Mark Bridgen

My primary research interests are in the areas of new plant development and breeding, plant environment interactions, plant cell and tissue culture, in vitro plant breeding, genetic modifications for plant improvement, plant propagation, and plant growth and development of floricultural and ornamental plants. Specific in vitro breeding techniques include somaclonal and gametoclonal variation, embryo culture, somatic embryogenesis, mutation breeding, meristem culture for the production of pathogen free plants and in vitro fertilization. Specific applied studies focus on herbaceous ornamental plants, field-grown cut flower production, use of high tunnels for season extension, plant propagation, greenhouse crop production, and cultivar evaluations. Since coming to Cornell, I've developed and patented two ornamental Alstroemeria cultivars: 'Tangerine Tango' (2012) and 'Mauve Majesty' (2007).

Selected Journal Publications

• Aros, D., Suazo, M., Rivas, C., Zapata, P., Úbeda, C., & Bridgen, M. P. (2019). Characterization of new hybrids of Alstroemeria originated from A. caryophylleae scented lines. Euphytica.
• Daughtrey, M. L., & Bridgen, M. P. (2013). Evaluating resistance to Botrytis elliptica in field-grown lilies. Acta Horticulturae. 1002:313-318.
• Bridgen, M. P. (2013). Producing late-season cut lily flowers. Acta Horticulturae. 1002:89-94.
• Miller, C. T., & Bridgen, M. P. (2010). Daylength affects rhizome development and plant growth of two Achimenes cultivars. Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators' Society. 60:386-389.
• Miller, C. T., & Bridgen, M. P. (2010). Effects of storage period on growth and development in five Achimenes cultivars. HortTechnology. 20:377-380.
• Bridgen, M. P. (2009). 2008 Herbert Medalist Biography. Herbertia. 62:12-35.
• Bridgen, M. P., Kollman, E. E., & Lu, C. (2009). Interspecific hybridization of Alstroemeria for the development of new, ornamental plants. Acta Horticulturae. 836:73-78.
• Mattson, N. S., & Bridgen, M. P. (2009). Nutrient leaching from garden mums fertilized using water soluble fertilizer, controlled release fertilizer or a combination program. HortScience. 44:1072-1073.
• Miller, C., & Bridgen, M. P. (2004). Photoperiod and stock plant age effects on shoot, stolon, and rhizome formation response from leaf cuttings of Achimenes. Acta Horticulturae. 673:349-353.
• Yanez, P., Bridgen, M. P., Penailillo, P., & Schiappacasse, F. (2004). Propagation studies on Chilean geophytes. Acta Horticulturae. 673:121-126.

• Elected national president of Pi Alpha Xi 2018 Pi Alpha Xi (national honor society for plant sciences)
• Elected President of the Long Island Flower Growers Association 2017 LIFGA - Long Island Flower Growers Association
• Fulbright Scholar (2014) Council for International Exchange of Scholars
• Patent of Alstroemeria 'Tangerine Tango' (2011) US Patent Office

Plant propagation, the multiplication of plants, is both a science and an art. This class introduces the principles, practices and techniques of sexual and asexual propagation of horticultural plants. The science of plant propagation is taught by explaining plant physiology, cultural practices and characteristics of plants. The art of plant propagation is learned by completing laboratory exercises. Seed propagation, cutting propagation, grafting & budding systems, layering, specialized plant structures (bulbs, corms, etc.), and tissue culture for micropropagation are discussed and practiced.

• PLHRT 4000: Principles of Plant Propagation
• PLSCI 4900: Reflection on Plant Sciences Experiential Learning
• PLSCI 4940: Special Topics in Plant Sciences
• PLHRT 8900: Thesis Research, Master of Science