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Plant and Soil Sciences | Faculty

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Dr. Tom Evans


Education Current Courses Research
  • The emphasis of Dr. Evans' research is on the identification, etiology and control of virus and fungal diseases of vegetable and field crops. A major focus of his research is to provide a better understanding of how plants respond to infection at the cellular and molecular level. The main goal of his work is to reduce crop losses through a better understanding of epidemics and the development of resistance. Dr. Evans' laboratory currently works on the characterization of new races of the pathogen Phytophthora phaseoli, the causal agent of downy mildew of lima bean. Additionally his group is working on the development of resistant cultivars, and is developing a better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease and chemical and cultural methods of for its control. A new focus of his program is the evolution and functional genomics of P. phaseoli.
  • Study Abroad Activities
  • Dr. Evans serves as the University of Delaware's winter study abroad program co-director for Ecuador and the Galapagos(even-numbered years)
    Study Abroad
    Las Chagras, left to right Dr. Tom Evans, Dr. Cliff Keil, Dra. Rocio Bastidas and the real chagra at El Povenir in the Cotopaxi National Park.

    Study abroad in The Galapagos Islands (odd-numbered years)

    Pinnacle Rock 2005
  • Evans' Laboratory Current Research Group
  • From left, Bekki Helton (post doctoral fellow), Dr. Ayman Esh (visiting scholar, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt), Sridhara Gupta Kunjeti (Ph.D. student), Tom Evans (principle investigator), Nancy Gregory (research associate and lab coordinator),Juan Sebastian (research assistant), David Nesnow (M.S. student). Study Abroad
Professional Activities
Recent Publications

Davidson C.R., T. A. Evans, R. P. Mulrooney, N. F. Gregory, R. B. Carroll and N.R. O'Neill. 2007. Lima bean downy mildew epidemics caused by new physiological races of Phytophthora Phaseoli. Plant Disease

Evans, T. A., Miller, L. C.,Vasilas, B. L., Taylor, R. W., and R.P. Mulrooney. 2007. Management of Xiphinema americanum and soybean severe stunt disease in soybean using crop rotation. Plant Disease 91(2):216-219.

Evans, T.A., Mulrooney, R.P. Gregory, N.F., and E. Kee. 2007. Lima bean downy mildew: impact etiology and management strategies for Delaware and the mid-Atlantic U.S.. Plant Disease 91(2):128-135 DOI:10.1094/PDIS-91-2-0128.

Santamaria, L. T.A. Evans, R.P. Mulrooney, and R.B. Carroll. 2006. Evaluation of USDA and CIAT lima bean germplasm accessions for resistance to downy mildew, 2005. Biological and Cultural Tests (online) Report 21:V013. The American PhytopathologicalSociety, St. Paul, MN.

Santamaria, L. T.A. Evans, R.P. Mulrooney, and R.B. Carroll. 2006. Evaluation of lima bean cultivars for resistance to downy mildew, 2005. Biological and Cultural Tests (online) Report 21:V014. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.

Davey, J.F., R.P. Mulrooney,T.A. Evans and R.B. Carroll. 2006. Timing of fungicide application for the control downy mildew of baby lima bean, 2005. Fungicide and Nematicide Tests (online) Report 61:V040. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.

More publications [ + ]
Santamaria, L. T.A. Evans, R.P. Mulrooney, and R.B. Carroll.  2004.  Evaluation of baby lima bean cultivars for resistance to downy mildew caused by Phytophthora phaseoli, 2003.  Biological and Cultural Tests (online) Report 59:V107.  The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. 

T.A. Evans, L. Santamaria,,  R.P. Mulrooney, and R.B. Carroll.  2003.  Evaluation of baby lima bean cultivars for resistance to downy mildew, 2002.  Biological and Cultural Tests (online) Report 18:V028. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. 

Krishnan P., T.A. Evans, K. Ballal, and L.J. Kemble.  2003.  Scanning electron microscopy studies of new and worn fan nozzles. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 20(2):133-137. 

Ford, R. and T.A. Evans. 2003.  Tobacco Mosaic Virus (www.apsnet.org/education/K-12 PlantPathways/Teachers Guide/Activies/TMV/TMV/default). The Plant Health Instructor 10:1094.

Evans, T.A., C.R. Davidson, J.D. Dominiak, R.P. Mulrooney, and  R.B. Carroll.  2002.  Two new races of Phytophthora phaseoli from lima bean in Delaware. Plant Disease 86:1091.

Davidson, C.R., R.P. Mulrooney, R.B. Carroll and T.A. Evans.  2002.  First report of Phytophthora capsici on lima bean in Delaware.  Plant Disease  85:886.  

Dominiak, J.D., R.P. Mulrooney and T.A. Evans, 2000.  Fungicide evaluation for the control of downy mildew of baby lima beans, 1999.  Fungicide and Nematicides Tests (online) Report 15:V .  The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. 

Sedegui, M., R.B. Carroll, A.L. Morehart, T.A. Evans, S.H. Kim and R. Lakhdar. 2000.  Genetic structure of Phytophthora infestans populations in Morocco.  Plant Disease 84:173-176.

Evans, T.A.  1999.  Soybean Severe Stunt Nepovirus. Pp 88-89. Chapter In Hartman, G. L., Sinclair, J. B., and Rupe, J. C.  The Compendium of Soybean Disease, 4th edition, APS Press, St. Paul, MN. 

Mulrooney, R.P., T.A. Evans and R.W. Taylor. 1999.  Field evaluation of selected soybean
cultivars for resistance to soybean severe stunt virus, 1998.  Biological and Cultural Control Tests. Vol 14: 95.  The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. 

Elmer W. and T.A. Evans  1998.  Names of Asparagus Diseases, Plant Disease Notes. PhytoPathNews.  APS Press, St. Paul, MN. 

Soria, S. L., R. Vega, V.D. Damsteegt, L.L. McDaniels, S.L. Kitto and T.A. Evans.  1998.      Occurrence and partial characterization of a mechanically transmissible virus in mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) from Ecuador.  Plant Disease 82:69-73. 

Mulrooney, R.P., T.A. Evans, and R.W. Taylor.  1998.  Evaluation of selected soybean cultivars for resistance to soybean severe stunt virus, 1997.  Biological and Cultural Control Tests. Vol 13: 87.  The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. 

Kitto, S.L., T.A. Evans and R.L. Rojas.  1997.  The Ecuador Odyssey.  Chronica Horticulturae 37(1):17. 

Haynes, J., W.G. Pill and T.A. Evans.  1997. Seed treatments improve the germination and seedling emergence of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.).  HortScience 32(7):1222-1226. 

Mulrooney, R.P., T.A. Evans, and R.W. Taylor.  1997.  Evaluation of selected soybean cultivars for resistance to soybean severe stunt virus, 1996.  Biological and Cultural Control Tests. Vol 12:84.  The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. 
Vasilas, B. L.  R.L. Nelson, J.J. Fuhrmann and T.A. Evans.  1995.  Relationship of nitrogen utilization patterns with soybean yield and seed-fill period.  Crop Science 35:809-813

Miller, L. C., B.L. Vasilas, R.W. Taylor, T.A. Evans and C.M.Gempesaw.  1995.  Plant population and hybrid consideration for dryland corn production on drought-susceptible soils.
Canadian Journal of Plant Science 75:87-91. 

Tainter, F. H., G.L. Schumann and T.A. Evans.  1995.  Development of the plant pathology laser videodisc.  Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education 24:48-52.

Krishnan, P., T.A. Evans and W.G. Pill.  1994.  Threshing cylinder speed effect on Amaranthus
hypochondriacus seed germination - A preliminary study.  HortScience  29:652-654.
 
Pill, W.G., P. Krishnan and T.A. Evans.  1994.  Effect of priming on germination of mechanically threshed seed of Amaranthus hypochondriacus seed.  HortScience 29:655-658.

Schumann, G.L., T.A. Evans and F.H. Tainter.  1993.  An Interactive Videodisc Introduction to Plant Pathogens and Plant Disease.  American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN. translated into Spanish and French (1998).  APS Press, St. Paul, MN.

Evans, T.A., G.L. Schumann and F.H. Tainter.  1993.  A Plant Disease Interactive Video Image Glossary. APS Press, St. Paul, MN.

Pill, W.G., T.A. Evans and S.A. Garrison.  1993.  Forcing white asparagus in various substrates under cool and warm regimes.  HortScience 28:996-998.

Evans, T.A., G.L. Schumann and F.H. Tainter.  1992.  A Plant Disease Video Image Resource Database.  American Phytopathological Society Press, St. Paul, MN, 10,000 records.

Weldekidan, T., T.A. Evans, R.B. Carroll and R.P. Mulrooney.  1992.  Etiology of soybean severe stunt disease and some properties of the causal virus.  Plant Disease 76:747-750.

DeVries, R.M., T.A. Evans and C.T. Stephens.  1992.  Effect of asparagus virus infection on asparagus tissue culture propagation and persistence through culture.  Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 31:31-35.

Evans, T.A., G.L. Schumann and F.H. Tainter.  1992.  A Plant Disease VideoImage Resource.  American Phytopathological Society Press, St. Paul, MN, 10,000 images.

Evans, T.A.  1991.  Occurrence of asparagus virus I and asparagus virus II in Delaware asparagus. Plant Disease 75:1075.
 
Evans, T.A. and R.P. Mulrooney. 1991.  First report of watermelon fruit blotch in Delaware.  Plant Disease 75:1074.

Pill, W.G and T.A. Evans.  1991.  Seedling emergence and economic yield from osmotically primed or hydrated seeds of carrot (Daucus carota L.).  Journal of Horticultural Science 66:67-74.

Evans, T.A., R.M. DeVries, T.L. Wacker and C.T. Stephens.  1990.  Epidemiology of asparagus viruses in Michigan asparagus. Acta Horticulturae 271:285-290.

Evans, T.A., and C.T. Stephens.  1989.  First report of asparagus virus I in Michigan asparagus.  Plant Disease 73:273.

Evans, T.A., and C.T. Stephens.  1989.  Increased susceptibility to Fusarium crown and root rot in virus‑infected asparagus.  Phytopathology 79:253‑258.

Mulrooney, R.P., J.C. Windsor and T.A. Evans.  1989.  First report of wheat spindle streak virus in Delaware.  Plant Disease 73:444.
 
Evans, T.A. and W.G. Pill.  1989.  Emergence and seedling growth from osmotically primed or pregerminated seeds of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.).  Journal of Horticultural Science  64:275‑282.

Evans, T.A., and C.T. Stephens.  1989.  First report of asparagus virus I in Michigan asparagus.  Plant Disease 73:273.

Evans, T.A., and C.T. Stephens.  1988.  Association of asparagus virus II with pollen from infected asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.).  Plant Disease 72:195‑198.

Evans, T.A. and C.T. Stephens.  1986.  Effect of irrigation on radish cultivar reactions to common scab.  Biological and Cultural Tests 1:19.

Evans, T.A., and C.T. Stephens. 1985.  The first report in Michigan of the teleomorph of Stemphylium vesicarium; the causal agent of purple spot of asparagus.  Plant Disease 68:1099.
 
Levick, D.R., Evans, T.A., Stephens, C.T., and M.L. Lacy.  1985.  Etiology of radish scab and its control through irrigation.  Phytopathology 75:568‑572.            
 
Evans, T.A. and  C.T.Stephens.  1985.  Contribution of asparagus viruses to Michigan asparagus decline.  Proceedings 6th International Asparagus Symposium.  12 pp.

Hartung, A.C., T.A. Evans and C.T. Stephens.  1984.  Occurrence of asparagus virus II in commercial asparagus in Michigan.  Plant Disease  69:501‑504.
 
Webster, B.D., R.M. Ross and T.A. Evans.  1982.  Nectar and the nectary of Phaseolus vulgaris L.  J. American Society of HortScience 107:497‑503.

Blakely, L.M., M. Durham, T.A. Evans and R.M. Blakely.  1982.  Experimental studies on lateral root formation in radish seedling roots.  I. General methods, developmental stages and spontaneous formation of laterals.  Bot. Gaz. 143:341‑352.
 
Blakely, L.M. and T.A. Evans.  1979.  Cell dynamics studies on the pericycle of radish seedling roots.  Plant Science Letters 14:79‑83.

PEER REVIEWED RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS CURRENTLY IN PREPARATION

Baudoin, A., Evans, T.A., Carroll, R.B., Chun, W., and J. Eisenback.  (Eds.).  2007.
Laboratory Exercises in Plant Pathology: an Instructional Kit, 2nd edition.  APS Press, St. Paul, MN.
 
Esh, A.M.H. and T.A. Evans.  2006.  A new endoparasitic microorganism infecting plant pathogenic fungi.  Plant Disease  000:000:000.

EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS
 
Evans, T.A.  1991.  Virus diseases, In Delaware Soybean Production Guide.  University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 7 pp.

Evans, T.A. and R.W. Taylor. 1991. Virus diseases of soybeans. Soybean Facts SF-18, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
 
Carroll, R.B., Taylor, R.W., Mulrooney, R.P. and T.A. Evans.  1991.  Seed and seedling
diseases of soybeans.  Soybean Facts SF-19, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
 
Carroll, R.B., Taylor, R.W., Mulrooney, R.P. and T.A. Evans.  1991.  Pod and stem diseases of soybeans.  Soybean Facts SF-20, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
 
Carroll, R.B., Taylor, R.W., Mulrooney, R.P. and T.A. Evans.  1991.  Root and leaf diseases of soybeans.  Soybean Facts SF-21, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
 
Uniatowski, R., Taylor, R.W., Mulrooney, R.P. and T.A. Evans.  1988.  Delaware Soybean Variety Performance Tests.  Cooperative bulletin #17, University of Delaware,  Newark, DE.