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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 | 2020
  • B.S. in plant and soil sciences | Oklahoma State University | 2015

Academic Interests

  • Diseases of row crops
  • Diagnostics of diseases
  • Disease epidemiology
  • Viral diseases

Committees and Professional Memberships

Currently advising two M.S. students and serving as a committee member on three other graduate student committees (two M.S., one Ph.D.).

Professional Memberships:

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

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

  1. South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Grant focused on SCN and sponsors free SCN testing for South Dakota Producers.
  2. South Dakota Wheat Commission Grant focused on wheat virus surveys.
  3. NPMTI Grant focused on disease modeling for wheat leaf spots and rusts.
  4. USWBSI Grant to screen South Dakota varieties and different fungicides for effectiveness against scab.
  5. NPDN Grant to help funding Plant Diagnostic Clinic.

Areas 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
  • Fungicide efficacy trials are utilized to give recommendations specific to South Dakota 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)