Research Areas:
The mission of our research is to identify and characterize physiological and biochemical mechanisms influencing growth and stress tolerance of plant species used for livestock feed and biofuels. 

Four research topics are currently being examined in detail.

	Characterize mechanisms controlling synthesis and degradation of organic reserves (starches, sugars, and storage proteins) in storage organs, and understand the role of organic reserves in plant growth and  stress tolerance.
	Conduct comparative analysis of water and nitrogen use by candidate biofuels species.  These analyses aim to identify those species and cropping systems that maximize production of cellulose, hemicellulose, and nonstructural carbohydrates while minimizing environmental impacts.
	Determine the physiological and molecular mechanisms controlling fall dormancy, and how these impact winter hardiness and growth of alfalfa.
	Understand how potassium and phosphate nutrition impact forage growth and persistence, and the underlying physiological and biochemical processes that mediate agronomic performance.  This is part of a large collaborative effort on potassium nutrition research at Purdue University.  Details of this effort can be found at the K-Team website.

Research Publications:
Berg, W.K., S.M. Cunningham, S.M. Brouder, K.D. Johnson, B.C. Joern, and J.J. Volenec.  2007.  The long-term impact of phosphorus and potassium fertilization on alfalfa yield and yield components.  Crop Sci. 47:2198-2209.

Weishaar, M.A., E.C. Brummer, J.J. Volenec, K.J. Moore, and S. Cunningham.  2005.  Improving winter hardiness in nondormant alfalfa germsplasm.  Crop Sci. 45:60-65.

Berg, W.K., S.M. Cunningham, S.M. Brouder, B.C. Joern, K.D. Johnson, J. Santini, and J.J. Volenec.  2005.  Influence of phosphorus and potassium on alfalfa yield and yield components.  Crop Sci. 45-297-304.

Meuriot, F., C. Noquet, J.-C. Avice, J.J. Volenec, S.M. Cunningham, T.G. Sors, S. Caillot, and A. Ourry.  2004.  Methyl jasmonate alters N partitioning, N reserves accumulation and induces gene expression of a 32-kDa vegetative storage protein that possesses chitinase activity in Medicago sativa taproots. Physiol. Plantarum 120:113-123.

Avice, J-C., F. Le-Dily, E. Goulas, C. Noquet, F. Meuriot, J.J. Volenec, S.M. Cunningham, T.G. Sors, C. Dhont, Y. Castonguay, P. Nadeau, G. Belanger, F-P. Chalifour, and A. Ourry.  2004.  Vegetative storage proteins in overwintering storage organs of forage legumes: roles and regulation.  Can. J. Bot. 81:1198-1212.

Meuriot, F., J.-C. Avice, M.-L. Decau, J.-C. Simon, P. Laine, J.J. Volenec, and A. Ourry.  2003.  Accumulation of N reserves and vegetative storage protein (VSP) in taproots of non-nodulated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are affected by mineral N availability.  Plant Sci. 165:709-718.

Noquet, C., F. Meuriot, J.-C. Avice, A. Ourry, S.M. Cunningham, and J.J. Volenec.  2003.  Short-day photoperiod induced changes in N uptake, N partitioning and accumulation of vegetative storage proteins in two Medicago sativa L. cultivars.  Func. Plant Biol. 30:853-863.

Haagenson, D.M., S.M. Cunningham, and J.J. Volenec.  2003.  Root physiology of less fall dormant, winter hardy alfalfa selections.  Crop Sci. 43:1441-1447. 

Haagenson, D.M., S.M. Cunningham, B.C. Joern, and J.J. Volenec.  2003. Autumn defoliation affects on alfalfa survival, root physiology, and gene expression. Crop Sci. 43:1340-1348.

Kalengamaliro, N.E., S.M. Cunningham, and J.J. Volenec.  2003.  Growth, sugar accumulation, and dark respiration of suspension cell cultures derived from contrasting alfalfa cultivars. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult. 72:163-171.

Cunningham, S.M., P. Nadeau, Y. Castonguay, S. Laberge, and J.J. Volenec.  2003.  Raffinose and stachyose accumulation, galactinol synthase expression, and winter injury of contrasting alfalfa germplasms.  Crop Sci. 43:562-570.

Volenec, J.J., S.M. Cunningham, D.M. Haagenson, W.K. Berg, B.C. Joern, and D.W. Wiersma.  2002.  Physiological genetics of alfalfa improvement: past failures and future prospects.  Field Crops Res. 75:97-110.

Cunningham, S.M., J.A. Gana, J.J. Volenec, and L.R. Teuber.  2001.  Winter hardiness, root physiology, and gene expression in successive fall dormancy selections from ‘Mesilla’ and ‘CUF 101’ alfalfa.  Crop Sci. 41:1091-1098. 

Volenec, J.J., A. Ourry, and B.C. Joern. 1996. A role for nitrogen reserves in forage regrowth and stress tolerance. Physiol. Plant. 97:185-193.

Cunningham, S.M., and J.J. Volenec. 1996. Purification and characterization of vegetative storage proteins from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) taproots. J. Plant Physiol. 147:625-632.

Extension:
The goal of Volenec's extension work is to provide the public with information on yield, quality, and persistence of forages, especially as influenced by management and genetics.  He also strives to convey an understanding of the physiological basis for responses of forages to management. 

Teaching: 
AGRY 505 - Forage Management
This course serves a diverse clientele of animal scientists, agronomists, and agricultural economists at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Dr. Volenec's goal is to provide these students with a sound understanding of the principles underlying decisions that influence yield, quality and persistence of forage species. Volenec co-authored two chapters of the text used in Agronomy 505 when it was recently revised. He also contributed to a CD-ROM companion for the text that contains more than 1000 supplementary images and photos for class use.

AGRY 525 - Crop Physiology and Ecology
Dr. Volenec has developed Agronomy 525 to provide advanced undergraduate and graduate students with training in crop physiology. Volenec expands the knowledge acquired in plant physiology and biochemistry courses to address challenges encountered in management and genetic improvement of crops.

Professional Experience:
1993-1994, Research Fellow, AFRC Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK
1992-2009, Assistant Head, Agronomy Department, Purdue University
1992-present, Professor, Agronomy Department, Purdue University
1987-1992, Associate Professor, Agronomy Department, Purdue University
1983-1987, Assistant Professor, Agronomy Department, Purdue University
1979-1983, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri
1975-1979, Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin

Awards and Honors:
2005, Outstanding Teaching Award, Dept. of Agronomy (also 1994, 1997, 2001, 2004)
2002, Outstanding Counselor Award, Dept. of Agronomy (also 2000)
1998-2003, Editor-in-Chief, Crop Science Society of America
1998, Merit Award, American Forage and Grassland Council
1997, Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
1994-1998, Editor, Crop Science
1993, CIBA-GEIGY Award in Agronomy
1993, Fellow, American Society of Agronomy
1993, Fellow, Crop Science Society of America
1993, Purdue University Agricultural Research Award
1992, Young Crop Scientist Award, Crop Science Society of America
1992-1993, Fellow, Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP)
1991, Indiana Forage Council Merit Award for Outstanding Contributions in Forage Science

Education:
B.Sc., University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.Sc., University of Missouri-Columbia
Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia

Date joined staff:  May 1983