Plant viruses are widespread and abundant in nature, in both managed and unmanaged systems. Our research focuses on several aspects of plant virus ecology. Our main drivers are:
1) Understand the evolution of viruses on a landscape scale, in other words how do reservoir hosts, insect vectors, agricultural methods, landscape composition, virus-microbial interactions, and other factors impact virus evolution? and
2) How can we use what we learn about virus ecology and epidemiology to develop/improve disease management strategies?
Thus far, we have initiated projects on pollen-borne viruses in peaches and blackberries, in an effort to understand the movement of pollen (perhaps via insects) between wild/ornamental hosts of the virus and the cultivated plants. Determining the role of flower-visiting insects in these interactions is another area of interest. We have also continued to work on grapevine viruses, in particular grapevine red blotch virus, which is present in the southeastern U.S., but it is unclear how widespread GRBV is in vineyards in this region, and how the climate impacts disease spread and severity.
If you are interested in being involved in this research, discussing ideas, or collaborating with us on plant virus ecology research, please get in touch!
1) Understand the evolution of viruses on a landscape scale, in other words how do reservoir hosts, insect vectors, agricultural methods, landscape composition, virus-microbial interactions, and other factors impact virus evolution? and
2) How can we use what we learn about virus ecology and epidemiology to develop/improve disease management strategies?
Thus far, we have initiated projects on pollen-borne viruses in peaches and blackberries, in an effort to understand the movement of pollen (perhaps via insects) between wild/ornamental hosts of the virus and the cultivated plants. Determining the role of flower-visiting insects in these interactions is another area of interest. We have also continued to work on grapevine viruses, in particular grapevine red blotch virus, which is present in the southeastern U.S., but it is unclear how widespread GRBV is in vineyards in this region, and how the climate impacts disease spread and severity.
If you are interested in being involved in this research, discussing ideas, or collaborating with us on plant virus ecology research, please get in touch!