CROP ECOPHYSIOLOGY PROGRAM Department of Horticulture and Crop Science The Ohio State University Home  Programs

CROP ECOPHYSIOLOGY PROGRAM
I. Statement of Purpose
	The mission of the Crop Ecophysiology Program is to develop and disseminate research based information across the diversity of horticultural and agronomic crops to students, agricultural clientele and consumers. The emphasis and focus of this program will be on the stresses imposed on commercial crop plants by the environment and modern cropping systems and the interaction of these factors on plant physiological efficiency. The knowledge gained from these studies will benefit society through a better understanding of the interrelationship of modern cropping systems and the environment. The mission will be achieved by: Basic and applied research that evaluates the interaction of environmental factors and cropping systems on the physiological efficiency of crop plants. Academic programs designed to provide students with a thorough knowledge of basic and applied principles of integrated management and the environment. Provide leadership for extension educational programs on cropping systems and other integrated production practices.
II. Goals/Objectives
	The goal of the Crop Ecophysiology Program is to develop and implement economically viable production systems that have minimal adverse impact on the environment and are sustainable. The research and extension efforts toward this goal will gain the respect of the various commodity groups served and establish a reputation for innovation and excellence for our faculty in the academic community.
	Current Objectives: 1. Pull together personnel at OSU working on various aspects of cropping systems and attempt to coordinate a partnership with industry and leading growers to identify problems and focus a coordinated research effort. 2. Share information and equipment among members of the Crop Ecophysiology program to develop new production systems and facilitate exchange of techniques and procedures for research. 3. Initiate educational efforts to blend extension and resident instruction directed toward providing training needed for certification or non-traditional groups diversifying into new crops. 4. Foster dissemination of information in new formats; e.g., putting HCS 310 on a web page.
III. Current Faculty FTE in Ecophysiology Program Name Assignment Ext. Res. Teach Distribution of Research Time Cereal Nursery/crops Floral Forage Fruit Lndscpe Soybean Turf Vegetable                                     Bennett 40 20 40                      .50 Beuerlein 75 25 0 .25             .65       Cardina 0 100 0 .25             .25       Danneberger 45 55 0                   .50    Ferree 0 100 0          .75             Funt 85 15 0          .85             Hassell 40 60 0                      .80 McMahon 0 0 100    .25                   Miller, D. 75 25 0          1.00             Pasian 75 25 0    .60                   Precheur 85 15 0                      .80 Rhodus 60 0 40             .35          Rose, Mimi 75 25 0             .40          Rose, Mark 0 80 0    1.00                   Still 0 25 75             .05          Street 75 25 0                   .35    Struve 0 60 40             .60          Sulc 80 20 0       .80                Thomison 75 25 0 .70    .15                            1.20 1.85 .95 2.60 1.40 .90 .85 2.10
IV. Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching
	HCS 310, "Control of Crop Plant Development' (U4) addresses production practices related to the physiological manipulation of crop species. Direct and indirect modifications of crop environments are considered through topics of seedling establishment, plant nutrition, photosynthesis, stress physiology (light, temp, water, salinity, etc.), flowering and fruiting, and senescence. Examples selected for lecture and lab classes reflect interests of students majoring in Crop Science and Turfgrass Science. Other introductory courses with sections relating to crop ecophysiology include: HCS 200 Crop Science (U5) HCS 232 Landscape Maintenance (U4) HCS 411 Grain Crops (U3) HCS 412 Forage Crops (U3) HCS 414 Crop Science Laboratory (U2) HCS 420 Seed Science HCS 422 Principles of Weed Science (U4) HCS 435 Plant Materials I (U6) HCS 436 Plant Materials II (U6) HCS 450 Principles of Vegetable Crop Production (U5) HCS 460 Fruit Crop Physiology and Production HCS 470 Principles of Turfgrass Selection and Management (U4) At least a dozen courses in our revised HCS offerings have topics related to the crop ecophysiology (CE) area - Not listed here are offerings in allied departments/Schools (Plant Path, Entomology, Agricultural Engineering, SNR) with content related to our CE group. 'Advanced' HCS courses with crop ecophysiology contact include: HCS 501 Landscape Plant Selection (U5) HCS 502 Landscape Management (U5) HCS 510 Crop Production in Developing Countries (UG5) HCS 521 Greenhouse Environment Control (UG5) HCS 522 Comm. Prod. of Floriculture Crops (UG5) HCS 533 Management of Commercial Nursery Operations (UG5) HCS 570 Turfgrass Management and Science (UG4) HCS 602 Field Crop Ecology (UG3) HCS 605 Adv. Veg. Crop. Prod. and Physiology (UG5) HCS 609 Post Harvest Principles/Practice (UG3) HCS 612 Principles of Grassland Management (UG5) HCS 636 Min. Nutrition of Plants (UG3) Again, at least a dozen upper level courses include some discussion of CE based on course descriptions. Just as our matrix group is very large and diverse, I'm sure the CE content in the courses above is variable and appropriate to the wide range of species/systems covered in our department.
V. Collaborators
	Due to the nature of the research and extension efforts in this program and the necessity of a broad range of expertise in any production systems effort, only departments are identified. Often several people in the department are active in the program, as well as numerous county extension agents and industry groups. Entomology Plant Pathology Food Ag. & Bio Eng. Natural Resources

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