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Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science

Madalyn Shires

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Title

Assistant Professor/ SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Specialist, Director of SDSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic

Office Building

Berg Agricultural Hall

Office

261

Mailing Address

Berg Agricultural Hall 261
Agronomy, Horticulture & Plant Science-Box 2100A
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007

Education

Postdoctoral Research in Virus/Phytoplasmas of Sweet Cherries- Washington State University (2020-2022)
Ph.D. in Plant Pathology focused on Rose Rosette Virus- Texas A&M University (2015-2020)
B.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences- Oklahoma State University (2011-2015)

Academic Interests

Diseases of Row Crops, Diagnostics of diseases, Disease epidemiology, Viral diseases

Committee Activities

Currently advising two M.S. students and serving as a committee member on three other graduate student committees (2 M.S., 1 PhD)

Extension Responsibilities

I serve as the Plant Pathology Specialist and focus on diseases of row crops. Soybeans and wheat are the major crops I work with, with some work in corn and sunflowers. As the Director of the diagnostic clinic, I also do some work on diseases of horticultural crops and native plants as needed to address stakeholder needs.

Awards and Honors

NACAA 2023- Search for Excellence in Crop Production National Finalist- Member of "Crop Hour 2023" Team recognized for this award.

Grants

-SD Soybean Research and Promotion Grant focused on SCN and sponsors free SCN testing for SD Producers
-SD Wheat Commission Grant focused on wheat virus surveys
-NPMTI Grant focused on disease modeling for wheat leaf spots and rusts
-USWBSI Grant to screen SD varieties and different fungicides for effectiveness against scab
-NPDN Grant to help funding Plant Diagnostic Clinic

Professional Memberships

American Phytopathological Society (2017-present)
National Association of County Agricultural Agents (2022-present)

Area(s) of Research

Fungal and bacterial diseases of corn
Soybean Cyst Nematode and fungal diseases of soybeans
Fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases of wheat
Fungicide efficacy field research
Plant disease diagnostics
Plant disease epidemiology

Applications of Research

Fungicide efficacy trials are utilized to give recommendations specific to SD to producers
Improved diagnostics ensure that accurate and rapid diagnostics are performed in the Plant Diagnostic Clinic
Disease scouting associated with other projects allow us to track the spread and development of various row crop diseases across South Dakota

Department(s)