Martin C. Goffinet
Senior Research Associate
Department of Horticultural Sciences

Address, Phone, Fax

E-Mail: mcg2@cornell.edu

B.S. 1970: University of Louisville
M.S. 1972: University of Minnesota
Ph.D. 1978: University of Minnesota

Research efforts apply developmental anatomy and morphology to the solution of both fundamental and practical problems concerning structure and development of temperate-zone fruit and vegetable plants. In order to determine how these plants are affected by disease, treatment effects, natural changes in the field environment, or controlled manipulation of growth, my approach is to understand first the "normal" structure of the plant or affected tissue within the context of the plant’s annual cycle. Much of the work in cytology, anatomy, morphology, and development is cross-disciplinary in that it contributes critical information to department and Cornell programs in fruit and vegetable breeding, whole-plant physiology, cultural practices, pathology, and post-harvest quality. For this reason, all work is collaborative in nature and done in cooperation with faculty across many disciplines and departments. My perspective of plant anatomy is that it should be “applied plant anatomy,” that is, the study of plant structures that are affected by, or can help explain, problems growers face in efficiently producing high quality fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

My general interests concern:

1. The vascular integration of buds or elongating shoots and the parent axis, and
2. The developmental anatomy of flowers and fruits, especially the cellular contributions to ultimate fruit size and shape.

Specific recent and ongoing investigations of grapes include:

1. Seasonal integration of the shoot-to-root vascular system with reference to flux of starch reserves and canopy development,
2. The ontogeny of the overwintering bud, its entrance into and exit from the dormant state, and its vascular integration with the cane,
3. The relationship between progressive histological and physiological changes in shoots and onset of cold hardiness during fall and its loss the following spring,
4. Formulation of a developmental index to shoot growth which allows non-destructive estimates of anatomical development and physiological processes,
5. The impact of fruit developmental stage on berry susceptibility to powdery mildew.

Minor studies are being done in areas of graft-union anatomy, comparative anatomy of rootstock canes and roots, seedling morphology and anatomy, flowering/fruiting potential of overwintering buds, and muscadine grapevine structure and development.

Specific studies in apple have included:

1. Constructional and developmental differences between long and short shoots in a range of early-to-late-flowering cultivars,
2. Contributions of cell size, number and intercellular space to development of fruit size and shape, with reference to thinning and to geographical location,
3. Developmental anatomy and morphology of the apple spur as a branching short shoot, and
4. Fruit retention as a function of position in the fruit spur. Minor studies have been done on floral ontogeny of sour cherry, chromosome counts of apple accessions, and graft-union anatomy.

Representative studies on vegetable crops and seeds include:

1. Seed coat structure as relates to seed germinability and perfusion of solutes,
2. Developmental anatomy of beet fruits with reference to germinability, and
3. Teratological effects of pendimethalin herbicide on cabbage seedling development.

Listing of Publications
Anatomy of Grapevine Winter Injury (PDF)

Professional Societies
American Society for Horticultural Science
Botanical Society of America
Sigma Xi
American Society for Enology & Viticulture (Eastern Section)

Teaching Activities
I teach a 3-week module in Hort 443: Viticulture and Vineyard Management where I handle vine anatomy, seasonal structural changes, flowering and fruiting in both lecture and lab.

I also provide individual, hands-on training in photomicrography, histology and microtechnical methods for Cornell and non-Cornell faculty, post-doctorates, graduate students, visiting scientists, and technical support staff.