Dr. Wenjing Guan
Dr. Wenjing Guan comes to Purdue from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she was a Horticultural Specialist working on season extension for vegetable production. She was involved in research projects to establish planting calendars for organically produced warm season (tomato, cucumber and pepper) and cool season (lettuce, spinach and pak choi) vegetables in high tunnels, and participated in strawberry variety evaluation under organically managed high tunnel systems.
Wenjing received her Ph.D. at the University of Florida, with the dissertation project focusing on specialty melon production and vegetable grafting. She conducted specialty melon variety evaluations under conventional and organic production systems in Florida, and investigated yield, disease resistance and fruit quality of melons grafted onto hybrid squash and African horned cucumber rootstocks. Her research showed grafting is a promising practice to control soil-borne diseases and could potentially increase yield.
Taking the position as a horticulturist at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, Wenjing will establish a research and extension program on vegetable and melon production with an emphasis on sustainable production systems. Her specific interests include season extension techniques, alternative production systems, fruit quality, plant nutrient management, and innovative cultural and pest management practices. Her long-time research goal is to increase on-farm profitability while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Wenjing’s research and extension program will be established based on the needs of stakeholders in Indiana. She welcomes comments and suggestions from vegetable growers and industry representatives all over the state. Please do not hesitate to contact her if you have any questions: guan40@purdue.edu, 812-886-0198, or (cell) 352-870-4696.