Sven Verlinden

Dr. Sven Verlinden is an Associate Professor of Horticulture and Program Coordinator for Horticulture and Plant Sciences at the West Virginia University (College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design). He teaches courses including Plants and People, Greenhouse Management, and Herbaceous Plant Materials.

• Education: B.Sc. in Horticulture from Michigan State University, Ph.D. in Horticulture (Molecular Biology of Flower Senescence) from Purdue University

Research Interests focus on sustainable horticultural practices, including:

• Biodegradable container systems for greenhouse production
• Organic soil amendment impacts on vegetable yields
• Postharvest physiology of asparagus and ornamental crops
• Mechanisms of flower senescence
• Microgreens production systems
• Greenhouse crop economics

Publications highlight his work on biocontainers, organic farming, and plant storage physiology across six key subfields:

• Container nursery sustainability
• Soil health management
• Biodegradable material performance
• Postharvest technology
• Edible plant production
• Crop economic analysis