 | | Paul Meyer |
Paul W. Meyer
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Minnesota
Department of Plant Pathology 495 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
E-Mail: meye0696@umn.edu
Graduate advisor: Dr. Jim Kurle
| 2003-present | Ph.D Candidate
Department of Plant Pathology
University of Minnesota | | 1981-1986 | Ph.D., Biophysics
Department of Biology
California Institute of Technology | | 1975-1979 | B.S., Engineering and Applied Science
California Institute of Technology |
Research Focus
My main objective is to reduce the severity and economic cost of soybean root diseases caused by Fusarium, Phytophthora, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia spp. Seed treatment has produced inconsistent results in field trials in Minnesota. To understand the reason behind this, I am investigating the effect of seed treatment fungicides on taproot infection by the four major soybean root pathogens, as a function of environmental conditions, soil type, and time after planting. Results from this study will help growers to target fungicide applications more cost-effectively. I am also conducting a study to determine the optimum combination of soil temperature and moisture for infection by each of the four major soybean root pathogens. Surprisingly, these optima are confined to narrow ranges of soil temperature and moisture in some cases, and may vary from season to season. This may suggest improved managment practices for controlling root rot, such as changing planting dates or tillage methods from year to year, to provide soil conditions that are less favorable for infection. Along with the four pathogens listed above, a number of naturally occurring mycoparasites have also turned up in our root colonization assays, such as Gliocladium and Penicillium spp. I would like to understand the role of these and other beneficial organisms in controlling soybean root disease, and the interaction of seed treatment fungicides with these organisms.
Professional Experience
| 1995-2002 | Engineer
Black Diamond Inc., Woodbury MN.
| | 1994-1995 | Engineer
Card Trak LLC, Woodbury, MN.
| | 1986-1993 | Engineer
Cellular Control Systems Corp., Woodland Hills, CA.
| | 1986-1987 | Instructor
California State University, Northridge, CA.
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Publications
Meyer PW and Kurle JE (2007). Interaction of temperature and soil moisture in root rot of soybean (abstract). American Phytopathological Society annual meeting, San Diego, CA, July 28, 2007. Meyer PW and Kurle JE (2007). Efficacy and persistence of seed treatment against root rot of soybean (abstract). American Phytopathological Society annual meeting, San Diego, CA, July 28, 2007. Meyer PW (2004) Spheroidal slag and fly ash particles and apparatus and process for producing same. US Patent 6,746,636, issued June 8, 2004. Meyer PW (2001) Spheroidal slag particles and apparatus and process for producing spheroidal slag and fly ash particles. US Patent 6,258,456, issued July 10, 2001. Meyer PW (1999) Spheroidal beads from boiler slag and fly ash. 1999 International Ash Utilization Symposium, Center for Applied Energy Research, University of Kentucky, paper #29. Meyer PW, Matus IJ, and Berg HC (1987) Avoidance of Phycomyces in a controlled environment. Biophys J. 51(3): 425–437. Professional Organizations
American Phytopathological Society, student member | 
