more... > Departments > Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology >   The Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology is recognized nationally and internationally for applied and basic research on economically important agricultural crops. Climactic conditions in Louisiana allow cultivation of and research on semitropical crop species such as rice, sugarcane, cotton, sweet potatoes, and soybeans. Through our extension services, we conduct research and assist Louisiana farmers in the management and control of plant disease. Our graduate program presents students the opportunity to work with Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station personnel who conduct investigations in areas of plant pathology, crop physiology and plant molecular biology. M.S. and Ph.D. graduates of the department are prepared for challenging careers in agricultural research at universities, governmental and private agencies. 302 Life Sciences Bldg · Baton Rouge, LA · 70803 Phone: (225) 578-1464 · Fax: (225) 578-1415 Undergraduate Curriculum Plant and Soil Systems (Agricultural Pest Management Area) The curriculum in plant and soil systems consolidates the curricula for the departments of Agronomy, Entomology, Horticulture and Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology. Graduate Studies in Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology Graduate Program Overview Research Projects Numerical list of Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology Research Projects with hyperlinks to project details. Louisiana Plant Pathology: Shealth Blight of Rice [Image: shealth blight] Sheath blight has been the most economically significant disease of rice in Louisiana since the early 1970s. The disease is caused by a fungal pathogen of both rice and soybeans. This fact sheet describes the symptoms of the disease and gives suggested management procedures.  more articles... Nematodes in Sweet Potato [Image: Sweet potato with root-knot nematode] Nematodes are a serious pest to both our sweet potato industry and for those people growing them in a home garden. These pests affect the total production and quality of the sweet potato. Since the damage occurs to roots below ground, they are often not recognized as being a problem. Turfgrass Disease Sample Submission Form [Image: Submission Form] This form is required for all the turfgrass samples submitted to the Disease Clinic. Please take a moment to fill in as much information as possible. Each sample should have a separate disease sample form. Samples submittted without a submission form will not be diagnosed. Turfgrass Sample Collection and Submission Guidelines [Image: Guidelines] Please follow the guidelines on how to collect, pack and submit turfgrass samples to the Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic. These guidelines are specific for turfgrass samples and should be followed strictly. Samples submitted in other manners will not be diagnosed. Rapid Turfgrass Disease Diagnosis [Image: Golf coarse] It is the dream of every golf course manager, sod producer, landscape contractor and athletic field manager to have healthy green turfgrass. Several factors can shatter this dream, and an important factor such as disease tops of the list. Every year the turfgrass industry spends thousands of dollars to manage diseases. An effective disease management requires an accurate disease diagnosis. Louisiana Plant Pathology: St. Augustine Decline [Image: st. augustinegrass] St. Augustine disease is a virus disease that affects St. Augustine grass across the Gulf States. This fact sheet describes the disease and how to mange it. Color photos are included. (PDF Format Only) Louisiana Plant Pathology: Scurf of Sweet Potato [Image: scurf] Scurf is a common disease of sweet potatoes. Proper identification is the key to successful disease management. Use this fact sheet to help you identify and manage this disease. (PDF Format Only) LAB93771 - Breeding, Etiological, Epidemiological, and Biotechnological Research for Controlling Rice Diseases BREEDING, ETIOLOGICAL, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH FOR CONTROLLING RICE DISEASES LAB93918 - Molecular Biology of Bacterial Panicle Blight of Rice and Rice Defense Systems for this Disease MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF BACTERIAL PANICLE BLIGHT OF RICE AND RICE DEFENSE SYSTEMS FOR THIS DISEASE LAB93806 - Practical Applications and Analysis of Pathogenicity and Growth Inhibition of the Bacterial Sweet Potato Pathogen Streptomyces Ipomoeae PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND ANALYSIS OF PATHOGENICITY AND GROWTH INHIBITION OF THE BACTERIAL SWEET POTATO PATHOGEN STREPTOMYCES IPOMOEAE. LAB93932 - Molecular Characterization of DSRNA Viruses Infecting Plants and Fungi MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF DSRNA VIRUSES INFECTING PLANTS AND FUNGI