Lee Schisler, professor emeritus of plant pathology, dies at 93

October 29, 2021

Lee Schisler, professor emeritus in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, died on October 27 at the age of 93.

Pioneering Penn State virologist Marilyn Roossinck retires

October 15, 2021

After a fascinating and productive scientific career, Penn State professor Marilyn Roossinck, a trailblazing researcher in virology, has announced her decision to retire.

Penn State potato research program chips in with valuable insights for industry

October 15, 2021

Pennysylvania's potato growers depend on the potato research program in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences to help improve the quality and quantity of their crops while staying abreast of consumer trends.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Warm Fall Weather

October 14, 2021

Don Seifrit, Kari Peter, Greg Krawczyk, and Rob Crassweller are together again to discuss seasonal weather, coloration at harvest, stinging insects in fields, and late-season fungicide applications. Rob highlights an upcoming Penn State Extension event on October 27, 2021, Variety Showcase Field Day, about cultivar selections and tasting.

Graduate students receive grants from Northeast SARE

October 11, 2021

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program selected proposals of four plant pathology graduate students for the 2021 Graduate Student Grant Awards. SARE offers competitive grants to projects that explore and address key issues affecting the sustainability and future economic viability of agriculture.

Plant pathologists at Penn State head investigation into tar spot disease in Pa.

October 1, 2021

Plant pathologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are keeping a watchful eye on a corn disease new to Pennsylvania that has the potential to cause significant yield loss and reduce grain quality.

U.S. soybean, corn yields could be increased through use of machine learning

September 29, 2021

Research guided by a plant pathologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences suggests that machine-learning algorithms that are programmed to recognize changing weather patterns could show producers and agricultural managers how to increase soybean and corn yields in the United States.

USDA grant supports Penn State research on mushroom industry automation

September 28, 2021

A nearly $4 million grant awarded to Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will support an interdisciplinary, multi-university team of researchers as they investigate technologies designed to address labor shortages on mushroom farms.

Sutherland takes first place in FFAR Fellows Lightning Talk Competition

September 17, 2021

Jeremy Sutherland, a graduate student in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, won first place in the 2021 Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Fellow Lightning Talk Competition.

Graduate Professional and Student Association confirms presidential appointments

September 17, 2021

The Penn State Graduate Professional and Student Association announced their presidential appointments at the September 1 assembly meeting. Appointments include Delegate for the College of Agricultural Sciences, Ram Neupane - a graduate student in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Post-Hurricane Harvest

September 8, 2021

Don Seifrit, Kari Peter, Greg Krawczyk, and Rob Crassweller confer about which cultivars are ripening around the state. Rob talks about paraquat application. Greg outlines some of the important end-of-season insect pests and management, and Kari discusses post-harvest rots and their management.

Department welcomes 2021 graduate student cohort

August 27, 2021

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently welcomed eight new graduate students.

Herbert Cole, Jr., professor emeritus of plant pathology, dies at 88

August 20, 2021

Herbert Cole, Jr., professor emeritus in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, died on August 19 at the age of 88.

Plant pathology professor receives Excellence in Teaching Award

August 19, 2021

María del Mar Jiménez-Gasco, professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, received this year’s Excellence in Teaching Award presented by the American Phytopathological Society. The honor came during the group’s annual meeting, Plant Health 2021, held virtually Aug. 2-6.

Castro passes Ph.D. comprehensive exam

August 16, 2021

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Johanny Castro for passing their comprehensive examination.

Penn State Postdoctoral Society announces annual awards

August 11, 2021

Ananda Bandara, a postdoctoral scholar in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been selected as the recipient of the Penn State Postdoctoral Society's 2021 Outstanding Postdoc Award.

Penn State Extension Victory Garden Program supports Latino community

August 11, 2021

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners expected there would be a renewed interest in home gardening in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, they developed the 10-part “Victory Garden Reinvented!” webinar series to support gardeners across the country.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Introducing Dr. Long He, Agriculture Engineer, Penn State — plus current concerns for the season

August 3, 2021

Don Seifrit, Kari Peter, Greg Krawczyk, and Rob Crassweller are joined for the first time by Dr. Long He, Penn State agriculture engineer. Dr. He describes his work and background and talks about future projects. Kari, Greg, and Rob also discuss current season concerns.

Sutherland passes Ph.D. comprehensive exam

July 28, 2021

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Jeremy Sutherland for passing their comprehensive examination.

Plant pathology student receives American Society for Enology and Viticulture scholarship

July 27, 2021

Jamie Spychalla, a plant pathology graduate student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, recently received a scholarship from the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Mid-Season Concerns and Weather Station Installation

June 29, 2021

Don Seifrit, Kari Peter, Greg Krawczyk and Rob Crassweller talk about what growers should be keeping an eye on during mid-season development, including the end of periodical cicadas for 2021. They also discuss how one should go about finding a weather station to install on-farm. Special consideration is given to having a station with compatibility to the NEWA system from Cornell University: http://newa.cornell.edu/

Team pitching hemp crop row covers to replace plastic wins Ag Springboard

June 18, 2021

A pair of recent Penn State graduates planning to manufacture and sell crop row covers made of hemp fiber — instead of the typical plastic — won $7,500 toward their venture in the College of Agricultural Sciences’ 2021 Ag Springboard student business pitch contest.

Four honored for commitment to diversity in College of Agricultural Sciences

June 15, 2021

Four individuals have received the 2021 Dr. William Henson Diversity Achievement Award from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, an honor that recognizes distinctive and outstanding teaching, research, extension or creative work that advances diversity in the college.

Graduate student receives British Ecological Society award

June 14, 2021

Caylon Yates, a graduate student in the Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, has been selected as a recipient for the 2020-21 British Ecological Society award.

Yates passes Ph.D. comprehensive exam

June 9, 2021

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Caylon Yates for passing their comprehensive examination.

How virus detectives trace the origins of an outbreak – and why it’s so tricky

June 7, 2021

Professor and virologist Marilyn J. Roossinck discusses how virus detectives trace the origins of an outbreak and why it’s so tricky.

Postdoctoral scholar joins Rosa lab

June 4, 2021

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology welcomes new postdoctoral scholar, Suraj Kar, who joined the Rosa lab last month.

Researchers develop prototype of robotic device to pick, trim button mushrooms

June 2, 2021

Researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have developed a robotic mechanism for mushroom picking and trimming and demonstrated its effectiveness for the automated harvesting of button mushrooms.

Startup's recent success tied to Penn State entrepreneurial ecosystem

May 28, 2021

In the past year, State College-based Phospholutions has grown from seven to 20 employees, and recently raised $10.3 million in venture capital funding to support the development and growth of its RhizoSorb soil-enhancement technology across market segments and expand to global markets.

Cutting edge: Clinics at Penn State help citizens, industry solve lawn problems

May 26, 2021

When the grass is not greener on your side of the fence, plant pathologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences may be able to provide the information needed to bring your lawn back to life.