The Department of Plant Pathology is internationally recognized for its research in Fusarium systematics, mushroom science, and air pollution effects on plants. In addition to these world-class programs, the Department has outstanding strength in epidemiology, virology, phytobacteriology, molecular biology, host-parasite interactions, soil ecology, and mycology.

Efforts focus on several priority areas:

• Biology of Host-Pathogen and Host-Environmental Stress Interactions
• Mycology and Mushroom Science (including Spawn Science)
• Distance Education
• Adaptive Research and Extension Programs
• Food Quality and Safety
• Sustainability, a Central Paradigm of Agriculture
• Commodity-based Fruit Research Program

Faculty in Plant Pathology have a strong commitment to collaborative research, with on-going programs involving interactions within and among departments, colleges, universities, and nations; and continuing and expanding leadership in interdisciplinary research and education through NSF training grants.

Research Web Pages

• Fruit Pathology
• Grapevine Decline
• Mushroom Science and Technology
• Ornamental Pathology
• Potato Health
• Valentine Turfgrass Research Center
• Vegetable Pathology

Facilities and Institutes

• Computational Epidemiology & Aerobiology Laboratory
• Fruit Research and Extension Center
• The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
• Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center
• Russell Larson Research and Education Center
  • Plant Pathology Farm
• Valentine Turfgrass Research Center

International Activities

Library Resources

• Resources for Research, Writing, and Citation in
  Plant Pathology
• Web-based Resources for Rural Research
• Pennsylvania and Penn State's Agricultural Heritage: A Chronology