2007 Research

Development and Refinement of Production Systems for Currently Produced Vegetables and New Alternative Crops in Oklahoma
  • This project evaluates new herbicides on appropriate crops. Promising materials will be evaluated in expanded rate-application method studies. Data will be shared with IR-4, ag chemical companies, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry, and EPA.  Cultivar trials and crop management practices investigated include replicated trials, establishment methods, fertility, pest control, and harvesting.  In addition, new management technology for established crops will be also investigated. (1441)Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station; PIs: Lynn Brandenberger, Niels Maness, Brian Kahn; Entomology & Plant Pathology: John Damicone; Agriculture Economics: Merritt Taylor
Studies of Alternate Bearing in Pecan
  • The research evaluates selected nitrogen treatments, and ground cover management for pecan to reduce alternate bearing and develop best management practices for pecan. The study investigates the role of certain chemical indicators in alternate bearing. (1689); Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma Pecan Growers’ Association, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
    PI: Michael W. Smith
Plant Resistance to Abiotic Stress
  • The research characterizes freeze tolerance of bermudagrasses to identify cultivars suitable for the transition zone between warm- and cool-season turfgrasses. The program is involved in screening experimental bermudagrass germplasm to select for superior freeze tolerance and identify factors contributing to increased freeze tolerance. Another aspect of the research program determines the role of the chemical and physical environment in susceptibility of proteins to loss of function through denaturation and aggregation at high temperatures. (2002); Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station; PIs: Jeff Anderson, Dennis Martin and Plant & Soil Sciences: Yanqui Wu
Improved Vegetable Crop Development Through Sustainable Cultural Practices
  • The research will develop more environmentally benign pest control strategies for Oklahoma vegetable crops.  Specifically, a disease-management system will be developed for beet curly top virus on tomatoes, and corn gluten meal will be tested for weed control in transplanted vegetable crops.  The research also will determine continuous production periods that could meet market demand for selected Oklahoma vegetable crops, including cabbage and eggplant. (2026)
    Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
    PIs: Brian Kahn, William McGlynn
    Entomology & Plant Pathology: John Damicone

Development of Integrated Resource Management Systems for Turfgrass Culture in Oklahoma
  • Spring dead spot disease resistance research conducted during 2004 – early 2007 found Midiron, Midlawn, and TifSport hybrid bermudagrasses to have improved tolerance while Mohawk, NuMex Sahara (Sahara), Princess 77 and Arizona common varieties had the least tolerance of commercial varieties. OSU releases Riviera, Yukon and Patriot had improved but intermediate spring dead spot tolerance. OSU experimental bermudagrass OKC 70-18 provided high levels of tolerance. No bermudagrasses were found to be immune to the disease. Consumer and commercial turf managers should utilized the improved varieties when possible to minimize problems with spring dead spot disease. (2222)
  •  Sponsors: Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation, United States Golf Association, Oklahoma Golf Course Superintendents Association, National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education;
  • PIs: Dennis Martin, Charles Taliaferro, Jeff Anderson, Greg Bell, Plant & Soil Sciences: Charles Taliaferro and Entomology & Plant Pathology: Nathan Walker
Production, Establishment and Maintenance of Ornamental Plants in Oklahoma
  • The research will evaluate woody ornamental plants for their response to adverse environmental conditions and identify potential physiological and morphological mechanisms that may contribute to drought resistance. Cultural practices will be evaluated for use in economical production and maintenance of quality landscape plants. Cultural practices include determining optimum combinations of controlled release and liquid fertilization to produce quality plants with minimal fertilizer inputs and runoff contamination. (2324); Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station; PI: Janet Cole
Postharvest Preservation and Processing Systems for New and Conventional Horticultural Commodities
  • The research develops postharvest handling and quality analysis procedures necessary for new crop/new use production/harvesting/processing systems to provide alternatives for Oklahoma producers and food processors. Capsaicinoid metabolism is being evaluated in pungent/high capsaicin pepper selections to better understand steps for improvement of the crop for extraction processing. Processing steps for lycopene production from watermelons are under development to provide a secondary marketing option. (2325); Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station; PI: Niels Maness
Management Procedures that Enhance the Partnership Between Turfgrass and the Environment
  • The research investigates the use of optical sensors for evaluation of turfgrass quality and moisture status. It evaluates the performance of optical-based variable rate spray techniques for potential in turfgrass management. The research determines methods that reduce nutrient and pesticide runoff from golf course fairways and other turf areas.  The research pursues the selection of a shade-tolerant bermudagrass cultivar(s). (2392); Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, United States Golf Association, Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation
    PI/PDs: Greg Bell, Dennis Martin; Biosystems and Ag Engineering: John Solie, Michael Kizer; Plant and Soil Sciences: Yanqi Wu, Hailin Zhang and Statistics: Mark Payton
Evaluation and Marketing of Ornamental Plants in the State of Oklahoma
  • The goal is to develop a consumer-targeted program called Oklahoma Proven for the evaluation and promotion of ornamental plants in the State of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Proven program will direct consumers to superior plants for Oklahoma, thereby creating more environmentally friendly landscapes, and increased sales for Oklahoma green industries. (2441); Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, Oklahoma Nursery and Landscape Association, Oklahoma Greenhouse Growers Association, Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum, Oklahoma Gas and Electric; PI: Lou Anella

Harvesting, Handling and Quality Preservation for Horticultural and Alternate Commodities
  • Various specialty crops are under investigation to develop and integrate potential production systems with processing operations, with an objective to integrate new crops into Oklahoma agriculture. New extraction processing technologies are being co-developed with production and handling systems to optimize economic return. Biosensors under development will reduce and/or optimize producer inputs, while reducing environmental impact of agricultural operations. (2561)
    Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, USDA-CSREES
    PIs: Niels Maness
    Biosystems & Agriculture Engineering: Paul Weckler, John Solie
Quality Evaluation, Preservation and Extraction Processing of Horticultural and Alternate Commodities
  • Noninvasive technologies to evaluate water content of grains and plant tissues, within-row biomass production and insect infestation of nutmeats are under development to provide new biosensor configurations for quality assurance and efficient production of agricultural products. Low temperature/low pressure extraction techniques are being evaluated for oilseeds to retain quality of non-extractable protein while retaining fine flavor notes in extracted components. Use of the technology for various agricultural products is expected to provide richer flavoring from extracts, expanded uses for oilseed and tree nut meals and new products from dried herb and spice preparations. (2587)
    Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, USDA-CSREES
    PIs: Niels Maness
    Biosystems & Agriculture Engineering: Paul Weckler, Carol Jones
Investigations into Alternative Fruit and Nut Crops for Oklahoma
  • The Oklahoma grape industry is in a phase of rapid expansion, but in-depth Oklahoma-specific information including cultivar selection, insect and disease management, and enology education is lacking. Along with the testing of cultivars comes the task of identifying appropriate cultural management techniques. This study’s data should allow grape growers and wine makers to make informed decisions regarding cultivar and rootstock selection based on their specific site requirements. The pecan shell mulch study in peaches will help to determine if the mulch effectively controls weeds, can conserve water in the dry summer conditions, and be a beneficial by-product of the pecan industry. (2606)
    Sponsors: Oklahoma Agriculture Experiment Station, USDA-CSREES
    PI: Eric Stafne, William McGlynn
    Entomology & Plant Pathology: Phil Mulder
Cultural Management of Vegetables for Sustainable, Local Food Production in Oklahoma
  • The study emphasizes development of production and marketing techniques for small-scale, direct-sale vegetable producers. Vegetable crops that are well suited for local production and distribution to local schools are being examined. Emphasis is placed upon crops that can be quickly harvested, easily shipped, and consumed with minimal processing.  Climate modification techniques, including wind breaks and temperature shelters, are being examined to determine methods of producing food during the time of year that school is in session.  Organic agriculture, including using poultry litter as a fertilizer material, is being studied to determine limitations and opportunities for organic food production in Oklahoma. (2619)
    Sponsors: Oklahoma Agriculture Experiment Station, USDA-CSREES
    PI: Warren Roberts


For questions or additional information regarding our department:

Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Dept.
358 Agricultural Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078-6027
phone: 405.744.5414
email: donna.dollins@okstate.edu
FAX: 405.744.9709
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