Lina Quesada
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Professor and University Faculty Scholar, Vegetable Pathology
NC State Extension
4122 Plant Sciences Building
Bio
NC State Vegetable Pathology Lab website
Extension Plant Pathology Portal
Twitter
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Biography
2022 Professor and University Faculty Scholar, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and NC Plant Sciences Initiative, North Carolina State University
2018 Associate Professor and University Faculty Scholar, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University
2013 Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University
2012 NIFA Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University
2011 Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University
2010 Ph.D. Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, Michigan State University
2006 Visiting Scholar, Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University
2005 B.Sc. Biology, Universidad de Los Andes (Bogota, Colombia)
2005 B.Sc. Microbiology, Universidad de Los Andes (Bogota, Colombia)
Research
I am a member of the Graduate Faculty for the Plant Pathology, Functional Genomics, Biotechnology, and the Genetics and Genomics programs at NC State. I am also part of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and the NC Plant Sciences Initiative. My program focuses on studying diseases of cucurbits, sweetpotato, and other vegetable and specialty crops to deliver novel disease management strategies. We blend applied and basic research to provide science-based disease management recommendations to vegetable growers in North Carolina and advance our knowledge in the field of plant pathology. Some of our research interests include studying the effect of disease management on pathogen population structure, developing molecular diagnostic tools for timely detection and biosurveillance of pathogens, understanding the development of fungicide resistance in pathogen populations, and identifying sources of host resistance for disease control. We also conduct lab, greenhouse, and field experiments to test the efficacy of disease control measures and provide disease management recommendations to growers. We work in close collaboration with The North Carolina Plant Disease and Insect Clinic to assist with diagnostics of cucurbit and sweetpotato diseases.
Projects in the lab are highly cross-disciplinary and diverse, providing a broad skill-set in plant pathology to undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. We use diverse tools including genomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, and population genetics to answer our scientific questions and translate our findings into solutions for vegetable growers and stakeholders.
For detailed information about our team, ongoing projects, scientific and extension publications, news and events, and opportunities to work in my program please visit our lab website or contact us by email.
Selected Publications
Visit our lab website for a complete list of publications.
Publications
- Drosophila hydei as a Potential Vector of Ceratocystis fimbriata, the Causal Agent of Sweetpotato Black Rot, in Storage Facilities , PHYTOPATHOLOGY (2024)
- Phytophthora nicotianae: A Quick Diagnostic Guide for Black Shank of Tobacco , PLANT HEALTH PROGRESS (2024)
- Diagnostic Guide for Sclerotial Blight and Circular Spot of Sweetpotato , PLANT HEALTH PROGRESS (2024)
- Effector Repertoire of the Sweetpotato Black Rot Fungal Pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata , Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions® (2024)
- Long-Read Sequencing Genome Assembly of Ceratocystis fimbriata Enables Development of Molecular Diagnostics for Sweetpotato Black Rot , PHYTOPATHOLOGY (2024)
- Occurrence and Distribution of Meloidogyne spp. in Fields Rotated with Sweetpotato and Host Range of a North Carolina Population of Meloidogyne enterolobii , PLANT DISEASE (2024)
- Open Access and Reproducibility in Plant Pathology Research: Guidelines and Best Practices , PHYTOPATHOLOGY (2024)
- Sensitivity of Meloidogyne incognita, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, and Stagonosporopsis citrulli to Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors Used for Control of Watermelon Diseases , PLANT DISEASE (2024)
- Phytophthora capsici: Recent Progress on Fundamental Biology and Disease Management 100 Years After Its Description , ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY (2023)
- Carboxylic Acid Amide but Not Quinone Outside Inhibitor Fungicide Resistance Mutations Show Clade-Specific Occurrence in Pseudoperonospora cubensis Causing Downy Mildew in Commercial and Wild Cucurbits , PHYTOPATHOLOGY (2023)
Grants
This project will develop integrated strategies to address trade barriers for export sweetpotatoes in the United States.
Cucurbit crops, such as watermelon, melons, cucumbers, squashes and pumpkins, provide diverse, flavorful and nutritious fruits and vegetables to the American diet. U.S. production of these crops contributed an average of $1.75 billion farm gate value per year (USDA-NASS data, 2016-2018). To maintain competitive industries, it is essential that cucurbit growers, shippers, and processors can provide high quality products produced in an economically viable and environmentally sustainable manner. Plant breeding is undergoing a revolution due to rapid advances in genomics and bioinformatics. Cucurbits are no exception. Recent advances, including those achieved by CucCAP1, make it feasible to use advanced genomic approaches not possible even a few years ago. CucCAP2 aims to bring these tools to the field. We will work in conjunction with the private breeding sector and cucurbit farmers to: (a) develop advanced bioinformatic, pan-genome and genetic mapping tools for cucurbit breeders; (b) utilize genomic approaches to identify, map, and develop markers for resistances to priority diseases identified by the cucurbit industries; (c) introduce and pyramid resistances into advanced breeding lines; and (d) perform multi-location, multi-isolate trials of resistances to improve integrated disease management and determine the economic impacts of disease, and gains from control tools. Extension and outreach activities will be central to each objective to ensure that growers, processors, seed companies, and consumers benefit from our efforts.
Watermelon production in North Carolina has gradually increased over the past five years from 6,300 acres in 2016 to 9,000 acres in 2020. These figures place North Carolina as the 7th largest producer of watermelon in the U.S which has remained consistent over the years. The economic value of watermelon in North Carolina was $34 million in 2020. U.S. watermelon growers are increasingly having to contend with the fusarium wilt disease as the disease continues to be spread to new fields. Fusarium wilt has not been as wide spread in North Carolina than in some of its neighboring states to the south. However, the concern is that Fusarium wilt in North Carolina may become a greater problem over time. Currently international seed companies that breed watermelon are working to incorporate better disease resistance, especially to fusarium wilt. Some triploid or seedless cultivars have good resistance to fusarium wilt race 1. However, there are no known commercial triploid cultivars that have outstanding fusarium wilt resistance to race 2. Currently our group is evaluating the newest triploid cultivars for their ability to withstand fusarium wilt. Some new advanced lines have been included that potentially have some tolerance or resistance to fusarium wilt race 2. As one knows, in order for a triploid watermelon plant to set fruit, it needs viable pollen from a diploid or seeded watermelon plant (pollenizer). Thus, it would do no good to have healthy triploid plants yet have a pollenizer that is susceptible to fusarium wilt resulting in its inability to supply viable pollen for fruit set. Much of the pollenizer cultivar data with respect to fusarium wilt resistance is primarily obtained from seed companies. An exception was some research conducted by Gunter and Egel (2012). The research was conducted in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Many new improved pollenizer cultivars are now grown in 2022 compared to 15 years ago. The information regarding fusarium wilt susceptibility, tolerance, or resistance for many of todays most grown pollenizer cultivars needs to be documented to inform growers so they can better grow their watermelon crop. We propose to work with a seed company to assess what the fusarium wilt race is of the different 20 fusarium wilt isolates that Dr. Quesada???s lab has collected. With this information, we propose to be able to use a Fusarium wilt race 1 and race 2 isolate to discern which pollenizer cultivars are susceptible to the different fusarium wilt races.
Banana, cassava, potato, sweetpotato and yam (collectively referred to as roots, tubers, and bananas or RTB crops hereafter) are major contributors to poverty alleviation and food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). RTB crops provide nearly 50% of total caloric intake in D.R. Congo, Ghana, Tanzania and Rwanda, 30% in Uganda, and 25% in Africa's most populated country, Nigeria. Moreover, given their role to buffer local food systems against external shocks such as conflicts disrupting global commodity supply chains, climate change, and the forecasted population growth, unprecedent domestic production and value of production growth is forecasted for these crops. To deliver nutritious, affordable RTB foods, and supplies for processors in SSA, this two-year project initiation proposal represents the first phase towards establishing a longer-term plan for an 11-year-long, multi-donor driven portfolio of investments in the genetic improvement of RTB crops. Our overarching purpose is to contribute, through the development of market-preferred, gender-sensitive and climate-resilient varieties, to poverty alleviation, food and nutrition security and overall quality of life of smallholder farmers, processors, and consumers in rural and urban areas. This project will contribute to all the One CGIAR???s Genetic Innovation impact areas, namely: nutrition, health, and food security; poverty reduction, livelihoods, and jobs; gender equality, youth, and social inclusion; climate adaptation and mitigation; and environmental health and biodiversity. We aim to achieve this by implementing state-of-the-art, streamlined breeding approaches, and the market-preferred varieties to be developed are expected to command increased adoption rates and to quickly replace the older varieties and landraces that are currently in use. NC State partner with the One CGIAR to build upon capacities in African countries as well as those within One CGIAR that were developed through extensive prior BMGF breeding investments such as Breeding Better Bananas, GT4SP (NCSU led), NextGen Cassava, RTBFoods, SASHA (NCSU partner), SweetGAINS (NCSU partner), Africa Yam and Excellence in Breeding. Moreover, we will build upon assets, infrastructure and human talent posted at several One CGIAR centers and national and international programs in SSA countries, research, development and extension programs, and advanced research institutions.
Weed management was identified as a high priority of organic sweetpotato producers who lack chemical control options available to conventional producers. This project will examine the effectiveness of multiple weed management techniques including 1) the use of advanced sweetpotato lines and cultivars with bunching shoot architecture to outcompete weeds for light resources and allow for more efficient use of between-row cultivation, 2) modified planting density to reduce the critical period for weed removal, 3) identification of weed suppressive (allelopathic) lines that can function in a production environment, and 4) utilization of fall-planted cover crops and reduced tillage transplanting operations to reduce the dependence on cultivation. Recognizing that these techniques may have non-target effects, this project will also investigate the insect pest pressure and plant disease occurrences in the test plots. Research-based findings will be shared with stakeholders and the greater scientific community via field days, production meetings, expos, conferences, peer-reviewed journal publications, Extension publications/fact sheets/bulletins, and electronic newsletters, webpages, and social media. Throughout the proposed project, investigators will remain engaged with the US Sweetpotato Stakeholder Advisory Panel to ensure the project remains aligned with industry goals and that meaningful results are effectively communicated to stakeholders nation-wide. Identifying best practices for weed management, in an integrated pest management context, will facilitate the development and improvement of organic sweetpotato production, in line with Goal 1 of the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative.