RECENT TIMELY TALKS:
Watermelon Spray Guide 2007

White mold on cole crops

Important Related Links
by Dr. Keinath:

New Vegetable Fungicides

Managing Phytophthora Blight
Information leaflet #85

Information on Melon Disease 
Control for South Carolina

Managing Wirestem on Cole Crops

Research Assistants

 

Ginny DuBose	Andy Lassiter

Education

1982  Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. Botany-Honors. B.Sc.
1985  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Plant Pathology/Mycology. M.Sc.
1988  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Plant Pathology/Soil Science. Ph.D.
 

Post Graduate Employment

1988 Postdoctoral Research Associate and Plant Disease Diagnostician, Dept. Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
1988  Postdoctoral Research Plant Pathologist, USDA, ARS, Biocontrol of Plant Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center-West, Beltsville, MD.
1991  Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, Clemson University, Department of Plant Pathology & Physiology, Coastal Research & Education Center, Charleston, SC.
1997  Promoted to Associate Professor with tenure.
2004 Promoted to Professor.
 

1) Management of Major Fungal and Bacterial Pathogens on Cucurbits and Leafy Brassica Greens in South Carolina. My objectives are to develop a disease management program for bacterial leaf spots of leafy greens that integrates cultural, biological, and chemical controls; evaluate cultural practices and chemical treatments to manage Fusarium wilt on watermelon; determine baseline sensitivity of Phytophthora capsici to new fungicides registered for control of Phytophthora blight; and to collaborate on the development of a multiplex real-time PCR assay to detect cucurbit seed contaminated with the gummy stem blight fungus (Didymella bryoniae) and the fruit blotch bacterium (Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli).

2) Ecological and genetic diversity of soilborne pathogens and indigenous microflora.
My objectives are to examine commercial and non-commercial biocontrol agents for use as seed treatments, in-furrow treatments or as potting mix amendments; to examine the effect of cultural practices on soilborne pathogens and plant growth; and to examine the genetic diversity of Rhizoctonia solani between natural ecosystems and agricultural ecosystems. 

Publications

• Keinath, A. P., Holmes, G. J., Everts, K. L., Egel, D. S., and Langston, Jr., D. B. 2007. Evaluation of combinations of chlorothalonil with azoxystrobin, harpin, and disease forecasting for control of downy mildew and gummy stem blight on melon. Crop Protection 26:83-88. doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2006.04.004.
• Pullaro, T. C., Marino, P. C., Harrison, H. F., Jackson, D. M., Keinath, A. P. 2006. Effects of killed cover crop mulch on weeds, weed seeds, and herbivores. Agriculture, Ecosystems, & Environment 115:97-104. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2005.12.021
• Levi, A., Thomas,C. E., Thies, J. A., Simmons, A. M., Ling, K.-S., Harrison, H. F., Hassell, R., and Keinath, A. P. 2006. Novel watermelon breeding lines containing chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes derived from the desert species Citrullus colocynthis . HortScience 41:463-464.
• Farnham, M. W., Ruttencutter, G., Smith, J. P., and Keinath, A. P. 2005. Hybridizing collard and cabbage may provide a means to develop collard cultivars. HortScience 40:1686-1689.
• Keinath, A. P., and DuBose, V. B. 2004. Evaluation of fungicides for prevention and management of powdery mildew on watermelon. Crop Prot. 23:35-42.
• Harrison, H. F., Jackson, D. M., Keinath, A. P., Marino, P. C., and Pullaro, T. C. 2004. Broccoli production in cowpea, soybean, and velvetbean cover crop mulches. HortTechnology 14:484-487.
• Keinath, A. P., Harrison, H. F., Marino, P. C., Jackson, D. M., and Pullaro, T. C. 2003. Increase in populations of Rhizoctonia solani and wirestem of collard with velvet bean cover crop mulch. Plant Dis. 86:719-725.
• Harrison, H. F., and Keinath, A. P. 2003. Glasshouse assessment of clomazone response of US pumpkin cultivars. Crop Protection 22:795-798.
• Kothera, R. T., Keinath, A. P., Dean, R. A., and Farnham, M. W. 2003. AFLP analysis of a worldwide collection of Didymella bryoniae. Mycological Research 107:297-304.
• Somai, B. M., Dean, R. A., Farnham, M. W., Zitter, T. A., and Keinath, A. P. 2002. Internal Transcribed Spacer Region 1 and 2 and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA analysis of Didymella bryoniae and related Phoma species isolated from cucurbits. Phytopathology 92:997-1004.
• Somai, B.M., Keinath, A.P., and Dean, R.A. 2002. Development of PCR-ELISA for detection and differentiation of Didymella bryoniae from related Phoma species. Plant Dis. 86:710-716.
• Keinath, A. P. 2002. Survival of Didymella bryoniae in buried watermelon vines in South Carolina. Plant Disease 38:32-38.
• Elliott, M., Des Jardin, E., Batson, W. Jr., et al. 2001. Viability and stability of biological control agents on cotton and snap bean seeds. Pest Manag. Sci. 57:695-706.
• Farnham, M. W., Keinath, A. P., and Smith, J. P. 2001. Characterization of Fusarium yellows resistance in collard. Plant Dis. 85:890-894.
• Keinath, A. P. 2001. Effect of fungicide applications scheduled to control gummy stem blight on yield and quality of watermelon fruit. Plant Dis. 85:53-58.
• Keinath, A. P., and Farnham, M. W. 2001. Effect of wirestem severity on survival and head production of transplanted broccoli and cabbage. Plant Dis. 85:639-643.
• Levi, A., Thomas, C. E., Keinath, A. P., and Wehner, T. C. 2001. Genetic diversity among Citrullus lanatus and Citrullus colocynthis accessions. Genet. Res. Crop Evol. 48:559-566.
• Keinath, A. P. 2000. Effect of protectant fungicide application schedules on gummy stem blight epidemics and marketable yield of watermelon. Plant Dis. 84:254-260.
• Keinath, A. P., Batson, W. E., Jr., et al. 2000. Evaluation of biological and chemical seed treatments to improve stand of snap bean across the southern U. S. Crop Prot. 19:501-509.
• Keinath, A. P., and DuBose, V. B. 2000. Evaluation of pumpkin cultivars for powdery and downy mildew resistance, virus tolerance, and yield. HortScience 35:281-285.
• Rollins, P. A., Keinath, A. P., and Farnham, M. W. 1999. Effect of inoculum type and anastomosis group of Rhizoctonia solani causing wirestem of cabbage seedlings in a controlled environment. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 21:119-124.
• Rushing, J. W., Keinath, A. P., and Cook, W. P. 1999. Postharvest development and transmission of watermelon fruit blotch. HortTechnology 9:217-219.
• Keinath, A. P., and Zitter, T. A. 1998. Resistance to benomyl and thiophanate-methyl in Didymella bryoniae from South Carolina and New York. Plant Dis. 82:479-484.
• Ross, R. E., Keinath A. P., and Cubeta, M. A. 1998. Biological control of wirestem on cabbage using binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. Crop Prot. 17:99-104.
• Keinath, A. P., and Farnham, M. W. 1997. Differential cultivars and criteria for evaluating resistance to Rhizoctonia solani in seedling Brassica oleracea. Plant Dis. 81:946-952.

Notices of Release and Patents

US Patent No. 6,258,537 B1 Method of Diagnosing Gummy Stem Blight in Plants Using a Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay.  A.P. Keinath, B.M. Somai, and R. A. Dean. 

Other Scientific Impact

• Soil solarization successfully controlled Rhizoctonia belly rot on pickling cucumber and, together with cabbage residues, enhanced growth and yield of watermelon. These multiple-year studies were cited as two of the best examples of soil solarization in agricultural systems.
• I was the second pathologist to identify Fusarium wilt of basil in the United States. Because of my studies on the host range and chemical control of this pathogen, I am recognized as an authority on this disease. I have been contacted by seed companies, growers, and diagnosticians for advice on control of this persistent pathogen.
• I was the first in the United States to identify resistance to the fungicide benomyl in the gummy stem blight fungus, Didymella bryoniae. My techniques were used to detect benomyl-resistant isolates in Maryland, Florida, and Texas.

Dr. Mark W. Farnham, USDA, US Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC
Dr. Richard Hassell, Dept of Horticulture, Coastal REC, Charleston, SC
Mr. Gilbert Miller, Edisto REC, Blackville, SC.
Dr. Ron Walcott, Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens
Dr. J. Powell Smith, Edisto REC, Blackville, SC
Dr. Gerald Holmes, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Dr. Kathryne Everts, University of Maryland, Salisbury, MD
Dr. Patrick Wechter, USDA, US Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC
Dr. Kai-Shu Ling, USDA, US Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC

Honors and Awards

1978  National Merit Scholar, Michigan State University
1982  Ernest Bessey Undergraduate Award, Dept. Botany & Plant Pathology, Michigan State University
1982  Phi Beta Kappa
1982  Sage Graduate Fellowship, Cornell University
1993  Sigma Xi, Charleston Chapter
1993-2003  Certified Professional Plant Pathologist, ARCPACS.
1996  Who's Who in Science and Engineering
1997  Superior Performance Award, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
1997, 2001, 2003   Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence
2003 Finalist in National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award (Publication)
2003 Extension Publications Awards, Am. Society for Horticultural Science-Southern Region
2003-2004 ESCOP-ACOP Leadership development Program

Professional Society Offices, Boards and appointments

1992 USDA NAPIAP Fungicide Assessment Team on Leafy Greens.
Regional Research Project S-241/S-269/S-302, 1992-present  
Technical Comm. Secretary 1994, Vice-Chair 1995, Chair 1996, Local arrangements 1995-1997
1992-2004  Southern Extension and Research Activity-Information Exchange 
Group on Integrated Pest Management (SERA-IEG-3), representative for SCAES. 
1995  USDA NAPIAP Pesticide Assessment Team on Tomato. 
1999-2001  Section Editor, Biological and Cultural 
        Tests, APS Press. 
2001-2003 Plant Disease Notes Assigning Editor, Plant Disease Editorial 
        Board, APS Press. 
2004-2006 Senior Editor, Plant Disease Editorial Board, APS PressAmerican Phytopathological Society 
     Secretary-Treasurer, APS Southern Division, 1998-2000
     Graduate Student Travel Award Selection Committee, 2000
     Integrated Pest Management Committee, 1997-2000
     Biological Control Committee, 1991-1994
     Illustrations Committee, APS Press, 1989-1993
Southern Extension and Research Activity-Information Exchange Group 
on Integrated Pest Management (SERA-IEG-3), representative for SCAES, appointed 1992-present
International Rhizoctonia Working Group
Sigma Xi, Charleston Chapter
South Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents
   

Grants and Contracts

Grants:
1991  Clemson Extension IPM Committee - Soil solarization to control tomato pests.
1992  USDA, CSRS/CSREES Special Grant - Pest Control Alternatives, South Carolina. Renewed yearly 1993 - 1997. Co-Principle Investigator.
1992  Clemson University Research Grant - Tissue-cultured spinach as a tool for research on white rust of spinach.
1992  Clemson Extension IPM Committee - Refining Tomato IPM. Renewed in 1993. Co-Principle Investigator.
1992  Clemson Extension IPM Committee - Sudangrass and canola as green manures to control diseases and nematodes in butterbeans. Cooperator.
1992  Pickle Packers, Inc. Field Research Committee - Soil solarization to control belly rot on pickling cucumber. Renewed in 1993 and 1994.
1992  USDA - Research Apprentice Program.
1993  Clemson Extension IPM Committee - Solarization as part of integrated control of belly rot in pickling cucumbers.
1993  Clemson Extension IPM Committee - IPM in Greens. Cooperator.
1994  USDA, Southern Region Pesticide Impact Assessment Program - Impact of fungicide use and scheduling on foliar disease control for fresh market tomatoes. Renewed in 1995.
1994  American Seed Trade Association - Epidemiology of Gummy Stem Blight on Watermelon Transplants.
1994  McLeod Frampton/USDA Graduate Fellowship - Host-pathogen interactions between Brassica oleracea and Rhizoctonia solani. Renewed yearly 1995 - 1997.
1994  Clemson Extension IPM Committee - Presence and effect of nematodes on watermelons. Renewed in 1995. Project Associate.
1994  Clemson University Research Grant - Biological control with new Penicillium isolates.
1995  USDA, National IPM Implementation Program - Development of IPM Implementation Strategies for Tomato in the Southeastern Region. Team member.
1995  USDA, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Producer-Initiated Grant - Winter Cover Crops in Lexington County. Cooperator.
1996  USDA, Southern Region Pesticide Impact Assessment Program - Impact of Fungicides Applied to Control Gummy Stem Blight on Yield and Quality of Watermelon.
1996  USDA, National Research Initiative Strengthening Program - Genetic Characterization of Didymella bryoniae Isolated from Cucurbits.
1996  Clemson University Extension IPM Committee - An Integrated System for Management of Plant Pests and Problems in Collards in Lexington County, South Carolina. Project Associate.
1997  USDA, CSREES, Southern Region IPM Program. Evaluation of biological seed treatments to control seedling diseases of cotton and snapbean. Co-Principle Investigator.
1997  Clemson University Cooperative Extension Non-Recurring Allocation. On-farm trials of TOM-CAST.
1998 USDA, CSREES, Southern Region Pesticide Impact Assessment Program
1999 USDA, CSREES, Southern Region Pesticide Impact Assessment Program.
1999 USDA, CSREES, Southern Region IPM Program-Research
2000 US EPA, Region 4, Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program
2000 Clemson Extension IPM Committee - Implementation of the Melcast Melon Disease Forecaster
2001 USDA, CSREES, Southern Region IPM Program - Extension
2001 USDA, CSREES, Crops at Risk from FQPA Implementation Program
2004 USDA, CSREES, NRI Integrated program-Plant Biosecurity
2004-2005 Pickle Packers, Inc.
2005 USDA, IR-4, Biopesticide Prgram
2006 USDA, CSREES, Pest Management Alternatives Program, Co-PD



Contracts: Specific research projects and fungicide evaluations have been funded by IR-4, ISK Biotech, Dow, Syngenta, Ceraxagri, Rhone-Poulenc, Miller Chemical Co., American Cyanamid, Zeneca, BASF, AgraQuest, SC Watermelon Association, SC Watermelon Board, National Watermelon Promotion Board, and W.P. Rawl & Sons.