Kim Williams
Floriculture
Division of Horticulture
kwilliam@oznet.ksu.edu
Research Profile
Kim Williams is a floriculturist whose current research interests include three areas: increasing nutrient retention properties of soilless root media, studying the interactions between cultural practices during greenhouse production and the incidence and severity of arthropod pests, and production practices of floricultural crops in high tunnels. Her research has an applied focus, and she is a frequent speaker at regional and national greenhouse industry events.
Williams has studied the chemical properties of soilless root media since her Ph.D. work at North Carolina State University. She is a two-time co-recipient of the Alex Laurie Award from the Ohio Florists’ Association for her research in this area. Work at K-State to develop a zeolite-based root medium for blue hydrangea that eliminates the need for soluble aluminum drenches was been funded by the Gloeckner Foundation. Publications within the past 5 years include:
Opena, G.B. and K.A. Williams. 2003. Use of precharged zeolite to provide aluminum during blue hydrangea production. J. Plant Nutrition. 26(9):1825-1840.
Williams, K.A., P.V. Nelson, and D. Hesterberg. 2000. Phosphate and potassium retention and release during chrysanthemum production from pre-charged materials. I. Alumina. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 125(6):748-756. Winner of the Alex Laurie Award.
Williams, K.A. and P.V. Nelson. 2000. Phosphate and potassium retention and release during chrysanthemum production from pre-charged materials. II. Calcined clay and brick chips. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 125(6):757-764.
Carlino, J.L., K.A. Williams, and E.R. Allen. 1998. Evaluation of zeolite-based root media for potted chrysanthemum production. HortTechnology 8(3):373-378.
As a member of an inter-disciplinary research team at K-State consisting of entomologists, horticulturists, and agricultural economists, Williams has worked to evaluate the effects of fertilization and irrigation practices on the arthropod pests twospotted spider mites and western flower thrips. In addition, this research team has a focus of developing grower-friendly and economically-feasible scouting strategies for integrated pest management of bedding plants. Team research has been funded by grants from USDA National Research Initiative ($190,000), USDA Pesticide Management Alternatives Program ($165,800), and NCR-Integrated Pest Management Program ($95,000) as well as F.I.R.S.T. and the Gloeckner Foundation ($44,000).
Chen, Y., K.A. Williams, B.K. Harbaugh, and M.L. Bell. 2004. Effects of Tissue Phosphorus and Nitrogen in Impatiens wallerana on Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) Population Levels and Plant Damage. HortScience. In press.
Opit, G.P., V.M. Jonas, K.A. Williams, D.C. Margolies, and J.R. Nechols. 2002. Effects of cultivar and irrigation management on population growth of the twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae on greenhouse ivy geranium. Experimental Applied Acarology. 25:849-857.
As a member of a multi-institutional (Kansas State University, University of Missouri, and University of Nebraska), inter-disciplinary research team, Williams is working on developing educational materials for crop production in a low-cost protected-environment structure called high tunnels. She is also focusing on developing cultural practices for floricultural crops in these structures. She is responsible for the development of the www.hightunnels.org website. Project funding is through IFAFS ($800,000). A forthcoming publication from this project is:
Spaw, M. and K.A. Williams. 2004. Full Moon Farms Builds High Tunnels: A Case Study in Site Planning for Crop Production Structures. HortTechnology. In press.
