Agriculture Professor Receives Fulbright Fellowship in South Africa

Fruit production expert Rich Rosecrance, College of Agriculture, California State University, Chico, has received a Fulbright Fellowship to South Africa. He will be carrying out research and teaching classes in pomology (fruit production) in Stellenbosch, South Africa for 10 months beginning in July 2004.

Rosecrance will be teaching the physiology of fruit production. His goal is to help students gain an understanding of the biology and management of orchard systems and improve environmental health.

The goals of Rosecrance's research are to (1) increase the efficiency of fertilizer application, (2) decrease fertilizer pollution of surface and groundwater and (3) identify limiting factors for apple fruit growth in South Africa. The research focuses on photosynthesis, fruit growth and nitrogen fertilization in hydroponically grown nectarines; gas exchange experiments in apples; and the development of a nitrogen fertilization model for avocado trees.

Rosecrance came to CSU, Chico in 1998. His research interests include plant mineral nutrition and environmental quality. He received his Ph.D. in ecology from the University of California, Davis in 1996. He attended Cornell University for his B.S. in agriculture and the University of Hawaii for his M.S. in horticulture.

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 to increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills. Other Fulbright Scholars from CSU, Chico in the recent past include Anthony Graybosch, Department of Philosophy, a fellow in Poland; Barney Hope, Department of Economics, who taught in Thailand; and Lee Altier, College of Agriculture, who also taught and did research in Thailand. Tony Waters, Sociology, is currently a Fulbright Scholar in Tanzania for the 2003-2004 academic year.

CONTACT: Kathleen McPartland, 530-898-4260