Horticulture & Related FieldsMiranda Shetzer
2025 The Corliss Knapp Engle Scholarship in Horticulture
Drought Is in the Air: Assessing Natural Trait Variation to Soil Moisture and Humidity in Rhododendron Minus
Rhododendron species are thought to be fairly drought intolerant, yet many species grow on rock outcrops where there is little soil moisture. Drought is determined not only by soil moisture, but also atmospheric humidity which influences evaporative demand from the leaf surface. Shetzer will subject plants of Rhododendron minus, an evergreen shrub that grows from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf Coast, to soil moisture and humidity treatments in a greenhouse experiment at Holden Arboretum. Shetzer will examine leaf pigments, biomass allocation patterns, and plant water use to further the understanding of how plants from different climates cope with drought.
The Corliss Knapp Engle Scholarship in Horticulture
To encourage the development of research, documentation, and teaching skills in the field of horticulture.
Learn more See all recipients