The Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University's Fall Seminar Series continued on October 28th with an engaging presentation from Daniel Kimtai, a Plant Pathology Master's Student, for his exit seminar. Approximately thirty faculty, staff, students, and guests attended to hear how his research is helping to advance plant pathology.
Kimtai focused on the causal agent of red crown rot on corn, a disease of increasing concern in Midwestern agriculture. He conducted his research by collecting soil and root samples from multiple states within the Corn Belt, where he identified two agents that stood out as causative agents. Through a series of pathosensitivity tests, he determines that one sample referred to as PAM was causing significant root rot symptoms, including reduced root length and biomass loss in infected plants. Kimtai also evaluated the geographic distribution of the pathogen within the Midwest and tested its sensitivity to commonly used fungicides. This research contributes valuable insights into the management of red crown rot and will support the development of more targeted, regionally informed disease prevention strategies for corn growers.
Clarice Schmidt, research scientist and lab manager, enjoyed the seminar and noted, “Kimtai was very knowledgeable and answered audience questions well.” Another attendee, Juan Pablo Barrientos, a graduate student, enjoyed the pictures presented during the seminar and thought Kimtai answered the question of how to deal with red corn rot well.
The PPEM Fall Seminar Series will continue on November 4th with a seminar presented by Nicolas Herrera, an M.S. student in Plant Pathology, who will deliver his exit seminar, "Epigenetic Regulation during Soybean Pathogen Interactions: Evolutionary and Functional Analysis of Demethylase Genes."