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Video report: Understanding microbials in greenhouse production

Dec. 3, 2015, Simcoe, Ont. — Dr. Anissa Poleatewich had the topic, “Understanding microbials in greenhouse production” during this year’s Greenhouse Canada Grower Day.

“Basically, you’re using beneficial organisms to suppress pest organisms.”

Poleatewich joined Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in 2011 as a Research Scientist – Plant Pathology within the Horticultural Production Systems Department.

Her program is focused on the development of microbial biological controls and other reduced-risk management strategies as well as research to increase knowledge of the impact, biology and management of key diseases of ornamental and horticultural crops. Another key area of research is determination of races of the rose black spot pathogen in Canada.

Her lab also collaborates with the Vineland breeding program to screen cold hardy roses for disease resistance.

Poleatewich received an MS and PhD in plant pathology from the Pennsylvania State University. Her graduate research focused on biological control of plant pathogens and weeds. She worked as a postdoctoral scholar at Penn State University teaching a senior undergraduate and graduate level plant pathology course.

She has also served as a Master Gardener and was involved in community outreach related to agriculture and gardening.

She is actively engaged in professional society service and is currently a board member of American Phytopathology Society’s Office of Education and the Canadian Society for Horticultural Science.

This is the second in a series of interviews with speakers at this year’s event. For more on Grower Day, see our feature in the October 2015 edition, starting on page 14.