Charles Rohla, Ph.D.

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

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.

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