Research Project: Develop an Improved Understanding of Microbe-pathogen Interactions for Biological Control

Location: Crop Bioprotection Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Application of Priestia megaterium strains isolated from nongerminating tar spots to maize seeds can inhibit the disease severity caused by biotrophic and necrotrophic maize pathogens - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Johnson, E.T., Dowd, P.F. 2026. Application of Priestia megaterium strains isolated from nongerminating tar spots to maize seeds can inhibit the disease severity caused by biotrophic and necrotrophic maize pathogens. International Journal of Pest Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2025.2612368.

Biological control properties of two strains of Priestia megaterium isolated from tar spots in maize leaves - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Johnson, E.T., Dowd, P.F., Moser, J.K. 2025. Biological control properties of two strains of Priestia megaterium isolated from tar spots in maize leaves. Agriculture Journal. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/23/2465.

Fusarium head blight biocontrol using cyclic lipopeptides produced by Bacillus velezensis RC218 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ochoa, G., Reynoso, A., Zurita, A., Yerkovich, N., Dunlap, C.A., Bowman, M., Chulze, S.N., Palazzini, J.M. 2025. Fusarium head blight biocontrol using cyclic lipopeptides produced by Bacillus velezensis RC218. Biocontrol Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2025.2541203.

Genomically-selected antifungal Bacillaceae strains improve wheat yield and baking quality - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Casal, A., Gizzi, F.O., Figueroa, S., Petitti, T., Ferragutti, F., Gaido, J., Manno, M.A., Ceccoli, G., Paoletti, L., Dunlap, C.A., Daurelio, L.D., Espariz, M. 2025. Genomically-selected antifungal Bacillaceae strains improve wheat yield and baking quality. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-025-13544-9.

Identification of widely conserved biosynthetic gene cluster involved in pigment production of Bacillus subtilis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Stannius, R.O., Dunlap, C.A., Morvan, E., Berbon, M., Lecomte, S., Loquet, A., Kovacs, A.T. 2025. Identification of widely conserved biosynthetic gene cluster involved in pigment production of Bacillus subtilis. mSystems. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00759-25.

Identification of novel basil downy mildew resistance genes using de novo comparative transcriptomics - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Allen, K.S., Delulio, G.A., Pyne, R., Maman, J., Guo, L., Lyon, R.M., Johnson, E.T., Wick, R.L., Simon, J.E., Gershenson, A., Ma, L. 2025. Identification of novel basil downy mildew resistance genes using de novo comparative transcriptomics. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-11-24-0369-R.

Antifungal effects of three natural branched medium-chain fatty acids and their potential as fumigants against Aspergillus flavus in stored peanut seeds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yang, Y., Ma, W., Johnson, E.T., Xie, Y., Zhao, R. 2024. Antifungal effects of three natural branched medium-chain fatty acids and their potential as fumigants against Aspergillus flavus in stored peanut seeds. Food Control. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2024.110950.

Cover crop species influences soil fungal species richness and community structure - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Perry, W.L., Rhykerd, R.L. 2024. Cover crop species influences soil fungal species richness and community structure. PLOS ONE. 19(9). Article e0308668. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308668.

Scope, distribution, and cause of the peanut kernel shrivel (PKS) syndrome: An emerging threat to Australia’s Peanut Industry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Adorada, D.L., Dunlap, C.A., Ash, G.J. 2024. Scope, distribution, and cause of the peanut kernel shrivel (PKS) syndrome: An emerging threat to Australia’s Peanut Industry. Agronomy Journal. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071435.

Lysinibacillus pinottii sp. nov., a novel species with anti-mosquito and anti-mollusk activity - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dunlap, C.A., Johnson, E.T., Burkett-Cadena, M., Cadena, J., Muturi, E.J. 2024. Lysinibacillus pinottii sp. nov., a novel species with anti-mosquito and anti-mollusk activity. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-024-01993-7.

Biological control potential of worrisome wheat blast disease by the seed endophytic bacilli - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Surovy, M., Dutta, S., Mahmud, N., Gupta, D., Farhana, T., Paul, S., Win, J., Dunlap, C.A., Oliva, R., Rahman, M., Sharpe, A.G., Islam, T. 2024. Biological control potential of worrisome wheat blast disease by the seed endophytic bacilli. Frontiers in Microbiology. 15-2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1336515.

Undesirable protein sequence variations in maize genes that confer resistance to fungal pathogens and insect pests - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lyon, R.M., Johnson, E.T., Dowd, P.F. 2024. Undesirable protein sequence variations in maize genes that confer resistance to fungal pathogens and insect pests. Plant Gene. 37. Article 100441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plgene.2023.100441.

Non-target effects of essential oils on selected beneficial bacteria - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Muturi, E.J., Doll, K.M., Dunlap, C.A. 2023. Non-target effects of essential oils on selected beneficial bacteria. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-023-00825-6.

Identification of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol production in the genus Chromobacterium - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Johnson, E.T., Bowman, M.J., Gomes, R.P., Carneiro, L.C., Dunlap, C.A. 2023. Identification of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol production in the genus Chromobacterium. Scientific Reports. 13. Article 14292. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41277-0.

Potential biocontrol agents of corn tar spot disease isolated from overwintered Phyllachora maydis stromata - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Johnson, E.T., Dowd, P.F., Ramirez, J.L., Behle, R.W. 2023. Potential biocontrol agents of corn tar spot disease isolated from overwintered Phyllachora maydis stromata. Microorganisms. 11(6). Article 1550. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061550.

A comparison of transporter gene expression in three species of Peronospora plant pathogens during host infection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Johnson, E.T., Lyon, R.M., Zaitlin, D., Khan, A.B., Jairajpuri, M.A. 2023. A comparison of transporter gene expression in three species of Peronospora plant pathogens during host infection. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285685.

Lysinibacillus spp.: An IAA-producing endospore forming-bacteria that promotes plant growth - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pantoja-Guerra, M., Burkett-Cadena, M., Cadena, J., Dunlap, C.A., Ramirez, C.A. 2023. Lysinibacillus spp.: An IAA-producing endospore forming-bacteria that promotes plant growth. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 116: 615-630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-023-01828-x.

The role of secondary metabolites in the diversity of the Bacillus subtilis group; an important group of crop protection microbes - (Abstract Only)
Dunlap, C.A. 2023. The role of secondary metabolites in the diversity of the Bacillus subtilis group; an important group of crop protection microbes. International PGPR Workshop. [abstract].

Dual functionality of Trichoderma: Biocontrol of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and biostimulant of cotton plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Silva, L.G., Camargo, R.C., Mascarin, G.M., De Oliveira Nunes, P., Dunlap, C.A., Bettiol, W. 2022. Dual functionality of Trichoderma: Biocontrol of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and biostimulant of cotton plants. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13. Article 983127. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.983127.

Iturinic lipopeptides found in strains of the Bacillus subtilis group - (Abstract Only)

Genomic analysis of heavy metal-resistant Halobacterium salinarum isolated from Sfax solar saltern sediments - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Baati, H., Siala, M., Azri, C., Ammar, E., Dunlap, C.A., Trigui, M. 2022. Genomic analysis of heavy metal-resistant Halobacterium salinarum isolated from Sfax solar saltern sediments. Extremophiles. 26. Article 25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-022-01273-0.