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Bruce B Clarke Bruce B Clarke
Extension Specialist
 Plant Biology and Pathology
Foran 338
59 Dudley Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 732-932-9375 x331
Fax: 732-932-9377
Email: clarke@aesop.rutgers.edu
Website: f.rutgers.edu
View CV

Expertise Summary
  The principal focus of my research deals with the identification and control of abiotic and biotic diseases associated with cool-season turfgrasses. Recent studies have been conducted to determine the distribution and control of anthracnose, gray leaf spot, and root and crown-infecting fungi associated with patch diseases in the Northeastern United States. This has involved the use of field studies to assess pathogen dynamics, as well as controlled environment and greenhouse studies to ascertain the relationship between environmental stress, cultural management, and disease development. To date, research findings have been utilized by turf managers to reduce pesticide usage through improved management strategies. Research also has been initiated to develop disease forecasting and detection systems and to identify genetic resistance to diseases in new and existing turfgrass germplasm.

Impacts: 1. My summer patch research has enabled golf course superintendents to reduce fungicide usage 30% for this disease. 2. Due to the recent research on anthracnose conducted in my lab, three new fungicide chemistries and management practices have been identified for the control of this important disease. 3. Determined that gray leaf spot is influenced by mowing height and clipping removal thus providing turf managers with options to reduce disease severity without using fungicides.

International Expertise
Fungi
Mycology
Turfgrass fungi
Turfgrass pathology

Research Projects
  • GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF UNDERUTILIZED PERENNIAL CROP PLANTS
  • Biology, Ecology and Management of Emerging Pests of Annual Bluegrass on Golf Courses

    • Selected Publications
    Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases
      Authors: Smiley RW, PH Dernoeden and BB Clarke
    Volume: 3rd Edition Date Published: 2004
    Optimizing Manganese Fertilization for the Suppression of Take-all Patch Disease on Creeping Bentgrass
      Journal: Crop Science
     Authors: Heckman, J.R., B.B. Clarke, and J.A. Murphy
    Volume: 43    Pages: 1395-1398
    Date Published: 2003
    Suppression of Take-all patch on creeping bentgrass with manganese fertilization
      Journal: Crop Sci
     Authors: Heckman JR, BB Clarke and JA Murphy
    Date Published: 2003
    Turfgrass Patch Diseases Caused by Ectotrophic Root-Infecting Fungi
      Authors: Clarke BB and AB Gould, Eds.
    Volume: 1st Edition Date Published: 1993

     

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