Kylie Swisher Grimm (guest speaker from USDA)

Improving our understanding of Tobacco rattle virus

Abstract

Tobacco rattle virus causes internal and external tuber necrosis that render potatoes unmarketable. The virus is vectored to potato in the northwest U.S. by the stubby root nematode, Paratrichodorus allius, and commercial growers control the virus through costly chemical controls that target the nematode.  Basic research strategies have been conducted in the greenhouse to improve our understanding of virus movement within a plant and factors that influence nematode fecundity. Applied research strategies have been utilized in the field to identify strategies that growers might use to mitigate the effects of the virus on tuber yield and quality. As part of the Tri-State Potato Variety Development Program, breeding clones are screened each year for resistance to Tobacco rattle virus-induced internal tuber necrosis. Information gained from each of these projects can combine to improve strategies that commercial growers currently use to mitigate Tobacco rattle virus and its nematode vector.

About Kylie

Kylie Swisher Grimm is a Research Plant Pathologist at the USDA-ARS Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit located in Prosser, WA. Her research focuses on the epidemiology, biology, and management of new and emerging pathogens of potato and vegetable crops in the Northwestern U.S. One aspect of Dr. Grimm’s research focuses on insect-vectored pathogens such as ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii’ that are the causal agents of zebra chip and potato purple top diseases, respectively. She has worked to identify novel pathogen haplotypes, identify host plant and insect vector associations, and develop new molecular tools for high-throughput insect testing. Another aspect of Dr. Grimm’s program focuses on soilborne pathogens that cause internal tuber necrosis such as Tobacco rattle virus and Potato mop-top virus that are vectored by stubby root nematodes and Spongospora subterranea, respectively. Much of this work has been on understanding the relationship between pathogen, host, and vector, as well as identifying disease-resistant germplasm that will benefit growers in the region. Dr. Grimm’s background in molecular biology pairs nicely with the field and greenhouse trials routinely conducted in her program.

Zoom Meeting Information

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Zoom Meeting ID: 959 0545 7360
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