Responsibilities and Interests:

As Penn State’s turfgrass breeder, my program performs basic and applied genetics on a wide range of grass species including many native to North America. My lab routinely uses DNA markers, flow-cytometry, and cytology as aids to sort through the complex genomes of these grasses during the breeding process. In addition, we also use these techniques to identify genetic boundaries (either discrete or overlapping) at the level of populations for both commercial cultivars and endemic natives. In the area of crop improvement, we focus on enhancing tolerance or resistance to several biotic and abiotic stresses. For our perennial grasses these include, wear tolerance, persistence, disease, and extreme temperatures (both heat and cold). Finally, we are performing a range of genomic investigations on the reproductive biology of these grasses including such systems as apomixis and dioecy.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Genetics, U.C. Davis, 1988.
• M.S. in Genetics, U.C. Davis, 1983.
• B.S. in Crop & Soil Sciences, Michigan State, 1980.

Professional Background:

• Associate Professor, Penn State, 2000–present.
• Assistant Professor, Penn State, 1994–2000.

Selected Publications:

1. Huff, D.R., J.A. Quinn, and A. Palazzo. 2001. Regional variation among DNA profiles of North American native little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash] populations. Crop Science 7: 1591–1597.
2. Backman, P.A., PJ Landschoot, and D.R. Huff. Variation in pathogenicity, morphology, and RAPD marker profiles in Colletotrichum graminicola from turfgrasses Crop Sci. 1999 39: 1129–1135.
3. Gustine, D.L., and D.R. Huff. Genetic variation within and among white clover populations from managed permanent pastures of the Northeastern USA. Crop Sci. 1999 39: 524–530.
4. Huff, D.R., and A.J. Palazzo. Fine fescue species determination by laser flow cytometry. Crop Sci. 1998 38: 445–450.