Ian Alexander Merwin
Professor
Primary Research Areas
- agroforestry
- biological control
- compost
- crop management or crop science
- ecology
- enology
- environmental sciences
- food system and/or policy
- fruit and vegetable production
- horticultural sciences
- integrated crop management
- international agriculture
- international development
- nutrient management
- soil health
- sustainable agriculture
- value-added agriculture
- water resource management
Research Focus
I work on diverse fruit crops including tree fruits, winegrapes, and novel crops such as pawpaws and antique apple varieties. Some of my projects have continued for more than a decade, investigating long-term impacts and aspects of perennial crop systems. Current research areas include biological control of soilborne diseases of apples, nutrient dynamics in orchards under various soil management systems, cultural practices to improve winegrape quality, tree root demography, and evaluation of traditional American and European apple varieties for cider fermentation.
Educational Background
- Ph.D., Pomology, Plant Pathology and Ecology, Cornell University, 1990
- M.S., Pomology and Plant Pathology, Cornell University, 1988
- B.A., Literature and Languages, Reed College, 1969
