Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Frederick, Maryland » Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research » People & Locations » Alina Puig
Alina S Puig (PhD)
Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research
Research Plant Pathologist

Phone: (301) 619-7313
Fax: (301) 619-2880

(Employee information on this page comes from the REE Directory. Please contact your front office staff to update the REE Directory.)

Projects
Developing Genomic and Biological Resources to Characterize, Diagnose and Detect Emerging and Invasive Vectored Bacterial and Viral Plant Pathogens for Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture
In-House Appropriated (D)
  Accession Number: 441898
Diagnostics and Biological Approaches for Management of Emerging Oomycete Plant Pathogens
In-House Appropriated (D)
  Accession Number: 442484
Diversity of Foreign Phytophthora Infestans Genotypes
Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)
  Accession Number: 445091
Improved Management of Cacao Mild Mosaic Virus (CaMMV) by Identifying Alternative Hosts Serving as Inoculum Reservoirs
Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)
  Accession Number: 442425

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
Fungal Pathogens of Cacao in Puerto Rico Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S. 2023. Fungal Pathogens of Cacao in Puerto Rico. Plants. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12223855.
Phyllosphere microbial diversity, specific taxa, and environmental conditions mediate within-cultivar resistance to Phytophthora palmivora in cacao Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schmidt, J.E., Puig, A.S., Pfeufer, E., Duval, A.E. 2023. Phyllosphere microbial diversity, specific taxa, and environmental conditions mediate within-cultivar resistance to Phytophthora palmivora in cacao. mSphere. https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00013-23.
Characterization of variation in virulence-related genes of Phytophthora palmivora associated with cacao Reprint Icon - (Abstract Only)
Herrera, C., Gitto, A., Puig, A.S., Brawner, J., Goss, E.M., Bailey, B.A., Suarez, J.Y. 2023. Characterization of variation in virulence-related genes of Phytophthora palmivora associated with cacao. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-113-11-S3.1 .
Comparative RNA-seq analysis of resistant and susceptible Theobroma cacao fruits in response to infection with frosty pod pathogen (Moniliophthora roreri) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Cohen, S.P., Koch Bach, R.A., Arciniegas Leal, A., Gutierrez, O.A., Bailey, B.A. 2023. Comparative RNA-seq analysis of resistant and susceptible Theobroma cacao fruits in response to infection with frosty pod pathogen (Moniliophthora roreri). PhytoFrontiers. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-09-22-0101-R.
Epidemiology of cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) - (Abstract Only)
Branch dieback on Theobroma cacao infected with Cacao mild mosaic virus Reprint Icon - (Abstract Only)
Puig, A.S. 2022. Branch dieback on Theobroma cacao infected with Cacao mild mosaic virus. Phytopathology. 112:S3.1. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-112-11-S3.1.
Effect of cacao black pod rot screening method on disease resistance determination Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Irish, B.M., Ayala Silva, T., Wurzel, S.B., Gutierrez, O.A. 2022. Effect of cacao black pod rot screening method on disease resistance determination. Chemistry Proceedings. 10(1):71. https://doi.org/10.3390/IOCAG2022-12215.
Mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) associated with Cacao mild mosaic virus and evidence of virus acquisition Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Wurzel, S.B., Suarez, S., Marelli, J., Niogret, J. 2021. Mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) associated with Cacao mild mosaic virus and evidence of virus acquisition. Insects. 12(11):994. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12110994.
Interactive and dynamic effects of rootstock and rhizobiome on scion nutrition in cacao seedlings Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schmidt, J., Duval, A., Puig, A.S., Tempeleu, A., Crow, T. 2021. Interactive and dynamic effects of rootstock and rhizobiome on scion nutrition in cacao seedlings. Frontiers in Agronomy. 3:754646. https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2021.754646.
Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) and Cacao yellow vein banding virus (CYVBV): genus Badnavirus - (Book / Chapter)
Puig, A.S., Umaharan, P. 2021. Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) and cacao yellow vein banding virus (CYVBV): genus Badnavirus. In End, M.J., Daymond, A.J., Hadley, P., editors. Technical guidelines for the safe movement of cacao germplasm. Revised from the FAO/IPGRI Technical Guidelines No. 20 (Fourth Update). Rome, Italy: Global Cacao Genetic Resources Network (CacaoNet), Bioversity International. p, 27-33.
Detection of cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) using nested PCR and evidence of uneven distribution in plant tissue Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig AS. 2021. Detection of Cacao Mild Mosaic Virus (CaMMV) Using Nested PCR and Evidence of Uneven Distribution in Leaf Tissue. Agronomy, 11(9):1842. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091842
Neofusicoccum batangarum causing dieback of mango in Florida Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig AS, Winterstein MC. 2021. Neofusicoccum batangarum Causing Dieback of Mango (Mangifera indica) in Florida. Agriculture, 11(9): 853. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11090853
Molecular identification of mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) affecting Theobroma cacao for improved pest management Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S.; Wurzel, S.; Suarez, S.; Niogret, J.; Marelli, J.-P. Molecular identification of mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) affecting Theobroma cacao for improved pest management. In Proceedings of the 1st International Electronic Conference on Entomology, Online, 1–15 July 2021; MDPI: Basel, Switzerland, 2021, doi:10.3390/IECE-1039 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/IECE-10399
Seed Transmission of a Cacao Virus From the Americas and the Implication on Crop Cultivation and Movement of Germplasm - (Abstract Only)
Puig A.S. 2021. Seed transmission of a cacao virus from the Americas and the implication on crop cultivation and movement of germplasm. Plant Health Conference, Online, Aug 2-6, 2021
Cacao Rootstock Effects Outweigh Scion Effects on Nutrient Acquisition and the Rhizobiome - (Abstract Only)
Schmidt, J., DuVal, A., Puig, A., Tempeleu, A., Chaparro, J., Motamayor, J.C. 2021. Cacao rootstock effects outweigh scion effects on nutrient acquisition and the rhizobiome. 11th Symposium of the International Society of Root Research , Online. May 24-28, 2021
Development of Nested PCR for detection of Cacao mild mosaic virus in Theobroma cacao - (Abstract Only)
Puig, A.S. 2021. Development of Nested PCR for detection of Cacao mild mosaic virus in Theobroma cacao. Florida Phytopathological Society Meeting. Florida Phytopathological Society Meeting, Online, May 13-14, 2021.
Phytophthora palmivora causing disease on theobroma cacao in hawaii Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Quintanilla, W.E., Matsumoto Brower, T.K., Keith, L.M., Gutierrez, O.A., Marelli, J. 2021. Phytophthora palmivora causing disease on theobroma cacao in hawaii. Phytopathology. 11(5). Article 396. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11050396.
SNP markers associated with resistance to Frosty Pod and Black Pod diseases in a F1 population of Theobroma cacao L. Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gutierrez, O.A., Puig, A.S., Phillips-Mora, W., Bailey, B.A., Ali, S.S., Mockaitis, K., Schnell, R.J., Livingstone, D., Mustiga, G., Royaert, S., Motamayor, J.C. 2021. SNP markers associated with resistance to Frosty Pod and Black Pod diseases in a F1 population of Theobroma cacao L. . Tree Genetics and Genomes. 17, 28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-021-01507-w.
Phytophthora theobromicola sp. nov. a new species causing black pod disease on cacao in brazil Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Decloquement, J., Ramos-Sobrinho, R., Galvao Elias, S., Santos Britto, D., Puig, A.S., Reis, A., Batista Pinho, D., Marelli, J., Fernandes Da Silva, R., Martins Newman Luz, E., Honorato-Junior, J. 2021. Phytophthora theobromicola sp. nov. a new species causing black pod disease on cacao in brazil. Frontiers in Microbiology. 12: 486. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.537399.
Complete genome sequences for three new discovered Cacao mild mosaic virus isolates from Theobroma cacao L. in Brazil and Puerto Rico and evidence for recombination Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ramos-Sobrinho, R., Keith, C., Puig, A.S., Ferro, M.M., Nagata, T., Gutierrez, O.A., Marelli, J., Brown, J.K. 2021. Complete genome sequences for three new discovered Cacao mild mosaic virus isolates from Theobroma cacao L. in Brazil and Puerto Rico and evidence for recombination. Archives of Virology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-021-05063-5.
Virulence tests of Neofusicoccum parvum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Phytophthora palmivora on Theobroma cacao Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A. S., Keith, L. M., Matsumoto, T. K., Gutierrez, O. A., & Marelli, J. P. (2021). Virulence tests of Neofusicoccum parvum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Phytophthora palmivora on Theobroma cacao. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 159:851–862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-021-02210-1.
Diseases affecting Theobroma cacao in Puerto Rico’s emerging cacao industry - (Abstract Only)
Puig, A., Ramos-Sobrinho, R., Keith, C. V., Kitchen, N., Gutierrez, O., Goenaga, R., & Brown, J. K. "Diseases affecting Theobroma cacao in Puerto Rico’s emerging cacao industry." Meeting Abstract. Plant Health 2020 Online. August 10-14, 2020
Complete genome sequences of Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) reveal three distinct isolates infecting Theobroma cacao L. in Puerto Rico and Brazil - (Abstract Only)
First report of Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) associated with symptomatic commercial cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) trees in Puerto Rico Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Ramos-Sobrinho, R., Keith, C., Kitchen, N., Gutierrez, O.A., Goenaga, R.J. 2020. First report of Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) associated with symptomatic commercial cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) trees in Puerto Rico. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-20-0745-PDN.
Independent whole-genome duplications define the architecture of the genomes of the devastating West African cacao black pod pathogen Phytophthora megakarya and its close relative Phytophthora palmivora Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Morales-Cruz, A., Ali, S.S., Minio, A., Figueroa-Balderas, R., Garcia, J.F., Kasuga, T., Puig, A.S., Marelli, J., Bailey, B.A., Cantu, D. 2020. Independent whole-genome duplications define the architecture of the genomes of the devastating West African cacao black pod pathogen Phytophthora megakarya and its close relative Phytophthora palmivora. G3, Genes/Genomes/Genetics. 10(6). https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.120.401014.
Rapid molecular identification of Scolytinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Albo, J.E., Marelli, J., Puig, A.S. 2019. Rapid molecular identification of Scolytinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 20, 5944. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20235944.
Genome and transcriptome analysis of the latent pathogen lasiodiplodia Theobromae, an emerging threat to cacao industry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ali, S., Shao, J.Y., Adi, A., Balidion, J., Strem, M., Puig, A.S., Meinhardt, L.W., Bailey, B.A. 2019. Genome and transcriptome analysis of the latent pathogen lasiodiplodia Theobromae, an emerging threat to cacao industry. Genes, Genomes, and Genomics. 63:37–52.
Phytophthora canker affecting CCN51 clones on high productivity cacao farms in Ecuador - (Abstract Only)
Puig, A.S., Marelli, J., Suarez-Capello, C., Gutierrez, O.A. 2019. Phytophthora canker affecting CCN51 clones on high productivity cacao farms in Ecuador. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting. Plant Health, Cleveland, August 3-7, 2019.
Chocolate under threat from old and new cacao diseases Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Philippe Marelli, J., Guest, D.I., Bailey, B.A., Evans, H., Brown, J.K., Juanid, M., Barreto, R.W., Lisboa, D.O., Puig, A.S. 2019. Chocolate under threat from old and new cacao diseases. Phytopathology. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-12-18-0477-RVW.
First report of Neofusicoccum parvum causing pod rot on cacao in Hawaii Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Jean-Philippe, M., Matsumoto Brower, T.K., Keith, L.M., Gutierrez, O.A. 2019. First report of Neofusicoccum parvum causing pod rot on cacao in Hawaii. Plant Disease. 103(6). https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-18-1719-PDN.
Differential response of Phytophthora megakarya and Phytophthora palmivora to temperature stress - (Abstract Only)
Puig, A.S., Ali, S., Strem, M.D., Sicher Jr, R.C., Gutierrez, O.A., Bailey, B.A. 2017. Differential response of Phytophthora megakarya and Phytophthora palmivora to temperature stress. Meeting Abstract. San Diego, CA. January 13-17, 2018.
The differential influence of temperature on Phytophthora megakarya and Phytophthora palmivora pod lesion expansion, mycelia growth, gene expression, and metabolite profiles - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Ali, S., Strem, M.D., Sicher Jr, R.C., Gutierrez, O.A., Bailey, B.A. 2018. The differential influence of temperature on Phytophthora megakarya and Phytophthora palmivora pod lesion expansion, mycelia growth, gene expression, and metabolite profiles. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 102:95-112.
Laurel wilt in natural and agricultural ecosystems: Understanding the drivers and scales of complex pathosystems - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ploetz, R.C., Kendra, P.E., Chaundry, R.A., Rollins, J., Campbell, A.S., Hughes, M., Dreaden, T. 2017. Laurel wilt in natural and agricultural ecosystems: Understanding the drivers and scales of complex pathosystems. Forests. 8(2):48.
ARS News Articles