2007 M.S./PhD. Program, Plant Pathology; Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University.

1996-2000 B.S., Biological Sciences; Rutgers University, Cook College, New Brunswick NJ

Host: Kerik Cox

Control of Fungal Diseases of Apple

My research focuses on the control of Black rot, white rot, and bitter rot of apple caused by Botryosphaeria obtusa, B. dothidea, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and the effect cultural practices have on the disease cycle in New York. Rot diseases can cause significant losses in regard to both fruit production losses and tree damage. Restrictions in available chemical controls, due to reduction in broad-spectrum formulations and fungicide resistance, paired with an increase in seasonal temperatures have led to grower interest in alternative control measures. Currently we are investigating the effect of chemical thinners and application timing on infection and pathogen survival in mummified fruitlets. We are also investigating the effect various fungicide programs have on the survival of over wintering populations of Botryosphaeria and on fungicide resistance development.

2008-present - Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University

2001-2007 - Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University. H.S. Aldwinckle (Advisor)

My thesis research focused on the resistance of apple rootstocks to rootstock blight.  Rootstock blight is a lethal form of fire blight, a devastating bacterial disease of apple and pear caused by Erwinia amylovora. Orchard performance and disease resistance trials were conducted to provide growers with productive, fire blight resistant apple rootstocks suitable for the New York growing region.  I also investigated the mechanism behind rootstock resistance in Budagovsky 9 rootstock.  Our work suggested B.9 rootstock demonstrates age related resistance (ARR), this is the first described case of ARR in apple rootstock tissue.

I also participated in a statewide evaluation of New York E. amylovora populations for streptomycin resistance.  In 2002 streptomycin resistant E. amylovora were collected from two related orchard plots in Wayne County.  The orchards were removed and subsequent screening has discovered no new occurrences of streptomycin resistance.  These were the first confirmed reports of streptomycin resistant E. amylovora in NY.  Resistant isolates contained the streptomycin modifying genes strA-strB previously identified in streptomycin-resistant strains of E. amylovora in Michigan and California.

April 2000- April 2001 - Rutgers Vegetable Research Farm, New Brunswick, NJ
Horticultural Technician
Research and evaluation of new Easter lily cultivars
Maintenance of experiments and field trials
Collection and analysis of data

Professional Societies and Working Groups

2001-present - American Phytopathological Society

2006 - USDA Grantsmanship Workshop

Professional Assignments, Honors, and Awards  

2008-present - Seminar Committee, Dept. of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell Univ., Geneva NY

2007-present - American Phytopathological Society Ad Hoc Committee on Leadership and Volunteer Development

2004-2007 - Student Representative to the Faculty, Dept. of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell Univ., Geneva NY
                                                             
2003-2004 - Vice Pres., Graduate and Professional Student Association, Dept. of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell Univ..

2003 - Graduate Teaching Experience

2002-2005 - Orientation Committee, Dept. of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell Univ.

2002-2003 - Co-Chair, Graduate Student Colloquium Committee, Dept. of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell Univ.

Elected and Appointed Offices

Publications:
Russo, N.L., T.L Robinson, G. Fazio, and H.S. Aldwinckle. 2008. Fire blight resistance of Budagovsky 9 apple rootstock. Plant Disease (In Press).

Russo, N.L., T.J. Burr, D.I Breth, and H.S. Aldwinckle. 2008. Isolation of streptomycin-resistant strains of Erwinia amylovora in New York. Plant Disease (In Press).

Russo, N.L., T.L Robinson, G. Fazio, and H.S. Aldwinckle. 2007. Field evaluation of 64 apple rootstocks for orchard performance and fire blight resistance. HortScience 42(7) 1517-1525.

Russo, N.L., T.L Robinson, G. Fazio, and H.S. Aldwinckle. 2008. Budagovsky 9 rootstock:  Uncovering a novel resistance to fire blight. Acta Hort. (In press).

Fazio G., Y. Wan, N.L. Russo, and H.S. Aldwinckle. 2008.Investigation on the inheritance of strain specific resistance to Erwinia amylovora in an apple rootstock segregating population. Acta Hort. (In press).

Russo, N.L., T.J. Burr, D. Breth, and H.S. Aldwinckle. 2008.Spread and identification of streptomycin resistant isolates in New York. Acta Hort. (In press).

Russo, N.L., T.L Robinson, G. Fazio, and H.S. Aldwinckle. 2006.  Rootstock blight in apple.  New York Fruit Quarterly 14(3):11-15.

LoGiudice1, N., Aldwinckle, H.S., Robinson, T.L., and Fazio, G. 2006.  The nature of resistance of the ‘B.9’ apple rootstock to fire blight.  Acta Hort. 704:515-520.

Aldwinckle, H.S., N. LoGiudice1, T.L. Robinson, H.T. Holleran, G. Fazio, and W.C. Johnson, 2006.  Resistance of apple rootstocks to fire blight infection caused by internal movement of Erwinia amylovora from scion infections.  Acta Hort. 663:229-233.

Aldwinckle, H.S., H.L. Gustafson, G. Heidenreich, R. Penev, and N. LoGiudice1.  2002.  Field evaluation of materials for control of fire blight infection of apple blossoms, 2001. 2002. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 57:PF01.

Aldwinckle, H.S., H.L. Gustafson, G. Heidenreich, R. Penev, and N. LoGiudice1.  2002.  Field evaluation of materials for control of fire blight infection of apple shoots, 2001. 2002.  Fungicide and Nematicide Tests 57:PF02.

Selected Seminars:
Evaluation of Apple Rootstocks for Resistance to Fire Blight and Orchard Performance.  Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention; Fire Blight Workshop. Feb. 2008. St. CAtherines Canda.

Controlling Fire Blight Using Resistant Rootstocks and Streptomycin Resistance Management. NC State University. Nov. 2007

A Unique Field Look at Stopping Rootstock Blight Before It Can Ignite.  CCE-NENY Fruit Program: Annual Upper Hudson Champlain Tree Fruit School March 2007, Lake George NY

How Does Fire Blight Kill Rootstocks?  Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo.  Feb.  2007, Syracuse NY

Management of Fire Blight Infection of Apple Rootstocks.  Pennsylvania State University.  Departmental Seminar.  Nov. 2006.  State College, PA

*Rootstock Blight: resistant apple rootstocks.  Annual Meeting, Northeastern Division American Phytopathological Society October 2005.  Geneva NY
      *Invited Paper, Symposium on Fire Blight