Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Meeting host and local arrangements: James Borneman

Meeting Chair: James Borneman

Meeting Secretary: Gary Yuen

Meeting minutes: Gary Yuen

The meeting started at 8:30 AM with the chair’s welcome and introduction of attendees.

Laura Lavine, attending via telephone, provided information on research funding opportunities and on how to report impacts.

The minutes from the 2016 meeting were approved.

Gary Yuen volunteered to be meeting secretary. He will be meeting chair for the 2018 meeting pending project renewal.

The 2018 meeting will be held at UC Riverside on Nov. 30, 2018. The possibility for members who cannot attend that meeting in person to connect via Zoom will be investigated.

Progress Reports:

James Borneman reported on soil microbiome research in connection with Huanglongbing disease of citrus.

Antoon Ploeg reported on strains of Meloidogyne spp. breaking Mi resistance to root knot nematodes in tomato.

Tim Paulitz reported on investigations into the effects of glyphosate on fungal communities.

Gary Yuen described new research studying in vivo expression of biocontrol-related genes by Lysobacter enzymogenes.

Ole Becker reported on a survey of Brassica production fields for nematode populations and the identification of nematode suppressive soils.

Tony Adesemoye reported on the discovery of new biocontrol agent strains of Burkeholderia ambifaria and Bacillus spp. 

Emma Gachomo reported on Pythium suppressive soils in connection with carrot cavity spot disease.

Jianjun Hao reported on epidemiological investigations on soft rot and blackrot in potato caused by Dickeya dianthicola

Maren Friesen reported on studies into the microbiome of rhizobium nodules in association with native legumes.

The members revised sections of the project renewal proposal which had been drafted by Tim Paulitz. The revision will be distributed for additional input. Portions of the renewal proposal were previously entered into the NIMSS system, and a temporary number (W4147) was assigned for the new project.

Before adjourning the meeting, the members expressed their appreciation to Tim Paulitz for his great leadership in writing the new project proposal. The members also thanked James Borneman for his fine job in making local arrangements.

The meeting was adjourned at 4 PM.

Objective 1 To identify and characterize new biological agents, naturally suppressive soils, cultural practices, and organic amendments that provide management of diseases caused by soilborne plant pathogens.

CA- One of the long-term goals of our research programs is to develop more sustainable strategies to manage soil-borne plant pathogens. To accomplish this, we are endeavoring to understand soils that naturally inhibit plant pests and disease, termed suppressive soils. Key steps in realizing the potential of these soils are to identify the causal organisms and then understand the agronomic and environmental factors that enable them to function. Armed with such knowledge, it should be possible to develop effective and sustainable pest management strategies through the application of the organisms and through agronomic practices that influence their populations. To date, we have identified several fungi involved in suppressing sugarbeet cysts nematodes (Dactylella oviparasitica and Fusarium oxysporum) and root-knot nematodes (Pochonia chlamydosporium and a Tetracladium sp.). We have also identified new Dactylella oviparasitica phylotypes, which suggests that these fungi may represent a large group of potentially effective biological control agents, and which can be found worldwide. In addition, we have determined that soils with no detectable Dactylella populations can harbor this fungus, and which can dramatically increase during one host cropping cycle. This is a key finding, suggesting that standard methods for screen soils for putatively protective microorganisms will not work. We have also presented a new approach and supporting data for using Dactylella population densities in planting decisions models. 

CA- We used probit regression models to show that there was a strong relationship between pre-planting population levels of the fungus Dactylella oviparasitica in sugar beet soils in the Imperial Valley (CA) and post-planting levels of the nematode Heterodera schachtii. We expect that this will lead to the development of new cropping decision models that will enable growers to be create and maintain soils that suppress H. schachtii, which we anticipate will lead to higher crop yields and profitability for the growers. 

CA-We are currently performing similar experiments as described just above to examine soils used to grow members of the Brassicaceae along the west coast of California between Los Angeles and San Francisco, toward the same goal of developing new cropping decision models that will enable growers to be create and maintain soils that suppress H. schachtii, which we anticipate will lead to higher crop yields and profitability for the growers. 

CA- The sugar beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii is found in California in many Cole-cropping areas and in the Imperial Valley in sugar beet fields. Since the temporary ban of 1,3-D in 1992, nematicide use in the Cole-crop producing areas has dramatically dropped. A survey of 150 randomly selected Brassica fields in the Salinas Valley and Santa Barbara County found only 1/3 of fields infested with this nematode despite typically narrow crop rotations with susceptible crops. Moreover, very few soils had H. schachtii population densities that would predict a significant crop impact. When these soil samples were tested for biological cyst nematode population suppression, at least 15 soils tested positive. 

KS- Soil microbial activity changed between a susceptible (KanMark) and a resistant (Everest) winter wheat cultivar in southeast Kansas. The total microbial biomass and microbial biomass of beneficial fungal populations (actinomycetes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)) were all less in the soil from KanMark plots in comparison to Everest plots. This one year of data indicates Everest may be able to enhance beneficial microorganisms in the soil, and indicates a potential mechanism of reduced soil-borne disease infestation in Everest. 

NE- K20, a derivative of a kanamycin A, a pharmaceutical drug originally identified from a bacterium, has in vitro activity against a wide range of fungi, including plant pathogens. K20 was demonstrated in greenhouse and field studies to suppress head blight in wheat caused by Fusarium graminearum. 

NE- More than 150 potentially beneficial bacterial isolates belonging to the Bacillus group and 10 Trichoderma (fungi) isolates were collected this project year and 30% of them has been evaluated for growth promotion and/or antagonism against fungal pathogens in vitro. 

NE-Selected isolates among those collected in previous years and examined in vitro were evaluated this year in greenhouse experiments and two of the lead strains were evaluated in the field for effectiveness in controlling root rot on corn, wheat, and soybean caused by Rhizoctonia solani. 

NE- During in vitro inhibition tests of newly isolated bacteria and fungi against pathogenic strains of Fusarium spp., one strain of Burkholderia ambifaria, one strain of Bacillus simplex, and five strains of Trichoderma were selected as top strains. In the greenhouse studies, 15 -65% reduction in plant disease was achieve by using the beneficial organisms while 35 - 95% reduction in pathogen growth was achieved during laboratory in vitro assays. Findings have been submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal and the manuscript is currently in press. 

NE- Additionally, 12 plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Bacilli strains were evaluated for the ability to enhance the growth of corn, soybean, and wheat in the absence of plant pathogens and were characterized in the laboratory to determine if any associated physiological traits could be used to predict their ability to enhance plant growth. The physiological traits studied for the Bacilli strains included phosphate solubilization; the production of biosurfactants, siderophores, proteases, and auxins. 

NE- In the growth promotion study, seed treatment with Bacillus megaterium R181, B. safensis R173, B. simplex R180, and Paenibacillus graminis R200 increased the growth of all test crops compared to water-treated controls. The four strains increased shoot mass by 93-126% compared to the controls and increased root mass by 127-197%. Strains differed in their responses to tests for physiological trait and there was no single physiological trait found to be predictive of growth-promotion efficacy of the bacterial strains. The findings are being prepared for submission to a journal for publication. 

NE- Experiments were initiated to characterize the soil microbial communities in fields with continuous cropping of corn as compared to conventional crop rotation. Because corn root diseases had not been noted previously in the continuously cropped fields, the soil in those fields are presumed to be suppressive to corn root pathogens, perhaps due to their unique microbial communities. Samples of soils from Nebraska fields that have been continuously cropped with corn for 40 or 103 years with no major histories of root diseases were collected at several time periods and the analysis is ongoing.

Some of the DNA extraction done previously had low quality and re-extraction was carried out in 2017. Following the completion of microbial DNA extraction, a library has been developed and quality-checked. Samples have been sent to Novogene and DNA sequence analysis for microbial community profile is in progress. 

NJ- We are exploring a process termed ‘rhizophagy cycle’ where bacteria alternate between a free-living soil phase and a root intracellular/endophytic phase. The bacteria that are plant symbionts often show ability to suppress disease in the free-living phase—and in the intracellular phase the bacteria are oxidized by the host to extract nutrients from them. Patent applications for microbes that control diseases in crop plants are listed under “Patents” in the Publication list. 

NY- Change in a Phytophthora capsici population over time. To identify control strategies, it is important to know how a pathogen population in a field is changing over time. Sexual, endemic populations of the heterothallic Phytophthora capsici continue to devastate vegetable crops in the northeast. In many instances, flooding events introduced P. capsici into fields with no prior history of the pathogen. Common occurrence of both A1 and A2 mating types results in production of oospores, and consequently persistent, overwintering populations. Further, prior research in our lab provides evidence for localized populations, with little to no gene flow between fields in the northeast. To understand the dynamics of these isolated, sexual populations of P. capsici, a restricted access research farm in Geneva, NY, with no prior history of P. capsici, was inoculated in 2008 with two isolates of opposite mating type. Approximately, 50 isolates were sampled each year from 2009-17 from a variety of susceptible plant species. To parallel the field study, F₁ single-oospore progeny were isolated from a cross performed in the lab between the same founding parents. These F₁ provide a frame of reference for the field population in which generation and relatedness of isolates are unknown. Isolates from 2009-2013 were analyzed using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), which simultaneously identifies and scores single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, resulting in approximately 30,000 SNP markers distributed throughout the genome. Last year we reported that the founding F1 oospores were recovered for three years following initial inoculation, but not since that time. We have a large number of isolates from 2015 and 2017 (with fewer from 2014 and 2016 due to hot and dry weather). We have single zoospore isolates and DNA extracted from the 2014-2015 isolates, and are completing single zoospore isolation and DNA extraction from 2017 samples. Once the 2017 samples are complete we can submit 95 samples (one plate) for GBS sequencing and will compare these samples to the earlier collections. Once a field is infested with both mating types of P. capsici, it is currently unfeasible to eradicate the pathogen. Thus, it is essential to understand both the founding and long-term trajectories of P. capsici populations to improve management strategies. 

NY- Industrial hemp microbiome. Cornell began researching industrial hemp in 2016, and in 2017 the Smart lab started a project to assess the microbiome of the rhizosphere, roots, flowers and leaves of industrial hemp cultivar Anka at 5 field locations in New York. Samples were collected, DNA has been extracted, and PCR amplicons (of portions of the rDNA) for both fungi and bacteria are currently being sequenced. Once we have a better idea of the microbiome we will then be able to look at how these microbes may influence disease. In 2018 we plan to have a more comprehensive study on how age, variety, cultivar and environment impact the microbiome. 

WA- Glyphosate application changes the succession of fungi in roots. The herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) is widely used by wheat growers in the PNW, but can cause increased root diseases through the green bridge effect, by favoring pathogens in dying roots of volunteer and weeds. However, other fungi may displace the pathogens, resulting in less disease if planting is delayed by 2-3 weeks. ARS scientists, using next-generation sequencing, showed that unexpected taxa such as Pythium volutum and Myrmecridium were dominant components in dying roots, but were displaced by Cadophora, Exophiala, and Fusarium, which may be key competitors of pathogens that proliferate soon after glyphosate application. This work leads to a greater understanding of fungal dynamics of green bridge management, which is a major tool for growers to reduce the impact of root pathogens such as Rhizoctonia and Pythium. 

WA-Biosolids can shift fungal communities in soil. Biosolids are processed sewage sludge that are being applied to dryland wheat fields as a source of nitrogen. However, it is unclear what impact these may have on soil microbial communities, and whether fungi from the human gut can persist in these biosolids. ARS scientists at Pullman, WA, used next-generation sequencing of soil and dust samples from field-applied biosolids. They found biosolids applied to the soil significantly shifted the fungal communities both in the soil and dust, even when applied a few years before, but only favored a small number of genera of soil fungi which used the biosolids as a food source. This information is important for assessing the safety of biosolids, especially in dust that can blow off the fields and be transported for hundreds of miles. 

WA-Salicaceae endophytes with biocontrol potential. With new collaborator Dr. Sharon Doty, University of Washington, Seattle, USDA-ARS showed that 13 bacterial or yeast endophytes of Salicaceae had in vitro activity against at least two of the following soilborne fungal pathogens: Rhizoctonia solani AG-8, Fusarium culmorum, Gaeummanomyces graminis var. tritici and Pythium ultimum. While the endophytes were generally sensitive to Veg’lys, a commercial Allium formulation being explored for small-scale soil fumigation, the growth of two strains was stimulated by the formulation, and eight strains demonstrated the ability to adapt and grow on Veg’lys at IC₁₀₀ concentrations normally inhibitory to the strains. These and other findings indicate that the endophytes have the potential to protect host roots against biotic stress in the soil and have remediation properties. 

WA- Optimizing limestone amendments to suppress Fusarium wilt in spinach seed production. The 10- to 15-year rotation required to minimize losses to Fusarium wilt is the primary constraint on spinach seed production in the maritime Pacific Northwest, the only region of the USA suitable for this cool-season, daylength-sensitive crop. A 4-year field trial was completed to assess the potential for annual applications of agricultural limestone at 0, 2.24, and 4.48 tons/ha for three years prior to a spinach seed crop to improve Fusarium wilt suppression. Three successive annual applications of 4.48 tons limestone/ha reduced mid-season wilt incidence by an average of 20%, increased spinach biomass by 33%, and increased marketable spinach seed yield by 45% compared to plots amended once with the same rate of limestone in the spring of planting. The suppressive effect increased with increasing rate of limestone amendment. The effects on seed yield were greatest for the partially resistant female line, followed by the moderately susceptible and highly susceptible female lines. The results demonstrate that annual applications of agricultural limestone on acid soils of the maritime Pacific Northwest USA can enhance suppression of spinach Fusarium wilt, potentially reducing the required rotation interval by as much as 50%, thereby doubling the capacity for spinach seed production in the USA. 

WA-Effect of Contans WG and burial on survival of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in the Columbia Basin of central Washington. White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is the main disease affecting sunflower seed crops in central Washington. A microplot trial assessed the effects of drenching Contans WG (Coniothyrium minitans, a mycoparasite of S. sclerotiorum) at 0, 0.56, and 4.48 kg/ha on survival of sclerotia on the soil surface or buried 15 cm deep. In plots not drenched with Contans WG, <10% of buried sclerotia were viable after 7 months vs. >70% for surface sclerotia. Contans WG reduced survival of surface sclerotia, not buried sclerotia, but only 12 months after application. Results were similar for a repeat trial. Contans WG also was applied by spray boom at 0 and 4.48 kg/ha to residues in large, replicated plots after harvest of a sunflower seed crop with >50% incidence of white mold. Viability of sclerotia in buried residues decreased faster than that of sclerotia in surface residues. The Contans WG application had no effect on survival of sclerotia in infested crop residues or sclerotia sampled from soil after residues had decomposed. Contans WG only reduced survival of sclerotia on the soil surface, and was never as effective as burial at reducing sclerotium survival. 

Objective 2 To understand how microbial populations and their gene expression are regulated by the biological (plants and microbes) and physical environment and how microbes influence disease.  

NE- The biocontrol bacterium Lysobacter enzymogenes strain OH11 was shown to possess three genes coding for unique Ax21-like proteins (Lsp). By comparing the wildtype OH11 with mutant strains having a single or combination of lsp genes deleted, the Lsp proteins were found to be involved in positive regulation in the synthesis of HSAF an antibiotic involved in the biocontrol activity of L. enzymogenes. 

NE- Methodology using qPCR was developed to study the expression of key biocontrol genes by L. enzymogenes during rhizosphere colonization. Preliminary experiments involving bacteria applied to soybean grown in growth pouches revealed different temporal patterns for expression of genes involved in biosysnthesis of HSAF, glucanases, chitinases. 

NE-The role of type 4 pili (T4P) production in rhizosphere colonization by L. enzymogenes was investigated by comparing populations of a mutant strain defective T4P production with populations the wildtype OH11 established on soybean root tips following seed treatment. The mutant was significantly reduced in colonization of root tips compared to the wildtype, suggesting that attachment and/or surface motility, both dependent on T4P, are critical processes for functioning of the biocontrol agent in the environment. 

NY- Optimization of a super paramagenetic nanoparticle technique for extracting DNA from soil for microbe detection. An economical method for extracting nematode DNA from 100 g of soil was developed to facilitate nematode detection and quantification, and tested using the Northern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla. The method utilized enzymatic laundry detergent lysis, Fe₃O₄ super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) capture, and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) purification. Resultant DNA from this SPION capture method was approximately 100-fold less but of similar quality to DNA obtained from a standard phenol procedure and a commercial DNA extraction kit. An addition of ten mg of nanoparticles to the extraction lysate was identified to maximize DNA yield while minimizing co-capture of contaminants. The detection limit of the SPION capture method was approximately 100 nematodes per 100 g soil. The SPION capture method extracted nematode DNA from mineral soils but requires further optimization for extraction from high organic matter (i.e. ‘muck’) soils. 

WA-Dynamics of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) in the wheat rhizosphere. PCA produced by biocontrol bacteria has a key role in the suppression of soilborne fungal root pathogens, but the basis for its persistence in the rhizosphere of dryland wheat throughout the growing season is unexplained. ARS scientists, with collaborators at Washington State University, determined that PCA is synthesized mainly early in the season, when the soil is still moist, but that biosynthesis can continue even as soils dry and become arid. Furthermore, persistence cannot be explained by failure to undergo degradation in arid soils. These findings are important because PCA produced in the rhizosphere can suppress Rhizoctonia solani, an important pathogen of dryland wheat. 

WA-Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) influences biofilm development and turnoverof rhizobacterial biomass in a soil moisture-dependent manner. Bioactive compounds produced in the rhizosphere profoundly influence plant health and development, but their impact on soil nutrient dynamics and organic matter is poorly understood due to spatial and biochemical heterogeneity. ARS scientists, with collaborators at Washington State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, imaged wheat roots grown in soil mesocosms inoculated with derivatives of the PCA-producing rhizobacterium. PCA exerted moisture-dependent effects on biofilm development and the turnover of nutrients and organic matter derived from rhizobacterial biomass. These results are important because they show that key taxa within the phytobiome significantly impact rhizosphere function. 

WA-Root pathogens of wheat can grow under extremely dry conditions. Climate change scientists are interested in the future distribution of wheat pathogens and pests under 2050 scenarios, but little is known about how root pathogens respond to temperature and moisture. ARS and WSU scientists conducted a series of lab and microcosm experiments with Fusarium spp. that cause crown rot and Rhizoctonia spp. that cause root rot. They showed that sensitivity to moisture varies with temperature. Fusarium species were capable of growing and germinating under very dry conditions- down to -7 MPa, but Rhizoctonia spp. did not grow much below -2 MPa. This information is important for growers to determine future risk of these diseases, and explains why Fusarium crown rot is exacerbated under drought conditions. 

Objective 3. Implement sustainable management strategies for soilborne pathogens that are compatible and integrated with good soil health practices.  

KS- A high-glucosinolate mustard plant was used as a cover crop to control charcoal rot infestation in soybeans. Charcoal rot is caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. There were significantly fewer colony forming units (CFU) of M. phaseolina in both soil and plants in treatments with mustard seed than in those without. The number of CFUs increased in all plots from spring to fall, but remained significantly less in plots with mustard cover crop. 

NY- Rolled cereal rye mulch for white mold control. White mold caused by the fungus, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating disease of bean. This study quantified the efficacy of a rolled-crimped cereal rye mulch on agronomic variables, weed and disease control in a replicated dry bean (cv. Eclipse) field experiment. The experiment was replicated in the same field using soybean (cv. Viking). Cereal rye mulch significantly reduced weed populations and incidence of white mold without deleteriously affecting yield. In soybean, the rye mulch had an inhibitory effect on plant populations early in the season, also reflected in crop biomass (19 July) and yield components. Populations and biomass of broadleaf, grass, and total weeds in the soybean crop were not significantly affected by the rye mulch. This is likely due to the denser soybean canopy compared to the dry bean canopy, which may have suppressed overall weed populations. The inhibitory effect of rye mulch on the incidence of S. sclerotiorum carpogenic germination resulting in functional apothecia in soybean and black bean is promising. The significantly higher incidence of carpogenic germination resulting in nonfunctional apothecia (long stipes that failed to produce the apothecial disc) is likely a result of the reductions in light reaching the sclerotia. This effect may also contribute to reducing soilborne sclerotial inoculum as these sclerotia will expend energy in stipe production and become nonviable. The incidence of white mold was significantly reduced in cereal rye plots planted to soybean, but not black bean, most likely due to the crop not reaching canopy closure and reducing disease risk. Taken together, results highlight the potential multidisciplinary benefits of rye mulch for directly harvested dry bean production. 

WA-Resistance to cereal cyst nematode found in adapted wheat lines. Cyst nematodes are among several types of plant-parasitic nematodes that reduce yields in Pacific Northwest dryland wheat fields, accounting for about $51 million in annual losses. There is presently no chemical controls or resistant varieties to control this pathogen. ARS scientists at Pullman, Washington have developed a greenhouse method to screen advanced and early generation lines, over 500 in 2016. They have identified a number of resistant varieties club, soft white winter and soft durum lines from ARS breeding programs, including ARS Crescent, Selbu, Cara, and Pritchett. These can be immediately used by growers to manage this disease. In addition, discovery of this resistance will aid breeders in more quickly developing further varieties, without having to breed out undesirable characters present in poorly adapted germplasm. 

WA-Assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculants for enhancing onion production in the Columbia Basin of central Washington. AMF inoculants were evaluated in field trials in central Washington to counter the potentially adverse effects of widespread soil fumigation with metam sodium on soil microbial communities and soil health. Various commercial products were applied by grower-cooperators in fields on different farms. Overall, the trials demonstrated no consistent effect of the AMF inoculants on onion stand, foliar nutrient content, biomass, pink root severity, or bulb yield, even in trials with different rates of fertilizer applied at planting to try and reduce potentially inhibitory effects of high fertilization rates on establishment of AMF in onion roots. This lack of evident effect on growth of onion plants or resistance to diseases was observed even in plots in which the AMF treatment almost doubled the amount of onion root colonization by AMF compared to that of control plots. Additional growth chamber trials were completed to assess the potential impact of soil phosphorus levels on AMF colonization of onion roots using commercial AMF inoculants. The results demonstrate the potential negative effect of higher soil P levels (40 and 80 ppm) on colonization of onion roots by AMF, and the need to assess the potential impacts of soil fertility levels on the value of using AMF inoculants in onion production. 

Objective 4. Provide outreach, education, extension and technology transfer to our clients and stakeholders- growers, biocontrol industry, graduate and undergraduate students, K-12 students and other scientists. 

CA- worked with a 9^th grade student on his science fair. In this work, methods that were used included DNA extraction and Illumina sequencing of the bacterial rRNA ITS region. 

CA-The Becker lab provided 20 presentations about plant-parasitic nematodes, the diseases they cause and potential IPM practices to mitigate plant damage and crop loss. Our clientele included University of California farm, horticulture and IPM advisors, private pest control advisors, growers, golf course and sports facility superintendents, agrochemical and biocontrol industry scientists, commodity representatives, USDA and CDFA scientists, students, faculty and other researchers from various public and private Universities and research institutions, agricultural commissioner’s personnel, Master gardeners as well as the general public (see under VI. presentations). 

KS- Presentations on wheat production and management to control or reduce disease pressure were made to growers at the Spring Field Day in Parsons (Reducing the impact of Fusarium Head Blight in wheat, G. Sassenrath). Additional presentations were made to farmers at informal coffee meetings during the winter at the Columbus Research and Extension Center. 

NE- G. Yuen taught units related to soil pathogen ecology, biological control concepts, application of biological control in his general plant pathology and turfgrass disease courses

Short term outcome: educational opportunities relating to biological control of plant diseases were provided to approximately 100 undergraduate and 20 post-baccalaureate students. 

NY- Disease management strategies for Phytophthora capsici. In 2017, Smart gave 7 talks to growers, extension educators and industry representatives on strategies to control Phytophthora blight. These included talks at the NY state fruit and veg expo, talks at winter grower meetings in western and eastern NY, and summer twilight meetings. Additionally, Smart presented a webinar during the winter of 2017 to beginning vegetable growers (she does this annually). 

NY- Undergraduate research experience. The Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section on the Geneva Campus of Cornell University established a summer scholars program to increase the involvement of undergraduate researchers in applied agricultural sciences. In 2017, 30 students presented posters at the end of the program. Each summer, several students are involved with projects that are part of the W3147 multi-state project. During the summer of 2017, a student in the Smart lab worked on Phytophthora capsici studying the population biology and evolution of the pathogen. 

NY- Outreach to K-12 students. We have continued our outreach program to third-grade students in the Geneva City School District (Geneva, NY). Part of this outreach includes a summer science camp, where students study different aspects of food production utilizing a garden that they plant at their school. One week of the 5-week program focuses on the importance of healthy soil to producing healthy vegetables. During 2017, 19 students took part in the 5 week program. 

NY- Outreach activities on sustainable disease management. Pethybridge gave eight extension/outreach presentations on soilborne disease management to the broadacre vegetable industry stakeholders and growers. These presentations were meetings organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension throughout New York. 

NY- Undergraduate research experience. One undergraduate student was involved in a study developing a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and comparison to PCR techniques for root-knot nematode detection. 

WA- In 2017, researchers from WA presented over 30 extension talks, field days, workshops/clinics and special consultations in relation to soilborne diseases. Paulitz provided consultation on a regular basis for the WSU Disease Diagnostic Clinic and for cereal and oilseed growers to diagnose diseases, and du Toit diagnosed >100 vegetable and seed crop samples. ARS Wheat Health, Genetics and Quality Research Unit continues to provide outreach to K-12 Native Americans, including the Colville Confederated Tribes, the Spokane Tribe, and the Kalispell Tribes. This included presentations at Moses Lake in March 2017 and Lacrosse high school in Dec. 2016. They provided molecular biology, biochemistry and engineering training for 14 summer high school interns (June- July 2017) in ARS and WSU labs; and placement of underserved WSU undergraduates as laboratory assistants in ARS and WSU labs. du Toit accommodated an undergraduate intern from Northwest Indian College as part of a multi-state NSF AGEP grant to recruit Native American students into STEM fields of study. 

WA- The USDA ARS wheat group supervised two graduate students, co-supervised two graduate students, and on the committee of 15 others at WSU. Mazzola is mentoring three PhD students at WSU, one PhD and 1 MSc student at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and one MSc student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. du Toit is chairing the committee of 4 MS students at WSU, and is on another 4 PhD committees at WSU and 1 MS committee at the University of Guelph, with projects on soilborne plant pathogens. 

WA- Paulitz was the main coordinator and organizer of Joint Meeting of the 63rd Annual Conference on Soilborne Pathogens and The 49^th California Nematology Workshop, Davis, California, March 28-30, 2017. This annual meeting attracted over 150 industry, academic, government, regulatory, and student attendees.

WA- du Toit spent 2 weeks in the Sacapulas region of the highlands in Quiche, Guatemala in March 2017 with the Farmer-2-Farmer program of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), assisting onion farmers with disease diagnoses and management recommendations. du Toit trained 15 USAID Technical Field Assistants and regional farmers. 

Short-term outcomes 

Outputs- publications and reports, both scientific and extension, see below. Websites, training sessions and workshops. 

Activities- Technology transfer, extension talks, workshops and clinics, see below. Involvement in governance and leadership of professional societies and journals. 

Milestones: Year 5 is in the process of being accomplished, especially for Objective 1 in describing microbial communities associated with suppressive soils, and cultural and other management techniques.

Peer-reviewed 

Adesemoye, A. O., Yuen, G., Watts, D. B. 2017. Microbial inoculants for optimized plant nutrients use in integrated pest and input management systems. In Probiotics and Plant Health. Arora N.K, Mehnaz. S., and Balestrini, R. (Ed.), Microbial inoculants for optimized plant nutrients use in integrated pest and input management systems. Springer pp. 21-40. DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-3473-2.

Adesemoye, A. O., Yuen, G., Watts, D. B. 2017. Microbial inoculants for optimized plant nutrients use in integrated pest and input management systems. In Probiotics and Plant Health. Arora N.K, Mehnaz. S., and Balestrini, R. (Ed.), Microbial inoculants for optimized plant nutrients use in integrated pest and input management systems. Springer pp. 21-40. DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-3473-2. 

Aujla, I. and Paulitz, T. C. 2017. An improved method for establishing accurate water potential levels at different temperatures in growth media. Frontiers in Microbiology. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01497. 

Becker, J.O. and B. Westerdahl. 2018. Onion/Garlic: Nematodes. Pp. 28-31. In: UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Onion/Garlic, UC ANR Publication 3453. http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PDF/PMG/pmgoniongarlic.pdf (revision) 

Carlson, MO, Gazave, E, Gore, MA, and Smart, CD (2017) Temporal genetic dynamics of an experimental, biparental field population of Phytophthora capsici. Frontiers in Genetics 8:26. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2017.00026 

Deyett E, Roper MC, Ruegger P, Yang J, Borneman J, Rolshausen P. 2017. Microbial Landscape of the Grapevine Endosphere in the Context of Pierce’s Disease. Phytobiomes 1:138-149. doi:10.1111/aab.12330. 

Dunn, A. R., Kikkert, J. R., and Pethybridge, S. J. 2017. Genotypic characteristics in populations of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from New York State, USA. Ann. Appl. Biol. 170:219-228. 

Gatch, E.W., and du Toit, L.J. 2017. Limestone-mediated suppression of Fusarium wilt in spinach seed crops. Plant Disease 101:81-94. 

Ginnan NA, Dang T, Bodaghi S, Ruegger PM, Peacock, BB, McCollum G, England G, Vidalakis G, Roper C, Rolshausen P, Borneman J. 2018 Bacterial and Fungal Next Generation Sequencing Datasets and Metadata from Citrus Infected with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. Phytobiomes (in press).

Irizarry I, White JF. 2017. Application of bacteria from non-cultivated plants to promote growth, alter root architecture and alleviate salt stress of cotton. Journal Applied Microbiology 122(4):1110-1120. doi: 10.1111/jam.13414. 

Jaaffar, K.M., Parejko, J.A., Paulitz, T.C., Weller, D.M., Thomashow, L.S. 2017. Sensitivity of Rhizoctonia isolates from the Inland Pacific Northwest of the United States to phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and biological control by phenazine-producing Pseudomonas spp. Phytopathology. 107(6): 692-703. 

Kandel SL, Firrincieli A, Joubert PM, Okubara PA, Leston ND, McGeorge KM, Mugnozza GS, Harfouche A, Kim S-H, Doty SL 2017. An vitro study of bio-control and plant growth promotion potential of Salicaceae endophytes. Front Microbiol 8: 386. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00386. 

Kraus, CM, Mazo, Smart, CD, and Martin, CD (2017) Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato isolates from New York exhibit virulence attributes intermediate between typical race 0 and race 1 strains. Plant Disease doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-17-0330-RE 

Lehner, M. S., Mizubuti, E., Del Ponte, E. M., and Pethybridge, S. J. 2017. Independently founded populations of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from a tropical and temperate region have similar genetic structure. PLoS ONE 12(3):e0173915.http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173915. 

Lehner, M. S., Pethybridge, S. J., Meyer, M. C., and Del Ponte, E. M. 2017. Meta-analytic modelling of the relationships of white mold incidence with soybean yield and sclerotia production in uniform fungicide trials. Plant Pathol. 66:460-468. 

Lehner, M., Kikkert, J. R., Gugino, B., and Pethybridge, S. J. 2017. Fungicide sensitivity and efficacy of boscalid, fluazinam and thiophanate-methyl for white mold control in snap bean. Plant Dis. 101:1253-1258. 

Liang Z., D. Lee, I. Dweikat, D. Wedin, G. Yuen, R. Drijber. 2017. Molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizae in roots of Juniperus virginiana invasive to grasslands. SSSAJ 81:526-536. doi:10.2136/sssaj2016.05.0133.

Michelmore, R., Coaker, G., Bart, R., Beattie, G., Bent, A., Bruce, T., Cameron, D., Dangl, J., Dinesh-Kumar, S., Edwards, R., Eves-van den Akker, S., Gassmann, W., Greenberg, J., Harrison, R., He, P., Hanley-Bowdoin, L., Harvey, J., Huffaker, A., Hulbert, S., Innes, R., Jones, J., Kaloshian, I., Kamoun, S., Katagiri, F., Leach, J., Ma, W., McDownell, J., Medford, J., Meyers, B., Nelson, R., Oliver, R., Qi, Y., Saunders, D., Shaw, M., Smart, C., Subudhi, P., Torrance, L., Tyler, B., Valent, B., Walsh, J. 2017. Foundational and translational research opportunities to improve plant health. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-01-17-0010-CR 

Okubara P, Kumar N, Hohenwarter L, Graham D, Kandel S, Doty SL, Micknass U, Kogel K-H, Imani J. 2017 Inhibition of fungal and. bacterial plant pathogens by Vegelys^TM, an Allium-based antimicrobial formulation. J Biol Nat 8(2): 40-51. 

Parikh, L., Eskelson, M. J., and Adesemoye, A. O. 2018. Relationship of in vitro and in planta screening: improving the selection process for biological control agents against Fusarium root rot in row crops. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection (In Press).

Parikh, L., Eskelson, M. J., and Adesemoye, A. O. 2018. Relationship of in vitro and in planta screening: improving the selection process for biological control agents against Fusarium root rot in row crops. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection (In Press).

Paulitz, T. C., Knerr, A. J., Carmody, S. M., Schlatter, D., Sowers, K., Derie, M. L., du Toit, L. J. 2017. First report of Leptosphaeria maculans and Leptosphaeria biglobosa, causal agents of blackleg, on canola in Washington State. Plant Disease 101: 504-505.

Pietro-Souza W, Mello IM, Vendruscullo S, da Silva GF, da Cunha CN, White JF, Soares MA. 2017. Structure and function of the endophytic fungi community are influenced by mercury. PLoS ONE 12(7):e0182017 · 

Poudyal-Sharma, D., Schlatter, D., Yin, C.T., Hulbert, S. and Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Long-term no-till: A major driver of fungal communities in dryland wheat cropping systems. PloS One 12: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184611.

Schlatter, D. C., Yin, C., Hulbert, S. Burke, I. and Paulitz, T. 2017. Impacts of repeated glyphosate use on wheat-associated bacteria are small and depend on glyphosate use history. Applied and Environmental Microbiology: 83 np. 22 e01354-17

Schlatter, D., Kinkel, L., Thomashow, L., Weller, D. and Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Disease suppressive soils: New insights from the soil microbiome. Phytopathology 107: 1284-1297. 

Shah, D. A., Dillard, H. R., and Pethybridge, S. J. 2017. Probability distributions for marketable pods and white mould in snap bean. Ann. Appl. Biol. 171:179-189. doi:10/1111/aab.12363. 

Tadych M, White JF. 2017. Endophytic microbes. Encyclopedia of Microbiology (4^th Edition). Academic Press. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.13036-5 

Takemoto, J., G.Y. Yuen, C.C. Jochum, C.T. Chang, Y. Kawasaki, and G.W. Miller, 2017. Suppression of wheat Fusarium head blight by novel amphiphilic aminoglycoside fungicide K20. Fungal Biology https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2017.12.001.

Tancos, MA, Lowe-Power, TM, Peritore, FC, Tran, TM, Allen, C., and Smart, CD 2017 Plant-like bacterial expansins play contrasting roles in two tomato vascular pathogens. Molecular Plant Pathology DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12611 

Thompson, A.L., Mahoney, A.K., Smiley, R.W., Paulitz, T.C., Hulbert, S., Garland Campbell, K.A. 2017. Resistance to multiple soil-borne pathogens of the Pacific Northwest is colocated in a wheat recombinant inbred line population. G3,Genes/Genomes/Genetics 7:1109-1116. 

Verma SK, Kingsley K, Bergen M, English C, Elmore M, Kharwar R, White JF. 2017. Bacterial endophytes from rice cut grass (Leersia oryzoides L.) increase growth, promote root gravitropic response, stimulate root hair formation, and protect rice seedlings from disease. Plant and Soil. DOI:10.1007/s11104-017-3339-1 

Verma SK, Kingsley K, Irizarry I, Bergen M, Kharwar RN, White JF. 2017. Seed vectored endophytic bacteria modulate development of rice seedlings. J. Applied Microbiology 122: 1680-1691.

Wang, R., Xu, H., Zhang, J., Yuen, G.Y., Liu, H., Qian, G., and Liu, F. 2017. Lsp family proteins regulate antibiotic biosynthesis in Lysobacter enzymogenes. AMB Express 7(1):123. doi: 10.1186/s13568-017-0421-2. Epub 2017 Jun 13.

Wei Li, Long Chu, James F. White, Jr., Zhi Xiong, Xinya Li, Qiaohong Li, Sihui Zhao, Haiyan Li. 2017. Diversity and heavy metal tolerance of endophytic fungi from Chenopodium ambrosioides, a hyperaccumulator of Pb-Zn from contaminated soils. J. Plant Interactions. 

White JF, Kingsley KI, Kowalski KP, Irizarry I, Micci A, Soares MA, Bergen MS. 2017. Disease protection and allelopathic interactions of seed-transmitted endophytic pseudomonads of invasive reed grass (Phragmites australis). Plant and Soil DOI: 10.1007/s11104-016-3169-6 

White JF. 2017. Syntrophic imbalance and the etiology of bacterial endoparasitism diseases. Medical Hypothesis 104C: 14-15. 

Xie J, Chen Q, Suresh P, Roy S, White JF, Mazzeo A. 2017. Paper-based Plasma Sanitizers. PNAS DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1621203114

Yin, C., Schlatter, D., Schroeder, K., Mueth, N., Prescott, A. Dhingra, A., Hulbert, S. and Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Bacterial communities on wheat grown under long-term conventional tillage and no-till in the Pacific Northwest of the US. Phytobiomes: 1: 83-90.

Yuen, G.Y., K.C. Broderick, C.C. Jochum, C.J. Chen, and E.P. Caswell-Chen. 2017. Control of cyst nematodes by Lysobacter enzymogenes strain C3 and the role of the antibiotic HSAF in the biological control activity. Biological Control https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2017.11.007.

Books and book chapters 

Patents 

U.S. patent pending No. PCT/US16/43408. (Filed July 21, 2016). “Compositions and Methods Comprising Endophytic Bacterium for Application to Grasses to Increase Plant Growth, Suppress Soil Borne Fungal Diseases, and Reduce Vigor of Weedy Competitors”. Inventors: White JF, Kowalski K, Kingsley K. 

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/541,395. (Filed August 4, 2017) Compositions and Methods Comprising Endophytic Bacterium for Application to Target Plants to Increase Plant Growth, and Increase Resistance to Abiotic and Biotic Stressors. James White and Ivelisse Irizarry. 

Canadian Patent Application No. 2,975,486(Filed August 4,2017) Compositions and Methods Comprising Endophytic Bacterium for Application to Target Plants to Increase Plant Growth, and Increase Resistance to Abiotic and Biotic Stressors. James White and Ivelisse Irizarry. 

Extension and technical bulletins

Adesemoye, A. O. 2017. Biologicals in plant disease management. NebGuide G2290, Nebraska Extension. 

Adesemoye, A. O. 2017. Introduction to biological products for crop production and protection Extension Circular EC3019, Nebraska Extension. 

Adesemoye, A. O. 2017. New financial assistance for organic producers. CropWatch January 6, 2017. 

Adesemoye, A. O. and Klein, R. 2017. Cephalosporium leaf stripe developing in west central wheat. CropWatch May 25, 2017. 

Adesemoye, A. O., Shapiro, C. A., Rethwisch, M., and Maharjan, B. Potential benefits of biological products in nutrient management. Nebguide G2294. Nebraska Extension 

Hay, F. S., and Pethybridge, S. J. 2017. Anthracnose of garlic scapes in New York. Extension Bulletin. 

Henrichs, B., Derie, M.L., Waters, T.D., and du Toit, L.J. 2017. The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants on onion root colonization and growth in field trials near Connell, WA, 2016. Plant Disease Management Reports 11:V137. 

Henrichs, B., Waters, T.D., and du Toit, L.J. 2017. The effect of soil phosphorus levels on colonization of onion roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, 2016-2017. Plant Disease Management Reports 11:V125. 

Hsiao, C.-J., Sassenrath, G.F., Rice, C., Zeglin, L., Hettiarachchi, G. 2017. Key components of healthy soils and their role in crop production. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 3: Iss. 2.https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1385 

Kikkert, J. R., and Pethybridge, S. J. 2017. Leaf disease management for table beets in New York. Cornell VegEdge 13 (15):1-3. 

Koenick, L., and Pethybridge, S. J. 2017. Principles of fungicide resistance. Extension Bulletin.https://blogs.cornell.edu/pethybridgelab/files/2014/12/Principles-of-Fungicide-Resistance-w5foan.pdf. 

Koenick, L., Kikkert, J. R., and Pethybridge, S. J. 2017. Cercospora leaf spot of table beet. Extension Bulletin. 

Kreis, R.A., Lange, H.W. and Smart, C.D. 2017. Evaluation of fungicides allowed for organic production on tomato leaf mold in high tunnel production, 2016. Plant Disease Management Report. Volume 11 

Lange, H.W., Smart, C.D. and Seaman, A.J. 2017. Evaluation of materials allowed for organic production on downy mildew of cucumber, 2016. Plant Disease Management Report. Volume 11 

Lange, H.W., Smart, C.D. and Seaman, A.J. 2017. Evaluation of materials allowed for organic production on powdery mildew of zucchini, 2016. Plant Disease Management Report. Volume 11 

Lange, H.W., Smart, C.D. and Seaman, A.J. 2017. Evaluation of materials allowed for organic production on bacterial speck of tomato, 2016. Plant Disease Management Report. Volume 11

Pethybridge, S. J. 2017. Tackling root knot nematode in potato production in New York. The Potato News, Winter 2017 Edition. Empire State Potato Growers Inc. January 2017 (Page 9) 

Pethybridge, S. J., Bowden, C., Gugino, B., and Kikkert, J. R. 2017. Epidemiology and management of white mold in processing snap bean in New York. Empire Expo, Syracuse, New York. 17 January 2017. Pp. 5. 

Pethybridge, S. J., Hay, F. S., and Kikkert, J. R. 2017. Disentangling the foliar disease complex of processing lima bean in New York. Empire Expo, Syracuse, New York. 17 January 2017. Pp. 5. 

Pethybridge, S. J., Kikkert, J. R., and Gugino, B. 2017. Improving the management of white mold in snap bean. Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Growers Convention, Hershey, Pennsylvania. 31 January 2017. Pp. 50-51. 

Pethybridge, S. J., Lehner, M., and Kikkert, J. R. 2017. Efficacy of fungicides for the control of white mold in light red kidney bean, 2016. Plant Dis. Man. Rep. 11:V106. 

Sassenrath, G.F. 2017. Soil Health. Published in Montgomery County NRCS bulletin; Grass and Grain; Dirt Road Review, and other general public publications. 

Sassenrath, G.F., Dotson, D. 2017. Healthy water and healthy soils: Preserving the land and water legacy of the Grand Lake Watershed with locally led conservation. Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. 

Sassenrath, G.F., Little, C., Hsiao, C.J., Shoup, D., Lin, X. 2017a. Cover crop system to control charcoal rot in soybeans. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 3: Iss. 

Sassenrath, G.F., Shoup, D., Lollato, R. 2017b. Wheat Production. Kansas Agricultural Exp. Station Res. Reports: Vol. 3: Iss. 2. https://dx.doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1384 

Smart, C., Lange, H. Kreis, R., and Tancos, M. (2017) Tomato bacterial diseases of 2016. Proceedings of the 2017 Empire State Producers Expo, Syracuse, NY. http://www.hort.cornell.edu/expo/proceedings/2017/Tomato.bact-tom.Smart.17.pdf

Smart, C., Lange, H., and Kreis, R. (2017) Managing tomato leaf mold in high tunnel production. Proceedings of the 2016 Empire State Producers Expo, Syracuse, NY.

Weber, J.M., and du Toit, L.J. 2017. Efficacy of fungicides for control of white mold in hybrid sunflower seed crop in the Columbia Basin of central Washington, 2016. Plant Disease Management Reports 11:FC122.

Meeting presentations and proceedings 

Akinrinlola, R., Adesemoye, A. O., and Yuen G. Y. 2017 Bacillus strains as plant growth-promoting agents for the Great Plains agricultural region. Oral presentation during the Annual Meeting of the North Central Region of the American Phytopathological Society, which held at Champaign, IL. June 14-16, 2017. 

Becker, J.O., A. Ploeg, and J. Nunez 2016. Evaluation of novel nematicides for control of root-knot nematodes in processing tomato. Journal of Nematology 48:302. 

Becker, J.O., and J. Smith Becker 2017. 25 Years After the Discovery of Sting Nematodes in California: Summary of Research and Extension Efforts. 2017 UCR Turfgrass and Landscape Research Field Day Proceedings p. 9. 

Carmody, S.M., and du Toit, L.J. 2017. Light leaf spot and white leaf spot on brassicas in the Pacific Northwest. Puget Sound Seed Growers’ Association Annual Meeting, 13 Jan. 2017, Mount Vernon, WA. (100 people) 

Derie, M.L., and du Toit, L.J. 2017. Phoma betae in table beet and Swiss chard seed crops in western Washington. Puget Sound Seed Growers’ Association Annual Meeting, 13 Jan. 2017, Mount Vernon, WA. (100 people) 

du Toit, L.J. 2017.Evaluating irrigation management and bactericides for internal dry scale and bacterial bulb rots of onion. Invited presentation, Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Annual Convention & Trade Show, 15-16 Nov. 2017, Kennewick, WA. (125 people) 

du Toit, L.J. 2017. Got seed? Plant pathology research and extension contributions to the Pacific Northwest Vegetable Seed Industry. Invited presentation at the Congreso LatinoAmericano de Fitopatología, 2-5 Oct. 2017, Concepcion, Chile. (200 people) 

du Toit, L.J. 2017. Spinach seed crop pathology research and extension at Washington State University: Engaging principles of the U.S. Land Grant Mission to enhance production of a minor acreage, high value crop. J.E. Vanderplank Memorial Address, 50^th Anniv. Congress Southern African Soc. Plant Pathologists, 15-18 Jan. 2017, Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensburg, South Africa. (~200 attendees) 

du Toit, L.J. 2017. The What? Why? And How? Of Onion Disease Management in the Columbia Basin. Invited presentation at the National Onion Association Summer Meeting, 20 Jul. 2017, Richland, WA. (~150 people) 

du Toit, L.J. 2017. What’s the big deal with black leg of brassicas? Invited presentation, Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Annual Convention & Trade Show, 15-16 Nov. 2017, Kennewick, WA. (120 people) 

Hsiao, C.J., Sassenrath, G.F., Rice, C.W., Zeglin, L. 2017. Temporal changes in soil microbial properties in claypan soils. American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting, Oct. 22 – 26, 2017, Tampa, FL 

Hsiao, C.-J., Sassenrath, G.F., Rice, C.W., Zeglin, L.H., Hettiarachchi, G.M. 2016. Soil microbial communities in claypan soils. #101195. American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting. Nov. 6-9, 2016. Phoenix, AZ. 

Hsiao, C.J., Sassenrath, G.F., Rice, C.W., Zeglin, L.H., Hettiarachchi, G. 2016. Soil microbial properties with depth in claypan soils of southeast Kansas. Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas. Nov. 14-15, 2016, Manhattan, KS. 

Kodati, S., Eskelson, M. J., and Adesemoye, A. O. 2017. Cross-pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia spp. isolated from multiple hosts to corn, soybean, and wheat. Oral presentation during the Annual Meeting of the North Central Region of the American Phytopathological Society, holding at Champaign, IL. June 14-16, 2017. 

Kodati, S., Gambhir, N., Everhart, S., and Adesemoye, A. O 2017. Prevalence and pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia spp. from soybean in Nebraska. Poster presentation during the Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, APS, San Antonio, Texas. August 5-9, 2017. 

Parikh, L., Eskelson, M., and Adesemoye, A. O 2017. Biological control of Fusarium root rot on row crops in the Great Plains using PGPR and Trichoderma species. Poster presentation during the Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, APS, San Antonio, Texas. August 5-9, 2017. 

Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Effect of Glyphosate on Soil Microbes. Joint Meeting of the 63rd Annual Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens, Davis, California. March 28-30, 2017. 

Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Washington State Report. Multistate Group Managing Plant-Microbe Interactions in Soil to Promote Sustainable Agriculture, Riverside, California. Dec 2, 2017. 

Ploeg, A., J.O. Becker, J. Nunez, and S. Stoddard 2016. Performance of non-fumigant nematicides in California vegetables on Meloidogyne incognita-infested trial sites. European Society of Nematologists, 32nd Symposium Abstract Book. p. 82. 

Sassenrath, G.F., Farney, J. 2017. Improving the productive capacity of claypan soils by targeting soil health. American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting, Oct. 22 – 26, 2017, Tampa, FL 

Schlatter, D. 2017. Second workshop in statistical and algorithmic challenges in microbiome data analysis. The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA. Sympatric interaction networks shed light on the ecology and evolution of soil microbiomes. 

Schlatter, D. and Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Minimal impacts of repeated glyphosate use on wheat-associated bacterial microbiomes. American Phytopathological Society Meeting, San Antonio, Texas. Aug. 1-8, 2017 

Schlatter, D. and Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Successional dynamics of fungal and oomycete communities in herbicide-killed wheat roots. American Phytopathological Society Meeting, San Antonio, Texas. Aug. 1-8, 2017. 

Thomashow, L. 2017. Control of cereal root pathogens with root associated bacterial. Huazhong Agricultural University July 13, 2017. 

Thomashow, L. 2017. Control of cereal root pathogens with root associated bacterial. Northwest A and F University, China, July 5, 2017. 

Thomashow, L. 2017. Mechanisms and metabolites involved in biological control. Huazhong Agricultural University July 15 and 17, 2017 

Wang, X., Schlatter, D., Edwards, C., Paulitz, T., Weller, D., Okubara, P. 2017. Biodiversity of native yeasts in vineyards and spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in Washington State. Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Convention, Kennewick, WA. 

Weber, J., and du Toit, L.J. White mold in sunflower seed crops. Columbia Basin Vegetable Seed Assoc. Annual Meeting, 1 Feb. 2017, Moses Lake, WA. (85 people) 

Abstracts 

Hansen, J. Sullivan, T., Schillinger, W. and Paulitz, T. 2017 Soil Microbial Communities of the Lind Camelina Cropping Systems Experiment WSU Field Day Abstracts. 

Hansen, J. Sullivan, T., Schillinger, W. and Paulitz, T. 2017. Rhizosphere soil microbial communities of winter canola and winter wheat at six paired field sites in Eastern Washington. WSU Field Day Abstracts. 

Hansen, J. Sullivan, T., Schillinger, W. and Paulitz, T. 2017. Rhizosphere soil microbial communities of winter canola and winter wheat at six paired field sites in Eastern Washington. WSU Field Day Abstracts. 

Okubara P, Wang X, Schlatter D, Edwards C, Paulitz T, Glawe D. 2017. Native yeast diversity in two Washington Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards consists of common and unique species. American Society of Enology and Viticulture Annual Meeting, Bellevue, WA. 

Okubara PA, Wang X, Schlatter D, Paulitz T, Edwards C, Glawe D. 2017. ITS1 vs. D2 for assessing yeast diversity in grape berries and fermentations in Washington state. Plant and Animal Genome XXV, San Diego, CA. 

Schlatter, D. and Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Successional dynamics of fungal and oomycete communities in herbicide-killed wheat roots. Phytopathology 107: in press 

Wang X, Elizabeth Kramer E, Glawe D, Weller D, Murray T, Okubara P. 2017. Evaluation of native vineyard yeasts of Washington State for biological control of Botrytis bunch rot of grape. American Society of Enology and Viticulture Annual Meeting, Bellevue, WA. 

Wang, X., Schlatter, D C., Paulitz, T. C. and Okubara, P. 2017. Biodiversity of native yeast in vineyards and spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in Washington state. Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Annual Meeting. 

Weber, J.M., and du Toit, L.J. 2017. Effect of Contans WG application and burial of sclerotia on survival of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in the Columbia Basin of central Washington. Poster 51-P presented at 2017 APS Annual Meeting, 5-9 Aug. 2017, San Antonio, TX. 

Extension Talks/Field Days/Workshops/Consultations 

Angelo Loffredo, Mitigation of nematode-caused crop damage with microbial metabolites and natural antagonists 

Becker, J. O. New crop protection tools against plant-parasitic nematodes (presentation) 

Becker, J. O. New nematicides and biologicals against the Southern root-knot nematode (presentation) 

Becker, J. O. Aspergillus japonicus strain ZW1 and its toxicity against root-knot nematodes (poster). 

Becker, J. O. California fresh market carrot production without fumigant nematicides? (presentation) 

Becker, J. O. 2017 Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Festival/Field Day, UC South Coast Research and Extension 

Becker, J. O. 2017 Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Production Tour, UC ANR, Escondido, Fallbrook, Bonsall, CA; August 25, 2017. Nematode Issues for Pitahaya Production (presentation) 

Becker, J. O. 56^th Annual Society of Nematologists Meeting. Williamsburg, Virginia, August 13-17, 2017. Combination of microbial antagonists and a seed-delivered nematicide mitigated root-knot nematode-caused disease in tomato greenhouse and microplot trials (presentation) 

Becker, J. O. A student group visiting from Southwest University, China. UC Riverside, August 22, 2017. Plant Parasitic Nematodes and their enemies (presentation and Q&A) 

Becker, J. O. American Phytopathological Society, Pacific Division, Riverside, CA June 27-29, 2017. Management of the shoot gall nematode Anguina pacificae on Poa annua putting greens (presentation). 

Becker, J. O. California State Polytech University, Pomona, January 27, 2017. Introduction to plant-parasitic nematodes and their management (invited lecture/lab for undergraduates). 

Becker, J. O. CAPCA Education CE Seminar Imperial Valley, Nov 9, 2017, Imperial Valley. 

Becker, J. O. CAPCA Education Santa Ana CE Seminar, Nov 16, 2017. Biology and Control of Sting and Pacific Gall Nematodes (presentation) 

Becker, J. O. Coachella Valley Farmers Educational Meeting, Indio, CA, February 15, 2017. Nematode Problems in Coachella Valley Agriculture (presentation) 

Becker, J. O. Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens/Statewide California Nematology Workshop, UC Davis, March 28-30, 2017. 

Becker, J. O. Desert Fall Crop Workshop Dec. 7, 2017, Imperial, CA. Biologicals Against Plant-Parasitic Nematodes: Hip, Hype and Hope (presentation) 

Becker, J. O. Field demonstration for members of Western Education/Extension and Research Activities Committee on Integrated Pest Management. SCREC, Tustin, CA. July 25, 2017. Update on nematode management.

Becker, J. O. International Carrot Conference, Bakersfield, CA, March 19-21, 2017 

Becker, J. O. Multistate Research Project meeting, W3147, Managing Plant Microbe Interactions in Soil to Promote Sustainable Agriculture. Riverside, CA. Dec 1, 2017. Suppressive soils in California Cole crop fields (presentation) 

Becker, J. O. Turf & Landscape Day, Agricultural Operations, UC Riverside, September 14, 2017. 25 years after discovery: Confining the invasive Sting nematode to the Coachella Valley (poster) 

Becker, J. O. UC Integrated Pest Management Training 2017, San Diego, May 11, 2017 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Nematodes in the Landscape (presentation). 

Becker, J. O. University Extension Turf Management Certificate Course, 3 hr Webinar, UC Riverside Extension, March 15, 2017, Riverside, CA. Turf Management: Plant Parasitic Nematodes. 

Borneman, J. BASF (Research Triangle Park, NC) October 4, 2017. Title is: Development of Biologically Based Strategies to Control Cyst Nematodes and Huanglongbing. 

Borneman, J. UCR Microbiome Datablitz October 27, 2017. 

Borneman, J. USDA CDRE Project Meeting in Riverside CA, November 13, 2017. Microbiome Analyses and Microbe Based Strategies to Manage HLB. 

Borneman, J. Creating Cyst Nematode Suppressive Soils Using a Cropping Decision Model.” (presentation) 

Borneman, J. Creating Cyst Nematode Suppressive Soils Using a Cropping Decision Model. Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens. Davis California, March 29, 2017. 

Borneman, J. Improving Sugar Beet Economics, Productivity & Sustainability by Modifying the Cropping Decision Model. Sugarbeet Work Group Meeting, February 8, 2017, Holtville CA. 

Borneman, J. Statistical Analysis of Microbiome Data When Samples Have Unequal Sequence Counts, UCR Department of Statistics, May 2, 2017. 

Borneman, J. SurVerda Visit Meeting in Riverside CA, November 21, 2017. Microbe Based Strategies to Control Cyst Nematodes and Huanglongbing. 

du Toit, L.J. 2017. 2-week volunteer project with the Farmer-2-Farmer program of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), assisting onion farmers in the mountainous Sacapulas region of Quiche, in northwestern Guatemala, with disease diagnoses and management recommendations, 13-25 Mar. 2017. Trained ~15 USAID Technical Field Assistants and regional farmers. 

du Toit, L.J. 2017. 8^th Annual Spinach Fusarium Wilt Soil Bioassay Open House, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Open house for spinach seed growers and seed company personnel to observe spinach parent lines ranging from highly susceptible to partially resistant fare in a bioassay test of soil sampled from growers’ fields to assess the relative risk of Fusarium wilt. Soil samples (5 gal/field) were received from 33 growers’ fields in Dec. 2016 ($200/field) and processed, as well as seed of 18 spinach parent lines from seed companies to screen for relative resistance to Fusarium wilt. Stakeholders view their soils in Feb. 2017 to make decisions on which fields to select for planting spinach seed crops in 2017. >270 fields in western WA have been tested since 2010. 

du Toit, L.J. 2017. Trained 6 Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Seed Crop Inspectors on scouting for black leg, caused by Phoma lingam, in brassica seed crops in Washington State (oilseed, cover, and vegetable brassica seed crops), following the finding of this disease in >20 sites in dryland canola production in eastern Washington. 1-hour workshop on 20 Jul. 2017 in Pasco, WA. 

du Toit, L.J. 2017. Washington Pest Control Tour of the Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration, western WA, 17-19 Jul. 2015. Presented on vegetable seed production and research needs, including pathology research, to ~45 federal/state legislators or staff, agricultural industry representatives, WA State Depts. of Agriculture, Ecology, and Labor & Industries; WSU CAHNRS administrators, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Environmental Protection Agency, etc. on 18 Jul. in Mount Vernon, WA. 

du Toit, L.J. 2017. WSU Extension Onion Field Day, 25 Aug. 2016, Skone & Connorr Farm, Othello, WA. Presented onion downy mildew, mycorrhizae, internal dry scale, bacterial bulb rots, and Iris yellow spot virus information and research updates to growers, seed industry, extension personnel, researchers, etc. (90 people). 

du Toit, L.J. 2017/ Spinach Seed Health Assay Workshop in Denmark and the Netherlands: Invited to present a 4-hour lab workshop on spinach seed health testing at Aarhus University, Denmark on 7 Jun. 2017 (20 people). Workshop preceded by a tour of spinach seed crops in Denmark on 6 Jun. with spinach seed growers and personnel from all seed companies growing spinach seed in Denmark (35 people). Repeated the workshop at Pop Vriend Seeds, Andijk, the Netherlands on 9 Jun. 2017 (10 people, including 2 plant pathologists from Italy). Workshop preceded on 8 Jun. by presentations on the biology and management of necrotrophic fungal pathogens of spinach (30 people). 

du Toit, L.J. Brassica light leaf spot, white leaf spot, and black leg; onion neck rot; and bacterial blight of carrot. Invited presentation to Bejo Seeds production team, 7 Nov. 2017, Mount Vernon, WA. (30 people) 

du Toit, L.J. Tapping into growers’ expertise: Effective engagement in extension. One of 6 speakers in the 2-part APS webinar series (3 speakers/webinar) Fieldside Manner: Serving Plant Pathology’s Stakeholders, 18 and 25 October 2017. 

du Toit, L.J. Vegetable seed crop pathology research, and the role the Washington State Commission for Pesticide Registration (WSCPR) funding plays in supporting this program. Invited presentation to WSCPR board, 24 May 2017, La Conner, WA. (12 people) 

du Toit, L.J. Wilt diseases: Managing persistent pathogens in high value vegetable seed crops. Invited seminar to Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, 9 Oct. 2017, Raleigh, NC. (60 people) 

Paulitz, T C. 2017. Diseases of Brassica. WSU Oilseed Cropping Systems Workshops, Hartline Jan. 26, 2017.

Paulitz, T C. 2017. Diseases of Brassica. WSU Oilseed Cropping Systems Workshops, Ritzville Jan. 30, 2017. 

Paulitz, T C. 2017. Diseases of Brassica. WSU Oilseed Cropping Systems Workshops Clarkston, Feb. 2 2017. 

Paulitz, T. C. 2017.   Activities on Canola Diseases. Washington Oilseeds Cropping System Annual meeting 

Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Research on Nematodes and Fusarium Crown Rot Washington Grain Commission Review, Pullman, Washington. Feb. 13, 2017. 

Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Blackleg of canola and other canola diseases.   Field Day Presentation. Almira, WA June 27, 2017.  

Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Blackleg of canola and other canola diseases.   Field Day Presentation. Colton, WA July 10, 2017. 

Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Blackleg of Canola. Field Day presentation, Ralston, WA   Oct. 1, 2017 

Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Effect of Glyphosate on Soil Microbes. Direct Seeders Breakfast, Colfax, Washington   Feb. 15, 2017

Paulitz, T. C. 2017. Management of Fresh Wheat Residue for Irrigated Winter Canola Washington Department of Ecology. Nov 9, 2017. 

Paulitz, T. C. 2017. What’s New in Research on Soilborne Plant Pathogens. Spokane Farm Forum, Ag Expo, Spokane, Washington. Feb 8, 2017. 

Pethybridge, S. J., and Kikkert, J. R. 2017. Know your enemy! Identification of plant-pathogenic fungi associated with root decay in table beet. Processing Vegetable Crops Advisory Meeting, Batavia, New York. Attendees = 80. Duration = 30 min. Total contact = 40 hours. 13 December 2017. 

Pethybridge, S. J., and Kikkert, J. R. 2017. Optimizing the fungicide-based management of white mold in two varieties of snap bean. Processing Vegetable Crops Advisory Meeting, Batavia, New York. Attendees = 80. Duration = 30 min. Total contact = 40 hours. 13 December 2017. 

Pethybridge, S. J., and Kikkert, J. R. 2017. Optimizing the use of Aprovia Top for management of Cercospora leaf spot in table beet. Processing Vegetable Crops Advisory Meeting, Batavia, New York. Attendees = 80. Duration = 30 min. Total contact = 40 hours. 13 December 2017. 

Pethybridge, S. J., and Kikkert, J. R. 2017. Towards a durable management strategy for white mold in dry beans in New York. New York State Dry Bean Council meeting, Batavia, New York. Attendees = 60. Duration = 30 min. Total contact = 30 hours. 6 March 2017. 

Pethybridge, S. J., Bowden, C., Gugino, B., and Kikkert, J. R. 2017. Epidemiology and management of white mold in processing snap bean in New York. Empire Expo, Syracuse, New York. Attendees = 80. Duration = 30 min. Total contact = 40 hours. 17 January 2017.

Pethybridge, S. J., Hay, F. S., and Kikkert, J. R. 2017. Disentangling the foliar disease complex of processing lima bean in New York. Empire Expo, Syracuse, New York. Attendees = 80. Duration = 1 h. Total contact = 80 hours. 17 January 2017. 

Sassenrath, G. F. Charcoal Rot Suppression. https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/radio-network/agtoday-mp3/102016-sassenrath.mp3. Radio broadcast. 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Cabbage Research and Development Fund Board Meeting, December 12, 2017 Geneva, NY. Susceptibility of Commercially Available Cabbage Varieties to the Black Rot Pathogen, second season. 30 minute talk to 18 growers and educators. Contact hours = 9. 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Crop Consultant Meeting, November 30, 2017 Syracuse NY. Understanding and controlling diseases of tomato. 1 hour talk to 25 crop consultants. Contact hours = 25 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Elementary classes visit Station. May 30-31, 2017. Eight classes visited Cornell’s NY State Ag Experiment Station for tours, and to see plants in the greenhouse. Each class was given a 30 minute explanation on disease and insect pests of crops, and a 30 minute tour of the greenhouses – total of 50 min per class. About 20 students per session. Contact hours = 160. 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Elementary School Garden Planting. June 6-8, 2017. Work with each of eight classes to plant a section of the elementary school garden. 30 minutes per class, about 20 students per class (8 classes). Contact hours = 80 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Empire State Producers Expo. January 18, 2017, Syracuse NY. Tomato bacterial diseases of 2016. 20 minute talk to 100 growers and educators. Contact hours = 33. 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Empire State Producers Expo. January 18, 2017, Syracuse NY. Managing tomato leaf mold in high tunnel production. 20 minute talk to 90 growers and educators. Contact hours = 30. 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Geneva City School District Summer Science Camp. July 01 – Aug 10, 2017. 20 x 3 hour sessions on science and agriculture with 16 third-grade students. Contact hours = 960. 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Geneva Green Thumb Planting Event. April 20, 2017, Geneva NY. 2 hour workshop discussing seed planting and helping participants plant seed for their community or home gardens. About 20 participants. Contact hours = 40. 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Geneva School District Third-Grade Seed Planting May 1-9, 2017. What are seeds and what makes them grow? Nine, 45 minute interactive sessions with students talking about seeds and planting vegetable seed. About 20 students per session, 9 sessions. Contact hours = 135. Conducted by Smart lab members Holly Lange, Valpuri Sovero and grad student Libby Cieniewicz. 

Smart, C. D. 2017. Webinar for beginning vegetable growers entitled ‘Vegetable Diseases’, March 15, 2017. This was a 1 hour webinar to about 25 participants. Contact hours = 25