LYDIA I. RIVERA VARGAS
	Catedrático , Ph.D.    LYDIA I. RIVERA VARGAS Catedrático, Ph.D. Departamento Protección de Cultivos. Oficina: Anexo Piñero 102 Tel. No.: 787-832-4040 Ext. No.: 2351 FAX: 787-265-5490 EMail: lydia_rivera@cca.uprm.edu

	Teaching and research interests:
	Tropical Plant Pathology/Mycology Molecular Plant Pathology Plant-pathogen interactions Research Projects T-STAR-97 (2003-2006) Characterization of Alternaria spp. occuring in onion fields and their interactions with bacterial pathogens and insect pests. Co-PI: Irma Cabrera Asencio- Entomologist, Dept. Crop Protection, UPR-Mayagüez Collaborator: Myrna Alameda - Microbiologist, Dept. Agronomy and Soils, UPR-Mayagüez Little work has been done concerning pathogenic fungi, bacteria or pests in onions since l920’s in Puerto Rico. We intend to use different strategies to characterize Alternaria spp. pathogenic to onions and study their interactions with common bacterial pathogens and insect pests. We propose to characterize Alternaria species using different strategies that will enable us to make fast and accurate diagnoses. (Fig.1) USDA NRI Project (pending) Genetic and pathogenic characterization of Colletotrichum spp. isolated from tropical fruits The proposed work aims to evaluate the genetic and pathogenic populations of Colletotrichum spp. causing anthracnose in a variety of tropical fruits and to examine cross-infection among host species. We will used various molecular techniques such as ITS of rDNA and AFLP’s as descriptors for delimiting subgroups within the genus affecting various fruit crops in Puerto Rico. Molecular data will determine relatedness among isolates and give us information on Colletotrichum spp. population (Fig. 2). Recent Publications: Bracero Acosta, V., L.I. Rivera and J.S. Beaver. 2003. DNA analysis confirms Macroptilium lathyroides as alternate host of Bean golden yellow mosaic virus. Plant Dis. Plant Dis. 87:1022-1025 Colón Garay, J., L.I. Rivera Vargas, R. McGovern and R. Rodríguez. 2002. Hypovirulent isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides induced resistance to anthracnose in detached mango fruits and seedlings. J. Agric. Univ. PR. 86(1-2):55-64. Rivera Vargas, L.I. ,V. Bracero Acosta, J.S. Beaver, D.E. Purcifull, J.E. Polston and E. Hiebert. 2001. Detection of Bean Golden Mosaic Virus in bean breeding lines and the common legume weed, Macroptilium lathyroides in Puerto Rico. J. Agric. Univ. P.R. 85(3-4):165-176. Rivera, L.I., Y. Lugo, R. McGovern, T. Seijo, and M. Davis. 2003. Survey of Colletotrichum spp. isolated from mango in Puerto Rico and Florida. Phytopathology 3 (6):S74. Rosa Márquez, E., L.I. Rivera, C.E. Ortiz, and A. Rodríguez. 2000. Hongos patógenos del cormo del apio (Arracachia xanthorrhiza) en Puerto Rico. J. Agric. Univ. P.R. 84(1-2):53-64. Mignucci, J., C. Hernández Bacó, L. Rivera Vargas, C. Betancourt and M. Alameda. 2000. Diseases and Pests Research on Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) in Puerto Rico. International J. of Mushroom Sci. 3(1):27-32. Vélez Rodríguez, L., L.I. Rivera Vargas, I. Cabrera Asencio y R. Rodríguez. 2003. Catastro de hongos asociados al cultivo de cebolla (Allium cepa) en la zona sur de Puerto Rico. J. Agric. Univ. P.R. (in review). Courses: Undergraduate PROC 4006 Tropical Plant Pathology PROC 4025 Summer Practicum PROC 4026 Undergraduate Seminar PROC 4995 and 4996 Special Problems PROC 5005 (Advanced) Plant Pathogenic Fungi Graduate: PROC 6015: Molecular Aspects of Plant Pathology PROC 6603: Research Methods in Plant Pathology PROC 6009 and 6010: Graduate Seminars PROC 6995 and 6996 Graduate Special Problems PROC 6999: Research and Thesis People: Graduate Students (Fig. 3): Juan Calle Bellido - Arequipa, Perú Jessie Fernández - Caguas, P.R. Luz D. Ruiz Candelaria - Añasco,P.R Undergraduate students: Ismael Badillo Vargas - Aguadilla, P.R. Sonia Carlo - Cabo Rojo, P.R. Merari Feliciano - Hatillo, P.R. Research Technician Agro.Víctor González – UPR-Mayagüez,P.R. Fig. 1. Alternaria sp. spores (confocal microscopy). B. Pure cultures of various Alternaria spp. C. Onions fields at Agricultural Experiment Station, Juan Díaz, P.R. C. Agricultural Experiment Station’s facilities, Juana Díaz, P.R. Fig. 2. A survey is in progress at experimental and commercial fruit farms around the island for the characterization of Colletotrichum spp. (A) Necrotic spot on soursop (Annona muricata) leaf. (B) Anona squamosa mummified and (C) healthy fruits. (D) Cashew fruit (E) Starfruit and (F) Citrus collection at Agricultural Experiment Station, Adjuntas, P.R. Fig. 3. Graduate students and technician at Plant Pathology A. Juan Calle Bellido from Arequipa, Perú, B. Jessie Fernández from Caguas, P.R., C. Luz D. Ruiz Candelaria at Agricultural Experiment Station and Víctor González technician at UPR-Mayagüez,P.R.