Research Focus

Since arriving at Texas Tech University, Dr. Montague's research programs have focused on woody plant physiology and water use. Due to semi-arid conditions found in West Texas and other locations in the United States, investigating woody plant water requirements, seeking out new plant material for water conserving landscapes, and promoting water conservation in landscapes has been his research priority. Past research activity investigated establishment of transplanted field grown red oak trees (Quercus shumardii) using pine bark as an organic mulch, the influence of organic mulch on gas exchange and growth of newly planted shrub species, estimating tree water use using thermal dissipation probes, and the use of reference evapotranspiration data to determine irrigation requirements for field grown ornamental tree species. Dr. Montague and Dr. Cynthia McKenney have investigated drought tolerance and adaptation of oak trees from differing West Texas provenances to West Texas climates and soils. They have trade marked an oak tree (Brazos Oak®) which appears to be adapted to the West Texas climate. In addition to investigating woody landscape plant physiology, Dr. Montague is conducting viticulture research in cooperation with Dr. Ed Hellman at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in Lubbock. Their goal is to better understand physiological differences which influence grape varieties and their adaptability to the variable climates on the High Plains of West Texas. Past and current research includes investigating rooting response of pierce's disease infected grapevine cuttings, physiological response of grape varieties to leaf temperature, and rootstock / scion interactions to identify well-adapted vines to the climate, soils, and pests found on the West Texas High Plains. Dr. McKenney and Dr. Montague are also involved in the emerging Texas olive oil industry. In cooperation with several olive growers within Texas they are investigating physiological and fruiting response of olive varieties to deficit irrigation. Their research is being conducted both in the field and within the greenhouse.

Recent Papers

Montague, T., E. Hellman, and M. Krawitzky. 2009. Gas exchange of field-grown cool, warm, and hot climate grapevine varieties in West Texas. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. 60:369A

Montague, T., E. Hellman, and M. Krawitzky. 2009. Comparison of field-grown grapevine stomatal conductance measurements using differing porometers. HortScience. 44:565.

Fox, L. and T. Montague. 2009. Influence of irrigation regime on growth of select field-grown tree species in a semi-arid climate. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 27:134-138.

Purnell, A., C. McKenney, R. Wright, and T. Montague. 2010. Determination of Quercus series Virentes heredity in Texas. HortScience. 45(4):486.

Purnell, A., C. McKenney, and T. Montague. 2010. Provenance affects on stomatal conductance in Quercus series Virentes across Texas. HortScience. 45(4):512.

Whitehurst, K., T. Montague, and C. McKenney. 2010. Impact of post-establishment applied organic mulch on gas exchange and growth of landscape tree species. HortScience. 45(4):512.

Montague, T., E. Hellman, and K. Jenkins. 2010. Influence of rootstocks on physiology of merlot grapevines grown on the Texas High Plains. HortScience. 45(4):514.

Montague, T., E. Hellman, and K. Jenkins. 2010. Physiological Differences of Cool, Warm, and Hot Climate Grapevine Varieties on the Texas High Plains. HortScience. 45(4):495.

McKenney, C. and T. Montague. 2010 Sustained growth in distance education: What were we thinking? HortScience. 45(8):S61.

Montague, T., E. Hellman, and K. Jenkins. 2010. Update on physiological differences of cool, warm, and hot climate grapevine varieties grown on the Texas High Plains. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. 61:3.

Montague, T., C. McKenney, and K. Decker. 2011. Impact of post-establishment applied organic mulch on gas exchange and growth of two oak tree species. Southern Nursery Conference. 56:48-54.

Montague, T., E. Hellman, and K. Jenkins. 2011. Influence of rootstocks on physiology of cabernet sauvignon grapevines grown on the Texas High Plains. HortScience 46(9):S22.

Decker, K., T. Montague, and C. McKenney. 2011 .The effects of irrigation treatments on stomatal conductance in Olea europeaea L. HortScience 46(9):S36.

Baliga, V., T. Montague, and C. McKenney. 2011. Effects of variable irrigation regimes on containerized olives. HortScience 46(9):S38.

McKenney, C., R. Wright, and T. Montague.2011. Phylogenetic analysis of Quercus series Virentes. HortScience 46(9):S96.

Montague, T., E. Hellman, and K. Jenkins. 2011. Physiology of cabernet sauvignon grapevines grafted to different rootstocks on the Texas High Plains. Technical Abstracts of the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture National Conference. 62:82.

Arnold, M, D. Bryan, E. Bush, R. Cabrera, G. Denny, J. Griffin, J. Iles, A. King, G. Knox, L. Lombardini, G. McDonald, C. McKenney, T. Montague, G. Niu, A. Owings, B. Pemberton, A. Purnell, L. Shoemaker, D. Struve and T. Watson. 2011. Provenance and tree selection for the urban forest. Urban Tree Growth: An International Meeting and Research Symposium. Conference Proceedings. p. 41.

Baliga, V., T. Montague, and C. McKenney. 2012. Effects of drought stress on greenhouse grown olives (Olea europaea L.). HortScience 47(9):S53.

Montague, T., C. McKenney, and V. Baliga, 2012. Gas Exchange of drought stressed greenhouse grown olive varieties. HortScience 47(9):S56.

Montague, T., E. Hellman, and K. Jenkins. 2012. Physiological differences of five grapevine varieties grown on the Texas High Plains. HortScience 47(9):S57.

Decker, K., T. Montague, and C. McKenney. 2012 Response of greenhouse grown olive varieties to irrigation and fertilization regimes. HortScience 47(9):S57.

Montague, T., C. McKenney, and K. Decker. 2012. Response of redbud (Cercis canadensis) frees to post-establishment applied organic mulch. Southern Nursery Conference. 57:183-189.

Arnold, M., D. Bryan, R. Cabrera, G. Denny, J. Griffin, J. Iles, A. King, G. Knox, L. Lombardini, G. McDonald, C. McKenney, T. Montague, G. Niu, H. Pemberton, A. Purnell, L. Shoemake, D. Struve, and W. Watson. 2012. Provenance experiments with Baldcypress, live oak, and sycamore illustrate the potential for selecting more sustainable urban trees. Journal of Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. 38:205-213.

Additional Links

Thayne Montague, Ph.D. - Associate Professor of Horticulture with a joint appointment with Texas AgriLife Research; PSS Associate Chair of Undergraduate Programs