Research Interests:
Developmental anatomy, morphogenesis and physiology of the shoot apical meristem during the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. Environment and plant development, with emphasis on: photoperiod/light quality; and, temperature/nutritional stresses on the flowering response, reproductive development, and on whole plant morphology and yield. Anatomical, developmental and reproductive responses of plants to various concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

PRINCIPAL RESULTS (LAST 10 YEARS):

• Characterized temperature sensitive period leading to precocious floral induction in seedlings of Nicotiana and interaction with/without photoinductive photoperiods.
• Defined basic morphological features of reproductive-to-vegetative reversion in shoot apices of soybean by using scanning electron microscopy.
• Characterized specific changes in histochemical localization of six key enzymes in the shoot apices of Nicotiana during the transition from vegetative to reproductive development by using fresh-frozen sections and computer-assisted image analysis for microdensitometry measurements.

Selected Publications:

Over 50 refereed journal articles; 30 published abstracts; 30 Book reviews; 4 Book chapters.

1. Raper, C. D., Jr. and J. F. Thomas. 1972. Temperatures in early post-transplant growth: Effect on shape of mature Nicotiana tabacum L. leaves. Crop Sci. 12:540-542.
2. Thomas, J. F., C. E. Anderson and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1972. Floral initiation in Nicotiana tabacum L. 'Coker 319' in phytotron-controlled environments. The A. S. B. Bull. 19:106. 
3. Thomas, J. F., C. E. Anderson, C. D. Raper, Jr. and R. J. Downs. 1973. The effect of carBOn dioxide enhancement upon growth of Nicotiana tabacum L. C319. The A. S. B. Bull. 20:86.
4. Thomas, Judith Ann Fey. 1975. Growth of young tobacco plants in controlled environments. Diss. Abst. 35(10):4783-B.
5. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1975. Differences in progeny of tobacco due to temperature treatment of the mother plant. Tob. Sci. 19:37-41.
6. Thomas, J. F., C. E. Anderson, C. D. Raper, Jr. and R. J. Downs. 1975. Time of floral initiation in tobacco as a function of temperature and photoperiod. Can. J. BOt. 53:1400- 1410.
7. Thomas, J. F., C. D. Raper, Jr., C. E. Anderson and R. J. Downs. 1975. Growth of young tobacco plants as affected by carBOn dioxide and nutrient variables. Agron. J. 67:685- 689.
8. Raper, C. D., Jr., J. F. Thomas, M. Wann and E. K. York. 1975. Temperatures in early post-transplant growth: Influence on leaf and floral initiation in tobacco. Crop Sci. 15:732- 733.
9. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1975. Seed germinability as affected by the environmental temperature of the mother plant. Tob. Sci. 19:104-109.
10. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1975. Interaction between photoperiod and morphological stage of development in soybean. Agron. Abst. 67:76.
11. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1976. Photoperiodic limit to yield of soybeans. Crop Sci. 16:667-672.
12. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1976. Effect of night temperature upon soybean morphology and yield efficiency. Agron. Abst. 68:78.
13. Thomas, J. F. 1977. Influence of day/night temperatures on morphology and reproductive development of Glycine max (L.) Merrill. The A. S. B. Bull. 24:90. 14. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1977. Morphological response of soybean as governed by photoperiod, temperature, and age at treatment. BOt. Gaz. 138:321-328.
15. Raper, C. D., Jr., J. F. Thomas and E. K. York. 1977. Temperatures in early post- transplant growth: An evaluation of accumulated heat units for predicting development of tobacco. Tob. Sci. 21:46-50.
16. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1978. Effect of day and night temperatures during floral induction on morphology and yield of soybeans. Agron. J. 70:893-898.
17. Raper, C. D., Jr. and J. F. Thomas. 1978. Photoperiodic alteration of dry matter partitioning and seed yield in soybeans. Crop Sci. 18:654-656.
18. Raper, C. D., Jr., M. Wann and J. F. Thomas. 1978. Modeling floral development of soybeans and tobacco. Agron. Abst. 69:12.
19. Thomas, J. F. 1978. Growth and ear development of corn on organic soil. Agron. Abst. 69:86.
20. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1979. Germinability of tobacco seed as affected by culture of the mother plant. Agron. J. 71:694-695.
21. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1979. Light in early plant development: Influence on leaf and floral initiation in tobacco. Crop Sci. 19:735-737.
22. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1979. Floral initiation of soybeans as governed by photoperiod, temperature, and stage of development. World Soybean Research Conf. II, Abst., page 60. NCSU, Raleigh.
23. Raper, C. D., Jr., T. A. Pollock and J. F. Thomas. 1979. Use of phytotrons in assessing environmental requirements for plants in space habitats. ASME Pub. No. 79-ENAs- 28.
24. Raper, C. D., Jr., T. A. Pollock and J. F. Thomas. 1980. Use of phytotrons in assessing environmental requirements for plants in space habitats. In T. S. Cheston and D. L. Winter, eds., Human factors of outer space production, p. 159-168. AAAS Sel. Symp. Ser., Vol. 50. Westview Press, Inc., Boulder, CO.
25. Thomas, J. F., C. D. Raper, Jr. and W. W. Weeks. 1981. Day and night temperatures during early reproductive development of soybeans: Effects on distribution of dry matter, nitrogen, and soluble carbohydrates. Agron. J. 73:577-582.
26. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1981. Day and night temperatures during early reproductive development of soybeans: Influence on carpel initiation and growth. Bot. Gaz. 142:183-187.
27. Rogers, H. H., G. E. Bingham, J. F. Thomas, J. M Smith and D. W. Israel. 1981. Effects of long-term CO2 concentration on field grown crops and trees. Ecol. Soc. Amer. Proc., Aug. ESA, Bloomington, IN.
28. Raper, C. D., Jr. and J. F. Thomas. 1982. Floral development of a determinate soybean cultivar: Effects of photoperiod and temperature on initiation and anthesis. Abst. Amer. Soc. Agron., Southern Sec.
29. Downs, R. J. and J. F. Thomas. 1982. Phytochrome regulation of flowering in the long-day plant, Hyossyamus niger. Plant Physiol. 70:898-900.
30. Thomas, J. F. and R. J. Downs. 1982. Influence of light quality and duration on floral initiation and anthesis in soybeans. Plant Physiol. 69:82.
31. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1983. Photoperiod and temperature regulation of floral initiation and anthesis in soybean. Ann. Bot. 51:481-489.
32. Thomas, J. F. and C. N. Harvey. 1983. Leaf anatomy of four species grown under long-term continuous CO2 enrichment. BOt. Gaz. 144:303-309.
33. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1983. Photoperiod effects on soybean growth during the onset of reproductive development under various temperature regimes. BOt. Gaz. 144:471 -476.
34. Rogers, H. H., J. F. Thomas and G. E. Bingham. 1983. Response of agronomic and forest species to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide. Sci. 220:428-429.
35. Thomas, J. F., J. M. Ells and J. P. Miksche. 1983. Micro-densitometer determination of starch in palisade cells of soybeans grown under CO2 enrichment. Plant Physiol. 71:165.
36. Musser, R. L., S. A. Thomas, J. F. Thomas and P. J. Kramer. 1983. Effects of shoot chilling during floral initiation and development of 'Ransom' soybeans. Plant Physiol. 71:43.
37. Thomas, J. F. 1983. Soybean leaf development under CO2 enrichment. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 99:135.
38. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1984. Photoperiod regulation of floral initiation for soybeans of different ages. Crop Sci. 24:611-614.
39. Rogers, H. H., J. D. Cure, J. F. Thomas and J. M. Smith. 1984. Influence of elevated carbon dioxide on growth of soybean plants. Crop. Sci. 24:361-366.
40. Thomas, J. F. and M. L. Kanchanapoom. 1984. Characterization of the meristematic transition upon induction in Nicotiana tabacum L. Plant Physiol. 75:136.
41. Thomas, J. F. and M. L. Kanchanapoom. 1984. Early effects of floral induction on shoot apical activity in Glycine max (L.) Merr. J. Cell. Biochem.
42. Thomas, J. F. and C. D. Raper, Jr. 1985. Internode and petiole elongation, and growth responses of soybean to photoperiod, temperature, and end-of-day light quality. Bot. Gaz. 146:495-500
43. Kanchanapoom, M. L. and J. F. Thomas. 1985. Stereological study of ultrastructural changes in the shoot apical meristem of tobacco during floral induction. Plant Physiol. 77:111.
44. Rufty, T. W., J. F. Thomas, J. L. Remmler, W. H. Camboell and R. J. Volk. 1985. Intracellular localization of nitrate reductase in roots of maize seedlings. Plant Physiol. 77:33.
45. Musser, R. L., P. J. Kramer and J. F. Thomas. 1986. Periods of shoot chilling sensitivity in soybean flower development and compensation in yield after chilling. Ann. BOt. 57:317-329.
46. Rufty, T. W., J. F. Thomas, J. L. Remmler, W. H. Camboell and R. J. Volk. 1986. Intracellular localization of nitrate reductase in roots. Plant Physiol. 82:675-680.
47. Leadley, P. W., J. A. Reynolds, J. F. Thomas and J. F. Reynolds. 1987. Effects of carbon dioxide enrichment on internal leaf surface area in soybeans. Bot. Gaz. 148:137-140.
48. Kanchanapoom, M. L. and J. F. Thomas. 1987. Stereological study of ultrastructural changes in the shoot apical meristem of Nicotiana tabacum L. during floral induction. Amer. J. Bot. 74:152-163.
49. Kanchanapoom, M. L. and J. F. Thomas. 1987. Quantitative ultra-structural changes in tunica and corpus cells of the shoot apex of Nicotiana tabacum during the transition to flowering. Amer. J. Bot. 74:241-249.
50. Raper, C. D., Jr., J. F. Thomas, L. T. Henry and J. W. Rideout. 1988. Assessment of availability of soluble carbohydrates and reduced nitrogen during floral initiation in tobacco. BOt. Gaz. 149:289-294.
51. Brown, J. M., J. F. Thomas, G. P. Cofer and G. A. Johnson. 1988. Magnetic resonance microscopy of tissues in the stem of Pelargonium hortorum. Bot. Gaz. 149:253-259.
52. Thomas, J. F. 1988. Shoot meristem activity during floral induction in Glycine max (L.) Merr. Ransom. Amer. J. Bot. 75:51.
53. Lu, C. C. and J. F. Thomas. 1988. Succinate dehydrogenase activity in the shoot apex of tobacco during floral initiation. Plant Physiol. 86: 148. 54. Lu, C. C. and J. F. Thomas. 1989. In vitro floral morphogenesis in a day-neutral and an isogenic short-day line of Nicotiana tabacum L. The A. S. B. Bull. 36:58.
55. De la Torre, W. R., C. E. Anderson, J. F. Thomas and K. O. Burkey. 1989. Barley leaf parameters influenced by changes in light intensity. Plant Physiol. 89:145.
56. Pope, S. and J. F. Thomas. 1989. Growth of Nicotiana in response to atmospheric CO2 enrichment and various light regimes. Plant Physiol. 89:189.
57. Thomas, J. F. 1989. Quantitative ultrastructural changes in the apical meristem of Glycine max during the transition to flowering. Amer. J. BOt. 76:60.
58. Thomas, J. F. 1989. Studies on floral initiation in Nicotiana tabacum at North Carolina State University: An overview. Fl. Newsletter 8:19-23.
59. Pope, S. and J. F. Thomas. 1989. The role of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on the growth and development of Nicotiana. CANCAS 35:90-100.
60. Downs, R. J. and J. F. Thomas. 1990. Morphology and reproductive development of soybeans under artificial conditions. Biotronics 19:19-32.
61. Thomas, J. F. and M. L. Kanchanapoom. 1990. Meristematic activity and leaf initiation in the shoot apex of Nicotiana tabacum during floral transition. Bot. Gaz. 151:285- 292.
62. Shuff, T. and J. F. Thomas. 1990. Aberrant floral development in Glycine max (L.) Merr. 'Ransom'. Amer. J. Bot. 77:39.
63. Lu, C. C. and J. F. Thomas. 1990. Glycolytic activity in the shoot apex of tobacco during floral evocation. Amer. J. BOt. 77:37.
64. Lee, C. C., J. F. Thomas, C. E. Anderson and T. E. Bilderback. 1990. Inflorescence development in Heptacodium jasminoides (Caprifoliaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 77:17.
65. Thomas, J. F. 1990. A comparison of structural and functional aspects of shoot apices during floral evocation in two species. Amer. J. Bot. 77:27.
66. Lee, C. C., T. E. Bilderback and J. F. Thomas. 1991. Growth responses of Heptacodium miconioides (Caprifoliaceae). Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 116:646-650.
67. Thomas, J. F. and M. L. Kanchanapoom. 1991. Shoot meristem activity during floral transition in Glycine max (L.) Merr. BOt. Gaz. 152:139-147.
68. Thomas, J. F. and T. S. Crozier. 1992. Reversion of flowering in Glycine max. Amer. J. BOt. 79:46. 69. Crozier, T. S. and J. F. Thomas. 1992. Floral ontogeny in Glycine max. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 108:45.
70. Brake, M. M. and J. F. Thomas. 1992. Environmental regulation of the juvenile phase of development in Nicotiana tabacum. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc.
71. Robinson, L. and J. F. Thomas. 1992. Effect of end-of-day light quality and photoperiod duration on leaf development and growth of three cultivars of tobacco. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc.
72. Crozier, T. S. and J. F. Thomas. 1993. Normal floral ontogeny and cool temperature- induced aberrant floral development in Glycine max (Fabaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 80:429-448
73. Brake, M. M. and J. F. Thomas. 1993. Effect of temperature on germination of Nicotiana tabacum seeds obtained from various mother plant environments. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci Soc.
74. Thomas, J. F. and M. M. Brake. 1993. Anatomical and structural changes during floral reversion in Glycine max. Amer. J. BOt. 80:38.
75. Thomas, J. F. 1993. Structure and ultrastructure of the shoot apex: developmental dynamics of Nicotiana. Proceedings XV International Botanical Congress, 3.4.2-2:84. Yokohama, Japan.
76. Thomas, J. F. 1994. Ontogenetic and morphological plasticity in crop plants, p. 181- 185. In K. BOote and T. Sinclair (eds.), Physiology and determination of crop yield. Amer. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI.
77. Thomas, J. F. 1994. Expression and control of morphological potential in legumes: developmental choices, p. 1-10. In I. K. Ferguson and S. Tucker (eds.), Evolution of the leguminosae, part 2. Structural Botany. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England.
78. Thetford, M., S. L. Warren, F. A. Blazich and J. F. Thomas. 1995. Response of Forsythia x intermedia 'Spectabilis' to uniconazole. II. Leaf and stem anatomy, chlorophyll, and photosynthesis. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 120:983-988.
79. Bralce, M. M. and J. F. Thomas. 1995. Effects of day/night temperature on floral induction during the pre-transplant stage of growth in Mcotiana tabacum. Amer. J. Bot. 82:29.
80. Foley, C. M. and J. F. Thomas. 1995. Reversion between vegetative and reproductive growth in Glycine max. Amer. J. Bot. 82:30.
81. Saravitz, C. H. and J. F. Thomas. 1995. Ultrastructural changes during the early stages of development of the shoot apical meristem of Nicotiana tabacum. Amer. J. Bot. 82:32.
82. Chiera, J. M., J. F. Thomas and T. W. Rufty, Jr. 1997. Sequence of developmental differentiation of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. var. Ransom) under phosphorous deprivation. Amer. J. Bot. 84:60.
83. Foley, C. M. and J. F. Thomas. 1997. Photoperiodic alteration of inflorescence commitment and development in Glycine max (L.) Merr. 'Ransom'. Amer. J. BOt. 84:42.
84. Call, N. M., J. H. Choate, H. D. Coble and J. F. Thomas. 1997. Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum Dunal) growth and development as influenced by cultural procedures. Weed Sci. Soc. In press.
85. Lee, C. C., J. F. Thomas and T. E. Bilderback. Inflorescence development of Heptacodium jasminoides (Caprifoliaceae). In review.
86. Lu, C. C. and J. F. Thomas. A quantitative histochemical study of succinate dehydrogenase activity in the shoot apical meristem of Nicotiana tabacum L. during floral evocation. In review.