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 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 board member, for the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium (www.smalfruits.org). He is also a U. S. Highbush Blueberry Council board member and serves on the Good Practices Committee.
Education
BS, Gardner-Webb University (1982)
MS, North Carolina State University (1986)