Dr. Douglas C. Sanders

Former Professor

Department of Horticultural Science
230 Kilgore Hall, Box 7609
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7609

Office Phone: 919.515.1222
E-Mail: doug_sanders@ncsu.edu
Curriculum vitae

Ph.D. 1970 University of Minnesota

Extension and research responsibilities for vegetable crops with emphasis on drip irrigation, fertigation, plasticulture, cover crops, nutrient cycling, stand establishment, precision seeding, and small farm systems. Research includes field physiology for asparagus, tomato, pepper, carrots and legumes; humic acid effects on vegetables; nutrient cycling and sustainable production systems; limited tillage and cover crops for vegetables; intensive production systems. Extension emphasis on drip irrigation, plasticulture, stand establishment systems, precision seeding, limited tillage, cover crops and sustainable systems, and technology transfer. Extension crop emphasis on asparagus, tomato, pepper, legumes, cole crops, and root crops.

• Research interests
  • field physiology for asparagus, tomato, pepper, carrots and legumes
  • humic acid effects on vegetables
  • nutrient cycling and sustainable production systems
  • limited tillage and cover crops for vegetables
  • intensive production systems
• Extension interests
  • emphasis on drip irrigation
  • plasticulture
  • stand establishment systems
  • precision seeding
  • limited tillage
  • cover crops and sustainable systems
  • technology transfer
  • crop emphasis on asparagus, tomato, pepper, legumes, cole crops, and root crops

A Tribute to the Life of Dr. Douglas C. Sanders

Douglas Charles Sanders, Professor of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, known world-wide for his expertise in vegetable production, passed away after a brief illness on April 17, 2006.

Doug developed his love of plants and horticulture at a young age while growing up on a family farm in Mason, Michigan. He received his B.S. degree in Vegetable Crops from Michigan State University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota. Doug began his professional career at North Carolina State University in 1970 as an assistant professor specializing in vegetable production and was promoted to full professor in 1982.

During his 36-year tenure at NC State, Doug was tirelessly committed to teaching, research, and extension of vegetable production systems and their application worldwide. His technical expertise was widely respected and his comprehensive scientific knowledge about vegetables was widely known to those who worked with vegetables in the United States and internationally.

Doug's accomplishments included the introduction of numerous new vegetable production technologies, including drip irrigation, plasticulture and precision seeding, as well as the introduction of new crop industries such as asparagus, broccoli, sweet onions and leaf lettuce. He also founded the NC Vegetable Growers Association - an organization that provides a focal point for industry education and leadership development, and represents NC vegetable growers' interests at the state and national level. Doug published many scientific and grower-oriented publications over his career.

Doug served as Vice President of the Extension Division of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) from 1992 to 1993, and was President of the Southern Region ASHS in 2000. He was named a Fellow of ASHS in 1992. In August 2006, Doug will be honored as the Outstanding International Horticulturist at the ASHS Annual Conference in New Orleans.

Doug was a tireless worker with a passion for horticultural science and seemingly boundless amounts of energy. In all his activities, Doug was committed to the training of extension agents. All who knew him benefited from his innovative ideas, unselfish encouragement and thoughtfulness. Doug will be missed not only professionally, but by all of his many friends for whom he was an inspiration and a great counselor.

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Ellen, and sister, Mary Sanders.

An endowment has been set up to honor Dr. Sanders.