RICHARD E. PLANT, Professor

Ph.D., Theoretical and Applications Mechanics, Cornell University, 1975
Department of Agronomy and Range Science / Biological and Agricultural Engineering
209 Hunt Hall
Phone: 752-1705
Email: replant@ucdavis.edu

Current Research

Professor Plant focuses his research on applications of computer science, applied mathematics, and statistics in crop production and resource management. Geographic information systems are applied to landscape-level problems in applied ecology. Mathematical and statistical methods are used to study problems of spatial variability and its effects on crop production.

A primary research area is site-specific crop management. This is an ongoing project to study spatial variability in soil properties and its effect on crop management. Statistical and geographic information system analysis is used to determine the causes of variability observed in yield maps. A major focus is placed on the use of remotely sensed information. Based on the analysis, management strategies to maximize input use efficiency are developed. The project also studies the economic and environmental consequences of the use of uniform management practices on spatially heterogeneous fields, and the economic tradeoffs between uniform and site-specific farm management.

A second area of research is in the application of geographic information systems and other spatial analysis technology to the study of landscape level problems in crop production. One current project involves the analysis of patterns of water use in rice production in the Sacramento Valley. A second project is focused on the development of improved water management practices for upland rice production in East Asia.

Representative Recent Publications

Roel, A. and R.E. Plant. Spatiotemporal Analysis of Rice Yield Variability in two California Fields. Agronomy Journal 95:77-90 (2004)

Roel, A. and R.E. Plant. Factors Underlying Yield Variability in Two California Rice Fields. Agronomy Journal 96:1481-1494 (2004)

Horney, R.D., B. Taylor, B., D.S. Munk, B.A. Roberts, S.M. Lesch, and R.E. Plant. Development of Practical Site-Specific Management Methods for Reclaiming Salt-Affected Soil. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 46: 379-397 (2005).

Roel, A., R.G. Mutters, J.W. Eckert, and R.E. Plant. Effect of Low Water Temperature on Rice Yield in California. Agronomy Journal 97: 943-948 (2005)

Membership in Professional Societies

American Society of Agricultural Engineers
American Society of Agronomy

Courses Offered

ABT 180 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
ABT 185 – Concepts and Methods in Geographic Information Systems
EBS 265 - Design and Analysis of Engineering Experiments

Research Support

California Department of Food and Agriculture, Fertilizer Research and Education Program
California Rice Research Board
Cotton Incorporated
National Science Foundation