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:
- 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
- Pijut, Paula M.; Beasley, Rochelle R.; Lawson, Shaneka S.; Palla, Kaitlin J.; Stevens, Micah E.; Wang, Ying. 2012. In vitro propagation of tropical hardwood tree species A review (2001-2011). Propagation of Ornamental Plants. 12(1): 25-51.
- Stevens, Micah E.; Pijut, Paula M. 2012. Hypocotyl derived in vitro regeneration of pumpkin ash (Fraxinus profunda). Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture. 108: 129-135.
- Pijut, Paula M.; Lawson, Shaneka S.; Michler, Charles H. 2011. Biotechnological efforts for preserving and enhancing temperate hardwood tree biodiversity, health, and productivity. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology-Plant. 47: 123-147.
- Pijut, Paula M.; Woeste, Keith E.; Michler, Charles H. 2011. Promotion of adventitious root formation of difficult-to-root hardwood tree species. In: Janick, Jules, ed. Horticultural Reviews. 38: 213-251.
- Palla, Kaitlin J.; Pijut, Paula M. 2011. Regeneration of plants from Fraxinus americana hypocotyls and cotyledons. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology-Plant. 47: 250-256.
Additional
Online Publications
- Liu, Xiaomei; Pijut, Paula. 2010. Agrobacterium-medicated transformation of mature Prunus serotina (black cherry) and regeneration of trangenic shoots. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture. 101: 49-57.
- Palla, Kaitlin J.; Pijut, Paula M. 2010. Adventitious shoot regeneration and rooting of Fraxinus americana. In: Michler, Charles H.; Ginzel, Matthew D., eds. 2010. Proceedings of symposium on ash in North America; 2010 March 9-11; West Lafayette, IN. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-72. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 63.
- Beasley, Rochelle R.; Pijut, Paula M. 2010. Adventitious shoot regeneration of Fraxinus nigra Marsh. In: Michler, Charles H.; Ginzel, Matthew D., eds. 2010. Proceedings of symposium on ash in North America; 2010 March 9-11; West Lafayette, IN. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-72. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 58.
- Liu, Xiaomei; Anderson, Joseph; Pijut, Paula. 2010. Cloning and characterization of prunus serotina AGAMOUS, a putative flower homeotic gene. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. 28: 193-203.
- Pijut, Paula M.; Beasley, Rochelle R.; Palla, Kaitlin J. 2010. Genetic transformation of Fraxinus spp. for resistance to the emerald ash borer. In: Michler, Charles H.; Ginzel, Matthew D., eds. 2010. Proceedings of symposium on ash in North America; 2010 March 9-11; West Lafayette, IN. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-72. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 18-19.
- Beasley, Rochelle R.; Pijut, Paula M. 2010. Invasive plant species in hardwood tree plantations. FNR-230-W West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Extension Service, Hardwood Tree Improvement Center. 25 p.
- Du, Ningxia; Pijut, Paula M. 2010. Isolation and characterization of an AGAMOUS homolog from Fraxinus pennsylvanica. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. 28: 344-351.
- Du, Ningxia; Pijut, Paula M. 2009. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Fraxinus pennsylvanica hypocotyls and plant regeneration. Plant Cell Reports. 28: 915-923.
- Vengadesan, G.; Pijut, Paula M. 2009. In vitro propagation of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.). In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology-Plant. 45: 474-482.
- Vengadesan, G.; Pijut, Paula M. 2009. Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.). Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture. 97: 141-149.
- Woeste, Keith; Pijut, Paula M. 2009. The peril and potential of butternut. Arnoldia. 66(4): 2-12.
- Barnd, Bradley D.; Pijut, Paula M.; Ginzel, Matthew D. 2008. Insects affecting hardwood tree plantings. In: Pijut, P.M., ed. Planting and care of fine hardwood seedlings. FNR-227-W. West Lafayette, IN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, and Purdue University, Extension. 17 p.
- Liu, Xiaomei; Pijut, Paula M. 2008. Plant regeneration from in vitro leaves of mature black cherry (Prunus serotina). Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 94: 113-123.
- Du, Ningxia; Pijut, Paula M. 2008. Regeneration of plants from Fraxinus pennsylvanica hypocotyls and cotyledons. Scientia Horticulturae. 118: 74-79.
- Michler, Charles H.; Woeste, Keith E.; Pijut, Paula M. 2007. Black Walnut. In: Kole, Cittaranjan, ed. Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants, Vol. 7, Forest trees. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag: 189-198.
- 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. Phytochemistry. 68: 2043-2052.
- Pijut, Paula M.; Woeste, Keith E.; Vengadesan, G. 2007. Technological advances in temperate hardwood tree improvement including breeding and molecular marker applications. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology - Plant. 43: 283-303.
- Espinosa, Ana Carolina; Pijut, Paula M.; Michler, Charles H. 2006. Adventitious shoot regeneration and rooting of Prunus serotina in vitro cultures. HortScience 41(1):193-201.
- Pijut, Paula M. 2006. Planting and care of fine hardwood seedlings: diseases in hardwood tree plantings. FNR-221. Hardwood tree improvement and regeneration center. West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 16 p.
- Pijut, P.M.; Espinosa, A.C. 2005. Development of a rooted cutting propagation method for Prunus serotina. The International Plant Propagators` Society Combined Proceedings. 54:129-131.
- 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. In: Colombo, S.J. (comp.) 2005. The Thin Green Line: A symposium on the state-of-the-art in reforestation Proceedings. Thunder Bay, ON. 26-28 July 2005. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour. Ont. For. Res. Inst. Sault Ste. Marie, ON. For. Res. Inf. Pap. No. 160. 169 p. Pp. 69-74.
- 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. Tree Physiology. 26:121-128.
- Pijut, Paula M. 2005. Native hardwood trees of the central hardwood region. FNR-218. Purdue University School of Forestry and Natural Resources. West Lafayette, IN. 16 p.
- Wichman, J.; Hawkins, R.; Pijut, P.M. 2005. Straw mulch prevents loss of fall-sown seeds to cold temperatures and wildlife predation. Native Plants Journal 6(3):282-285.
- Pijut, Paula M. 2004. Acer spicatum. In: Francis, John K., ed. Wildland shrubs of the United States and its territories: thamnic. Vol. 1. Gen. Tech. Rep. IITF-26. Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry: 27-29.
- Pijut, Paula M. 2004. Comptonia peregrina. In: Francis, John K., ed. Wildland shrubs of the United States and its territories. Thamnic. Vol. 1. Gen. Tech. Rep. IITF-26. Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry: 237-239.
- Pijut, Paula M. 2004. Cornus sericea. In: Francis, John K., ed. Wildland shrubs of the United States and its territories. Thamnic. Vol. 1. Gen. Tech. Rep. IITF-26. Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry: 249-251.
- 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.. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-243. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 188 p.
- Pijut, Paula M. 2004. Vegetative propagation of butternut (Juglans cinerea) field results. In: Michler, C.H.; Pijut, P.M.; Van Sambeek, J.W.; Coggeshall, M.V.; Seifert, J.; Woeste, K.; Overton, R.; Ponder, F., Jr., eds. Proceedings of the 6th Walnut Council Research Symposium; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-243. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 37-44
- Pijut, Paula M. 2003. Planting and care of fine hardwood seedlings: Planting hardwood seedlings in the Central Hardwood Region.. FNR-210. Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Lafayette, Indiana. 8 p.
- 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. In: Van Sambeek, J. W.; Dawson, Jeffery O.; Ponder Jr., Felix; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings of the 13th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 460-465
- Pijut, Paula M.; Moore, Melanie. 2002. Early Season Softwood Cuttings Effective for Vegetative Propagation of Juglans cinerea. HortScience 37(4): 697-700
- Pijut, Paula M. 2002. Eastern White Pine Flowering in Response to Spray Application of Gibbrellin A4/7 or ProconeTM. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 19(2): 68-72.
- Pijut, Paula M. 2000. Cedrus - The True Cedars. Journal of Arboriculture 26(4): July 2000
- Ostry, M. E.; Pijut, P. M. 2000. Butternut: An Underused Resource in North America. HortTechnology 10(2): 302-306
- Pijut, P. M. 1997. Micropropagation of Juglans cinerea L. (Butternut). Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, Vol. 39 High-Tech and Micropropagation V (ed. by Y.P.S. Bajaj) Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1997. pp 345-357
- Barker, Melanie J.; Pijut, Paula M.; Ostry, Michael E.; Houston, David R. 1997. Micropropagation of juvenile and mature american beech. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 51: 209-213.
- Ostry, M.E.; Pijut, Paula M.; Skilling, D.D. 1991. Screening larch in vitro for resistance to Mycosphaerella laricina. Plant Disease. 75: 1222-1224.
- 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. Phytopathology. 80: 764-767.
- 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. Plant Science. 70: 191-196.
- 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. Acta Horticulturae. 280: 247-253.
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