Roberto G. Lopez Assistant Professor and Floriculture Extension Specialist Ph.D. Area of Interest: Floriculture E-mail: Phone: 765-496-3425 Fax: 765-494-0391

Teaching Responsibilities

• HORT 415, Floriculture Crops, Spring Semester, 1 credit hour
• Hort 491 Floriculture Special Topics, Spring Semester, 1 credit

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Education: 

• Ph.D., Horticulture, Michigan State University, 2007
• M.S., Horticulture, Michigan State University, 2003
• B.S., Biology and Economics, University of New Mexico, 2001

Extension:

As floriculture extension specialist my goal is to provide the floriculture and ornamentals industries of Indiana with sustainable, energy efficient and grower-friendly decision-support tools necessary to enhance profit margins, quality, and production of current, new and specialty ornamental crops.

Research:

My principle research interests are:
1) Environmental stress physiology/ flowering physiology
2) Controlled environment greenhouse production
3) Sustainable floriculture production
4) Production and marketing of new ornamental crops

My principle areas of expertise include orchid flowering physiology, stock plant management and propagation, and post-harvest physiology of herbaceous ornamental cuttings.

Selected Peer Reviewed Publications:

Lopez, R.G., M.G. Blanchard, and E.S. Runkle. In press. Propagation and production of Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Acta Hort.

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. In press. Effect of temperature and pseudobulb maturity on flowering of the orchid Miltoniopsis Augres ‘Trinity’. Acta Hort.

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2006. Daily light integral influences rooting and quality of petunia cuttings. Acta Hort. 711:369-373.

Lopez, R.G.and E.S. Runkle. 2006. Temperature and photoperiod regulate flowering of potted Miltoniopsis orchids. HortScience 41(3):593-597.

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Environmental physiology of growth and flowering of orchids. HortScience 40(7):1969-1973.

Lopez, R.G., E.S. Runkle, and R.D. Heins. 2005. Flowering of the orchid Miltoniopsis Augres 'Trinity' is influenced by photoperiod and temperature. Acta Hort. 683:175_179.

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2004. The effect of temperature on leaf and flower development and flower longevity of Zygopetalum Redvale ‘Fire Kiss’ orchid. HortScience 39(7):1630-1634.

Lopez, R.G., P.R. Petrie, and G.S. Howell. 2004. Photosynthetic inhibition of  'Seyval blanc'  grapevines with terbacil. Acta Hort. 640:155_161.

Lopez, R.G., E.S. Runkle, R.D. Heins, and C.M. Whitman. 2003. Temperature and photoperiodic effects on growth and flowering of Zygopetalum Redvale ‘Fire Kiss’ orchid. Acta Hort. 624:155-162.

Selected Extension Publications:

Blanchard, M.G., R.G. Lopez, and E.S. Runkle. 2007. Choosing growth regulators doesn't need to be a chore. Greenhouse Management and Production 27:54-55.

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2007. Early PGR drench applications on poinsettia. Greenhouse Product News 19(8):22-29.

Blanchard, M.G., R.G. Lopez, E.S. Runkle, and Y.-T. Wang. 2007. Growing the best phalaenopsis, part 4: A complete production schedule. Orchids 76(4):266-271.

Lopez, R.G., E.S. Runkle, Y.-T. Wang, and M.G. Blanchard. 2007. Growing the best phalaenopsis, part 3: Temperature and light requirements, height, insect and disease control. Orchids 76(3):182-187.

Wang, Y.-T., M.G. Blanchard, R.G. Lopez, and E.S. Runkle. 2007. Growing the best phalaenopsis, part 2: Media, transplanting, water and nutrient problems. Orchids 76(2):106-111.

Runkle, E.S., Y.-T. Wang, M.G. Blanchard, and R.G. Lopez. 2007. Growing the best phalaenopsis, part 1: An introduction to potted phalaenopsis orchids. Orchids 76(1):24-28.

Blanchard, M.G. and R.G. Lopez. 2007. ZZ plant is an excellent choice for tough indoor use - Zamioculcas zamiifolia survive most interior environments. Greenhouse Management and Production 27(1):50-56.

Lopez, R.G., E.S. Runkle, J.E. Faust, and J.M Dole. 2007. Cutting production and propagation - Is there room for improvement? OFA – An Association of Floriculture Professionals Bulletin 900:1-12.

W.R. Leatherwood, R.G. Lopez, and A.L. Enfield. 2006. Managing the cuttings’ environment. Greenhouse Product News 18(12):23-30.

W.R. Leatherwood, A.L. Enfield, and R.G. Lopez. 2006. Getting the most out of cuttings. Greenhouse Product News 18(11):38-41.

Blanchard, M.G. and R.G. Lopez. 2006. Non-chemical height control strategies for greenhouse crops: part II. Greenhouse Alert Newsletter 9, Apr. 28, 2006. http://www.ipm.msu.edu/grnhouse06/G04-09-06.htm

Lopez, R.G. and M.G. Blanchard. 2006. Non-chemical height control strategies for greenhouse crops. Greenhouse Alert Newsletter 8, Apr. 14, 2006. http://www.ipm.msu.edu/grnhouse06/G04-08-06.htm

Blanchard, M.G., R.G. Lopez, E.S. Runkle, and Y.-T. Wang. 2005. The orchid grower part IV. Greenhouse Grower. 23(12):86-92.

Lopez, R.G., E.S. Runkle, Y.-T. Wang, and M.G. Blanchard. 2005. The orchid grower part III. Greenhouse Grower. 23(10):96-104.

Wang, Y.-T., M.G. Blanchard, R.G. Lopez, and E.S. Runkle. 2005. The orchid grower part II. Greenhouse Grower. 23(9):70-74.

Runkle, E.S., Y.-T. Wang, M.G. Blanchard, and R.G. Lopez. 2005. The orchid grower part I. Greenhouse Grower. 23(8):64-70.

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Managing light during propagation. Greenhouse Product News 15(6):48-58.

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2005. Managing light during propagation. Michigan State University Extension Greenhouse Alert Newsletter 7, Mar. 28, 2005. http://www.ipm.msu.edu/grnhouse05/G3-07-05.htm

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2004. Flowering of orchids - a reality check. American Orchid Society: Orchids. 73(3):196-203.

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2004. MSU annual trial garden ‘Spartan Selects.’ Michigan State University Extension Greenhouse Alert Newsletter 9, April 15, 2004. http://www.ipm.msu.edu/grnhouse04/G04-09-04.htm

Lopez, R.G. and E.S. Runkle. 2004. Why produce flowering Phalaenopsis orchids in Michigan? Michigan State University Extension Greenhouse Alert Newsletter 7, Mar. 11, 2004. http://www.ipm.msu.edu/grnhouse04/G03-07-04.htm