Advanced Scientific Staff. ​Superior Research Facilities.

Dr. Balaji Aglave performing pathogen plate spread
The Ag Metrics Group Plant Pathology Program is a national team of degreed and experienced pathologists, supported by comprehensive regional laboratories with pure cultures of key pathogens for inoculum in successful bio-efficacy field trials. These pathologists are also supported by USDA APHIS approved quarantine facilities for product R&D research with international crop diseases, or importation and containment of exotic beneficial microorganisms for directed research by clients.

With field, greenhouse, and in vitro capabilities, our pathology research is directed toward establishing uniform pathogen infections in test systems and recording disease progress through accepted and repeatable evaluation methods. The data set is then analyzed to quantify experimental metrics as per protocol instructions. The results are presented in a clear format through extensive use of figures and tables in client reports.
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​Our advanced laboratories, used alone, and together with field and greenhouse facilities, provide product development managers with a wide range of research capabilities:
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  • Dozens of domestic and international test pathogen cultures
  • DNA extraction for molecular analysis using real-time qPCR
  • Pathogen plating and quantification (CFUs) in plant and soil matrices
  • In vitro and in vivo characterization of product efficacy
  • Post-harvest decay evaluations through simulated transportation, refrigeration, supermarket display, and consumer storage
  • Availability of exotic international pathogens and other microbials in approved quarantine facilities

Common Pathology Studies

  • ​Almonds: Blossom Blight, Brown Rot, Shot Hole
  • Apples: Apple Scab, Powdery Mildew
  • Banana: T4 Fusarium “Panama Disease”, Sigatoka Leaf Spot
  • Basil: Downy Mildew, Botrytis
  • Carrot: Alternaria Blight, Pythium Cavity Spot, Powdery Mildew, Rhizoctonia
  • Celery: Septoria Blight, Cercospora and Pseudomonas Leaf Spot, Fusarium Wilt
  • Cherry: Cherry Leaf Spot
  • Cole Crops: Alternaria Leaf Spot, Downy Mildew
  • Corn: Common Smut, Exserohilum Root Rot, Fusarium Ear and Stalk Rots, Macrophomina Stalk Rot, Seed Rots & Damping Off, Tar Spot, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Gray Spot
  • Eggplant: Powdery Mildew, Verticillium Wilt, Phytophthora Root & Crown Rot
  • Grape: Downy & Powdery Mildews, Botrytis Bunch Rot
  • Legumes: Pythium and Rhizoctonia Damping Off Diseases, Ascochyta Leaf Blight
  • Lettuce: Botrytis Basal Rot, Powdery & Downy Mildews, Sclerotinia spp., Fusarium, Pythium, Verticillium Soil Borne Diseases
  • Onion: Downy Mildew, Purple Blotch, Botrytis Neck Rot, Pink Root
  • Pepper: Powdery Mildew, Fusarium, Nematodes, Phytophthora Root Rot
  • Potato: Early Blight, Fusarium Dry Rot, Late Blight, Rhizoctonia
  • Pumpkin: Phytophthora Crown & Root Rot
  • Raspberry: Botrytis, Phytophthora Root Rot, Rust
  • Spinach: Downy Mildew, Verticillium Wilt
  • Squash: Powdery Mildew Phytophthora Crown & Root Rot
  • Stone Fruit: Blossom Blight, Brown Rot
  • Strawberry: Anthracnose, Botrytis, Macrophomina, Verticillium Wilt
  • Tomato: Bacterial Spot, Botrytis Blight, Early Blight, Fusarium & Verticillium Wilts, Late Blight, Powdery Mildew, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia spp. Leaf Roll & Spotted Wilt Viruses

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