20 Oct 2021

Michigan State University Greenhouse Management Article

Erik Runkle, Michigan State University and Paul Fisher, University of Florida

Erik Runkle at Michigan State University and Paul Fisher at University of Florida describe how to prevent crop losses by following greenhouse sanitation protocols and practices.

FRA 2021 Runkle GHSanitation (2550 KB)

22 Oct 2020

Genetic Transformation of Ornamental Succulents for Disease Resistance

Taylor Schulden, University of Maryland

Taylor Schulden, MSc student from University of Maryland advised by Dr. John Erwin, researches the genetic transformation of ornamental succulents for disease resistance. 

21 Oct 2010

Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) perform poorly on and disperse from plants exposed to methyl jasmonate

Charles L. Rohwer & John E. Erwin (University of Minnesota)

Jasmonates are plant hormones involved in wound and defense responses against herbivorous arthropods. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is used experimentally to induce defense responses in plants. Spraying plants with 100 lM MeJA 1 day before infestationcaused mites to disperse within 2 days from treated impatiens [Impatiens wallerana Hook f.,'Super Elfin Pink' (Balsaminaceae)], pansy [Viola x wittrockiana Gams, 'Imperial Beaconsfield'(Violaceae)], and tomato [Solanum lycopersicum L., 'Big Boy' (Solanaceae)] plants. In addition, MeJAapplication reduced mite proliferation rate on impatiens and pansy by 60% (measured 22-34 daysafter infestation). Proteinase inhibitor (PI) assays suggested that MeJA-induced PIs alone were notresponsible for the observed results in pansy and impatiens but may have been a factor in tomato.

Rohwer and Erwin 2010 spider mites methyl jasmonate EEA (298 KB)