Kathy S. Lawrence Associate Professor 209 Life Science Building Office: (334) 844-1956 Cell: (334) 329-9277 lawrekk@auburn.edu

Areas of Interest:

Soil borne and foliar fungal diseases of field crops, vegetables and ornamentals with emphasis on pathogen interactions and host-pathogen relationships in the natural environment.

Research in Progress- Pictures from our lab and field work

Education:  

  Ph.D. Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University 1993
  M.S. Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University 1988
  B.S. Agronomy (Crop Science), New Mexico State University 1981

Appointment:   40% instruction 50% research 10% extension

Professional Responsibilities:

• 2004- Present Associate Professor, Auburn University
• 1999-2003 Assistant Professor, Auburn University
• 1996-1999 Associate Professor, Northeast Louisiana University
• 1992-1996 Assistant Professor, Northeast Louisiana University

Graduate Students:

Drew Schrimsher, M. S. Expected May 2013. schridw@tigermail.auburn.edu
Evaluation of Reniform Resistant Breeding Lines with nematicides.

Scott R. Moore, Ph.D. Expected May 2012. Scott.Moore@syntenta.com.
Evaluation of the Interactions of Soil Edaphic Characteristics and nematicides with Rotylenchulus reniformis and Developing Models for Prescription Management in Cotton. Current position: Research and Development Scientist with Syngenta in Rustin, LA. Outstanding PhD Student 2010–2011, Auburn University Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology; 2010 Society of Nematologists Student Paper Competition, 2nd Place.

Juan David Castillo. Expected May 2012. castijd@tigermail.auburn.edu   www.jdcastillo.com
Biocontrol of the Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) with the fungi Paecilomyces lilacinus and the bacterium Bacillus firmus, and mix of PGPR strains on Cotton crops in Alabama.

Tamara Scott. Expected May 2012.
Race Characterization of Fusarium Wilt and Cultivar Susceptibility to the Fusarium wilt Complex

Dustin Herring, 2011. MS Ag. dustin.m.herring@monsanto.com
Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University. Current position: Research Associate with Monsanto in Winterville, MS 2010 Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Paper Competition 1st Place.

Mr. Scott Moore, M. S. Fall 2009   moores5@auburn.edu
Dimensional Movement of Rotylenchulus reniformis Through a Silt Loam: Observations of Movement and Population Growth from an Initial Point of Inoculation.

Awards received:

• 2008-09 M.S. Student of the Year, Auburn University Dept. of Entomology & Plant Pathology

• 2009 recipient of the Dow AgroSciences Travel Award, Society of Nematologists

• 2009 Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Paper Competition Top 3

Mr. Juan David Castillo, M. S. Fall 2009  castijd@auburn.edu

STUDIES ON BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FOR RENIFORM NEMATODE (Rotylenchulus reniformis) ON COTTON CROPS.

Awards received:

• First Place  AU Graduate Student Forum, Poster Presentations, March 2008

• 2009 Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Paper Competition Top 3

Past Graduate Students:

Mr. Nicholas S. Sekora, M. S. Summer 2009   nssekora@ufl.edu
Identification of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Using FAME Analysis. Currently pursuing a Ph. D. at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (2009-) Dissertation Project:  Identification of Meloidogyne Species and Races from Turf Using FAME Analysis. 

Second Place – American Phytopathological Society Southern Division Graduate Student Competition, February 2009; First Place – Cotton Disease Council Graduate Student Competition, January, 2009; Outstanding Graduate Student in Plant Pathology, May 2008; First Place – AU Graduate Student Forum, Science Category, March 2008

Ms. Taylor Boozer, M. S. Spring 2009.  boozevt@auburn.edu

SURVEY OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF A NOVEL ANTIFUNGAL COMPOUND PRODUCED BY PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Current position - Regional Extension Agent, Home Grounds Chilton Regional Research and Extension Center of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Ms. Amy Dismukes, MS of AG. Summer 2006

Mr. Stanley Ray  Usery Jr., M. S. Spring 2005. userysr@aol.com
Evaluation of cultural practices in cotton production for management of Rotylenchulus reniformis

Outstanding M. S. student 2002-2003 - Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University

Current position – Usery Consultants, Elkmont, AL

Mr. Jarrod R. Jones, M. S. 2004. Jones39@tigermail.auburn.edu
Evaluations of Rotylenchulus reniformis reproduction in cotton as affected by winter cover crops.

Outstanding Auburn University M.S. Student 2002-2003
Current position – Assistant Superintendent, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Fairhope, AL

Mr. Nick Greer, M. Ag. 2003

Current position – APHIS, Shreveport, LA

Dr. Aaron Palmateer, Ph.D. 2003. ajp@ufl.edu
Mycoflora relation and interaction with Rotylenchulus reniformis on cotton.

Current position - Extension Assistant Professor, University of Florida/IFAS

Outstanding Ph.D. student 2003 - Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology at Auburn University
Harry Merriwether Fellowship 2001 - $4000.00 cash award in recognition of academic achievement and professional promise during the pursuit of the doctoral degree in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University
Auburn University Graduate Student Research Award 2000-2001 - received $1,000.00 from the graduate school to be used towards purchasing materials and supplies for dissertation project.
Southern Division American Phytopathological Society 2002 - $150.00 travel award to present in the graduate student competition at the 2002 meeting in Orlando, FL

Membership in Professional Organizations:

• American Phytopathological Society
• Society of Nematologists
• Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America
• Southern Soybean Disease Workers
• Beltwide Cotton Disease Council
• Gamma Sigma Delta
• Sigma Xi
• Alpha Zeta

Honoreries:

• Distinguished Service Award 2011, Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America
• Syngenta Award for Research 2009, Society of Nematologists.
• Editor in Chief, Nematropica 2008-2010
• President of the Cotton Disease Council 2008-2009
• Distinguished Service Award 2003, Southern Soybean Disease Workers
• Agriculture Teacher of Merit 1997, National Association of College Teachers of Agriculture
• Tom Scott Professorship 1996, 1997, 1998 Department of Agriculture, Northeast Louisiana University.
• Researcher of the Year Award 1995, College of Pure and Applied Science, Northeast Louisiana University.

Relevant Publications:

Moore, S. R., K. S. Lawrence, F. J. Arriaga, E. van Santen, C. H. Burmester. 2011. Influence of water infiltration and root growth on the downward dispersion of Rotylenchulus reniformis. Nematropica 41: 73-79.

Castillo, J. D., and Lawrence, K. S. 2011. First report of Catenaria auxiliaris parasitizing the reniform nematode Rotylenchulus reniformis on cotton in Alabama. Plant Disease 95:490. (http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PDIS-07-10-0524)

Sikkens, R. B., D. B. Weaver, K. S. Lawrence, S. R. Moore, and E. van Santen. 2011. LONREN upland cotton germplasm response to Rotylenchulus reniformis inoculation level. Nematropica 41:66-72.

Kumar, Vijay Krishna, M.S. Reddy, J.W. Kloepper, S. KR. Yellareddygari, K. S. Lawrence, X. G. Zhou, H. Sudini, M. E. Miller, R. P. Appa, R. E. C. Surendranatha, S. R. Niranjana, and N. S. Chandra. 2011. Plant growth-promoting activities of Bacillus subtilis MBI 600 (INTEGRAL®) and its compatibility with commonly used fungicides in rice sheath blight management. International Journal of Microbiology Research 3: 120-130.

Kumar, Vijay Krishna, M.S. Reddy, S. KR. Yellareddygari, J.W. Kloepper, K. S. Lawrence, X. G. Zhou, H. Sudini, and M. E. Miller. 2011. Evaluation and selection of elite plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for suppression of sheath blight of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani in a detached leaf bio-assay. 2011. International Journal of Applied Biology and Pharmaceutical Technology 2:488-495.

Kumar, Vijay Krishna, M.S. Reddy, J.W. Kloepper, K. S. Lawrence, S. KR. Yellareddygari, X. G. Zhou, H. Sudini, E.C. Surendranatha Reddy, D.E. Groth and M. E. Miller. 2011. Screening and Selection of Elite Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) For Suppression of Rhizoctonia solani and Enhancement of Rice Seedling Vigor. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology 5:641-651.

Sekora, Nicholas S., K. S. Lawrence, P. Aguedlo, E. van Santen, and John A. McInroy. 2010. Differentiation of Meloidogyne Species with FAME Analysis. Nematropica 40: 163-175.

Moore, S. R., K. S. Lawrence, F. J. Arriaga, C. H. Burmester, E. van Santen, 2010. Rotylenchulus reniformis dispersal patterns upon introduction into a cotton field. Journal of Nematology 42:307-312.

Castillo, J. D. K. S. Lawrence, J. W. Kloepper, and E. van Santen. 2010. Evaluation of Drechslerella dactyloides, Drechslerella brochopaga, and Paecilomyces lilacinus for biocontrol of Rotylenchulus reniformis. Nematropica 40:71-86.

Sekora, Nicholas S., Kathy S. Lawrence, Edzard van Santen, and John A. McInroy. 2009. Using FAME Analysis to Compare, Differentiate, and Identify Multiple Nematode Species. Journal of Nematology 41:163-173.

Kumar, K. Vijay Krishna, M. S. Reddy, J. W. Kloepper, K. S. Lawrence, D. E. Groth, and M. E. Miller. 2009. Sheath blight disease of rice (Oryza sativa L.)—An overview. Biosciences, Biotechnology, Research Asia 6:465-480.

Kumar, K. Vijay Krishna, S. Krishnam Raju, M. S. Reddy, J. W. Kloepper, K. S. Lawrence, D. E. Groth, M. E. Miller, H. Sudini, and Binghai Du. 2009. Evaluation of commercially available PGPR for control of rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology 3:485-488.

Sikora, E. J., Delaney, D. P., Delaney, M. A., Lawrence, K. S., and Pegues, M. 2009. Evaluation of sequential fungicide spray programs for control of soybean rust. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2009-0402-01-RS.

Cadena-Burkett, M., N. Kokalis-Burelle, K. S. Lawrence. E. van Santan, J. S. Kloepper. 2008. Suppressiveness of root-knot nematodes mediated by rhizobacteria. Biological Control 47: 55-59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2008.07.008

Lawrence, K. S., A. J. Price, G. W. Lawrence, J. R. Jones, and J. R. Akridge. 2008. Weed hosts for Rotylenchulus reniformis in cotton fields rotated with corn in the southeast United States. Nematropica 38:13-22.

Jones, J. R., K. S. Lawrence, and E. van Santen. 2008. Effects of container material and soil volume on Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne incognita population development. in, Proc. "World Cotton Research Conference 4. Lubbock, TX, September 10-14, 2007.

Lawrence, G. W., R. A. Doshi, R. L. King, K. S. Lawrence, and Jacobo Caceres.  2008. Nematode Management using Remote Sensing Technology, Self-Organized Maps and Variable Rate Nematicide Applications. in, Proc. "World Cotton Research Conference 4. Lubbock, TX, September 10-14, 2007.  (file:///D:/data/papers/Paper1787.html)

Gazaway, W. S., K. S. Lawrence, C. D. Monks, and R. Akridge. 2008.  Crop rotation- an effective tool for managing reniform nematodes in cotton. in, Proc. "World Cotton Research Conference 4. Lubbock, TX, September 10-14, 2007.

Robinson, A. F.,  P. Agudelo, C. A. Avila, A. A. Bell, F. E. Callahan,  C. G. Cook, N. D. Dighe, O. A. Gutierrez, R.W. Hayes, J. N. Jenkins, J. T. Johnson, R. Kantety, G. W. Lawrence, K. S. Lawrence, L. Mangineni, J. C. McCarty, M. A. Menz, W. A. Meredith, Jr., R. L. Nichols, R.T. Robbins, E. Sacks, B. Scheffler, G. L. Sciumbato, C. W. Smith, J. L. Starr, D. M. Stelly, S. R. Stetina, P. M. Thaxton, T. P. Wallace, D. B. Weaver, M. J. Wubben, and L. D. Young. 2008. in, Proc. "World Cotton Research Conference 4. Lubbock, TX, September 10-14, 2007.  (file:///D:/data/papers/Paper1435.html)

Lawrence, K. S., 2007. The Fungi: Yeasts and Molds. Pages 61 – 68 In Benson’s Microbiological Applications Laboratory Manual in General Microbiology 11th Edition.  Editor Alfred E. Brown, McGraw Hill, New York, New York 10020.

Weaver, D. B. K.S. Lawrence, and E. van Santen. 2007. Reniform nematode resistance in upland cotton germplasm. Crop Science 47:19-24.

Jones, J. R., K. S. Lawrence, and G. W. Lawrence 2006. Use of winter cover crops in cotton cropping for management of Rotylenchulus reniformis. Nematropica 35: 53-66.

Lawrence, K. S., G. W. Lawrence, and E. van Santen. 2005. Effect of controlled cold storage on recovery of Rotylenchulus reniformis from naturally infested soil.  Journal of Nematology 37:272-275.  

Usery, S. R., Jr., K. S. Lawrence, G. W. Lawrence, and C. H. Burmester. 2005. Evaluation of cotton cultivars for resistance and tolerance to Rotylenchulus reniformis. Nematropica 35:121-133.

Lawrence, K. S., Yucheng Feng, G. W. Lawrence, C. H. Burmester and S. H. Norwood. 2005.  Accelerated Degradation of Aldicarb and its Metabolites in Cotton Field Soils.  Journal of  Nematology 37:(190-197).  

Palmateer A.J., K.S. McLean, G. Morgan-Jones and E. van Santen. 2004. Frequency and diversity of fungi colonizing tissues of upland cotton. Mycopathologia.157:303-316.

A. J. Palmateer, K. S. Lawrence, E. van Santen, and G. Morgan-Jones. 2004. Interaction of Rotylenchulus reniformis with seedling disease pathogens of cotton. Journal of Nematology 36:160-166.

Gazaway, G. S. and K. S. McLean. 2003. A survey of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with cotton in Alabama. The Journal of Cotton Science 7:1-7.

Lawrence, G. W. and K. S. McLean. 2003. Foliar applications of oxamyl with aldicarb for the management of Meloidogyne incognita on cotton. Nematropica Vol 32, No. 2:103-112.

Palmateer A.J., K.S. McLean, and G. Morgan-Jones 2003 Phomopsis gossypii, the causal organism of boll rot of cotton. Mycotaxon 87: 157-172.

McLean, K. S. and G. W. Lawrence. 2003. Efficacy of Aldicarb to Rotylenchulus reniformis and biodegradation in cotton field soils. Journal of Nematology 35 (1):65-72.

Palmateer A.J., K.S. McLean, and G. Morgan-Jones 2003 Phomopsis gossypii, the causal organism of boll rot of cotton. Mycotaxon 87: 157-172. Jul-Sep 2003

Palmateer A. J., K. S. McLean, E. van Santen, and G. Morgan-Jones. 2003. Occurrence of Nigrospora Lint Rot Caused by Nigrospora oryzae on Cotton in Alabama. Plant Dis. 87:873, 2003; published on-line as D-2003-0430-01N, 2003.

Diez, Asdrubal, G. W. Lawrence and K. S. Lawrence. 2003. Nematode post-infection development on cotton following separate and concomitant parasitism by Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis. Journal of Nematology 35: 422-429.

McLean, K. S. and G. W. Lawrence. 2001. First Report of Pythium Root Rot on Grain Sorghum in Mississippi. Plant Dis. Vol. 85:922.

Dute, R. R., M. E. Miller, M. A. Davis, F. M. Woods and K. S. McLean. 2001. Effects of Ambrosia Beetle Attack on Cercis canadensis. Journal International Assoc. of Wood Anatomists. Vol. 23 (2), 2002:143-160.