Plant Science Graduate Student Spotlight: Ranvir Tung

(April 29, 2022) - Graduate student Ranvir Tung is a perfect student to highlight on National Arbor Day thanks to his orchard research work on our campus farm and in the Central Valley

Looking to graduate this spring, the Selma native has focused his recent graduate project on various growth responses in young pistachio trees tied to saline soil conditions. 

After also receiving his undergraduate plant science degree from Fresno State in 2019, he has continued to work with faculty Dr. Gurreet Brar and been the recipient of the Jordan and Harvey Graduate Scholarship and Ag One Phil Larson Scholarship.

Learn more about his family farming ties to other nuts & commodities (and his career plans) in this interview.

 

Q: Why did you choose to attend Fresno State, and have any of your family members also attended Fresno State?

Tung: "I believe Fresno State is a great school and allowed me to obtain a college degree while staying local, so I could help in my family’s farming operation. My sister, Darshanpreet Gill, received a Master’s Degree in Biology and her teaching credential from Fresno State."

 

Q: Describe your graduate program project and how it will help industry?

Tung: "My research focuses on the salinity tolerance of young pistachio trees. Specifically, I am looking at the physiological response of young pistachio trees when grown in saline conditions. There are a variety of parameters I measure during my research including photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf area, total tree growth, and a number of other parameters."

Tung: "This topic was of interest to me since I was interested in pistachio production. My background is in almonds, so to me pistachios are a new crop that I am learning about. Research into the salinity tolerance of pistachios is highly important since there are a large number of pistachio plantings that are happening in areas with saline irrigation water."

Q: Which faculty are you working with, and what type of guidance are they giving you?

Tung: "My thesis advisor is Dr. Gurreet Brar, who is advising me on all parts of my project, from how and when to take measurements to writing my thesis and analyzing data, and what the results could mean."

Q: What are some of the most important things you've learned from this research?

Tung: "I’ve learned about the resilience of pistachios trees and how they are able to tolerate saline conditions, which other crops can’t. I’ve also learned a great deal about the importance of experimental design and how research is conducted, and data is analyzed. It is likely that pistachios are a crop I may work with in the future, so I believe my research and the review of pistachio literature will help me on my career path."

 

Q: Have you had any internships or part-time jobs, and what types of jobs and tasks did you do generally?

Tung: "I’ve worked on the family farm and my responsibilities varied greatly. I’ve done tasks that our farm hands have done and worked beside them. I've been involved in a number of other tasks that could range from supervising or applying foliar sprays or weed sprays, or setting up tractor or spray rig equipment when time or manpower is limited."

Tung: "I’ve also had to fill in for my father when he’s been away or unavailable, taking on tasks such as supervising, managing, meeting with companies we may want to work with and helping implement or manage those services."

 

Q: What's your potential next career step, and how do you plan to use your degree with eventually?

Tung: "After graduation, I plan on pursuing a career in farm management. In the process of obtaining my degree, I have learned much about the science of agriculture, pistachios, and other crops, so I believe my degree will come into great use."