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James Owen Jr
(Jim)
Research Horticulturist
Research Horticulturist
James (Jim) S. Owen Jr.
Application Technology Research Unit
1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio 44691
(757) 374-8153
Jim Owen’s research includes developing, designing, and optimizing systems that improve irrigation water security and water quality, and improve the quality of water leaving container production sites. His program is directed by ARS National Program 305-Crop Production. Jim is located at the Application Technology Research Unit (ATRU) in Wooster, Ohio. His research is national in scope and conducted across U.S. eco-physiographic regions. To accomplish this, Jim collaborates with a national team of scientists who are innovating production strategies for the greenhouse and nursery industries via funding by USDA-ARS, extramural grants, and the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative. Additionally, Jim oversees the USDA-ARS ATRU Environmental Horticultural Analytical Laboratories. His primary research today focuses on optimizing resource efficiency to reduce production costs, extend finite resources, namely water and mineral nutrients, and mitigate production impacts to ecosystems at local, regional, and national scales. Ongoing projects include:
- Quantifying mineral nutrient fate in containerized crop production to identify key opportunities to increase crop utilization
- Physio-chemically engineering soilless substrates to retain water and agrichemical resources while quickly growing a larger or equivalent crop
- Coupling and optimizing irrigation-container-substrate systems to maximize use of applied water, minimize agrichemical leaching, and reduce crop stress
- Characterizing and treating nursery and greenhouse irrigation return flow and storm runoff for reuse on site or discharge to the surrounding ecosystem
- Improving reservoir design to retain quality fresh water for nursery and greenhouse water security
A complete list of refereed and popular press publications can be found at Google Scholar and LinkedIn, respectively. Jim's most recent ARS scholarly contributions can be found under the “publications” tab below.
Please contact Jim if you are a stakeholder or scientist interested in collaborating on research to help address water-related challenges and opportunities in nursery and greenhouse production.
Research Experience
2006-2011 Assistant Professor, Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture, Aurora, OR
2011-2017 Assistant Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Horticulture, Virginia Beach, VA
2017-2020 Associate Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Beach, VA
2020-present GS-14, Research Horticulturist, USDA, ARS, Application Technology Research Unit, Wooster, OH
Educational Background
1996-1999 University of Kentucky; major, Plant and Soil Science; B.S. 1999
1999-2002 University of Rhode Island; major, Environmental Science; M.S. 2002
2002-2006 North Carolina State University; major, Horticultural Science; minor, Soil Science; Ph.D. 2006
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- Using native plant and synthetic genes to disrupt inositol pyrophosphates and phosphate accumulation in plants-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
- Examining a new laboratory method for packing soilless substrate to ensure consistent, appropriate bulk density when measuring static physical properties -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Alred, B., Owen Jr, J.S., Espinoza, A., Sun, X., Fulcher, A. 2024. Examining a new laboratory method for packing soilless substrate to ensure consistent, appropriate bulk density when measuring static physical properties. HortScience. 59(10):1477–1481. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17953-24. - Tinkering for profit: To stratify or not to stratify?-(Trade Journal)
Owen Jr, J.S., Fields, J.S. 2024. Tinkering for profit: To stratify or not to stratify?. Nursery Management. 40, 6, 10-12. - Identifying native bulk density for static physical properties analysis-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
- Leaching fraction-based irrigation schedule, coir-amended pine bark improve sustainability of H. paniculata ‘Jane’ production-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
- How natural resources, consumer perceptions, and labor are transforming the U.S. nursery industry -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fields, J.S., Nackley, L.L., Shreckhise, J.H., Bampasidou, M., Contreras, R.N., Kantrovich, A.J., Knuth, M.J., Owen Jr, J.S., White, S.A. 2024. How natural resources, consumer perceptions, and labor are transforming the U.S. nursery industry. HortTechnology. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-24-0005-PDN. - Conventional sphagnum peatlite substrate can be reduced by 50% in stratified substrate systems while growing equivalent size and quality Pentas lanceolata -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fields, J.S., Criscione, K.S., Owen Jr, J.S. 2024. Conventional sphagnum peatlite substrate can be reduced by 50% in stratified substrate systems while growing equivalent size and quality Pentas lanceolata. Scientia Horticulturae. 331. Article 113121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113121. - Tinkering for Profit: pH got you down? Here is a foolproof way to achieve your optimal pH!-(Popular Publication)
Owen Jr, J.S., Altland, J.E. 2024. Tinkering for Profit: pH got you down? Here is a foolproof way to achieve your optimal pH!. Nursery Management. 40(3):16-18. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/optimal-ph-substrate-mixing-nursery-production/. - Investigating the benefits of tectonite dust as an amendment for bark substrates and dryland crops -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Nackley, L., Van Lehman, L., Van Lehman, O., Owen Jr., J.S., Scagel, C.F. 2024. Investigating the benefits of tectonite dust as an amendment for bark substrates and dryland crops. Plants. 13(1). Article 126. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010126. - Stratified substrates enhance water storage and distribution between irrigation events -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Criscione, K.S., Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S., Gentimis, A. 2024. Stratified substrates enhance water storage and distribution between irrigation events. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 88(2): 387-402. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20636. - Tinkering for profit: Focus on fertilizer-(Popular Publication)
Owen Jr, J.S., Brown, F., Niemiera, A. 2024. Tinkering for profit: Focus on fertilizer. Nursery Management 40(1):14-15 (January).https://www.nurserymag.com/article/focus-on-fertilizer. - Tinkering for Profit: Focus on Fertilizer Part II-(Popular Publication)
Owen Jr, J.S., Brown, F., Niemiera, A. 2024. Tinkering for Profit: Focus on Fertilizer Part II. Nursery Management. 40(2):10-12. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/focusing-on-fertilizer/. - The pour-through procedure preferentially extracts substrate solution from the bottom of the container in conventional and stratified substrates -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Altland, J.E., Owen Jr, J.S. 2024. The pour-through procedure preferentially extracts substrate solution from the bottom of the container in conventional and stratified substrates. HortScience. 59(2):201–208. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17425-23. - Keep your nutrients in your plants-(Popular Publication)
Ammons, A., Lebude, A., Owen Jr, J.S. 2023. Keep your nutrients in your plants. Nursery and Landscape Notes. 50-52 (Fall). - Overcoming the nursery industry labor shortage: a survey of strategies to adapt to a reduced workforce and automation and mechanization technology adoption levels -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fulcher, A., Rihn, A., Warner, L., LeBude, A., Schexnayder, S., Altland, J.E., Baumgarner, N., Marble, C., Nackley, L., Palma, M., Velandia, M., Zhu, H., Gan, H., Owen Jr, J.S. 2023. Overcoming the nursery industry labor shortage: a survey of strategies to adapt to a reduced workforce and automation and mechanization technology adoption levels. HortScience. 58(12): 1513-1525. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17230-23. - Surveying North American specialty crop growers’ current use of soilless substrates and future research and education needs -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S., Lamm, A., Altland, J.E., Jackson, B., Oki, L., Samtani, J., Zheng, Y., Criscione, K.S. 2023. Surveying North American specialty crop growers’ current use of soilless substrates and future research and education needs. Agriculture. 13(9). Article #1727. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091727. - Type and duration of water stress influence host selection and colonization by exotic ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ranger, C.M., Parajuli, M., Gresham, S., Barnett, J.L., Villani, S., Walgenbach, J., Baysal-Gurel, F., Owen Jr, J.S., Reding, M.E. 2023. Type and duration of water stress influence host selection and colonization by exotic ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Frontiers in Insect Science. 3. Article #1219951. https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2023.1219951. - A 2023 perspective on inorganic nitrogen in soilless culture -(Review Article)
Owen Jr, J.S. 2024. A 2023 perspective on inorganic nitrogen in soilless culture. Acta Horticulturae. 1389:403-408. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1389.47. - Quantifying functional pore sizes in pine bark growing media -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wolcott, C.C., Owen Jr, J.S., Stewart, R.D. 2024. Quantifying functional pore sizes in pine bark growing media. Acta Horticulturae. 1389:215-226. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1389.24. - Soilless substrate stratification: a review of the past and looking forward -(Review Article)
Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S. 2024. Soilless substrate stratification: a review of the past and looking forward. Acta Horticulturae. 1389:61-66. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1389.7. - Container grown plants are gassy-(Proceedings)
Brown, F.J., Owen Jr, J.S., Niemiera, A. 2023. Container grown plants are gassy. International Plant Propagators Proceedings. 72:79-86. - Substrate stratification can be paired with strategic irrigation and improve container-water dynamics -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Criscione, K.S., Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S. 2023. Substrate stratification can be paired with strategic irrigation and improve container-water dynamics. Acta Horticulturae. 1377:553-558. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1377.68. - Root exploration, initial moisture conditions, and irrigation scheduling influence hydration of stratified and non-stratified substrates -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Criscione, K.S., Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S. 2022. Root exploration, initial moisture conditions, and irrigation scheduling influence hydration of stratified and non-stratified substrates. Horticulturae. 8(9). Article #826. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8090826. - Growth and quality response of four container-grown nursery crop species to low-phosphorus controlled-release fertilizer -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shreckhise, J.H., Owen Jr, J.S., Niemiera, A.X., Altland, J.E. 2022. Growth and quality response of four container-grown nursery crop species to low-phosphorus controlled-release fertilizer. HortTechnology. 32(5):447-458. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05058-22. - A fine line between phytotoxicity and blue when producing Hydrangea macrophylla in a nursery at a low substrate pH -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pietsch, G.M., Brindley, J.C., Owen Jr, J.S., Fulcher, A. 2022. A fine line between phytotoxicity and blue when producing Hydrangea macrophylla in a nursery at a low substrate pH. Horticulturae. 8. Article 690. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080690. - Water security: Investing in proper reservoir design helps growers achieve essential water security-(Popular Publication)
White, S.A., Owen Jr, J.S. 2022. Water security: Investing in proper reservoir design helps growers achieve essential water security. Greenhouse Management. Popular Publication. July 2022. https://www.greenhousemag.com/article/water--security/. - Effect of irrigation, fertilizer rate and placement, and two substrates on growth of rose and hydrangea -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ammons, A., LeBude, A.V., Owen Jr, J.S., McGinnis, M. 2022. Effect of irrigation, fertilizer rate and placement, and two substrates on growth of rose and hydrangea. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 40(3):123-128. https://doi.org/10.24266/2573-5586-40.3.123. - Water security: Investing in proper reservoir design helps growers achieve essential water security-(Popular Publication)
White, S.A., Owen Jr, J.S. 2022. Water security: Investing in proper reservoir design helps growers achieve essential water security. Nursery Management and Production. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/reservoir-design-water-security/. - A glimpse into the future of soilless substrates-(Popular Publication)
Owen Jr, J.S., Fields, J.S., Altland, J.E., Lamm, A., Jackson, B.E. 2022. A glimpse into the future of soilless substrates. Growertalks. 86(1):52-53. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=25715. - Defying gravity: Utilizing stratified growing media to invent the future-(Popular Publication)
Owen Jr, J.S., Fields, J.S., Altland, J.E. 2022. Defying gravity: Utilizing stratified growing media to invent the future. Nursery Management and Production. March 2022. 18-23. - Soilless substrate science for current and future growers-(Popular Publication)
Jackson, B.E., Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S., Altland, J.E. 2022. Soilless substrate science for current and future growers. Growertalks. 82(12):52-45. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=25658. - What are the relevant sources and factors affecting event mean concentrations (EMCs) of nutrients and sediment in stormwater? -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Behrouz, M., Yazdi, M., Sample, D.J., Scott, D., Owen Jr, J.S. 2022. What are the relevant sources and factors affecting event mean concentrations (EMCs) of nutrients and sediment in stormwater? Science of the Total Environment. 828. Article 154368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154368. - Soilless substrate science: Part 1 in a series on a collaborative effort to support our industry's needs for soilless sustrates-(Popular Publication)
Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S., Altland, J.E., Jackson, B.E., Lamm, A. 2022. Soilless substrate science: Part 1 in a series on a collaborative effort to support our industry's needs for soilless sustrates. Growertalks. 85(11):46-47 (March). - The relationship between drone speed and the number of flights in RFID tag reading for plant inventory -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Quino, J., Maja, J.M., Robbins, J., Owen Jr, J.S., Chappell, M., Camargo, J.N., Fernandez, R.T. 2021. The relationship between drone speed and the number of flights in RFID tag reading for plant inventory. Drones. 6(1). Article 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6010002. - The latest on growing media research-(Popular Publication)
Jackson, B.E., Fields, J.S., Altland, J.E., Owen Jr, J.S. 2022. The latest on growing media research. Growertalks. 85(9): 56-60.https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=25544. - Exploring water movement through stratified substrates-(Proceedings)
Criscione, K.S., Field, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S. 2022. Exploring water movement through stratified substrates. Combined Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators Society. 71:116-124. - Evaluating stratified substrates effect on containerized crop growth under varied irrigation strategies -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Criscione, K.S., Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S., Fultz, L., Bush, E. 2022. Evaluating stratified substrates effect on containerized crop growth under varied irrigation strategies. HortScience. 57(3):400-413. https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci16288-21. - Effect of residual pesticides in recycled nursery runoff on growth and physiology of six ornamental shrubs -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poudyal, S., Abdi, D., Owen Jr, J.S., Fernandez, R.T., Cregg, B. 2021. Effect of residual pesticides in recycled nursery runoff on growth and physiology of six ornamental shrubs. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 233. Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05468-7. - The basics of irrigation reservoirs for agriculture-(Experiment Station)
Sahoo, D., Yazdi, M.N., Owen Jr, J.S., White, S.A. 2021. The basics of irrigation reservoirs for agriculture. Clemson Cooperative Extension, Land-Grant Press by Clemson Extension.October. LGP 1121. https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/the-basics-of-irrigation-reservoirs-for-agriculture/. - Specialty crop retention reservoir performance and design considerations to secure quality water and mitigate non-point source runoff -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yazdi, M.N., Owen Jr, J.S., Lyon, S.W., White, S.A. 2021. Specialty crop retention reservoir performance and design considerations to secure quality water and mitigate non-point source runoff. Journal of Cleaner Production. 321. Article 128925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128925. - Reducing pesticide transport in surface and subsurface irrigation return flow in specialty crop production -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Abdi, D., Owen Jr, J.S., Wilson, P., Hinz, F., Cregg, B., Fernandez, R. 2021. Reducing pesticide transport in surface and subsurface irrigation return flow in specialty crop production. Agricultural Water Management. 256. Article 107124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.107124. - Substrate stratification: layering unique substrates within a container increases resource efficiency without impacting growth of shrub rose -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fields, J., Owen Jr, J.S., Altland, J.E. 2021. Substrate stratification: layering unique substrates within a container increases resource efficiency without impacting growth of shrub rose. Agronomy. 11(8). Article 1454. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081454. - Soilless substrate science: A north american needs assessment to steer soilless substrate research into the future -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fields, J., Owen Jr, J.S., Lamm, A., Altland, J.E., Jackson, B., Zheng, Y., Oki, L., Fonteno, K., Samtani, J., Campbell, B.T. 2021. Soilless substrate science: A north american needs assessment to steer soilless substrate research into the future. Acta Horticulturae. 1317:313-318. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1317.36. - RFID and drones: the next generation of plant inventory -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Quino, J., Maja, J., Robbins, J., Fernandez, R., Owen Jr, J.S., Chappell, M. 2021. RFID and drones: the next generation of plant inventory. AgriEngineering. 3(2):168-181. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering3020011. - Irrigation return flow and nutrient movement mitigation by irrigation method for container plant production -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Abdi, D.E., Owen Jr, J.S., Brindley, J.C., Birnbaum, A., Cregg, B.M., Fernandez, R.T. 2021. Irrigation return flow and nutrient movement mitigation by irrigation method for container plant production. Irrigation Science. 39:567-585. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-021-00727-1. - Relationship between particle size summation curves and the moisture characteristic curve for soilless substrates -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zazirska, M., Owen Jr, J.S., Altland, J.E., Field, J.S. 2021. Relationship between particle size summation curves and the moisture characteristic curve for soilless substrates. Acta Horticulturae. 1305:209-218. https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.2021.1305.29. - High pH, low alkalinity pond water used for overhead irrigation does not affect plant growth of select flowering shrubs -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
LeBude, A.V., Owen Jr, J.S., Holmes, C. 2021. High pH, low alkalinity pond water used for overhead irrigation does not affect plant growth of select flowering shrubs. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 39(1):22–32. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-39.1.22. - The use of dewpoint hygrometry to measure low water potentials in soilless substrate components and composites -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fields, J.S., Fonteno, W.C., Jackson, B.E., Heitman, J.L., Owen Jr, J.S. 2020. The use of dewpoint hygrometry to measure low water potentials in soilless substrate components and composites. Agronomy. 10(9):Article 1393. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091393. - Phosphorus requirement for biomass accumulation is higher compared to photosynthetic biochemistry for three ornamental shrubs -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poudyal, S., Owen Jr, J.S., Sharkey, T.D., Fernandez, R.T., Cregg, B. 2020. Phosphorus requirement for biomass accumulation is higher compared to photosynthetic biochemistry for three ornamental shrubs. Scientia Horticulturae. 275. Article 109719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2020.109719. - Sensitivity of Hydrangea paniculata plants to residual herbicides in recycled irrigation varies with plant growth stage -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poudyal, S., Owen Jr, J.S., Fernandez, R.D., Cregg, B. 2020. Sensitivity of Hydrangea paniculata plants to residual herbicides in recycled irrigation varies with plant growth stage. Water. 12(5):1402. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12051402. - Modeling water fluxes through containerized soilless substrates using HYDRUS -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fields, J.S., Owen Jr, J.S., Stewart, R.D., Heitman, J.L., Caron, J. 2020. Modeling water fluxes through containerized soilless substrates using HYDRUS. Vadose Zone Journal. 19(1):e20031. https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20031. - Improving nutrient management in the cultivation of ornamental plants in greenhouse, container and field production (Chapter 11)-(Book / Chapter)
Majsztrik, J., Owen Jr, J.S. 2020. Improving nutrient management in the cultivation of ornamental plants in greenhouse, container and field production (Chapter 11). In: Marcelis, L. and E. Heuvelink. Achieving sustainable greenhouse cultivation. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK. 23 pp. - Managing irrigation by measuring leachate-(Popular Publication)
Oki, L.R., Owen Jr, J.S. 2020. Managing irrigation by measuring leachate. Greenhouse Product News. 30(4):26-27. - Dolomite and micronutrient fertilizer affect phosphorus fate when growing crape myrtle in pine bark -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shreckhise, J.H., Owen Jr, J.S., Eick, M.J., Niemiera, A.X., Altland, J.E., Jackson, B.E. 2020. Dolomite and micronutrient fertilizer affect phosphorus fate when growing crape myrtle in pine bark. HortScience. 55(6)832-840. https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci14558-20.
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