Volume 7, Number 4, Page 1 Fall 2003

Department of Environmental • University of California, Davis GROWING Points Tony Kofranek To Be Inducted Into the California Hall of Fame by Heiner Lieth, Chair, Dept. of Environmental Horticulture http://envhort.ucdavis.edu It is my pleasure to announce that Professor Emeritus Tony Kofranek, research information that is still in use today. He worked on photoperiodic con- one of our department’s founding members, is being inducted into the trol of a number of the ornamental California Floriculture Hall of Fame. As you may be aware, Tony has done including chrysanthemum and Majestic an immense amount for the floriculture industry and this is obviously a just daisies and pioneered the use of cyclical lighting which is used widely to reduce the reward for his many years of service. energy costs of photoperiodic lighting. The California Floriculture Hall of He also explored the effect of salinity on Fame is administered by the Kee Kitayama ornamental crops. He did pioneering work Research Foundation and its education on fertilization and nutrition of a committee, the California Ornamental number of ornamental crops, an area that is Research Federation. This award was es- becoming particularly relevant again as tablished in 1986 to honor those individu- growers are finding it more important to als who have made outstanding and perma- recirculate irrigation water. The resulting nent contributions to the floriculture in- information on deficiency levels in chry- dustry in the areas of production, market- santhemum, rose, and azalea is still in use ing, transportation, research and legisla- today in diagnosing tissue samples for nu- tive activity. Recipients are honored at trient deficiencies. Prior to moving from each of the California floral markets where UCLA to UC Davis he also worked on drip their names appear engraved on permanent irrigation technology and fertilizer injec- plaques located at the San Francisco Flower tion. Market, the Los Angeles Flower Market In the mid 1960s, Professor Kofranek and the San Diego International Floral Trade was part of the group of UCLA faculty that Center. moved to the (then new) UC Davis campus were mentored or advised by him can be to form what is today the Environmental Contributions to the California found throughout the industry. His com- Horticulture Department. The founding mitment to students was always a major faculty was responsible for developing re- Dr Kofranek’s contributions to the Cali- element of his work. One example of this search, extension and teaching programs fornia floral industry span half a century, was the spearheading of a chapter of the with statewide focus and were instrumental starting in the early 1940s and including 18 national horticulture honor society (Pi Al- in achieving an international reputation for years at UCLA and 17 years at UC Davis; pha Xi) and taking undergraduate students the new department. since 1987 he has been Professor Emeritus. to flower judging competitions throughout Professor Kofranek’s focus at UC Davis During his career he made innumerable the United States. included continued work on production of contributions to teaching, research, and Professor Kofranek’s dedication to the ornamental crops such as chrysanthemum, extension in the industry. Students who floral industry has resulted in a legacy of Continued on page 8

In This Issue... UCD Students Tour Germany-page 2 • Tree Root Damage Compendium-page 2 • Everything I Learned in Germany-page 3 • Living Landscapes: Linking Ethnobiology and Restoration Ecology- page 4 • Notes from the Chair-page 6 • Michael Barbour Sabbatical-page 6 • Plant Science Facilities-page 7

The University of California prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or any other veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized). University Policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action/Staff Personnel Services Director, University of California, and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-5200 (510) 987-0096. Volume 7, Number 4, Page 2 Fall 2003 UC Davis Students Tour Horticultural Research Facilities and Universities in Germany by Heiner Lieth Last year I had the idea of taking a group we were approached of students to Germany to learn about about developing on- European horticulture, and especially Ger- going academic rela- man horticulture. My friend at the Univer- tionships. Most of sity of Applied Sciences in Dresden, Ger- the students in the many offered to help me with this idea and group had had some offered to help me apply for funding from research experience the Deutsche Akademischer at UC Davis and were Austauschdienst (DAAD). Earlier in the amazed that much of year we heard that they decided to fund our what they had been proposal (to fund all the local costs in exposed to in the past Germany) and we immediately set out to was very relevant to assemble the group and to make our travel the German scien- EH travel group sponsored by the German Academic plans. The students were assigned to vari- tists. At the same Exchange. Dr. Fritz Schröder is second from left. ous planning tasks and they really as- time, we learned a lot sembled the entire trip according to their about the various facets of horticulture what initiated the various wars and how horticultural interests. including breeding of horticultural crops, these came about and how little the Ger- We started the tour on August 12 in hydroponic production including oxygen man people were able to stop these forces, Dresden, Germany, and over the next two and fertility management and suitability of and how similar these forces are to what we weeks toured horticultural and cultural sites perennial . see in the world around us today. The throughout Germany. We visited various In addition to the incredible horticul- devastating effects from the last World government research stations (Dresden, tural experiences that the students (and War and the cold war were still present Erfurt, and Grossbeeren) focusing on orna- non-students) had, we also had a lot of everywhere in the former eastern states. It mental horticulture, , and veg- opportunity for historical and cultural was very sobering. etable crops where researchers made pre- learning as well as connections with Ger- As part of this project, students on the sentations on the research that was going man students. In fact, one of the conditions trip were given the opportunity to write on at their facilities. We also visited univer- of the DAAD program was that it had to articles related to their experience on this sities (HTW Dresden, TU Munich, TU include cultural factors. We learned a lot trip. In fact, we are encouraging our stu- Geisenheim, and U Hannover) where it be- about how young Germany is as a republic dents to write articles for Growing Points came clear that the professors were very and how turbulent its history has been. It to give you a sense of how they see the happy to connect with us and in some cases was very sobering for everyone to learn horticultural world. GP

Compendium of Strategies to Reduce Tree Root Damage is Now Available Reducing Infrastructure Damage by Tree Dr. Larry Costello and Katherine Jones Roots: A Compendium of Strategies is avail- have compiled information that will serve as able to help you with your tree root problems. a quick and complete reference for all The Compendium offers solutions in three dif- professionals interested in reducing ferent categories: tree, infrastructure, and root infrastructure damage. Literature citations zone. are included and field photos are used The Compendium identifies and describes to illustrate techniques whenever possible. key strategies used to prevent or mitigate dam- You can obtain a copy from the Western age to sidewalks, curbs, and gutters by tree roots. Chapter of the International Society of Strategies include the use of root barriers, struc- (WCISA) by calling 530-892- tural soil, species selection, alternative design, 1118 or faxing 530-892-1006. Cost is soil management techniques, and many others. $15.00 per compendium plus $8.00 for Each strategy is described in terms of shipping and handling in the U.S. objective(s), methods, materials, and limita- --Jim Geiger, Center for Urban Forest tions. Research (http://cufr.ucdavis.edu) Volume 7, Number 4, Page 3 Fall 2003 Neuschwanstein, Hofbräuhaus and Radeberger, or Everything I Learned in Germany: A Satire By Robby Flannery, Horticulture Graduate Group Growing up as a relatively over-protected ity, top-notch flavor in all of its hoppy good- American child of the 80s, my perception of ness. Another realization that Fritz was able to Germany and its culture was derived from convey about German culture is that Germans movies and television of the day including the are infatuated with horticulture. You can’t walk Indiana Jones trilogy, Bugs Bunny and Daffy for more than ten minutes in Germany without Duck. As I grew older, I came to realize that finding yourself knee-deep in the flowers of Germany has provided the world with many somebody’s . fantastic cultural additions including Black This horticultural trip included many stops, Forest Ham, German Chocolate Cake, the VW where we were able to peruse their green- Beetle, schnitzel, lederhosen, sauerkraut (or houses, every one of which was in tiptop shape. liberty cabbage), bratwurst, Albert Einstein and Besides one or two of the major German many fine beers. Although this list of German universities, our tour hit all the key horticultural Robby enjoys some icons seems extensive, I learned that my knowl- research facilities the nation has to offer. Al- German garden edge of German culture had a few shortcom- though these stops in our trip were appealing, by sculpture. ings. Recently, I joined Dr. Heiner Lieth on a far the most fascinating part of the trip was cultural and horticultural tour of Germany. This visiting the many private or public . tour was partially funded by the German gov- Horticulture is king in Germany, and it is most ernment as an opportunity to explore German apparent in the countless botanical gardens. Germany, where we explored the Bavarian castle culture and numerous horticultural sites Unfortunately, it is difficult to describe in Neuschwanstein. While walking up to the peak throughout the nation. So, with my wealth of words the awe-inspiring collections of plants. that this palace sits on, one can see ignorance about Germany, its culture, and the Flowers such as begonias, petunias, dahlias, Neuschwanstein appear among the trees and language, I ventured forth to the largest indus- geraniums, and of course thousands upon thou- peaks of the Alps. Most people of the group on trial country in the European Union. sands of roses are just a few of the plants the tour were amazed by this structure, but I was As I walked on the plane that would take me highlighted in the gardens of Germany. The sadly disappointed, as it resembled the castle in to Frankfurt, I noticed that people around me perennial plant registry was another stop in our a certain Southern California amusement park. were not speaking English very well at all and tour. This garden provides space to test the It took me a few minutes to realize that were wearing Birkenstocks with socks, shorts hardiness, versatility, and overall beauty for up Neuschwanstein, although never fully com- that came up to their mid-thighs, and green and coming horticultural plants. pleted, opened its doors in 1886 so was prob- visors. It took me a while to realize these were Walking through gardens, research facili- ably the inspiration for that theme park castle German tourists speaking German and I began ties, laboratories and is fine and built in the 1950s. I really came to appreciate to wonder uneasily how I was going to get dandy but being a creature of simple pleasures, the beauty of the original Bavarian castle. From around in their country without knowing the I found the food to be some of the most what I understand, King Ludwig II built language. Lucky for me and any other unassum- memorable parts of the trip. Lucky for me, I’m Neuschwanstein as a pleasure palace. Although ing American traveling to Germany, I would not a vegetarian because it was sometimes the palace did not have the luxury of an indoor soon learn that Germans are extremely accom- difficult to find fully vegetarian meals. In fact, pool or an entertainment center with big screen modating to their visitors. I actually ate a bratwurst salad. Granted it did TV and 5-disc DVD changer, I can imagine that After struggling with the language barrier, I come with one quarter of a tomato and a few for its time Neuschwanstein was a pretty hip was eventually able to find myself in Dresden. slices of cucumber, the rest of the meal con- place to party. This eastern city was the beginning of our trip, sisted of thinly sliced bratwurst sausage served Before leaving for this cultural and horti- and also where we met a professor of horticul- cold with a vinegar dressing. Before leaving cultural tour, my appreciation of German cul- ture at the University of Dresden in Pilnitz. Dr. America for this tour, many of my peers who ture was surprisingly limited. After spending Fritz Schröder was an integral part of our trip, as had visited Germany before had told me to stop 12 days touring the country, I feel that my he introduced us to German culture and acted as by the Hofbräuhaus while in Munich because of understanding of Germany is now more com- an interpreter for the many horticultural stops their expansive menu. When I say expansive, I plete. Germany isn’t just about beer, sauerkraut along the course of our excursion. If there is really mean that the amount of food and beer and a different language. Germany is also about one thing, however, that Dr. Schröder taught us you get is expansive not the amount of menu flowers, big Bavarian castles, and the that will stick with me for the rest of my days, it items. This is my type of eatery. This particular Hofbräuhaus. So I have Heiner and Fritz to thank is this: Radeberger is Germany’s best beer. evening I was a rock star. I was able to finish off for giving me a newfound respect and adulation After twelve days of Fritz’s daily affirmation of 4 liters of beer and eat ¾ of a chicken, mash for German culture, which I will gladly cel- Radeberger’s superiority, I will forever associ- potatoes and some sauerkraut. ebrate by strapping on some lederhosen and ate the name Radeberger with untouchable qual- Our cultural tour led us to the south of hoisting a liter of Radeberger. GP Volume 7, Number 4, Page 4 Fall 2003 Living Landscapes: Linking Ethnobiology and Restoration Ecology in the Revival of Native Systems by Kat Anderson, Ethnobiologist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA

Finding ways to use and live in the natural world without destroying its re- newal capacity is one of the major chal- lenges facing modern-day people, just as it was for the people who migrated here more than 12,000 years ago. The detailed de- scriptions of the plant and animal uses and management practices of indigenous people that will be discussed at the 27th Annual Ethnobiology Conference—the results of thousands of years of experi- mentation, adaptation, and ingenuity—can help us meet this challenge. For example, regular burning of many types of vegeta- tion across the continent created better habitat for game, eliminated brush, mini- mized the potential for catastrophic fires, and encouraged a diversity of food crops and basketry materials. Without the indigenous presence, the early European and Asian explorers would have encountered a land with less spec- tacular wildflower displays, fewer very large trees, fewer park-like forests, and less biological diversity overall. In addi- tion, the grassland habitats that today are disappearing in such places as Mt. Tamalpais in California and the Ozette Prai- ries of Olympic National Park in Washing- ton might not have existed in the first place. Indigenous people maintained, en- hanced, and in part created a fertility that was eventually to be exploited by Eurasian farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs, who imagined themselves to have built civiliza- tion out of an unpeopled wilderness. The concept of the continent as unspoiled, raw, uninhabited nature—as wilderness— erased the indigenous cultures and their histories from the land and dispossessed Courtesy of the Natural Resources Conservation Service © them of their enduring legacy of tremen- dous biological wealth. as other native peoples from around the The Society of Ethnobiology is a non- world. Not only will plenary and concur- profit professional organization dedicated Ethnobiology Conference Set for rent sessions focus upon some of the rich to the interdisciplinary study of the rela- March 2004 and varied ways that native people have tionships of plants and animals with human We invite you to attend our three-day used and managed landscapes, but also on cultures worldwide. The Society hosts an conference, sponsored by the Society of how to restore landscapes utilizing indig- annual conference and oversees publica- Ethnobiology, to discuss this enduring stew- enous traditional ecological knowledge, tion of the Journal of Ethnobiology, a ardship legacy of the native peoples of the so that this knowledge lives on the land semi-annual professional journal. United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well once again. Ethnobiological studies are Volume 7, Number 4, Page 5 Fall 2003 multidisciplinary in nature and use meth- (7) To review the latest research find- pate excellent attendance by personnel from ods from anthropology, ecology, biology, ings in ethnobotany, ethnozoology, his- land managing agencies including the Natu- and history to elucidate the historic and torical ecology, environmental anthropol- ral Resources Conservation Service, the current interrelationships between human ogy, and related fields. National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest cultures and the natural environment. Service. Native plant nurseries, restora- This year’s conference will explore a Conference Details tion groups, watershed groups and botanic vision for our environmental future based When: March 24-27, 2004 gardens will find this conference of inter- on a greater dialogue between indigenous Where: Wright Theater on the UC Davis est, as will museum curators who use an- peoples, ethnobiologists, and restoration campus thropological collections in restoration ecologists. We will also consider how the Sponsors: the Society of Ethnobiology; contexts. Because indigenous people were findings of ethnobiological research can the Department of Environmental Horti- the major innovators with regard to the assist ecological and cultural restoration culture, UC Davis; the California State semi-domestication and domestication of efforts in a variety of contexts. Office of the Natural Resources Conser- the plant world, we anticipate that a wide Some of the broad goals of the Confer- vation Service (NRCS); and the National variety of farming organizations will be ence are the following: Plant Data Center of NRCS. interested in attending this conference. (1) To link ethnobiology with conser- Concurrent Sessions: Two full days of Additionally, since this conference is in- vation activities such as land restoration presentations on many topics in terdisciplinary in nature, we anticipate in- and natural area stewardship; ethnobiology terest on the part of faculty and students (2) To promote dialogue between in- Special Activities: plenary session on from a wide variety of college campuses digenous people, ethnobiologists, and re- the Ethnobiology of Diversity in Con- representing different departments. searchers/practitioners in wildland man- temporary Agriculture; workshop on Com- Ethnobiologists and restorationists are agement/restoration, agroforestry, munity-supported Wild Foraging Training; recognizing that indigenous peoples need agronomy, and the range sciences; cultural demonstrations of basketweaving to be a part of any serious efforts at restor- (3) To contrast “Western” and “indig- and acorn processing by California Indi- ing and preserving ecosystems. It is their enous” beliefs about science and resource ans; exciting field trips ancestors who shaped and conserved many management; For more information consult the Con- of the ecosystems that we are now trying to (4) To integrate academic with indig- ference Website: restore. The conference organizers hope enous and place-based forms of knowl- http://www.ethnobiology.org/ that there is high indigenous involvement in edge; 2004Conference all facets of the conference including cul- (5) To better define the ancient link- tural demonstrations, field trips, speaker ages between the pre-agricultural cultiva- Diverse Participation Encouraged sessions, and audience attendance. Par- tion of wild nature and domesticated agri- This conference will draw five impor- ticularly important is the attendance and culture; tant sectors of society together: academia, participation by Native American students (6) To evaluate the effectiveness of government, indigenous groups, nongov- and faculty from various college campuses, institutional regulations in conserving ernmental organizations, and the private and tribal colleges such as DQ University. biocultural diversity; sector. Because of the theme, we antici- GP <<<< Ethnobiology Conference Artwork by Frank Towendolly LaPena (Nomtipom-Tunai Wintu) Mr. LaPena is Professor Emeritus in Native American Studies at California State Univ., Sacramento. The painting is titled, “The World is a Gift.” This world was created by healers, holy people, elders, singers and dancers who understood the relationship of the natural and spiritual world as part of the sacred circle. It is in ceremony that our connection to the Earth is renewed and all of life’s forms given recognition and respect. The painting shows Mt. Shasta in the north—sacred to the many tribes that surround it. The Jump Dancer is identified by the brilliant red woodpecker-feather headdress used by the Klamath River tribes. The Bear Dance is from the northeastern area. The feather or “Toto” Dancer is a tradition still practiced by many California tribes. The rock art of the south coastal peoples is known throughout the world as some of the finest in North America. The plank boat allowed people to venture out into ocean waters to seek subsistence. Petroglyphs and pictographs recall the “old ones” whose rock art is found all over the state. The style of rock art depicted is from the south, in the dry desert areas. The bird singers of southern California are central to keeping alive the stories and songs of the region. The white jimson blossom is a medicine plant and was part of an important ceremonial practice. A basket represents the significance of basketry to all tribes. Acorn and salmon were two important food sources for many of the California peoples. The woman wears a dress style of the foothills and holds a beaded sash used in dancing. Her flower wreath, worn in the Spring Ceremony, represents the plants and bulbs used for food by the people. The ceremony carries the prayers and wishes for a good fall harvest. Volume 7, Number 4, Page 6 Fall 2003

Notes From the Chair... by Heiner Lieth The EH depart- pretty much eliminated, it will force us to bining forces. We are proposing to combine ment is facing seek research funding from sources that can into one large Plant Science department. some very tough pay the entire bill. If we do not apply for While the name and other details have yet to financial times industry funds in the future, it is not that we be decided on, it has been decided that this along with every don’t want to do applied research; it will be change will be made. An implementation other department in a pragmatic matter of survival. committee will be working for the rest of the the College of Ag- At the same time, some of us are starting year to develop a plan which can be imple- ricultural and Environmental Sciences to anticipate the next round of budget prob- mented by mid-year 2004. (CAES). We are looking for ways to mini- lems. Some of our administrators and poli- Another effort has been to look at some mize the damage, but all the talk about chang- ticians have tried to mitigate the problems of our resources to see if we can manage ing for the better under these circumstances by borrowing against the future, hoping that operations more efficiently. The first of is just talk. Most of the hardest-affected there will be no future cuts. But if the these efforts is focused on the campus’ departments never recovered from the se- economy does not turn around substantially facilities. From April through vere budget cuts of the early 1990s and it is in the next few months, then we will have to July I chaired a committee that created a clear that the CAES will be reducing the face yet more cuts. proposal for developing a campus-wide faculty size (hopefully only through attri- We are not sitting still here on campus greenhouse facility consisting of new and tion). This means that some programs will “waiting for the sky to fall”. We understand existing greenhouse space. While it is un- be eliminated and downsized. There will be that the Legislature cut our supply of funding likely to save a lot of money, it will give little or no new faculty hired in the next few for a reason and that we are not perceived as faculty better access to the various types of years. Moreover, for those of us here, there a core need for the people of California greenhouse space that is currently only avail- will be little institutional funds for research needing to be preserved. Thus we are taking able within departments. and extension. Such funds will have to come measures to plan responsibly for the future. While the above information probably from outside the University. The size of the College faculty will decrease creates the impression that everything is At the same time, funding for commod- by 50 to 60 professors, meaning that every “doom-and-gloom” around EH, this is not ity research has not kept pace with the cost of department will be smaller and will not be the case. We are worried, but taking steps to doing research. Looking back at the last five able to do what we do now. We must stream- do what we need to do to be available to you years, I see that commodity-type grants typi- line our operations. The faculty in the Plant in the future and to retain as much of our cally are in the $10,000 to $20,000 range Sciences is ahead of the rest of the College excellent reputation as possible. In fact, (lower in the past two years as investment in trying to plan for the future. elsewhere in this issue, you will see that we income has declined). In the past, we were The major organizational effort under- are planning to celebrate the opening of a able to accept such funds as we could com- way to try to mitigate the resulting devasta- number of new Plant Science facilities cre- bine them with University resources to make tion is the reorganization of departments to ated over the past two years and we invite you the projects work. Since the latter have been simplify operations for the future by com- to come join us in the celebration. GP Michael Barbour on Sabbatical in the Canary Islands This fall plant ecologist Dr. Michael woodlands thought to represent successional Such information is useful in developing sus- Barbour will be on sabbatical, spending two phases that in time will lead to monospecific pine tainable techniques of forest management, months in the Canary Islands investigating the forests. whether the management is for timber harvest stand dynamics of old-growth Canary Island Dr. Barbour will be working with a local or for the conservation of stands and the biotic Pine forests. Pinus canariensis has become expert on Canary Island pine, Professor Marcelino diversity they include. widely planted as an ornamental and a source del Arco Aguilar, who led a team of investigators Other vegetation types on the islands in- of wood in many places throughout the world. to the publication of a four-volume reference on clude alpine scrub, warm-temperate montane On several of the Canary Islands, Canary the distribution, history, and management of the evergreen forest, semi-arid succulent scrub Island pine occurs in a nearly continuous pine throughout the Canary Islands. Professor del (with euphorbs that look like columnar cacti), elevational belt, about 2500-6500 ft elevation, Arco is a faculty member in the Department of low-elevation forests with dragon tree, mobile on the slopes of tall volcanoes. The pine Plant Biology at the University of Santa Cruz, dunes, and salt marsh. Major agricultural occurs as a component in at least a dozen which is located on the island of Tenerife. He and products include cut flowers, sugar cane, ba- different community types, ranging from nearly Dr. Barbour have a small grant from his university nanas, and a variety of vegetable crops. monospecific stands to being mixed with other to work together on the community ecology of Dr. Barbour will be on Tenerife from 8 tree species and underlain with a variety of Pinus caneriensis. Their objective will be to September to 9 November, 2003. His wife, shrubs and perennial herbs. On the largest determine the age structure of trees in succes- Valerie, will join him for about three weeks, but island, Tenerife, 75,000 acres are covered by sional and climax natural pine forests. The age her job as a Holmes Junior-High Language natural stands, and another 30,000 acres are structures will allow them to reconstruct the past Arts teacher prevents her from taking a longer in plantations. About half of the natural stands several hundred years of tree births and deaths, leave. Dr. Barbour promises to bring back have more than 60% canopy cover and can be dates of such disturbances as fires, and the scores of photos for a departmental slide show called forest; the rest are various types of response of the populations to those disturbances. later in November. GP Volume 7, Number 4, Page 7 Fall 2003 New Plant Sciences Facilities Opening and a Celebration of the Plant Sciences UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef and Dean Neal Van Alfen of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, invite you to the Opening Celebration for the new Plant Sciences Facilities on the UC Davis campus. The Celebration will take place Wednes- day, October 15, 2003, beginning at 10:00 am with a program followed by refreshments. See the map at right for the event location. Building tours and research displays will be available from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm.

Plant Reproductive Biology The new Plant Reproductive Biology facility houses the Seed Biotechnology Center and research programs focused on plant reproductive biology. Funding for construction was through a partnership with the seed industry and the campus. This facility is also the temporary home of the effort among the campus, the college, the from the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation. UC Davis Genome Center and Division of Biological Sciences, the Office This facility provides plant transformation Bioinformatics Program until the larger of the Vice Chancellor for Research, UC research and services for the campus, other genomics facility is completed. Agriculture and Natural Resources and a academics and industrial parties. grant from the National Science Founda- Core Greenhouse Complex tion. D. Gould and Virginia Bowley Plant The Core Greenhouse Complex is a Science Teaching Center state-of-the-art campus facility, capable High Throughput Genomics Facility In 1996, Virginia Bowley, widow of the of accommodating a broad range of plant and Ralph M. Parsons Foundation late D. Gould Bowley, made a generous species and providing cost-effective, qual- Plant Transformation Facility donation to UC Davis to build a teaching ity control over environmental conditions. The new genomics facility, located in center that forms the nucleus of the new This beautiful facility adds 27,000 square Robbins Hall, houses state-of-the-art equip- plant sciences facilities. The Bowley Center feet of premier greenhouse space to the ment and provides campus researchers with integrates facilities for classroom, labora- campus and is critical to teaching and re- timely and low-cost DNA sequencing. The tory, greenhouse, garden and field-based search in basic and applied plant science. transformation facility, also located in education for plant sciences students at UC Funding for the greenhouses was a joint Robbins Hall, was made possible by a grant Davis. The center includes the Student Farm and the UC Davis Children’s Garden. GP

RSVP for the Opening Celebration by October 6, 2003 by calling 530-752-1606 or by email to [email protected]

Bowley Plant Sciences Teaching Facility and Core Greenhouse Complex Volume 7, Number 4, Page 8 Fall 2003

Continued from page 1 important awards bestowed on him include the California State Florist Association rose, and azalea, as well as research and Award of Merit in 1966, the Monterey Bay extension work on physiology. Flower Growers Award in 1987, and the This coincided with the emerging needs in prestigious Alex Laurie Award in 1993. the industry for shipping floral products. He was involved in pioneering work on the Biographical information use of silver thiosulfate (STS) in extending Anton Miles Kofranek was born in Chi- the vase life of flowers and forced-air cool- cago in 1921. He was in the army from 1942 ing to reduce the adverse effects of shipping to 1945. He obtained his BS from the flowers long distances. Since retiring in 1987, Tony and University of Minnesota in 1947. He then His work had an enormous impact in the partner, Wyn Floyd, have traveled studied under Prof. Kenneth Post at Cornell industry and led to him writing the text- extensively around the world. where he received his MS in 1949 and his books on cut chrysanthemum production PhD in 1950. He soon joined the faculty at and potted azalea production. UCLA as an instructor of floriculture. In In addition to mentoring students, Tony point it became clear to me that Tony had the mid 1960s, the University of California was also a mentor to new faculty in the made a lasting impact and his record of realigned its horticulture program and the Environmental Horticulture program as it accomplishment is clearly of the caliber primary focus on agriculture was shifted to was taking shape. This was particularly that the California Floriculture Hall of Fame the new UC campus at Davis. Tony relo- true for Professor Michael Reid and myself. is designed to honor. cated and established a distinguished career His dedication to the industry and the rel- as Professor in the Environmental Horticul- evancy of his work helped Professor Reid Leadership in local, state and ture Department at UC Davis from 1968 to and I as we built our research and extension national floral associations 1987. He is currently Professor Emeritus programs. During his career, Dr. Kofranek was a and frequently travels internationally with Last year I invited Tony to join me on a member of the leading horticultural science his partner, Wyn Floyd. two-day class field trip in the industry (a societies and worked on research under decade after his official retirement). At funding from virtually all flower grower The ceremony for Tony’s induction virtually every stop on the tour, a grower, associations nationally and in California. into the California Floriculture Hall production manager, or owner recognized His significant contribution to floriculture of Fame will occur on October 7 in Tony and dropped everything to greet him. resulted in his receiving the highest honor San Jose in conjunction with the Many had been either his students or col- bestowed by the American Society of Hor- Kee Kitayama Golf Tournament at laborators on research projects with him, or ticultural Science, the prestigious Fellow the Cinnabar Hills Golf Club. Call met him at one of his many talks. At that of the Society awarded in 1978. Other 831-724-1130 for details.

For free subscription, contact Linda Dodge, Managing Editor Environmental Horticulture Dept., University of California, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 Phone: (530)752-8419; Fax: (530)752-1819; E-mail: [email protected] GP Download back issues of Growing Points (PDF format): http://envhort.ucdavis.edu

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