Professor Dr. Heiner Lieth

Crop Ecologist specializing in greenhouse and nursery production

Mailing address:
Plant Sciences Department Mailstop 2; One Shields Ave, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA

Tel: 530-752-7198

Description of research activities:

My research, teaching, and extension work focuses on ornamental horticulture, particularly in relation to greenhouse and nursery production.

My research focuses on the relationship between environmental variables and soilless crop production. This research includes a variety of projects ranging from basic to applied research. Basic research projects focus on the quantification (through the use of mathematical models) of plant and crop processes. My applied research deals with production optimization, soilless (hydroponic) production of horticultural crops, greenhouse automation, and the development of production-management tools, particularly ones based on mathematical models.
I also carry out applied research for the national IR4 program for Ornamental crops. That work focuses on expanding the registration of material that can serve as useful tools in plant growth management, weed and pest control and other agricultural materials.
I work extensively with ornamental crops (rose, lily, chrysanthemum, etc) but am also involved in research on vegetable crops that lend themselves to soilless production (pepper, spinach,...)

Teaching:

I teach a course in greenhouse and nursery management, a graduate course on modeling plant growth of horticultural crops as well as a course for undergraduates on how to use computers in science and technology.

Expertise:

Management and optimization of the greenhouse environment; greenhouse computer control; sensor technology
Horticulture: Management of light, temperature, irrigation and other factors of the greenhouse environment
Specific Crops: Most ornamental greenhouse and nursery crops, but especially Roses, Gerbera, Chrysanthemum, and Easter Lily

Other useful stuff: My Publications

[Last update of this page: Mar 27 2008]