Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Faculty of Agriculture
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Student Supervision

Graduate students  

  • Katherine Rutherford 2016-present (Ph.D.) Plant-pollinator interactions in wild blueberry agroecosystems.
  • Dustin MacLean 2024-present (Ph.D.) Improved disease and lodging management practices for optimal oat yield. Co-supervised with Dr. Adam Foster, AAFC, Charlottetown.
  • Emily Johnstone 2020-2023 (M.Sc.) Characterizing causal species of Fusarium head blight in Maritime wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Co-supervised with Adam Foster, AAFC, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
  • Katie McCallum 2018-2020 (M.Sc.) Detection and analysis of fungal contaminants in alfalfa silage on Canadian dairy farms. Co-supervised with Linda Jewell, AAFC St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador.
  • Mitchell Brown 2015 -2016 (M.Sc.) Low density SNP chips targeting gass fed finishing capability in beef cattle. Withdrew.
  • Daniel McManaman 2014-2015 (part-time M.Sc.) Evaluation of pearl millet and cover crop mixtures for strawberry rotations. Withdrew.
  • Robyn McCallum 2013-2017 (Ph. D.) Improving native bee abundance in wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium). Co-supervised with Dr. Chris Cutler.
  • Ashley Mullins 2012-2014 (M.Sc.) Field-edge planting to deter white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and attract native carabid beetle predators to control soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) in soybeans.  Co-supervised with Dr. Chris Cutler.
  • Zhenyi Li, 2011-2013 (M.Sc.) Hexazinone alternatives and resistance for wild blueberry production. Co-supervised with Dr. Nathan Boyd starting October, 2012.
  • Mattea Tracey 2010 (M.Sc.) Co-supervised with Dr. Bernhard Benkel. Withdrew.
  • Daniel MacEachern 2009 - Assessment of wood ash application on perennial forage stands.
  • Katherine Rutherford 2007 - 2010 (co-supervised with Dr. B. Benkel)
    Assessment of substantial equivalence in genetically modified soybean.
  • Margaret Graves 2007 - 2009
    Evaluation of different lequmes for growth and reproduction of sheep on pasture
  • Brent Jackson 2006 - 2009
    Re-vegetation of a constructed riparian zone

Graduate student committees

  • Baillie Lynds, M.Sc. 2023 – present. Effect of enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers on agronomic and environmental performance in grain corn. In-progress. Supervised by Yunfei Jiang.
  • Caroline Reisiger, Ph.D. 2023-present. Dept of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph. Impact of nitrogen fertilizer application on forage productivity, soil organic matter quality, and ecological function on perennial cool-season pastures. Supervised by Kimberly Schneider.
  • Vanessa Deveau, M.Sc. 2021-2024 Studies on cow wheat (Melampyrum lineare Desr.) biology and interference with wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Supervised by Scott White.
  • Carla Plett, M.Sc. 2020 – 2023. Enhancing quality of silages from perennial crops. Supervised by Kees Plaizier and Kim Ominski, University of Manitoba.
  • Harini Aiyer (née Balasundarum), M.Sc. 2019 – 2021. Cover crop effects on soil fungal and bacterial communities and carryover impacts on Fusarium root and crown rot. Supervised by Dr. Claude Caldwell and Dr. Adam Foster.
  • Amy Byers (Harrington), M.Sc. 2018-2021. An idiographic investigation of dogs’ ability to detect ketosis in dairy cows. Supervised by Miriam Gordon and Simon Gadbois.
  • Janessa Henry, M.Sc. 2017 – 2020. Lighting effects on breast muscle development in broilers. Supervised by Dr. Bruce Rathgeber.
  • Nishchita Hemmige Natesh. 2017 – 2019. Nitrogen rate and planting date effects on growth, yield and chemical composition of Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.) under Atlantic conditions.  Supervised by Dr. Lord Abbey.
  • Kateryna Hushchyna, M.Sc. 2017 – 2019. Modelling algal blooms. Supervised by Dr. Tri Nguyen-Quang.
  • Hugh Lyu, M.Sc. 2017 – 2020. Weed survey of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fields and development of management strategies for spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium l.). Supervised by Dr. Scott White.
  •  Nilakshi Abeysinghe, M.Sc. 2016 – 2018. Adaptation to the pullet rearing environment following the provision of lighting during embryo development. Supervised by Dr. Bruce Rathgeber.
  • Rakesh Menapati, M.Sc. 2016 – 2020. Control of red sorrel in blueberry. Supervised by Scott White.
  • Xujie Li, Ph.D. 2015- 2023. Light management effects on hatching of broiler chicks. Supervised by Bruce Rathgeber.
  • Ronak Desai, M.Sc. 2012-2016. Association between nine immune system gene polymorphisms and tolerance to Aleutian mink disease virus infection. Supervised by Dr. Hossain Farid.
  • Xujie Li, M.Sc. 2013- 2015. Hatching egg sanitation for improvement of storage, hatchability and chick performance. Supervised by Dr. Derek Anderson.
  • Dushanthi Ariyamuni, M.Sc. 2013-2015. Effect of pH and elevated mineral content in drinking water on laying hen performance. Supervised by Dr. Derek Anderson.
  • Banuka Rajapakse, M.Sc. 2013-2015. Nutritive value of mechanically pressed camilina, carinata and soybean meals for broiler chickens. Supervised by Dr. Derek Anderson.
  • Jeffrey Campbell, M.Sc. 2011-2014. Cross-system synthesis and landscape evaluation analysis of alternative land use services (ALUS) as means of delivering ecological goods and services in Nova Scotia. Supervised by Dr. Robert France.
  •  Kaitlin McAloney, (M.Sc. candidate) 2011-2012. Evaluation of canola, juncea meals, and high oil residue yellow seeded canola meal in diets for white shell and brown shell laying hens. Supervised by Dr. Derek Anderson. Withdrew.
  • Eileen Beaton, M.Sc. 2011-2014. Wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm.) management on Nova Scotia dykes. Supervised by Dr. Nathan Boyd.
  • Dervan Bryan, M.Sc. 2011-2013. High oil residue yellow seeded and black seeded canola meals for broiler chickens. Supervised by Dr. Derek Anderson.
  • Jason Grant, M.Sc. 2011-2013. Suitability of Canadian-bred and native plant species for extensive green roofs in northern Nova Scotia. Supervised by Dr. Norman Goodyear.
  • Zahra Dehghani, M.Sc. 2011-2013. The effect of feeding canola meal (Brassica napus) or juncea meal (Brassica juncea) in broilers and turkeys. Supervised by Dr. Derek Anderson.
  • Rachel Savary, M.Sc. 2010-2013. Evaluation of graded levels of canola or juncea meals in diets with or without dietary enzymes fed to brown shell or white shell laying hens. Supervised by Dr. Derek Anderson.
  • Caroline Halde, M.Sc. 2007 – 2009. Effects of management on plant biodiversity and soil properties in dairy pastures. Supervised by Dr. Ralph Martin.
  • Gaëtane Carignan, M.Sc. 2004 – 2006. Pasture management effects on plant biodiversity. Supervised by Dr. Ralph Martin.
  • Sikakami Muthusamy, M.Sc. 2002 – 2004. Single versus mixed species grazing. Supervised by Dr. Ralph Martin.
  • Martine de Graaff, M.Sc. 2002 – 2004. Grass and legume mixtures for dairy cattle grazing. Supervised by Dr. Ralph Martin.
  • Carolyn MacKendrick, M.Sc. 2000 – 2003. Evaluation of Kentucky bluegrass and timothy cultivars for grazing. Supervised by Dr. Ralph Martin.

Undergraduate students (supervised or co-supervised)

  • Anagha Kumar 2022 – Plant pollinator interaction in selected plant species in Nova Scotia.
  • Jared Verge 2020 - Direct seeded pickling cucumbers (Cucumis sativus), compared to transplants in Central Newfoundland.
  • Jhanarthanan Murali 2020 - Effect of growth regulators on the micropropagation of grape (Vitis sp.) breeding line.
  • Alyson Neufeld 2019-20 -  Environmental DNA barcoding protocol of lowbush blueberry flowers to identify possible pollinators.
  • Rebecca Apperly-Ryan 2019 - Assessment of floral resources and bee abundance in a pollinator seed mix.
  • Cody Chapman 2017-18 – The effects of climate change on Nova Scotia’s bumblebee communities. Honours thesis project. Biology Department, Dalhousie University.
  • Katie McCallum 2017 - Comparison of forage mixtures for yield and quality on New Brunswick livestock farms. Co-supervised with David Dykstra Keenan Kavanaugh 2017 - The possible benefits of using biofumigation as a means of controlling both common scab & powdery scab in potatoes. Co-supervised with Kalyani Prithiviraj and Pat Toner.
  • Ashley Vroom 2017 – Effect of fertilizer and sod-seeding on pasture quality, yield and botanical composition at the Cape John Community Pasture; Co-supervised with Amy Sangster, Perennia.
  • Alana Bent 2016 – Effects of interseeding annual ryegrass on corn silage. Co-supervised with Jack Van Roestel, Perennia.
  • Matthew Hebb 2016 – Examination of consumer preference of apples.
  • Ellen Sharp 2016 – Comparing biological and conventional thrip control methods on nursery Chrysanthemum.
  • Whitney Shaver 2016 – Effectiveness of sod-seeding and fertilization on a naturalized, rotationally grazed, Nova Scotia pasture.
  • Candice Garden 2015 - Insect pest management of broccoli.
  • Emily Johnstone 2015 - Effect of plant population on grain corn hybrid performance. Co-supervised with Jack VanRoestel, Perennia.
  • Morgan MacNeil 2015 - Effect of beet green harvest time on overall beetroot and beet green yields.
  • Sherry Matheson 2015 - Lowbush blueberry: the effect of pollen source on fruit set and yield.
  • Jessica Shaddick 2015 - Riding school use and effect on genetic predisposition on school horses. Co- supervised in Dara Pelkey-Field.
  • Myles Stattner 2015 - Effect of potassium nitrate fertilizer on fruit quality of strawberries.
  • Kendra Sabine 2014 – The availability of ornamental flowers to support native pollinators.
  • Lauren Feetham 2014 – Pasture management and botanical composition.
  • Kaitlin Cartwright 2014 - Holstein, Jerseys and their crosses: advantages and disadvantages.
  • Katherine Stirling 2013 - A comparison of thinning methods and their relationship with fruit size in Honeycrisp apples.
  • Edward MacDonell 2013 - Propagation of Apios americana in tissue culture.
  • Charlene Locke 2013 - Soybean yield and nodulation in response to management.  Co-supervised with Dr. Claude Caldwell.
  • Cindy Sim 2013 - Comparison of leaf lettuce cultivars to determine overall quality.
  • Robyn McCallum 2012 - Using floral resources to increase native populations of Bombus species in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) ecosystems.
  • Leigha Sandwith 2012 - Yield of two soybean varieties at three row spacings.
  • Amanda Levy 2012 – Effects of pruning in two wine grape varieties.
  • Dustin MacLean 2012 – DNA extraction methodology. Co-supervised with Dr. Bernhard Benkel.
  • Hejie Cai 2012 – Micropropagation of orchids.
  • Kilian O’Donoghue 2012 – Pollinators in mixed forage versus wildflower field borders.
  • Bradley-Reint Dykstra 2012 – Growth rate of corn with no-till, minimal till and conventional tillage.
  • Jerry Bos 2011 – Cost comparison of round bale silage and chopped silage. Co-supervised with Diane Dunlop.
  • Matthew Lawless 2011 - The importance of planting date in winter cereal production. Co-supervised with Dr. Richard Martin, AAFC, Charlottetown, PEI.
  • Thomas Oostvogels, 2011 – Pearl millet versus corn silage.
  • Weili Jiang, 2011 – Optimization of rooting media for Autumn Britten and Royalty raspberries.
  • Jonathan Waugh 2011 – Forage cover crops: costs and benefits.
  • Ashley Mullins 2010 – GM testing of corn products.
  • Stephanie Peach 2010 – Optimization of multiplication media for Rubus species.
  • Caitlin Swinkels 2010 – Effects of previous winter cover crops on subsequent crop production.
  • Marten Dykstra 2010 - Hay versus silage for dairy heifers.
  • Caitlyn Swinkels 2010 -Effects of winter cover crops on subsequent crops.
  • Stephanie Peach 2010 - Optimization of in vitro multiplication for black raspberries and fall bearing raspberries.
  • Ashley Mullins 2010 - Investigation of prevalence of adventitious presence in corn seeds and products.
  • Victoria Gilby 2009 - The potential of annual crops to extend the grazing season.
  • Mattea Tracey 2009 - Evaluating tetraploid red raspberry.
  • Mark Schooten 2008 - Comparison and manipulation of tissue culture media used in potato production.
  • Yong Liu 2008 - In vitro propagation of red raspberry.
  • Lindsay Mac Neil 2008 - Effects of pasture treatment and age on parasite load and weight gain in sheep.
  • Sarah Alexander 2007 - Equine feed and pasture survey.
  • Alan Fraser 2007 - Evaluation of different species of salad greens.
  • P. Cody Halliday 2007 - Herbivory control in a re-vegetated riparian zone.
  • Katherine Rutherford 2006 - Evaluation of adventitious presence in corn and soybeans.
  • Ashley Shepard 2006 - Pasture renovation.
  • Alan Guinan 2005 - Pasture renovation.
  • Veronique Comeau 2004 - Pasture renovation.
  • A. Brandon MacPhail 2004 - Weed management in potatoes.
  • Jennifer Robinson 2003 - Wetland management.
  • Angus Mellish 1997 - Annual pasture species for dairy cattle.

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