Plant Health 2021 Online Preview: a Conversation with Plenary Speaker Professor Liying Sun

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July 2021 Volume 55 • Number 7

Plant Health 2021 Online Preview: A Conversation with Plenary Speaker Professor Liying Sun

Jim Bradeen, APS Internal Communications Officer

“In research, these discoveries may prompt us to recon- to pursue graduate research at China Agri- keep an open sider the traditional host-based concept of cultural University and Okayama Univer- mind and never plant and fungal viruses.” sity (Japan), focusing on plant and fungal limit your imagi- Liying will discuss her exciting research virology. She stresses the importance of nation.” Prof. during a plenary lecture at Plant Health good mentorship and credits her graduate Liying Sun offers 2021 Online on Tuesday, August 3. Her mentors, Prof. Han Chenggui and Prof. this advice for talk is titled “Cross-Kingdom Virus Infec- Nobuhiro Suzuki (Okayama University), students and other tion: Mycoviruses Pave the Way for Spread whose “guidance, great support, and kind early-career plant into Multiple Fungal Hosts,” and it prom- advice further grew my interest and passion pathologists. And, ises to change the way we think about for plant pathology.” Today, Liying is herself when it comes to viruses and virus transmission. (After the a professor of virology at the Northwest her own research, past 16 months or so, that is saying some- A&F University, China. she practices what she preaches! Liying is thing!) In an email exchange, I recently asked an expert on fungal viruses and is driven to Liying grew up in a small village in the Liying her perspective on the Seismic understand the origin of fungal viruses. Her grasslands area of the Inner Mongolia Au- Shifts in Disease Risks (the theme of Plant curiosity and creativity have led to some tonomous Region of China. From an early Health 2021 Online) and what pressing exciting observations. “The origin of fungal age she was fascinated by plants and vowed research needs to be done. She discussed viruses is still unknown. Indeed, it is one of to one day be a plant doctor. It was as a stu- the important impacts of climate change, the mysteries of life—Where do the viruses dent at the Agricultural University of Inner pathogen vectors, and disease distribution. come from? Our studies present novel find- Mongolia that she first became enamored She also spoke of the role of human activity ings of two-way virus transmissions between with what she calls the “mystery of the virus plants and fungi. As these cross-kingdom world”—that early fascination would shape infections may occur frequently in nature, the trajectory of her career. Liying went on Plant Health 2021, continued on page 8

New APS Council Members Elected In This Issue been elected as incoming vice president and Councilors’ Challenge ��3 will serve as president for the 2023–2024 APS Message ��3 term, and Sydney Everhart, University of OPRO ��4 Nebraska-Lincoln, who has been elected Donors of Distinction ��7 and will serve as councilor-at-large for the People ��8 2021–2024 term. Both will begin their Classifieds ��10 terms following Plant Health 2021. Thank Graduate Student Spotlight ��11 you to everyone who voted! Research Notebook ��16 Complete biographic sketches, as well as personal statements of leadership, appeared Niklaus Grünwald Sydney Everhart in the May 2021 issue of Phytopathology News. Please join us in welcoming these APS welcomes our newest council mem- new officers to APS Council during Plant bers: Niklaus J. Grünwald, USDA-ARS- Health 2021 Online. ■ Horticultural Crops Research Unit, who has

Phytopathology News July 2021 1 PLANT PATHOLOGY’S PERPLEXING PAST: THE REST OF THE STORY Editor-in-Chief: Kenny Seebold Editor: Jordana Anker Design: Jordana Anker Advertising Sales: Brianna Plank Julius Kühn—Father of Modern Phytopathology News (ISSN 0278-0267) is published monthly, with the August/September issue combined, by The American Phytopatholog- ical Society (APS) at 3352 Sherman Ct, Ste 202, St. Paul, MN 55121, Plant Pathology? U.S.A. Phone: +1.651.454.7250, Fax: +1.651.454.0766, E-mail: aps@ scisoc.org, Web: www.apsnet.org. Phytopathology News is distributed to all APS members. Subscription price to nonmembers is $116. Robert M. Harveson, University of Nebraska, Panhandle REC, Scottsbluff Submission Guidelines: Address all editorial correspondence to: Kenny Seebold, Valent USA, 608 Havana Court, Lexington, KY 40511 U.S.A. Biographical Background Phone: +1.859.940.5184; E-mail: [email protected]. In order to ensure timely publication of your news items and announcements, ü please send in material six weeks prior to the date of publication. Material Julius Gotthelf K hn was born in Pulsnitz, Germany, in 1825. should be no more than six months old when submitted. Submission of During his life, he had two distinct careers—farm estate manager materials as electronic files, via e-mail, will speed processing. For information on submitting electronic images contact Jordana Anker. Deadline for and university professor. Between 1848 and 1855, he worked as submitting items for the October 2021 issue is August 20, 2021. a farm manager for an estate near Bunzlau in Silesia (present day APS Leadership Poland). Council Due to a desire to teach agriculture, he attended the Agricul- President: Mark Gleason President Elect: Amy Charkowski ture Academy at Bonn-Poppelsdorf from 1855 to 1856, obtained Vice President: Ron Walcott a degree, and taught for one year. In 1857, he obtained his Ph.D. Immediate Past President: Lindsey du Toit Internal Communications Officer: James Bradeen degree, in absentia, based on a dissertation focusing on smuts of Treasurer: Lawrence Datnoff Senior Councilor-at-Large: Katherine L. Stevenson cereals and corn, before returning to farming on an estate near Councilor-at-Large: David Gent Glogau, Silesia. Councilor-at-Large: Courtney Gallup Divisional Councilor: Ashok Chanda As a result of these management positions, he began investiga- Publications Councilor: Krishna Subbarao tions into various agricultural problems, including plant diseases. Executive Vice President: Amy Hope Julius Kühn Editors-in-Chief In 1858, he published the first plant pathology textbook, Die APS PRESS: Darin Eastburn Karnkheiten der Kulturgewachse, Ihre Ursachen und Ihre Verhutung (The Diseases of Culti- MPMI: Jeanne M. Harris Phytobiomes: Johan Leveau vated Plants, Their Cause and Their Prevention). PhytoFrontiers: Niklaus Grünwald In 1862, he was appointed as the chair of agriculture at the University of Halle, where Phytopathology: Nian Wang Phytopathology News: Kenny Seebold he stayed until his death in 1910. As a result of his experiences as both a farmer and aca- Plant Disease: Alexander V. Karasev demic scientist, he was uniquely qualified to explain the causes of disease and understand Plant Disease Management Reports: Kerik Cox The Plant Health Instructor: Brantlee Spakes Richter practical disease management strategies, as well as the science behind the life cycle and Plant Health Progress: Pamela Roberts control measures for pathogens. Board and Office Chairs and Directors 2026 Professional Development Forum: Renée Rioux Academic Unit Leader Forum Chair: Steve Jeffers Accomplishments APS Foundation Board Chair: David M. Gadoury Divisional Forum Chair: Walt Mahaffee His accomplishments are legion but often overlooked. Kühn was the first plant pathol- PPB Chair: Rick Bennett Publications Board Chair: Krishna V. Subbarao ogist to employ the concept of Koch’s postulates and provide control recommendations OE Director: Monica M. Lewandowski for plant diseases based on experimental knowledge of disease etiology and characteristics. OIP Director: Susan D. Cohen OPSR Director: Jeffrey Stein It is remarkable that he employed these factors with the stem and bulb nematode in 1857, OPRO Director: Nicole M. Donofrio demonstrating it to be the cause of disease almost 20 years before the German physician AMB Director: Paul Esker Robert Koch Division Officers published his work on anthrax in cattle. Kühn identified a nematode infect- Caribbean ing the heads of Fuller’s teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) and further noted a similar nematode Divisional Forum Rep: Gilberto Olaya President: Alberto M. Gochez causing damage in rye. He then reproduced the disease in rye by placing nematode-infest- Past President: Carolina Cedano-Saavedra ed teasel heads within the rows of the grain, thereby providing proof of pathogenicity in Vice President: Judith K. Brown Secretary-Treasurer: Jose Carlos Verle Rodrigues both crops by the same pathogen. North Central Division Relying on his personal observations and experimentation, as well as knowledge from Divisional Forum Rep: Loren J. Giesler President: Loren J. Giesler the literature, he discerned the host–parasite relationships of many other diseases, includ- Immediate Past President: Daren S. Mueller Vice President: TBA ing ergot, smuts, rusts, powdery mildews, leaf spots, tuber and root rots, nematode dis- Secretary-Treasurer: Febina M. Mathew eases, and plant parasites (broomrape and mistletoe). This work not only foreshadowed Northeastern Division Divisional Forum Rep: Beth K. Gugino Koch’s contributions, it also helped dispute the erroneous concept of spontaneous genera- President: Ann L. Hazelrigg tion (theory that life begins from nonliving matter), which was widely believed at the time. Immediate Past President: Kari A. Peter Vice President: Rosa E. Raudales Secretary-Treasurer: Nicholas Brazee New Control Methods Pacific Division Divisional Forum Rep: Walter F. Mahaffee Kühn’s textbook was the first to focus on plant pathology, and it created guidelines for President: Jeremiah Dung Past President: Akif Eskalen achieving experimental proof of pathogen infections, particularly with cereal seed treat- President-Elect: Christina Hagerty ments. He determined that the dry powdery dark dust seen on seeds was actually spores of Secretary-Treasurer: TBA Potomac Division the smut pathogen and demonstrated the efficacy of seed treatments with copper sulfate Divisional Forum Rep: Matthew T. Kasson prior to planting. President: Alyssa Koehler Immediate Past President: Christopher Clarke He was also one of the first to recognize soilborne root-infecting pathogens, particular- Vice President: Sudeep A. Mathew Secretary-Treasurer: Rachel Melnick-Lippart ly species of Rhizoctonia. He reported the black scurf disease of potatoes and became its Southern Division authority (R. solani Kühn) and identified violet root rot (caused by R. crocorum (Pers.:Fr.) Divisional Forum Rep: Nicole A. Gauthier President: Fulya Baysal-Gurel DC) in alfalfa, sugar beets, carrots, and other crops. President-Elect: Lindsey Thiessen Vice President: Daniel Anco Past President: Paul Price Secretary-Treasurer: Rebecca A. Melanson Perplexing Past, continued on page 4

Phytopathology News July 2021 2 An Apology to Our Members, Authors, and Editors

APS journals are impor- We have been work- tant to our authors, our ing with our vendor daily readers, and our mem- to help train composition bers. The strength of our staff on our journals and journals program enables help them improve qual- us to provide many of our ity. We are looking at all society’s member benefits, options, which includes such as the APS Education Center, outreach scholarly publishing typesetting occurs. In interviewing other production vendors. We activities, committee support, student de- addition to the COVID-19–related chal- are hoping our long-time production vendor velopment initiatives, and new program lenges there, this newly acquired company will be able to make measurable improve- development. has struggled to deliver to APS standards. ments soon, as onboarding a new produc- We are aware that publication speed is Figure quality, XML formatting, and work- tion vendor would not be a quick solution. important to authors and readers. Dur- flow have been severely compromised, slow- In the meantime, we are asking the APS ing the past six months, our accepted ing the release of the excellent research our research community to continue to publish manuscript turnaround time after peer authors are publishing. in our journals, as the health of our society review has slowed. As a result, our “Just depends on our authors. Published” papers and current issues are What are we doing about it? APS thanks the hundreds of authors im- significantly behind schedule. We have Our publishing teams at APS and at the pacted by this slowdown for their patience been alerting corresponding authors over Vermont headquarters of our production and continued support. Be assured that our the past few months about these publication vendor have been working to address these editorial boards continue to operate with delays. issues since they were discovered in March. their high-quality peer review to APS stan- This has slowed the progress of publishing dards. The APS publications team remains How did we get to this point? individual articles and issues, as APS staff is committed to providing the best publishing Our journal production vendor of more now doing more rounds of quality control- experience possible as we work on improv- than 25 years made a significant change sometimes up to four additional verification ing turnaround times. ■ at the end of 2020 by purchasing its own rounds after our authors have approved their composition company in India, where most proofs.

Councilors’ Challenge: Developing a Mentoring Toolkit for Professionals in Phytopathology

Courtney Gallup, David H. Gent, and Katherine Stevenson, APS Councilors-at-Large

Background and Goal common career challenges within the discipline. We encourage Mentoring is critical to the professional and participation by and for individuals at all career stages. Submissions personal success of individuals in the public will include the topic and brief description of the proposed content. and private sectors. Mentoring can have a Be sure to first review content that is already available through the positive impact on mentees, mentors, and our Professional Development Center. entire society. Mentees experience opportuni- APS members have expressed a desire for mentorship programs ties for growth and learning, improved access for all career stages across academia, government, and industry. To to resources, and increased confidence in their enable successful mentoring activities, the 2022 Councilors’ Chal- work. Mentors experience personal satisfaction lenge is centered on enhancing available content specific to our in knowing that they have given back to our discipline. APS committees will compete in developing ideas for organization in a way that adds value to the scientist and society. mentorship resources for APS members. All committees are encour- Mentoring also improves productivity, socialization, and member aged to submit one or more toolkit assets. Entries will be evaluated retention. and ranked by 1) number and quality of submissions; 2) appropri- The goal of the Councilors’ Challenge is to promote awareness ateness to meet the articulated mentoring need(s); and 3) potential of the importance of intentional mentoring, to develop resources for broad impact. Submissions will be reviewed by a taskforce led by for structured mentoring, and to increase the mentoring activities the councilors-at-large, and the winning committees will produce of plant pathology professionals and students across the society. To the resources. After peer review, the winning resources will be meet these goals, a mentorship toolkit will be built that will enable a promoted through APS and made available to the APS Leadership robust mentorship program across APS. Institute and APS members. Learn more and submit your idea by October 13, 2021. Challenge Do you have other ideas and needs for mentorship resources? We Winning committees will develop content for a mentorship tool- want to hear from you and partner with you to provide APS mem- kit that will facilitate successful mentor–mentee relationships within bers the resources and support they need. Please contact any of the plant pathology or provide subject-specific content for addressing APS councilors-at-large with questions. We are here to serve you. ■

Phytopathology News July 2021 3 Perplexing Past, continued from page 2 and practical method for controlling the cyst nematode in locations where years of continuous sugar beet production had introduced the Perhaps Kühn’s most important contribution was his work with disease. Many nematodes (such as the cyst nematode) have limited the sugar beet cyst nematode. It was ravaging crops throughout the crop host ranges, and thus, when deprived of hosts for 3–4 years, beet-growing areas of Europe. Continuous cropping of beets was their populations tend to decrease to a point where crop productiv- the norm, and by the mid-1870s, this disease had almost exclusively ity can be maintained. collapsed the entire agricultural economy of Germany. Its presence Kühn’s Plant Pathology Legacy was a dire threat and served as a catalyst for the development of new disease control techniques, including fumigation, utilization of trap Kühn’s practical background in agriculture, as both a farmer and crops, and crop rotation, with Kühn leading the way. university professor, enabled him to understand the economic need Due to the previous success of fumigation for controlling phyl- to control plant diseases. At the same time, his scientific expertise loxera in French vineyards, Kühn conducted the first fumigation enabled him to design and test strategies for managing numerous experiments, employing carbon disulfide for cyst nematode control diseases, additionally establishing him as the first proponent and in 1871, but it proved to be costly and too difficult to handle. practitioner of disease management. His legacy and genius as an Kühn also developed and tested the use of trap crops specifically applied plant pathologist are still on display in the disease manage- for managing the cyst nematode. The theory behind this method ment techniques of fumigation and crop rotation he developed that assumes that after infecting these crops, the young nematodes are are still in use today, more than 150 years later. Now you know the killed when the infected “trap” crop is destroyed, thus helping to rest of the story. reduce overall numbers of eggs prior to planting with sugar beets. In addition to the Chenopods, Kühn discovered that mustard family REFERENCES members were capable of stimulating egg hatch, with subsequent Christie, J. R. 1959. Plant Nematodes: Their Bionomics and Con- infection by juvenile nematodes. Therefore, canola, radishes, mus- trol. H. & W. B. Drew Company, Jacksonville, FL. tards, or other rapidly growing cruciferous crops could also be em- Harveson, R. M. 2015. The Bacterium of Many Colors. American ployed. Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. Rotation of different crops was introduced to improve agronomic Wilhelm, S., and Tietz, H. 1978. Julius Kuehn—His concept of conditions for growing sugar beets. Ultimately, the practice of rota- plant pathology. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol. 16:343-358. ■ tion for disease management was shown to be the most effective

Office of Public Relations and Outreach OPRO Meets Becky Sideman Becky Sideman is an extension professor Type of event and intended audience: 8 min) video describing the research with and specialist in sustainable horticulture in Short extension articles with corresponding visuals and words. My goals were to 1) com- the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition video/audio versions. municate cool and relevant research results & Food Systems at the University of New Description of the activity: To increase from outside the region; 2) increase the Hampshire and researcher with the NH the accessibility of some cool research done audience’s exposure to the research process; Agricultural Experiment Station. by others, in each episode I selected a recent 3) give myself an excuse to make time to go Science outreach activity: Spotlight on study that I found interesting and potential- through the literature carefully with an eye Research profiles. ly relevant to horticultural crop production toward finding applicable results and inter- in our region. I summarized the research in esting research questions. Lastly, I wanted a very short article to experiment with creating simple recorded (700–1,100 words) video/audio presentations to increase acces- that was coupled with a short (roughly OPRO Meets, continued on page 5

Each Spotlight on Research summary video is posted on our Extension Veg- etable & Fruit Videos page, with special attention paid to make sure closed Kaltura Capture is used to make a short and simple voiced over PowerPoint captioning is accurate. video—it’s easy to add webcam video or not.

Phytopathology News July 2021 4 OPRO Meets, continued from page 4 In addition to posting online, a list of the latest sibility for those who do not learn best by blog posts is emailed reading written articles. monthly to around 2,200 Materials needed for this activity: active subscribers. Pretty much all that is needed is the time How many times has to comb through relevant literature and this activity been host- library access to a range of applied research ed? We produced three journals. For the video version of each Spot-lights on Research summary, I used PowerPoint and Kaltura in 2020. Capture to record each version, and we In total, how many hosted the videos in our university’s media participants have been space. in attendance? One of Information regarding this event: The the spotlights has had three Spotlight on Research articles pub- 590 unique page views lished in 2020 were each published as part in the year since it was of my grower newsletter, the NH Vegetable published; the other two Each Spotlight on Research is published as a short article on our extension & Fruit News blog: have had 254 unique blog for vegetable and fruit growers, NH Vegetable & Fruit News. Spotlight on Research: Wollastonite, page views combined. In • addition to those who watched the videos, measured the number of people who have Silicon, Pumpkins, & Powdery Mildew read each blog post or viewed each video. • Spotlight on Research: The Root Mi- collectively the three spotlights have had a crobiome and the “Soil-borne Legacy” total of 940 views or reads. To have your science outreach activity • Spotlight on Research: Can Hand- How was the impact of this outreach or event featured in the “OPRO meets…” Picking Japanese Beetle Really Help? activity evaluated? Using web analytics, we article series, please complete this survey. ■

Meeting Annual Meeting of the Georgia Association of Plant Pathologists and the 2021 E. S. Luttrell Lecture The 71st Annual Meeting of the Georgia Eleven graduate students from the Department of Plant Pathol- Association of Plant Pathologists (GAPP) ogy at the University of Georgia participated in a student paper was held jointly with the 2021 E. S. Luttrell competition. First, second, and third place winners were, respec- Lecture on May 12 and 13, both in a virtual tively, Alan Peper, Kendall Johnson, and Caroline Burks. Usha format. More than 90 attendees participated Bhatta received an honorable mention for her presentation. in the meetings, including faculty, students, Two students were recognized for excellence in graduate studies staff, extension agents, industry representa- with awards established in honor of distinguished professors from tives, and other plant pathology research- the University of Georgia. The 2021 Kenneth E. Papa Outstand- ers from across the Southeast. Following ing Graduate Student Award (Ph.D.) was presented to Shaun Stice welcoming remarks by President C. Mike (advisors Brian Kvitko and Bhabesh Dutta), and the 2021 Cedric Deom (University of Georgia), the GAPP Kuhn Outstanding Graduate Student Award (M.S.) was presented Caroline Burks program commenced with an invited pre- to Caroline Burks (advisor Marin Brewer). sentation by Jinlong Han, a Ph.D. candi- The 2021 GAPP meeting concluded with incoming GAPP Presi- date from the Department of Entomology dent Brian Kvitko presenting C. Mike Deom with a plaque recog- and Plant Pathology at North Carolina nizing his excellent service as GAPP president during the previous State University. Mr. Han’s presentation year. was titled “Identification and Functional Named in honor of E. S. Luttrell, world-renowned mycologist, Analysis of Frankliniella occidentalis Genes plant pathologist, and administrator at the University of Georgia for Associated with Larval Gut Response to more than 40 years, the Luttrell Lecture is the Department of Plant Infection by Tomato spotted wilt virus.” The Pathology’s signature event each year. The 2021 lecture was present- second day began with an introduction by ed by Rodrigo Almeida, professor of emerging infectious disease GAPP Vice President Brian Kvitko (Uni- ecology and Hildebrand-Laumeister Chair in Plant Pathology at the versity of Georgia) of our keynote speaker, University of California-Berkeley. His presentation was titled “Plant Shaun Stice Neena Mitter, director of the Centre for Disease Epidemics as Opportunities to Reevaluate What You Know, Horticultural Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and What You Should Know, and What May Matter.” The lecture was Food Innovation, the University of Queensland. Dr. Mitter gave a followed by virtual meetings of Department of Plant Pathology presentation titled “RNAi-Based Biopesticides for Sustainable Crop students and faculty with Dr. Almeida. ■ Protection.”

Phytopathology News July 2021 5 August 2–6, 2021 Seismic Shifts in Disease Risk Live and On Demand

Registration Now Open! Join plant pathologists from around the world to explore major changes in bacterial, viral, nematode, and fungal pathosystems that help us anticipate and deflect future shifts in disease risk. Register today at planthealth2021.org/attend

APS Members receive a discount on registration! | planthealth2021.org APS Foundation Donors of Distinction Meet some of the amazing people who support APS Foundation. Learn more about who they are and why they give their time and resources to support others.

Clarissa Balbalian Serge Savary My graduate advisor emphasized the Attending your very first formal con- importance of being involved in our ference is both a daunting and an exciting professional society, and the concept of experience. One expects so much. One paying forward the benefits that I receive also fears so much—of being out-of- from APS. He covered the costs of APS place, of not speaking properly, of one’s membership, journals, meeting registra- science results being below standards. tion, and travel for his graduate students. For an international and new partici- We were expected to attend and present pant, English is an additional, massive, at our APS division meeting and the APS challenge to face. And so, a little money Annual Meeting (terrifying professional for the organizing institution helps. Of development!) and to take advantage of everything the annual meet- course it helps financially, but it also helps on a totally different ing had to offer: from field trips to sessions and networking oppor- level: it helps psychologically. It means “you’re welcome” and “we tunities (fun professional development!). What a gift! APS provides don’t know you yet, but want to.” For us, with a job, a position, essential opportunities for members to grow, learn, and lead, and etc., it’s a little money. For the recipient, it is much, much more. It’s APS thrives on our participation. I give to APS because I benefitted worth doing. We need young people urgently. from student travel awards. I want to perpetuate the society, and I Serge Savary is a plant pathologist and epidemiologist with Institut want to help ensure others have the opportunity to benefit from all National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) at Toulouse, France. ■ APS has to offer. One travel award that I support is named for my academic grandfather. When I donate to that, I feel like I am honor- ing my academic family (past, present, and future) for all we do and have done to support one another, as well as supporting my bigger APS family. Clarissa Balbalian is a plant pathologist and diagnostic lab manager at Mississippi State University.

U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative Request for Pre-Proposals Now Open for FY22 Funding Cycle

The U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) is pleased Electronic Pre-Proposal Submission (EPS) System opens on August 3 to announce the opening of its Request for Pre-Proposal (RFP) for all LOI accepted projects and for pre-proposals in Category 3. process for the FY22 Funding Cycle. Submissions of all pre-proposals are due by September 21, 2021, The USWBSI FY22 RFP offers funding opportunities in the via the USWBSI EPS System. following categories: Several new elements have been incorporated into the USWBSI RFP this year: • Category 1 – Commodity-Based and VDHR-Uniform Nurs- ery Coordinated Projects • Extended project term • Category 2 – FHB Integrated Management Coordinated • Added transformational science category Project • Changed tracking of estimated numbers of deoxynivalenol • Category 3 – Research Area Individual Project Pre-Proposals samples • Category 4 – Transformational Science Project Pre-Proposals • Budget justification worksheet and budget summary template (New to this RFP!) • Online submission of LOIs and pre-proposals A letter of intent (LOI) process is required for submissions in Categories 1, 2, and 4. Access to the LOI submission forms is now open; submissions will be accepted until July 1, 2021. The USWBSI USWBSI, continued on page 8

Phytopathology News July 2021 7 USWBSI, continued from page 7 Plant Health 2021, continued from page 1

If you are interested in submitting an LOI and/or RFP, please in influencing the emergence or reemergence of infectious diseases. follow the step-by-step instructions provided for each category on In addition, she advocated for a proactive approach to identifying the USWBSI FY22 RFP website. The proposed research should be important pathogens before serious disease outbreaks occur. “We based on the FY22 program descriptions and research priorities need to hunt more infectious pathogens in nature and understand derived from the goals of the USWBSI’s action plan, which is fo- their spread, as well as their complex relationships with their hosts. cused on greater collaboration and communication and more rapid This information will provide a solid scientific basis for risk predic- attainment of the USWBSI’s mission “To enhance food safety and tion and control strategies of agricultural diseases.” Liying ended our supply by reducing the impact of Fusarium head blight (scab) on exchange on a decidedly optimistic note: while recognizing that wheat and barley.” viruses can be a major threat to both public health and agriculture, If you have any questions regarding the application materials or but she also emphasized that viruses also have numerous benefits the pre-proposal process, please contact the USWBSI NFO by phone and potential in the area of biological control of diseases and as at +1.517.290.5023 or send an email to [email protected]. Note: We biotechnological tools, concluding “indeed, virology has greatly con- have added responses to a number of Frequently Asked Questions tributed to deciphering the fundamental processes of biology.” (FAQ) on the website. ■ Don’t miss Prof. Liying Sun’s plenary talk “Cross-Kingdom Virus Infection: Mycoviruses Pave the Way for Spread into Multiple Fungal Hosts” on Tuesday, August 3, as part of Plant Health 2021 Online. Learn more about Prof. Liying Sun and other Keynote and Ple- nary presenters. ■

People

Awards Karen Lewis (regional extension specialist, Grant County), Gwen Hoheisel Jenny Katrin Ayer was selected as the (regional extension specialist, South Central), and Bolivar 2021 recipient of the Robert Gilmer (extension information technology transfer) of WSU and Ashley Thompson Graduate Student Award. The award (fruit tree extension, Wasco and Hood River is named in honor of Dr. Robert M. Counties) of OSU. the awards presentation was held online on Gilmer, a member of Cornell Univer- June 28; each awardee gave a 3–5 min overview of their project. sity’s Department of Plant Pathology Degrees at the Geneva Experiment Station from 1950 to 1975. Dr. Gilmer is Lauren Elizabeth Braley recently completed all requirements remembered as an outstanding plant for her M.S. degree in plant pathology at Washington State Uni- pathologist, colleague, and mentor versity (WSU). Her thesis was titled “Development of Compre- who is internationally respected for hensive Molecular Detection of Potato Pathogens.” Her committee Katrin Ayer and Kerik Cox his contributions to our knowledge was chaired by Kiwamu Tanaka and included Maren Friesen and of virus diseases of fruit crops. His David Wheeler. Braley received her B.S. degree in ecology and evo- generous gift created the endowment that bears his name. The award lutionary biology from WSU in May 2019 and started her M.S. includes a grant to further the recipient’s research and professional program in August 2019. Braley started her professional career in development. The 2021 award was presented during a virtual cer- emony featuring a seminar by former Cornell AgriTech student Dr. Matthew Tancos, USDA-ARS. Ayer received the award in rec- ognition of excellence in academics, research, teaching, and service to the Section of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, to Cornell AgriTech, and to her profession. She conducted her Ph.D. research on genetics and management of fungicide resistance in the apple scab pathogen (Venturia inaequalis) at Cornell AgriTech with Dr. Kerik Cox. The Little Cherry Disease Extension Team of Washington State University (WSU) and Oregon State University (OSU) recently received the Western Extension Directors Association Award of Excel- lence 2021. The awardees of the WSU-OSU Little Cherry Disease Extension Team include Tianna DuPont (regional extension specialist), Tobin Northfield (assistant professor of entomology), Scott Harper Louis Nottingham Clockwise from top left: Kiwamu Tanaka, David Wheeler, Lauren Braley, and (assistant professor of plant pathology), Maren Friesen during Braley’s defense. (research assistant professor of entomology), Cody Molnar (information technology transfer), Ricardo Naranjo (extension assistant), Bernardita Sallato (regional extension specialist, south central), People, continued on page 9

Phytopathology News July 2021 8 People, continued from page 8 Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute at Horticulture Research Center, Gazipur, Bangladesh, as a scientific officer in December plant pathology in 2016, when she worked as a field inspection crew 2009. He was awarded a Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural lead for the seed certification program at the Idaho State Department Research and Development (BHEARD) fellowship by the USDA of Agriculture. In spring 2017, she joined Tanaka’s lab as an under- National Institute for Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for graduate lab technician and research assistant, working on diagnos- International Development (USAID) as part of the Feed the Future tic projects involving loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) Initiative for pursuing his Ph.D. degree in plant pathology at WSU, and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). She worked with where he started in January 2016. After completing his Ph.D. degree, Tobin Peever in developing a qPCR assay for improved identifica- he went back to the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. Cur- tion and detection of Botrytis cinerea in raspberry fruit during her rently, Rahman is working as a plant pathologist in the institute, con- undergraduate study. After her B.S. degree, she briefly worked with ducting research on developing resistant sources against viruses in Dave Crowder, assisting with experimental design of field experi- bean, bitter gourd, cucumber, and tomato. In addition, as a plant ments and basic insect colony maintenance. During her master’s pathologist, he has conducted research on disease diagnosis and man- program, she had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant agement on horticultural crops (vegetables, fruits, and flowers). In for the undergraduate plant pathology course. Braley will start her the future, he will conduct research on diagnosis of currently exist- Ph.D. program at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, under the direc- ing and epidemic viruses in Bangladesh in vegetables and legumes, tion of Koon-Hui Wang in the Department of Plant and Environ- their relationships with vectors, and management through integrated mental Protection Services in August 2021 to pursue a degree in approaches. tropical plant pathology. New Position Jonathan D. Eagle recently completed Chakradhar Mattupalli joined the De- all requirements for his M.S. degree in plant partment of Plant Pathology of Washington pathology at Washington State University State University (WSU) in February 2021 as (WSU). His thesis was titled “Genotyping by a tenure-track assistant professor. Mattupalli Multiplexed Sequencing in Barley and Stripe will be leading the Berry and Potato Pathology Rust Resistance in Wheat.” His committee Program at the WSU Northwestern Washing- was chaired by Deven See and included ton Research and Extension Center in Mount Xianming Chen, Scot Hulbert, Tim Murray, Vernon. Mattupalli received his Ph.D. degree and Mickael Pumphrey. Eagle received his in plant pathology from the University of Wis- B.S. degree in biology from Henderson State consin-Madison, where he studied the biology University in 2015. He was a quality engineer at Spectra Tech- and management of Helminthosporium solani, which causes silver nologies LLC before he joined WSU in July 2016. He received a scurf on potatoes. As a postdoctoral fellow at the Noble Research WSU Agriculture Research Center fellowship and H. E. Gold- Institute, LLC, he integrated pathogen biology and pathogen detec- sworthy Scholarship. He has started his senior specialist position tion methods with geographic information systems and remote sens- in Scott’s Miracle-Gro working on hemp breeding and genetics, ing technologies to study a root rot disease affecting alfalfa. Prior to May 2021. joining WSU, he worked as a research professor and extension specialist at Colorado State University focusing on the management of Samodya Jayasinghe recently graduated potato foliar and soilborne diseases in the San Luis Valley. His re- from Washington State University (WSU) with search at WSU will focus on fungal pathogens causing potato sur- an M.S. degree in plant pathology and was se- face blemishes and gray mold in blueberries. The goal of his research lected to receive the Ann Chittenden Holland program is to develop efficient disease monitoring and management Master’s Thesis Award for Graduate Student systems for minimizing disease outbreaks and disseminating research- Excellence for 2021–2022. Jayasinghe’s thesis based knowledge to growers and stakeholders. was titled “Impact of Paper Mill Fly Ash and Biochar on Soil Health and Productivity of Obituary Wheat.” Her thesis committee was led by Tim Pingsheng Ji, professor of plant pathology Murray and included Maren Friesen, Tim at the University of Georgia Tifton campus, Paulitz, and Haiying Tao. The WSU Graduate School gives only died unexpectedly in May 2021 at the age of one Ann Chittenden Holland Master’s Thesis Award for Graduate 56. He earned his master’s degree at Beijing Student Excellence each year with $1,000. Agricultural University (1988) and his doc- torate in plant pathology at Auburn Univer- Mohammad Rahman recently completed sity (1999). Dr. Ji started his position as a all requirements for his Ph.D. degree in plant vegetable pathologist with the University pathology at Washington State University of Georgia in 2007, focusing his efforts on (WSU). His dissertation was titled “Char- disease management needs, with an emphasis acterization of Viruses in Country Bean and on mitigating the impact of soilborne fungal and oomycete diseases. Identification of Genetic Resistance to Aphids While pursuing this overall goal, he has made significant contribu- in Pea Germplasm.” His thesis committee was tions in a number of areas, including pathogen biology, ecology and led by Naidu Rayapati and Lyndon Porter epidemiology, etiology, population genetics, and the integration of and included Achour Amiri and Gary Grove. these approaches to improve disease management and reduce crop Rahman completed his B.S. degree in agricul- losses. ture from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2005 and M.S. degree in plant pathology from the same university in 2007. After completing his M.S. degree, Rahman joined the People, continued on page 10

Phytopathology News July 2021 9 People, continued from page 9 ity. His contributions have and continue to advance plant pathology with international significance and impact, and he leaves a large void Dr. Ji extensively studied the biology, detection, and manage- in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia ment of Phytophthora blight caused by Phytophthora capsici, one of and among all who knew him. the most destructive vegetable diseases worldwide. He developed an improved isolation method and genetic markers for characterizing P. Seminar capsici from irrigation water sources and plants. He conducted stud- Robert A. Blanchette, professor at the ies to screen and identify germplasm of peppers and cucurbits with Department of Plant Pathology, University resistance to P. capsici, developed effective fungicide programs and of Minnesota, St. Paul, was invited to pres- cultural practices for managing Phytophthora blight, and devised ap- ent a seminar to the Department of Plant proaches to analyze fungicide translocation in plants. He also partici- Pathology, Washington State University pated in the development of techniques for early detection of P. cap- (WSU) on April 12, 2021. Blanchette re- sici infection through analysis of unique volatile organic compounds. ceived his doctoral degree in plant pathology These studies provided valuable information about the ecological from WSU, followed by a 2-year postdoc- and physiological nature of P. capsici and facilitated the development toral research and teaching position in the of resistant cultivars and more effective management strategies. Department of Plant Pathology. This experience, which included Another major area of emphasis in Ji’s program was Fusarium wilt teaching a general plant pathology course and a course in forest pa- of watermelon incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum , which thology while Jack Rogers was on a sabbatical, provided key ex- has caused increasing damage in the United States in recent years. perience for him to obtain a position at the University of Minne- His lab identified infection courts in watermelon plants leading to sota, where he has been teaching classes and carrying out research seed infestation by the pathogen, determined races of F. oxysporum f. on the biology and ecology of fungi that grow on and attack trees sp. niveum isolates, developed markers to understand the population and wood. His research focuses on elucidating the mechanisms of structure of the pathogen in the Southeast, and identified isolates with wood decay and interdisciplinary studies of microorganisms degrad- resistance to thiophanate-methyl and the mutations associated with ing archaeological, historic, and modern woods. He also has been resistance to the fungicide. He conducted experiments annually to involved with ethnomycologial investigations to better understand evaluate chemical fungicides, biocontrol agents, planting dates, and how indigenous people from different parts of the world used forest resistant cultivars to develop integrated disease management pro- fungi. Current projects also include studies of fungi associated with grams. His studies helped to better understand the pathogenicity, the emerald ash borer, wood decay fungi from the Amazon rainfor- epidemiology, and diversity of this recalcitrant pathogen. ests, and studies of the extraordinary fungi in extreme environments Dr. Ji was committed to the service and governance of profession- of the High Arctic, dry deserts of Egypt, and underground Soudan al societies and organizations. In addition to local and university ser- iron ore mine in Minnesota. He has been recognized for his work vice, he was active on a number of APS subject matter committees, with several awards, including Fellow of the AAAS, Fellow of The including as chair of the Integrated Plant Disease Management Com- American Phytopathological Society, and Fellow of the Internation- mittee. He served as an associate editor and senior editor for Plant al Academy of Wood Science, as well as other distinguished service Disease, as the president and vice president of the Georgia Associa- awards. Delivered online, his seminar titled “Wood Decay Fungi: tion of Plant Pathologists, and as a panelist on a number of grant Ethnomycology and New Insights on Decomposition” was well panels for USDA-NIFA and USDA-ARS. He was a co-organizer of attended by graduate students, post-doctoral associates, and faculty the International Soilborne Oomycete Conferences and a member of the Plant Pathology Department and other departments. Hanu of the scientific committees of its predecessor, the International Pappu, professor in the WSU Department of Plant Pathology, Phytophthora capsici Conferences. coordinated the seminar. ■ Dr. Ji is survived by his wife, Hua Kang, and a daughter living in Massachusetts. He had a quiet, unassuming, and kind personal-

Classifieds

Associate/Full Professor—Director, biome Sciences and Director for the Penn and 3 institutes. We are seeking a new Penn Microbiome Center State Microbiome Center, located on the State Microbiome Center Director to lead Penn State (University Park, Pennsylvania) University Park campus. the center through its next phase of growth The Penn State Microbiome Center is one and development and to fulfill its vision of Current Employees or Students: of the largest and most active microbiome becoming an international leader in micro- If you are a current employee (faculty, research and education centers in the U.S. biome research and education. staff, technical service, or student) at Penn The center was established in 2017 to foster The Director is expected to have an estab- State, please login to Workday to complete transformative, cross-college interdisciplin- lished track record of successful extramural the internal application process. If you are ary research and to provide infrastructure funding, publishing results from multidis- a current student at Penn State and seeking and resources needed for increasing diversity ciplinary research projects, and evidence employment with Penn State, please login to and breadth of interdisciplinary microbiome of leadership of multidisciplinary scientific Workday to complete the student applica- research at Penn State. The center is part teams. The Director appointment will be a tion process. of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, 50/50 split between center leadership and which exists to strengthen interdisciplinary research. The department and college tenure Job Description and Position Require- life science research and graduate education home is open for negotiation based on re- ments: campus wide. Faculty, students, and staff search interests and could be in one or more The Pennsylvania State University is seek- associated with the Penn State Microbiome ing a Full or Associate Professor of Micro- Center come from 9 colleges, 16 campuses, Classifieds, continued on page 11

Phytopathology News July 2021 10 Classifieds, continued from page 10 create programs and research directions at ment of collaborative, interdisciplinary disciplinary boundaries, capturing diverse research teams; support the training of the of the following colleges: College of Agricul- perspectives and ensuring the benefits of next generation of microbiome researchers tural Sciences, College of Earth and Mineral microbiome research across all aspects of via classroom and experiential learning op- Sciences, College of Engineering, College of society. Penn State consistently ranks among portunities; obtain philanthropic and grant Health and Human Development, College the nation’s top 25 public research universi- funding to ensure financial sustainability of of Information Sciences and Technology, ties, with fiscal year 2020 research expendi- the Penn State Microbiome Center; lead the College of Liberal Arts, College of Medi- tures exceeding $1 billion. Microbiome Center Executive Committee cine, College of Nursing, and the Eberly In addition to establishing a rigorous to develop and execute a strategic vision College of Science. There is an expectation externally funded research program in any and approaches for the center; ensure that that the candidate be appointed to one or aspect of microbiomes at Penn State, duties faculty at all campuses have access to the more Interdomain Graduate Programs. The also include the following: resources of the center; engage current Penn Microbiome Center Director will report to Promote a culture of excellence in micro- State faculty, postdoctoral fellow, and stu- the Director of the Huck Institutes for the biome intersectional research, teaching, and dent members of the Microbiome Center to Life Sciences. This structure will provide the outreach across the university; establish Penn shape its future; actively engage in mentor- Director with administrative and staff sup- State as a global leader in interdisciplinary ship of early-career faculty hired in associa- port, and allow the Director to have visibil- microbiome research; continue the growth tion with the center; and foster and increase ity at the highest levels within the university. of the Penn State Microbiome Center It also provides a unique opportunity to through strategic initiatives and develop- Classifieds, continued on page 12

Graduate Student Spotlight: Nichole Barber

What type of degree ings to help collect donations and to assist What are some of your interests outside program are you with activities for the children of meeting of science? enrolled in? attendees. Gardening and outdoor activities such as Masters of plant hiking, kayaking, and camping. pathology, University Please provide a brief description of of Florida. your research. What is your hometown? I am investigating a treatment for three dif- Las Vegas, NV, USA. What year are you in ferent bacterial phytopathogens that cause graduate school? disease on economically important crops: What is your favorite pathogen/plant I am in my second Clavibacter michiganensis, Xylella fastidiosa, disease? year, with an expected graduation date of and Liberibacter asiaticus. Clavibacter michiganensis and C. nebrasken- December 2021. sis (tomato wilt and Goss’s wilt), as well as What’s something interesting most Xylella fastidiosa. What is your academic department/ people don’t know about you? section called at your institution? I have had to move homes over 30 times. If you know you are pursuing a Plant Pathology. specific career sector, what is it? I will be the lab director for a cannabis Who is your major professor? tissue culture and research lab in Las Dr. Frank White. Vegas, NV, for The Source Dispensa- ries. Are you an APS member? Yes. How did you become interested in the field of plant pathology? How have you been involved in the Plants are the most important organ- APS organization? isms on this planet, in my opinion, For the last four years I have been a and I wanted to be a part of protecting member of APS, attended the annual them. meetings, including the ICPP confer- ence in Boston in 2018. I have been a Do you have any social media member of the Graduate Student Com- handles that you want to share? mittee for the last two years, as well as E-mail: [email protected] ■ the Art in Phytopathology Committee. I have volunteered time at annual meet-

Learn more about the APS Graduate Student Committee initiatives and student opportunities. Connect with the committee on Twitter @plantpathgrads and Facebook.

Phytopathology News July 2021 11 Classifieds, continued from page 11 tion, gender identity, national origin, disabil- • Design experiments to identify new ity, or protected veteran status. If you are un- opportunities in intelligent packaging. diversity at the student, staff, postdoctoral, able to use our online application process Develop methods and protocols for and faculty levels. due to an impairment or disability, please postharvest handling and storage that A Ph.D. degree in any microbiome science- contact 814-865-1473. preserve product quality. related field is required. The applicant should • Data analysis and reporting of experi- have an academic track record commensu- mental results. Communication of sci- rate with the level of Full Professor with ten- Plant Pathologist entific insights to peers and leadership. ure, although exceptional applications at the Bowery Farming (Kearny, New Jersey) Associate level will be considered. The suc- Who You Are cessful applicant will join faculty members Bowery Farming, the Modern Farming • Plant pathology, horticultural, or plant with complementary, interdisciplinary re- Company, was founded in 2015 with the science knowledge. search interests, and have access to excellent belief that technology and human ingenu- • Understand plant production systems core facilities. ity can grow better food for a better future. in greenhouses, growth chambers, and Please submit a cover letter, CV, research Propelled by its proprietary software system, traditional agriculture. statement, teaching statement, leadership the BoweryOS, Bowery builds smart indoor • Understand the current best practices philosophy statement, and the names and vertical farms that deliver a wide variety of in food production and handling of contact information for three references. protected produce—in little time, near cities fresh produce. Applicants should provide evidence, either they serve, for a truly local approach. Bow- • Be able to work independently in a woven through their application materials ery’s farms are growing the next generation highly collaborative team environment. or as a separate diversity statement, of a of vibrant and flavorful produce. They’re • Track record of impact from scientific commitment to fostering diversity, equity, 100 times more productive on the same research. inclusive excellence, and belonging and footprint of land than traditional agricul- • Curiosity and innovative use of tech- of engagement that creates an inclusive ture, and grow traceable pesticide-free pro- nologies in plant science. environment in their research, classroom, duce—the purest, best expression of what • Experienced in horticulture, plant department, and the university. For more produce is meant to be—with a fraction of science, plant pathology, controlled information about the position, please con- the water and land. environment science. tact Andrew Read, Director of the Huck Institutes, or Carolee Bull, Director of the About the Role Who We Are Penn State Microbiome Center. Bowery Farming is looking for a passion- • Bowery is a place where everyone is wel- Review of applicants will begin on June ate and committed scientist to join the Ag- come, included, and empowered to 21, 2021. Science Team. The scientist will be respon- reach their full potential. Penn State is committed to and account- sible for applied research to develop best • We live our shared values every day in able for advancing diversity, equity, and in- practices, methods, and technologies that both big and small ways: opt-in, think clusion in all its forms, and, by definition, protect and improve the quality of products wildly different, break barriers together, sustainability cannot be achieved unless it is in the Bowery vertical farms. Bringing ex- and be kind to the core. achieved for all people. As such, we believe pertise in plant pathology, horticulture, • We are a mission-driven team of uncon- that equity is a core concept of sustainability and/or plant science, the scientist will de- ventional thinkers, problem-solvers, and that our work must be inclusive and velop and implement methods to measure optimists, and activators. embrace diversity. and track product quality from harvest to • We share a passion for giving back more customer, as well as packing, storage, and to the planet than we take, growing de- Campus Security Crime Statistics: handling protocols that preserve product liciously abundant food without abun- Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure shelf life and quality. The scientist will also dant harm. of Campus Security Policy and Campus conduct research to identify preharvest en- Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania vironmental conditions and cultivation prac- We are excited to hear from you! We cel- Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a com- tices that impact postharvest quality to aid ebrate unique backgrounds, qualities, and bined Annual Security and Annual Fire in product development, cultivar selection, cultures that enrich the workplace. Join us Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes recipe optimization, and breeding. As well, in creating an inclusive work environment crime statistics and institutional policies the scientist will explore innovations in in- that is free of bias and discrimination, concerning campus security, such as those telligent packaging to identify new oppor- where everyone can be their authentic self. concerning alcohol and drug use, crime tunities to improve product quality. As a We strongly encourage people from all walks prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual member of a cross functional team, the in- of life and underrepresented backgrounds to assault, and other matters. The ASR is avail- cumbent will work closely with scientists, apply and join the Bowery Farming team. able for review. growers, engineers and operations to drive We are an equal opportunity employer. Employment with the university will re- innovation in indoor vertical farming. The largest vertical farming company in quire successful completion of background the U.S., Bowery’s produce is available in check(s) in accordance with university poli- What You’ll Do almost 800 grocery stores and via e-com- cies. • Design and execute experiments in merce platforms serving the Tri-state and controlled environment, pilot- and Mid-Atlantic region, including Amazon EEO Is the Law production-scale vertical farms with Fresh, Albertsons, Giant Food, Hungryroot, Penn State is an equal opportunity, af- leafy and fruiting crops to drive in- Walmart, Weis, Whole Foods Market, and firmative action employer, and is committed sights into the impacts of genetics, specialty grocers. Based in New York City, to providing employment opportunities to environmental conditions, cultivation Bowery has raised more than $172.5 million all qualified applications without regard to practices, and postharvest handling race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orienta- conditions on shelf life and quality. Classifieds, continued on page 13

Phytopathology News July 2021 12 Classifieds, continued from page 12 pathways to publications. Applications and current and new plant production further information are available at https:// processes. from leading investors, including Temasek hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/341050. Send 7. Plans and conducts research trials and GV (formerly Google Ventures), Gen- inquiries to Linda Kinkel. according to generally accepted re- eral Catalyst, GGV Capital, First Round search protocols related to all aspects Capital, Henry Kravis, Jeff Wilke, and of nursery operations that will improve product quality, improve prod- Dara Khosrowshahi, as well as some of the Research Manager foremost thought leaders in food, including uct readiness, or reduce production Monrovia Nursery Co. (Woodlake, Cali- Tom Colicchio, José Andres, and David costs. fornia) Barber of Blue Hill. 8. Writes reports of research findings in Summary a timely manner. The Research Manager is responsible for 9. Trains and assists other employees Postdoctoral Scientist the collection of samples and conducting in research duties, such as sample University of Minnesota (St. Paul, Min- of laboratory tests on water, soil, and plant collection, sample preparation, data nesota) tissue samples. The Research Manager diag- collection, data entry, research trial set-up and maintenance, and other Postdoctoral positions, University of noses plant diseases and disorders and evaluates and improves preventative and curative activities associated with the research Minnesota: Ecology and Evolutionary department. Biology of Soil and Pathogen-Suppressive treatments in the field. In addition, the Research Manager conducts research trials 10. Provides expertise and training to the Microbiomes: Postdoctoral positions avail- related to all aspects of nursery operations. production department in the form able on NSF- and USDA-funded research of training sessions and materials. projects focusing on the ecology and evolu- Duties and Responsibilities 11. Makes recommendations to manage- tionary biology of microbiomes in agricul- ment team with regard to staffing tural and prairie soils. Seeking candidates Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities needs and performance. with a background in microbial ecology and 12. to perform the essential functions. Duties Maintains accurate records and fil- interest and/or experience in amplicon or ing systems of research data to meet metagenomics-based microbiome analyses, and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: business needs. microbial metabolomic and/or transcrip- 13. Attends meetings as required. tomic analyses, microbial phenotyping, and 1. Maintains and operates an analytical 14. Conducts all activities in accordance a passion for cross-disciplinary research. Our laboratory for testing water, soil, and with company, state, and federal re- interest is in understanding the assembly plant tissue samples. quirements, with a particular empha- and composition of soil and endophytic 2. Maintains accurate records and filing sis on safety. microbiomes and their functional capacities systems of quality control testing to 15. Effectively maintains laboratory in- across diverse landscapes and the linkages meet business needs. ventory and equipment. Maintains between microbiomes and crop or prairie 3. Diagnoses plant diseases and dis- a clean and safe laboratory work plant health and productivity. Our projects orders. Communicates with produc- environment. span potato production systems, natural tion personnel to understand pro- 16. Develops a career plan in conjunc- and experimental prairies, and long-term duction conditions and practices tion with research. (>60 years) experimental monocultures. to accurately diagnose problems. 17. Effectively manages professional time. We seek highly motivated candidates who 4. Writes reports to communicate 18. Develops a personal education plan. are enthusiastic to be part of a collaborative preventative and corrective recom- 19. Performs other related duties to research team. We anticipate hiring at least mendations for diagnosed disorders benefit the mission of the company two new positions and hope to optimize and quality control testing. as assigned. complementarity of backgrounds and skill 5. Evaluates and improves laboratory sets among hires (e.g., computational, eco- procedures associated with plant Competencies and Qualifications logical, plant and/or pathology,…) to build pathology to increase effectiveness • Knowledge and ability to conduct re- a strong team. Substantial opportunities to and reduce laboratory costs. search trials using proper experimental contribute to communication, education, 6. Works with management team, design and basic statistical analysis. and outreach exist within our team, and production employees, and other access to extensive data will support rapid research managers in evaluating Classifieds, continued on page 14

Phytopathology News July 2021 13 Classifieds, continued from page 13 Genomics, and Genetic Improve- of crops, or chemical or biological controls. ment. Graduate study in related fields, such as mi- • Excellent organizational and commu- crobiology, entomology, plant physiology, nication skills. Travel Required genetics, agronomy, horticulture, or forestry; • Proficient in Microsoft Office and Occasional travel—You may be expected chemistry may also be qualifying provided Excel. to travel for this position. it placed a sufficient amount of emphasis on • Knowledge of the nursery industry and plant pathology. plant production practices is highly de- Requirements Evaluation of Education: Courses in sirable. Conditions of Employment botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, • Ability to communicate in Spanish is • You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. plant pathology, agronomy, forestry, horti- a plus. national. culture, or similar subjects may be used to • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be meet the 20-semester-hour requirement in Education and Experience Selective Service registered or exempt. basic botany or plant science. To meet the • At least 2 years of experience working • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of specific 10-semester-hour requirement in in an agricultural laboratory, including background investigation and/or fin- plant pathology, the courses must have been analytical chemistry, plant pathology, gerprint check. in plant pathology or have dealt with spe- and plant and soil science. • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104- cific subject matter areas of plant pathology, • Bachelor’s degree in plant science or 134 all federal employees are required such as those concerned with viruses, fungal related field preferred. to have federal payments made by di- or bacterial diseases, host–plant relation- rect deposit to their financial institu- ships, biotic or chemical controls, environ- tion. mental or physiological diseases, parasitic Research Plant Pathologist • Successfully pass the E-Verify employ- diseases, etc. USDA ARS NCSL (Fargo, North Dakota) ment verification check. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights Additional Requirements Summary and responsibilities. In addition to meeting the basic re- This position is located at the U.S. De- • Successful completion of a 3-year pro- quirements described above, applicants partment of Agriculture (USDA), Agricul- bationary period. must also meet additional qualification tural Research Services (ARS), Sugarbeet requirements as stated below. and Potato Research Unit, in Fargo, ND. Qualifications GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at The unit’s mission is to improve the qual- Applicants must meet all qualifications least one full year of specialized experience ity and profitability of sugar beet and potato and eligibility requirements by the clos- equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level production through fundamental research ing date of the announcement, including in the federal service OR possess a Ph.D. or on germplasm enhancement, crop protec- specialized experience and/or education, equivalent doctoral degree OR possess an tion, and postharvest physiology. as defined below. equivalent combination of graduate-level education and experience. Graduate educa- Responsibilities Basic Requirements tion must be directly related to the work • Planning, conducting, and reporting Plant Pathology Series (0434) of the position and must have equipped research that improves the profitability Degree: Plant pathology or a related applicants with the knowledge, skills, and of the sugar beet industry by investi- scientific discipline that includes at least abilities necessary to do the work. gating means to reduce the storage and 20 semester hours in basic botany or plant Specialized experience is experience di- processing losses caused by postharvest science and 10 semester hours in plant rectly related to the position to be filled. storage diseases. pathology. • Identifying critical problems facing the Graduate Education: Must have been in Classifieds, continued on page 15 sugar beet industry with respect to plant pathology, or in one of the recognized storage diseases, formulating feasible subject-matter fields of plant pathology, or research objectives, and developing have followed a curriculum or pattern of relevant, scientifically sound hypoth- training that placed major emphasis on eses and research strategies to achieve plant pathology or one of the recognized project objectives. subject-matter fields of plant pathology, • Supporting ARS National Program such as those dealing with particular types (NP) 301: Plant Genetic Resources, of pathogens, diseases of particular kinds

Graduate Students: Apply to be Featured in Phytopathology News! For each issue of Phytopathology News, the APS Graduate Student Committee chooses a graduate student to be featured in a spotlight article. Applicants are chosen based on their involvement in APS as student members and their expected graduation dates. The committee strives to integrate students into society affairs and activities and recommends ways to address student concerns. Submit your application for consider- ation on the submission webpage.

Phytopathology News July 2021 14 Classifieds, continued from page 14 background investigation. Any offer made tact listed well before the closing date for is considered a tentative job offer pending an alternate method. All hardship applica- The specialized experience requirements for the outcome of the pre-employment check. tion packages must be complete and sub- the GS-12 level of this position include con- Retention in the position is based upon a mitted no later than noon ET on the clos- ducting research in the causal organisms of favorable adjudication of the background ing date of the announcement in order to postharvest diseases, the host defense mech- investigation. The incumbent will be sub- be entered into the system prior to its clos- anisms that protect against these organisms, ject to periodic reinvestigations. ing. or the pathogen–plant–environment inter- Confidential Financial Disclosure Re- This agency provides reasonable accom- actions that influence postharvest disease port: Federal employees are subject to pro- modation to applicants with disabilities on severity. hibitions against officially dealing with a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency GS-13: Applicants must demonstrate at outside organizations in which they have Contact to request this. least one full year of specialized experience a financial interest. If hired for this position, To begin, click “Apply” and follow the equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level you may be required to submit a financial instructions to complete the Assessment in the federal service. Specialized experience disclosure report within 30 days of the effec- Questionnaire and attach your resume and is experience directly related to the position tive date of your appointment and annually all required documents. to be filled. The specialized experience re- thereafter. NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, quirements for the GS-13 level of this posi- Career Transition Assistance Plan it replaces the previous submission, which tion include leading a research team in the (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List means the previous document is no longer causal organisms of postharvest diseases of (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition available to the Human Resources Office. sugar beet, the sugar beet defense mecha- Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM If you are adding to, rather than replacing a nisms that protect against these organisms, website for information on how to apply previous submission, you must upload both or the pathogen–plant–environment inter- as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible candi- the old document and the new document. actions that influence postharvest disease date. To exercise selection priority for this You must verify that uploaded documents severity. vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates from USAJOBS transfer into the agency’s Experience refers to paid and unpaid ex- must meet the basic eligibility requirements staffing system as there is a limitation to the perience, including volunteer work done and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP number of documents that can be trans- through national service programs (e.g., candidates must be rated and determined ferred. However, once in the agency’s staff- Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, etc.) and other to be well qualified (or above) based on an ing system, you will have the opportunity organizations (e.g., professional, philan- evaluation of the competencies listed in the to upload additional documents. Applicants thropic, religious, spiritual, community, How You Will Be Evaluated section. When may combine all like required documents student, or social). Volunteer work helps assessed through a score-based category rat- (e.g., SF-50s or veteran docs) into one or build critical competencies and can provide ing method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must more files and scan for uploading into the valuable training and experience that trans- receive a rating of at least 71 out of a pos- application. Each file must not exceed 3 MB. lates directly to paid employment. You will sible 100. Grouping like documents into files will sim- receive credit for all qualifying experience, Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may plify the application process. Documents including volunteer experience. be authorized. Final determination to pay must be in one of the following formats: Applicants must be available to report for an incentive will be made by the hiring of- GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word duty at the time a selection is made. ficial at time of job offer. (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signa- Education How to Apply ture, or other encryption to open. ■ Please see above for education qualifica- Please read the entire announcement and tion requirement information. all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and sub- Additional information mit all required documents electronically by Calendar The grade level is limited only by the in- 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the clos- dividual’s demonstrated ability to perform ing date of this announcement. research of recognized importance to science Applying online is highly encouraged. APS-SPONSORED EVENTS and technology. The final grade level may be We are available to assist you during busi- determined by a peer-review panel. ness hours (normally 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., JULY 2021 This position requires the selectee to un- Monday through Friday). If applying online dergo a pre-employment check and a full poses a hardship, contact the Agency Con- Webinar: Rapid, Simple Diagnostic Method for Insect-Transmitted Plant Pathogen and Insect Identification AUGUST 2021 Plant Health 2021 Online FIND THE LATEST JOBS IN PLANT PATHOLOGY Search online for new job opportunities in the field of plant pathology SEPTEMBER 2021 using the APS Job Center. Visit the APS Job Center. APS Caribbean Division Meeting

Phytopathology News July 2021 15 TRENDING SPOTLIGHT Phytopathology Pathways Controls the Interaction Between A Method for the Examination of Arabidopsis thaliana and the Beneficial Fun- Free Plant Health Progress Webinar SDHI Fungicide Resistance Mechanisms gus Colletotrichum tofieldiae Covers the Journal’s Most Downloaded in Phytopathogenic Fungi Using a Heter- H. Frerigmann, M. Piotrowski, R. Lemke, Article in 2020 ologous Expression System in Sclerotinia P. Bednarek, and P. Schulze-Lefert Karolina Pusz-Bochenska will present sclerotiorum Plant Health Progress the research behind a rapid, simple labora- J. Peng, H. Sang, T. J. Proffer, J. Gleason, In-Season Monitoring of Postharvest Rot tory and field-adaptable DNA extraction C. A. Outwater, G. Jung, and G. W. Sundin method that she and her colleagues devel- Pathogens on European Pears (Pyrus commu- oped. This new method allowed them to Comparative Genomic Analyses Reveal nis) in Southern Oregon and Subsequent identify both plant pathogen and insect Functional Insights into Key Determinants Management Strategies vector through molecular barcoding and of the Pathogenesis of Pectobacterium A. N. KC and A. L. Rasmussen actinidiae in Kiwifruit gene sequencing and reduced the time Sunflower Wilt Diseases: Charcoal Rot, Q. Lu, F. Yan, Y. Liu, Q. Li, M. Yang, and from collection of insects to a positive Phialophora Yellows, and Verticillium Wilt P. Liu identification of a pathogen from up to M. Ryley, T. Gulya, F. Mathew, S. Thompson, 2 weeks to less than 1 h. After her presenta- Assessment of the Effect of Thermother- C. Block, S. Markell, and R. Harveson tion, Karolina will answer questions about apy on ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ Effect of Resistance and Ethaboxam Seed the research and the method. Viability in Woody Tissue of Citrus via Treatment on the Management of Phytoph- Graft-Based Assays and RNA Assays thora Root Rot in Illinois and Iowa A New Disease Called Halo Blight N. Thapa, M. D. Danyluk, K. M. Gerberich, D. G. Cerritos-Garcia, J. P. Granda, Threatens Michigan Hop Production E. G. Johnson, and M. M. Dewdney R. Matthiessen, B. W. Diers, A. E. As hop production in Michigan ex- Plant Disease Robertson, and S. X. Mideros panded, growers began noticing leaf blight and shattered hop cones. They approached Colonization and Movement of Green Phytobiomes Fluorescent Protein-Labeled Clavibacter Michigan State University researchers, who Plant–Microbe Interactions: From nebraskensis in Maize observed a fungus growing in symptomatic Genes to Ecosystems Using Populus as a A. Mullens and T. M. Jamann leaves. They determined that the fungus Model System was causing the symptoms and that it was Bedding Plant Production and the Chal- M. A. Cregger, D. L. Carper, S. Christel, a novel species. lenge of Fungal Diseases M. J. Doktycz, J. Labbé, J. K. Michener, et al. V. Guarnaccia, F. P. Hand, A. Garibaldi, and Sorghum Root Flavonoid Chemistry, Submit to the MPMI 2022 Focus Issue M. L. Gullino by July 24, 2021! Cultivar, and Frost Stress Effects on Rhizo- Validation of a Decision Support System Jacquie Bede sphere Bacteria and Fungi Focus Issue Editors , for Blueberry Anthracnose and Fungicide Kenichi Tsuda, and Jeanne Harris invite M. Cloutier, D. Chatterjee, D. Elango, Sensitivity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides J. Cui, M. A. Bruns, and S. Chopra research and review articles that explore Isolates The Impact of Stand Age and Fertili- the complex interactions between plants, A. B. Gama, L. G. Cordova, C. S. Rebello, ■ zation on the Soil Microbiome of Miscan- microbes, and the abiotic environment. and N. A. Peres thus × giganteus MPMI L. Ma, F. I. Rocha, J. Lee, J. Choi, M. Tejera, Maintaining Symbiotic Homeostasis: and T. Sooksa-Nguan How Do Plants Engage with Beneficial PhytoFrontiersTM Microorganisms While at the Same Time apsjournals.apsnet.org Development and Use of a Seedling Restricting Pathogens? Growth Retardation Assay to Quantify D. Thoms, Y. Liang, and C. H. Haney and Map Loci Underlying Variation in Insights into Metabolic Changes Caused the Maize Basal Defense Response by the Trichoderma virens–Maize Root Y. Wang, J. Holland, and P. Balint-Kurti Interaction Dickeya dianthicola Is Not Vectored by R. Schweiger, F. Padilla-Arizmendi, Two Common Insect Pests of Potatoes G. Nogueira-López, M. Rostás, R. Lawry, J. Insinga, A. Alyokhin, J. Hao, T. Ge, C. Brown, et al. N. Marangoni, and A. Baron ■ A Network of Phosphate Starvation and Immune-Related Signaling and Metabolic

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