Craig R. Grau

Vaughan-Bascom Professor of Plant Pathology
Ph.D.: University of Minnesota in Plant Pathology

Research Program

Our research group concentrates on diseases of legumes caused by fungi, nematodes and viruses. Research is conducted in laboratory, greenhouse and field environments. Pathogens of recent interest are Phialophora gregata, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Heterodera glycines, Aphanomyces euteiches. However, the soybean aphid and bean leaf beetle have increased in incidence and have subsequently lead to an increase in the incidence of several viruses in soybeans. We have entered into a large collaborative effort with entomologists and agronomists to study the insect-virus complex in soybean. Regardless of pathogen type, we focus on host resistance and variability of pathogen as primary areas of research. We also study the role of crop management practices as means to manage diseases of legumes. Soybeans, snap beans, peas and forage legumes are crops of greatest interest.

Selected Publications

Patzoldt, M.E., Grau, C.R., Stephens, P.A., Kurtzweil, N.C., Carlson, S.R., and Diers, D.W. 2005. Localization of a quantitative trait locus providing brown stem rot resistance in the soybean cultivar Bell. Crop Sci. 45:1241-1248

Zhao, J., Udall, J.A., Quijada, P.A., Grau, C.R., Meng, J., and Osborn, T.C. 2006. QTL for resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and its association with a homoeologous non-reciprocal transposition in Brassica napus L. Theor. Appl. Gen. 112:509-516.

Impullitti, A.E., and C.R. Grau. Population dynamics of Phialophora gregata in stem residue of a resistant and a susceptible soybean cultivar. Plant Dis. 90:759-764.

Hobbs, H.A., Hill, C.B., Grau, C.R., Koval, N.C., Wang, Y., Pedersen, W.L., Domier, L.L., and Hartman, G.L. 2006. Green stem disorder of soybean. Plant Dis. 90:513-518

Delgado, N.J., C.R. Grau and M.D. Casler. 2001. Host range and alternate host of a Puccinia coronata population from smooth bromegrass. Plant Dis. 85:513-516.

Han, L, M.D. Casler and C.R. Grau. 2001. Responses to divergent selection for fiber concentration at two disease potentials in smooth bromegrass. Crop Sci. 41:30-39.

Hill, J.H., R. Alleman, D.B. Hogg, and C.R. Grau. 2001. First report of transmission of Soybean mosaic virus and Alfalfa mosaic virus by Aphis glycines in the New World. Plant Dis. 85:561.

Malvick, D.K., and C.R. Grau. 2001. Characteristics and frequency of Aphanomyces euteiches races 1 and 2 associated with alfalfa in the Midwestern U.S. Plant Disease 85:740-744.

Munkvold, G. P., W.M. Carlton, E.C. Brummer, J.R. Meyer, D.J. Undersander, and C.R. Grau. 2001. Virulence of Aphanomyces euteiches isolates from Iowa and Wisconsin and benefits of resistance to A. euteiches in alfalfa cultivars. Plant Disease 85:328-333.

Chen, W., Grau, C. R., E.A. Adee, and X. Meng. 2000. A molecular marker identifying subspecific populations of the brown stem rot pathogen, Phialophora gregata. Phytopathology 90:875-883.

Shang, H., C.R. Grau, and R.D. Peters. 2000 Evidence of gene flow between pea and bean pathotypes of Aphanomyces euteiches. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 22:265-275.

Shang, H., C.R. Grau, and R.D. Peters. 2000. Oospore germination of Aphanomyces euteiches in root exudates and on the rhizoplanes of crop plants. Plant Disease 85:994-998.

Chen, W., Gray, L. E., Kurle, J. E., and Grau, C. R. 1999. Specific detection of Phialophora gregata and Plectosporium tabacinum in infected soybean plants using polymerase chain reaction. Molecular Ecology 8:871-877.

Adee, A. E., Grau, C. R., and Oplinger, E. S. 1997. Population dynamics of Phialophora gregata in soybean residue. Plant Disease 81:199-203.

Chen, W., Gray, L. E., and C. R. Grau. 1996. Molecular differentiation of fungi associated with brown stem rot and detection of Phialophora gregata in resistant and susceptible soybean cultivars. Phytopathology 86:1140-1148.

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