Faculty

Dr. Curt Rom

Professor

Department of Horticulture
316 Plant Science Bldg.
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Voice: (479) 575-7434
Fax: (479) 575-8619
E-mail: crom@uark.edu
Homepage: http://comp.uark.edu/~crom

 Dr. Curt Rom

Education:

  • Ph. D. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
  • M.S. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
  • B.S. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

Teaching:

Since 1996, C. R. Rom has been very involved in the undergraduate program of the Horticulture Department. He serves as chair of the Undergraduate Program Committee, as internship coordinator, and representative to the College Curriculum, Advising, and Teaching Excellence Committees. He has taught a number of courses since beginning tenure at the UA and has had heavy teaching assignments during the period 1996-2002.

Research:

Areas of research:
  • Apple Breeding (program cancelled administratively, 1997)
  • Tree Fruit Cultivar Evaluation (principally apples and peaches)
  • Participant in NE-183 Project: "Multidisciplinary Evaluation of New Apple Selections and Cultivars"
  • Tree Fruit Rootstock Evaluation
  • Participant in NC-140 Project: "Rootstocks and Interstock for Pome and Stone Fruits"
  • Fruit Crop Management and Physiology (including crop nutrition)
  • Organic Fruit Production Systems
  • Woody Ornamental Plant Physiology esp. environmental adaptation of Betula species

Major Accomplishments:

  • Determination of appropriate and adaptable apple and peach cultivars for use in commercial and hobby orchards for Arkansas and the surrounding region.
  • Determination of appropriate and adaptable apple, peach, cherry, and pear rootstocks choices for Arkansas and surrounding region.
  • Development and testing of high-density peach orchard systems for Arkansas with a physiological basis for performance.
  • Development and testing of high-density apple orchard systems for Arkansas with a physiological basis for performance.
  • Development of understanding of physiological basis for stress tolerance (heat and insect pests) in apple.
  • Development and testing of replanting and orchard nutrition management systems for apples and peaches.
  • Development of organic methods of crop regulation

Service:

  • University of Arkansas: C. R. Rom serves as Chair of the University Campus Faculty, and Chair Elect of the Faculty Senate (2003/2004). He is Vice-President/President Elect of the UA Teaching Academy and the Southeastern Conference on the National Faculty Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics. He has served on several capacities on department, college and university committees and is very involved with faculty governance issues, especially related to academic quality of the instituion.
  • Professional: Rom is past President of the American Pomological Society (2002) and Vice-President of the American Society for Horticultural Science (1998-2001). He is Associate Editor for the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. He was co-chair of the Knowledge and Education Symposium and Workshop at the 2002 International Horticultural Congress and serves as Working Group Chair for the Organic and Sustainable Fruit Production Systems of the International Society for Horticultural Science.