Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Entomology and Plant Pathology

Major Professor

Heather Kelly

Committee Members

Bonnie Ownley, Tyson Raper

Abstract

In an effort to provide Tennessee cotton growers, and cotton growers across the South Eastern portion of the cotton belt, with more accurate pathogen identification for soilborne diseases known to cause cotton seedling diseases, I will be working in conjunction with the National Cottonseed Treatment program to analyze populations of cotton seedling disease and evaluate seed treatment efficacy. Over the past 24 years, the National Cottonseed Treatment program has been conducted with the purpose of analyzing populations of soil borne pathogens known to cause cotton seedling diseases across the United States cotton belt. However, this data has only been collected using morphological identification for the species Thielaviopsis basicola, and Rhizcotonia solani. As well as identification to the genus level for any species of Pythium and Fusarium. Several species of Fusarium and Pythium can be difficult to identify only by morphological features. Therefore, for a more accurate data set, we will be using ELISA techniques to identify Pythium and Rhizoctonia solani. In addition to quantification of pathogen populations, the National Cottonseed Treatment Trial also analyzes the effects seed treatment efficacy against seedling diseases caused by these pathogens.

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