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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Plant Pathology

G.Y. Yuen's Research

'Have biocontrol, will travel' is Gary Yuen's motto. He would like to see biocontrol agents developed for use in multiple crop-pathogen systems and across wide geographic areas. Thus, he pits biocontrol agents against a wide range of pathogens including Fusarium spp., Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Uromyces appendiculatus in dry bean and Bipolaris sorokiniana, Pythium spp, and Rhizoctonia solani in turfgrass. Understanding how biocontrol agents inhibit fungal pathogens is an objective in Dr. Yuen's research. Currently, he is studying the biocontrol roles of enzyme (chitinases and glucanase) production and induction of host resistance by a unique bacterial strain, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia C3. Another objective is to determine the major environmental factors that control growth of fungal pathogens and biocontrol agents. His ecological studies involve measuring microclimatic conditions (e.g. moisture and ultraviolet radiation) in crop canopies and on leaf surfaces. To conduct such research in turfgrass canopies - a major challenge - Dr. Yuen developed unique electronic and biological sensors.

Most recent publications  

  • Jochum, C.C., Osborne, L.E., and Yuen, G.Y. 2006. Fusarium head blight biological control with Lysobacter enzymogenes C3. Biological Control 39:336-344.
  • Chen, J., Moore, W.H., Yuen, G.Y., Kobayashi, D.Y. and Caswell-Chen, E.P.2006. Influence of Lysobacter enzymogenes strain C3 on nematodes. Journal of Nematology 38:233-239.
  • Eken, C., Jochum, C.C. and Yuen, G.Y. 2006. First report of leaf spot of smooth bromegrass caused by Pithomyces chartarum in Nebraska. Plant Dis. 90:108.
  • Ziems, A.D., Giesler, L.J., and Yuen, G.Y. 2006. First report of sudden death syndrome (Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines) of soybean in Nebraska. Plant Dis. 90:109.
  • Li, S., Du, L., Yuen, G.Y., and Harris, S.D. 2006. Distinct ceramide synthases regulate polarized growth in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Molec. Biol. Cell 17:1218-1227.
  • Yuen, G.Y., C.C. Jochum, B.H. Bleakley, M.A. Draper, K.R. Ruden, and L.E. Sweets. 2005. Standardized Evaluation of Biological Agents for the Control of Fusarium Head Blight: 2005 Results. In: Canty, S.M., Boring, T., Wardwell, J., Siler, L. , and Ward, R.W. (Eds.), Proceedings of the National Fusarium Head Blight Forum; 2005 Dec. 11-13; Milwaukee, WI. East Lansing: Michigan State University. pp. 237-239.
  • Jochum, C.C.,  G.Y. Yuen, and B. Tisserat. 2005. Effects of Induced Systemic Resistance-Activating Agents on Fusarium Head Blight. In: Canty, S.M., Boring, T., Wardwell, J., Siler, L. , and Ward, R.W. (Eds.), Proceedings of the  National Fusarium Head Blight Forum; 2005 Dec. 11-13; Milwaukee, WI. East Lansing: Michigan State University. pp. 211-214.
  • Yuen, G.Y., D.K. Kobayashi, and E.P. Caswell-Chen. 2006. Ecology and biological control of plant pathogens by Lysobacter enzymogenes. Phytopathology 96:S154.
  • Kobayashi, D.Y. and G.Y. Yuen. 2006. Molecular mechanisms of interactions between Lysobacter enzymogenes and plant pathogens. Phytopathology 96:S154.
  • Yuen, G.Y., K. Broderick, W.H. Moore, and E.P. Caswell-Chen. 2006. Effects of Lysobacter enzymogenes C3 and its antibiotic dihydromaltophilin on nematodes. Phytopathology 96:S128.
  • Yuen, G., C. Jochum, S. Li, F. Yu, K. Zaleta-Rivera, S. Harris, and L. Du. 2006. The role of an antibiotic produced by Lysobacter enzymogenes C3 in fungal biocontrol. Phytopathology 96:S128.