Dr. Arvydas Grybauskas Associate Professor Email: arvydas@umd.edu Office: 2134 Plant Sciences Building Phone: 301.405.1602 Fax: 301.314.9308 Web Site: weeds.umd.edu

Education and Experience:

• B.S. in Forestry from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1976.
• M.S. in Plant Pathology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1977.
• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 1983.

Area of Specialization:

Epidemiology, as applied to plant pathology, is the study of the dynamics of plant diseases. This area of study strives to understand and characterize the factors that influence disease development at the population level, and by doing so leads to the development of disease management programs.

My primary responsibility as the Extension Field Crops Plant Pathologist is to develop research-based educational programs on disease management of field crops grown in Maryland. Field crops receiving priority are winter wheat, corn, soybeans, alfalfa and tobacco, but include other field crops as the need arises. The program emphasizes applied research and demonstration projects specifically aimed at refinement or demonstration of current or new disease management options as well as research that may be less immediately applicable but is aimed at developing improved disease management strategies. The underlying philosophy is that an integrated management scheme that is based on an understanding of the epidemiology of a disease provides the best long-term strategy for improved production. The program is delivered via written and oral presentations given at field days, county and regional grower meetings, and other venues. As the primary resource person in field crops pathology in Maryland, I have additional responsibilities that include: providing expertise for diagnosis and problem solving of new or poorly understood field crop diseases; and providing plant pathology support for breeding programs in the development of disease resistant cultivars of priority field crops.

My research program has two over-arching objectives. One objective is to provide support for the extension program described above, and the second is to add to the body of knowledge on the epidemiology of diseases that occur in Maryland field crops.  See the list of Current Research Projects below.

In addition to the Extension and research responsibilities I also have an instructional component in my appointment. Until recently I have taught the principles of plant pathology course to undergraduate students. I continue to provide graduate level training in the area of plant disease epidemiology as appropriate for students in plant pathology, integrated pest management and plant breeding; and to chair and serve on graduate student programs in plant pathology and related disciplines. I am now involved in the development of the Plant Protection Center.

Current Research Projects:

1. Epidemiology of the gray leaf spot disease of corn.
2. Epidemiology of Fusarium head blight of wheat.
3. . Evaluation of the efficacy of seed and foliar fungicide treatments for improvement in seed quality and yield of winter wheat through the management of powdery mildew, Stagonospora glume blotch and Fusarium head blight (scab).
4. Evaluation of resistance of currently available winter wheat cultivars to the disease complex of the Mid-Atlantic region, including wheat spindle streak mosaic virus and soil-borne wheat mosaic virus.
5. Evaluation of the effect of foliar fungicides on soybean rust and other soybean diseases in Maryland.
6. Evaluation of the effect of foliar fungicides on plant growth and development in the absence of plant diseases.

Representative Publications:

• DeStefano, D.A., Grybauskas, A. P., Sherald, J.L., Momen, B., Huang, Qi, and Sullivan, J.H. 2007. Effect of the growth regulator paclobutrazol on growth of the bacterial pathogen Xyllela fastidiosa. Journal of Arboriculture and Urban Forestry 33:246-252.
• Costa, J.M. Cooper, A. Grybauskas, A. Kratochvil, and Griffey, C.A. 2005. Registration of Choptank wheat. Crop Science 46:474-475.
• Costa, J.M. Cooper, A. Grybauskas, A. Kratochvil, R.J. Sammons, D.J., and Shirley, E. 2002. Registration of Catchpenny barley. Crop Science 42:1378-1379.
• Aycock, M.K. and A. Grybauskas. 2000. Registration of MD A30 tobacco germplasm. Crop Science 40:1203-1204.
• Feng, Y., P.H. Deroeden, and A.P. Grybauskas. 1999. A simple Pythium aphanidermatum field inoculation technique for perennial ryegrass. Hort Sci. 34:301-304.
• Krusberg, L.R., S. Sardanelli and A.P. Grybauskas. 1997. Damage potential of Heterodora zeae on Zea mays as affected by edaphic factors. Fundamental and Applied Nematology 20:593-599.
• Fidanza, M.A., P.H. Dernoeden and A.P. Grybauskas. 1996. Development and field validation of a brown patch warning model for perennial ryegrass turf. Phytopathology 86:385-390.
• Ringer, C.E. and A.P. Grybauskas. 1995. Infection cycle components and disease progress of gray leaf spot on field corn. Plant Disease 79:24-28.
• Orth, C.E. and A.P. Grybauskas. 1994. Development of Septoria nodorum blotch on winter wheat under two cultivation schemes in Maryland. Plant Disease 78:736-741.
• Kackley, K.E., A.P. Grybauskas, R.L. Hill and P.H. Dernoeden. 1990. Role of drought stress in the developement of summer patch in field inoculated Kentucky bluegrass. Phytopathology 80:655-658.
• Kackley, K.E., A.P. Grybauskas, R.L. Hill and P.H. Dernoeden. 1990. Influence of temperature - soil water status interactions on the development of summer patch in Poa spp.. Phytopathology 80:650-655.

Awards and Honors:

• American Phytopathological Society, Potomac Division, Distinguished Service Award, 2003.
• American Phytopathological Society, Service Award for serving on the National Council 2001-2004
• American Phytopathological Society, award in recognition of service to News Advisory committee 2000-2006