Courses Research Area Breeding and genetics of cool season grasses. Emphasis is on orchardgrass and tall fescue. Cell and tissue culture of Poaceae.
Emphasis is on orchardgrass and switchgrass.
A unique somatic embryogenesis system in which embryos initiate and develop directly from single mesophyll cells of orchardgrass is being used to study basic aspects of embryogenesis in higher plants. The system is also used to study gravitational effects, including microgravity, on embryogenesis. Two experiments have been flown on the space shuttle. Genetic transformation experiments are being conducted with orchardgrass and switchgrass. Research has been supported by NASA and Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation.