Research Project: Biology, Etiology and Host Resistance in Vegetable Crops to Diseases and Nematodes

Location: Vegetable Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Micronutrients affect induced resistance in watermelon against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and Meloidogyne incognita infection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kasmita, K., Coolong, T., Mandal, M., Kousik, C.S., Gitaitis, R., Hajihassani, A., Dutta, B. 2022. Micronutrients affect induced resistance in watermelon against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and Meloidogyne incognita infection. Plant Disease. 10:796. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070796.

Broad resistance to fruit rot in USVL watermelon germplasm lines to isolates of Phytophthora capsici from across USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Wechter, W.P., Barnham, S., Turechek, W. 2022. Broad resistance to fruit rot in USVL watermelon germplasm lines to isolates of Phytophthora capsici from across USA. Plant Disease. 106:711-719. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-20-2480-RE.

Managing stubborn Oomycete plant pathogens - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kousik, C.S., Quesada-Ocampo, L.M., Keinath, A.P., Hausbeck, M., Granke, L., Naegele, R.P., Ji, P. 2021. Managing stubborn Oomycete plant pathogens. Plant Health Progress. 22:215-218. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-21-0047-FI.

Transcriptomic profile of watermelon affected by zinc in presence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and Meloidogyne incognita - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Karki, K., Cooling, T., Kousik, C.S., Myers, B., Hajihassani, A., Mandal, M., Dutta, B. 2021. Transcriptomic profile of watermelon affected by zinc in presence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and Meloidogyne incognita. Pathogens. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070796.

New sources of resistance in winter squash (Cucurbita moschata) to phytophthora crown rot and their relationship to cultivated squash - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kousik, C.S., Vogel, G.M., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M.K., Mazourek, M., Smart, C.D., Turechek, W. 2021. New sources of resistance in winter squash (Cucurbita moschata) to phytophthora crown rot and their relationship to cultivated squash. Plant Health Progress. 22:323-331. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-21-0047-FI.

A diagnostic guide for Phytophthora capsici infecting vegetable crops - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Parada-Rojas, C.H., Granke, L.L., Naegele, R.P., Hansen, Z., Hausbeck, M.K., Kousik, C.S., Mcgrath, M.T., Smart, C., Quesada-Ocampo, L.M. 2021. A diagnostic guide for Phytophthora capsici infecting vegetable crops. Plant Health Progress. 22:404-414. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-21-0027-FI.

Identification of sweetpotato germplasm resistant to pathotypically distinct isolates of meloidogyne enterolobii from the Carolinas - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rutter, W., Wadl, P.A., Mueller, J.D., Agudelo, P. 2021. Identification of sweetpotato germplasm resistant to pathotypically distinct isolates of Meloidogyne enterolobii from the Carolinas. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-20-0379-RE

Elucidation of resistance signaling and identification of powdery mildew resistant mapping loci (ClaPMR2) during watermelon-podosphaera xanthii interaction using RNA-seq and whole-genome resequencing approach - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mihir, M., Haktan, S., Kousik, C.S. 2020. Elucidation of resistance signaling and identification of powdery mildew resistant mapping loci (ClaPMR2) during watermelon-podosphaera xanthii interaction using RNA-seq and whole-genome resequencing approach. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70932-z.

Detection of cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) infecting watermelon in South Carolina - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kousik, C.S., Adkins, S.T. 2020. Detection of cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) infecting watermelon in South Carolina. Plant Health Progress. https://doi.org/10.1094/php-03-20-0016-br.

Characterization of resistance to major tropical root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in solanum sisymbriifolium - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hajihassani, A., Rutter, W.B., Schwarz, T., Woldemariam, M.W., Ali, E., Hamidi, N. 2020. Characterization of resistance to major tropical root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in solanum sisymbriifolium. Phytopathology. 110:666-673. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-10-19-0393-R.

Identification of Meloidogyne enterolobii infecting root-knot nematode resistant sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) in South Carolina - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rutter, W.B., Skantar, A.M., Handoo, Z.A., Mueller, J., Aultman, S.P., Agudelo, P. 2019. Identification of Meloidogyne enterolobii infecting root-knot nematode resistant sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) in South Carolina. Plant Disease. 103(4):11. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-18-1388-PDN.

Relative susceptibility of commercial watermelon varieties to powdery mildew - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M. 2019. Relative susceptibility of commercial watermelon varieties to powdery mildew. Crop Protection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2019.104910

Retargeting of a plant defense protease by a cyst nematode effector - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pogorelko, G., Juvale, P., Rutter, W.B., Hutten, M., Maier, T., Hewezi, T., Paulus, J., Van Der Hoorn, R., Grundler, F., Siddique, S., Lionetti, V., Zabotina, O., Baum, T. 2019. Retargeting of a plant defense protease by a cyst nematode effector. Plant Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.14295.

Phenotypic analysis of leaf colours from the USDA, ARS sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) germplasm collection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Jackson, D., Harrison, H.F., Jarret, R.L., Wadl, P.A. 2019. Phenotypic analysis of leaf colours from the USDA, ARS sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) germplasm collection. Plant Genetic Resources. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1479262119000042.

Developing sustainable strategies for managing watermelon diseases in southeastern United States - (Abstract Only)
Kousik, C.S. 2019. Developing sustainable strategies for managing watermelon diseases in southeastern United States. Abstracts of the National Symposium on Recent challenges and opportunities in sustainable plant health management at the 71st Annual Meeting of the Indian Phytopathological Society. February 26-28, 2019. BHU, Varanasi, India. Pp. 267

Resistant pepper carrying N, Me1, and Me3 have different effects on penetration and reproduction of four major meloidogyne species - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hajihassani, A., Rutter, W.B., Luo, X. 2019. Resistant pepper carrying N, Me1, and Me3 have different effects on penetration and reproduction of four major meloidogyne species. Journal of Nematology. 51:1-9. https://doi.org/359780.

Grafting susceptible pepper on resistant rootstocks to manage Phytophthora capsici in heavily infested fields - (Proceedings)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., and Hassell, R. 2018. Grafting susceptible pepper on resistant rootstocks to manage Phytophthora capsici in heavily infested fields. Proceedings of the 2nd international Soilborne Oomycete conference, Page 39. https://doi.org/358867.

Progress and challenges in managing Phytophthora fruit rot of Cucurbits - (Proceedings)
Kousik, C.S. 2018. Progress and challenges in managing Phytophthora fruit rot of cucurbits. Proceedings of the 2nd International Soilborne Oomycete conference, Page 13. https://doi.org/35882.

Developing sources of resistance in Winter Squash (Cucurbita moschata) to Crown and Root Rot caused by Phytophthora capsici - (Proceedings)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M.K. 2018. Developing Sources of Resistance in Winter Squash (Cucurbita moschata) to Crown and Root Rot caused by Phytophthora capsici. Proceedings of the 2nd International Soiborne Oomycete conference, Page 39. https://doi.org/358884.

PA-593: A root-knot nematode resistant sweet cherry-type pepper - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rutter, W.B., Kousik, C.S., Thies, J.A., Farnham, M.W., Fery, R.L. 2018. PA-593: A root-knot nematode resistant sweet cherry-type pepper. Horticultural Science. 53(12):1922-1923. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13544-18.

Role of antioxidant molecule melatonin in plant-host resistance and pathogen suppression in cucurbits - (Abstract Only)
Mandal, M.K., Suren, H., Ward, B., Boroujerdi, A., Kousik, C.S. 2018. Role of Antioxidant Molecule Melatonin in Plant-Host Resistance and Pathogen Suppression in Cucurbits. Presented at Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis, CA. Curcubitaceae 2018 conference abstracts, Page 11. https://cucurbit2018.ucdavis.edu/ https://doi.org/358416.

Relative susceptibility of commercial watermelon varieties to powdery mildew and phytophthora fruit rot - (Abstract Only)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M.K. 2018. Relative Susceptibility of Commercial Watermelon Varieties to Powdery Mildew and Phytophthora Fruit Rot.Presented at Cucurbitacea 2018, Davis CA. Cucurbitaceae 2018 conference abstracts, Page 51. https://cucubit2018.ucdavis.edu/ https://doi.org/358779.

New sources of resistance to phytophthora crown and root rot in Cucuribta moschata - (Abstract Only)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M.K. 2018. New Sources of Resistance to Phytophthora Crown and Root Rot in Cucurbita moschata. Presented Cucurbitaceae 2018, Davis, CA. Cucurbitaceae 2018 conference abstracts, Page 11. https://cucurbit2018.ucdavis.edu/ https://doi.org/358780.

Broad resistance to U.S. powdery mildew isolates in newly developed watermelon germplasm lines - (Abstract Only)
Kousik, C.S., Mandal, M.K>, Ikerd, J., Adkins, S., and Turechek, W.W. 2018. Broad resistance to U.S. powdery mildew isolates in newly developed watermelon germplasm lines. (Abstr.) Phytopathology 108:S1.173. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-108-10-S1.1

Differential roles of the plant secondary metabolite melatonin in plant-host resistance and pathogen suppression - (Abstract Only)
Mandal, M.K., and Kousik, C.S. 2018. Differential roles of the plant secondary metabolite melatonin in plant-host resistance and pathogen suppression. (Abstr.) Phytopathology 108:S1.227. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-108-10-S1.1

First report of resistance to boscalid in podosphaera xanthii, cucurbit powdery mildew, in South Carolina - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Keinath, A.P., Gabriel, R., Kousik, C.S. 2018. First report of resistance to boscalid in podosphaera xanthii, cucurbit powdery mildew, in South Carolina. Plant Health Progress. 19:220-221. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-03-18-0009-BR.

Powdery mildew resistant bottle gourd germplasm lines: USVL351-PMR and USVL482-PMR - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M., Adkins, S.T., Webster, C.G., Turechek, W. 2018. Powdery mildew resistant bottle gourd germplasm lines: USVL351-PMR and USVL482-PMR. HortScience. 53(8):1224-1227. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13067-18.

Watermelon germplasm lines: USVL608-PMR, USVL255-PMR, USVL313-PMR and USVL585-PMR with broad resistance to powdery mildew - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M., Adkins, S.T., Turechek, W. 2018. Watermelon germplasm lines: USVL608-PMR, USVL255-PMR, USVL313-PMR and USVL585-PMR with broad resistance to powdery mildew. HortScience. 53(8):1212-1217. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12979-18.

Differential roles of melatonin in plant-host resistance and pathogen suppression in cucurbits - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mandal, M., Suren, H., Ward, B., Boroujerdi, A., Kousik, C.S. 2018. Differential roles of melatonin in plant-host resistance and pathogen suppression in cucurbits. Journal of Pineal Research. e12505. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12505.

Genetics of resistance to powdery mildew in watermelon line USVL608-PMR - (Abstract Only)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M.K., Wadl, P. 2018. Genetics of resistance to Powdery Mildew in Watermelon Line USVL608-PMR. Presented at Cucurbitaceae 2018 conference abstracts, Page 55. https://cucurbit2018.ucdavis.edu/ https://doi.org/358415.

Evaluation of watermelon varieties for tolerance to powdery mildew and Phytophthora fruit rot, 2015 - (Research Notes)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L. and Mandal, M.K. 2018. Evaluation of watermelon varieties for tolerance to powdery mildew and Phytophthora fruit rot, 2015. Plant Disease Management Reports 12:V076.

Evaluation of fungicide rotations and melcast for management of phytophthora fruit rot of watermelon, 2016 - (Research Notes)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M.K. 2018. Evaluation of fungicide rotations and Melcast for management of Phytophthora fruit rot of watermelon, 2016. Plant Disease Management Reports 12:V076. https://doi.org/348568.

Relative susceptibility of commercial watermelon varieties to powdery mildew - (Abstract Only)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M.K. 2018. Relative susceptibility of commercial watermelon varieties to powdery mildew (Abstr.) Phytopathology 108:S2.6. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-108-12-S2.1

Powdery mildew resistant rootstocks impart tolerance to grafted susceptible watermelon scion seedlings - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kousik, C.S., Mandal, M., Hassell, R. 2018. Powdery mildew resistant rootstocks impart tolerance to grafted susceptible watermelon scion seedlings. Plant Disease. 102(7):1290-1298. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-17-1384-RE.

Variation in the AvrSr35 effector determines Sr35 resistance against wheat stem rust race Ug99 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rutter, W.B., Salcedo, A., Akhunova, A., Wang, S., Bolus, S., Chao, S., Rouse, M.N., Szabo, L.J., Bowden, R.L., Akhunov, E., Dubcovsky, J. 2017. Variation in the AvrSr35 effector determines Sr35 resistance against wheat stem rust race Ug99. Science. 358(6370):1604-1606. https://doi:10.1126/science.aao7294.

Development of Phytophthora fruit rot caused by Phytophthora capsici on resistant and susceptible watermelon fruit of different ages - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Turechek, W. 2017. Development of Phytophthora fruit rot caused by Phytophthora capsici on resistant and susceptible watermelon fruit of different ages. Plant Disease. 102(2)370-374. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-17-0898-RE.

First report of powdery mildew on cucumis zambianus, cucurbita digitata and zehneria scabraCaused by podosphaera xanthii - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rennberger, G., Kousik, C.S., Keinath, A.P. 2017. First report of powdery mildew on cucumis zambianus, cucurbita digitata and zehneria scabraCaused by podosphaera xanthii. Plant Disease. 102(1):246. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-17-0916-PDN.

Evaluation of watermelon varieties for tolerance to powdery mildew, 2016 - (Research Notes)
Kousik, C.S., Ikerd, J.L., Mandal, M.K. 2018. Evaluation of watermelon varieties for tolerance to powdery mildew, 2016. Plant Disease Management Reports 12:V075. https://doi.org/348569.