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RICH MARINI

Department Head and Professor of Horticulture
Joined the department in July 2004

102 Tyson Building
University Park, PA 16802

Ph: 814-865-2571
Email: rpm12@psu.edu


Appointment:
  Administration (100%) - Chief administrative officer responsible for academic discipline leadership. Major areas of responsibility include maintaining and enhancing the growth of programs in resident instruction, extension, and research, as well as administrative responsibility for academic affairs, personnel, finances, and facilities. Other responsibilites include strengthening relationships with other departments, horticultural industries, government, and other public and private clientele.
 
Education:
 

PhD., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University -- Horticulture, 1981
M.S., University of Vermont -- Plant and Soil Science, 1978
B.S., University of Massachusetts -- Plant and Soil Science, 1974
 
Professional Experience
2004- Present: Professor and Head, Dept. of Horticulture, Penn State University
  1997-2004: Professor, Dept. of Horticulture, Virginia Tech
  1985-1997: Associate Professor, Dept. of Horticulture, Virginia Tech
  1981-1985: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Horticulture, Rutgers University
 
Honors, Distinctions and Awards:
 
  • Fellow: The American Society for Horticultural Science, highest award presented by the Society
  • The Peach Award, presented by the National Peach Council for outstanding contributions to the peach industry
  • The Sheppard Award, presented by the American Pomological Society, for the best scientific paper in the Fruit Varieties Journal, 1990
  • Who's Who in Science and Technology, 1985
  • The Research Award, presented by Virginia Tech Chapter of Sigma Xi, 1981
  • Who's Who in Frontiers of Science and Technology, 2nd Edition
 
Research Interests:
 
  1. Apple Fruit Abscission - Experiments are being conducted to identify the factors influencing fruit abscission at thinning time and at harvest time. Some of the factors being studied include environmental factors, pollination and seed number, canopy position, and number of fruit per spur. Combinations of plant growth substances are also being evaluated for chemical fruit thinning.
  2. Light and Fruit Quality - Studies are being conducted to determine the influence of light and canopy position on ground color and overcolor development of peach fruit. The relationship between ground color and flesh firmness is also being evaluated for peach.
  3. Training and Pruning of Apple and Peach Trees - Apple trees are being trained to three systems on several rootstocks to determine which system is most profitable. Five different support systems are being compared for training 'Golden Delicious' trees to the vertical axis system. Three peach genotypes with different growth habits are being trained to the central leader or open-vase system to evaluate their commercial potential.
  4. Insect/Host-Plant Interactions - Economic threshold levels have been established for white apple leafhopper and European red mite on apple. Nine apple genotypes have been evaluated in the field for susceptiblility to major arthropod pests of apple. Nine genotypes were evaluated under laboratory conditions for Japanese beetle feeding preference. Feeding preference was associated with concentrations of certain phenolics in the leaves.
  5. Apple Rootstock Evaluations - Rootstocks are being evaluated in two NC-140 multi-location rootstock trials. I also coordinate both rootstock trials.
 
Recent Publications:
 
  • Marini, R.P.,  J.L. Anderson, W.R. Autio, B.H. Barritt, J. Cline, W.P. Cowgill, Jr., R.C. Crassweller, R.M. Garner, A. Gauss, R. Godin, G.M. Greene, C. Hampson, P. Hirst, M.M. Kushad, E. Mielke, R. Moran, C.A. Mullins, M. Parker, R.L. Perry, J.P. Privé, G.L. Reighart, T. Robinson, C.R. Rom, T. Roper, J.R. Schupp, E. Stover, and R. Unrath. 2006. Performance of ‘Gala’ Apple trees on 18 Dwarfing Rootstocks: Ten-Year Summary of the 1994 NC-140 Rootstock Trial. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 60: 69 – 83.
  • Marini, R. P.,  B. H. Barritt, G. R. Brown, J. Cline, W. P. Cowgill, Jr., R. M. Crassweller, P. A. Domoto, D. C. Ferree, J. Garner, G. M. Greene, C. Hampson, P. Hirst,  M. M. Kushad,  J. Masabni, E.Mielke, R. Moran, C. A. Mullins, M. Parker, R. L. Perry, J. P.  Privé, G. L. Reighard, T. Robinson, C. R. Rom, T. Roper, J. R. Schupp, E. Stover, and R. Unrath. 2006. Performance of ‘Gala’ Apple on Four Semi-Dwarf Rootstocks: A Ten-Year Summary of the 1994 NC-140 Semi-Dwarf Rootstock Trial. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 60: 58 – 68.
  • Pathange, L.P., Pl Millikargunan, R.P. Marini, S. O’Keefe, and D. Vaughan. 2006. Non-destructive evaluation of apple maturity using an electronic nose system. J. Food Eng. 77:1018-1024.
  • White, S.A., H.L. Scoggins, R.P. Marini, and J.G. Latimer. 2005. Multivariate repeated measures analysis of plant growth regulators on Tradescantia virginian. HortScience 40:404-408.
  • Marini, R.P. and J.A. Barden. 2004. Yield , fruit size, red color, and a partial economic analysis for ‘Delicious’ and ‘Empire’ in the NC-140 1994 systems Trial in Virginia. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 58: 4-11.
  • Lo Giudice, T.K. Wolf, and R.P. Marini 2003. Vegetative response of Vitis vinifera to prohexadione-calcium. HortScience 38:1435-1438.
  • Marini, R.P. 2003. Fruitlet size and position within the cluster influence apple fruitlet susceptibility to chemical thinners. J. Hort. Sci. & Biotechnology 78:813-820.
  • Seeman, B., S. Sumner, R. Marini, and K. Kniel. 2003. Internalization of Escherichia coli in apples under natural conditions. Dairy food and Environmental Sanitation. 22:667-673.
  • Marini, R.P. 2003. Peach yield, fruit weight, and crop value are affected by number off fruiting shoots per tree. HortScience 38: 512-514.
  • Marini, R.P. 2003. Approaches to analyzing experiments with factorial arrangements of treatments plus other treatments. HortScience 38:117-120.
  • Lewallen, K.S. and R.P. Marini. 2003. Relationship between flesh firmness and ground color in peach as influenced by light and canopy position. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 128:163-170.
  • Marini, R.P., M.L. Parker, J.A. Barden, and C.R. Unrath. 2003. The effect of eight dwarf rootstocks on burrknot development on ‘Gala’ apple trees at two locations. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 57:93-96.
  • Marini, R.P. 2002. Heading fruiting shoots before bloom is equally effective as blossom removal in peach crop load management. HortScience 37:642-646.
  • Marini, R.P., J.A. Barden, J.A. Cline, R.L. Perry, and T. Robinson. 2002. Effect of apple rootstocks on average ‘Gala’ fruit weight at four locations after adjusting for crop load. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127:749-753.
  • Marini, R.P., J.A. Barden, and J.R. Schupp. 2001. Wind effects on apple in the eastern United States. HortScience  36:247-249
  • Marini, R.P. 2002. Thinning ‘Golden Delicious’ and spur ‘Delicious’ with combinations of carbamates and NAA. HortScience 37:534-538.
  • Marini, R.P. 2002. Experience with thinning: what factors contribute to contradicting results? HortScience 37(3): 484-486.
  • Marini, R.P. 2002. Thinning 'Golden Delicious' and spur 'Delicious' with combinations of carbamates and NAA. HortScience. 37(3):In Press.
  • Marini, R.P. 2002. Experience with thinning: what factors contribute to contradicting results? HortScience 37(3):In Press.
  • Marini, R.P. 2002. Heading fruiting shoots before bloom is equally effective as blossom removal in peach crop load management. HortScience 37(4):In Press.
  • Marini, R.P. 2003. Approaches to analyzing experiments with factorial arrangements of treatments plus other treatments. HortScience 38: In Press.
  • Marini, R.P., J.A. Barden, J.A. Cline, R.L. Perry, and T. Robinson. 2002. Effect of apple rootstocks on average 'Gala' fruit weight at four locations after adjusting for crop load. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127:In Press.
  • Marini, R.P. 2001. Estimating mean fruit weight and mean fruit value for apple trees: comparison of two sampling methods with the true mean. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 126:503-510.
  • Marini, R.P., B.H. Barritt, J.A. Barden, J. Cline, R.L. Granger, M.M. Kushad, M. Parker, R.L. Perry, T. Robinson, S. Khanizadeh, and  C.R. Unrath. 2001. Performance of ‘Gala’ Apple on Eight Dwarf Rootstocks: Ten-Year Summary of the 1990 NC-140 Rootstock Trial. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 55:197-204.
  • Marini, R.P., B.H. Barritt, J.A. Barden, J. Cline, E.E. Hoover, R.L. Granger, M.M. Kushad, M. Parker, R.L. Perry, T. Robinson, S. Khanizadeh, and  C.R. Unrath. 2001. Performance of Ten Apple Orchard Systems: Ten -Year Summary of the 1990 NC-140 Systems Trial. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 55:222-238.
  • Barden, J.A. and R.P. Marini. 2001. Yield, fruit size, red color, and estimated crop value in the NC-140 1990 cultivar/rootstock trial in Virginia. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 55:154-158.   
  • Barden, J. A. and R.P. Marini. 2001. Comparison of methods to express growth, size, and productivity of apple trees. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 55:251-256.
  • Marini, R.P. 2001. Combinations of ethephon and excel for thinning ‘Delicious apple trees. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 129: 179-181.
  • Ward, D.L., R.P. Marini, and R.E. Byers. 2001. Relationships among day of year of drop, seed content, and weight of mature apple fruit. HortScience 36:45-48.
  • Marini, R.P., J.A. Barden, and J.R. Schupp. 2001. Wind effects on apple in the eastern United States. HortScience 36 (2) .
  • Barden, J. A. and R.P. Marini. 2001. Comparison of methods to express growth, size, and productivity of apple trees. J. Amer. Pomol. soc. 55:251-256.
  • Marini, R.P. 2001. Estimating mean fruit weight and mean fruit value for apple trees: Comparison of two sampling methods with the true mean. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 126:503-510.
  • Marini, R.P., B.H. Barritt, J.A. Barden, J. Cline, R.L. Granger, M.M. Kushad, M. Parker, R.L. Perry, T. Robinson, S. Khanizadeh, and C.R. Unrath. 2001. Performance of 'Gala' Apple on Eight Dwarf Rootstocks: Ten-Year Summary of the 1990 NC-140 Rootstock Trial. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 55:197-204.
  • Marini, R.P., B.H. Barritt, J.A. Barden, J. Cline, E.E. Hoover, R.L. Granger, M.M. Kushad, M. Parker, R.L. Perry, T. Robinson, S. Khanizadeh, and C.R. Unrath. 2001. Performance of Ten Apple Orchard Systems: Ten -Year Summary of the 1990 NC-140 Systems Trial. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 55:222-238.
  • Ward, D.L., R.P. Marini, and R.E. Byers. 2001. Relationships among day of year of drop, seed content, and weight of mature apple fruit. HortScience 36: 45-48.
  • Marini, R.P., J. L. Anderson, W. R. Autio, B. H. Barritt, J. A. Cline, W. P. Cowgill, Jr., R. M. Crassweller, P. A. Domoto, D. C. Ferree, J. Garner, A. Gaus, G. M. Greene, C. Hampson, P. Hirst, M. M. Kushad, E. Mielke, C. A. Mullins, M. Parker, R. L. Perry, J. P. Privé, G. L. Reighard, T. Robinson, C. R. Rom, T. R. Roper, J. R. Schupp, E. Stover, and R. Unrath. 2000. Performance of 'Gala' apple on 18 dwarf rootstocks: Five-year Summary of the 1994 NC - 140 Dwarf Rootstock Trial. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc.. 54:92-107.
  • Marini, R.P., J. L. Anderson, W. R. Autio, B. H. Barritt, J. A. Cline, W. P. Cowgill, Jr., R. M. Crassweller, P. A. Domoto, D. C. Ferree, J. Garner, A. Gaus, G. M. Greene, C. Hampson, P. Hirst, M. M. Kushad, E. Mielke, C. A. Mullins, M. Parker, R. L. Perry, J. P. Privé, G. L. Reighard, T. Robinson, C. R. Rom, T. R. Roper, J. R. Schupp, E. Stover, and R. Unrath. 2000. Performance of 'Gala' apple on four semi-dwarf rootstocks: Five-year Summary of the 1994 NC - 140 Dwarf Rootstock Trial. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 54: 84-91.
  • Marini, R.P. and D.S. Sowers. 2000. Peach tree growth, yield, and profitability as influenced by tree form and tree density. HortScience 35:837 - 842.
  • Marini, R.P. 1999. Estimating apple diameter from fruit mass measurements to time thinning sprays. HortTechnology. 9:109-113.
  • Barden, J.A. and R.P. Marini. 1999. Rootstock effects on growth and fruit ing of a spur-type and a standard strain of 'Delicious' over eighteen years. Fruit Var. J. 53:115-125.
  • Marini, R.P. 1999. Are nonsignificant differences really not significant? HortScience 34:761-762.
  • Ward, D.L., E.P. Beers, R.E. Byers, and R.P. Marini. 1999. Cutting apple fruits induces cellulase activity in the abscission zone. HortScience 34:601-603.
  • Ward, D.L. and R.P. Marini. 1999. Growth and development of young apple fruits following application of ethephon plus carbaryl for thinning. HortScience 34:1057-1059.
  • Marini, R.P. and J.A. Barden. 1998. Incidence of diseases on foliage of nine apple genotypes as influenced by six fungicide treatments. Fruit Var. J. 52:136-143.
  • Barden, J.A. and R.P. Marini. 1998. Incidence of diseases on fruit of nine apple genotypes as influenced by six fungicide treatments. Fruit Var. J. 52:1128-136.
  • Barden, J.A. and R.P. Marini. 1997. Growth and fruiting of a spur-type and a standard strain of 'Golden Delious' on several rootstocks over eighteen years. Fruit Var. J. 51:165-175.
  • Barden, J.A. and R.P. Marini. 1997. Growth and cropping of young apple trees as affected by heading and support of the central leader. HortScience 33:39-41.
  • Marini, R.P. 1997. Oxamyl is an effective apple fruit thinner when used alone or when combined with other thinners. HortTechnology 8:71-74.
 
   
 
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