Research Topics
Department of Plant Pathology
Ph.D. (1964) University of California, Davis
Research Topics
Research Interests
Our laboratory is studying plant-microorganism interactions at the cellular and molecular levels. We are interested in further studying how genes function at the molecular level in soybean disease resistance and how microorganisms infect soybean plants. The Rps genes in soybean govern the recognition of and response to Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea. These genes function as single, dominant genes for soybean resistance to various races of this fungal pathogen. To this end we have discovered a glucan elicitor of phytoalexin production in Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea cultures and studied the phytoalexins in soybean that are elicited by this glucan.
The effect of stress on gene expression (glyceollin accumulation) has been related to disease susceptibility in soybeans. We found glyceollin inhibits electron transport in soybean mitochondria, inhibits membrane ATPase, and deters insect feeding on soybeans. We have studies glyceollin production in soybean tissue cultures. We are interested in further studying how genes function at the molecular level in soybean disease resistance and how microorganisms infect soybean plants.
Studies of nodulation and mycorrhizal infection of soybeans are being carried out to better understand the molecular control of interactions between soybeans and microorganisms. An effort of the laboratory over the last twelve years has been to develop Erwinia herbicola as a seed protectant against Phytophthora. The seeds are coated with the bacteria and when the seeds germinate, the bacteria colonize the developing root system. Field trials have shown that the Erwinia improves crop yield by better than 10% and is more effective in the long run that either fungicide or genetic resistance to Phytophthora. Studies are underway to extend the use of Erwinia to control fungal infections in other crops.
Key Words Disease Models, Animal Cell and/or Tissue Culture, Image Analysis,
Pharmaceuticals, Host/Parasite Interactions, Microbial Physiology, Biodegradation,
Active Sites and Receptors, Separations Technology, Natural Products, Plant
Cell and/or Tissue Culture, Plant/Pathogen Interactions
Current Research Funding
Hatch, USDA, American Soybean Association