Introducing: Dennis Portz
Advisor: Dr. Gail Nonnecke
Degree Seeking: Master's degree in Horticulture
Current Research My research focuses on the production practices of rotation crops in combination with strawberries and a similar study with rotation crops and grapes. The variables that I am measuring include plant productivity, weeds, nematodes, and soil chemical, physical and biological characteristics. The purpose of my research is to compare the pretreatments with cover crops to conventional tillage and herbicide applications providing alternatives in strawberry and grape production.
Hometown: Springbrook, IA (near Bellevue, IA)
Extra Curricular Activities:
- President of Graduate Student Horticulture Society
- Member of Phi Theta Kappa
- Member of Pi Alpha Zi
- Member of Gamma Sigma Delta
Hobbies: Anything artistic including painting, pottery, and photography.
Favorite Movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Favorite Book(s): The Gunslinger: First book of the Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
Career Goals: My career goals include successfully graduating and publishing my master.s research. Then I would like to continue working in the research area of fruit production at a private or university setting.
