Urban areas in Texas account for 80% of this state's population. Located at the Dallas Research and Extension Center (Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area), the thrust of my responsibility is in the area of Urban Plant Pathology where emphasis is on landscape ornamentals, trees and turf. A substantial amount of money is spent in urban areas for lawn care, tree care, fertilizers and pesticides. My program is geared toward educating homeowners and plant care specialist on issues relating to landscape plant diseases through meetings, training sessions, informational brochures and web-based information delivery. Applied research will be concentrated on the use of biological agents and applications of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods on landscape ornamentals. The goal of the applied research program is to develop and assess environmentally-friendly methods in dealing with landscape plant diseases and to disseminate this information for use by the general public. In addition, I am also involved in the study of using of natural and renewable materials in an Integrated Disease Management system by small acreage farmers in the rural-urban interphase.

1.The utilization of different composts in growing rose and their effects of foliar diseases.

2.Effects of different compost on growth and health of heatless Jalapeno in a small vegetable production system.

3.Development of the "Urban Plant Detective" program - training of Master Gardener volunteers to perform research demonstration on issue relevant to urbanites (2004 - The effectiveness of homeowner available biologically rational remedies against black spot and powdery mildew of roses).