Rebecca Curland

As a researcher in Carol Ishimaru's phytobacteriology lab, my primary focus has been on bacterial leaf streak (BLS) of wheat and barley, caused by Xanthomonas translucens pathovars. Our lab group collaborates with Small Grains Pathology and the UMN wheat and barley programs to identify resistant and susceptible varieties and breeding materials through both field and greenhouse screenings. Additionally, we have collected and characterized a large collection of Xanthomonas isolates from the state in an effort to understand the pathogen population associated with recent BLS incidences in Minnesota, North and South Dakota. I have also worked in partnership with the Malvick lab to study recent outbreaks of Goss's Wilt of corn. Our group is currently working on soft rot of potato as there is a growing concern regarding disease caused by Dickeya species newly introduced to the U.S. We have partnered with the MDA as well as a nationwide collaboration funded by USDA to survey and characterize isolates associated with potato blackleg and soft rot in the Upper Midwest.