Overview

The central theme of my research program is to understand the influence of environmental factors and cultural practices on the physiology, development, and biochemical characteristics of floriculture crops. Of particular focus is the influence of water quality, rhizosphere conditions, and nutrient availability on the physiology of herbaceous ornamental plants. This fits well with my extension goal of providing producers with relevant, research-based information for the production of high quality floriculture crops using nutrients, water, and energy efficiently. A challenge in floriculture research is the diversity of cultivars, species, and genera that are economically important. I try to address this diversity two ways: 1) in basic research I seek to understand mechanisms that underlie fundamental plant responses with potential application for many genera; and 2) in applied research I seek to answer specific questions that will have direct implications for floriculture production practices. The complexity of biological systems requires collaboration with other specialists; and necessitates integrative methods for prediction and analysis of plant response to interacting factors.

Research Focus

The central theme of my research program is to understand the influence of environmental factors and cultural practices on the physiology, development, and biochemical characteristics of floriculture crops. Of particular focus is the influence of water quality, rhizosphere conditions, and nutrient availability on the physiology of herbaceous ornamental plants. My research program aims to solve both existing problems faced in floriculture that can be readily applied by the greenhouse industry as well as use more fundamental approaches to understand in mechanisms of plant abiotic stress tolerance with the aim of addressing long-term problems such as water shortage. A challenge in floriculture research is the diversity of cultivars, species, and genera that are economically important. I try to address this diversity two ways: 1) in basic research I seek to understand mechanisms that underlie fundamental plant responses with potential application for many genera; and 2) in applied research I seek to answer specific questions that will have direct implications for floriculture production practices. The complexity of biological systems requires collaboration with other specialists; and necessitates integrative methods for prediction and analysis of plant response to interacting factors.

Outreach and Extension Focus

The central goal of my floriculture extension program is to deliver research-based information pertinent to floriculture producers to help them make sound management decisions. My focus on greenhouse sustainability really comprises two different aspects. First and foremost the floriculture industry views sustainability as survivability. High input costs and declining crop margins have plagued the floriculture industry for the past decade. Presentations, outreach materials, and applied research have focused on methods to reduce production costs (heating costs, fertilizer inputs, and reducing crop shrinkage) as well as improving plant quality and shelf-life to increase crop value. The second area I have focused on is reducing fertilizer inputs and developing strategies to reduce run-off to the environment. This area is a concern, particularly in Long Island where half of NYS’s floriculture industry is centered. Most NYS greenhouses already incorporate some spectrum of sustainable practices from reduced fertilizer inputs simply because of the expense, or trying insect biological control because they and their clients are interested in reduced pesticide use. My extension efforts are directed at producers of floriculture crops. In New York this industry is primarily greenhouse growers of herbaceous material sold as potted plants or spring bedding plants. The wholesale value of this commodity was $209 million in NYS in 2007. Together greenhouse and nursery production represents the 2nd largest agricultural commodity in NYS (following dairy).

Teaching Focus

While I do not have a formal teaching appointment at Cornell I enjoy giving several guest lectures every year related to topics relevant to my research and extension interests, such as: the floriculture industry and production techniques, plant mineral nutrition, containerized plant production, soilless substrates, organic fertilizers, monitoring root-zone pH and salts. In addition I teach Current Topics in Horticulture (Hort 4950/6000, 1 credit) each semester.

Additional Links

• Floriculture production research website
• Cornell Greenhouse Horticulture
• Link to CALS Research and Impact
• Link to Research & Expertise Across Cornell

Selected Publications

Journal Publications

• Shahid, M. A., Balal, R. M., Pervez, M. A., Abbas, T., Ashfaz, M., Ghazanfar, U., Afzal, M., Rashid, A., Garcia-Sanchez, F., & Mattson, N. S. (2012). Differential response of pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes to salt stress in relation to the growth, physiological attributes, antioxidant activity and organic solutes. Australian Journal of Crop Science. 6:828-838.
• Liu, J., Leatherwood, W. R., & Mattson, N. S. (2012). Irrigation method and fertilizer concentration differentially alter growth of vegetable transplants. HortTechnology. 22:56-63.
• Mattson, N. S., & Harwood, E. D. (2012). Effect of light regimen on yield and flavonoid content of warehouse grown aeroponic Eruca sativa. Acta Horticulturae. 956:417-422.
• Shahid, M. A., Pervez, M. A., Balal, R. M., Mattson, N. S., Rashid, A., Ahmad, R., Ahhub, C. M., & Abbas, T. (2011). Brassinosteroid (24-epibrassinosteroid) enhances growth and alleviates the deleterious effects effects induced by salt stress in pea (Pisum sativum L.). Australian Journal of Crop Science. 5:500-510.
• Villarino, G., & Mattson, N. S. (2011). Assessing tolerance to sodium chloride salinity in fourteen floriculture species. HortTechnology. 21:539-545.
• Mattson, N. S., & van Iersel, M. W. (2011). Application of the ‘‘4R’’ nutrient stewardship concept to horticultural crops: applying nutrients at the ‘‘right time’’. HortTechnology. 21:667-673.
• Burnett, S., Mattson, N. S., Krug, B., & Lopez, R. (2011). Floriculture sustainability research coalition: bringing the latest sustainability research to the industry. HortTechnology. 21:692-693.
• Miller, C. T., Mattson, N. S., & Miller, W. (2011). Fertilizer composition, concentration and irrigation method affect growth and development of Oxalis regnellii and Oxalis triangularis. . HortScience. 46:1110-1115.
• Song, J., Mattson, N. S., & Jeong, B. Y. (2011). Efficiency of shoot regeneration from leaf, stem, petiole and petal explants of six cultivars of Chrysanthemum morifolium. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 107:295-304.
• Mattson, N. S., & Leatherwood, W. R. (2010). Potassium silicate drenches increase leaf silicon content and affect morphological traits of several floriculture crops grown in a peat-based substrate. HortScience. 45:43-47.

Presentations and Activities

• Assessment of the effect of silicon on morphology and physiology of petunia plants gorwn in the presence of varying salt concentrations. October 2012. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. Cincinnati, OH.
• Effect of light regimen on yield and flavonoid content of warehouse grown aeroponic Eruca sativa. October 2012. International Society of Horticultural Science. Wageningen, Netherlands.
• Silicon drenches improve drought stress tolerance in Poplar. August 2012. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL.
• The use of vermicompost as an organic fertility source in vegetable and herb transplant production. August 2012. American Society for Horticultural Science. Miami, FL.
• On the road again: Taking hands-on greenhouse IPM workshops to the growers. March 2012. Memphis, TN.

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