Dr. Erik Runkle, Associate Professor

Joined Department

January, 2001

Appointment

50% Extension
50% Research

Education

B.S. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Ornamental Horticulture, 1993
M.S. Michigan State University, Horticulture, 1996
Ph.D. Michigan State University, Horticulture, 2000

My research group focuses on the environmental physiology of ornamental herbaceous plants, with an emphasis on commercial floriculture crops.  In particular, we are investigating how light (quantity, quality, and duration) and temperature influence growth and development of annual bedding plants, herbaceous perennials, and potted flowering plants.  Three underlying objectives of this research are: 1) to improve the production efficiency  of crops currently grown; 2) to minimize production inputs – with an emphasis on greenhouse energy consumption; and 3) to introduce “new” floriculture crops to the greenhouse industry to replace or supplement the production of other, less profitable crops.  For more information on my research and extension/outreach activities, click on the tabs to the left.

I closely collaborate with faculty at Clemson Univ., North Carolina State Univ., Univ. of Florida, and the Univ. of Minnesota and researchers at the USDA-ARS in Toledo, Ohio.  Together, we have formed the Floriculture Research Alliance, a partnership with industry stakeholders and the USDA-ARS in which we develop science-based solutions to floriculture sustainability issues.

I also work with colleagues at Purdue University, University of Arizona, Rutgers University, and Orbitec in developing light-emitting diode (LED) technologies and practicees for sustainable specialty-crop production.  For more information on this USDA-supported project, visit our LED project website.

Honors

OFA Alex Laurie Award (best floriculture publication in ASHS journal in 2011)	2012
Excellence in Technology Transfer, Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (USDA)	2012
Outstanding Extension Specialist, Michigan Association of Extension Agents	2011
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Research Fellow, Kyoto University	2009
ASHS Outstanding Extension Publication Award: Website	2008
ASHS Outstanding Extension Publication Award: Newsletter	2008
Michigan Extension Specialist and State Staff Assoc. Outstanding Extension Specialist	2008
Kenneth Post Award (most outstanding floriculture research paper in 2005)	2006
OFA Alex Laurie Award (best floriculture publications in ASHS journals in 2005)	2006
American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers Blue Ribbon Award	2005

 
 
 

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