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Thomas G. Chastain

Associate Professor/Undergraduate advising - Crop Physiology of Grass Seed Crops

Tom ChastainMailing Address:
Department of Crop and Soil Science
3017 Agricultural and Life Science Building
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331

Office: Ag Life Sci 3005A
Phone: 541-737-5730
Fax: 541-737-5725
E-Mail: email

Department Website: Department of Crop and Soil Science
Vita: Short

Education:

B.A. Biological Sciences California State University - Chico, 1981
M.S. Crop Science Oregon State University, 1985
Ph.D. Crop Science Oregon State University, 1987

Current Work Focus:

The primary focus of our work is to understand how environment and crop production practices influence the long-term productivity of cool-season grasses grown for seed production. Our work has emphasized crop growth and development during the post-harvest regrowth period. Environmental factors studied during the regrowth period include stress caused by water deficit and the impact of temperature on leaf and tiller development. The effect of stubble removal on crop regrowth and development has been studied in creeping red fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Current work addresses the hormonal control of autumn regrowth and rhizome development and possible linkages to seed production.

Industrial Relevance:

The physiological nature of seed yield responses to crop production practices needs to be elucidated in order to improve crop performance. Increased understanding of the growth and development of cool-season grasses may be critical for enhancing the economic and environmental sustainability of grass seed production enterprises.

Projects: Oregon Invests!

Societies and Affiliations:

  • American Society of Agronomy
  • Crop Science Society of America

Publications:

  • Orthel, K.D., T.G. Chastain, C.J. Garbacik, and W.C. Young III. 2005. Spring irrigation management of tall fescue seed crops in the Willamette Valley. In W.C. Young III (ed.) Seed Production. Crop Sci. Ext. Rep. 124:3-6.
  • King, C.M., T.G. Chastain, C.J. Garbacik, and W.C. Young III. 2005. Spring irrigation management of perennial ryegrass seed production in the Willamette Valley. In W.C. Young III (ed.) Seed Production. Crop Sci. Ext. Rep. 124:1-2.
  • Silberstein, T.B., M.E. Mellbye, T.G. Chastain, and W.C. Young III. 2005. Response of seed yield to swathing time in annual and perennial ryegrass. In W.C. Young III (ed.) Seed Production. Crop Sci. Ext. Rep. 124:27-30.
  • Schumacher, D.D., T.G. Chastain, C.J. Garbacik, and W.C. Young III. 2005. Response of fine fescue seed crop cultivars to residue management practices in the Willamette Valley. In W.C. Young III (ed.) Seed Production. Crop Sci. Ext. Rep. 124:34-36.
  • Zapiola, M.L., T.G. Chastain, W.C. Young III, C.J. Garbacik, and T.B. Silberstein. 2005. Palisade and field burning in creeping red fescue in the Willamette Valley. In W.C. Young III (ed.) Seed Production. Crop Sci. Ext. Rep. 124:31-33.

Refereed Journal Publications

  1. Chastain, T.G., W.C. Young, C.J. Garbacik, P.D. Meints, and T.B. Silberstein. 2000. Alternative residue management and stand age effects of seed quality in cool-season perennial grasses. Seed Prod. 22:34-42.
  2. Young, S.C., T.B. Silberstein, T.G. Chastain, and J.S. Rowarth. 1998. The relationship between applied nitrogen, nitrogen concentration in herbage and seed yield in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) II. Cultivars in Oregon. J. Seed Prod. 16:
  3. Chastain, T.G. and W.C. Young. 1998. Vegetative plant development and seed production in cool-season perennial grasses. Seed Sci. Res. 8:295-301.
  4. Griffith, S.M. and T.G. Chastain. 1997. Physiology and growth of ryegrass. Pages 15-28 in Ecology, Production, and Mangement of Lolium for Forage in the USA. CSSA Special Publication no. 24.
  5. Chastain, T.G., G.L. Kiemnec, C.J. Garbacik, B.M. Quebbeman, G.H. Cook, and F.J. Crowe. 1997. Residue management strategies for Kentucky bluegrass seed production. Crop Sci. 37:1836-1840.
  6. Silberstein, T.B., T.G. Chastain, and W.C. Young III. 1996. Growth and yield of red clover seed crops treated with paclobutrazol and uniconazol. J. Appl. Seed Prod.14:17-23.
  7. Ball, D.A., D.J. Wysocki, and T.G. Chastain. 1996. Nitrogen application timing effects on downy brome (Bromus tectorum) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth and yield. Weed Tech. 10:305-310
  8. Chastain, T.G., K.J. Ward, and D.J. Wysocki. 1995. Seedbed residue and seed size relationships in winter barley. Agron. J. 87:517-520
  9. Chastain, T.G., K.J. Ward, and D.J. Wysocki. 1995. Stand establishment responses of soft white winter wheat to seedbed residue and seed size. Crop Sci. 35:213-218
  10. Chastain, T.G., B.L. Klepper, and D.E. Wilkins. 1994. Relationship of wheat seed sprouting severity, planting depth, and seed treatment to emergence and yield. Crop Sci. 34:508-513.
  11. Smiley, R.W., W. Uddin, P.K. Zwer, D.J. Wysocki, D.A. Ball, T.G. Chastain, and P.E. Rasmussen. 1993. Influence of crop management practices on physiologic leaf spot of winter wheat. Plant Dis. 77:803-810.
  12. Chastain, T.G. 1992. Relationship of ergot to Kentucky bluegrass seed production and quality. J. Appl. Seed Prod. 10:7-10.
  13. Chastain, T.G. 1991. High temperature sodium hypochlorite effects on viability of Tilletia controversa teliospores and wheat seed. Crop Sci. 31:1327-1330.
  14. Chastain, T.G., and B. King. 1990. A biochemical method for estimating viability of teliospores of Tilletia controversa. Phytopathology 80:474-476.
  15. Chastain, T.G., and D.F. Grabe. 1989. Spring establishment of turf-type tall fescue seed crops with cereal companion crops. Agron. J. 81:488-493.
  16. Chastain, T.G., and D.F. Grabe. 1989. Spring establishment of orchardgrass seed crops with cereal companion crops. Crop Sci. 29:466-471.
  17. Chastain, T.G., and D.F. Grabe. 1988. Establishment of red fescue seed crops with cereal companion crops. II. Seed production and economic implications. Crop Sci. 28:313-316.
  18. Chastain, T.G., and D.F. Grabe. 1988. Establishment of red fescue seed crops with cereal companion crops. I. Morphological responses. Crop Sci. 28:308-312.

Past Positions:

  • 1995-1997, Oregon State University, Associate Professor of Crop Physiology
  • 1989-1995, Oregon State University, Assistant Professor of Crop Physiology
  • 1987-1989, Washington State University, Assistant Professor of Seed Physiology (temporary)

Other Expertise:

Academic Experience:
Associate Editor - Agronomy Journal 1993-present