In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Danielle Mikolajewski a postdoctoral candidate in the plant pathology department at the University of Florida. Ed and Danielle discuss some of Danielle's Ph.D. research on chestnut blight and one of the methods being studied in attempt to bring back the American Chestnut; hypovirulence.

Additional Resources

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/13033/

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction to ICDeadPlants Podcast
(10:04) Journey into Plant Pathology
(19:52) Understanding Chestnut Blight
(30:01) Exploring Hypovirulence and Its Implications
(30:30) The Super Donor Concept
(34:25) Challenges and Limitations of the Super Donor
(38:47) Potential Environmental Impacts of Hypoviruses
(42:57) The Importance of American Chestnut
(45:47) Future of American Chestnut Research
(49:33) Exploring Hypovirulence in Other Pathogens
(52:44) Summarizing the Research Impact

Zaworski, E. (Host) Mikolajewski, D. (Interviewee). S4:E45 (Podcast). Blights Get Sick Too: Chestnut Blight and Hypovirulence. 12/31/2025. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Adam Varenhorst of South Dakota State University. They discuss Adam's work with an emerging insect problem in soybeans, Sunflowers and other plants the dectes stem borer.

Additional Resources

https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/118/5/2338/8177282

Time Stamps

(00:00) Introduction to I See Dead Plants Podcast
(01:24) Understanding the Dectes Stem Borer
(03:29) Historical Context and Pest Management Challenges
(05:27) Larvae Behavior and Infestation Indicators
(12:25) Crop Rotation and Trap Cropping Strategies
(16:33) Non-Chemical Management Strategies
(20:39) Future Research Directions
(31:42) Key Takeaways for Growers
(37:34) Acknowledgments and Resources

Zaworski, E. (Host) Varenhorst, A. (Interviewee). S4:E44 (Podcast). Boring Problems?: Managing the Dectes Stem Borer Part 2. 12/24/2025. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode of Alternate Hosts Ed is Joined once again by Dr. Madeline Hendrickson to interview Dr. Danielle Mikolajewski, post-doctoral candidate at University of Florida. In order to get you into the holiday spirit they discuss the disease that whipped out the American Chestnut and left us all wondering what chestnuts roasting on an open fire may have been like. Thanks for listening and Happy Holidays!

Transcript