Astrid Volder

Education:

• Ph.D., Utrecht University, the Netherlands; Plant Physiological Ecology, 1998
• M.S., University of Washington, Seattle; Botany, 1997
• B.S., Utrecht University, the Netherlands; Biology, 1994

Research interests and expertise:

Wide-ranging interests related to whole plant physiology, root biology, and rhizosphere in perennial plants, growing a range of ecosystems including urban, grazing pastures, oak-savanna, and production orchards.

Current projects:

• Root production dynamics in almond orchards in response to irrigation and canopy management; funded by Almond Board of California.
• Root production and lifespan in response to additional water inputs for groundwater recharge; funded by Almond Board of California.
• The effect cover crops on soil health characteristics in pear orchards; funded by Calif. Dept. of Food and Agricultureís Healthy Soils Initiative.
• Assessing Key Factors Influencing Farmers' Water Use and Irrigation Technology Adoption on the U.S. West Coast; funded by USDA-NIFA.
• Direct and indirect effects of liquid organic fertilizer on root and overall plant growth; funded by industry sponsor and Jastro endowment funds.
• Bulk soil, rhizosphere and root dynamics changes due to tillage in a vineyard ñ effects of 25 years of soil management; Jastro endowment funds.

Recently finished projects (last five years):

• Using intercropping with halophytes to improve watermelon yield and quality under saline conditions; Texas Department of Agriculture SCRI block grant.
• Nitrogen fertilizer impacts on root production and physiology of field-grown young pecan trees; USDA SCRI.
• Impact of continuous water recycling on green roof media and plant performance on roofs of different ages in Houston, Texas; in-kind funding.
• Effects of rootstock, grafting, and salinity on citrus seedling growth and salt uptake; in-kind funding.
• Using pervious concrete to improve root zone conditions for mature Sweetgum trees ñ potential use to preserve mature urban trees; in-kind funding.
• Impact of climate change (precipitation patterns, temperature) on oak-savanna dominant species and their interactions; funded by DOE ñ NICCR.

Current teaching:

• Introduction to Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry; ENH 1 (fall quarter)
• Urban Forestry; ENH 100, (fall quarter)
• Arboriculture; ENH 133 (winter quarter)
• Graduate Seminar; HRT 290, (fall quarter)

Outreach and Extension:

• Pear research advisory council
• Nickels research advisory council
• Fruit and Nut center advisory board
• Speaker at Principles of Fruit and Nut Production, Almond Production, and Walnut Production short courses.
• Invited speaker to various grower meetings for walnut, almond, and pecan
• Book chapters on root physiology in soilless culture textbook, as well as almond production manual

External activities that contribute to scholarship:

• Associate editor, AoB PLANTS
• Associate editor, California Agriculture
• Ad-hoc reviewer for many journals and some NSF grant panels
• Invited speaker: ASPB Northeast meeting, Western Pecan Growers, Sonora Pecan Growers (Mexico), Plant Growth Regulator Society

Prizes, Awards, Honors:

• Montague Scholar, Texas A&M University, Center for Teaching Excellence, 2010-2011

Keywords:Plant physiology

• Root biology
• Rhizosphere
• Urban ecology
• Plant physiological ecology
• Perennial plants
• Ecology
• Plant water relations
• Plant water use