Paul Mumma
Graduate Student
E-mail: PMumma@agcenter.lsu.edu

Major Professor: Dr. Raymond Schneider

Area of Research:

I am currently investigating the epidemiological aspects of Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi). I am Principal Investigator on the following projects:

• The Effects of Temperature on Urediniospore Production in Phakopsora pachyrhizi and Development of National Risk Maps (determining the temperature range most conducive to the production and release of Phakopsora pachyrhizi urediniospores and developing national risk maps);
   

• An Evaluation of Spore Trapping Technology (comparing/contrasting three spore traps);
   

• Spatial analysis of Asian Soybean Rust (investigating within-field disease distribution using geographical information systems, focusing on determining the extent of spatial and temporal variability of soybean rust with regard to soil nutrients, soil compaction, leaf nutrients, percent canopy coverage, soil moisture, and plant height and their interactions);
   

• An epidemiological spore trap experiment examining hourly trap data of two spore traps and finding correlation between spore numbers and weather variables; and
   

• A time-of-infection study employing real-time PCR for quantification of disease samples, which are used to determine the time during season when infection occurs.

These ongoing projects examine the epidemiological aspects of Asian soybean rust. Results from these projects will assist researchers and growers in managing the disease while furthering the understanding of the developmental aspects in time and space.