Ph.D. Student
Department of Plant Pathology University
of Minnesota
2003-2006
M.S., Agronomy South
Dakota State University, Brookings,
SD
1997-2001
B.Sc Agriculture Institute of Agriculture
and Animal Science Tribhuvan University,
Nepal
Research Focus
I am investigating how
environmental factors influence the development of Fusarium head blight (FHB)
of wheat and the production and accumulation of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol
(DON) in Fusarium-infected grain. I am
also examining the development of the disease in isolates of pathogen with
differing aggressiveness and in wheat lines with differing levels of genetic
resistance.
Fusarium Head Blight (FHB or
scab) is a destructive disease of cereals, caused primarily by Fusarium
graminearum [teleomorph Gibberella zeae]. This disease has reemerged worldwide as a
disease of economic importance due to losses of yield and quality. Quality losses arise due to the presence of
mycotoxins, including DON in Fusarium-contaminated grain. Environmental conditions are important in
influencing both disease development and toxin production. How environmental factors trigger, regulate
or otherwise influence mycotoxin synthesis and accumulation in the infected
host are not well understood as the DON concentration in the kernel being a
result of complex interactions between host, pathogen and environments. My research should help understand these
complex interactions and facilitate the development of control strategies to
minimize DON contamination of wheat.
Professional Experience
2006-Present
Research
Assistant Department of Plant
Pathology University of
Minnesota
2006
Technician Department of
Plant Science South Dakota State
University
2006.
Teaching Assistant
Introductory Crop Production South Dakota
State University,
2003-2006.
Research Assistant
Department of Plant Science South Dakota State University,
2001-2002
Program Officer National
Alliance for Food Security-Nepal (NAFOS) Secretariat at South Asia
Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE),
1995
Volunteer, Landscape
Project Urban Development Authority, Sri Lanka and
Siddarthanagar Municipality, Nepal, .
Awards and Honors
2008 Fred I.
Frosheiser Scholarship, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota
2007 Ward C
Stienstra & Richard A Meronuck Graduate Student Travel Award, Department of
Plant Pathology, University
of Minnesota
2005 Gamma Sigma
Delta Honor for scholastic achievement - Gamma Sigma Delta South Dakota State
University Chapter.
2003 Graduate
Research Assistantship – Corn breeding, South DakotaStateUniversity.
1996 – 2000
Annual Merit Stipends - Institute of Agriculture & Animal Science, Nepal.
Publications
Gautam, P.
and R. Dill-Macky. 2008. Post Inoculation Moisture Impacts Deoxynivalenol
Accumulation in Fusarium graminearum-Infected
Wheat. Cereal Research Communication 36 (Suppl. B43):493 (Abstract)
Gautam, P.
and R. Dill-Macky. 2008. Post-Inoculation Moisture and Deoxynivalenol
Production by Fusarium graminearum in
Wheat. Phytopathology 98:S58 (Abstract).
Gautam, P.
and R. Dill-Macky. 2007. Effect of Post-Inoculation Moisture on Deoxynivalenol
Accumulation in Fusarium graminearum-infected
Wheat. In: Canty, S., A. Clark, and D. Ellis (Eds.), Proceedings of the
National Fusarium Head Blight Forum; 2007 Dec 2-4; Kansas City, MO
pp:75-77.
Gautam, P. and
R. Dill-Macky. 2007. Fusarium Head Blight Infection and
Deoxynivalenol Production by Fusarium
graminearum in Wheat. Phytotahology 97:S39
(Abstract).
Gautam, P.,
Z. Wicks and D. M. Gustafson. 2006. Study on Phosphorus and
Nitrogen Concentration of Corn Adapted in
South Dakota. Proceedings of 36th
North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference,
Nov 7-8, 2006, Des Moines, IA. Potash and Phosphate Institute
(Abstract).
Gautam, P.
2003. Antidumping Measures: New Protectionism in the Globalization Era.
The World Trade Review, Issue No. 7,
vol. 3, 1-15 April 2003, Islamabad, Pakistan. www.worldtradereview.com
Gautam,
P. 2002. Mountain Farming and Policy: Nepalese Perspective.
Proceedings of International Symposium on Mountain
Farming (ISMF). 19-21 November 2002,
Mussoorie, India. Canadian Centre for
International Studies and Cooperation (CECI),
India.
Gautam, P. 2002.
World Food Summit: Will it Come Up with Solutions?
Space Time Today, Vol. II, No. 15, 12
June 2002, Space Time Publication (P) Ltd, Kathmandu,
Nepal.
Gautam, P. 2002.
Biodiversity Conservation: Need to be Serious. The Rising
Nepal, Vol.XXXXVII, No. 169, 3 June 2002,
Gorkhapatra Sansthan, Kathmandu, Nepal. www.nepalresearch.org/nature
