Nicole A. Werner
Research Support Aide
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology
New York State Agriculture Experiment Station
Geneva, NY 14456
Phone: 315-787-2434

2000 MS, Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University Thesis: “Genomic Variation and Control of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in Michigan.”

1997 BS (Cum Laude), Environmental Biology, SUNY – College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY Member of Alpha Xi Sigma College Honor Society

Email: naw26@cornell.edu

Faculty Supervisor: Herb Aldwinckle

     I am most interested in the epidemiology of plant diseases. Gaining a better understanding of the biology of plant-pathogen systems and their relationship to cultural practices and environmental conditions allows for more effective disease management. During my graduate studies I conducted research on the epidemiology of bacterial canker of tomato. The highly conducive conditions of the greenhouse allow for bacterial populations to increase on transplants, therefore, causing infections to occur in the field. We found that by beginning bactericide applications in the greenhouse and continuing with them in the field, bacterial populations were reduced and yield losses avoided. More recently, I assisted in the development of a management scheme for strawberry anthracnose. Through controlled-climate studies, we studied the effect of temperature and rain events on the development of the disease. We also assessed the effectiveness of the fungicide pyraclostrobin (Cabrio EG, BASF) at various times throughout the infection process. Our findings were then validated through field experiments in New York and Florida. We determined that application of pyraclostrobin was just as effective when applied three hours prior to or three hours after a short wetting event. Growers can clearly benefit from these findings when managing these diseases.
     My current responsibilities include conducting greenhouse and field trials evaluating reduced-risk products to manage fire blight of apple, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora.  Agricultural grade streptomycin sulfate is the standard tool available for management of this disease.  Unfortunately, the overuse of this product has led to the emergence of pathogen populations that are resistant to streptomycin in many apple growing regions.  In areas, such as New York, where resistance has not yet developed, alternatives to streptomycin will help delay the development of resistant strains and reduce environmental impact.
     One method which has shown promising results is biological control of blossom blight. This can be achieved by applying antagonistic bacteria to open flowers that then colonize stigmatic surfaces.  Through preemptive competitive exclusion and/or antibiosis the antagonist reaches population levels sufficient to prevent floral infection by the pathogen and ultimately decreases yield loss.  By alternating or substituting streptomycin applications with reduced-risk products, we expect to reduce the incidence and development of streptomycin resistance within the E. amylovora population.

A Comparison of Two Years of Research on Biological Control of Fire Blight in New York

Fellowship, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, 1997.

Werner, N.A. and Aldwinckle, H.S. 2006. Two years of research on biological control of fire blight in New York. Phytopathology 96:S183.

Turechek, W. W., Peres, N. A., and Werner, N.A. 2006. Pre- and post-infection activity of pyraclostrobin for control of anthracnose fruit rot of strawberry caused by Colletotrichum
acutatum. Plant Dis. 90:862-868.

Werner, N.A. and Aldwinckle, H.S. 2005. Evaluation of antagonistic bacteria, alternative antibiotics and non-traditional products in the management of fire blight. Phytopathology 95:S110.

Werner, N.A., Hausbeck, M.K., Podolsky, R., Bell, J. and Fulbright, D.W. 2002. Limiting population sizes and spread of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis on seedling tomatoes in the greenhouse. Plant Dis. 86:535-542.

Werner, N.A., Hausbeck, M.K., and Fulbright, D.W. 1999. Utilization of rep-polymerase chain reaction in characterizing populations of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in commercial tomato fields in Michigan. Phytopathology 89:S103.

Medina-Mora, C.M., Werner, N.A., Bell, J., Hausbeck, M., deBruijn, F.J., and Fulbright, D.W. 1999. Genomic variation in Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis provides a new understanding of bacterial canker of tomato. Phytopathology 89:S52.

Smart, L.B., Werner, N.A., and Hammerschmidt, R. 1997. A laboratory exercise demonstrating plant defense response. Plant Physiol. 114(3):315 (abstract).

Research Reports and Proceedings

Werner, N.A., Heidenreich, G., Aldwinckle, H.S. Field evaluation of biological controls against fire blight of apple, 2006. PDMR (in press).

Werner, N.A., Heidenreich, G., Aldwinckle, H.S. Field evaluation of SAR inducers for management of fire blight of apple, 2006. PDMR (in press).

Werner, N.A., Heidenreich, G., Aldwinckle, H.S. 2006. Field evaluation of Famoxate fungicide and a terpene product for control of fire blight of apple, 2006. PDMR (in press).

Werner, N.A., Heidenreich, G., Aldwinckle, H.S. 2006. Field evaluation of biological and chemical control of fire blight of apple, 2005. FN Tests 61:PF020.

Werner, N.A., Heidenreich, G., Aldwinckle, H.S. 2006. Field evaluation of antibiotics, SAR inducers and copper for control of fire blight infection of apple, 2004. FN Tests 61:PF021.

Werner, N.A. and Aldwinckle, H.S. 2005. A comparison of two years of research on biological control of fire blight in New York. pp. 274-278 In: Proceedings for the 1st International Symposium on Biological Control of Bacterial Plant Diseases. Darmstadt/Seeheim, Germany.

Werner, N.A. and Aldwinckle, H.S. 2005. Current status of biological control against fire blight. pp. 220-223 In: Proceedings for the 1st International Symposium on Biological Control of Bacterial Plant Diseases. Darmstadt/Seeheim, Germany.

Werner, N.A. and Aldwinckle, H.S. 2005. A comparison of two years of research on biological control of fire blight in New York. Proceedings for Northeast Divisional APS Meeting, Geneva, NY (abstract).

Werner, N.A., Heidenreich, G., Aldwinckle, H.S. 2005. Field evaluation of materials for control of fire blight infection of apple, 2004. FN Tests (submitted).

Werner, N.A., Turechek, W.W. 2004. Effect of pre- and post-infection period applications of Cabrio on the development of anthracnose. Proceedings of the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo, Rochester, NY. pp. 14-16.

Turechek, W.W., Werner, N.A. 2004. Effect of pre- and post-infection period applications of pyraclostrobin on the development of Colletotrichum acutatum. Online: APSNet (apsnet.org), Publication no. 2004-0021-NEA. (abstract).

Turechek, W.W.,Werner, N.A., and Heidenreich, M.C. 2004. Evaluation of a 2-spray fungicide program for control of Botrytis fruit rot on strawberry, 2003. FN Tests 59SMF034.

Turechek, W.W., Werner, N.A., and Heidenreich, M.C. 2004. Evaluation of fungicides for control of Botrytis fruit rot on strawberry, 2003. FN Tests 59:SMF033.

Turechek, W.W., Werner, N.A., Heidenreich, G., and Heidenreich, M.C. 2004. Evaluation of management programs for control of blister spot, 2003. FN Tests 59:PF009.

Hausbeck, M.K., Wendling, N., and Werner, N.A. 2002. Evaluation of registered and unregistered fungicides in managing Botrytis blight of geranium, 2001. FN Tests 58:OT032.

Hausbeck, M.K., Wendling, N., and Werner, N.A. 2002. Evaluation of a reduced risk fungicide in managing Botrytis blight of geranium, 2001. FN Tests 58:OT027.

Hausbeck, M.K., Werner, N.A., and Harlan, B.R. 2002. Evaluation of registered and unregistered fungicides and biological agents in managing Phytophthora root rot of snapdragon, 2001. FN Tests 58:OT017.

Hausbeck, M.K., Cortright, B.D., and Werner, N.A. 2002. Evaluation of registered and unregistered fungicides for the control of powdery mildew of poinsettia, 2001. FN Tests 58:OT013.

Hausbeck, M.K., Quackenbush, W.R., and Werner, N.A. 2002. Evaluation of fungicides in managing powdery mildew on field-grown African daisies, 2001. FN Tests 58:OT008.

Hausbeck, M.K., Quackenbush, W.R., and Werner, N.A. 2002. Evaluation of fungicides for control of powdery mildew of transvaal daisy, 2001. FN Tests 57:OT27.

Werner, N.A., Hausbeck, M.K., and Fulbright, D.W. 2001. Bacterial diseases of tomato: A season in review. Proceedings for the 17th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, West Palm Beach, Fl.  pp. 21-24.

Hausbeck, M.K, and Werner, N.A.  2001. Chemical Disease Controls for the Greenhouse Industry. Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-2750 (poster) (major revision).

Hausbeck, M.K., Cortright, B., and Werner, N.A. 2001. Evaluation of registered and unregistered fungicides in managing Botrytis blight of geranium, 2000. FN Tests 58:OT033.

Werner, N.A., Hausbeck, M.K. and Fulbright,D.W. 2000. Bacterial diseases of tomato: a season in review. Proceedings of the 16th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, Columbus, Ohio, 2000.

Werner, N.A., M. Hausbeck, and D. Fulbright. 1998. Control of bacterial canker on tomato in the greenhouse and in the field. Proceedings of the 14th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, pp. 16-22.

Werner, N.A., Hausbeck, M.K. and Fulbright, D.W. 1998. Characterization of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis populations on fresh market tomatoes in Michigan using rep-PCR.  Proceedings of the 14th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, pp. 67-69.

Werner, N.A., Fulbright, D.W., Hausbeck, M.K., Bell, J. and Medina-Mora, C. 1997. Bacterial canker on fresh market tomatoes. Proceedings of the 13th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, Indianapolis, IN, pp. 77-78.

“Exploring alternatives to antibiotics: kinder, gentler fire blight management.” Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, March, 2007.

“Evaluation of biologically based products for fire blight management.” Upper Hudson/ Champlain Commercial Tree Fruit School, Lake George, March, 2007.

“New products for fire blight management.” Great Lakes Fruit Workers Meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, November, 2006.

“Two years of research on biological control of fire blight in New York.” Northeast Divisional APS Meeting, Geneva, NY, October, 2005.

“Field evaluation of materials for control of fire blight infection of apple.” Tree Fruit Pest Control Field Day,Cornell University, Geneva, NY, September, 2005.

“Managing Strawberry Anthracnose.”  Great Lakes Fruit Workers Meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 2003.

“Bacterial Diseases of Tomato: A Season in Review.” 17th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, West Palm Beach, FL, 2001.

“Genomic Variation of the Bacterial Canker Pathogen.” and “Bacterial Diseases of Tomato: A Season in Review.”  16th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, Columbus, Ohio, 2000.

“Genomic Variation and Control of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis.” Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 2000.

“Control of Bacterial Canker on Tomato in the Greenhouse and in the Field.” and “Characterization of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis populations on fresh market tomatoes in Michigan using rep-PCR.”  14th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 1998.

“What is the Role of Epiphytic Populations of Bacteria Pathogenic to Tomato on Disease Development and the Implications for Control?”,  Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 1998.

March, 2007. Upper Hudson/Champlain Commercial Tree-Fruit School, Lake George, NY.

November, 2006. Great Lakes Fruit Workers Meeting. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

October, 2006. 2nd Annual Finger Lakes Research Conference, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY.

August, 2006. Annual APS Meeting, Quebec City, Canada

October, 2005. 1st International Symposium on Biological Control of Bacterial Plant Diseases, Darmstadt/Seeheim, Germany.

October, 2005. Northeast Division APS meeting, Geneva, NY.

August, 2005. Annual APS Meeting, Austin, TX.

October, 2004. Environmentally Friendly Spray Application Techniques, Skierniewice, Poland.

November, 2003. Great Lakes Fruit Workers Meeting, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

July 8-10, 2003. Attended a tour of central Pennsylvania’s small fruit farms and PSU’s Plasticulture Research Station with Kathleen Demchak for Cornell faculty and CCE organized by Bill Turechek.

August, 2002. Annual APS Meeting, Charlotte, NC.

February, 2001. 17th Annual Conference on Insect & Disease Management on Ornamentals, Orlando, FL.

2001. 17th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, West Palm Beach, FL.

2000. 16th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, Columbus, OH.

1998. 14th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, East Lansing, MI.

1997. 13th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, Indianapolis, IN.

August, 1997. Annual APS Meeting, Rochester, NY.