About the Research

The research shared in this film is led by Dr. Jim Simon and Dr. Andy Wynenadt in the Department of Plant Biology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University.

For a list of recent publications, click here: https://fieldsofdevotion.rutgers.edu/about-the-research/publications/

More on the faculty’s research:

Dr. Simon leads the Rutgers University program on New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program, and works cooperatively with research groups around the world and in New Jersey seeking to develop standardized botanical products for health and nutrition. Research projects focus on culinary herbs (selection and breeding), Asian and African botanicals and medicinal plants, the nutraceutical components in fruits and vegetables and quality control for herbs and botanical products. Simon’s research is supported by NIH, USDA, USAID, and BARD as well as other public and private funding.

Dr. Andy Wyenandt is an Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology located at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) in Bridgeton, NJ. Recent research by the vegetable pathology lab includes examining the effects of various fungicide programs on phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) and anthracnose fruit rot (Collectotrichum spp.) control in bell pepper. Our lab is currently evaluating fungicides for the control of basil downy mildew (Peronospora belbahrii), a new and important disease of basil in the United States. In collaboration with Dr. James Simon’s lab, a breeding program has been developed to locate sources of resistance to basil downy mildew.

For more information about the research see the links below:

Rutgers Department of Plant Biology, Plant Breeding and Genetics Program: https://plantbiology.rutgers.edu/plant-breeding-genetics.html