Overview

As Director of the Long Island Horticulture Research and Extension Center, my professional objectives are to meet the research needs of Cornell University and the extension needs of the horticultural industries on Long Island and in New York. My research program has elements of basic research as well as applied projects that are need-driven. Research interests are in the areas of new plant development and breeding, plant environment interactions, plant cell and tissue culture, in vitro plant breeding, plant propagation, genetic modifications for plant improvement, and plant growth and development of ornamental plants. Specific in vitro breeding techniques include somaclonal and gametoclonal variation, embryo culture, somatic embryogenesis, mutation breeding, meristem culture for the production of pathogen free plants, micropropagation, and in vitro fertilization. Specific applied studies pertain to herbaceous ornamental plants, field-grown cut flower production, use of high tunnels for season extension, plant propagation, greenhouse crop production, and cultivar evaluations.

Research Focus

My primary research interests are in the areas of new plant development and breeding, plant environment interactions, plant cell and tissue culture, in vitro plant breeding, genetic modifications for plant improvement, plant propagation, and plant growth and development of floricultural and ornamental plants. Specific in vitro breeding techniques include somaclonal and gametoclonal variation, embryo culture, somatic embryogenesis, mutation breeding, meristem culture for the production of pathogen free plants and in vitro fertilization. Specific applied studies focus on herbaceous ornamental plants, field-grown cut flower production, use of high tunnels for season extension, plant propagation, greenhouse crop production, and cultivar evaluations.

Outreach and Extension Focus

My extension programs are conducted on Long Island and statewide. Educational programs, such as conferences, all-season demonstrations, open houses, field days, workshops, and symposia keep growers and horticulture professionals informed and in touch with our research findings. Information that is developed here is shared at local, state and national levels through presentations, professional trade press and refereed publications, and the LIHREC Annual Report and newsletters. Information is also available from fact sheets and internet postings and websites. Site visits are made to local greenhouses and other horticultural businesses when appropriate for diagnosis, research or implementation studies. My extension and outreach focus on floriculture and greenhouse horticulture includes field-grown cut flowers, season extension, high tunnels, herbaceous ornamental plant evaluation, greenhouse production of poinsettias, field-grown chrysanthemums, and more.

Instruction Focus

Plant propagation, herbaceous ornamental plants, floriculture

Additional Links

• Long Island Horticultural Research and Education Center
• Link to CALS Research portal
• Link to CALS Impact statements

Selected Publications

• Bridgen, M.P. 2006. New Plant Introductions: Alstroemeria Mauve Majesty. Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators' Socity. Vol. 56.
• Bridgen, M.P. 2006. Use of embryo culture as a nondestructive harvesting technique for the collection of native geophytic plant species. International Association for Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology. Abstract. p. 1410.
• Bridgen, M.P. 2006. Using traditional and biotechnological breeding for new plant development. Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators' Socity. Vol. 56.
• Kollman, E. and M. Bridgen. 2005. Interspecificic hybridization of a white-flowered, cold- hardy Alstroemeria. HortScience 40(4):1003-1004.
• Bridgen, M.P. 2003. Breeding new Chilean bulb species. HortScience 38(5): 678-679.
• Miller, C. and M.P. Bridgen. 2003. Effects of photoperiod and plant age on leaf cuttings of Achimenes. HortScience 38(5):752.

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