Botany & Plant Pathology

Plant pathology is the study of plant disease and the pathogens that cause disease. By its nature, plant pathology is a multidisciplinary field that integrates microbiology, plant science, environmental science and other disciplines. New knowledge generated by research is used to further the discipline of plant pathology and to develop new and effective means of disease management for our stakeholders.
 
The Department of Plant Pathology carries out both basic and applied research on all major pathogen groups, and much of this research is tied to one or more of the many commodities in Michigan. Examples of research areas include fundamental biology of plant pathogens, genetics and molecular biology of disease resistance, plant disease management, epidemiology, plant pathogen ecology, and biological control. Through our research, extension and education programs, we are also working to develop cost effective and sustainable disease control measures that are needed by Michigan plant agriculture and natural resource industries.

Research in Plant Pathology is integrated across a variety of disciplines that are used to study plant diseases and plant pathogens. Plant Pathology research at MSU follows the natural continuum from fundamental research to research directed at solving specific disease problems. The interaction between fundamental and applied research enhances the understanding of these disease problems and facilitates development of new knowledge and solutions. Research in Plant Pathology is integrated across a variety of disciplines and approaches that are used to study plant diseases and plant pathogens. The research programs can be defined in terms of pathogen type or commodity. Each member of the faculty has expertise in one or more pathogen group, in one of more areas of scientific approach, and often works across commodity lines. Plant Pathology research at MSU follows the natural continuum from basic research to research directed at solving specific disease problems. The interaction between basic and applied research enhances the understanding of these disease problems and facilitates development of new knowledge and solutions.

The research programs of individual faculty often combine both basic research and applied research to understand and solve disease problems. Some examples of basic research projects include studies on the molecular basis of antibiotic resistance in the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora, population genetics of Phytophthora capsici on vine crops, biochemical and molecular basis of induced disease resistance in cucurbits, use of hypovirulence as a biological control of fungal diseases, and work with recombinant antibodies as a tool for enhancing disease resistance. Each of the basic research projects not only provides knowledge that advances the field of plant pathology, but is also targeted at finding long-term solutions to disease. Our applied research programs are aimed at finding solutions to more urgent disease problems and include the evaluation of cultural, chemical and biological tools of disease management. Some examples include the use of disease resistance to help manage fungicide applications for potato late blight, developing strategies to reduce the onset of fungicide resistance in numerous fungal pathogens, and use and development of predictive models for disease control. Important to the success of all of our research programs is the free flow of ideas and information between the basic and applied research projects. Many of the research projects also involve collaborations within the department as well as with other departments at MSU.
 
Extension Plant Pathology at Michigan State University provides leadership in the development and implementation of innovative, sustainable, and effective disease management strategies that have been crucial to the profitability of our agricultural commodities and industries. Field and laboratory studies seek to understand and find solutions to diseases caused by endemic plant pathogens (e.g. Fusarium head blight of wheat and fire blight of apple) and those resulting from new and emerging pathogens (e.g. Phytophthora species on a wide range of crops). Our research serves as the basis for our educational extension programs that include field, county, and regional meetings, demonstration trials, and electronic communication serving Michigan growers, county agents, and consultants. In addition, information generated by our research is pertinent to other states within our growing region and those areas in the U.S. and throughout the world that have comparable climatic conditions and cropping systems. Plant pathology faculty work directly with, for example, commodity groups, growers, urban clientele, consultants, government agencies, and other researchers and extension specialists to help solve problems through research and extension programs for the state of Michigan. Plant Pathologists also work closely with the Interdisciplinary Diagnostic Clinic to assist in providing prompt and accurate diagnoses and recommendations. Extension Plant Pathology has also provided the leadership in the development of strategic plans for the carrot and asparagus industries and participated in the grape and blueberry planning sessions. These plans involved the input of university, county, industry and government.