The major emphasis of Dr. Micallef's research program is the identification of physiological and genetic factors controlling whole plant development and the interaction between these factors and the environment with the goal of increasing the profit margin of greenhouse vegetable production throu...
The major emphasis of Dr. Micallef's research program is the identification of physiological and genetic factors controlling whole plant development and the interaction between these factors and the environment with the goal of increasing the profit margin of greenhouse vegetable production through the three following objectives:
1) the improvement of the harvest index of greenhouse vegetables, thus allowing economic productivity with a reduction in inputs (ex. same production in a smaller greenhouse area); 2) the improvement of productivity under low light conditions, thus extending the production season into the winter months of the year; and 3) the identification of germplasm and cultivars that show adequate production at lower average temperatures, thus reducing energy costs.