PPI Spring Meeting 2001 - Abstract
Overview of the Horticultural Science Department at NC State
University
Thomas J. Monaco
Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University
I would also like to welcome you to the 2001 Spring Pickle Packers
meeting, hosted by NC State University, and give you a little
overview of horticulture at NC State University. The Department
of Horticultural Science has a large research and extension group
working on cucumber, including weed control, postharvest physiology,
low input/sustainable, crop production, and breeding and genetics.
Overview.
The mission of the Department of Horticultural Science is to provide
innovative teaching, research, and outreach in the art and science
of horticulture. These programs encompass the basic biology, ecology,
production, and utilization of horticultural products, including
fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscape plants. The major goal
of the department is to meet the ever-changing challenges of a
highly competitive and technological world through constant evaluation
and adjustment of its programs and positions. The Department of
Horticultural Science serves the people of the state, country
and world within the concept of the Land Grant mission upon which
NC State University was founded.
Faculty.
There are 52 faculty and 61 staff in the department, making it
one of the largest horticulture departments in the U.S.
Grad
students and postdocs.
We have 41 graduate students and about 10 postdoctoral research
associates/visiting scientists in the department. They greatly
increase the research ability of our faculty and, when they finish,
will be sent out to industry, government and university positions
in the U.S. and other countries to provide horticultural expertise.
Facilities.
We make use of the offices, laboratories, classrooms, and greenhouses
of Kilgore
Hall, as well as greenhouses at Method Road, the Horticultural
Field Laboratory on Beryl Road, and 16 experiment stations throughout
the state.
Cucumber
production. Jonathan Schultheis provides research and
extension information to the industry on optimum production methods
for the crop, which is one of the largest in the U.S., according
to the USDA
Production Statistics.
Cucumber
extension. Extension bulletins and leaflets have been
developed by faculty in the department for growers, field reps,
processors, buyers, and others to use in managing the crop.
Cucumber
physiology. Carbon metabolism and post-harvest physiology
are some of the areas of research in the Department of Horticultural
Science that have expanded our knowledge of cucumber and helped
solve problems of fruit storage life and keeping ability.
Cucumber
weeds. The department has a research and extension program
on cucumber weed control which includes the IR-4 program.
Cucumber
breeding. NC State University has the only university
cucumber breeding program in the U.S. Its objectives are to provide
improved germplasm, research information, and trained plant breeders
for the four private breeding programs in the country. Those breeding
programs (Harris-Moran, Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Sunseeds, and
United Genetics) are the source of seeds for the industry.
For further information, contact:
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