as a Potential Vector of , the Causal Agent of Sweetpotato Black Rot, in Storage Facilities.

, the causal agent of sweetpotato black rot, is a pathogen capable of developing and spreading within postharvest settings. A survey of North Carolina sweetpotato storage facilities was conducted to determine the arthropods present and identify potential vectors of . Sixteen taxonomic categories were recovered, and the genus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) accounted for 79% of individuals sampled, with being the most abundant species.

Effector Repertoire of the Sweetpotato Black Rot Fungal Pathogen .

In 2015, sweetpotato producers in the United States experienced one of the worst outbreaks of black rot recorded in history, with up to 60% losses reported in the field and packing houses and at shipping ports. Host resistance remains the ideal management tool to decrease crop losses. Lack of knowledge of biology represents a critical barrier for the deployment of resistance to black rot in sweetpotato.

Effects of Water Temperature, Inoculum Concentration and Age, and Sanitizers on Infection of , Causal Agent of Black Rot in Sweetpotato.

Black rot, caused by , is a devastating postharvest disease of sweetpotato that recently re-emerged in 2014. Although the disease is known to develop in storage and during export to overseas markets, little is known as to how pathogen dispersal occurs. This study was designed to investigate dump tank water as a means of dispersal through four different types of water treatments: inoculum concentration (0, 5, 5 × 10, 5 × 10, and 5 × 10 spores/ml), inoculum age (0, 24, 48, 96, and 144 h), water temperature (10°C, 23°C, 35°C, and 45°C), and presence of a water sanitizer (DryTec, SaniDate, FruitGard, and Selectrocide).