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NJAES Faculty Expertise Database

Donald Kobayashi Donald Kobayashi
Professor
 Plant Biology and Pathology
Foran 337
59 Dudley Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 848-932-6393
Fax: 732-932-9377
Email: kobayashi@aesop.rutgers.edu
Website: aesop.rutgers.edu/~plantbiopath/faculty/kobayashi/kobayashi.html

Expertise Summary
  Alternative forms of plant disease control are needed before the use of pesticides is lost. One alternative to pesticides is biological control using microorganisms that are antagonistic to plant pathogens. In my laboratory, research focuses on characterizing bacteria as potential biocontrol agents. We are involved with both applied and basic studies that are directed at understanding the ecological behavior of biocontrol agents and the mechanisms by which they control disease. Applied research include greenhouse and field studies directed at the control of cranberry fruit rot, and the control of turfgrass root diseases. Basic research studies involve molecular approaches that investigate the expression and regulation of genes, in biocontrol bacteria, that encode extracellular degradative enzymes and antibiotic production in bacteria. Gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms of biocontrol and the behavior of the biocontrol agents in the field will lead to their development as effective disease control alternatives to chemicals.

Research Projects
  • Characterization of plant-associated bacteria beneficial to New Jersey agriculture
  • EPIDEMIOLOGY, VECTOR ECOLOGY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BACTERIAL LEAF SCORCH IN NEW JERSEY
  • ESTABLISHING THE THREAT OF XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA WITHIN WOODY BIOMASS SPECIES IN THE GREATER NEW JERSEY AREA

    • Selected Publications
    Expression of a novel endophytic fungal chitinase in the infected host grass
      Journal: Mycologia
     Authors: Li, H.M., Sullivan, R., Moy, M., Kobayashi, D.Y., and Belanger, F.C
    Date Published: 2004
    Identification of bacteria for biological control of Botrytis cinerea on petunia.
      Journal: Plant Disease
     Authors: Gould, A.B., D.Y. Kobayashi, and M. Bergen
    Lysis of plant pathogenic fungi and biocontrol.
      Journal: Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology
     Authors: Roberts, D.P. and Kobayashi, D.Y.
       Pages: 558-559
    Occurrence of bacterial blight of fenugreek in New Jersey caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and isolation of the pathogen from infested seed
      Journal: Plant Disease
     Authors: Fogg, M.L., R.M. Reedy, D.Y. Kobaysahi, S.A. Johnston and W.L. Kline
    Date Published: 2003

     

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