Areas of Interest
Research in the Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS) focuses on plants and diverse aspects of their genetics, biochemistry, ecology, management, quality, utilization, and associated social dimensions. See what we’ve been up to!
Faculty labs are located in Columbus (c), Ohio or Wooster (w), Ohio
Agronomy
Agronomic research involves the application of science and technology for production of crop plants for food, feedstocks, fiber, fuel, and other uses of interest to society. Agronomy is a diverse science that includes... crop management, plant genetics, crop physiology, crop ecology, and soil science.
Faculty: Laura Lindsey (c), Peter Thomison (c), David Barker (c), Mark Bennett (c), Kent Harrison (c), Jim Metzger (c), Emilie Regnier (c), Mark Sulc (c), John Cardina (w), Doug Doohan (w), David Francis (w), Clay Sneller (w).
Bioemergent Materials
Bioemergent materials research involves the discovery, manipulation, and utilization of unique crops as alternatives to synthetic materials. Research in this area covers the entire chain of production of a product from physiological biochemistry & genetic engineering through traditional production in field, greenhouse, hydroponics, harvest fermentation, processing, production, and product development. Bioemergent materials research encompasses many scientific branches and thrives due to the partnerships with media and corporations. The field’s ultimate goal is sustainable commercial production using 100% crop consumption and less waste, pollution, and cost. Bioemergent materials research is highly interdisciplinary.
Faculty: Katrina Cornish (w), Matt Kleinhenz (w), Pablo Jourdan (c), Mark Bennett (c), Josh Blakeslee (w), Joe Scheerens (w), Mark Sulc (c).
Bioinformatics
The field of Bioinformatics developed out of necessity for analyzing the huge amounts of genetic and molecular information being discovered. To create a complete picture of the genome and its molecular counterparts, computational sciences and information technology was combined with biology to vastly improve our ability to use and analyze giant sets of molecular and genomic data.
Faculty: Leah McHale (c), Esther Van der Knaap (w), David Francis (w), Clay Sneller (w).
Crop Ecology
Agroecology applies the principles of ecology to the production of crops for food, fiber, fuel and many other uses. A fundamental aim is to develop agricultural systems that are productive, profitable, socially acceptable, and environmentally responsible. Specific areas of interest for faculty in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science include: conservation of crop genetic resources, biotechnology risk assessment, and invasive species biology, among other areas.
Faculty: Kristen Mercer (c), John Cardina (w), Kent Harrison (c), Emilie Regnier (c), Doug Doohan (w), Dave Barker (c), Mark Sulc (c).
Crop Breeding and Genetics
Research in crop breeding and genetics focuses on the genetic modification of crop plants to improve plant performance for the benefit of society. The genetic improvements can be in yield, quality, pest resistance, environmental stress tolerance, or other aspects. Approaches range from selection of plants with desirable traits to sophisticated molecular methods with the goals such as developing new breeding metehods, identifying economically useful genes, and development of new germplasm and varieties. HCS faculty conduct genetic research to discover the genes responsible for shape, growth, and development of fruit; to analyze genetic diversity and hybridization of crops; to enhance and preserve germplasm; to investigate genome evolution and gene flow; to understand genes responsible for nutritional content and quality; and more.
Faculty: Pablo Jourdan (c), Erich Grotewold (c), Katrina Cornish (w), Esther Van der Knaap (w), Leah McHale (c), J-C Jang (c), David Mackey (c), Eric Stockinger (w), David Francis (w), John Finer (w), Michelle Jones (w), Clay Sneller (w).
Landscape Horticulture and Floriculture
Research focuses on Improving transplant survival and protection of high value ornamentals for producers and consumers through genetic, molecular, and physiological approaches.
Faculty: Hannah Mathers (c), Michelle Jones (c), Claudio Pasian (c), Pablo Jourdan (c), Margaret McMahon (c), Dan Struve (c).
Molecular, Cellular & Biochemical Biology
Molecular, cellular, and biochemical research conducted in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science aims to understand plant components that are under genetic control and are modified by environmental conditions. Work done in HCS in this field includes research on proteins, hormones, cell structure, and their relation to nutritional, chemical, and molecular aspects of plants. Studies have addressed phytochemical components of fruits and vegetables and their benefits to humans, plant sugars, signal transduction, enzymatic activity and stress responses.
Faculty: J-C Jang (c), Joe Scheerens (w), David Mackey (c), Erich Grotewold (c), Esther van der Knaap (w), Josh Blakeslee (w)
Risk Analysis in Agricultural Systems
Farming is the ultimate high-risk, high-stakes enterprise. Farmers are risk managers and make decisions every day that affect the food supply, environment, and the health of humans. Research in Ag Risk focuses on helping farmers better understand and manage diverse risks ranging from pests and pathogens to finances and business decisions. Ag Risk Analysis research is highly interdisciplinary.
Faculty: Doug Doohan (w)
Seed Biology
The nation’s food supply starts with seeds. Of vital importance are both researching plant seeds and preserving seeds in efforts to best capture, preserve and utilize genetic diversity in germplasm. Seeds are vital as propagating units for all agronomic and horticultural crops, from corn to turfgrass to flowers and trees. Important basic and applied research areas in the department include seed production, quality, pathology, physiology/biochemistry, and gentic/molecular biology, as well as weed seed dormancy and survival.
Faculty: Mark Bennett (C), Pablo Jourdan (c), Matt Kleinhenz (w), Emilie Regnier (c), John Cardina (w), Doug Doohan (w).
Turfgrass
Turfgrass provides environmental, functional and recreational benefits to humankind. Turfgrass studies in HCS encompass natural and chemical pest management, stress tolerance, physiology, genetics, and sustainable management practices to reduce inputs and increase quality of turf on golf courses, sports fields, lawns and funcional green space.
Faculty: David Gardner (c), Karl Danneberger (c), John Street (c).
Vegetable and Fruit Production
Vegetable and fruit production research in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science encompasses diverse fields of research in its efforts to improve the yield and quality of vegetable and fruit crops. Research on produce production in HCS includes manipulating growing environments, analyzing chemical composition of fruits and vegetables, utilizing new or underused crops for nutritional improvement, use of organic and sustainable production practices, assessing and improving specialty crop marketing, food safety, and development of novel cultural practices for the safe production of high quality produce.
Faculty: Mark Bennett (c), Joe Scheerens (w), Matt Kleinhenz (w), Esther Van der Knaap (w), Diane Miller (w).
Viticulture
Viticulture is the science of grapes growing and grape production. The Department of Horticulture and Crop Science offers a unique focus area of viticulture research and works closely with the thriving Ohio grape and wine industry. Research interests of the viticulture program includes: environmental stress physiology especially cold stress, wine grape variety evaluations, and vineyard management practices to improve the production and quality of wine grapes. Student teaching is offered through internships and hands-on training in research and commercial vineyards. The viticulture program also provides extension and outreach educational activities to grape producers and the public at large including an annual conference, short courses, and workshops.
Faculty: Imed Dami (w)
Weed Biology
Weed ecology applies ecological principles to understand fundamental and applied biology of plants that behave as weeds in agricultural systems and as invasive species in natural areas. Weed ecology research focuses on the complex factors that underlie the distribution and abundance of weedy and invasive plants. Among the areas of interest are herbicide resistance management, non-chemical control methods, weed interactions with invertebrates, weed seed dormancy, the spatial and genetic structure of plant invasions, and agricultural risk assessment.
Faculty: Hannah Mathers (C), Doug Doohan (w), John Cardina (w), Kent Harrison (c), Emilie Regnier (c), David Gardner (c), Mark Loux (c), John Street (c).