Department of Botany and Plant Pathology

Robert G. Linderman Professor (Courtesy), Ph.D., 1967, University of California, Berkeley lindermr@science.oregonstate.edu   Office/Lab: USDA Horticultural crops Research Unit Phone: 541-738-4062

Research Area

Root pathology, mycorrhizae, and biocontrol.

Description of Research

Healthy roots greatly affect plant growth and rhizosphere microorganisms such as pathogens, damage roots, while root-colonizing mycorrhizal fungi and associated rhizobacteria make roots healthier. Our goal is to develop the technology to inoculate crop plant roots with beneficial microbes to protect them from pathogens, increase nutrient and water uptake capacity under stressful conditions, and thereby improve the health and growth of roots and plants.

Publications

Linderman, R.G., L.W. Moore, K.F. Baker and D.A. Cooksey. 1983. Strategies for detecting and characterizing systems for biological control of soilborne plant pathogens. Plant Dis. 67:1058-1064.

Linderman, R.G. 1988. Mycorrhizal interactions with the rhizosphere micro-flora: The mycorrhizosphere effect. Phytopathology 78:366-371.

Linderman, R.G. 1992. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae and soil microbial interactions. pp. 45-70. In: G.J. Bethlenfalony and R.G. Linderman, eds. Mycorrhizae in Sustainable Agriculture. ASA Special Publ. No. 54, Madison, WI.

Fernando, W.G.D. and R.G. Linderman. 1994. Chemical control of Phytophthora vignae stem and root rot of cowpeas. Plant Disease 78: 967-971

Linderman, R.G. 1996. Managing soilborne diseases: the microbial connection. Pages 3-20 in Management of Soil-Borne Diseases, V.K. Gupta and R.Utkhede (eds). Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana (PB) India

Linderman, R.G. 1997. VA mycorrhizal fungi. Pages 117-128 in The Mycota Series, K. Esser and P.A. Lemke (eds), Vol. VI, Plant Relationships, G. Carrol and P.Tudzynsski (eds). Springer-Verlag, NY

Scagel, C. F. and R. G. Linderman. 2001. Modification of root IAA concentrations, tree growth and survival by application of plant growth regulating substances to container-grown conifers. New Forests 21:159-186.

Linderman, R. G. and E. A. Davis. 2001. Comparative response of selected grapevine rootstocks and cultivars to inoculation with different mycorrhizal fungi. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 52:8-11.

Cantrell, I. C. and R. G. Linderman. 2001. Preinoculation of lettuce and onion with VA mycorrhizal fungi reduces deleterious effects of soil salinity. Plant and Soil 233:269-281.

Linderman, R. G. and E. A. Davis. 2001. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza and plant growth response to soil amendment with composted grape pomace or its water extract. Hort Technology

Linderman, R. G. 2001. Mycorrhizae: Hidden allies of plant roots and soils. Colorado Green Spring: 41-45.