Horticulture News
ASHS Career Award - Outstanding Graduate Educator
Gregory A. Lang of the Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, has been a major advisor to 10 master's students and 4 doctoral students during his career at three universities. His students are now in faculty positions around the United States and in other countries. Three recent graduates of his program are now faculty members themselves. Lang has had a strong positive effect on his graduate students. One former students wrote, "He guided me not only in my studies but also in a series of important decisions about my career and life. I guess Greg will never realize how strong his influence was and is in my personal and professional life." Lang has worked diligently and successfully with his students to get their work published, resulting in at least 26 refereed publications with his students and numerous other publications.
Lang has made great contributions to graduate education in graduate administration. At Louisiana State University, he served on the graduate committee for seven years, two of which he was chair, and served as graduate program coordinator for five years. At Michigan State University, he chaired the Graduate Policy committee beginning in 2001. In this position, he has worked successfully to increase the number of Horticulture students receiving fellowships, securing over $700,000 in fellowships for horticulture students. He has worked to not only increase the support of graduate students, but also the quality of graduate students in the program.
In addition to his graduate work, Lang has an active research and extension program focused on cherry orchard development, as well as on the physiological and enviromental stress factors importent to efficient production of high-value tree fruits.
ASHA Publication Award - Ornamental Publication Award
Water Conservation, Growth and Water Use Efficiency of Container-grown Woody Ornamentals Irrigated Based on Daily Water Use
Aaron L. Warsaw, R. Thomas Fernandez, Bert M. Cregg and Jeffrey A. Andresen. HortScience 44:1308-1318, August, 2009
ASHS Outstanding Undergraduate Students
Students are selected by the institutions on the basis of academic achievemets, leadership abilities, participation in campus/club activities, and service to their departments.
- William Holdsworth
Ed Tuinier Memorial Scholarship Recipient - Zachary Pernack
"My professional goal is to own my own retail greenhouse. I want to pursue my career in floriculture because I have been working in a greenhouse since the age of 12," says Pernack. "Just being in the horticulture field makes me feel good overall as a person."
The Tuinier scholarship is awarded to sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate students enrolled in the floriculture program at Michigan State University. Ed Tuinier, owner of Post Gardens, loved the greenhouse business, building his firm to one of the top 50 U.S. companies, inspiring his children, all of whom work in one of the two Post Gardens locations. A graduate of Michigan State University, Ed was a major benefactor of the MSU horticulture program and demonstration gardens.
2010 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship Winner is MSU's Daedre Craig, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Horticulture
Daedre Craig, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Horticulture, recently received the 2010 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship awarded by the American Floral Endowment. Daedre is working with Erik Runkle to develop light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to accelerate flowering of floriculture crops grown by commercial greenhouse growers. Read more...
MSU plant science works to improve production of natural sweetener
Contact: Mark Fellows, University Relations, Mark.Fellows@ur.msu.edu, Cell: (517) 819-5437, Office: (517) 884-0166; Ryan Warner, Horticulture, warnerry@msu.edu, Office: (517) 355-5191, ext. 1344
Published: May 04, 2010
Stevia rebaudina, source of a natural sweetener; photo by G.L. Kohuth
Stevia rebaudina; photo by G.L. Kohuth
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The world's leading supplier of all-natural, zero-calorie sweeteners is tapping Michigan State University to help develop sweeter, more robust varieties of a South American plant.
PureCircle Ltd. engaged MSU Department of Horticulture researchers to help breed proprietary varieties of Stevia rebaudiana. Native to Paraguay, this offshoot of the chrysanthemum family has been known for centuries as ‘sweet leaf' by the Guarani Indians.
Stevia is growing in popularity as the source of a high-intensity natural sweetener in products ranging from soft drinks to yogurt, from some of the world's leading food and beverage manufacturers. The hardy plant requires little chemical pesticide, making it more economically viable in subsistence-level communities. The company sources its Stevia leaf from the rural farmers in Thailand, Indonesia, China, Paraguay and Kenya.
"The incorporation of MSU's leading-edge research combined with PureCircle's industry leading, proprietary varieties will ensure that we continue to lead the industry with sustainable agriculture while improving the economics for both farmers and our customers," PureCircle CEO Magomet Malsagov said. "The results will aid in PureCircle's continued worldwide expansion of Reb-A volumes as well as increase our leadership in the next generation of steviol glycoside sweeteners."
Rebaudioside-A is the single-molecule sweetener found in the Stevia plant. High-purity Reb-A was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in beverages and foods in 2008 and, on a weight basis, is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. It is all-natural, calorie-free and has a low glycemic index - meaning glucose is released more gradually into the blood stream. Heat stability makes it suitable for cooking as well.
The joint plant breeding program will use conventional methods to develop improved varieties, using MSU's world-leading plant science assets.
"We are excited to partner with an industry-leading company like PureCircle to bring our cutting-edge knowledge and experience in 
horticultural plant breeding and genetics to this exciting new crop," said horticulture assistant professor Ryan Warner, lead researcher on the project. "This is a great example of combining the strengths of industry and academia to bring value to consumers."
PureCircle is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with U.S. headquarters in Chicago. It promotes a commitment to environmental and economic sustainability, including recycling leaf mulch plant waste from its production facilities into fertilizer and biogas for electricity generation.
The agreement was facilitated by MSU Technologies, Michigan State's technology transfer office.
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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.
Butterflies in the Garden" - March 15 to April 30, 2010
Even though the butterflies are gone, the gardens are now springing to life. Please come and visit them often.
PLANET Team Scores Well - 2010 Atlanta
Congratulations to the MSU landscape team that represented MSU at PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) Student Career Days held in Atlanta April 8-11, 2010 (sort of like the landscape olympics). There were 900 students competing from 70 different colleges and universities from across the United States, Canada, and as far away as England. MSU finished 10th out of the 70 schools competing (second in the Big Ten).
The team was composed of members of Horticulture Club and included Rochelle Bolt, Jake Emling, Meghan Fisher, Joel Franken, Tim Gray, Jackie Grow, Zeke Kadish, Brenda Landhuis, Drew LeFresne, Sara Marcucci, Jamey Martinez, Jim Moylan, Lesley Recker, Ashley Whalen, Mitch Zost, and team coaches Brad Rowe, Marcus Duck, Bert Cregg, and Tom Fernandez.
Top 20 performances in individual events included:
- Ashley Whalen, 3D CAD Landscape Design (1st)
- Jim Moylan, Irrigation Design (2nd)
- Team of Drew LeFresne, Jamey Martinez, and Jim Moylan, Landscape Plant Installation (2nd)
- Zeke Kadish, Compact Excavator Operation (6th)
- Joel Franken, Maintenance Cost Estimating (9th)
- Tim Gray, Small Engine Repair (9th)
- Team of Jake Emling and Drew LeFresne, Wood Construction (11th)
- Team of Jim Moylan and Joel Franken Irrigation Assembly (11th)
- Team of Zeke Kadish and Jamey Martinez, Landscape Maintenance Operations (12th)
- Brenda Landhuis, Annual and Perennial ID (14th)
- Brenda Landhuis, Business Management (14th)
- Lesley Recker, Business Management (15th)
- Team of Zeke Kadish and Joel Franken, Truck and Trailer Operation (17th)
- Meghan Fisher, Safety Management (18th)
- Rochelle Bolt, Interior Landscape Design (19th)
- Sara Marcucci, Sales Presentation (19th)
- Jim Moylan, Irrigation Troubleshooting (19th)
- Zeke Kadish, Skidsteer Operation (20th)
Top scorers for MSU:
- Zeke Kadish (382 points)
- Joel Franken (339 points)
- Brenda Landhuis (314 points)
- Jim Moylan (310 points)
Special congratulations to Joel Franken, Brenda Landhuis, and Jim Moylan for being awarded scholarships worth $1,000.
I. Rin wins UURAF Competition
Undergraduate student I Rin has won the overall Grand Prize for the areas of Science, Mathematics and Engineering at the 2010 University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF). UURAF is a University-sponsored, on-campus meeting that allows highly motivated MSU undergraduate students to gain experience in presenting their research and answering questions
about their work from audience members and guests, and to receive constructive feedback from faculty judges. Over 500 students and nearly 300 faculty mentors, from 15 MSU colleges, participated in the 2010 Forum. Awards are based on the ability of the student to clearly articulate the background, goals, approach, results and conclusions of the research.
Ms. Rin, a junior in Lyman Briggs College, is involved in an undergraduate research project in Horticulture exploring how specific genes influence the timing of flowering in plants. Her presentation, titled "POTENTIAL INVOLVEMENT OF ARABIDOPSIS UFP IN REGULATION OF FLOWERING TIMING " details the mapping and identification of a gene called UFP required for normal flowering in the reference research plant Arabidopsis thaliana. UFP was formerly identified as a humans gene required for a process called nonsense-mediated decay, a cellular mechanism of RNA quality control ensuring that messenger RNA (mRNA) that is defective does not become translated to aberrant cellular proteins with potentially deleterious activity. The work on Arabidopsis UFP suggests that nonsense-mediated decay may have a role in normal growth and development as well.
The UURAF Grand Prize is $500.
Dr. Muralee Nair receives CANR Distinguished Faculty Award
Dr. Muraleedharan (Muralee) G. Nair, professor of Horticulture and Natural Products Chemistry, was selected to receive the 2010 Distinguished Faculty Award from the Alumni Association of Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This prestigious honor is awarded to only one member of the college's faculty each year. It represents a career award to recognize the recipient's long-term achievements in his/her area of professional expertise and appointment in the college. Muralee is a very deserving recipient because he is an internationally recognized pioneer in bioactive natural products chemistry, as well as an author, teacher, mentor, and advocate for international development.
Dr. Nair is the principal investigator for the Bioactive Natural Products and Phytoceuticals Laboratory, located in the Food Safety and Toxicology Center and Plant and Soil Sciences Building at Michigan State University. He began his career at MSU in 1987. His research focuses on the bioassay-directed discovery, isolation, and identification of phytoceuticals that are potential candidates to be evaluated as phytomedicines to combat diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, type-2 diabetes, obesity, musculoskeletal, inflammation and parasitic/microbial disorders. One such discovery was the health benefits of compounds present in Michigan cherries. He provided the first scientific proof that anthocyanins found in cherries possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. His research was the basis for similar investigations in crops such as blueberries, cranberries, pomegranates, and elderberries. Another component of this research focuses on phytoceuticals with biological activities to enhance food safety and add value to fresh and processed foods. Other examples of Muralee's many professional accomplishments and contributions include his 180+ peer-reviewed scientific publications and 134 published scientific abstracts. In addition, Muralee holds 49 U.S. and 30 international patents.
His research excellence and distinguished career have earned him the title of Charter Chemist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society of Pharmacognosy, and Sigma Xi Honor Society, is a life member of the Indian Cancer Society. He is also a member of the editorial boards of the international journals Phytomedicine and Pesticide Research Journal, serves on the scientific review panels for the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Agriculture, and is a consultant for industry in areas related to the commercialization of natural products.
Dr. Nair is equally dedicated to the education process at all levels. He has hosted and trained 38 visiting professors and post-doctoral fellows, served as principal advisor for nine master's and 13 doctoral students, hosted eight international graduate students and served on 34 graduate student advisory committees. He has given generously of his time and expertise to visiting professors, graduate students, undergraduate students, and even high school students. As a testament to his mentoring skills, his former students, postdoctoral research associates, and visiting scientists organized a symposium in his honor.
Previous Distinguished ANR Faculty from the ranks of the Horticulture Department include Dr. Irv Widders (1989) and the late Dr. Will Carlson, who was honored with the inaugural award in 1982.
Formal presentation of the award was made at the 2010 ANR Week Annual Luncheon, which was held Tuesday, March 9 in the Big Ten Room of The Kellogg Center on MSU's campus.
2009 Horticulture Scholarship Recipients
The Department of Horticulture's annual Awards Dinner was held March 3, 2010 in the Plant and Soil Sciences conservatory. The dinner celebrates the students' achievements and the generosity of our scholarship donors. We are happy to be able to support the efforts of these fine students by providing over $90,000 in department-administered scholarships this year. Congratulations to the following students on their accomplishments:
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John H. Clupper Memorial Scholarship Henry T. Ritter Scholarship |
June Alexander Scholarship Leon R. Christensen Memorial Scholarship |
Dean's List Fall Semester 2009Emily Alcini |
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If you are interested in supporting our scholarship program, please contact us!
Governor Granholm supports Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station
and MSU Extension Programs
A Message from Dean Jeff Armstrong, Steve Pueppke, Director of MAES; and Tom Coon, Director of MSUE
Governor Granholm presented her FY 2011 budget for the State of Michigan on Thursday, February 10, 2010. The recommendation included flat funding for higher education and MSU Extension and MAES. It also restored the 44 percent of the budgets to MSUE and MAES that was filled this year with stimulus money with General Fund dollars.
While this is encouraging news, especially after last year's recommendation of dramatic cuts to MSUE and MAES, we must remember that the state faces a very challenging budget situation. The budget process is a long one that involves both the state House and Senate. The state budget is also directly tied to revenue generation which is still unstable and unpredictable. Another component that influences the budget and allocation process is rethinking of the State's tax structure. Many believe that a restructuring of our current tax system is key to sustainable funding for important State programs but is a challenging proposition especially in the 2010 election cycle.
It is important to remember that the College, MSUE and MAES have many costs that continue to rise: salaries and benefits, materials, travel costs, etc. A flat state allocation means that we still need to find cost savings across all of our budgets as we have recommended in our Shaping the Future work. The Governor's budget plans do not impact the ongoing restructuring of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the redesign of MSU Extension and strategic planning that MAES is conducting. These are critical endeavors that are important to move forward for our future.
MSU scientists land $14.4 million to improve quality of fruit
Hungry to make fruit better for longer, Michigan State University scientists will lead a four-year, $14.4 million grant-funded research project. The grant is the largest ever awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Research Initiative since its inception in 2007. Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station scientist Amy Iezzoni heads the RosBREED project, aiming to combine emerging DNA sequence and research findings to improve the quality of apples, peaches, cherries and strawberries.
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Horticulture Events
(517) 355-5191 ext 1359
A288 Plant & Soil Science Bldg
East Lansing, MI 48823
E-mail: hrt@msu.edu