Joshua Craver
Controlled Environment Horticulture
Assistant Professor
USC 420B
970-491-7683 office
joshua.craver@colostate.edu
Research Interests:
My research focuses on enhancing the production of vegetable and floriculture crops in controlled environments. Specifically, this research aims to evaluate whole-plant physiological and morphological responses to the environment and then utilize this information to 1) optimize the timing and extent of production inputs; 2) improve the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources; and 3) increase the productivity and quality of crops produced in controlled environments. Much of my research focuses on plant photobiology and lighting optimization for both greenhouse (supplemental lighting) and indoor (sole-source lighting) applications using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). By enhancing our fundamental understanding of how plants respond to the environment, I hope to provide practical applications and solutions for the growing controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry.
Another area of research I am passionate about is the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). The objective of this research is to further our understanding of how we learn and to find new and exciting ways to engage and assist in student development. I see great value in the implementation of experiential learning opportunities within the field of CEA. With the utilization of highly controlled environments and complex systems for the indoor production of horticultural crops, there is great potential for the development of effective hands-on teaching and outreach methods. There is currently a need for more research regarding SoTL in the plant sciences, and I hope to incorporate such research within my program for the benefit of the both the students in the classroom as well as the advancement of the discipline.
Selected Publications
Craver, J.K., J.K. Boldt and R.G. Lopez. (in press). “Radiation intensity and quality from sole-source light-emitting diodes (LEDs) affect seedling quality and subsequent flowering of long-day bedding plant species.” HortSci.
Craver, J.K., J.R. Gerovac, D.A. Kopsell, and R.G. Lopez. 2017. Light intensity and light quality from sole-source light-emitting diodes impact phytochemical concentrations within Brassica microgreens. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 142(1):3-12.
Gerovac, J.R., J.K. Craver, J.K. Boldt, and R.G. Lopez. 2016. Light intensity and quality from sole-source light-emitting diodes impact growth, morphology, and nutrient content of Brassica microgreens. HortSci. 51(5):497-503.
Craver, J.K., C.T. Miller, K.A. Williams and N. Bello. 2014. UVB radiation affects intumescence development in ornamental sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). HortSci. 49:1277-1283.
Craver, J.K., C.T. Miller, K.A. Williams and D.L. Boyle. 2014. Characterization and comparison of lesions on ornamental sweetpotato ‘Blackie’, tomato ‘Maxifort’, interspecific geranium ‘Caliente Coral’, and bat-faced cuphea ‘Tiny Mice’. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 139(5):603-615.
Craver, J.K. and K.A. Williams. 2014. Assessing student learning from an experiential module in a greenhouse management course using hydroponics and recirculating solution culture. HortTechnology 24(5):610-617.
Curriculum Vitae
Highlights
Coming Soon