Student Research Builds Skills While Solving Blueberry Pathogen Mystery

By Andi Anderson

A student research project is helping address concerns from blueberry growers in southern Iowa while giving an aspiring plant scientist new experience with plant pathogens.

Emma Alstott, a senior studying global resource systems and horticulture, partnered with her Science with Practice mentor, Suzanne Slack, to investigate why blueberry bushes in the region were declining. Graduate student Brooke Dietsch also supported the effort as the team collected samples and worked to identify the issue.

The team began its work in the summer of 2024 and has explored several possible causes behind the declining plants. During the most recent semester, Alstott identified fusarium, a fungus, as one potential factor.

However, confirming this required more steps. She explained, “In highbush blueberries in Iowa, fusarium hasn't been identified as a pathogen. To tell these growers what their issue is and for the purpose of good scientific practice, we needed to prove it was pathogenic.”

To confirm whether fusarium was truly causing harm to the blueberry plants, the team used Koch’s Postulate, a standard scientific process used in plant pathology.

This method requires identifying the microbe in diseased plants, isolating it, introducing it to a healthy plant to see if disease develops, and then re-isolating the same organism.

Alstott was particularly motivated to study fusarium not only because growers requested answers, but also because she wanted to strengthen her skills with fungal pathogens. She shared, “Working with fungal microbes is a lot more complex than working with bacteria.”

Through the Science with Practice program, she also gained professional experience beyond the laboratory. “It’s so much more than just doing the science; you need to know the professional parts behind presenting research and recording results, and making it look presentable,” Alstott said. “I was really excited to finally be a part of the program this semester. It wasn't just about doing research, but also about how we can help you become the best professional you can be and equip you with all the necessary skills.”

As the project comes to an end, the team has determined that this fusarium is not pathogenic in highbush blueberries. Alstott now moves forward with a stronger understanding of plant pathogens, research management, and scientific communication.