Postharvest chitosan sprays reduce bitter rot and blue mold on apple fruit.

Chitosan is a natural product that has potential use in agriculture for managing diseases. Chitosan has been shown to effectively suppress storage rots when applied postharvest. Application of chitosan pre- and postharvest has potential to manage both latent and postharvest rots but these effects are not well studied.

Evaluation of Endospore-Forming Bacteria for Suppression of Postharvest Decay of Apple Fruit.

The use of microbial biocontrol agents for control of postharvest disease has been the subject of intensive research over the past three decades resulting in commercialization of several biocontrol products. The objective of this research was to test endospore-forming bacteria collected from apple leaves for suppression of bitter rot and blue mold on apple. Bacteria were collected from abandoned, low-input, organic, and conventionally managed orchards in Pennsylvania and were screened for their ability to produce endospores, hydrolyze chitin, reduce pathogen growth in vitro, and suppress postharvest disease in vivo.

Inhibition of Growth and Suppression of Gray Mold on Petunia Leaves Using Chitosan.

Exogenous application of chitosan has been shown to reduce plant disease severity in food crops; however, less is known about the potential use of chitosan in floriculture. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of chitosan to suppress gray mold on petunia leaves caused by using in vitro and in planta approaches. We also aimed to determine if chitosan molecular weight influences efficacy.

Evaluation of Disease Severity and Molecular Relationships Between Isolates on Species in New Hampshire.

Quinoa is a potential new crop for New England; however, its susceptibility to downy mildew, caused by , is a key obstacle for cultivation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate differential resistance within the genus, identify novel sources of resistance for use in future genetic studies or breeding programs, and investigate phylogenetic relationships of isolates from different hosts. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a resistant variety of quinoa to be grown in New England.

Risk of Spreading Soft Rot Through Cutting Dips Against Whiteflies in Greenhouse-Grown Poinsettia.

Dipping is a quick and cost-effective technique to reduce pest infestations on unrooted cuttings of greenhouse ornamental crops. Large numbers of cuttings are immersed in an insecticidal treatment, e.g.

Finding the Gaps: An Assessment of Concepts, Skills, and Employer Expectations for Plant Pathology Foundational Courses.

Foundational plant pathology courses, taught at the undergraduate level, serve students from a wide array of disciplines, and for most will be the only plant pathology course taken. This work examined the content, skills, and delivery modes of undergraduate plant pathology courses at a national scale, and assessed employer expectations for these courses and for students entering the workforce with degrees in plant science-related disciplines. While content knowledge coverage among plant pathology courses was generally consistent and aligned well with employers' knowledge expectations, delivery modes and skill development components were more variable and less aligned.

Assessment of Application Timing of Bacillus spp. to Suppress Pre- and Postharvest Diseases of Apple.

Four isolates of Bacillus spp. were tested in a 2-year field study for biological control of pre- and postharvest diseases of apple. For the preharvest test, bacteria were applied to 'Golden Delicious' and 'Rome Beauty' trees in May or May and June.