Research into the environmental physiology of fruit crops requires the integration of both basic and applied aspects of plant physiology. Fruit crops are an intensively managed production system. There is an increased need to be able to predict the effects of horticultural practices such as fruit thinning, pruning, fertilization and irrigation on tree carbon allocation, nutrient and water uptake, root and shoot growth, and fruit production and quality. Recent attention has focused on the effects and optimization of various irrigation/fertilization strategies and the manipulation of crop load on whole-plant physiological responses various fruit crops.

Current Projects:

Apples

• Towards a better understanding of soil moisture deficits on shoot and root physiology (Summerland, British Columbia, CANADA)

Grapes

• Environmental and cultural factors regulating grape root growth and distribution in the Northeast Vineyard (Fredonia NY)
• Seasonal patterns of root physiology and dynamics of Vitis vinifera cv Merlot on two rootstocks under different levels of irrigation (Oakville CA)

Blueberries

• Root and leaf responses to different levels of reproduction in Vaccinium corymbosum