Alison Robertson

I have statewide responsibility for management of diseases of field crops. I coordinate and provide leadership for corn and soybean disease diagnosis and management information, and education programs for corn and soybean farmers and agribusiness professionals throughout Iowa. Through my Extension activities, I strive to increase the plant pathology expertise of my clientele in order to facilitate more effective disease management and thereby increased net returns for farmers. My research program addresses current issues in disease management of corn and soybean production and directly supports my Extension efforts.  Our primary research focus is oomycete diseases of corn and soybean, specifically seedling diseases caused by Pythium and Phytophthora species. We are interested in how conventional cultural practices, particularly cover crops, affect the oomycete community that causes seedling disease.  We also do research on Physoderma brown spot and node rot of corn (Physoderma maydis) and Goss's bacterial wilt and leaf blight (Clavibacter michiganenisis subsp. nebraskensis). Lastly we evaluate seed treatments and foliar fungicides for efficacy for numerous agrochemical companies.