Christopher Ray

Edisto Research and Education Center

Office: 64 Research Road, Blackville, SC 29817
Phone: 803-284-3343

Email: CRY@clemson.edu

Educational Background

Ph.D. Plant and Environmental Science
Clemson University 2005

M.S. Horticulture
Clemson University 1997

B.S. Horticulture
Clemson University 1994

Courses Taught

2008- 2018. Student Practicum. Agronomy and Horticulture.

2005 – Present. Guest lectures in courses such as plant breeding, weed science, soil microbiology, Plant Propagation, etc.

2007. Horticulture 102 Experience in Horticulture

2007. Horticulture 456/656 Vegetable Crops Physiology

1995-1996. Horticulture 456/656 Vegetable Crops Physiology.

Profile

I currently work at the Edisto Research and Education Center, a 2356-acre research facility in Blackville, SC. In the past I have served as the Director of the Clemson University Experiment Station, Department Head of Plant Industry, Department Head of Agriculture Service Lab, Executive Vice President of the South Carolina Crop Improvement Association. Additionally, I have served in various capacities in research, Extension, Regulatory Services and Teaching.

Research Interests

Plant breeding. Development of superior cultivars of agronomic and horticultural crops. Vegetable crops physiology and production, soil fertility, photomorphogenesis.

Extension and Outreach

Soil Fertility Extension Specialist
Statewide Coordinator of Official Variety Trials
Department Head, Agricultural Service Laboratory

Publications

Jatana, B.S., Kitchens, C., Ray, C., Tharayil, N. (2020) Regulating the nutrient release rates from proteinaceous agricultural byproducts using organic amendments and its effect on soil chemical and microbiological properties. Biology and fertility of soils, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-020-01446-z

Jatana, B.S., Kitchens, C., Ray, C., Tharayil, N., (2020) Microbial mobilization of phosphorus from rendered animal materials and its effect on plant physiology, root morphology, soil chemical and microbiological properties. Biology and Fertility of Soils (In internal Review).

Jatana, B.S., Kitchens, C., Ray, C., Tharayil, N., (2020) Modification of short term N mineralization dynamics of meat and bone meal with different natural and synthetic N mineralization regulators. Manuscript in preparation

B.S. Jatana, S. Chakaraborty, C. Kitchens, C. Ray and N. Tharayil. 2017. Optimization of Nitrogen and Phosphorous Mineralization Rates from Rendered Animal Products Using Natural Amendments. Poster paper. Tri-Societies Meeting, Tampa, FL.

C.L. Ray, W.L. Ogle, B. Stancil. 2016. Notice of Release ‘Ogle Pea’. Clemson University Experiment Station.

Balota, M., Heiniger, R., Ray, C., Mehl, H., Rutto, L., Ulanch, P. Mid-Atlantic Grain Sorghum Performance Tests 2014.
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/AREC/AREC-133/AREC-133-pdf.pdf

Balota, M., Heiniger, R., Ray, C., Mehl, H., Rutto, L., Ulanch, P. Tri-State Grain Sorghum Performance Tests 2013. https://www.ncbiotech.org/sites/default/files/pages/2013%20Tri-State%20Grain%20Sorghum%20Performance%20Tests%20publication-Mar3%28final%29.pdf.

C.L. Ray, B. Edge, D. Graham, C. Myers. 2012. Notice of Release ‘Graham’ Oat. Clemson University Experiment Station.

C.L. Ray*, Shipe, E.R., and Bridges, W.C.. 2008. Planting Date Influence on Soybean Agronomic Traits and Seed Composition in Modified Fatty-Acid Breeding Lines. Crop Sci. 48:181-188.

Selected Other Publications

Ray, C.L., B. Stancil, D. Gunter, C. Myers, J. McCall, D. Barefield. 2014. South Carolina Official Corn Variety Trial Results. http://www.clemson.edu/public/vt/corn.html

Ray, C. L., M. Jones, J. Greene, B. Stancil, 2014. South Carolina Official Cotton Variety Trial Results. http://www.clemson.edu/public/vt/cotton.html

Ray, C. L., B. Fallen, B. Stancil, D. Gunter, J. McCall. 2014. South Carolina Soybean Official Variety Trial Results. http://www.clemson.edu/public/vt/soybeans.html

Ray, C.L., B. Stancil, C. Myers, J. McCall, D. Gunter. 2014. South Carolina Small Grain Official Variety Trial Results. http://www.clemson.edu/public/vt/small_grain.html

Ray, C.L., B. Stancil, J. Crouch, D. Gunter, C. Myers, J. McCall. D. Barefield. 2014. South Carolina Corn Silage Official Variety Trial Results. http://www.clemson.edu/public/vt/corn-silage.html

Ray, C.L., B. Stancil, J. Crouch, D. Gunter, C. Myers, J. McCall. D. Barefield. 2014. South Carolina Corn Silage Official Variety Trial Results. http://www.clemson.edu/public/vt/silage_sorghum.html


South Carolina Fertilizer Annual Report. 1998-2007. Department of Plant Industry, Clemson University.

South Carolina Certified Seed Directory Summer and Winter Editions. 1998-2007. Department of Plant Industry, Clemson University.

Popular Press and other Media Sources:

2016. http://newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/clemson-releases-new-southern-pea-variety-named-for-long-time-breeder/

2016. http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20160302/PC1206/160309932/1507/old-fashioned-methods-yield-new-ogle-southern-pea-named-for-retired-clemson-plant-breeder

2016. http://www.growingproduce.com/vegetables/new-southern-pea-variety-named-for-longtime-breeder/

Peas in a Pod. Clemson World. Vol. 70. No.3. http://clemson.world/ogle/ 2016. S. Miller


Post and Courier. 2016. http://www.postandcourier.com/food/old-fashioned-methods-yield-new-cowpea-ogle-southern-pea-named/article_44f4099a-ec98-509e-9150-38ecc201fbfa.html

Greenville News. 2016. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/161431129/

Rock Hill Herald. 2016. http://www.heraldonline.com/living/food-drink/article67500452.html

The State. 2016. http://www.thestate.com/living/food-drink/article66129002.html

Growing Produce. 2016. http://www.growingproduce.com/vegetables/new-southern-pea-variety-named-for-longtime-breeder/

Seed World. 2016. http://seedworld.com/clemson-releases-new-southern-pea-variety-named-for-long-time-breeder/

Washington Times. 2016. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/14/new-southern-pea-named-for-retired-clemson-plant-b/

Seed Quest. 2016 http://seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=72879

Stat Publications. 2016. https://www.statpub.com/index.php/gab/article/691396

WSOC-TV. 2016. http://www.wsoctv.com/news/south-carolina/new-southern-pea-named-for-retired-clemson-plant-breeder/160388851