Rate My Professor Thomas Chastain

Thomas Chastain is Professor Emeritus of Seed Crop Physiology and Ecology in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University. He received a B.A. in Biological Sciences from California State University, Chico in 1981, followed by an M.S. in Crop Science in 1985 and a Ph.D. in Crop Science in 1987, both from Oregon State University. His professional career began with a temporary appointment as Assistant Professor of Seed Physiology at Washington State University from 1987 to 1989. In 1989, he joined Oregon State University as Assistant Professor in Crop and Soil Science, progressing through the ranks to full Professor. Chastain held administrative leadership positions including Head Advisor (2005-2010), Associate Department Head (2016-2019), Interim Department Head (2019-2020), and Department Head (2020-2024).

Chastain's research specializes in seed crop physiology and ecology, with interests in seed germination and stand establishment, seed development, and seed production. His work addresses practical challenges faced by seed producers, particularly in grass seed crops, through investigations into factors affecting seed yield such as nitrogen application, plant growth regulators, and canopy management. Notable publications include "Spring nitrogen and plant growth regulator effects on seed yield in orchardgrass" with N.P. Anderson (Crop Science, 2024), "Development of 3-D point cloud imaging and 2-D image processing methods for high-throughput phenotyping of perennial ryegrass spikes" with T.B. Tubbs (The Plant Phenome Journal, 2023), and "Climate change: Seed production and options for adaptation" with J.G. Hampton et al. (Agriculture, 2016). Among his many honors are election as Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America in 2023, Seedsman of the Year from the Oregon Seed Council in 2023, and the Ag Executive Council Distinguished Professor Award in 2015. Chastain has contributed to his field through service on the Crop Science Society of America Board of Directors (2016-2022), as Associate Editor for Agronomy Journal (1993-1998), and on various university and state committees including the Oregon Seed Certification and Foundation Seed Board (1993-2019).