Contact Ronald S. Zalesny, Jr.
I study genetic and physiological mechanisms regulating biomass production of short rotation woody crops (e.g., poplars and willows) grown for phytotechnologies, bioenergy, and fiber.
The provision of ecosystem services associated with these end uses is tightly linked with increasing human population levels at regional, national, and global scales, resulting in the need for such services along the urban to rural continuum that balance community well-being with ecological health and stability. To address this need, I am advancing short rotation woody crop production systems for pollution remediation and renewable energy.
In addition to short rotation woody crops, I also study the impacts of changing climates on patterns of tree adaptation in northern coniferous forest ecosystems.
There is a need for long-term conifer management strategies that optimize ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and feedstock production potential of plantations and natural forests. The success of such systems depends upon understanding the linkages among energy, climate, and tree genetics, which are vital for promoting biologically and economically sustainable reforestation, afforestation, and gene conservation.
Understanding the underlying genetic and physiological mechanisms regulating growth and development of short rotation woody crops supports effective deployment of favorable genotypes that helps: 1) reduce impacts from invasive species, 2) provide energy sources that do not contribute to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and global climate change, and 3) improve ecosystems along the urban to rural continuum through recovery, remediation, and restoration. Overall, the knowledge gained from my research helps growers and researchers increase the success of sustainable woody crop production systems, while providing essential ecosystem services such as clean water and healthy soils.
Zalesny Jr., Ronald S.; Stanturf, John A.; Gardiner, Emile S.; Ba??uelos, Gary S.; Hallett, Richard A.; Hass, Amir; Stange, Craig M.; Perdue, James H.; Young, Timothy M.; Coyle, David R.; Headlee, William L. 2016. Environmental technologies of woody crop production systems.
Zalesny Jr., Ronald S.; Stanturf, John A.; Gardiner, Emile S.; Perdue, James H.; Young, Timothy M.; Coyle, David R.; Headlee, William L.; Ba??uelos, Gary S.; Hass, Amir. 2016. Ecosystem services of woody crop production systems.
Lazarus, William; Headlee, William L.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2015. Impacts of supplyshed-level differences in productivity and land Costs on the economics of hybrid poplar production in Minnesota, USA.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr..; Hallett, Richard A.; Falxa-Raymond, Nancy; Wiese, Adam H.; Birr, Bruce A. 2014. Propagating native Salicaceae for afforestation and restoration in New York City's five boroughs.
Headlee, William L.; Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr.; Donner, Deahn M.; Hall, Richard B. 2013. Using a process-based model (3-PG) to predict and map hybrid poplar biomass productivity in Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA.
Headlee, William L.; Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr.; Hall, Richard B.; Bauer, Edmund O.; Bender, Bradford; Birr, Bruce A.; Miller, Raymond O.; Randall, Jesse A.; Wiese, Adam H. 2013. Specific gravity of hybrid poplars in the north-central region, USA: within-tree variability and site × genotype effects.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr..; Donner, Deahn M.; Coyle, David R.; Headlee, William L. 2012. An approach for siting poplar energy production systems to increase productivity and associated ecosystem services.
Zalesny, Ronald S.; Hall, Richard B.; Zalesny, Jill A.; McMahon, Bernard G.; Berguson, William E.; Stanosz, Glen R. 2009. Biomass and Genotype Environment Interactions of Populus Energy Crops in the Midwestern United States.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Sexton, Bart; Hall, Richard B. 2008. Sodium and chloride accumulation in leaf, woody, and root tissue of Populus after irrigation with landfill leachate.
Headlee, William L.; Zalesny, Ronald S.; Hall, Richard B. 2018. Coarse root biomass and architecture of hybrid aspen 'Crandon' (Populus alba L. P. grandidenta Michx.) grown in an agroforestry system in central Iowa, USA.
Chhin, Sophan ; Zalesny, Ronald S.; Parker, William C.; Brissette, John . 2018. Dendroclimatic analysis of white pine (Pinus strobus L.) using long-term provenance test sites across eastern North America.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr..; Headlee, William L. 2015. Developing woody crops for the enhancement of ecosystem services under changing climates in the north central United States.
Mirck, Jaconette; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2015. Mini-review of knowledge gaps in salt tolerance of plants applied to willows and poplars.
Headlee, William L.; Hall, Richard B.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2013. Establishment of alleycropped hybrid aspen "Crandon" in central Iowa, USA: effects of topographic position and fertilizer rate on above ground biomass production and allocation.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr..; Coyle, David R. 2013. Short rotation Populus: a bibliography of North American literature, 1989-2011.
Assibi Mahama, A. ; Hall, Richard ; Zalesny, Ronald . 2011. Differential interspecific incompatibility among Populus hybrids in sections Aigeiros Duby and Tacamahaca Spach.
Zalesny, R. S.; Zalesny, J. A. 2011. Clonal Variation in Lateral and Basal Rooting of Populus Irrigated with Landfill Leachate.
Lazarus, William F.; Tiffany, Douglas G.; Zalesny Jr., Ronald S., Jr..; Riemenschneider, Don E. 2011. Economic impacts of short-rotation woody crops for energy or oriented strand board: a Minnesota case study.
Coyle, David R.; Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny Jr., Ronald S., Jr..; Wiese, Adam H. 2011. Irrigating poplar energy crops with landfill leachate negatively affects soil micro- and meso-fauna.
Padley, Eunice A.; Donner, Deahn M.; Fassnacht, Karin S.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr..; Birr, Bruce; Martin, Karl J. 2011. Managing carbon sequestration and storage in northern hardwood forests.
Zalesny Jr., Ronald S., Jr..; Stanturf, John A.; Evett, Steven R.; Kandil, Nabil F.; Soriano, Christopher. 2011. Opportunities for woody crop production using treated wastewater in Egypt. I. Afforestation strategies.
Evett, Steven R.; Zalesny Jr., Ronald S., Jr..; Kandil, Nabil F.; Stanturf, John A.; Soriano, Christopher. 2011. Opportunities for woody crop production using treated wastewater in Egypt. II. Irrigation strategies.
Zalesny Jr., R.S., Jr.; Cunningham, M.W.; Hall, R.B.; Mirck, J.; Rockwood, D.L.; Stanturf, J.A.; Volk, T.A. 2011. Woody biomass from short rotation energy crops. Chapter 2.
Coyle, David R.; Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr. 2010. A comprehensive database of poplar research in North America from 1980 - 2010.
Zalesny, R.S. Jr.; Donner, D.M.; Coyle, D.R.; Headlee, W.L.; Hall, R.B. 2010. An approach for siting poplar energy production systems to increase productivity and associated ecosystem services.
Headlee, W.L.; Hall, R.B.; Zalesny, R.S. Jr. 2010. Aspen-triticale alleycropping system: effects of landscape position and fertilizer rate.
Zalesny, R.S. Jr.; Headlee, W.L.; Hall, R.B.; Coyle, D.R. 2010. Carbon sequestration potential of poplar energy crops in the Midwest, USA.
Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr.; Zalesny, Jill A. 2010. Phyto-recurrent selection: a method for selecting Populus and Salix genotypes for environmental applications.
Donner, Deahn; Zalesny, Ron, Jr. 2010. Potential Land-use changes with Woody Energy Corp Production in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Zhu, J.Y.; Pan, Xuejun; Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr. 2010. Pretreatment of woody biomass for biofuel production: energy efficiency, technologies, and recalcitrance.
Vance, Eric D.; Maguire, Douglas A.; Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr. 2010. Research strategies for increasing productivity of intensively managed forest plantations.
Zalesny Jr., R.S., Jr..; Zalesny, Jill. 2010. Using phytotechnologies to remediate brownfields, landfills, and other urban areas.
Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr.; Zalesny, Jill A. 2010. Using phytotechnologies to remediate brownfields, landfills, and other urban areas.
Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Bauer, Edmund O.; Riemenschneider, Donald E. 2009. Ex situ growth and biomass of Populus bioenergy crops irrigated and fertilized with landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S. 2009. Chloride and sodium uptake potential over an entire rotation of Populus irrigated with landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Coyle, David R.; Hall, Richard B.; Bauer, Edmund O. 2009. Clonal variation in morphology of Populus root systems following irrigation with landfill leachate or water during 2 years of establishment.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Coyle, David R.; Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr.; Wiese, Adam H. 2009. Effects of irrigating poplar energy crops with landfill leachate on soil micro- and meso-fauna.
Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr. 2009. Integrating phytotechnologies with energy crop production for biofuels, bioenergy, and bioproducts.
Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr.; Evett, Steven R.; Kandil, Nabil F.; Soriano, Chris; Stanturf, John A. 2009. Opportunities for woody crop production using treated wastewater in Egypt.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Zalesny, Jill A. 2009. Selecting Populus with different adventitious root types for environmental benefits, fiber, and energy.
Mirck, Jaconette; Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr.; Dimitriou, Ioannis; Zalesny, Jill A.; Volk, Timothy A.; Mabee, Warren E. 2009. The use of short rotation willows and poplars for the recycling of saline waste waters.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Coyle, David R.; Hall, Richard B.; Bauer, Edmund O. 2008. Populus root system morphology during phytoremediation of landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Mitchell, Rob; Richardson, Jim, eds. 2008. Biofuels, bioenergy, and bioproducts from sustainable agricultural and forest crops: proceedings of the short rotation crops international conference.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Hall, Richard B.; Zalesny, Jill A.; Berguson, William E.; McMahon, Bernard G.; Stanosz, Glen R. 2008. Biomass potential of populus in the midwestern United States.
Kodrzycki, R.J.; Michaels, R.B.; Friend, A.L.; Zalesny, R.S., Jr..; Mawata, Ch.P.; McDonald, D.W. 2008. Non-destructive digital imaging in poplar allows detailed analysis of adventitious rooting dynamics.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2008. Potential chloride and sodium uptake for 2- to 11-year-old populus irrigated with landfill leachate in the north central United States.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Sexton, Bart T.; Hall, Richard B. 2008. Uptake of macro- and micro-nutrients into leaf, woody, and root tissue of Populus after irrigation with landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Zalesny, Jill A. 2008. Variation in lateral and basal adventitious rooting of populus irrigated with landfill leachate: selection of favorable genotypes for environmental benefits.
Zalesny, Ronald S.; Bauer, Edmund O. 2007. Evaluation of Populus and Salix Continuously Irrigated with Landfill Leachate I. Genotype-Specific Elemental Phytoremediation.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Bauer, Edmund O.; Headlee, William L., Jr.; Hall, Richard B.; Mahama, A. Assibi; Zalesny, Jill A. 2007. An inexpensive and reliable monitoring station design for use with lightweight, compact data loggers.
Mahama, A. Assibi; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Hall, R.B. 2007. Breeding success and range of incompatibility among Populus hybrids in sections Aigeiros Duby and Tacamahaca Spach.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Hall, Richard B. 2007. Choosing tree genotypes for phytoremediation of landfill leachate using phyto-recurrent selection.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Zalesny, Jill A.; Bauer, Edmund O. 2007. Ecological sustainability of alternative biomass feedstock production for environmental benefits and bioenergy.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Bauer, Edmund O.; Zalesny, Jill A. 2007. Establishment and early growth of Populus hybrids irrigated with landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Bauer, Edmund O. 2007. Evaluation of Populus and Salix continuously irrigated with landfill leachate II. Soils and early tree development.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Coyle, David R.; Hall, Richard B. 2007. Growth and biomass of Populus irrigated with landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Coyle, D.R.; Hall, R.B. 2007. Leaf, woody, and root biomass of Populus irrigated with landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Sexton, Bart T.; Hall, Richard B. 2007. Macro- and micro-nutrient concentration in leaf, woody, and root tissue of Populus irrigated with landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Sexton, Bart T.; Hall, Richard B. 2007. Phytoaccumulation of sodium and chloride into leaf, woody, and root tissue of Populus irrigated with landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Bauer, Edmund O. 2007. Selecting and utilizing Populus and Salix for landfill covers: implications for leachate irrigation.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, A.H.; Sexton, B.; Hall, R.B. 2007. Sodium and chloride concentration in leaf, woody, and root tissue of Populus irrigated with landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Friend, A. L.; Kodrzycki, B.; McDonald, D.W.; Michaels, R.; Wiese, A.H.; Powers, J.W. 2007. Using low energy x-ray radiography to evaluate root initiation and growth of Populus.
Wiese, Adam H.; Netzer, Daniel A.; Riemenschneider, Don E.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2006. A weed compaction roller system for use with mechanical herbicide application.
Coleman, Mark; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2006. Annotated bibliography on phytoremediation.
Wiese, A.H.; Zalesny, J.A.; Donner, D.M.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2006. Bud removal affects shoot, root, and callus development of hardwood Populus cuttings.
Zalesny, R. S., Jr.; Wiese, A.H. 2006. Date of shoot collection, genotype, and original shoot position affect early rooting of dormant hardwood cuttings of Populus.
Mahama, A. Assibi; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Hall, Richard B. 2006. Differential interspecific incompatibility in Populus breeding.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2006. Genetic and environmental factors affecting early rooting of six Populus genomic groups: implications for tree improvement.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Bauer, Edmund O. 2006. Phyto-recurrent selection: a tree improvement strategy for selecting genotypes used in phytoremediation.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Hall, Richard B.; Sexton, Bart. 2006. Phytoremediation of landfill leachate using Populus.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Bauer, Edmund O.; Riemenschneider, Don E. 2006. Sapflow of hybrid poplar (Populus nigra L. x P. maximowiczii A. Henry 'NM6') during phytoremediation of landfill leachate.
Mahama, A. Assibi; Sparks, Brian; Zalesny, Ronald S.,, Jr..; Hall, Richard B. 2006. Successful grafting in poplar species (Populus spp.) breeding.
Wiese, Adam H.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2006. Unique technical innovations for short rotation woody crops research and development.
Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Hall, Richard B. 2006. Using phyto-recurrent selection to choose Populus genotypes for phytoremediation of landfill leachate.
Zalesny, Ronald, Jr.; Riemenschneider, Don. 2006. Using short rotation woody crops for bioenergy in North America.
Wiese, Adam H.; Riemenschneider, Don E.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2005. An inexpensive rhizotron design for two-dimensional, horizontal root growth measurements.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Bauer, Edmund O.; Hall, Richard B.; Zalesny, Jill A.; Kunzman, Joshua; Rog, Chris J.; Riemenschneider, Don E. 2005. Clonal variation in survival and growth of hybrid poplar and willow in an in situ trial on soils heavily contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Riemenschneider, Don E.; Hall, Richard B. 2005. Early rooting of dormant hardwood cuttings of Populus: analysis of quantitative genetics and genotype x environment interactions.
Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Hall, R.B.; Bauer, E.O.; Riemenschneider, D.E. 2005. Soil temperature and precipitation affect the rooting ability of dormant hardwood cuttings of Populus.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr. 2004. Hybrid poplars: fast-growing, disease-resistant species has multiple uses.
Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Bauer, E.O.; Riemenschneider, D.E. 2004. Use of belowground growing degree days to predict rooting of dormant hardwood cuttings of Populus.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Wiese, Adam H.; Bauer, Edmund O.; Riemenschneider, Don E.; Sexton, Bart. 2004. Water usage and establishment success of Populus during phytoremediation of landfill effluent.
Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Hall, R.B.; Bauer, E.O.; Riemenschneider, D.E. 2003. Shoot position affects root initiation and growth of dormant unrooted cuttings of Populus.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Riemenschneider, Don E.; Hall, Richard B. 2002. Evaluating hybrid poplar rooting. I. genotype x environment interactions in three contrasting sites.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Riemenschneider, Don E.; Hall, Richard B. 2002. Evaluating hybrid poplar rooting. II. backcross breeding method exhibits exceptional promise.
Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Riemenschneider, Don; Bauer, Edmund. 2000. Analysis of genetic and environmental effects on hybrid poplar rooting in Central and Northern Minnesota, USA.