Dr. Torres's current emphasis is evaluating production practices that maximize plant yield and quality while minimizing the detrimental effects of abiotic stressors. His research efforts focus on water and nutrient management, cultural practices for vegetables, soil fumigation practices, and the integration of precision agriculture practices in vegetables, both in open fields and under protective structures. Dr. Torres's extension philosophy is based on the idea that an extension program should do more than share knowledge; it also should bring about real changes in practice. To ensure this happens, his program follows the “SMART Objectives” framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound. Here’s how his lab does it: First, they survey farmers to understand their needs. Then, they set clear goals aimed at making a difference. After that, they create a detailed plan and timeline to achieve those goals, and finally, they check back with the farmers to see if their efforts have made a difference. This way, his program not only teaches but also helps improve farming practices. Dr. Torres teaches the Vegetable Production Class (HS431 – Hybrid) at NCSU every fall semester, which focuses on fundamental production practices for multiple vegetable crops (tomatoes, pepper, potatoes, cucurbits, leafy greens, brassicas, among others). The class delves into the specifics of the history of vegetable crops, plant physiology, production techniques, and water and nutrient management. Students will also learn about the differences between open-field production and protective (greenhouse, tunnels) production, precision ag applications to vegetables, and sustainability in horticulture. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on hands-on learning, fieldwork, and practical applications to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful vegetable production.
Works (17)
2024 conference paper
Spatializing Temperature Data for Climate-Resilient Biosystems Engineering through Adiabatic and Topographic Methods
2024 IEEE International Conference on Automation/26th Congress of the Chilean Association of Automatic Control, ICA-ACCA 2024.
Contributors: F. Fuentes-Penailillo *, R. Vega*, K. Gutter*, H. Castro*, E. Torres-Quezada n & G. Carrasco *
2023 journal article
Plant Density Recommendations and Plant Nutrient Status for High Tunnel Tomatoes in Virginia
Horticulturae, 9(10), 1063.
Contributors: E. Torres-Quezada * & R. Gandini-Taveras*
open access via www.mdpi.com (publisher PDF)2021 journal article
Growth habit and in-row distance for bell pepper under protected culture
International Journal of Vegetable Science, 27(6), 561–573.
Contributors: E. Torres-Quezada *, L. Zotarelli *, D. Treadwell * & B. Santos*
2021 journal article
Optimizing Torula Bait for Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae) Trapping in the Dominican Republic
Florida Entomologist, 104(1), 18–26.
Contributors: E. Torres-Quezada *, J. Marmolejos, A. Lara, W. Maurer, J. González Cuesta, S. Medrano Carreño, L. Lopez*
2020 journal article
Methods for Strawberry Transplant Establishment in Florida
EDIS, 2020(6).
2020 journal article
Métodos para el establecimiento de trasplantes de fresa en Florida
EDIS, 2020(6).
2020 journal article
Production Techniques for Strawberry Plugs in West-central Florida
HortTechnology, 30(2), 238–247.
Contributors: E. Torres-Quezada *, L. Zotarelli *, V. Whitaker *, R. Darnell*, K. Morgan * & B. Santos*
2020 journal article
Protected Culture for Vegetable and Small Fruit Crops: Types of Structures
EDIS, 2020(5).
2020 article
Water Management Strategies and Cultural Practices for Strawberry Establishment in Florida
Torres-Quezada, E., Torres-Quezada, I., & Santos, B. M. (2020, May 9). Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences [Working Title].
2018 article
Irrigation and fertilization.
Santos, B. M., & Torres-Quezada, E. A. Tomatoes, pp. 180–206.
2018 journal article
Planting Dates and Transplant Establishment Methods on Early-yield Strawberry in West-central Florida
HortTechnology, 28(5), 615–623.
Contributors: E. Torres-Quezada *, L. Zotarelli *, V. Whitaker *, R. Darnell*, B. Santos* & K. Morgan *
2016 journal article
Effect of Planting and Harvesting Dates on Strawberry Fruit Quality under High Tunnels
International Journal of Fruit Science, 16(sup1), 228–238.
Contributors: P. Domínguez*, J. Medina*, L. Miranda *, J. López-Aranda*, M. Ariza *, C. Soria *, B. Santos*, E. Torres-Quezada *, I. Hernández-Ochoa *
2015 journal article
Initial Crown Diameter of Strawberry Bare-root Transplants Affects Early and Total Fruit Yield
HortTechnology, 25(2), 203–208.
Contributors: E. Torres-Quezada *, L. Zotarelli *, V. Whitaker *, B. Santos* & I. Hernandez-Ochoa
2014 journal article
Soilless Media and Containers for Bell Pepper Production
International Journal of Vegetable Science, 21(2), 177–187.
Contributors: E. Torres-Quezada *, B. Santos*, L. Zotarelli * & D. Treadwell*
2013 journal article
Protected Culture for Vegetable and Small Fruit Crops: Types of Structures
EDIS, 2013(7).
2012 journal article
Improved Sustainability through Novel Water Management Strategies for Strawberry Transplant Establishment in Florida, United States
Agronomy, 2(4), 312–320.
Contributors: B. Santos*, C. Stanley*, A. Whidden*, T. Salame-Donoso*, V. Whitaker *, I. Hernandez-Ochoa *, P. Huang*, E. Torres-Quezada *
2011 conference paper
Evaluation of planting densities and shoot pruning practices for indeterminate bell pepper production in Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Costa Rica
Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, 124, 191–193. https://journals.flvc.org/fshs/article/download/84174/81769
Employment
Updated: January 15th, 2025 16:57
2023 - present
2021 - 2024
2018 - 2021
Education
Updated: January 15th, 2025 17:00
2010 - 2011