1. Staff

Charles Rohla, Ph.D.

Pecan and Specialty Agriculture Systems Manager

Charles Rohla conducts high-quality pecan research and provides relevant information to producers through data-driven results to help them address the problems they face. He also leads efforts to bring specialty agriculture groups together for a better understanding of the needs and issues facing progressive agricultural enterprises. Research projects include new growing methods, increased crop production and new technologies.

Prior to coming to the Noble Research Institute, Rohla worked at the Animal Science Nutrition Physiology Research Center at Oklahoma State University. His graduate research focused on alternate bearing of pecans and the effect of carbohydrate concentration and nitrogen and potassium levels in pecan tissues.

Rohla was raised on a farm in northwest Oklahoma where his family operated a wheat and stocker cattle farm and stocker growing lot. Rohla is active in various state and national agriculture organizations. His current agriculture operation focuses on show-quality American Quarter Horse Association and American Paint Horse Association horses, Duroc show pigs and hay production.

Current Research

problem
The Problem

Problem 1: Pecan management and production is a dynamic system. Many variables impact the profitability and livelihood of pecan enterprises. Providing research-based information to producers is critical for continued success.

Problem 2: Specialty agriculture producers encounter unique challenges in all aspects of production. Innovative solutions are needed for a wide variety of issues these producers face. Oftentimes, specialty agriculture producers work on limited acreages and resources and are searching for practices that align with increased land stewardship and sustainability.

approach
The Approach

Approach 1: Collaborating with researchers within the Noble Research Institute, U.S. Department of Agriculture and land-grant universities. The research focus areas of interest for collaborations include genomics, management and cultivar development.

Approach 2: Collaborates with strategic partners to develop plans for demonstrating and educating producers, consumers and youth. We use onsite and cooperator demonstrations to complement producer education. We are also developing an educational effort to showcase specialty agriculture sectors through collaborative efforts with youth education outreach and external partners to engage producers and individuals interested in specialty agriculture enterprises.

Current Projects

  • Container growing methods
  • Evaluation of cultivars of fruit, nuts and berries that can be adapted to the Southern Great Plains
  • Evaluation of irrigation systems on establishment of pecan orchards
  • Increase vegetable production utilizing movable hoop houses
  • Pecan nutrient management
  • Pecan root stock evaluation
Education
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Crop Science, Oklahoma State University, 2006
  • Master of Science in Agricultural Education, Oklahoma State University, 2002
  • Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, 1998
Grants

Project Title: Coordinated development of genetic tools for pecan
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Term: 2016

Project Title: Increasing vegetable production utilizing movable hoop houses
Source: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Term: 2015

Project Title: Does withdrawing cattle grazing prior to harvest improve the food safety of native pecan?
Source: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Term: 2015

Project Title: Research and grower education programs on scab disease in pecans
Source: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Term: 2014

Project Title: Promotion of Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association and Oklahoma pecans
Source: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Term: 2013

Project Title: Does cattle grazing increase the food safety risks of native pecan?
Source: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Term: 2012

Project Title: Evaluation of colored shade cloth in hoop house technology on vegetable production in Oklahoma
Source: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Term: 2011

Project Title: Extended season leafy greens for health and wealth
Source: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Term: 2010

Project Title: Evaluation of DeltAg Formulations' Zinc Plus on the performance of pecan trees
Source: McRight Services LLC
Term: 2010

Project Title: Theory to practice: Developing junior college agriculture faculty to teach agricultural leadership
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
Term: 2009

Honors
  • 40 Under 40 in Agriculture, Vance Publishing, 2013
  • Blue Ribbon Communication Award, Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science, 2013
  • The Journal Record Achievers Under 40, 2013
  • Congressional Citation Award, State of Oklahoma, 2012
  • Herman Hinrichs Citation Award, Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association, 2012
  • Blue Ribbon Communication Award, Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science, 2009
Patents
  • Monteros, et. al., Methods for identifying pecan tree cultivars. Unpublished (filed Mar 21, 2016).