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Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences bannerContact Us linkSearch Site linkSite Map linkCTAHR News linkCTAHR Home link

Dr. Joseph DeFrank
Professor of Horticulture
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Contact Information:

University of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences
3190 Maile Way, St. John 102
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822-2279

Office: St. John 212C
Telephone: (808) 956-5698
Fax: (808) 956-3894

email: defrenk@hawaii.edu
photo of Dr. Joseph DeFrank

A new focus to my research program is the development of cultural practices that will allow Hawaii's farmers to maintain their commercial activities as new aspects of the Clean Water Act are enforced. The Clean Water Act was amended in 1993 and has special implications for all landowners in Hawaii. The Coastal Zone Amendment to the Clean Water Act describes "non-point source pollution" as soil, fertilizers and pesticides leaving the land with surface runoff and contaminating near shore waters. To remain compliant with these new regulations, farmers will need to compose and implement a Pollution Prevention Plan. The plan must describe cultural practices that will mitigate non-point source pollution. I have focused my weed science research activities to develop techniques that farmers in Hawaii can use in their pollution prevention plans.
Educational Background
  • B.S., Rutgers (1977)
  • M.S., Michigan State University (1979)
  • Ph.D., Michigan State University (1983)
Research Interests
  • No-tillage farming
  • Weed control in vegetable and ornamental crops, and turfs
  • Ground covers in orchards
Current Projects
  • Ground cover establishment
  • Weed control in newly established turf
Courses
Recent Publications
  • DeFrank, J. 2001. Buffel grass breathes new life into dead island. Hawaii Landscape. Vol. 5 (2): 10-11. March/April 2001.
  • Leary, J. and J. DeFrank. 2000. Living mulch for organic farming systems. HortTechnology: 10(4): 692-698.
  • Hooks, C.R.R., H.R. Valenzuela and J. DeFrank, 1998. Incidence of pests and arthropod natural enemies in zucchini grown with living mulches. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment (Netherlands). (Jul 1998). v. 69(3) p. 217-231.
  • Clement, C.R. and J. DeFrank. 1998. Response of pejibaye palm to vegetative and polypropylene ground covers during establishment of heart-of-palm plantations in Hawaii. HortScience 33(5):814-815.
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Last updated on 5/21/2007