Vineyard, WSU scientists team up to battle orchard virus threat
Robert Frank
By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human and Resource Sciences
WAPATO, Wash. – Something in the soil was destroying Andrew Schultz’ grapevines. » More …
WSU News
Plant Pathology
Weathercatch: Weather drives intense wallop of tree pollen levels
Brenda Campbell
By Nic Loyd, WSU meteorologist, and Linda Weiford, WSU News
We see it and feel it — pollen madness. Trees have been exploding with tiny particles that coat our cars and make our eyes scratchy and our noses run. » More …
Pink snow mold destruction discovered in area wheat fields
Cynthia King
By Linda Weiford, WSU News
PULLMAN, Wash. – Damage caused by snow mold in some eastern Washington wheat fields has surprised a Washington State University plant expert who has studied the fungus for nearly four decades. » More …
March 21: Symphony of soil signals protects wheat health
Cynthia King
By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences
PULLMAN, Wash. – High-tech equipment that will help scientists improve wheat health will be introduced to the public at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the Biotechnology-Life Sciences Building (BLS) room 402 at Washington State University. » More …
Researchers tackle impact of climate change on plants
Cynthia KingBy Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers are undertaking an industrious investigation into the effects of global warming on plants. Making the effort possible is a fully automated “plant hotel” that can analyze up to 6,000 seedlings in a single experiment. » More …
Researcher fights fungus in apples, pears under storage
Cynthia King
By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences
WENATCHEE, Wash. – Delving into the secrets of the molds and fungi that can wreck a good apple or pear, Achour Amiri can be found working in packing rooms and warehouses throughout central Washington this time of year. » More …
Novel gene resists toxic wheat disease that costs billions
Cynthia King
PULLMAN, Wash. – Scientists at Washington State University and Kansas State University have isolated and cloned a gene that provides resistance to Fusarium head blight, or wheat scab, a crippling disease that caused $7.6 billion in losses in U.S. wheat fields between 1993 and 2001. » More …
Want fries with that? Stealth potato virus threatens industry
Cynthia King
By Sylvia Kantor, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences
PULLMAN, Wash. – The next time you sink your teeth into a hot, crispy french fry, consider the threats that stand between you and this iconic food. Newly emerged viruses threaten the U.S. potato industry, including potatoes grown in Washington. » More …
Study clears way for new approaches to plant disease
Cynthia KingBy Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer
PULLMAN, Wash. – A Washington State University biologist has found what he calls “very strong support” for an 86-year-old hypothesis about how nutrients move through plants. His two-decade analysis of the phenomenon has resulted in a suite of techniques that can ultimately be used to fight plant diseases and make crops more efficient. » More …
Study compares wines from diseased and healthy vines
Cynthia King
By Scott Weybright, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences
PROSSER, Wash. – Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) has plagued vineyards for centuries, but little is known about how this virus impacts the fruit quality and actual wine produced from grapes of affected plants. » More …