Plantopia: Recent Episodes
The American Phytopathological Society (APS)
Healthy plants are the foundation for life on our planet. They produce the oxygen we breathe and over 80% of the food we eat. The Plantopia podcast series explains how protecting plant health can ensure a sustainable future. Inspired by the United Nations declaration of 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health, the American Phytopathological Society created Plantopia so you can explore the world of plant health in company with plant pathologists—people on a mission to protect plants and our food supply.
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In this episode, recorded live at the 12th International Congress Of Plant Pathology in Lyon, France, Mathias Choquer, co-chair of ICCP23, joins host Jim Bradeen to talk about this year's event, the French Society of Plant Pathology, reasons why early career professionals should get involved in their societies, his research into the gray mold fungus Botrytis cinerea and vesicular trafficking, and his passion for education. Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/2ec4c6v9 (https://tinyurl.com/2ec4c6v9) French Society of Plant Pathology: https://www.sfp-asso.org/presentation-in-english (https://www.sfp-asso.org/presentation-in-english) International Congress of Plant Pathology: https://www.icpp2023.org (https://www.icpp2023.org) This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Mathias Choquer.
In this episode, Dr. Prasanna Kankanala, director of research and development at Trace Genomics, joins host Jim Bradeen for a conversation about her career in plant pathology. The two chat about her career journey in the field, the advantages of having a career in industry, some of the most common misperceptions of industry careers in plant pathology, the importance of mentorship, microbiomes, and some of the biggest opportunities available for agriculture. Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/3vkr3as9 (https://tinyurl.com/3vkr3as9) This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Prasanna Kankanala.
In this episode, Dr. Mary Palm, former National Mycologist with USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine, joins host Jim Bradeen for a conversation about her career in mycology. The two chat about her career journey in mycology, her passion for fungi, her impactful career with USDA APHIS and the influential people she met along the way, the skills needed to be a national mycologist, her leadership roles in the American Phytopathological Society and the Mycology Society of America, and the importance of getting involved. Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/yv2zp5mp This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Mary Palm.
In this episode, Gary Chastagner, a professor of plant pathology and an extension specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University, joins host Jim Bradeen for a timely conversation about the science behind Christmas trees. The two chat about his initial interests in plant pathology, his research specific to Christmas trees and diseases impacting them, genetically modified Christmas trees, and the interactions between root rotting Phythophthora, Abies Christmas trees and the environment. Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3EUC4cc (https://bit.ly/3EUC4cc) McKeever, K.M. and Chastagner, G.A. 2019. Interactions Between Root Rotting Phythophthora, Abies Christmas Trees, and Environment. Plant Disease. 103:538-545. https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PDIS-01-18-0174-RE This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://www.associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Gary Chastagner.
In this episode, Dr. Karen Ferreira da Silva, Field Scientist at Corteva Agrisciences, joins host Jim Bradeen for a candid conversation about her perspectives in plant pathology.The two chat about her career journey to plant pathology, her unique PhD research on plant responses to biotic challenges and her experimental approach, and leadership development opportunities for graduate students in plant sciences Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3zOOXS0 (https://bit.ly/3zOOXS0) Da Silva, K.F., Everhart, S.E., and Louis, J. (2021) Impact of maize hormonal interactions on the performance of Spodoptera frugiperda in plants infected with Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 15:699-706. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11829-021-09849-x Find Dr. Ferreira da Silva on LinkedIn: @KFDSilva This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://www.associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Karen Ferreira da Silva.
In this episode, Dr. Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu, postdoctoral scientist at Bioprotection Aotearoa and Plant and Food Research, joins host Jim Bradeen for a conversation about her perspectives as an Indigenous woman and a scientist.The two chat about Indigenous ways of knowing, what shaped her career path, and her research on phyllosphere composition. Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3SfxqJ4 Ehau-Taumauna, H. and Hockett, K. (2022) Passaging phyllosphere microbial communities develop suppression towards bacterial speck disease in tomato. Phytobiomes. https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PBIOMES-05-22-0030-FI Tuhononga: The Interconnection of Maori and Nature (Phipps Conservatory) https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/green-innovation/for-the-world/nature-of-place-symposium/nature-of-place-symposium-2020/session-3/hanareia-ehau-taumaunu-m.s Find Dr. Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu on Twitter: @hanareiaehau This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://www.associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu.
In this episode, Juliana Gonzalez-Tobon from Cornell University, joins host Jim Bradeen to talk about her research on small non-coding RNAs and the role they play in regulating plant pathogen interactions. The two also discuss her social media presence and what she's doing to fight COVID misinformation and raise the profile of science communication. Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3LMPB7r (https://bit.ly/3LMPB7r) See Juliana's social media on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TicToc: @epiplantpath Juliana Gonzaělez-Toboěn, Alejandra Rodriěguez-Jaramillo, Laura Milena Forero, Laura Natalia Gonzaělez, Giovanna Danies, and Silvia Restrepo (bioRxiv preprint), Evaluation of small non-coding RNAs as a possible epigenetic mechanism mediating the transition from biotrophy to necrotrophy in the life cycle of Phytophthora infestans (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.10.30.466584v1.full.pdf) This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://www.associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Juliana Gonzalez-Tobon.
In this episode, recorded live at Plant Health 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr. Leonor Leandro professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at the Iowa State University, joins host Jim Bradeen to talk about her passion for teaching, her unique approach to the classroom and team-based learning (TBL), and her insights in plant pathology education. Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3Ucik9B (https://bit.ly/3Ucik9B) This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://www.associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Leonor Leandro.
In this episode, Sara García Figuera , agricultural engineer, plant pathologist and agri-business consultant for Prospero & Partners, joins host Jim Bradeen for a conversation about social sciences and its impact on plant health. The two chat about her career path, her research on Huanglongbing, collective action, and the importance of mentorship. Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3TnpiIe Figuera, S.G., Babcock, B., Lubell, M., and McRoberts, N. (2022) Collective action in the area-wide management of an invasive plant disease. Ecology & Society. 27:12. https://ecologyandsociety.org/vol27/iss2/art12/ Find Sara Figuera on Twitter: @saragfiguera (https://www.twitter.com/saragfiguera) This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://www.associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Sara García Figuera .
In this episode, recorded live at Plant Health 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, outgoing APS president Dr. Amy Charkowski, and incoming APS president Ron Walcott, join host Jim Bradeen for an engaging conversation wrapped around serving the APS membership, challenges of leading during times of change, and advice for others looking to move up in the organization. The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3QLXVpm This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://www.associationbriefings.com). Special Guests: Amy Charkowski and Ron Walcott.
In this episode, Matthew Kasson, associate professor of forest pathology and mycology at West Virginia University, joins host Jim Bradeen for an engaging conversation wrapped around SciComm and a viral experiment involving injecting Peeps with certain types of fungi. The two also get personal, discussing mental health issues in academia; the responsibilities of organizations to speak out on social issues; and the importance of social media in advancing interests in plant pathology. Show notes The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3cpYoyt Check out Fungal Peeps here: https://twitter.com/kasson_wvu/status/1112826811879182336 Find Matt Kasson on Twitter: @kasson_wvu Klein, JoAnna. (March 29, 2019) Injecting Marshmallow Peeps With Fungi, for Science. New York Times https://nyti.ms/3zkItuk Swift et al. (2020) From Hastag to High School: How Viral Tweets Are Inspiring Young Scientists to Embrace STEM. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 21(3):1-5. https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/jmbe.v21i3.2133 Kasson, Matt. (December 14, 2021) Finding mental-health clarity under pandemic pressures. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03760-4 The Mystery of the Mummified Twinkie. Short Wave, National Public Radio. October 27, 2020 https://www.npr.org/transcripts/925437726 This episode is produced by Association Briefings (https://www.associationbriefings.com). Special Guest: Matt Kasson.
In this episode, Marin Talbot Brewer, Fungal enthusiast and professor of mycology and plant pathology at the University of Georgia, joins host Jim Bradeen for an in-depth conversation about plant pathogenic fungi and emerging crop diseases. The two discuss her research of population biology of emerging fungal diseases in plants and people; the discovery of a new Neofusicoccum fungus species; and her career as a plant pathologist and getting her students interested in a similar career. Show notes Find her on Twitter: (https://twitter.com/marintalbrew)@marintalbrew Special Guest: Marin Talbot Brewer.
In this episode, Don Mathre, Professor Emeritus at Montana State University and veteran plant pathologist, joins host Jim Bradeen and provides his perspective on our field. He talks about his vast career; the rationale behind California’s One-Variety Law and the ‘political side’ of plant pathology; advice for young professionals just entering the field and the importance of mentorship; and his many roles in the American Phytopathological Society. Show notes Student Travel Fund referenced during our discussion: https://www.apsnet.org/members/give-awards/donate/giving/funds/Pages/DonaldEMathre.aspx “Naughty Peat: a case study in plant pathology, with emphasis on Koch’s Postulates and disease etiology:” https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/foreducators/TeachingNotes/Pages/NaughtyPeat.aspx Special Guest: Don Mathre.
In this episode, Uta McKelvy, Associate Extension Specialist Plant Pathology at Montana State University, joins host Jim Bradeen for a fascinating discussion about her passion for plants and how they fit into the environment. The two discuss streak mosaic virus and its implications on wheat and other cereal crops; the challenges and opportunities of being an extension plant pathologist; and being an impactful woman in plant pathology. Show notes McKelvy’s publication mentioned in the podcast: https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/full/10.1094/PHP-10-20-0083-RS The AWaRe tool referenced in the episode: https://tim-msu-ecol.shinyapps.io/WheatStreakMosaicRiskMT/ Find her on Twitter @UtaMcKelvy (https://twitter.com/utamckelvy) Special Guest: Uta McKelvy.
A quiet revolution is underway in agriculture. Special Guests: Gary Wishnatzki and Lance Cadle-Davidson.
Where do they come from? Are they really grown in water? Which pathogens are vying to ruin your Thanksgiving dinner? What challenges do cranberry growers face and what exactly is Ocean Spray? Special Guests: Erika Saalau Rojas and Leslie Holland.
Microscopic battlefields, how plants resist pathogens, and how far we’ve come in understanding the strategies employed by both sides in this conflict. Special Guest: Shavannor Smith.
From education on the dangers of "suitcase" plant material, to creating islands of habitat for beneficial insects, to the collective agreement on a set of rules by which crops can be produced in a more sustainable fashion; it all works better when we look out for each other. Special Guest: Stephanie Bolton.
If you thought that human misery due to plant diseases was only from our distant past, that our technology has placed us beyond the reach of plague and famine, then you have not kept up to date on Phytopthora infestans. Special Guests: Bill Fry and Nina Zidack.
We turn to photobiology for answers on how to produce healthier crops. Special Guests: Arne Stensvand and Mark Rea.
Tracking, testing, and stopping viruses that would otherwise wreak havoc within a population is the everyday work for some plant pathologists. Special Guests: Ana Cristina Fulladolsa and David Carlyle.
Charles Darwin was fascinated by earthworms. You should be too. Special Guest: Wade Elmer.
They are social and devious. They are far more complex, sophisticated, and organized than you might ever imagine. Special Guest: Gwyn Beattie.
Just about every plant we want to grow comes from a seed, but where do all of those seeds come from? Special Guest: Lindsey du Toit.
Fresh produce tastes great and is part of a healthy diet, but we all have a part to play in the war against microbial hitchhikers...even Willie. Special Guests: Betsy Bihn and JP Dundore-Arias.
How revolutionary methods can be used to disarm some of the most destructive pathogens that imperil the world's food supply. Special Guest: Morgan Carter.
Your backyard is full of antibiotics. What they're there doing might surprise you. Special Guests: Linda Kinkel and Soledad Benitez Ponce.
They’ve been farming for a lot longer than we have, and they are really good at it. Special Guest: Ted Schultz.
There's a farmer walking around in a developing country applying a convolutional neural network to make decisions. Special Guest: James Legg.
This is the story of the demise of the American Chestnut and how we are poised, after a century of waiting, to see its return. Special Guest: William Powell.
The striking parallels between wheat rust and global human epidemics. Special Guest: Dave Hodson.