Entomology and Plant Pathology

Dr. Kimberly Gwinn, Associate Professor

Research

Natural products for management of plant pathogens and pests.

Natural products from native and exotic plants and microorganisms are being investigated for their plant disease and pest control potential. Since a crucial element to the successful introduction and acceptance of natural product-based agrochemicals is proof of the environmentally-benign nature of the bioactive components, this is also an area of focus. Current research projects include developing amendments to greenhouse growing media that reduce the impact of soilborne disease in greenhouse production systems (sponsored by the Bedding Plant Foundation and the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation), characterization of natural product degradation in soils and aquatic systems, investigation of bioactive compounds and their degradation products as food residues, specifically in honey (funded by the USDA), and determination of relationships between natural product concentrations and resistance of plants (particularly in the grass-endophyte mutualistic relationships).

Dr. Gwinn is also the Acting Science Director of the Bioactive Natural Products Center of Excellence, a collaborative research network incorporating several departments and divisions at the University of Tennessee (UT), The McClung Museum, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Read how bioactive plants show promise as niche crop for Tennessee farmers in the Tennessee Land, Life & Science article, "Working with Mother Nature" (Vol. 1/No. 2/2003).

For more information about Dr. Gwinn and her research interests check out the Bioactive Center of Excellence page at http://bnpce.utk.edu and the fescue page at http://pss.ag.utk.edu/fescue/.

Read more about Dr. Gwinn's research (USDA research reports) on the CRIS database at http://cwf.uvm.edu/cris/. Just choose CRIS Search and then enter Gwinn, K. D. in the box marked Investigator.

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