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David M. Butler

Professor | Plant Sciences
Overview

Research in Dr. Butler’s lab group is principally focused on applied soil-plant and soil-plant-fungal interactions. Working mainly in vegetable and small fruit production systems, the primary research questions in the lab focus on better understanding mechanisms of soilborne plant pathogen control and plant growth promotion in soils treated by non-chemical and biological/anaerobic soil disinfestation as an alternative to chemical soil fumigants. Additional work in the lab includes aspects of endophytic/associative fungi use and function, biogeochemical cycling of C, N and P, and impact of cover crops and alley cropping systems on soil-plant and soil-plant-fungal interactions in organic horticultural cropping systems. Dr. Butler’s lab works at laboratory, growth chamber/greenhouse, high tunnel and field scales.

Research Focus

The primary research in the Butler lab currently centers on understanding chemical and biological mechanisms of soilborne plant pathogen control and plant growth promotion in soils treated by biological/anaerobic soil disinfestation.

Teaching Focus

My teaching program includes Organic Crop Production (PS 275), Agroecology (PS 415/515) and Undergraduate Research Participation (PS 499).

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
PLSC 275 - Organic and Sustainable Crop Production
3 credit hour(s)

Introduction to organic and sustainable production practices and principles for vegetable, fruit, field, and forage crops. Introduction to organic certification, soil fertility & quality, tillage systems, crop rotation, cover crops, propagation, composting, season extension, and management of weeds, insects, & diseases in organic cropping systems.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hour lecture; one 2-hour lab.

Semesters Offered: Spring | Syllabus: Example 2019 Syllabus, Example 2021 Syllabus
PLSC 415 - Agroecology
3 credit hour(s)

Application of ecological concepts to management of horticultural and agronomic cropping systems. Overview of plant physiological ecology, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, and landscape ecology within the context of agroecosystems; special focus on the applied ecology of soil-plant-microbial interactions; discussion of current research in agroecology. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (EI)
Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hour lecture; one 2-hour lab. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both 415 and 515. Comments: Offered Fall semester.
Registration Restriction(s): Student level - Undergraduate.

Semesters Offered: Fall | Syllabus: Example 2020 Syllabus
PLSC 515 - Agroecology
3 credit hour(s)

Application of ecological concepts to management of horticultural and agronomic cropping systems. Overview of plant physiological ecology, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, and landscape ecology within the context of agroecosystems; special focus on the applied ecology of soil-plant-microbial interactions; discussion on current research in agroecology. Contact hour distribution: 2 hour lecture; 1 2-hour lab. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both 415 and 515. Comments: Offered Fall semester.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Semesters Offered: Fall | Syllabus: Example 2020 Syllabus
PLSC 569 - Teaching Practicum
1 - 3 credit hours

Supervised experience in teaching. May involve preparation of lectures and teaching aids, preparation and supervision of laboratory exercises, evaluation of student performance, and for second-year graduate students, responsibility for course delivery.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 3 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Klingeman III, William E | Ross, Michael | Pulte, Andy | Sorochan, John Charles

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Picture of David M. Butler

865-974-7165

dbutler@utk.edu

Google Scholar
ORCID: 0000-0002-5897-1382
Elements (Faculty.utk.edu)
112 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • PhD, Soil Science and Agronomy, General, University of Georgia, 2008
  • MS, Agronomy and Crop Science, North Carolina St Univ Raleigh, 2004
  • BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Frostburg State University, 2002
Lab Members
Utsala Shrestha
James Littrell
Jacob James Metcalf
John Hollis Rice
Amber Frances MacDonald
Web Presence
ResearchGate profile
Butler Lab Website

David M. Butler

Professor | Plant Sciences
Picture of David M. Butler image

865-974-7165

dbutler@utk.edu

Google Scholar
ORCID: 0000-0002-5897-1382
Elements (Faculty.utk.edu)
112 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • PhD, Soil Science and Agronomy, General, University of Georgia, 2008
  • MS, Agronomy and Crop Science, North Carolina St Univ Raleigh, 2004
  • BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Frostburg State University, 2002
Overview

Research in Dr. Butler’s lab group is principally focused on applied soil-plant and soil-plant-fungal interactions. Working mainly in vegetable and small fruit production systems, the primary research questions in the lab focus on better understanding mechanisms of soilborne plant pathogen control and plant growth promotion in soils treated by non-chemical and biological/anaerobic soil disinfestation as an alternative to chemical soil fumigants. Additional work in the lab includes aspects of endophytic/associative fungi use and function, biogeochemical cycling of C, N and P, and impact of cover crops and alley cropping systems on soil-plant and soil-plant-fungal interactions in organic horticultural cropping systems. Dr. Butler’s lab works at laboratory, growth chamber/greenhouse, high tunnel and field scales.

Research Focus

The primary research in the Butler lab currently centers on understanding chemical and biological mechanisms of soilborne plant pathogen control and plant growth promotion in soils treated by biological/anaerobic soil disinfestation.

Teaching Focus

My teaching program includes Organic Crop Production (PS 275), Agroecology (PS 415/515) and Undergraduate Research Participation (PS 499).

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
PLSC 275 - Organic and Sustainable Crop Production
3 credit hour(s)

Introduction to organic and sustainable production practices and principles for vegetable, fruit, field, and forage crops. Introduction to organic certification, soil fertility & quality, tillage systems, crop rotation, cover crops, propagation, composting, season extension, and management of weeds, insects, & diseases in organic cropping systems.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hour lecture; one 2-hour lab.

Semesters Offered: Spring | Syllabus: Example 2019 Syllabus, Example 2021 Syllabus
PLSC 415 - Agroecology
3 credit hour(s)

Application of ecological concepts to management of horticultural and agronomic cropping systems. Overview of plant physiological ecology, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, and landscape ecology within the context of agroecosystems; special focus on the applied ecology of soil-plant-microbial interactions; discussion of current research in agroecology. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (EI)
Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hour lecture; one 2-hour lab. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both 415 and 515. Comments: Offered Fall semester.
Registration Restriction(s): Student level - Undergraduate.

Semesters Offered: Fall | Syllabus: Example 2020 Syllabus
PLSC 515 - Agroecology
3 credit hour(s)

Application of ecological concepts to management of horticultural and agronomic cropping systems. Overview of plant physiological ecology, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, and landscape ecology within the context of agroecosystems; special focus on the applied ecology of soil-plant-microbial interactions; discussion on current research in agroecology. Contact hour distribution: 2 hour lecture; 1 2-hour lab. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both 415 and 515. Comments: Offered Fall semester.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Semesters Offered: Fall | Syllabus: Example 2020 Syllabus
PLSC 569 - Teaching Practicum
1 - 3 credit hours

Supervised experience in teaching. May involve preparation of lectures and teaching aids, preparation and supervision of laboratory exercises, evaluation of student performance, and for second-year graduate students, responsibility for course delivery.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 3 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Klingeman III, William E | Ross, Michael | Pulte, Andy | Sorochan, John Charles

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Lab Members
Utsala Shrestha
James Littrell
Jacob James Metcalf
John Hollis Rice
Amber Frances MacDonald
Web Presence
ResearchGate profile
Butler Lab Website