Determining Biocontrol Methods for Bot Fungi

Student Name: Tommy Chiou
UCD Department: Plant Pathology
UCD Mentor: Dr. Doug Gubler

Tommy is currently working with Dr. Doug Gubler at the UC Davis Department of Plant Pathology, and his research involves several strains of fungi from the genus Botryosphaeria. His project tests several potential biocontrols, or methods of controlling pathogens through natural means, against the Bot fungi and seeing if any of them have inhibitory effects on the fungi. Fungi in the genus Botryosphaeria have been known to cause tree and shrub diebacks and diseases in grapes, apples, and pears. Each year, millions of dollars in revenue are lost in the agricultural industry because of damages by the fungi. Finding a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly method to control these organisms will greatly benefit the agricultural community.