Kristopher Criscione

Kristopher Criscione is an Assistant Professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, based at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) in Virginia Beach, VA. He serves as the Nursery Production Specialist with a 50:50 research and extension appointment, focusing on sustainable practices in containerized crop production.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Plant, Environmental, and Soil Science (Horticulture), Louisiana State University, 2024
• M.S. in Plant, Environmental, and Soil Science (Horticulture), Louisiana State University, 2021
• B.T. in Plant Science, State University of New York at Cobleskill, 2019

His research interests center on improving resource efficiency in nursery production, including soilless substrate science, irrigation and fertilizer optimization, root-substrate interactions, and container rootzone management. He investigates how to reduce reliance on finite resources like peat, water, and agrochemicals while maintaining crop quality and profitability. His work integrates field and laboratory studies to develop practical, scalable solutions for commercial growers.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in sustainable horticulture, particularly in stratified substrate systems that reduce peat usage, enhance water retention, and improve root development. These studies span disciplines in agricultural science, soil physics, and plant physiology, with applications in both nursery and greenhouse industries.

While no scientific awards are listed, his extension work actively engages Virginia’s nursery industry stakeholders to ensure research is solution-driven and readily adoptable. His program aligns with the mission of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech to promote sustainable and profitable agricultural systems.

Dr. Criscione collaborates across disciplines, particularly with engineering and agricultural systems, to innovate automation, smart irrigation, and efficient potting lines. Though specific labs or research teams are not detailed, his work involves field trials at the Hampton Roads AREC and interdisciplinary partnerships aimed at addressing labor shortages, supply chain issues, and environmental regulations in ornamental horticulture.