Matthew Chappell

Degrees Conferred

B.S. Horticulture (1998) Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA

M.S. Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science (2002) Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA

Ph.D. Horticulture (2007) University of Georgia, Athens/Griffin, GA

Professional Experience

1998-2001       M.S. Graduate Research Assistant, Crop and Soil Environmental Science Department, Virginia Tech. Advisor: Dr. Carl Griffey (Wheat/Barley Breeding & Genetics)

2000-2001       Fulbright Fellow, Crop Science Department, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet). Advisor: Dr. Arlnof Merker (Wheat Breeding & Pathology)

2002-2007       Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia. Advisor: Dr. Carol Robacker (Woody Ornamental Breeding & Genetics)

2007-2014       Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia (Ornamental Nursery Crops)

- EFT Assignment: 85% Extension, 15% Teaching

2014-2020       Associate Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia (Ornamental Nursery Crops)

- EFT Assignment (2014-15): 85% Extension, 15% Teaching

- EFT Assignment (2015-20): 75% Extension, 15% Teaching, 10% Research

- Administrative Assignment: Dept. of Horticulture Extension Coordinator

2020-2021       Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia (Ornamental Nursery Crops & Ornamental Plant Breeding)

- EFT Assignment: 75% Extension, 15% Teaching, 10% Research

- Administrative Assignment: Dept. of Horticulture Extension Coordinator

2021-Present   Professor & Director (Accepted – Start date 08/01/2021), Virginia Tech Tidewater Agricultural Research & Extension Center.

- Unit Assignment: School of Plant and Environmental Sciences

• Plant Breeding & Genetics
• Specialty Crop Production Systems
• Controlled Environment Agriculture
• Integrated Pest Management
• Inventory Management using sUAS platforms

•  2015 Southern Region of the Am. Soc. for Horticultural Sci. Extension Communications Award; IPM for Shrubs in Southeastern US Nursery Production
• 2015 American Society for Horticultural Science Outstanding Education Materials Award; IPM for Shrubs in Southeastern US Nursery Production
• 2015 Communicator of the Year Award, Georgia Green Industry Association
• 2016 UGA Center for Teaching & Learning Award for ‘Favorite Class in CAES’.
• 2017 American Society for Horticultural Science Outstanding Education Materials Award; Hydrangea production: Cultivar selection and general practices to consider when propagating and growing hydrangea
• 2017 Southern Region of the Am. Soc. of Horticultural Sci. Blue Ribbon Extension Publication Award; Advanced Irrigation Management for Container Grown Ornamental Crop Production
•  2017 Southern Region of the Am. Soc. of Horticultural Sci. Blue Ribbon Extension Publication Award; IPM for Shrubs in Southeastern US Nursery Production: Volume II
• 2018 American Society for Horticultural Science Outstanding Education Materials Award; Experiential Nursery Integrated Pest Management Workshop Series to Enhance Grower Practice Adoption
• 2017-18 UGA Horticulture Club, Horticulture Professor of the Year
•  2019 UGA Career Center; Career Advocate Recognition
• 2020 UGA Career Center; Career Advocate Recognition

My research program focuses on development of specialty crop markets via investigating cultivar/variety performance and by implementing plant breeding to create superior varieties/cultivars. I also work closely with specialty crop producers to discover and implement tools and technologies to enhance plant performance and economic gains.

Books Authored or Edited

• *** Chappell, M., G.W. Knox, and G. Fernandez (eds.). 2017. IPM for Shrubs in Southeastern US Nursery Production: Volume II. Knoxville, TN. Print ISBN 978-0-9854998-4-6.

Book Chapters Authored or Co-authored

• ** Chappell, M. 2011. Basic Botany. pp 29-42. IN M. Fonseca and K. Slagle (eds.) Georgia Master Gardener Handbook: Seventh Edition. Griffin, GA: UGA Press. Print ISBN: 978-0-9746963-4-8.
•  ** Chappell, M. 2011. Plant Physiology: Growth and Development. pp 43-62. IN M. Fonseca and K. Slagle (eds.), Georgia Master Gardener Handbook: Seventh Edition. Griffin, GA: UGA Press. Print ISBN: 978-0-9746963-4-8.
• ** Chappell, M. 2011. Trees. pp 263-287. IN M. Fonseca and K. Slagle (eds.), Georgia Master Gardener Handbook: Seventh Edition. Griffin, GA: UGA Press. Print ISBN: 978-0-9746963-4-8.
• ** Chappell, M., S.K. Braman and J.L. Williams-Woodward and G.W. Knox. 2012. Crapemyrtle – Lagerstroemia spp. pp. 109-136. IN A.F. Fulcher and S.A. White, (eds.) IPM for Select Deciduous Trees in Southeastern US Nursery Production. Knoxville, TN: Southern Nursery IPM Working Group. Print ISBN: 978-0-9854998-1-5.
• ** Lebude, A.V., S.A. White and M. Chappell. 2012. Container Production. pp. 29-38. IN A.F. Fulcher and S.A. White, (eds.) IPM for Select Deciduous Trees in Southeastern US Nursery Production. Knoxville, TN: Southern Nursery IPM Working Group. Print ISBN: 978-0-9854998-1-5.
• ** Dunwell, W.C., J.H. Chong, N.A. Ward and M. Chappell. 2012. Oak – Quercus spp. pp. 259-286. IN A.F. Fulcher and S.A. White, (eds.) IPM for Select Deciduous Trees in Southeastern US Nursery Production. Knoxville, TN: Southern Nursery IPM Working Group. Print ISBN: 978-0-9854998-1-5.
• ** Chappell, M., J. Owen, S. White and J. Lea-Cox. 2013. Irrigation Management Practices. IN T. Yeager, T. Bilderback, D. Fare, C. Gilliam, J. Lea-Cox, A. Niemiera, J. Ruter, K. Tilt, S. Warren, T. Whitwell and R. Wright (eds.) Best Management Practices: Guide for Producing Nursery Crops 3^rd edition. Southern Nursery Association, Atlanta, GA.
• ** Chappell, M., S.K. Braman and J.L. Williams-Woodward and G.W. Knox. 2014. Abelia - Abelia spp. pp. 13-39. IN S.A. White and W.E. Klingeman, (eds.) IPM for Shrubs in Southeastern US Nursery Production. Knoxville, TN: Southern Nursery IPM Working Group. Print ISBN: 978-0-9854998-2-2.
• ** Knox, G., M. Chappell, J. Chong, J. Williams-Woodward and A. LeBude. 2014. Camellia - Camellia spp. pp. 13-39. IN S.A. White and W.E. Klingeman, (eds.) IPM for Shrubs in Southeastern US Nursery Production. Knoxville, TN: Southern Nursery IPM Working Group. Print ISBN: 978-0-9854998-2-2.
• ** Chappell, M., J-C. Chong, G. Weaver, and J. Williams Woodward. 2017. Loropetalum – Loropetalum chinense. Pp. 53-78. IN M. Chappell, G.W. Knox, and G. Fernandez, (eds.). IPM for Shrubs in Southeastern US Nursery Production: Volume II. Knoxville, TN. Print ISBN 978-0-9854998-4-6.

Refereed Manuscripts

• * Chappell, M. and C. Robacker. 2005. Leaf Wax Extracts of Four Deciduous Azalea Genotypes Affect Azalea Lace Bug [(Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott)] Survival Rates and Behavior. J. American Soc. Hort. Sci. 131:225-230.
• * Chen, J., C.A. Griffey, M.A. Saghai Maroof, E.L. Stromberg, R.M. Biyashev, W. Zhao, M. Chappell, T.H. Pridgen, Y. Dong and Z. Zeng. 2006. Validation of Two Major Quantitative Trait Loci for Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in Chinese Wheat Line W14. Plant Breeding 125: 99-101.
• * Chappell, M. and C. Robacker. 2006. Pruning Leads to Increased Incidence of Freezing Damage in Abelia Hybrids. J. Env. Hort. 24: 197-200.
• * Chappell, M., T. Jenkins, and C. Robacker. 2007. Assessing the Genetic Diversity of Seven Deciduous Azalea Species (Rhododendron spp. section Pentanthera) Native to the Eastern United States. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 133:1-9.
• * Mantilla, J., P. Thomas, F. Stegelin, J. Houston and M. Chappell. 2011. Using GIS Technology to Evaluate Transportation of Ornamental Crops in Georgia. J. Ag. Sci. Tech. B1:8-19.
• * Davis, B., M. Chappell, J. Schwevens. 2012. Using Native Plants in Traditional Design Contexts: Smilax smallii Provides an Example. Native Plants J. 13(1):27-34.
• * LeBude, A., S. White, A. Fulcher, S. Frank, J-H. Chong, M. Chappell, W. Klingeman III, A. Windham, K. Braman, F. Hale, W. Dunwell, J. Williams-Woodward, K. Ivors, C. Adkins, and J. Neal. 2012. Assessing the Integrated Pest Management Practices of Southeastern U.S. Ornamental Nursery Operations. Pest Management Sci. 68:1278-1288.
• * Fulcher, A., W.E. Klingeman, J.H. Chong, A. LeBude, C. Adkins, G. Armel, M. Chappell, S. Frank, F. Hale, K. Ivors, J. Neal, A. Senesac, S.A. White, J. Williams-Woodward, and A. Windham. 2012. Stakeholder Vision of Future Direction and Strategies for Mid-south Nursery Pest Research and Extension Programming. J. Integrated Pest Mgmt. 3(2):D1-D8(8).
• * Chappell, M., S.K. Braman, J. Williams-Woodward, G. Knox. 2012. Optimizing Plant Health and Pest Management of Lagerstroemia spp. in Commercial Production and Landscape Situations in U.S. Mid-southern States: A Review. J. Environ. Hort. 30:161-172.
• * Martin, M.T., M. Chappell, L.R. Opie. 2013. Scarification and Germination of Amsonia tabernaemontana (Walt.) Seeds. J. Environ. Hort. 31:54-58.
• * Hawkins, S. M. Chappell, and M.T. Martin Jr. 2012. Defining a Propagation Protocol for Three Native Southeastern Plant Genera: Baptisia, Eupatorium, and Thermopsis. J. Environ. Hort. 31:162-165.
• * O’Meara, L., M.W. van Iersel and M. Chappell. 2013. Modeling Daily Water Use of Hydrangea macrophylla and Gardenia jasminoides  as Affected by Environmental Conditions. HortScience 48:1040-1046.
• * Bayer, A., I. Mahbub, M. Chappell, J. Ruter, M. van Iersel. 2013. Water Use and Growth of Hibiscus acetocella ‘Panama Red’ Grown with a Soil Moisture Controlled Irrigation System. HortScience 48:980-987.
• * Fulcher, A., J.H. Chong, S. White, J. Neal, J. Williams-Woodward, C. Adkins, K. Braman, M. Chappell, J. Derr, W. Dunwell, S. Frank, S. Gill, F. Hale, W. Klingeman, A. LeBude, K. Rane, A. Windham. 2013. Developing Mobile Application as an Extension Tool: A Case Studey using IPMPro. HortTech 23:402-406.
• * Fulcher, A., S. White, J.H. Chong, J. Neal, J. Williams-Woodward, C. Adkins, K. Braman, M. Chappell, J. Derr, W. Dunwell, S. Frank, S. Gill, F. Hale, W. Klingeman, A. LeBude, K. Rane, A. Windham. 2013. Testing, Promoting and Launching an Application as an Extension Tool: A Case Study with IPMPro. HortTech. 23:407-410.
• * van Iersel, M., M. Chappell and J. Jea-Cox. 2013. Sensors for Improved Efficiency of Irrigation in Greenhouse and Nursery Production. HortTech. 23:735-746.
• *Chappell, M., S. Dove, M. van Iersel, P.A. Thomas and J. Ruter. 2013. Implementation of Wireless Sensor Networks for Irrigation Control in Three Container Nurseries. HortTech. 23:747-753.
• * O'Meara, L., M.R. Chappell, and M.W. van Iersel. 2014. Water use of Hydrangea macrophylla and Gardenia jasminoides in response to a gradually drying substrate. HortScience 49:493-498.
•  * Martin Jr., M.T., G. Weaver, M. Chappell and J. Davis. 2016. Surveying changes in tissue nutrient concentrations of Hibiscus acetosella ‘Panama Red’ during adventitious root formation. HortScience 51:1407-1411.
• * Wheeler, W.D., J. Williams-Woodward, P.A. Thomas, M. van Iersel, and M. Chappell. 2017. Impact of Substrate Volumetric Water on Pythium aphanidermatum Infection in Petunia xhybrida: A Case Study on the Use of Automated Irrigation in Phytopathology Studies. Plant Health Progress 18:120-125.
• * Fulcher, A.F., A.V. LeBude, S.A. White, M. Chappell, S.C. Marble, J.H. Chong, W. Dunwell, S. Frank, S. Hale, J. Neal, A. Windham, W. Klingeman, G. Knox, J. Derr, J. Williams-Woodward, S.K. Braman, A. Dale, F. Baysal-Gurel, J. Del Castillo-Munera, F. Peduto Hand, C. Swett, N. Gauthier, and E. Vafaie. 2017. Advancing IPM Adoption and Achieving Extension Impact: A Working Group Success Story. HortTech. 27:759-764.
• * LeBude, A.V., A. Fulcher, J.-J. Dubois, S.K. Braman, M. Chappell, J.-H. Chong, J. Derr, N. Gauthier, F.A. Hale, W.E. Klingeman, G. Knox, J. Neal, and A. Windham. 2017. Experiential Nursery IPM Workshop Series to Enhance Grower Practice Adoption. HortTech. 27:772-781.
• * Chappell, M.R., S.A. White, A.F. Fulcher, A.V. LeBude, G.W. Knox and J.-J. B. Dubois. 2017. Assessing Impact of Coordinated Comprehensive Regional Extension Publications: A Case Study of the Southern Nursery IPM Working Group. HortTech. 27:765-771.
• * Wheeler, W.D., P.A. Thomas, M. van Iersel, and M. Chappell. 2018. Implementation of sensor-based automated irrigation in commercial floriculture production: A case study. HortTech. 28:719-727.
• * Li, H., M. Chappell, and D. Zhang. 2018. Evaluation of twenty-one mountain laurel cultivars for container and landscape performance in the Southeastern United States. HortTech. 28:867-874.
• * Lewis, M., M. Chappell, D. Zhang, R. Maynard. 2020. Development of an embryo rescue protocol for Butterfly Weed. HortTech. 30:31-37.
• * Lewis, M., M. Chappell, P.A. Thomas, D. Zhang, and O. Greyvenstein. 2020. Development of a vegetative propagation protocol for Asclepias tuberosa. Native Plants Journal 21:27-34.
• * Wheeler, W.D., M. Chappell, M. van Iersel, P.A. Thomas. 2020. Implementation of soil moisture based automated irrigation in woody ornamental production. J. Environmental Hort. 38:1-7.
• Sun, Y., J.J. Chen, H. Xing, A. Paudel, G. Niu, and M. Chappell. 2020. Growth, visual quality, and morphological responses of 12 Viburnum taxa to saline water irrigation. HortScience. DOI: 10.21273/hortsci14940-20. 
• Chen, J.J., H. Xing, A. Paudel, Y. Sun, G. Niu, and M. Chappell. 2020. Gas exchange and mineral nutrition of 12 Viburnum taxa irrigated with saline water. HortScience. DOI: 10.21273/hortsci14941-20.
• * Li, H., D. Zhang, M. Chappell. 2020. Assessing genetic diversity and population structure of Kalmia latifolia L. in the eastern United States using ISSR Markers: A means towards efficient germplasm conservation and utilization. Sustainability. DOI:10.3390/su12198284.
• * Quino, J.M., Maja, J. Robbins, T. Fernandez, J.S. Owen, M. Chappell. 2021. RFID and Drones: The Next Generation of Plant Inventory. AgEngineering 3:168-181.
•  Xing, H., J. Hershkowitz, A. Paudel, Y. Sun, J.J. Chen, X. Dai, M. Chappell. 2021. Morphological and Physiological Responses of Ornamental Grasses to Saline Water Irrigation. HortScience DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15700-21.
•  Lewis, M., M. Chappell, P.A. Thomas, and R. Maynard. 2021. Development and Verification of an Interspecific Hybridization Protocol for Asclepias (Cover Manuscript). HortScience DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15770-21.
• Quino, J.M., Maja, J. Robbins, J.S. Owen, M. Chappell, J.N. Camargo, and T. Fernandez. 2022. The Relationship between Drone Speed and the Number of Flights in RFID Tag Reading for Plant Inventory. Drones 2022, 6(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6010002

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