PhD., Horticulture, Rutgers University, 1969
M.S., Horticulture, Purdue University, 1966
B.S., Horticulture, Rutgers University, 1963

I currently teach the following courses:

• "Ornamental Plant Materials" (HORT 138)
• "Computer Applications for Landscape Contracting" (HORT 120)
• "Independent Studies in Horticulture" (HORT 496).
• I have additionally been and instructor in "Be a Master Student" (AGRICULTURE 150).

Currently, I have a strong interest in the development of courses to be taught via the Internet. Recently I offered HORT 138 as a WEB course over the Internet to students at Berks Campus of Penn State University, and will be offering the same course to students at the Altoona Campus of Penn State in Fall 1997.

My research interests have been directed toward (1) developing a more complete understanding of the biochemical and molecular processes regulating adventitious root initiation in plants, and (2) the utilization of tissue culture for the propagation of plants.

Molecular Regulation of Adventitious Root Initiation in Response to Externally Applied Growth Regulators and Other Stimuli.

This research has in part been a collaborative effort with Drs. Francis Witham and Richard Arteca in the Department of Horticulture and Dr. James Zaczek in School of Forest Resources.
Past research has shown that auxins are the root stimulating hormone. The site of auxin action in adventitious root initiation in mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilcz] has been shown to be the nuclei of competent cells located in the pericycle. The incorporation of tritiated thymidine and uridine into adventitious-root initial cells showed that competent cells began to synthesize RNA within two hours of treatment and thymidine incorporation reached a maximum between 11 and 14 hours.
To more completely understand the rooting process we are currently producing a cDNA library from poly(A)+ mRNA obtained from auxin treated mung bean hypocotyls and are using differential screening to identify cDNAs stimulated during the early phase of adventitious root initiation.

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) is a wide-spread and abundant species important in both traditional and urban horticulture and forestry. Vegetative propagation, especially from mature individuals, is difficult and a severe limitation to the full utilization of the genetic variation within this species. The objective of this collaborative research with Dr. Zaczek is to identify techniques for the successful vegetative propagation of ontogenetically mature northern red oak.

Utilization of Tissue Culture for the Propagation of Plants.

Micropropagation, commonly called tissue culture, is being widely utilized worldwide for the propagation of millions of plants for horticultural and forestry uses. Micropropagation offers a number of advantages including: the rapid multiplication of plants, improved plant quality, ability to rapidly introduce new plants, and the elimination of viral and bacterial diseases.
The major research emphasis in this area has in the last six years been in collaboration with Drs. Paul Walker and Dr. Paul Heinemann in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. There has been two major thrust areas in this research: (1) control of in vitro environments, and (2) automation of the transplanting process using robotic systems and computer vision.
Techniques for the micropropagation of woody forest species, with major emphasis on red oak, Quercus rubra, have also been under study.

• 1991: National FFA Organization, Pennsylvania Association: Honorary State FFA Degree.
• 1993: American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Research Paper Award.
• 1995: International Plant Propagators' Society: Fellow Award.
• 1995: International Plant Propagators' Society: Award of Merit; their highest award

Books (Authored and/or Edited) Currently Available:

• Recycling and Resource Conservation: a Reference Guide for Nursery and Landscape Industries. Charles W. Heuser, Jr. and Patricia E. Heuser
• The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation: from Seed to Tissue Culture. Michael A. Dirr and Charles W. Heuser, Jr.
• Nursery Production, 2nd Edition. Charles W. Heuser, Jr. and Richard Stinson.

Selected Recent Journal Publications:

1. Walker, P.N., C.W. Heuser, and P.H. Heinemann. 1989. Micropropagation: Effects of ventilation and carbon dioxide level on Rhododendron 'P.J.M.' Trans. of the ASAE 32(1):348-352.
2. Cuello, J.L., P.N. Walker, C.W. Heuser and P.H. Heinemann. 1991. Controlled in vitro environment for stage ll micropropagation of Buddleia alternifolia (butterfly bush). Trans. of the ASAE 34(4):1912-1918.
3. Heuser, Jr., C.W. and F.H. Witham. 1992. Site of action of auxin in adventitious root initiation. Comb. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. 42:202-205.
4. Zaczek, J.J., K.C. Steiner, and C.W. Heuser, Jr. 1993. Vegetative propagation of mature and juvenile northern red oak. p. 210-221. In: Gillepie, A.R., J.R. Parker, P.E. Pope, and G. Rink. (eds.). Proc. 9th Central Hardwood Forest Conference. USDA Forest Service N.C. Forest Experiment Station General Technical Report. NC-161.
5. Heuser, Jr., C.W. and F.H. Witham. 1993. Adventitious root initiation future research on the site of auxin action. Comb. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. 43:521-525.
6. Chen, J., F.H. Witham, and Charles W. Heuser. 1995. Inhibition of NAA-induced adventitious rooting in mung bean cuttings by kinetin, zeatin, ethidium bromide and other DNA intercalators. The World Wide Web Journal of Biology, Electronic Press, Inc. 1:1-8.
7. Chen, J., D. Wu, F.H. Witham, Charles W. Heuser, and R.N. Arteca. 1996. Molecular cloning and characterization of auxin-regulated genes from mung bean hypocotals during adventitious root formation. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 121(2) Accepted for publication