Plant Pathology Faculty Pages: Felix L. Lukezic

Plant Pathology | About Us | Faculty Directory | Faculty Pages

You are here

Felix L. Lukezic
Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology

322 Buckhout Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802-4508
Phone: 814-865-2292
E-mail: fll1@psu.edu

Areas of Interest
	Bacterial diseases; interactions between pathogenic bacteria and other phytopathogenic organisms, both synergistic and antagonistic

Education | Program Interests | Publications

Education

B.S., Biological Science, Colorado State University
M.S., Botany and Plant Pathology, Colorado State University
Ph.D., Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis

Program Interests

Bacteria have long been associated with plants. They actively fix nitrogen, which benefits much of life on Earth. On the other hand, they cause plant diseases resulting in serious problems. Only recently have we become aware that bacteria enhance plant growth by protecting the roots from minor pathogens. In addition, under certain conditions, bacteria can reduce the effects of major disease organisms. A significant part of my research is in this area. I am working with two antagonistic strains of bacteria, one originally isolated from soil and the second isolated from a leaf surface. I am determining if they can be used as biological control agents for serious diseases of forage and vegetable crops. Field experiments have shown that if applied frequently enough, one of them significantly reduces the severity of foliage diseases of alfalfa and tomatoes. Unfortunately, at this time, the level is not feasible for commercial use. I am working with other researchers to determine the factors affecting the effectiveness of these organisms. For example, we have been testing different formulations, strain selections, growth conditions, and time of application.

Besides biological control, I am interested in other means of disease control. This phase of my research is in cooperation with several other researchers in the College of Agricultural Sciences. I am part of a group working with a living laboratory/classroom for the integration of research and education programs on alternative vegetable production systems. We are investigating ways to reduce the impact of standard pesticides, testing low-impact pesticides as well as using different mulches and compost teas.

Publications

Lukezic, F. L., K. T. Leath, M. Jones, and R. G. Levine. 1990." Efficiency and potential use in crop protection of the naturally occurring resident antagonists on the phylloplane." In: New Directions in Biological Control: Alternatives of Suppressing Agricultural Pests and Diseases, ed. R. R. Baker and P. E. Dunn. Alan R. Liss, Inc. Pp. 793-812.

Gustine, D. L., R. T. Sherwood, B. G. Moyer, and F. L. Lukezic. 1990." Metabolites from Pseudomonas corrugata elicit phytoalexins biosynthesis in white clover." Phytopathology 80:1427-1432.

Casida, L. E., Jr., and F. L. Lukezic. 1991. "Control of leaf spot diseases of alfalfa and tomato with applications of the bacterial predator Pseudomonas strain 679-2." Plant Disease 76:1217-1220.

Gustine, D. L., R. T. Sherwood, F. L. Lukezic, B. G. Moyer, and W. S. Devlin. 1994. "Metabolites of Pseudomonas corrugata that elicit plant defense reactions." In: Bioregulators for Crop Protection and Pest Control, ed. P. A. Hedin. ACA Symposium Series 557. Pp. 167-181.

Lukezic, F. L., G. Latch, C. M. Latch, F. S. Hay, and K. Sivasithamparam. 1996. "Prospects of biological control of diseases of pasture crops." pp. 509-532 In: S. Chakroborty, et a, Pasture and Forage Crop Pathology. Amer. Soc. Agronomy, Madison, Wis.

Copyright Information
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
This was designed and developed by ICT WebDevelopment.
Please e-mail us with your questions, comments, or suggestions at mat1@psu.edu.
Last modified Monday, May 19, 2008