RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Improvement and multiplication of horticultural crops via tissue culture and applied biotechnology; principles and practices for better understanding adaptability of grapes and other fruits to Nebraska conditions; multiplication of novel and newly selected plants useful for the horticulture industry in Nebraska, the Great Plains, and beyond.

COURSES TAUGHT:

• HORT 350/351, Fruit and Vegetable Production;
• HORT 811, Plant Tissue Culture;
• "Vines, Wines and You" - a new course currently in development.

MAJOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

Evaluation of cultivars ("varieties") and breeders' selections of grapes (over 70 on trial in several locations in Nebraska); studies of cultural practices, physiology and phenology for grapes and other fruits with regard to their suitability for adoption by the developing grape and wine industry; refining forcing solution and other tissue culture techniques for enhanced efficiency of multiplication of horticultural crops selected/bred for potential introduction, especially vegetatively propagated species; assisting potential growers and entrepreneurs in assessing and implementing potential opportunities in Nebraska's developing grape and wine industry.

EXTENSION INTERESTS:

Serving as a resource for Nebraska's developing grape and wine industry; publication of the Nebraska VineLines (4 to 6 issues/year); coordination of educational programs on viticulture and enology, including Annual Nebraska Winery and GrapeGrowers Forum and Trade Show, winemaking schools, Field Days, and workshops on specific topics, such as weed management, pruning, and disease management; assisting the horticultural industry in adopting practices that facilitate rapid introduction of new and improved genotypes of horticultural crops.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

• Fei, Shui-Zhang, Terry Riordan and Paul Read. 2002. Stepwise decrease of 2,4-D and addition of BA in subculture medium stimulated shoot regeneration and somatic embryogenesis in buffalograss. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 70:275-279.
  
  
• Economou, A.S. and P.E. Read. 2002. Acclimatization and establishment of micropropagated plants. Chronica Horticulturae. 42(2):20-21.
  
  
• Nas, M.N. and P.E. Read. 2001. Micropropagation of hybrid hazelnut: medium composition, physical state and iron source affect shoot morphogenesis, multiplication and explant vitality. Acta Hort.. 556:251-258.
  
  
• Ercisli, S. and P. Read. 2001. Propagation of hazelnut by softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings under Nebraska conditions. Acta Hort. 556:275-279.
  
  
• Ercisli, S. and P. E. Read and M.N. Nas. 2001. Effect of forcing solution composition on budbreak and shoot elongation of four hybrid hazelnut genotypes. Acta Hort. 556:259-261.
  
  
• Fei, S., U.S. Bishnoi, T. Riordan and P. Read, 2001. Embryogenic callus induction and plant regeneration of buffalograss through leaf base and seedling segment culture. Intl. Turfgrass Soc.Res.J.9:161-164.
  
  
• Read, P.E., B. T. Hamooh and G. Yang. 2001. Forcing solution technology generates quality propagules. N. Amer. Plant Propagator 13:15-18.
  
  
• Szendrak, E. and P.E. Read. 2000. In vitro propagation and anatomical studies of temperate orchid species (Orchidaceae). Acta Hort. 520:75-80.
  
  
• Kefi, S., A.D. Pavlista, P.E. Read and S. D. Kachman. 2000. Comparison of thidiazuron and two nitroguanidines to kinetin on potato microtuberization in vitro under long and short days. J. Plant Growth Regulation 19:429-436.
  
  
• Walker, R.R., Read, P.E. and Blackmore, D.H. (2000) Rootstock and salinity effects on rates of berry maturation, ion accumulation and colour development in Shiraz grapes. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research 6, 227-239.
  
  
• Fei, S., P.E. Read and T.P. Riordan. 2000. Improvement of embryogenic callus induction and shoot regeneration of buffalograss by silver nitrate. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 60:97-203.
  
  
• Kefi, Servet., A.D. Pavlista, M.M. Meagher and P.E. Read. 2000. Invertase Activity as affected by cytokinin-like compounds during potato tuberization in vitro. Amer. J. Potal Res. 77:57-61.
  
  
• Hamooh, Bahget and Paul E. Read. 1999. Silver thiosulfate (STS) alone and in combination with gibberellic acid (GA3) in the forcing solution influenced bud break and shoot elongation of dormant woody plant species. Proc. Plant Gr. Regul. Soc. Amer. 25:191-192.
  
  
• Riordan, T.P., S. Fei, P.G. Johnson, and P.E. Read, 1998. Plant Breeding, Plant Regeneration and Flow Cytometry in Buffalograss. In: Turfgrass Biotechnology: Cell and Molecular Genetic Approaches for Turfgrass Improvement, M. B. Sticklen and M.P. Kenna, eds. pp 183-193. Ann Arbor Press.
  
  
• Szendrak, Erika, Paul E. Read, Jon S. Miller and Marta Nadaskuti. 1998. Teaching prospects of plant biotechnology for high school. Lippay Janos and Vas Karoly Int. Scientific Symposium pp. 114-115.
  
  
• From, M.M. and P. Read. 1998. Platanthera praclara: Strategies for conversation and propagation. N. Amer. Native Orchid Journal 4:299-331.
  
  
• Szendrak, E., Paul E. Read and Guochen Yang. 1997. Prevention and elimination of contamination for in vitro culture of several woody species. In: Pathogen and Microbial Contamination Management in Micropropagation (A.C. Cassells, ed): 233-236. Kluwer Acad. Pub., Dordrecht.
  
  
• Tawfik, A.A. Read, P.E. and Cuppett, S.L. 1997. Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary): In vitro culture, regeneration of plants and the level of essential oil and monoterpenoid constituents. In: Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, Bajaj (Ed.), Medicinal and Aromatic Plants X, vol. 41: 349-365. (Book Chapter)
  
  
• Yang, G. and P.E. Read. 1997. In vitro shoot proliferation of 5-leaf aralia from field grown plants and forced dormant stems. J. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Cult. 47:289-291.
  
  
• Mohamed, M.F., D.P. Coyne and P.E. Read. 1997. Enhancement effect of CPPU on differentiation of somatic embryoids in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). PGRSA Quarterly 24:97-103.