2005-2008
Associate Professor, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
(35% teaching, 65% administration and research)
2002-2004
Associate Director, Vegetable & Fruit Improvement Center, Texas A&M University
1997-2004
Assistant Professor of Plant Physiology, Texas A&M University – Kingsville Citrus Center
1996-1997
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University of California – Kearney Agricultural Center
1994-1996
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Washington State University, Prosser
1989-1991
Instructor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
Refereed Publications (underlined names indicate graduate student/post doc in the faculty member’s lab)
Uckoo, R.M., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Balasubramaniam, V.M., and Patil, B.S. 2012, Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Var. Macfad)
phytochemicals composition is modulated by household processing techniques. Journal of Food Science, 77, C921C926, PMID: 22957912.
Vikram, A., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Jesudhasan, P.R., Pillai, S.D. and Patil, B.S. 2012. Obacunone Represses Salmonella
Pathogenicity Islands 1 and 2 in an envZ-Dependent Fashion, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 78, 7012-7022,
PMID: 22843534.
Vikram, A., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Jesudhasan, P.R., Pillai, S.D., Patil, B.S. 2012. Limonin 7-methoxime interferes with
Escherichia coli biofilm formation and attachment in type 1 pili and antigen 43 dependent manner. Food Control,
26:427-438.
Somasundaram, S., Price, J., Pearce, K., Shuck, R., Jayaprakasha, G.K. and Patil, B.S. 2012. Citrus Limonin Lacks the Antichemotherapeutic Effect in Human Models of Breast Cancer, J. Nutrigenet Nutrigenomics, 5, 106-114, PMID:
22907263.
Chebrolu, K.K., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Yoo, K.S., Jifon, J.L., Patil, B.S. 2012. An improved sample preparation method of
quantification of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid by HPLC. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 47:443-449.
Chebrolu, K., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Jifon, J., and Patil, B.S. 2012. Production system and storage temperature influence
grapefruit vitamin C, limonoids and carotenoids, J. Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 60, 7096−7103.
Murthy, K.N.C., Jayaprakasha, G.K., and Patil, B.S. 2012. Berberine: a natural alkaloid targets multiple pathways to induce
cell death in cultured human colon cancer cells, European J. Pharmacology, 688, 14-21, PMID: 22617025.
Murthy, K.N.C., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Patil, B.S. 2012. D-limonene rich volatile oil from blood oranges inhibits angiogenesis,
metastasis and cell death in human colon cancer cells. Life Sciences, 91, 429-439, PMID: 22935404.
Jayaprakasha, G.K., Murthy, K.N.C., Demarais, R., Patil, B.S. 2012. Inhibition of prostate cancer (LNCaP) cell proliferation
by volatile components from Nagami kumquats. Planta Med., 78:974-980.
Jayaprakasha, G.K., Murthy, K.N.C., Etlinger, M., Mantur, S.M., Patil, B.S. 2012. Radical scavenging capacities and
inhibition of human prostate (LNCaP) cell proliferation by Fortunella margarita. Food Chemistry, 131:184-191.
Patil, B.S., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Vikram, A. 2012. Indigenous Crops of Asia and Southeast Asia: Exploring Health-promoting
Properties. HortScience, 47:821-827.
Bae, H., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Jifon, J., and Patil, B.S. 2012. Extraction efficiency and validation of HPLC method for the
flavonoid analysis from peppers. Food Chemistry, 130: 751-758.
Bae, H., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Jifon, J., and Patil, B.S. 2012. Variation of antioxidant activity and the levels of bioactive
compounds in lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts from hot pepper (Capsicum spp.) cultivars. Food Chemistry, 134,
1912-1918.
Bae, H., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Crosby, B., Jifon, J., and Patil, B.S. 2012. Influence of extraction solvents on antioxidant
activity and the content of bioactive compounds in non-pungent peppers. Plant Food and Human Nutrition, 67, 120128, PMID: 22569831.
Kim, J., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Uckoo, R.M., Patil, B.S. 2012. Evaluation of chemopreventive and cytotoxic effect of lemon
seed extracts on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 50:423-430.
Kim, J., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Vikram, A., and Patil, B.S. 2012. Citrus limonoid, methyl nomilinate, modulates cell cycle
regulators to induce cytotoxicity in human colon cancer (SW480) cell in vitro, Toxicology in vitro, 26, 1216-1223,
PMID: 22728232.
Potter, A.S, Foroudi, S., Stamatikos, A., Patil, B.S., and Deyhim F. 2011. Drinking carrot juice increases total antioxidant
status and decreases lipid peroxidation in adults. Nutrition Journal, 24:1-6, PMID: 21943297.
Vikram, A., Jesudhasan, P.R., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Pillai, S.D., Jayaraman, A., and Patil, B.S. 2011. Citrus flavonoid
represses Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 and motility in S. Typhimurium LT2. International Journal of Food
Microbiology, 145: 28-36, PMID: 21168230.
Borochov-Neori, H., Judeinstein, S., Harari, M., Bar-Ya'akov. I., Patil, B.S., Lurie, S., and Holland, D. 2011. Climate effects
on anthocyanin accumulation and composition in the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit arils. Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59: 5325-5334, PMID:21506517.
Mayuoni, L., Tietle, Z., Patil, B.S., and Porat, R. 2011. Does ethylene degreening affect internal quality of citrus fruit?.
Postharvest Biology and Technology, 62:50-58.
Manchali, S., Murthy, K.N.C, and Patil, B.S. 2011. Crucial facts about health benefits of popular cruciferous vegetables.
Journal of Functional Foods, 4: 94-106.
Jayaprakasha, G.K. Murthy, K.N.C., and Patil, B.S. 2011. Rapid HPLC-UV method for the quantification of L-citrulline
from watermelon and its effect on smooth muscle relaxation. Food Chemistry, 127:240-248.
Jayaprakasha, G.K., Dandekar, D.V., Tichy, S.E., Patil, B.S. 2011. Simultaneous separation and identification of limonoids
from citrus using liquid chromatography-collision induced dissociation mass spectra, Journal of Separation Science, 34:
2-10, PMID: 21171170.
Kim, J., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Muthuchamy, M., and Patil, B.S. 2011. Structure-function relationships of citrus limonoids on
p38 MAP kinase activity in human aortic smooth muscle cells, European Journal of Pharmacology, 670: 44-48, PMID:
21924259.
Chebrolu, K., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Jifon, J. and Patil, B.S. 2011. Optimization of flavanone extraction by modulating
differential solvent densities and centrifuge temperatures, Talanta, 85, 353-362, PMID: 21645710.
Murthy, K.N.C., Jayaprakasha, G.K. and Patil, B.S. 2011. Citrus limonoids obacunone and obuacunone glucoside inhibit
SW-480 human colon cancer cells by the induction of apoptosis. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 49: 1616-1625, PMID:
21338095.
Murthy, K.N.C., Jayaprakasha, G.K. and Patil, B.S. 2011. Apoptosis mediated cytotoxicity of citrus obacunone in human
pancreatic cancer cells, In vitro Toxicology, 25: 859-867, PMID: 21333732.
Murthy, K.N.C., Jayaprakasha, G.K. Vinod, K., Rathore, K.S., and Patil, B.S. 2011. Citrus limonin and its glucoside inhibit
colon adenocarcinoma cells through apoptosis. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59: 2314-2323,
PMID:21338095.
Vikram, A., Jesudhasan, P.R., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Pillai, S.D., and Patil, B.S. 2011. Citrus limonoids interfere with Vibrio
harveyi cell-cell signaling and biofilm formation by modulating response regulator luxO. Microbiology, 157: 99-110,
PMID: 20864476.
Uckoo, R.M., Jayaprakasha, G.K. and Patil, B.S. 2011. Rapid separation method of polymethoxyflavones from citrus using
flash chromatography. Separation and Purification Technology, 81: 157-158.
Uckoo, R.M., Jayaprakasha,G.K., Nelson, S.D., Patil,, B.S. 2011. Simultaneous quantification of amines and organic acids in
citrus using a rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method, Talanta, 83, 948-054, PMID: 21147342.
Yoo, K.S., Lee, E.J., Patil, B.S. 2011. Under estimation of pyruvic acid concentrations by fructose and cysteine in 2,4dinitrophenylhydrazine-mediated onion pungency test. Journal of Food Science, 76:1136-1142.
Yoo, K.S., Lee, E.J., Patil, B.S. 2011. Improved consistency in DNPH-mediated pyruvic acid analysis of onion juice by
modifying the sample processing order. Journal of Food Science, 76:162-167.
Lee, E.J., Yoo, K.S., Patil, B.S. 2011. Total carotenenoid, anthocyanin, and sugar in sliced or whole purple (cv. BetaSweet)
and orange carrots during 4-week cold storage. Hort Environ Biotech., 52: 402-407.
Bang, H., Cho, D.Y., Yoo, K.S. Yoon, M.K., Patil, B.S. Kim, S. 2011. Development of simple PCR-based markers linked to
the Ms locus, a restorer-of-fertility gene in onion (Allium cepa L.), Euphytica, 179:439-449.
Vikram, A., P. R. Jesudhasan, G. K. Jayaprakasha, S. D. Pillai, and B. S. Patil. 2010. Grapefruit bioactive limonoids
modulate E. coli O157:H7 TTSS and biofilm. Int. J. Food Microbiol., 140, 109-116.
Yoo, K.S., Lee, E.J., Patil, B.S. 2010. Quantification of quercetin glycosides in six onion cultivars and comparisons of
hydrolysis-HPLC and spectrophotometric methods in measuring total quercetin concentrations. Journal of Food Science,
75:C160-C165.
Lee, E.J., Yoo, K.S., Patil, B.S. 2010. Identification of candidate amino acids in the formation of pink-red pigments in onion
(Allium cepa L.) juice and separation by HPLC. Journal of Food Science, 75:C684-C689.
Lee, E.J., Yoo, K.S., Patil, B.S. 2010. Development of rapid HPLC-UV method for simultaneous quantification of
protodioscin and rutin in white and green asparagus spears. Journal of Food Science, 75:C703-C709.
Somasundaram, S., Anusuya, N., Pearce, K., Patil, B.S. and Manian, S. 2010. Molecular target for Indigofera tinctoria
extracts on human breast cancer cell growth inhibition, Journal of Applied Global Research, 3: 67-72.
Patil, J.R., K. N. C., Murthy, G.K., Jayaprakasha, Chetti, M.B., Patil, B.S. 2010. Characterization of Citrus aurantifolia
bioactive compounds and their inhibition of human pancreatic cancer cells through apoptosis. Microchemical Journal,
94:108-117.
Patil, J.R., G.K. Jayaprakasha, K. N. C., Murthy, Tichy, S.E., Chetti, M.B., Patil, B.S. 2009. Antiproliferative activity of
volatile oil isolated from Citrus aurantifolia in human colon cancer cells, Food Chemistry, 114, 1351-1358.
Jayaprakasha, G.K. Jadegoud, Y., Nagan Gowda, G.A, Patil, B.S. 2010. Bioactive compounds from sour orange inhibit
colon cell proliferation and induce cell cyclearrest. . Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58:180-186.
Leonardi, T., J. Vanamala, S.S., Taddeo, L.A. Davidson, M.E. Murphy, B.S. Patil, N. Wang, R.J. Carroll, R.S. Chapkin, J.R.
Lupton, N.D. Turner. 2010. Apigenin and naringenin suppress colon carcinogenesis through the aberrant crypt stage in
azoxymethane-treated rats. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 235:710-717.
Perez, P.L., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Cadena, A., Martinez, E., Ahmad, H., and Patil, B.S. 2010. In vivo induction of Phase II
detoxifying enzymes, Glutathione Transferase and Quinone Reductase, by Citrus triterpenoids, BMC Journal of
Complementary Medicine and Alternative, 10:51 doi:10.1186/1472-6882-10-51.
Patil, B.S., G.K. Jayaprakasha, K.N.C. Murthy, A. Vikram. 2009. Biological Activities: Historical Perspectives, Challenges
and Opportunities. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 57:8142-8160.
Cho, J.E., Lee, E.J., Yoo, K.S., Lee, S.K., Patil, B.S. 2009. Identification of candidate amino acids involved in the formation
of blue pigments in crushed garlic cloves (Allium sativim, L). Journal of Food Science, 74:C11-C16.
Kim, W., Yang-Yi, F., Smith, R., Patil, B.S., Jayaprakasha, G.K., McMurry, D.N. Chapkin, R.S. 2009. Dietary curcumin and
limonin suppress CD41 T-cell proliferation and Interleukin-2 production in mice1–3. Journal of Nutrition, 139:10421048. PMI: 19321585.
Vikram, A., G.K., Jayaprakasha, R., Jesudhasan, S.D., Pillai, B.S. Patil. 2010. Suppression of bacterial cell-cell signaling,
biofilm formation and type III secretion system by citrus flavonoids. Journal of Applied Microbiology 109:515-527.
Perez, J.L., Jayaprakasha, Violeta, V., Munoz, D, Dandekar, D.V., Ahmad, H., Patil, B.S. 2009. Limonin methoxylation
influences induction of glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,
57:5279-5286.
Kim, S., Lee, Eul-Tai, Cho, D.Y., Han, T. H., Bang, H., Patil, B.S., Ahn, Y.K., Yoon, Moo-Kyoung. 2009. Identification of a
novel chimeric gene, orf725, and its use in development of a molecular marker for distinguishing among three cytoplasm
types in onion (Allium cepa L.). Theoretical and Applied Genetics 118:433-441.
Lee, E.J., K.S. Yoo, J. Jifon, and B.S. Patil. 2009. Application of extra sulfur to high-sulfur soils does not increase pungency
and related compounds in short-day onions. Scientia Horticulturae 123:178-193.
Lee, E.J., Yoo, K.S., Jifon, J., and Patil, B.S. 2009. Characterization of short-day onion cultivars of 3 pungency levels with
flavor precursor, free amino acid, sulfur, and sugar contents. J. Food Sci. 76:475-480.
Mandadi, K.K., Ramirez, M., Faraji, B., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Lihono, M., Deyhim, F. Patil, B.S. 2009. Citrus bioactive
compounds improve bone quality and plasma antioxidant activity in orchidectomized rats, Phytomedicine 16: 513-520.
Girennavar, B., S. E. Simpkins, Jayaprakasha G.K., S. Pillai, K.S.,Yoo, and Patil, B.S. 2008. Influence of electron beam
irradiation on bioactive compounds in grapefruits (Citrus paradisi Macf.), Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,
56:10941-10946.
Deyhim, F., K. Mandadi, B.S.Patil, B., Faraji. 2008. Grapefruit pulp increases antioxidant status and improves bone quality
in orchidectomized rats. Nutrition, 24:1039-1044.
Dandekar, D.V., Jayaprakasha, G.K. and B.S., Patil. 2008. Hydrotropic extraction of bioactive citrus limonoid from sour
orange (Citrus aurantium L.) seeds. Food Chemistry 109: 515-520.
Jayaprakasha, G.K., Mandadi, K.K., Poulose, S.M., Jadegoud, Y., Nagana Gowda, G.A., and Patil, B.S. 2008. Novel
triterpinoid from Citrus aurantium L. possess chemopreventive properties against human colon cancer cells, Bioorganic
and Medicinal Chemistry, 16: 5939-5951.
Girennavar, B., Jayaprakasha G. K., Jifon, J.L. and Patil, B.S. 2008. Variation of bioactive furocoumarins and flavonoids in
different varieties of grapefruits and pummelo. European Food Research and Technology, 226: 1269-1275.
Girennavar, B., Jayaprakasha G. K., and Patil, B.S. 2008. Influence of pre- and postharvest factors and processing on the
levels of furocoumarins in grapefruits (Citrus paradisi Macf.), Food Chemistry, 111, 387-392.
Miller, E.G., J.J. Peacock, T. Campbell Bourland, S.E. Taylor, J.M. Wright, J.M. and Patil, B.S. 2008. Inhibition of oral
carcinogenesis by citrus flavonoids. Nutrition and Cancer, 60:1-6.
Jayaprakasha, G.K., Girennavar, B. and Patil, B.S. 2008. Evaluation of the antioxidant activities in Rio Red and sour orange
fruit extracts in vitro models systems, Bio-Resource Technology, 99, 4484-4494.
Chapkin, R.S., D.N. McMurray, L.A. Davidson, B.S. Patil, Y.Y. Fan and J.R. Lupton. 2008. Bioactive dietary long chain
fatty acids: Emerging mechanisms of action. British Journal of Nutrition,100:1152-1157.
Perez, J.L, Jayaprakasha, G.K, Yoo. K.S., Patil, B.S. 2008. Determination of D-glucarate in grapefruit varieties by HighPerformance Liquid Chromatography, Journal of Chromatography, 1190, 394-397.
Dandekar, D.V., Jayaprakasha, G.K, and Patil, B.S. 2008. Simultaneous extraction of limonoid aglycones and glucosides
from Citrus aurantium L. using hydrotropy, Z. Naturforschung, 63c, 176-180.
Jayaprakasha, G.K., B. Girennavar and B.S. Patil. 2008. Evaluation of antioxidant capacity of pummelo and navel oranges:
extraction efficiency of solvents. LWT Food Science and Technology, 41, 376-384, 2008.
Deyhim, F., K. Mandadi, Faraji, B., and B.S. Patil. 2008. Grapefruit juice modulates bone quality in rats. Journal of
Medicinal Food, 11:99-104.
Soni, K., P. Jesudhasan, M. Cepeda, Jayaprakasha G.K.., B.S. Patil, M. Hume, and S.D. Pillai. 2008. Identification of ground
beef-derived fatty acids working as inhibitors of autoinducer-2 (AI-2)-based cell signaling. Journal of Food Protection,
71:134-138.
Girennavar, B., G.K. Jayaprakasha, Jadegouda, G.A. Nagana Gowda, and B.S. Patil. 2007. Radical scavenging and
cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitory activity of bergaptol and geranylcoumarin from grapefruit. Bioorganic and Medicinal
Chemistry,15: 3684-3691.
Yu, J., R.T. Toledo, R.K. Singh, D.V. Dandekar, L.M. Pike and B.S. Patil. 2007. Supercritical fluid extraction: An efficient
method for bioactive compounds from grapefruit seed. Food Chemistry, 105:1026-1031.
Jayaprakasha, G.K., K.K. Mandadi, S.M. Poulose, Jadegouda, G.A. Nagana Gowda, and B.S. Patil. 2007. Inhibition of
human colon cancer cells and antioxidant activity by bioactive compounds from Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. Bioorganic
and Medicinal Chemistry, 14:4923-4932.
Mandadi, K.K., G.K. Jayaprakasha, N. Bhat. B.S. Patil. 2007. Red Mexican Grapefruit: A novel source for bioactive
limonoids and their antioxidant activity. Z. Naturforschung C, 62C:179-188.
Vikram, A., G. K. Jayaprakasha, and B. S. Patil. 2007. Simultaneous quantification of citrus limonoid aglycones and
glucosides by high performance liquid chromatography. Analytica Chemica Acta, 590:180-186.
Tian, Q., E.G. Miller, G.K. Jayaprakasha, E.G. Miller, and B.S. Patil. 2007. An improved HPLC method for the analysis of
citrus limonoids in culture media. Journal of Chromatography, B 846: 385-390.
Girennavar, B., G. K. Jayaprakasha, and B.S. Patil. 2007. Potent inhibition of human Cytochrome P450 3A4, 2D6 and 2C9
isoenzymes by grapefruit juice and its furocoumarins. Journal of Food Science, 72:417-421.
Jayaprakasha, G.K. and B.S. Patil. 2007. In vitro evaluation of the antioxidant activities in fruit extracts from and citron and
blood orange. Food Chemistry, 101:410-418.
Bae, H., Jayaprakasha, G., Jifon, J. and Patil, B. 2009. Late season Sour Orange Seeds: Major Source of Deacetylnomilin.
Proc. 2nd International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables. Ed. B. Patil. Acta Hort.
841:471-473.
Chebrolu, K., Jayaprakasha, G., Jifon, J. and Patil, B. 2009. Simultaneous Quantification of Narigin, Hesperidin and
Narirutin in Citrus Juice. Proc. 2nd International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables. Ed.
B. Patil. Acta Hort. 841:487-490.
Chidambara, K., Jayaprakasha, G. and Patil, B. 2009. Limonin and its glucoside from citrus can inhibit colon cancer:
Evidence from in vitro studies. Proc. 2nd International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables.
Ed. B. Patil. Acta Hort,. 841:145-151.
Somasundaram, K.P. Gunasekera, R., J., G.K. Jayaprakasha, B.S. Patil, Differential phosphorylations of NFkB and cell
growth of MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cell line by limonin, Proc. 2nd International Symposium on Human
Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables. Ed. B. Patil. Acta Hort., 841, 151-154, 2009.
Uckoo, R.M., Nelson, S.D., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Patil, B.S. Impact of Low Water Use Systems on Bioactive Flavonoids of
Grapefruit, Proc. 2nd International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables. Ed. B. Patil. Acta
Hort., 841, 607-610, 2009.
Bang, H., L.M. Pike, B.S. Patil, and K.S. Yoo. 2009. Structural gene expression in carotenoid biosynthetic pathway of carrot
during root development. Proc. 2nd International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables. Ed.
B. Patil. Acta Hort. 841:475-478.
Cho, J.E., S.K.Lee, B.S.Patil, E.J. Lee, and K.S. Yoo. 2009. Separation of blue pigments in crushed garlic cloves: the color
forming potential of individual amino acids. Proc. 2nd International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and
Vegetables. Ed. B. Patil. Acta Hort. 841:491-493.
Lee, E.J., K.S.Yoo, B.S. Patil, J.E. Cho, and S.K. Lee. 2009. Flavor precursor and amino acids involved in blue-green
pigment formation in crushed garlic cloves. Proc. 2nd International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and
Vegetables. Ed. B. Patil. Acta Hort. 841:541-544. Patil, B.S. Jayaprakash, G.K. and Harris, E.D. 2007. Impact of citrus limonoids on human health. Acta Hort. 744. 127-134.
Harris, E.D. S.M. Poulose, Patil, B.S. 2007. Citrus limonoids are unique and effective anticancer agents. Acta Hort. 744.
165-170.
Yoo, K.S., L. M. Pike, B.S. Patil, D. Leskovar, K. Crosby, and S. King. 2007. Challenges of phytochemical analysis and its
application in developing new fruits and vegetables with improved health benefits. Acta Hort. 744. 101-106.
Healthy vegetable, fruit research draws students to agricultural studies that pay off. AgriLife Today- Kathleen PhillipsMarch 8, 2012.
Introducing Microgreens: Younger, And Maybe More Nutritious, Vegetables. NPR News- Eliza Barclay- August 31, 2012.
Texas AgriLife Researchers making better melons. AgriLife Today- Paul Schattenberg-September 2011.
Artichokes grow big in Texas- American Society for Horticultural Science News- November 10, 2011.
Ehrenberg, Rachel. Monday, 3/22/2010. Ingredient of dark roasted coffees may make them easier on the tummy. Science
News, Web edition.
Ingredient of dark roasted coffees may make them medicinal value of fruits and vegetable to be studied- The Hindu Feb 23,
2010. http://hindu.com/2010/02/23/stories/2010022355200500.htm
U.S. Center sees cure in usual greens- Deccan Herald Feb 22, 2010.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/54314/us-centre-sees-cure-usual.html
They are really good for you. Laici Wedel- Feb 19, 2010.
http://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/news/2-2010-traintrainer.php
Students study science of foods for health. Samantha Smith- January 22, 2010- http://ccts.osu.edu/news-highlight/studentsstudy-science-healthy-food
Patil received Vice Chancellor’s award for Research Excellence. Kathleen Phillips- January 12, 2010.
(http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1687)
Horticulture Course Highlights Fruits, Vegetables, and Good Health. Laici Wedel- October 2, 2010
http://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/news/10-2009-hort_course.php
All ‘Choked up in Texas. Texas Gardener, Vol. XXVIII, No. 5. Leander, Patty Glenn. July/August 2009.
Consumers, health to be spotlighted at Austin vegetable conference- Agrilife Communication. Kathleen Phillips-August
18,2009.
Top Stories Nutrition sells produce but education is key, panel agrees. Pamela Riemenschneider- August 27, 2009.
Three professors honored- August 14, 2009. The Eagle.
Horticulture Faculty Recognized by American Society for Horticultural Science. Bill Gibbs- August 7, 2009.
What’s the apple of your eye? researchers ask. AgriLife News. Kathleen Phillips- July 24, 2009.
Patil: for he's a jolly good science fellow. AgriLife News. Kathleen Phillips- July 23, 2009
A&M maroon carrot branches out. Houston Chronicle. Erick Berger- October 26, 2008.
Tastier, Healthier melons aim of Texas A&M researchers. The Batt online. Julie Rambin- July 8, 2009.
Myth Buster: Is Organic Food Better for You? AARPBulletinToday. Beth Goulart- April 16, 2009.
Tasty Prevention. Texas A&M AgriLife Lifescapes. Dr. Claire Hemingway- Spring 2009.
“Good health, in a lemon.” Hindustan Times. Sanchita Sharma- January 14, 2007.
“Horticultural Society Reaches Out to Students, Other Disciplines.” AgNews. Rod Santa Ana III- January 26, 2007.
“Creating Knowledge through Discovery,” Images, IMAGERESERCHVALLEY.COM, 2007 (April).
“Ask A Hispanic: Oh No! I Just Ate An Entire Avocado. Is My Diet Ruined?”, Hispanic.com. Judy Caplan- April 20, 2007,
8 AM.
“Bone: Diet and exercise are not always enough.” The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Susan Morse- June 30, 2007, Page E4.
Maintain the center website, two class websites, and three Facebook discussion groups for the classes:
Vegetable & Fruit Improvement Center http://vfic.tamu.edu/
HORT 640 http://agrilife.org/phytochemicals/
HORT 640 https://www.facebook.com/phytochemicals.vfic
HORT 689 http://agrilife.org/foodsforhealth/
HORT 689 http://www.facebook.com/groups/320710744645926/
Editor-Books/Symposium Series 2007-1012
Editor
Patil, B.S. Jayaprakasha, G.K. Murthy, K.N.C and Seeram, N.R. (Editors) 2012. Emerging Trends in Dietary Components
for Preventing and Combating Disease. ACS symposium series 1093, Oxford University Press, New York, USA.
Patil, B.S., Murano, P., and Amiot-Carlin, M.-J (Editors). International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and
Vegetables: FAVHEALTH 2007, ISHS Acta Horticulturae 841.
Chapters:
Jayaprakasha, G.K., Vikram, A., and Patil, B.S. 2012. Analysis Methods of Flavanones, In-Analysis of Antioxidant-Rich
Phytochemicals, pp 275-311, Edited by Xu & Howard, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Kim, J., Jayaprakasha,G.K., Vikram, A., and Patil, B.S. 2012. Cancer chemopreventive properties of citrus limonoids, In: Emerging Trends in Dietary Components for Preventing and Combating Disease, Editors: Patil, B.S., Jayaprakasha,
G.K., Murthy, K. N. C., and Seeram, N., ACS symposium series 1093, 37-50, Oxford University press, New York, USA.
Murthy, K.N.C., Jayaprakasha, G.K., and Patil, B.S. 2012. Citrus monoterpenes: potential source of phytochemicals for
cancer prevention. In-Emerging Trends in Dietary Components for Preventing and Combating Disease. Editors: Patil,
B.S., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Murthy, K. N. C., and Seeram, N., ACS symposium series 1093, 545-558, Oxford University
press, New York, USA.
Uckoo, R., Jayaprakasha, G.K. and Patil, B.S. 2012. Chromatographic Techniques for the Separation of
Polymethoxyflavones from Citrus, In: Emerging Trends in Dietary Components for Preventing and Combating Disease,
Editors: Patil, B.S., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Murthy, K. N. C., and Seeram, N., ACS symposium series 1093, 3-15, Oxford
University Press, New York, USA.
Jifon, J., Lester, G., Stewart, M., Crosby, K., Leskovar, D., Patil, B.S. 2011. Fertilizer use and functional qualities of fruits
and vegetables. IFA-IPNI.
Jayaprakasha, G.K., Murthy, K.N.C. and Patil, B.S. Antioxidant activities of polyphenol containing extracts from citrus, In
Functional Food and Health, edited by Shibamoto, T., Kanazawa, K., Shahidi, F., and Ho, C.-T. ACS symposium series
993, pp. 264-276, 2008, Oxford University press, USA.
Jayaprakasha, G. K., B. S. Patil, and N. G. Bhat. Process for the Isolation of Limonoid Glucosides from Citrus. The Texas
A&M University System, assignee. Patent 0237885. 11 Oct. 2007.
Horticulture 640 (Initially taught as Horticulture 689), Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables to Improve Human Health:
Fall 2007, 2010 and 2011. This course is also offered to students at Ohio State University and Colorado State University.
This is funded by the USDA-Challenge grant to develop a multi-disciplinary course.
Horticulture 489, Science of Foods for Health: Fall 2009. This course also offered to students at Iowa State and Ohio State
University. This is funded by the USDA-Challenge grant 2006-38411-17095 to develop a multi-disciplinary course.
Horticulture 689, Science of Foods for Health: Fall 2012. This course also offered to students at Iowa State and Ohio State
University.
Horticulture 691, Research, each semester from Fall 2007 through Fall 2012 at Texas A&M University and on average more
than six students registered.
Advised/co-advised
Basavaraj Girennavar. 2007. Ph.D. Grapefruit Juice Drug Interaction: Isolation, Synthesis and Biological Activity of
Furocoumarins and Their Variation due to Pre- and Post-harvest Factors
Jose Perez. 2007. M.S. Citrus bioactive compounds influencing Phase II detoxifying enzymes: Potential for cancer
chemoprevention.
Jaiprakash Patil. 2009. Ph.D. Isolation and characterization of Bio active compounds in Lime and also study their potential
in prevention of cancer by cell culture studies (Graduated at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad).
Alavaro Proano. 2008. M.S. Impact of low pressure drip systems and N sources on onion yield and quality.
Togo Shinohara. 2008. M.S. Development of management practices for artichoke production in southwest Texas.
Madhurababu Kunta. 2010. Ph.D. Towards The Development of Broad-Spectrum Disease Resistance in Citrus
Naoko N. Nomura. 2011. M.A. Internship at Messina Hof Winery: Analysis of total phenolics in several wine varieties.
Jin Hee Kim. 2011. Ph.D. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Citrus Limonoids and Their Isolation and Characterization.
Justin Butcher. 2011. Ph.D. Conventional Breeding and Molecular Techniques to Improve Phytochemical Concentrations
in Pepper (Capsicum Spp).
Hae Jeen Bae. 2011. Ph.D. Sample Preparation Methods and Pre-harvest Factors Affecting Concentrations of Bioactive
Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Peppers.
Amit Vikram. 2011. Ph.D. Isolation and Purification of Citrus Bioactive Compounds and Elucidation of their Anti-quorum
sensing and Biofilm Inhibition properties
Ren Yan. 2011. Ph.D. Genetic Engineering of beta-carotene production in honeydew melons (Cucumis melo L. inodorus).
Murli Manohar. 2012. Ph.D. Functional & structural characterization of cation/H+ Antiporters.
Rammohan Uckoo. 2012. Ph.D. Production systems and processing effect on phytochemicals in citrus fruits and their
analytical and isolation methods.
Kranthi Chebrolu. 2012. Ph.D. Optimization and isolation of grapefruit secondary metabolites and their changes due to
production systems and storage.
Shinsuke Agehara. Current Ph.D. Student. Investigating effects abscisic acid function in vegetable transplants and its
applications to extend marketing period and improve desiccation tolerance.
Jose Perez. Current Ph.D. Student. Isolation and Purification of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia Linn.) Bioactives and
Their Anti-Diabetic Properties
Priyanka Chaudhary. Current Ph.D. Student. Investigating Effects of different post-harvest treatments and storability on
nutritional quality of grapefruits.
Akshata Kulkarni. Current M.S. Student.
Basavaraj Girennavar – CEO, Rico Wines, India; CEO, Criyagen Agri and Biotech Ltd
Alavaro Proano Togo Shinohara - Research Scientist, Japanese International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences
Jose Perez – Chemist, USDA ARS
Jaiprakash Patil – Associate Professor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, India
Madhurababu Kunta – Scientist, Texas A&M University- Kingsville Citrus Center.
Jin Hee Kim – Research Professor, Sahmyook University, South Korea
Justin Butcher – Vegetable Breeder, Emerald Seed Co.
Hae Jeen Bae – Postdoctoral Research Associate, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, South Korea
Amit Vikram – Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine,
University of Pittsburgh
Ren Yan – Scientist, Phillips Research
Murli Manohar – Postdoctoral Fellow, Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University
Rammohan Uckoo – Postdoctoral Research Associate, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Kranthi Chebrolu – Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
Jennifer Waters. 2008. Ph.D. Dept. of Horticultural Sciences. Carotenoid in planta development, storage and bioaccessibility:
a comprehensive approach to nutrient analysis.
Sunita Negi. 2008. M.S. Dept. of Biological & Agricultural Engineering. Optimization of process variables in adsorption of
ferulic acid by XAD-4 resin.
Sean Thompson. 2010. M.S. Dept. of Molecular & Environmental Sciences. Understanding Calcium Partitioning by
Expression of Membrane Transport and Binding Proteins in Tobacco and Carrots
Leonnard On Wang. 2012. Ph.D. Anti-inflammatory properties of cowpea phenotypes with different phenolic profiles. Dept.
of Molecular & Environmental Sciences.
Molecular & Environmental Plant Sciences
Faculty of Nutrition
$2,143,671 “Chemoprotective effects of natural products on colonic adult stem cells,” NIH-NCCAM1R01CA168312-01, PD’s: Chapkin, R. and Patil, B.S. July 2011 – June 2015. (BP-$61,340)
$489,929 “The Science of Foods for Health: A multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary effort for undergraduate
education,” USDA-Higher Education Challenge Grant 2006-38411-17095-PD: Patil; Co-PD: S.
Schwartz (Ohio State University), N. Knobloch (Purdue University), D. Birt (Iowa State
University) Sept 2006–Aug 2011. (BP-$239,929)
$1,219,218 “Designing Foods for Health,” USDA-Special Grant 2009-34402-19831,
PD: Patil, B.S., Sept 2009-Aug 2012.
$294,000 “Optimization of postharvest storage conditions to maintain fruit quality and health maintaining
properties of grapefruit,” TIE-BARD-8056-08.; PD &PI (Texas): Patil, B.S. and PI (Israel): Porat,
R. Collaborators: Jayaprakasha, G.K. and Murthy, K.N.C., June 2008–June 2011 (BP-$144,000).
$1,375,095 “Designing Foods for Health,” USDA-Special Grant 2008-34402-19195, PD: Patil, B.S., Sept
2008-Aug 2011.
$10,000 “Second International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables,” USDANRI-conference grant, PI: Patil, B.S., June 2007–May 2008.
$1,848,440 “Designing Foods For Health,” USDA-CSREES-Special Grant 2006-34402-17121, PD: Patil, B.S.,
Sept 2006-Aug 2009
$61,052 “Evaluation of citrus limonoids against neuroblastomas- Animal Studies,” Super Jake Foundation,
PD: Harris, E.; Co-PD: Patil, B.S., May 2005–April 2008.
$1,270,000 “Designing Foods for Health,” USDA-Hatch, PD: Patil, B.S., Sept 2007-Aug 2008.
$99,000 “Second International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables,”
Symposium Chair: Patil, B.S, May 2006–March 2008.
**Special grants are allocated to approximately 23 scientists based on their competitive research focused on
foods for health and the lead PI is responsible for writing proposal and project management.
***Total amount (Patil).
Invited by the USDA-CSREES as Ad hoc Reviewer- USDA-ARS NP306 Quality- December 2011.
Invited by the USDA-CSREES as Ad hoc Reviewer- USDA-ARS NP306 Quality- August 2011
USDA-CSREES as Peer Panel Member- USDA-ARS NP306 Quality- April 21-24, 2010
Invited by the USDA-CSREES as Ad hoc Reviewer- USDA-ARS NP306 Quality- August 2010
Invited by the USDA-CSREES as Peer Review Panel Member to evaluate the proposals- Washington, D.C. April 2007 and
April 2008.
Editor-Acta Horticulturae 841
Editor-American Chemical Society Symposium Series-1093
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Food Chemistry
Journal of Food Science and Technology
Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry
Life Sciences
HortScience
Expert reviewer for Sunkist Citrus Nutrition Platform
Book chapter- American Chemical Society
Internal university/agency service on committees 2007 – 2012
Elected member, Council of Principal Investigator, Texas A&M University-2010-present
Member, Council on Built Environment, Texas A&M University-2012-present
Chair-Selection Committee, Vegetable molecular breeding/functional food faculty position, TAMU-2006-2008.
Member- Vice Chancellor’s Agriculture Faculty Advisory Committee, TAMU, College Station, TX 2007-2008.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences, Graduate Faculty, College Station, TX 2007-2012
TAMU Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences, Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
TAMUK Department of Agronomy and Resource Sciences, Adjunct Graduate Faculty, Kingsville, TX 2007-2012
TAMU Department of Nutrition, Member Faculty of Nutrition, College Station, TX 2007-2012
Program Director and Convener for the Workshop on curriculum development for developing a course “The Science of
Foods for Health,” 2007
TAMU coordinator for the US-India Knowledge Based Initiative on Agricultural Research and education, 2007-2012
Leadership role in Service activities to industry
Advisory Board:
Florida Department of Citrus Health and Wellness Advisory-2011
Texas Vegetable Association: 2010- until now
Tropicana Nutrition Advisory:2008-until now
Sunkist Nutrition Group-Advisory 2009
Co-chair, Goal-3 and member of steering committee-National Vegetable Research Initiative-This is a national level industryacademic effort.
Served as a committee member of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences,
Publications Committee 2002-2007
International Advisory Committee 2002-2012
Citrus Committee 2007-2012
Teaching Methods Committee 2007-2012
Postharvest Committee 2007-2012
Produce Quality and Safety and Health Properties 2007-2012
Tropical Horticulture 2012
Leadership Role in Professional Societies
Fellow, American Society for Horticultural Sciences-‐2009
Chair-Tropical Horticulture (TROP) working Group (2001-02; 2005-06; 2008-2011)
Chair-International Topics of Concern (ITCH) working group-1999-00
Founding Chair- Association of Horticulturists of Indian Origin (AHIO)-2005-07
International Society for Horticultural Science
Vice Chair, Commission Fruits and Vegetables and Health (2011-present)
International Advisory Scientific Committee member- First workshop “Networking the FAV and Health Networks”-28th
ISHS Congress, Lisbon, Portugal-2010.
Chair- Citrus Biochemistry Session- 11th International Citrus Congress, October 2008, Wuhan, China.
Chair- Symposium on “Human Health Benefits of Citrus”- IX International Citrus Congress-2000, Orlando, FL.
FAV symposium series. Yves Dejardins and Patil established an international symposium on Human Health Effects of
Fruits and Vegetables (FAV Health) in 2005. As a Chair of the second international symposium on FAV Health 2007,
which was hosted by the VFIC in Houston and sponsored by the ASHS and ISHS. Number of participants increased to
300 from 38 countries. FAV Health continues to succeed; symposia were held in 2009 (France), 2012 (India) and are
scheduled be hosted in 2014 (Australia) and 2016 (Brazil).
Chaired FAV Health 2007 and the number of countries participated in 2007 was almost double the number attending
FAV health 2005 in Quebec City.
American Chemical Society- Division of Agriculture and Food Chemistry
Fellow, American Chemical Society, Division of Ag Food Chemistry
Program Chair-2006- Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2,700 members) of the American Chemical Society
(14,000 members).
Chair-2007-Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2,700 members) of the American Chemical Society (14,000
members).
Nomination Committee Chair- 2008. Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Co-Chair: International symposium on "Pre-and postharvest and processing effect on bioactive health maintaining
properties” as a part of the AGFD division of the American Chemical Society-2008
Co-chair: International Symposium on "Agricultural and Food Derived Natural Products for Preventing and Combating
Disease" as a part of the AGFD division of the American Chemical Society- 38 speakers-2010
Member, International Society for Horticulture Sciences
Member, International Society of Citriculture
Association of Horticulturists of Indian Origin: Chair 2007, Life Member
Moderator of the Third biennial Society meeting for Free Radical Research-Asia and Sixth Annual meeting of the Society for
Free radical research-India (SFRR-India), 2007
Rio Grande Horticulture Society: President 2007, Life Member
Served as a member of the International Society for Nutraceutical and Functional Conference 2009
Served as a member of the International Organizing Committee- Second International Symposium on Translational Research:
Natural Products and Cancer 2007-2008
Served as a member of the Southern American Society for Horticultural Sciences 2007-2012
Adjunct Graduate Faculty – Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agril. Sciences, Dharwad, India 2007-2012
Adjunct Graduate Faculty – Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agril. Sciences, Dharwad, India 2007-2012
Received the 2010 Vice Chancellor Research Excellence Award, Texas A&M University, Texas AgriLife -2010.
Special Recognition for outstanding Contribution and dedicated Services to the Kannada Community of North America by
the Association of Kannada Koota of North America, Edison, New Jersey, USA-September 2010.
Inducted as a fellow of the Division of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, American Chemical Society, 2009.
Inducted as a fellow of the American Society for Horticulture Sciences, 2009.
Inducted as a Faculty Fellow of the Texas A&M University AgriLife, College Station, TX 2009.
Harold Brent Pemberton
Professor of Ornamental Horticulture
b-pemberton@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Pemberton has a research appointment at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and
Extension Center at Overton, Texas. He has been a project leader for Ornamental
Research since 1982. His research specialties include bedding plant production and
greenhouse and garden performance evaluations, postharvest performance, field and
nursery production of garden roses, and plant growth regulators. He is Chair of the
Executive Board for the Texas Superstar® Program. His research efforts are highly
integrated with Extension programs through joint efforts with the Texas Superstar®
program and the Master Gardener programs in Smith and Rusk Counties.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D
1983
B.S.
1978
Institution
University of Minnesota
Major
September 1999 to present - Professor - Horticulture, Texas AgriLife Research. Texas AgriLife Research & Extension
Center, PO Box 200, Overton, Texas. Member of the Graduate Faculty since 1985. Member of the Plant Physiology Faculty
from 1991 to 2005.
September 1988 to September 1999 - Associate Professor - Horticulture, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Texas
A&M University Agricultural Research & Extension Center, PO Box 200, Overton, Texas.
October 1982 - September 1988 - Assistant Professor - Horticulture, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Texas A&M
University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, PO Box E, Overton, Texas.
September 1978 - October 1982 - Research Assistant - University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota.
1980 and 1981 (Winter Quarters) - Teaching Assistant - University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota.
October 1977 to May 1978 - Student Assistant - Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.
1. Schuch, U.K., H.B. Pemberton, and J.J. Kelly. 2007. Post harvest moisture loss from bare-root roses affects
performance of containerized plants. HortScience 42(3):622-625.
2. Mackay, W.A., H.B. Pemberton, J. Maxim, and S. Pillai. 2008. Ionizing irradiation using electron beam to control
importation of biothreat agents in geranium cuttings inhibits rooting. HortScience 43(3):955-956.
3. Beach, S.E., T.W. Starman, K.L. Eixmann, H.B. Pemberton, and K.M. Heinz. 2009. Reduced end-of-production
fertilization rate increased postproduction shelf life of containerized vegetative annuals. HortTechnology 19(1):158167.
4. Pemberton, H.B. M.A. Arnold, T. Davis, D. Lineberger, C. McKenney, D. Rodriguez, L. Stein, C. Hall, M. Palma,
and R. De Los Santos. 2011. The Texas Superstar® Program: Success through Partnership. HortTechnology
21(6):698-699.
Refereed Symposium proceedings 2007-2012
1. Byrne, D.H., N. Anderson, and H.B. Pemberton. 2007. The use of Rosa wichuraiana in the development of
landscape roses adapted to hot humid climates. Fourth International Symposium on Rose Research and Cultivation.
Acta Horticulturae 751:267-274.
2. Pemberton, H.B. and U.K. Schuch. 2007. Relationship between visually determined starch content and flowering
of containerized field-grown garden roses. Fourth International Symposium on Rose Research and Cultivation.
Acta Horticulturae 751:105-109.
3. Shupert, D., D.H. Byrne, and H.B. Pemberton. 2007. Inheritance of flower traits, leaflet number, and prickles in
roses. Fourth International Symposium on Rose Research and Cultivation. Acta Horticulturae 751:331-335.
4.
5.
Schuch, U.K. and H.B. Pemberton. 2010. Growth and water use of garden roses in two climates in the
southwestern United States. Fifth International Symposium on Rose Research and Cultivation. Acta Horticulturae
870:39-45.
Greyvenstein, O.F.C., T.W. Starman, H.B. Pemberton, G. Niu, and D.H. Byrne. 2012. Towards phenotyping heat
tolerance in garden roses. Acta. Hort. 961:181-186.
1. Anonymous. 2007. Overton field day planned June 28. Tyler Morning Telegraph Thursday 14 June 2007:C11.
Written about faculty member research.
2. Snow, D. 2007 (October). Goldsmith’s Cora vinca: strength and beauty. Greenhouse Grower 25(12):86. Includes
section about faculty member research.
3. Rodda, K. 2007 (October). Trial sites put plants to the test. GMPro 27(10):49. Includes section about faculty
member research.
4. White, B. 2007 (November). Evaluating new varieties. Livescapes - November 1 issue. Includes section about
faculty member research. Also includes several images taken by faculty member.
5. Anonymous. 2008 (January). North Texas Winner’s Circle Awards. TNLA Green 10(1):36. Includes section
about faculty member research. Also includes images taken by faculty member.
6. Burns, R. 2008. East Texas Hort Day attracts professional and amateur gardeners. AgNews News and Public
Affairs Texas A&M AgriLife http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=552 . Written about faculty member
research.
7. Burns, R. 2009 (10 June). Overton horticultural field day to include flowers and vegetables. AgriLife News.
http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1248 . Written about faculty member research.
8. Evans, G. 2009 (14 June). Luscious Landscapes. Longview News-Journal Section C:1-2. Includes section about
faculty member research.
9. Burns, R. 2009 (25 June). East Texas horticultural field day serves $500 million market. AgriLife News.
10. Burns, R. 2009 (2 July). Two Iowa transplants among those thriving at field day in Overton. The Overton Press
81(27):1 and 6. Article about faculty member research.
11. Anonymous. 2009 (14 October). Seminar. Henderson Daily News page 3. Includes section about faculty member
research.
12. Kuack, D. 2009 (October). Field trials report: best performers. Greenhouse Management & Production 29(10):2429. Includes section about faculty member research.
13. Onofrey, D. 2009 (November). Taking the field. Greenhouse Grower 27(13):68-74. Includes section about faculty
member research.
14. Fried, D. 2010. North Texas Winner’s Circle Awards for 2009. TNLA Green 12(2):19. Written about faculty
member research. Received third most clicks in online version.
15. Burns, R. 2010 (3 May). Grandma’s Yellow Rose selected as Texas Superstar. AgriLife News.
16. Burns, R. 2010 (14 May). Dakota Gold: a Texas Superstar ‘weed-to-riches’ story. AgriLife News.
17. Burns, R. 2010 (2 June). Satsuma Miho mandarins tolerate 14 degrees Fahrenheit. AgriLife News.
18. Burns, R. 2010 (10 June). East Texas Horticultural Field Day set June 24. AgriLife News.
19. Kuack, D. 2010 (11 June). Universities schedule plant trial events. Greenhouse Management.
http://www.greenhousemanagementonline.com/universities-schedule-plant-trial-events.aspx . Written about faculty
member research.
20. Anonymous. 2010 (19 June). Horticultural field day set for June 24. Kilgore News Herald p. 2A. Written about
faculty member research.
21. Macha, L. 2010 (22 September). More summer-time winners for your garden. El Campo Leader-News p. 6-C.
22. Kuack, D. 2010. (5 October). Field Trials report. Greenhouse Management.
http://www.greenhousemanagementonline.com/gmpro-1010-field-trials-report.aspx. Written about faculty member
research.
23. Onofrey, D. 2010 (November). 2010 Field Trials: Texas A&M University. Greenhouse Grower.
http://www.greenhousegrower.com/varietycentral/?storyid=3854 . Written about faculty member research.
24. Pemberton, H.B., M. Arnold, and C. McKenney. 2011. 2011 Texas Superstars®. TNLA Green 13 (1):14-16.
25. Pemberton, H.B. 2011. Labor day report 2010: summer survivors East Texas ornamental plant evaluations. TNLA
Region III News. January 9-12.
26. Burns, R. 2011 (April 20). ‘Faux snapdragon’ Superstar can thrive in Texas heat. AgriLife News.
http://agrilife.org/today/2011/04/20/%e2%80%98faux-snapdragon%e2%80%99-superstar-can-thrive-in-texas-heat/ .
27. Burns, R. 2011 (May 25). Turk’s cap named new Texas Superstar. AgriLife News.
http://agrilife.org/today/2011/05/25/turks-cap-named-new-texas-superstar/ Written about faculty member research.
28. Burns, R. 2011 (May 27). East Texas horticultural Field Day set June 23. AgriLife News.
http://agrilife.org/today/2011/05/27/east-texas-hort-day/ Written about faculty member research.
29. Huber, K. 2011 (June 4). Splendor in the grasses. San Antonio Express-News Saturday June 4 Section E:1-2.
30. Burns, R. 2011 (June 10). Baby’s Breath euphorbia a Texan plant at heart. AgriLife News.
http://agrilife.org/today/2011/06/10/babys-breath-euphorbia/ . Written about faculty member research.
31. Hansen, K. 2011 (June 23). Horticulture field day to feature newest plants. Tyler Morning Telegraph Thursday
June 23 Section A:8. Written about faculty member research.
32. Burns, R. 2011 (June 24). Master gardeners, seed company reps, attend East Texas horticultural field day. AgriLife
News. http://agrilife.org/today/2011/06/24/east-texas-horticultural-fieldday/ . Written about faculty member
research.
33. Kuack, D. 2011 (October). Field trials report. Greenhouse Management 31(10):38-39.
http://gmpro.texterity.com/greenhousemanagement/201110?sub_id=abFcpQsaR9DR&folio=12#pg51 . Written
about faculty member research.
34. Burns, R. 2011 (October 31). Fight droughty dullness with cool-season euphorbias. AgriLife News.
http://agrilife.org/today/2011/10/31/cool-season-euphorbias/ . Written about faculty member research.
35. Drotleff, L., and K. Yanik. 2011. The must-have, Field-Trial-Proven Plants. Today’s Garden Center 8(11):20.
36. Burns, R. 2012 (May 21). New Texas Superstar kept blooming through 2011’s blistering days. AgriLife Today.
http://today.agrilife.org/2012/05/21/gomphrena-superstar-2012/ . Written about faculty member research.
37. Burns, R. 2012 (May 31). East Texas horticultural field day set June 28. http://today.agrilife.org/2012/05/31/easttexas-hort-day-2/ . Written about faculty member research.
38. Burns, R. 2012 (June 21). Rio Series mandevilla named new Texas Superstar. AgriLife Today.
http://today.agrilife.org/2012/06/21/mandevilla-superstar/ . Written about faculty member research.
39. Burns, R. 2012 (June 27). Lowrey’s Legacy Cenizo named Texas Superstar. AgriLife Today.
http://today.agrilife.org/2012/06/27/lowreys-legacy-superstar/ . Written about faculty member research.
40. Burns, R. 2012 (September/October). Lowrey’s Legacy Cenizo named Texas Superstar. Texas Gardener 31(6):2425. Written about faculty member research.
41. Pemberton, H.B. 2012 (November 8). 2012 Field Trials: Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center.
Greenhouse Grower. http://www.greenhousegrower.com/article/31490/2012-field-trials-texas-a-m-agrilife-researchand-extension-center .
42. Pemberton, H.B., M. Arnold, and D. Rodriguez. 2012 (January). Texas Superstar® Promotions for 2012. TNLA
Green 14(1):18-20.
43. Siktberg, R. 2012 (November 6). Best In Show: 2012 Field Trials Results. Greenhouse Grower.
http://www.greenhousegrower.com/article/31705/best-in-show-2012-field-trials-results . Written about faculty
member research.
1. Maintain the following website: http://flowers.tamu.edu/
1. Pemberton, H.B., editor. 2007. Proceedings of the fourth international symposium on rose research and cultivation.
Acta Horticulturae 751. International Society for Horticultural Science. Leuven, Belgium. 512 pages.
1. Ockert Greyuenstein – PhD
2. Andrew King – PhD
3. Qianni Dong – PhD
1. USE OF CONTROLLED RELEASE FERTILIZER ON POTTED BARE-ROOT ROSES GROWN FOR BUD
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
AND BLOOM SALES. B. Uber. 2007. $12,500 for 1 year.
USE OF TIBERON (CYCLANILIDE) IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRUNING TO PROMOTE BRANCHING IN
WOODY SPECIES. Bayer Environmental Science. 2007. $6000 for 1 year.
PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR STUDIES. IR4 Program. 2007. $3000 for 1 year.
FUNDING FOR FIELD DAY SPONSORSHIP. Kinney Bonded Warehouse, Syngenta, PanAmerican Seed,
Chamblee’s Roses, and Floranova, Goldsmith, Greenleaf Nursery, Fafard, Takaii, Benary, Ball Seed, Sakata. 2007.
$2400 for 1 year.
UNRESTRICTED GIFT. Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. 2006-2007. $1000 for 1year. One third to
my project with the balance to Co-PIs K. Steddom and S. Ludwig.
USE OF CONTROLLED RELEASE FERTILIZER ON POTTED ROSES GROWN FROM LINERS FOR FINAL
MARKETING AS OWN ROOT PLANTS. B. Uber. 2007. $15,000 for 1 year.
SCREENING QUERCUS VIRGINIANA ACCESSIONS FOR ADAPTATION TO DEMANDING
ENVIRONMENTS. Tom’s Tree Place. 2007. $52,584 for 2 years. $3672 to my project as Cooperator. Rest to PI
C. Mckenney (Texas Tech University) and Cooperators M. Arnold and G. Niu.
EVALUATING NEW MIST PROPAGATION SCHEDULING TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRESENCE OF
DISEASE. Texas Ornamental Enhancement Endowment. 2007. $6,000 for 1 year. $1000 to my project as
Cooperator with the rest to PI K. Steddom.
EAST TEXAS BEDDING PLANT PACK AND GARDEN TRIALS. Various Bedding Plant Seed Companies.
2007-2008. $22,740 for 1 year.
EFFECTS OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON POSTHARVEST PERFORMANCE OF POTTED
FLOWERING SPECIES. IR4 Program. 2007. $6000 for 1 year.
PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR STUDIES. IR4 Program. 2008. $6000 for 1 year.
DETERMINATION OF DROUGHT TOLERANCE AND PARENTAGE OF LIVE OAK (Quercus virginiana)
AND ESCARPMENT LIVE OAK (Quercus fusiformis) ACCESSIONS FOR ADAPTATION TO DEMANDING
ENVIRONMENTS. Tom’s Tree Place. 2008. $52,584 for 2 years. $3672 to my project as Collaborator with PI
C. McKenney (Texas Tech University) and other Collaborators T. Montague, R. Wright, and D. Auld (Texas Tech
University) and M. Arnold and G. Niu.
FUNDING FOR FIELD DAY SPONSORSHIP. Ball Horticultural Company, Chamblee’s Nursery, Goldsmith
Seed, Greenleaf Nursery, Kinney Bonded Warehouse, Oro Farms, Proven Winners, and Syngenta. 2008. $1850 for
1 year.
2008-2009. $31,060 for 1 year.
DETERMINATION OF DROUGHT TOLERANCE AND PARENTAGE OF LIVE OAK (Quercus virginiana)
AND ESCARPMENT LIVE OAK (Quercus fusiformis) ACCESSIONS FOR ADAPTATION TO DEMANDING
ENVIRONMENTS. Tom’s Tree Place. $1836 for 2009 to my project as Collaborator with PI C. McKenney (Texas
Tech University) and other Collaborators T. Montague, R. Wright, and D. Auld (Texas Tech University) and M.
Arnold and G. Niu.
COORDINATED EDUCATION AND MARKETING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TAG SALES. Various Tag
Companies. 2009. $3500 for 1 year.
FUNDING FOR FIELD DAY SPONORSHIP. Ball Horticultural Company, Benary Seed, Certi-Pro Horticulture,
Chamblee’s Roses, Floranova, Goldsmith Seed, Kinney Bonded Warehouse, Seville Farms, Syngenta Horticultural
Services. 2009. $2000 for 1 year.
MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER WORK HOURS. Smith County and Rusk County Master Gardener
Associations. 2008-2009. In kind: 1782.5 hours of labor valued at $20.25 per hour for a total of $36,096.
SUPPLIES FOR BEDDING PLANT TRIALS. SunGro Horticulture and Fafard. 2008-2009. In kind: growing
media valued at $1814.
2009-2010. $15,065 for 1 year.
COORDINATED EDUCATION AND MARKETING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TAG SALES. Various Tag
FUNDING FOR FIELD DAY SPONORSHIP. Ball Horticultural Company, Benary Seed, Certi-Pro Horticulture,
Color Spot Nursery, Goldsmith Seed, Greenleaf Nursery Co., GroLink, Kinney Bonded Warehouse, Oro Farms,
Seville Farms, Syngenta Horticultural Services. 2010. $2450 for 1 year.
IMPACT OF CONTEGO (ABA) ON SHELF LIFE OF NEW GUINEA IMPATIENS GROWN IN POTS. Valent
Biosciences. 2009-2010. $6000 for 1 year.
MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER WORK HOURS. Smith County and Rusk County Master Gardener
Associations. 2009-2010. In kind: 1555 hours of labor valued at $21.47 per hour for a total of $33,386.
SUPPLIES FOR BEDDING PLANT TRIALS. SunGro Horticulture and Fafard. 2009-2010. In kind: growing
26. EAST TEXAS BEDDING PLANT PACK AND GARDEN TRIALS. Various Bedding Plant Seed Companies.
2010-2011. $19,950 for 1 year.
27. PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS FOR BRANCHING IN VERBENA AND CALIBRACHOA. IR-4. 2011.
$6000 for 1 year.
28. COORDINATED EDUCATION AND MARKETING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TAG SALES. Various Tag
29. FUNDING FOR FIELD DAY SPONSORSHIP. Ball Horticultural Company, Benary Seed, Calloway’s Nursery,
Certi-Pro Horticulture, Goldsmith Seed, Greenleaf Nursery Co., GroLink, Kinney Bonded Warehouse, Seville
Farms, Syngenta Horticultural Services, Texas Nursery and Landscape Association. 2011. $3250 for 1 year.
30. MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER WORK HOURS. Smith County and Rusk County Master Gardener
31. SUPPLIES FOR BEDDING PLANT TRIALS. SunGro Horticulture and Fafard. 2010-2011. In kind: growing
32. SUPPLIES FOR BEDDING PLANT TRIALS. Ball Horticultural Company. 2011. In kind: fertilizer valued at
$2000.
33. EAST TEXAS BEDDING PLANT PACK AND GARDEN TRIALS. Various Bedding Plant Seed Companies.
2011-2012. $17,550 for 1 year.
34. IN SEASON LIQUID HERBICIDE CROP SAFETY ON AUCUBA AND SCAEVOLA. IR-4. 2012. $5300 for 1
year.
35. TEXAS SUPERSTAR® PROGRAM TAG SALES. Various Tag Companies. 2012. $6100 for 1 year.
36. FUNDING FOR FIELD DAY SPONSORSHIP. Various Ornamental Plant Companies and Trade Organizations.
2012. $5125 for 1 year.
37. MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER WORK HOURS. Smith County and Rusk County Master Gardener
38. SUPPLIES FOR BEDDING PLANT TRIALS. SunGro Horticulture and Fafard. 2011-2012. In kind: growing
39. SUPPLIES FOR BEDDING PLANT TRIALS. Ball Horticultural Company. 2012. In kind: fertilizer valued at
$2000.
1. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences
1. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences
2. HortScience
3. HortTechnology
4. European Journal for Horticultural Science
5. Horticultural Science
6. Scientia Horticultural
7. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
1. Texas A&M AgriLife Research Safety Officer for the Overton Center,
2. Texas A&M AgriLife Research Representative on the WRCC-58 regional working group for Production,
Postharvest Handling, and Re-establishment of Woody Ornamental Crops 1990-2010. Hosted the annual meeting at
the Overton Center and in the Dallas area in 1992. Served as Secretary in 1996, Vice-Chair in 1997, and Chair in
1998.
3. TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Tenure and Promotion Committee, 2000 – present
4. TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences Mentoring Committee for Dr. Xin Wang Wang at the Dallas Research
Station, 2009 – present
5. Texas A&M AgriLife (TCE/TAES) Executive Committee of the Texas Superstar® Program, member 1999 –
present; chair 2009 – present
6. Texas A&M AgriLife Research Ornamentals Plant Development Position at Dallas Search Committee, 2008
7. TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Horticultural Sciences Department Head Search Committee,
member 2012
8. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Steering committee for the IPM specialist program at the Overton Center, 2002-
2011
1. Serve as a Consulting Editor for The Journal of American Society for Horticultural Sciences in the area of
development physiology, 2004-present
2. Served on the International Society for Horticultural Science Scientific Committee for the 5th International Rose
Symposium in Gifu, Japan, 2009
3. Serve as Chair of the Roses Working Group for the International Society for Horticultural Science, 2004-present.
1. Friend of Master Gardeners – 2010. Awarded for his ongoing support of the Smith County Master
Gardener program. Awarded by Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Smith County Master Gardeners. April
2011.
Elizabeth A. Pierson
Associate Professor, Plant-microbe Interactions
eapierson@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Pierson’s appointment includes Research, Teaching, and Service. Areas of research
include plant-microbe interactions, biological control, and sustainable agriculture. She
is a member of the Graduate Faculties of Horticultural Sciences, Plant Pathology, and
the Molecular & Environmental Plant Sciences (MEPS) interdisciplinary program. She
teaches the undergraduate course Garden Science (HORT301) and the graduate course
Plant-associated Microorganisms (HORT/MEPS/PLPM689). She also serves as chair
or member of graduate research committees and provides undergraduate laboratory
research experience. She is a member of the Horticultural Sciences Graduate
Committee and the Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences Admissions
Committee and is the advisor for the Horticulture Graduate Council.
A major focus of the Dr. Pierson’s research is on interactions between microbes and
their plant or insect hosts that provide benefits or costs to plant health. One research
area involves the use of Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain 30-84 for the biological control of take-all disease of wheat. Our
work has focused on the ecological significance of molecular signaling between bacterial populations on plant roots and the
roles of secondary metabolites produced by strain 30-84 in pathogen inhibition, biofilm formation, and rhizosphere
competence. Recent work with strain 30-84 involves the genetic and ecological characterization of sensory transduction
pathways, which likely provide the mechanisms for the evolution of interactions between microbial species and possibly with
plants. Current work is focused on testing specific hypotheses regarding how different signal transduction pathways affect
microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions on plant surfaces. Our collaborations with research groups focused on other
biological control Pseudomonas species have resulted in the sequencing of the genomes of eight plant-associated
Pseudomonas strains (including strain 30-84) facilitating genomic comparisons among biological control strains and other
Pseudomonas species including human-pathogenic ones. Other ongoing work is focused on two emerging plant diseases that
are threatening potato (zebra chip disease) and citrus (citrus greening) production in Texas and elsewhere in the United
States. Both diseases are caused by insect (psyllid) transmission of newly discovered, non-culturable bacterial plant
pathogens (Candidatus Liberibacter species). Our collaborative research has included the development of better detection
methods (improved PCR primers, LAMP, and one-step detection) and enhancements to screening methods for the selection
of disease tolerant plant material. An important goal has been the development of knowledge and applications to assist
growers.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1987
B.S. Honors
1982
Institution
Washington State University
Indiana University
Major
Botany (Ecology, Evolution, & Systematics)
Biology
2009-present
Associate Professor, Horticultural Science, Texas A&M University and Texas AgriLife Research, College
Station, TX (75% Research, 25% Teaching, 5% Service).
1999-2009
Research Associate Professor, Division of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Department of Plant
Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
1990-1999
Research Assistant Professor, Dept of Plant Pathology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
1989-1990
Research Associate, USDA-ARS Root Disease and Biological Control Research Unit, Washington State
University, Pullman, WA.
1987-1988
Statistical Consultant, Computer Information Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
1982-1987
Teaching/Research Assistant, Dept. of Botany, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
Publications 2007-2012 (PPost-doctoral scholars, GGraduate students, and UUndergraduate students mentored by me. This
includes students I worked with directly in lab or on whose committees I served or chaired).
Recently submitted:
LévyP, J, J Hancock, A Ravidnran, D Gross, C Tamborindeguy, and E Pierson. Methods for rapid and effective PCR-based
detection of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ from insect vectors Bactericera cockerelli: streamlining the
DNA extraction/purification process (accepted Journal of Economic Entomology).
WangP, DP, SH LeeG, C SeeveP, JM YuG, LS. Pierson III, and EA Pierson. Roles of the Gac-Rsm pathway in the regulation
of phenazine biosynthesis in Pseudomonas chlororaphis 30-84. (In review, MicrobiologyOpen).
Rodriguez-Buritica, S, H Raichle, T Birt, RH Webb, RM Turner, EA Pierson, L Venabel. (In prep). Spatially explicit
population dynamics of Sonoran Desert Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) at Desert Laboratory (Tucson,
Arizona) (In review, Ecology archive).
Estes, A.M., D.F. Segura, A. Jessup, V. Wornoayporn and E.A. Pierson. Does Candidatus Erwinia dacicola hasten mating
initiation in wild and laboratory populations of Bactrocera oleae? (In review, International Journal of Tropical
Insect Science Special Edition: FAO/IAEA Coordinated Research Project on the “Development of Mass Rearing for
African, Asian and New World Fruit Fly Pests in Support of the Sterile Insect Technique”).
Published:
Pierson, EA, RM Turner and JL Betancourt. 2013. Regional Demographic Trends from Long-Term Studies of Saguaro
(Carnegiea gigantea) across the Northern Sonoran Desert. Journal of Arid Environments 88: 57-69.
Ravindran A, J LevyP, E Pierson, and D Gross. 2012. Development of LAMP as a sensitive and rapid method for detection
of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum,’ in potatoes and psyllids. Phytopathol. 102(9):899-907.
Loper, JE, KA Hassan, D Mavrodi, EW Davis II, CK Lim, BT Shaffer, LDH Elbourne, VO Stockwell, SL Hartney, K
Breakwell, MD Henkels, SG Tetu, LI Rangel, TA Kidarsa, NL Wilson, J van Mortel, C Song, R Blumhagen, D
Radune, JB Hostetler, LM Brinkac, AS Durkin, DA. Kluepfel, WP Wechter, AJ Anderson, YC Kim, LS Pierson III,
EA Pierson, SE Lindow, JM Raaijmakers, DM Weller, LS Thomashow, AE Allen, and IT Paulsen. 2012.
Comparative genomics of plant-associated Pseudomonas spp.: Insights into diversity and inheritance of traits
involved in multi-trophic interactions. PLoS Genetics. PLoS Genet 8(7): e1002784.
doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1002784
WangP D, JM YuG, LS Pierson III, and EA Pierson. 2012. Differential regulation of phenazine biosynthesis by RpeA and
RpeB in Pseudomonas chlororaphis 30-84. Microbiol. 158(7): 1745-1757.
EstesG AM, HJ Burrack, R Polychronis, and EA Pierson. 2012. Widespread colonization of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera
oleae (Rossi), by the endosymbiotic bacterium Candidatus Erwinia dacicola suggests a specific and long-term
interaction. Environ Entomol. 41(2):265-74.
Ravindran A, J LevyP, E Pierson, and D Gross. 2011. Development of Primers for Improved PCR Detection of the Potato
Zebra Chip Pathogen, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum.’ Plant Disease 95(12):1542-1546.
LevyP J, A Ravindran, D Gross, C Tamborindeguy and E Pierson. 2011. Translocation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter
solanacearum’, the zebra chip pathogen, in potato and tomato. Phytopathol. 101(11):1285-91.
DriscollG WW, JW Pepper, LS Pierson III, and EA Pierson. 2011. Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain 30-84 Gac
mutants in the biofilm context: social parasite or mutualist? Applied & Environ. Microbiol. 77(20): 7227-7235.
Nachappa P, J LevyP, E Pierson and C Tamborindeguy. 2011. Diversity of endosymbionts in the potato psyllid, Bactericera
cockerelli (Triozidae), vector of zebra chip disease of potato. Current Microbiol. 62(5):1510-20.
Young Cheol Kim, Johan Leveau, Brian B. McSpadden Gardener, Elizabeth A. Pierson and Leland S. Pierson III, ChoongMin Ryu. 2011. The multifactorial basis for plant health promotion by plant-associated bacteria. Applied and
Environmental Microbiology 77: 1548-1555.
Pierson, III, LS and EA Pierson. 2010. Metabolism and function of phenazines in bacteria: impacts on the behavior of
bacteria in the environment and biotechnological processes. Invited review. Applied Microbiology and
Biotechnology, Published Online and in print 86:1659-1670.
Pierson III LS and EA Pierson. 2010. Metabolism and function of phenazines in bacteria: impacts on the behavior of
bacteria in the environment and biotechnological processes. Applied Microbiol. & Biotechnol. 86:1659-1670.
Estes, AM, DJ Hearn, J Bronstein, EA Pierson. 2009. The olive fly endosymbiont, 'Candidatus Erwinia dacicola', switches
from an intracellular to an extracellular existence during host insect development. Applied & Environ. Microbiol.
75: 7097-7106. (Cover image of issue 75(24)).
Wen, F, HH Woo, EA Pierson, TD Eldhuset, CG Fossdal, NE Nagy, and MC Hawes. 2009. Synchronous elicitation of
development in root caps induces transient gene expression changes common to legume and gymnosperm species.
Plant Molec. Biol. Reporter 27(1):58-68.
MaddulaG, VSRK, EA Pierson, and LS Pierson III. 2008. Altering the ratio of phenazines in Pseudomonas chlororaphis
(aureofaciens) 30-84: Effects on biofilm formation and pathogen inhibition. J. Bacteriol. 190(8):2759-66.
Pierson III LS and EA Pierson. 2007. Roles of diffusible signals in communication among plant associated bacteria.
Phytopathol. 97:227-232).
E. Pierson and D. Gross. 2012. Development of New Technologies for Detection and Visualization of the ZC Pathogen and
Application for Improved Field Detection and Identification of Selectable Markers for Improved Disease Resistance.
In: J. Supak editor, Final Performance Report Texas Zebra Chip Disease Research Grant Program. Submitted to
Grantor: Texas Department of Agriculture.
LevyP, J, DScheuring, J Koym, D Henne, C Tamborindeguy, E Pierson, and JC Miller, Jr. 2013. Investigations on Putative
ZC Tolerant Potato Selections. Proceedings of the 2012 ZC Conference, San Antonio, TX, October 30-November 2,
2012.
LevyP J, J Hancock, A Ravindran, D Gross, C Tamborindeguy, and E Pierson. 2012. New methods for streamlining the
DNA extraction process for detection of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ from insect vectors. Proceedings of
the 2012 ZC Conference, San Antonio, TX, October 30-November 2, 2012.
Ravindran A, D Gross, E Pierson and J LevyP. 2011. LAMP PCR Lights the Way for a Simple, Fast Method for Detection of
Lso in Infected Potatoes and Psyllids. Proceedings of the 2011 ZC Conference, San Antonio, TX, November 6-9,
2011.
LevyP J, E Pierson, A Ravindran, D Gross, and C Tamborindeguy. 2011. Translocation and Quantification of ‘Candidatus
Liberibacter solanacearum’ in Potato and Tomato. Proceedings of the 2011 ZC Conference, San Antonio, TX,
November 6-9, 2011.
Miller C, D Scheuring, J Koym, D Henne, J Jifon, J LevyP, and E Pierson. 2011. Further Studies on Host-Plant Tolerance to
ZC. Proceedings of the 2011 ZC Conference, San Antonio, TX, November 6-9, 2011.
Ravindran A, D Gross, E Pierson and J LevyP. 2010. New approaches for developing and improving PCR diagnostic
methods for the ZC pathogen. In: F. Workneh and CM Rush, Editors. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip
Reporting Session pp 130-135.
LevyP J, E Pierson, A Ravindran, D Gross, and C Tamborindeguy. 2010. Translocation of the zebra chip pathogen in potato
and tomato. In: F. Workneh and CM Rush, Editors. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session pp
136-140.
Miller C, R Novy, J Trumble, C Nansen, TX Liu, J Munaneza, S TurnerG, E Pierson, C Rush, J Jifon, D Scheuring, and J
Koym. 2010. Progress in Identifying host plant tolerance/resistance to ZC in potato germplasm. In: F. Workneh and
CM Rush, Editors. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session pp 96-98.
Pierson E, D Scheuring, C Miller, TX Liu, X Yang, J Jifon. 2010. Investigations on putative zebra chip tolerant advanced
selections. In: F. Workneh and CM Rush, Editors. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Zebra Chip Reporting Session pp
99-102.
None
All courses are available to registered students via the Horticultural Sciences eLearning website: https://wwwhorticulture.tamu.edu/courses/.
Participant: “Scientists Talk”. The Zebra Chip Annual Reporting Session website: http://zebrachip.tamu.edu/.
Participant: Earth Emphasis website. This website featured our publication, “Regional demographic trends from long-term
studies of saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) across the northern Sonoran Desert” as being of special interest to the progress
in the Earth Sciences field. The paper was featured on their website as a Key Research Article in January 2013, Earth
Emphasis: www.EarthEmphasis.com
None
HORT 301: Garden Science, Fall 2011, 2012
BESC 484: Field Experience, Spring 2013
Graduate courses
HORT689/MEPS689/PLPM689: Plant Associated Microbes, Taught Spring 2013, Fall 2010.
HORT691/PLPM691: Research, each semester year-round from Fall 2010 - present.
University of Arizona:
PLP 550: Principles of Plant Microbiology, Fall 2013, 2008
PLP 551: Biology and Characterization of Plant Pathogenic Agents, Fall 2007
Postdoctoral Research Associates and visiting scientists (2007-2012)
Dr. Yan Ma, visiting scientist from China, 2012, Texas A&M University
Dr. Dongping Wang, 2011 to present, Texas A&M
Dr. Candace Seeve, 2010 to 2012, Texas A&M University
Dr. Julien Levy, 2009 to present, Texas A&M University
Dr. Meenal Vyas, 2008 to 2009, The University of Arizona
Advised/co-advised
Co-Chair: Anne McCoy Estes, PhD. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, Graduated 2009
Chair: Jun Myoung Yu, Ph. D candidate, Plant Pathology and Microbiology, start 2010.
Co-Chair: Jenita Thinakaran, Ph. D candidate, Horticultural Sciences, start 2011.
Chair: Yan Yang, Ph. D candidate, Horticultural Sciences, start 2012.
First job taken by each of your graduate students or post-doctoral associates 2007-2012
Dr. Candace Seeve: Lecturer, Baylor University, Waco, TX
Dr. Anne Estes: Visiting Assistant Professor & Instructor for General Biology, Towson University, Towson, MD
Graduated, University of Arizona:
William Wallace Driscoll, Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, 2012
Carol Rowand, MS. Plant Pathology and Microbiology/Department Plant Sciences, 2010
Perisamy (Ravi) Chitrampalam, PhD. Plant Pathology & Microbiology/Department Plant Sciences, 2009
VSR Krishna Maddula, PhD. Division Plant Pathology & Microbiology/Department of Plant Sciences, 2008
Monica Mendez, Ph.D. Department of Soil Water and Crop Sciences, 2007
Graduated, Texas A&M:
Poulami Basu Thakur, MS. 2011, Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Sarah Turner, MS. 2012, Horticultural Sciences.
Justin Park Ho Ng, PhD. 2012, Soil and Crop Sciences
Brandon Hassett, MS. 2012, Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Current Students:
Vanessa Vaughn, Ph. D candidate, Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Brittany Sousa, MS candidate, Soil and Crop Sciences
Ryan Syrenne, Ph. D candidate, MEPS
Sasha Kay, Ph. D candidate, Entomology
Wenwei Lin, Ph. D candidate, Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Member, Graduate Faculties of Horticultural Sciences, Plant Pathology, and the Molecular & Environmental Plant Sciences
(MEPS) interdisciplinary program, Texas A&M University (TAMU), 2009Grants and contracts awarded 2007-2012
Agency: Texas Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Title: Development of Simplified Methods
for Rapid and effective Screening of Psyllids and Plant Tissues for the Citrus greening and potato zebra chip pathogens. PI:
Dennis C, Gross, Co-PI: Elizabeth Pierson. Amount: $54,600 (27,300 to EA Pierson). Duration: 1/01/13-12/31/13
Agency: SCRI Mini Grant Program: Zebra Chip Research. Title: Evaluation of commercially acceptable and ZC-tolerant
advanced selections: the roles of plant resistance and insect preference in disease avoidance. PI: Elizabeth Pierson, Co-PIs:
Creighton Miller and Dennis Gross. Amount: $30,000 ($30,000 to EA Pierson). Duration: 12/12-12/13
Agency: SCRI Mini Grant Program: Zebra Chip Research. Title: Evaluation of ZC-tolerant advanced selections and fieldselected sub-clones under carefully monitored insect pressures and in medium scale field trials. PIs: Elizabeth Pierson, CoPIs: Creighton Miller, Don Henne, and John Jifon. Amount: $25,000 ($25,000 to EA Pierson). Duration: 12/11-12/12
Agency: Texas AgriLife Research Potato Zebra Chip Disease Program, Texas Department of Agriculture. Title:
Development of New Technologies for Detection and Visualization of the ZC Pathogen and Application for Improved Field
Detection and Identification of Selectable Markers for Improved Disease Resistance. PIs: Elizabeth Pierson and Dennis
Gross. Amount: $200,000 ($100,000 to EA Pierson). Duration: 12/09-12/11. Agency: USDA-CREES/NIFA. Title: Role of
phenazine structural derivatives on bacterial gene expression, biofilms, root colonization and host nutrient uptake. PIs: LS
Pierson III and Elizabeth Pierson. Amount: $393,833 ($196,917 to EA Pierson). Duration: 08/08- 08/13 (Time extended
due to move).
Agency: NSF, Integrated Organismal Biology, Behavioral Systems Cluster. Title: Novel two component regulation of
quorum sensing & secondary metabolite production in bacteria. PIs: LS Pierson III and Elizabeth Pierson. Amount:
$480,000 ($240,000 to EA Pierson). Duration: 03/01/06- 02/28/13 (Time extended due to move).
Other grant support contributing research community:
Agency: USDA/NSF Microbial Genome Initiative. Title: Genomics Based Discovery of Novel Traits in Beneficial PlantAssociated Pseudomonas Species. PIs: JE Loper and IT Paulson; Collaborators: AA Anderson, YC Kim, DA Kluepfel, SE
Lindow, D Mavrodi, EA Pierson, LS Pierson III, JM Raaijmakers, VO Stockwell. LS Thomashow, WP Wechter. Amount:
$1,703,943 (All money to Sequencing/Bioinformatics Project). Duration: 4/2008-12/2012.
Agency: USDA/NSF Microbial Genome Initiative. Title: The genomic sequence of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5. PIs: JE
Loper and IT Paulsen; Co-PIs: LS Thomashow, D Kobayashi, LS Pierson III, and EA Pierson. Amount: $450,000 (All
money to Sequencing/Bioinformatics Project). Duration: 2001-2007.
Agency: Texas A&M University FY2009 PUF Fund—Horticultural Sciences. Title: Phase III Renovation of Controlled
Environment Growth Rooms for Functional Genomics. Based Approaches to Studying Osmotic Stress, Plant-Microbe
Interactions Studies, and General. Research and Teaching in Horticultural Sciences. PIs: Hisashi Kiowa and Elizabeth
Pierson. Amount Requested: $33,000 (All money for improvements). Duration: 2009.
Agency: Texas A&M University FY2009 PUF Fund—Plant Pathology and Microbiology. Title: Laser Scanning/Con-focal
Microscope CSLM for Use in Pathology Studies. PIs: Paul De Figueiredo, Brian Shaw. Collaborators: Karen Scholthof,
Herman Scholthof, Elizabeth Pierson, Leland Pierson, Dan Ebbole, Heather Wilkinson. Amount Requested: $100,000 (All
money for purchase). Duration: 2009.
National Institute of Health: Host-Associated Microbial Communities Panel 2012
US Department of Agriculture: Microbial Biology Panel 2009
Grant programs for which you reviewed proposals:
NSF Division Integrative Organismal Biology: NSF CAREER, NSF Division of Integrative Organismal Systems:
Symbiosis, Defense, and Self-Recognition; USDACREES/ NIFA Plant-associated microbes and biological control;
Department of Energy Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DOE/EPSCoR); Pierce's Disease
Control Program of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; The University of Florida/IFAS Citrus Canker and
Citrus Greening Program.
Associate Editor, Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, April 2013Journals for which you reviewed papers 2007-2012
American Journal of Botany, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Ecology, FEMS Microbiology Letters, Journal of
Pest Science, Journal of Applied Microbiology, Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Molecular Plant Pathology,
Phytopathology, Plant Science, Southwestern Naturalist.
Faculty Advisor, Horticulture Graduate Council, TAMU 2010Member, Horticultural Sciences Graduate Curriculum Committee, TAMU 2011Member, Horticultural Sciences Undergraduate Sustainable Agriculture Curriculum Development Committee, TAMU
2011Member, Horticultural Sciences Safety Committee, TAMU 2011Member, MEPS Graduate Student Recruitment Committee, TAMU, 2010Member, MEPS Curriculum Revision Committee, TAMU, 2010Research Host, NSF-REU Summer Undergraduate Research Program, TAMU, 2012
Member, AgriLife Faculty Leadership Committee, TAMU, 2009-10
Appointed Member, Professional Advisory Council: College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS), UA 2008-9
Member, Department of Plant Pathology (Dept. PP) Peer Review Committee, UA 2007
Student Research Host, Department of Plant Pathology Winter-term Fellowship Program, UA, 2002-9
Professional association roles 2007-2012
Member, American Phytopathological Society (formerly, Pacific Division; now Southern and Caribbean Divisions)
Member, American Society of Horticultural Science (Sustainable Agriculture Working Group)
Member, American Society for Microbiology
Member, Texas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Advisory Committee, 2010Member W2147: Managing Plant Microbe Interactions in Soil to Promote Sustainable Agriculture
Selected by students as Faculty Advisor, Horticulture Graduate Council, 2010-present
David Wm. Reed
Professor of Horticulture
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Faculty Development
dwreed@tamu.edu
Program Summary
David Wm. Reed is Professor of Horticulture in the Department of Horticultural
Sciences at Texas A&M University. He is also the Associate Dean for Graduate
Programs and Faculty Development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
He is a native of Krotz Spring, Louisiana. He obtained his B.S. degree from the
University of Southwestern Louisiana (now called University of Louisiana – Lafayette)
in Lafayette, LA... He received both his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
degrees from Cornell University. He has been on the faculty at Texas A&M University
since 1978, and has a joint teaching and research appointment. His research ranges
from basic to applied and primarily focuses on nutrition, especially iron nutrition, and
the effects of water quality and salinity on greenhouse crops. He Chaired seventeen
and mentored nearly fifty graduate students, has authored or co-authored forty-five
refereed publications and sixty-five conferences papers and abstracts. His “first love”
is teaching, and he has taught four different undergraduate and four different graduate
courses, both at Texas A&M University and invited at International Universities. He has taught the introductory science
elective Horticulture Science and Practices for thirty-four years to a packed house of 250 to 340 students each semester for a
total of over 19,000 students. As an extension of his desire to teach, he has presented nearly seventy talks at various industry
and professional meetings throughout the country. His presentations incorporate demonstrations and workshops so the
participants take home “how to” as well as “academic” knowledge. He is the Co-Author and Editor of Water Media and
Nutrition for Greenhouse Crops, Ball Publishing, and Reed, D.W. Horticulture – Science and Practices. 1999. Burgess
Publishing.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Institution
Ph.D.
1979
Cornell University
M.S.
1977
Cornell University
B.S.
1974
University of Southwestern Louisiana
Major
Agriculture
1978-83
Assistant Professor, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
1983-90
Associate Professor, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
1990-present
Professor, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Administrative Experience
Interim Head, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, Oct. 1989 - Aug. 1990.
Interim Head, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, Sept. 1994-May 1995.
Interim Head, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, Sept. 2001 – Jan. 2003
Interim Head, Dept. Agriculture Leadership, Education & Communications, Jan.-Sept. 2008
Chair, Graduate Program Council, College of Agriculture and Life Sci., Member 88-91, Chair 1992-present.
Chair, Graduate Council, Texas A&M University, Member 1992-present, Chair 2007-2010
Graduate Coordinator, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, 1984-1995
Associate Head for Graduate Studies, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, 1995-2002
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Faculty Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Sept. 2008present
Awards and Honors:
Special Honors
Keynote Speaker “Become the Best You Can Be”, 2004 Freshman Convocation, Texas A&M University,
College and University Teaching Awards and Honors
Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching, College Level, 1990, Association of Former Students, Texas A&M
University
Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching, 1995, College Level, The Agriculture Program, Texas
A&M University
Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching, University Level, 1999, Association of Former Students, Texas A&M
University
Council of Master Teachers, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, member 2004
Student Originated Teaching Awards and Honors
Professor of the Year in Agriculture, 1995, Delta Delta Delta Sorority, Texas A&M Chapter
Outstanding Contributions as a Professor, 1998, Pi Beta Phi, Texas A&M Chapter
Faculty Award, Horticulture Graduate Council, 2002, Texas A&M University
Fish Camp Namesake, Camp Reed, the Sea Surfin’ Canaries, August 1993, Texas A&M University
T Camp Namesake, Camp Reed, the Red Hot Reggae Rainmakers, August 1996, Texas A&M University
T Camp Namesake, Camp Reed, the Rockin’ Red Hot Crawdaddy Pinchers, August 2002, Texas A&M Univ.
Professional Scientific Society Teaching Awards
L.M. Ware Distinguished Teaching Award, 1989, Regional Level, Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural
Sciences
Outstanding Undergraduate Educator Award, 2002, National Award, American Society for Horticultural Sciences
Professional Society Honors
President-Elect 2003, Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences
Courses Taught
Undergraduate:
HORT 201 - General Horticulture (fall, spring 1979-present)
HORT 202 - General Horticulture Laboratory (fall, spring 1979-present)
HORT 225 – Horticulture Learning Community (spring 2004, every fall 2004-present)
HORT 320 - Exotic Plants (fall 1984-87)
Graduate:
HORT 602 - Environmental Relations of Horticultural Crops (alt. fall 1980-84)
HORT 604 - Applied Physiology of Horticultural Crops (alt. spring 1985-present)
FLOR 616 - Asexual Plant Propagation (alt. spring 1979-83)
PPHY 620 – Exp. Tech. in Plant Physiology; lab on Use of Liquid Scintillation Counting (spr. 1983-87)
Invited International Undergraduate
Plant Propagation, Soilless Growing Media and Simple Soil and Water Testing. July 2007 University of Veracruz at Xalapa,
Xalapa, Mexico. Condensed 2 -day undergraduate lecture and laboratory demonstration course
Invited International Graduate:
Applied Physiology of Horticultural Crops, Fall 1985, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Applied Physiology of Horticultural Crops, July 2007, Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Montecillo, Mexican.
An invited condensed 5-day graduate lecture course sponsored by the Mexican Academy of Sciences in cooperation with
the Colegio de Postgraduados.
Theses and Dissertations:
Personal:
1. Reed, D.W. 1977. Factors affecting foliar absorption of phosphorus and rubidium compounds by chrysanthemum.
M.S. Thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
2. Reed, D.W. 1979. Ultrastructural studies on plant cuticles: Environmental effects, permeability, electron microscopy
preparation and specific staining. Ph.D. Dissertation, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Graduate Students:
1. Blessington, T. 2002. Potassium nutrition of New Guinea Impatiens in subirrigation. M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M
University, College Station, TX
2. Cartmill, Andrew. 2004 (started). Studies on phosphorus nutrition of ornamental crops, Ph.D. Candidate, Texas A&M
3. Campos Nunez, R. 1990. The influence of irrigation water salinity on optimal nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
liquid fertilizer rates. M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
4. Davis, Emily. 2006(started). Master of Agriculture student, in progress
5. Lang, H.J. 1986. The iron nutrition of tropical foliage plants. M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M University, College Station,
TX
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Lee, L.W. 1989. Leaf burn due to foliar fertilizer salts. Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station,
TX
McDonald, G.V. 1990. The iron reductase activity of selected rose rootstocks. M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M University,
College Station, TX
Neary, B.C. 1986. The feasibility of a nursery operation at Due Process Stables. M.Ag. Professional Paper, Texas
A&M University, College Station, TX
Rajapakse, N. 1986. Modeling transpiration and water use of ornamental plants during shipping and storage. Ph.D.
Dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Richards, D. 1999 The growth of New Guinea impatiens with controlled release fertilizer in recirculating subirrigation
systems, M.S., 1999.
Shafer, W.E. 1984. Foliar absorption of potassium and cuticular penetration characteristics of potassium and selected
organic compounds, Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Spurlin, Q. 1986. An instructional unit on plant propagation for use in secondary horticulture and science courses.
M.Ag. Professional Paper, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Stevens, A.B. 1990. Cost of production analysis for greenhouse grown foliage plants in the Rio Grande Valley of
Texas. Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Todd, N. 1996. The response of New Guinea impatiens to varying salinity levels in a subirrigation system, M.S. Thesis,
Texas A&M University.
Turner, M.A. 1984. The effects of light quality, fertility and ethylene on performance of foliage plants in low light
environments. Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Valdez-Aquilar, L. 2004. Identify levels of carbonate tolerance of ornamental crops. Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas A&M
Vollmar, C.. 1998 (started). Greenhouse production/management. M.Agr., Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Refereed Publications:
1. Blessington Haley, T. and D.W. Reed. 2004. Optimum potassium concentrations in recirculating subirrigation
for selected greenhouse crops. HortScience 39(6):1441-1444.
2. Campos, R. and D.W. Reed. 1993. Determination of constant-feed liquid fertilization rates for Spathiphyllum
'Petite' and Dieffenbachia 'Camille'. J. Environ. Hort. 11(1):22-24.
3. Campos, R. and D.W. Reed. 1994. Influence of irrigation water salinity on optimal nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium liquid fertilization rates for Spathiphyllum ‘Petite’. J. Environ. Hort. 12(2):104-107.
4. Cinelli, F., R. Vin, D.H. Byrne, and D.W. Reed. 1995. Physiological characterization of two peach seedling
rootstocks in bicarbonate nutrient solution. I. Root iron reduction and iron uptake. In Iron Nutrition in
Soils and Plants, J. Abadia (ed.), pp. 323-328, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands.
5. Egilla, J.N., D.H. Byrne and D. W. Reed. 1994. Iron stress response of three peach rootstocks cultivars: Ferric
iron reduction capacity. J. Plant Nutr. 17(12):2079-2103.
6. Kent, M.W. and Reed. 1996. Nitrogen nutrition of New Guinea Impatiens ‘Barbados’ and Spathiphyllum
‘Petite’ in a subirrigation system. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 121(5):816-819.
7. Krafka, B.D., C.R. Shumway and D.W. Reed. 1989. Space allocation in foliage production greenhouses. J.
Environ. Hort. 7(3):95-98.
8. Lang, H.J. and D.W. Reed. 1987. Comparison of HCl extraction versus total iron analysis for iron tissue
analysis. J. Plant Nutr. 10(7):795-804.
9. Lang, H.J. and D.W. Reed. 1987. Differential response of foliage plants to iron deficiency. J. Plant Nutr.
10(8):951-959.
10. Lang, H.J., C.L. Rosenfield and D.W. Reed. 1990. Response of Ficus benjamina and Dracaena marginata to
iron stress. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 115(4):589-592.
11. Lee, L.W. and D.W. Reed. 1989. A comparison of methods for measuring phytotoxicity from foliar sprays of
ammonium nitrate. J. Plant Nutr. 12(6):733-742.
12. Lee, L.W. and D.W. Reed. 1990. Effects of calcium on phytotoxicity of foliar - applied nitrogen salts. J. Plant
Nutr. 13(2):187-200.
13. Nolte, B.A., D. A. Lineberger, D.W. Reed and M.E. Rumpho. 2001. Rapid Micro-Assay of Camptothecin in
Camptotheca acuminata. Planta Med. 66:376-378.
14. Rajapakse, N.C., D.W. Reed and J.W. Kelly. 1989. Effect of pre-treatments on transpiration of
Chrysanthemum morifolium during the dark. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 24(6):998-1000.
15. Rajapakse, N.C., D.W. Reed and J.W. Kelly. 1990. Use of antitranspirants under low light environments to
control transpiration of Epipremnum aureum leaves. Scientia Hort. 43:307-312.
16. Rajapakse, N.C., D.W. Reed and J.W. Kelly. 1991. Storage temperature and duration affect quality and poststorage recovery of vegetative Dendranthema Xgrandiflora. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 116(1):73-76.
17. Rajapakse, N.C., J.W. Kelly and D.W. Reed. 1988. Transpiration and water use of floricultural plants under
light conditions. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 113(6):910-914.
18. Reed, D.W. 1982. Wax alteration and extraction during electron microscopy preparation of leaf cuticles. The
Plant Cuticle. eds. D.F. Cutler, K.L. Alvin and C.E. Price, Academic Press, NY
19. Reed, D.W. 1983 Triton X-100 as a complete liquid scintillation cocktail for counting aqueous solutions and
ionic nutrient salts. Internat. J. Appl. Rad. Isotopes 35(5):367-370
20. Reed, D.W. 1983. Methods to assay absorption of foliar applied nutrients and removal of unabsorbed residue.
J. Plant Nutrition 6(8):667-677
21. Reed, D.W. 1988. Effect of urea, ammonium and nitrate on foliar absorption of ferric citrate. J. Plant Nutr.
11:1429-1437
22. Reed, D.W. and A.E. Nightingale. 1983. Height control in chrysanthemum as affected by foliar spray solution
pH of several growth retardants. HortScience 18(6):881-882
23. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey, Jr. 1978. Effect of pH on foliar absorption of phosphorus compounds by
chrysanthemum. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 103(3):337-340
24. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey, Jr. 1978. Effect of pH on foliar absorption of rubidium compounds by
chrysanthemum. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 103(6):815-817
25. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey, Jr. 1982. Cuticular permeability of Brussels sprouts and carnation from leaves
developed in different temperatures and light intensities. The Plant Cuticle, eds. D.F. Cutler, K.L. Alvin
and C.E. Price, Academic Press, NY
26. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey, Jr. 1982. Ultrastructural localization of polysaccharides in Malus sylvestris leaf
cuticles. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 107(5):775-778.
27. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey, Jr. 1987. Factors affecting foliar absorption of nutrients by various landscape and
herbaceous plants. J. Environ. Hort. 5(2):72-76.
28. Reed, D.W., C.G. Lyons and G.R. McEachern. 1988. Field evaluation of inorganic and chelated iron fertilizers
as foliar sprays and soil application. J. Plant Nutr. 11:1369-1378
29. Reed. D.W. and H.B. Tukey, Jr. 1982. Light intensity and temperature effects on epicuticular wax morphology
and internal cuticle ultrastructure of carnation and Brussels sprouts. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 107(3):417-420
30. Richards, D.L. and D.W. Reed. 2004. New Guinea impatiens growth response and nutrient release from
controlled release fertilizer in a recirculating subirrigation and top-watering system. HortScience 39(2):280286
31. Rosenfield, C-L., D.W. Reed and M.W. Kent. 1991. Dependency of iron reduction on development of a
unique root morphology in Ficus benjamina L. Plant Physiology 95:1120-1124.
32. Shafer, W.E. and D.W. Reed. 1986. The foliar absorption of potassium from organic and inorganic potassium
carriers. J. Plant Nutrition 9(2):143-157.
33. Shi, Y., D.H. Byrne, D.W. Reed and R.H. Loeppert. 1993. Influence of bicarbonate level on iron-chlorosis
development and nutrient uptake of the peach rootstock Montclar. J. Plant Nutr. 16(9):1675-1689.
34. Shi, Y., D.H. Byrne, D.W. Reed and R.H. Loeppert. 1993. Iron chlorosis development and growth of peach
rootstocks to bicarbonate. J. Plant Nutr. 16(6):1039-1046
35. Todd, N and D.W. Reed. 1998. Characterizing Salinity Limits of New Guinea Impatiens in Recirculating
Subirrigation. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 123(1):156-160.
36. Turner, M.A., D.L. Morgan and D.W. Reed. 1987. The effect of light quality and fertility on long term
maintenance of selected foliage plants. J. Environ. Hort. 5(2):76-79.
37. Turner, M.A., D.W. Reed and D.L. Morgan. 1987. A comparison of light acclimatization methods for
reduction of leaf drop in Ficus spp. J. Environ. Hort. 5(3):102-104.
38. Turner, M.A., D.W. Reed and D.L. Morgan. 1988. Ethylene induced defoliation in Ficus sp. and ethylene
depletion by soil bacteria in peat-amended media and in vitro. J. Amer. Soc. Hort Sci. 113(5):794-796.
39. Valdez-Aguilar, L. and D.W. Reed. 2007. Response of selected greenhouse ornamental crops to alkalinity in
irrigation water. J. Plant Nutrition 30(3):441-452
40. Valdez-Aguilar, L. and D.W. Reed. 2006. Comparison of growth and alkalinity-induced responses in two
cultivars of hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.). HortScience 41(7):1704-1708
41. Valdez-Aguilar, L. and D.W. Reed. 2008. Influence of Potassium Substitution by Rubidium and Sodium on
Growth, Ion Accumulation, and Ion Partitioning in Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under High Alkalinity, J.
Plant Nutrition (accepted)
42. Valdez-Aguilar, L., J. Cornell and D.W. Reed. 2008. Quantitative Separation of the Bicarbonate from the
Counter-cation Effect in Bean Plants. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. (accepted)
43. Witcher, C. and D.W. Reed. 2005. Phosphorus concentration affects New Guinea impatiens and vinca in
recirculating subirrigation. HortScience 40(7):2047-2051
44. Juarez-Lopez, P., R.C. Castro-Bindis, T. Colinas-Leon, P. Ramirez-Vallejo, M. Sandoval. Villa, D.W. Reed, L.
Cisneros-Zevallos and S. King. 2009. Evaluation of quality in fruits of seven native genotypes of tomato
(Lycopersicon esculentum bar. Cerasiforme) Revista Champingo Sene Horticultura 15(2): 5-9. (in Spanish)
45. Valdez, L. A. and D.W. Reed. 2010. Growth and nutrition of young bean plants under high alkalinity as
affected by mixtures of ammonium, potassium and sodium. J. Plant Nutr. 33:1472-1499.
Abstracts and Conference Papers:
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Alarcon, A., F.T. Daives, D.W. Reed, R.L. Autherieth and D.A. Zuberer. 2004. Glomus intraradices Enhances
Growth and Gas Exchange of Lolium perenne Seedlings in Petroleum-contaminated Soil. HortScience
39(4):770.
Alarcon, A., F.T. Davies, R.L. Autherieth, D.W. Reed and D.A. Zuberer. 2006. Phytoremediation of petroleum
hyudrocarbons with a Lolium mulitflorum x Glomus intraradices inorganic fertilization system: Influence
on plant growth, antioxidant activity, microbial respiration, and hydrocarbon degradation. HortScience
41(4):941
Alarcon, A., F.T. Davies, R.L. Autherieth, D.W. Reed and D.A. Zuberer. 2006. Phytoremediation of
benzo[a]pyrene utilizing Glomus irtraradices and hydrocabonoclastic microorganisms. HortScience
42(4):994.
Armstrong, T, M.W. Kent and D.W. Reed. 1996. Response of New Guinea impatiens to various water qualities
in subirrigation, HortScience 31(4):70.
Blessington-Haley, T. and D.W. Reed. 2001. Identification of optimum potassium nutrition in greenhouse
plants grown in subirrigation. 61th Annual Meeting of the Southern Region Meeting of the American
Society for Horticultural Sciences, Fort Worth, TX
Brown, J.A., A.E. Nightingale, D.W. Reed and R.E. Pettit. 1984. Biological control of damping-off in bedding
plant production. HortScience 19(3):211.
Caldwell, J.D. and D.W. Reed. 1994. Teaching Introductory Horticulture. HortScience 29(5):436.
Campos-Nunez, R. and D.W. Reed. 1989. Influence of salinity on optimal N-P-K liquid fertilizer rates with
Spathiphyllum and Dieffenbachia. HortScience 1989 ASHS Annual Meetings / Program and Abstracts.
Campos, R. and D.W. Reed. 1992. Influence of irrigation water salinity on optimal nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium fertilizer rates on Spathiphyllum 'Petite'. HortScience 27(6):636.
Andrew Cartmill and David Wm. Reed. 2007. Effect of Phosphorus Concentration on Catharanthus roseus (L.)
G. Don cv. Pacifica Red in a Recirculating and Top Watering System. 2007 Southern Region ASHS Annual
Meetings
Denny, G.C., M.A. Arnold, L.A. Valdez-Aguilar and D.W. Reed. 2004. A comparison of factorial and mixture
experimental designs applied to container crop production. Abstract, Southern Regional Meetings,
American Society for Horticultural Sciences, Tulsa, OK.
Egilla, J.N., D.H. Byrne and D.W. Reed. 1989. Determination of iron intake mechanisms in prunus rootstocks.
HortScience 1989 ASHS Annual Meetings / Program and Abstracts.
Grauke, L.J., J.B. Storey, E.R. Emino and D.W. Reed. 1979. Foliar absorption of zinc by Zea mays.
HortScience 14(3):453.
Grauke, L.J., J.B. Storey, E.R. Emino and D.W. Reed. 1981. Removal of unabsorbed Zn residue and foliar
absorption by Zea mays. HortScience 16(3):415.
Grauke, L.J., J.B. Storey, E.R. Emino and D.W. Reed. 1982. The influence of leaf surface, leaf age, and
humidity on the foliar absorption of zinc from two zinc sources by pecan. HortScience 17(3):474.
Janssen, A.H., E.L. McWilliams and D.W. Reed. 1981. The detrimental effects of salinity on rooting of coleus
cuttings and their alleviation with gypsum. HortScience 16(3):449.
Kent, M.W. and D.W. Reed. 1995. Nitrogen nutrition of New Guinea Impatiens and Spathiphyllum in a
subirrigation system. HortScience 30(4):724.
Lang, H.J. and D.W. Reed. 1984. Differential iron chlorosis of foliage plants. HortScience 19(3):569.
Lang, H.J. and D.W. Reed. 1986. Iron utilization and mechanism of uptake by a Fe-efficient and Fe-inefficient
foliage plant. HortScience 21(3):763.
20. Lee, L.W. and D.W. Reed. 1983. Effect of growth regulators on rooting of Ficus benjamina L. air layers.
21. Lee, L.W. and D.W. Reed. 1984. Leakage of UV absorbing constituents as a method of measuring leaf
phytotoxicity from foliar sprays. HortScience 19(3):521.
22. Lee, L.W. and D.W. Reed. 1985. A comparison of methods for measuring leaf burn from foliar fertilizer salts.
HortScience 20(4):596 and 22(5)1094.
23. Lee, L.W. and D.W. Reed. 1987. Calcium effects on foliar fertilizer damage. HortScience 22(5):1094.
24. Lee, L.W. and D.W. Reed. 1988. Screening foliar fertilizer damage to Salvia. HortScience 23(3):779.
15
25. Lee, L.W. and D.W. Reed. 1989. Foliar absorption of N at phytotoxic concentration using N labelling.
HortScience 1989 ASHS Annual Meetings / Programs and Abstracts.
26. McDonald, G.V. and D.W. Reed. 1989. Iron reduction ability of various rose rootstocks. HortScience 1989
ASHS Annual Meetings / Programs and Abstracts.
27. McDonald, G.V. and D.W. Reed. 1991. The iron reductase activity of selected Rosa rootstocks. VIth
International Iron Symposium, July 14-19, 1991, Logan, UT.
28. Mahamane, S.., W. A. Payne, R. H. Loeppert, J. C. Miller, and D. W. Reed. 2006. Screening of Cowpea for
Phosphorus Use Efficiency from Rock Phosphate. Abstract, 18th World Congress of Soil Science, July 915, 2006 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
29. Mahamane, S.., W. A. Payne, R. H. Loeppert, J. C. Miller, and D. W. Reed. 2007. Organic acid exudation as a
phosphate-deficiency stress adaptation by selected cowpea genotypes. 19th World Congress of Soil Science
30. Nolte, B., L. Griffing, D.W. Reed, D. Lineberger and M. Rumpho. 1998. Production and subcellular
localization of the anticancer alkaloid camptothecin. Annual Meetings American Society of Plant
Physiology.
31. Rajapakse, N.C., J.W. Kelly and D.W. Reed. 1985. Chemical control of transpiration in Epipremnum aureum
Bunt. HortScience 16(3):416.
32. Reed, D.W. 1980. Liquid scintillation counting of radioactive ions in pure Triton X-100. HortScience
15(3):412.
33. Reed, D.W. 1981. Comparison of methods to assay foliar absorption and removal of unabsorbed radioactive
nutrients from leaf surfaces. HortScience 16(3):416.
34. Reed, D.W.. 1982. Proposal for Development of a Standardized Laboratory Manual for General Horticulture.
79th Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, Ames, IA
35. Reed, D.W. 1983. Foliar absorption of P and Rb from ortho-, pyro-, and tripoly- phosphates. HortScience
18(4):619.
36. Reed, D.W. 1984. Foliar absorption of inorganic sulfur compounds. HortScience 19(3):569.
37. Reed, D.W. 1986. Screening inorganic, organic and chelated iron compounds for alleviation of iron chlorosis.
38. Reed, D.W. 1988. Geotropic and thigmotropic effects on Epipremnum aureum leaf size. HortScience
23(5):819.
39. Reed, D.W. 1997. Plant selection versus fertilizer selection strategies to combat iron nutrition problems in
ornamental plants. 94th Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, Salt Lake
City, UT.
40. Reed, D.W. 2001. Web-assisted teaching general horticulture – Where’s the “steak” in all that “sizzle”. 61th
Annual Meeting of the Southern Region Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, Fort
Worth, TX
41. Reed, D.W. 2003. Use of animated GIFs for teaching horticulture techniques. Abstract, Southern Regional
Meetings, American Society for Horticultural Sciences, Mobile, AL.
42. Reed, D.W. 2004. Active classroom participation and demonstrations to excite non-science majors about the
science of horticulture. Abstract, Southern Regional Meetings, American Society for Horticultural
Sciences, Tulsa, OK.
43. Reed, D.W. 2004. Managing water quality in growing media, Workshop: Getting Down and Dirt-less with
Container Substrates. HortScience 39(4):696.
44. Reed, D.W., P. Sullivan and M. Kazemzadeh. 1986. Inhibition of adventitious rooting of Chrysanthemum
morifolium by fungicides. HortScience 21(4):935.
45. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey. 1976. Effect of pH on foliar absorption of phosphorus and rubidium compounds
by Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. HortScience 11(3):317.
46. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey. 1978. Effect of environment on epicuticular wax morphology, internal cuticle
ultrastructure and subsequent cuticular penetration. HortScience 13(3):370.
47. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey. 1978. Preparation of leaf cuticles for electron microscopy - Cuticular wax
extraction and morphological alterations. HortScience 13(3):383.
48. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey. 1979. Electron microscopy staining of polysaccharides in apple leaf cuticles.
49. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey. 1979. Permeability characteristics of leaf cuticles isolated from plants grown
under different environmental regimes. HortScience 14(3):468.
50. Reed, D.W. and H.B. Tukey. 1980. Factors allowing maximum foliar absorption of rubidium phosphate by
ornamental plants. HortScience 15(3):274.
51. Reed, D.W., Y-T Wang and B.H. Pemberton. 1992. Field screening of Rosa rootstocks for tolerance to
alkaline soil. HortScience 27(6):635.
52. Richards, D. and D.W. Reed. 1998. The growth of New Guinea impatiens with controlled-release fertilizer in a
recirculating subirrigation system. HortScience 33(3):556.
53. Rosenfield, C.L., D.W. Reed and M.W. Kent. 1990. Dependency of iron reduction on development of a unique
root morphology in Ficus benjamina. International Symposium on Iron Transport, Storage and Metabolism
II. July 20-22, 1990. Austin, TX.
54. Shafer, W.E. and D.W. Reed. 1983. Foliar absorption of potassium from organic and inorganic potassium
compounds. HortScience 18(4):619.
55. Sistrunk, L.A. and D.W. Reed. 1985. Use of condensed phosphorus as phosphate fertilizers. HortScience
20(4):554.
56. Sistrunk, L.A. and D.W. Reed. 1988. Hydrolysis and absorption of condensed phosphates from nutrient
solution measured by solution depletion. HortScience 23(3):816.
57. Stevens, A. and D.W. Reed. 1989. Cost of production analysis: Greenhouse production of foliage plants.
HortScience 1989 ASHS Annual Meetings / Programs and Abstracts.
58. Todd, N. and D.W. Reed. 1995. Response of New Guinea Impatiens to various levels of salinity in a
subirrigation system. HortScience 30(4):703.
59. Tukey, Jr., H.B., D.W. Reed, E.T. Paparozzi and G.J. Keever. 1978. Application of nutrients to ornamental
plants through the foliage. XXII Internat. Hort Congress, Sidney, Australia.
60. Turner, M.A., D.W. Reed and D.L. Morgan. 1983. Light quality and fertilizer effects on long term
maintenance of four foliage plants in simulated interior environments. HortScience 18(4):573.
61. Turner, M.A., D.W. Reed and D.L. Morgan. 1983. Interaction of ethylene and leaf abscission in two Ficus spp.
62. Valdez-Aguilar, L.A. and D.W. Reed. 2001. Effect of bicarbonate irrigation water on selected greenhouse
crops. 61th Annual Meeting of the Southern Region Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural
Sciences, Fort Worth, TX
63. Valdez-Aguilar, L.A. and D.W. Reed. 2004. Determination of the Alkalinity Toxicity Limits of Selected
Greenhouse Ornamental Plants. HortScience 39(4):878.
64. Valdez-Aguilar, L.A. and D.W. Reed. 2004. Use of Mixture Experiments to Determine the Effect of Counterions of Bicarbonate on Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) 'Poncho' in Hydroponics. HortScience 39(4):872.
Invited Papers at Scientific Symposia and Academic Institutions:
1. Reed, D.W. 1980. Absorption of foliar-applied compounds. First Annual Foliar Fertilizer Conference
sponsored by Allied Chemical Corp., Morristown, NJ, Sept. 1980.
2. Reed, D.W. 1981. Foliar absorption of sulfur compounds. Second Annual Foliar Fertilizer Conference
sponsored by Allied Chemical Corp., Morristown, NJ, Sept. 2-3, 1981.
3. Reed, D.W. 1982. Wax alteration and extraction during electron microscopy preparation of leaf cuticles. The
Plant Cuticle, eds. D.F. Cutler, K.L. Alvin and C.E. Price, Academic Press, NY. Presented at "The Plant
Cuticle - An International Symposium" sponsored by the Linnean Society, London, England, Sept. 8-11,
1980.
4. Reed, D.W and H.B. Tukey, Jr. 1982. Cuticular permeability of Brussels sprouts and carnation from leaves
developed in different temperatures and light intensities. The Plant Cuticle, eds. D.F. Cutler, K.L. Alvin
and C.E. Price, Academic Press, NY. Presented at "The Plant Cuticle - An International Symposium"
sponsored by the Linnean Society, London, England, Sept. 8-11, 1980.
5.
6.
7.
Reed, D.W. 1997. Plant selection versus fertilizer selection strategies to combat iron nutrition problems in
ornamental plants. 94th Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, Salt Lake
City, UT.
Reed, D.W. 2004. Managing water quality in growing media, Workshop: Getting Down and Dirt-less with
Container Substrates. HortScience 39(4):696, 2004 Annual Conference of the American Society for
Horticultural Sciences, Austin, TX.
Fertilizer selection versus plant selection strategies to combat iron nutrition problems. July 2007, Colegio
Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, sponsored by the Mexican Academy of Sciences.
Books and Manuals:
1. Reed, D.W. 1982, 1985, 1993 2nd Ed.. General Horticulture Laboratory Manual, Burgess Publishing, Edina.,
MN. 167 pp.
2. Reed. D.W. (Editor and Author). 1996. Water, Nutrition and Media for Greenhouse Crops, Ball Publishing,
Batavia, IL.
3. Reed, D.W. Horticulture – Science and Practices. 1999. Burgess Publishing, Edina, MN, 100 pp.
4. Also see papers in The Plant Cuticle under REFEREED PUBLICATIONS.
Grants and Contracts:
$500
Chemical and ultrastructural studies on cuticles. Faculty/Staff Mini-Grant Texas A&M, Jan. 1979-1980.
$2,000
Quantitative analysis of parameters of cuticular permeability. Organized Research Development Funds. Texas
A&M, Oct. 1979-1980.
$4,000
Foliar nutrition - factors affecting performance, Program Development Funds, Texas Agri. Exp. Station, 1982.
$27,396
Improving production efficiency and utilization of greenhouse crops, Expanded Research Area, Texas Agri. Exp.
Station, 1985-87.
$30,000
Nutrition of ornamental crops, Expanded Research Area, Texas Agri. Exp. Station, 1987-89.
$13,775
Nutrient analysis by ion exchange chromatography, Program Development Funds, Texas Agri. Exp. Station,
1989.
$29,500
Selection of Rosa rootstocks for iron efficiency and adaptation to alkaline soil, Co-Principle Investigators Y.
Wang and B. Pemberton. Expanded Research Area, Texas Agri. Exp. Station, 1989-1991
$75,000
Minimizing nitrogen runoff from greenhouses and nurseries using recycled irrigation water and constructed
wetlands. Co-Principle investigators H. Lang, E. McWilliams and D. Wilkerson. Research Enhancement
Program, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, 1993-95.
$5,200
Development of a HORT 201 Home Page on the Internet, V.F. and Gertrude Neuhaus Teaching Grant, COALS,
1996-97.
$50,000
Develop strategies to maximize accumulation of the anti-cancer compound camptothecin in Camptotheca – A
new crop for Texas agriculture. Co-Pi M. Rumpho and d. Lineberger. TAES Faculty Research Development
Program, 1997-98.
$500
Cuticle and leaf surface characteristics related to the effectiveness of compounds applied to the foliage of
ornamental plants. R.P. White Grant, Horticultural Research Inst. (HRI), Washington DC, June 1979-1980.
$6,000
A study of cuticle and leaf surface properties to determine the effectiveness of compounds applied to the foliage
of ornamental plants. The Fred Gloeckner Equipment Grant, Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation, June, 1979-1980.
$4,000
Alleviation of nutrient deficiencies and maintenance of optimum nutrient levels, especially through foliar
application, for maximum production efficiency. Weyerhaeuser Co., Dec., 1979-1980.
$292,000 Foliar nutrition - Factors affecting performance. Co-Principle investigators: J.B. Storey and E.R. Emino. Allied
Chemical Corp., June 1980-1983.
$3,500
Studies on improved production efficiency of selected greenhouse crops. Co-Principal investigators: A.E.
Nightingale, E. McWilliams, E.R. Emino and M. Kamp. Texas State Florist Association - Growers Division,
July 1980-1981.
$8,692
Effectiveness of iron foliar sprays. Allied Chemical Corp., June 1983-1984.
$4,717
Effectiveness of iron fertilizers. Arcadian Corp., Aug., 1985-1986.
$5,344
Foliar and root absorption of nitrogen carriers. Arcadian Corp., Nov., 1987-1988.
$2,000
Growth response and release rates from slow release N-P-K fertilizers. Haifa Chemicals, Trans-Resources, Inc.,
April 1989-1990.
$2,000
Sumagic on bedding plants. Valent USA Corp., April 1991-92.
$2,000
Phytotoxicity of Select on Ornamentals. Valent Corp., March 1992-93.
$2,000
Sumagic on bedding plants. Valent USA Corp., June 1992-93.
$3,500
Sumagic on bedding plants. Valent USA Corp., April 1993-94.
$2,000
$2,000
$4,000
$12,000
$12,000
$5,000
$2,600
$5,000
Minimizing nitrogen runoff from foliage production facilities using recycled irrigation water and constructed
wetlands. National Foliage Foundation, Apopka, FL, Jan. 1994-95. Co-Principal investigators: E.L. McWilliams
and H. Lang.
Evaluating irrigation water quality and predicting ornamental crop growth and quality response. Ornamental
Enhancement Endowment, 1997-98.
Evaluating irrigation water quality and predicting ornamental crop growth and quality response. Ornamental
Enhancement Endowment, 1999-01.
Reassessing water quality for greenhouse crop production. The Fred Gloeckner Foundation, Inc., June 2000-01.
Reassessing water quality for greenhouse crop production. The Fred Gloeckner Foundation, Inc., June 2001-02,
extension.
Studies on water quality for ornamental crops. Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, 2002.
Testing electromagnetically treated water for enhancement of seed germination and plant growth, Roger
Holland, 2002
Testing plant growth response to irrigation with recycled/reused water from nursery operations. Texas Nursery &
Landscape Association Education & Research Foundation, 2006-2007
Terri Woods Starman
Professor of Floriculture/Horticulture
tstarman@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Starman holds a three way split between teaching, research and service. Teaching
responsibilities include three undergraduate courses and one graduate course in the field
of floriculture production and marketing and greenhouse management. She also serves
as the co-chair of two Ph.D. student committees and as a member of about three graduate
student committees within the Department. Her research program involves
investigations in three primary areas, including stress physiology, postharvest
physiology, and greenhouse water conservation. Much of the stress physiology program
has been aimed at determining stress tolerance of landscape roses and other ornamentals
to salinity, heat, and drought exposure. The postharvest physiology program is to
investigate greenhouse production practices which maximize shelf life of potted
flowering plants and garden/bedding plants. Greenhouse water conservation projects use time domain transmissometry (TDT) sensors to apply constant soil moisture content
(SMC) to landscape roses and other greenhouse crops. In a service capacity, Dr.
Starman holds or has recently held officer positions with the national level American
Society for Horticultural Sciences and with the national Pi Alpha Xi honors organization,
as well as positions on the editorial board for HortScience.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1986
M.S.
1980
B.S.
1977
Institution
University of Missouri
University of Missouri
Major
Floriculture
Horticulture
Horticulture
2012 – present
Professor, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
(60% teaching, 39% research, 1% service)
2000-2012
Associate Professor, Dept. Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
(60% teaching, 39% research, 1% service)
1997-2000
Associate Professor, Dept. of Ornamental Hort. & Landscape Design, University of Tennessee
1991-1997
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Ornamental Hort. & Landscape Design, University of Tennessee
1986-1991
Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Southern Illinois University
1977-1981
Instructor, Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri
(100% teaching)
Cai, X., T.W. Starman, G. Niu, C. Hall, and L. Lombardini. 2012. Response of selected garden roses to drought stress.
HortScience 47(8): 1050-1055.
Spiers, J.D., F.T. Davies, Jr., C. He, T.W. Starman, S.A. Finlayson, S.A. Senseman, and K.M. Heinz. 2011. Fertilization affects
constitutive and wound-induced chemical defenses in Gerbera jamesonii. J. Environ. Hort. 29(4):180-184.
Lin, M., T.W. Starman, Y.T. Wang, G. Niu, and J.T. Cothren. 2011. Deferring flowering of nobile dendrobium hybrids by holding
plants under low temperature after vernalization. Scientia Hort. 130:869-873.
Niu, G., R.I. Cabrera, T. W. Starman, and C. Hall. 2011. Water conservation in ornamental plant production through the use of
alternative irrigation water sources. HortTechnology 21(6):694-695.
Lin, M., T.W. Starman, Y.T. Wang, and G. Niu. 2011. Vernalization duration and light intensity influence flowering of three
hybrid nobile dendrobium cultivars. HortScience 46(3):406-410.
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, and T.W. Starman. 2010. Response of bedding plants to saline water irrigation. HortScience
45(4):628-636.
Beach, S.E., T.W. Starman, K. Eixmann, H.B. Pemberton, and K.M. Heinz. 2009. Reduced end-of-production fertilization
rate increased postproduction shelf life of containerized vegetative annuals. HortTechnol. 19(1):158-167.
Yen, C., T.W. Starman, Y.T. Wang, and G. Niu. 2008. Effects of cooling temperature and duration on flowering of nobile
dendrobium orchid. HortScience 43:1765-1769.
Yen, C., T.W. Starman, Y.T. Wang, A. Holzenberg, and G. Niu. 2008. Timing of nutrient termination and reapplication on
growth, flower initiation, and flowering of the nobile dendrobium orchid. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 133(4):501-507.
Mason, S., T.W. Starman, D.L. Lineberger, and B. Behe. 2008. Consumer preferences for price, color harmony and care
information of container gardens. HortScience 43:380-384.
Bichsel, R.G., T.W. Starman, and Y.T. Wang. 2008. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium requirements for optimizing
growth and flowering of the nobile dendrobium as a potted orchid. HortScience 43:328-332.
Starman, T.W., S.E. Beach, and K. Eixmann. 2007. Postharvest decline symptoms after simulated shipping and during shelf
life of 21 cultivars of vegetative annuals. HortTechnol. 17(4):544-551.
Starman, T.W. 2013.Using technology to teach floral design, p, _-_. In: T. Rhodus (ed.), Changing the pace-adopting a
Pecha Kucha approach to presentations [iBooks 3.0 or later]. Retrieved 1/28/2013 from
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/changing-pace-adopting-pecha/id594201341?ls=1
Greyvenstein, O.F.C., T.W. Starman, H.B. Pemberton, G. Niu, and D.H. Byrne. 2012. Towards phenotyping heat tolerance in
garden roses. Proc. 7th ISHS on In Vitro Culture and Horticultural Breeding. Acta Hort. 961: 181-186, ISHS 2012.
http://www.actahort.org/books/961/961_21.htm
Niu, G., D.S. Rodriguez, T.W. Starman, M. Wang, and D. Zhang. 2011. Responses of zinnia to saline water irrigation. Acta
Hort. 922: 237-244.
Wang, Y.T., T.W. Starman, R. Bichsel, C. Yen, and M. Lin. 2010. The commercial production of the nobile dendrobium as a
pot plant: a scientific and practical approach. Proceedings of the 2010 Taiwan International Orchid Symposium p:
98-143.
Spiers, J. D., F.T. Davies Jr., C. He, T.W. Starman, and K.M. Heinz. 2007. Reducing fertilization in gerbera production
enhances host plant resistance to western flower thrips. Combined Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. 57:(pp).
Spiers, J. D., F.T. Davies Jr., C. He, K.M. Heinz, and T.W. Starman. 2007. Fertilization affects susceptibility to western
flower thrips, herbivore abundance, growth, development, and quality of Gerbera jamesonii. Proc. South. Nurs.
Assn. Res. Conf. 52:41-46.
Jones, M., T. Starman, C. Hall, C. Pasian, and G. Staby, 2012. Taking it to the Max. How to maintain the quality of your
plants during shipping and maximize their shelf life. Greenhouse Management (Feb.) 32 (2): 62-66.
Starman, T., M. Jones, G. Staby, C. Pasion, and C. Hall. 2011. Shrink the shrink. Part 2. Greenhouse Management (July)
31(7):36-38, 63-64.
Hall, C., M. Jones, T. Starman, C. Pasion, and G. Staby. 2011. Shrink the shrink. Part 1. (Jan.) Greenhouse Management
31(1):38-42.
Wang, Y.T. and T.W. Starman. 2008. The Nobile Dendrobium. International Commercial Orchid Growers Organization
(ICOGO) 2(3):12-13.
Spiers, J.D., F.T. Davies, Jr., C. He, K.M. Heinz, C.E. Bogran, and T.W. Starman. 2008. Do insecticides affect plant growth
and development? Greenhouse Grower 26(2):1-4.
Starman, T.W., S.E. Beach, and K. L. Eixmann. 2007. Postharvest decline in simulated shipping and retail environments. Big
Grower 4(2):14-19.
Starman, T.W. 2007. Creating and selling container gardens. Ohio Florists’ Assoc. Bul. 902: 3-8.
Maintain four class websites:
HORT 428 website: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/
Starman, T.W. 2008. Container Gardens, p. 353-359. In: George Acquaah (ed.) Horticulture: Principles and Practices. 4th
ed. Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J. (This is a widely utilized text for high school and college horticulture
students).
None
Horticulture 428, Commercial Greenhouse Management: every fall 2007-2012
Horticulture 427, Floriculture Crop Production: every spring 2007-2012
Horticulture 426, International Floriculture Marketing 2009-2013 (every other year)
Horticulture 485, Problems in Horticulture: Fall 2009 and 2011
Graduate courses
Horticulture 626, International Floriculture Marketing 2009-2013 (every other year)
Horticulture 691, Research, 2007-2012
Advised/co-advised
Xiaoya Cai, 2010-present, PhD, TAMU, Proposed dissertation title: Response of Selected Garden Rose Cultivars to Drought
and Salt Stresses.
Ockert Greyvenstein, 2010-present, PhD, TAMU, Proposed dissertation title: Screening and Breeding for Heat Tolerance in
Rose.
Alison Bingham, 2009-2012, M.S., TAMU, Thesis title: Substrate moisture content effects on growth and shelf life of
Angelonia angustifolia.
Min Lin, 2008-2011, M.S., TAMU, Thesis title: Effects of vernalization duration, light intensity during vernalization and low
temperature holding after vernalization on flowering of nobile dendrobium hybrids
Jarratt Irwin, 2008-2009, M.Agr., TAMU, Professional paper title: Internship at Pleasant Hill Winery in Brenham, Texas.
Christine Yen, 2005-2008, M.S., TAMU, Thesis title: Effect of Nutrient Supply and Cooling on Growth, Flower Bud
Differentiation, and Propagation of the Nobile Dendrobium Orchid.
Jennifer Burns, 2005-2007, M.Agr., TAMU, Professional Paper title: An Internship at Orchid Express and Leasing in
Houston, Texas.
Shannon Mason, 2005-2007, M.S., TAMU, Thesis title: Consumer Preferences for Price, Color Harmony and Care
Information of Container Gardens.
First job taken by graduate students 2007-2012
M. Lin – Breeder for Sakata in California
J. Irwin – Production Manager, J&L Vineyards and Irwin’s Greenhouses, Amarillo, TX
C. Yen – Marketing Manager for Rocket Farms, Salinas Valley, CA
J. Burns – Conservatory & Orchid Greenhouse Manager, Shangri-La Botanical Garden, Orange, TX
S. Mason – Floral Design Instructor, University of Arkansas
2013-present, MA, Madeline L. Frazier, Dept. of Hort. Sci., TAMU
2012-present, M.S., Yanjun Guo (Cecelia), Dept. of Hort. Sci., TAMU
2011-2012, M.Agr. Xuan Luo (Anthea), Dept. of Hort. Sci., TAMU
2003-present, PhD. Ching-Jung Tsai (Amy), Dept. of Hort. Sci., TAMU
2003-2007, PhD. Jay D. Spiers, Dept. of Hort. Sci., TAMU
None
$52,964 - Niu, G., T.W. Starman, and M. Goo. 2012. Urban water conservation by irrigation landscapes with reclaimed
water. Rio Grande Basin Initiative.
$700 - Starman, T.W. 2011. Travel award to visit Susanna Whelan (undergraduate) during her internship at Molback’s
Garden Center in Seattle, American Floral Endowment.
$7,000 - Starman, T.W. 2010. The use of Pageant to improve water use and quality of ornamental plants, BASF.
$75,000 - Bogran, C.E., T.W. Starman and S.D. Suresh. 2009. Effectiveness of irradiation as a post-harvest quarantine
treatment of imported cut flowers, Ceniflores.
$6,000 - Starman, T.W. 2009. The use of Pageant to improve post-shipment shelf life of ornamental plants, BASF.
$3520 - Starman, T.W., H.B. Pemberton, and K. Eixmann. 2009. Spring container plant trials, various floriculture breeding
companies.
$5,000 - Starman, T.W., H.B. Pemberton, and K. Eixmann. 2008. Spring container plant trials, various floriculture breeding
companies.
$10,000 - Yen, C., Y.T. Wang, and T.W. Starman. 2007. Effect of nutrient supply and cooling on growth, flower bud
differentiation, and propagation of the nobile dendrobium orchid, The Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation.
$7,020 - Starman, T.W., H.B. Pemberton, and K. Eixmann. 2007. Fall and spring container plant trials, various floriculture
breeding companies.
$5,000 - Mason, S., T.W. Starman, B. Behe, and D.L. Lineberger. 2007. Consumer preferences for price, color harmony and
care information of container gardens, Calloway’s Garden Centers, gift of incentive gift-certificates for survey
participants.
None
HortScience
HortScience
HortTechnology
Journal of Plant Growth Regulation
TAMU, Women’s Faculty Network (WFN), member, College Station, Texas, 2012-present.
TAMU, Instructional Technol. User’s Group, member, Instructional Technol. Serv., College Station, Texas, 2007 - 2009.
TAMU, CASNR Event Planning Certificate Committee, member, 2012-present.
TAMU, CASNR Distance Education Committee, member, 2012-present.
TAMU, CASNR AWESOME, member, 2010-present.
TAMU, CASNR Policy Congressional Intern Program Faculty Screening Committee, member, 2001 and 2010, 2011.
TAMU, Texas A&M Agriculture Conf. Planning Committee, member, 2006-2007.
TAMU, Dept. Hort. Sci. Scholarship Committee, member, 2011-present.
TAMU, Dept. Hort. Sci. Curriculum Committee, member, 2011-present.
TAMU, Dept. Hort. Sci. Search Committee for the Benz Endowed Chair, member, 2010.
TAMU, Dept. Hort. Sci. Committee to Internationalize Curriculum, member, 2010.
TAMU, Dept. Hort. Sci. Seminar Committee, member, 2007-2010.
TAMU, Dept. Hort. Sci. Teaching Matters, member, 2009-2012.
TAMU, Dept. Hort. Sci. Faculty Panel for Expectations of New Graduate Students, 2010.
TAMU, Dept. Hort. Sci. Floriculture Degree Evaluation Committee, member, 2007.
TAMU, Dept. Hort. Sci. Ellison Intl. Floriculture Chair Search Committee, member, 2006-2007.
International Flower Juror and Speaker, Technical Contest, Proflora, 2009, Bogotá, Sponsored by the Association of
Columbia Flower Exporters (Asocolflores).
Consultant 2006 – 2007, Hines Horticulture, for marketing container gardens to The Home Depot in Texas, the Midwest and
the Northeast territories.
Consulting Editor for HortScience – Floriculture, 2009-present.
ASHS Education Publication Award Committee, chair, 2013-present.
ASHS Outstanding Undergraduate Educator Award Committee, member, 2010-present.
ASHS Education Publication Award Committee, member, 2010-2012.
ASHS National Floriculture Forum, member, 1993-present.
ASHS Teaching Methods Working Group, member, 2006-present.
ASHS Controlled Environment Working Group, member, 1998-present.
ASHS Floriculture Research Working Group, member, 1986-present.
ASHS Floriculture Education Working Group, member, 1986-present
National Floriculture Forum. Organizer for National Academic Conference in 2011. Dallas, Texas.
Honorary Society of Horticulture - National Pi Alpha Xi, 1982-present, Board member 2001-2007.
American Floral Endowment (AFE) Board of Director’s Meeting, Co-organizer and presenter for National Industry Board
Meeting College Station, TX, Jan. 2012.
OFA Short Course, speaker and co-coordinator of the workshop ‘Crop Management Workshop: Keeping You & Your
Customers Happy’ Columbus, Ohio, July 2010.
Floriculture Research Alliance, Multi-State Research Project, collaborator, 2012-present.
Water Management & Quality for Ornamental Crop Production & Health (NC1186), Multi-State Research Project, member,
2009-present.
Kenneth Post Award, 2008, Award for the best floriculture manuscript published in an ASHS journal in 2008 by the
Floriculture Research Working Group of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences. Manuscript citation:
Mason, S., T.W. Starman, B. Behe, and D.L. Lineberger. 2007. Consumer preferences for price, color harmony, and
information level of container gardens. HortScience 42(4):892.
Larry Alfred Stein
Professor and Extension Horticulturist
Associate Department Head for Extension Horticulture
larrystein@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Stein is 100% Extension and works on pecans, fruits and vegetable crops.
He is also a member of the CEMAP Executive Board (Coordinated Education
and Marketing Assistance Program) which features the Texas Superstar®
program. Dr. Stein’s work has focused on finding the best management
practices for numerous crops including pecans and spinach. His work on crop
load management on pecans has allowed for a more consistent production of
high quality pecans from year to year. Trials on growing baby leaf spinach in
the Texas Wintergarden have lead to a significant industry where before there
was none. He works with other specialists to evaluate other potential crops for
Texas, namely cold hardy citrus, pomegranates, blackberries, figs, pears, table
grapes, and new varieties of tomatoes and watermelons. In addition he travels
the state presenting programs on these various crops as well as training
numerous Master Gardeners across the state. Recently he assumed the role of
Associate Department Head for Extension Horticulture programs in Texas. Dr.
Stein’s expertise and work in the culture of pecan has allowed the Texas A&M
AgriLife Extension Service pecan educational program to become the best in the
world. Numerous years of result demonstrations and research plots on crop load management and best management practices
have allowed him to stay on the cutting edge of pecan growth and development. Dr. Stein and Monte Nesbitt hosted the
Texas Pecan Orchard Management Short course on 23 through 27 January 2012 at Texas A&M University. Classes were
held in Rudder Tower, at the USDA Pecan Breeding Station in Somerville and the newly renovated Texas A&M Pecan
Orchard. We had 79 participants from two countries; Mexico (10%) and the United States. The following U.S. states had
students including Arkansas, Arizona, Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Texas. Fifty
nine percent were from Texas. Seventy one percent of the participants were completely satisfied with the short course with
the remaining percentage being mostly satisfied and 100 % would recommend the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
as a contact for information and assistance on pecan orchard management issues. Ninety eight percent felt like this class
gave them the ability to analyze their situation and make better orchard management decisions. A large percentage (85 %)
were completely satisfied with the instructor’s level of subject matter knowledge and 76 % were completely satisfied with the
instructor’s responses to questions. Lastly 93% felt the practices that they adopted as a result of this program would result in
real savings and increased profits. Fifty eight % felt this profit or savings would be over $500.
Dr. Stein also hosted the International Spinach conference in San Antonio, Texas 29, 30 November 2012 and then toured
numerous farms and research demonstrations in the Winter Garden. He had folks from three countries; United Kingdom,
Netherlands, and the United States with the following US states represented, Washington, California, Arkansas, South
Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. Ninety one percent were mostly or completely satisfied with the event and 93 %
would attend another such event sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Most importantly though, 67 %
thought they would directly benefit economically as a result of attending this event.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Institution
Ph.D.
1985
M.S.
1981
B.S.
1979
September 2012 – present
September 1999 – present
September 1992 – September 1999
December 1991 – August 1992
Major
Horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture
Associate Department Head and Professor and Extension
Horticulturist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Professor and Extension Horticulturist, Texas AgriLife Research and Extension
Center, Uvalde, TX
Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist, TAMU Research and
Extension Center, Uvalde, TX
Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist,
TAMU Research and Extension Center, Stephenville, TX
June 1985 – December 1991
June 1982 – June 1985
January 1982 – May 1982
December 1981 – June 1980
August 1979 – May 1980
Extension Horticulturist, TAMU Research and Extension Center, Stephenville,
TX
Extension Assistant in Horticulture, Extension Horticulture, College Station, TX
Technician II, Department of Horticultural Sciences,
College Station, TX
Graduate Assistant in Research, Department of Horticultural Sciences, College
Station, TX
Graduate Assistant in Teaching, Department of Horticultural Sciences, College
Station, TX
Publications 2007 – 2012
Stein, L.A., G.R McEachern and M. Nesbitt (eds.) 2012. Texas Pecan Handbook, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service,
College Station.
Stein, L.A. 2012. For natives, wait for N applications; be ready with zinc. Pecan South, Vol. 45, No. 1, 8 & 11.
Stein, L.A. 2012. Drought stress symptoms persist. Pecan South, Vol. 45, No. 5, 8 & 15.
Stein, L.A. 2012. Texas native crop fairly good despite drought. Pecan South, Vol. 45, No. 9, 6.
Kamas, J. and L.A. Stein. 2011. Texas Peach Handbook. TAMU Press, College Station.
Moore, J.N., J.R. Clark, J. Kamas, L.A. Stein, F. Tarkington, and M. Tarkington. 2011. ‘Victoria Red’ Grape. HortScience,
46: 817 – 820.
Stein, L.A., M. Valdez, and A. Mize. 2011. Evaluation of fungicides for the development of an effective spinach white rust
control program. International Spinach Conference, Amsterdam.
Stein, L.A., J.M. Parsons, and R.D. Lineberger. 2011. ‘Lady Bird Johnson Royal Blue’ Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis
Hook). HortScience, 1206 -1207.
Stein, L.A. 2011. Vast stands of natives could increase U.S. production. Pecan South, Vol. 44, No. 1, 4 – 5, 7.
Stein, L.A. 2011. How will weather affect this year’s crop? Pecan South, Vol. 44, No. 5, 8 & 10.
Stein, L.A. 2011. Assessing your crop: bending limbs and the “pop test”. Pecan South, Vol. 44, No. 9, 6 – 7 and 19.
Stein, L. A. 2011. 2012 Texas Pecan Shortcourse coming up Jan. 23 - 27. Pecan South, Vol. 44, No. 10, 27.
Stein, L.A., M. Nesbitt, A. Wagner, W.B. Ree, and G.R. McEachern. 2011. Good Agricultural Practices for Pecans in
Texas. Texas Pecan Growers Assoc. Bryan, TX.
Stein, L.A. 2010. Prepare to fertilize. Pecan South, Vol. 43, No. 1, 10 – 11.
Stein, L.A. 2010. The passing of a legend, Dr. J. Benton Storey. Pecan South, Vol. 43, No. 3, 14 – 17.
Stein, L.A. 2010. Native crop looks good in Texas so far. Pecan South, Vol. 43, No. 5, 10– 11.
Stein, L.A. 2010. Steps to protect your pecans this harvest season. Pecan South, Vol. 43, No. 9, 8 and 21.
J.D. Reed, J.E. Woodward, K.L. Ong, M.C. Black, L.A. Stein. 2010. First Report of Stemphylium botryosum on Spinach in
Texas. Plant Disease 94(11):1377. DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-06-10-0471
Stein, L.A. and B. Whitney. 2009. Traditional versus organic. Pecan South, Vol. 42, No. 1, 14 and 15.
Stein, L.A. 2009. Managing pecan freeze damage requires patience. Pecan South, Vol. 42, No. 3, 11 & 19.
Stein, L.A. 2009. Texas native crop good; drought persists. Pecan South, Vol. 42, No. 5, 8 & 12.
Stein, L.A. 2009. Texas rains in time to help nut quality. Pecan South, Vol. 42, No. 9, 7 & 16 - 17.
Stein, L.A., A. Phillips, and M. Valdez. 2009. “The Effects of Plant Population on Processing and Fresh Market Spinach
Yield and Quality.” In Abstracts of the International Spinach Conference. University of Arkansas.
Valdez, M., L.A. Stein and A. Phillips. 2009. “Efficacy of Soil and Foliar Applied Pesticides on White Rust.” In: Abstracts
Of the International Spinach Conference. University of Arkansas.
Stein, L.A. 2008. “Texas Natives May Need N, Zinc, Thinning in ’08.” Pecan South, Vol. 41, No. 1, 4 and 6.
Stein, L.A. 2008. “How Much Management for Small Native Crop?” Pecan South, Vol. 41, No. 5, 6-8.
Peña, J.G. and L.A. Stein. 2008. “Coping With Increased Costs for the 08/09 Season.” Pecan South, Vol. 41, No. 5, 6-8.
Stein, L.A. 2008. “Catch and Release? Not an Option!” Pecan South, Vol. 41, No. 9, 4.
Stein, L.A. 2008. “Annual Texas Pecan Shortcourse Coming Up In January.” Pecan South, Vol. 41, No. 10, 30.
Stein, L.A. ed. 2008. “Abstracts of the International Spinach Conference.” Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Uvalde, TX.
Stein, L.A., A. Phillips, and M. Valdez. 2008. “The Effects of Pre-Plant Nitrogen and Plant Population on Processing and
Fresh Market Spinach Yield and Quality.” In Abstracts of the International Spinach Conference. Texas AgriLife
Extension Service, Uvalde, TX.
Phillips, A., L.A. Stein, and M. Valdez. 2008. “Efficacy of Soil and Foliar Applied Pesticides on White Rust.” In: Abstracts
Of the International Spinach Conference. Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Uvalde, TX.
Valdez, M., J. Anciso, J. Lopez, O. Gonzales, L.A. Stein, J. Taylor, R. Griffin, R. Zamora, O. Montemayor, and B. Story .
2008. “Food Safety Gaps Initiative for the Spinach Industry.” In: Abstracts of the International Spinach Conference.
Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Uvalde, TX.
Stein, L.A. and G.R. McEachern. 2007. Texas Pecan Handbook, Volumes 1 & 2. Texas Cooperative Extension, College
Station.
Stein, L.A. 2007. ”What a difference a year makes!” Pecan South, Vol. 40, No. 5, 8 & 10.
Stein, L.A. 2007. “ Natives not immune from climate, pest problems.” Pecan South, Vol. 40, No. 9, 9 – 10.
Stein, L.A. 2007. Container citrus. Neil Sperry’s Gardens. Vol. 25, No. 6, 20 – 21.
Grants and Contracts 2007 – 2012
2012
$ 818.38
Helena Chemical
$ 2,500.00
Syngenta
$ 5,000.00
BASF
$ 2,000.00
State wide watermelon
$ 2,200.00
CEMAP
$ 750.00
Texas Pecan Growers
$ 1,000.00
In kind services from Peterson’s
$10,000.00
Wintergarden Spinach Producers Board
2011
$ 1,500.00
Helena Chemical
$ 3,000.00
FMC Corp
$ 4,000.00
DuPont
$ 5,000.00
BASF
$ 2,000.00
$ 2,200.00
CEMAP
$ 750.00
Texas Pecan Growers
$ 1,000.00
$10,000.00
2010
$1,000.00
Valent
$4,500.00
Gowan
$7,500.00
Syngenta
$2,022.66
$2,200.00
CEMAP
$ 750.00
Texas Pecan Growers
$1,000.00
$6,000.00
2009
$4,000.00
Valent
$2,500.00
Syngenta
$2,000.00
Statewide watermelon
$6,000.00
$2,000.00
CEMAP
$ 750.00
Texas Pecan Growers Association
$1,000.00
In kind services from Peterson Brother’s
2008
$1,000.00
Bayer Crop Sciences
$3,000.00
Valent
$1,200.00
Agraquest
$2,500.00
Syngenta
$4,000.00
Valent
$ 68.66
Wharton County
$6,000.00
$1,000.00
CEMAP
$ 750.00
Texas Pecan Growers Association
$1,000.00
In kind services from Peterson Brother’s
2007
$7,000.00
Winter Garden Spinach Producers Board
$1,200.00
Agriliance
$1,200.00
Agra Quest
ASTRID VOLDER
Associate Professor
a-volder@tamu.edu
Program Summary
Dr. Volder’s current position description is 45% teaching / 45% research and 10% service. Responsibilities include teaching
two courses each year and conducting a strong research program as well as the advising and mentoring of undergraduate
and graduate students. Teaching duties include one undergraduate course in plant physiology and two graduate courses; one
in the area of the ecology of constructed landscape or sustainable landscape management and one in the area of root
biology, as well as graduate seminar in Fall semesters. Research responsibilities include 1) leadership in application of
ecological principles and research techniques to cultivated urban landscapes and remnant or fragmented natural landscapes,
2) developing financially self-supporting research programs and forging working relationships with other faculty within and
outside the department to address urban landscape and remnant or fragmented natural landscapes issues in a multidisciplinary fashion, and 3) communicating research results by publishing in refereed journals and other relevant outlets,
and making presentations at professional meetings.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1998
M.S.
1997
B.S.
1994
Institution
Utrecht University, Netherlands
University of Washington
Utrecht University, Netherlands
Major
Biology (Plant Physiological Ecology)
Botany
Biology
2012 – present
Associate Professor, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University 2006 – 2012
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
2004 - 2006
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Forest Science, Texas A&M University 2000 - 2004
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, CSIRO Plant Industry and Australian National
University, Australia
1998 - 2000
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Horticulture, Penn State University
Refereed Publications 2007-2013: (underlined names indicate graduate students advised as primary advisor or committee
member)
1. Lombardini L, Volder A, Cartmill DL, Nesbitt M. 2013. Consequences of damage caused by blotch
leafminer on pecan gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence. Journal of the American Society for
Horticultural Science. Accepted Feb 2013.
2. Dvorak B, Volder A. 2013. Plant establishment findings for extensive green roofs in a subtropical climate.
Annals of Botany – Plants 5: doi: 10.1093/aobpla/pls049
3. Volder A, Tjoelker MG, Briske DD. 2013. Climate warming and precipitation redistribution modify
tree-grass interactions and tree species establishment in a warm-temperate savanna. Global Change
Biology 19: 843-857.
4. Cartmill AD, Valdez-Aguilar LA, Bryan DL, Volder A, Alarcon A. 2013. Arbuscular mycorrhizal
colonization does not alleviate NaCl-salinity stress in Vinca [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don].Journal of Plant
Nutrition 36: 164-178.
5. Dvorak B, Volder A. 2013. Rooftop temperature reductions from unirrigated modular green roofs in south-central
Texas. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 12: 28-35.
6. Cartmill DL, Alarcon A, Volder A, Valdez-Aguilar LA, Arnold MA, Cartmill AD. 2012. Arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi alleviate growth of Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. at suboptimal planting depths. Scientia
Horticulturae 144: 74-80.
7. Dieleman WIJ, Vicca S, Dijkstra F, Hagedorn F, Hovenden MJ, Larsen KS, Morgan JA, Volder A,
Beier C, Dukes JS, King J, Leuzinger S, Linder S, Luo Y, Oren R, De Angelis P, Tingey D, Hoosbeek MR,
Janssens IA. 2012. Combined manipulation of atmospheric CO2 and temperature in terrestrial ecosystems:
Response patterns of biomass and soil patterns. Global Change Biology 18: 2681 – 2693.
8. Sung CY, Li M, Rogers GO, Volder A, Wang Z. 2011. Investigating alien plant invasion in urban riparian
forests in a hot and semi-arid region. Landscape and Urban Planning 100: 278-286.
9. Bryan DL, Arnold MA, Volder A, Watson WT, Lombardini L, Sloan JJ, Alarcon A, Valdez-Aguilar
LA, Cartmill AD. 2011. Planting depth and soil amendments affect growth of Quercus virginiana
Mill. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 10: 127-132.
10. Aitkenhead-‐Peterson JA, Dvorak B, Volder A, Stanley N. 2011. Chemistry of growth medium and
leachate during an establishment phase to determine optimal species selection for green roofs in
southcentral Texas. Urban Ecosystems 14: 17-33.
11. Viswanathan B, Volder A, Aitkenhead-Peterson JA, Watson WT. 2011. Impervious and pervious pavements
increase soil CO2 concentrations and reduce root production of American sweetgum (Liquidambar
styraciflua). Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 10: 133-139.
12. Volder A, Tjoelker MG, Briske DD. 2010. Contrasting physiological responsiveness of establishing trees and a
C4 grass to rainfall events, intensified summer drought, and warming in oak savanna. Global Change
Biology 16: 3349-3362.
13. Bryan DL, Arnold MA, Volder A, Watson WT, Lombardini L, Sloan JJ, Valdez-Aguilar LA, Cartmill
AD. 2010. Transplant season, irrigation, and planting depth effects on landscape establishment of
bald cypress and sycamore. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 36: 57-65. NA
14. Dvorak B and Volder A. 2010. Green roof vegetation findings for North American ecoregions: A literature review.
Landscape and Urban Planning 96: 197-213.
15. Bryan DL, Arnold MA, Volder A, Watson WT, Lombardini L, Sloan JJ, Valdez-Aguilar LA, Cartmill AD. 2010.
Planting depth during container production and landscape establishment affects growth of lacebark elm.
Hortscience 45: 54-60.
16. Volder A, Anderson LJ, Smart DR, Bloom AJ, Lakso AN, Eissenstat DM. 2009. Estimating nitrogen uptake of
individual roots in container- and field-grown plants using a 15N depletion approach. Functional Plant
Biology 36: 1-8.
17. Volder A, Watson WT, Viswanathan B. 2009. Potential use of pervious concrete for maintaining existing
mature trees during and after urban development. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 8: 249 – 256.
18. Lombardini L, Restrepo-Diaz H, Volder A. 2009. Photosynthetic light response and epidermal
characteristics of sun and shade pecan leaves. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural
Science 134: 1-7.
19. Monson RK, Trahan N, Rosenstiel TN, Veres P, Moore D, Wilkinson M, Norby RJ, Volder A, Tjoelker MG, Briske
DD, Karnosky DF, Fall R. 2007. Isoprene emission from terrestrial ecosystems
in response to global change: minding the gap between models and observations. Philosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society A 365: 1677–1695.
20. Volder A, Gifford RM, Evans JR 2007. Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, cutting regime and differential
day/night atmospheric warming on Phalaris sward root growth and turnover. Global Change Biology 13: 1040–
1052.
Editor Reviewed Publications Or Conference Proceedings 2007-2013 1. Dvorak B, Byerley B, Volder A. 2012. Plant species findings from three water conserving green roofs in Texas. 10th
Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference. Chicago, Illinois. October 17 – 20.
2. Dvorak B, Volder A, Aitkenhead-Peterson JA. 2011. Stormwater retention findings from unirrigated green roofs in Texas.
6th Annual International Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Conference, Awards & Trade Show,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 30-December 3, 9 pp.
3. Bryan, D.L., M.A. Arnold, A. Volder, W.T. Watson, L. Lombardini, J.J. Sloan, and A.D. Cartmill. 2009. Overview of
selected studies on the influence of planting depth on landscape establishment of container-grown trees. Proc. of the
Landscape Below Ground III Conference. Lisle, IL, Oct. 7 – 9, 2008. pp. 125-130.
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review Section 7 Books Or Chapters In Books 2007-1013:
1. Urban Ecosystem Ecology. 2010. Editors: Jacqueline Aitkenhead-Peterson and Astrid Volder. ASA, CSSA,
SSSA. Agron Monogr. 55. 478 pp. ISBN: 978-0-89118-175-0
2. Volder A. 2010. Urban Plant Ecology. In: Urban Ecosystem Ecology. Editors: J A Aitkenhead- Peterson and
A Volder. ASA, CSSA, SSSA. Agron Monogr. 55
3. Volder A and Watson WT. 2010. Urban Forestry. In: Urban Ecosystem Ecology. Editors: J A AitkenheadPeterson and A Volder. ASA, CSSA, SSSA. Agron Monogr. 55
4. Aitkenhead-Peterson JA, Volder A and Watson WT. 2010. Ecosystem services. In: Urban Ecosystem
Ecology. Editors: J A Aitkenhead-Peterson and A Volder. ASA, CSSA, SSSA. Agron Monogr. 55
Classes Taught (2007-2013):
HORT 489 Urban Plant Ecology, Fall 2007, 2008
MEPS 313 Intro Plant Physiology, Fall 2010, 2011, 2012
HORT 485 Special projects, Summer 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013
HORT 691 Undergraduate research, Fall 2011, Spring 2012
Graduate courses
HORT/MEPS 689/618, Root Biology: Spring 2008, 2010, and 2012
HORT 689/618 Ecology of Urban Landscapes, Spring 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
HORT 681 Graduate Seminar, Fall 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
HORT 691, Research, each semester year-round from Spring 2007 through Fall 2012 at Texas A&M University.
Graduate Students (2007-2013):
Advised/co-advised
1. M. S. Bhavana Viswanathan– “Effect of porous and impervious concrete on soil respiration rates and root
production of American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)”. Graduated May 2010.
2. Ph. D. Andrew D. Cartmill – “Effect of warming and rainfall distribution on mycorrhizal symbiosis and soil
respiration in oak-savanna”. Graduated May 2011.
3. M. S. Hayley Hannah – “Linking above- and belowground growth of Pecan trees under different N- fertilizer
regimes”. Expected graduation December 2012. Co-chaired with Dr. Leonardo Lombardini
(TAMU Horticultural Sciences). Successfully defended Oct. 2012.
4. M. S. Kirk Laminack. “Physiology of green roof vegetation”. Expected graduation Dec 2013.
5. M. S. Paige Graves. “Root characteristics of Pecan”. Expected Dec 2013. Co-chaired with Dr.
Leonardo Lombardini (TAMU Horticultural Sciences).
6. Ph. D. Catherine Simpson – “Effect of irrigation and cultural practices on run-off water quality”.
Expected graduation Dec 2013. Cooperative PhD program with TAMU-Kingsville, co-chaired with Dr.
Chad Nelson (TAMU-Kingsville).
7. Ph. D. Jose Franco. “Physiological effects of sustainable vegetable production”. Expected graduation December
2013. Co-chaired with Dr. David Briske (TAMU Ecosystem Science and Management).
First job taken by each of your graduate students 2007-2013:
Bhavana Viswanathan (now Iyer) – landscape designer at Transasia Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, India
Andrew Cartmill – postdoc at University of Wisconsin – Platteville
Page 163
2013 Horticultural Sciences Academic Program Review Section 7 Graduate student committees (non-advisees):
Degree
Name
Major professor
MLA
E. Thompson
Dr. Rodiek
Ph.D.
M. S.
D. Bryan
K. MarrLindgren
Dr. Arnold
Dr. Tjoelker
Ph.D.
C. Sung
Dr. Ming Han Li
Ph.D.
D. Young
M. S.
MLA
K. Liu
M. Swapp
Dr. Srinivasan / Dr.
Aitkenhead-Peterson
Dr. Moore / Dr. West
Dr. Li
Ph.D.
M. S.
K. Chebrolu
K. Lenoir
Ph.D.
M. Luckett
M. S.
Ph.D.
B. Thomas
R. Wellman
Ph.D.
Ph.D.
Ph.D.
MLA
S. Agehara
B. Alexander
S. Sharma
J. Montano
Dr. Rogers
Dr. Boutton / Dr.
Tjoelker
Dr. Leskovar
Dr. Aitkenhead-Peterson
Dr. Leskovar
Dr. Rodiek
Ph.D.
Ph.D.
P. Mukherjee
Y. Luo
Dr. Versaw
Dr. Li
Ph. D.
Ph. D.
Ph. D.
E. Hall
E. Wilson
H. Awike
Dr. Vogel / Dr. Gan
Dr. Vogel
Dr. Hays
Dr. Patil
Dr. Mark Tjoelker
(University of Western
Sydney, Australia) / Dr.
David Briske (ESSM)
Dr. Dooley
Department
Landscape Architecture &
Urban Planning
Molecular and
Environmental Plant
Sciences (MEPS) /
Ecosystem Science and
Management (ESSM)
Urban Planning
ESSM / Soil and Crop
Sciences
ESSM
Urban Planning
ESSM
Graduated
May 2008
Agricultural Leadership,
Education and
Communications
ESSM
ESSM
May 2013
Soil and Crop Sciences
Urban Planning
Biology
Urban Planning
ESSM
ESSM
Soil & Crop Sciences
Post-doctoral scholars supervised
Dr. Cartmill “Linking root production and soil CO2 efflux”. June 2011 – November 2011
Dec. 2008
May 2009
May 2010
Dec. 2010
Aug. 2011
Aug. 2012
Dec. 2012
May 2013
Page 164
Interdisciplinary Program Participation (2007-2013):
Molecular and Environmental Plant Sciences (MEPS)
Member since March 2007
Co-PI on a TAMU-Pathways to the Doctorate fellowship 2011 (PI Gunnar Schade, Atmospheric Sciences)
Co-PI on an NSF-IGERT proposal June 2011 (PI Dirk Hays, Soil and Crop Sciences)
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS AWARDED 2007-2013:
Internal Competitive Grants:
Year
Source
Collaborators
Total
Program
2012TAMU
B. Dvorak (Landscape Architecture), D.
$300,000
$100,000
2014
Conlee (Atmospheric Sciences)
2011
TWRI
K. Laminack (M.S. student)
$1,500
$1,500
2011
TWRI
J. Franco (Ph.D. student)
$1,500
$1,500
2009
TAMU A. Cartmill (Ph.D. student)
$350
$350
OGS
2009
TAMU B. Viswanathan (M.S. student)
$350
$350
OGS
2009
College of
B. Dvorak
$10,000
$2,000
Architecture
- CRIC
2008
TWRI
B. Viswanathan (M.S. student)
$1,500
$1,500
2008
TAMU-PUF
Dr. Lombardini
$15,000
$7,500
2007
TAMU-PUF
Dr. Lombardini
$17,500
$10,000
Totals
$347,350
$124,700
2012-2014 TAMU TOP grant (formerly activity 2). Multidisciplinary Experiential Learning with Green Roof
Technology. Volder, Dvorak (College of Architecture), Conlee (College of Geosciences).
$300,000
2011Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) research grant ($1,500 to K. Laminack, MSc student in Dept. of
Horticultural Sciences, Green roof research).
2011Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) research grant ($1,500 to J. Franco, PhD student in Dept. of Ecosystem
Science and Management, Sustainable agriculture research).
2009TAMU OGS travel grant to travel to the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Albuquerque
($350 to A. Cartmill, PhD student in Dept. of Horticultural Sciences)
2009TAMU OGS travel grant to travel to the annual meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences in St.
Louis ($350 to B. Viswanathan, MSc student in Dept. of Horticultural Sciences)
2009TAMU College of Architecture, College Research and Interdisciplinary Council (CRIC) grant. B. Dvorak and A.
Volder. “A Green Roof Pilot Study at the Texas A&M Architecture Center Langford Building A.” $10,000
2008Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) research grant ($1,500 to B. Viswanathan, MSc student in Dept. of
Horticultural Sciences, Pervious pavement research).
2008Permanent Utility Fund (PUF) grant for equipment purchase ($15,000 shared with Dr. Lombardini (PI), Dept. of
Horticultural Sciences). Used to buy a Licor 6400 gas exchange system.
2007PUF grant for equipment purchase ($17,500 shared with Dr. Lombardini (co-PI), Dept. of Horticultural Sciences).
Used to buy a minirhizotron camera system + tubes and a soil moisture measurement system (TDR) + probes.
External Competitive Grants Funded:
Funding Cycle
Source
2012-2013
USDA
Collaborators
J. Franco & C. Simpson
(Ph.D. students)
USDA-SARE
Jose Franco (PhD student)
USDA Specialty
UC Davis (PI) / Dr.
Crops Initiative
Lombardini (co-PI, TAMU
subcontract)
DOE National
Dr. Tjoelker (PI - ESSM)
Institute for Climate and Dr. Briske (co-PI - ESSM)
Change Research
Total
$71,300
Program
$71,300
$10,000
$3,221,134
$10,000
$50,000
$373,908
$124,636
2006-2007
DOE National
Dr. Tjoelker (PI - ESSM)
Institute for Climate and Dr. Briske (co-PI - ESSM)
Change Research
$115,000
$38,333
Totals
$3,791,342
$294,269
2011-2013
2008-2011
2007-2010
2012-2013. USDA Block grant via Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) “Intercropping to Mitigate Salinity
Stress on Watermelons”. Volder, Franco (grad. student), Simpson (grad. student),and King. Texas Department of Agriculture. $71,300.
2011. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Southern Region. “Evaluating functional
diversity in an organic intercropping system.” Volder (PI) on behalf of Jose Franco (PhD student). $10,000.
2008 – 2012 USDA SCRI (Specialty Crops Research Initiative). Advanced sensing and management technologies to
optimize resource use in specialty crops: case studies of water and nitrogen use in deciduous crops. Total
value of the grant administered by UC Davis (Dr. Patrick Brown) is $3,221,134. The TAMU sub-contract
for Pecan root research to Dr. Lombardini (PI) and Dr. Volder (co-PI) is $135,778 for three years and is
shared between the PI’s.
2007 – 2010 DOE – NICCR (National Institute for Climate Change Research). Warming and rainfall redistribution
effects on linkages between plant functional traits and ecosystem processes in oak savanna. Tjoelker (ESSM,
PI), Briske (ESSM, co-PI), Volder (Horticultural Sciences, co-PI). $373,908. Each PI receives 1/3 share.
Submitted but non-funded grants were omitted.
Review Panels For Grants And Journals, Grant Review Panel Service 2007-2013:
2012 Ad-hoc reviewer of 12 USDA-SARE graduate student grants
2011 Ad-hoc reviewer for NSF, Career grant
2010 Ad-hoc reviewer for NSF, DEB – Ecosystem Studies
2008 Clemson University – Hatch grant
Journals For Which You Reviewed Papers 2007-2013:
Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research
Functional Ecology
Functional Plant Biology
Global Change Biology
HortScience
Int. Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management
Journal of Ecology
Journal of Plant Ecology
Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society
Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
New Phytologist
Oecologia
Plant and Soil
Rangeland Ecology and Management
Science of the Total Environment
Tree Physiology
Urban Ecosytem
Internal University / Agency Service On Committees 2007 – 2013:
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences, Outcome Assessment Committee, 2008 – present.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, 2011- present
TAMU Molecular and Environmental Interdisciplinary program, Admissions Committee Feb 2012 – present
TAMU Molecular and Environmental Interdisciplinary program, Symposium committee Dec 2012 – present (incoming
chair in May 2013)
TAMU Molecular and Environmental Interdisciplinary program, Executive committee July 2010 – present
TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Protecting the Environment Grand Challenge Committee 2013 present
Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Crop Physiologist at Uvalde Search Committee, 2012 - 2013.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Ornamentals Position at College Station - Search Committee, 2011
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences, Undergraduate Advisor - Search Committee, 2011
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences, Graduate Program Committee, 2010 - 2012.
TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences, Seminar Committee, 2007 - 2011. Chair 2010-2011.
TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Horticultural Sciences Department Head Search Committee, member
2012.
TAMU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Montague CTE Fellow Teaching Award Evaluator, 2011, 2012.
Professional Association Leadership Roles 2007-2013:
Ecological Society of America (ESA)
Member since 1998
Member of the Physiological Ecology Section
Member of the Urban Ecosystem Section
Served as oral session chair at 2005 annual meeting in Montreal
Served as student award judge at 2007 meeting in Memphis
Served as student award judge at 2009 meeting in Albuquerque
American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS)
Member since 2007
Member of the Southern Region Chapter
President elect of the rhizosphere working group in 2008
President of the rhizosphere working group in 2009
Coordinator and moderator of the rhizosphere workshop, “Genetic control of root
architectural traits” at the 2009 annual meeting in St. Louis
Member of endowment committee 2010 – 2012
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Member since 2012
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Member 2007-2009
Member of the Texas Chapter
Member of the Arboricultural Research and Education Academy (AREA)
Awards And Recognitions 2007-2013
2010-2011 Montague-Center for Teaching Excellence Scholar Award for early career excellence in undergraduate teaching.
Xinwang Wang
Assistant Professor of Ornamental Molecular Breeding
Program Summary
Dr. Wang's expertise is in breeding and molecular genetics, particularly in the use
of molecular markers and other biotechnology tools to assist in ornamental plant
breeding and genetic mapping in horticultural species (trees, shrubs, and
herbaceous species). His initial work will be on ornamental plant horticultural
traits associated molecular marker development and genomic mapping. These
molecular markers will address some important horticultural gene inheritance and
be applied in marker-aid selection in ornamental molecular breeding program. His
final goal will develop broadly adaptive ornamental cultivars with desired
horticultural traits, disease/insect resistance and environment tolerance.
My main research objectives include developing improved, disease/pest resistant,
and stress tolerant, ornamental flowering tress that could be utilized for all
flowering trees situations throughout Southwest and otherparts of the country. New
diseases are emerging at a steady rate on crape myrtle, roses and hibiscus. The need
for the development of improved genetically disease resistant, insect resistant and
stress tolerant flowering trees is important to the advancement of landscape management in the years to come.
He is specifically interested in understanding the mechanisms of genetic resistance to powder mildew in crape myrtle, black
spot in rose. Dr. Wang is conducting classical genetic studies to identify the number of genes and the type of gene action
involved in resistance as well as the response to selection. He is also using molecular marker techniques to identify markers
linked to disease resistance. These markers can potentially be used for (crape myrtle and rose) genomic linkage mapping as
well as marker assisted selection. This will improve the efficiency of selection for improved characteristics and hasten the
development of pest resistant ornamental cultivars. Overall, Dr.
Wang has following research interests:
Breeding, development and improvement of cultivars of ornamental species (crape myrtle, rose and hibiscus etc.) by
molecular and traditional methodologies.
Wild germplasm collection, evaluation and application to enhance breeding gene pool.
Ornamental genomic mapping and identification of molecular markers closely associated with important horticultural traits.
Marker-assisted breeding and map-based cloning of important genes from ornamental species to accelerate breeding
process.
Use of genetic transformation tools to manipulate or engineer ornamental species against environmental stress (cold
hardiness, drought, salinity/alkalinity etc.) and insect and pathogen damages.
I am also interested in getting involved in ornamental horticulture training and local/ national/international marketing.
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1998
M.S.
1990
B.S.
1986
Institution
China Agricultural University
Henan Agricultural University
Huazhong Agricultural University
Major
Wheat Genetics & Breeding
Wheat Genetics & Breeding
Plant Genetics & Breeding
2009Assistant Professor of Ornamental Molecular Breeding, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center
at Dallas
2004-2008
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, the University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
2000-2004
STA Fellow and Senior Research Specialist, National Institute of Agrobiological Resources (NIAS), Tsukuba,
Japan.
1998-1999
Postdoctoral, Institute of Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
1995-1998
Research Assistant, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
1990 -1995
Research Assistant, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China.
1986 – 1987 Extension Specialist, Xinzhou Agricultural Station, Wuhan, China.
Publications (2007-2012)
1. Akond, M., S. Jin, and X. Wang. 2012. Molecular characterization of selected wild species and miniature roses based on
SSR markers. Scientia Horticulturae 147:89-97.
2. Wang, X., P.A. Wadl, A. Wood-Jones, G.Windham, R.N. Trigiano, M.Scruggs, C. Pilgrim, and R.Baird. 2012.
Characterization of Expressed Sequence Tag-Derived Simple Sequence Repeat Markers for Aspergillus flavus:
Emphasis on Variability of Isolates from the Southern United States. Mycopathologia 174(5): 371-382.
3. Hadziabdic, D., X. Wang, P.A. Wadl, T. A. Rinehart, B. H. Ownley and R.N. Trigiano. 2012. Genetic diversity of
flowering dogwood in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tree Genetics and Genomes 8 (4):855-871.
4. Akond, M. C. Pounders, E. Blythe, and X. Wang. 2012. Viability and Longevity of Crapemyrtle Pollen Stored at Different
Temperatures. Scientia Horticulturae 139:53-57.
5. Yuan, J.S. X. Wang and N. Steward. 2011. Biomass feedstock: diversity as a solution. Biofuels 2(5): 491-493.
6. Dean, D., P. A. Wadl, X. Wang, W. E. Klingeman, B. H. Ownley, T. Rinehart, B. E. Scheffler, and R. N.
Trigiano. 2011. Screening and characterization of 11 novel microsatellite markers from Viburnum
dilatatum. HortScience 46 (11):1456-1459.
7. La Mantia J, X. Wang, M.L. Binzel and A. Chandra. 2011. Isolation and characterization of eight polymorphic
microsatellite loci from Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr. Journal of Plant Genetics and Transgenics. 2(1):1-4.
8. Wadl, P. A., A. M. Saxton, X. Wang, V. R. Pantalone, T. A. Rinehart, and R. N. Trigiano. 2011. Quantitative traits loci
associated with red foliage in Cornus florida L. Mol. Breed. 27(3):409-416.
9. Wang X., P.A. Wadl, C. Pounders, R. N. Trigiano, R. I. Cabrera, B.E. Scheffler, M. Pooler, and T. A. Rinehart. 2011.
Evaluation of genetic diversity and pedigree within crapemyrtle cultivars using simple sequence repeat (SSR)
markers. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 136(2):116-128.
10. Wadl P.A, X. Wang, V. R. Pantalone and R. N. Trigiano. 2010. Inheritance of red foliage in flowering
dogwood (Cornus florida L.). Euphytica 176:99–104.
11. Hadziabdic D., B. Fitzpatrick, X. Wang, B.H. Ownley, P.A. Wadl, M.T. Windham, and R. N. Trigiano. 2010.
Genetic diversity of flowering dogwood maintained despite massive mortality caused by dogwood
anthracnose. Genetica 138:1047-1057.
12. Wadl P.A., X. Wang, J.K. Moulton, S.C. Hokanson, J.A. Skinner, T.A. Rinehart, S.M. Reed, V.R. Pantalone,
and R. N. Trigiano. 2010. Transfer of Cornus florida and C. kousa Simple Sequence Repeats to Selected
Cornus (Cornaceae) Species. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 135(3): 279-288.
13. Wang X., D. Dean, P. Wadl, D. Hadziabdic, B. Scheffler, T. Rinehart, R. Cabrera and R. Trigiano. 2010.
Development of Microsatellite Markers from Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia L.). HortSci. 45(5):842-844.
14. Baird R.E., P.A. Wadl, T.T. Allen, D. McNeill, X. Wang, J.K. Moulton, T.A. Rinehart, H.K. Abbas, T. Shier,
and R.N. Trigiano. 2010. Variability of United States isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina based on
simple sequence repeats and cross genus transferability to related Botryosphaeraceae
genera. Mycopathologia 170:169-180.
15. Yuan J.S., L.G. Abercrombie, Y. Cao, M.D. Halfhill, X. Zhou, Y. Peng, J. Hu, M.R. Rao, G.R. Heck, T.J.
Larosa, R.D. Sammons, X. Wang, P. Ranja, D.H. Johnson, P.A. Wadl, B.E. Scheffler, T.A. Rinehart,
R.N. Trigiano, and C.N. Stewart, Jr. 2010. Functional genomics analysis of horseweed (Conyza
Canadensis) with special reference to the evolution of non-target-site glyphosate resistance. Weed
Sciences. 58:109-117.
16. Wang X., T.A. Rinehart, P.A. Wadl, J.M. Spiers, D.H. Johnson, M.T. Wimdham, and R.N. Trigiano. 2009. A
new electrophoresis technique to separate microsatellite alleles. African J. of Biotechnology 8:2432-2436.
17. Wang X., L.L. Good, D.H. Johnson, P.A. Wadl, D.R. Panthee, B.E. Scheffler, T.A. Rinehart, N.R. Stewart, J.S.
Yuan, C.N. Stewart, and R.N. Trigiano. 2009. Microsatellites from Conyza Canadensis (Horseweed). In
Molecular Ecology Resources Primer Development Consortium, et al. 2009: Permanent genetic
resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources database 1 January 2009–30 April 2009. Mol. Ecol.
Resource 9:1375–1379.
18. Kanetis L., X. Wang, P. A. Wadl, K. Neufeld, G. Holmes , P.S. Ojiambo, M. A. Cubeta, and R.N. Trigiano.
2009. Microsatellite loci from the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. In
Molecular Ecology Resources Primer Development Consortium, et al. 2009: Permanent genetic resources
added to Molecular Ecology Resources database 1 May 2009–31 August 2009. Mol. Ecol. Resource 9(6):
1460-1466.
19. Baird R.E., P.A. Wadl, X. Wang, D. Hadziabdic, T.A. Rinehart, H.K. Abbas, T. Shier, and R. N. Trigiano.
2009. Microsatellites from the charcoal rot fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina). Mol. Ecol. Resources
9(3):946-948.
20. Wang X., P.A. Wadl, T.A. Rinehart, B.E. Scheffler, M.T. Windham, J.M. Spiers, D.H. Johnson, and R.N.
Trigiano. 2009. A linkage map for flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L) based on microsatellite markers.
Euphytica 165: 165-175.
21. Wadl P.A., X. Wang, A.N. Trigiano, J.A. Skinner, M.T. Windham, and R.N. Trigiano. 2009. Molecular
identification keys for cultivars and lines of Cornus florida and C. kousa based on simple sequence
repeat loci. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 133:783-793.
22. Wang X., S. Sato, S. Tabata, and S. Kawasaki. 2008. A high-density linkage map of Lotus japonicus based on
AFLP and SSR markers. DNA Research. 15:323-332.
23. Wang X., R.N.Trigiano, M.T. Windham, B.E. Scheffler, T.A. Rinehart, and J. Spiers. 2008. Development and
characterization of Simple Sequence Repeats for flowering dogwood. Tree Genetics and Genomes 4: 461468.
24. Wadl P.A., X. Wang, B.E. Scheffler, T.A. Rinehart, and R.N. Trigiano. 2008. Microsatellites from kousa
dogwood (Cornus kousa). Mol. Ecol. Resources 8: 780-782.
25. Wang X., R.N.Trigiano, M.T. Windham, R.E. DeVries, B.E. Scheffler, T.A. Rinehart, and J.M. Spiers. 2007. A
simple PCR procedure for discovering microsatellites from small insert libraries. Mol. Ecol. Notes 7:558
561.
Abstracts and Presentations
1. Masum, A.S.M.G., S. Islam, and Wang, W. 2012. Genotypic variation for biomass and cell wall polymers in amaranth.
2012 National Conference: Science for Biomass Feedstock Production and Utilization. New Orlands, LA. October,
2012.
2. Akond, M., R.I. Cabrera, and X. Wang. 2012. Evaluation of wild rose species for alkalinity tolerance. 57th Annual
Southern Nursery Association, Research Conference Proceedings, Vol. 57:263-267. Mobile, LA, Jan, 2012
3. Wang X. and M. Akond, 2012. An Initiative Molecular Strategy of Amaranth Breeding for Biomass and Feedstock. Plant
and Annimal Genome XIV. P0722. San Diego, USA.
4. Wang X. and M. Akond, R. I. Cabrera, and J. Reinert. 2011. Evaluation of wild rosa species on horticultural traits for
breeding. ASHS Annual Conference, Waikoloa, Hawaii.
5. Wang, X., M. Akond, and C. Pounders. 2011. Identification of inter-specific hybrids in Lagerstroemia using SSR
markers. 5th Annual Plant Breeding Meeting Coordinating Committee Meeting, 1st Annual National Association of
Plant Breeders Meeting. College Station, TX.
6. Hadziabdic D., X. Wang, P. A. Wadl, T.A. Rinehart, B. H. Ownley, M. T. Windham, and R. N., Trigiano. 2011.
Evaluation of genetic structure of flowering dogwood in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. ASHS Annual
Conference, Waikoloa, Hawaii.
7. Dean D., P. Wadl, R. Trigiano and X. Wang. 2011. Characterization of eleven novel microsatellite markers from
Viburnum dilatatum. ASHS Annual Conference, Waikoloa, Hawaii.
8. Wang X., M. Akond, R. Cabrera and J. Reinert. 2011. Seed Strastification, Germiantion and Greenhouse Performance of
Diverse Rose Species. The 56th Annual SNA Research Conference, Southern Nursery Association. Mobile, AL,
USA. (Proceeding)
9. Akond, M., C. Pounders and X.Wang. 2011. Influence of storage temperature on the viability of crape myrtle
(Lagerstroemia app.) pollen. The 56th Annual SNA Research Conference, Southern Nursery Association. Mobile,
AL, USA. (Proceeding)
10. Wadl, P. A., X. Wang, A. M. Saxton, T. A. Rinehart, B.E. Scheffler, V.R. Pantalone, and R. N. Trigiano. 2011. Advances
in molecular breeding of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.). Plant and Animal Genome XIX Conference, San
Diego, USA.
11. Wang X., C. Pounders and T. Rinehart. 2010. Verification of inter-specific hybrids in Lagerstroemia using SSR
markers. 4th Annual Plant Breeding Meeting. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Johnston, Iowa.
12. Wang X., A. Genovesi, C. Pounders, and R.I. Cabrera. 2010. A preliminary report on the use of embryo rescue
techniques with intra- and interspecific hybrids in crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia L). ASHS Annual Conference. Palm
Desert, California, USA. (Presentation)
13. Hadziabdic D., B. M. Fitzpatrick, X. Wang, P. Wadl, T. Rinehart, M. Windham, and R. Trigiano. 2010. Genetic diversity
of flowering dogwood maintained despite massive mortality caused by dogwood anthrancnose. ASHS Annual
Conference. Palm Desert, California, USA.
14. Hadziabdic, D., B. M. Fitzpatrick, X. Wang, P. A. Wadl, T. A. Rhinehart, B. H. Ownley, M. T. Windham, and R. N.
Trigiano. 2010. Fine scale genetic structure of flowering dogwood in the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. Phytopathology 100:S45.
15. Wang X., C. Pounders, R. I. Cabrera, T. Rinehart, and J. McCormick. 2010. Inter- and intra-specific hybrid breeding in
crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia). The 55th Annual SNA Research Conference Proceeding, Southern Nursery
Association. Mobile, AL, USA.
16. Wang X., J. A. Reinert and R. I. Cabrera. 2010. Identification of unknown crape myrtle cultivar with SSR molecular
markers. The 55th Annual SNA Research Conference Proceeding, Southern Nursery Association. Mobile, AL, USA.
17. Wang X., P.A. Wadl, B.E. Scheffler, T.A. Rinehart, A.M. Gann, S.M. Reed, M.T. Windham, and R.N. Trigiano. 2008.
Applications of microsatellites in two big bracted dogwood species, flowering and kousa dogwood. ASHS Annual
Conference. Orlando, Florida, USA.
18. Wang X., R.N. Trigiano, M.T. Windham, B.E. Scheffler, T.A. Rinehart, and J.M. Spiers. 2007. Microsatellites and their
application in flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.). Plant Biology & Botany Join Congress. Chicago, Illinois,
USA.
19. Wang X., A.M. Gann S.M. Reed, W.T. Windham, and R.N. Trigiano. 2007. Identification of interspecific hybrids
between Cornus kousa and C. florida L. using SSR markers. ASHS Annual Conference. Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
HortSci., 42(4):919-1022.
20. Wadl P.A, X. Wang, T.A. Rinehart, and R.N. Trigiano. 2007. Development of microsatellite (SSR) markers from kousa
dogwood. ASHS Annual Conference. Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. HortSci., 42(4): 919-1022.
21. Wadl P.A, J.A. Skinner, X. Wang, T.A. Rinehart, S.M. Reed, V.R. Pantalone, W.T. Windham, and R.N. Trigiano. 2007.
Breeding intra and inter specific Cornus species. The 52nd Annual SNA Research Conference, Southern Nursery
Association. Atlanta, GA, USA.
22. Wang X., R.N. Trigiano, M.T. Windham, T.A. Rinehart, and J.M. Spiers. 2007. A novel microsatellite array in flowering
dogwood (Cornus Florida) with device― HDA-GT12™. Plant and Annimal Genome XIV. P155 (page140). San
Diego, USA.
Book Chapter (2007-2012)
23. Rinehart, T. A., X. Wang, and R. N. Trigiano. 2008. Molecular Tools for Studying Plant Pathogens. Pages 269-278. In:
Plant Pathology Concept and Laboratory Exercises, second edition. R. N. Trigiano, M.T. Windham and A.S.
Windham, eds. CRC Press, LLC, Boca Raton, FL
24. Rinehart, T.A., X. Wang, R.N. Trigiano, N. Rowland, and R. Devries. 2010. Molecular tools for studying plant genetic
diversity. In Plant Tissue Culture Development and Biotechnology, Robert N. Trigiano and Dennis J. Gray (eds).
Chapter 10. CRC Press. P. 139-152.
25. 3. Dean, D.A., P. A. Wadl, D. Hadziabdic, X. Wang, and R. N. Trigiano. 2012. Analyzing Microsatellites using the
QIAxcel System.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Advisors and Advisees (2009-2012)
Graduate students: Qianni (Tiffany) Dong-TMAU, 2011-2014;
Muhammad Nadeem-TAMU, 2011-2012
Postdoctoral Research Associate: Masum Akond-FSU, 2010-2012
Postdoctoral Fellow: Shumei Jin-NFU, 2011-2012
Journals Reviewed (2007-2012) (ad hoc)
Journal of HortScience
Mycopathologia
Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science
Plant Sciences
Pakistan J. of Agricultural Sciences
China Agricultural Sciences
Proposals Reviewed (2007-2012)
USAID-HortCRSP proposal review (three proposals), 2010
NIH Review panel program, 2011
Internal University Service (2007-2012)
Student Research Poster Competition at the 2010 Texas A&M AgriLife Conference, College Station (judge)
9th Texas A&M University System Pathways to the Dotorate student research symposium 2011 (poster judge)
Professional Activities (since 2007)
Member of American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB)
Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Member of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)
Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA)
Funds and contracts received (2007-2012)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Evaluation of 40 Wild Rose Species for Horticultural Traits, Alkalinity Tolerance and Aphid Susceptibility. USDAARS-SCA. $10,725, 2010-2011. PI.
Breeding and marker discovery for resistance to black spot of rose. Monsanto Plant Breeding Assistantship.
$108,000 ($24,000 salary and $12,000 tuition per year) (Monsanto $54,000, AgriLife $27,000 and supervisor
$27,000), 2011-2014. Major Advisor.
Participation in the NSF Biological Sciences (DBS) Regional Meeting at the University of Texas at Brownsville.
$820. Expenses reimbursed to Texas AgriLife Research by NSF.
Evaluation of grain amaranth for biomass characters. USDA-ARS-SCA. $10,721, 2012-2014. PI.
William C. Welch
Professor & Landscape Horticulturist
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
wc-welch@tamu.edu
Academic Background
Bill Welch received his B.S. degree in Landscape Architecture from
Louisiana State University. After working several years as a landscape
contractor in Houston, he returned to L.S.U. to earn his masters and
doctoral degrees in Extension Education and Horticulture. He joined
the Faculty at Texas A&M University in 1972.
Program Summary
Dr. Welch writes a monthly column for Southern Livingmagazine and
contributes regularly to Neil Sperry’s Gardens magazine and others.
He is also a contributing editor for the HORTICULTURE UPDATE
newsletter.
Gardening books have been an important part of Dr. Welch’s
educational program. Beginning with Perennial Garden Color ( Taylor Press, 1989), a national “best
seller” which goes beyond describing numerous perennials, annuals and roses for southern gardens to explain
how to harmonize these plants in the landscape. In 1990, he authored Antique Roses for the South (Taylor) that
pioneered a resurgence of interest in old garden roses and documented their histories and value. The Southern
Heirloom Garden was published in (Taylor 1995) and co-authored by Greg Grant. From small swept plots to
large formal landscapes southern gardeners have inherited a gardening legacy as rich and varied as the peoples
who created them. In 2000, Dr. Welch coauthored The Bountiful Flower Garden with Dr. Neil Odenwald. It
focuses on cut flower gardening starting with the influences of European, American and Asian heritage and sheds
light on the rich southern tradition of sharing flowers. His most recent work is with Greg Grant and is a greatly
expanded version titled Heirloom Gardening in the South (Texas A & M University Press, 2012). More than 500
color images and 530 pages of text brings to life the opportunities to include time tested heirloom plants and
design ideas in today’s gardens.
As a Professor and Texas AgriLife Extension Service Horticulturist, Dr. Welch provides educational information
and programs for county extension agents, nursery professionals, and civic groups, as well as the general public.
In November 1988, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service presented Dr. Welch with the Superior Service
Award citing his successful educational programs. Dr. Welch has been instrumental in developing the Texas
Certified Nursery Professional program and has served on the Board of that organization within the Texas
Association of Nurserymen. In 1986, he was presented the Arp Award by the Texas Association of Nurserymen
for his contributions to the Texas nursery industry.
He has served on the Board of the Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. as Landscape Design Course Chairman for the past
24 years and has been awarded a Lifetime membership in that organization. He is a past president and an honorary
member of the Board of Directors of the Southern Garden History Society. In May, 1993, Dr. Welch was made a
Member-at-large of the Garden Club of America in recognition of his programs and writings on exploring and
interpreting our gardening heritage. In 2007 Zone 9 of the Garden Club of America recognized him for his
contributions toward the preservation of our gardening heritage and in 2008 he was presented their Distinguished
Service medal for his passion, knowledge and unselfish contributions in the name of horticulture. In June, 2009
the American Horticulture Society is presenting the Great American Gardeners Award to Dr. Welch for his
accomplishments in gardening communications.
In addition Dr. Welch is also affiliated with the American Horticultural Society, American Society of
Horticultural Sciences, American Rose Society, Southern Garden History Society, Heritage Roses Group, Royal
Horticultural Society, Royal National Rose Society, the Garden Conservancy, and the Alliance for Historic
Landscape Preservation.
Jayne M. Zajicek
Professor of Urban Horticulture
j-zajicek@tamu.edu
Academic Background
Degree
Year
Ph.D.
1986
M.S.
1982
B.S.
1980
Institution
Kansas State University
University of Nebraska
University of Nebraska
Major
Horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture
1998 - present
Professor of Urban Horticulture, Texas A&M University, Department of Horticultural Sciences.
2003-2008
Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Programs, Texas A&M University, Department
of Horticultural Sciences.
1995-2002
Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Programs, Texas A&M University, Department
of Horticultural Sciences.
1992-1998
Associate Professor of Urban Horticulture, Texas A&M University, Department of Horticultural
Sciences.
1986-1992
Assistant Professor of Ornamental Horticulture, Texas A&M University, Department of
Horticultural Sciences.
1983-1986
Assistant Instructor, Kansas State University, Department of Horticulture.
Courses Taught
HORT 203 - Floral Design. *HORT 203 – Floral Design Web-based
HORT 207 - Woody Ornamental Plants. *HORT 432 - Landscape Design
HORT 335 - Sociohorticulture
HORT 428 - Greenhouse Management.
HORT 435 – Urban Horticulture
HORT 489 – Cooperative Teams in Horticulture
HORT 690,691 - Theory Research and Research
HORT 485,685 - Problems in Horticulture
HORT 484,684 - Professional Internship
Graduate Students Supervised
Served or am currently serving as advisor to 38 graduate students. Students listed are only for the last 5 years.
M.S.
2008
Aimee Lillard
M.S.
2009
Danielle Cannon
Ph.D.
2011
Amy McFarland
Ph.D.
Current
Aime Lillard
Ph.D.
Current
Cole Etheredge
Ph.D.
Current
Taylor Paine
M.AG
Current
Heather Salopek
Honors and Awards
College Former Student Distinguished Teaching Award (1998)
Aggie Access certificate of appreciation (2001-2008)
Professional Memberships, State, National Committees
Member, American Society for Horticultural Science
Member of the Human Issues in Horticulture Working Group and Public Horticulture Working Group. ACB National
Advisor (1990-1992), Member and Chair of Student Travel Grants Subcommittee (1992-1995), Chair of Computer
Working Group (1993), Chair of Landscape Working Group (1996), Chair of Human Issues in Horticulture Working
Group (1997-1998), Member of Programs Committee (1997-1999), Member of Nomination Committee (2009-2011),
Gamma Sigma Delta - Honor Society of Agriculture – Member
Pi Alpha Xi - Honor Society for Horticulture – Member
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – Member
Current Teaching Activities
Horticulture 203 – Floral Design – Pioneer in converting traditional lecture method of teaching to more of a computer, visual
and creative method. The course is now offered in two formats, traditional lecture and computer assisted.
Horticulture 335 – Sociohorticulture
2004-2005 – Instrumental in promoting the new Bachelor of Arts degree in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas
A&M. The first of its kind at this University and throughout the Colleges of Agriculture in the United States.
Refereed Publications (2007-2012)
Pilat, M., A. McFarland, A. Snelgrove, K. Collins, T.M. Waliczek and J.M. Zajicek. 2012. The effect of tree cover and
vegetation on incidence of childhood asthma in metropolitan statistical areas of Texas. HortTechnology, 22:5.
Nolan, G. A. McFarland, J.M. Zajicek and T.M. Waliczek. 2012. The effects of nutrition education and gardening on
attitudes, preferences and knowledge of 2nd-5th graders toward fruit and vegetables. HortTechnology, 22:3.
McFarland, A., D. Hammond, J. Zajicek and T.M. Waliczek. 2011. Growing Minds: the development of an instrument to
measure parental attitude toward nature and their child's outdoor recreation using the Dillman method,
HortTechnology, 21(2):225-229.
Hammond, D., A. McFarland, J. Zajicek and T.M. Waliczek. 2011. Growing Minds: The relationship between parental
attitudes toward their child's outdoor recreation and their child's health, HortTechnology, 21(2):217-224.
DeWolfe, J., T.M. Waliczek and J.M. Zajicek. 2011. The relationship between levels of greenery and landscaping at track
and field site, anxiety, and sports performance of collegiate track and field athletes. HortTechnology, 21(3):329335.
McFarland, A., T.M. Waliczek and J.M. Zajicek. 2010. Graduate student use of campus green spaces and the impact on their
perceptions of quality of life, HortTechnology, (accepted for publication).
Doxey, J., T.M. Waliczek and J.M. Zajicek. 2009. The impact of interior plants in university classrooms on course
performance and student perceptions of the course and instructor, HortScience, 44(2)384-391.
-Featured on Columbian National Public Radio.
-One of Top Ten most downloaded publications at ashs.org, American Society for Horticultural Science website.
Gorham, M., T.M. Waliczek, A. Snelgrove and J.M. Zajicek. 2009. The effect of community gardens on incidence of crime
in Houston, HortTechnology, 19(2)291-296.
Lombardini, L., T.M. Waliczek and J.M. Zajicek. 2008. Consumer preferences and knowledge of nutritional attributes of
pecans, HortTechnology, 18(3)481-488.
Danforth, P., T.M. Waliczek, S.M. Macey and J.M. Zajicek. 2008. The effect of the National Wildlife Federation's
Schoolyard Habitat Program on fourth grade students' standardized test scores. HortTechnology, 18(3)356-360.
Williams, P., C. Kissel Bales, T.M. Waliczek and J.M. Zajicek. 2008. Development of Assessment Standards and a
Computerized Assessment Tool for Use in Prevocational Horticulture Training Programs for Head-Injured
Individuals. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture. 18:58-73.
Dravigne, A., T.M. Waliczek, R.D. Lineberger and J.M. Zajicek. 2008. The effect of live plants and window views of green
spaces on employee perceptions of job satisfaction, HortScience, 43(1)183-187.
-Featured in Self, Health and Real Simple magazines among others.
McFarland, A., T.M. Waliczek and J.M. Zajicek. 2008. The relationship between student use of campus green spaces and
perceptions of quality of life, HortTechnology, 18(2)232-238.
Aguilar, O.M., T.M. Waliczek and J.M. Zajicek. 2008. Growing environmental stewards: The effect of a youth gardening
program on environmental attitudes and environmental locus of control of elementary school children,
HortTechnology, 18(2)243-249.
Koch, S., T.M. Waliczek, T.M. and J.M. Zajicek, J.M. 2006. The effect of a summer garden program on the nutritional
knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of children. HortTechnology. 16(4)620-624.
Pigg, A., T.M. Waliczek and J.M. Zajicek. 2006. The effect of a school gardening program on the math and science
achievement of elementary students. HortTechnology, 16(2)262-264.
8.
Section 8 Page 1
APPENDICES
Appendix 2.1 – Bachelor of Arts Emphases Appendix 2.2 – Bachelor of Science Emphases Appendix 2.3 – Horticultural Sciences Undergraduate Student Handbook Appendix 3.1 – 18 Characteristics of Texas Public Doctoral Programs – TAMU Horticulture Appendix 3.2 – Horticulture Graduate Policy Manual Appendix 5.1 – Department of Horticultural Sciences Promotion and Tenure Policy Appendix 6 – Department of Horticultural Sciences Strategic Plan 8.2
8.8
8.19
8.36
8.38
8.59
8.68
Section 8 Page 2
Appendix 2.1 - Bachelor of Arts Emphasis Areas [Minor Required]
Urban Horticulture
The urban horticulture concentration is intended for students interested in professional careers which promote
horticulture and emphasize people and their education and enjoyment of plants in an urban setting. Students
in this emphasis area can choose to gain skills and experiences in a broad range of areas. This emphasis area
prepares students for a variety of career opportunities including careers in public gardens, federal, state, and
city horticulture programs, Cooperative Extension Service, professional garden writer/editor or publication
manager, horticulture marketing, horticulture education and print and electronic media. Directed technical
electives allow the student to concentrate in an area of their interest while encouraging the development of
good people skills.
Floral Design/Event Planning
This emphasis provides a strong foundation for undergraduate students who wish to receive a Bachelor’s
degree in Horticulture that is concentrated in the area of the art of floral design. Graduates in this area are
highly skilled for careers in many areas of floral design including: retail floristry, international and national
wholesale and retail floral marketing, floral design publishing, event planning, and floral design education.
Horticulture Landscape Design
This emphasis is tailored to provide the skills necessary for undergraduate students who wish to receive a
Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture that is concentrated in the area of landscape design. This expanding field
allows students with artistic capabilities to work in the horticulture arena. Landscape designers create
aesthetic concepts and practical plans for improved outdoor living. Students electing this emphasis will gain
the skills necessary for designing residential and small scale landscapes. Landscape designers are highly
sought by garden centers, botanical gardens, arboreta, landscape maintenance and installation firms, nurseries,
and governmental agencies. Private consulting is also a possibility. Some jobs will involve consumer
relations and retail sales including landscape communication and publishing, landscape marketing and
landscape design education.
BA HORTICULTURE: Urban Horticulture
Career Opportunities:
Horticulture teacher in high schools, technical schools and colleges
Garden writer for magazines, newspapers, TV, radio and computer technology.
Director of public garden education and administration
Employee of federal, state and city horticulture program education and administration
Horticulture Specialization Requirements (18 hours required)
These courses are required for this emphasis area:
HORT 301 Garden Science
HORT 306 Woody Ornamental Plants or HORT 308 Landscape Plant Materials or HORT 309 Interior Plants
HORT 335 Sociohorticulture
Writing Intensive HORT course (choose from HORT 225 or 315)
Choose the additional hours from the following:
HORT 306 Woody Ornamental Plants
HORT 308 Landscape Plant Materials
HORT 309 Interior Plants
HORT 423 Tropical Horticulture
HORT 426 International Floriculture Marketing
HORT 428 Commercial Greenhouse Management
HORT 429 Floriculture Crop Production
HORT 431 Nursery Production and Management
Section 8 Page 3
HORT 435 Urban Horticulture
HORT 440 International Horticulture
HORT 484 Internship
HORT 489 Urban Plant Ecology
Study Emphasis Electives (34 hours required)- Choose from the following: [Includes required MINOR
coursework]
Recommended
Any HORT Course up to 15 hours
The following HORT courses are Highly Recommended: HORT 225 Horticulture Learning Community, HORT 306
Woody Ornamental Plants, HORT 308 Landscape Plant Materials, HORT 309 Interior Plants, HORT 423 Tropical
Horticulture,
HORT 426 International Floriculture Marketing, HORT 428 Commercial Greenhouse Management, HORT 429
Floriculture Crop Production, HORT 431 Nursery Production and Management, HORT 440 International
Horticulture, HORT 484 Internship, HORT 489 Urban Plant Ecology
ALED 340 Survey of Leadership Theory
ALED 341 Team Learning
AGEC 314 Marketing Agriculture and Food Products
BIOL 328 Plants and People
FRSC 421 Urban Forestry
MGMT 309 Survey of Management
MKTG 409 Principles of Marketing
Other Suitable Electives
Any AGCJ Course
AGEC 105 Intro to Agricultural Economics
AGEC 315 Food and Agricultural Sales
AGLS 101 Modern Agriculture Systems and Renewable Natural Resources
ALED 342 Learning Organizations
ALED 343 Human Resource Management in Agriculture and Life Sciences
ALED 344 Leadership of Volunteers
ALED 425 Principles of Program Evaluation in Agriculture and Life Sciences
ALED 426 Methods in Adult Agricultural Education
ALED 440 Principles of Technological Change
ALED 441 Agricultural Extension Organization Methods
ALED 442 Professional Communications in Agriculture and Life Sciences
ANTH/WFSC 421 Museums and Their Functions
COMM 210 Group Communication and Discussion
Computer Course – Choose from: AGLS 201 Computer Applications in Agriculture or INFO 209 Business
Information Concepts or RENR 201 Computer Applications in Agriculture
ECHE 244 School, Family and Community Dynamics in Early Childhood Education
ECON 202 Principles of Economics
EHRD 374 Organizational Development
EHRD 479 Grants and Contracts
ENTO 405 Horticultural and Floricultural Entomology
FINC 201 Personal Finance
GIS Course – Choose from: AGSM 461 Geographic Information Systems for Resource Management or ESSM 351
Geographic Information Systems for Resource Management or RENR 405 GIS for Environmental Problem Solving
HLTH 221 Safety
MEPS 201 Social and Environmental Aspects of Plant Physiology
NUTR 202 Fundamentals of Human Nutrition
Section 8 Page 4
POLS 341 Urban Administration
PSYC 352 Organizational Psychology
RENR 205 Fundamentals of Ecology
RPTS 201 Foundations of Recreation and Parks
RPTS 202 Foundations of Tourism
RPTS 311 Recreation and Tourism Programs
RPTS 340 Recreation, Parks and Diverse Populations
RPTS 370 Youth Development Organization and Services
RPTS 402 Park Planning and Design
SCSC 302 Recreation Turf and/or SCSC 312 Introductory Turfgrass Management Laboratory
SOCI 321 Urban Sociology
SPAN 101 Beginning Spanish I
SPAN 102 Beginning Spanish II
URSC 415 Urban Issues
Minor REQUIRED in one of the following:
Agricultural Communication and Journalism
Business
Communications
Forestry
Teaching Certification through Agricultural Science or
http://www.science.tamu.edu/cmse/mass/content.php?id_dir=46
Tourism Resource Mgmt
BA HORTICULTURE: Floral Design/Event Planning
Floral designer
Retail florist
Floral crops wholesaler
Floral design educator
Floral design garden writer
Event planner
HORT 203 Floral Design
HORT 451 Retail Floristry
HORT 452 Floral Design: Weddings and Personal Flowers
Choose the additional 6 hours from the following:
HORT 429 Floriculture Crop Management
HORT 453 Floral Art
HORT 454 Special Event Design and Production
HORT 484 Internship
Section 8 Page 5
coursework]
Recommended
The following HORT courses are Highly Recommended: HORT 225 Horticulture Learning Community, HORT 301
Garden Science, HORT 308 Landscape Plant Materials, HORT 309 Interior Plants, HORT 426 International
Floriculture Marketing, HORT 429 Floriculture Crop Management, HORT 440 International Horticulture, HORT
453 Floral Art, HORT 454 Special Event Design and Production, HORT 484 Internship
ACCT 209 Survey of Accounting Principles or ACCT 229 Introductory Accounting
AGEC 314 Marketing Agriculture and Food Products
AGEC 330 Financial Management in Agriculture
Computer course – Choose from: AGLS 201 Computer Applications in Agriculture or RENR 201 Computer
Applications in Agriculture or INFO 209 Business Information Concepts
ECON 202 Principles of Economics or AGEC 105 Intro to Agricultural Economics
MGMT 105 Intro to Business
RPTS 320 Festivals, Fairs and Events
RPTS 321 Festivals, Fairs and Event Management II
ACCT 210 Survey of Managerial and Cost Accounting Principles or ACCT 230 Intro. Accounting
AGEC 340 Agribusiness Management
AGCJ 105 Intro to Agricultural Communications
AGCJ 203 Agricultural Media Writing I
ARTS: Any ARTS Course
ENDS: Any ENDS Course
RPTS 202 Foundations of Tourism
RPTS 311 Recreation and Tourism Programs
RPTS 331 Tourism Marketing
Art and Architectural History
Business
Communications
Tourism Resource Mgmt (option to include: Professional Event Manager Certificate courses as part of minor)
BA HORTICULTURE: Horticulture Landscape Design
Landscape designer
Interiorscaper
Landscape garden writer
Landscape marketing representative
Section 8 Page 6
Landscape design educator
Landscape customer sales and service representative
Garden Artist/Consultant
HORT 332 Horticulture Landscape Graphics
HORT 432 Horticulture Landscape Design
HORT 442 Horticulture Landscape Design II
Writing Intensive HORT course (choose from HORT 225, 315, or 418)
Choose the additional 1 hour from the following:
HORT 203 Floral Design
HORT 425 Landscape Maintenance and Construction
HORT 452 Floral Design: Weddings and Personal Flowers
HORT 453 Floral Art
HORT 484 Internship
HORT 489 Horticulture Bidding and Sales
HORT 489 Water Management in Urban Landscapes
coursework]
Recommended
The following HORT courses are Highly Recommended: HORT 203 Floral Design, HORT 225 Horticulture
Learning Community, HORT 309 Interior Plants, HORT 425 Landscape Maintenance and Construction, HORT 451
Retail Floristry, HORT 452 Floral Design: Weddings and Personal Flowers, HORT 453 Floral Art, HORT 484
Internship, HORT 489 Urban Plant Ecology, HORT 489 Horticulture Bidding and Sales, HORT 489 Water
Management in Urban Landscapes
ALED 340 Professional Leadership Development
AGEC 314 Marketing Agricultural and Food Products
ENDS: Any ENDS Course
LAND: Any LAND Course
Section 8 Page 7
BA HORTICULTURE:
Horticulture Landscape Design (continued)
ACCT 210 Survey of Managerial and Cost Accounting Principles or ACCT 230 Accounting Comm.
ALED 341 Team Learning
ALED 343 Human Resource Management in Agriculture and Life Sciences
AGEC 340 Agribusiness Management
AGCJ 105 Intro to Agricultural Communication
AGLS 101 Modern Agricultural Systems and Renewable Natural Resources
Computer Course – Choose form: AGLS 201 Computer Applications in Agriculture or INFO 209 Business
ARTS 103 Design I
ARTS 111 Drawing I
ARTS 112 Drawing II
COSC 253 Construction Materials and Methods I
COSC 254 Construction Materials and Methods II
ENTO 405 Horticultural and Floriculture Entomology
FRSC 420 Arboriculture
RPTS 201 Fundamentals of Recreation and Parks
RPTS 402 Park Planning and Design
SCSC 302/312 Recreational Turf/Lab
Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
Business
Urban Planning
Teaching Certification through Agricultural Science
Section 8 Page 8
Appendix 2.2 - Bachelor of Science Emphasis Areas [Minor Optional]
Fruit and Vegetable Production and Management
More people today are aware of the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets than at any time in
history. As a result, the production of these crops is increasing for domestic use and export.
The emphasis area of fruit and vegetable production specializes in the science and practice of growing,
harvesting, handling, storing, processing, and marketing fruits and vegetables. This emphasis area provides
students with the knowledge and skills needed to be current on new varieties, cultural practices,
mechanization, weed and pest control, harvesting, storage, processing, marketing, and personnel and financial
management. Students graduating in this emphasis area are prepared for careers as growers and farm
managers; as production field advisors for fresh market, processing, and vegetable seed companies; or as field
advisors for allied industries that manufacture production and harvest machinery, fertilizers, and agricultural
chemicals. They can also find careers in fruit and vegetable marketing as managers of produce firms; as
supervisors of storage; or as sales people, field advisors, buyers, brokers or managers of marketing and
promotional organizations. Fruit and vegetable majors also enter the field of international horticulture as
overseas supervisors for commercial companies, as participants in Peace Corps and other humanitarian
endeavors, or technical assistants with USAID or international food production, research or teaching
programs.
Nursery/Floral Crop Production and Management
Production of floral and nursery crops has been a rapidly expanding industry and has become a major
contributor to the economy of Texas and the nation. This industry requires college graduates who understand
the basics of ornamental plant production and use, and have a keen sense of business and management skills.
Greenhouses provide a protected environment for producing potted and bedding plants, cut flowers,
transplants for field production and out-of-season fresh vegetables and berries. Excellent career opportunities
exist for graduates specializing in greenhouse crop production.
Nursery production includes field and/or container growing of the many woody and herbaceous species
utilized in landscapes or planted in orchards and vineyards. Crops types include shade and flowering trees,
narrow-leafed evergreens, broad-leafed evergreens, deciduous shrubs, tree and small fruits, vines and ground
covers and herbaceous perennials.
In addition, the demands for plants for environment enhancement and the need for personnel trained in the
requirements of production, maintenance, marketing and utilization of these plant materials are creating
exciting career opportunities. Students who study production are employed as growers and production
managers in greenhouses and nurseries and as research technicians, extension specialists, and teachers.
Students with interests in marketing may work with producers, wholesale suppliers, garden centers and other
retail outlets.
Landscape Management
Landscape trees, shrubs, bedding plants, foliage and flowering potted plants and cut flowers have long been
valued for their contributions to the quality of the environment in which we live, work and play. Successful
landscape management companies provide an integrated approach to landscape contracting and managing
landscape projects from inception through maintenance. The Landscape Management emphasis area focuses
on plants and landscape materials, plant identification and culture, plant installation, and landscape
construction and maintenance. Students in this emphasis area gain knowledge and skills to prepare them to
create preliminary landscape designs, install plantings and steward their creations. Job opportunities are
plentiful for individuals with targeted educational backgrounds and experience in landscape management
including careers in installation, management and maintenance of interior as well as exterior landscapes.
Landscape management careers span from hotels and resorts, planned communities, corporate campuses,
Section 8 Page 9
private estates, municipal properties, golf courses, theme parks, retail and entertainment centers, sports
complexes and residential developments.
Science & Biotechnology
The Science and Biotechnology emphasis area is intended for, but not limited to, those students who feel they
will go to graduate school and provides these students with a strong foundation in basic sciences. Career
opportunities for graduates in this area who complete advanced graduate degrees include teaching and
research at universities and private industry research. Graduates with good communication skills may also
have career opportunities with consulting firms and the Cooperative Extension Service communicating
scientific research findings to the public in an applicable and understandable format. Students graduating with
a BS and MS degrees, with research experience and skills, will be very competitive for lab bench positions,
but the MS will facilitate promotions to supervisor and leadership positions. In addition to larger companies,
there are many smaller companies and start-ups looking for recent biotechnology graduates. Skills in tissue
culture and transformation, recombinant DNA and molecular biology, protein and nucleic acid biochemistry,
genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics are particularly useful.
BS HORTICULTURE: Fruit & Vegetable Production & Management
Orchard Manager
Vegetable Farm Manager
Technician or field representative for fruit or vegetable processor
Federal or state inspector for fruit and vegetables
Producer of fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs
Commercial Seed Producer
Border, Port and Homeland Security Agents
Sales or technical representative for seed companies, horticultural supply firms and chemical companies
Wholesale or retail purchaser/ sales/technical service dealing with fresh or processed fruits and vegetables for
chain stores, garden centers, government institutions and wholesale distributors.
Marketing and Sales Representative of Fruits & Vegetables
Marketing and Sales Representative of any product associated with the production of fruits and vegetables
HORT 319 Fruit and Nut Production
HORT 325 Vegetable Crop Productions
HORT 311 Principles of Food Processing
HORT 404 Plant Breeding
HORT 418 Nut Culture
HORT 419 Grape and Small Fruit Culture
HORT 420 Concepts in Wine Production
HORT 421 Enology
HORT 446 Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Processing
HORT 484 Internship
Section 8 Page 10
Study Emphasis Electives (30 hours required)- Choose from the following:
Recommended
The following HORT courses are Highly Recommended: HORT 225 Horticulture Learning Community, HORT
301 Garden Science, HORT 311 Principles of Food Processing, HORT 404 Plant Breeding, HORT 418 Nut
Culture, HORT 419 Grape and Small Fruit Culture, HORT 420 Concepts in Wine Production, HORT 421
Enology, HORT 423 Tropical Horticulture, HORT 428 Commercial Greenhouse Management, HORT 431
Nursery Production and Management, HORT 440 International Horticulture, HORT 446 Commercial Fruit and
Vegetable Processing , HORT 484 Internship
AGSM 201 Farm Tractors and Power Units
AGSM 301 Systems Analysis in Agriculture
AGSM 335 Water and Soil Management
AGSM 360 Occupational Safety Management
AGSM 435 Irrigation Principles and Management
ENTO 320 Honey Bee Biology
ENTO 401 Principles of Insect Pest Management
ENTO 402 Field-Crop Insects
SCSC 422 Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrient Management
AGEC 325 Principles of Farm and Ranch Management
AGEC 344 Food and Agricultural Law
AGEC 413 Agricultural Cooperatives
AGEC 452 International Trade and Agriculture
AGEC 453 International Agribusiness Marketing
AGCJ 306 Theory and Practice of Agricultural Public Relations
ATMO 201 Atmospheric Science
ENGL 210 Scientific and Technical Writing or ENGL 301 Technical Writing
FSTC 201 Food Science and Technology
MGMT 209 Business, Government and Society
MGMT 212 Legal and Social Environment of Business
Section 8 Page 11
NUTR 203 Scientific Principles of Human Nutrition
SCSC 105 World Food and Fiber Crops
SCSC 303 Crop Ecology
SCSC 435 Ecology of Agricultural Chemicals in Field Crops and Turf
SCSC 450 Chemical Weed Control and/or SCSC 452 Chemical Weed Control Laboratory
SCSC 455 Environmental Soil Science and Water Science
SCSC 465 Crop Management: An Extension Perspective
Minors Accepted in:
Agronomy
Business
Entomology
BS HORTICULTURE: Nursery/Floral Crop Production & Management
Producer of nursery/floral crops, cut flowers, herbs
Greenhouse Crop Manager
Wholesale Nursery Manager
Plant Propagator
Sales or technical representative for seed companies, horticultural supply firms and chemical companies
Wholesale or retail purchaser/ sales/technical service dealing, cut flowers, nursery/floral crops for chain
stores, garden centers, government institutions and wholesale distributors
Marketing and Sales representative of nursery/floral crops
Marketing and Sales representative of any product associated with the production of nursery/floral crops
Retail Garden Center Manager
HORT 306 Woody Ornamental Plants or HORT 308 Landscape Plant Materials
HORT 484 Internship
Section 8 Page 12
Recommended
301 Garden Science, HORT 306 Woody Ornamental Plants, HORT 308 Landscape Plant Materials, HORT 309
Interior Plants, HORT 404 Plant Breeding, HORT 423 Tropical Horticulture, HORT 426 International
Floriculture Marketing, HORT 429 Floriculture Crop Production, HORT 431 Nursery Production and
Management, HORT 440 International Horticulture, HORT 451 Retail Floristry, HORT 484 Internship
BS HORTICULTURE:
Nursery/Floral Crop Production & Management (continued)
AGEC 344 Food and Agricultural Law
AGEC 452 International Trade and Agriculture
AGEC 453 International Agribusiness Marketing
AGLS 101 Modern Agri. Systems and Renewable Natural Resources
ATMO 201 Atmospheric Science
ESSM 203 Forest Trees of North America
Section 8 Page 13
RENR 410 Ecosystem Management
Minors Accepted in:
Agronomy
Business
Entomology
Forestry
BS HORTICULTURE: Landscape Management
Development and maintenance supervisor of landscapes in parks, recreation areas, residential homes,
businesses, estates, botanical gardens, public and private gardens
Landscape supervisor
Lawn and grounds maintenance manager
Landscape contractor
Arborist
Landscape Construction manager
Landscape Installation manager
Botanical gardens research scientist- plant identification and research
Horticulturist in city, state or national parks
Horticulturist in golf courses or other recreational parks
Environmental consultant
Corps of Engineers employee
HORT 425 Landscape Maintenance and Construction
HORT 484 Internship
HORT 489 Horticulture Bidding and Sales
Recommended
The following HORT courses are Highly Recommended: HORT 225 Horticulture Learning Community , HORT
301 Garden Science, HORT 309 Interior Plants, HORT 332 Horticulture Landscape Graphics, HORT 428
Section 8 Page 14
Commercial Greenhouse Management, HORT 429 Floriculture Crop Production, HORT 431 Nursery
Production and Management, HORT 432 Horticulture Landscape Design, HORT 442 Horticulture Landscape
Design II, HORT 484 Internship, HORT 489 Urban Plant Ecology, HORT 489 Horticulture Bidding and Sales,
AGSM 435 Irrigation Principles and Management
COSC 253 Construction Materials and Methods I
COSC 254 Construction Materials and Methods II
ESSM 203 Forest Trees of North America
BIOL 301 Taxonomy of Flowering Plants
CVEN 201 Plane Surveying
GIS Course – Choose from: AGSM 461 Geographic Information Systems for Resource Management or ESSM
351 Geographic Information Systems for Resource Management or RENR 405 GIS for Environmental Problem
Solving
LAND 329 Landscape Construction I
Section 8 Page 15
RENR 410 Ecosystem Management
SCSC 428 Advanced Turf Ecology and Physiology
SCSC 429 Turf Management Systems
SCSC 430 Turfgrass Maintenance
SCSC 455 Environmental Soil Science and Water Science
Minors Accepted in:
Agronomy
Business
Entomology
Forestry
BS HORTICULTURE: Science and Biotechnology
Research scientist or technician at a university, government agency or lab (USDA, NSF, germplasm resource
centers)
Industry research scientist (agrochemical, pharmaceutical, food, seed and nursery)
Professor, lecturer, instructor or teacher in a college or university, K-12 or museums, parks, nature centers
Science writing and communication
Science advisor for patent law, public policy, lawmakers
HORT 491 Research (Research in Faculty Lab) *Must enroll in course 1 year prior to anticipated
graduation date
HORT 311 Principles of Food Processing
HORT 319 Fruit and Nut Production
HORT 325 Vegetable Crop Production
HORT 418 Nut Culture
HORT 419 Grape and Small Fruit Culture
HORT 421 Enology
HORT 446 Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Processing
HORT 484 Internship
Section 8 Page 16
Recommended
306 Woody Ornamental Plants, HORT 308 Landscape Plant Materials, HORT 311 Principles of Food
Processing, HORT 319 Fruit and Nut Production, HORT 325 Vegetable Crop Production, HORT 418 Nut
Culture, HORT 419 Grape and Small Fruit Culture, HORT 421 Enology, HORT 423 Tropical Horticulture,
HORT 429 Floriculture Crop Production, HORT 431 Nursery Production and Management, HORT 440
International Horticulture,
HORT 446 Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Processing, HORT 484 Internship, HORT 489 Urban Plant
Ecology
AGLS 105 Research in Agriculture and Life Sciences
AGLS 125 Life Sciences Learning Community I
BICH: Any Biochemistry Course (example, BICH 410/411 Comprehensive Biochemistry)
CHEM: Any Chemistry Course
ENTO 315 Biotechnology and Society
GENE/MEPS 411 Biology for Crop Improvement
GENE: Any Genetics Course (example, GENE 450 Introduction to Genomics)
PHYS: Any Physics Course
STAT 302 Statistical Methods
AGCJ 306 Theory and Practice of Agriculture Public Relations
AGSM 461 GIS for Resource Management
BESC 201 Intro to Bioenvironmental Sciences
BESC 314 Pathogens, the Environment and Society
BIOL 111 and 112 Introductory Biology
BIOL 206 Microbiology
BIOL 213 Molecular Cell Biology
BIOL 281 Seminar in Quantitative Biology
BIOL 301 Taxonomy of Flowering Plants
BIOL 328 Plants and People
BIOL 330 Molecules & Life
BIOL 401 Critical Writing in Biology
BIOL 451 Bioinformatics
COMM 205 Communication for Technical Professions
EHRD 479 Grants and Contracts
ENGL 320 Technical Editing and Writing
FSTC 201 Food Science
GEOG 435 Principles of Plant Geography
GEOS 411 Vegetation Response to Climate Change
NUTR 203 Scientific Principles of Human Nutrition
PHIL 314 Environmental Ethics
SCSC 303 Crop Ecology
SCSC 465 Crop Management: An Extension Perspective
Minors Accepted in:
Agricultural Communications and Journalism
Agronomy
Biochemistry
Bioenvironmental Sciences
Chemistry
Entomology
Genetics
Section 8 Page 17
Section 8 Page 18
Appendix 2.3 - Horticultural Sciences Undergraduate Student Handbook
Introduction
Horticulture is a continually growing profession full of challenging, rewarding, and enjoyable careers. Horticulture
encompasses the art, science, and technology of production, utilization, and distribution of fruits, vegetables, and
nursery/floral crops throughout all facets of our society. The undergraduate program focuses on traditional areas of
production, marketing, and processing of horticultural crops. In addition, horticultural programs in urban areas have
added social sciences, creativity and design. Students are provided with technical and scientific skills as well as
communication, leadership, and interpersonal capabilities necessary to function effectively as horticultural professionals.
The purpose of this handbook is to provide information about the undergraduate program in horticulture so that you can
get the greatest benefit during your studies at Texas A&M University. There are many programs and agencies available
to assist you, offer opportunities, and help you solve problems during your stay at Texas A&M University. We hope this
manual will help you to better understand our program, and encourage you to use the many services available.
Each year a revised edition of the Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog is available at
(http://catalog.tamu.edu/). This Undergraduate Handbook for the Department of Horticultural Sciences does not replace
the Undergraduate Catalog and is intended to supplement the catalog with information specific to the Department of
Horticultural Sciences. Each student should be familiar with the Undergraduate Catalog (http://catalog.tamu.edu/) at
Texas A&M University and has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with and to comply with the Texas A&M
University Student Rules (http://student-rules.tamu.edu/). Read the materials carefully and do not hesitate to seek help if
you have questions.
We are happy that you are here! We hope that your experiences in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, both
personally and professionally, will meet all of your expectations, and we wish you the best for a great educational
experience!
People Who Can Help and Where to Find Them
Undergraduate Advising Office
Department of Horticultural Sciences
204 Horticulture/Forest Science Building
College Station, TX 77843-2133
Phone (979) 862-3116 Fax (979) 845-0627
http://hortsciences.tamu.edu/
***This office is your first stop if you are enrolling in the Department for the first time. We will help plan your first class
schedule, evaluate transfer credits for use within the department, and work up a preliminary degree plan.***
Katie Marek, Senior Academic Advisor
HFSB 204B / 979.862.3116
ktmarek@tamu.edu
Additional Departmental Contacts
Dr. Dan Lineberger , Department Head
HFSB 202 / 979.845.5278
dan-lineberger@tamu.edu
Debbie Perez, Academic Advisor
HFSB 204C / 979.845.5343
Debbie Perez Debbie.Perez@ag.tamu.edu
Dr. Leo Lombardini
Professor & Internship Coordinator
979.458.8079
Marissa Faris, Experiential Education Program Coordinator
979.845.6068
mfaris@tamu.edu
Academic Dean's Office, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,
515 Agriculture and Life Sciences Building (AGLS) , College Station, TX 77843
Phone (979) 845-3712
http://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/
Dr. Kim Dooley
Dr. Chris Skaggs
Associate Dean for Academic Operations
Associate Dean for Student Development
k-dooley@tamu.edu
cskaggs@tamu.edu
Dr. Danielle Harris
Assistant Dean for Student Success
danielleh@tamu.edu
Section 8 Page 19
Faculty
One of the greatest assets in the Department of Horticultural Sciences is our devoted, caring and knowledgeable Faculty.
As students enter the Department, they are encouraged to interact with our Faculty who will guide them throughout their
academic career. They may advise students in their areas of expertise and are trained to be effective referral sources to
other Texas A&M University services for specific problems or concerns. Faculty members can be a nonjudgmental ear
for students to talk with about topics including: career choices, graduate school, internships, finding a job, academic
burnout, course selection advice, joining social activities, letters of recommendation, and much more.
The following information can aid you in finding faculty members working in areas specific to your interests.
Current contact information is also available at: http://hortsciences.tamu.edu/faculty/index.html
FACULTY MEMBERS AND RESOURCES FOR EMPHASIS AREAS
RM:
Dr. Michael Arnold - Landscape Horticulture
207
Dr. David Byrne - Fruit and Nut Production
428
Dr. Luis Cisneros - Food Sciences
511
Dr. Gregory Cobb - Plant Physiology
525
Dr. Kevin Crosby – Plant Breeding
412
Dr. Fred Davies - Nursery Production
416
Dr. Tim Davis – Ornamental Production
519
Dr. Charles Hall – Ornamental Production 222
Mr. James Johnson - Retail Floristry
211
Mr. Matt Kent – Ornamental Production 407
Dr. Patricia Klein – Plant Genomics (Borlaug Center)
Dr. Hisashi Koiwa – Plant Physiology
522
Dr. Dan Lineberger – Technology
507
Dr. Leo Lombardini - Fruit & Nut Production
426
Dr. George Ray McEachern – Grapes &Wine
225
Mr. Bill McKinley - Floral Design/Event Plan.
210
Dr. Creighton Miller – Plant Breeding
516
Dr. Bhimu Patil – Plant Breeding (Centeq Bldg.) 120
Dr. Betsy Pierson -Plant-Microbe Interaction
427
Dr. David Reed - Ornamental Production 408
Dr. Terri Starman - Ornamental Production
424
Dr. Astrid Volder – Landscape Ecology
405
Dr. Jayne Zajicek - Urban Horticulture
422
(979)
845-1499
862-3072
845-3244
845-5615
845-0664
845-4524
458-2048
458-3277
845-3841
845-4528
862-6308
845-5282
845-5278
458-8079
845-8559
862-2768
845-3828
862-4521
862-1307
845-0139
458-3932
845-9277
845-4482
WORKING WITH FACULTY
Our Faculty and the Undergraduate Advising Office are dedicated to serve you and help you with your educational goals.
In most cases, a scheduled meeting is the preferred method to meet with the Horticulture Faculty as well as other
Professors for your courses. Once you have an appointment, please follow these guidelines to make the most of your
meeting.
!
!
!
!
!
Give thoughtful consideration to your personal, educational, and career goals.
Become familiar with your own academic program including all applicable requirements and policies.
Accept responsibility for your choices and decisions.
Ask questions if you do not understand.
Be on time to all scheduled appointments, and try to be organized so you can make the best use of
everyone's time.
! Listen to your advisor and faculty rather than well-meaning friends and acquaintances when it comes to
your academic progress.
! Keep your address and telephone numbers updated with your advisor and the Records Section of the
Registrars Office (845-1031). You may update your own information on HOWDY
(https://howdy.tamu.edu ).
Degree Plan
The degree plan is the framework of courses that a student is required to complete for their degree in the Department of
Section 8 Page 20
Horticultural Sciences. Each degree plan is unique to the student's individual career goals and is developed by the
student, in conjunction with the Advising Worksheets, staff advisors and the Faculty. Advising Worksheets for each
“Emphasis Area” are presented on the following pages. The following sections include components of the degree plan
that are common for all horticultural sciences students.
The core curriculum requirements are set by the Faculty Senate and are required of all students attending Texas A&M
University. To be sure that your program is in accordance with the core curriculum, check the Undergraduate Catalog
(http://catalog.tamu.edu/) for the core curriculum requirements in the year that you entered the University, or a more
recent year. Ask your advisor what catalog might be best for your circumstances.
The University Core Curriculum also requires that each student earn two years of high school foreign language credit
before attending TAMU, or take two semesters of foreign language at the university level. Students seeking the BA
degree have an additional language requirement and should ask an advisor for details.
HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE & SUPPORTING FIELD REQUIREMENTS
The courses listed under these categories on the degree plans are required of all horticulture students seeking a BS or BA
degree. Courses transferred from other universities must be approved by the Department Head of the Department of
Horticultural Sciences and in some cases, by the instructor of the comparable course taught at TAMU.
HORTICULTURE SPECIALIZATION REQUIREMENTS
Students will be required to complete certain Horticulture electives based in the “Emphasis
Area” he/she selects. Additional HORT electives will be chosen from approved electives on
the Advising Worksheets.
STUDY EMPHASIS ELECTIVES
The study emphasis allows you to choose a block of technical electives, both inside and outside the Department of
Horticultural Sciences, which will best support your career goals. Once a student selects an “Emphasis Area”, electives
will be chosen from approved electives on the Advising Worksheets. Horticulture courses used in the Study Emphasis
area may not exceed 15 hours of the total hours of these electives. A student may petition the use of additional courses
not included on the Advising Worksheet by completing an Appeal Form for “Study Emphasis Electives”. It is highly
advised that the student submit this paperwork prior to taking the course to guarantee that the course will be
acceptable towards their degree plan. (see the last paragraph on page 6 for procedure)
Experiential Learning
The Department of Horticultural Sciences strongly recommends that horticulture majors enroll in Experiential Learning
coursework. These opportunities allow students to gain course credit applicable towards the degree plan and to ‘learn by
doing’. Experiential learning programs include Internships, Study Abroad Programs, Undergraduate Research,
Service Learning, and Honors coursework.
To learn about experiential learning options, visit http://hortsciences.tamu.edu/experiential-learning/ or speak with the
Experiential Education Program Coordinator:
Marissa Faris
Experiential Education Program Coordinator
HFSB 509/ 979.845.6068
mfaris@tamu.edu
PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS
Professional Internships provide students with the chance to gain field-related work experience while at the same time
trying out a potential career path and/or prospective employer. In addition, internships allow students to put what they
learn in class into practice.
Internship opportunities abound; TAMU students have interned nationally and internationally. Public gardens, private
landscape and retail firms, non-profit organizations, growers, florists, designers, and tree care companies are just a few of
the places with which students can intern.
Although many students choose to intern in the summer months, there are opportunities year-round. Enrollment in
HORT 484 allows students to receive academic credit and provides access to the Internship Coordinator who will help
ensure an educational component in your internship. If you are interested in an internship, contact the Experiential
Section 8 Page 21
Learning Program Coordinator or the faculty Internship Coordinator, Dr. Leo Lombardini. More information and the
complete internship packet are available at http://hortsciences.tamu.edu/experiential-learning/experientiallearning/internships2-2/
Dr. Leo Lombardini
Faculty, Internship Coordinator
HFSB 426 / 979.458.8079
STUDY ABROAD
Study abroad programs give students a first-hand view of another country and culture. With today’s global economy, an
international perspective is more important than ever before for those entering the workforce. Students can earn core
curriculum credit, elective credit, internship/research credit, or transfer credit from a foreign university depending on the
details of the program.
Study abroad opportunities are available for all students and can last from a week to a year. With good planning, study
abroad can help you gain valuable international experience while completing your degree on time. Funding resources
are available, both through the Department of Horticultural Sciences and through the Study Abroad Programs Office.
Not sure if you want to study abroad? Talk to students who have done it. An active study abroad mentor program is
available to help you make your decision and begin planning. Speak with the Experiential Learning Program Coordinator
or visit http://hortsciences.tamu.edu/experiential-learning/experiential-learning/study-abroad/ to get started.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH & DIRECTED STUDIES
Undergraduate Research and Directed Studies enable the student to form special working relationships with faculty
members within the department and, at the same time, gain valuable learning experiences. The student is responsible for
contacting the faculty member that she or he wishes to work with, and together they must fill out the HORT 491 or 485
contract form available from the Advising Office (HFSB 204).
HORT 491 (Undergraduate Research) allows students to gain hands-on experience in plant science and laboratory
methods while working on a research project. Students may have the opportunity to travel to scientific meetings to
present their findings.
HORT 485 (Directed Studies) allows students to work with the guidance of a faculty member to gain further
knowledge in a particular area of Horticulture while participating in special projects.
Curriculum in Horticultural Sciences
The Department of Horticultural Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Horticulture.
These degrees include 6 emphasis areas described in the following pages. Graduates in all emphasis areas are prepared
for graduate studies in horticulture and other plant related sciences, as well as other academic areas including but not
limited to; agricultural business, teacher certification and landscape architecture.
CHOOSING AN EMPHASIS AREA AND SUITABLE ELECTIVES
The following pages include the most current TAMU Catalog Degree Plans for the Department of Horticultural Sciences
along with the approved electives for the "Horticulture Specialization Requirements" and the "Study Emphasis
Electives" for each of our six Emphasis Areas. The Advising Worksheets were developed by Departmental Faculty and
Staff to insure students select the proper coursework to meet their career objectives.
! Read the Emphasis Area Advising Worksheets thoroughly to help select the Emphasis Area most suited to your
career goals
! Discuss career objectives with your staff advisors and Faculty to help aid in your career decision.
! Register for courses suited to your classification. For example, freshman and sophomores should concentrate
on required Core Curriculum courses as well as 100-200 level courses in HORT. Always refer to the most
current TAMU catalog (http://catalog.tamu.edu/) for current course descriptions and prerequisites to insure your
success.
! If you are undecided about which Emphasis Area is best for you, choose courses that are required for all majors
or electives that apply to all Emphasis areas. For example, INFO 209 (Business Information Concepts) applies
Section 8 Page 22
as an elective for most Emphasis Areas. Ask a HORT Advisor if you have problems choosing suitable
electives.
! If an Emphasis Area looks appealing, choose a "Highly Recommended" HORT course from that Advising
Worksheet to learn more about the subject. Ask a HORT Advisor which courses may point you in the right
direction.
! Once a student has completed 45 credit hours, selecting an Emphasis Area is strongly suggested. Students must
complete an “Emphasis Area” form so that elective courses may be loaded into the student’s degree plan audit
available at https://howdy.tamu.edu/.
! If you find a course that you would like to enroll in but it is not included on the Advising Worksheet for your
Emphasis Area, you may file an appeal. Students will complete a simple form including the reason that the
course relates to your emphasis area and should be considered as a “Study Emphasis Elective”. Appeals will be
due on or before October 15th or February 15th and students will be notified by their NEO email no later than
November 1st or March 1st, respectively. Once the appeal is granted, the elective course will be applied as a
“Study Emphasis Elective” on the student’s degree plan. It is highly advisable to file the appeal form before
taking the course.
Second Degrees, Double Majors, and Minors
Students at Texas A&M University have the option of seeking second degrees, double majors, and minors. These
programs enable students to gain valuable information in more than one academic department, and gain University
recognition on the transcript and/or diploma. Students majoring in Horticulture may pursue these options in other
Departments. Interested students should consult with the academic advisor in the Department that they wish to seek a
second degree, double major, or minor from about the requirements of the program.
SECOND DEGREE
A second degree is awarded to students who have completed all of the requirements for two separate degrees. A
candidate pursuing a second degree will receive two separate degrees and diplomas (i.e., two BS degrees, or a
combination of two degrees, such as a BS and a BA). Students who have pursued second degrees in horticulture have
commonly come from majors within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; however, students from other colleges
are also eligible to apply.
DOUBLE MAJOR
A candidate for a double major receives one degree (i.e., BS), with both majors indicated on the diploma. A double
major usually requires less total course work than a second degree, and it may be integrated, as electives, in the student
degree plan. This program is designed to give a student an excellent background in another related field of study.
Students currently enrolled at TAMU must receive approval for the second degree or double major before the student
reaches senior standing. Students pursuing a second degree or double major in horticulture must be in good academic
standing, with a GPR of 2.0 or above.
MINOR
Horticulture students may also pursue a minor. The minor program provides a concentration of study in another
scholastic department, and is recognized on the transcript after graduation, but not on the diploma. Classes taken for a
minor may count as Study Emphasis Electives, depending on the Emphasis Area selected by the student. Minor
requirements include a minimum of 15-18 hours of course work in a Department, of which at least 9 must be 300-400
level. Students interested in pursuing a minor should contact an advisor in that department, and proceed with
the necessary paperwork. Minor requirements may be viewed at: http://unst.tamu.edu/minors.aspx
Section 8 Page 23
Dates, Deadlines, and Policies
FULL-TIME STATUS
! Twelve hours or more is considered a full-time load. Part time students (those taking 1-11 semester credit
hours) will be charged tuition and fees based on the number of hours they take, plus course fees and other
fees charged on a fixed rate per semester basis. Full-time undergraduate students (those taking 12 semester
credit hours or more) will be charged a flat rate for designated tuition irregardless of the number of hours
taken. Students are encouraged to take at least 15 semester credit hours to receive full value under the flat
rate policy and will benefit from significant savings for hours in excess of 15.
! A student who drops below 12 hours in a given semester may become ineligible for certain campus
activities (i.e., Corps of Cadets, athletics, fraternity or sorority pledging, campus or college organizations);
become ineligible for scholarships, financial aid, loans, campus housing (must carry a minimum of nine
hours), or be dropped from your family insurance and/or Social Security or Veteran’s benefits. You may
also fall behind the pace required to graduate in four years.
TRANSFER CREDIT
Many students transfer into the Department of Horticultural Sciences from other curricula at Texas A&M University or
from other colleges or universities. Guidelines for the acceptance of credits earned in other program(s) include:
! Once a student has selected an “Emphasis Area” he/she may use the designated Advising Worksheet to
determine if the transfer course credit is appropriate for their degree plan. If a student has taken a course
not included on the Advising Worksheet the student may submit an Appeal Form to have the course
considered for inclusion on the degree plan. (see page 6 for details)
! Credits earned within the TAMU system will be evaluated by TAMU course number. Students will receive
credit on courses with a grade of “D” or above.
! Students will receive credit on courses with a grade of “C” or above when transferred from institutions
outside of TAMU.
! Courses transferred by number from institutions outside the TAMU system are considered the equivalent
of the numbered courses at TAMU.
! Courses transferred by title from institutions outside the TAMU system either have no comparable course
at TAMU or an evaluation to determine which course is comparable has not been made by the department
offering the course. The advising staff and the Department Head will determine whether, and how, these
courses can be used in the degree plan. In many cases, that student will need to discuss the course with the
instructor of a comparable course at TAMU.
! As a general rule, only horticulture courses that transfer in by number or where a 2+2 agreement has been
developed will be accepted within the Department. Approval of any other horticulture courses must be
determined by the comparable course instructor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. A letter
verifying equivalent course work must be submitted to the Advising Office (HFSB 204).
! Grades from transfer courses from other colleges and universities are not included into your grade point
average at Texas A&M University.
! A minimum of 36 semester hours of 300 and/or 400 level course work must be successfully completed
in residence at Texas A&M University to obtain a baccalaureate degree. A minimum of 12 of these
36 semester hours must be in Horticulture.
CO-ENROLLING
It is very common for students to co-enroll at TAMU and Blinn College. It is the responsibility of the student to meet all
of the admission requirements, course prerequisites and procedures of Blinn College (http://www.blinn.edu).
If you plan to take courses at another community college, equivalent course numbers may be found under the “Course
Matrix” on the Texas Common Course Numbering System website (http://www.tccns.org).
CHANGING YOUR MAJOR
For many reasons, a TAMU student may wish to change from one curriculum to another. After consultation with his/her
advisor, a student should initiate a change of curriculum by scheduling an appointment with an advisor in the new
college or department. Students in good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.0 or higher, may be permitted to transfer
into the Horticulture Department.
Section 8 Page 24
! First semester freshmen may initiate a curriculum change through the fifth day of the semester. After the
fifth class day, no curriculum change will be considered until after the end of the semester.
! New transfer students cannot change majors until final grades are recorded after completion of the first
spring or fall semester at TAMU.
! A student in good academic standing (based on the receiving college’s requirements) may initiate a
curriculum change during the semester no later than the last day of Q-drops.
! Five days after final grades are available, curriculum changes may once again be initiated for all students.
(See Rules and Regulations.)
ADDING/ DROPPING A COURSE OR ENROLLING FOR THE TERM:
! Adding/Dropping a class is permitted during the first 5 class days during Fall/Spring.
! Adding/Dropping a class is permitted during the first 4 class days during summer semesters.
! A student requesting to add a course after these deadlines must have the approval of the student’s dean and
department.
Q-DROP POLICY (CHANGES EFFECTIVE 2013-2014)
CURRENT POLICY
! Allowed through the 50th day of classes during Fall/Spring.
! Allowed through the 15th day of classes during summer semesters.
! Student completes form requesting Q-drop and receives approval from the Department (HFSB 204). The
form is processed by the HORT Advising Office. This form is available at:
http://registrar.tamu.edu/forms/Q-Drop_Form.pdf
! The course will appear on your transcript with the designation “Q”. A Q-drop does not affect grade point
ratio.
! No money will be refunded.
! You are allowed only THREE (3) Q-drops during your undergraduate studies at TAMU.
! After the Q-drop period, individual courses may NOT be dropped - you must complete the class or
withdraw from the University.
! Simply not attending class is NOT considered dropping the class. If a student fails to drop a course(s) by
filling out and submitting the appropriate forms, the student will earn a grade of “F” in the course(s).
REVISED POLICY (PLANNED CHANGES FOR 2013-2014, EFFECTIVE 5:00 P.M., FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013)
! Extended to the 60th day of classes during Fall/Spring
! Allowed FOUR (4) Q-drops during your undergraduate studies at TAMU.
FIRST YEAR GRADE EXCLUSION POLICY (TERMINATED AFTER 2012-2013)
A fully admitted, currently enrolled Texas A&M undergraduate student as defined by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board as "first time in college" may elect to exclude from his/her undergraduate degree and cumulative
GPR calculation grades of D, F, or U. This exclusion shall be permitted for up to a maximum of three courses taken for
credit at Texas A&M University during the twelve month period beginning with the student's initial enrollment at Texas
A&M University.
Information on this policy is available at: http://registrar.tamu.edu/Current/GradeExPolicy.aspx
**IMPORTANT: First Year Grade Exclusions (FYGE) are being terminated after the 2012-2013 Academic Year.
FYGE termination is in effect the last work day before fall semester begins in 2013, 5:00 p.m., Friday, August
23, 2013.
SCHOLASTIC PROBATION AND SUSPENSION
Scholastic Probation will occur in any semester that your GPR drops below 2.0. Student Rules http://studentrules.tamu.edu/ contains definitions and procedural outlines for matters like “scholastic deficiency,” “scholastic
probation,” and other related matters upon which these guidelines are based.
A grade point deficiency is calculated by determining the number of grade points below a C average (below a 2.0). The
following formula is used to calculate your grade point deviation from a C average:
Section 8 Page 25
Using HOWDY Terminology→ “QUALITY POINTS” - “GPA HOURS” * 2
GRADE POINT DEVIATION FROM A C AVERAGE = (TOTAL GRADE POINTS EARNED) - (TOTAL CREDIT HRS. ATTEMPTED X
2)
The following rules apply to students who are on probation while majoring in Horticulture:
! A student whose grade point average falls below a 2.0 will be on academic probation the following
semester or summer term.
! A registration block will be placed on a student who is on scholastic probation.
! The student will be notified in writing that he/she has been placed on academic probation, and will be
required to have a conference with the Department Head to discuss probationary conditions before
continuing at TAMU in the Department of Horticultural Sciences.
! The student will be notified in writing of the conditions of his/her probation, as discussed during the
conference with the Department Head.
! A student on probation who fails to meet her or his probationary requirements as set by the Associate
Department Head for Undergraduate Programs, may be suspended from the Department of Horticultural
Sciences for the following semester. The student may have the option to apply for readmission to the
Department after his/her probationary term has expired.
! If special circumstances warrant, exceptions may be made to these policies. Appeals to these policies
should be made first through the Department Head, If the issue has not been resolved satisfactorily, at that
point, the appeal should be made to the Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
REGISTRATION BLOCKS
Registration blocks prevent you from registering for the next semester. Many offices at TAMU can block you from
registering. Only the program that put the registration block in the computer can remove it.
For example, registration blocks are used in the Horticultural Sciences Department when a student is on academic
probation. Lifting or removing a block to allow registration activity can only be done by meeting with the Department
Head or advising staff. You may check for blocks at Howdy (https://howdy.tamu.edu )
WITHDRAWAL
!
!
!
!
!
Students are responsible for personally withdrawing from the University.
It is recommended that you talk with your professors before withdrawing.
The last date to withdraw from the University is the last day of the Q-drop period.
No student will be allowed to withdraw from the University after final exams begin.
To withdraw from the University, you must obtain the appropriate form and signature from the Dean’s
Office (AGLS 515). Procedures are available at: http://registrar.tamu.edu/Current/Withdrawal.aspx
! The student’s department, the student’s Dean’s Office, or professors cannot withdraw a student from the
University. Should mitigating circumstances arise and the student is unable to “personally” withdraw from
the University, the University Department of Student Affairs (979-845-5262) should be contacted for the
correct steps.
TUITION CHARGED FOR EXCESS CREDIT HOURS
Texas A&M University will charge tuition at the non-resident rate to all students who exceed the semester credit hour
limit for their program. Excess semester credit hours are those which accrue after the student exceeds by 30 hours the
number of semester credit hours required for the completion of the degree program in which the student is enrolled.
Thus, the student may accumulate up to 30 hours beyond those required for the chosen degree program and not exceed
the limitation.
Information on this policy is available at: http://registrar.tamu.edu/General/ExcessCredHr.aspx
THIRD REPEAT SUPPLEMENTARY FEE
A non-repeatable course that is attempted by a student more than twice at a public institution of higher education in
Texas may not be reported for state funding. As a result, the institution must either pass the non-funded portion to all
students, or charge a supplementary fee to the student who is repeating the course. Texas A&M University has chosen to
assess a supplementary fee to only those students repeating the course more than twice.
Section 8 Page 26
A student attempting certain courses more than twice at Texas A&M University will be subject to a supplementary fee of
$125 per semester credit hour ($375 for a 3 hour course) for the repeated course, in addition to tuition and required fees
associated with the course.
Information on this policy is available at: http://registrar.tamu.edu/General/ThreePeat.aspx
Department of Horticultural Sciences Undergraduate Clubs
TAMU HORTICULTURE CLUB
The Horticulture Club enables members to increase their knowledge and skills in many areas of horticulture while
enhancing people skills and positive work attitudes. It provides opportunities to meet people within the department,
industry and profession. The Horticulture Club is a great place to meet new friends, gain experience, and have a lot of
fun. Members also may pursue an optional path toward Master Gardener certification. The TAMU Horticulture Club
is a growing organization and would love to have you as a member. The club meetings and announcements are posted
on the departmental bulletin boards, banners in the Atrium, and their web site (http://hortclub.tamu.edu/).
STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF FLORAL DESIGNERS (SAIFD)
This organization’s primary functions are in floral design. Any student with an interest in floral design may join.
Students sponsor speakers, attend field trips, and participate in special programs of the Benz School of Floral Design.
SAIFD participates in several social activities each semester, and holds meetings each month. SAIFD earns its funds,
and members acquire vital hands-on design experience, by doing floral arrangements for other organizations on campus,
by decorating area homes for the Christmas holidays, and by special floral sales. More details can be found at
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/saifd/Welcome.html
PI ALPHA XI
This organization is the national floriculture and ornamental horticulture honor society. Members invited to join must
have at least a junior standing and have a minimum GPR of 3.25. The organization promotes at least one major project
each year. Among its activities is an annual initiation event.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE STUDENT ASSOCIATION (SASA)
The Sustainable Agriculture Student Association (SASA) is a student organization formed to unify a body of volunteers
and foster an experiential learning community to expose students to aspects of local and organic agriculture in
conjunction with the Howdy! Farm. The association accomplishes this goal by creating educational opportunities for
those individuals interested in sustainable agriculture. The Howdy Farm currently sees around 350 students a semester
from a combination of volunteer students and courses offering credit for service. Students involved with the farm come
from various colleges and backgrounds. Learn more at http://studentfarm.tamu.edu
Special Programs
HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
A large number of scholarships are available to Horticulture students. These scholarships are usually awarded at the
Departmental Annual Awards Banquets held on Parent’s Weekend each spring. Students apply using the University
Continuing Student Scholarship Application. You may obtain application forms from the following website:
https://scholarships.tamu.edu/. Application deadline for these scholarships is February 1.
The William C. Welch Landscape Horticulture Scholarship has a separate application found at
http://hortsciences.tamu.edu/undergraduate-programs/scholarships-financial-aid/. Application deadline for this
scholarship is also Feb. 1.
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES SCHOLARSHIPS
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers scholarships to qualified students. Students apply using the
University Continuing Student Scholarship Application. You may obtain application forms from the following website:
https://scholarships.tamu.edu/. Application deadline for these scholarships is February 1.
UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM
Section 8 Page 27
The Honors Programs at Texas A&M University challenges promising students to participate in an intellectual
community of life-long learners who excel academically, advance knowledge through research, and pursue cultural
understanding through international experiences. Incoming freshmen apply to the University Honors Program by
December of their senior year in high school. Continuing students at Texas A&M may also apply to the University
Honors Program up until they have completed 60 hours at TAMU. Any continuing student with a 3.5+ cumulative GPR
may register for Honors courses, but only students admitted to the University Honors Program or those participating in
college or departmental Honors tracks have access to resources such as specialized advising, Honors Priority
Registration, Honors Course Contracts, etc. Honors courses are noted in the Schedule of Courses with the designation of
200-series section numbers for the fall and spring semesters. A list of available Honors courses for each semester is
available by searching the schedule of courses in Howdy by the Honors course attribute. Honors and Undergraduate
Research also provides opportunities for all students to get involved with research and other hands-on learning
opportunities. For more information go to: (http://honors.tamu.edu ).
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION
Texas A&M University’s Supplemental Instruction (SI) program targets traditionally difficult core curriculum courses,
and provides regularly scheduled, out-of-class study sessions. The SI sessions are led by undergraduate students who
have taken the course and been trained in pro-active learning and study strategies. The SI leaders attend all course
lectures, take notes, and read the assigned materials. They serve as leaders for organized group study, and help students
develop pro-active learning skills. Supplemental Instruction works. Nationally, SI participants earn course grades
between one-half and one full letter grade higher than the average course grade of students not participating. SI is
offered for many Texas A&M University core curriculum courses. Sessions are open to all students in the course
section; participation is free and voluntary. If you are interested in this program, contact Student Learning Center at
979.845.2724 (http://slc.tamu.edu/).
STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICE
The Texas A&M University Student Counseling Center, located in Cain Hall (979.845.4427), is dedicated to improving
skills in academic, career planning, and personal areas. The mission of the Learning Skills Center is to provide students
with an opportunity to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes which will enhance their study and test-taking ability,
while decreasing anxieties related to academic performance. Services include academic counseling, conferences with
student volunteers, faculty grade distribution lists, weekly academic workshops, academic support groups, and self-help
study guides.
The Student Counseling Center also provides confidential personal counseling. Counseling provides an opportunity to
talk about yourself, your feelings, your values, the way you relate to other people, or any other topic that concerns you.
There is no charge for these services.
Academic or personal counseling appointments are available from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. If
you find yourself in a crisis/emergency situation, you are encouraged to immediately go to Cain Hall, 8-5 weekdays.
After hours, students may call the Helpline at 845-2700, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room
(http://scs.tamu.edu ).
Graduation
In order to graduate with a degree from Texas A&M University, the following requirements for graduation must be met
(http://graduation.tamu.edu )
! Completion of all course work on the degree plan.
! A minimum overall GPR of 2.0.
! A minimum GPR of 2.0 in course work within your major field.
! A minimum of 36 semester hours of 300 and/or 400 level course work must be successfully completed in
residence at Texas A&M University to obtain a baccalaureate degree. A minimum of 12 of these 36 semester
hours must be in Horticulture.
! Graduation application and diploma fee during the semester in which graduation is to occur.
! Other requirements as outlined in the catalog year of the degree plan
APPLICATION
The application deadline for graduation occurs shortly after the semester begins. The procedure includes the following:
Section 8 Page 28
! Apply for graduation using Howdy → My Record tab → Degree Evaluation section → Apply for
Graduation OR go to http://graduation.tamu.edu/applica.html. Follow the deadlines posted on
http://graduation.tamu.edu.
! If you have not had the diploma fee included with your tuition fees, it will be assessed at the time you apply
online. All questions should be directed to the Registrar's Office (979.845.1089) at the General Services
Building.
GRADUATION WITH HONORS
In order to graduate with honors, a student must have completed at least 60 credit hours at Texas A&M University, and
have at least a 3.50 GPA. The following categories are recognized:
Summa cum Laude (GPR of 3.90 - 4.00)
Magna cum Laude (GPR of 3.70 - 3.89)
Cum Laude (GPR of 3.50 - 3.69)
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
The graduation ceremony is held at Reed Arena. For fall/spring semester graduates, there are 3 - 4 separate exercises;
the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences only participates in one of them. The commencement ceremony in which
COALS students will participate is announced around mid-semester.
SENIOR EXIT INTERVIEWS
Senior exit interviews are conducted by the Head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences. The student will receive
an e-mail from the Advising Office telling them when and where to sign up for these interviews. The interviews are
usually held during the last few weeks of the semester. These interviews are very important to our Department. We
solicit and respect your opinions and concerns about the teaching program, and encourage you to take advantage of this
opportunity.
DEPARTMENTAL BREAKFAST/LUNCHEON
The Department of Horticultural Sciences holds a breakfast, luncheon, or reception for its graduates, their relatives, and
the faculty in conjunction with the commencement exercises. This event gives the faculty an opportunity to meet the
students’ families and gives the families an opportunity to learn a little about the department. All graduates are
encouraged to attend even if their families are unable to attend.
SENIOR RING
Senior Rings may be ordered at the Former Student's Association Building. Students in good academic standing with a
GPR of 2.0 or above, 90 earned undergraduate cumulative hours, 45 earned undergraduate resident, and no blocks are
eligible to order a ring. Visit http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/qualifications.aspx for more details on the
qualifications and requirements. Applications for rings are taken at the end of the semester when 90 hours have been
completed and verified by the Registrar’s office. Rings are usually available 3 months after they are ordered and paid for
(http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring).
Section 8 Page 29
SCHEDULE OF REQUIRED COURSE OFFERINGS IN HORTICULTURE
A tentative listing of required courses and the semester offered are listed below.
Course
HORT 101
HORT 201
HORT 202
HORT 203
HORT 225
HORT 301
HORT 306
HORT 308
HORT 309
HORT 311
HORT 315
HORT 319
HORT 325
HORT 326
HORT 332
HORT 335
HORT 404
HORT 418
HORT 419
HORT 420
HORT 421
HORT 423
HORT 425
HORT 426
HORT 428
HORT 429
HORT 431
HORT 432
HORT 435
HORT 440
HORT 442
HORT 446
HORT 451
HORT 452
HORT 453
HORT 454
HORT 481
SCSC 301
CHEM 222
ENTO 201
GENE 310
PLPA 301/303
MEPS 313
Fa
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
12-13
Sp
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
SS
XX
Fa
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
SS
XX
Fa
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
13-14
Sp
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
SS
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
14-15
Sp
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
Section 8 Page 30
Texas A&M University - Department of Horticultural Sciences
EMPHASIS AREA FORM
In order to plan your course of study, it is important to select one of the EMPHASIS AREAS from either the B.S. or
B.A. degrees early in your educational career. Please select one EMPHASIS AREA before completing 45 hours of
coursework from the following list:
Check the appropriate box:
□
B.A.
Urban Horticulture
Minor_______________________
□
B.A.
Floral Design
Minor_______________________
Check with the Department offering the minor for availability and necessary paperwork.
--Business Administration minor is the exception. You declare this minor in HFSB 204 with your major academic
advisor.
□
B.S.
Nursery/Floral Crop Production and Management
□
B.S.
Science and Biotechnology
□
B.S.
Fruit and Vegetable Production and Management
□
B.S.
Landscape Management
Name
UIN#
E-mail Address
__________________________ _____________
_______________________
________________________________
_______________________
Signature
Date
Texas A&M University - Department of Horticultural Sciences
Appeal Form for “Study Emphasis Electives” not included on the approved elective lists
Student name _______________________________
UIN# ________________________
NEO Email _________________________________
Date ________________________
Check the appropriate box:
Catalog 128□
129□
130□
131□
132□
133□
134□ 135□Other__________
Degree
BS Horticulture □
BS Floriculture □
Emphasis Area Fruit/Vegetable Prod. & Mgmt. □
Landscape Management □
Nursery/Floral Crops Prod. & Mgmt. □
Science & Biotechnology □
BA Horticulture □
Emphasis Area Floral Design/Event Planning □
Urban Horticulture □
Course Number and complete name: ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Semester/Year course taken ____________________________________________________________
Name of institution where course was taken _______________________________________________
Please state the reason that the course you took relates to your emphasis area and should be considered as a “Study
Emphasis Elective” (you may include additional information such as syllabi, exams, course description, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Appeals are due on October 15th or February 15th. Students will be notified by their NEO email no later than November
1st or March 1st, respectively. Once the appeal is granted, the elective course will be applied as a “Study Emphasis
Elective” on the student’s degree plan.
Approved □
Denied □
Comments on back
Date ______
email student
□
Degree plan
□
Section 8 Page 31
HORT 485 - Special Problems Agreement
(Must be completed before registration)
Student Name___________________________________
Major__________________
Classification ________
(Must be Jr. or Sr. class)
Campus Address________________________________
ID #________________________
GPA________________________
(Must be 2.0 or >)
Local telephone_______________
E-mail Address_________________________________
HORT 485 Semester_____________ HORT 485 Faculty Member_________________________
HORT 485 Credit (1-4 cr. hr.)_______
(1 credit assigned for each 3 hrs. of work expected per week during the
fall/spring semester. Summer semester requires more weekly hours due to the condensed timeframe. A total of 6 cr. hrs.
may be applied to HORT degree with approval)
Prerequisites or previous HORT experience___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Proposed HORT 485 project (Attach any additional information)__________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Final Product: Report______
Presentation ______
Other_______________________
The final product must be submitted to the faculty member and to Dr. Dan Lineberger, Head for Horticultural Sciences at
least one week prior to the last day of the semester before a grade will be assigned. The approved paperwork should be
submitted to the advising office in HFSB 204.
Anticipated completion date: ________________________________
Approval:
____________________________
Student's Signature
____________________________
HORT 485 Instructor's Signature
_______________________________
Dr. Dan Lineberger, Head for
Section 8 Page 32
HORT 291/491 – Research
(Must be completed before registration)
Student Name___________________________________
Major__________________
Classification ________
(Must be Jr. or Sr. class)
Campus Address________________________________
ID #________________________
GPA________________________
(Must be 2.0 or >)
Local telephone_______________
E-mail Address_________________________________
HORT 291/491 Semester_____________
HORT 291/491 Faculty Member_____________________
HORT 291/491 Credit (1-3 cr. hr.)_______
(1 credit assigned for each 3 hrs. of work expected per
week during the fall/spring semester. Summer semester requires more weekly hours due to the condensed timeframe. A
total of 6 cr. hrs. may be applied to HORT degree with approval)
Prerequisites or previous HORT experience___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Proposed HORT 491 project (Attach any additional information)__________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Final Product: Report______
Presentation ______
Other_______________________
The final product must be submitted to the faculty member and to Dr. Dan Lineberger, Head for Horticultural Sciences at
least one week prior to the last day of the semester before a grade will be assigned. The approved paperwork should be
submitted to the advising office in HFSB 204.
Anticipated completion date: ________________________________
Approval:
____________________________
Student's Signature
Student must register for HORT 491 one
year prior to expected graduation
____________________________
HORT291/491Instructor's Signature
_______________________________
Dr. Dan Lineberger, Head for
Section 8 Page 33
Appendix 3.1 - Texas A&M University - 18 Characteristics of Texas Public Doctoral Programs
Programs included only if in existence 3 or more years. Program is defined at the 8-digit CIP code level.
Department
Doctoral Degree Program
1
2
Horticulture
Number of Degrees Per Year
2009-2010
0
Average, 2009-2012
2010-2011
3
Three-year average of the number of degrees awarded per academic
year
2011-2012
3 Year Average
4
2.3
Graduation Rates
% Graduating
within 10 Years
92.31%
Years with Cohort
greater than 0
2000, 2001, 2002
Average Years to
Degree
4.54
Starting Cohorts: 2000-2002
Three-year average of the percent of first-year doctoral students who
graduated within ten years. First-year doctoral students: Those
students who have been coded as doctoral students by the institution
and have either completed a master’s program or at least 30 SCH
towards a graduate degree.
Average Time to Degree
3
Students Starting 2000-2002
Three-year average of the registered time to degree[3] of first-year doctoral students within a ten year period. [3] Registered time to
degree: The number of semesters enrolled starting when a student first appears as a doctoral student until she completes a degree,
excluding any time taken off during graduate study. The number of years is obtained by dividing the number semsters by three.
Employment Profile
(In field within one year of graduation). For each of the three most recent years, the number and percent of graduates
by year employed, those still seeking employment, and unknown
Employed
4
Number
2009-2010
2010-2011
6
7
8
9
10
Unknown
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
66.7
0
1
33.3
0
0
100
0
0
0
0
3
2011-2012
5
Still Seeking Employment
Percent
0
Admissions Criteria Description of admission factors
GPR>3.00, competitive GRE in verbal and quantitiative, acceptable TOEFL for non-English langauage
international students, strong letters of recommendation, and well developed statement of purpose.
Percentage Full-time Students
Fall 2010
73.3%
FTS/number of students enrolled for the last three fall semesters.
Fall 2011
90.0%
Fall 2012
85.0%
Average Institutional Financial Support Provided
$19,903.47
For those receiving financial support, the average monetary institutional financial support provided per full-time
graduate student for the prior year, from assistantships, scholarships, stipends, grants, and fellowships. Does not
include tuition or benefits.
Percentage Full-Time Students with Institutional Financial Support
83.30%
In the prior year, the number of full-time studentswith at least $1,000 of annual support/the number of full-time students
Number of Core Faculty
27
Number of core faculty in the prior year
Student-Core Faculty Ratio
.7
Section 8 Page 34
Three-year average of full-time student equivalent (FTSE) /three-year average of full-time faculty equivalent (FTFE) of
core faculty. Core Faculty: Full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty who teach 50 percent or more in the doctoral
program or other individuals integral to the doctoral program who can direct dissertation research.
Core Faculty Publications
11
12
5.85
Three-year average of the number of discipline-related refereed papers/publications, books/book chapters, juried
creative/performance accomplishments, and notices of discoveries filed/patents issued per year per core faculty member.
Core Faculty External Grants
Three-year average of the number of core faculty receiving external funds, average external funds per faculty, and total
external funds per program per academic year. All external funds received from any source including research grants,
training grants, gifts from foundations, etc., reported as expenditures.
Average of the Number of Core Faculty receiving
16.33
external funds
Average External Funds per Faculty
$164,555.05
Total External Funds
$2,689,311.00
Faculty Teaching Load
13
5.4
Total number of semester credit hours in organized teaching courses taught per academic year by core faculty divided by the number
of core faculty in the prior year
Faculty Diversity
14
Core faculty by ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic,
Other) and gender, updated when changed
Male
Female
White
13
6
Black
0
0
Hispanic
3
0
Other
3
2
Student Diversity
Enrollment headcount by ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic, Other)
and gender in program in the prior year
White
Black
Hispanic
15
Other
16
Fall 2012
Male
2
0
2
Female
2
0
0
4
6
Date of Last External Review
May, 2005
Date of last formal external review, updated when changed
External Program Accreditation
17
Name of body and date of last program accreditation review, if applicable, updated when changed
External review sponsored by COALS & University
Student Publications and/or Presentations
18
2.2
For the three most recent years, the number of discipline-related refereed papers/ publications, juried
creative/performance accomplishments, book chapters, books, and external presentations per year by student FTE
Section 8 Page 35
Appendix 3.2 – Horticulture Graduate Policy Manual
GRADUATE POLICY MANUAL
DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
(Revised November 2012)
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Department of Horticultural Sciences Graduate Policy Manual is to summarize those policies
that frequently are encountered or misunderstood by graduate students in the Department. In addition, specific
policies established by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (COALS) and the Department of Horticultural
Sciences are presented. These policies appear in the text in italics. The Policy Manual is a supplement to the
Graduate Catalog and does not replace it.
GRADUATE CATALOG
The official policies of Texas A&M University are published annually in the Graduate Catalog and updated on the
Office of Graduate Studies website (http://ogs.tamu.edu). It is the responsibility of each graduate student to study
and abide by the policies set forth in the most recently published Graduate Catalog and on the Office of Graduate
Studies Website.
The Department cannot stress enough that it is the graduate student's responsibility and duty to become
intimately familiar with all policies that affect their graduate program and to correctly follow all policies in a
timely manner.
OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES
The Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) is the University office responsible for administering the graduate programs
of Texas A&M University. OGS is located on main campus in the Jack K. Williams Administration Building
(Room 302). All petitions, requests and proposals are turned in to OGS for final approval. Technical questions that
cannot be answered at the Department level should be addressed to OGS. The Office of Graduate Studies publishes
a Graduate Student Calendar every semester which gives the precise dates for all deadlines, and it should be
consulted regularly. The calendar can be obtained from OGS in the Administration Building or the OGS website.
The OGS also produces a Graduate Handbook that contains much helpful information which is available on their
website (http://ogs.tamu.edu).
The OGS has much of the information relative to graduate programs on their website. The OGS website can be
accessed at http://ogs.tamu.edu. All university level forms relative to your graduate program must be obtained from
the OGS website. All Department level forms can be obtained from HFSB 204 or the Department’s Home Page –
http://hortsciences.tamu.edu.
DEPARTMENT’S HOME PAGE
The Department of Horticultural Sciences’ website http://hortsciences.tamu.edu. contains a wealth of information
about the Department, including the Graduate Policy Manual, biographical sketches of all graduate faculty members
in the Department, and links to other useful information, such as the OGS website. Aggie-Horticulture.tamu.edu is
also a good source to keep up with the activities of the Department.
REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
To maximize efficient use of funds and facilities, graduate students should move toward fulfillment of their degree
requirements as rapidly as possible. Students should work with their Graduate Advisor and Advisory Committee to
establish the courses to be taken to satisfy their degree requirements (see section on Degree Program). The
registration procedure is as follows:
l. Select the courses in consultation with your Graduate Advisor and Advisory Committee.
Section 8 Page 36
2. You may register on-line during your designated registration period at http://howdy.tamu.edu and accessing “my
record”. It is advisable to pre-register. There are monetary penalties for late registration
(http://finance.tamu.edu/sbs).
MINIMUM REGISTRATION AND CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION
The Graduate Catalog and OGS website contain the latest official information on this topic. Policies specific to
Horticulture graduate students or frequently asked questions are as follows:
Minimum and Maximum Registration
Table 1 lists the minimum and maximum registration requirements for graduate students. It is basically a tabular
interpretation of the guidelines specified in the Graduate Catalog as modified by policies set forth by the
Department, COALS, and OGS. In the event of a conflict in requirements, the default is always to those
requirements of the University and College over those of the Department.
Departmental Policy on Minimum and Continuous Registration
All graduate students in the Department (regardless of major) must maintain a continuous enrollment of a minimum
of 1 credit hour per semester (fall, spring and summer) from the semester of first enrollment until the semester of
graduation. The student can request a waiver based on full-time employment by Texas A&M University System
(TAMUS), medical reasons, leaves of absence, etc. If a waiver is granted, the student cannot be on-campus or at a
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center or other TAMU System facility actively completing requirements for their
degree, except for a waiver granted to full-time TAMUS employees. The Minimum Registration Waiver form (see
Form 1) can be obtained from the Department (HFSB 204). This continuous registration requirement is in addition
to the University requirement for continuous registration for students that have completed all course requirements
(other than 684, 691 and 693) on their Degree Plan. A waiver from the University requirement can only be
obtained by filing a Leave of Absence petition with the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS). Any student in violation
of the continuous registration requirement will have their registration blocked. The block can be removed only after
the student consults with the Associate Head for Graduate Programs, who will consult with the Chair of the
Advisory Committee before removing the block. A letter of reinstatement must be sent from the Associate Head for
Graduate Programs to the Director of OGS for students blocked by OGS. If a student is allowed to register after
missing continuous registration for 1 or more semesters, then they must register for 1 credit hour for each semester
in violation plus the current semester.
Waiver of Minimum Registration
If you feel your situation justifies registration below that stated in Table 1, fill out a Minimum Registration Form
(Form 1) and turn it in to the Associate Head for Graduate Programs (HFSB 204) for approval before the first day of
classes for that semester. Waivers cannot be granted for students on assistantships.
Time Limit on Course Work
Masters degree candidates must complete their course work within seven years of the first semester registration, and
Ph.D. degree candidates must complete their course work within ten years. Course work taken before these periods
of time cannot be used towards the degree.
100 Hour Cap Rule
Ph.D. students exceeding seven years will be penalized on hours enrolled above 100 hours in following semesters.
Tuition equivalent to that of out-of-state tuition will be charged on the excess hours. This is a TAMU policy which
cannot be waived by the Department.
MINIMUM COURSE PREREQUISITES
Suggested Course Prerequisites
Suggested course prerequisites vary among the M.Ag., M.S. or Ph.D. degrees depending upon the desired internship
experience, research project desired, which subdiscipline within the field is chosen, and the post-graduation goals of
the prospective student. Most prerequisites for programs within the Department are accomplished by a B.S. in
Horticulture, Agronomy, Biology or related sciences. Some remedial course work may be required for applicants
with Bachelors degrees from widely divergent fields of academia.
Departmental Policy on Course Prerequisites
Section 8 Page 37
All graduate students in the Department of Horticultural Sciences must have taken or will take 6 credit hours of 200,
300, 400 or 600 level HORT courses prior to admission. In the event that the student is deficient in HORT, the 6
hours must be taken at TAMU as a prerequisite of their degree. The courses must be approved by the Chair of their
Advisory Committee. Any 300, 400 or 600 level courses may be applied towards the student’s Degree Plan with the
Chair and Committee’s approval. These 6 hours of HORT courses will be in addition to the 9 hour Master’s and 12
hour Doctoral requirement at the 600 level for all HORT graduate students. If the student is deficient in non-HORT
supporting field courses (for example, chemistry, soils, plant physiology, etc.), the Chair will determine course
prerequisites that need to be taken.
Graduate students in the Department of Horticultural Sciences majoring in molecular and environmental plant
physiology (MEPS), genetics (GENE), food science and technology (FSTC), or plant breeding (PLBR) must meet the
course prerequisite requirements set forth by the Interdisciplinary Faculty of that major.
Courses Specified by the Graduate Admissions Process
In addition to the above Departmental course prerequisites, the graduate admissions process may specify certain
courses as a condition of acceptance into the Department’s graduate program. Individual Chair or Advisory
Committees may also require certain courses to be taken as a prerequisite to a degree. These decisions are made
based on the student’s background, degree pursued and/or type of research or internship to be undertaken, and are
made on a case by case basis.
DEGREE PLAN AND GRADUATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Degree Plan
The Degree Plan establishes all course work required for the graduate degree and also establishes the Graduate
Advisor and Advisory Committee.
The Degree Plan will list the courses that a student must complete for their degree. In addition, prerequisite courses
that the committee feels are necessary to fill-in gaps in the student's previous training or education may be listed.
See Degree Plan Deadlines for pertinent deadlines.
The degree plan is submitted on-line. Please see the OGS website (http://ogs.tamu.edu) under current student tab for
specific instructions.
Departmental Policy on Minimum Course Requirements
All graduate students in the Department must:
1) regardless of major, take or have taken one graduate level statistics course per degree (i.e. one for the Masters
and another for the Ph.D.; if none were taken for the Masters, then two are required for the Ph.D.). This may be
satisfied by a graduate level statistics course or a graduate level experimental design/data analysis course in a
subject matter department;
2) regardless of major, take one 681 seminar course per degree (i.e. one for Masters and another for Ph.D.). The
seminar may be in Horticulture (i.e. HORT 681) or in the student’s major (i.e. MEPS 681, GENE 681 or FSTC 681).
If a student transfers from another major and has already taken a 681 equivalent in that major, then the 681
requirement will be waived for that degree. It is also expected that all Horticulture graduate students attend the
biweekly seminar series organized by the Department of Horticultural Sciences throughout their studies in the
Department. This series is designed to expose students and faculty to the wide diversity of activity in horticulture.
3) All Master of Agriculture or Master of Science students must take nine hours and Ph.D. students must take twelve
hours of graduate level instructional HORT courses (excluding HORT 684, 685, 690, 691 or 693) in addition to the
HORT 681 seminar requirement. Ph.D. students who have taken nine hours during their M.S. program in the
Department can use these nine hours as part of the 12 hour requirement for their degree (effective August 2011).
4) All other curricular matters are at the discretion of the student and his/her Graduate Advisor and Advisory
Committee, assuming the requirements of the Department and Graduate Catalog are met.
Section 8 Page 38
Schedule of Horticulture Graduate Course Offerings
Table 3 lists all graduate courses offered in the Department and the tentative semesters in which they are projected
to be offered. This table is intended for planning purposes, but due to a variety of reasons impacting faculty
schedules and Departmental resources is subject to change without notice.
Use of Transfer Courses
Consult the latest edition of the Graduate Catalog for the section on Limitation on the Use of Transfer, Extension
and Certain Other Courses. These guidelines located under the degree type section (M.Ag., M.S., Ph.D) must be
followed in preparing a Degree Plan.
Degree Plan Deadlines
Degree Plans must be completed and filed with OGS: 1) during the 2nd regular semester and prior to registration (or
preregistration) for a third term for Master candidates and during the 4th regular semester and prior to registration (or
preregistration) for the fifth term for Doctoral candidates and 2) no later than 90 days prior to the date of the final
oral examination or thesis defense for Masters candidates or preliminary exam for Doctoral candidates. The student
will be blocked from registering by OGS if the degree plan has not been filed by the specified semester.
Graduate Advisor or Chair of the Graduate Advisory Committee
The graduate advisor serves as the Chair of the Graduate Advisory Committee. The student may request a particular
faculty member to serve as their graduate advisor. If the student does not have enough knowledge to make this
decision, then a graduate advisor is assigned to the student prior to admission to the program. The graduate advisor
should be selected based on the interest and goals of the student, workload and interest of the faculty, funding
availability, and availability of facilities and equipment. Students seeking to apply for a M.Ag., M.S., or Ph.D.
degree in Horticulture should have identified a member of the graduate faculty to serve as their advisor as students
applying for Horticulture degree programs are not admitted unless a faculty member indicates agreement to serve as
their advisor.
The graduate advisor plays the primary role in the development of a graduate student's program. The graduate
advisor assists the student in preparation of a Degree Plan.
The student should work closely with the graduate advisor to determine that the graduate program is meeting the
student's goals, and to seek advice from the advisor on problems that may develop during the course of graduate
study.
Members of the Graduate Advisory Committee
In addition to the graduate advisor, who functions as the Chair, Master candidates must select two faculty members
to serve on their Advisory Committee, and Doctoral candidates must select three faculty members to serve on their
Advisory Committee. At least one of the committee members must be from outside the student’s Department or
major.
Any member of the Graduate Faculty can serve as a committee member. Graduate Faculty in the Department of
Horticultural Sciences include those faculty who hold Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor rank or
a Distinguished Lecturer designation and have been approved at the Department, COALS, and University levels for
inclusion as Graduate Faculty. A list of all Graduate Faculty in the Department appears in Table 2. A Biographical
Sketch of all Graduate Faculty and Adjunct Graduate Faculty in the Department is available on the Department’s
website, http://hortsciences.tamu.edu. The Graduate Catalog contains a list of all members of the Graduate Faculty
in the University. The Advisory Committee may include Texas A&M University faculty or staff that are nonmembers of the Graduate Faculty (such as post-doctoral Research Associates, Research Scientists, Lecturers,
Research Assistant Professors, Research Associate Professors, or Research Professors), or even qualified individuals
from outside the University, with special permission from the Director of OGS. Non-members of the graduate
faculty must be in addition to the normal contingent of graduate faculty members on the committee.
Preliminary Graduate Advisory Committee Meeting
The student should schedule an advisory committee meeting prior to the second semester's registration. The purpose
of this meeting is to determine a student's level of competence, and to guide the student in developing a plan of
Section 8 Page 39
study which meets his or her career goals. The meeting is informal and consists of an interchange between the
student and the committee members. The student, with the help of the graduate advisor, should prepare a
preliminary Degree Plan and a preliminary research/internship plan for discussion at the meeting. The meeting will
end with suggestions for the student on preparing the Degree Plan and the internship/thesis/dissertation proposal.
The committee may suggest an additional meeting at a later date to finalize the program of study and proposal as
needed.
THESIS/DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
An M.S. candidate must develop a thesis proposal, and a Ph.D. candidate must develop a dissertation proposal. The
proposal describes the area of research, lists the objectives of the research, and presents the methodology and
approach that will be used. A cover page for the proposal (Form 3) and the guidelines for preparing the proposal
can be obtained from the OGS website. If the research involves human or animal subjects, an approved form from
the Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects or The University Laboratory Animal Care Committee for
animal use must accompany the proposal. All M.S. students in the Department of Horticultural Sciences must file a
thesis proposal with the OGS prior to registration (or preregistration) for a third regular term. All Ph.D. students
in the Department of Horticultural Sciences must file a dissertation proposal with the OGS prior to registration (or
preregistration) for a regular fifth term. If the thesis or dissertation proposal is not filed by this time, students will
be blocked from registration by the Department.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
A preliminary examination is required for all Ph.D. students; waivers are not permitted. Refer to the latest issue of
the Graduate Catalog and OGS website for details. All Ph.D. students are eligible, beginning the semester after
successful completion of the preliminary examination, for a $50 per month increase if they have successfully
completed their preliminary examination and are employed on an assistantship. This increase will be provided from
the same source of funds used to fund their assistantship during a given semester. It is the student’s responsibility
to notify payroll in the Horticultural Sciences Departmental office of the new status.
M.S. THESIS AND Ph.D. DISSERTATION
In the Department of Horticultural Sciences, an M.S. degree requires a thesis and a Ph.D. degree requires a
dissertation. Research problems should be carefully selected by the student, their Graduate Advisor, and Advisory
Committee to investigate areas of mutual interest with significant research potential.
The M.S. thesis and Ph.D. dissertation must be prepared according to the guidelines set forth in the “Thesis
Manual”, which can be accessed at http://ogs.tamu.edu.
Master of Agriculture students within the Department are required to provide a CD containing one electronic copy
of the professional paper in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format and an original paper copy of the signed signature page in
paper copy format to the Associate Head for Graduate Programs by the last Friday of regularly scheduled classes
during the semester in which the student intends to graduate. If these are not provided, a block will be placed on
graduation. Copies of the thesis and dissertation for M.S. and Ph.D. students, respectively, are maintained by the
Texas A&M University library and clearance from the thesis office by their published deadlines is required prior to
graduation.
EXIT SEMINAR
An exit seminar summarizes the major findings, experiences and accomplishments of a Master of Agriculture
internship, Master of Science thesis or Doctor of Philosophy dissertation. The exit seminar is presented at the end of
a graduate student’s graduate program. See OGS Calendar for deadlines.
Departmental Policy on Exit Seminar
All graduate students in the Department, regardless of major, must present a final exit seminar (not for course
credit) on the final results of their internship and professional paper for M.Ag. students, or their thesis or
dissertation research for M.S. and Ph.D. students. These seminars must be announced by the graduate student
between 1 to 2 weeks in advance of the seminar by placing fliers in mailboxes and posting on bulletin boards on all
floors of the HFSB and sending a copy of the announcement to the Department's Associate Head for Graduate
Programs or their designated representative for electronic distribution. The exit seminar must have open
attendance. The scheduled time for the exit seminar is determined by the student and graduate advisor, and is often
Section 8 Page 40
held just prior to the final examination. Alternatively, the exit seminar may be presented as a part of the
Department’s seminar series during the last semester of the student’s graduate program.
MINIMUM GRADE POINT RATIO (GPR)
Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point ratio (GPR) of 3.000 on both the courses on the
Degree Plan and on all graded graduate (600) and advanced undergraduate (300, 400) courses eligible to be applied
toward a graduate degree. The cumulative GPR is calculated from all graded (excludes S/U) courses taken at Texas
A&M University that are eligible to be used on the Degree Plan (i.e. all 300, 400 and 600 level courses). The
University policy and method of calculation of the GPR is described in detail in Graduate Catalog.
Departmental Policy on Minimum GPR
If a graduate student’s GPR falls below a cumulative 3.000, then the following Departmental policy details the
procedures that are followed.
All graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point ratio (GPR) of 3.000 or greater. Any student whose
cumulative GPR falls below a 3.000 will be allowed the next semester in which they are enrolled to raise their
cumulative GPR to or above a 3.000. For students on an assistantship or fellowship, funding for that semester will
be allowed only if justified to the satisfaction of the Associate Head for Graduate Programs, Department Head,
Executive Associate Dean of COALS, and Director of OGS. A letter of justification for continued funding is
forwarded from the Chair of the Advisory Committee, through the Associate Head for Graduate Programs, and to
the Department Head. The Department will then make a recommendation to the Executive Associate Dean of
COALS and Director of OGS for a final decision.
If the student’s cumulative GPR is not raised to 3.000 or above after the next semester of enrollment, or if the
student’s cumulative GPR falls below 3.000 in any subsequent semester (i.e. if a student ever has two semesters with
a cumulative GPR below a 3.000, whether the semesters are consecutive or not), the Chair and Advisory Committee
will be asked to recommend if the student should be allowed to continue their graduate program. A written
recommendation as to the future of the student’s graduate program will be sent from the Chair, through the
Associate Head for Graduate Programs, and to the Department Head. If the student is allowed to continue, all
graduate assistantship and fellowship funding will be terminated immediately, unless extraordinary justification is
presented. The Department will then make a recommendation to the Executive Associate Dean of COALS and
Director of OGS for a final decision.
If, after the second violation, the student’s cumulative GPR is not raised to 3.000 or above after the next semester of
enrollment, or if the student’s cumulative GPR falls below 3.000 in any subsequent semester (i.e. if a student ever
has three semesters with a cumulative GPR below a 3.000, whether the semesters are consecutive or not), the
graduate student will be terminated from the graduate program immediately, unless extraordinary justification is
provided by the Chair, through the Associate Head for Graduate Programs, and to the Department Head. The
Department will then make a recommendation to the Executive Associate Dean of COALS and Director of OGS for
a final decision.
ELEMENTS OF A MASTER OF AGRICULTURE PROGRAM
Internship
All M.Ag. students must devote a minimum of three consecutive months full-time, or its equivalent, to an internship
experience. The internship is selected in cooperation with their Graduate Advisor and Advisory Committee and
approved by the Associate Head for Graduate Programs. In the interest of broadening a student’s experiences,
advisory committees are discouraged from approving internships at the student’s family business or at a firm at
which the student is currently or formerly employed. Along this same reasoning, advisory committees are
discouraged from approving internships that allow students to remain on campus.
Professional Paper
The professional paper is based on the internship experience and has three main parts: preliminary pages, the text,
and, supplementary pages.
Section 8 Page 41
1. Preliminary Pages (in the following order)
a. Title page
b. Approval page (Form 2 in Appendix)
c. Abstract (the first numbered page, iii)
d. Dedication page (optional)
e. Acknowledgment (optional)
f. Table of Contents
g. List of Tables (if more than one table is used)
h. List of Figures (if more than one figure is used)
2. Text (normally requires the following)
a. Introduction (problem studied at internship site)
b. Review of Literature
c. Objectives (for the problem-solving experience)
d. Results
e. Conclusions and/or Recommendations
f. Additional Internship Experiences
3. Supplementary Pages (in the following order)
a. Bibliography, references or literature cited
b. Appendices (if needed)
c. Vita
APPROVAL AND FILING OF PROFESSIONAL PAPER
a)
During their final semester, Master of Agriculture students are required to enroll, in addition to any other course
requirements, in one hour of HORT 693 under the direction of the Associate Head for Graduate Programs.
b) The Head will only sign the signature page after the paper has been cleared by the Associate Head for Graduate
Programs. The Head may designate the Associate Head for Graduate Programs as an alternate signatory.
c)
One CD containing one electronic copy of the professional paper in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format and an original
signed paper copy of the signature page for the professional paper will be provided to the Associate Head for
Graduate Programs by the last Friday of regularly scheduled classes during the semester in which the student
intends to graduate. If these are not provided, a block will be placed on graduation.
ASSISTANTSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Types of Assistantships and Fellowships
The following graduate assistantships are available: Graduate Assistant Research (GAR), Graduate Assistant
Teaching (GAT), Graduate Assistant Non-Teaching (GANT), Graduate Assistant Extension (GAE) and Graduate
Fellowship (GF). Assistantships and fellowships are awarded by the Department, College, University, endowments
or sponsoring agencies. Assistantships require a work commitment, such as teaching undergraduate laboratory
sections or working in a research laboratory. Fellowships do not require a work commitment and are more
comparable to a scholarship.
Competitively Awarded
All graduate assistantships and fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis. Those awarded for a given semester
will be for the specified academic semester only. Those awarded for multiple semesters or for the duration of the
student's graduate program (subject to Departmental guidelines) are contingent on continued satisfactory
performance as a graduate assistant as well as their overall graduate performance and availability of funds.
Graduate Application Deadlines
Two soft deadlines for evaluation of graduate program applications occur each year, September 15 each fall and
January 15 each spring. Applications received by that date will be given full consideration by the Department’s
graduate application evaluation committee (GAEC) for open assistantships.
i.) The GAEC will consist of all full and associate members of the graduate faculty in the Department of
Horticultural Sciences.
Section 8 Page 42
ii.) Assignment of teaching assistantships will be based on the strength of the qualifications of the student and their
suitability to teach the courses associated with the available slot. Although students will be assigned to assist
with a given course or courses, the need to change course assignments to accommodate budget changes,
undergraduate curriculum changes and other considerations may exist. Students assigned to a given course will
be independent of whether or not their advisor instructs the course(s). There will be an attempt to minimize
shifts in teaching assignments, in order not to over burden students with preparation of new lesson/lab plans nor
faculty with retraining student teaching assistants each semester.
iii.) Recruitment of the highest quality students for graduate research and quality instruction in the
classroom/laboratory will be the first priority. This is combined with a fair and equitable rotation of
assistantships to various programs in the department including due consideration of faculty participation in
undergraduate and graduate classroom instruction, student organization advising, and departmental service.
Individual faculty seeking to recruit individual students for grant-funded assistantships may request evaluation of
students’ applications outside of the general departmental application deadlines. Evaluation of the applications for
these students will follow our previous model of an ad hoc evaluation committee of six faculty members from
related fields to those areas of interest indicated by the student in their statement of purpose. These committee
members will be appointed by the Associate Head for Graduate Programs at the request of the faculty member(s)
interested in recruiting the students.
Minimum GPR and GRE
The Department requires all students on assistantships and fellowships to have a minimum entrance GPR of 3.000
and to maintain a minimum graduate GPR of 3.000 throughout their program. Successful applicants to the M. Ag.
or M.S. programs typically have an undergraduate GPR of 3.000 or better, GRE scores of approximately 500 in
verbal and 500 in quantitative or greater, strong letters of support for admission to the graduate program from
faculty mentors, a well written letter of application, and in the case of international students strongly demonstrated
competency in English via TOEFL scores or other testing instruments. Applicants for the Ph.D. program whom
have successfully completed a prior M.S. degree usually have similar or greater qualifications than those outlined
for admission to the Masters programs. Applicants for a Ph.D. program directly from an undergraduate program
without a prior M.S. degree are typically successful in being admitted only if able to demonstrate abilities beyond
those usually demonstrated by applicants to the Masters programs. Examples might include a combination of more
highly competitive GPR or GRE scores, very strong letters of reference, and especially evidence of prior research
experience. Evidence of prior research experience might include authorship or co-authorship on peer reviewed
research articles, experience in an undergraduate research program or course, or a letter from a faculty member
detailing your direct involvement in research efforts in their laboratory. Students successfully admitted to the Ph.D.
program with only a B.S. are strongly discouraged from transferring to a Masters program later in their term of
study.
Transfer from M.S. to Ph.D. programs
Transfer from a M.S. program to a Ph.D. program of study is permitted with unanimous approval of their graduate
program committee. A consenting committee member will likely need to be added to reach the required minimum
number as outlined by OGS.
Minimum Registration - Full-Time Status
Graduate students on any level of assistantship or fellowship funding must register for full-time course load. For the
fall and spring semesters, full-time status is 9 credit hours. Full-time status for summer semesters is 6 hours. Fulltime registration cannot be waived for students on assistantships or fellowships. Full-time status may also be
required for certain scholarships, insurance coverage, loan eligibility or international student status. These
requirements should be investigated by the student when less than full-time enrollment is being considered.
Time Limit on Assistantships
As a general policy, appointment to a graduate assistantship or fellowship will not be granted to persons who go
beyond 24 months of full-time graduate study or equivalent at the Master's level, and 36 months of full-time
graduate study or equivalent at the Doctoral level. Extensions can be granted with approval of the Associate Head
for Graduate Programs. Full-time graduate study is defined as 9 or more credit hours in a fall/spring semester and 6
or more credit hours during the summer. Each student's performance is reviewed each semester by their supervisor
Section 8 Page 43
for that semester. Continuation as a graduate assistant will be contingent on a satisfactory evaluation. The length of
Fellowships varies, and is specified when the Fellowship is awarded.
Medical Benefits
Graduate students on 1/2 time (20 hours/week) or greater assistantships receive medical benefits through the
Graduate Student Insurance Plan after 90 days for new employees (students should consult the appropriate agency or
university personnel office to obtain the latest rules relating to employment and benefits). The benefits can be
extended to their spouse and dependents for an additional fee. Graduate students on fellowships do not receive
medical benefits. Medical insurance policy information is available on the Office of Graduate Studies
(ogs.tamu.edu) website.
Outside employment
According to the Payroll Office, if a graduate student is on a 20 hour per week or greater teaching or research
assistantship they cannot be employed in any other capacity on-campus. The Payroll Office conducts computer
checks of all students for additional employment on-campus on a semester basis, and actively enforces this policy.
Off-campus employment is not restricted by the Department unless a conflict of interest is involved. Any potential
conflicts of interest between on-campus and off-campus employment should be reported immediately to the
Department Head and the appropriate financial disclosure forms must be filed.
Training & Safety Documentation
Each graduate student working in research or teaching laboratories is responsible to provide evidence of the
introductory laboratory safety training course to the Main Administrative Offices of the TAMU Department of
Horticultural Sciences prior to beginning employment with the Department. For those students working in
greenhouses or nurseries, a Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Handler’s Card is required before beginning
work in the greenhouse or nursery. Training for pesticide handler’s certification is offered in the Department on a
regular basis and students should consult with the office staff to determine the next available training date. Graduate
students are periodically required by TAMUS, COALS, the Department, or their graduate advisors to obtain
additional safety and employment related training. Documentation of all such training should be provided to
appropriate personnel in the Main Administrative Offices of the Department.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Wherein possible, all students should be encouraged to obtain a minimum of one semester's teaching experience as a
teaching assistant in an undergraduate laboratory section during their tenure at Texas A&M University. All graduate
students are eligible, beginning the semester after successful completion of the Center For Teaching Excellence
Graduate Teaching Academy Fellow program (gta.tamu.edu), for a $25 per month increase if they have successfully
completed the GAT Fellow program and are employed on an assistantship. This increase will be provided from the
same source of funds used to fund their assistantship during a given semester. It is the student’s responsibility to
provide documentation to payroll in the Department of Horticultural Sciences of their new status.
NONRESIDENT TUITION EXEMPTIONS
The following conditions allow a non-resident of the State of Texas to obtain a non-resident tuition waiver as a
result of House Bill (HB) 1147. Current information on this topic can be found in the appendix of the most current
catalog in “Rules and Regulations for Determining Residence Status” which can be obtained through OGS.
Competitive Scholarships
A scholarship is one, which is designated as competitive by the institution, whose sum either singularly or in
combination with other competitive scholarships totals the amount of $1000, that is publicized and open to all
students including Texas residents; and which has been selected by the institution to be a basis for the waiver of
nonresident tuition charges.
Faculty and Dependents
Teachers, professors, and research associates who are employed at least one-half time on a regular monthly basis by
a Texas institution of higher education are entitled to register themselves, their spouse, and their children in a Texas
institution of higher education by paying the tuition and fees required of Texas residents. This is subject to change
by the Texas state legislature.
Section 8 Page 44
Assistantships and Fellowships
Teaching assistants, research assistants, and graduate assistants non-teaching who are employed at least one-half
time at a Texas institution of higher education and whose job duties are related to teaching or research in an
academic program associated with their field of study are entitled to register themselves, their spouse and their
children in the employing Texas institution of higher education by paying the tuition and fees required of Texas
residents subject to change by the state legislature.
Provisions for Improper Registration for Tuition Purposes
HB 1147 requires that if a student falsely registers as a resident student when he or she is actually a nonresident, the
student has 30 days from the date of notification by the University to pay the amount he or she should have paid as a
nonresident. If the individual fails to make a timely payment as required by law, the individual is not entitled to
receive a transcript or to receive credit for courses taken during the time the individual was falsely registered as a
resident student.
Nonresident Tuition Exemption Form
Blank forms can be obtained from HFSB 204 and must be completed each semester. The form is completed by the
student, signed by their employer, and then signed by the Associate Head for Graduate Programs or designated
Departmental representative (currently Ms. Jennifer Jakubik). If the student is employed by the Department of
Horticultural Sciences, the form is filed and processed in HFSB 202 before fees are to be paid. If a student is
employed by another department, the form should be filed with the Office of Graduate Studies. Student is required
to be registered <9 hrs before processing the form.
Establishing Texas Residency
The ideal solution is to be declared a Texas resident. This determination is made by the Registrar in the Office of
Admissions and Records. You should contact the Registrar directly if you have questions.
HOLIDAYS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS ON ASSISTANTSHIPS
Graduate students on assistantships are considered part-time employees of TAMU, TAES or TCE. As such they are
entitled only to time off during official University holidays and do not accrue vacation time or sick leave. However,
students on GAR or GAT may make arrangements with their supervisor to take time off during non-University
holidays; but this must have their supervisor's approval and they must make up the work missed either before or
after the time gone.
PERSONAL COMPUTER USE IN GRADUATE STUDENT OFFICES
Graduate students may use their personal computers in their assigned offices and laboratories, but TAMU, Texas
A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and the Department assume no liability for theft or
damage to the computers. Only Department / University owned computers are eligible to be connected to the
Departmental computer network. This restriction is a result of potential liability, security, and labor issues related to
the connection of the personal computers to the Departmental network. Appeals for exceptions to this policy should
be made to the Associate Head for Graduate Programs. If an exception is granted, unrestricted access to the
computer will be granted to the Department’s System Analyst for purposes of maintaining security and risk
management of the Departmental network. Any computers connected to the network must be equipped with up-todate virus protection software and other software as dictated by TAMU System, University, College, and
Departmental policies. In addition, all users regardless of who owns the computer are subject to university
guidelines for computer usage (http://student-rules.tamu.edu/).
SIGNATURES
All petitions, degree plans, thesis/dissertation proposals, requests for final exams, change of major, drop/add forms,
late registration, minimum registration forms, etc. require Departmental approval. The current Department Head has
designated that all requests and forms be signed by the Associate Head for Graduate Programs. If the Associate
Head for Graduate Programs is not available, then the Head can sign in their place. The final copy of the
thesis/dissertation is signed by the Head, or at his designation the Associate Head for Graduate Programs.
Many items also require Dean’s approval. Dean’s signatures are obtained from the Dean’s Office.
BLOCKS
Section 8 Page 45
Blocks (such as registration blocks) placed on the student by the Department can only be removed by the
Department Head or Associate Head Graduate Programs. Blocks placed by other units within TAMUS (Deans
Office, OGS, Parking and Transit, Fiscal Office, etc.) can only be removed by that unit.
ANNUAL GRADUATE STUDENT EVALUATION
At the end of each academic year all graduate students adloced to the Department of Horticultural Sciences are
required to complete in cooperation with their advisor (co-advisors) the Annual Graduate Student Evaluation form.
The latest version of this form is available on the graduate section of the TAMU Department of Horticultural
Sciences website. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine a student’s progress toward fulfilling their degree
requirements, enhancing goal setting for the coming year, documenting the student’s accomplishments, and
encouraging timely feedback between the student and advisor on the student’s professional development and career
goals.
GRADUATE RECORDS CONFIDENTIALITY
The Graduate Records in the Department offices are confidential and as such you are not allowed access to your
complete graduate folder without permission of the Department Head or Associate Head Graduate Programs, subject
to TAMU System guidelines. If you would like to view any of the information in your folder, you may ask the
Associate Head's Administrative Assistant, who will make you a copy of the appropriate materials when time
permits. Confidential letters of reference, evaluations, etc. will not be copied if the prospective student has signed a
waiver of the right to view those documents.
FINAL COMMENT:
Every attempt is made to meet the needs of individual students. You are encouraged to discuss your goals and
objectives fully with your Graduate Advisor, Advisory Committee, Department Head, or Associate Head for
Graduate Programs. Solicit the help of the Associate Head for Graduate Programs if the Department, College or
University policies are unclear or if you feel a policy is in conflict with your objectives. Suggestions for changes,
additions or deletions to all policies are welcomed. Your views and suggestions are taken seriously by the
Department and have a real impact on formulating Departmental policies. Therefore, please speak up when you feel
it is appropriate. Communication is the key to a successful graduate program.
Table 1. MinimumZ and maximum Y registration requirements
Each Fall and
Spring Semester
For Entire
Summerx
10-Week
SSI /
SSII
Min.
Max.
Min.
Max.
Max
1) State Funds
9
13
6
10
5/5
2) Grants/Contracts
9
13
6
10
5/5
9
16
6
14
7/7
1) Self Supported
9
16
1
14
7/7
2) Government Support
9
16
1
14
7/7
1) On-Campus entire or portion
of semester
1
16
1
14
7/7
2) In Absentia Registration
1
16
1
14
7/7
Student Status
Assistantship (research/teach)
Fellowship
International Students
Self-supported
Section 8 Page 46
3) Off campus registration
1
16
1
14
7/7
4) Full-time EmployeeW
0
4
0
4
4/4
Thesis/Dissertation cleared by
Thesis Clerk by 1st class day
0
0
0
0
0
Z
All graduate students must maintain a minimum continuous enrollment of 1 credit hour each fall, spring
and summer (all 10 weeks) semester(s) from the semester of first enrollment until the semester of
graduation, unless 1) a Leave of Absence is granted, 2) a Minimum Registration Request is granted (for
example, full-time employees), or 3) thesis or dissertation is cleared by Thesis Clerk before the start of the
semester of graduation.
Y
Requests to exceed the maximum registration requires a petition approved by the Department and OGS.
X
Minimum summer enrollment requirements for students on assistantships and fellowships is 6 hours in any
combination.
W
Full-time employees must fill-out a Minimum Registration Form if 0 credit hours registration is chosen.
Table 2.
Graduate faculty listed by area of specialization and (degrees that can be obtained under
their direction).
Floral Design and Event Planning (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
William McKinley
Jim Johnson (retired)
Jayne Zajicek
Food Science & Technology / Bioactive Compounds / Postharvest Physiology (Horticulture, Food Science)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Luis Cisneros-Zewallos
Bhimu Patil
Al Wagner
Greenhouse / Floriculture Production and Marketing (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Charles Hall
Brent Pemberton (Overton)
Terri Starman
Horticulture Information Technology (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Dan Lineberger
International Horticulture (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Tim Davis
Fred Davies
Raul Cabrera
Leonardo Lombardini
Mengmeng Gu
Bhimu Patil
Nursery / Floriculture Economics (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Charles Hall
Off-Campus
Daniel Leskovar (Uvalde)
Off-Campus
Ornamental Horticulture / Landscape Plant Estabishment / Landscape Plant Development (Horticulture,
MEPS, Plant Breeding)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Michael Arnold
Raul Cabrera (Uvalde)
David Byrne
David Reed
Astrid Volder
Douglas Welsh (retired)
Steve George (Dallas)
Genhua Niu (El Paso)
Brent Pemberton (Overton)
Plant Microorganisms / Pathology (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Elizabeth Pierson
Section 8 Page 47
Section 8 Page 48
Table 2. continued
Plant Physiology(Horticulture, MEPS)
On-Campus
Gregory Cobb
Fred Davies
Hisashi Koiwa
Leonardo Lombardini
David Reed
Patricia Klein
Elizabeth Pierson
Terri Starman
Astrid Volder
Off-Campus
John Jifon (Weslaco)
Genhua Niu (El Paso)
Kendal Hirschi (Baylor)
Plant Breeding and Genetics (Horticulture, Plant Breeding)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
David Byrne
L.J. Grauke (USDA, College Station)
Kevin Crosby
Tommy Thompson (USDA,College Station)
Patricia Klein
Xinwang Wang (Dallas)
Creighton Miller (retired)
Eliezer Louzada (Weslaco)
Richard Jones (adjunct)
Sociohorticultue / People:Plant Interactions (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Jayne Zajicek
Tina Waliczek Cade (adjunct)
Sustainable Horticulture Production / Nursery Production (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Michael Arnold
Mengmeng Gu
Vegetable Production (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Joe Masabni
John Jifon (Weslaco)
Richard Jones (adjunct)
Don Henne (Weslaco)
Creighton Miller (retired)
Gene Lester (USDA, Weslaco)
Shad D. Nelson (Kingsville)
Viticulture / Enology (Horticulture)
On-Campus
Off-Campus
Gregory Cobb
Edward Hellman (Lubbock)
George Ray McEachern (retired)
DEGREES OFFERED THROUGH THE DEPT. OF HORTICULTURAL SCIENCESz
M.Ag.
M.S. Ph.D.
Horticulture
X
X
X
Plant Breeding
X
X
Molecular & Environmental Plant Sciences (MEPS)
X
X
Genetics
X
X
Food Science and Technology
X
X
X
z M.Ag=Master of Agriculture -Non-Thesis, Internship and internship summary paper required
M.S. = Master of Science - Thesis required
Ph.D. = Doctor of Philosophy - Dissertation required
Degrees obtained under the direction of off-campus faculty, require a co-advisor on campus for the student’s
benefit while they are on-campus completing coursework.
Section 8 Page 49
Table 3. Projected graduate course offerings by the Department of Horticultural Sciences.
COURSE # AND TITLE
2011-2012
F
2012-2013
Sp
Su
F
Sp
2013-2014
Su
F
Sp
2014-2015
Su
F
Sp
2015-2016
Su
F
Sp
Su
HORT
604 Applied Physiology of Horticultural Plants
LL
LL
LL
605 Internet Technology for Horticulture
608 Plants for Landscape Design
MA
609 Plants for Landscape Design II
MA
MA
610 Physiological & Molecular Basis for Plant
Stress Response
MA
MA
MA
MA
HK
&
LL
611 Ecology of Urban Landscapes
MA
AV
AV
689 Science of Foods for Health
AV
BP
626 International Floriculture Marketing
AV
BP
TS &
CH
640 Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables to
Improve Health
630 Postharvest Biology
BP
681 Seminar
AV
689 Plant Associated Microorganisms
EP
MA
HK
&
LL
AV
618 Root Biology
MA
TS &
CH
BP
BP
LC
AV
LC
AV
AV
EP
AV
EP
ABBREVIATIONS: AV=Astrid Volder, BP = Bhimu Patil, CH = Charlie Hall, DL= Daniel Lineberger, EP = Betsy Pierson, HK = Hisashi Kiowa, LC=
Luis Cisneros, LL = Leonardo Lombardini, MA= Michael Arnold, TS = Terri Starman , S=staff.
Form 1. Example of the form used to request registration below the minimum.
Minimum Registration Request
All graduate students are required to maintain continuous enrollment during their graduate program.
Fill out this form if you wish to register for hours below the required minimum of 1 credit each semester. Students
on assistantships and fellowships cannot register below the minimum required. You may also use this form to
request a leave of absence. Submit the completed form to the Associate Head for Graduate Programs prior to the
first day of classes for each requested semester.
Semester
Credit Hour Request
STUDENT INFORMATION
NAME ___________________________________________
MAJOR
CLASSIFICATION _________________________________
DEGREE SOUGHT
LOCAL TELEPHONE______________________________________
JUSTIFICATION
Section 8 Page 50
Student’s Signature
Graduate Advisor’s Signature
Approved:
Associate Head for Graduate Program's Signature
Date
Form 2. Example of professional paper approval page.
TITLE OF PROFESSIONAL PAPER IN BOLD CAPS
A PROFESSIONAL PAPER
By
(Insert name of student here)
Approved as to style and content by:
Dr. (Insert name), Department Head
Dr. (insert name), Committee Chair
Dr. (insert name), Committee Member or Co-chair
Dr. (insert name), Committee Member
Section 8 Page 51
Section 8 Page 52
Form 3. Example of research proposal title page for thesis, dissertation, or record of study consult the OGS
website for the latest version.
Section 8 Page 53
Form 4. Example title page for a thesis from OGS (see http://ogs.tamu.edu/current-students/thesisdissertation/).
Section 8 Page 54
Graduation Checklist (see http://graduation.tamu.edu)
The following is a general list of items adapted from OGS recommendations (the Department does not imply that
this is everything a student needs to do) that a student will need to complete in order to graduate. Students are
expected to refer to the current Graduate Catalog (see OGS website) for issues related to your specific degree.
1.
Apply for graduation by the deadline published on the OGS website.
2.
Order your academic regalia by the published deadline.
3.
Familiarize yourself with the OGS deadline calendar and meet all deadlines.
4.
Run a degree audit on http://howdy.tamu.edu. Discuss any concerns with your advisor, the Associate
Department Head for Graduate Programs, or OGS as appropriate.
5.
Finalize your degree plan. Submit any petitions needed to correct deficiencies. Confirm that any incomplete
grades have been changed to letter grades or back to an incomplete.
6.
Schedule your final oral exam by the posted OGS deadlines.
7.
Advertise the location, time and date of your exit seminar within 1 and 2 weeks of the seminar and notify the
Department of such as indicated in this policy manual.
8.
Submit your thesis or dissertation to the Thesis Office by the posted OGS deadlines.
9.
Obtain all necessary original signatures from your graduate committee and the Department and submit your
thesis or dissertation revisions to the Thesis Office in time for them to clear before the posted deadlines. M. Ag.
students should submit the paper copy of the original signed signature page for your internship paper and an
electronic copy of the internship paper on CD to the Associate Head for Graduate Programs prior to the last
Friday of regular classes.
10. Clear your academic record. Confirm that all incomplete grades have been converted to the appropriate grades.
11. Satisfy all financial obligations with Texas A&M University.
12. If you plan to continue for another graduate degree at TAMU, submit a Letter of Intent to the OGS.
Section 8 Page 55
Byline
This version of the Graduate Policy Manual for the Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural Sciences
was revised and updated in October 2012 by Michael A. Arnold from the original versions written by David Wm.
Reed and subsequently updated by Michael Arnold or David H. Byrne, with assistance from Carol Nesbitt. All
materials in this departmental graduate policy manual are subordinate to policies set forth by the Texas A&M
University System, Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,
and the TAMU Office of Graduate Studies as well as all local, state, and federal regulations. Programmatic
issues at the Department level represent decisions reached by the TAMU Department of Horticultural Sciences
Graduate Faculty as a whole, while other policy issues are the results of guidelines from governing entities above the
Department level or were determined by the Associate Head for Graduate Programs in consultation with the
Department Head and College Administration. Please forward suggestions and corrections to this manual to the
attention of the Associate Head for Graduate Programs, Texas A&M University, Department of Horticultural
Sciences, College Station, TX 77843-2133.
Section 8 Page 56
Appendix 5.1. Horticultural Sciences Departmental Promotion and Tenure Policy
DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTION AND TENURE POLICY
(Revised and approved September 23, 2009; January 11, 2013)
Sections
Introduction
I. Definition of Faculty, Rights and Privileges
II. Composition, Voting and Tenure on the Promotion and Tenure Committee
III. Timing of Reviews
IV. Mid-Term Review (3-Year Review for 7-Year Probationary Period)
V. Promotion and Tenure Review
VI. Post-Tenure Review
page
1
2
3
6
8
10
25
Introduction
The Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences is judged by the quality of its academic,
extension and research programs and the total professional contributions of its faculty. For this reason,
the Department of Horticultural Sciences seeks to hire and retain faculty members who develop
distinguished teaching programs, at the graduate and undergraduate levels, develop distinguished research
and/or extension programs, and share their time and professional expertise in service both within and
outside of the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS).
In order to increase the probability of retaining outstanding faculty, various guidelines and
policies for promotion and tenure have been developed. The policies and procedures for promotion
and/or tenure set forth in this document apply to both tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty within the
Department of Horticultural Sciences on the Texas A&M University campus and at off-campus locations.
These guidelines are intended to inform candidates concerning the expectations of the faculty of
the Department of Horticultural Sciences and the procedures for promotion and tenure within this
program. In all cases, the policies and procedures of Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences, Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension supersede those contained herein.
Candidates are urged to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the policies and procedures of the
appropriate system part(s) and to exercise due diligence in adhering to deadlines and expectations. The
Rules for TAMU are set forth in University Rule 12.01.99.M2 - University Statement on Academic
Freedom, Responsibility, Tenure, and Promotion. The Dean of Faculties Office publishes yearly
guidelines and the process to follow for that year.
I. Defintion of Faculty, Rights and Privileges
Consistent with Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas
AgriLife Research, and Texas AgriLife Extension policy, to be considered a faculty member of the
Department of Horticultural Sciences, an individual must hold one of the following titles:
Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Research Professor
Research Associate Professor
Research Assistant Professor
Adjunct Professor
Adjunct Associate Professor
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Visiting Professor
Visiting Associate Professor
Section 8 Page 57
Visiting Assistant Professor
Instructor
Lecturer
Senior Lecturer
Distinguished Lecturer
Assistant Lecturer
Rights and Privileges of Faculty Members
All faculty members should receive communications intended for “faculty” and are invited to
participate in faculty meetings. To be a voting member of the faculty, individuals must be adloc’d to the
Department of Horticultural Sciences (with a title of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor,
Instructor, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, or Distinguished Lecturer), and have Horticultural Sciences
designated as their home department (as in the case of off-campus Texas AgriLife Research
appointments), and have no modifiers in their professorial titles. Therefore, Adjunct, Visiting, and
Research modifiers are non-voting faculty members. Issues which require a faculty vote typically include
department-wide issues (e.g. hiring of a new faculty member or Head, changes in departmental policy). In
addition, for agency (TAMU COALS, Texas AgriLife Research, Texas AgriLife Extension) specific
issues, votes may be taken that are restricted to faculty that carry those agency appointments.
II. Composition, Voting and Tenure on the Promotion and Tenure Committee
The Promotion and Tenure Committee is composed of all full Professors in the Department of
Horticultural Sciences, including Professors with TAMU, Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife
Extension appointments, both on-campus and off-campus, but not including Professors with modifiers
(Research, Visiting or Adjunct). There will be a minimum of 2 full Professors each from the following
categories:
A. On-campus, TAMU or joint Texas AgriLife Research-TAMU or joint Texas AgriLife
Extension-TAMU appointments
B. On-campus, Texas AgriLife Extension appointment
C. Off-campus, Texas AgriLife Research appointment
D Off-campus, Texas AgriLife Extension appointment
If no or only one full Professor in any of these categories exists in the current Department of
Horticultural Sciences and/or off-campus units, then the remaining slot(s) in the category(ies) will be
filled by an Associate Professor(s) from the deficient category as recommended by the T&P Committee
and appointed by the Department Head.
Voting
The whole committee will vote on matters related to promotion with the following exceptions.
Associate Professors cannot participate in decisions regarding promotion to full Professor.
When tenure considerations are made, all committee members may participate in discussion of
the candidate's credentials and all members may register a vote. The vote will be reported separately for
tenured committee members and non-tenured and/or non-tenure-track committee members. As per
TAMU policy, only the vote of committee members already holding tenure will be reported as the formal
tenure vote.
The Chair of the P&T Committee will tally votes, communicate committee decisions to the
department head, and communicate the department head's comments to the committee.
Abstain, Absent and Recuse Votes
The committee should attempt to minimize abstain and absent votes in order for the committee’s
recommendation to carry maximum influence as the packets move forward through the process. Recuse
votes should be used sparingly, and for valid reasons that compromise one’s decision.
Tenure on Departmental Promotion and Tenure Committee
Section 8 Page 58
Appointment to the Departmental Promotion and Tenure Committee is permanent, but contingent
on participation as follows:
• If a committee member fails to participate and register a vote in tenure and promotion
considerations for two consecutive academic years, then they will be removed from the
committee. Abstain or absent votes do not constitute a participating vote. A recuse vote
(given a valid reason) does constitute a participating vote.
• Two years after removal, the faculty member will regain eligibility, and may be re-appointed
to the committee by petition to the Head.
III . Timing of Reviews
Tenure and Promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor
The general time line for reviews is as follows (exact dates will vary from year to year): MarchMay, candidate solicits input on dossier from senior faculty members; mid-June, candidate submits
dossier and names of possible external peer reviewers to the Department Head; mid-August, dossier is
assembled in preparation for going to the Department Promotion and Tenure Committee; early to midSeptember, Department Promotion and Tenure Committee convenes and votes on cases; late September,
Department Promotion and Tenure Committee report and Department Head letter is submitted to Dean’s
or Director’s offices. Candidates are strongly encouraged to seek input from their mentoring committee
and other senior faculty members regarding the timing for submitting their dossiers.
Any individual hired in a tenure-track position will be required to submit materials for review
during the academic year prior to the end of their probationary period. The exact timing of this depends
upon the length of the probationary period (see the formula below or as superceded by TAMU system
policy). The start of a tenure-track faculty member’s mandatory consideration year (academic year) can
be calculated as follows:
Calendar year hired + Probationary period – 2 years = Tenure Consideration Year
For example, for a faculty member hired in 2009:
If probationary period is:
7 years
6 years
5 years
4 years
3 years
Mid-Term Review will occur
between:
Mar – Dec 2012
Mar – Dec 2011
(encouraged)
Mar – Dec 2011
(encouraged)
Mar – Dec 2010
(encouraged, but usually not done)
N/A
Mandatory Tenure Review (at all
levels) will occur:
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13
2011/12
2010/11
NOTES:
(1) Semester of hire does not necessarily constitute “hire year.”
(2) The probationary period will be found in the faculty member’s original letter of hire.
(3) The Board of Regents will review recommendations in the spring semester of the tenure
consideration year.
(4) See the separate Guidelines for Annual and Midterm Reviews for more information about
midterm review timing.
Section 8 Page 59
A faculty member must be informed of a negative tenure decision at least 1 year before the
termination of employment (except in the case of financial exigency as defined by TAMU System
policy).
Promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor, with or without the granting of tenure, will take
place prior to the beginning of the last probationary year (i.e. going up for tenure and/or promotion early)
only in exceptional cases. Such an action recognizes the accomplishments of the faculty member in
making unusually quick progress in the development of teaching, research or extension programs.
Promotion from Associate Professor to Professor
There is no set schedule for consideration of promotion from Associate Professor to Professor.
The timing should be part of the discussion between the faculty member and the Head, Resident Director
or Associate Head for Texas AgriLife Extension during the Annual Review. Twelve total years in rank
(Assistant plus Associate) would be a typical time in rank to begin the discussion on timing of promotion
to Professor; however, the exact timing is dependent on the progress and accomplishments of the faculty
member.
IV. Mid-Term Review
(3-Year Review for 7-Year Probationary Period)
http://dof.tamu.edu/admin/faculty/annual-midtermguidelines.pdf
The Mid-Term Review often is referred to as “3rd Year Review” because many tenure-track
faculty are hired with a 7 year probationary period; therefore, the mid-term review would take place in the
third year. Tenure-track faculty with a probationary period of 7 years are required (by University Rule
12.01099.M2) to have a Mid-Term Review. Tenure-track faculty with a probationary period between 4
and 6 years are encouraged to have a Mid-Term Review. Unless the appointment letter states otherwise,
the probationary period in the department will be 7 years. See the previous table on Timing of Review for
the when the Mid-Term Review is to be conducted.
Purpose of Mid-Term Review
The purpose of the Mid-Term Review is mentoring. The decisions and opinions of the Head,
Resident Director, Associate Head, and Tenure and Promotion Committee are not terminal. The MidTerm Review informs faculty members as to how they are progressing towards promotion and/or tenure,
and in sufficient time in advance to allow the faculty member to correct deficiencies. The Annual Review
by the Head, Resident Director or Associate Head for TCE allows annual mentoring. The Mid-Term
Review gives candidates an indication as to how the Tenure and Promotion Committee views their
progress towards promotion. Candidates are expected to confer with their mentoring committee in
preparation for the mid-term review.
Mandatory for all Faculty – TAMU, AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension
Mid-Term Reviews are mandatory for TAMU faculty with seven year probationary periods.
Since the main purpose of the Mid-Term Review is mentoring, departmental policy also requires MidTerm Reviews for Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension faculty, both on-campus and
off-campus.
Mid-Term Review Process
The Mid-Term Review should be similar to the tenure/promotion review process, including the
submission of a dossier. However, no outside letters are sought; but internal letters of recommendation
can be included. The Mid-Term Review packet is put together according to the Guidelines for Tenure
and Promotion Packages for that year (http://dof.tamu.edu/admin/tp/tenure_guide.doc )
At the discretion of the Head, Resident Director or Associate Head for Texas AgriLife Extension,
the Mid-Term Review can take the place of the Annual Review during the year of the Mid-Term Review.
The Mid-Term review package goes only to the level of Dean of the College, or Directors of
Texas AgriLife Research or Texas AgriLife Extension.
Section 8 Page 60
V. Promotion and Tenure Review
(http://dof.tamu.edu/)
Eligibility for Promotion and Tenure
To be eligible for tenure consideration, an individual must hold the title of Instructor, Assistant
Professor, Associate Professor, Professor or Distinguished Professor, and have a minimum salaried
appointment of 33% on a 9-month basis (25% on a 12-month basis) with Texas A&M University
(TAMU). Persons with majority appointments with the Texas AgriLife Research, Texas AgriLife
Extension, or with joint appointments with less than 33% funding on a 9-month basis, or 25% on a 12month basis through TAMU are eligible for professorial rank, but are not eligible for tenure
consideration. Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Visitin

HORT rev 3 - Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

Transcription

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