E-mail:dr27@umail.umd.edu
Rm. 1431, Bldg. #142

Extension appointment with interests in greenhouse production and in post harvest quality maintenance of fruits and vegetables. Dr. Ross's interests include trickle irrigation and other water conservation methods, mechanical control of greenhouse insects and diseases, and shelf life extension of horticultural crops.

USDA Portacooler - In our post harvest cooling program, we are stressing to small growers the need to: a) sort and grade produce out of the field, b) package the produce properly for the market, c) immediately cool the produce to remove field heat.

This small cooler uses a 12,000 BTU/hr (1 ton) 110 volt room window air conditioner to cool air inside the insulated box. The cool air inside the front of the box is forced through the produce by a pressure fan in a second wall inside. The return air passes under a false floor to the front of the box.

The Portacooler was built by a cooperating team at USDA, Beltsville, Maryland, to primarily cool highly perishable berries and other air cooled produce. For more information go to the following pubs: 1) USDA Transportation Tip -- The Portacooler -- October 1993 2) Post Harvest Cooling/Storage for Cut Flowers -- Ross 3) More Details on the USDA Portacooler Cooling System 4) FACTS 177 -- Post Harvest Physiology and Quality Control -- Fruits and Vegetables 5) FACTS 178 -- Post Harvest Cooling Basics.

Recently installed at a regional farmer's market, this cold storage room will be used in our post harvest handling program (multidisciplinary team) to teach post harvest cooling and marketing methods.

Incoming produce will need to be properly sorted, graded, and packaged for the market. A forced air cooling system in the room will be used to help remove field heat efficiently. Then the produce can be stored until moved to market.

- Year round use of a greenhouse requires a proper heating system, staged ventilation capable of one air change per minute, and an internal air circulation system to maintain a uniform environment. Horizontal air flow fans are used during the heating season to maintain uniform temperatures. The environmental system plays a major role in any IPM program to reduce disease. Insect screening controls the entry of insects.

Temperature Sensors - An aspirated thermistor senses the greenhouse air temperature near the plants to provide input for control of heating and cooling.

Tensiometers - The substrate moisture is monitored in the plant root zone. The switching tensiometer can turn the irrigation system on when water is required. A trickle irrigation system delivers the water.

Publications

A publications summary follows:

1. 20 Refereed journal articles and booklets
2. 12 Refereed conference proceedings
3. 21 Refereed book chapters
4. 11 MCES peer reviewed fact sheets
5. 42 ENBE peer reviewed fact sheets (59 editions)
6. 1 Electronic publication - web site
7. 7 National published conference abstracts
8. 46 Non-refereed proceedings articles -- Extension and research
9. 49 Articles in national trade magazines
10. 190 Articles in Extension and Maryland trade newsletters
11. 10 Manuals
12. 4 Impact statements
13. 21 Quarterly and annual reports
14. 334 Articles in departmental TOPICS newsletter - editor of 71 editions

Refereed Articles and Booklets

2004

Murray, J.D., J.D. Lea-Cox, D.S. Ross and B. Momen. 2004.  The Variability of Time Domain Reflectometry Measurements with Matric Potential in Various Soilless Substrates. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. (In review)

Murray, J.D., J.D. Lea-Cox, D.S. Ross and G.F Deitzer. 2004.  Determination of Plant Water Use and Scheduling Irrigation in Soilless Substrates Using Time Domain Reflectometry.  J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. (In review)

2002

Lea-Cox, J.D., E.N. Varley, D.S. Ross and K.M. Teffeau. 2002. Using Web-Based Distance Learning Methods to Teach Nutrient Management Planners. HortTechnology. 121(4):736-740. (peer reviewed)

2001

Lea-Cox, J.D. and D.S. Ross.  December 2001.  A Review of the Federal Clean Water and the Maryland Water Quality Improvement Act: The Rationale for Developing a Water and Nutrient Management Process for Container Nursery and Greenhouse Operations.  J. Env. Hort.  19(4):226-229. (peer reviewed)

Lea-Cox, J.D., D.S. Ross and K.M. Teffeau.  December 2001.  A Water and Nutrient Management Process for Container Nursery and Greenhouse Production Systems.  J. Env. Hort.  19(4):230-236. (peer reviewed)

1997

Ross, D.S. 1997. Trickle Irrigation for Cut Flowers, Vegetables and Small Fruit. Bulletin 356. University of Maryland, Cooperative Extension Service. 23 pp. (peer reviewed)

1995

Ross, D.S. and J.W. Bartok, Jr. 1995. On-Farm Agrichemical Handling Facilities. NRAES-78. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service. Ithaca, NY. 23 pp. (peer reviewed)

1992

Ross, D.S. 1992. Greenhouse Heating, Circulation and Ventilation Systems. Bulletin 351. University of Maryland, Cooperative Extension Service. 14 pp. (peer reviewed)

1988

Ross, D.S. 1988. Bibliography of Greenhouse and Plant Growth Facilities. NRAES-29. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service. Ithaca, NY. 14 pp. (peer reviewed)

1987

Ross, D.S. 1987. Pesticide Sprayers for Small Farms. Bulletin 317. University of Maryland, Cooperative Extension Service. 24 pp. Reprinted and distributed by NRAES. (peer reviewed)

1985

Ross, D.S. and H.L. Brodie. 1985. Soil Moisture Sensors for Irrigation Management. Bulletin 312. University of Maryland, Cooperative Extension Service. 10 pp. (peer reviewed)

1982

Bartok, Jr., J.W., D.S. Ross, J. White, W.J. Roberts, R.A. Aldrich, and R.A. Parsons. 1982. Solar Greenhouses for the Home. NRAES-2. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service. Ithaca, NY. 60 pp. (peer reviewed)

Funt, R.C., L R. Krusberg, D.S. Ross, and B.L. Goulart. 1982. Effect of Post-plant Nematicides and Trickle Irrigation on Newly Planted Peach Trees. J. Amer. Soc. of Hort. Sci. 107(5): 891-895. (peer reviewed)

1980

Ross, D.S. 1980. Planning the Educational Greenhouse. The Agricultural Education Magazine 53(6): 13-15. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S., R.A. Parsons, and H.E. Carpenter. 1985. Second Edition. Trickle Irrigation in the Eastern United States. NRAES-4. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service. Ithaca, NY. 25 pp. (1980, First Edition, Ross, D.S., R.A. Parsons, W.R. DeTar, H.H. Fries, D.D. Davis, C.W. Reynolds, H.E. Carpenter and E.D. Markwardt, 23 pp.) (peer reviewed)

1979

Brodie, H.L., L.E. Carr and D.S. Ross. 1979. Planning Irrigation in Maryland. Bulletin 233. University of Maryland, Cooperative Extension Service. 1979. 48 pp. (peer reviewed)

1978

Ross, D.S., W.J. Roberts, R.A. Parsons, J.W. Bartok, Jr. and R.A. Aldrich. 1978. Energy Conservation and Solar Heating for Greenhouses. NRAES-3. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service. Ithaca, NY. 48 pp. (peer reviewed)

1976

Aldrich, R.A., W.A. Bailey, J.W. Bartok, Jr., W.J. Roberts and D.S. Ross. 1976. Hobby Greenhouses and Other Gardening Structures. NE-77. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service. Ithaca, NY. 61 pp. (peer reviewed)

1975

Ross, D.S., R.A. Aldrich, D.E. Younkin, G.W. Sherritt and J.A. McCurdy. 1975. Exhaust Systems for Underfloor Liquid Manure Pits. ASAE Proceedings 3rd International Symposium on Livestock Wastes 3:366-368. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S., R.A. Aldrich, S.P.E. Persson and J.W. Mastalerz. 1975. Simulation of Bedding Plant Production. Trans. ASAE 18(1): 152-155. (peer reviewed) (Also, In: Greenhouse and Nursery Mechanization: A Compilation of Published Papers. 1983. ASAE Publ. No. 0183. pp. 91-94.)

Book Chapters

2004

Ross, D.S. et al. 2004. Total Crop Management: A Guide to Greenhouse Crop Production. NRAES-158. Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES). Ithaca, NY. (Accepted, peer reviewed)

Lea-Cox, J.D., D.S. Ross and R.W. Wright. 2004.  "Water and Nutrient Management Planning."  In: Best Management Practices -- Guide for Producing Container-Grown Plants (2nd Ed.).  Southern Nursery Association. Atlanta, GA. (In Review) Invited

Ross, D.S.  2004.  "Drip Irrigation and Water Management."  Chapter 3.  In: Lamont, W. (ed.) Using Plasticulture for Vegetables, Strawberries and Cut Flowers.  Natural Resource, Agriculture and Engineering Service (NRAES).  NRAES-133.  In press.

2003

Ross, D.S. and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2003. "Water and Nutrient Management Planning." Chapter 11, pp. 145-148. In: Gill, S. (ed.) Total Crop Management of Herbaceous Perennial Plants. 2nd ed. EB 359. Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland. 176 pp. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S. 2003. "Irrigation," Chapter 10, pp. 135-143. In: Gill, S. (ed.) Total Plant Management of Herbaceous Perennials. 2nd ed. EB 359. Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland. 176 pp. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S. 2003. "Pesticide Application Equipment." Chapter 7, pp. 109-120. In: Gill, S. (ed.) Total Plant Management of Herbaceous Perennials. 2nd ed. EB 359. Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland. 176 pp.

Ross, D.S. 2003. "Fertigation Equipment and Procedures." Chapter 9, pp. 129-134. In: Gill S., (ed.) Total Plant Management of Herbaceous Perennials. 2nd ed. EB 359. Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland. 176 pp.

2002

Ross, D.S. 2002.  "Screening Out Insects." Chapter 3. Pages 29-32. In: Total Crop Management for Greenhouse Production (with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management). Bulletin 363. Maryland Cooperative Extension. University of Maryland. 215 pp. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S. 2002.  "Pesticide Application Equipment -- Selection and Calibration." Chapter 4. Pages 33-37. In: Total Crop Management for Greenhouse Production (with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management). Bulletin 363. Maryland Cooperative Extension. University of Maryland. 215 pp. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S. 2002.  "Greenhouse Systems -- Selection and Placement." Chapter 13. Pages 121-124. In: Total Crop Management for Greenhouse Production (with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management). Bulletin 363. Maryland Cooperative Extension. University of Maryland. 215 pp. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S. 2002.  "Provide a Good Growing Environment -- Temperature and Humidity." Chapter 14. Pages 125-136. In: Total Crop Management for Greenhouse Production (with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management). Bulletin 363. Maryland Cooperative Extension. University of Maryland. 215 pp. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S. 2002.  "Water Supply, Irrigation, and Management."  Chapter 17. Pages 145-152. In: Gill, S. Total Crop Management for Greenhouse Production (with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management). Bulletin 363. Maryland Cooperative Extension. University of Maryland. 215 pp. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S. 2002.  "Fertilizer Injection or Fertigation." Chapter 21. Pages 161-165. In: Gill S. (ed.) Total Crop Management for Greenhouse Production (with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management). Bulletin 363. Maryland Cooperative Extension. University of Maryland. 215 pp. (peer reviewed)

1999

Ross, D.S. 1999. "Pesticide Application Equipment." Chapter 7. pp 69-77. In: Gill, S. A. (ed.) Total Crop Management of Herbaceous Perennial Plants. Bulletin 359. University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. 93 pp. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S. 1999. "Nutrient Management and Fertilization of Herbaceous Perennials: Fertigation." Chapter 8. pp. 79-81. In: Gill, S. A. (ed.) Total Crop Management of Herbaceous Perennial Plants. Bulletin 359. University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. 93 pp. (peer reviewed)

Ross, D.S. 1999. "Water Management and Irrigation." Chapter 10. pp. 85-89. In: Gill, S. A. (ed.) Total Crop Management of Herbaceous Perennial Plants. Bulletin 359. University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. 93 pp. (peer reviewed)

1994

Ross, D.S. 1994. "Reducing Water Use Under Nursery and Landscape Conditions." Chapter 3, pp. 21-35. In: Recycling and Resource Conservation Practices: A Reference Guide for Nursery and Landscape Industries. Pennsylvania Nurserymen's Association. Harrisburg, PA. 197 pp. (peer reviewed)

1978

Gunkel, W. and D.S. Ross. 1978. "Power Sources, Equipment for Life on a Few Acres." Chapter 16. pp. 153-164. In: Living on a Few Acres. 1978 Yearbook of Agriculture. United States Department of Agriculture. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C. (peer reviewed)

Link, C. and D.S. Ross. 1978. "Year-round Gardening with a Greenhouse." Chapter 26. pp. 236-243. In: Living on a Few Acres. 1978 Yearbook of Agriculture. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C. (peer reviewed)

1977

Ross, D.S. 1977. Structures - From Trellis to Greenhouse. Chapter 9. pp. 61-70. In: Gardening for Food and Fun. 1977 Yearbook of Agriculture. United States Department of Agriculture. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C. (peer reviewed)

1976

Ross, D.S. and R.A. Aldrich. 1976. "Production Operations Analysis." Chapter 31. pp. 386-397. In: Mastalerz, J. W., ed. Bedding Plants. 2nd ed. Pennsylvania Flower Growers. University Park, PA. (peer reviewed)

Maryland Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet Series

Reviewed by three or four peer faculty members in department and occasionally by faculty in other departments or states. Edited by MCES Information and Publications Department.

1999

Gill, S.A., T. Blessington, E.M. Dutky, R. Balge, D.S. Ross, G. Rosenkranz, B. Butler, S. Klick, and R. Reeser. 1999. Production of Lisianthus as a Cut Flower. Fact Sheet 770. University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. 12 pp. (peer reviewed)

Butler, Sr., B.R. and D.S. Ross. 1999. Extending the Production Season for Vegetables and Small Fruit. Fact Sheet 760. University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. 7 pp. (peer reviewed)

Balge, R., S. Gill, E. Dutky, T. Blessington, D.S. Ross, B. Butler, G. Rosenkranz and S. Klick. 1999. Production of Purple Coneflower as a Cut Flower. Fact Sheet 731. Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland. 8 pp. (peer reviewed)

1998

Gill, S. A., T. Blessington, E. Dutky, R. Balge, D.S. Ross, B. Butler, G. Rosenkranz, and S. Klick. 1998. Producing Anemone as a Cut Flower. Fact Sheet 753. Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland. 8 pp. (peer reviewed)

1997

Gill, S., E. Dutky, R. Balge, T. Blessington, D. Ross, B. Butler, G. Rosenkranz, and S. Klick. 1997. Producing Larkspur as Cut Flowers. Fact Sheet 713. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland. 12 pp. (peer reviewed)

1996

Gill, S.A., D.S. Ross, R. Balge, T. Blessington, W. MacLachlan, M. Teffeau, G. Rosenkranz, and R. Stewart. 1996. Maryland Nursery Nutrient Management Survey Report. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland. 17 pp.

1995

Ross, D.S. and K.M. Teffeau. 1995. Greenhouse Float Systems for Transplant Production. Fact Sheet 690. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland. 4 pp. (peer reviewed)

1994

Ross, D. S. 1994. Planning a Home Greenhouse. Fact Sheet 645. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland System. 8 pp. Reprinted 1996. (peer reviewed)

1993

Gill, S.A., D.S. Ross and J.C. Hanson. December 1993. Starting a Plant Nursery Enterprise: Specializing in Shade Trees. Fact Sheet 661. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland System. 8 pp. (peer reviewed)

Gill, S.A., D.S. Ross and J.C. Hanson. December 1993. Starting a Plant Nursery Enterprise: Introduction and Regulations. Fact Sheet 660. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland System. 8 pp. (peer reviewed)

1992

Ross, D. S. 1992. Hotbeds and Coldframes for Starting Annual Plants. Fact Sheet 633. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland System. 7 pp. (peer reviewed)

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