2022 Disease Update: Prevent Bitter Rot on Apple

June 15, 2022

We have entered the time when bitter rot management on apples begins. Considering we have been experiencing frequent rain showers and very warm weather, these are ideal conditions for the bitter rot fungi to wreak havoc in the orchard.

Plant pathology graduate student receives prestigious research fellowship

June 14, 2022

Olanrewaju Shittu, a doctoral candidate in the Penn State Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, has been named a Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Fellow for 2022-2025.

Plant pathology grad student receives NSF fellowship to study grapevine disease

June 13, 2022

A graduate student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a three-year Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation, valued at more than $100,000, to study how climate change is affecting diseases that rot grapes.

Penn State Extension mushroom disorder fact sheets now available online

June 8, 2022

Experts in mushroom disease in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have produced a series of factsheets to educate industry professionals on mushroom disorders.

Penn State Extension expands resources for growers at produce auctions

June 8, 2022

Penn State Extension is expanding a program that offers educational kiosks at produce auctions across the state. These kiosks provide growers with timely, relevant information on disease and pest identification and management, invasive species, and food safety.

Ehau-Taumaunu successfully defends thesis

June 7, 2022

Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu successfully defended their thesis on June 7, 2022.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Orchard Highlights for Early June

June 6, 2022

In this fifth Fruit Bite, Kari Peter highlights codling moths and pheromone trapping, fire blight infections and tool cleaning and rosy apple aphid control.

Evans Family Award recognizes plant pathology graduate student

June 4, 2022

Emma Rosenthal, a doctoral candidate in plant pathology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has received the 2022 Evans Family Award for Graduate Student Extension Achievement for her contribution to extension education in Pennsylvania and beyond.

USDA grant to aid Penn State scientists in exploring postharvest fruit rot

May 26, 2022

Scientists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have received a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant of nearly $313,000 to study the effects of postharvest fruit decay.  

Graduate student selected for Young Scientists Cohort at World Food Forum

May 26, 2022

Ram Neupane, a graduate student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, will be one of 20 members of the inaugural Young Scientists Cohort at the World Food Forum.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Thinning Is on Our Minds!

May 19, 2022

The fourth Fruit Bite episode talks about caution during chemical thinning in response to the weather, especially after looking at models in previous weeks, fire blight and apple scab, and plum curculio.

Plant pathology professor remembered for impact on turfgrass industry, students

May 16, 2022

Wakar Uddin, professor of plant pathology and turfgrass disease specialist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is being remembered as a respected mentor and friend who had a profound impact on plant pathology and the turfgrass industry.

2022 Department awards and scholarships recipients announced

May 11, 2022

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology announced its 2022 awards and scholarships recipients during their annual celebration on May 2 at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center in State College.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Say NO to Fireblight!

May 10, 2022

The third Fruit Bite episode talks about fire blight, caution during chemical thinning in response to the weather, plum curculio, and white peach scale.

Graduate student receives Alumni Association Dissertation Award

May 6, 2022

Laura Kaminsky, a doctoral student in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, has been selected as a recipient of the 2021-22 Alumni Association Dissertation Award.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Fire Blight, Apple Scab, and Mating Disruption, Oh My!

May 4, 2022

The second Fruit Bite highlights early-season issues with an emphasis on some disease pressure and insect reproduction prevention.

Plant pathology graduate student receives NSF award

April 29, 2022

Jamie Spychalla, a graduate student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been awarded the 2022 National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Penn State’s Mushroom Research Center helps spawn East African farm

April 25, 2022

A scientist from the Mushroom Research Center in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences provided guidance to a mushroom grower in East Africa that helped the grower to overcome infrastructure and production challenges.  

Fautt passes Ph.D. comprehensive exam

April 22, 2022

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Chad Fautt for passing their comprehensive examination.

Postdoctoral scholar joins Hockett lab

April 20, 2022

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology welcomes new postdoctoral scholar, Eoin O'Connor, who joined the Hockett lab earlier this month.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Early season disease update

April 18, 2022

In this 1-on-1 episode, Dr. Kari Peter provides an update on fire blight, apple scab, and several other diseases. Don Seifrit also highlights upcoming in-person Penn State Extension events.

Good Fruit Grower Interview: Johanny Castro Chinchilla, a young grower from San José, Costa Rica

April 18, 2022

Johanny grew up working on a coffee farm and earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in crop protection from the University of Costa Rica. He’s the son of Marea Elisa Chinchilla and Gerardo Castro.

2022 Graduate Exhibition Award winners announced

April 6, 2022

Sixty-eight Penn State graduate students received awards for their research and creative scholarship in the 37th annual Graduate Exhibition. A complete list of winners is available below.

Gamma Sigma Delta lauds outstanding College of Ag Sciences faculty, students

April 5, 2022

The Penn State chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the agricultural honor society, recognized Penn State faculty and students during its annual meeting, which was held March 31.

Interdisciplinary Penn State team awarded SOM Foundation Research Prize

March 31, 2022

An interdisciplinary team of Penn State researchers was awarded $40,000 as a recipient of the Skidmore Owings & Merrill Foundation 2021 Research Prize for a project that explores mycelium-based and knitted textiles to form a sustainable building material.

Luong passes Ph.D. comprehensive exam

March 28, 2022

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Karen Luong for passing their comprehensive examination.

DePriest successfully defends thesis

March 21, 2022

Miranda DePriest successfully defended their thesis on March 18, 2022.

Microbiome Center to host ‘Changing Microbiomes’ symposium in early June

March 18, 2022

The inaugural Penn State microbiome symposium, titled “Changing Microbiomes Symposium,” will be held from May 31 to June 3 at the Mountain View Country Club at the Wyndham Garden Inn, 310 Elks Club Road, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.

Alliance between College of Ag Sciences, University of Pretoria yields benefits

March 18, 2022

Developing solutions to address threats to plant health is the centerpiece of a partnership between Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - New Herbicides and Lorsban Ban

March 18, 2022

Dr. Crassweller talks about herbicides that were released after the editing of the new tree fruit production guide, and Greg highlights the chlorpyrifos ban and what that means for growers with some still in their pesticide shed.