Webster, Robert K.

Professor Emeritus
Office Phone: 530-752-0316
FAX: 530-752-5674
E-Mail: rkwebster@ucdavis.edu

Biography

B.S. Utah State University 1961 Plant Pathology
Ph.D. University of California, Davis

Area of Specialization

Genetics of plant pathogens and pathogenicity, field crop diseases, disease resistance, with emphasis on rice and barley.

Research

Current research on rice focuses on the affects of various culture systems on the epidemiology and control of stem rot (Sclerotium oryzae) and aggregate sheath spot (Rhizoctonia oryzae sativae) with emphasis on system affects on potential biological control through manipulation of microorganisms in rice fields. Additional studies on the epidemiology, population variability of Pyricularia grisea and control of rice blast which was recently introduced into California. Gibberella fujikuroi, the cause of Bakanae disease of rice has also recently been introduced into California. Studies on this disease to develop information on the epidemiology, pathogen variability and control are also being carried out. Barley research emphasizes control of foliar diseases through understanding pathogen variability and various strategies of identifying and deploying resistance genes.

Selected Publications:

Rice blast caused by Pyricularia grisea in California. Greer, C. A., R. K. Webster, and S. C. Scardaci. 1997. Plant Disease 81:1094.

Identification of molecular genetic markers in Pyrenophora teres f. teres associated with low virulence to “Harbin” barley. Weiland, J. J., B. J. Steffenson, D. Cartwright, and R. K. Webster. 1998. Phytopathology 89(2):176-181.

Effects of Rice Straw Management on Sclerotium oryzae inoculum, Stem Rot Severity, and Yield of Rice in California. Cintas, C.A. and R.K. Webster. 2001. Plant Disease 85:1140-1144.

Occurrence, Distribution, Epidemiology, Cultivar Reaction and Management of Rice Blast Disease in California. Greer, C.A. and R.K. Webster. 2001. Plant Disease: 85:1196-1202.

Soil sampling techniques for determining the effects of cultural practices on Rhizoctonia oryzae-sativae in rice field soils. Miller, T.C. and R.K. Webster. 2001. Plant Disease 85: 967-972.

Being at the Right Place, at the Right Time, for the Right Reasons – Plant Pathology. Webster, R.K. 2005. Annual Review of Phytopathology 43:1-24.

Soil Sampling Techniques for Determining the Effects of Cultural practices on Rhizoctonia oryzae-sativae in Rice Field Soils. Miller, T.C., and R.K. Webster. 2001. Plant Disease 85:967-972

Occurrence, Distribution, Epidemiology, Cultivar Reaction and Management of Rice Blast Disease in California. Greer, C.A., and R.K. Webster. 2001. Plant Disease 85:1196-1202

Effects of Rice Straw Management on Sclerotium oryzae inoculum, Stem Rot Severity, and Yield of Rice in California. Cintas, C.A. andR.K. Webster. 2001. Plant Disease 85:1140-1144

Identification of Molecular Genetic Markers in Pyrenophora teres f. teres Associated with Low Virulence to "Harbin" barley. Weiland, J.J., Steffenson, B.J., Cartwright, D., and R.K. Websgter. 1998. Phytopathology 89(2):176-181

Rice Blast Caused by Pyricularia Grisea in California. Greer, C.A., R.K. Webster, and S.C. Scardaci. 1997. Plant Disease 81:1094

Evidence for Mutation and Migration as Sources of Genetic Variation in Populations of Rhycnosporium secalis. Goodwin, S. B., R. K. Webster, and R. W. Allard. 1994. Phytopathology 84:1047-1053.

Quantitative Resistance to Pyrenophora teres in Barley. Steffenson, B. J., and R. K. Webster. 1992. Phytopathology 82:407­411.

Genetic Variability for Pathogenicity, Isozyme, Ribosomal DNA and Colony Color Variants in Populations of Rhynchosporium secalis. McDermott, J. M., B. A. McDonald, R. W. Allard, and R. K. Webster. 1989. Genetics 122:561­565.

Coevolution of Host and Pathogen Populations in the Hordeum vulgare­Rhynchosporium secalis Pathosystem. McDonald, B. A., J. M. McDermott, R. W. Allard, and R. K. Webster. 1989. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. Vol. 86, pp. 3924­3927. Population Biology

Evolutionary Response of Barley Composite Cross II to Rhynchosporium secalis Analyzed by Pathogenic Complexity and Gene­by­Race Relationships. Webster, R. K., M. A. Saghai­Muroof, and R. W. Allard. 1986. Phytopathology 76:661­668.