Joseph Arditti

Ph.D., University of Southern California, 1965
Developmental physiology of orchids
Email address: jarditti@uci.edu

We use the tools of plant physiology and development to gain a better understanding of the processes that make orchids what they are: the largest and most diverse plant family in the world. Specifically, we are investigating or have investigated the development, physiology, and ultrastructure of germinating orchid seeds and young seedlings; phytoalexins; stomatal rhythms; photosynthetic and dark (CAM) carbon fixation; post-pollination phenomena; anthocyanins; sugars; tissue culture; effects of surfactants on seedlings; and vitamin metabolism. Taro was another interest. We used cell biology techniques to improve this crop, select for salinity tolerance, and to increase the understanding of its physiologyand development.

Selected Publications

Arditti, J. (Ed.). 1977-1994. Orchid Biology, Reviews and Perspectives, Vol. I-IV (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY)), Vol. I (Timber Press, Portland, OR), Vol. VI (Wiley-Interscience).

Arditti, J. 1992. Fundamentals of Orchid Biology, Wiley-Interscience, New York.

Arditti, J. and R. Ernst. 1993. Micropropagation of Orchids. Wiley-Interscience, New York.