Dr. Linda Hanson Research Plant Pathologist  USDA-ARS, NPA  Sugar Beet Research Unit  Crops Research Laboratory  lehanson@lamar.colostate.edu

My work focuses on plant pathogen interactions with sugar beet, particularly the fungal pathogens Cercospora beticola, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani and with biological control agents, particularly Trichoderma species.  Ongoing research includes: 1. genetic variabilitiy within these fungi and their interaction with sugar beet and other crops included in rotation with sugar beet; 2. the genetics of fungicide resisistance in C. beticola; 3. mode of action of biological control fungi, particularly their interaction with the plant.