Water Management Research : People & Places

Louise Comas Dr. Louise Comas
Plant Physiologist
CONTACT INFORMATION

ADDRESS:
USDA-ARS
Water Management Research Unit
2150 Centre Avenue, Bldg D, Suite 320
Fort Collins, CO 80526

PHONE: (970) 492-7416
FAX: (970) 492-7408

E-MAIL: Louise.Comas@ars.usda.gov

Degrees Research Publications

Degrees:

Ph.D. Plant Phyiology, Ecology Minor 2001 Penn State University, University Park

B.S. Botany 1993 University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research Interests:

I have worked towards both basic and applied research goals in field, greenhouse and lab settings with diverse species (woody and herbaceous) to better understand plant root systems and their links to aboveground growth and growing conditions. My current research is focused on examining plant responses to seasonally-distributed water stress (corn and sunflower). I am also involved in collaborative projects assessing root traits associated with increased productivity under water stress (lesquerella), and root system dynamics in response to scion, above-ground canopy management and soil moisture (walnut).

Publications:

Lee MH, Comas LH, Callahan HS. Do functional root traits of maple and oak show compensatory plasticity when deprived of mycorrhizal symbiosis? Submitted.

Comas LH, Mueller KE, Taylor LL, Midford PE, Callahan HS, Beerling DJ. 2012. Evolutionary patterns and biogeochemical significance of angiosperm root traits. International Journal of Plant Science 173: 584-595.

Comas LH, Goslee SC, Skinner RH, Sanderson MA. 2011. Quantifying species trait - function relationships for ecosystem management. Applied Vegetation Science 14: 583–595.

Comas LH. 2011. Quantifying fine root and leaf morphology (and seeds) from desktop scans. PrometheusWiki, http://www.publish.csiro.au/prometheuswiki/

Comas LH, Patterson A, Carlisle B. 2011. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) staining and quantification PrometheusWiki, http://www.publish.csiro.au/prometheuswiki/

Skinner RH and Comas LH. 2010. Root distribution of temperate forage species subjected to water and nitrogen stress. Crop Science 50:2178–2185.

Comas LH, Bauerle TL, Eissenstat DM. 2010. Biological and environmental factors controlling root dynamics and function. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research 16:131-137.

Comas LH, Tuininga A, Callahan HS. 2010. Advancing our current understanding of plant-fungal symbioses: bridging scales from local to global. New Phytologist 185:871-873.

Parrent J, Peay K, Arnold EA, Comas LH, Avis P, Tuininga A. 2010. Moving from pattern to process in fungal symbioses: Linking functional traits, community ecology, and phylogenetics. New Phytologist 185:882-886.

Comas LH and Eissenstat DM. 2009. Patterns in root trait variation among 25 co-existing North American forest species. New Phytologist 182:919–928.

Edwards, KR, Comas LH. 2009. Evaluation of mechanical cutting to control littoral purple loosestrife stands. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 47:158-161.

Eissenstat DM, Lakso AN, Neilsen D, Smart DR, Bauerle TL, Comas LH, Neilsen GH. 2006. Seasonal patterns of root growth in relation to shoot phenology in grape and apple In: Retamales JB, Lobos GA. Acta Horticulturae 721. Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Plants, pp. 21-26.

Comas LH, Anderson LJ, Dunst RM, Lakso AN, Eissenstat DM. 2005. Canopy and environmental control of root dynamics in a long-term study of ‘Concord’ grape. New Phytologist 167:829-840.

Comas LH, Eissenstat DM. 2004. Linking fine root traits to maximum potential growth rate among eleven mature temperate tree species. Functional Ecology 18:388-397.

Comas LH, Skinner RH, Goslee SC. 2004. Using biodiversity to improve pastures. Lancaster Farming September 11, p E13.

Anderson LJ, Comas LH, Eissenstat DM, Lakso AN. 2003. Multiple risk factors in root survivorship: a four-year study in Concord grape. New Phytologist 158:489-501.

Lakso AN, Eissenstat DM, Comas LH , Dunst R. 2003. Effects of irrigation and pruning on Concord grape productivity and seasonal root development. International Water and Irrigation 23:32-34.

Comas LH, Bouma TJ, Eissenstat DM. 2002. Linking root traits to potential growth rate in six temperate tree species. Oecologia 132:34-43.

Comas LH, Eissenstat DM, Lakso AN. 2000. Assessing root death and root system dynamics in a study of grape canopy pruning. New Phytologist 147:171-178.