September 22, 1997
by Linda McCandless
Geneva, NY - Wayne Wilcox is one of three plant pathologists
from the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Cornell University
in Geneva, NY, to be honored by the American Phytopathological Society
at their recent annual meeting in Rochester, NY. 
Wilcox
received the Lee M. Hutchins award which is given for the best contribution
to basic or applied research on diseases of perennial fruit plants.
Wilcox's principal professional interests and contributions are in the areas of etiology, epidemiology, and control of fungal diseases of fruit crops. He is highly regarded as a practicing fruit pathologist and widely known for his work on Phytophthoradiseases of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, peach, cherry, and apple. He has also made strong research contributions in the areas of gray mold of strawberry, brown rot of cherry, and apple scab.
"Dr. Wilcox is recognized internationally as one of the experts working in the genus Phytophthora, and his advice is frequently sought on the biology and control of Phytophthora diseases of fruit crops," said Helene Dillard, chair of the plant pathology department. "This award recognizes all of his contributions on diseases of perennial fruit plants, including those caused by other organisms."
Wilcox has contributed to the knowledge of the biology of fruit crop pathogens and to the development of these research findings into disease management practices. His work on the biology of Phytophthora includes biological control, population density enumerations, and identification. Many of these contributions have been the result of strong collaborative efforts with graduate students and national and international colleagues.
In 1989, Wilcox published a definitive paper on the epidemiology of brown rot blossom blight of sour cherry that detailed the progression of inoculum development based on temperature and wetness. More recent findings descibe the role of humidity on the incubation process.
Wilcox received his B.S. in pomology, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in plant pathology from the University of California-Davis. Between 1982 and 1984, he worked as an extension plant pathologist for the University of Kentucky. In 1984, he accepted a faculty appointment with research and extension responsibilities for diseases of tree fruit and berry crops in the Department of Plant Pathology at the Geneva Experiment Station. In 1995 his primary commodity responsibility was changed to focus on diseases of grapevines.
In addition to the scientific journal publications for which he was recognized, Wilcox has been a frequent contributor to local, regional, national, and international trade journals. These contributions reflect his commitment to making the results of agricultural research accessible and meaningful to fruit growers on a practical level.
The Lee M. Hutchins Fund was established in 1979 with gifts from the estate of Dr. Lee M. Hutchins. Previous Hutchins awardees from the Experiment Station include Dennis Gonsalves (1981), Tom Burr (1990), and Roger Pearson plus David Gadoury (1991), in a joint award.
Click on photographs to view 300 dpi version.
Contact: Linda McCandless, Communications Services
Telephone: (315) 787-2417
e-mail: llm3@cornell.edu
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