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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 
Horticultural Science

Emmanuel Torres Quezada

ET
Emmanuel Torres-Quezada

Asst Professor

Kilgore Hall 222

Bio

Research.

Dr. Torres current emphasis is the evaluation of production practices that maximize plant yield and quality while minimizing the detrimental effects of abiotic stressors. Currently, his research efforts focus on water and nutrient management, and cultural practices for vegetables, soil fumigation practices, and integration of precision agriculture practices in vegetables, both in open field and under protective structures.

Extension.

Dr. Torres extension philosophy is based on the idea that an extension program should do more than just share knowledge; it also should bring about real changes in practice. To make sure this happens, his program follows the “SMART Objectives” framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound. Here’s how his lab does it: First, they survey farmers to understand their needs. Then, they set clear goals aimed at making a difference. After that, they create a detailed plan and timeline to achieve those goals, and finally, they check back with the farmers to see if their efforts have made a difference. This way, his program not only teaches but also helps improve farming practices.

Teaching. 

Dr. Torres teaches the Vegetable Production Class (HS431 – Hybrid) every fall semester, which focuses on fundamental production practices for multiple vegetable crops (tomatoes, pepper, potatoes, cucurbits, leafy greens, brassicas, among others). The class delves into the specifics of the history of vegetable crops, plant physiology, production techniques, and water and nutrient management. Students will also learn about differences between open field production and protective (greenhouse, tunnels) production, precision ag applications to vegetables, and sustainability in horticulture. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on hands-on learning, fieldwork, and practical applications to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful vegetable production.

Publications.

Referee pubs with links:

  1. Torres-Quezada, E.A. and R.J. Gandini-Taveras. 2023. Plant Density Recommendations and Plant Nutrient Status for High Tunnel Tomatoes in Virginia. Horticulturae 2023, 9(10), 1063; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9101063.
  2. Torres-Quezada, E.A., L. Zotarelli, D.D. Treadwell, and B.M. Santos. 2021. Growth Habit and In-row Distance Selection for Bell Pepper Production Under Protective Structures in Florida. International Journal of Vegetable Science. 27(6):561-573.       https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19315260.2021.1888840
  3. Torres-Quezada, E.A. J.M. Marmolejos, A.R. Lara, W. Maurer, Y. Geraldo D., M. Iris Pilar, I. Torres-Quezada, J. Ariel Caro, and L. Lopez. 2021. Early Results of Kaolin Clay Application in the Dominican Republic. EC Agriculture 7(1):1-9. https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/107578
  4. Torres-Quezada, E.A., J.M. Marmolejos, A.R. Lara, W. Maurer, J.A. González Cuesta, S.M. Medrano Carreño, and L. Lopez. 2021. Yeast-based Lure Type and Renewal Frequency for Trapping Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the Dominican Republic. The Florida Entomologist. 104(1):1-9.  https://bioone.org/journals/florida-entomologist/volume-104/issue-1/024.104.0104/Optimizing-Torula-Bait-for-Anastrepha-suspensa-Diptera–Tephritidae-Trapping/10.1653/024.104.0104.full
  5. Torres-Quezada, E.A., L. Zotarelli, V.M. Whitaker, R.L. Darnell, and K. Morgan. 2020. Production Techniques for Strawberry Plugs in West-Central Florida. HortTechnology 30(2):238-247. https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/30/2/article-p238.xml
  6. Torres-Quezada, E.A., L. Zotarelli, V.M. Whitaker, R.L. Darnell, and K. Morgan. 2018. Planting Dates and Transplant Establishment Methods on Early Yield Strawberry in West-Central Florida. HortTechnology 28(5):615-623. https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/28/5/article-p615.xml
  7. Dominguez P.A., J. J. Medina, L. Miranda, J.M. López-Aranda, M.T. Ariza, C. Soriaa, B.M Santos, E.A. Torres-Quezada and I. Hernández-Ochoa. 2016. Effect of Planting and Harvesting Dates on Strawberry Fruit Quality under High Tunnels. International Journal of Fruit Science (16):228-238. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15538362.2016.1219291
  8. Torres-Quezada, E.A., L. Zotarelli, V.M. Whitaker, B.M. Santos, and I. Hernandez-Ochoa. 2015.  Initial Crown Diameter of Strawberry Bare-root Transplants Affects Early and Total Fruit Yield. HortTechnology 25(2):203-208. https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/25/2/article-p203.xml
  9. Torres-Quezada, E.A., B.M. Santos, L. Zotarelli, and D.D. Treadwell. 2014. Soilless Media and Containers for Bell Pepper Production. International Journal of Vegetable Science 21(2):177-187. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19315260.2013.859204
  10. Santos, B.M., C.D. Stanley, A.J. Whidden, V.W. Whitaker, I. Hernández-Ochoa, P. Huang, and E.A. Torres-Quezada. 2012. Improved Sustainability through Novel Water Management Strategies for Strawberry Transplant Establishment in Florida, United States. Agronomy 2(4):312-320. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/2/4/312

Extension pubs with links:

E.A. Torres Quezada, A. Suero, U. Deitch, and T.L. Pittman. 2023. 2022 Potato Industry Status at the Eastern Shore of Virginia. SPES-522. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/SPES/spes-522/spes-522.html#:~:text=2022%20Industry%20Status,process%20for%20farmers%20each%20season.

E.A. Torres Quezada, and R. Arancibia. 2023. Micro Tunnels in Vegetable Crops: Beyond Season Extension. HORT-291 https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/HORT/HORT-291/HORT-291.html

E.A. Torres Quezada, A. Suero, and J.A. Mendoza. 2023. 2023 Potato Variety Evaluation for the Eastern Shore of Virginia. SPES-521. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/SPES/spes-521/spes-521.html

E.A. Torres Quezada. 2023. Basic melon (Cucumis melo L.) physiology and morphology. SPES-507. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/SPES/spes-507/spes-507.html

E.A. Torres Quezada, R. Gandini Taveras, S. Perlaza Cruz. 2023. Basic Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Physiology and Morphology. SPES-508NP. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/SPES/spes-508/spes-508.html

Larsson, N., J. Shortridge, E.A. Torres Quezada. 2023. Managing Irrigation with Saline Water. BSE-348P. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/BSE/bse-348/bse-348.html

Torres Quezada, E.A., L. Lopez, and D. Higgins. 2023. Protective Agriculture Production Series: Plant density recommendations. SPES-474NP. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/SPES/spes-474/spes-474.html

Jadrnicek, S. and E.A. Torres-Quezada. 2022. How to develop a planting plan for vegetables in Virginia: A sample spreadsheet. Virginia Cooperative Extension. SPES-401NP. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/SPES/spes-401/spes-401.html

Torres-Quezada, E.A. 2021. Protective Agriculture Series: Fundamentals. Virginia Cooperative Extension. SPES-355NP. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/SPES/SPES-355/SPES-355.html

Torres-Quezada, E.A., L. Zotarelli, V.M. Whitaker, and S. Agehara. 2020. Methods for Strawberry Transplant Establishment in Florida. (English and Spanish). EDIS. IFAS, University of Florida. HS1376.   https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1376

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