Dr. Richard Beeson
Associate Professor, Environmental Horticulture
University of Florida
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Mid-Florida Research & Education Center
2725 Binion Road,
Apopka, FL 32703-8504
Tel: (407)-884-2034 |
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Dr. Beeson is a plant physiologist/ornamental horticulturist who specializes in water use and requirements of woody ornamental plants. While the emphasis is on nursery production and optimizing irrigation for growth, the need to establish lower limits for acceptable growth has led to a broader knowledge of plant growth responses to a range of soil water availability. His research includes water requirements of shrubs and landscape trees from 1 gal to 300 gal containers, and both above ground and inground systems.
In recent years, much of his research has focused on alternative production systems for the woody ornamental shrubs. The objective of this research was to improve the application efficiency of overhead impact sprinkler irrigation systems. A parallel line of research has been to quantify plant water use (actual evapotranspiration ET A ) of a range of woody shrubs and trees from liners to marketable size material. From this he is developing models to predict daily irrigation requirements based on reference evapotranspiration and plant size. These are applicable for both production and landscape situations. Cumulative ET A of these plants will also allow for better planning for water resources required for production.
Dr. Beeson in a member of the Environmental Horticulture Department and located at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. He is a member of the American Society for Horticultural Science, International Society for Arboriculture and International Plant Propagators Society.
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