Plant Pathology
Welcome New Members
Isury N. Palma Mayorga joins the Plant Pathology Lab as an OPS Technician
July 27-30: American Phytopathological Society Meeting
The Lab X had a strong presence at the APS 2024 Plant Health Meeting, held from July 27-30 in Memphis, TN. As the largest plant pathology conference in the U.S., Plant Health brings together researchers from across the country. Vitor Moura received a travel award and presented his research during the Population Biology and Genetics technical session. Dr. Larissa Ferreira and Fernanda Silva also gave presentations, showcasing their work on an emerging bacterial disease affecting sweet corn and an inoculation protocol for sugarcane rust, respectively.
Extension and public engagement events
Our extension efforts have been active, Dr. Katia Xavier was invited to present at two corn field days in Live Oak (NFREC) and St. Augustine (FDACS), and at the snap beans growers' meetings in Belle Glade (EREC). We also participated in a public engagement event, hosting a school demonstration day at New Horizons elementary school for 3rd graders, introducing them to the world of plant pathology.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Larissa Carvalho Ferreira received Outstanding Postdoc Award during the 2024 UF Postdoc Appreciation Week.
New research projects
We are excited to announce a new project on “Sustainable solutions for Fusarium wilt affecting lettuce production”, funded by the FDACS 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Alba Myers, a master’s student, will lead the project in collaboration with Dr. German Sandoya and Ms. Anna Meszaros.
Recent publications
We are excited to announce two recent research publications:
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii Race 4 Threatening Celery Production in South Florida
Fernanda Silva's research on Colletotrichum falcatum causing red rot in sugarcane was selected as the cover story at Journal of Fungi.
In addition, two new EDIS publications are now available:
