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Carl E Sams

Institute Professor | Plant Sciences
Overview

My interests include the effects of abiotic stress and mineral nutrition on disease resistance (emphasis on host pathogen interactions), yield, and quality of specialty crops. Related to these interests, investigations involve the effects of environmental, cultural, and genetic interactions on secondary metabolites that are important in human nutrition and plant pest resistance. Members of my laboratory have experience in analysis of primary and secondary metabolites and plant elemental analysis. We also conduct research on field, greenhouse, and indoor specialty crop production systems, including LED lighting, plant nutrition, and hydroponics in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems.

Research Focus

1) Optimizing hydroponic systems, and developing narrow band LED lighting strategies to optimize nutritional quality of specialty crops in CEA systems. 2) Impact of postharvest environments on nutritional quality of specialty crops.

Teaching Focus

I teach Greenhouse Management (PS 430), Plant Nutrition (PS 537), 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 430 - Greenhouse Management
3 credit hour(s)

Principles of greenhouse operation and management for commercial crop production. Greenhouse construction and operation, crop scheduling, and cost accounting. Environmental inputs and cultural practices as they affect plant physiological processes and influence plant growth and development. Weekend field trips may be required.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and one 2-hour lab.
Recommended Background: 210 or working familiarity with general principles and practices of horticulture.
Comment(s): Offered Spring in alternate, even-numbered years.

Semesters Offered: Spring | Syllabus: Example 2020 Syllabus
PLSC 537 - Plant Nutrition
3 credit hour(s)

Effects of plant nutrition on biochemical and physiological processes in plants.

Recommended Background: Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology 321 and Environmental and Soil Sciences 210.

Semesters Offered: Spring | Syllabus: Example 2021 Syllabus
PLSC 593 - Problems in Plant Sciences
1 - 3 credit hours

Independent study. Current topic related to technology, science or design.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours. Credit Restriction: For MS students, a maximum of 6 hours may be applied to the major. For PhD students in PSI, a maximum of 9 hours may be applied to the major.

Other Instructors: Pantalone, Vince | Ross, Michael | Walters, Kellie Jean

Semesters Offered: Spring
Picture of Carl E Sams

865-974-8818

carlsams@tennessee.edu

112 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • PhD, Horticultural Science, Michigan State University, 1980
  • MS, Plant Sciences, Other, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 1976
  • BS, Plant Sciences, Other, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 1974
Lab Members
Jennifer Renee' Wheeler
Hunter Albright Hammock
Jonathan Otis Chase
Sarah Parker Armstrong
Nick Ballew
Web Presence
Carl E. Sams CV

Carl E Sams

Institute Professor | Plant Sciences
Picture of Carl E Sams image

865-974-8818

carlsams@tennessee.edu

112 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • PhD, Horticultural Science, Michigan State University, 1980
  • MS, Plant Sciences, Other, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 1976
  • BS, Plant Sciences, Other, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 1974
Overview

My interests include the effects of abiotic stress and mineral nutrition on disease resistance (emphasis on host pathogen interactions), yield, and quality of specialty crops. Related to these interests, investigations involve the effects of environmental, cultural, and genetic interactions on secondary metabolites that are important in human nutrition and plant pest resistance. Members of my laboratory have experience in analysis of primary and secondary metabolites and plant elemental analysis. We also conduct research on field, greenhouse, and indoor specialty crop production systems, including LED lighting, plant nutrition, and hydroponics in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems.

Research Focus

1) Optimizing hydroponic systems, and developing narrow band LED lighting strategies to optimize nutritional quality of specialty crops in CEA systems. 2) Impact of postharvest environments on nutritional quality of specialty crops.

Teaching Focus

I teach Greenhouse Management (PS 430), Plant Nutrition (PS 537), 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 430 - Greenhouse Management
3 credit hour(s)

Principles of greenhouse operation and management for commercial crop production. Greenhouse construction and operation, crop scheduling, and cost accounting. Environmental inputs and cultural practices as they affect plant physiological processes and influence plant growth and development. Weekend field trips may be required.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and one 2-hour lab.
Recommended Background: 210 or working familiarity with general principles and practices of horticulture.
Comment(s): Offered Spring in alternate, even-numbered years.

Semesters Offered: Spring | Syllabus: Example 2020 Syllabus
PLSC 537 - Plant Nutrition
3 credit hour(s)

Effects of plant nutrition on biochemical and physiological processes in plants.

Recommended Background: Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology 321 and Environmental and Soil Sciences 210.

Semesters Offered: Spring | Syllabus: Example 2021 Syllabus
PLSC 593 - Problems in Plant Sciences
1 - 3 credit hours

Independent study. Current topic related to technology, science or design.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours. Credit Restriction: For MS students, a maximum of 6 hours may be applied to the major. For PhD students in PSI, a maximum of 9 hours may be applied to the major.

Other Instructors: Pantalone, Vince | Ross, Michael | Walters, Kellie Jean

Semesters Offered: Spring
Lab Members
Jennifer Renee' Wheeler
Hunter Albright Hammock
Jonathan Otis Chase
Sarah Parker Armstrong
Nick Ballew
Web Presence
Carl E. Sams CV