Faculty
Dr. Mike Richardson
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Professor Department of Horticulture316 Plant Science Bldg. University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 Voice: (479) 575-2860 |
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Education:
- Ph. D. University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- M.S. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
- B.S. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
General areas of interest:
My research focuses on the response of turfgrasses to biological and environmental stresses such as temperature, water, diseases, and insects. Studies investigate management practices to alleviate stress and physiological or genetic components associated with stress tolerance.
Teaching:
Dr. Richardson has an approximately 25% teaching appointment and is involved in both the teaching and advising program. Most of his advisees are associated with the turfgrass management program although other students have been assigned periodically. In addition to normal advising, Dr. Richardson has been heavily involved in the student internship program, overseeing 6-10 interns each summer.
Research:
Primary areas of research interest include the effects of endophytes on biotic and abiotic stress tolerances of cool-season grasses, cold tolerance of seeded and hybrid bermudagrasses, and propagation issues of warm-season turfgrasses. As a result of these types of studies, I have collaborated extensively with Dr. Doug Karcher to develop quantitative techniques using digital image analysis to monitor parameters such as establishment rates, stress-induced injury, herbicide injury, and disease incidence.
Major Accomplishments:
My work in the area of drought tolerance and carbohydrate metabolism of endophyte-infected grasses was some of the first of it's kind in the field. Evidence of the significance of this work includes the number of invited book chapters that have been written on the subject. Since relocating to Arkansas, major achievements include the development of propagation techniques for zoysiagrass that allow establishment of zoysiagrass from sprigs within a single growing season. Work on seeded bermudagrass has led to the development of management strategies for establishing these types of grasses for improved winterkill and effective weed control. Finally, collaborations with Dr. Karcher in the area of digital image analysis are receiving considerable attention from both colleagues in the field as well as corporate and public interests.