I am interested in all aspects of whole-plant physiology and ecophysiology, with an emphasis in fruit crops and forest trees. My current research includes understanding the effects of spotted lanternfly feeding on aboveground plant physiology, nonstructural carbohydrates, and secondary metabolites in forest trees. Ongoing research includes understanding the effects of carbohydrate and nutrient availability on crop production, whole-tree physiology, and belowground interactions between roots, mycorrhizal fungi, and other soil microbes.

Emily Lavely (right) by root box

Emily Lavely (right) by root box


Advisers:
David Eissenstat and Rich Marini

Education

Ph.D candidate in Horticulture, 2013 to present
M.S., Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University, 2013
B.S., Plant Genetics and Plant Breeding, Purdue University, 2010

Summary

Well-managed apple trees may allocate 70-80% of seasonal photosynthates to fruiting each year. With limited carbohydrates available to roots, how are these trees able to sustain such high demand of water and nutrients for fruit production? Nutrient foraging strategies of fine roots and mycorrhizal fungi in response to shifts in aboveground carbohydrate demand may provide insight into this efficient fruit production. The objective of my research is to determine how fine roots and mycorrhizal fungi shift foraging strategies in nutrient-rich patches in response to aboveground carbohydrate demand in cropped and non-cropped trees.

In addition, mycorrhizal fungi are associated with improved nutrient uptake, especially for phosphorus, and possibly enhanced root defenses against herbivores and pathogens. Yet, less than 50% of fine roots in apple are colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in cropped trees. Cropping may limit carbohydrates available for mycorrhizal colonization which in turn may affect root defenses against soil-borne fungal pathogens. Therefore, I am also exploring the potentially protective role of mycorrhizal fungi against putative pathogens at the individual root level.

This work has significance beyond fruit production. As we strive to understand ecosystem responses to elevated CO2 and incorporate accurate representations of belowground processes in ecosystem models, root and fungal dynamics are largely undefined and poorly represented. Uncovering linkages between carbohydrate availability belowground and root and fungal nutrient foraging patterns will improve our understanding and predictability of these complex processes.

Awards and Honors

2017 Graduate Student Travel Award, NC-140 Research Committee
2017 Walter Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund
2016 USDA-NIFA-AFRI Predoctoral Fellowship
2016 "Good Fruit Grower" Telephone Interview
2016 Frederick H. Brown Endowed Scholarship
2015 Travel Award, American Society for Horticultural Science
2015 Frederick H. Brown Endowed Scholarship
2014 Tag Along Award, College of Agr. Sci., Penn State University
2013 Frederick H. Brown Endowed Scholarship
2013 UP Hedrick Award, American Pomological Society

Grants

2017 Lavely, E.K. and D. Eissenstat. A root-centric view of root-microbe interactions in apple replant disease. NE SARE Graduate Student Grant.

2015 Marini, R., R. Crassweller, D. Smith and E. Lavely. The relationship between tree nutrition and fruit position on bitter pit development. State Horticulture Association of Pennsylvania.

2014 Lavely, E., R. Marini, R. Crassweller and D. Eissenstat. Stored carbohydrates as a factor in thinning efficacy based on the carbon balance model. State Horticulture Association of Pennsylvania.

Publications

Lavely, E.K. 2013. Effects of abiotic factors and Rhizoctonia fragariae on strawberry growth and development of black root rot. Penn State Univ., University Park, Ms Thesis.

Lavely, E.K., B.K. Gugino, K. Demchak, and R.P. Marini. 2013. The effect of Rhizoctonia fragariae, soil type, compost, and mechanical root injury on strawberry growth. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 67(4):228-236.