Plant Pathology: Personnel

Ron Walcott

Associate Professor
4315 Miller Plant Sci Bldg
Athens GA 30602-7274
Phone: (706) 542-6963
FAX: (706) 542-1262
rwalcott@uga.edu

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Ph.D. Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, 1999
M.S. Plant Pathology, Iowa State University, 1995
B.S. Plant Pathology, Iowa State University, 1993

RESEARCH INTERESTS AND CURRENT EFFORTS

Biology of seedborne bacteria and fungi, development of classical and molecular techniques for rapid detection of seedborne pathogens and the development of effective chemical and non-chemical seed treatments.
Appointment: 70% Research, 30% Instruction

COURSES TAUGHT IN 2007

PATH(ANTH) 2010 Plants, Pathogens & People

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Major Professor:
Bhabesh Dutta, M.S. (Spring 2009)
Kameka Johnson, Ph.D. (Spring 2010)

On Student's Committee:
   Stephanie Adams, M.S. (Spring 2008)
   Jason Prothro, M.S. Crop & Soil Sci. (Spring 2009)
   Sara Thomas, M.S. (Fall 2008)
   Jeff Garton, M.S. (Fall 2009)
   Nikita McCullom, M.S. Food Sci & Tech (Spring 2008)
   Nadia Chacko, PhD (Fall 2010)
   Erika Scocco, Ph.D. (Spring 2011)

Advisor for Minorities in Agriculture Natural resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) UGA chapter (2007 – present)

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL AND HONORARY SOCIETIES

Georgia Association of Plant Pathologists
Southern Division of the American Phytopathological Society
Sigma Xi
UGA Plant Center
Georgia Teaching Academy
MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences)

PUBLICATIONS

Gitaitis, R.D. and Walcott, R.R. 2007. The epidemiology and management of seedborne bacterial diseases. Ann. Rev. Phytopathology 45: 371-397.

Lessl, J. T., Fessehaie, A. and Walcott, R. R.. 2007. Colonization of female watermelon blossoms by Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli and the relationship between blossom inoculum dosage and seed infestation. J. Phytopathology 155:114-121.

Walcott, R.R., Castro, A.C, Fessehae, A. and Ling, K. 2006. Progress towards a commercial-scale PCR-based seed assay for A. avenae subsp. citrulli. Seed Sci. and Technol. 34:101-116.

Fessehaie, A., and Walcott, R.R. 2005. Biological control to protect watermelon blossoms and seeds from infection by Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli. Phytopathology 95:413-419.

Walcott, R.R. 2005. Bacterial fruit blotch of cucurbits. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI:1094/PHI-I-2005-1025-02