Advanced Scientific Staff. ​Superior Plant Pathology Contract Research.

Plant Pathogen Plate Spread Contract ResearchResearch
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 plant pathology contract 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.
​
​Our advanced laboratories, used alone, and together with field and greenhouse facilities, provide product development managers with a wide range of research capabilities:
​
  • 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

Research Leadership & Scientific Expertise

Ag Metrics Group's plant pathology programs are supported by a multidisciplinary team of research leaders with expertise spanning plant pathology, entomology, agronomy, nematology, molecular diagnostics, and commercial field research. Together, they design and execute scientifically rigorous greenhouse and field studies that generate reliable, decision-ready data for product development, regulatory support, and commercial decision-making.
Dr. Balaji Aglave, Research Director, provides scientific leadership in plant pathology, molecular diagnostics, nematology, citrus health, and integrated disease management.
Brian Cortright, Midwest Area Manager, brings more than three decades of experience leading plant pathology and agronomic field research programs throughout the Midwest. His expertise includes fungicide efficacy trials, disease management programs, seed treatment evaluations, biological and biostimulant research, and integrated crop protection studies across a wide range of agricultural crops. Brian's extensive field experience ensures that research is conducted under commercial production conditions while meeting the scientific standards required for product development and regulatory decision-making.
Dr. Frank V. Sances, Founder, President & CEO, is an entomologist and agricultural scientist with decades of experience in integrated pest management, crop protection, agronomy, and multidisciplinary agricultural research.

Plant Pathology Research Common 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
  • Blueberry: Botrytis, Mummy Berry, Phomosis Leaf Blight, Phytophthora Root Rot
  • Carrot: Alternaria Blight, Pythium Cavity Spot, Powdery Mildew, Rhizoctonia
  • Celery: Septoria Blight, Cercospora and Pseudomonas Leaf Spot, Fusarium Wilt
  • Citrus: Greasy Spot, Citrus Greening, Citrus Canker, Melonase, Phytophthora
  • Cherry: Cherry Leaf Spot
  • Coffee: Coffee Rust
  • Cole Crops: Alternaria Leaf Spot, Downy Mildew
  • Corn/Sweet Corn: Tar Spot, Exserohilum Root Rot, Fusarium Ear/Stalk Rots, Macrophomina, Damping Off, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Southern Corn Leaf Blight, Gray Spot , Common Smut, Rust
  • Cucurbit/Melon: Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Alternia Leaf Spot, Gummy Stem Blight, Phytophthora Crown & Root Rot
  • Eggplant: Powdery Mildew, Verticillium Wilt, Phytophthora Root & Crown Rot
  • Grape: Downy & Powdery Mildews, Botrytis Bunch Rot
  • Legumes: Pythium & 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
  • Raspberry: Botrytis, Phytophthora Root Rot, Rust
  • Soybean: Frogeye Leaf Spot, Septoria Brown Spot, Aerial Blight (Web Blight), Anthracnose, Sudden Death Syndrome, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora, Septoria
  • Spinach: Downy Mildew, Verticillium Wilt
  • Stone Fruit: Blossom Blight, Brown Rot
  • Strawberry: Anthracnose, Botrytis, Macrophomina, Verticillium Wilt
  • Tomato: Bacterial Speck/Spot, Botrytis, Early/Late Blights, Fusarium/Verticillium Wilts, Powdery Mildew, Stem Rots, Misc. Plant Viruses

How can we
​help you?

CAREERS - Click Here