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Northern Research Station
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You are here: NRS Home / Scientists & Staff / Paula M. Pijut
Scientists & Staff

[image:] Paula M. Pijut Paula M. Pijut

Title: Plant Physiologist
Unit: Hardwood Tree Improvement and 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 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
  • Indiana Academy of Science, 2009-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:

  1. conventional tree improvement;
  2. hardwood genomics and biotechnology;
  3. propagation technologies, seed production and handling, and nursery management; and
  4. 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

Additional Online Publications

Other Publications by Paula M. Pijut *

  • Du, Ningxia; Liu, Xin; Li, Yun; Chen, Shouyi; Zhang, Jinsong; Ha, Da; Deng, Wenguang; Sun, Chunkui; Zhang, Yingzhi; Pijut, Paula M. 2012. Genetic transformation of Populus tomentosa to improve salt tolerance. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture. 108: 181-189.

*Due to policy or copyright restrictions, we are unable to provide full-text versions of these publications. Please check with your local library or Contact Paula M. Pijut to inquire about reprints.

Last Modified: 02/15/2012