Departmental Newsletter, Summer 2009
- FACULTY NEWS
- by Todd Wehner
- In July, Steve Clouse presented an invited talk and chaired the brassinosteroid minisymposium at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Biologists in Honolulu.
- Jeanine Davis was elected vice president for the extension division in the American Society for Horticultural Science.
- At the Plant Growth Regulation Society of America (PGRSA) meeting in Asheville, NC, August 2-6, 2009, Brian Whipker became the incoming President and Steve McArtney became the 1st Vice President. Steve will organize next year's conference in Portland, Oregon which runs from August 8-12, 2010.
- The 2009 Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers was awarded to authors John Lea-Cox, Cinda Zhao, David Ross, Theodore Bilderback, J. Roger Harris, Susan Day, Chuanxue Hong, Thomas Yeager, Richard Beeson, Jr., William Bauerle, Andrew Ristvey, and John Ruter for their entry 'Knowledge Central for Water, Nutrient, Substrate and Crop Health Management for the Nursery and Greenhouse Industry.' Congratulations!
- The muscadine cultivar 'Noble' has won this year's Outstanding Fruit Cultivar Award with recognition given to Drs. Nesbitt, Carroll, and Underwood (authors of the 1974 HortScience article describing 'Noble'). The medal was presented at the ASHS annual conference in St. Louis., Missouri.
- Awards
- The American Society for Enology and Viticulture has awarded best viticulture paper to Sara Spayd for her article, Berry Temperature and Solar Radiation Alter Acylation, Proportion, and Concentration of Anthocyanin in Merlot Grapes” (59:235-247), by Julie Tarara, Jungmin Lee, Sara Spayd and Carolyn Scagel.
- Bill Fonteno is a recipient of a 2009 Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award! Only four awardees are chosen for this honor by the Senior Class Council, which recognizes individuals who further the education of our students through innovative teaching, enthusiasm and dedication.
- GRADUATE PROGRAM
- by John Dole and Rachel McLaughlin
- Students Finishing
- Olivia M. Brakenbury (MHS). Site Selection Considerations for Community Farmers' Markets.
- Elisabeth M. Meyer (MS). Evaluation, Propagation, and Improvement of Gordonieae Trees and an Interspecific Hypericum Hybrid.
- Ryan A. Pekarek (MS). Evaluation of 'Caliente' Mustard Cover Crop, S-metolachlor, Imazosulfuron, and Trifensulfuron-methyl for Weed Control in Bell Pepper.
- Meagan M. Roberts (MS). Ecology and Management of Weeds in Blueberry.
- Monica C. Santa Maria (PhD). Studies for the Genetic Engineering of Sweetpotato for Starch Bioconversion.
- Awards
- Congratulations to Jessica Barb; she received the American Society of Horticultural Science Award for the Outstanding Cross-Commodity Publication for 2008.
- Congratulations to Matthew D. Taylor, Paul V. Nelson, and Jonathan M. Frantz! Their papers entitled 'Substrate Acidification by Geranium: Temperature Effects' and 'Substrate Acidification by Geranium: Light Effects and Phosphorus Uptake' were selected for the OFA Alex Laurie Award for 2009 for best ornamental papers in an ASHS publication during 2008. This was part of Matt Taylor's PhD thesis research.
- Cary Hebert won outstanding oral presentation while Jared Barnes won outstanding poster presentation at the recent Plant Growth Regulation Society of America (PGRSA) meeting in Asheville, NC, August 2-6, 2009. Valent Biosciences and PGRSA sponsor the competitions, which presents winners with a plaque and an award of $250. Cary presented the paper "In vitro regeneration and polyploid induction in Rhododendron 'Frangrantissimum Improved'" co-authored by Hebert, C., D. Touchell, T.G. Ranney, and A.V. LeBude. Jared presented the poster "Flurprimidol pre-plant bulb soaks controls growth of Lilium lancifolium 'Orange Tiger'" co-authored by Barnes, J., B Whipker, W. Buhler, and I. McCall. Both students are pursuing a Master of Science degree in the Department of Horticultural Science at N.C.State University. Please congratulate them on their efforts.
- NEWS FROM AROUND NORTH CAROLINA
- JC Raulston Arboretum (Raleigh)
- by Ted Bilderback
- Do you remember the good ol’ days when you helped shape the JCRA into what it is today? If you do, then Ted Bilderback invites you and your green industry friends to spread the word!
- On Friday, October 9, 2009, beginning at 5:00 p.m., there will be a green industry reunion at the JC Raulston arboretum!
- If you were a student in the department of horticultural science or if you work in the green industry and have a JC Raulston arboretum connection, then you are invited! For more information, visit:
- http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/calendar/event_details.php?ID=259 or call 919-513-3826 for more information!
- Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center (Mills River)
- by Tom Ranney
- Jeanine Davis is working on some interesting new projects this year in Western North Carolina. Much of her work is in Haywood County at the Mountain Research Station. Working in collaboration with tomato breeder, Dilip Panthee, a study on organic heirloom and heirloom-type hybrid tomatoes was recently planted there. In addition to evaluating the varieties, they are trying to develop an organic disease and insect management system based on some new organic products. Adjacent to that is a study on tomatoes grown with different formulations of a new line of carbon-based soil inoculants (biochar). A truffle orchard is also being established on the station to demonstrate to farmers how truffles are grown and harvested (with dogs!). Out in the county, Jeanine is working closely with a local farmer who recently planted a one acre hops yard. They are evaluating varieties and examining the challenges of growing and harvesting hops on a small scale. This is part of a region wide effort to develop local hops production, working with Jewel of the Blue Ridge Marketing, WNC Ag Options, and the Madison County Extension Office.
- Vernon James Research and Extension Center (Plymouth)
- Mark Clough
- In March the potato breeding program planted our potato test plots in the Eastern part of the state. This year on the TRS we have over 20,000 1st year materials in the field to select from, a new high water mark for the program. As the months have progressed the season has been good and hopefully our growers crops and the yield trials will reflect this as we begin harvest in June.
- In May, Craig Yencho and Mark Clough attended the North Carolina Potato Growers marketing/business meeting and farm tour. Though it was rainy we still stopped off at the Weeksville test plot and look on from a distance and spoke about what is new and performing well in the trial this year.
- DEPARTMENTAL NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE
- Editor: Todd Wehner
- Assistant: Rachel McLaughlin
- Send items for the newsletter to Todd Wehner (todd_wehner@ncsu.edu)
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