Jay W. Pscheidt | Professor and Extension Plant Pathology Specialist | Department of Botany and Plant Pathology
The Doctor is In
As a plant doctor, I help growers and gardeners discover what is wrong with their plants and what they can do about it. Many fungal and bacterial diseases are a constant problem for fruit and ornamental/nursery production in Oregon. Pathogen biology and life histories are studied in the field and lab to improve disease control recommendations. Screening biologicals, pesticides, or cultural practices effective against these organisms is an ongoing need valuable to Oregon's growers. Information is delivered to clientele using the latest techniques and technologies including satellite systems and the World Wide Web.
Growing Community
I love being outdoors and being in service to our community of plant growers, be they commercial, hobbyist or just for fun. The image we like is the one with both the healthy plant as well as the sick plant knowing that we did something, through scientific understanding, to keep the plant healthy.
Knowledge at Your Finger Tips
After thirty-three years, I have accumulated a lot of knowledge. You have access to all that information in the PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook. This handbook is intended as a ready reference guide to the control and management tactics for the more important plant diseases in the Pacific Northwest. Although I have led the editing since 1988 with Dr. Cindy Ocamb, the book has been around since 1954 and on the web, continuously updated, since 1996.
Disease Detection
My work covers a number of plant pathologies, which include:
- Eastern filbert blight - a disease unique to the PNW
- Hazelnut kernel mold - a worldwide issue
- Blueberry mummy berry disease
- Cherry virus management
- Grape disease management
- Walnut thousand cankers disease
Additionally, I work with a team on the reduction of pesticide use via smart sprayer technology.
Many Hands Make Light the Work
A number of different people are involved with various aspects of the projects:
- Rachel Bomberger (Plant Diagnostician,Washington State University)
- Jim Sloan (Project Manager, Extension and Experiment Station Communications)
- Frank Caruso (Emeritus Plant Pathologist)
- Jeff Chang (Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University)
- Catherine Daniels (Pesticide Coordinator, Washington State Pest Management Resource Service)
- Kenneth Frost (Plant Pathologist, Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University)
- Jenny Glass (Diagnostician, Washington State University)
- Russell Ingham (Nematologist, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University)
- Grant Jackson (Registration Specialist, Pesticide Division, Oregon Department of Agriculture)
- Lisa Jones (Scientist, New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research)
- Lenora Jones (Registration Specialist, Washington State Pest Management Resource Service)
- Rose Kachadoorian (PARC Board Administrator, Oregon Department of Agriculture)
- Amanda Koppel (Integrated Field Scientist, CORTEVA Agriscience)
- Jared LeBoldus (Forest Pathologist, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University)
- Glenn Letendre (Agronomy Service Representative, Syngenta)
- Gary Melchior (Field Development Representative, Gowan Company)
- Cynthia Ocamb (C.M. Extension Plant Pathology Specialist, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University)
- Jennifer Parke (Pathologist, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University)
- David Priebe (Pesticide Product Registration Specialist, Oregon Department of Agriculture)
- Melodie Putnam (Director, Oregon State University Plant Clinic)
- Maryna Serdani (Product Development Managers, PNW, Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.)
- Patty Skinkis (Viticulturist, Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University)
- Ashley Thompson (Extension Horticulturist, Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center)
- Gilbert Uribe (Pesticides Registration & Certification Specialist, Oregon Department of Agriculture)
- Nadine Wade (Faculty Research Assistant, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University)
- Jerry Weiland (Research Plant Pathologist, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service)
- Nik Wiman (Extension Specialist-Orchard Crops, Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University)