Dr. Mohammad Pessarakli
Research Associat Professor,
Professional Research Specialist/ Research Faculty & Lecturer

Forbes Building, Room 303
Phone: (520) 321-7786
Email: pessarak@ag.arizona.edu
 

Visit these web-sites to learn more about Dr. Pessarakli and his research

 

 

 

   
Background and Interests
 
Mohammad Pessarakli received a Ph.D. in Soil & Water Science with a major in Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition and a minor in Agronomy and Plant Genetics here at the University of Arizona. He also has a Master's degree in Soil Management and Crop Production and a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Resources in Agriculture, both of which he received at Arizona State University. He currently teaches Turfgrass Science and Management and Turfgrass Stress Physiology-Environmental Interactions along with several Independent Study and Honors Courses. His research interests include soil fertility and plant nutrition (to find optimum nutrient and water requirement of plants/turfgrass), Stress physiology (environmental (salinity, drought and heat) stress interactions on agronomic crops and turfgrass, and screening plants/turfgrass for environmental stress tolerance). Dr. Pessarakli has been recognized by the University of Arizona for receiving the Perfect Five evaluation rate by the student evaluations, 2002. He has also been nominated for the Five-Star-Faculty Teaching Award at the University of Arizona in 1984 and 1989. He has also received a Certificate of Merit from the National Office of the Honor Society of Agriculture, Gamma Sigma Delta for outstanding overall service to the agricultural science community, 1995. His name has also been included in the directory of Who's Who in America since 1995. He has edited three major reference books (Handbook of Plant and Crop Stress, Handbook of Plant and Crop Physiology, and Handbook of Photosynthesis), written eight book chapters, published over fifty journal articles, and is serving on the editorial board of several refereed journals.

 
Selected Publications
 

Books

Pessarakli, M. (Ed.). 2010. Handbook of Plant and Crop Stress, 3rd Edition, Revised and Expanded, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Publishing Company, Florida. (in press).

Pessarakli, M. (Ed.). 2007. Handbook of Turfgrass Management and Physiology, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Publishing Company, Florida, 690p.

Pessarakli, M. (Ed.). 2005. Handbook of Photosynthesis, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Publishing Company, Florida, 928p.

Pessarakli, M. (Ed.). 2001. Handbook of Plant and Crop Physiology, 2nd Edition, Revised and Expanded. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 973p.

Book Chapters:

Pessarakli, M. and I. Szabolcs, 2010. Soil Salinity and Sodicity as Particular Plant/Crop Stress Factors. In: Handbook of Plant and Crop Stress, 3rd Edition, Revised and Expanded (M. Pessarakli, Ed.), pp. -, . CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Publishing Company, Florida. (in press).

Pessarakli, M. 2010. Response of Green Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Terms of Dry Matter Production, Nitrogen Uptake, and Water Absorption under Salt Stress Conditions. In: Handbook of Plant and Crop Stress, 3rd Edition, Revised and Expanded (M. Pessarakli, Ed.), pp. -, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Publishing Company, Florida. (in press).

Pessarakli, M. 2007. Growth Responses of Bermudagrass to Various Levels of Nutrients in Culture Medium. In: Handbook of Turfgrass Management and Physiology (M. Pessarakli, Ed.), pp. 57-63, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Publishing Company, Florida.

Liu, H., C.M. Baldwin, H. Luo, and M. Pessarakli. 2007. Enhancing Turfgrass Nitrogen Use under Stresses. In: Handbook of Turfgrass Management and Physiology (M. Pessarakli, Ed.), pp. 555-599, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Publishing Company, Florida.

Pessarakli, M. 2007. Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), a Potential Future Turfgrass Species with Minimum Maintenance/Management Cultural Practices. In: Handbook of Turfgrass Management and Physiology (M. Pessarakli, Ed.), pp. 603-615, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Publishing Company, Florida.

Pessarakli, M. 2006. Growth Responses and Nitrogen-15 Uptake of Tomatoes under Salt Stress. In: Vegetables: Growing Environment and Mineral Nutrition (Ramdane Dris, Ed.). pp. 80-89, WFL Publisher, Helsinki, Finland.

Dubey, R.S. and M. Pessarakli. 2001. Physiological Mechanisms of Nitrogen Absorption and Assimilation in Plants under Stressful Conditions. In: Handbook of Plant and Crop Physiology, 2nd Edition, Revised and Expanded (M. Pessarakli, Ed.). pp. 637-655, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York.

Pessarakli, M. 2001. Physiological Responses of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) To Salt Stress. In: Handbook of Plant and Crop Physiology, 2nd Edition, Revised and Expanded (M. Pessarakli, Ed.). pp. 681-696, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York.


Refereed Journal Articles:

Relevant Publications

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2009. Screening Various Ryegrass Cultivars for Salt Stress Tolerance. Journal of Food, Agriculture, and Environment (JFAE), Vol. 7(3&4): (in press).

Jahantigh, M. and M. Pessarakli. 2009. Forage Production Response of Artemisia herba alba to Variation in Rainfall and Various Soil Conditions in Arid Regions. Journal of Food, Agriculture, and Environment (JFAE), Vol. 7(3&4): (in press).

Asadi-kavan, Z., Ghorbanli, M., Pessarakli, M., and A. Sateei. 2009. Effect of Polyethylene Glycol and its Interaction with Ascorbate on Seed Germination Index in Pimpinella anisum L. Journal of Food, Agriculture, and Environment (JFAE), Vol. 7(3&4): (in press).

Jahantigh, M. and M. Pessarakli. 2009. Utilization of Contour Furrow and Pitting Techniques on Desert Rangelands: Evaluation of Runoff, Sediment, Soil Water Content, and Vegetation Cover. Journal of Food, Agriculture, and Environment (JFAE), Vol. 7(2):736-739.

Pahlavan-Rad, M.R. and M. Pessarakli. 2009. Response of wheat plants to zinc, iron, and manganese applications, and uptake and concentration of Zn, Fe, and Mn in wheat grains. Communications in Soil Science & Plant Analysis Journal, Vol. 40:1322-1332.

Ahmadi, A., Y. Emam, and M. Pessarakli. 2009. Response of Various Cultivars of Wheat and Maize to Salinity Stress. Journal of Food, Agriculture, and Environment (JFAE), Vol. 7(1):123-128.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2008. Establishment of Three Warm-Season Grasses under Salinity Stress. Acta HortScience, ISHS, Vol. 783:29-37.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2008. Competitive Growth Responses of Three Cool-Season Grasses to Salinity and Drought Stresses. Acta HortScience, ISHS, Vol. 783:169-174.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2008. Growth Response of Various Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) Clones to Combined Effects of Drought and Mowing Heights. USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online, January 1, 2008, 7(1):1-4. http://turf.lib.msu.edu/tero/v02/n14.pdf

Pessarakli, M. N. Gessler, and D.M. Kopec. 2008. Growth Responses of Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) Under Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Salinity Stress. USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online, October 15, 2008, 7(20):1-7. http://turf.lib.msu.edu/tero/v02/n14.pdf

Kopec, D.M., J.L. Walworth, J.J. Gilbert, G.M. Sower, and M. Pessarakli. 2007. “SeaIsle 2000” Paspalum Putting Surface Response to Mowing Height and Nitrogen Fertilizer. Agronomy Journal, 99(1):133-140.

Pessarakli, M., K.B. Marcum, and D.M. Kopec. 2006. Interaction Effects of Salinity and Primo on the Growth of Kentucky Bluegrass. Journal of Agriculture, Food, and Environment (JAFE), Vol. 4(1):325-327.

Marcum, K.B. and M. Pessarakli. 2006. Salinity Tolerance and Salt Gland Excretion Activity of Bermudagrass Turf Cultivars. Crop Sci. Soc. Amer. J., 46(6):2571-2574.

Pessarakli, M. and Hayat Touchane. 2006. Growth Responses of Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum under Various Levels of Sodium Chloride Stress. Journal of Food, Agriculture, and Environment (JFAE) Vol. 4(3&4):240-243.

Pessarakli, M. 2005. Supergrass: Drought-tolerant turf might be adaptable for golf course use. Golfweek’s SuperNews Magazine, November 16, 2005, p 21 and cover page. http://www.supernewsmag.com/news/golfweek/supernews/20051116/p21.asp?st=p21_s1.htm

Pessarakli, M. 2005. Gardener’s delight: Low-maintenance grass. Tucson Citizen, Arizona, Newspaper Article, September 15, 2005, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A. Gardener's delight: Low-maintenance grass http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/

Pessarakli, M., K.B. Marcum, and D.M. Kopec. 2005. Growth Responses and Nitrogen-15 Absorption of Desert Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) to Salinity Stress. Journal of Plant Nutrition 28(8):1441-1452.

Marcum, K.B., M. Pessarakli, and D.M. Kopec. 2005. Relative salinity tolerance of 21 turf-type desert saltgrasses compared to bermudagrass. HortScience 40(3):827-829.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2005. Responses of Twelve Inland Saltgrass Accessions to Salt Stress. USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online 4(20):1-5. http://turf.lib.msu.edu/tero/v02/n14.pdf

Pessarakli, and D.M. Kopec. 2004. Growth Responses of Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum to Different Levels of FerroGrow, Multinutrient fertilizer. Journal of Food, Agriculture, and Environment (JFAE), Vol. 2(3& 4):284-286.

Pessarakli, M. (Book Review). 2001. The Physiology of Plants under Stress, Soil and Biotic Factors (D.M. Orcutt and E.T. Nelsen, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 683 p.). Crop Sci. Soc. Amer. Journal, 41(3):2-3.


Extension Reports

Pessarakli, Mohammad and David Kopec. 2009. Comparing Growth Responses of Selected Cool-Season Turfgrasses under Salinity and Drought Stresses. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2009, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Publication AZ1487, Series P-155, pp 26-31.

Pessarakli, Mohammad, D.M. Kopec, and J. Gilbert. 2009. Growth Responses of Selected Warm-Season Turfgrasses under Salt Stress. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2009, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Publication AZ1487, Series P-155, pp 39-46.

Gessler, Noah and Mohammad Pessarakli. 2009. Growth Responses and Nitrogen Uptake of Saltgrass under Salinity Stress. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2009, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Publication AZ1487, Series P-155, pp 32-38.

Kopec, D.M., J.J. Gilbert, M. Pessarakli, and Steven Nolan. 2009. Foliar Applications of Hydro-Gro and UAN 32 on Overseeded Bermudagrass Greens Turf. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2009, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Publication AZ1487, Series P-155, pp 1-25.

Pessarakli, M. 2008. Nitrogen Nutrition of Distichlis (Saltgrass) under Normal and Salinity Stress Conditions Using 15N. Turfgrass and Environment, USGA, p. 70.

Kopec, D.M., S.E. Smith, and M. Pessarakli. 2008. Collection and Evaluation of Native Grasses from Grazed Arid Environment for Turfgrass Development. Turfgrass and Environment, USGA, pp. 52-53.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2007. Growth Response of Various Saltgrass Clones to Combined Effects of Drought and Mowing Heights. Turfgrass and Environment, USGA, pp. 46-48.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2006. Interactive Effects of Salinity and Mowing Heights on the Growth of Various Inland Saltgrass Clones. Turfgrass and Environment, USGA, pp. 83-84.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2005. Screening Various Saltgrass Clones for Salinity Tolerance.
Turfgrass and Environment, USGA, pp. 64-65.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, and J.J. Gilbert. 2005. Growth Responses of Bermudagrass to Different Levels of Nutrients in the Culture Medium. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2005, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Series P-141, pp 198-202.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, and Sarah C. Berry. 2005. Growth Responses of Zoysiagrass Influenced by Different Rates of Bio-Turf-Pro. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2005, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Series P-141, pp 195-197.

Pessarakli, M., K.B. Marcum, D.M. Kopec, and Y.L. Qian. 2005. Interactive Effects of Salinity and Primo on the Growth of Kentucky Bluegrass. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2005, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Series P-141, pp 147-151.

Kopec, D.M., Armondo Suarez, M. Pessarakli, and J.J. Gilbert. 2005. ET Rates of Distichlis (Inland Saltgrass) Clones A119, A48, Sea Isle 1 Sea Shore Paspalum and Tifway Bermudagrass. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2005, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Series P-141, pp 162-166.

Pessarakli, M., K.B. Marcum, and D.M. Kopec. 2001. Drought Tolerance of Twenty one Saltgrass (Distichlis) Accessions Compared to Bermudagrass. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2001, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, AZ1246 Series P-126, pp. 65-69.

Pessarakli, M., K.B. Marcum, and D.M. Kopec. 2001. Growth Responses of Desert Saltgrass under Salt Stress. Turfgrass Landscape and Urban IPM Research Summary 2001, Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, Tucson, U.S. Department of Agriculture, AZ1246 Series P-126, pp. 70-73.


Conference Presentations

Special Presentations

Pessarakli, M. (Keynote Speaker) 2009. Relationship between Drought, Watershed Management, and Water Conservation: Using Drought Tolerant Plants to Conserve Water. The 5th National Symposium on Watershed Management & Engineering, April 22-23, 2009, Gorgan, Iran.

Pessarakli, M. 2008. Conference Session Chair, ASA-CSSA-SSSA Joint Annual Meetings, Genetics and Physiology Session, Crop Science Society of America, ASA-CSSA-SSSA Joint Annual Meetings, Oct. 5-9, 2008, Houston, Texas.

Relevant Paper Presentations

Pessarakli, Mohammad and Kevin Malloy. 2009. Growth Responses of Various Ryegrass Cultivars to Drought Stress. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Joint Annual Meetings, Nov. 1-5, 2009, Pittsburg, Virginia.

Jahantigh, Mansour and Mohammad Pessarakli. 2009. Forage Production Response of Artemisia Herba Alba to Variation in Rainfall and Changes in Soil Conditions in Arid Regions. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Joint Annual Meetings, Nov. 1-5, 2009, Pittsburg, Virginia.

Asadi-kavan, Zhika, Mohammad Pessarakli, Mahlagha Ghorbanli, Arian Sateei, and Vahid Khori. 2009. Effect of Polyethylene Glycol and Its Interaction with Ascorbate on Seed Germination Index in Pimpinella Anisum L. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Joint Annual Meetings, Nov. 1-5, 2009, Pittsburg, Virginia.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, and J.J. Gilbert. 2008. Screening Various Ryegrass Cultivars for Salt Stress Tolerance. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Joint Annual Meetings, Oct. 5-9, 2008, Houston, Texas.

Pessarakli, M., Noah Gessler, D.M. Kopec, and A.J. Koski. 2008. Growth Responses and Nitrogen Uptake of Saltgrass under Salinity Stress. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Joint Annual Meetings, Oct. 5-9, 2008, Houston, Texas.

Marcum, K.B. and M. Pessarakli. 2008. Salinity Tolerance of Ryegrass (Lolium spp.) Turf Cultivars. 1st European Turfgrass Society Conference, May 19-20, 2008, Pisa, Italy.

Pessarakli, M., D. Kopec, J. Gilbert, and A. Koski. 2007. Growth responses of Saltgrass to Combined Effects of Drought Stress and Mowing Heights. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, Nov. 4-8, 2007, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, and J.J. Gilbert. 2007. Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum Responses to Various Growth Stimulants. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, Nov. 4-8, 2007, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2007. Competitive Growth Responses of Three Cool-Season Grasses to Salinity and Drought Stresses. 2nd International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS) Conference, June 24-29, Beijing, China.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2007. Establishment of Three Warm-Season Grasses under Salinity Stress. 2nd International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS) Conference, June 24-29, Beijing, China.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, J.J. Gilbert, and A.J. Koski. 2006. Interactive Effects of Salinity and Mowing Heights on the Growth of Various Inland Saltgrass Clones. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, Nov. 12-16, 2006, Indianapolis, IN.

Pessarakli, M., H. Touchane, and D.M. Kopec. 2006. Growth Responses of Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum to Sodium Chloride Stress. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings, Nov. 12-16, 2006, Indianapolis, IN.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, and J.J. Gilbert. 2005. Competitive Growth Responses of Three Cool-Season Grasses to Salinity and Drought Stresses. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 6-10, 2005, Salt Lake City, UT.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, J.J. Gilbert, A.J. Koski, Y.L. Qian, and Dana Christensen. 2005. Growth Responses of Twelve Inland Saltgrass Clones to Salt Stress. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 6-10, 2005, Salt Lake City, UT.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, and J.J. Gilbert. 2004. Growth Responses of Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum Influenced by FerroGrow, Multi-Nutrient Fertilizer. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2004, Seattle, WA.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, and A.J. Koski. 2004. Competitive Responses of Three Warm-Season Grasses to Salinity Stress. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2004, Seattle, WA.

Pessarakli, M. and D.M. Kopec. 2003. Growth Responses of Zoysiagrass Influenced by Bio-Turf-Pro. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 2-6, 2003, Denver, CO.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, and A.J. Koski. 2003. Establishment of Warm-Season Grasses under Salinity Stress. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 2-6, 2003, Denver, CO.

Pessarakli, M., K.B. Marcum, D.M. Kopec, and Y.L. Qian. 2002. Interaction effects of salinity and Primo on the growth of bluegrass. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 10-14, 2002, Indianapolis, IN.

Pessarakli, M., D.M. Kopec, and J.J. Gilbert. 2002. Growth responses of bermudagrass to different levels of nutrients in the culture medium. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 10-14, 2002, Indianapolis, IN.

Pessarakli, M., K.B. Marcum, D.M. Kopec, and R.L. Ax. 2001. Growth response and nitrogen-15 uptake of bermudagrass under salt stress. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Oct. 27 - Nov 2, 2001, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pessarakli, M., K.B. Marcum, and D.M. Kopec. 2001. Drought tolerance of turf-type inland saltgrasses and bermudagrass. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Oct. 27 - Nov 2, 2001, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pessarakli, M. and K.B. Marcum. 2000. Growth responses and Nitrogen-15 Absorption of Distichlis under Sodium Chloride Stress. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov. 5-9, 2000, Minneapolis, Minnesota.



 

       
 
 


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