Jean Carlson Batzer is a post-doctoral research scientist. She is working on the sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) fungal complex of apples. Her research focuses on characterizing the taxonomy and distribution of the SBFS fungi in the eastern and midwestern U.S., Europe and China. Her other research goals are to determine the effects of environment on the growth and development of newly-discovered SBFS fungi, examine the wetness microenvironment within an apple-tree canopy and its application to SBFS warning systems. Jean is also working to implement disease forecasting systems through global information systemsEducation
Ph. D. in Plant Pathology: August 2005 Iowa State University, Ames IA Dissertation: “Sooty blotch and flyspeck on apple: Expansion of the fungal complex, post-harvest removal, and heterogeneity of apple canopy wetness and its impact on the outcome of a disease-warning system.”
M.S. in Plant Pathology: May 1998 University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN Thesis: "Effects of the tall fescue endophyte on seed germination and resistance to pre-emergent damping-off."
B.S. in Plant Health Technology: 1982 University of Minnesota, St. Paul MN
Positions Held
Plant Disease Diagnostician & Researcher: Aug 1998 - Present Plant Pathology and Horticulture Iowa State University, Ames IA
Tennessee State Testing Service: Jan 1992 - Jun 1997 Managed the Tennessee State Testing Service using ELISA-PAS, immunoblot to detect Neotyphodium coenophialum in pasture and turf grass.
Plant Pathologist: Apr 1983 - Nov 1989 The Land, EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World FL Professional and Honor Societies American Phytopathological Society Phi Kappa Phi Gamma Sigma Delta Sigma Xi
Recent Refereed Publications Batzer, J.C., Gleason, M.L., Harrington, T.C., Tiffany, L.H. 2005. Expansion of the sooty blotch and flyspeck complex on apples based on analysis of ribosomal DNA gene sequences and morphology. Mycologia 97:1268-1286.
Sentelhas. P.C., Gillespie T.J., Batzer J.C. Gleason M.L., Monteiro, J.E.B.A, Pezzopane, J.R.M., and Pedro, M.J. 2005. Spatial variability of leaf wetness duration in different crop canopies. International Journal of Biometeorology 49: 363-370.
Tarnowski, T.B., Batzer, J.C., Gleason, M.L., Helland S., and Dixon P. 2003. Sensitivity of newly identified clades in the sooty blotch and flyspeck complex on apple to thiophanate-methyl and ziram. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2003-12XX-01-RS.
Batzer, J.C., Gleason, M.L., Weldon, B., Dixon, P.M., and Nutter, F.W., Jr. 2002. Evaluation of postharvest removal of sooty blotch and flyspeck on apples using sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide with peroxyacetic acid, and soap. Plant Dis. 86:1325-1332.