The recent loss of our colleague Marc van Iersel reminds us of the reasons our work in horticulture is so important. Marc's career was devoted to developing processes that judiciously utilized sensors to create efficient strategies to optimize crop quality and production for the grower. By examining the path of van Iersel’s work, we can understand how directed, mindful research can move quickly from the hands of the researcher to the farmer. Marc’s early work centered around developing smart irrigation systems utilizing biofeedback to measure soil moisture, with the goal of reducing water usage. More recently, Marc’s work integrated LED lighting with sensors including light sensors, moisture sensors, and low cost canopy and fluorescence detection to generate strategies for precise, energy efficient control of lighting in greenhouse and vertical growing platforms. Marc frequently consulted with growers to understand their needs and challenges, allowing the grower’s needs to frame his research. Marc also mentored the development of students, fellows, and colleagues in their own research, helping them discover how their programs could unfold in directions which would be most valuable. In this session we will examine the history of Marc’s research and continued work by colleagues, to ensure his lessons in how to provide practical answers for commercial horticulture are not lost. This two-hour session will include presentations from Marc's students and colleagues, and conclude with a 30-minute moderated Q&A/discussion.
Coordinator(s)- Jennifer Boldt, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Toledo, OH, United States
- Neil Mattson, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States
- Melanie Yelton, Grow Big, United States
- Bruce Bugbee, Utah State University, Plants, Soils, and Climate, Logan, Utah, United States
A Life Filled with People, Plants, Photons, and Perseverance (15 mins) - Stephanie Burnett, University of Maine, School of Food and Agriculture, Orono, Maine, United States
Impact on Sensor Automated Irrigation and Student Mentoring (15 mins) - Rhuanito Ferrarezi, University of Georgia, Horticulture, Athens, Georgia, United States
The Man Behind the Legend (15 mins) - Andrew Ogden, University of Georgia, Griffin, Georgia, United States
- Shuyang Zhen, Texas A&M University, United States
The Light He Shined: Translating Plant Physiology into Smart Lighting Control Strategies (15 mins) - Leonardo Lombardini, University of Georgia, Horticulture, Athens, Georgia, United States
Honoring Marc's Legacy (15 mins)
