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Lopez Lab - Floriculture Research

Horticulture & Landscape Architecture > Lopez Lab
Purdue Floriculture

Welcome to the Lopez Lab​
Our research focuses on energy-efficient propagation and production of floriculture crops in controlled greenhouse and semi-controlled high tunnel environments.  Our primary emphasis is on how light (quantity, quality, and duration) and substrate temperature during the young and finished plant stages influence crop timing, rooting, quality, and subsequent performance.  This research is important to commercial greenhouse growers across northern latitudes because photosynthetic light is a limiting factor when floriculture crops are grown in late winter and early spring (Figure 1 and 2).
 

Figure 1.JPG

Our group is also investigating how to improve the efficiency and sustainability of bedding plants, potted flowering plants, and specialty cut flowers. The primary goals of this research are to: 1) minimize production timing and nutrient, chemical, substrate component, and energy inputs; and 2) develop and improve production protocols for new and existing floriculture crops.

Additionally, our lab is currently collaborating with colleagues at the U. of Arizona, Michigan State U., Rutgers U., and Orbitec in developing light-emitting diode (LED) technologies, practices, and protocols for specialty-crop production in controlled environments.  For more information on our USDA-Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) supported research and extension project, please visit our LED website.

In order to disseminate our research results and educate greenhouse growers, we are collaborating with colleagues at Cornell U., North Carolina State U., Kansas State U., U. of New Hampshire and U. of Georgia to develop e-GRO and DLICALC.​

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NEWS

Garrett Owen, PhD student working with Dr. Roberto Lopez, is awarded the Richard T. Meister Scholarship by the American Floral Endowment (AFE)

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ALEXANDRIA, VA – Oct. 23, 2015 – The American Floral Endowment (AFE) awarded seventeen students this year with scholarships totaling more than $37,000. "The quality of the applicants this year was outstanding, and we only wish we could help even more young... Read More

Dr. Roberto Lopez, Associate Professor of Horticulture, has been named a 2015 University Faculty Scholar

​Dr. Roberto Lopez,  Associate Professor of Horticulture, has been named a 2015 University Faculty Scholar. The University Faculty Scholars Program recognizes outstanding faculty members at the West Lafayette campus who are on an accelerated path for academic distinction.

High tunnels found effective for finishing cold-tolerant annuals

​Unheated high tunnels help bedding plants growers reduce energy costs

IMAGE: In experiments comparing high tunnels with greenhouses for growing bedding... Read More

LEDs found to have multiple uses on multiple crops

​Researchers at Purdue University are finding LEDs can have positive effects on both ornamentals and leafy vegetables. By David Kuack

As more research is done with light emitting diodes (LEDs), scientists are discovering new ways to use the lights on ornamental and edible plants.... Read More

Ornamental plant seedlings grown with LED lights at Purdue

Comparison of Supplemental Lighting from High-pressure Sodium Lamps and Light-emitting Diodes during Bedding Plant Seedling Production

Wesley C. Randall 1; Roberto G. Lopez 2 1, 2 Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Purdue University West Lafayette, IN  47907 Annual... Read More