Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

RCU 1. Selection, optimization and regional evaluation of biological control agents to include application techniques and enhancement of biological control agents to control diseases caused by soilborne plant pathogens. Biological control agents were evaluated on cotton seed from 2001 to 2004 in ten states (AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, LA, MS, NC, TN, TX). Seedling disease pathogens (predominately Rhizoctonia, Pythium, or Fusarium) were present at each location. Treatments evaluated included several species of Bacillus, Beauveria, Stenotrophomonas and Trichoderma alone and in combination with standard chemical fungicides. The performance of these products varied across years and locations; however, several treatments with B. subtilis were effective against seedling disease pathogens in 3 of 4 years. In most tests, the addition of biological control agents to chemical standards did not improve efficacy relative to chemical standards alone. Biological agents for control of soilborne pathogens of snap bean were evaluated in fields naturally infested with Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium spp., Fusarium spp. and Macrophomina phaseolina. Snap bean seed, with and without a chemical seed treatment of captan + streptomycin, were treated with several biological agents: B. subtilis (GB03 or MBI600), B. licheniformis (SB3086), and Trichoderma harzianum (Rifai strain KRL-AG2 = T-22) and distributed to cooperators in AL, AR, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN, and TX for regional evaluation in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Significant treatment effects were observed in Tennessee only in the 2004 test. In that trial, stands of Bronco snap bean were greater than the untreated control when treated with GB03, T-22, or GB03 + T-22, with and without chemical seed treatment. Yields with T-22 in an April planting (cool soil) were greater than all other biological seed treatments and the chemical standard. Stands and yields of Hialeah in 2004 were unaffected by biological seed treatments in both the cool and warm soil plantings. Populations of most bacterial agents on seed were stable for the 4-8 weeks from delivery to planting. The greatest variability in populations of biocontrol agents was observed with the fungal treatment on cotton. The addition of fungicides significantly increased populations of bacterial agents, but decreased populations of fungal agents on both snap bean and cotton. Arkansas Bi-nucleate Rhizoctonia isolates were evaluated for their ability to control seedling disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani on cotton. These fungi are frequently isolated from cotton. In addition to their biological control potential, the influence of cultural practices, such as cover crops, is being examined for their influence on soil populations of this group of fungi. Infestation of soil with nonpathogenic strains of BNR significantly suppressed seedling disease caused by R. solani in both greenhouse and field tests. Florida The impact on the development of geranium, marigold, or vinca seed treated with Beauveria bassiana and Bacillus spp. was examined in vitro. Microbial isolates used were (B. bassiana Botanigard, B. bassiana 11-98, BioYield strain A, BioYield strain B). BioYield Flowable is a commercial product composed of Paenobaciullus macerans GB122 and B. amyloliquefaciens GB99. Negative interactions on seed germination and radicle length were observed due to the microbial treatments, but the effects were not consistent among or within plant species. When used individually, no microbial treatments used with geranium seed increased or decreased radicle length significantly from the water control. However combinations of fungal and bacterial strains did decrease radicle length. For marigold seed, no significant differences were observed in one trial but a negative response was observed when Bacillus BY-A and B. bassiana 11-98 were combined and when the mixture of Bacillus isolates and B. bassiana Botanigard were combined. Significant differences were observed in both trials using vinca seed, but there was little consistency between trials. In Trial 1, all treatments containing B. bassiana had significantly shorter radicles compared to the control, except where B. bassiana 11-98 was paired with Bacillus isolate BY-B. However, in Trial 2 no treatment had significantly shorter radicles than the control. Georgia Four non-pathogenic strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens containing genes for the type III secretion system (T3SS) were identified in Georgia using PCR. These strains exhibited activity against gummy stem blight (GSB) and Phytophthora crown rot (PCFR). Two strains used in this study, R6 and R10, exhibited antibiotic activity in vitro against P. irregulare and D. bryoniae, while strains R8 and B20 tested positive for the T3SS (R8 also exhibited in vitro activity against fungal pathogens). Systemic acquired resistance may have been involved in reducing PCFR and GSB severity with stains R8 and B20. These bacterial biological control agents performed as well against the GSB as tebuconazole or acibenzolar-S-methyl. The biological control agents tested in this study could be used potentially to reduce fungicide inputs. North Carolina A peat-moss based potting mix was amended with either of two composted swine wastes CSW1 and CSW2 at rates from 4 to 20% (v/v) and evaluated for suppression of pre-emergence damping-off of impatiens caused by R. solani. Higher rates of microbial activity were observed with increasing rates of CSW1 amendment than with CSW2. Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen also were higher in CSW1-amended mix than the CSW2-amended mix at seeding and at emergence. The results suggest that enhanced microbial activity and functional and structural diversity of stable compost were responsible for the suppression of pre-emergence damping-off of impatiens caused by R. solani. Poultry waste compost, an uncomposted swine waste, swine waste compost, and composted cow manure with and without Trichoderma hamatum (T382) were amended at rates of 4 to 16% into a pine bark potting mix to evaluate suppression of Phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Azaleas (Rhododendron obtusum Hinodegiri) in mixes infested with P. cinnamomi developed foliar symptoms of Phytophthora root rot beginning in July and progressed over the summer. Manure did not suppress Phytophthora root rot compared to pine bark mix only. Microbial respiration was greatest in uncomposed swine waste and composted swine waste. Microbial carbon also was higher in the mixes amended with manures, but the nature of microorganisms contributing to these increases is unknown at present. The genetic diversity of 162 isolates of R. solani anastomosis group 3 (AG-3) was examined using somatic compatibility and DNA based (AFLP and PCR-RFLP) genetic markers. Results suggest that populations of R. solani AG-3 from soil in North Carolina (NC) and potato seed tubers from northern production areas in the US (Maine and Wisconsin) and Canada are genetically diverse. The soil population of R. solani AG-3 from NC had a structure that included both clonality and recombination. Five of the most predominant clones found in NC soil were also identified on potato tuber samples (seed population) originating from northern potato seed production areas. The relative contribution of one-way migration (unidirectional) of R. solani AG-3 on infested potato seed tubers originating from production areas in Canada, Maine and Wisconsin (source population) to the genetic diversity and structure of populations of R. solani AG-3 in North Carolina soil (recipient population) was identified as an important component for long distance dispersal of the pathogen. Unidirectional migration of R. solani AG-3 also provides an efficient mechanism to introduce new alleles and double stranded RNA (dsRNA) elements into recipient soil populations in NC. Isolates (115) of R. solani AG-3 from source and recipient soil populations were assayed for the presence of a 3.6 kb dsRNA element (M2) with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and approximately 48% possessed the M2 dsRNA. The sequence of the M2 dsRNA was determined for 35 isolates to assess their genetic diversity and to reconstruct their genealogical history. Approximately 120,000 nt have been sequenced; the largest sequence database of a fungal virus from a field population of a filamentous fungus. There are at least two divergent lineages of the M2 dsRNA with distinct histories of mutation and recombination. Research is ongoing to determine if M2 dsRNA can be transmitted via hyphal fusion between different R. solani AG-3 genotypes. Based on preliminary results M2 dsRNA transmission occurs between specific pairs of R. solani AG-3 isolates in the laboratory. This approach will be used to assess the role of dsRNA viruses in the saprophytic and parasitic activity of R. solani AG-3. Pythium root rot in poinsettia caused by P. aphanidermatum and P. ultimum was suppressed when composted swine waste and binucleate Rhizoctonia fungi were amended to a peat moss based potting mix. Poinsettia top weight of Freedom Red and Angelica White was increased 30 and 36%, respectively. Apparently, the BNR fungi utilized the compost as a food base to antagonize Pythium and/or the effect of beneficial organisms in the compost was additive to the effect of BNR fungi. Control of Phytophthora may be enhanced by combining abiotic factors such as aluminum (Al) with biological factors such as beneficial microorganism in composted animal wastes amended to potting mixes. Sporangia production by P. parasitica was 60% less on day 0 in a peat moss potting - composted swine waste medium treated with a pH 4 solution. Exchangeable Al levels decreased over time, and abiotic suppression was only observed at >2 µM Al/g medium. Sporangia production in unsteamed medium was reduced by 50% on vinca leaf disks buried on days 6, 13, and 21, but not day 0. Al-amendment of a CSW amended potting medium enhanced suppression of P. parasitica and occurred before biological suppression developed. Bioyield and growth promotion in bedding plants. Experiments were conducted with Bioyield (Paenobacillus macerans GB122 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GB99) and impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Super Elfin White) to determine the optimal rate and formulation of Bioyield for impatiens germination and growth. There was a slight inhibition (8-10%) in seedling emergence and stand establishment with either formulation of Bioyield compared to the untreated control. Leaf widths were 124 to 132% larger on seedlings in potting mix amended with Bioyield compared to the untreated control. The slight inhibition of seed germination and emergence in impatiens was off-set by an increased growth response once seedlings emerge. Beauveria biocontrol. Impatiens Super Elfin White and vinca (Catharanthus roseus) Peppermint Cooler seeds were coated with cultures of Beauveria bassiana strain 11-98 (B. Ownley, UTenn) or with Botanigard, a commercial formulation of B. bassiana (B. Ownley, UTenn). Seed populations of 10x3 and 10x5 cfu, were coated to compare population effect. Impatiens. Botanigard with or without Bioyield was highly phytotoxic to impatiens seed germination and emergence, particularly at the high population rate of seed treatment. Compared to the untreated, infested control, strain 11-98 did not improve stand count of impatiens, although the standard fungicide, Medallion did. Severe post-emergence damping-off occurred between day 26 and day 49 when trays were moved to a hand-watered bench and even Medallion failed to control Rhizoctonia post-emergence damping-off. Vinca. Botanigard at the high seed population rate was phytotoxic to vinca germination and emergence as stand counts in over two runs for Botanigard-treated seed were lower (P=0.05) than counts in the infested, untreated control. Strain 11-98 of B. bassiana did not improve stand count compared to the untreated infested control. Addition of Bioyield amendment to the potting mix did not improve stand counts of vinca in combination with either Beauveria strain. Drenching the potting mix with Medallion resulted in excellent stand counts that were not different (P=0.05) than the non-infested control. Heat tolerance studies. Five week old vinca seedlings were placed at a heat stress temperature in a growth chamber for 4 hours then returned to the bench and observed for growth and flowering. The five temperatures of exposure were 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 C. Vinca treated with strain 11-98 of B. bassiana regardless of fungal concentration grew better growth after exposure to high temperatures than the untreated check at ambient temperature. The largest effect was a suppression of initial flowering in vinca treated at all temperatures including greenhouse ambient (31 C) with Botanigard at both the 105 and 106 cfu rates. The suppression of flowering by Botanigard is consistent with the inhibition of seed germination and emergence observed in the damping-off experiments. Oklahoma In competitive colonization experiments, Laetisaria arvalis colonized 80 to 83% of the seeds compared to 17 to 20% for Sclerotium rolfsii, suggesting competition for organic matter as a possible mechanism for the interaction between these two fungi. Canterbury bells, Campanula medium L. 'Champion Blue' seeds were primed using calcined clay at 68 C for 1,3, and 5 days at water potentials (Q) of 2.5, 2.0, 1.8, or 1.6 MPa. Priming did not affect total germination percentage (97%). Germination was fastest after priming with a matrix Q of 1.8 0r 1.6 MPa for 5days. Time to 50% germination was longer when seeds were primed for 1 day regardless of matrix Q compared to the unprimed seeds. Germination uniformity decreased (T 10 90 increased) as Q increased. Although a curvilinear relationship existed between T 10 90 and priming duration, T 10 90 did not differ between unprimed seeds and seeds in any priming treatment except those primed for 3 days with 15% moisture ( 1,8 MPa). Tennessee Biopesticides applied to seed singly or combined with chemical pesticides or other biopesticides were tested for control of cotton seedling diseases. Cotton was direct-seeded into no-till soil at Milan, TN; disease pressure from Rhizoctonia solani, Thielaviopsis basicola, Fusarium spp. and Alternaria solani was high. Treatment differences plant stand occurred in two of four years. In 2002, stands of Delta Pine 50 were greatest with combinations of Bacillus spp. and chemical seed treatments. In 2004, on Delta Pine 451 B/RR and Paymaster 1218 BG/RR, Bacillus and chemical seed treatment combinations had the highest plant stands. Fungicide soybean seed treatments supplemented with biological control agents GB03 or Bacillus pumilus (GB34) were evaluated. Stands and yields were lowest with an in-furrow spray of azoxystrobin, both with and without biological agents. Average yield of an April no-till planting of maturity group III soybeans in a field previously planted to cotton for the last 10-12 years was increased over 570 kg/ha with an in-furrow granular formulation of Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Three formulations of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (GB99), and Paenobacillus macerans (GB122) had no observable effects on the incidence or severity of tomato diseases in two field tests. However, early marketable tomato yields of Celebrity were increased by 28% with the addition of PGPR + chitosan to the potting soil at 28g PGPR product /1000 plants, but a higher rate of PGPR (183 g / 1000 plants) failed to increase early yields . Early yields of Mt. Spring, Mt. Fresh, Florida 47, and Spitfire were not affected by PGPR. RCU II. Improve understanding of mechanisms and applicability of biological control agents across different cultivars, environments, and cropping systems. Arkansas The ability of winter cover crops (fallow, wheat, hairy vetch, and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea cv. Fumus) to suppress soilborne pathogens was examined in a cotton field with a history of reniform nematode and seedling diseases. Telone II was applied in strips on either side of cover crops prior to planting cotton for comparison. Telone had the greatest seedling response (plant weight) three weeks after planting. The cover crops were similar to winter fallow. Telone increased plant height, node number, and height of first fruiting node. Mustard had among the lowest fruiting nodes each year compared to other treatments. Mustard increased effective sympodia both years and Telone increased sympodia in 2005 compared to the other treatments. Cotton yields were hand harvested from mapped plants in 2005 and yield increase was 83% for mustard, 36% for Telone and 33% for vetch compared to winter fallow. Reniform populations were suppressed by a mustard cover crop and reproduction was suppressed on cotton roots at the end of the season, but not by Telone or the cover crops. Mustard generally decreased Thielaviopsis basicola, Rhizoctonia solani, and Pythium spp. compared to the other cover crops for the at-cotton-planting soil sample. Soil suppressiveness or conduciveness was examined for eight soils that varied in soil textural characteristics or cropping histories for the cotton seedling disease pathogens R. solani, Pythium spp. and T. basicola using marked or unique strains of the pathogens. Soils did not differ for R. solani or Pythium spp. in recovery of these pathogens from cotton seedlings. For T. basicola, sandy soil was found to be least conducive or most suppressive to this pathogen. In addition, a sandy clay soil and a field with a history of cotton production, but in corn the last three seasons, were moderately suppressive. These results may help explain why this pathogen is not universally present in cotton fields. The soybean cultivar Archer reported to be flood tolerant is significantly more resistant than the most commonly grown soybean cultivar in Arkansas, Hutcheson, to Pythium ultimum, P. aphanidermatum, P. vexans, and P. irregulare; having less stand loss and reductions in root weight in infested soil. Archer or high quality seed had greater stands and less root discoloration than Hutcheson or low quality seed in soil infested with these Pythium spp. Root discoloration was positively and percent stand negatively correlated to the quantity of sugars or organic acids in seed exudates. Seed exudates from Archer have fewer carbohydrates and more proteins than exudates from Hutcheson. Zoospores and oospores of P. aphanidermatum were more attracted to seed exudates of Hutcheson, suggesting a role for exudates in disease susceptibility. However, when the pathogen was placed in direct contact with the seed or injected into the hypocotyls of seedlings the resistance in the cultivar Archer was still observed compared to Hutcheson. Archer has the Rps gene 1k for resistance to Phytophthora stem and root rot. Using differential lines and isolines, it was demonstrated that Rps 1k also confers resistance to Pythium seed and root rot. This research suggests that cultivars with 1k should be effective in managing Pythium seed and root rot in the field. GIS research in Arkansas to examine population distribution of Thielaviopsis basicola in a growers field revealed populations of the pathogen vary greatly in the field. Population levels of the T. basicola were correlated positively with the occurrence of the root-knot nematode and finer textured soils. Georgia The effects of solarization and biofumigation on soilborne pathogens of sweet onion were evaluated in soils with a 10 year history of onion production (Tifton, GA). In 2002-2004, fields were harrowed, bedded and covered with clear plastic (3.0 mil thickness) for at least 10 wks in mid-summer. In 2003, total yield, mean bulb weight, and number of jumbo grade onions were significantly higher and the severity of pink root, caused by Phoma terrestris was significantly lower in solarized plots. In 2004, trends were similar but not significant for total yield, mean bulb weight, number of jumbo grade bulbs. Number of small grade bulbs and pink root severity were significantly lower in solarized plots in 2004. Significantly fewer bulbs with Fusarium basal rot occurred in solarized plots in 2003, but no differences were observed in 2004 because of low disease. Solarization had a long-term impact on reducing populations of soil saprophytes (cfu/g of soil) in both years. Solarization significantly reduced the weed populations, particularly yellow nutsedge, in 2004. No impact on bacterial diseases were observed in the 2002-2003 season, but a second year of solarization reduced the number of colony-forming-units of Burkholderia cepacia per gram soil a thousand fold in the 2003-2004 season. Although not significant, solarized plots yielded a lower percentage of onions with sour skin in 2004, a stark contrast from the results obtained in 2003. ProPhyt and foliar fungicides for control of P. capsici on summer squash were evaluated in 2004 as a continuation of work in 2003 funded by the IR-4 Project. Below normal May rainfall caused conditions that were not conducive for development and spread of Phytophthora crown and fruit rot (PCFR) despite overhead irrigation. Disease spread beyond inoculated plants in each plot was not observed until after heavy rains in early June. By 11 June, disease severity and losses in the untreated check were high; therefore, disease was assessed, but yield was not taken due to significant levels of virus-infected fruit in plots. Significant suppression of PCFR was observed in plots treated with ProPhyt. Where ProPhyt was not applied, all fungicides significantly reduced disease as compared to the untreated check. Omega 500SC (1.5 pt/A), applied three times on a 7-day schedule, reduced the severity of PCFR 77%. No differences were observed between fungicides plus ProPhyt and ProPhyt applied alone. ProPhyt for PCFR suppression allow fewer applications and lower rates of a conventional fungicide. Testing under conducive conditions for PCFR development and spread is needed. Indiana Five years of research in Indiana has focused on the unique aspects of the four components of the plant disease diamond (plant, pathogen, abiotic environment, and biotic environment) as encompassed in the two objectives. The focus has been on developing a unifying concept for several diseases to understand them and target specific components for more effective control. This Multiple Component Analysis of the diseases provided understanding of those factors that should be changed to synergize Plant Growth Regulation and biological control mechanisms. Nutritional sufficiency of the plant is important for resistance and tolerance to soilborne diseases. Abiotic environmental conditions influence nutrient availability (pH, temperature, moisture, etc.) and specific activity in the biotic environment (oxidizing/reducing, mineralizing, immobilizing organisms) influence disease severity through their effect on nutrient sufficiency of the plant and as inhibitors of pathogen or synergists to pathogen virulence and activity. Glyphosate herbicide is toxic to Mn reducing organisms and stimulates synergistic Mn oxidizing organisms in the rhizosphere to exacerbate Mn deficiency and suppress plant resistance of wheat to take-all and soybeans to Corynespora root rot. Heavy weed infestation increases the translocation of glyphosate into the soil and further increases root rot through the immobilization of Mn in the soil. Biological control agents proposed for control of take-all are all manganese reducing organisms and increase the availability of manganese for plant uptake to partially offset the effects of the pathogen. The most effective disease control is by cultural conditions that inhibit the pathogens virulence factor responsible for manganese oxidation. There is about three times the available (readily available) manganese following corn than after wheat or soybean in the rotation. This could account for the reduced take-all of wheat observed when wheat follows corn compared with glyphosate-resistant soybean. We have also found that high soil saturation that predisposes wheat to take-all can enhance manganese oxidation by soilborne fungi and bacteria. The most effective biological control is by those cultural conditions that inhibit the manganese oxidizing virulence factor of the pathogen. Closely associated soil organisms or crop sequence with certain crops such as oats that produce inhibitory compounds in their root exudates were observed to operate by this mechanism. Several nitrification inhibitors used to reduce leaching and denitrification losses of fertilizer nitrogen also were shown to suppress manganese oxidation in soil and reduce disease severity. Tennessee High and low rates of biocontrol bacteria (Bacillus subtilis GB03 and B. subtilis GB07) were applied separately or in combination with chemical pesticide to seed of two snap bean cultivars Bacillus populations on root samples from 2.5-week-old seedlings were not affected by cultivar. High rates of bacteria were not reduced by simultaneous seed treatment with chemical pesticides, but populations of B. subtilis GB03 applied at low concentration were lowered by some pesticides. In previous studies, Beauveria bassiana, applied as a seed treatment, provided significant protection of tomato seedlings against damping-off disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani. A mycelial form of the fungus, produced by a fermentation process, also increased seedling survival in Rhizoctonia-infested soil mix. Using ITS primers and polymerase chain reaction, B. bassiana was shown to be an endophyte of tomato seedlings grown from seed treated with B. bassiana. Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79 protects wheat against take-all caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt); protection in soil varies from site to site. To evaluate the relative importance of 28 soil properties on take-all suppression, seeds were treated with 2-79, [produces antibiotic phenazine-1-carboxylate, PCA+], or mutants with PCA+ and PCA- phenotypes, and planted in ten soils with known physical and chemical properties. Sixteen soil properties were correlated with disease suppression. Biocontrol activity of PCA+ strains was positively correlated with ammonium-nitrogen, percent sand, soil pH, sodium, sulfate-sulfur, and zinc; biocontrol was negatively correlated with cation-exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable acidity, iron, manganese, percent clay, percent organic matter (OM), percent silt, total carbon, and total nitrogen. Principal component factor analysis of the 16 soil properties identified a three-component solution that accounted for 87 percent of the variance in disease rating (biocontrol). A model was identified with step-wise regression analysis that included six key soil properties: ammonium-nitrogen, CEC, iron, percent silt, soil pH, and zinc. As predicted by the regression model, the biocontrol activity of 2-79 was improved by amending a soil low in Zn with 50 mg zinc-EDTA/g soil. Addition of OM (as wheat straw) at rates typical of high OM soils, significantly reduced biocontrol activity of 2-79, thus confirming the negative correlation of OM with disease suppression. The effects of Brassica spp. mulches or meal on growth of several isolates of Ggt and Fusarium spp. isolated from diseased wheat roots were studied to determine if inhibition was fungicidal. Exposure of fungal pathogens to mulches of canola and Dwarf Essex rape inhibited growth of the pathogens but mycelial growth resumed following removal of the mulch treatments. In contrast, growth of Ggt and Fusarium spp. did not resume following exposure to mustard meal and mustard mulch, indicating that these treatments were fungicidal. To evaluate phytotoxicity of mustard Florida Broadleaf mulch to wheat seedlings and the efficacy of mustard mulch for suppression of take-all, soil containing wheat roots infected with Ggt or healthy roots were covered with mustard mulch for 5 days. Mulch was not applied to controls. Wheat seeds were planted and disease severity and shoot height were assessed after 28 days. Soil containing Ggt-infected roots with mustard mulch significantly reduced take-all disease severity in the wheat seedlings in two tests. In one test, height of seedlings from mustard mulch-treated soil was reduced. The effects of seed treatment with endophytic Beauveria bassiana and heat stress on growth of Celebrity, Mountain Spring, and Trust tomato were evaluated by exposing 2-wk-old plants from seed treated with log 6 conidia per seed of isolate 11-98 or BotaniGard (B. bassiana isolate GHA) to heat (no heat, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48C) for several hours. At 6 wk, seedling height of all cultivars was reduced by 48C treatment; effect of seed treatment differed among cultivars and length of heat exposure. Trust seedlings were transplanted to a hydroponics greenhouse to evaluate effects of seed treatment and heat stress on yield. Yield of Grades 1 and 2 fruit was not affected; yield of Grades 3, 4, 5 was greatest with isolate 11-98 seed treatment and 46C heat treatment. Yield of culls increased as temperature increased. Numbers of cull fruit were greatest with BotaniGard seed treatment. Interactions between GB03 or MBI600 (Bacillus subtilis), planting date, seed treatment chemicals, and herbicide application method were evaluated in snap bean fields naturally infested with Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Sclerotium rolfsii. Root colonization by B. subtilis 2-3 wk after planting appeared independent of the rate of B. subtilis applied. Populations of B. subtilis colonizing roots were inversely correlated with damping-off losses. Treating seed with captan + chlorpyrifos + metalaxyl + streptomycin significantly reduced root colonization by B. subtilis while captan + streptomycin and chloroneb + metalaxyl + streptomycin did not. Acceptable stands and yields were achieved only when the biological agents were used in combination with chemical seed treatments. Treating seed only with GB03 or MBI 600 significantly reduced snap bean yields. Root colonization by B. subtilis was not affected by foliar sprays of a SAR inducer (harpin protein) or by differences in potash form (sulfate versus muriate) or potash application time (fall versus before planting in spring). When applied as a preemergence herbicide in warm soils, S-metolachlor led to more rapid emergence, more vigorous seedlings, higher stands, taller plants, and yield increases that were 15-30% greater than those achieved with preplant incorporation (PPI) of the herbicide. Use of B. subtilis did not ameliorate the effects of PPI. When planted in cool soils (April), supplementing seed treatment fungicides with GB03 reduced the incidence of seedling diseases and increased snap bean stand, height, and yield. When planted in warm soils (May or August), no significant effects were observed with GB03 use. A factorial field experiment for control of soilborne pathogens and insect pests of Tennessee staked tomato was performed in 2003 and 2004. Treatments were a transplant drench of imidacloprid followed with standard pesticide sprays, seeds treated with a commercial formulation of Beauveria bassiana [Bbcom], seeds treated with B. bassiana isolate 1198 [Bb1198], and an untreated control. Treatments were evaluated with and without PGPR added to the transplant potting mixes. PGPR did not affect incidences of Sclerotinia stem rot or southern blight. Severity of foliar diseases (early blight + Septoria leaf spot) was highest with the Bb1198 + PGPR combination. Foliar diseases were lowest with pesticides + PGPR. The combination of Bbcom with PGPR led to the highest early yields for both cultivars and increased yields to levels comparable to those with pesticide use. Overall yields were highest with pesticides + PGPR and were significantly higher than with Bbcom + PGPR. Overall yields were lowest with the combination of Bb1198 + PGPR. In other tomato tests, adding PGPR to transplant mixes led to taller plants one month after transplanting and to 8-32% increases in early tomato yields compared to control transplants. Growth and yield benefits with PGPR were found to be cultivar specific and varied also with PGPR formulation. PGPR had no observable effects on the incidence of buckeye rot.

Refereed Journals Articles: Abad, J.A., Moyer, J.W., Kennedy, G.G., Holmes, G.A., and Cubeta, M.A. 2005. An epidemic of Tomato spotted wilt virus on potato in eastern North Carolina. Amer. J. Potato Res. 82:101-107. Bosma, T. L., Cole, J.C.. Conway, K.E., and Dole, J.M.2002. Solid Matrix Priming Enhances Canterbury Bells Seed germination. Hort Technology 12: 268 270. Broschat, T.K., and Elliott, M.L. 2005. Effects of iron source on iron chlorosis and Excerohilum leaf spot severity in Wodyetia bifurcata. HortScience 40:218-220. Broschat, T.K., and Elliott, M.L. 2005. A key to common landscape palm disorders and diseases in the continental United States. PALMS 49:143-148. Bush, B.J., Carson, M.L., Cubeta, M.A, Hagler, W.M., and Payne, G.A. 2003. Infection and fumonisin production by Fusarium verticillioides in developing maize kernels. Phytopathology 94:88-93. Ceresini, P.C., Shew, H.D., Vigalys, R., Rosewich-Gale, U.L., and Cubeta, M.A. 2003. Detecting migration in populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 from potato in North Carolina using multilocus genotype probabilities. Phytopathology 93:610-615. Ceresini, P.C., Shew, H.D. Vilgalys, R., and Cubeta, M.A. 2002. Genetic diversity of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 from potato and tobacco in North Carolina. Mycologia 94:437-449. Ceresini, P.C., Shew, H.D. Vilgalys, R., Rosewich, U.L., and Cubeta, M.A. 2002. Genetic structure of populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 on potato in eastern North Carolina Mycologia 94:450-460. Conway, K.E., Mereddy, R., Kahn, B.A., Wu, Y., Hallgren, S.W., and Wu, L. 2001. Beneficial effects of solid matrix Chemo - priming in okra, Plant Dis. 85:535-537. Diab, H., Hu, S., and Benson, D.M. 2003. Suppression of Rhizoctonia solani on impatiens by enhanced microbial activity in composted swine waste amended potting mixes. Phytopathology 93:1115-1123. Elliott, M.L. 2005. Survival, growth and pathogenicity of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis with different methods of long-term storage. Mycologia 97:901-907. Elliott, M.L., Guertal, E.A., and Skipper, H.D. 2004. Rhizosphere bacterial population flux in golf course putting greens in the Southeastern United States. HortScience 39:1754-1758. Elliott, M.L., and Broschat, T.K. 2002. Effects of a microbial inoculant on plant growth and rhizosphere bacterial populations of container-grown plants. HortTechnology 12:222-225. Elliott, M.L., Des Jardin, E.A., Batson, Jr., W.E., Caceres, J., Brannen, P.M., Howell, C.R., Benson, D.M., Conway, K.E., Rothrock, C.S., Schneider, R.W., Ownley, B.H., Canaday, C.H., Keinath, A.P., Huber, D.M., Sumner, D.R., Molsenbocker, C.E., Thaxton, P.M., Cubeta, M.A., Adams, P.D., Backman, P.A., Fajardo, J., Newman M.A., and Pereira., R.M. 2001. Viability and stability of biological control agents used for disease management on cotton and snap bean seeds. Pest Manag. 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Biological control efficacy and other characteristics of protoplast fusants between Trichoderma koningii and T. virens. Mycological Research. Harrison, H.F., Jackson, D.M., Keinath, A.P., Marino, P.C., and Pullaro, T.C. 2004. Broccoli production in cowpea, soybean, and velvetbean cover crop mulches. HortTechnology 14:484-487. Hollowell, J.E., Shew, B.B., Wilcut, J.W., and Cubeta, M.A. 2003. Weed species as hosts of Sclerotinia minor in peanut fields. Plant Dis. 87:197-199. Hollowell, J.E., Shew, B.B., Wilcut, J.W., and Cubeta, M.A. 2003. Weed species as hosts of Sclerotinia minor in peanut fields. Plant Dis. 87:197-199. Honeycutt, E.W. and Benson, D.M. 2001. Formulation and delivery of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. for biocontrol of pre-emergence damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani on impatiens. Plant Dis. 85:1241-1248. Howell, C.R. 2001. Cotton seedling pre-emergence damping-off incited by Rhizopus oryzae and Pythium spp. and its biological control with Trichoderma spp. Phytopathology 92:177-180. Howell, C.R. 2003. Mechanisms employed by Trichoderma species in the biological control of plant diseases: The history and evolution of current concepts. Plant Dis. 87:4-10. Hwang, J. and Benson, D.M. 2003. Expression of induced systemic resistance in poinsettia cuttings against Rhizoctonia stem rot by treatment of stock plants with binucleate Rhizoctonia. Biol. Control 27:73-80. Hwang, J. and Benson, D.M. 2002. Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia stem and root rot of poinsettia with integrated application of Burkholderia cepacia and binucleate Rhizoctonia. Plant Dis 86:47-53. Hwang, J., Chilton, W.S., and Benson, D.M. 2002. Pyrrolnitrin production by Burkholderia cepacia and biocontrol of Rhizoctonia stem rot of poinsettia. Biol Control 25:56-63. Hwang, J., and Benson, D.M. 2001. Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia stem and root rot of poinsettia with integrated application of Burkholderia cepacia and binucleate Rhizoctonia. Plant Dis. 86:47-53. Keinath, A.P., Harrison, H.F., Marino, P.C., Jackson, D.M., and Pullaro, T.C. 2003. Increase in populations of Rhizoctonia solani and wirestem of collard with velvet bean cover crop mulch. Plant Dis. 87:719-725. Keinath, A.P., and Farnham, M.W. 2001. Effect of wirestem severity on survival and head production of transplanted broccoli and cabbage. Plant Dis. 85:639-643. Kirkpatrick, M.T., Rothrock C.S. and Rupe, J.C. 2006. The effect of Pythium ultimum and soil flooding on two soybean cultivars. Plant Dis. (In press). Kirkpatrick, M.T., Rupe, J.C., and Rothrock, C.S. 2006. Soybean response to flooded soil conditions and the association with soilborne plant pathogenic genera. Plant Dis. (In press). Kubikova, E., Moore, J.L., Ownley, B.H., Mullen, M.D., and Augé, A.M. 2001. Mycorrhizal impact on osmotic adjustment in Ocimum basilicum L. during a lethal drying episode. J. Plant Physiol. 158:1227-1230. Ownley, B.H., Duffy,B.K., and Weller, D.M. 2003. Identification and manipulation of soil properties to improve biological control performance of phenazine-producing Pseudomonas fluorescens. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69: 3333-3343 Poag, P.S., Popp, M., Rupe, J., Dixon, B., Rothrock, C., and Boger, C. 2005. Economic evaluation of soybean fungicide seed treatments. Agronomy J. (In press). Sheng, X., Yang, F., Zheng, Q., Wei, Y., Halsey, M.E., and Huber, D.M. 2001. Efficacy of MON65500 for controlling take-all of irrigated spring wheat in Northcentral China. J. Crop Protect. 20:345-349. Thompson, I.A., Huber, D.M., and Schulze, D.G. 2005. Evidence of the involvement of a multi-copper oxidase in Mn oxidation by Gaeumannomyces graminis var tritici. Phytopathology 95: (In press). Wangsomboondee, T., Groves, C.T., Shoemaker, P.B., Cubeta, M.A. and Ristaino, J.B. 2002. Phytophthora infestans populations from tomato and potato in North Carolina differ in genetic diversity and structure. Phytopathology 92:1189-1195. Abstracts Abad, J.A., Speck, J., New, S., Kennedy, G., Cubeta, M.A., and Moyer, J.W. 2003. An epidemic of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in North Carolina:first report of TSWV affecting potato and cabbage in North America. Phytopathology 93:S1-S2. Bates, G.D., Rothrock, C.S., and Rupe, J.C. 2003. Possible mechanism for resistance to Pythium spp. in the soybean cultivar Archer. Proc. 8th Intern. Cong. Plant Pathol. 2:330. Benson, D.M. and Parker, K.C. 2003. Suppression of Pythium root rot in poinsettia with swine waste and binucleate Rhizoctonia fungi. Phytopathology 93:S8. Benson, D.M., Hu, S., and Diab, H. 2002. Conventional vs. organic systems for disease suppressive potting mixes. ERCERIM Conf. and Potomac Div. APS. March 3-6, Williamsburg, VA. Breeden, T.S.,Ownley, B.H., West, D.R., and Sams, C.E. 2003. Brassica juncea inhibits soilborne pathogens. Phytopathology 93:S11. Breeden, T.S., Ownley, B.H., West, D.R., and Sams, C.E. 2002. Growth of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici is inhibited by Brassica spp. mulches. Phytopathology 92:S9. Breeden, T.S., West, D.R., Ownley, B.H., and Sams, C.E. 2002. Brassica species inhibit take-all fungus of wheat. Agronomy Abstracts. Ceresini, P.C., Shew, H.D., Vilgalys, R., James, T., and Cubeta, M.A. 2001. Lack of gene flow between populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 from potato and tobacco suggests they constitute genetically distinct groups within AG-3. Phytopathology 91:S105 (Abstract). Ceresini, P.C., Shew, H.D., Vilgalys, R., Rosewich, U.L., and Cubeta, M.A. 2001. Detecting migration using multilocus genotypes and its effect of gene flow in populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 from potato in North Carolina. Phytopathology 91:S105 (Abstract). Charlton, N.D., Tavantzis, S.M., and Cubeta, M.A. 2005. The genetic diversity of dsRNA mycoviruses in a population of the soil fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG-3, Proceedings of the International Union of Microbiological Sciences, American Society for Microbiology (In Press). Charlton, N.D., Tavantzis, S.M., and Cubeta, M.A. 2005. Genetic diversity of double stranded RNA mycoviruses in a population of Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 (AG-3). Inoculum 56:15. (Supplement to Mycologia). (Abstr.) Charlton, N.D., Tavantzis, S.M., and Cubeta, M.A. 2005. Genetic diversity of double stranded RNA mycoviruses in a population of Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 Phytopathology 95:S18. Charlton, N.D., Tavantzis, S.M., and Cubeta, M.A. 2004. Genetic diversity of double stranded RNA mycoviruses in a population of Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 (AG-3). Inoculum 55:11. (Supplement to Mycologia). Cheng, M.W., Levy, M., Schulze, D.G., and Huber, D.M. 2005. Mn transition states during infection and early pathogenesis in rice blast relative to resistance and susceptibility. Phytopathology 95:S19. Copes, W, Rinehart, T., and Cubeta, M.A. 2005. Genetic, pathogenic and phenotypic characterization of Rhizoctonia spp. isolated from container-grown azalea in the southern United States. Phytopathology 95:S21. Cubeta, M.A., Ceresini, P.C., Shew, H.D., Cody, B.R., Boerema, M.E., Lakshman, D.K. and Tavantzis. S.M. 2003 . Occurrence of the M2 dsRNA in populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 from potato and soil. International Congress of Plant Pathology, pp. 110. Cubeta, M.A., Ceresini, P.C., Shew, H.D., Cody, B.R., Boerema, M.E., Lakshman, D.K., and Tavantzis, S.M. 2003. Occurrence of the M2 dsRNA in populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 from potato and soil. Proc. Intern. Cong. Plant Pathol. Pp. 110. Cubeta, M.A., Ceresini, P.C., and Shew, H.D. 2001. The contribution of population biology and genetics for developing seed certification programs and managing Rhizoctonia disease of potato. Amer. J of Potato Res. (Abstract) Cubeta, M.A., Sermons, D.N. and Cody, B.R. 2001. Mycelial interactions of Sclerotinia minor. Phytopathology 91:S19. (Abstract) Diab El-Arab, H.G., Hu, S., and Benson, D.M. 2002. Suppression of Rhizoctonia pre-emergence damping-off of impatiens by enhanced microbial activity in potting mix amended with composted swine waste. Phytopathology 92:S19. Dodds, D.M., Hickman, M.V., and Huber, D.M. 2002. Micronutrient uptake by isogenic glyphosate tolerant and normal corn. Proc. Weed Sci. Soc. Amer. 42:2. Elmer, W.H. and Huber, D.M. 2002. Manipulating host plant nutrition to alter biocontrol activity. Phytopathology 92:S98. Fichtner, E.J., Benson, D.M., Diab, H., and Shew, H.D. 2003. Suppression of Phytophthora parasitica in composted swine waste. Phytopathology 93:S26. Greene, S.E., K.D. Gwinn, D.J. Trently, S.L. Hamilton, and Ownley, B.H. 2002. Monarda didyma and control of damping off of tomato. Phytopathology 92:S31. Gonzalez, D., Cubeta, M.A., and Vilgalys, R. 2003. Molecular systematics of Rhizoctonia phyloenetically integrates anamorphs into Ceratobasidiaceae. International Congress of Plant Pathology pp. 29 Gonzalez, D., Cubeta, M.A., and Vilgalys, R. 2003. Molecular systematics of Rhizoctonia phylogenetically integrates anamorphs into Ceratobasidiaceae. Proc. Intern. Cong. Plant Pathol. Pp. 29. Gwinn, K., Greene, S., Ownley, B., Wills, Jr., J., and Honea, G. 2005. Bioactive natural products and selected biopesticides for control of Pythium disease in hydroponically-grown tomatoes. Phytopathology 95:S38. Gwinn, K. Greene, S., Ownley, B., Wills, Jr., J., and Honea, G. 2005. Integration of biopesticides for control of Pythium disease in hydroponically-grown greenhouse tomatoes. Phytopathology 95:S38. Hickman, M.V., Dodds, D.M., and Huber, D.M. 2002. Micronutrient interactions reduce glyphosate efficacy on tall fescue. Weed Sci. Soc. Amer. 42:18. Hickman, M.V., Huber, D.M., and Dodds, D.M. 2002. Residual effects of glyphosate on yield and take all of wheat. Proc. Weed Sci. Soc. Amer. 42:6. Howell, C.R. 2003. Pre-emergence damping-off of cotton seedlings. Workshop: Cotton Seedling Diseases. Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Assoc. America. Howell, C.R., Puckhaver, L.S., and Stipanovic, R.D. 2003. Biocontrol of cotton pre-emergence seedling disease by metabolism of pathogen germination inducers. Phytopathology 93:S37. Howell, C.R., Hanson, L.E., Puckhaber, L.S. and Stipanovic, R.D. 2001. Phenotypic characteristics of protoplast fusants of Trichoderma virens and T. longibrachiatum. Phytopathology 91:S95 (Abstract). Huber, D.M. and Cheng, M.W. 2005. Association of severe Corynespora root rot of soybean with glyphosate-killed ragweed. Phytopathology 95:S45. Huber, D. M., Schnelle, K., Young, J., Leuck, J.D., and Thompson, I.A. 2001. Stalk rot of corn relative to N rate, form and kernel sink sufficiency. Phytopathology 91:S41(Abstract). Hwang, J., and Benson, D.M. 2001. Resistance of poinsettia cultivars against Rhizoctonia stem rot induced by binucleate Rhizoctonia. Phytopthology 91:S41 (Abstract). Hwang, J., and Benson, D.M. 2001. Role of pyrrolnitrin produced by Burkholderia cepacia in biocontrol of Rhizoctonia stem rot of poinsettia. Phytopathology 91:S41 (Abstract). Jia, Y., Singh, P., Cartwright, R.D., Lee, F.N., Rothrock, C.S., Eizenga, G.C., and Rutger, J.N. 2003. Characterization of isolate diversity in the rice sheath blight pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Phytopathology 93:S40. Keinath, A.P. and Smith, J.P. 2003. Effects of winter cover crops on populations of Rhizoctonia and Fusarium in bulk soil. Phytopathology 93:S43. Keinath, A.P. and Harrison, H.F. 2002. Increase in populations of Rhizoctonia solani and wirestem of collard after a velvetbean cover crop. Phytopathology 92: S150. McBeath, J.H., su, B., and Huber, D.M. 2005. Heavy metal sequestration potential of Trichoderma atroviride. Phytopathology 95:S67. Ownley, B., Breeden, T., West, D. and Sams, C. 2005. Take-all of wheat is reduced by incorporating Brassica juncea mulch into soil infested with Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. Phytopathology 95:S78. Ownley, B.H., and Duffy, B.K. 2002. Identifying and manipulating soil factors that influence biocontrol. Phytopathology 92:S98. Pickens, K., West, D.R., Ownley, B.H., and Sams, C.E. 2003. Brassica crops inhibit Fusarium graminearum and F. equiseti in culture. Southern Branch Am. Soc. Agron. Abs of Tech papers, p 24. Pagani, M.C., Moussa, E.M., Tavantzis, S.M, Cubeta, M.A., and Carbone, I. 2005. Analysis of Gene Cluster Organization within the Quinic/Shikimic acid Pathway in Filamentous Fungi. Mid-Atlantic State Mycology Conference Proceedings. (in press). Smith, W.C., Schulze, D.G., and Huber, D.M. 2005. Crop rotation and sequence influence on manganese availability. CSM-SSSA Proceedings, Madison, WI. Pickens, K., West, D.R., Ownley, B.H., and Sams, C.E. 2003. Brassica crops inhibit Fusarium graminarium and F. equiseti in culture. Southern Branch Am. Soc. Agron. Abstract of Tech. papers, p 24. Seebold, K.W., Gitaitis, R.D., and Sanders, F.H. 2004. Biological control of gummy stem blight on watermelon and Phytophthora crown rot on summer squash with bacteria. Phytopathology 94:S94. Seth, D., Ownley, B.H., Pereira, R., and Canaday, C.H. 2001. Effect of application method and inoculum form of Beauveria bassiana on Rhizoctonia damping-off in tomato. Phytopathology 91:S81(Abstract) . Sullivan, M., Shew, H.D., Melton, T., and Cubeta, M.A. 2005. Molecular characterization of races 0 and 1 of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae using amplified fragment length polymorphisms. Phytopathology 95:S101. S.M.C. Njoroge, Toler, J.E., and Keinath, A.P. 2005. Pythium spp. inoculum density and disease development under different soil solarization strategies in South Carolina. Phytopathology 95:S76. Thompson, I.A., Xu, J.R., Huber, D.M., and Schulze, D.G. 200. Investigations of manganese oxidation by two plant pathogenic fungi.. Phytopathology 95:S166. Thompson, I.A., Huber, D.M., Schulze, D.G., and Guest, C.A. 2004. Fungal manganese oxidation in a saturated soil. Phytopathology 94:S Thompson, I.A., Li, L., Huber, D.M., and Schulze, D.G. 2002. Mn oxidation in plant pathogenic fungi. Phytopathology 92:S80. Thompson, I.A., Huber, D.M., and Schulze, D.G. 2001. Investigation and characterization of the Mn oxidizing factor from Gauemannomyces graminis var. tritici. Phytopathology 91:S88 (Abstract). State Publications: Canaday, C.H., and Ownley, B.H. 2002. Effects of snap bean cultivars, seed treatment chemicals, and Bacillus subtilis on snap bean seedling diseases, growth, and yield. Pages 16-23 in 2001 Vegetable Initiative Progress Rpt., University of Tennessee Pub. No. E11-6515-01-001-02. Canaday, C.H. and Reddick, B.B. 2002. Evaluation of an IPM Program and SAR Inducers for Control of Viral Diseases of Summer Squash, pp. 125-129 In: 2001 Vegetable Initiative Progress Report, Univ. of Tennessee Publication No. E11-6515-01-001-02. Canaday, C.H. and Wyatt, J.E. 2002. Evaluation of Tomato Varieties with TSWV Resistance, pp. 157-161 In: 2001 Vegetable Initiative Progress Report, Univ. of Tennessee Publication No. E11-6515-01-001-02. Canaday, C.H., Wyatt, J.E., and Tyler, D.D. 2002. Effects of Different Fertilizers and Continuous No-Till Production on Diseases, Growth, and Yield of Staked Tomato, pp. 130-139 In: 2001 Vegetable Initiative Progress Report, Univ. of Tennessee Publication No. E11-6515-01-001-02. Canaday, C.H. 2001. Evaluation of seed treatment chemicals, Bacillus subtilis, and seed adjuvants on snap bean seedling diseases, plant growth, and estimated yields at West Tennessee Experiment Station, 2000. Pages 125-129 in: 2000 Vegetable Initiative Progress Report, Univ. of Tennessee Publication No. E11-6515-01-001-01. Canaday, C.H. and Ownley, B.H. 2001. Effects of seed treatment chemicals and Bacillus subtilis on snap bean seedling diseases, growth, and yield at the West Tennessee Experiment Station, 2000. Pages 210-214 in: 2000 Vegetable Initiative Progress Report, Univ. of Tennessee Publication No. E11-6515-01-001-01. Ownley, B. H., Seth, D., Hamilton, C., and Dee, M.. 2002. Effects of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria on biomass, flowering, and yield of field tomatoes, 2001, KES. Pages 153-156 in: 2001 Vegetable Initiative Progress Rpt., University of Tennessee Pub. No. E11-6515-01-001-02. Rothrock, C.S., Sealy, R.L., and Winters, S.A. 2001. The importance of seedling disease problems in rice. Pages 149-154 in: B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 2000. R. J. Norman and J. -F. Meullenet, eds. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 485. Seth, D., and Ownley, B.H. 2002. Evaluation of tomato cultivars for susceptibility to Rhizoctonia damping-off, 2001, KES. Pages 162-166 in: 2001 Vegetable Initiative Progress Rpt., University of Tennessee Pub. No. E11-6515-01-001-02. Proceedings Canaday, C.H. and Ownley, B.H. 2001. Effects of seed treatment chemicals on root colonization by Bacillus subtilis and subsequent effects on snap bean seedling diseases, growth, and yield. Pages 31-35 in: D. M. Huber (ed.). Biocontrol in a New Millenium: Building for the Future on Past Experience. Proceedings Joint Regional Biological Control Conference, Oct. 26-29, 2000, Estes Park, CO. Elliott, M., Des Jardin, E., Batson, Jr., W., Caceres, J., Brannen, P., Howell, C., Benson, M., Conway, K., Rothrock, C., Schneider, R., Ownley, B., Keinath, A., Huber, D., Summer, D., Molsenbocker, C., Thaxton, P., Cubeta, M., Adams, P., Backman, P., Fajardo, J., Newman, M., and Pereira. 2001. Tracking biological control agents on cotton seed from delivery to planting. Proc. Joint Regional Biological Control Conf., Biocontrol in a New Millennium: Building for the Future on Past Experience, Estes Park, CO, October 26-29. Pp. 65-74. Elliott, M., Des Jardin, E., Batson, Jr., W., Caceres, J., Brannen, P., Howell, C., Benson, M., Conway, K., Rothrock, C., Schneider, R., Ownley, B., Keinath, A., Huber, D., Summer, D., Molsenbocker, C., Thaxton, P., Cubeta, M., Adams, P., Backman, P., Fajardo, J., Newman, M., and Pereira., R. 2001. Tracking biological control agents on cottonseed from delivery to planting. Pages 65-74 in: D. M. Huber (ed.). Biocontrol in a New Millenium: Building for the Future on Past Experience. Proceedings Joint Regional Biological Control Conference, Oct. 26-29, 2000, Estes Park, CO. Gwinn, K. D., S. Greene, D. J. Trently, B. H. Ownley, and S. L. Hamilton. 2003. Monarda: A new control strategy. Proceedings of the Southern Nurserymans Association Research Conference 48:208-211. Howell, C.R. 2001. Pythium aphanidermatum and cotton seedling and root disease. Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conferences. National Cotton Council. Anaheim, CA. Huber, D.M. 2005. Take-all: the disease and its control. October 25, 2005, Rothamstead Experimental Station, Harpenden, UK. Huber, D.M. 2005. Nutrient-Disease Interactions. October 27, Phosyn, York, UK. Huber, D.M. 2005. Challenges in providing micronutrient sufficiency. October 28, Phosyn, York, UK. Huber, D.M., 2001. Biocontrol in a New Millennium: Building for the Future on Past Experience. Proceedings Joint Regional Biological Control Conference, Estes Park, CO, October 26-29, 2000. Huber, D.M. 2001. Biological control:expanding the peaks of our understanding. Pages 14-26 in: D. M. Huber (ed.). Biocontrol in a New Millenium: Building for the Future on Past Experience. Proceedings Joint Regional Biological Control Conference, Oct. 26-29, 2000, Estes Park, CO. Huber, D.M., Hugh-Jones, M.E., Rust, M.K., Sheffield, S.R., Simberloff, D., and Taylor, C.R. 2001. Invasive Pest Species:Impacts on Agricultural Production, Natural Resources, and the Environment. Issue Paper No. 20. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, Ames, IA. Huber, D.M., Thompson, I.A., Schulze, D.G., and Hickman, M.V. 2001. Understanding the ecology of Gauemannomyces for biocontrol of take-all. Pages113-116 in: D. M. Huber (ed.). Biocontrol in a New Millenium: Building for the Future on Past Experience. Proceedings Joint Regional Biological Control Conference, Oct. 26-29, 2000, Estes Park, CO. Padgett, G.B. 2003. The influence of tillage practices, cover crops, and in-furrow fungicide applications on cotton seedling disease epidemics and Rhizoctonia populations. 6th Annual National Conservation Tillage Cotton & Rice Conference Proceedings. pp. 24-26, Houston, TX, January 23&24, 2003. MidAmerica Farm Publications. Padgett, G.B., and Rea, W. 2002. Effects of cover crop, tillage system, and soil-applied fungicide on cotton seedling disease epidemics. Proceedings APS Southern Division Meeting. Orlando, FL, February 3-5. Smith, W.C., Schulze, D.G., and Huber, D.M. 2005. Crop rotation and sequence influence on manganese availability. CSM-SSSA Proceedings, Madison, WI. Smith, W.C., Schulze, D.G., and Huber, D.M. 2005. Influence of crop rotation and sequence on manganese availability. ASA Proceedings, Madison, WI. Theses and Dissertations Breeden, Thomas S. 2005. Biological Control of Wheat Pathogens with Brassica spp. M.S. Thesis. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Ceresini, P.C. 2001. Population biology and genetics of Rhizoctonia solani anatomosis group 3 (AG-3). Ph.D. Thesis, N. C. State University, pp. Honeycutt, E.R. 2001. Formulation and delivery of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. for biocontrol of pre-emergence damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani on impatiens. M. S. Thesis, N. C. State University, 42 pp. Hwang, J.S. 2001. Integrated application of binucleate Rhizoctonia and Burkholderia cepacia for control of Rhizoctonia stem rot of poinsettia. Ph.D. Thesis, N. C. State University, 88 pp. Leckie, B.M. 2002. Effects of Orally Administered Beauveria bassiana Mycelia and Metabolites on Helicoverpa zea; and Detection of Endophytic B. bassiana in Tomato Plants using ITS Primers. M.S. Thesis. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Thompson, I.A. 2004. Manganese Oxidation in Plant Pathogenic Fungi. Ph.D. thesis, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Book Chapters Benson, D.M. 2000. Inoculum density. Pages 579-581 in: The Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology. O. C. Maloy and T. D. Murray, eds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Benson, D.M. 2000. Inoculum potential. Pages 581-582 in: The Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology. O. C. Maloy and T. D. Murray, eds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Benson, D.M. 2000. Population density. Pages 796 in: The Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology. O. C. Maloy and T. D. Murray, eds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Cubeta, M.A., Mozley, S.E., and Porter, D. 2003. Laboratory Exercises with Zoosporic Fungi. In Plant Pathology Laboratory Exercises and Concepts. CRC Press, eds. Trigiano and Windam, pp. 99-110. Evans, I., Solberg, E., and Huber, D.M. 2001. Deficiency diseases. Pages 295-302. in: The Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology. O. C. Maloy and T. D. Murray, eds. John Wiley & Sons. New York. Keinath, A.P., Cubeta, M.A., and Langston, D. 2005. Cabbage Disease, Ecology and Control. In Encyclopedia of Pest Management, ed., David Pimentel, Markel-Dekker, (In Press) Mozley, S.E., Leander, C.E., Porter, D, and Cubeta, M.A. 2003. Concepts:Zoosporic fungi. In Plant Pathology Laboratory Exercises and Concepts. CRC Press, eds. Trigiano and Windam, pp. 91-98. Mozley, S.E., Leander, C.E., Porter, D., and Cubeta, M.A. 2003. Concepts: Zoosporic fungi. Pp. 91-98. In: Trigiano and Windam (eds.) Zoosporic Fungi. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. Ownley, B. H. and Windham, M. 2003. Biological control of plant pathogens. Pages 323-332 in: Plant Pathology: Concepts and Laboratory Exercises. R. Trigiano, M. Windham, and A. Windham, eds., CRC Press, Boca Rotan, FL. Ownley, B. H. 2002. Biological control of tobacco diseases. Pages 111-130 in: Biological Control of Major Crop Plant Diseases. S. Gnanamanickam, ed., Marcel Dekker, NY. Payne, G.A. and Cubeta, M.A. 2005. Biology and Detection of Human and Plant Pathogenic Fungi. In Microbial Forensics, pp. 109-130. Eds. R.G. Breeze, B. Budowle and S.E. Schutzer, Elsevier, London, UK. 425 pp. Rothrock, C.S. 2001. Phytophthora collar rot. Pages 235-237 in: The Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology. O. C. Maloy and T. D. Murray, eds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Rothrock, C.S. 2001. Pythium root rot. Pages 841-842 in: The Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology. O. C. Maloy and T. D. Murray, eds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Rothrock, C.S. 2001. Take-all. Pages 1007-1008 in: The Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology. O. C. Maloy and T. D. Murray, eds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Other Activities Canaday, C.H., Wyatt, J.E., Bohac, J., and Smith, J.R. 2002, Field evaluation of bean cultivars and lines for resistance to Rhizoctonia, 2001. Biol. and Cult. Tests 17:V02. Dodds, D.M., Hickman, M.V., and Huber, D.M.. 2002. Comparison of micronutrient uptake by glyphosate resistant and non glyphosate resistant soybeans. NC Weed Sci. Soc. 57. Howell, C.R. and Hanson, L.E. 2001. Elicitor protein produced by Trichoderma virens that induces resistance response in plants. U.S. Patent 6,242,420. Huber, D.M., Hugh-Jones, M.E., Rust, M.K., Sheffield, S.R., Simberloff, D., and Taylor,C.R. 2002. Invasive Pest Species: Impacts on Agricultural Production, Natural Resources, and the Environment. Issue Paper No. 20. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, Ames, IA. Technical Articles: Batson, Jr., W.E., Caceres, J., Benson, M., Cubeta, M.A., Elliott, M.L., Isakeit, T., McLean, K.S., Padgett, G.B., Rothrock, C.S., and Seebold, K. 2003. Evaluation of selected biological seed treatments for cotton seedling disease control, 2002. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Disease Vol. 18:F003 (electronic). Batson, Jr., W.E., Caceres, J., Elliott, M.L., Huber, D.M., Hickman, M.V., McLean, K.S., Ownley, B., Newman, M., Padgett, G. Boyd, Rushing, K.W., Kenny, D.S., Rothrock, C.S., Seebold, K., and Thaxton, P. 2003. Biological seed treatment evaluations for control of the cotton seedling disease complex, 2001. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases, 2003: Report No. 18:F002. Batson, Jr., W.E., Caceres, J., Benson, M., Cubeta, M.A., Elliott, M.L., Huber, D.M., Hickman, M.V., McLean, K.S., Ownley, B., Newman, M., Rothrock, C.S., Rushing, K.W., Kenny, D.S., and Thaxton. P. 2001. Biological seed treatment evaluations for control of the seedling disease complex of cotton, 2000. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases, 2001: F12. Batson, Jr., W.E., Caceres, J., Benson, M., Cubeta, M.A., Elliott, M.L., Huber, D.M., Hickman, M.V., Keinath, A.P., Dubose, V., McLean, K.S., Ownley, B., Canaday, C., Rothrock, C.S, and Seebold, K. 2003. Evaluation of biological seed treatments for control of seedling disease of snap bean, 2002. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases, 2003: Report No. 18:V029. Batson, Jr., W.E., Caceres, J., Benson, M., Cubeta, M.A., Elliott, M.L., Huber, D.M., Hickman, V., Keinath, A.P., Dubose, V., McLean, K.S., Ownley, B., Canaday, C., Rothrock, C.S., and Seebold, K. 2003. Evaluation of biological seed treatments for control of the seedling disease of snap bean, 2001. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Disease 18:V029. Batson, Jr., W.E., Caceres, J., Benson, M., Cubeta, M.A., Elliott, M.L., Huber, D.M., Hickman, M.V., Keinath, A.P., Dubose, V., McLean, K.S., Ownley, B., Canaday, C., Rushing, K.W., and Kenny, D.S. 2001. Evaluation of biological seed treatments for control of the seedling disease complex of snap bean, 2000. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases, 2001: V81. Gitaitis, R.D., Sanders, F.H., and Seebold, K.W. 2004. Development of a Screening Procedure to Identify Bacteria with Biocontrol Activity. Pp. 80-81 in: Proceedings of the 2004 Southeast Regional Vegetable Conference. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. 124 pp. Seebold, K.W. 2003. Control of Phytophthora capsici on Yellow Squash with Organic Amendments and Biological Agents. Page 69 in: Proceedings of the 2003 Georgia Vegetable Conference. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. 108 pp. Symposia and other published works: Bates, G.D., Rothrock, C.S., and Rupe, J.C. 2003. Possible mechanism for resistance to Phytium spp. in the soybean cultivar Archer. Proc. 8th Intern. Cong. Plant Pathol. 2:330. Canaday, C.H., Results of 2003 Snap Bean Research, A Report for the Snap Bean Meeting, March 29, 2004, Crossville, TN, 13 pp. Canaday, C.H., BioYield Formulation Evaluations, a presentation with handouts for the Annual Convention of the Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Association, Dec. 12-14, 2004, Nashville, TN. Canaday, C.H. and Wyatt, J.E. Increases in the incidence of snap bean seedling diseases associated with preplant incorporation of S-metolachlor, Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Phytopathological Society, Tulsa, OK, Feb. 15-17, 2004. Gitaitis, R.D., Sanders, F.H., and Seebold, K.W. 2004. Development of a Screening Procedure to Identify Bacteria with Biocontrol Activity. Pages 80-81 in: Proceedings of the 2004 Southeast Regional Vegetable Conference, Savannah, Georgia, January 9-11. W.T. Kelley, ed. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, 124 pp. Huber, D.M. 2005. Plant nutrition, GMO crops and plant diseases. PP 41-44. XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Fitopatologia and III Taller de la Asociacion Argentina de Fitopatologos, 19-22 April, 2005, Cordoba, Argentina. Huber, D.M. 2005. Nutrient interactions for disease control. Jornada de Actualizacion sobre Diagnostico y Manejo de Enfermedades de la Cana de Azacur (Conference on the Diagnostics and Management of diseaes of Sugar Cane). April 24-25, 2005, Tucuman, Argentina. Huber, D.M. 2005. The roles of sulfur in nutrient disease interactions. International Workshop: Crosstalks between Metabolic Pathways involving Sulphur in Plants. October 21-23, Braunschweig, Germany. Huber, D.M. 2005. The role of nitrogen and sulfur in disease reduction. International Symposium on the relationship between mineral nutrition and disease severity in plants. February 28, 2005, Potafos, Piracicaba  SP, Brazil. Huber, D.M. 2003. Nutrient-disease interactions in the take-all disease of cereals. Proc. Symposium on take-all, April 2003, Temuco, Chili. Huber, D.M. 2003. The role of plant nutrition in disease. Proc. Symposium Relacao entre Nutricao de Plantas e Incidencia de Doencas, March, 2003, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. Keinath, A.P., DuBose, V.B., Cantrell, J.P., and May, W.H. III. 2003. Evaluating foliar-applied fungicides to control wirestem on heading Brassica vegetables. Fungic. Nematic. Tests. 58:V010. Rosskopf, E.N., Yandoc, C.B., and Lamb, E.M. 2002. Evaluation of PCC1210 for control of Phytophthora capsici on pepper. Pp. 85.1-85.3. In: Proc. 2002 Ann. Intern. Res. Conf. Methyl Bromide Alternatives Emissions Reductions.. Whitford, F., Cain, S., Alderson, K., Huber, D.M., Beaty, J., Biehle, D., Miller, R., Kemper, A., and Blessing, A. 2004. Rural Security Planning, Protecting Family, Friends, and Farm. PPP-64. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, West Lafayette, IN 47907.