July 9, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CDT
Tar spot of corn is a recent and increasing threat to US corn production, but has been known in other countries of the Americas for over a century. The disease is known to be caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis, which has been considered the only Phyllachora species reported to infect corn until a recent study suggested that various Phyllachora species may infect corn and possess a broader host range. In this webinar, José will highlight his current research which focuses on identifying the host range and diversity of Phyllachora species associated with corn. His research aims to identify the diversity of Phyllachora species infecting corn and their host range, and to determine if other Phyllachora fungi that infect grasses can infect corn.
José E. Solórzano is a PhD student at the University of Minnesota, currently researching tar spot of corn, an emerging plant disease. Originally from Danlí, El Paraíso, Honduras, he grew up working with crops and animals, fostering a strong connection to nature. José earned a bachelor’s degree in Agronomic Engineering from the Universidad Nacional de Agricultura y Ganaderia (UNAG) in Honduras. In 2016, he participated in a study abroad program at Texas Tech University, focusing on animal production and food safety. During his senior year at UNAG, he received a research scholar position at Louisiana State University (LSU) to study fungal secondary metabolites. After completing his master’s degree at LSU in 2021, José began his PhD studies at the University of Minnesota, where he continues his work on plant disease research.