NDSU Plant Pathology, Microbiology, and Biotechnology

08/27/2026

Our Microbio and Biotech undergrads are ready to go! We had a great time connecting with them and making sure they are ready for the year!

08/25/2026

NDSU research was recognized on the national stage at the 110th Annual Meeting of the Potato Association of America in New Orleans!

Ph.D. student Bonventure Mumia earned the Frank L. Haynes Graduate Student Research Award for Best Poster for his research on root-lesion nematodes in selected cover crops and potato cultivars. He also presented research on the effects of organic manures on nematodes in potato production.

NDSU student Addison Plaisance also showcased her research through both a poster and oral presentation focused on managing nematodes and improving potato health.

08/20/2026

Congratulations to Gurminder Singh, Dinesh Poudel and Rekha Neupane, who represented NDSU as members of Team Bison, the first-place winners of the N.A. Cobb Bowl (Nematodes in Jeopardy) at the 65th Annual Meeting of the Society of Nematologists in Baltimore, Maryland.

The annual academic competition tests participants' knowledge across a wide range of nematology topics, and Team Bison's expertise, quick thinking and teamwork earned them the championship title.

08/13/2026

Edited: There was a missing article in the report. You can download the updated PDF directly with this link:https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites/default/files/2026-08/18%20CPR%20August%2012%202026%20Final_0.pdf

The 18th issue of the NDSU Extension Crop & Pest Report is here. In this issue you will find:
Continue to Scout for Soybean Aphids & Spider Mites
Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Increasing
Sunflower IPM Insect Trapping
Corn Insect Trapping
FEATURED MATCHUP: NDSU Plant Pathologists Vs. Frogeye Leaf Spot and Paraquat on Soybean
Training Your Eyes: Scouting for Foliar Diseases of Corn in North Dakota
Soybean Water Needs Increase During Reproductive Growth
Small Grain Harvest Opens Opportunities for Cropping System Intensification with Cover Crops
Updates and Save the Dates
NDSU Extension Offers Fall 2026 Su***de Prevention Webinars
Around the State:
Northwest, North Central, and Southwest North Dakota
South-Central and Southeast North Dakota
Weather Forecast: The August 13 to August 19, 2026 Weather Summary and Outlook
https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites/default/files/2026-08/18%20CPR%20August%2012%202026%20Final_0.pdf
You can download all the reports at this site: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/ag-topics/crop-production/crop-pest-report

08/13/2026

Congratulations to Dinesh Poudel and Rekha Neupane, who each received competitive travel awards to attend the 65th Annual Meeting of the Society of Nematologists in Baltimore, Maryland. They each presented their research advancing plant health and crop protection.

Dinesh received the 2026 Society of Nematologists Travel Award, supported by Hubbard Ag Science, while Rekha earned the Certis Biologicals Student Travel Award.

We're proud to see our students representing NDSU on the national stage and sharing research that helps address real-world challenges in agriculture.

08/06/2026

The NDSU Extension Sugarbeet programs hosted a plot tour at a field research site near St. Thomas, ND on July 13th. Experiments at this location focused on control of sugarbeet root maggot. A portion of the trial site is dedicated to Cercospora leaf spot management.

Sugarbeet Plot Tours highlight the significant effort from research staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and grower and industry collaborators in order to improve pest management solutions. Thanks to all those involved!

Upcoming tours are August 11th and 25th! More details: https://www.sbreb.org/events

08/06/2026

It is time for the 17th issue of the NDSU Extension Crop & Pest Report. In this issue you will find:
2026 NDSU Field Days
Soybean Aphid and Spider Mite Update
Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Update
IPM Insect Trap Report
Corn Insect Trapping Network
Aphids in Corn
Summer Generation of Canola Flea Beetle
Sunflower Rust
Dry Edible Bean Rust
The North Dakota Soil and Fertilizer Resource
Around the State
Northeast ND
South-Central/Southeast ND
Weather Forecast: The August 6 to August 12, 2026 Weather Summary and Outlook
To download the issue please go to our Crop & Pest Report Website at https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/ag-topics/crop-production/crop-pest-report

07/22/2026

Fourth-year Ph.D. student Madeeha Matloob is studying biological control products that could provide a more sustainable way to manage soilborne diseases.

Her research focuses on evaluating commercial biological control products as a more sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides for managing soilborne diseases in North Dakota soybean fields. Through multi-location field trials at NDSU Research Extension Centers, she's studying how these seed treatments perform under real North Dakota growing conditions to help protect soybean crops from damaging pathogens.

Beyond the field, Madeeha has shared her research with North Dakota producers at field days and outreach events, while also presenting her findings at scientific conferences across the country.

We're proud to support students like Madeeha, whose research is helping shape a stronger, more sustainable future for agriculture.

06/29/2026

Richard and Linda Offerdahl have committed $3 million to accelerate groundbreaking research at NDSU led by Dr. Barney Geddes. The research focuses on helping cereal crops naturally access nitrogen from the atmosphere, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers while supporting farmers, improving sustainability and advancing agricultural innovation.

This transformational gift will help move one of agriculture's biggest scientific challenges closer to real-world impact.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.ndsu.edu/news/2026-06-26-offerdahl-gift-accelerates-breakthrough-research-sustainable-agriculture-ndsu

06/26/2026

A great visit for our campers!

We were excited to welcome students from the NDSU Molecular Biology Camp 2.0 to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory last week!

These high school students are exploring the world of molecular science and visited the VDL to learn about careers in veterinary medicine and laboratory science. During their visit, they saw firsthand how diagnostics are used to support animal health, public health, and disease detection.

We enjoyed sharing the important work our team does every day and hope we inspired the next generation of veterinary pathologists, scientists and laboratory professionals!