The Seed Biotechnology Center at the University of California Davis
recognizes University Research Partner
Dr. Krishna V. Subbarao

Dr. Krishna Subbarao is a Plant Pathologist and Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Subbarao's primary research interests are in ecology and epidemiology of soil- and airborne pathogens of cool-season vegetable crops. His current research is focused on the population biology of Verticillium dahliae, which causes wilt on a number of crops, and inoculum dynamics of various soilborne pathogens as influenced by cultivars, tillage practices, irrigation systems, and crop rotation. Dr. Subbarao has also has an active research program on the use of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)-tagged pathogen to determine all aspects of the disease cycle. Several projects Dr. Subbarao has recently been involved in include:

• Studies of V. dahliae of lettuce funded through USDA and the California Leafy Greens Research Board

• Assess potential V. dahliae migration from vegetable seed production regions into California 

• Management studies for Macrophomina and Fusarium diseases of strawberry in California

• Optimization of biocontrol treatments for lettuce drop caused by Sclerotinia minor

In addition, Dr. Subbarao is a member of the American Phytopathological Society, British Society for Plant Pathology, and Canadian Phytopathological Society. He has received the C.W. Edgerton Honor Award for outstanding performance as a graduate student and the Syngenta Award from the American Phytopathological Society for outstanding research.

For further discussions with Dr. Subbarao, please contact him directly at kvsubbarao@ucdavis.edu.