Daisy Ahumada

Our program is committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for Extension agents, producers, crop consultants, and the broader agricultural industry. Our goal is to connect North Carolina field crop and strawberry producers with practical, science-based solutions that improve disease management and crop productivity. Our research focuses on screening tobacco varieties for disease resistance and developing integrated management strategies for Rhizoctonia diseases, black shank (Phytophthora), and bacterial wilt. We are also evaluating biological approaches to suppress corn ear rots and mycotoxin contamination, improving management of target spot and areolate mildew in cotton, and investigating the epidemiology and mitigation of Neopestalotiopsis in strawberries.