Zachariah

I joined the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department in January 2018. Prior to joining the EPP department I was a Post-Doctoral Associate at Cornell University in the laboratory of Dr. Sarah Pethybridge, where I worked on disease forecasting systems for a fungal disease of table beet called Cercospora leaf spot. I also received my Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at Cornell University under the advisement of Dr. Christine Smart working on diagnostics, population genetics, and management of tomato and potato late blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans. I received my B.A. and M.S. degrees from Clemson University, where I worked on alternatives to chemical soil fumigation for vegetable disease management under the advisement of Dr. Anthony Keinath. I have also spent time in private industry as an arborist for Bartlett Tree Experts, as well as Plant Pathology Lead for Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc., where I conducted research towards commercializing a novel approach to plant disease management using enzymes. My research focuses on integrated approaches to improving specialty crop disease management. The purpose of my program is to support the specialty crops industry in the State of Tennessee, especially fruit and vegetable producers, through applied plant pathology research and extension, and to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

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Research focus

My academic appointment is 100% extension. My extension efforts are supported by an applied research program aimed at improving specialty crop disease management. Areas of research interest include sustainable disease management, cultural practices, improving chemical use efficiency, pathogen detection and diagnostics, population genetics of fungi and oomycetes, and monitoring for fungicide resistance. Research is largely guided by disease issues affecting Tennessee specialty crop producers, with the goal of mitigating losses to disease.

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Extension and outreach focus

The goal of my extension program is to support Tennessee specialty crops producers through education programming aimed at improving disease management. Working closely with extension agents, education programs are focused on integrated pest management to promote effective and sustainable disease management practices. My applied research program supports these efforts by focusing on integrated disease management strategies including cultivar selection, cultural practices, biological and chemical control, and improved understanding of pathogen biology and disease epidemiology.

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Teaching focus

I do not have an academic teaching appointment, but teaching is a major focus of my program through my extension efforts. Additionally, I am always interested in mentoring motivated students. I have an open-door philosophy, and I view my role as a mentor to push students to access their potential while providing guidance, resources, and direction to support their success.

zachariah hansen

Assistant Professor
Office: (865) 974-7784
Fax: (865) 974-4744
zhansen1@utk.edu

G059 McCord Hall
2640 Morgan Cir Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560

Education
B.A., Biological Science, Clemson University
M.S., Plant and Environmental Science, Clemson University
Ph.D. Plant Pathology, Cornell University

website
Hansen Lab

Professional appointment
100% Extension

Graduate program concentrations
Sustainable Disease and Integrated Pest Management Systems

Areas of expertise
Specialty Crop Disease Management, Pathogen Detection and Diagnostic

KEYWORDS
Sustainable Agriculture, Disease Management, IPM, Detection, Diagnostics, Population Genetics, Specialty Crops, Fruit, Vegetables, Fungi, Oomycetes

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Research questions in our laboratory

  • What are the major diseases affecting Tennessee specialty crop producers?
  • How are specialty crop diseases currently managed?
  • How do cultural practices influence disease occurrence and severity?
  • How does pathogen population structure affect disease epidemiology and management?
  • Is there an opportunity to deploy host resistance as part of a disease management program?
  • Are chemicals used to manage diseases effective?
  • Does fungicide and antibiotic resistance exist in key pathogen populations in Tennessee, and how prevalent is that resistance?
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Current lab members

  • Alyssa Counce, Research Specialist
  • Taylor Miller, M.S. Student
  • Kate Turner, Ph.D. Student
  • Linus Parrish, Student Assistant

Extension and Technical Publications

Velandia, M., Denton, R., Aza, O., Marshall, T., Rihn, A., Lockwood, D., Bumgarner, N., & Hansen, Z. 2022. Sample Budget for Blackberry Production Under Various Integrated Pest Management and Marketing Strategies, 2022, D154.

Akinrinlola, R., Gwinn, K., Wang, T., & *Hansen, Z. 2022. Numerous fungicides suppress hemp powdery mildew in the greenhouse in Tennessee, 2021. Plant Disease Management Reports. *Co-advisor to Ph.D. student Rufus Akinrinlola and senior author.

Akinrinlola, R., & *Hansen, Z. 2022. Evaluation of fungicides for managing foliar hemp diseases, 2021. Plant Disease Management Reports. *Co-advisor to Ph.D. student Rufus Akinrinlola and senior author.

Hansen, Z. 2022. Evaluation of fungicides for managing black shank in burley tobacco, 2021. Plant Disease Management Reports. Submitted Dec. 9, 2021.

SELECTED REFEREED PUBLICATIONS

Moore, J., Leib, B., Hansen, Z., & Wszelaki, A. 2022. Comparing overhead versus drip irrigation for production of three cultivars of romaine lettuce on biodegradable plastic mulch. Hort Technology, 32, 39-46. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04916-21.

Gwinn, K., Hansen, Z., Kelly, H., & Ownley, B. 2022. Diseases of Cannabis sativa caused by diverse Fusarium species. Frontiers in Agronomy, 3, article 796062. https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2021.796062.

Siegenthaler, T., Lamour, K., & *Hansen, Z. 2022. Population structure of Phytophthora capsici in the state of Tennessee. Mycological Progress (21), 159-166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11557-021-01769-7. *Major advisor to M.S. student Tim Siegenthaler, and senior author. 

Parada-Rojas, C., Granke, L., Naegele, R., Hansen, Z., Hausbeck, M., Kousik, C., McGrath, M., Smart, C., & Quesada-Ocampo, L. 2021. A Diagnostic Guide for Phytophthora capsici infecting vegetable crops. Plant Health Progress, https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-02-21-0027-FI.

PUBLIC ABSTRACTS

Hansen, Z. 2022. Black shank fungicide trials. (Abstract accepted) Tobacco Worker’s Conference, Richmond, VA. January 24-26.

Hansen, Z., Keeney, A., Pfeufer, E., & Bailey, A. 2022. Dark tobacco variety evaluations for susceptibility to angular leaf spot. (Abstract accepted) Tobacco Worker’s Conference, Richmond, VA. January 24-26.

Miller, T., Richmond, M., & *Hansen, Z. 2022. In vitro fungicide testing on the tobacco black shank pathogen, Phytophthora nicotianae, in Tennessee. (Abstract accepted) Tobacco Worker’s Conference, Richmond, VA. January 24-26. *Major advisor to M.S. student Taylor Miller, and senior author.