Gary A. Chastagner

Plant Pathology
Protecting Pacific Northwest Trees from Exotic Pathogens

Gary Chastanger

Dr. Chastagner is recognized nationally and internationally for his research and extension programs relating to the management of diseases in Christmas trees and ornamental bulb crops, Sudden Oak Death, and factors affecting the postharvest quality and safety of Christmas trees. His current Christmas tree research is focused on understanding the spread and management of Annosus root rot and the identification of sources of different types of trees that have superior needle retention.

Dr. Chastagner also leads a statewide research and education program relating to Phytophthora ramorum, which is a recently identified exotic pathogen that causes sudden oak death in over 100 host plants. This pathogen has killed tens of thousands of trees in California, and the Pacific Northwest is considered to be a high-risk area for it because of favorable climate conditions and the abundance of susceptible hosts that occur here. WSU Puyallup has a new APHIS-approved biocontainment laboratory and is developing a new molecular laboratory in support of Dr. Chastagner’s research relating to the detection, spread, management, and genetics of P. ramorum. His work at a naturally infested field in California will provide regulatory agencies and growers with information relating to the potential risk this pathogen would cause to Christmas trees.

Most of the U.S. commercial production of daffodils, tulips, iris and lilies is located in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Chastagner also utilizes a combination of field, greenhouse, and laboratory studies to better understand how various cultural and disease management practices affect the development of foliar and soil-borne fungal diseases on these crops. Studies include: looking at survival of inoculum from one season to the next; development of information to help growers minimize fungicide applications needed to control various diseases; and the development of safer more environmentally-sound control strategies.

Contact Information
Gary A. Chastagner, Ph.D.
Professor
Plant Pathology

Washington State University
Research and Extension Center
7612 Pioneer Way East

Puyallup, WA 98371
Telephone: 253-445-4528
E-mail: chastag@wsu.edu

Safety and Security

Gary Chastanger

Dr. Gary Chastagner, professor of plant pathology at Washington State University’s Puyallup Research Center, received his Ph.D. in plant pathology from the University of California in Davis. He joined WSU as an assistant plant pathologist in 1978. He is a member of the American Phytopathological Society, the International Plant Pathology Society, the International Society of Horticultural Sciences, and Sigma Xi. He has served on two USDA-APHIS national Sudden Oak Death science panels, a California Department of Food and Agriculture Sudden Oak Death Advisory Panel, and a number of professional organization committees. Dr. Chastagner is a frequent speaker at regional, national, and international bulb and Christmas tree conferences.

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