|
 print-friendly
format
Riverside: Departments
Biochemistry
Biological Control
Biology
Botany and Plant Sciences
Biochemistry
Biochemistry at Riverside evolved from
the Department of Plant Physiology, which had its origin in the
Citrus Experiment Station with the appointment in 1915 of Howard
S. Reed as professor and chairman.
Reed initiated studies of the plant physiological
phases of the mottle leaf problem and the mineral nutrition of citrus
trees, a program of long range basic research which continued for
the next 20 years. Other problems under investigation were the relation
between flowering and fruiting habits of citrus as influenced by
climate, growth inhibiting substances of lemons, and statistical
treatment of the yields of trees to the accuracy of field trials.
In 1935, E. T. Bartholomew became department chairman
and continued his researches on the serious problems of endocerosis
and alternaria rot of lemons under both field and packing house
conditions.
With the retirement of Bartholomew in 1948, W.
B. Sinclair became chairman, and the research problems that were
being studied at this time were the effects of rootstock on composition
of citrus fruits; granulation of Valencia orange; effects of 2,4-D
on fruit drop, fruit size and storage; physiological and biochemical
changes in citrus fruits after harvest; and extensive studies on
the mass heat transfer in relation to the protection of citrus groves
against frosts and freezes.
On July 1, 1953, the name of the department was
changed to the Department of Plant Biochemistry in order to meet
the needs of the teaching and research programs on the Riverside
campus. At a meeting of the Regents Committee on Educational Policy
(February 15, 1962), the President reported that the new name would
be Department of Biochemistry.
In 1965, the department had faculty members, 12
laboratory technicians and 18 graduate students. The department
offered a graduate program leading to the master's and Ph.D. degrees
in biochemistry. This program emphasized basic biochemistry with
research specialization in problems relating to the fundamentals
of metabolism, structure, and the chemical and physical interactions
of cellular constituents. source
to top
Biological Control
The Department of Biological Control (initially
the Division of Beneficial Insect Investigations) was established
in 1923 as a result of a reorganization of the State Commission
of Horticulture, in which its insectary division was transferred
to the University. Headquarters were established at the Citrus Experiment
Station at Riverside, where research activities were centered around
insect pest problems affecting citrus.
In 1944, research was initiated in the northern
portion of the state by the establishment of a laboratory on the
Gill Tract at Albany and in the following year, of the Laboratory
of Insect Pathology at Berkeley, the latter headed by Edward A.
Steinhaus. The chairmanship of the department was held by Harry
S. Smith from the date of establishment to 1951, followed by Curtis
P. Clausen (1951-59), Charles A. Fleschner (1959-63), and Donald
A. Chant (1964-). Richard L. Doutt served as vice-chairman at Albany
(1954-59), succeeded by Power S. Messenger (1960-62).
The Laboratory of Insect Pathology at Berkeley
was set up as a separate department in 1960 and in 1963, the Albany
unit was separated from this department and consolidated with the
Department of Entomology and Parasitology at Berkeley.
The restricted research program of the earlier
years was later expanded to cover a wide range of agricultural insect
pest problems and included utilization of pathogenic organisms against
these pests as well as basic research on the organisms themselves.
Extended studies on weed control through utilization of insect enemies
was initiated in 1945. In the mid-1960's, detailed research was
conducted on the ecological relationships of natural enemies and
their insect hosts and on population dynamics.
Undergraduate and graduate instruction in biological
control and insect pathology, through the Department of Entomology
and Parasitology, was initiated at Berkeley in 1946-47 and at Riverside
through the Department of Entomology in 1961-62. Eight graduate
students at Riverside majored in biological control in 1964-65 and
four majored in insect pathology. The staff of the department comprised
13 members of academic grade by the mid-1960's. source
to top
Biology
There is no history currently available
for this department.
to
top
Botany and Plant Sciences
There is no history currently available
for this department.
to
top
|
