Biological, chemical and physical properties of root media in situ are also being studied. The biochemical and physiological studies of growth and development in plants are part of this program. Of special interest is the role of plant hormones in controlling plant growth and development. Emphasis is placed on the biochemistry, physiology and analysis of plant hormones. This research is in the physiological, anatomical, environmental and seasonal aspects of plant propagation.
Emphasis is with ornamental plants.
Soil Chemistry Chemical reactions occurring in the soil matrix are studied. Emphasis is on understanding the competitive mechanisms that immobilize nutrients and contaminants in soils. Research focuses on the fundamental, basic, and chemical principles that affect soil pollution and remediation strategies. These are studies in the application of soil science to the solving of environmental and land use problems. These include soil-landscape relationships, characterizations of the physical and chemical properties of soils, effects of wetlands and the disposal of wastes on environmental quality, soil evaluation for land appraisal, land use planning, and soil morphology, genesis, and classification.