Nancy G. Wenner , M.S.

Program Interests - Research Projects

I now work with Dr. Gretchen Kuldau and her students investigating mycotoxins and other fungal metabolites.  Our project “Mycotoxins: Biosecurity and Food Safety,” is affectionately nicknamed, “The Cereal Killers,” as we evaluate corn, wheat, and sometimes silage or other substrates for mycotoxin development or contamination.  The project encompasses a wide range of research, from molecular and chemical bench science to applied chamber, greenhouse, and field trials.  We utilize an array of research methods to merge observational studies in mycology and microscopy, with infection and growth studies, which we then evaluate by chromatography and/or molecular means.  My projects in recent years have included HPLC studies on zearalenone & fumonisin, GC (ECD) studies to detect deoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside in wheat.  My responsibilities include everything from laboratory management and safety, writing and photographic documentation for protocols & manuscripts, to wheat field trial rating and evaluations, fungal studies, and chromatography instruction, operation, troubleshooting and repair.

Fungal Studies & Grape Disease Research

In my preceding project I worked with Dr. Elwin Stewart on the NSF PEET and the PDA Clean (Grape) Vine projects.  On the PEET (Partnership for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy) project, we worked with several students investigating the phylogenetics of Hypocrealean fungi using DNA extraction, sequencing, and molecular taxonomy.  On the grape project, we investigated the organisms and the circumstances leading to vine decline in grapes, conducted a 3-year vine decline survey evaluating the health of PA & NY vineyards, and isolated and identified the organisms associated with vine decline.  This work culminated in the PA Clean Vine program where I learned grape meristem-shoot-tip propagation and developed many cultivars of aseptically propagated ‘clean’ vines through tissue culture.

Conifer Disease Research & Christmas Trees

In my first project at Penn State, I worked closely with Dr. Bill Merrill on Christmas Trees investigating “Causes, Factors Affecting Development, and Effects of Diseases on Conifer Regeneration.”  We initiated the annual PSU Christmas Tree Pest Management Short Course and taught other short courses and extension programs throughout the Northeast.  Our research focused on conifer foliar needlecasts and blights, but included other conifer diseases such as cankers, galls, shoot diebacks, and root rots as well.  We were also able to determine that the sporadic browning and dieback of Pinus strobus foliage sometimes reported as Ozone or other abiotic damage in the Northeast and in Acadia National Park was actually attributable to infection by a needlecast organism, Canavirgella banfieldii, which is quickly overtaken and masked by secondary organisms.

Interests

Plant Pathology, Photography, Microphotography, Chromatography-HPLC & GC, Mycology & Horticulture.

Publications

Research

Stewart, E.L., B.E. Overton, and N.G. Wenner. 2008.  Towards a Clean Grapevine Program for the Mid-Atlantic: How To---Detect Petri disease, Tomato Ring Spot Virus, Crown Gall in Grape using Molecular Methods and Initiate a Grape Meristem Tip Culture Program.

Morton, L., N.G. Wenner, E.L. Stewart, and B.E. Overton. 2005.  Fungi isolated from failing graft unions with necrotic lesions. 4th International Workshop on Grapevine Trunk Diseases. Abstracts. P. 24. Stellenbosch, SA. 20-21 January 2005.

Overton, B. E., E.L. Stewart, X. Qu, N.G. Wenner, B.J. Christ. 2004.  Qualitative Real-time PCR SYBR Green detection of Petri disease fungi. Phytopathologia Mediterranea 43: 403-410.

Long, L.A., E.L. Stewart, N.G. Wenner, and B.E. Overton.  2003.  Molecular systematics of phialophora-like Fungi from declining grapevines.  (Abstr.)  Phytopathology 93:S54  Publication #:  P-2003-0593-AMA (same title as previous, but different content)

Stewart, E.L., N.G. Wenner, L.A. Long, and B.E. Overton.  2003. Petri and esca disease fungi in declining grapevines in Pennsylvania and New York. (Abstr.) Phytopathology 93: S81 Publication #: P-2003-0391-AMA.

Stewart, E.L., N.G. Wenner, and B. Hed. 2003.  First Report of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora on Vitis vinifera, Vitis lambrusca, and French American Hybrids in Pennsylvania and New York. Plant Disease 87: 750.

Merrill, W., N.G. Wenner, and J. O'Donnell. 1997.  "Canavirgella banfieldii needlecast of Pinus strobus in Michigan." Plant Disease 81:231.

Merrill, W., N.G. Wenner, and R. Kelley. 1997.  "Delphinella balsameae tip blight of Abies lasiocarpa in Vermont." Plant Disease 81:229.

Wenner, N.G., and W. Merrill. 1997.  "Phyllosticta multicorniculata on Abies spp. in the northeastern U.S. " Plant Disease 81:230.

Merrill, W., N.G. Wenner,and T.A. Dreisbach. 1996.  "Canavirgella banfieldii gen. & sp. nov.: A needlecast on pine." Can. J. Bot. 74: 1476-1481.

Merrill, W., and N.G. Wenner. 1996.  "Biotic agents associated with ozone-damaged foliage of Pinus strobus in the northeastern U.S." pp. 61-67- In: R. Cox, K. Percy, K. Jensen, & C. Simpson (compilers). Air Pollution and Multiple Stresses .  Can. For. Serv. Atlantic Centre, Fredericton, NB. 402 p.

Extension

Wenner, Nancy G. & Elwin L. Stewart.  2007.  “Coming Clean – Grape Meristem Tip
Culture.”  Wine East:  May/June  35(1) 10-23 & 56.

Stewart, E.L., N.G. Wenner, L. Long, and B.E. Overton. 2005.  Crown gall of grape: understanding the disease, prevention and management.  Stewart, E.L. and N.G. Wenner. 2004.  Website: grape.cas.psu.edu  (Link to PDF brochure on project website)

Grapevine Decline in Pennsylvania and New York . Wine East: July-Aug 32(2) 12-21 & 51.

Stewart, E.L., J.W. Travis, N.G. Wenner, B.E. Hed, M.l. Chien, and A.J. Muza. 2001.

Grapevine Decline in Pennsylvania and New York : A Guide to Symptoms and Understanding the Disease. Informational bulletin © The Pennsylvania State University 2001.

Albers, M., J. Albers, J. Cummings-Carlson, L. Haugen, and N. Wenner. 1996. Pest Alert: Rhizosphaera Needle Disease of Fir. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Northeastern Area. NA-PR-06-96.

Albers, M., J. Albers, J. Cummings-Carlson, L. Haugen, and N. Wenner. 1996. How to Identify and Manage Needlecast Diseases on Balsam Fir. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Northeastern Area. NA-FR-02-96. 10 pages.

Thesis

Wenner, N.G. 1987. The effect of chlorothalonil on the infection of Scots pine by Cyclaneusma minus. MS thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, 19 p.© 2011 College of Agricultural Sciences Copyright