Our lab studies current and emerging fungal and bacterial diseases of perennial crops and develops practical disease management programs for California growers. Our work focuses on the biology, ecology, diagnosis, and control of pathogens affecting grapevine, kiwi, olive, persimmon, apple, pear, avocado, citrus, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, and caneberry. We combine field diagnostics, molecular detection, and applied research to address trunk diseases, fruit rots, cankers, and other important production problems.
Our program includes annual field trials to evaluate fungicides and biological products for powdery mildew, Botrytis bunch rot, summer bunch rot, and sour rot of wine and table grapes, as well as pear scab. We also conduct in vitro spiral gradient fungicide screening to generate current performance data for California growers and for companies testing existing and new products. Through close collaboration with growers, pest control advisors, farm advisors, and industry partners, we provide rapid-response diagnostics, training, and cooperative extension programs that support healthy crops, strong yields, and sound disease management decisions.
Current Projects
-Screening fungicide resistance and evaluating fitness of Botrytis populations in California table grapes-Management of sour rot complex of table grapes- Management of powdery mildew on table grapes-Screening Fungicides to Control Pear Scab and Detection of Fungicide Resistance in Populations of Venturia pyrina in California Pear Orchards-Protecting California Apple and Pear from Branch Canker Diseases: Epidemiology and IPM Solutions-Investigating the etiology, epidemiology and management of Aspergillus vine canker and summer bunch rot (sour rot) of grapevine |
Grapevine Trunk Diseases are the most prevalent diseases of grapevine throughout all grapevine growing areas in California. They reduce the lifespan of vineyards and increase the cost of winegrape production. Our lab has been working on epidemiology and integrated pest management strategies for pathogens that cause grapevine trunk diseases in California |
Investigating the etiology, epidemiology and management of branch canker diseases of apple and pear in California. |
Investigating the Cause of Sudden Vine Collapse in California. https://americanvineyardmagazine.com/uc-davis-experts-investigate-cause-of-sudden-grapevine-collapse/ |
-Investigating the cause of kiwi canker diseases in CA |
-Investigating the effect of soil inoculum density of Fusarium wilt and Charcoal rot of strawberry. |
-Pear scab fungicide efficacy trial |
-Investigating the cause of branch canker diseases of Pear |
-Investigating the cause of leaf blotch and fruit spot of Apple in California |
Fruit Crop Fungicide trials use conventional/novel programs to treat powdery mildew, Botrytis bunch rot, summer bunch rot (sour rot) of table grapes and pear scab, |
In vitro Fungicide Screening Using Spiral Gradient Dilution Method |