MITPPC blog

a man stands in front of a tall, wide overgrowth of blooming knotweed

Tangled up in knotweed: the need for adaptive management

September 10, 2024

Researchers revealed that Minnesota's knotweeds issue is more complex than originally understood. They recommend adaptive management strategies to tackle infestations.

A leaf showing spots from oak wilt

Diagnosing oak wilt with the naked eye

September 3, 2024

Researchers developed a groundbreaking method for the rapid and accurate detection of oak wilt using a Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay.

a person sitting on a rock in a forest wearing a U of M hat

Meet the researcher: Nick Rajtar tenaciously tracks down tree pathogens

August 14, 2024

Plant pathologist Nick Rajtar, PhD, is developing innovative early detection methods for invasive tree pathogens like Heterobasidion root disease and Phytophthora species.

invasive common tansy growing among prairie grasses

Minnesota’s invasive tansy spread impacted by land use

July 16, 2024

A genomic study by MITPPC researchers sheds light on how common tansy has spread through Minnesota.

two people stand along a shoreline of invasive phragmites

Advanced remote sensing elevates tracking of non-native Phragmites

July 10, 2024

Experts develop a novel workflow using remote sensing and AI to detect with 90% accuracy invasive European common reed grass, often referred to as Phragmites.

tar spot pathogen on a corn plant leaf

Breakthrough on tar spot pathogen enables field research

June 26, 2024

U of M plant pathologists have figured out how to induce corn tar spot disease in both controlled and field environments, opening the doors for further research.

researcher collects spongy moth samples from a tree

Summer 2024 research activities

June 18, 2024

Summer is an especially busy season for our research teams. Learn about some of the activities they're engaged in this year across the state of Minnesota.

researcher poses for a photo in a lab

Meet the researcher: Vinni Thekkudan Novi and advanced forest pathogen diagnostics

May 22, 2024

Vinni Thekkudan Novi's innovative testing approach to detect oak wilt offers real-time results visible to the naked eye in the field.

crown rust on buckthorn

Submit field observations of diseased or dying buckthorn

May 21, 2024

Help MITPPC researchers during the 2024 field season by reporting observations of diseased or dying buckthorn.

people working in a greenhouse with potted plants

Phenology data tool helps optimize timing of invasive plant management

April 16, 2024

MITPPC researchers develop a new online tool to ease management planning for wild parsnip and Japanese knotweed, despite fluctuating weather patterns in Minnesota.