Dr. Wulsters primary research interest is in the modification of crop growth and development using chemical and environment methods. Current research interests are directed toward two main areas: 1) factors affecting the efficiency of roots of container growth ornamental crops in the acquisition of nitrate; and 2) the use of cultural and chemical practices to modify plant growth to achieve new marketing opportunities for greenhouse producers in New Jersey. The first research area is directed toward clarifying how environmental, chemical, and cultural manipulations impact the acquisition of nitrate by ornamental crops with the long term objective to reduce nitrogen fertilizer application without reducing crop quality and productivity. An understanding of nutrient use efficiency will become increasingly important as ground and surface water pollution becomes a major issue at the state and federal level, and rational alternatives are needed to improve fertilizer practices in the ornamentals industry. The second research area is intended to provide New Jersey greenhouse producers with some novel commodities by modifying the growth habit of heretofore unsuitable crops for container production, using environmental manipulations and/or plant regulation (PGR) compounds.

Information on latest research and applications for Plant Growth Regulators, both chemical and cultural, that can be applied to greenhouse production in New Jersey.  Chemical Plant Growth Regulators contribute to both an increase in volume and a diversity in offerings for commercial greenhouses.