Horticultural Crop Physiology Lab
Welcome!
Texas has a rich legacy in fruit crop production, shaped by its wide-ranging climates, varied soil types, and a strong tradition of agricultural innovation. The state’s history with grape growing dates back to the 1600s with Spanish missionaries and gained international significance through the work of T.V. Munson, a pioneering horticulturist from Denison, Texas. His groundbreaking contributions to rootstock breeding played a crucial role in saving European vineyards from the phylloxera crisis.
Today, Texas is a leading producer of grapes, as well as pecans, peaches, citrus, and a variety of small fruits. However, these specialty crops face increasing challenges, including weather events, soil limitations, and long-term sustainability concerns.
To help tackle these issues, the Horticultural Crop Physiology Lab was established in January 2025. Our program combines basic and applied research to better understand the physiological responses of fruit crops under real-world conditions. Our goal is to support resilient, productive, and sustainable fruit crop systems in Texas and beyond.
Our Research Program
Our program studies how plants interact with the environment and how these interactions influence yield, stress tolerance, and fruit quality across Texas’ unique growing regions.
We focus on key physiological topics such as:
- Rootstock-scion interactions
- Plant water use and efficiency
- Carbohydrate storage and translocation
- Plant responses to abiotic stress, including drought, heat, environmental pollutants, and poor soil conditions
While grape is a major focus, we also work with other specialty crops like peaches, pecans, citrus, tropical species, and various small fruits that are important to growers in Texas.
We use advanced tools, including, gas exchange analyzers, high-throughput phenotyping, and root imaging systems, to better understand the traits that help crops perform under different field conditions. Our goal is to bridge fundamental plant physiology with applied solutions, working closely with growers, Extension professionals, and industry stakeholders to ensure our research leads to practical outcomes.
Through this work, we aim to support the success of Texas fruit growers, contribute to sustainable production systems, and train the next generation of scientists. We are always open to collaborations with researchers across disciplines and institutions who share our commitment to advancing fruit crop science.
