Department of Plant Pathology

Wheat variety test samples
Plant scientists Fatiha Bentata of Morocco and Intissar Zarrouk of Tunisia screened these wheat samples for resistance to root rot caused by the Fusarium fungus as part of greenhouse research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln last fall. The scientists, visiting the university through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Scientific Exchanges Program, analyzed 13 wheat varieties grown in Nebraska for disease resistance. At left are non-inoculated control plants. At right is a soil mix inoculated with isolates of the Fusarium fungus. (Photo courtesy IANR Media)

Morocco Collaboration to Boost Wheat Research, Grad Study Opportunities

July 13, 2023
UNL researchers involved in a new international collaboration with Morocco hope to boost wheat disease research and strengthen prevention strategies against fungus-enabled wheat diseases.

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Loren Giesler
Loren Giesler, who has led the plant pathology department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 2018, has been reappointed to a second term. (IANR News image)

Giesler Appointed to Second Five-year Term as Plant Pathology Department Head

July 5, 2023
Leading the department since 2018, Giesler has overseen the launch of a stand-alone plant pathology graduate degree program and the continued success of research and extension programs.

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Farm Sci-Ed program logo

More Farm Sci-Ed Videos Available to View Online

October 7, 2021
Eight video episodes have been released and available to view online in the Farm Sci-Ed video series, which highlights the “science and education behind farming” and integrated pest management research.

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Farm Sci-Ed program logo

Farm Sci-Ed Video Series Kicks Off

August 26, 2021
The Farm Sci-Ed program focusing on highlighting the “science and education behind farming” and integrated pest management research released its first video in a series about research projects happening within the Nebraska Panhandle.

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Goss's Wilt of corn

Nebraska Plant Pathology: A Culture of New Diseases

January 23, 2019
Though relatively small, UNL's Department of Plant Pathology has played a significant role in the discovery of many economically important plant diseases, including most recently, a new fungal pathogen causing Fusarium head blight of wheat. This article is from the 2019 Nebraska Crop Management Conference Proceedings.

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Loren Giesler, new Head of the UNL Department of Plant Pathology

Loren Giesler Named Head of Plant Pathology Department

July 23, 2018
Loren Giesler has been named head of the Plant Pathology Department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, effective Sept. 1, 2018. A long-time contributor to CropWatch, Giesler is a professor and extension plant pathologist in the department.

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Map of Nebraska reporting districts

PPDC Clinic Crop Disease Reports July 20-August 3

August 4, 2017
Crop diseases identified by district in samples submitted to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab from July 20 to August 3.

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Severe holcus spot on corn leaves
Severe holcus spot on corn leaves

Crop Diseases Confirmed by Plant & Pest Lab June 15-27

June 29, 2017
Holcus spot in corn was among the diseases diagnosed by the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab in samples submitted June 15-27. See what diseases were confirmed in corn, soybean, wheat, and hops.

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