University of Florida Department of Plant Pathology

10/21/2026

The UF/IFAS Department of Plant Pathology would like to congratulate Dr. Braham Dhillon, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, whose proposal was selected for funding from the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) Endowed Research Fund.

Dr. Dhillon and his Co-PI, Sushmita Sapkota, are researching bio-augmented anaerobic soil disinfestation (bio-ASD) and its effectiveness in managing ganoderma zonatum in landscape soil.

Learn more about Dr. Dhillon’s research here: https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/dr-braham-dhillon

10/20/2026

Xiaofeng Wang, Associate Professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, presents "Protein, lipid, and membrane interactions in positive-strand RNA virus genome replication" as part of the 2026 Plant Pathology Fall Seminar Series.

Learn more about the seminar series at https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/seminar/

10/19/2026

Dig or Spray? Late-Season Peanut Disease Management Decisions

The timing of peanut harvest is crucial for maximizing yields, peanut grade, and ultimately, profitability. However, deciding when to harvest can be complicated and involves many competing factors, including plant age/maturity, weather, current and potential disease threats, and cost-benefit analysis of management options.

Read more about late-season peanut disease management here: https://go.ufl.edu/late-season-peanut

10/16/2026

We've been selected by the U.S. Department of State to lead the new SAFE (Safeguarding Agriculture, Food and Economy) Innovation Lab, a global initiative focused on protecting fruits, vegetables, and spices from destructive pests and diseases before they reach American farms.

This Lab will work with partners in seven countries to create an international network that uses , crop modeling, diagnostics, and risk mapping to identify agricultural threats early and stop them at the source. The goal is to strengthen the first line of defense against pests and diseases that could impact Florida growers, U.S. agriculture, and food supplies around the world.

Beyond crop protection, the initiative will focus on developing disease-resistant crop varieties, reducing post harvest food losses, improving food safety and nutrition, expanding market opportunities for farmers, and training the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Find out how UF's leadership in this groundbreaking initiative could help shape the future of agriculture, food security, and global crop protection.

Access the link in our bio to read the full story.

10/15/2026

Megan Dewdney, Professor of Plant Pathology and Extension Specialist at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, presents on disease management as part of CREC's Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) and Individual Protective Covers (IPCs) Field Day and Seminars last week in Lake Alfred.

10/14/2026

The third installment of the Peanut Pest Updates”series reports that two-spotted spider mites (TSSMs) have maintained a growing presence in South Carolinian and Northern Floridian peanut farms. TSSMs feed on the leaves of peanut crops, resulting in defoliation, weakened plants, and reduced pod retention. Typically stationed along field borders and dirt roads, these pests seek refuge in peanut fields during periods of displacement caused by environmental or harvesting conditions.
Peanut Pest Updates publishes biweekly updates on the state of peanut farms and sources its information from the PeanutLink platform. Launched in August 2026, PeanutLink allows farmers and field experts to detail the pests, diseases, and other concerns they see on the field to the University of Florida. Researchers use this data to map out peanut-related issues all throughout the southeastern United States in real time, with collaborators in Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

For more information about TSSM and PeanutLink, go to: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/jacksonco/2026/08/20/peanutlink-august-2026-peanut-disease-update/

To view the latest update, visit https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/plantpathdept/2026/10/05/peanut-pest-update-3-early-october-2026/

10/13/2026

Meixia Zhao, Assistant Professor in the UF/IFAS Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, presents "Sex-specific and epigenetic regulation of meiotic recombination in maize" as part of the 2026 Plant Pathology Fall Seminar Series.

Learn more about the seminar series at https://loom.ly/njjcHf8

10/10/2026

It's game day, Gators!

While you're decked out in Orange and Blue, Dr. Phil Harmon helps keep the Swamp green. Dr. Harmon, Professor of Plant Pathology and turfgrass specialist, spoke with WRUF about the science behind the world-class field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Skip ahead to 28:16: https://loom.ly/bjUMHmY

Get ready for Florida vs. Missouri with Gator GameDay! Join Gator G...

10/08/2026

Congratulations to Olesya Malakhova, a Doctor of Plant Medicine graduate student and Rapid Turfgrass Student Diagnostician at the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center, who received the Ralph W. White Memorial Scholarship from the Florida Turfgrass Research Foundation.

From the Florida Turfgrass Association: "Olesya is already making a direct contribution to Florida’s turfgrass industry while pursuing her Doctor of Plant Medicine degree at the University of Florida. As the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center’s Rapid Turfgrass Student Diagnostician, she processes approximately 700 turfgrass samples annually, helping diagnose diseases and develop management recommendations for golf course superintendents, turfgrass managers and crop consultants. She also assists with the center’s 2,000-plus additional samples. Working with Dr. Philip Harmon, Olesya performs culturing and microscopy, communicates directly with industry professionals and helps tailor recommendations to individual situations. She has also assisted with turf fungicide field trials and previously worked as a research technician in UF’s Residential Ecology Lab. Harmon describes Olesya as “exceptionally bright, a hard worker, and ... becoming a good scientist.” She is pursuing a career in plant health while gaining the kind of hands-on diagnostic experience that will serve Florida’s turfgrass industry well."

10/06/2026

Joanne B. Emerson, Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis, presents "The magnificent, frustrating diversity of soil viruses" as part of the 2026 Plant Pathology Fall Seminar Series.

Learn more about the seminar series at https://loom.ly/njjcHf8