Test & ID - Intro - Meet our Pathology Team

Dr. Ruth Mann BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, MBPR - Turfgrass and Plant Pathologist

Ruth's main roles within the STRI include managing the pesticide evaluation trials, which are carried out under and meet the criteria set out by the pesticide safety direcorate. Ruth additionally provides an identification service for pests and diseases on natural turf and advice as to their prevention or control. This exists both as an expert back-up facility for advisers and for greenkeepers / groundsmen. She has also initiated a culture collection of the main turfgrass pathogens to be maintained on site with the aim of being able to manipulate and infect turfgrass trials with these cultures. Presently, she is carrying out research to determine the severity and occurrence of turfgrass pests and diseases on golf courses throughout the UK and Ireland. Following from this research, all subscribing clubs will have a set of 'medical records' maintained by Ruth relating to their particular disease and pest problems and how they change over time.

Ruth joined the STRI in 2001, after working with The Plant Testing Station in Northern Ireland testing forage grasses for value of cultivation and use and carrying out research into the digestibility of early, intermediate and late maturing perennial ryegrass varieties throughout the growing season. Ruth has a wide range of pathology experience including pathogens that affect cereals, potatoes, oil seed rape and grasses.

Contact Ruth Mann

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Julie Wheater - Turfgrass Pathologist

Julie has a 2:1 honours degree in Environmental Science from University of Bradford and is currently studying for a Masters degree in Crop Protection at Harper Adams University College.

Julie originally spent her placement year here in 1996 in the Cultivars department whilst reading for her Environmental Science degree. In 2006 she returned to work in the Soil Physics department as a research technician and has recently moved into the Turfgrass Protection department as Turfgrass Pathologist. This new role involves co-ordinating all Plant Protection Product trials which include efficacy and selectivity trials of fungicides, insecticides, herbicides wetting agents and biological products.

Julie is responsible for the day to day running of the pesticide evaluation trials. The pesticide evaluation section conducts confidential efficacy trials for companies on fungicides, herbicides and insecticides. Further to this, independent trials on all aspects of turf management to reduce the effects of pests, weeds and diseases can be carried out, including the use of wetting agent and biological pest and disease control. 

This work is carried out under and meets criteria set out by the pesticide safety directorate.

Contact Julie Wheater

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Mike Scott and Michelle Brook  - Pesticide Trials

Michelle Brook and Mike Scott help to run the pesticide evaluation trials. The pesticide evaluation section conducts confidential efficacy trials for companies on fungicides, herbicides and insecticides. Further to this, independent trials on all aspects of turf management to reduce the effects of pests, weeds and diseases can be carried out, including the use of wetting agent and biological pest and disease control. 

This work is carried out under and meets criteria set out by the pesticide safety directorate.

Contact Michelle Brook

Contact Mike Scott