College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

M.S. Research: Phytophthora spp. affecting vegetables

Education:

• M.Sc., Entomology/Nematology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• B.S., Agronomy, Universidad Nacional de Agricultura, Catacamas Olancho, Honduras

During the history of the humanity, there was a big chapter that affected the human pattern of migration. The Great Irish Famine was responsible for millions of people starving to death in Ireland, forcing survivors to emigrate to the USA and other countries. The oomycete pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, was responsible for this catastrophe and is a pathogen that is still a concern to farmers today. Although the direct effects of Phytophthora spp. on human beings is not known, we do know the significant impact they have as they indirectly affect people’s lives at the most basic level, through decreased crop yields in the field. Every year, millions of dollars are invested in the fight against these pathogens.  Because of the significant impact Phytophthora spp. have financially on farmers and thus the country’s economy, my research interest is focused on improving different strategies to manage Phytophthora diseases in the greenhouse and the field.

David’s Publications

Perla, D., Engfehr, C.L. and Hausbeck, M.K.  2020.  Evaluation of fungicides for the control of Stemphylium leaf blight on onion, 2019.  Plant Disease Management Report.  PDMR 14:V165.

Perla, D., Engfehr, C.L. and Hausbeck, M.K.  2020.  Evaluation of registered and experimental products for control of Stemphylium leaf blight on onion, 2019.  Plant Disease Management Report.  PDMR 14:V164.

Perla, D., and Hausbeck, M.K.  2019.  Evaluation of tomato cultivars and OMRI fungicides for late blight.  Phytopathology 109(10S):S2.96.

Perla, D.E., Cook, A.J., and Hausbeck, M.K.  2019.  Evaluation of fungicide programs for control of downy mildew of cucumber, 2018.  Plant Disease Management Report.  PDMR 13:V147.

Hausbeck, M.K., Perla, D.E., and Cook, A.J.  2019.  Evaluation of single fungicide products for control of downy mildew of cucumber, 2018.  Plant Disease Management Report.  PDMR 13:V139.

Hausbeck, M.K., and Perla, D.E.  2019.  Evaluation of susceptibility of tomato cultivars to foliar diseases in the field, 2018.  Plant Disease Management Report.  PDMR 13:V138.

Hausbeck, M.K., Perla, D.E., and Cook, A.J.  2019.  Evaluation of fungicides for control of Stemphylium leaf blight of onion, 2018.  Plant Disease Management Report.  PDMR 13:V135.

Perla, D.E., and Hausbeck, M.K.  2019.  Evaluation of cultivars and organic fungicides for management of late blight, bacterial spot, and early blight on tomato, 2018.  Plant Disease Management Report.  PDMR 13:V134.

Hausbeck, M.K., Peterson, A., and Perla, D.  2019.  Celery pathology update.  Pages 6-7 in: Celery Session Summaries, Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo, Grand Rapids, MI, Dec.  Online.

Perla, D.E., Faghihi, J., Foster, R., and Ferris, V.R.  2014.  Management of root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) in Indiana soybean.  Open Access Theses.  666.  https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_theses/666

Gramlich, A., Tandy, S., Gauggel, C., Lopez, M., Perla, D., Gozales, V., and Schulin, R.  2018.  Soil cadmium uptake by cocoa in Honduras.  Science of the Total Environment 612:370-378.