Published September 9, 2026 | 2 min read | Events
Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences Ph.D. student Praveen Gajula, Assistant Professor Dr. Kaylee South, and M.S. student Colin Fite attended the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Conference in Dallas, Texas, this summer. The team presented research through both poster and oral presentations, highlighting research focused on controlled environment agriculture, crop production, and plant health.
Research Presented
The team presented research on several topics related to controlled environment agriculture, including:
Evaluating the Effects of Various Fertilizers on Strawberry Yield and Quality in Controlled Environment Production Systems
Authors: Praveen Gajula, Michael Evans, Amy Turner, Kaylee South
Isolation and Selection of Potential Trichoderma Isolates for Growth Promotion in Hydroponic Ocimum basilicum (Basil)
Authors: Colin Fite, Sajeewa Amaradasa, Scott Lowman, Mitchell Doss, Praveen Gajula, Kaylee South
Stakeholder Perspectives on Education, Training, and Resource Needs in Controlled Environment Agriculture
Authors: Kaylee South, Toni Sperry, Tiffany Drape, Amber Vallotton, Gangseok Hur
"Attending the ASHS conference was an enriching experience. I had the opportunity to interact with graduate students, researchers, professors, and industry professionals from across the country. Presenting my research allowed me to receive valuable feedback and insights. I also learned more about current controlled environment agriculture research being conducted at different institutions throughout the United States."
Praveen Gajula
Ph.D. student
"I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the ASHS conference. Our team had the opportunity to present some of our research, learn about future career and research opportunities, and build new connections with graduate students, professors, and industry professionals. We also gained insight into the different research areas being explored by researchers in the field. Each day offered a wide variety of interesting presentations and sessions to attend. Outside of the conference, I had some free time to explore Dallas and experience some of the best food in the city."
Colin Fite
M.S. student
