We aim to improve management by understanding pathogen ecology to refine the timing of fungicide applications, target the survival of soil borne pathogen resting structures, and to alter abiotic conditions that lead to disease development. 

In the Great Lakes Region, we are working with multi-state collaborators to evaluate chemical application timings and active ingredients to better manage Phomopsis stem canker of sunflower, a ubiquitous and yield-limiting disease of sunflower. 

We are further exploring questions related to the impact of soil health health practices, such as cover cropping, on pathogen inoculum densities, pathogen survival, and pathogen-associated microbial communities.

Changing patterns in temperatures and precipitation alter disease dynamics and agronomic management strategies. In Minnesota, growers are experiencing dryer than average summers with a higher intensity of rainfall events in the spring and fall season. Irrigated acreage is increasing with less predictable rainfall and dryer summers. We are interested in the interaction of irrigation and disease dynamics in the context of a changing climate and limited water allocations. We are currently working to understand the distribution and impact of a heat driven disease, charcoal rot, in Minnesota and we aim to define the relationship between water stress and disease development for several diseases projected to become more impactful under climate change scenarios.