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Robert A. SpottsProfessor,
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Preharvest and postharvest tree fruit pathology; biology and epidemiology of pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
Research on diseases of fruit trees involves development of techniques to monitor populations of pathogens, computerized collection of weather data, and use of controlled environments to develop disease forecasting systems. Molecular techniques such as PCR and ELISA are used in early detection, pathogen identification, and monitoring. Postharvest diseases of fruit are a constant threat. Biology of decay pathogens is studied to detect points of vulnerability. Control of decay includes research with disinfestation systems, resistance to fungicides, biocontrol, and heat.
Kelly Wallis
Gordon McCarty
Lene Martins (MS expected 2008, Co-advising with Dr. Adele McLeod, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/mcarec/
Spotts, R.A., Sholberg, P.L., Randall, P., Serdani, M., and Chen, P.M. 2007. Effects of 1-MCP and hexanal on decay of d'Anjou pear fruit in long term cold storage. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 44:101-106
Serdani, M., and Spotts, R.A. 2007. First report of blossom blight and green fruit rot of sweet cherry caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary in Oregon . Plant Disease 91:1058.
Spotts, R.A., Wallis, K.M., Serdani, M., O'Gorman, D.T., and Sholberg, P.L. 2008. Methodology for determining relationships between inoculum concentrations of Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum and stem end decay of pear fruit. Plant Dis. 92:451-455.
Henriquez, J. L., Sugar, D., and Spotts, R. A. 2008. Effects of environmental factors and cultural practices on bull's eye rot of pear. Plant Dis. 92:421-424.
