26 October 2011 Dr. Sharon Douglas
Environmentally-friendly Methods for Disease Control
We are all interested in having the best and healthiest garden
possible. We want to get rid of pests and diseases but not
harm the environment. In a talk entitled
Environmentally-friendly Methods for Disease Control, the
discussion refutes the common misconception that chemical
sprays, dusts, and soil drenches are the only effective ways
to control plant diseases. The focus will be on non-chemical
methods for control, which include culture, sanitation,
resistance, biological, and biorational or biocompatible
chemical methods. Specific diseases will be used for
illustration.
Dr. Sharon M. Douglas is a plant pathologist and head of the
Department of Plant Pathology & Ecology of The Connecticut
Agricultural Experiment Station. During her 28-year career at
the Station, one of her primary responsibilities has been the
diagnosis of plant health problems for commercial growers,
plant professionals, and homeowners. She also co-directs
the Molecular Plant Diagnostics Laboratory, which develops
rapid, sensitive methods to detect new or re-emerging plant
pathogens. Sharon is active with outreach programs
through authorship of numerous fact sheets, disease
management guides for arborists, and presentations for
grower and professional organizations, horticultural clubs,
special interest groups, and students.