Author Archives: vhayala

Getting to the Root of the Problem

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Blog article #1 by Kevin Pineda (for partial fulfillment of BESC 484 requirement) Not all evidence of a plant pathogen can be seen above the surface. Phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora sp. is the most common cause of root rot. This rot of the root system hinders the ability of the host plant to take up water and nutrients. Below the surface, it can be observed as discoloration and decay of the roots. Phytophthora has a cell wall made of cellulose and is classified as an oomycete,… Read More →

If You Have Grass, Read This!

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Written by Taylor Duke — TPDDL Student Worker; Edited by Hannah Ayala — Extension Assistant If you’ve been noticing brown patches in your lawn lately, it’s most likely infected by the pathogen commonly known as Take All Patch. Take All Patch is caused by the soil-borne fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis, or as we like to call it here in the lab, “Ggg”. The season of Ggg is upon us and we have been receiving lots of grass samples in the lab that are positive for this pesky fungus. Ggg… Read More →

You Either Lichen or You Do Not Like Em

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Written by Hannah Ayala — Extension Assistant Have you ever seen a crusty object or a thin layer growing on your trees or rocks? We’re here to tell you NOT to panic. It might just be lichen, which is not completely a fungi or a bacteria. Lichens are actually made up of a symbiotic relationship between fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria (or even all three!). The alga feeds the fungus through photosynthesis, while the algae receives some food and support from the fungus. Lichens commonly grow on limbs,… Read More →

Don’t Let This Disease Leave a Black Spot on Your Roses

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Written by Christina Lanzoni — TPDDL Student Worker; Edited by Hannah Ayala — Extension Assistant Roses are red, leaves are green Oh no they have spots, fungi are seen Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and if you want to give your loved one some live roses, you might want to watch out for this pathogen. One of the most important diseases that affects roses is Black Spot. Black Spot is caused by the fungus, Diplocarpon rosae. While this pathogen is virulent, it does not typically kill the… Read More →