Michael R. Evans
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Overview
I serve as the Director of the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, and I also conduct research in controlled environment agriculture. With a focus on the production of crops such as lettuce, herbs, medicinal plants and strawberry in soilless and hydroponic systems in greenhouse, factories and vertical farms.
Expertise
- Controlled Environment Agriculture
Education
- Ph.D. Horticulture, University of Minnesota, 1990
- M.S. Horticulture, University of Minnesota, 1987
- B.A. Horticulture, Virginia Tech, 1985
My research is focused on the production of lettuce and herbs in NFT systems with a focus on nutrient management as well as maximizing production with minimal inputs (e.g. energy and nutrients). My program is focused on the economical production of small fruits such as strawberry and blackberry in greenhouse. Research is focused on techniques to maximize economic returns by reducing cropping time and maximizing yields as well as on pest management.
Guest lectures in Greenhouse Management and advising undergraduate and graduate students on research projects.
Director and Professor
April 1, 2018 – present
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences,
Virginia Tech
Interim Associate Dean
August 15, 2016 – March 31, 2018
Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Food and Life Sciences
Professor
July 1, 2009 – present
Department of Horticulture
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Associate Professor
April 1, 2001 – present
Department of Horticulture
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Assistant Professor
March 1, 1994 to March 31, 2001
Department of Horticulture
Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
July 1, 1990 to February 15, 1994
Environmental Horticulture Department
University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Bradenton, FL 34203.
- Alex Laurie Award for outstanding research publication, 2011
- John W. White Outstanding Teaching Award. University of Arkansas, 2011
- Outstanding Club Advisor. Presented by the Iowa State University Ag Council, 1997
- Alex Laurie Award for best research paper publish in ASHS journals in 1992, 1993
- Evans, M.R. B.E. Jackson, M. Popp and S. Sadaka. 2017. Chemical properties of biochar materials manufactured from agricultural products common to the southeast United States. HortTechnology 27(1):16-23.
- Chitwood. J, A. Shi, M. Evans, C. Rom, E. Gbur, D. Motes, P. Chen and D. Hensley. 2016. Effect of temperature on seed germination in spinach (Spinacia oleracea). HortScience 51(12):1475-1478.
- Bortolini, L. C. Nicoletto, P. Sambo and M.R. Evans. 2016. Radicchio cultivation under different sprinkler irrigation systems. Contemporary Engineering Sciences 9(7):345-355.
- Shoulders, C. W., Evans, M. R., Lolley, M. C., & Currey, C. J. 2016. A description of national horticulture curriculum for greenhouse food crop production. North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Journal (NACTA) 60(1):82-85.
- Conneway, R., S. Vertlinden, A.K. Koeser, M.R. Evans, R. Schnelle, V. Anderson and J.R. Stewart. 2015. Use of alternative containers for long-and short-term greenhouse crop production. HortTechnology 25:26-34.
- Evans, M.R., A.K. Koeser, G. Bi, S. Nambuthiri, R. Geneve, K. Jacobsen, S.T. Lovell and J.R. Stewert. 2015. Impact of biocontainers with and without shuttle trays on water use in the production of containerized ornamental greenhouse crop. HortTechnology 25:35-41.
- A. Bassan, P. Sambo, G. Zanin and M.R. Evans. 2014. Rice hull-based substrates amended with anaerobic digested residues for tomato transplant production. ActaHorticulturae 1018:573-581.
- Evans, Michael R. 2014. Efficacy of ground fresh rice hulls as a substrate component using overhead and ebb-and-flood irrigation systems. Acta Horticulturae 1034:241-247
- Koeser, A.K., S.T. Lovell, M.R. Evans and J.R. Stewart. 2013. Biocontainer water use in short-term greenhouse crop production. HortTechnology 23(2):215-219.