Etiology, epidemiology, and control of potato virus diseases with reduced dependence on pesticides

Introduction

My professional goal is to develop methods to control plant virus diseases that reduce or eliminate our current dependence on the use of pesticides

1.  Development of an improved method for detection and differentiation of strains of potato virus Y (PVY).
2.  Development of a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for detection of potato purple top phytoplasma.
3.  Identification of Russian thistle as an alternate host of the purple top phytoplasma.
4.  Association of the potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) with a disease of chipping potatoes called “Zebra Chip”.
5.  Demonstrated that the various strains of potato virus Y (PVY) are widespread in certified seed potatoes grown in various parts of the US and Canada.