Paula M. Pijut
Title: Plant Physiologist
Unit: Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Previous Unit: Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center
Address: Northern Research Station
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center, 715 W. State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2061
Phone: 765-496-2162
E-mail: Contact Paula M. Pijut
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Education
- The Ohio State University, Ph.D. Horticulture, 1988
- Murray State University, M.S. Horticulture, 1984
- Maryville College of the Sacred Heart, B.S. Medical Technology, 1975
Civic & Professional Affiliations
- American Society for Horticultural Science, 1981-present
- Sigma Xi, 1988-present
- Society for In Vitro Biology, 1989-present
- International Association for Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, 1991-present
- American Society of Plant Biologists, 1991-present
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1992-present
- International Plant Propagators Society, 2002-present
Current Research
I am a Research Plant Physiologist with the North Central Research Station (NCRS), Hardwood Tree
Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) RWU-4157, located on the campus of Purdue University
in West Lafayette, IN. The national mission of this center is to advance the science of hardwood tree
improvement and genomics in the Central Hardwood Region by developing and disseminating knowledge
on improving the genetic quality of hardwood tree species; conserving fine hardwood germ plasm; developing elite hardwood trees for restoration and regeneration of sustainable hardwood forests and riparian zones for production of forest products and maintenance of genetically diverse ecosystems; and developing recognized and respected science leaders in forest genetics.
The HTIRC conducts research in four areas:
- conventional tree improvement;
- hardwood genomics and biotechnology;
- propagation technologies, seed production and handling, and nursery management; and
- hardwood forest regeneration.
The HTIRC is a unique regional and collaborative research, development, and technology transfer effort that applies classical breeding, genomics, genetic modification, advanced propagation, production, and silviculture to benefit industry, private landowners, and the scientific community. Partners include the USDA Forest Service, NCRS, National Tree Seed Laboratory, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, National Forest System Region 8 Cooperative Forestry, Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association, Walnut Council, American Chestnut Foundation, and the Fred M. van Eck Forest Foundation.
My research program focuses on fine hardwood tree biotechnology. I develop tissue culture, vegetative propagation, and genetic modification technologies for fine hardwood tree improvement. I also coordinate, compile, and edit a manual on the planting and care of fine hardwood seedlings. This manual currently contains publications on planting; soils; nursery production; tree plantings for wildlife; financial and tax aspects of tree planting; fertilization, pruning, and thinning of plantations; diagnosis and control of wildlife damage; environmental and management injury; and native hardwood trees of the Central Hardwood Region. These publications are available on the HTIRC Web page (www.htirc.org).
Why is This Important
Hardwood trees are economically and ecologically valuable resources in the north central region of the U.S. Hardwood trees are planted for timber production, wildlife habitat, riparian buffers, native woodland restoration, windbreaks, watershed protection, erosion control, and for conservation. Fine hardwood lumber is used for cabinetry, furniture, veneer, paneling, architectural moldings, and flooring. Our research program will improve fine hardwood species for growth rate, form, disease and pest resistance, and other wood quality traits.
Future Research
My research interests are in plant cell, tissue, and organ culture for tree improvement and production. I
conduct applied and fundamental research directed toward germ plasm improvement to increase resistance
or tolerance to biotic or abiotic stressors. I am interested in the physiological, anatomical, and biochemical
bases for defense mechanisms to pathogen infection. I develop protocols for in vitro selection, somatic
embryogenesis, micropropagation, genetic transformation, clonal propagation, and induction of early
flowering in forest tree species, with subsequent acclimatization of plant material to greenhouse and field
environments. My current species of interest are black walnut, northern red oak, black cherry, butternut,
white oak, red and sugar maple, and green ash. I hope to expand my research program in the near future
to cover species such as elm, chestnut, and beech, by developing collaborative projects with other North
Central and Northeastern scientists.
Featured Publications
- Barnd, Bradley D.; Pijut, Paula M.; Ginzel, Matthew D. 2008. Insects affecting hardwood tree plantings
- Liu, Xiaomei; Pijut, Paula M. 2008. Plant regeneration from in vitro leaves of mature black cherry (Prunus serotina)
- Du, Ningxia; Pijut, Paula M. 2008. Regeneration of plants from Fraxinus pennsylvanica hypocotyls and cotyledons
- Michler, Charles H.; Woeste, Keith E.; Pijut, Paula M. 2007. Black Walnut
- Morse, Alison M.; Tschaplinski, Timothy J.; Dervinis, Christopher; Pijut, Paula M.; Schmelz, Eric A.; Day, Wendy; Davis, John M. 2007. Salicylate and catechol levels are maintained in nahG transgenic poplar
Additional
Online Publications
- Pijut, Paula M.; Woeste, Keith E.; Vengadesan, G. 2007. Technological advances in temperate hardwood tree improvement including breeding and molecular marker applications
- Espinosa, Ana Carolina; Pijut, Paula M.; Michler, Charles H. 2006. Adventitious shoot regeneration and rooting of Prunus serotina in vitro cultures
- Pijut, Paula M. 2006. Planting and care of fine hardwood seedlings: diseases in hardwood tree plantings
- Pijut, P.M.; Espinosa, A.C. 2005. Development of a rooted cutting propagation method for Prunus serotina
- Michler, C. H.; Meilan, R.; Woeste, K. E.; Pijut, P. M.; Jacobs, D.; Aldrich, P.; Glaubitz, J. 2005. Hardwood genetics and tree improvement - A Midwest USA perspective
- Michler, C.H.; Pijut, P.M.; Jacobs, D.F.; Meilan, R.; Woeste, K.E.; Ostry, M.E. 2005. Improving disease resistance of butternut (Juglans cinerea), a threatened fine hardwood: a case of single-tree selection through genetic improvement and deployment
- Pijut, Paula M. 2005. Native hardwood trees of the central hardwood region
- Wichman, J.; Hawkins, R.; Pijut, P.M. 2005. Straw mulch prevents loss of fall-sown seeds to cold temperatures and wildlife predation
- Pijut, Paula M. 2004. Acer spicatum
- Pijut, Paula M. 2004. Comptonia peregrina
- Pijut, Paula M. 2004. Cornus sericea
- Michler, C. H.; Pijut, P.M.; Van Sambeek, J.; Coggeshall, M.; Seifert, J.; Woeste, K.; Overton, R.; Ponder, F., Jr., eds. 2004. Black walnut in a new century, proceedings of the 6th Walnut Council research symposium; 2004 July 25-28; Lafayette, IN.
- Pijut, Paula M. 2004. Vegetative propagation of butternut (Juglans cinerea) field results
- Pijut, Paula M. 2003. Planting and care of fine hardwood seedlings: Planting hardwood seedlings in the Central Hardwood Region.
- Michler, Charles H.; Bosela, Michael J.; Pijut, Paula M.; Woeste, Keith E. 2003. The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center: its strategic plans for sustaining the hardwood resource
- Pijut, Paula M.; Moore, Melanie. 2002. Early Season Softwood Cuttings Effective for Vegetative Propagation of Juglans cinerea
- Pijut, Paula M. 2002. Eastern White Pine Flowering in Response to Spray Application of Gibbrellin A4/7 or ProconeTM
- Pijut, Paula M. 2000. Cedrus - The True Cedars
- Ostry, M. E.; Pijut, P. M. 2000. Butternut: An Underused Resource in North America
- Pijut, P. M. 1997. Micropropagation of Juglans cinerea L. (Butternut)
- Barker, Melanie J.; Pijut, Paula M.; Ostry, Michael E.; Houston, David R. 1997. Micropropagation of juvenile and mature american beech
- Ostry, M.E.; Pijut, Paula M.; Skilling, D.D. 1991. Screening larch in vitro for resistance to Mycosphaerella laricina
- Pijut, Paula M.; Lineberger, R. Daniel; Domir, Subhash C.; Ichida, Jann M.; Krause, Charles R. 1990. Ultrastructure of cells of Ulmus americana cultured in vitro and exposed to the culture filtrate of Ceratocystis ulmi
- Pijut, Paula M.; Domir, Subash C.; Lineberger, R. Daniel; Schreiber, Lawrence R. 1990. Use of culture filtrates of Ceratocystis ulmi as a bioassay to screen for disease tolerant Ulmus americana
- Lineberger, R. Daniel; Sticklen, M.B.; Pijut, P.M.; Kroggel, Mark A.; Fink, C.V.M.; Domir, S.C. 1990. Use of protoplast, cell, and shoot tip culture in an elm germ plasm improvement program
Last Modified:
11/19/2008