| Telephone: |
765-494-8071 |
Office Location:
2-327 Lilly Hall of
Life Sciences |
| FAX: |
765-496-2926 |
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| Email: |
jvolenec@purdue.edu |
Vitae |
Research Areas:
The mission of our research is to identify
and characterize physiological and biochemical mechanisms influencing growth and stress
tolerance of plant species used for livestock feed and
biofuels.
Four research topics are currently being examined in detail.
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Characterize mechanisms controlling synthesis
and degradation of organic reserves (starches, sugars, and storage proteins) in
storage organs, and understand the role of organic reserves in
plant growth and
stress tolerance.
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Conduct
comparative analysis of water and nitrogen use by candidate biofuels
species. These analyses aim to identify those species and cropping
systems that maximize production of cellulose, hemicellulose, and
nonstructural carbohydrates while minimizing environmental impacts.
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Determine
the physiological and molecular
mechanisms controlling fall dormancy, and
how these impact winter hardiness
and growth of alfalfa.
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Understand how potassium and phosphate
nutrition impact forage growth and persistence, and the
underlying physiological and biochemical processes that
mediate agronomic performance.
This is part of a large collaborative effort on potassium nutrition research
at Purdue University. Details of this effort can be found at the
K-Team website.
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Research Publications:
Berg, W.K., S.M. Cunningham,
S.M. Brouder, K.D. Johnson, B.C. Joern, and J.J. Volenec. 2007.
The long-term impact of phosphorus and potassium fertilization on
alfalfa yield and yield components. Crop Sci. 47:2198-2209.
Patton,
A.J., J.J. Volenec, and Z.J. Reicher. 2007. Stolon growth and dry
matter partitioning explain differences in zoysiagrass establishment
rates. Crop Sci. 47:1237-1245.
Patton,
A.J., S.M. Cunningham, J.J. Volenec, and Z.J. Reicher. 2007.
Differences in freeze tolerance of zoysiagrasses. I. Role of
Proteins. Crop Sci. 47:2162-2169.
Patton,
A.J., S.M. Cunningham, J.J. Volenec, and Z.J. Reicher. 2007.
Differences in freeze tolerance of zoysiagrasses. II. Carbohydrate
and proline accumulation. Crop Sci. 47:1270-1281.
Abu Qamar, S.F., S.M. Cunningham, and J.J.
Volenec. 2006. Phosphate nutrition and defoliation effects on growth and
root physiology of alfalfa. J. Plant Nutr. 29:1387-1403.
Castonguay, Y., S. Laberge, E.C. Brummer, and
J.J. Volenec. 2006. Alfalfa winter hardiness: A research retrospective and
integrated perspective. Adv. Agron. 90:203-265.
Weishaar, M.A., E.C. Brummer, J.J. Volenec, K.J. Moore, and S. Cunningham.
2005.
Improving winter hardiness in nondormant alfalfa germsplasm. Crop Sci.
45:60-65.
Berg, W.K., S.M. Cunningham, S.M. Brouder, B.C. Joern, K.D. Johnson, J. Santini,
and J.J. Volenec. 2005.
Influence of
phosphorus and potassium on alfalfa yield and yield components. Crop
Sci. 45-297-304.
Meuriot, F., C.
Noquet, J.-C. Avice, J.J. Volenec, S.M. Cunningham, T.G. Sors, S. Caillot, and
A. Ourry. 2004.
Methyl jasmonate alters N partitioning, N reserves
accumulation and induces gene expression of a 32-kDa vegetative storage protein
that possesses chitinase activity in Medicago sativa
taproots. Physiol. Plantarum
120:113-123.
Avice, J-C., F.
Le-Dily, E. Goulas, C. Noquet, F. Meuriot, J.J. Volenec, S.M. Cunningham, T.G.
Sors, C. Dhont, Y. Castonguay, P. Nadeau, G. Belanger, F-P. Chalifour, and A.
Ourry. 2004. Vegetative storage proteins in overwintering storage organs of
forage legumes: roles and regulation. Can. J. Bot.
81:1198-1212.
Meuriot, F.,
J.-C. Avice, M.-L. Decau, J.-C. Simon, P. Laine, J.J. Volenec, and A. Ourry.
2003.
Accumulation of N reserves and vegetative storage protein (VSP) in
taproots of non-nodulated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are affected by
mineral N availability. Plant Sci. 165:709-718.
Noquet, C., F.
Meuriot, J.-C. Avice, A. Ourry, S.M. Cunningham, and J.J. Volenec. 2003.
Short-day photoperiod induced changes in N uptake, N partitioning and
accumulation of vegetative storage proteins in two Medicago sativa L.
cultivars. Func. Plant Biol. 30:853-863.
Haagenson, D.M., S.M. Cunningham, and J.J. Volenec.
2003.
Root physiology of less fall dormant, winter hardy alfalfa
selections. Crop Sci. 43:1441-1447.
Haagenson, D.M., S.M. Cunningham, B.C. Joern, and J.J.
Volenec. 2003.
Autumn defoliation affects on alfalfa survival, root
physiology, and gene expression. Crop Sci. 43:1340-1348.
Kalengamaliro, N.E., S.M.
Cunningham, and J.J. Volenec. 2003.
Growth, sugar accumulation, and dark
respiration of suspension cell cultures derived from contrasting alfalfa
cultivars. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult. 72:163-171.
Cunningham, S.M., P.
Nadeau, Y. Castonguay, S. Laberge, and J.J. Volenec. 2003.
Raffinose and
stachyose accumulation, galactinol synthase expression, and winter injury of
contrasting alfalfa germplasms. Crop Sci. 43:562-570.
Volenec, J.J., S.M. Cunningham, D.M.
Haagenson, W.K. Berg, B.C. Joern, and D.W. Wiersma.
2002.
Physiological
genetics of alfalfa improvement: past failures and future prospects.
Field Crops Res. 75:97-110.
Cunningham, S.M., J.A. Gana, J.J. Volenec,
and L.R. Teuber. 2001.
Winter hardiness, root physiology, and gene expression in successive
fall dormancy selections from ‘Mesilla’ and ‘CUF 101’ alfalfa.
Crop Sci. 41:1091-1098.
Volenec, J.J., A. Ourry, and B.C. Joern. 1996. A role for nitrogen reserves in
forage regrowth and stress tolerance. Physiol. Plant. 97:185-193.
Cunningham, S.M., and J.J. Volenec. 1996. Purification and characterization of
vegetative storage proteins from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) taproots. J. Plant
Physiol. 147:625-632.
Our findings will provide alfalfa breeders and molecular geneticists with target genes
and gene products that can be manipulated in order to improve agronomic
performance of alfalfa. This will result in more profitable alfalfa production for
farmers, and maintain low prices for meat and dairy products for consumers.
Popular Press:
Purdue Agriculture, Engineering
Create Out-of-This-World
Recycling
Berg W.K., S.M. Brouder, B.C. Joern,
K.D. Johnson, and J.J. Volenec. 2003. Enhancing alfalfa production through
improved potassium management. Better Crops. 87:8-11.
Berg W.K., S.M. Brouder,
B.C. Joern, K.D. Johnson, and J.J. Volenec. 2003. Improved phosphorus
management enhances alfalfa production. Better Crops. 87:20-23.
Berg, W.K., and J.J. Volenec. 2004. Phosphorus could boost alfalfa yields.
Hoard's Dairyman 149:179.
Berg, W.K., and J.J. Volenec. 2003. Not all alfalfa care thumbrules may be
true. Hoard's Dairyman 148:342.
Extension:
The goal of Volenec's extension work is to provide
the public with information on
yield, quality, and persistence of forages, especially as influenced by management and
genetics. He also strives to convey an understanding of the physiological basis for
responses of forages to management.
Extension Publications:
Volenec, J. and K. Johnson. 2004. Managing alfalfa autotoxicity. Agronomy
Guide, Purdue Univ. Coop. Ext. Serv., AY-324-W.
Teaching:
AGRY 505 - Forage
Management
This course serves a diverse clientele of animal scientists, agronomists, and
agricultural economists at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Dr. Volenec's goal
is to provide these students with a sound understanding of the principles underlying
decisions that influence yield, quality and persistence of forage species. Volenec
co-authored two chapters of the text used in Agronomy 505 when it was recently revised. He
also contributed to a CD-ROM companion for the text that contains more than 1000
supplementary images and photos for class use.
AGRY 525 - Crop
Physiology and Ecology
Dr. Volenec has developed Agronomy 525 to provide advanced undergraduate and graduate
students with training in crop physiology. Volenec expands the knowledge acquired in plant
physiology and biochemistry courses to address challenges encountered in management and
genetic improvement of crops.
Professional Experience:
1993-1994, Research Fellow, AFRC Institute of Grassland and
Environmental Research,
Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
1992-present, Assistant Head, Agronomy Department, Purdue University
1992-present, Professor, Agronomy Department, Purdue University
1987-1992, Associate Professor, Agronomy Department, Purdue University
1983-1987, Assistant Professor, Agronomy Department, Purdue University
1979-1983, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri
1975-1979, Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin
Awards and Honors:
2005, Outstanding Teaching Award, Dept. of Agronomy (also 1994,
1997,
2001, 2004)
2002, Outstanding Counselor Award, Dept. of Agronomy
(also 2000)
1998-2003, Editor-in-Chief, Crop Science Society of America
1998, Merit Award, American Forage and Grassland Council
1997, Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
1994-1998, Editor, Crop Science
1993, CIBA-GEIGY Award in Agronomy
1993, Fellow, American Society of Agronomy
1993, Fellow, Crop Science Society of America
1993, Purdue University Agricultural Research Award
1992, Young Crop Scientist Award, Crop Science Society of America
1992-1993, Fellow, Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP)
1991, Indiana Forage Council Merit Award for Outstanding Contributions in Forage
Science
Education:
B.Sc., University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.Sc., University of Missouri-Columbia
Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia
Date joined staff: May 1983
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