Connecticut State The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Thomas M. Rathier

Portrait of Thomas M. Rathier

Valley Laboratory
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
153 Cook Hill Road
Windsor, CT 06095
Voice: (860) 683-4977 Fax: (860) 683-4987
E-mail: Thomas.Rathier@ct.gov

Expertise:
Expert in diagnosing plant problems and answering inquiries involving plant diseases, insect management, weed control, soil fertility, animal management, horticultural practices and pesticide use. Experienced in nutritional and cultural practices for production of woody and herbaceous nursery plants, Christmas trees and Connecticut River Valley tobacco. Knowledgeable in the management of nutrient losses to groundwater as affected by crop management and land use.

Education:
BA Biology and Chemistry University of Connecticut 1974

Station career:
Research Technician I, Department Soil & Water, 1976-1979.
Research Technician II, Valley Laboratory, 1979-1982
Assistant Scientist, Valley Laboratory, 1982-2009
Emeritus Scientist, Valley Laboratory, 2009-current

Past research:
Previous research involved improving nitrogen efficiency of crops including tobacco and woody ornamentals; improving woody plant nutrition and production methods; and determining effects of acid rain on plants.

Current research:
Current research is focusing on effects of land use on nitrogen losses to ground water, and on Christmas tree nutrition and production.

Selected publications available from author, Thomas.Rathier@ct.gov

  • T.M. Rathier, C.R. Frink, and G.S. Taylor. Metered applications of calcium nitrate in overhead irrigation: Effects on yield and quality of shade-grown cigar wrapper tobacco. Tobacco Sci. 28:3-6. (1984).
  • T.M. Rathier and C.R. Frink. Simulated acid rain: Effects on leaf quality and yield of broadleaf tobacco. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 22:389-394. (1984).
  • T.M. Rathier and C.R. Frink. Efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use by shade tobacco improved by timed applications. Agron. J.78:459-464. (1986).
  • T.M. Rathier and C.R. Frink. Nitrate in runoff water from container grown juniper and Alberta spruce under different irrigation and N fertilization regimes. J. Environ. Hort. 7(1):32-35. (1989).