Bill Cline
Researcher & Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology
Extension Horticulturist, Blueberry
65% extension, 30% research, and 5% service
Horticultural Crops Research Station, 3800 Castle Hayne Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Area(s) of Expertise
Diseases of small fruit crops – blueberry, muscadine grape, strawberry, blackberry. Interests: (i) Applied field work and discovery, cultural practices, fungicide trials and screening of cultivars/selections for disease resistance; (ii) multi-year projects focused on epidemiology and management of diseases; and (iii) development of clean, disease-resistant, true-to-type plant sources.
EXTENSION AND OUTREACH (Plant Pathology and Horticulture)
In-state and regional agent training, publications and web-based content. Assist growers and agents via phone, text and email (500+ per year), field visits (70+ per year), and workshops (12-15 per year). Organize annual statewide blueberry conference and trade show; edit and publish proceedings. Organize blueberry field days. Diagnosis of small fruit diseases via the NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. Primary contact for blueberry inquiries in NC.
Bill currently serves as a senior editor for all regional small fruit integrated management guides and as a steering committee member for the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium (www.smallfruits.org). He is also a U. S. Highbush Blueberry Council board member and an advisor to the North Carolina Blueberry Council.
Education
BS, Gardner-Webb University (1982)
MS, North Carolina State University (1986)