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New plant diseases caused by fungal, viral and bacterial pathogens are appearing at a rapid rate in the United States. Three recent examples of this include soybean rust, citrus canker and citrus greening. Many of these new diseases first move into the southern United States and then move northward on wind currents or contaminated seed or transplants. Early detection and identification of the pathogen is crucial to the managing of these diseases. Our lab focuses on identifying and detecting plant pathogens and biocontrol organisms using molecular, serological and classical techniques.
..........................................................Current Projects ..............................................................
Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans Angular leaf spot (ALS) is a seedborne disease that can occur on most cucurbits and can affect all parts of the plant including the fruit. Over the last several years growers have been unable to effectively manage the disease using copper-based bactericides and resistant cultivars. Identification of this disease is currently based on visual observations of disease symptoms. Our lab is in the process of developing a rapid DNA-based technique to identify P. syringae pv. lachrymans.
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Xanthomonas gardneri Bacterial leaf spot (BLS) is a consistent problem in the Midwestern United States in both fresh market and processing tomatoes. The disease is caused by a species complex consisting of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. perforans and X. gardneri. Since 2009, BLS has become more severe in processing tomatoes in Ohio with new and problematic symtpoms developing on the fruit. Our lab currently has studies underway to identify the distribution of X. gardneri throughout Ohio and assess the copper sensitivity of all Xanthomonas species identified in this study.
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Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis
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New Vector Transmission Aster yellows disease is transmitted by leafhoppers. Recently symptoms resembling aster yellows disease have been seen on tomatoes grown in greenhouses that have had psyllid infestations. Using PCR assays and ribosomal DNA gene sequencing our lab is working to determine if psyllids are in fact a vector for aster yellows phytoplasma.
..........................................................Recent Publications..............................................................
Lewis Ivey, M.L., Tusiime, G., and Miller, S.A. 2010. A Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum in Banana. Plant Dis. 94:109-114. [pdf]
Baysal-Gurel, F., Lewis Ivey, M.L., Dorrance, A.,.....and Miller, S.A. 2008. An Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Urediniospores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Plant Dis. 92:1387-1393. [pdf]
Lewis Ivey, M.L., Mc Spadden Gardener, B.B., Opina, N., and Miller, S.A. 2007. Diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum Infecting Eggplant in the Philippines. Phytopathology. 97: 1467-1475. [pdf]
Opina, N. L. and Miller, S. A, 2005. Evaluation of immunoassays for detection of Ralstonia solanacearum, causal agent of bacterial wilt of tomato and eggplant in the Philippines. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 695: 353-356. [pdf]
Lewis Ivey, M. L., Nava Diaz, C. and Miller, S.A. 2004. Identification and management of Colletotrichum acutatum on immature bell peppers. Plant Dis. 88:1198-1204. [pdf]
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Questions, Comments or Concerns about this site? Send email to Melanie Lewis Ivey