University of Florida
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Mid-Florida Research & Education Center*
2725 Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703-8504

• Ph.D. 1986 Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
  Horticulture with specialization in ornamental physiology
  Thesis title: The Physiology of Picea grafts
• B.S. 1981 North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
  Major: Ornamental Horticulture
• High School Diploma. 1977. Randleman High School, Randleman, NC, USA

The major thrust of my research is to understand how the physiology of plants changes in response to dynamic environmental forces. As a woody plant horticulturist, this comprises not only micro-environment forces, but also artificial forces of pruning, fertilization, high intensity production and transplanting into landscapes. Once a concept is grasped, this knowledge is used to tinker with the "process" to improve growth, efficiency or success of the system. Most of the research focuses on water and a plants’ requirements and responses to sub-optimum levels. This ranges from evaluation of irrigation systems to modeling plant water requirements based on micro-climate and size.

Two long term projects are anticipated to commence with the turn of the century. One is to quantify tree water requirements during production from seedlings to 5-inch caliper trees. The other is to begin modeling plant shoot and root grow as function of microclimate, and quantifying effective root volumes for water withdraw during growth in container production.

Beeson, Jr., R. C. & E. F. Gilman. 1992. Water stress and osmotic adjustment during post-digging acclimatization of Quercus virginiana produced in fabric containers. J. Environ. Hort. 10:208-214.

Beeson, Jr., R. C. 1994. Water relations of field-grown Quercus virginiana Mill. from pre-harvest through containerization and one year into a landscape. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 119:169-174.

Beeson, Jr., R. C. 1994. Root growth and water status of container-grown Photinia xfraiseri Dress. transplanted into a landscape. HortSci. 29:1295-1297.

Beeson, Jr., R. C. and J. Haydu. 1995. Cyclic microirrigation in container-grown landscape plants improves plant growth and water conservation. J. Environ. Hort. 13:6-11.

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