Mohammad Babadoost

Research

The main objective of my research program is to develop and implement effective IPM strategies for management of economically important diseases of vegetables and fruit crops. Currently, I have the following research projects: (i) to develop effective methods for management of Phytophthora blight of cucurbits and peppers, (ii) to determine genotype and pathogenic diversity among Phytophthora capsici isolates, (iii) to investigate the etiology of internal discoloration of horseradish root and develop effective control methods, and (iv) to implement weather-based disease-warning systems for control of summer diseases of apple.

Extension

My extension program emphasizes outreach education and integrated management of vegetable and fruit crops. Problem solving is the main goal of my extension program. I provide disease management information to vegetable and fruit growers using technologies that range from very old fashion, but accurate, to web delivery. I participate in winter schools, conduct field demonstration programs, and provide references in order to educate the growers on identification of diseases, understand disease characteristics, and benefits of IPM practices in disease management. The following are a summary of my efforts in providing information on management of vegetable and fruit crops diseases.

Publications. I prepare and publish various extension publications including: (i) Fact Sheets (RPDs), (ii) annually revised production and spray guides, (iii) newsletter articles, (iv) articles for proceedings of extension meeting, and (v) handouts for the meetings.

Web page. I maintain a Web page on identification and management of diseases of vegetables and fruit crops. This site is modified as needed.

Presentations. I have more than 25 extension presentations per year.

Disease diagnosis. I receive specimens of diseased plants from extension personnel, cooperate with University of Illinois (UI) Plant Clinic, and growers for diagnosis. I also receive images of diseased plants via the UI distance diagnosis program.

Teaching

I teach Plant Disease Diagnosis, Plant Pathology-405 (PLPA-405). This course is taught for 8 weeks in the fall semesters. In PLPA-405, students learn laboratory and field techniques in plant disease diagnosis and appraisal. Identification of diseases of small grains, corn, beans, forages, vegetables, fruit crops, turf, ornamentals, and forest and shade trees, both in laboratory and fields are practiced. Hands-on-practices and use of the library and Web resources for pathogen identification and disease diagnosis are emphasized. Several field visits are included. Students practice molecular methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a microlog system for identification of bacteria (BIOLOG), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for disease diagnosis in the class. Students also are responsible for collection and identification of at least 10 unknown plant disease specimens, which provides opportunity to apply the acquired knowledge in the class and become self-confident in disease diagnosis.

Selected Publications

Pavón, C.F., Babadoost, M., and Lambert, K.N.  2007.  Quantification of Phytophthora capsici oospores in soil by sieving-centrifugation and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Plant Dis. 91 (in press).

Jossey, S., and Babadoost, M. 2007. Occurrence and distribution of pumpkin and squash viruses in Illinois. Plant Dis. 91 (in press).

Jossey, S., and Babadoost, M.  2006. First Report pf Tobacco ringspot virus in pumpkin (Cucurbita peop) in Illinois. Plant Disease 90: 1361.

Babadoost, M. 2005. Phytophthora blight of cucurbits. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI:10.1094/PHI-I-2005-0429-01.

Islam, S.Z., M. Babadoost, K. Lambert, A. Ndeme, and H.M. Fouly. 2005. Characterization of Phytophthora capsici isolates from processing pumpkin in Illinois. Plant Dis. 89:191-197.

Ozgur, M., A. M. Shehata, R. M. Skirvin, M. A. Norton, R. M. S. Mulwa, M. Uchanski, A.M. Hamblin, and M. Babadoost. 2004. An in vitro method to rescue embryos of horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), a reputedly sterile plant. Journal of Vegetable Crop Production 10:99-105.

Babadoost, M., W. Chen, A.D. Bratsch, and C.E. Eastman. 2004. Verticillium longisporum and fusarium solani: two new species in the complex of internal discoloration of horseradish roots. Plant Pathology 53:669-676.

Kushad, M. M., R. A. Cloyd, and M. Babadoost. 2004. Distribution of glucosinolates in ornamental cabbage and kale cultivars. Sci. Hort. 101:215-221.

Tian, D., and M. Babadoost. 2004. Host range of Phytophthora capsici from pumpkin and pathogenicity of the isolates. Plant Dis. 88:485-489.

Babadoost, M., P. S. McManus, S. N. Helland, and M. L. Gleason. 2004. Evaluating a wetness-based warning system and reduced-risk fungicides to manage sooty blotch and flyspeck of apple. HortTechnol. 14:27-33.

Walter, S.A., J.B. Bond, M. Babadoost, D.I. Edwards, and Z.A. Handoo. 2004. Plant parasitic nematodes associated with horseradish in Illinois. Nematropica 34:191-197.

Babadoost, M., and S.Z. Islam. 2003. Fungicide seed treatment effects on seedling damping-off of pumpkin caused by Phytophthora capsici. Plant Dis. 87:63-68.

Babadoost, M., D.E. Mathre, R. H. Johnston, and M. R. Bonde. 2003. Survival of teliospores of Tilletia indica, causal agent of Karnal bunt of wheat, in soil. Plant Dis. 88:56-62.

Babadoost, M., and S.Z. Islam. 2003. Fungicide seed treatment effects on seedling damping-off of pumpkin caused by Phytophthora capsici. Plant Dis. 87:63-68.

Islam, S.Z., M. Babadoost, and T. Honda. 2002. Effect of Red-Light Treatment of Seedlings of Pepper, Pumpkin, and Tomato on the Occurrence of Phytophthora Damping-off. HortScience 37: 678-681.

Babadoost, M., and S.Z. Islam. 2002. Phytophthora blight on pumpkin. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2002-1216-01-DG.

Islam, S.Z., Y. Honda, and M. Babadoost. 2002. Antifungal glycoprotein in red-light irradiated broadbean leaflets. Mycoscience 43:471-473.

Babadoost, M., and N.R. Pataky. 2002. First report of bacterial fruit blotch of watermelon caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli in Illinois. Plant Dis. 86:443.

Islam, S.Z., M. Babadoost, and T. Honda. 2002. Effect of red-light treatment of seedlings of pepper, pumpkin, and tomato on the occurrence of Phytophthora damping-off. HortScience 37:678-681.

Babadoost, M., S.Z. Islam, D. Tian, and C. Pavon. 2005. Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) of peppers in Illinois: occurrence and management. Pages 7-12, In Proceedings of the Second World Pepper Convention, Zacatecas, Mexico, August 14-16, 2005.

Babadoost, M., and S.Z. Islam. 2005. Evaluation of fungicides for control of Phytophthora blight of bell pepper, 2004. Fung. & Nemat. Tests 60:V055.

Babadoost, M., and Islam, S.Z. 2005. Evaluation of fungicides for control of powdery mildew and downy mildew of pumpkin, 2004. Fung. & Nemat. Tests 60: V053.

Islam, S.Z., and M. Babadoost. 2005. Fungicide evaluation for control of Phytophthora blight of processing pumpkin, 2004. Fung. & Nemat. Tests 60:V054.

Babadoost, M., and J. Pataky. 2005. Fungicide control of common rust on sweet corn hybrids, 2004. Fung. & Nemat. Tests 60:V064.

Babadoost, M. 2005. Phytophthora blight: a serious concern for vegetable growers. Pp 1-4. In Proceedings of Field Tomato and Pepper Session, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention and Trade Show, February 16 & 17, 2005, Brock University, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada.

Babadoost, M., and S.Z. Islam. 2005. Evaluation of fungicides and biofungicides for control of internal discoloration of horseradish roots. Pp. 1-48-22. In Horseradish Res. Rev. & Proc. Horseradish Growers School.

Babadoost, M. 2005. New fungicides for fruit and vegetable corps. pp. 41-44. In Proc. Illinois Small Fruit and Strawberry Schools. UI Extension.

Babadoost, M. 2005. Dormant spray of fruit crops. Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News, Volume 11, Number 5:48.

Babadoost, M. 2005. Managing Phytophthora blight of cucurbits. Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News, Volume 11, Number 8:80-81.

Babadoost, M., and S.Z. Islam. 2005. An integrated approach for management of Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) of cucurbits. Phytopathology 95 (June supplement): S4.

Islam, S.Z., and M. Babadoost. 2005. In Vitro evaluation of antifungal activity of an isolate of Streptomyces sp. against soil-borne pathogens. Phytopathology 95 (June supplement): S47.

Pavon, C., and M. Babadoost. 2005. Extraction and enumeration of Phytophthora capsici oospores in soil. Phytopathology 95 (June supplement): S81.

Babadoost, M. 2005. Agriculture extension in the Middle East and the Midwest. Phytopathology 95 (June supplement): S146-147.

Babadoost, M. 2005. Vegetable production in Illinois: current and potential. Agronomy Day 2005, The 49th Annual Agronomy Day, Dept. of Crop Sciences, UIUC, The Crop Science Research and Education Center, Urbana, IL: 8.

Babadoost, M. 2004. Phytophthora blight: A serious threat to cucurbit industries. http://www.apsnet.org/online/feature/cucurbit/.

Babadoost, M., R. Weinzierl, and J. Masiunas. 2004. Identifying and Managing Cucurbit Pests: Diseases, Insects, and Weeds. University of Illinois Extension Service, C1392, 48pp.

Kushad, M., R. Weinzierl, M. Babadoost, J. Masiunas, E. Wahle, and M. Ogutu. 2004. Midwest Commercial Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide, 2005. University of Illinois Extension, ICSG3-05. 72 PP.

Weinzierl, R.A., M. Babadoost, and M.M. Kushad. 2004. Commercial Tree Fruit Spray Guide, 2005. University of Illinois Extension, ICSG4-05. 58 pp.

Egel, D., L. Maynard, F. Lam, R.A. Weinzierl, M. Babadoost, H. Taber, B. Hutchinson, and L.W. Jett, 2004. Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers. Purdue Univ. Cooperative Extension Service and University of Illinois Extension, C1373-05. 189 pp.

Babadoost, M. 2004. Plant Disease Management for Commercial Vegetable Crops. Pp. 271-296. In S.M. Bissonnette (ed). Illinois Agricultural Pest Management Handbook, UI Extension. 358 pp.

Babadoost, M. 2004. Managing diseases in the home vegetable garden. Pp. 111-135. In M.H. Overmier (ed). Home, Yard, and Garden Pest Guide. University of Illinois Extension, C1391. 179 pp.

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