Margaret (Peg) McMahon
Associate Professor
Department of Horticulture and Crop Science

248B Howlett Hall 2001 Fyfee Court Columbus, OH 43210 Phone: 614-292-8867 Fax: 614-292-3505

Email: mcmahon.43@osu.edu

at OSU since 1993

AREA OF EXPERTISE:

Physiology and production of floriculture crops with an emphasis in photomorphogenesis.

In this area I have conducted studies of the use of photoselective plastic films,
especially far-red absorbing films, as a shading and growth-regulating technology
in the greenhouse. We have shown that these filters can improve the quality of both
transplants and mature crops. These filters may extend the production season of crops
that normally cannot be produced in the greenhouse during the summer, which is our
current area of investigation.



ASSIGNMENT: 0% Research 0% Extension 100% Teaching

EDUCATION:

BS 1970 The Ohio State University

MS 1988 Clemson University

PhD 1992 Clemson University


POSITIONS HELD:

1999-present Associate Professor, Horticulture & Crop Science, OSU

1993-1999 Assistant Professor, Horticulture & Crop Science, OSU

1992-1993 Research Associate/Postdoc, Clemson University

1986-1992 Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Horticulture, Clemson Univ.

1970-1985 Propagator/Grower for Yoder Bros., Inc.


RESIDENT INSTRUCTION:

Current Courses Taught: Number Title:

H&CS 200 Crop Science

Hort 430 Indoor Plants

H&CS 521 Greenhouse Crop Production

Hort 522 Commercial Production of Floriculture Crops

H&CS 593 Individual Studies

H&CS 600/601 Issues in Horticulture and Crop Science

Total number courses and student credit hours 2000-2004:

22 courses 2741 student hours


Advisees (No.): Current 1997-2004

MS 0 3

PhD 0 1


RESEARCH:

Multimedia Instrument for Worldwide Greenhouse Education

Publications: (No.) 2000 through 2004

Refereed:

Evans, W. B., and McMahon, M. J. 2004. Use of far-red light filtering film during transplant production reduces tomato seedling height and may influence subsequent fruit yield. Acta Horticultura #631, pp 125-128 .

Non-Refereed:
Pasian, C. C., Behnke, C. T., Kneen, H. H., Krauskopf, D., Cloyd, R., Carver, S., Konjoian, P., Donnell, M. A., Ling, P. P., Canas, L. A., Barrett, E., Stead, T., Krause, C., Frantz, J., Locke, J., Kuack, D., and McMahon, M. J. 2004. Floriculture Industry Roundtable of Ohio (FIROO)., July 13, 2004, Vol. 10 #11. Contribution to electronic newsletter.

McMahon, M. J., and Pasian, C. C. 2004. Cultural Alternatives to Chemical Growth Regulators. OFA Tips on Managing Floriculture Crop Problems. PP. 120-124.

McMahon, M. J., and Plank, K. 2003. Old dogs teaching each other new tricks: Faculty learning communities for post-tenure faculty. Presented at the Lilly Conference on College Teaching, Miami Univ. (OH).

McMahon, M. J. 2003. Q/A Do Low-e Windows Affect Houseplants. Fine Gardening.

Metzger, J. D., and McMahon, M. J. 2002. Cultural Alternatives to Chemical Growth Regulators Tips on Managing Floriculture Crop Problems. Ohio Florists' Association (2002) pg. 103-116.

McMahon, M. J. 2002. Strategies for Teaching Students of Floriculture. OFA Bulletin # 869. pp14-15.

McMahon, M. J. 2002. Manipulating Light as a Part of Crop Management. Flower Tech. Elsevier. pp.8-9,11.

McMahon, M. J. 2002. Managing to Manipulate Light. Fruit and Veg Tech. Elsevier. pp.16-17, 19.

McMahon, M. J. 2001. Light. Tips on Regulating Growth of Floriculture Crops. pp 18-22. Ohio Florists' Assoc.

McMahon, M. J., and Metzger, J. D. 2001. Cultural Alternatives to Chemical Growth Regulators. On Managing Floriculture Crop Problems: Pests, Diseases, and Growth Control. Ohio Florists' Assoc. pp. 118-120.

Webb, J., and McMahon, M. J. 2001. Growing Ornamental Peppers As a Container Crop Under Far-red Absorbing Filters. HortScience 36(3):591. Abstr.


Books/Chapters 1

Rubatzky, V. E., Kofranek, A. M., and McMahon, M. J. 2001. Hartmann's Plant Science: Growth, Development, and Utilization of Cultivated Plants. 573pp.



GIFTS & GRANTS: Number Total Dollars

Grants for past 5 years 4 $263,574

Textbook Royalties:


EXTENSION:

Speaking Engagements (no.): 2000 through 2004

Regional 5

National 2


INTERDISCIPLINARY INVOLVEMENT:

Work closely with faculty at ATI to help facilitate the students transfering from there to H&CS,

Work with faculty in the Departments of Plant Pathology and Entomology to keep my course content up-to-date.

Work with the Office of Faculty and TA Development to improve my teaching and to help other teaching faculty and staff improve theirs.


INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT:

Served as OSU's Resident Advisor for a 6 week study abroad to Russia/Siberia, 2003

Served as Co-facilitor for the Elegant Science of Floriculture at the 2001 ASHS/ISHS meeting in Toronto, Canada.

Attended Photomorphogenesis meeting in Leicester, England, 1997


GOALS FOR NEXT 5 YEARS:

Research: Develop a more active research program in floriculture

Teaching: Be a leader in the use of innovative teaching techniques in the instruction of the science of production of horticulture crops.

Be a teacher who is contacted by students a few years after their graduation and told that I made a positive difference in their lives and that what they learned from my instruction has served them well professionally.

Last modified: 5/7/2008