Dr. David Kopsell

Professor of Horticulture

Agriculture

Office

RAB Ropp Agriculture Building 144

Office Phone

(309) 438-3275office
phone

dkopsel@ilstu.eduemail

About
Education
Awards & Honors
Research

Biography

I grew up in Hebron, IL on a family-owned 200-acre ornamental production nursery with my identical twin brother (who is an Associate Dean of Academics at the University of Georgia). Since receiving my Ph.D. my professional experiences have included working as the state vegetable specialist for the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, working on USDA-funded basic research, private consultation with sweet onion growers all over the world, and teaching positions at McHenry County College and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

I have taught 17 different horticultural and agricultural course subjects in my career, receiving over 20 teaching awards. I have been recognized as a Distinguished Educator by the Non-land-grant Agricultural and Renewable Resources Universities association and an Outstanding Undergraduate Educator and Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science.

I have been a member of the facutly since 2008, but I am also an alum of the Agriculture Department, receiving my B.S. degree in Agribusiness-Horticulture in 1993.

Current Courses

AGR 257.001 Fruit And Vegetable Production

AGR 257.002 Fruit And Vegetable Production

AGR 499.008 Independent Research For The Masters Thesis

AGR 287.006 Independent Study

AGR 400.010 Independent Study

AGR 120.002 Introductory Horticulture

AGR 362.001 Pest Identification And Management

AGR 362.002 Pest Identification And Management

AGR 462.001 Pest Identification and Management

AGR 462.002 Pest Identification and Management

AGR 302.009 Special Problems In Agriculture

AGR 291.011 Undergraduate Teaching Experiences In Agriculture

AGR 499.008 Independent Research For The Masters Thesis

AGR 287.008 Independent Study

AGR 400.011 Independent Study

AGR 120.002 Introductory Horticulture

AGR 347.001 Sustainable Urban Agriculture

AGR 347.002 Sustainable Urban Agriculture

AGR 447.001 Sustainable Urban Agriculture

AGR 447.002 Sustainable Urban Agriculture

AGR 291.008 Undergraduate Teaching Experiences In Agriculture

Teaching Interests & Areas

AGR 120 Introductory Horticulture; AGR 252 Urban Landscape Management; AGR 257 Fruit & Vegetable Production; AGR 262 Ornamental Plant Production; AGR 346/446 Organic Crop Production; AGR 352 Residential & Sports Turf Management; AGR 353 Landscape Design; AGR 362/462 Pest Identification & Management; AGR 403 Graduate Seminar; AGR 497 Research Methods

Research Interests & Areas

Plant Nutrition and Quality Improvement of Vegetables, Ornamentals, and Turfgrass.

PhD Horticulture

University of Georgia - Horticulture Department

Athens, GA

MS Horticulture

University of Georgia - Horticulture Department

Athens, GA

BS Agribusiness - Horticulture

Illinois State University - Department of Agriculture

Normal, IL

Other Associate of Science - Horticulture

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, IL

Fellow

American Society for Horticultural Science

2022

Harvey S. Woods Outstanding Teaching Award

Agriculture Department

2022

Faculty Civic Engagement Award

Center for Civic Engagement

2022

Outstanding Researcher Award

College of Applied Science & Technology

2020

Harvey S. Woods Outstanding Teaching Award

Agriculture Department

2020

Distinguished Educator Award

Non-land-grant Agriculture & Renewable Resources Universities

2019

Outstanding Service Award

Agriculture Department

2019

Outstanding Service Award

College of Applied Science and Technology

2018

Outstanding Research Award

Agriculture Department

2018

Environmental Stewardship Award

Office of Sustainability

2017

Abstract

Katelynn Clement, David Kopsell, Aslihan Spaulding, Ann Marie VanDerZanden. 2021. "Perceptions of Faculty & Industry Professionals on the Value of Student Participation in a Professional Development Competitive Event" Supplement to HortScience. 56.9. Abstract

Kopsell, D., Pantanizopoulos, N., Sams, C., & Kopsell, D. Zeaxanthin levels increase in mustard (Brassica juncea L. ‘Florida Broadleaf’) microgreens following high light treatment. HortScience 46.9 (2011): S339.

Manion, L., Kopsell, D., Rhykerd, R., Kopsell, D., & Sams, C. Glucosinolates and carotenoids in watercress are influenced by selenium fertilization. HortScience 46.9 (2011): S305.

Whitted, B., Kopsell, D., Kopsell, D., & Rhykerd, R. Silicon (Si) and titanium (Ti) influence growth of selected annual bedding plants. HortScience 46.9 (2011): S304.

Kopsell, D., Sams, C., Barickman, C., & Kopsell, D. Fruit tissue elements and carotenoids in ‘Micro-Tina’ tomato respond to foliar chelated titanium. HortScience 45.8 (2010): S290.

Book, Authored

Kopsell, D., & Kopsell, D. Horticulture: Principles, Practices, and Career Opportunities. Amanda Ramler and Nicole Beau-Stephenson (EDs). Greate River Learning (2019)

Book, Chapter

Kopsell, D., & Kopsell, D. Chlorine. Allen V. Barker & David J. Pilbeam (EDs), Handbook of Plant Nutrition, 2nd Edition. Taylor & Francis (2015): 347-366.

Kopsell, D., Kopsell, D., & Hamlin, R. Molybdenum. Allen V. Barker and David J. Pilbeam (EDs), Handbook of Plant Nutrition, 2nd Edition. Taylor & Francis (2015): 487-510.

Kopsell, D., & Kopsell, D. Carotenoids in Vegetables: Biosynthesis, Occurrence, Impacts on Human Health, and Potential for Manipulation. Bioactive Foods in Promoting Health: Fruits and Vegetables. Bioactive Foods in Promoting Health: Fruits and Vegetables (2010): 645-662.

Kopsell, D., & Kopsell, D. Copper. Handbook of plant nutrition. CRS Press – Taylor & Frances Group (2006): 293-328.

Kopsell, D., & Kopsell, D. Selenium. Handbook of plant nutrition. CRS Press – Taylor & Frances Group (2006): 515-550.

Conference Proceeding

Lefsrud, M., Ohneck, B., Kopsell, D., & Dreschel, T. A porous tube nutrient delivery system display for the Edmonton space and science centre. Proceedings for the 2002 ASAE Annual International Meeting/CIGR XVth World Congress (2002)

Kopsell, D. Some like it hot: Flavor development in onions. Proceedings of the 2001 New York State Vegetable Conference (2001): 145-148.

Kopsell, D., Randle, W., & Snyder, R. Probing further into the nature of onion flavor development during storage. Proceedings of the 1998 National Onion (and other Allium) Research Conference (1998): 160-163.

Randle, W., Kopsell, D., & Kopsell, D. Considerations for implementing pungency field testing and its practical implications. Proceedings of the 1998 National Onion (and other Allium) Research Conference (1998): 171-173.

Journal Article

Boerngen, M., Kopsell, D., Leptein, J., & VanDerZanden, A. Faculty perceptions of incorporating service-learning into landscape horticulture courses. NACTA Journal 62.2 (2018): 175-180.

Loftus, L., Spaulding, A., Steffen, R., Kopsell, D., & Nnakwe, N. DETERMINING BARRIERS TO USE OF EDIBLE SCHOOL GARDENS IN ILLINOIS. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 36.7 (2017): 507-513.

Yang, L., Kopsell, D., Kottke, A., & Johnson, M. Development of a cartridge design anaerobic digestion system for lignocellulosic biomass. BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING 160 (2017): 134-139.

Yang, L., Kopsell, D., Kottke, A., & Johnson, M. Development of a cartridge design anaerobic digestion system for lignocellulosic biomass. Biosystems engineering 160 (2017): 134--139.

Manion, L., Kopsell, D., Kopsell, D., Sams, C., & Rhykerd, R. Selenium fertilization influences biomass, elemental accumulations, and phytochemical concentrations in watercress. No. Journal of Plant Nutrition/Taylor & Francis, Inc. (2013): DOI:10.1080/01904167.2013.789110.

Manuscript

Abney, K., Kopsell, D., Sams, C., Zivanivic, S., & Kopsell, D. UV-B radiation impacts shoot tissue pigment composition in Allium fistulosum L. cultigens. The Scientific World Journal 2013.Article ID 513867 (2013): Special issue: Effect of Agronomic Practices on Plant Secondary Metabolism and Crop Quality..

Kopsell, D., Kopsell, D., Sams, C., & Barickman, T. RATIO OF CALCIUM TO MAGNESIUM INFLUENCES BIOMASS, ELEMENTAL ACCUMULATIONS, AND PIGMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN KALE. Taylor & Francis (EDs). Journal of Plant Nutrition 36.14 (2013): 2154-2165.

Kopsell, D., & Kopsell, D. Choice of spinach cultivar influences eye health. Tennessee Vegetable News 1.2 (2007): 2.

Kopsell, D. How Does Your Garden Grow. D.E. Weekly Column. Lafayette Shopping News (2007)

Kopsell, D., & Kopsell, D. Potent Leafy Greens. American Vegetable Grower 55.11 (2007): 62-64.

Kopsell, D. Marketing yourself: Tips for landing a great job!. American Society for Horticultural Science Newsletter 17.1 (2001): 4.

Kopsell, D., & Kopsell, D. Tips on surviving graduate school. American Society for Horticultural Science Newsletter 17.5 (2001): 4.

Presentations

Energy and nutrient recovery from vegetable farm wastes using a cartridge anaerobic digester. 2024 ASABE Annual International Meeting. (2024)

Perceptions of anaerobic digestion lecture and laboratory exercises by Horiculture, Renewable Energy, and Environmental Health students. 70th Annual NACTA Conference. (2024)

Pre- and Post-learning Perceptions of Anaerobic Digestion by Horticultural, Renewable Energy, and Environmental Health Undergraduate Students. ASHS Annual Conference. (2023)

Effects of Applying Anaerobic Digestion Effluent to Leaf Compost. 2022 ASHS Annual Conference. (2022)

U.S. Non-Collegiate Golf Course Superintendent's Perception of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference. American Society for Horticultural Science. (2016)

Perceptions of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program: A Survey of Superintendents of U.S. University-affiliated Golf Courses. 2015 American Society for Horticulture Science Conference. (2015)

Onions – How Sweet They Can Be …. Home, Lawn & Garden Day. IL Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. (2013)

Overview of the Agriculture Department at ISU. Agricutlural Career Day. Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. (2013)

Amazing Opportunities in Horticulture. NCWHS Ag Career Expo Day. NCWHS. (2012)

Growing the Healthiest (to Eat) Vegetables Possible.. Illinois State University U-Club. U-Club. (2012)

Grants & Contracts

BNCRC: Bloomington Normal Climate Responsive Community. US Environmental Protection Agency. Federal. (2024)

Enhancing Sustainable Urban Agriculture Education Through Project-based Experiential and Service-learning. USDA. Federal. (2024)

Research and education capacity building for energy and nutrients recovery from vegetable farm wastes. USDA. Federal. (2023)

Research and education capacity building for anaerobic digestion of agricultural wastes. USDA. Federal. (2020)