Gregorio B. Begonia, Ph. D. Professor & Asst. Director, Environmental Science PHD program. Tel: (601)-979-6962 Fax: (601)-979-5853 Email: gregorio.begonia@jsums.edu

Education

Mississippi State University, Ph.D., 1980
Major: Plant Physiology; Minor: Biochemistry

University of the Philippines at Los Banos, M.S.,1976
Major: Weed Science; Minor: Plant Pathology

University of the Philippines at Los Banos, B.S.,1972
Major: Botany; Minor: Plant Pathology

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Gas exchange characteristics and carbon partitioning of plants subjected to elevated CO2, drought and other environmental stresses; phytoremediation of contaminated soils and water; plant reflectances as indicators of nutrient and other stresses.

SELECTED REFEREED PUBLICATIONS (REVERSE CHRONOLOGY):

Miller, G., M. Begonia, G. Begonia. and, D. Gilliard. Chelate-induced phytoextraction of lead-contaminated soils by tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 50(1): 33. Annual Meeting, Mississippi Acad. Sciences, Oxford, MS, Feb. 17-18, 2005.

 Gilliard, D., O. Hundley, M.T. Begonia, and G. Begonia. Lead accumulation by tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) grown on a lead-contaminated soil. HBCU-UP Conf. Program Abstracts HBCU-UP Conf., New Orleans, LA, Feb. 10-13, 2005.

 Young, C., D. Hackett, T. Phillips, M.T. Begonia, and G.B. Begonia, Enzyme activity and population responses of microorganisms from a heavy metal- and chelate-amended soil. HBCU-UP Conf. Program Abstracts  HBCU-UP Conf., New Orleans, LA, Feb. 10-13, 2005. 

Miller, G., M. Begonia, G. Begonia, and D. Gilliard. Chelate-induced phytoextraction of lead-contaminated soils by tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) AGEM Winter Symposium Program Abstracts AGEM Winter Symposium, MS e-Center, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, Jan. 20-22, 2005. 

Begonia, M.T., G.B. Begonia, G.S. Miller, and D. Gilliard. Timing of chelate application: Implication on the phytoextraction of metal-contaminated soils. Agronomy Abstracts Amer. Soc. Agronomy/ Crop Science Soc. America/ Soil Science Soc. America Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2004. 

Ekunwe, S.I.N., R.D. Hunter, and G.B. Begonia. Leaf extract of native Nigerian edible plant inhibits growth of human colon cancer cells in vitro. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research Proc. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research, Jackson, MS, Sept. 19-22, 2004. 

Dixon, K., S.I.N. Ekunwe, R.D. Hunter, and G. B. Begonia. Herbal extracts: Potential solution to the cytotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research Proc. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research, Jackson, MS, Sept. 19-22, 2004. 

Kambhampati, M.S., G.B. Begonia, M.F.T. Begonia, and Y. Bufford. Morphological and physiological responses of morning glory (Ipomoea lacunosa L.) grown on a lead- and chelate-amended soil. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research Proc. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research, Jackson, MS, Sept. 19-22, 2004. 

Shumaker, K. and G.B. Begonia. Heavy metal uptake, translocation, and bioaccumulation studies of Triticum aestivum cultivated in contaminated dredge materials. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research Proc. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research, Jackson, MS, Sept. 19-22, 2004. 

Begonia, M.T., G.B. Begonia, M. Ighoavodha, and D. Gilliard. Lead accumulation by tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) grown on a lead-contaminated soil. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research Proc. First Int. Symposium on Recent Advances in Environ. Health Research, Jackson, MS, Sept. 19-22, 2004 

Begonia, M.T., G.B. Begonia, and G.S. Miller. Enzyme activity and population responses of microorganisms from a heavy metal- and chelate-amended soil. American Society for Microbiology Abstracts 104^th Annual Meeting, American Society for Microbiology, New Orleans, LA, May 23-27, 2004. 

Burrell, M.A., G.B. Begonia, and M.T. Begonia. Phytoextraction of lead from contaminated soils: Chemical effects of chelate application time and soil acidification. American Chemical Society Meeting Abstracts 227^th Annual Meeting, American Chemical Society, Anaheim, CA, March 28-April 1, 2004

Hardy, M.G., S. Sanders-Leggett and G. Begonia. 2000. Effects of NaCl and MgCl2 on physiological and biochemical changes in osmoregulation of Chlorococcum hypnosporum L. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 45(2): 1-6. (in press).

Begonia, G.B., M.F.T. Begonia, B.R. Ousby and M. Johnson. 1999. Vegetative and reproductive responses of cotton to stage-specific CO2 enrichment and drought stress. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 44(4): 190-196.

Hardy, M.G., S. Sanders-Leggett and G.B. Begonia. 1999. The effect of NaCl and MgCl2 on algal physiology and accumulation of organic solutes in Chlorella pyrenoidosa L. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 44(3): 167-172.

Begonia, G.B., C.D. Davis, M.F.T. Begonia and C.N. Gray. 1998. Growth responses ofIndian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] and its phytoextraction of lead from a contaminated soil. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 61(1): 38-43.
Begonia, M.F.T., R.J. Kremer and G.B. Begonia. 1998. Biological control of weeds: Effects of rhizobacterial inoculation on the growth of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.). J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 43(2): 107-117.

Pan, X., C. Pan, G.B. Begonia and J.D. Hesketh. 199?. Quantifying crop-weed competition. In V.R. Reddy and B. Acock (ed.) Modular crop growth models. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, India. (Book chapter under review)

Begonia, G.B. 1997. Comparative lead uptake and responses of some plants grown on lead- contaminated soils. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 42(2): 101-106.

Begonia, G.B. 1996. Use of plants to clean up metal-contaminated soils: A preliminary study. Mississippi Urban Research Center Report Series 96-7. 1-13. (Monograph)

Begonia, G.B., M.F.T. Begonia and A. Robinson. 1996. Effects of boron and an ectomycorrhizal fungus on growth and carbon partitioning in shortleaf pine. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 41(3): 131-135.

Begonia, G.B., B. Russ, S.G. Cunningham and R. Moore. 1996. Evidence of no photosynthetic acclimation in cotton exposed to stage-specific CO2 enrichment. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 41(2): 95-98.

Chen, X.M., G.B. Begonia and J.D. Hesketh. 1995. Soybean stomatal acclimation to long-term exposure to CO2-enriched atmospheres. Photosynthetica 31: 51-57.

Brown-Peterson, N.J., G.B. Begonia and M.L. Salin. 1995. Alterations in oxidative activity and superoxide dismutase in Halobacterium halobium in response to aerobic respiratory inhibitors. Free Radical Biol. Med. 18: 249 -256.

Alm, D.M., J.D. Hesketh, W.C. Capman and G.B. Begonia. 1994. Plant ecology. p. 259-274. In J. Arntzen and E. M. Ritter. (ed.) Encyclopedia of Agricultural Science. Vol. 3. Academic Press, New York. (Book chapter)

Chen, X.M., G.B. Begonia, D.M. Alm and J.D. Hesketh. 1993. Responses of soybean leaf photosynthesis to CO2 and drought. Photosynthetica 29: 447-454.

Begonia, G. B., R. J. Aldrich and C. D. Salisbury. 1991. Soybean yield and yield components as influenced by canopy heights and duration of competition of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.). Weed Res. 31: 117-124.

Begonia, G.B. and M.L. Salin. 1991. Elevation of superoxide dismutase in Halobacterium halobium by heat shock. J. Bacteriol. 173: 5582-5584.

Pridemore, J., G.B. Begonia and M.L. Salin. 1991. Characterization of an iron-containing superoxide dismutase from the unicellular alga, Chlamydomonas moewusii. Life Sci. Adv. Plant Physiol. 10: 131-137.

Begonia, G. B. and R. J. Aldrich. 1990. Changes in endogenous growth regulator levels and branching responses of soybean to light quality altered by velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.). Biotronics 19: 7-18.

Begonia, G. B., R.J. Aldrich and C. J. Nelson. 1988. Effects of simulated weed shade on soybean photosynthesis, biomass partitioning and axillary bud development. Photosynthetica 22: 309-319.

Begonia, G. B. , J. D. Hesketh, J. T. Woolley and D. B. Peters. 1987. Variability in leaf photosynthetic CO2 exchange rates near saturating irradiance and CO2. Photosynthetica 21: 584-587.

Begonia, G. B., J. D. Hesketh, J. R. Frederick. R. L. Finke and W. T. Pettigrew. 1987. Factors affecting leaf duration in soybean and maize. Photosynthetica 21: 285-295.

Begonia, G. B., J. D. Hesketh and H. F. Hodges. 1986. Effects of long-term drought and nitrogen on fruiting and yield of cotton. pp. 71-75. In Cotton Physiology. Proc. Beltwide Cotton Prod. Res. Conf., Las Vegas, NV. 4-9 Jan. 1986. National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN.

Begonia, G. B., J. D. Hesketh, W. T. Pettigrew and D. B. Peters. 1986. Cotton leaf photosynthesis in enriched CO2. pp. 76-77. In Cotton Physiology. Proc. Beltwide Cotton Prod. Res. Conf., Las Vegas, NV. 4-9 Jan. 1986. National Cotton Council of America, Memphis, TN.

Begonia, G. B. and B. L. Mercado. 1978. Influence of napropamide and butralin on the incidence of Sclerotium damping-off in tomato. Philippine J. Weed Sci. 5:19 -27.

Mercado, B. L., J. N. Sierra and G. B. Begonia. 1974. Control of Cyperus rotundus with 2(alpha-napthoxy) N,N-diethylpropionamide. Philippine Weed Sci. Bull. 1:35-38.

Begonia, G. B., B. L. Mercado and R.P. Robles. 1972. Morphological and physiological responses of crops and weeds to trifluralin. VII. Influence on peroxidase activity. Philippine Agriculturist 55: 247-252.

ABSTRACTS OF SCIENTIFIC PAPERS PRESENTED AT SOCIETY MEETINGS:

Begonia, M.F.T., G.B. Begonia, G. Miller, J. Owens, M. Brown M. Johnson and C. Burks. 1999. EDTA-assisted phytoextraction of lead from contaminated soils using coffeeweed (Sesbania exaltata Raf.). National Minority Research Symposium Abstracts, p.74 (Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 10-13, 1999).

Begonia, G.B., M.F.T. Begonia, G. Miller, M. Brown, J. Owens, M. Johnson and C. Burks. 1999. Chelate-enhanced phytoextraction of lead from contaminated soils using morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L.). National Minority Research Symposium Abstracts, p.75 (Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 10-13, 1999).

Begonia, G.B., M.F.T. Begonia, C. Rhyne, G. Miller and M. Johnson. 1999. Chelate-enhanced phytoextraction of lead from contaminated soils using Sesbania exaltata (Raf.). Agronomy Abstracts, American Soc. Agronomy/Crop Science Soc. America, p. 30. (Salt Lake City UT, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 1999).

Begonia, G.B., M.S. Kambhamphati, M.F.T. Begonia, Y. Bufford, M. Johnson and K. Bell. 1999. Chelate-enhanced phytoextraction of lead from contaminated soils using morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L.). Workshop on Environmental Pathology and Toxicology '99: Environmental and Health Effects of Trace Elements and Metal Ions. (Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, April 29-30, 1999).

Begonia, M.F.T., R.J. Kremer, G.B. Begonia, Y. Bufford and M. Johnson. 1999. Effects of seed and seedling root exudates of velvetleaf and birdsfoot trefoil on growth of rhizobacteria. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 44(1): 14-15. (Tupelo, MS, Feb. 25-26, 1999).

Kambhampati, M.S., G.B. Begonia, M.F.T. Begonia, Y. Bufford, M. Johnson and K. Bell. 1999. Chelate-enhanced phytoextraction of lead from contaminated soils using morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L.). J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 44(1): 14. (Tupelo, MS, Feb. 25-26, 1999).

Begonia, G.B., M.F.T. Begonia and M.S. Kambhampati. 1998. Chelate-assisted phytoextraction of lead from contaminated soils. Agronomy Abstracts, American Soc. Agronomy/Crop Science Soc. America, p. 30. (Baltimore, MD, Oct. 18-22, 1998).

Begonia, G.B., C.D. Davis, M.F. T. Begonia and C.N. Gray. 1998. Phytoextraction of lead contaminated soils using Indian mustard. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 43(1): 11. (Biloxi, MS, Feb. 26-27, 1998).

Begonia, M.F.T., R.J. Kremer and G.B. Begonia. 1998. Attraction of deleterious rhizobacteria to velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) seeds and seedlings in vitro and in soil. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 43(1): 12. (Biloxi, MS, Feb. 20-21, 1997).

Begonia, G.B., M.F.T. Begonia, K. Hardy and L. Robinson. 1997. Comparative lead uptake and responses of some plants grown on lead-contaminated soils. J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 42(1): 16. (Biloxi, MS, Feb. 20-21, 1997).

Chukwuma, F., R. Mack and G. B. Begonia. 1997. Bioaccumulation of cadmium in turnips (Brassica campestris rapifera). J. Mississippi Acad. Sci. 42(1): 14. (Biloxi, MS, Feb. 20-21, 1997).

Pan, X., G.B. Begonia and J.D. Hesketh. 1996. A crops-weed handbook with coefficients for generic plant models. Agronomy Abstracts, American Society of Agronomy / Crop Science Society of America,p. 99. (Indianapolis, IN, Nov. 3-8, 1996).

Robinson, A. and G.B. Begonia. 1996. Effects of boron and Pisolithus tinctorius on growth and carbon partitioning in shortleaf pine. p. PS5-3. In National Conference on Undergraduate Research Abstracts, University of North Carolina, Asheville, NC, April 18-20, 1996.

Pan, X., G.B. Begonia and J.D. Hesketh. 1996. Coefficients for a generic model for crop and weed LAI. pp. 19-20. In 26th Annual Crop Simulation Workshop Abstracts, Great Plains Research Unit, USDA, Fort Collins, CO, April 9-11, 1996.

Begonia, G.B., M.F.T. Begonia and A. Robinson. 1996. Interactive effects of boron and Pisolithus tinctorius on growth and carbon partitioning in shortleaf pine. p.41 In Mississippi Acad. Sci. Abstracts, Jackson, MS, Feb.22-23, 1996.

Begonia, G.B., B. Russ, S.G. Cunningham and R. Moore. 1996. Evidence of no photosynthetic acclimation in cotton exposed to stage-specific CO2 enrichment. p. 41 In Mississippi Acad. Sci. Abstracts, Jackson, MS, Feb.22-23, 1996.

Robinson, A. and G.B. Begonia. 1996. Effects of boron and Pisolithus tinctorius on growth and carbon partitioning in shortleaf pine. p. 91.In NIGMS Minority Programs Res. Symposium Abstracts, Washington DC, Oct. 11-15, 1995.

Begonia, G.B., M.F.T. Begonia and A. Robinson. 1995. Effects of boron and Pisolithus tinctorius on growth and carbon partitioning in shortleaf pine. In Sixth Gatlinburg Symposium Abstracts, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, July 12-15, 1995.

Begonia, G.B., M.F.T. Begonia and R. Moore. 1995. Morphophysiological responses of cotton to foliar methanol applications. In Sixth Gatlinburg Symposium Abstracts, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, July 12-15, 1995.

Moore, R. and G.B. Begonia. 1995. Leaf photosynthesis, biomass and yield responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to foliar methanol applications. p. 1-55. In National Conference on Undergraduate Research Abstracts, Union College, Schenectady, New York, April 20-22, 1995.

Fu, H.L., J.D. Hesketh and G.B. Begonia. 1995. Crop phenology model for MS windows. p. 32. In Workshop on Crop Simulation Abstracts, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, March 13-15, 1995.

Begonia, G.B. and R. Moore.1995. Leaf photosynthesis, biomass and yield responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ) to foliar methanol applications. p. 39. In Mississippi Academy of Science Meeting Abstracts, Biloxi, MS, February 9-10, 1995.

Russ, B., S.G. Cunningham and G.B. Begonia. 1994. Responses of cotton to stage-specific CO2 enrichment and water deficits. p. 31, In Mississippi Academy of Science Meeting Abstracts, Biloxi, MS, February 17-18, 1994.

Cunningham, S.G. and G. B. Begonia. 1994. Morphophysiological responses of cotton to stage-specific CO2 enrichment and water stress. p. VII-2, In National Conference on Undergraduate Research Abstracts, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, April 14-16, 1994.

Begonia, G.B., H.L. Fu, D.M. Alm, X.M. Chen and J.D. Hesketh. 1993. Species and ecosystem conservation.p.129. In Agronomy Abstracts, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. (Cincinnati, OH, Nov. 7-12, 1993).

Russ, B., G.B. Begonia, S.G. Cunningham, E. Moseley and J.D. Hesketh. 1993. Morphophysiological responses of cotton to varying levels of CO2 and water stress. p.145-146. In Agronomy Abstracts, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. (Cincinnati, OH, Nov. 7-12, 1993).

Fu, H.L., X.M. Chen, G.B. Begonia, D.M. Alm and J.D. Hesketh. 1993. Wetland conservation. p. 135. In Agronomy Abstracts, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. (Cincinnati, OH, Nov. 7-12, 1993).

Chen, X.M., G.B. Begonia, D.M. Alm and J.D. Hesketh. 1993. Responses of soybean leaf photosynthesis (Pn) to light and atmospheric CO2.p.132. In Agronomy Abstracts, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. (Cincinnati, OH, Nov. 7-12, 1993).

Begonia, G.B. and J.D. Hesketh. 1992. Bridging the gap between plant and crop ecology. 1992. p. 116. In Agronomy Abstracts, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. (Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 1-6, 1992).

Begonia, G.B. and M.L. Salin. 1991. Elevation of superoxide dismutase in Halobacterium halobium by heat shock. p. 34. In Mississippi Academy of Science Meeting Abstracts, Jackson, MS, February 21-22, 1991.

Begonia, G. B. and R. J. Aldrich. 1988. Responses of soybean to light quality altered by velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.). p.95. In Weed Science Society of America Abstracts, Champaign, IL. (Las Vegas, NV, Feb. 2-4, 1988).

Begonia, G. B. and R. J. Aldrich. 1987. Effects of a simulated velvetleaf light interference on soybean growth and development. p. 52-53. In Weed Science Society of America Abstracts, Champaign, IL. (St. Louis, MO, Feb. 3 - 5, 1987).

Begonia, G. B., J. D. Hesketh, J. R. Frederick., R. L. Finke and W. T. Pettigrew. 1986. Factors affecting leaf duration in soybean and corn. p.107. In Agronomy Abstracts, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. (New Orleans, LA, Nov. 30-Dec. 5, 1986).

LIST OF COURSES TAUGHT:

At Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, USA (Spring 1992-present):

Biology 424/524 (Plant Physiology) -- lecture and laboratory
Biology 111 (General Biology) --lecture and laboratory
Biology 119 (Botany) --lecture and laboratory
Biology 101 (Introduction to Biological Science) --lecture and laboratory
Biology 391 (Introduction to Research)
Biology 390 (Biology Undergraduate Seminar)
Biology 587 (Graduate Independent Study)
Biology 599 (Masters Thesis)
Envl (Environmental Science) 999 (Dissertation Research in Environmental Science)

At the University of the Philippines at Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines (October 1972-April 1985):

Botany 20 (Elementary Plant Physiology) -- laboratory
Botany 135 (Weeds and Their Control) -- laboratory
Agronomy 1a (Principles of Crop Science) -- lecture and laboratory
Agrnomy 10 (Field Crops Production) -- laboratory
Agronomy 240 (Environmental Physiology, a graduate course)
Agronomy 210 (Advanced Crop Physiology, a graduate course)
Agronomy 245 (Stress Physiology of Crop Plants, a graduate course)
Agronomy 300 (Masters Thesis)
Agronomy 400 (Ph. D. Dissertation Research)