Research

Dr. Khoddamzadeh’s Conservation and Sustainable (C&S) Horticulture Lab focuses on integrating practical, science-based solutions with stakeholder needs to address challenges related to abiotic stressors, species endangerment, adaptation, and environmental pollution.

This multidisciplinary research encompasses:

a) Seed technology, the role of mycorrhizal fungi in urban environments, and in-vitro micropropagation (tissue culture);
b) Gene banking through cryopreservation and synthetic/artificial seed production;
c) The application of optical sensor technologies for monitoring plant health, with emphasis on assessing fertilizer use, water management, microplastics, and responses to abiotic stressors such as salinity, light, and heat in horticultural crops.

These research areas are critical for informing best management practices in botanic gardens, gene banks, the private sector, and the nursery production industry. The C&S Lab is also designated as a Trimble Technology Lab (TTL).

Rare Florida “night orchids” could be saved by common fruits

Read more on Nitrogen Management and Plant Quality Monitoring Using Optical Sensor Technology in Native and Non-Native Specialty Crops and Scientists manage fertilizers to reduce environmental issues and Dr. Horticulture iPhone App

Read more on Regenerative Agriculture: Effects of Cover Crop and Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Salt Stress Mitigation in Floridian Tomato Cultivars.

Read more on Student works to save endangered orchids with friendly fungi

Read more on Professor developing new tool for plant parents and Scientists manage fertilizers to reduce environmental issues

Read more on the NSF project on Image processing platform to identify photosynthetic pigment density to measure nitrogen content and manage fertilizer (Smart Sustainable Fertilizer Manager).

Selected Publications

View Dr. Khoddamzadeh’s publications on Google Scholar

View Dr. Khoddamzadeh’s ORCID Page

*: Corresponding author, U: Undergraduate Student, G: Graduate Student, Postdoc: P, B: Book

40. GMunoz Salas, Nageswara-Rao, R. and Khoddamzadeh, A.A*. 2026. Optimization of sterilization strategies and hormonal regulation for in vitro establishment and early regeneration of Musa haekkinenii. HortTechnology. Accepted.

39. Khoddamzadeh A.A.*, Singh, S. and Balaji Bhaskar, M.S. 2026. Optimizing fertilizer and irrigation for specialty crops using precision agriculture technologies. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-8325-7269-6. “B”.

38. Khoddamzadeh A.A.*, Singh, S. and Balaji Bhaskar, M.S. 2026. Editorial: Optimizing fertilizer and irrigation for specialty crops using precision agriculture technologies. Frontiers in Plant Science.  17:1760142. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1760142

Special Issue Achievements

37.  GTucker, D., Sanin, M . J., M.S., Griffith, GValenzuela, S., Nunez, L. and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2025. Sabal miamiensis: Discovery of a New Wild Population and Restoration Efforts. Palms. Vol. 69(4). https://palms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Tucker-Sabal.pdf

Cover

36. Khoddamzadeh, A.A*, PCosta, B.N.S, and GMunoz Salas, M. 2025. Precision Fertilization Strategies Modulate Growth, Physiological Performance, and Soil-Plant Nutrient Dynamics in Sabal palmetto. Advances in the Prediction and Remediation of Soil Salinization: 2nd Edition. Soil Systems. 9, 121. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9040121

35. GMunoz Salas, M., Roddy, A.B., PDastpak, A., Costa, B.N.S, Khoddamzadeh, A.A*. 2025. Ecophysiological Adaptations of Musa haekkinenii to Light Intensity and Water Quality. Special Issue: Management of Artificial Light in Horticultural Crops. Horticulture. 11, 1188. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11101188

Cover Story

34. GGonzalez, P., GTucker, D., Maruthi Sridhar, B.B.,Nageswara-Rao, R., Balaji Baskar, M.S., Griffith, P. Ross, M. and Khoddamzadeh, A.A*. 2025. Enhancing Cabbage Palm Resilience to Saltwater Stress through Silicon Applications. HortScience, 60(9), 1547–1554. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18718-25

33. Lacerda, V.R., Myrtil, Y.K., Costa, B.N.S, Khoddamzadeh, A.A. and Li, X. 2025. Soil enhancement and environmental aspects of agro-industrial waste use in agriculture and horticulture. Technology in Horticulture 5: e031 doi: 10.48130/tihort-0025-0025

32. Vafaee, Y., Wallace, L., Khoddamzadeh, A.A., Nalousi, A.M. 2025. Multiomics Approaches for Conservation of Endangered Orchids: Advances, Applications, and Future Prospects. In: Gantait, S., Chmielarz, P. (eds) Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-8331-4_10 “B”

31. Sandhu, D., Pudussery, E., Tammar, K., GCendan, L., Khoddamzadeh, A.A. and Ferreira, J. 2025. Decoding the genetic basis of salinity tolerance in tomatoes through ion transport and stress regulation. ACS Agricultural Science & Technology. doi: 10.1021/acsagscitech.5c00209

30. PSouza Costa, B. and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2025. Data-Driven Nitrogen Application for Satinleaf: Leveraging Optical Sensors in Urban Landscape Management. Frontiers in Plant Science. Technical Advances in Plant Science. Special Issue: Optimizing Fertilizer and Irrigation for Specialty Crops Using Precision Agriculture Technologies. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1522662

29. Ahmadzadeh, K., Mozafari, A.K., Vafaee, Y, Khorshidi, J and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2025. Divergent in vitro responses to asymbiotic seed germination media in Ophrys reinholdii subsp. straussii and Comperia comperiana: the dual impact of species and media. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Plant. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-025-10544-2

https://rdcu.be/em4GC

28. GFagundes, D.P., Costa, J.S., Dias, L.L.L., de Araujo, C.P., Simões, I.M., Cade, E.S., Zanardo, T.É.C., Péres, M.Z., de Mello, T., Schmildt, E.R. and Khoddamzadeh, A.A., 2025. Adult cell reprogramming in Euterpe edulis Martius: breakthrough in cloning of an endangered species. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), 160(2), pp.1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-025-02998-4.

27. GCosta, J. S., Tamyris de Mello., T. D; Fagundes, D. P., Silva, T. D., Araujo C. P. D.,  Simões, I. M., Almeida, M. R. D., Cade, E. S., Fraga de Assis, J. P. V., Schmildt, E. R., Otoni, E. C., Khoddamzadeh, A.A., Santa-Catarina, C. and Alexandre, R. S. 2024. Spermidine promotes embryogenic competence and histodifferentiation of somatic embryos during maturation of Euterpe edulis Martius, an endangered Atlantic Forest species. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-024-10473-6.

26. PSouza Costa, B., GMunoz Salas, M., UGil, K and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2024. Effect of Silicon Amendment on Growth and Nitrogen Status of Common Landscaping Plants. Special Issue: Plant Growth and Nutrition. American Journal of Plant Sciences. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 15, 603-616. 10.4236/ajps.2024.158041 

25. Kaviani, B., Deltalab, B., Kulus, D., Khoddamzadeh, A.A. and Roque-Borda, C.A. 2024. In Vitro Shoot Multiplication and Rooting of ‘Kashan’ and ‘Hervy Azerbaijan’ Damask Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) Genotypes for Cosmetic and Ornamental Applications. Plants. 2024; 13(10):1364. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101364

24. Khoddamzadeh, A.A*, UFlores, J., Griffith, P and PSouza Costa, B. N. 2023. Climate change adaptation and saltwater intrusion ecophysiological effects on Pseudophoenix sargentii, Roystonea regia, Sabal palmetto ‘lisa’, and Thrinax radiata in South Florida. Special Issue “Environmental Threats to the State of Florida-Climate Change and Beyond: Volume II”. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. Sec. Biogeography and Macroecology https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1127679.

23. Nora, F., Anghelescu, E., Vafaee, Y., Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2023. Micropropagation of Dactylorhiza umbrosa (Kar. & Kir.) Nevski through asymbiotic seed germination and somatic embryogenesis: A promising tool for conservation of rare terrestrial orchids. South African Journal of Botany. 159, 492-506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.06.036

22. Khoddamzadeh, A.A* and PSouza Costa, B.N. 2023. Best Nitrogen Management Practices Using Sensor-Based Smart Agriculture in Nursery Production of Cacao. Horticulturae. 9, 454. https://doi.org/10.3390/ horticulturae9040454

21. PCosta, B.N, UTucker, D.A, and Khoddamzadeh, A.A*. 2023. Precision Horticulture: Application of Optical Sensor Technology for Nitrogen Monitoring Status in Cocoplum, a Native Landscaping Plant. Special Issue “Precision Nutrient Management for Climate-Smart Agriculture”. Plants. 12, 760. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040760

20. Khoddamzadeh, A.A* and Dunn, B.L. 2022. Embryo Rescue via Artificial Seed Technique and Long-Term Preservation of Zephyranthes. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 13, 1347-1359. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2022.1311091.

19. GMullin, A., Downing, J. PSouza Costa, B and Khoddamzadeh, A.A*. 2022. In-Vitro Micropropagation and acclimatization of endangered native orchids. HortScience 57(9):1159–1166. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16672-22.

18. Balilashaki, K., Vahedi, M., Ho, TT., Niu, SC., Cardoso, J.S., Zotz, G and Khodamzadeh, A.A. 2022. Biochemical, cellular and molecular aspects of Cymbidium orchids: an ecological and economic overview. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum. 44, 24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-022-03359-w.

17. De Stefano, D., Souza Costa, B., Downing, J., Fallahi, E and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2022. In-Vitro Micropropagation and Acclimatization of an Endangered Native Orchid Using Organic Supplements. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 13, 380-393. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2022.133023.

16. Kaviani, B., Almasi, A., Sedaghathoor, S. and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2021. A protocol for fast in vitro propagation of Impatiens hawkeri Bull. cv. Sweeties Blue Star, an important ornamental-cover species. Rodriguésia. 72: doi: 10.1590/2175-7860202172053.

15. Fallahi, E., Khoddamzadeh, A.A., Fallahi, B. and Mahdavi, S. 2020. Branched Secondary Alcohol Ethoxylate, Ammonium Thiosulfate, Calcium polysulfides- thiosulfate, and Fish Oil Effects on Blossom Thinning, Fruit Set and Quality of Peaches and Nectarines. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 11, 1918-1933. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2020.1112137.

14. Balilashaki, K., Moradi, S., Vahedi, M. and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2020. A molecular perspective on orchid development. The Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology. 10.1080/14620316.2020.1727782. 

13. Freidenreich, A., Barraza, G., Jayachandran, K. and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2019. Precision Agriculture Application for Sustainable Nitrogen Management of Justicia brandegeana Using Optical Sensor Technology. Agriculture. 9 (5), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9050098.  

12. Vendrame, W and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2016. Orchid Biotechnology. Jules Janick (Ed.), Horticultural Reviews, Volume 44 (pp. 173-228). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119281269.ch4. “B”

11. Khoddamzadeh, A.A. and Dunn, B.L. 2016. Application of canopy sensors for nitrogen assessment management in chrysanthemum. HortScience. 51 (7): 915-920. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.51.7.915

10. Dunn, B.L., Shrestha, A., Goad, C. and Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2015. Use of optical sensors to assess Gaillardia Foug. nitrogen status. Journal of Applied Horticulture. 17 (3): 181-185. https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2015.v17i03.34

9. Khoddamzadeh, A.A., Sinniah, U.R., Lynch, P., Kadir, M.A., Kadzimin, S.B. and Maziah, M. 2011. Cryopreservation of Protocorm-Like Bodies (PLBs) of Phalaenopsis bellina (Rchb.f.) Christenson by Encapsulation-Dehydration. Plant Cell, Tissue & Organ Culture. 107 (3): 471-481.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-011-9997-4

8. Khoddamzadeh, A.A., Sinniah, U.R., Kadir, M.A., Kadzimin, S.B and Maziah, M. 2011. In- vitro Induction and Proliferation of Protocorm-Like Bodies (PLBs) from Leaf Segments of Phalaenopsis bellina (Rchb.f.) Christenson. Plant Growth Regulation. 65 (2): 381-387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-011-9611-0 

7. James Antony, J.J., Sinniah, U.R., Ceong, C.L., Pobathy, R., Khoddamzadeh, A.A. and Sreeramanan, S. 2011. Selected potential encapsulation – dehydration parameters on Dendrobium Bobby Messina protocorm – like bodies using TTC analysis. Australian Journal of Crop Sciences. 5 (13): 1817-1822.  

6. Sreeramanan, S., Sinniah, U.R., Khoddamzadeh, A.A., Periasamy, S. and James, J. 2011. Fundamental concept of cryopreservation using Dendrobium sonia-17 protocorm-like bodies by encapsulation-dehydration technique. African Journal of Biotechnology. 10 (19): 3902-3907.  

5. Khoddamzadeh, A.A., Sinniah, U.R., Kadir, M.A., Kadzimin, S.B. and Maziah, M. 2011. Synthetic Seed Production: Establishment of a Short-term Storage Method via Encapsulation of PLBs in Phalaenopsis bellina (Rchb.f.) Christenson. Seed Science and Technology. 39 (3): 697-702.  

4. Zainudin, M., Julkifle, A.L., Pobathy, R., Sinniah, U.R., Khoddamzadeh, A.A., James Antony, J.J. and Sreeramanan, S. 2011. Preliminary analysis on cryopreservation of Dendrobium/ Bobby Messina orchid using an encapsulation-dehydration technique with Evans blue assay. African Journal of Biotechnology. 10 (56): 11870-11878.

3. Khoddamzadeh A.A, Sinniah U.R, Kadir M.A, Kadzimin S.B, Maziah, M. and Sreeramanan, S. 2010. Detection of Somaclonal Variation by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis During Micropropagation of Phalaenopsis bellina (Rchb.f.) Christenson. African Journal of Biotechnology. 4 (90): 6632-6639.

2. Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2007. Production technology of industrial and engine lubricant based on plants base oil. BOC Magazine, May-Jun. p17-21.

1. Khoddamzadeh, A.A. 2006. Soy Milk. Agriculture and Stable Extension Journal, Sep-Oct. p 17-21. 

C&S Lab Facilities

The Conservation & Sustainable Horticulture Lab, directed by Dr. Amir Khoddamzadeh, is a multidisciplinary research facility dedicated to advancing plant conservation, sustainable horticulture practices, and precision horticulture. The lab operates across two fully equipped spaces located. These facilities support a wide range of experimental, analytical, and computational research activities.

Controlled Environment Chambers 

  • Conviron Gen 1000 Tissue Culture Growth Chamber
  • Carter-Hoffmann GC42 Growth Chamber
  • Controlled environment tent with hydroponic growing system

Plant Physiology & Imaging Instruments

  • Leaf Area Index (LAI) Meter
  • SPAD-502 Chlorophyll Meter
  • atLEAF Chlorophyll Meter
  • NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) Sensor
  • LI-600 Porometer/Fluorometer – Portable Fluorometer
  • Light Scout Quantum PAR/DLI Light Meter
  • Apogee – MC-100 Chlorophyll Concentration Meter
  • HOBO MX2308 Temp/RH/PAR Data Logger with LI-COR PAR

Soil/Water Sensors

  • LAQUAtwin Ion Meters (Ca²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NO₃⁻)
  • Fieldscout TDR 150 Moisture Meter
  • ExStik EC500
  • Ammonium Meter
  • Oven and Grinder for sample preparation

Microscopy & Imaging

  • Nikon Microscope
  • Stereo Microscopes

Computational & Genebanking Resources

  • Four desktop computer workstations for data analysis 
  • Trimble Catalyst DA2 GNSS System for high-precision geospatial measurements
  • Cryogenic Tank
  • Laminar Airflow Cabinets (Purair Horizontal Laminar Flow Hoods)
  • Biological Safety Cabinet

These resources support advanced research in plant tissue culture and genebanking for conservation, stress physiology, precision horticulture, and controlled environment agriculture.