The Cotton Research Area Committee (RAC), which is currently comprised of 12 scientists and leadership from Cotton Inc., created the following Statement of Work (SOW) to guide their activities: to develop and demonstrate community-wide tools for cotton pathogen prediction and management. The SOW is supported by 5 objectives for 2020 – 2021 research efforts as part of the National Predictive Modeling Tool Initiative (NPMTI):
- Objective Create DNA detection tools for cotton pathogens that can be multiplexed and deployed in air sampling systems.
- Objective Establish Sentinel Plots with active and passive sampling of air borne spores to build and validate pathogen models.
- Objective Establish Commercial Fields with passive sampling of air borne spores near four Sentinel Plots to validate models and demonstrate the utility of pathogen sampling.
- Objective Create cotton yield epidemiology model for Target Spot based on disease progression and pathogen load.
- Objective Archive all data, models and samples from Tasks 1, 2, 3 & 4 to allow future investigators to improve models and tools and to retrospectively identify invasive pathogens or virulent strains.
Researchers listed below are participating in support of the Cotton RAC objectives. As noted, it is a collaborative effort among the researchers.
Akhtar Ali, PhD – Professor of Virology, University of Tulsa
Dr. Ali’s specialty area: etiology and epidemiology of viruses that infects important agricultural crops through applied, molecular and evolutionary virology.
Dr. Ali will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The laboratory work outlined in Objective 1 will be conducted at the University of Tulsa using samples collected by Dr. Ali and other cotton PI’s.
2) The field plot experiment in Objectives 2 will be established in a replicated cotton variety trial in coordination with State Cotton Extension Specialist, Seth Byrd. Researchers assigned to the project will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Tulsa researchers will also work with PIs in the other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually test and validate various risk assessment models.
Tom Allen, see Corn Research Area for details on Dr. Allen.
Dr. Allen is on both the Corn and Cotton RAC.
Dr. Allen will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The field experiment in Objective 2 will be established at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS. A second set of trials will be conducted at the Northeast Mississippi Research and Extension Center near Verona, MS with the cooperation of Dr. Justin McCoy.
2) Mississippi researchers will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Graduate students and Dr. Allen will work with PIs in the 11 other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually test and validate various risk assessment models.
Kaitlyn Bissonnette, see Corn Research Area for details on Dr. Bissonnette.
Dr. Bissonnette is on both the Corn and Cotton RAC.
Dr. Bissonnette will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The field experiment in Objective 2 will be established at the Fisher Delta Research Center (near Portageville, MO).
2) Researchers assigned to the project will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Researchers will also work with PIs in the other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually test and validate various risk assessment models.
Heather Kelly, PhD – Associate Professor & Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee
Dr. Kelly’s specialty area: identification and management of seedling and foliar diseases of field crops.
Dr. Kelly is chair of the Cotton Research Area Committee.
Dr. Kelly will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The experiments in described Objectives 1 and 2 will be established at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center (Jackson, TN).
2) County Extension Agent will be consulted to select the one field for the experiment described under Objective 3. Researchers assigned to the project will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Tennessee researchers will also work with PIs in the 11 other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually, test and validate various risk assessment models.
Bob Kemerait, PhD – Professor, Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Tifton
Dr. Kemerait’s specialty area: Extension efforts focus on the management of diseases and plant parasitic nematodes that affect cotton, peanuts, corn and soybeans.
Dr. Kemerait will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The experiment in Objectives 2 will be established at the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center in Midville, GA and the Stripling Irrigation Research Park in Camilla, GA.
2) Dr. Kemerait will work with County Extension Agents in Burke and Mitchell Counties to select one field for the experiment described under Objective 3. Dr. Kemerait will supervise and work along with the Technician, Graduate Student, and Student Worker assigned to the project to collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify target spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Georgia researchers will also work with PIs in the 11 other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually, test and validate various risk assessment models.
Kathy Lawrence, PhD – Professor, Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University
Dr. Lawrence’s specialty area: applied research to develop and evaluate ecologically based plant disease management programs for the economically important crops in Alabama.
Dr. Lawrence will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The field experiment in Objective 2 will be established at the Plant Breeding Unit of the E. V. Smith Research and Education Center near Tallassee, AL.
2) Alabama researchers will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Alabama researchers will also work with PIs in the other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually test and validate various risk assessment models.
Cecilia Monclova, PhD, see Wheat Research Area Committee for details on Dr. Monclova.
Dr. Monclova is on both the Cotton and the Wheat RAC.
Dr. Monclova will support the Cotton RAC as follows:
1) The experiment described in Objective 2 will be established at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center (Lubbock, TX).
2) One field for the experiment described under Objective 3 will be selected in consultation with County Extension Agents. Texas researchers will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Texas researchers will also work with PIs in the 11 other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually, test and validate various risk assessment models.
John Mueller, PhD – Professor, Plant Pathology and Director, Edisto Research & Education Center, Clemson University
Dr. Mueller’s specialty area: Extension responsibilities for disease and nematode management on row crops especially cotton, corn, soybean, and grain sorghum.
Dr. Mueller will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The field experiment in Objective 2 will be established at the Edisto Research & Education Center (near Blackville, SC).
2) South Carolina researchers will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) South Carolina researchers will also work with PIs in the 11 other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually test and validate various risk assessment models.
Paul “Trey” Price, see Corn Research Area Committee for details on Dr. Price.
Dr. Price is on both the Corn and Cotton RAC.
Dr. Price will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The field experiment in outlined Objective 2 will be established at the Macon Ridge Research Station near Winnsboro, LA.
2) For Objective 4, workers will collect, ship, and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest test sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following collaborative protocols.
3) For Objective 5, Louisiana research associates and student workers will also work with PIs in the other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantity associations among measured responses, and eventually test and validate various risk assessment models.
Ian Small, PhD – Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology, North Florida Research & Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy
Dr. Small’s specialty area: creating, evaluating, and disseminating solutions to plant diseases affecting field crops such as peanut, cotton, carinata, and soybeans.
Dr. Small will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The small plot experiments related to Objectives 2 and 4 will be established at the North Florida Research and Education Center (near Quincy, FL) in coordination with Dr. David Wright.
2) Florida scientist will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other diseases that we observe at the sites, as well as monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Florida researchers will also work with PIs in the 11 other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually test and validate various risk assessment models.
Terry Spurlock, PhD – Assistant Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas
Dr. Spurlock’s specialty area: extension responsibilities for diseases of corn, grain sorghum, soybean, cotton and wheat.
Dr. Spurlock will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The field experiment in Objectives 2 will be established at the Rohwer Research Station (near Kelso). 2) Arkansas researchers will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Program associate and Dr. Spurlock will also work with PIs in the other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually test and validate various risk assessment models.
Lindsey Thiessen, PhD – Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University
Dr. Thiessen’s specialty area: diseases of tobacco and field crops.
Dr. Thiessen will support the Cotton RAC objectives as follows:
1) The field experiment in Objective 2 will be established at the Cherry Research Farm (Goldsboro, NC).
2) North Carolina researchers will collect, ship and/or process plant tissue and aerosol samples, quantify Target Spot and other pathogens that infest the sites, and monitor cotton growth and weather conditions following established protocols.
3) Graduate students and Dr. Thiessen will also work with PIs in the other cotton participating states to organize, process, mine, and analyze weather, disease, and spore density data to quantify associations among measured responses, and eventually test and validate various risk assessment models.