Numbered Publications by Nicole Ward Gauthier
PPFS-GEN-14: Don't Eat Those Wild Mushrooms
Ellen Crocker, Nicole Ward Gauthier | Feb. 1, 2016 (New)
Mushrooms are strange and wonderful things--some are beautiful, some are ugly, some are delicious, and some are deadly. Mushroom hunting is a fun and rewarding hobby that can turn a hike through local woods into a puzzle-solving adventure. Many people are drawn to mushroom hunting and the potential to forage for food. Unfortunately, there is a dark side to mushroom foraging: poisoning. Each year, wild mushrooms lead to numerous illnesses and even a few deaths.
PR-706: 2015 Fruit and Vegetable Research Report
Doug Archbold, Emily Pfeufer, Shubin Saha, John Snyder, John Strang, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Shawn Wright | Dec. 21, 2015 (New)
The 2015 Fruit and Vegetable Crops research report includes results for more than 19 field research plots and demonstration trials. This year fruit and vegetable research and demonstration trials were conducted in seven counties in Kentucky: Jefferson, Spencer, Trimble, Shelby, Caldwell, Franklin, and Fayette.
PPFS-FR-T-1: Peach Leaf Curl and Plum Pockets
Dennis Morgeson, Nicole Ward Gauthier | Dec. 1, 2015 (New)
Peach leaf curl occurs annually in commercial and residential orchards throughout Kentucky. The disease causes severe defoliation, weakens trees, and reduces fruit quality, fruit set, and yield. Peaches, apricots, and nectarines are susceptible to peach leaf curl. Plum pockets is a similar, but less common, disease that occurs on wild and cultivated plums.
PPFS-FR-T-4: Black Knot
Dennis Morgeson, Nicole Ward Gauthier | Dec. 1, 2015 (New)
Black knot is a common, often serious, disease of plums and cherries in Kentucky. Ornamental Prunus species, as well as wild plums and cherries, may also be affected. Trees in both commercial and residential plantings are susceptible.
PPFS-OR-W-4: "Wet Feet" of Ornamentals
Brad Lee, Tracey Parriman, Nicole Ward Gauthier | Nov. 1, 2015 (New)
"Wet feet" is the common term for a condition that affects plant species intolerant of wet growing conditions. This problem occurs when soils become saturated with water, which, in turn, displaces available oxygen. Roots require oxygen to function; when oxygen is deficient, roots suffocate. Once root damage occurs, plants decline and may eventually die. While "wet feet" is an abiotic disorder and is not caused by infectious organisms, declining root health and wet soil conditions can inhibit the ability of some plants to thrive. This also provides ideal conditions for many root and collar rot water mold pathogens, such as Phytophthora and Pythium.
PPFS-OR-W-1: Tree Wounds: Invitations to Wood Decay Fungi
Bill Fountain, Traci Missun, Nicole Ward Gauthier | Sep. 1, 2015 (New)
Wood decay leads to loss of tree vigor and vitality, resulting in decline, dieback, and structural failure. Wounds play an important part in this process since they are the primary point of entry for wood decay pathogens. While other factors may also result in decline and dieback, the presence of wounds and/or outward signs of pathogens provides confirmation that wood decay is an underlying problem. Wounds and wood decay reduce the ability of trees to support themselves.
PPFS-FR-T-5: Apple Rust Diseases
Annette Meyer Heisdorffer, Nicole Ward Gauthier | Aug. 1, 2015 (New)
Cedar-apple rust is the most common and economically important rust disease occurring on apple in Kentucky. Two other rusts, cedar-hawthorn rust and cedar-quince rust, are of lesser importance on apple, but can significantly impact ornamental plants. All three diseases occur on crabapple, hawthorn, mountain ash, pear, and serviceberry.
PPFS-OR-H-10: Garden Mum Production: Diseases and Nutritional Disorders
Ray Tackett, Nicole Ward Gauthier | May. 1, 2015 (New)
Many Kentucky vegetable and greenhouse producers are beginning to include fall chrysanthemum production in their operations. Garden mums are usually planted in June and sold in September when fall color is in demand. Production can vary in size; small scale growers may produce as few as 200 plants per season. Size of the operation influences cultural practices, as well as initial investments in important practices (e.g., surface drainage, pre‐plant fungicide dips, and pre‐emergent herbicides); all of which can impact disease management.
PPFS-FR-S-19: Blueberry Root Rot
Nicole Ward Gauthier | May. 1, 2015 (New)
Blueberry is considered one of the most disease-free fruit crops in Kentucky. Many of the diseases that affect blueberry result in minor damage. However, the most common disease of blueberry, Phytophthora root rot, can cause severe dieback and often results in plant death. The causal agent of blueberry root rot is Phytophthora cinnamomi, a soilborne water mold that occurs world-wide and can infect a wide range of hosts, including woody ornamentals. Under optimal conditions, the pathogen proliferates, and disease symptoms occur.
PPFS-OR-W-22: When White Pines Turn Brown: Common Problems of White Pines in Kentucky
Julie Beale, Nicole Ward Gauthier | Apr. 1, 2015 (New)
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is a popular conifer in many Kentucky landscapes, although its use may be limited to loose, well-drained, pathogen-free soil. Often, needle browning is the primary symptom that alerts homeowners and nursery growers of health problems. In Kentucky, brown needles on white pine are often caused by one of the following three conditions: white pine decline, white pine root decline (Procerum root rot), or Phytophthora root rot.
