Production Agriculture Research

Arthropod pests are numerous and result in billions of dollars in lost revenue annually. Traditionally, control of these pests has relied on insecticidal chemical applications or genetically modified crops. However, insecticide resistance has emerged in response to these strategies and new control measures are needed.

The long-term goal of this project is create a novel biofuel feedstock production platform with increased energy density within vegetative tissues that is capable of producing biodiesel, renewable diesel, or jet fuel with only 20% the water inputs required for traditional biofuel feedstocks.

Although water resources are limited and temperature swings are extreme, Nevada does have an abundance of clear, cloudless days provide copious sunlight and energy for plant growth. This project looks to improve fruit and vegetable production through research and outreach, utilizing hoop houses, greenhouses and hydroponics.

Water and nutrient deficits decrease a tomato root hydraulic conductivity (i.e., increase resistance) and can affect water uptake, resulting in daily transient plant water deficits and reduced carbon assimilation capacity. The goal is to understand how the interaction of plant nutritional status and water availability affects young root development and physiology under drying soil and upon re-watering.