Carolyn Young, Ph.D.
Professor
Current Research
The Problem
Sustainable plant production is greatly influenced by plant-associated microorganisms. Beneficial microbes enhance plant growth and improve persistence, whereas pathogens reduce production quality and quantity. Understanding the variation of microbes, especially variation in traits related to their life strategy, is critical for understanding how these associations impact their hosts.
The Approach
The Mycology Laboratory studies beneficial symbionts of grasses and utilizes them as value-added traits in grass cultivars. In addition, the Young laboratory dissects the interaction between the pathogens Phymatotrichopsis omnivora and Fusicladium effusum and their hosts, alfalfa and pecan, respectively.
Current Projects
Endophyte Research
- Integration of endophytes into elite tall fescue lines
- Endophyte prospecting: Identification of endophytes in alternative grass hosts and evaluation of beneficial traits
- Endophyte genomics: Utilization of comparative genomics to identify symbiosis important traits within and between Epichloë species
- Enhancement by endophyte: Interplay of endophytes to benefit summer dormant tall fescue
Pathogen Research
- Spatial and temporal development of Phymatotrichopsis root rot disease
- Pathogen genomics: Development of genomic resources for Phymatotrichopsis omnivora and Fusicladium effusum
- Understanding the pecan scab life cycle and disease