• Tim R. Gottwald, Research Leader/Plant Pathologist
• Scott Adkins, Research Plant Pathologist
• Nancy Kokalis Burelle, Research Ecologist
• Dan O. Chellemi, Research Plant Pathologist
• Mark Hilf, Research Plant Pathologist
• Erin Rosskopf, Research Microbiologist
• Staff Directory of the Subtropical Plant Pathology Research Unit

U. S. Horticultural Research Laboratory
2001 South Rock Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Telephone: (561) 462-5800
Fax: (561) 462-5986
Email: TGottwald@ushrl.ars.usda.gov

The Subtropical Plant Pathology Unit conducts research on bacterial, fungal, nematode, and viral diseases of citrus, vegetables, ornamentals, and subtropical crops. Research provides information for the improvement of crop production and to protect citrus from exotic diseases that threaten the U.S. citrus industry. Areas of specific research include the development of rapid, practical, and economical methods of pathogen identification, disease characterization, quantitative and qualitative disease epidemiology and pathosystem modeling, biological control of diseases, physiological characterization of host-parasite interactions, germplasm improvement for disease resistance, and development of alternatives to methyl bromide for control of soil-borne pathogens and pests. Major disease problems of citrus addressed by the research unit are citrus tristeza, citrus blight, citrus canker, Phytophthora, nematodes, foliar fungal and bacterial diseases, virus and viroid diseases, and exotic virus and fastidious bacterial diseases. Research on biologically based alternatives to methyl bromide for control of soil-borne diseases, weeds, and nematodes affecting vegetables is also addressed.