Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources
Research

The department has a diverse research program that offers a wide variety of opportunities for graduate study. Faculty have established expertise in five core areas of research that primarily deal with production, adaptation and improvement of horticultural plants and their impact on people and the environment.
 

Research>EnvStress.jpg Environmental Stress & Molecular Biology  – research on plant adaptations, tolerance and mechanisms of injury in relation to various environmental stresses and strategies to improve plant tolerance or to augment health-promoting phytochemicals in food crops.
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Forestry, Recreation & Natural Resources – research on using trees to solve environmental problems, especially stream bank stability and runoff water quality, and the human dimensions of natural resource management such as ecotourism and interpretation.
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Horticulture & Human Health – research on developing strategies to use environmental stresses and biotechnology tools to augment health-promoting phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables and the use of gardening tasks for health maintenance and promotion.
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Sustainable Food Production – research on creating sustainable production systems for food crops and strengthening local food systems.
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Turf & Ornamentals – research on identifying plants or management practices that improve efficiency while reducing inputs of water, fertilizer, and pesticides.