Erik H. Ervin
Dept. Head-Interim and Assistant Dean of Academic Programs
Education
Ph.D., Horticulture, Colorado State University, 1998
M.S., Horticulture, Colorado State University, 1995
B.S., Horticulture, Iowa State University, 1989
Experience
2016 - Present, CSES Department Head, Interim
2013 - Present - Assistant Dean of Academic Programs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
2010 - Present Professor, CSES
2001 - Present - Coordinator, Turfgrass Research Center, Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech
2005 - 2011 - Associate Professor, Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech
2001 - 2005 - Assistant Professor, Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech
1998 - 2000 - Assistant Professor and State Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri-Columbia
Courses Taught
- CSES 2564 - Turfgrass Management
- CSES 3564 - Golf and Sports Turf Management
- CSES 4964 - Field Study: Turf
- CSES 5064 - Turfgrass Science Seminar
Other Teaching and Advising
- CSES undergraduate Coordinating Counselor
- Chair, Scholarship Committee
- Chair, Curriculum Committee
- Academic Advisor for VT Turf Club
Program Focus
Adaptation and cultural management requirements for warm- and cool-season turfgrass species used on roadsides, lawns, parks, athletic fields, and golf courses. The physiology and ecology of turfgrass responses to environmental stress and the use of synthetic and natural plant growth regulators for improved stress response.
Role of Graduate Students
Graduate students in my program primarily serve in research assistantships with primary responsibilities for a thesis project with specific objectives from an outside funding agency. Secondarily, each student is expected to help maintain field, greenhouse, and growth chamber facilities and participate in data collection in 5 to 10 research projects separate from their thesis project. Each student will also serve as a teaching assistant in one of my turfgrass classes for a minimum of one semester.
Future Research
Upcoming research opportunities will include: water quality monitoring on Virginia golf courses; development of an integrated (nutritional and chemical) approach to Poa annua control in creeping bentgrass putting greens; testing of novel plant growth regulators for improved cool-season turfgrass heat and drought tolerance; and projects regarding climatic adaptation of Zoysia and Cynodon species.
