Dr. Eugene K. (Gene) Blythe

Assistant Professor
Specialty: Ornamental Horticulture
Research Organism(s): Woody & Herbaceous Nursery Crops
Department: Coastal Research and Extension Center

Mailing Address
PO Box 193
Poplarville, MS 39470

Physical Address
810 Highway 26 West
Poplarville, MS 39470

Email: blythe@pss.msstate.edu
Telephone: (601) 403-8774
Fax: (601) 795-0653

Assignment
My 100% research appointment is focused on applied production research to support an expanding ornamental horticulture industry in Mississippi and the Gulf States region. My research interests include commercial plant propagation, nursery production systems, and evaluation of ornamental plants for performance in specific regions. I am also interested in application of nontraditional statistical methods in horticultural research.

Web Site Title
South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station
URL: http://www.msstate.edu/dept/crec/smbes.html

Curriculum vitae

Education

Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
Master of Probability and Statistics 2004
Ph.D. - Horticulture 2003
Dissertation: “Alternative Methods of Auxin Application in Cutting Propagation"
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
M.B.A. 1989
Thesis: “The Impact of Immigration Reform on Labor Availability in the Wholesale Nursery Industry in Southern California”
B.S. - Business Administration (Management and Human Resources) 1988
B.S. - Ornamental Horticulture 1980

Experience

2007-present
Coastal Research & Extension Center/Department of Plant & Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University, South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station, Poplarville, MS.
Assistant Research Professor. Research in commercial plant production
2005-2007
Department of Botany & Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA.
Postdoctoral Scholar/Associate, Agricultural Experiment Station. Research in nutrient cycling using controlled-release fertilizers in container substrates and application of statistical analysis techniques in horticultural research.
2004-2005
Department of Horticulture, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
Research Assistant. Further research in alternative methods of auxin application in cutting propagation and use of waste/recycled materials as substrates in cutting propagation.
2000-2003
Department of Horticulture, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
Graduate Research Assistant. Research in alternative methods of auxin application in cutting propagation
1980-2000
Monrovia Nursery Company (currently Monrovia Growers), Azusa, CA.
1991-2000 Propagation Manager
1986-1991 Assistant Propagation Manager
1980-1986 Research Propagator
Supervision of a team of managers and employees involved in plant propagation and liner production, producing over 30,000,000 units per year by cutting, seed, spore, micropropagation (tissue culture), grafting, budding, division, and layering. Management of the propagation and production of new crops being evaluated for potential inclusion in the company's product line. Design of a customized Production Scheduling System for production of all nursery crops from propagation through finished product at multiple nursery locations. Research to develop, evaluate, and select optimal methods of plant propagation. Development of a commercial micropropagation program.

Society Membership

International Plant Propagators’ Society (Past President of the Western Region) - since 1980
American Society for Horticultural Science - since 1980

Publications

Refereed

Copes, W.E. and E.K. Blythe. 2009. Chemical and hot water treatments to control Rhizoctonia AG-U infesting azalea stem cuttings. HortScience 44(5):(in press).

Koop Wagner, J., J. Dillon, E.K. Blythe, and J. Ford. 2009. Dose characterization of the Rad Source 2400 X-ray irradiator for oyster pasteurization. Appl. Rad. Isotopes 67:334-339.

Blythe, E.K. and J.L. Sibley. 2009. Winter stem cutting propagation of 'Dwarf Burford' holly without use of a conventional auxin treatment. HortTechnology 19:130-132.

Foshee, W.G., III, R.T. Boozer, E.K. Blythe, D.L. Horton, and J. Burkett. 2008. Management of plum curculio and catfacing insects on peaches in central Alabama: Standard crop stage-based vs. integrated pest management-based approaches. Intl. J. Fruit Sci. 8:188-199.

Foshee, W.G., III, E.K. Blythe, W.D. Goff, W.H. Faircloth, and M.G. Patterson. 2008. Response of young pecan trees to trunk and foliar applications of glyphosate. HortScience 43:399-402.

Blythe, E.K., J.L. Sibley, K.M. Tilt, and J.M. Ruter. 2007. Methods of auxin application in cutting propagation: A review of 70 years of scientific discovery and commercial practice. J. Environ. Hort. 25:166-185.

Blythe, E.K. and J.L. Sibley. 2007. Sodium cellulose glycolate as a thickening agent for liquid auxin formulations can enhance rooting of stem cuttings. J. Environ. Hort. 25:126-130.

Foshee, W.G., III, H. Kirkici, J.Y. Hung, E.K. Blythe, A. Goel, and G.R. Wehtje. 2007. Seedling emergence of smallflower morningglory and green foxtail subjected to a pulsed electric field. Intl. J. Veg. Sci. 13:61-72.

Blythe, E. K. and D.J. Merhaut. 2007. Testing the assumption of normality for pH and electrical conductivity of substrate extract obtained using the pour-through method. HortScience 42:661-669.

Blythe, E. K. and D. J. Merhaut. 2007. Grouping and comparison of container substrates based on physical properties using exploratory multivariate statistical methods. HortScience 42:353-363.

Albano, J.P., D.J. Merhaut, E.K. Blythe, and J.P. Newman. 2006. Nutrient release from controlled-release fertilizers in a neutral-pH substrate in an outdoor environment: II. Leachate calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and molybdenum concentrations. HortScience 41:1683-1689.

Newman, J.P., J.P. Albano, J.P., D.J. Merhaut, and E.K. Blythe. 2006. Nutrient release from controlled-release fertilizers in a neutral-pH substrate in an outdoor environment: I. Leachate electrical conductivity, pH, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations. HortScience 41:1674-1682.

Ni, H., G. Wehtje, R.H. Walker, J.L. Belcher, and E.K. Blythe. 2006. Turf tolerance and Virginia buttonweed (Diodia virginiana) control with fluroxypyr as influenced by the synergist diflufenzopyr. Weed Tech. 20:511-519.

Wehtje, G.R., C.H. Gilliam, T.L. Grey, and E.K. Blythe. 2006. Potential for halosulfuron to control eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) in container-grown landscape plants and its sorption to container rooting substrate. Weed Tech. 20:361-367.

Blythe, E. K., D. J. Merhaut J.P. Newman, and J.P. Albano. 2006. Nutrient release from controlled-release fertilizers in acid substrate in a greenhouse environment: II. Leachate calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and molybdenum concentrations. HortScience 41:788-793.

Merhaut, D. J., E. K. Blythe, J.P. Newman, and J.P. Albano. 2006. Nutrient release from controlled-release fertilizers in acid substrate in a greenhouse environment: I. Leachate electrical conductivity, pH, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations. HortScience 41:780-787.

Foshee, W.G., III, D.L. Horton, R.T. Boozer, E.K. Blythe, and J.T. Staples. 2005. Dermal efficacy evaluation of new insecticides for control of plum curculio in peaches. Intl. J. Fruit Sci. 5(3):19-27.

Blythe, E.K., J.L. Sibley, K.M. Tilt, and B. Zinner. 2005. Monolithic slag as a substrate for rooting and bare-rooting stem cuttings. J. Environ. Hort. 23:67-71.

Cole, D.M., J.L. Sibley, E.K. Blythe, D.J. Eakes, and K.M. Tilt. 2005. Effect of cotton gin compost on plant growth and substrate properties under differing irrigation regimes in a greenhouse setting. HortTechnology 15:145-148.

Blythe, E.K., J.L. Sibley, J.M. Ruter, and K.M. Tilt. 2004. Cutting propagation of foliage crops using a foliar application of auxin. Scientia Hort. 103:31-37.

Blythe, E.K., J.L. Sibley, K.M. Tilt, and J.M. Ruter. 2004. Rooting of rose cuttings in response to foliar applications of auxin and surfactant. HortTechnology 14:479-483.

Wilson, J.C., E.K. Blythe, D.M. Cole, E.L. Vinson, and J.L. Sibley. 2004. Nitrogen release rate differs by fertilizer source. Small Fruits Rev. 4:85-92.

Blythe, E.K., J.L. Sibley, K.M. Tilt, and J.M. Ruter. 2004. Auxin application to stem cuttings of selected woody landscape plants by incorporation into a stabilized organic rooting substrate. J. Environ. Hort. 22:63-70.

Non-Refereed

Clark, J.S., M. Windham, A. Windham, W. Copes, E. Blythe, and S. Bost. 2009. Fungicidal resistance of Corynespora cassiicola from African violet. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 54th Annu. Rpt. p. 57-62.

Blythe, E.K. and J.L. Sibley. 2009. Cutting propagation of rose using basal and foliar applications of Wood's Rooting Compound. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 54th Annu. Rpt. p. 450-453.

Copes, W.E. and E.K. Blythe. 2009. Chemical and hot water treatments to control Rhizoctonia on infested azalea stem cuttings. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 54th Annu. Rpt. p. 63-65.

Witcher, A.L., G.B. Fain, E.K. Blythe, and J.M. Spiers. 2009. The effect of nitrogen form on substrate pH and petunia growth in a WholeTree substrate. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 54th Annu. Rpt. p. 428-433.

Blythe, E.K. and J.L. Sibley. 2008. Sodium cellulose glycolate as a thickening agent for applying auxin solutions to stem cuttings. Comb. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. 58:167-172(tentative page numbers).

Pickens, J.M., J.L. Sibley, C.H. Gilliam, G.B. Fain, D.E. Wells, J.W. Olive, and E.K. Blythe. 2008. Lightweight aggregate Hydrocks: A novel approach to rooting and bare rooting cuttings. Comb. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. 58:(anticipated publication: Fall, 2009).

Blythe, E.K. and J.L. Sibley. 2008. Winter cutting propagation of Heller's Japanese holly. Proc. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 53rd Annu. Rpt. p. 234-236.

Pickens, J.M., J.L. Sibley, E.K. Blythe, C.H. Gilliam, J.W. Olive, and G.B. Fain. 2008. Evaluation of the lightweight aggregate HydRocks as a rooting substrate. Proc. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 53rd Annu. Rpt. p. 218-221.

Bush, E., W. Dunwell, D. Ingram, A. Owings, G. Blythe, B. Klingeman, D. Fare, C. Pounders, A. Niemiera, J. Nowak, J. Robbins, J. Lindstrom, J. Ruter, G. Knox, M. Scheiber, A. LeBude, T. Ranney, M. Arnold, and T. West. 2008. A historical summary of plant material evaluations by SERA-IEG 27. Proc. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 53rd Annu. Rpt. p. 156-158.

Blythe, E.K. 2007. Dispelling myths in plant propagation information. Comb. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. 57:657-659.

Blythe, E.K. and J.L. Sibley. 2007. Winter cutting propagation of 'Dwarf Burford' holly. Proc. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 52nd Annu. Rpt. p. 267-269.

Merhaut, D.J. and E.K. Blythe. 2006. Use of auxin and a non-ionic penetrating surfactant in basal quick-dip solutions for rooting cuttings of rose. Proc. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 51st Annu. Rpt. p. 391-393.

Blythe, E.K. and J.L. Sibley. 2005. Use of a thickening agent for application of auxin to cuttings of hibiscus and rose. Proc. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 50th Annu. Rpt. p. 392-394.

Blythe, E.K., J.L. Sibley, K.M. Tilt, and J.M. Ruter. 2004. Substrate application of auxin for rooting cuttings of Elaeagnus Ã˜ebbingei. Proc. Southern Nursery Assn. Res. Conf., 49th Annu. Rpt. p. 349-352.