Research Presentations

Cucumber – Breeding, Genetics, Genomics, & Pathology

  • Lin YC, Tang X, Weng Y, Fei Z, Grumet R. Identification of QTL Associated with Young Fruit Resistance to Phytophthora Fruit Rot in Cucumber. Plant Animal Genome Conf., San Diego CA. January 2024.
  • Lin YC, Weng Y, Fei Z, Grumet R. Genetic Analysis of Morphological Diversity for Fruit Quality Traits in the Cucumber Core Collection. Plant Animal Genome Conf., San Diego CA. January 2024.
  • Rett-Cadman S, Grumet R. Genomide Wide Association Study of Cuticle and Lipid Droplet Properties of Cucumber Fruit. Plant and Animal Genome Conference, San Diego CA. January 2024.
  • Lin Y.C., Rett-Cadman S., Grumet R. Phenotypic and Genetic Analysis of Fruit Morphological Traits for the USDA Cucumber Core Collection. Plant and Animal Genome Conference, San Diego CA, January 2023.
  • Lin Y.C., Grumet R. 2023. QTL Mapping of Young Fruit Resistance to Phytophthora capsici in Cucumber. Plant and Animal International Conference 30. San Diego, CA. Jan 15, 2023.
  • Rett-Cadman S, Hammar S, Grumet R. 2023. Biochemical and Genetic Analyses of Cucumber Fruit Peel Lipid Droplets. Plant and Animal International Conference 30. San Diego, CA. Jan 15, 2023.
  • Rett-Cadman S, Hammar S, Grumet R. 2023. Isolation and Characterization of Lipid Droplets in Cucumber Fruit. Plant and Animal International Conference 30. San Diego, CA. Jan 2023.
  • Weng, Y. 2023. Marker-assisted QTL pyramiding expedites development of cucumbers with multiple disease resistances. Plant and Animal International Conference 30. San Diego, CA. Jan 15, 2023.
  • Weng Y. 2023. ‘Development of 3K SNP panel for targeted genotyping in cucumber.’ An oral presentation at ISHS Cucurbits Symposium, online, Zhengzhou, China. June 12, 2023.
  • Weng Y. 2023. ‘The USDA-ARS, UW-Madison Cucumber Breeding Program.’ A seminar presentation at Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. October 23, 2023.

  • Culp C., Chen YC, Grumet R.  Testing Cucumber Accessions for Phytophthora Fruit Rot Resistance. MSU Undergraduate Research Forum. East Lansing MI 2022.

  • Lin Y.C., Grumet R. QTL Mapping of Young Fruit Resistance to Phytophthora capsici in Cucumber. Cucurbitaceae 2022. Naples FL. November 2022.
  • Lin Y.C. Lin YC, Rett-Cadman S, Grumet R. Phenotypic and Genetic Analysis of Fruit Morphological Traits for the USDA Cucumber Core Collection. American Society of Horticultural Sciences. Chicago, IL. 2022.
  • Rett-Cadman S, Hammar S, and Grumet R. Isolation and Characterization of Lipid Droplets in Cucumber Fruit. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples FL. November 2022.
  • Rosado-Rivera Y. I., Adams M. L., D’Arcangelo K. N. and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Downy mildew disease management of cucumber and squash in North Carolina. Cucurbitaceae 2022. Naples, Florida, November 2022.
  • Tan JY, Weng Y. ‘Sequence variation in sigma factor binding protein1 (CsSIB1) contributes to downy mildew resistance in cucumber.’ A presentation at 2nd Intl Symposium for Hort Plant Biol and Biotech, Beijing, China. Nov 17-18, 2022.
  • Uebbing M.R., and Hausbeck M.K. Using weather conditions to time fungicide application intervals for control of downy mildew on cucumber. American Phytopathological Society North Central Division Meeting, Lincoln, NE, June 2022.
  • Uebbing M.R., Hausbeck M.K. Managing Cucurbit Downy Mildew in Pickling cucumber using disease forecasters and fungicides. Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, March 2022.
  • Weng Y. Cucumber Breeding: All Things Considered. ‘Global Connect Series
    Lectures’ organized by the Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, India (Virtual)
    April 20, 2022
  • Weng, Y. The Gy14v2.0 pickling cucumber genome. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Weng Y, Xu XW, Dymerski R, Wang YH, Copetti D, Luo MC, Fei ZJ, Sun HH, Qu SJ, Jiang N, Bostan H, Iorizzo M. The US processing cucumber genome assembly Gy14v2.0. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Zia, B., Weng, Y., Cutulle, M.A. and Ling, K.-S. Identification of Genetic Sources of Resistance to the Emerging Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus in Cucumber Lines. American Phytopathological Society, Pittsburgh, PA. August 2022.
  • Zia, B., Yiqun Weng, Y., Chen, F., Levi, A., Matthew A. Cutulle, M.A., and Ling, K.-S. Identification and characterization of genetic resistance in cucumber and watermelon to Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • De Figueiredo Silva, F., A.P. Keinath, and D. Kunkel. Economic impact of the foliar disease downy mildew under fungicide applications in cucumber production: a preliminary analysis. Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting. February 2021.
  • Hausbeck, M.K., B.R. Harlan, J.C. Bello, and G. Kenny. Downy Mildew Management in Pickling Cucumbers.  Agriculture Agri-Food Canada, Ontario, Canada.  Virtual. April 2021.
  • Keinath, A.P. and F.D. Silva. Economic impacts of downy mildew and reduced fungicide efficacy on slicing cucumber. Canadian Reduced-Risk Strategy for Cucumber Downy Mildew Annual Meeting. 2021.
  • Keinath, A.P., and F.D. Silva. Economic impacts of downy mildew and reduced fungicide efficacy on slicing cucumber. Plant Health 2021, American Phytopathological Society. Virtual. August 2 – 6, 2021.
  • Lin, Y.C., Y. Weng, Z. Fei, and R. Grumet. Phenotypic analysis of the U.S. cucumber PI core collection for fruit morphological diversity National Association of Plant Breeders Annual Meeting. Virtual. August 18, 2021.
  • Adams, M.L., K.N. D’Arcangelo, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Evaluation of fungicides and cultivars for control of cucumber downy mildew. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division American Phytopathological Society, Charleston, SC. Phytopathology 110:S1.21. February 2020.
  • Kenny, G.  Cucumber field data.  Departmental seminar, Department of Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. Virtual. 2020.
  • Lin, Y.C. and R. Grumet. QTL-seq of Young Fruit Resistance to Phytophthora capsici in Cucumber. 2020 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meeting. Virtual. August 9, 2020.
  • Lin, Y.C., S. Rett-Cadman, Y. Weng, Z. Fei, and R. Grumet. Phenotypic analysis of the US cucumber PI core collection for diversity of fruit morphological traits. Poster presentation at Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVIII. San Diego, CA. Jan 13-18, 2020.
  • Lin, Y.C., Y. Weng, and R. Grumet. Phenotypic Analysis of the U.S. Cucumber PI Core Collection for Fruit Morphological Diversity. Aug 10-13, 2020.
  • Liu, H.Q., J.Y. Zhao, and Y. Weng. A modified protocol improves efficiency of Agrobacterium- mediated transformation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Poster presentation at Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVIII. San Diego, CA. Jan 13-18, 2020.
  • Zhao, J.Z., K.L. Bo, Y.P. Pan, X.F. Gu, and Y. Weng. CsphyB and CsGA20ox-2 coordinate hypocotyl elongation in cucumber. Poster presentation at Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVIII. San Diego, CA. Jan 13-18, 2020.
  • Lin, Y.C. and R. Grumet.  QTLseq of young fruit resistance to Phytophthora capsici in cucumber. Plant Health Conference APS. 2019.
  • Mandal, M.K., J. Ikerd, P.A. Wadl, L. Williams, L.M. Quesada-Ocampo, and C.S. Kousik. Comprehensive disease survey on USDA-ARS cucumber germplasm collections in search for downy mildew resistance. Charleston SC. APS Annual Meeting at Cleveland, OH. 2019.
  • Mansfeld, B. and R. Grumet.  Gene expression dynamics of age-related resistance of cucumber to Phytophthora capsici. Plant and Animal Genome XXVII Conference. January 12-16, 2019.
  • Grumet, R. Cucumber fruit development and resistance to Phytophthora capsici. Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing China, 2018.
  • Grumet, R. Cucumber fruit development and resistance to Phytophthora capsici. Beijing Vegetable Research Institute, Beijing China, 2018.
  • Grumet, R. Cucumbers – the CucCAP project, genetic diversity, and resistance to Phytophthora capsici. University of Illinois, Champaign IL, 2018.
  • Lin, Y.C. and R. Grumet. Genetic analysis of young fruit resistance to Phytophthora capsici in cucumber. American Society for Horticultural Sciences.  2018.
  • Lin, Y.C. and R. Grumet. Genetic analysis of young fruit resistance to Phytophthora capsici in cucumber. National Association of Plant Breeders, Guelph Ontario, 2018.
  • Lin, Y.C. and R. Grumet. QTL-seq of young fruit resistance to Phytophthora capsici in cucumber. CUCURBITACEAE 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Mansfeld, B. and R. Grumet. Differential transcriptomic responses to infection associated with cucumber age-related resistance to Phytophthora capsici. American Society for Plant Biology. 2018.
  • Mansfeld, B. and R. Grumet. Inhibitory effects of cucumber fruit age-related resistance to Phytophthora capsici manifest within 24 hours of infection. CUCURBITACEAE 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Thammapichai, P., J.S. Pan, D.H. Koo, Y.H. Han, J.M. Jiang, and Y. Weng. Genomics-aided development and characterization of Cucumis hystrix introgression lines in cucumber. CUCURBITACEAE 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Wang, Y.H., J.Y. Tan, Z.M. Wu, K. VandenLangenberg, T.C. Wehner, C.L. Wen, X.Y. Zheng, K. Owens, A. Thornton, H.H. Bang, E. Hoeft, P.A.G. Kraan, J. Suelmann, J.S. Pan, and Y. Weng. A loss-of-susceptibility mutation in the STAYGREEN gene (CsSGR) provides durable, broad-spectrum disease resistances for US cucumber production. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, Novenber 12-15, 2018.
  • Wang, Y.H., K. VandenLangenberg, T.C. Wehner, and Y. Weng. Genetic architecture of downy mildew resistance in cucumber. Abstract for Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVII, San Diego, CA, January 12-16, 2018.
  • Wang, X. The USDA Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Collection: Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, Genome-Wide Association Studies and Core Collection Development. CUCURBITACEAE 2018, Davis CA, Novenber 12-15, 2018.
  • Weng, Y. Genetic basis of downy mildew resistance in cucumber. CUCURBITACEAE 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Weng, Y. ‘Molecular Breeding Infrastructure Development in the USDA-ARS/University of Wisconsin Cucumber Improvement Program’. Invited talk at First China National Conference on Molecular Breeding in Horticulture Crops, Harbin, China, July 29, 2018.
  • Weng, Y. ‘Cucumber Molecular Breeding- current status and perspectives’. Invited talk in the Institute of Vegetable Research. Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, China, May 7, 2018.
  • Weng et al. 2018. Genetic architecture of downy mildew resistance in cucumber. Cucurbit workshop. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVI, San Diego, CA. January 9-13, 2018.
  • Yuhui, W., K. VandenLangenberg, T.C. Wehner and Y. Weng. 2018. Genetic architecture of downy mildew resistance in cucumber. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVI, San Diego, CA. January 9-13, 2018.
  • Zhang, C., B.M. Mansfeld, and R. Grumet. Development of a real-time fluorescence based microplate assay for pathogen growth on plant tissue: Phytophthora capsici infection of cucumber fruit. CUCURBITACEAE 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Zheng, Y. Cucurbit Genomics Database: Integration genetic and genomics resources for cucurbit breeding. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVI, San Diego, CA. January 9-13, 2018.
  • Colle, M., B. Mansfeld, and R. Grumet. Genome-wide SNP discovery and identification of age-related resistance loci in cucumber by QTL-seq. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXV, San Diego CA, January 14-18, 2017.
  • Mandal, M.K., J.L. Ikerd, E.C. Wallace, G. Rebbeca, W. Turechek, L.M. Quesada-Ocampo, and C.S. Kousik. Population biology of the downy mildew pathogen on tolerant and susceptible cucumber in the southeastern United States. Phytopathology 107: S5.127. Presented at the Annual meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, San Antonio, TX. 563-P, August 2017.
  • Mansfeld, B., M. Colle, and R. Grumet. Genome-wide SNP discovery and identification of age-related resistance loci in cucumber by QTL-seq. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXV , San Diego CA, Jan 14-18, 2017.
  • Weng, Y. Improve QTL detection power: cucumber downy mildew resistance. An invited talk at China Agricultural University (Beijing, China, July 11, 2017.

Melon – Breeding, Genetics, Genomics, & Pathology

  • Mondal, S., Ando, K., Tamang, P., Fashing, P., Chen, C., Wintermantel, W.M., and McCreight, J.D.  Advancement of CYSDV-resistant melon lines using marker-assisted selection. American Phytopathological Society, Annual meeting, Denver, Colorado, August 12 – 16, 2023.

  • Mondal S, Chen C, Jenkins-Hladky LL, Wintermantel WM. 2022. Spatio-temporal accumulation of two closely related criniviruses in melon plants during co-infection. Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, Pittsburgh, PA, August 6-10, 2022.

  • Mondal S, Wintermantel W, McCreight J. 2022. Advancement of CYSDV-resistant Melon using Marker-Assisted Selection. Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, Pittsburgh, PA, August 6-10, 2022.
  • Mondal, S., Ando, K., Tamang, P., Fashing, P., Chen, C., Wintermantel, W.M., and McCreight, J.D. Advancement of CYSDV-resistant melon lines using marker-assisted selection. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Shaonpius Mondal, K. Ando, P. Tamang, P. Fashing, W.M. Wintermantel, and J.D. McCreight.  Advancement of CYSDV-resistant melon using marker-assisted selection. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Wintermantel WM. Whitefly populations in the Central Valley of California Lead to introduction and establishment of whitefly-transmitted viruses in melon. Entomological Society of America. November 2022.
  • Schultheis, J. and K. Starke. Melon cultigens and their adaptation in the southeastern United States when grown in North Carolina (abstr.) 2021.
  • Toporek, S.M., and A. P. Keinath.  Clade and mating type distribution and population structure of Pseudoperonsopra cubensis on Cucumis melo in the eastern United States. Plant Health 2021, American Phytopathological Society. Virtual. 2021.
  • Mondal, S., L. Hladky, and W.M. Wintermantel. Competition between two criniviruses for transmission by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, and subsequent infection of melon plants. Plant Health Virtual Meeting 2020.
  • Rabelo, H.O., L.T. Braz, and J.D. McCreight. Tools for cucurbit powdery mildew race identification on melon. Annual meeting, Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 10-13 August 2020.
  • Tamang, P., K. Ando, W.M. Wintermantel, and J.D. McCreight. Deciphering the genetic basis of CYSDV resistance in melon PI 313970. Annual meeting, Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 10-13 August 2020.
  • McCreight, J.D., W.M. Wintermantel, A.I. Lopez-Sese, and M.L. Gomez-Guillamon. Allelism of resistance to Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus in melon accessions PI 313970 and TGR 1551. Annual meeting, Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 22-25 July, Las Vegas, NV. 2019.
  • Ando, K. and McCreight, J.D. Potential for Production of Turkmen Melons in California, Nation Association of Plant Breeders annual meeting, Davis, CA, 7-10 August 7-10 2018.
  • Ando, K., X. Wang, U. Reddy, Z. Fei, and J. McCreight. Exploring Genetic Diversity in The U.S. National Melon Collection. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Ando, K., X. Wang, Z. Fei, W. Wintermantel, and J. McCreight. Where in The New Melon Classification Schemes Does Cucumis melo ssp. agrestis var. texanus Belong? Cucurbitaceae 2018, Univ. California, Davis, 12-15 November 2018.
  • Ando, K., X. Wang, U. Reddy, Z. Fei, and J. McCreight. Exploring Genetic Diversity in The U.S. National Melon Collection. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Ando, K., W.M. Wintermantel, and J.D. McCreight. Phylogenetic analyses confirm the unique status of the wild new world melon, Cucumis melo ssp. agrestis var. texanus, and suggest it be tentatively designated Group Texanus in the recent revision of melon nomenclature, American Society for Horticultural Science 2018 Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., July 30–August 3, 2018.
  • Branham, S.E., A. Levi, M. Katawczik, Z. Fei, and W.P. Wechter. Construction of a High-Density Genome- Anchored Genetic Map for Melon (Cucumis melo L.) and Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis Race 1 Resistance QTL.  (poster) Plant and Animal Genome XXVI Conference. Jan. 12-16, 2018.
  • McCreight, J.D., D. Coffey Michael, K. Ando, and S. Kousik Chandrasekar. Cucurbit powdery mildew races on melon: current status in the U.S., American Society for Horticultural Science 2018 Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., July 30–August 3, 2018.
  • Daley, J., S. Branham, A. Levi, R. Hassell, and P. Wechter. Mapping resistance to Alternaria cucumerina in muskmelon. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXV , San Diego CA, Jan 14-18, 2017.
  • Kaur, N., W. Chen, Z. Fei, and W.M. Wintermantel. “Transcriptome changes occurred in the whitefly, B. tabaci MEAM1 in response to feeding on CYSDV-infected melon,” American Phytopathological Society annual meeting, San Antonio, TX, August 5-9, 2017.
  • Kaur, N., W. Chen, Z. Fei, and W.M. Wintermantel. “Transcriptome changes occurred in the whitefly, B. tabaci MEAM1 in response to feeding on melon infected with the crinivirus, CYSDV,” 3rd Hemipteran-Plant Interactions Symposium, Madrid. Spain. June 4-8, 2017.
  • Natwick, E.T., W.M. Wintermantel, R.L. Gilbertson, S.G. Blanco, and J.D McCreight. “Evaluation of Potential New Sources of Melon Host Plant Resistance to the Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci,” 3rd Hemipteran-Plant Interactions Symposium, Madrid. Spain. June 4-8, 2017.
  • Wechter, P., Branham S, Levi A. 66-P: GBS-SNP-based linkage mapping and QTL associated with resistance to race 1 Fusarium wilt in Cucumis melo. American Phytopathological Society. 266-P, 2017.
  • Wechter, P. “Mapping Resistance to Alternaria Cucumerina in Muskmelon,” Plant and Animal Genome meeting, San Diego, CA, January 14-18, 2017.
  • Wechter, P. “Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to race 1 Fusarium wilt in Cucumis melo,” American Phytopathological Society annual meeting, San Antonio, TX, August 5-9, 2017.
  • McCreight, J.D., W.M. Wintermantel, and E.T. Natwick. Expression of Host Plant Resistance in Melon to Sweetpotato Whitefly in the Desert Southwest United States. DOI: 10.1603/ICE.2016.115559, XXV International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL, Sep. 2016.
  • McCreight, J.D., W.M. Wintermantel, and E.T. Natwick. New Sources of Resistance to CYSDV in Melon, In Cucurbitaceae 2016, XIth EUCARPIA Meeting on Genetics and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae, Kozik EU and Paris HS, eds, Warsaw, Poland, p. 61–65. July 24–28, 2016.
  • McGregor, C.E. Advances in Watermelon Breeding. Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference, Savannah, GA, January 8-10, 2016.
  • Miller, N.F. and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Evaluation of fungicides for management of Fusarium wilt of watermelon. Phytopathology. (Abstract) 2016.
  • Wintermantel, W.M., J.D. McCreight, and E.T. Natwick. Epidemiology of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) and associated whitefly-transmitted viruses in the US Southwest and development of CYSDV resistant melon. Paper presentation at 2nd International Whitefly Symposium, Arusha, Tanzania, February 14-19,  2016.
  • Wintermantel, W.M., J.D. McCreight, and E.T. Natwick. Reservoir hosts of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and development of resistant melon. 13th International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium. Avignon, France, June 6-10, 2016.

Pumpkin and Squash – Breeding, Genetics, Genomics, & Pathology

  • Mazourek M.  National Association of Plant Breeders Conference. “Culinary Driven Plant Breeding” July 17, 2023.
  • Meru, G., Fu, Y., Shrestha, S., Sabharwal, P., Thakur, S., Michael, V. Development and application of genomic tools for squash breeding and genetics. Annual Conference for the American Society for Horticultural Science, Orlando FL. July 31 – August 4, 2023.
  • Meru, G. Squash Breeding and Genetics: Building Blocks for Success in a Genomics Era. Horticultural Sciences Department Seminar, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. 2023.
  • Perla, D., Medina-Mora, C.M., Engfehr, C., and Hausbeck, M.K. Evaluating hard squash cultivars for susceptibility to powdery mildew and fruit rot. 12th International Congress on Plant Pathology, The International Society for Plant Pathology and the French Phytopathological Society. Lyon, France. 20 Aug-25 Aug. 2023.
  • Singh, G., Luckew, A., Mcgregor, C., & Srinivasan, R. Harnessing host plant resistance: A promising approach to tackle whiteflies and viral diseases in squash. In Entomological Society of America, Annual Meeting. National Harbor, MD 2023.
  • Singh, G., Mcgregor, C., & Srinivasan, R. Screening newly-developed Squash (Cucurbita) germplasm lines for resistance against whitefly-transmitted Begomovirus and Crinivirus mixed infection. In Entomological Society of America, Annual SEB meeting. Little Rock, Arkansas 2023.
  • Sabharwal, P., Smart, C., Indermaur, L., Day, C.T., Mazourek, M., Inzinna, G., Hausbeck, M., Medina-Mora, C., and Meru, G. Evaluation of Cucurbita pepo germplasm for resistance to powdery mildew. Annual Conference, American Society for Horticultural Science. Orlando, FL. 31 Jul-4 Aug. 2023.

  • Alzohairy, S.A., Moore, B.M., Hammerschmidt, R., Shiu, S., and Hausbeck, M.K. Lignin biosynthesis gene expression is associated with age-related resistance of winter squash to Phytophthora capsici. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.

  • Heagy, K., T. Birdsell, and J. Schultheis. Effects of pumpkin spacing on fruit weight, quantity, and size. HortScience 57(9) Supplement (Part 2). S224. 2022.
  • Indermaur, E. J., Day, C. T. C., and Smart, C. D. Biofungicides for organic management of powdery mildew in winter squash. Poster. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Landrón A, Linares AM. Screening for powdery mildew resistance in Cucurbita moschata in Lajas, Puerto Rico. Proceedings Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Landron A. and A. Linares Ramirez. Identification of the Powdery Mildew Causal Agent in Cucurbita moschata Duch. for Breeding Purposes in Lajas, Puerto Rico. American Society of Horticultural Sciences. Chicago, IL. 2022.
  • Luckew, A., Bag, S., Srinivasan, R., Dutta, B., Da Silva, A.L.B.R., Meru, G., and C.E. McGregor. Genome wide association study of C. pepo evaluated for whiteflies and their transmitted viruses. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Mazourek M. 2022. Combining Resistance with Quality in Squash. Asia Pacific Seed Association Cucurbinar. Sept 29, 2022.
  • Meru, G., Fu, Y., Michael, N. and Shrestha, S. Genomics-enabled breeding in squash: progress towards high -throughput application. 135th annual meeting of Florida State Horticultural Society, Sarasota, FL, June 5-7, 2022.
  • Meru, G., Michael, N., Acharya, S., Fu, Y., Shrestha, S. and Sabharwal, P. RNA‐SEQ reveals potential defense mechanisms against Phytophthora capsici in squash. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Perla, D.E., Hayden, Z.D., and Hausbeck, M.K. Assessment of hard squash cultivars for resistance to crown rot caused by Phytophthora capsici and sugar content. American Phytopathological Society North Central Division Meeting. Lincoln, NE, 21-23 Jul. 2022.
  • Perla, D.E, Hayden, Z.D., and Hausbeck, M. K. Commercial hard squash cultivars exhibit differences in resistance to Phytophthora fruit and crown rot. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Meru G. Squash breeding and genetics: building blocks for success in a genomics era. Presented at the University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture, Spring 2021 semester seminar series, held virtually February 24, 2021.
  • Perla, D.  Evaluate strategies for management of Phytophthora blight Phytophthora capsici in Michigan processing squash.  Departmental seminar, Department of Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.  Virtual. 2021.
  • Michael, V.N., Y. Fu, S. Shrestha, and G. Meru. QTL mapping of Phytophthora crown rot resistance in squash. Presented at the 133rd Annual Meeting for the Florida State Horticultural Society, held virtually October 18 – October 20, 2020.
  • Perkins-Veazie, P., M. Trandel, J. Schultheis, and T. Birdsell. Pumpkin Postharvest: Stem Retention and Moisture with Storage. HortScience, 55(9S): S410-S411(abstr.). 2020.
  • Jeon, S., C.S. Krasnow, G.D. Bhalsod, B.R. Harlan, M.K. Hausbeck, S.I. Safferman and W. Zhange. Control of Phytophthora capsici diseases in greenhouse squash by fast-flow filtration. GreenSys 2019, International Symposium on Advanced  Technologies and Management for Innovative Greenhouses, Angers, France. June 17, 2019.
  • Kousik, C.S., J.L. Ikerd, and M.K. Mandal. Developing Sources of Resistance in Winter Squash (Cucurbita moschata) to Crown and Root Rot caused by Phytophthora capsici. Proceedings of the 2nd International Soilborne Oomycete conference, Page 39. 2018.
  • LaPlant, K. and M. Mazourek. Introgression mapping of wild species-derived resistance to viruses in Cucurbita. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, Nov. 12-15, 2018.
  • Kousik, C.S., J.L. Ikerd, and M.K. Mandal. New Sources of Resistance to Phytophthora Crown and Root Rot in Cucurbita moschata. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, Page 54. November 12-15, 2018.
  • Miranda-Vélez, M., L. Wessel-Beaver and J.C.V. Rodrigues. Disease assessment, inference on virus movement, and seedling development in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) infected with Papaya ringspot virus and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus. Reunión Científica de Estudiantes Graduados, Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Ciencias Agrícolas. May 18, 2018. College of Agriculture, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. 2018.
  • Miranda-Vélez, M., L. Wessel-Beaver and J.C.V. Rodrigues. Disease assessment in seedlings of tropical pumpkin infected with PRSV and ZYMV. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Perkins-Veazie, P., J. Schultheis, and T. Birdsell. Butternut squash in the south: postharvest quality after curing. SR-ASHS, Jacksonville, FL, February 2018.
  • Seda-Martínez, W., L. Wessel-Beaver and A. Linares-Ramírez. 2018. Effect of two Potyviruses on development and yield of tropical pumpkin. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Vogel, G., K. LaPlant, M. Mazourek, M. Gore, and C.D. Smart. Bulked segregant analysis with whole-genome resequencing to map QTL involved in Phytophthora crown and root rot resistance in Cucurbita pepo. Phytopathology 108:S1.1. ICPP, Boston, MA. August 1, 2018.
  • Vogel, G., K. LaPlant, M. Mazourek, M. Gore, and C. Smart. Next-Generation Sequencing Bulk Segregant Analysis Reveals Multiple Loci Involved in Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot Resistance in Squash. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Krasnow, C.S., and M.K. Hausbeck. Age-related resistance of Cucurbita spp. fruit to Phytophthora capsici.  Phytopathology 106:S1.5.  2016.
  • Mazourek M., W.L. Holdsworth, C. Hernandez, and K.E. LaPlan. Making up for lost time in Cucurbita molecular breeding.” Plant and Animal Genome Conference. San Diego, CA. 2016.
  • Miranda-Vélez, M., L. Wessel-Beaver, J.C. Verle-Rodrigues, and W. Seda-Martínez. Effect of leaf position on the assessment of resistance to Papaya ringspot virus and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus in tropical pumpkin. Proceedings of the 41st meeting of the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Ciencias Agrícolas. p. 57.  Corozal, Puerto Rico, November 18, 2016.
  • Perkins-Veazie, P., J.R. Schultheis, G. Ma, and T. Birdsell.  Carotenoid content of butternut squash cultivars following harvest and storage. HortScience. 51(9):S358  2016.
  • Wessel-Beaver, L. and J.C. Verle-Rodrigues. Sources of variation in ELISA tests used to quantify ZYMV and PRSV resistance in Cucurbita moschata. In: Cucurbitaceae 2016. Proceedings of the XIth Eucarpia meeting on genetics and breeding of Cucurbitaceae. E.U. Kozik and H.S. Paris, eds. Warsaw, Poland, p. 170-173. July 24–28, 2016.
  • Alzohairy, S., and M. Hausbeck.  Transcriptomic profiling of Cucurbita species to characterize the age-related resistance against Phytophthora capsici.  Page 19 in: Proceedings of the 1st International Soilborne Oomycete Conference, Duck Key, FL. Dec. 8-10, 2015.
  • Krasnow, C. and M. Hausbeck. Using directed fungicide applications to manage Phytophthora fruit rot of processing squash.  Page 23 in: Proceedings of the 1st International Soilborne Oomycete Conference, Duck Key, FL. Dec. 8-10  2015.

Watermelon – Breeding, Genetics, Genomics, & Pathology

  • Ganaparthi VR, Wechter WP, Levi A, Branham SE. Citrullus amarus as a source of disease resistance and introgression of Fusarium wilt resistance into cultivated watermelon. Cucurbit Genomics, Plant & Animal Genome Conference. San Diego, CA. January 2024.
  • Kumar R, Chanda, B., Adkins, S. and Kousik, C.S. Transcriptomic analysis of Watermelon-Squash Vein Yellowing Virus Interactions Reveals Elevated Expression of Callose and RNA Silencing genes in Resistant Genotype. Plant & Animal Genome Conference. San Diego, CA. January 2024.
  • Sun H. 2024. Graph-based pangenome of the Citrullus genus provides insights into watermelon evolution and domestication. Plant & Animal Genome Conference. San Diego, CA. January 2024.
  • Biswas, A., V. Ganaparthi, S. Kousik, P. Wechter, A. Levi, and S. Branham.  Genomic Selection (GS) Approach to incorporate Fusarium wilt race 2-resistance into Watermelon Cultivars. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Plant Breeders, Greenville, SC July 16-20, 2023.
  • Branham, S.E., Ganaparthi V., Kousik S., Wechter W.P., Park Y.H., Wehner T., Davis A., Tetteh A., Hammar S., Grumet R., Levi A. XP-GWAS and marker development for resistance to powdery mildew race 2W in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). Plant and Animal Genome. January 13, 2023.
  • Fei, Z. Genomic basis of watermelon origin, domestication, and breeding. School of Plant Integrative Science, Cornell University. February 2023.
  • Fei Z. Genomic basis of watermelon origin and domestication. Nanjing Forestry University. November 2023.
  • Fei Z. Genomic insights into watermelon origin and domestication. Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. November 2023.
  • Fei Z. Genomic basis of watermelon origin and domestication. Hunan Agricultural University. November 2023.
  • Fei Z. Genomic insights into watermelon origin and domestication. Fruit Quality Biology/ Food Quality and Safety International Conference 2023. Hangzhou, China. November 2023.
  • Fei Z. Genomic basis of watermelon origin and domestication. Shanghai Normal University. November 2023.
  • Fei Z. Pangenomes of wild and dessert watermelons. VII International Symposium on Cucurbits. Zhengzhou, China. 2023.
  • Fei Z. Genomic and pan-genomic basis of watermelon origin, domestication, and breeding. Molecular Horticulture 2023.
  • Fei Z. Genomic and pan-genomic basis of watermelon origin, domestication, and breeding. National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables. Beijing, China. 2023.
  • Fei, Z. Pangenomes of wild and dessert watermelons. VII International Symposium on Cucurbits. Zhengzhou, China. 2023.
  • Mcgregor, C. Citrullus germplasm with resistance to whiteflies and whitefly transmitted viruses. In American Society of Horticultural Science 2023 Annual Conference 96. McGregor CE , 2023.
  • Pandey, S., Luckew, A., McAvoy, T., Meru, G., Simmons, A., & Mcgregor, C. Evaluation of Citrullus Genotypes for Resistance to Whitefly Transmitted Viruses. In Southern Region— American Society for Horticultural Science, 2023.
  • Schultheis, J.R.*, S. Michel, B. Parker, and B. Stickley. Standard Size Watermelon Cultigen Yield and Quality Results for North Carolina. American Society of Horticultural Science Southern Region Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. Feb 3, 2023.
  • Natarajan, P, Nimmakayala P, Lopez-Ortiz C, Rathnagiri A, Rivera-Burgos LA, Sari N, Wehner TC, Levi A, Tomason Y, Reddy UK. Whole-Genome Scanning Using QTL-Seq and GWAS for Gummy Stem Blight Resistance in Watermelon. Plant & Animal Genome Conference: PAG 30. San Diego, CA, USA. January 13-18, 2023.
  • Purushothaman, Natarajan, Padma Nimmakayala, Carlos Lopez-Ortiz, Akilan Rathnagiri, Luis A. Rivera-Burgos, Nebahat Sari, Todd C. Wehner, Amnon Levi, Yan Tomason, Umesh K. Reddy. Whole-genome scanning using QTL-Seq and GWAS for gummy stem blight resistance in watermelon. The International Plant and Animal Genome Conference. PAG 30. 2023.
  • Purushothaman Natarajan, Padma Nimmakayala, Carlos Lopez-Ortiz, Akilan Rathnagiri, Luis A. Rivera-Burgos, Nebahat Sari, Todd C. Wehner, Amnon Levi, Yan Tomason, Umesh K. Reddy. Whole-genome scanning using QTL-Seq and GWAS for gummy stem blight resistance in watermelon. ISHS International Symposium on Cucurbits, China. 2023
  • Michel, S., J.R. Schultheis, B. Parker, and B. Stickley. 2023 Mini Watermelon Cultigen Yield and Quality Results for North Carolina. American Society of Horticultural Science Southern Region Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. Feb 3, 2023.
  • Sun, H. The Citrullus genus super-pangenome. BTI Monday Morning Seminar Series. March 2023.
  • Wu, S., Sun, H., Gao, L., Branham, S., McGregor, C., Wu, Y., Kousik, C., Wechter, W. P., Levi, A., Fei, Z. Super-pangenome of wild and cultivated watermelons. Plant & Animal Genome Conference. San Diego, CA. January 2023.
  • Zia, B., Levi, A., Simmons, A. and Ling, K.-S. Identification of SNPs associated with cucumber green mottle mosaic virus resistance in watermelon.  Plant Health 2023, Denver, CO, August 12-16, 2023.
  • Adams, L., Josiah, S., Legendre, R., & McGregor, C.  The Effect of Three Genetic Loci on Rind Thickness in Watermelon. HortScience, S291 2022.
  • Branham, S.E., Ganaparthi V, Kousik S, Wechter WP, Park YH, Wehner T, Davis A, Tetteh A, Hammar S, Grumet R, Levi A. XP-GWAS and marker development for resistance to powdery mildew race 2W in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Fei, Z. 2022. A super-pangenome of cultivated and wild watermelon species. Cucurbitaceae 2022. Naples, FL. October 2022.
  • Fei, Z. 2022. Genomic basis of watermelon origin, domestication, and breeding. BTI PGRP Summer Intern. July 2022.
  • Fei, Z. 2022. Genomic basis of watermelon origin, domestication, and breeding. Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences. October 2022.
  • Fei, Z. 2022. Genomic basis of watermelon origin, domestication, and breeding. The 2022. International Symposium of Horticulture and Plant Biology. Wuhan, China. August 2022.
  • Fei, Z. 2022. Genomic basis of watermelon origin, domestication, and breeding. The 9th International Horticulture Research Conference. Wuhan, China. November 2022.
  • Fei, Z. 2022. Genomic basis of watermelon origin, domestication, and breeding. University of North Carolina. October 2022.
  • Frank, A, Lin YC, Grumet R. Measurement and Analysis of Cucumber Fruit Curvature. MSU Undergraduate Research Forum. East Lansing MI 2022.
  • Ganaparthi, V., Branham S., Levi, A., Robinson, S., Katawczik, M., Wechter, P. Mapping and Validation of QTLs Imparting Fon Race 2 Resistance in Watermelon. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Heagy, K., T. Birdsell, and J. Schultheis. 2022. Effects of pumpkin spacing on fruit weight, quantity, and size. Watermelon Research and Development group, ASHS – Southern Region, New Orleans, LA. Feb. 11. 2022.
  • Kousik, C.S., Chanda, B., Mandal, M., Ikerd, J., Sudarshana, M., Turechek, W.W., Adkin, S. Developing resources for breeding watermelon varieties for resistance to whitefly- transmitted viruses. Virtual talk. Southern Division American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, March 2022. Chattanooga, TN.  2022.
  • Kousik, C.S., Chanda, B., Mandal, M., Ikerd, J., Sudarshana, M., Turechek, W.W., Adkin, S. Identifying and Confirming Resistance to Whitefly-Transmitted Cucurbit Leaf Crumple Virus in Watermelon Using Infectious Clones. Keynote talk. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Kousik, C.S., Chanda, B., Mandal, M., Ikerd, J., Sudarshana, M., Turechek, W.W., Adkin, S. Phenotyping resistance to whitefly-transmitted Cucurbit leaf crumple virus in watermelon using infectious clones and confirming resistance using dPCR. (Poster Presentation) American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, PA. August 2022..
  • Levi A. Challenges and progress in genetic research and in enhancing disease resistance in watermelon. South Korean Society of Plant Breeders and Geneticists. 2022.
  • McGregor CE. Where the Wild Things Are: Using Crop Wild Relatives for Watermelon Improvement. Invited virtual seminar in Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University. 2022.
  • McGregor CE, Rijal S. and S Josiah. The Use of Citrullus Crop Wild Relatives in Watermelon Breeding. American Society for Horticultural Science, Chicago, IL. 2022.
  • Michel S., Schultheis J., Keinath A., and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Incidence and yield response of seedless watermelon cultivars affected with Fusarium wilt. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Natarajan P, Nimmakayala P, Abburi V, Lopez-Ortiz C, Levi A, Wehner T, Reddy UK. (2022) Whole-Genome Scanning Using QTL-Seq and GWAS for Gummy StemBlight Resistance in Watermelon. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Pandey, S., Luckew, A., McAvoy, T., Meru, G., and C.E. McGregor. Evaluation of Citrullus genotypes for resistance to whitefly transmitted viruses. Southern Region ASHS annual meeting Oklahoma City, OK. 2022.
  • Purushothaman Natarajan, Padma Nimmakayala, Carlos Lopez-Ortiz, Akilan Rathnagiri, Luis A. Rivera-Burgos, Nebahat Sari, Todd C. Wehner, Amnon Levi, Yan Tomason, Umesh K. Reddy. Whole-genome scanning using QTL-Seq and GWAS for gummy stem blight resistance in watermelon. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Rijal S, McGregor CE. 2022. Introgression of gummy stem blight (GSB) resistance QTL into elite watermelon cultivars. Joint Southeastern Branch Entomological Society of America and American Phytopathological Society- Caribbean Division, San Juan, PR. HortScience, S233
  • Rijal S, McGregor CE. Watermelon improvement for gummy stem blight (GSB) resistance through marker-assisted introgression of resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) from the wild relatives. Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science, New Orleans, LA. 2022.
  • Rijal, S. Watermelon’s Wild Friends: Introgressing Important Traits in a Favorite Fruit. IPBGG Research Seminar, UGA. 2022.
  • Rijal, S. And C.E. McGregor. Marker-Assisted Breeding for Gummy Stem Blight Resistance in Watermelon. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Schultheis JR, Keinath A, Quesada-Ocampo L. Watermelon cultivar symptom plant incidence and yield response in fields in North and South Carolina containing Fusarium oxysporum f. sp niveum. Watermelon Research and Development group, ASHS – Southern Region, New Orleans, LA, Feb. 11. HortScience 57:S290 2022.
  • Schultheis, J.R. and K.D. Starke. Triploid watermelon standard size cultivar yield and quality results, North Carolina, 2021. Watermelon Research and Development group, ASHS – Southern Region, HortScience 57:S290. New Orleans, LA Feb. 11. 2022.
  • Wu, S. Pan-genome of wild and cultivated watermelons. University of Georgia.  2022.
  • Branham, S.E., W.P. Wechter, K. Ling, D.N. Katuuramu, and A. Levi. QTL mapping and pyramiding resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (races 1 and 2) and potyviruses in watermelon. Eucarpia Cucurbitaceae Symposium Proceedings. 2021
  • Chanda, B., J.L. Ikerd, S. Adkins, and C.S. Kousik. Understanding the disease resistance mechanism through RNA-Seq analysis of SqVYV-resistant watermelon. Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society. 2021.
  • Fei Z (2021) Genomic analyses shed light on watermelon origin and the genetic history of domestication and agronomic traits. CSHL Plant Genomes, Systems Biology & Engineer
  • Fei Z (2021) Genomic analyses shed light on watermelon origin and the genetic history of domestication and agronomic traits. Zhejiang University
  • Fei Z. Genomic analyses provide insights into the genetic history of watermelon domestication and agronomic traits. The 7th Asia-Pacific Agrobiological Genome Symposium, Korea. November 2021
  • Fei Z. Genomic analyses shed light on the genetic history of watermelon domestication and agronomic traits. The 2021 Cold Spring Harbor meeting on Plant Genomes, Systems Biology and Engineering. December 2021
  • Fei Z. The origin, history and future of watermelon. BTI Breaking Ground series. November 2021
  • Katuuramu, Dennis N., Sandra E. Branham, Amnon Levi, and W. Patrick Wechter. Genome-wide association analysis of downy mildew resistance in a pre-breeding watermelon (Citrullus amarus) collection. Eucarpia Cucurbitaceae Symposium Proceedings. 2021.
  • Kousik, C.S., Chanda, B., Suren, H., M., Ikerd, J., Turechek, W.W., Adkin, S. 2021. Advances in breeding for resistance to whitefly transmitted viruses in watermelon. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. Invited Virtual Talk. November 2022
  • Mandal, M.K., B. Chanda, and C.S. Kousik. Identification of Powdery Mildew Resistant Marker in Watermelon by Metabolomics and Genomics Approach. Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society. 2021.
  • Mandal M. K., D. Thompson, R. Harris, and C.S. Kousik. Bacterial Biocontrols in Sustainable Management of Phytophthora Crown and Fruit Rot in Pepper and Watermelon. Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society. 2021.
  • Gaines DD, Panicker GK, Henry K, Leonard K, Reddy UK. 2020. Evaluation of Grafted Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) grown on a Heavy Soil with Organic Treatments for Their Biomass, Quality, Yield, and Adaptability. ASHS Annual Conference, 2020
  • Kousik, C.S., S. Adkins, W.W. Turechek, R. Srinivasan, and P.D. Roberts. Breeding for resistance to whitefly transmitted viruses in watermelon. Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Virtual presentation in November 2020.
  • Trandel, M.A., S. Johanningsmeier, C. Gunter, J. Schultheis, and P. Perkins-Veazie, P. Cell wall architecture in grafted and non-grafted ‘Liberty’ watermelon with hollow heart. HortScience, 55(9S):S129 (abstr.). 2020.
  • Trandel, M.A., P. Perkins-Veazie, S. Johanningsmeier, J. Schultheis, and C. Gunter. The Backbone of Fruit: Cell Wall Polysaccharides in Grafted and Non-grafted ‘Liberty’ Watermelon at Varying Levels of Hollow Heart. HortScience, 55(9S): S423-S424 (abstr). 2020.
  • Trandel, M.A., P. Perkins-Veazie, J. Schultheis, C. Gunter, and E. Johannes. Grafting watermelon onto interspecific hybrid squash reduces hollow heart. Acta Horticulturae II International Symposium of Vegetable Grafting. 1302:225-232. 2020.
  • Adams, L. and C. McGregor. Bulked Segregant Analysis Identification of 5 Gummy Stem Blight Resistance Loci in Wild Watermelon Relatives. Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science, Louisville, KY. Poster. 2020.
  • Katuuramu, D., S. Branham, A. Levi, and W.P. Wechter. Phenotypic variability and genome-wide association analysis of downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) resistance in a pre-breeding watermelon Citrullus amarus collection. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. PE0692. 2020.
  • Kousik, C.S. Breeding for resistance to whitefly transmitted viruses in watermelon. Presented at the Whitefly Symposium. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, November 2020.
  • Kousik, C.S. Developing Sustainable Strategies for Managing Watermelon Diseases in Southeastern United States. Invited Presentation at the Indian Phytopathological Society Annual Symposium in Varanasi, India from February 26-28, 2020.
  • McGregor, C., A. Luckew, E. Wang, P. Mathews, R. Carvalho, A. da Silva, and R. Srinivasan. Evaluation of Cucurbita germplasm for resistance to whiteflies and whitefly-transmitted viruses. Entomological Society of America national meeting. Virtual. 2020.
  • Reyes, J.A., C. Villari, M.T. Brewer, B. Dutta, and C.E. McGregor. Detection of the Gummy Stem Blight Pathogens in Watermelon Using Quick Field-Adapted Technologies. Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science, Louisville, KY.  HortScience 55(9), S389 2020.
  • Shan, W., L. Gao, S.E. Branham, P.W. Wechter, C. Kousik, A. Levi, Y. Xu, and Z. Fei. De novo genome assembly of sweet watermelon relatives and a pan-genome of Citrullus species. Plant and Animal Genome XXVIII Conference. W322. January 2020.
  • Taylor, J., A. Boroujerdi, T. Pikes, R. Harris, C.S. Kousik, and M.K. Mandal. Environmental bacteria as potent biocontrol agents for controlling Phytophthora fruit rot on watermelon. Southern division APS Annual Meeting Charleston, SC. 2020.
  • Wong, T.S. and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Evaluation of SDHIs for control of southern root-knot nematode and fungal pathogens in watermelon. Annual Southern Division American Phytopathological Society Meeting, Charleston, SC, Phytopathology 110:S1.20.February 2020.
  • Adams, L.F. and C.E. McGregor. Utilizing watermelon wild relatives for gummy stem blight resistance. NAPB Annual Meeting, Pine Mountain, GA. 2019.
  • Adams, L. and C. McGregor. Utilizing watermelon wild relatives for gummy stem blight resistance. IPBGG Retreat, Dawsonville, GA. Poster. 2019.
  • Branham, S.E., A. Levi, A.G. Hernandez, Z. Fei, S. Wu, and W.P. Wechter WP. Whole-Genome Resequencing Study of the USDA Collection of Citrullus amarus Plant Introductions. Plant and Animal Genome Conference 2019. PE0638. 2019.
  • Gimode, W.R., Y. Xu, Z. Fei and C.E. McGregor. Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Gummy Stem Blight Resistance in Watermelon. Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science, Birmingham, AL.  2019.
  • Kousik, C.S. Developing sustainable strategies for managing watermelon diseases in southeastern United States. Abstracts of the National Symposium on Recent challenges and opportunities in sustainable plant health management at the 71st Annual Meeting of the Indian Phytopathological Society. February 26-28, 2019. BHU, Varanasi, India. Pp. 267. 2019.
  • McGregor, C.E. Out of Africa: The Story of Watermelon Disease Resistance. Georgia Association of Plant Pathologists annual meeting. Savannah, GA. 2019.
  • Reyes, J., C. Villari, M. Brewer, and C. McGregor. Detection of the Gummy Stem Blight-causing Pathogens (Stagonosporopsis spp.) in Watermelon Using Species-specific LAMP Assays In Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science, Birmingham, AL. 2019.
  • Schultheis, J.R. and K.D. Starke. 2018 North Carolina triploid watermelon standard size cultivar evaluation trial. ASHS-SR, Birmingham, AL, Feb. HortScience. 2019.
  • Trandel, M.A., P. Perkins-Veazie, and J. Schultheis. Tissue firmness and hollow heartdevelopment in 2012, 2013, and 2014 triploid watermelon variety trials. ASHS-SR, Birmingham, AL, Feb. HortScience 54(9):S399. 2019.
  • Branham, S.E., A. Levi, and W.P. Wechter. Genetics of Resistance to Fusarium Wilt Races 1 and 2 in Watermelon. Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meeting. Jacksonville, FL. Feb. 3, 2018.
  • Branham, S.E., A. Levi, M.L. Katawczik, Z. Fei, and W.P. Wechter. Keynote address. Genomics-enabled genetic mapping and marker development of disease resistance loci in melon and watermelon. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Branham, S., W.W. Patrick, M.K. Mandal, J.L. Ikerd, and C.S. Kousik. QTL Mapping of Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Cucumis melo MR-1 Using a Recombinant Inbred Line Population. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, Nov. 12-15, 2018.
  • Gimode, W.R., J. Clevenger and C.E. McGregor. Effort to Identify Quantitative Trait Locus Associated with Gummy Stem Blight Resistance in Watermelon. IPBGG Retreat 2018, Pine Mountain, GA. 2018.
  • Guo, S., Comparative population genomics reveals the evolution of fruit quality traits during watermelon domestication. Plant and Animal Genome XXVII Conference. January 12-16, 2018.
  • Kousik, C.S., J.L. Ikerd, and M.K. Mandal. Relative susceptibility of commercial watermelon varieties to powdery mildew. Presented at the Annual meeting of the Southern Division, American Phytopathological Society (SD-APS).Fayetteville, AR Feb 16-18, 2018.
  • Kousik, C.S., J.L. Ikerd, and M.K. Mandal. Relative Susceptibility of Commercial Watermelon Varieties to Powdery Mildew and Phytophthora Fruit Rot. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, Nov. 12-15, 2018.
  • Kousik, C.S., J.L. Ikerd, M.K. Mandal, and P. Wadl. Genetics of Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Watermelon Line USVL608-PMR. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Kousik, C.S., M.K. Mandal, J.L. Ikerd, S. Adkins, and W. Turechek. Powdery mildew resistant watermelon germplasm lines USVL608-PMR, USVL278-PMR, USVL313-PMR and USVL585-PMR. Presented at the Watermelon Research and Development Group (WRDG) meeting. Southern Region ASHS, Jacksonville, FL. February 2018.
  • Lonnee, M., W.R. Gimode, and C.E. McGregor. Evaluation of Gummy Stem Blight Resistance in Watermelon Using Stagonosporopsis spp. Isolates. CAES, Young Scholars Athens, GA. 2018.
  • Reyes, J., C. Villari, M. Brewer, and C.E McGregor. Detection of the Gummy Stem Blight-Causing Pathogens (Stagonosporopsis spp.) in Watermelon Using Species-Specific LAMP Assays. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, Nov. 12-15, 2018.
  • Branham, S., A. Levi, M. Farnham, and P. Wechter. Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping of Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 in Citrullus lanatus var. Citroides using Genotyping-by- Sequencing (GBS). Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXV , San Diego CA, Jan 15, 2017.
  • Daley, J. and T. Wehner.  Screening for bacterial fruit blotch resistance in watermelon fruit. Abstract and Poster. Crop Science Society of America, Tampa, FL. 2017.
  • Fei, Z. Genome variation elucidates evolution and domestication of fruit ripening and quality traits in watermelon. PAG. January 15, 2017.
  • Gimode, W.R. and C.E. McGregor. Fine Mapping of a Major Flowering Time Quantitative Trait Locus in Watermelon Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, Hudson Alpha, Huntsville, Alabama, CROPS 2017.
  • Gimode, W.R., J. Clevenger and C.E. McGregor. Fine Mapping of a Major Flowering Time Quantitative Trait Locus in Watermelon. NAPB, University of California, Davis-CA, 2017.
  • Hartman, J. and T. C. Wehner. Inheritance of citrulline and lycopene content in two watermelon populations. Watermelon Research Development Group, TX. 2017.
  • Kousik, C.S. Presented an invited seminar on “Progress and challenges in managing watermelon diseases”. Department of Plant Pathology, >50 attendees, University of Georgia Athens, GA, Aug. 2017.
  • Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L. and Mandal, M.K. Long term monitoring of cucurbit powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) races in Charleston, South Carolina. Presented at the Annual meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, San Antonio, TX August 2017. 503-P, 2017.
  • Mandal, M.K., H. Suren, and C.S. Kousik. Transcriptomic profiling of watermelon-powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) interactions. Presented at the Annual meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, 361-P, San Antonio, TX August 2017.
  • Patel, T. and T. Wehner. Identification of new resistance sources and SNPs markers in watermelon for anthracnose (Colletotrichum orbiculare). Abstract and Poster. National Association of Plant Breeders, Davis, CA. 2017.
  • Fei, Z. Genome sequencing provide insights into watermelon evolution, domestication and important agronomic traits. Texas A&M University. September, 2016
  • Fei, Z. Genome sequencing provide insights into watermelon evolution, domestication and important agronomic traits. Nanjing Agricultural University. July, 2016
  • Fei, Z. Genome sequencing provide insights into watermelon evolution, domestication and important agronomic traits. College of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology. May 4, 2016.
  • Fei, Z. Genome sequencing provide insights into watermelon evolution, domestication and important agronomic traits. College of Horticulture, Shandong Agric. Univ. April 2016.
  • Fei, Z. Genome sequencing provide insights into watermelon evolution, domestication and important agronomic traits. Dept. of Plant Biology, Cornell University. March 2016.
  • Kousik, C.S., J.L. Ikerd, and M.K. Mandal.  Breadth of resistance of Phytophthora fruit rot resistant watermelon germplasm to Phytophthora capsici isolates from across United States of America.  Phytopathology S4.40.  2016.
  • Kousik C.S., D. Egel, P. Ji, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Fungicide rotation schemes and Melcast for managing Phytophthora fruit rot of watermelon in Southeastern United States. Phytopathology. 2016.
  • Kozik, E.U., and H.S. Paris (eds). Cucurbitaceae 2016, XIth EUCARPIA Meeting on Genetics and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae, Warsaw, Poland. 2016.
  • Levi, A., A. Simmons, K. Ling, Y. Tadmor, P. Nimmakayala, and U.K. Reddy. Utilizing Genetic Diversity in the Desert Watermelon Citrullus colocynthis for Enhancing Watermelon Cultivars for Resistance to Biotic and Abiotic Stress. p. 105-108. In E.U. Kozik and H.S. Paris (eds). Cucurbitaceae 2016, XIth EUCARPIA Meeting on Genetics and Breeding of Cucurbitaceae, Warsaw, Poland. 2016.
  • Mandal, M.K., J.L. Ikerd, A. Soorni, and C.S. Kousik. Molecular dissection of resistance signaling in watermelon fruit through transcriptomic approach. Phytopathology S4.153. 2016.
  • Miller, N., M. Adams, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Evaluation of Fungicides for Management of Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon. HortScience. 51(9):S41. 2016.
  • Schultheis, J.R. and W.B. Thompson. Watermelon cultivar yield and quality results, North Carolina, 2015. HortScience. 51(9):S37. 2016.
  • Schultheis, J.R. and W.B. Thompson. Watermelon yield and fruit size response to grafted versus non-grafted transplants in plasticulture and bare ground production systems. HortScience. 51(9):S38. 2016.
  • Starke, K.D., B. Thompson, C. Jiang, and J. Schultheis. Planting density influences mini-watermelon yield and quality. VII International Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment of Horticultural Crops, Pretoria, South Africa, September 2016.

Cucurbit – Breeding, Genetics, & Genomics

  • Branham SE. Genomics-assisted vegetable breeding to develop new varieties for South Carolina. Clemson University, AGSC 4100/6100 Newman Seminar and Lecture Series. 2023
  • Fei Z.  Cucurbit Genomics Database (CuGenDB) v2: an updated database for cucurbit genomics. Plant & Animal Genome Conference. San Diego, CA. January 2024.
  • Fei Z.  Pan-genomes of fruit crops. 10th International Horticulture Research Conference. Guanzhou, China. November 2023.
  • Fei Z  Pan-genomes of horticultural crops. Nature Genetics & Plant Editorial Communities. 2023.
  • Branham, S.E. Marker-assisted vegetable breeding for production in the Southeastern US. Cornell University, School of Integrative Plant Science Spring Seminar Series. 2022.
  • Chen, F.C. Genetic architecture of the downy mildew resistance locus dm4.1 in PI 330638 (WI7120). Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Ganaparthi, V., Wechter, W.P., Rennberger G, Levi A, Branham, S.E. QTL mapping and marker development for resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 in an interspecific Citrullus amarus/lanatus population. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Grumet, R.  Cucurbit germplasm – genomic tools and disease resistance. National Association of Plant Breeders. Ames Iowa. August 2022
  • Grumet, R. 2022. Grumet R.  Leveraging applied genomics to increase disease resistance in cucurbit crops. Corteva Symposium, Cornell University. March 2022
  • Luckew, A. and C.E. McGregor.  Evaluation of Cucurbita germplasm for resistance to whitefly transmitted viruses. Joint Southeastern Branch Entomological Society of America and American Phytopathological Society- Caribbean Division, San Juan, PR. 2022.
  • Luckew, A. and C.E. McGregor. Evaluation of Cucurbita germplasm for resistance to whitefly transmitted viruses. Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science, New Orleans, LA. 2022.
  • Luckew, A. and C.E. McGregor. Identifying resistance to whitefly transmitted viruses in Cucurbita. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Mazourek M, Frost E., Combining Cucurbits for Downy Mildew Resistance and More. OSSI Webinar Series. May 11, 2022.
  • Meru, G.  Advancing the cucurbit industry through a genomics-enabled breeding and extension program. Horticultural Sciences Department Seminar, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. 2022.
  • Mondal S, Wintermantel WM, McCreight J.  Development of CYSDV-resistant lines using marker-assisted selection. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Weng Y .  Cucumber, genetics, genomics and breeding research: my journey. ‘Lecture Series for Post Graduate Students’ organized by the Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, Virtual, February 24, 2022.
  • Weng Y Genetic basis of downy mildew resistance in cucumber. An invited talk on Cucurbinars 2022 organized by APSA. Asian and Pacific Seed Association, Virtual. Sept 30, 2022.
  • Zia B, Weng Y, Chen F, Levi A, Cutulle MA, Ling K-S. 2022. Identification and characterization of genetic resistance in cucumber and watermelon to Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Grumet, R., Z. Fei, S. Branham, A. Levi, W.P. Wechter, Y. Weng, Y. Wang, J. McCreight, M. Mazourek, B.M. Mansfeld, and Y.C Lin. Application of genomic tools for mapping and analysis of disease resistance traits in cucurbits: The CucCAP experience. XII Eucarpia Meeting on Cucurbit Genetics and Breeding. Virtual. 2021.
  • Salcedo, A., Parada-Rojas C. H., Purayannur S.,Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Accelerating Resistance Breeding in Cucurbits. CucCAP2 meeting, Virtual Meeting, October 2021
  • Grumet, R. The CucCAP project: Leveraging applied genomics to improve disease resistance in cucurbit crops. MSU Department of Horticulture, Spring Seminar Series. 2020.
  • Weng, Y. Genetic basis of fruit size and shape variation in cucurbits. Oral presentation at Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVIII, San Diego, CA. Jan 13-18, 2020.
  • Fei, Z. CucCAP: Leveraging Applied Genomics to Increase Disease Resistance in Cucurbit Crops. Syngenta. March 2019.
  • Grumet, R.  Leveraging applied genomics to increase disease resistance in cucurbit crops. CEPLAS Transatlantic Summer School – Frontiers in Plant Science. Cologne, Germany. June 2019.
  • Grumet, R, Z. Fei, A. Levi, M. Mazourek, J.D. McCreight, J. Schultheis, Y. Weng, M. Hausbeck, S. Kousik, K.S. Ling, A. Linares-Ramirez, C. McGregor, L. Quesada-Ocampo, U. Reddy, C. Smart, P. Wechter, T. Wehner, L. Wessel-Beaver, and W.M. Wintermantel. The CucCAP project: Leveraging applied genomics to improve disease resistance in cucurbit crops. Proc 6th ISHS International Symposium on Cucurbits , Ghent, Belgium, June 30 – July 4, 2019.
  • Fei, Z. Application of bioinformatics and genomics to crop improvement. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science. November 2018.
  • Fei, Z. Cucurbit genome database. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Fei, Z. CucCAP: Leveraging Applied Genomics to Increase Disease Resistance in Cucurbit Crops. Northeast Agricultural University. August 2018.
  • Fei, Z., K. Ando, K. Bao, J. Labate, A. Levi, M. Mazourek, J. McCreight, T. Patel, A. Ramirez-Madera, U. Reddy, Reeves, X. Wang, T. Wehner, Y. Weng, S. Wu and R. Grumet. Characterization of the USDA germplasm collections for watermelon, melon, cucumber and squash using genotyping-by- sequencing. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. July 31-Aug. 3, 2018.
  • Fei, Z. CucCAP: Leveraging Applied Genomics to Increase Disease Resistance in Cucurbit Crops. Agricultural Genomics Institute of Shenzhen. May 2018.
  • Fei, Z. Cucurbit Genomics Database for cucurbit genomics, genetics and breeding. Plant and Animal Genome XXVII Conference. January 12-16, 2018.
  • Grumet, R. et al. Genomic analysis of cucurbit PI collections. American Society for Horticultural Science, Washington DC, July 31-Aug. 3, 2018.
  • Grumet, R. Genomic analysis of cucurbit PI collections. NC-7 Meeting, Regional Plant Introduction Station, Ames, IA, 2018.
  • Grumet, R. et al. The CucCAP project: Genomic Tools and Resources to Facilitate Breeding for Disease Resistance in Cucurbits. 2018.
  • LaPlant, K. and Mazourek M. 2018. Introgression mapping of wild species-derived resistance to viruses in Cucurbita. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, Nov. 12-15, 2018.
  • Mandal, M.K., Suren, H., Ward, B., Boroujerdi, A., Kousik, C.S. 2018. Role of Antioxidant Molecule Melatonin in Plant-Host Resistance and Pathogen Suppression in Cucurbits. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Mansfeld, B. and R. Grumet. QTLseqr: An R package for bulk segregant analysis with next generation sequencing. Plant and Animal Genome XXVI Conference. January 12-16, 2018.
  • Mansfeld, B. and R. Grumet. QTLseqr: An R package for bulk segregant analysis with next generation sequencing. National Association for Plant Breeders, Guelph Ontario, August 7-10, 2018.
  • Wu, S. Pan-genomes of the Citrullus Species. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis CA, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Wu, S. Cucurbita genome sequences provide insights into polyploid genome evolution and heterosis in interspecific hybrid. Plant and Animal Genome XXVI Conference. January 12-16, 2018.
  • Fei, Z. and S. Wu. Cucurbit Genomics Database Workshop. The XIV Solanaceae and III Cucurbitaceae Genomics Joint Conference (SolCuc). Valencia, Spain, September 2017.
  • Ling, K.-S. Presented invited seminars on “Developing genome-guided strategies to manage viral diseases of cucurbit crops” in four institutions throughout China, including: Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Beijing Vegetable Research Center (China, Israel, and the U.S. Workshop on Cucurbit Research), Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University. 2017.
  • Wu, S., Y. Zhong, R. Grumet, A. Levi, Y. Weng, M. Mazourek, J. McCreight, N. Katzir, J. Garcia-Mas, and Z. Fei. Cucurbit genomics database. The XIV Solanaceae and III Cucurbitaceae Genomics Joint Conference (SolCuc). Valencia, Spain, September 2017.
  • Fei, Z. Genome sequencing of sweetpotato wild progenitors. Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, CAAS. April, 2016
  • Kousik, C.S. Breeding rootstocks of cucurbit vegetable crops for resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, Indian Horticulture Congress, New Delhi, India, 300+ attendees. November 15, 2016.
  • Krasnow, C.S., and M.K. Hausbeck. Age-related resistance of Cucurbita spp. fruit to Phytophthora capsici. Abstr. Phytopathology 106 (Suppl.):S1.5. 2016.

Cucurbit pathology

  • Cochran, S., Miles, T., Quesada-Ocampo L. M. (2024) Development of a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) assay for rapid detection of Phytophthora capsici. American Phytopathological Society-Southern Division, Columbia, SC, February 2024.
  • Bhuiyan, M. Z. R., D’Arcangelo, K. N. and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Populations of Pseudoperonospora cubensis Causing Downy Mildew in Squash and Cucumbers are Structured by Host Genotype. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Plant Health, Denver, CO, August 2023.
  • Bhuiyan, M. Z. R.,  D’Arcangelo, K. N. and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Populations of Pseudoperonospora cubensis causing downy mildew in squash and cucumbers are structured by host genotype. Phytopathology 113: S3.108. 2023.
  • Hausbeck, M.K. Grower-Driven Research Leads to Integrated Disease Management. Departmental Seminar, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 27 April 27, 2023.
  • Keinath, A. P. 2023. In-Field Food Crop Agent Training on Vegetable Diseases. In-service Training, Clemson Extension. September 26, 2023.
  • Kilduff, A. and Tregeagle, D. Eureka! Or Sassy? Producer Valuations of Cucumber Traits. Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, March 2023.
  • Michel, S., J.R. Schultheis, A.P. Keinath, and L. Quesada-Ocampo. 2023 Results for Managing Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon with Cultivar, Fungicide, and Grafting in North and South Carolina. American Society of Horticultural Science Southern Region Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. Feb 3, 2023.
  • Parada Rojas C. H. and Quesada-Ocampo L.M. Improving Knowledge of Host Resistance Against Soilborne Vegetable Pathogens. Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Seminar. Raleigh, NC, February, 2023.
  • Prieto-Torres, M. and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. 2023. Monitoring for mutations related to oxathiapiprolin fungicide resistance in Pseudoperonospora cubensis populations. American Phytopathological Society-Southern Division, Durham, NC. February 2023.
    Prieto-Torres, M. and Quesada-Ocampo L. M.  Monitoring for mutations related to oxathiapiprolin fungicide resistance in Pseudoperonospora cubensis populations. Phytopathology 113: S2.31 2023.
    Prieto-Torres, M. and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Monitoring oxathiapiprolin fungicide resistance mutations in Pseudoperonospora cubensis populations in North Carolina. Phytopathology 113: S3.18. 2023.
  • Prieto Torres, M., and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Monitoreo y biovigilancia en poblaciones de mildeo velloso en cucurbitáceas (Pseudoperonospora cubensis), en Carolina del Norte. I Simposio Internacional de Fitopatología y Microbiología Agrícola, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru, November 2023.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Applied genomics for disease management in vegetable crops. Department of Plant Pathology, Gainesville, FL, November 2023.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Applied genomics for disease management in vegetable crops. Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, West Lafayette, IN, November 2023.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M., Xiang, L., Brown H., and Vijapurapu R. Evaluation of commercially available spore traps for detection of clade 1 and clade 2 downy mildew on cucurbits. CALS Tailgate Chancellor Suite, Raleigh, NC, October 2023.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M.2023.  Translational research for detection and management of diseases of vegetable crops. NC Plant Sciences Initiative Senator Visit, Raleigh, NC, June 2023.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. 2023. Translational research for detection and management of diseases of vegetable crops. NC Plant Sciences Initiative Partners Event, Raleigh, NC, May 2023.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. 2023. Applied genomics for disease management in vegetable crops. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar, Reno, NV, September 2023.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. 2023. Applied genomics for disease management in vegetable crops. Department of Plant Pathology Seminar, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, March 2023.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M., Xiang, L., Brown H., and Vijapurapu R. 2023. Evaluation of commercially available spore traps for detection of clade 1 and clade 2 downy mildew on cucurbits. NC State Chancellor Innovation Fund Meeting, Raleigh, NC, May 2023.
  • Smart, CD. American Phytopathological Society. Phytopathologist of Distinction talk. A passion for plant pathology: Pairing discovery with public engagement. August 15, 2023.
  • Smart CD. Colorado State University. Our veggies are dying: The intersection of climate, consumers and pathogens. March 22, 2023.
  • Smart CD. Cornell University Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science. Water-limited Agriculture; My Colorado Experience. September 13, 2023.
  • Wintermantel, W.M. A historical perspective of cucurbit virus emergence and impact in the United States. American Phytopathological Society, Annual meeting, August 12 – 16, Denver, Colorado. 2023.
  • Wintermantel, W.M., and Mondal, S. Competitiveness of whitefly-transmitted yellowing viruses can influence virus dominance in cucurbit crops. Southern Division American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Durham, NC, February 13-16, 2023.
  • Wintermantel, W.M., and Mondal, S. 2023. Factors influencing epidemiology and spread of whitefly-transmitted cucurbit viruses in the US vary among production regions. International Congress of Plant Pathology, Lyon, France, August 20-25, 2023.
  • Andreason, S. and Kousik, C.S. 2022. Detection of cucurbit leaf crumple virus infectious clones from the virus vector Bemisia tabaci. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, PA. August 2022.
  • Condo, I., Prieto-Torres, M., Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Monitoring populations in Pseudoperonospora cubensis using biosurveillance and molecular markers. Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium. North Carolina State University. Raleigh, North Carolina. July 2022
  • Deaton T, Rosado-Rivera Y, Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Crop varieties assessment for susceptibility to downy mildew in North Carolina. Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium. North Carolina State University. Raleigh, North Carolina. July 2022
  • Kelly B, Salcedo A, Rahman A, Wallace EC, Crouch JA, Quesada-Ocampo LM. 2022. Does a Pseudoperonospora cubensis cryptospecies population caused a cucurbit downy mildew epidemic in the U.S.? Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium. North Carolina State University. Raleigh, North Carolina. July 2022
  • Landrón, A. and A.M. Linares-Ramírez. 2022. Identification of Powdery Mildew Causal Agent in Cucurbita moschata for Breeding Purposes in Lajas, Puerto Rico. HortScience 7(9):S155. CucCAP support was cited.
  • Melanson, R.A. and Wintermantel, W.M. A new working group to address emerging viruses in cucurbits. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Mondal, S., Jenkins Hladky, L., and Wintermantel, W.M. Methods for detection and quantification of four whitefly-transmitted viruses of cucurbit crops during mixed infections. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Parada-Rojas C. H. and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Phytophthora capsici populations structure by host, geography, and fluopicolide sensitivity. Phytopathology 112: S3.102. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Perla D., and Hausbeck M.K. Vegetable Disease Management using host resistance and fungicides. American Phytopathological Society North Central Division Meeting, Lincoln, NE, June 2022.
  • Peterson, A.M., Bello, J.C., Kenny, G., Perla, D., Uebbing, M., Hausbeck, M.K. 2022. Burkard spore traps for detection of Pseudoperonospora cubensis sporangia in cucurbit production. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, PA. August 2022
  • Prieto-Torres, M. and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Monitoring populations and fungicide resistance in Pseudoperonospora cubensis using biosurveillance and molecular markers. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Applied genomics for disease management in vegetable crops. Department of Plant Biology Seminar, University of Massachusetts, September 2022.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Applied genomics for disease management in vegetable crops. Genetics and Genomics Academy Seminar, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, November 2022.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Disease management in vegetable crops. AgBiome seminar, Durham, NC, July 2022.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Translational research for detection and management of diseases of vegetable crops. Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Lima, Peru, November 2022.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M., Next generation technologies for plant pathogen detection. Commercializing Academic Research Showcase & Innovation Expo. North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, November 2022.
  • Rosado-Rivera Y. I., Adams M. L., D’Arcangelo K. N. and Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Downy mildew disease management of cucumber and squash in North Carolina. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Uebbing M.R., and Hausbeck M.K. Using weather conditions to time fungicide application intervals for control of downy mildew on cucumber. American Phytopathological Society North Central Division meeting. Lincoln, NE, 21-23 Jul. Phytopathology. 2022.
  • Wilds E., Purayannur S., Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Differential expression of two effector-encoding genes in Clade 1 and Clade 2 of the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium. North Carolina State University. Raleigh, North Carolina. July 2022.
  • Wintermantel WM. 2022. Emerging viruses threatening cucurbit crops. Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, Pittsburgh, PA, August 6-10, 2022
  • Wintermantel, W.M. and Mondal, S. Seasonal prevalence and spread of whitefly-transmitted viruses in western United states melon production regions. Cucurbitaceae 2022, Naples, FL. November 2022.
  • Wintermantel WM. 2022. Whitefly-transmitted virus infection patterns in mixed infections vary among three cucurbit production regions in the United States. International Symposium on Plant Virus Epidemiology. Madrid, Spain, June 2022.
  • Chanda, B., M. Shamimuzzaman, A. Gilliard, and K.-S. Ling. 2021. Managing the spread of tomato brown rugose fruit virus and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus using chemical disinfectants. Plant Health -2021 annual meeting of American Phytopathological Society, on-line, August 2-6, 2021.
  • D’Arcangelo, K.N., A. Rahman, T.D. Miles, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Utilizing a population genetics approach to facilitate crop-specific management of the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen, Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Annual Southern Division American Phytopathological Society Meeting, Virtual Meeting. February, 2021.
  • D’Arcangelo, K.N., Rahman, A., Miles, T. D., and Quesada-Ocampo, L. M. Distribution of alleles related to carboxylic acid amide and quinone outside inhibitor resistance in host-adapted clades of Pseudoperonospora cubensis. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Plant Health 2021, Memphis, TN, August 2021.
  • D’Arcangelo, K. N. and Quesada-Ocampo L.M. Characterization of the population dynamics of alleles related to Carboxilic Acid Amide and Quinone Outside Inhibitor resistance in the host-adapted clades of Pseudoperononspora cubensis to facilitate crop-specific management of cucurbit downy mildew. Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Seminar. Raleigh, NC, October, 2021.
  • Kikway, I., A.P. Keinath, and P.S. Ojiambo. Field occurrence and overwintering of oospores of Pseudoperonospora cubensis in the eastern United States. Plant Health 2021, American Phytopathological Society (virtual). 2021.
  • Purayannur, S., L.M. Cano, M.J. Bowman, K.L. Childs, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Effectors of the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Annual American Phytopathological Society Meeting, Virtual Meeting. Phytopathology 111:S2.7 August, 2021.
  • Purayannur, S., L.M. Cano, M.J. Bowman, K.L. Childs, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Differential expression of effector-encoding genes in two clades of the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions Congress eSymposia series. September 2021.
  • Quesada-Ocampo, L.M. From the field to the lab and back: translational strategies to improve management of cucurbit downy mildew. Agriculture Agri-Food Canada, Ontario, Canada, April 2021.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. From the field to the lab and back: translational strategies to improve disease management in vegetable crops. Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, September 2021.
  • Quesada-Ocampo L. M. Translational strategies to improve management of re-emerging pathogens of vegetable crops. Australasian Plant Pathology Society, Australia, November 2021.
  • D’Arcangelo, K.N., A. Rahman, T.D. Miles, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Leveraging population genetics to develop disease control practices: a study in the crop-specific management of cucurbit downy mildew. Phytopathology 110: S2.203.2020.
  • D’Arcangelo, K.N., A. Rahman, T. Miles, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Leveraging population genetics to develop disease control practices: A study in crop-specific management of cucurbit downy mildew. Annual American Phytopathological Society Meeting, Denver, CO. August, 2020.
  • D’Arcangelo K.N., A. Rahman, T.D. Miles, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Utilizing a population genetics approach to provide crop-specific management strategies for cucurbit downy mildew. Annual Southern Division American Phytopathological Society Meeting, Charleston, SC, Phytopathology 110:S1.7.February 2020.
  • Purayannur, S., L.M. Cano, M.J. Bowman, K.L. Childs, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Host-specific effectors of the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division-American Phytopathological Society, Charleston, SC. Phytopathology 110:S1.3. February, 2020.
  • Purayannur, S., L.M. Cano, M.J. Bowman, K.L. Childs, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Clade-specific RXLR effectorome of the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Plant Health 2020, Denver, CO, August 2020.
  • Purayannur, S., L.M. Cano, M.J. Bowman, K.L. Childs, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Clade-specific RXLR effectorome of the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Phytopathology 110: S2.6. 2020.
  • Quesada-Ocampo, L.M. Leveraging population genetics, epidemiology, and genomics to improve management of re-emerging pathogens of vegetable crops. Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, November 2020.
  • Quesada-Ocampo, L.M. Population genetics and epidemiology approaches for management of re-emerging pathogens of vegetable crops. Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, October 2020.
  • Quesada-Ocampo, L.M. From the field to the lab and back: translational strategies to improve disease control in vegetable crops. Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, September 2020.
  • Turechek, W.W., S. Adkins, C.S. Kousik, and H. Smith. Towards Areawide Pest Management of Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses in Florida Vegetable Production Systems. Presented at the Whitefly Symposium. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, November 2020.
  • Wintermantel, W.M. Whitefly-transmitted yellowing viruses of cucurbit crops. In Keinath A.P. (ed.) Focus on Cucurbits; APS Crop Protection and Management Collection. St. Paul, MN: Plant Management Network. 2020.

  • Quesada-Ocampo, L.M. Harnessing new technologies to improve management of cucurbit downy mildew. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting. Plant Health. Schroth Faces of the Future in Mycology Symposium. Cleveland OH, August 2019.

  • Vogel, G.M. and C.D Smart. 2019. Genetic studies on host and pathogen to inform Phytophthora blight resistance breeding. The Ohio State University Spring Seminar Series May 6, 2019.
  • Wechter, W.P. Cucurbit and Brassica pathology research at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory: Old- school and New-school approaches to plant disease resistance. Invited seminar at the Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis. 2019.
  • D’Arcangelo K., T. Miles, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo . Pseudoperonospora cubensis populations infecting wild and commercial cucurbit hosts display host-specific sensitivity to fungicides. Phytopathology. 2018.
  • Guo, Y., C. Krasnow, and M.K. Hausbeck. 2018. Population structure, virulence and resistance to mefenoxam of Phytophthora capsici in Michigan. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Boston, MA. Poster presentation. July 29 – August 3, 2018.
  • Kousik, C.S. Progress and Challenges in managing Phytophthora fruit rot of cucurbits. Keynote address presented at the 2nd International Soilborne Oomycete Conference, Islamorada, Florida, December 4 – 6, 2018.
  • Lebeda, A., E. Kristkova, B. Sedlakova, J.D. McCreight, and E. Kosman. Application of a new approach for study of virulence variation in cucurbit powdery mildew populations. International Congress of Plant Pathology, Boston, July 30 – August 2, 2018.
  • Lebeda, A., B. Sedlakova, E. Kristkova, J. McCreight, E. Kosman. Cucurbit powdery mildew population virulence variation–complex view from a global perspective. Cucurbitaceae 2018, Univ. California, Davis, November 12-15, 2018.
  • Rahman A. and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Biosurveillance for precision disease management of Pseudoperonospora cubensis, the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen. Phytopathology. 2018.
  • Sui, X., R. Li, Z. Wu, and K.S. Ling. Seed transmissibility of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus in cucurbits and seed health assays. Presented at the Watermelon Research and Development Group (WRDG) meeting. Southern Region ASHS, Jacksonville, FL. February 2018.
  • D’Arcangelo, K., T. Miles, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Occurrence of fungicide resistance in Pseudoperonospora cubensis populations causing cucurbit downy mildew in commercial and wild hosts. Phytopathology 107: S5.63. 2017.
  • Kousik, C.S., J.L. Ikerd, and M.K. Mandal. Long term monitoring of cucurbit powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) races in Charleston, South Carolina. Presented at the Annual meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, San Antonio, TX,  503-P, August 2017.
  • Noel, N. and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Characterizing Colletotrichum orbiculare, the causal agent of cucurbit anthracnose, for fungicide efficacy and host susceptibility in North Carolina. Phytopathology 107: S5.77. August 7, 2017.
  • Parada-Rojas, C.H. and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Population structure of the oomycete soil borne pathogen Phytophthora capsici in North Carolina. Phytopathology 107: S5.21. 2017.
  • Quesada-Ocampo, L.M. From the field to the lab and back: translational strategies to improve disease control in vegetable crops. VIB-PSB-NC State Plant Sciences Workshop, Ghent, Belgium. 2017.
  • Quesada-Ocampo, L.M. Next generation sequencing to develop molecular diagnostics for Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Phytopathology 107: S5.150. 2017.
  • Rahman, A., E. Wallace, J. Crouch, F. Martin, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Unravelling historical shifts in Pseudoperonospora cubensis populations in the U.S. that resulted in the 2004 cucurbit downy mildew epidemic. Phytopathology 107: S5.22. 2017.
  • Rahman, A., F. Martin, A. Shands, T. Miles, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Using comparative genomics to develop biosurveillance tools for the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Meeting, Pacific Grove, CA, March 2017.
  • Ramon, M.L., F.N. Martin, and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. TaqMan assay for differentiation of Pseudoperonospora humuli and P. cubensis host specialized clades. Phytopathology: 2017.
  • Smart, C.D. Comparing sexual and asexual Phytophthora species. James Hutton Institute, Dundee Scotland. August 10, 2017.
  • Smart, C.D. Genomic approaches to understand and manage plant disease epidemics. SUNY Potsdam, Potsdam NY.  November 2017.
  • Vogel, G., K. LaPlant, E. Reeves, M. Mazourek, M. Gore, and C.D. Smart. Evaluation of Cucurbita pepo breeding lines with reduced susceptibility to root and crown rot caused by Phytophthora capsici. American Phytopathological Society. San Antonio TX August 2017.
  • Wallace, E.C. and L.M. Quesada-Ocampo. Examining the population structure of the cucurbit downy mildew pathogen, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, by host, location, and time. Phytopathology 107: S4.6. 2017.
  • Hausbeck, M.K. and A. Cook.   The downy mildew report.  Pages 9-14 in: Pickling Cucumber Session Summaries, Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo, Grand Rapids, MI, December 2015.
  • Hausbeck, M.K.  Rots and blights of vegetables.  Pages 71-79 in: Proceedings of the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association/Pacific Agriculture Show Horticultural Growers’ Short Course, Field Vegetables Session, Abbotsford, BC. 2015.
  • Kousik, C.S. and J.L. Ikerd. Reaction of Phytophthora fruit rot resistant germplasm lines to a broad range of Phytophthora capsici isolates from across United States of America. International Soilborne Oomycete Conference, Duck Key, FL. December 2015.

CucCAP#1 Cucurbit Crop Production

  • Bertucci, M.B., K.M. Jennings, D.W. Monks , F.J. Louws, D.L. Jordan, and J.R. Schultheis. Palmer amaranth Interference and Seed Production in Grafted and Non-grafted Watermelon. Southern Weed Science Society Annual meeting. Atlanta, GA. January 23, 2018.
  • Indermaur, E., J. Schultheis, and K. Starke. Galia specialty melon opportunities and evaluations. SR-ASHS, Jacksonville, FL, February 2018.
  • Trandel, M.A., P. Perkins-Veazie, J. Schultheis, C. Gunter, and E. Johannes. Hollow heart formation in grafted and non-grafted watermelon. SR-ASHS, Jacksonville, FL, February 2018.
  • Bertucci, M.B., K.M. Jennings, D.W. Monks , F.J. Louws, D.L. Jordan, and J.R. Schultheis. Influence of grafting on the critical period for weed control in watermelon. Weed Science Society of North Carolina Annual meeting. Raleigh, NC. March 6, 2017.
  • Bertucci, M.B., K.M. Jennings, D.W. Monks , F.J. Louws, D.L. Jordan, and J.R. Schultheis. Influence of grafting on the critical period for weed control in watermelon. Weed Science Society of America Annual meeting. Tuscon, AZ. February 7,  2017.
  • Bertucci, M.B., K.M. Jennings, D.W. Monks , F.J. Louws, D.L. Jordan, J.R. Schultheis, S.C. Smith, N.A. Basinger, and M.D. Waldschmidt. Influence of grafting on the critical period for weed control in watermelon. Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science Annual meeting. Mobile, AL. February 4, 2017.
  • Bertucci M.B., K.M. Jennings, D.W. Monks, F.J. Louws, D.L. Jordan, and J.R. Schultheis. Critical period for weed control in grafted vs nongrafted watermelon. Southern Weed Science Society Annual meeting. Birmingham, AL. January 24,  2017.
  • Linares-Ramirez, A.M. Cucurbits: From the field to the lab. Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Puerto Rico. 2016.
  • Schultheis, J.R. Grafted vs. nongrafted watermelon studies. NC Watermelon Convention. Wrightsville Beach, NC. Mar. 2016.
  • Schultheis, J.R. and W.B. Thompson. Watermelon yield and fruit size response to grafted versus non-grafted transplants in plasticulture and bare ground production systems. Watermelon Research Group, San Antonio, TX, Feb. 2016.
  • Schultheis, J.R. and W.B. Thompson. Watermelon cultivar yield and quality trial results, North Carolina, 2015. Watermelon Research Group, San Antonio, TX, Feb. 2016.