George Sundin

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University Distinguished Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Degrees:
B.S., Penn State University
M.S., Michigan State University
Ph.D., Oklahoma State University
Postdoc, University of Illinois-Chicago

Tree Fruit Pathology YouTube Channel

Research:

My current research centers on the Erwinia amylovora fire blight pathosystem with projects ranging from basic studies of pathogen-host interactions to developing improved chemical and biological approaches for fire blight management. We are currently working on the regulation of the major pathogenicity determinants type III secretion and amylovoran exopolysaccharide by regulatory small RNAs and cyclic di-GMP. We have recently shown the importance of biofilm formation to E. amylovora pathogenesis, invasion of xylem, and systemic spread of the pathogen within trees. We also study E. amylovora plasmids, streptomycin resistance, and are developing and evaluating strategies to increase the potential for biological control of fire blight in the midwest and eastern United States.

My work with fungal tree fruit pathogens in Michigan focuses on detecting, tracking, and understanding the evolution of fungicide resistance in organisms such as Venturia inaequalis (apple scab), Blumeriella jaapii (cherry leaf spot), and Monilinia fructicola (American brown rot). We have worked on resistance to sterol demethylation inhibitors, strobilurins, and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor classes of fungicides.

Extension:

I have Extension responsibilities in tree fruit disease control. My research includes field and lab studies covering management of fire blight and apple scab of apple, cherry leaf spot, American and European brown rot, and bacterial canker of sweet and tart cherry, and bacterial spot of peach, nectarine, and plum. We also actively work on fungicide resistance in apple and cherry pathogens, and the evaluation of new bactericides and fungicides for disease management in apple, cherry (sweet and tart cherry), and peach. The goals of my Extension program are to provide timely information and recommendations on management of tree fruit diseases to growers in Michigan and in other fruit-growing regions. Extension updates on disease issues are published on the MSUE News website and through presentations at various grower meetings. Disease control recommendations are updated yearly in the MSU Fruit Management Guide. Fruit tree disease management video resources are also available from the Sundin lab.