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James Nugent Cherry Variety Named for Jim Nugent

International Plant Management, Inc., and the New York State Experiment Station at Cornell University have released two new cherry varieties for the processing industry, one of them named for Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station coordinator Jim Nugent. Nugent was recently named 2006 Cherry Person of the Year by the Cherry Marketing Institute.

The new Nugent variety is a completely yellow cherry. Nugent said nearly 70 percent of the sweet cherries grown in Michigan are light-fleshed varieties grown for the maraschino and related markets.

"The New York selection closely resembles the state's No. 1 variety, Gold, but has shown better resistance to rain-induced cracking. Rain cracking is a major problem some years in Michigan.

"It is an honor to have a sweet cherry variety named after me," Nugent continued. "It certainly came as a great surprise. Finding improved varieties is important to the Michigan cherry industry. This honor would never have occurred without support and cooperation from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, the New York State Experiment Station and the Cherry Marketing Institute.

Bacterial Speck Bacteria Reveal Secrets of Waging War on Plants

The secret weapon of bacteria – the way they get a foothold in plants to launch an invasion – is now less secret, thanks to research published by an MAES scientist.

Under study is the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, better known as the disease agent of bacterial speck. When the pathogen rears its speckled head in tomatoes, it can cause serious crop loss. Sheng Yang He, MAES plant biology and microbiology and molecular genetics researcher, described in the July 14 issue of Science magazine how he used P. syringae in the laboratory plant Arabidopsis to get a better understanding of how bacteria set up camp and destroy a plant’s ability to fight infection.

The secret weapon: a bacterium’s protein targets a plant protein that serves as a line of defense against illness, said Kinya Nomura, a researcher in He’s lab and first author on the paper.

“The bacteria target and disable a plant’s defense protein, so they can get in and multiply,” Nomura said. “It’s a very nice strategy for bacteria, very clever.”

The P. syringae virulence protein, called HopM1, has been the mechanism of mystery. Bacterial plant diseases, such as bacterial speck in tomatoes and fire blight in apples and pears, can devastate crops. Human bacterial pathogens use a similar basic principle to cause diseases.

“Bacterial diseases are generally difficult to control,” said He, who works in the MSU-Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory. “Molecular studies such as this one may help develop novel disease control measures in the future.”

In addition to MAES funding, the research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

MAES Scientists Receive Patents

MAES scientists do good work. MAES scientists do novel work. And from March to June this year, they received the patents to prove it. Each of the six patents that were awarded to MSU between March 15 and June 2 had at least one MAES scientist on the research team.

"It’s great to see that our MAES faculty members are working as members of entrepreneurial teams," said Steve Pueppke, MAES director. "These patents will allow us to put research results to work and secure revenue streams to support even more research in MAES."

Patents were awarded to:

  • David Dilley, MAES horticulturist; and Dina Kadyrzhanova, Zhenyong Wang and Toni Warner, all in the Department of Horticulture, for Modified Synthetases to Produce Penicillins and Cephalosporins Under Control of Bicarbonate, patent number 7,029,888.
  • Ray Hammerschmidt, chairperson of the Department of Plant Pathology; John Linz, MAES food science and human nutrition scientist; Frances Trail, MAES plant pathology researcher; and Seanna Annis, Luis Velasquez and Haixin Xu, all of the Department of Plant Pathology, for Alkaloid that Inhibits Biosynthesis of Mycotoxins and Method for Screening for Mycotoxin Inhibitors, patent number 7,041,678.
  • Jim Kelly, MAES crop and soil sciences researcher, for a new bean variety, Condor, patent number 200,500,291.
  • Linda Mansfield, MAES microbiology and large animal clinical sciences researcher, and Sheila Abner, Department of Microbiology, for Detection of Antibacterial Activity in Excretory Secretory Products of Adult Trichuris suis, patent number 7,052,874.
  • Jim Kelly, MAES crop and soil sciences researcher; Jerry Taylor, crop and soil sciences technician; Greg Varner, head of the Dry Bean Production Research Advisory Board; and George Hosfield, USDA Agricultural Research Service plant biologist, for the bean variety Merlot, a small red bean, patent number 200,500,181.
  • Bruce Dale, MAES chemical engineering researcher, and Mariam Sticklen, professor of crop and soil sciences, for Genetic Engineering of Microbial Cellulose and Ligninase Genes in Maize for Unlocking the Maize Leaves and Straw, patent number 7,049,485.
State Tourism Planning Effort Picks Up Momentum

With the support of Michigan State’s Tourism Center and Travel Michigan, a statewide planning council has been formed to develop the first strategic plan to help guide the industry into the future.

“Our goal is pretty simple,” said Gary Warnell, project specialist with the MSU Tourism Center. “We hope to create a plan that will help provide future growth strategies and direction to this $17 billion-plus industry. The industry has come together in a way that has never been seen before to create this shared vision.”

The planning council includes more than 75 tourism industry organizations from throughout Michigan.

In May, the volunteer council identified eight major thematic areas – including collaborative partnerships, visitor experience, research and market segmentation, and industry organization and leadership -- and organized corresponding work teams. Each team will develop strategies to overcome barriers or to capitalize on opportunities within its area. That information will be compiled to create a comprehensive plan that will be presented at an industry summit in March 2007.

“Engaging everyone who should be involved in developing a plan for such a large and diverse industry is essential for success, but the plan presents a major challenge for the planning team,” said Don Holecek, MAES scientist and center director, who serves as MSU team leader for the project.

As part of the process, several listening sessions took place during July in Michigan. These sessions provided an opportunity for industry representatives to learn firsthand about the project and to provide feedback.

For more information about the project, visit the plan Web site.

Ag Expo IPM, Conservation Take Center Stage at Ag Expo Breakfast

Michigan State University and other state organizations were honored for their commitment to environmental issues and conservation at the annual Ag Expo breakfast July 18.

Stephen L. Johnson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was the keynote speaker at the Ag Expo breakfast. He emphasized the agency’s commitment to collaborative and innovative approaches that utilize sound science to address environmental issues. Johnson has a background in integrated pest management (IPM) and said he was especially pleased to present a check for $126,848 to MSU President Lou Anna Simon and Jeffrey Armstrong, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, for an EPA strategic agriculture initiative grant awarded to the MSU Integrated Pest Management Program.

The grant is for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a program that encourages adoption of IPM practices by specialty crop growers. Through the EQIP, growers may receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and land management conservation practices on eligible agricultural land.

Michigan State University, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Farm Bureau and the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts also received commendations from the White House for their roles in establishing the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). The voluntary program now comprises 27 member organizations and has verified 250 farms as environmentally sound. The program was highlighted in August 2005 at the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation and included in a compendium of the top 150 entries to the program from around the country.

Alan Herceg, assistant state conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, presented plaques to the five organizations on behalf of President Bush and James L. Connaughton, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Herceg served as team leader for the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation.

“Cooperative programs such as the MAEAP and our IPM research are excellent examples of MSU research and Extension collaborating with industry and government leadership to address issues facing Michigan,” said Steve Pueppke, director of both the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and the MSU Office of Bio-based Technologies. “Connecting policy-makers and industries with the research and outreach capacities of our universities is key to our ability to grow Michigan’s bio-based economy.”

Chris Brown Brown Named Dean of College of Veterinary Medicine

Christopher Brown, a former professor of large animal clinical sciences at Michigan State University, is returning to the university as dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Brown, who currently is chairperson of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies at the University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College, has been approved as dean of the college by the MSU Board of Trustees. His appointment is effective Sept. 1.

Brown, who also is the acting director of the college’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, brings a wealth of administrative experience to MSU.

Prior to his 2002 appointment at the Ontario Veterinary College, he was chairperson of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Iowa State University, a position he held from 1994 to 2002. During that time he also was director of Iowa State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

From 1979 to1994, Brown was at MSU, where he served in a number of positions, including head of the Equine Medicine and Surgery Section in the Veterinary Clinical Center and acting head of the center’s Radiology Section.

Brown’s veterinary degree is from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. He also has a doctorate from the University of Bristol, also in the United Kingdom.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Brown back to Michigan State University,” said MSU Provost Kim Wilcox. "As the College of Veterinary Medicine continues to grow and meet the challenges facing both animal and human health, Dr. Brown brings a distinct set of skills to the job, including administrative, teaching and clinical experience."

Brown succeeds Charles DeCamp, who was named acting dean July 1. DeCamp succeeded Lonnie King, who had served as dean of the college since 1996.

Satish Udpa Satish Udpa Named Dean of Engineering College

Satish Udpa has been named dean of the Michigan State University College of Engineering.

An MSU faculty member since 2001, Udpa has been acting dean since June 2005. His appointment was approved by the MSU Board of Trustees at its July meeting.

Previously, he was chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Before that, he was the Whitney professor of electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State University. He also was on the faculty of Colorado State University.

“I’m pleased to be given this opportunity,” Udpa said. “The field of engineering has played a big role in furthering the economy of Michigan and improving people’s lives. As the state’s economy continues to evolve from its manufacturing roots, I am excited that our college is helping impart the types of skills and knowledge necessary to make that transformation.”

A prolific scholar, Udpa has written or co-written more than 250 scholarly publications. In addition, he is the recipient of nearly 50 external research grants, holds several patents and continues to supervise a number of graduate students.

Udpa’s academic degrees are from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University of India and Colorado State and include a doctorate in electrical engineering.

"Satish has a great track record as former chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and as acting dean of the college," said MSU Provost Kim Wilcox. "He was already a collegewide thinker, so when this opportunity arose, he was a great fit. As acting dean he has never functioned as a placeholder and has demonstrated his energy and ability to advance his vision for the college -- to make it both bigger and better."

New Book Brings College of Agriculture and Natural Resources History to Life

The founding and development of the nation's first agricultural college -- the roots of Michigan State University (MSU) -- are shared in a new book giving readers glimpses of the past, present and future of MSU's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR).

In "Pursuing What is Best for the World: 150 Years of Teaching, Research and Extension," authors Kenneth VerBurg and Raymond Vlasin show readers the diversity and richness of the college, its partnerships with cooperators and its evolution to become the institution it is today.

The book, with 300-plus pages, comprises 17 chapters, beginning with a prologue on the founding of Michigan Agricultural College, and includes one chapter for each of the 15 decades of the college's history since its founding in 1855. The final chapter is a look into the future, as faculty members discuss challenging issues of the 21st century and the important role the CANR can play in addressing them.

It also highlights the accomplishments of numerous CANR faculty members, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station researchers, MSU Extension educators and specialists, and Institute of International Agriculture scientists.

"We wanted readers to experience the historical progression of the institution," Vlasin said. "We've taken stories of the college over time and woven them together."

The book contains about 1,000 stories and 500 photos and figures, but Vlasin emphasizes that it's still a tiny sampling of the vast history of the CANR.

"We hope people will read the book and gain a new sense of appreciation for what the college has been, is now and will become in the future," VerBurg added.

Stories include those that highlight the "huge amount of international work done that benefits not only foreign countries and the university but the citizens of Michigan and the companies and groups with which MSU cooperates," VerBurg said.

"We're trying to give people who read the book a new sense of appreciation for and commitment to the college and the wonderful resources it generates for the benefit of the world," Vlasin said.

"Pursuing What is Best for the World" is available from the MSU Bulletin Office (item number CANR400) for $39.95, plus $7 shipping and handling. To order, visit the Web site or call 517-353-6740.

Last Updated: March 17, 2009
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