Author Bio

Dr. Beckerman’s primary responsibility at Purdue University is to lead the plant pathology extension education effort in horticultural crops by developing and enhancing a close working relationship between the University, extension educators, and members of the fruit and ornamentals industries. There are two major approaches to managing plant disease in horticultural crops: Incorporating disease resistance, when possible, and utilizing fungicides, when necessary. Research in the Beckerman lab focuses on identifying the most effective and economically feasible disease management strategies for specialty crops growers, from apples to hemp to zinnia. Recent research on scab and bitter rot has been estimated to save apple growers $2k/acre, and been adopted from in states like Maine, Michigan, Georgia, New York, Minnesota, and Oklahoma.