Jim Kerns

Bio

Jim Kerns is a Professor and Extension Specialist of Turfgrass Pathology. Currently, Jim is also serving as Department Extension Leader in Entomology and Plant Pathology. Jim is originally from Wheaton, IL, but his family moved to NC when he was in high school. He graduated from NC State in 2002 with a BS in Agronomy and moved to Texas A&M for a MS of Soil and Crop Sciences. He came back to NC State in 2004 to work with Dr. Lane Tredway in the Department of Plant Pathology. He completed his Ph.D. in 2008 and started as an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in June of 2008. Jim was recruited back to NC State in 2012. The mission of the turfgrass pathology program at NC State is to provide disease management recommendations to turfgrass managers that are based on research. Jim loves to spend time with his family, play golf and in general have a good time!

Jim focuses on etiology, epidemiology and management of diseases of both warm- and cool-season grasses. His research program focuses on understanding the biology of ultradwarf bermudagrass diseases, large patch of zoysiagrass, plant parasitic nematodes in turf and diseases of creeping bentgrass. The mission of the program is to provide efficacious and cost-effective management strategies to turfgrass managers in NC and beyond. His program also houses the Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab, which is managed by Lee Butler.

Experience:

Present: Professor and Extension Specialist, NC State University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

2016-2021: Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, NC State University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

2012-2016: Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, NC State University, Department of Plant Pathology

2008-2012: Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Area(s) of Expertise

Etiology, epidemiology, and management of warm- and cool-season grass diseases

Publications

• First Report of Gray Leaf Spot Caused by Pyricularia oryzae on Zoysia japonica in the United States of America , PLANT DISEASE (2025)
• Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Large Patch (Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group 2-2LP) Resistance in Zoysiagrass , Phytopathology® (2025)
• Review of the biology and management of large patch of warm-season turfgrasses , CROP SCIENCE (2025)
• Phytophthora nicotianae: A Quick Diagnostic Guide for Black Shank of Tobacco , PLANT HEALTH PROGRESS (2024)
• Blend ratios and mixtures of brown patch susceptible and resistant tall fescue cultivars , AGRONOMY JOURNAL (2024)
• Brown patch severity as affected by cool-season turfgrass species, cultivar, and nitrogen rate , CROP SCIENCE (2024)
• Brown patch severity of five tall fescue cultivars as influenced by summer nitrogen rates , CROP PROTECTION (2024)
• Effect of mowing timing and clipping collection practices on azoxystrobin distribution, persistence, and efficacy , CROP SCIENCE (2024)
• Fifteen years of findings: Advancements in spring dead spot research from 2009 to 2024 , CROP SCIENCE (2024)
• Turf-Type Tall Fescue Brown Patch Resistance as Influenced by Morphological Characteristics , PLANT HEALTH PROGRESS (2024)