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I See Dead Plants: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Ed Zaworski
Plant Science Stories Rooted in the EverydayThe I See Dead Plants podcast shares the stories of people and plants, pests and pathogens, and the conflicts among them. Join us as we speak to the folks who are helping the rest of us live healthier, more productive lives through pest management research and education. We strive to make science accessible.
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- 6 days ago1h 5m
(S5:E17) The Return of the Jassid: New Insights on Cotton Jassid in 2026
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Issac Esquivel of the University of Florida, Dr. Phillip Roberts of the University of Georgia and Dr. Scott Graham of Auburn University. They discuss the ongoing surveillance and damage caused to cotton by the cotton jassid or two-spot cotton leafhopper. Additional Resources https://stop2scl.org/cotton/ https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/crop-production/alabama-cotton-jassid-update/ https://site.caes.uga.edu/entomologyresearch/2025/08/pest-alert-cotton-jassid-or-two-spot-cotton-leafhopper-on-hibiscus-in-ornamental-nurseries/ Time Stamps 00:42 Introduction to the Two Spot Cotton Leafhopper 03:03 Understanding the Cotton Leafhopper's Impact 06:13 Tracking the Spread of the Cotton Leafhopper 11:18 Current Status and Management Strategies 19:50 Overwintering and Migration Patterns 23:50 Geographical Spread and Host Preferences 31:13 Lessons Learned from the Cotton Leafhopper Crisis 33:45 Timely Management in Pest Control 37:46 Understanding Pest Interactions 41:45 Challenges in Targeting Multiple Pests 46:41 Evaluating the Impact of Cotton Jassid 53:06 Future Research Directions and Industry Response Zaworski, E. (Host) and Esquivel, I., Graham, S. and Roberts, P.(Interviewees). S5:E17 (Podcast). The Return of the Jassid: New Insights on Cotton Jassid in 2026. 9/16/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript
- 2 weeks ago1h 16m
(S5:E16) Bugging the Bugs: Inside the Insect Eavesdropper
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Emily Bick of the University of Wisconsin Madison. They discuss the work of Emily's lab with regards to the insect eavesdropper project. Tune in to learn how we can listen to insects inside of plants and how it might help farmers. Additional Resources https://www.bicklab.com/home https://www.npr.org/2024/09/02/nx-s1-5096781/short-wave-insect-eavesdropper Time Stamps 00:42 Introduction to Insect Eavesdropper 03:42 Emily's Journey into Entomology 06:33 Understanding Digital Entomology 09:18 The Concept of Insect Eavesdropper 12:24 Mechanics of Listening to Plants 15:21 The Technology Behind Insect Detection 18:06 Machine Learning in Insect Sound Identification 21:02 Practical Applications and Future Directions 39:46 Understanding Plant Sounds and Insect Detection 44:06 The Role of Technology in Pest Management 47:21 Future Applications of Insect Eavesdropping 53:31 Challenges and Opportunities in Data Collection 58:39 Vision for the Future of Pest Management 01:06:55 The Future of Digital Entomology 01:12:32 Communicating the Value of Insect Eavesdropping Zaworski, E. (Host) and Bick, E. (Interviewee). S5:E16 (Podcast). Bugging the Bugs: Inside the Insect Eavesdropper. 9/2/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript
- Jul 29, 20261h 17m
(S5:E15) Aisles Under Attack: Food Distribution and Plant Pests
In this episode Ed interviews Dr Sylvain Charlebois who studies food distribution at Dalhousie University. They discuss economics, logistics, the power of the consumer and more. Additional Resources Time Stamps 00:00 – Introduction: Why Food Distribution Matters 03:45 – How the Modern Food Supply Chain Works 10:30 – What Drives the Price of Food? 17:20 – Plant Diseases Through the Eyes of a Food Economist 24:15 – Bananas, Cavendish, and the Perfect Supply Chain 34:30 – Grocery Stores: The Hidden Science of Selling Food 43:15 – Why Farmers Grow What They Grow 51:00 – When Plant Diseases Disrupt the Food System 59:15 – The Future of Food Distribution 1:07:00 – Final Thoughts: Feeding the Future Zaworski, E. (Host) and Charlebois, S. (Interviewee). S5:E15 (Podcast). Aisles Under Attack: Food Distribution and Plant Pests. 7/29/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript
- Jul 22, 202649 min
(S5:E14) What's Lurking in the Lettuce?
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Jeri Barak of the University of Wisconsin. They discuss the work of Jeri and her lab on food safety and how in some instances plant pathogens can increase the chances that you encounter a human pathogen when eating fresh produce. Additional Resources https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.01330-22 https://journals.asm.org/doi/epub/10.1128/aem.01311-24 Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Microbial Research and Background 06:34 Transition from Marine Biology to Plant Pathology 09:56 Understanding Enteric Human Pathogens 11:46 Overview of Current Research in Food Safety 16:37 The Role of Salmonella in Agriculture 22:01 Interaction Between Plant Pathogens and Human Pathogens 28:34 The Role of Plant Pathogens in Human Health 31:19 Management Strategies for Bacterial Diseases 35:08 Future Directions in Research 39:20 Consumer Awareness and Food Safety 42:30 The Importance of Research in Food Security 48:21 outro with logo.mp4 Zaworski, E. (Host) and Barak, J. (Interviewee). S5:E14 (Podcast). What's Lurking in the Lettuce?. 7/22/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript
- Jul 8, 202646 min
(S5:E13) Cultivating Connections: Leading Extension Across Diverse Agricultural Systems
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Rachel Vann of the University of Illinois. They talk about Rachel's experiences with extension in different regions as well as her work with the science for success program Additional Resources https://resources.ipmcenters.org/resource.cfm?rid=45271&vid=30391 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Y18p4N_UI&feature=youtu.be Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Rachel Van and Her Journey 06:15 Exploring the Science for Success Program 11:44 Key Takeaways from Science for Success 16:28 Transitioning from North Carolina to Illinois Extension 21:54 Comparing Agronomic Practices in North Carolina and Illinois 22:22 Comparative Agronomic Systems: North Carolina vs. Illinois 26:14 Building Relationships in Extension Programs 31:53 Research Focus: Transitioning from North Carolina to Illinois 36:52 Advice for Transitioning: Making a Move 42:46 Communicating Extension to the Public 45:12 outro with logo.mp4 Zaworski, E. (Host) and Vann, R. (Interviewee). S5:E13 (Podcast). Cultivating Connections: Leading Extension Across Diverse Agricultural Systems. 7/8/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript
- Jul 3, 202632 min
(S1:E3) Alternate Hosts: What's Up with Fireflies?
In this epsiode Ed, Maddle Henrickson and Zach Schum talk fireflies just in time for the the 4th! In this episode we talk firefly basics and speculate on recent firefly news. Transcript
- Jun 17, 20261h 8m
(S5:E12) Seeing the Unseen: New Technologies for Studying Plant-Parasitic Nematodes
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Sebastian Eves-van den Akker of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. They discuss how Sebastian and his lab are using tech such a machine learning and 3d printing to gather data regarding plant parasitic nematodes. Additional Resources List of Contributors: Siyuan Wei, Jie Zhou, Olaf Prosper Kranse, Unnati Sonawala, Gang Sun, Ziyang He, Beatrice Senatori, Clement Pellegrin, Andrea Díaz-Tendero Bravo, Roberta Healey, Victor Hugo Moura de Souza, Vincent C.T. Hanlon, George Harpum, Tithira Wijayathilake, Adela Gaja Jezierska-Suwinska, Anika Damm, Kerry VerMeulen, Thomas Baum, Lida Derevnina, Ji Zhou, Sebastian Eves-van den Akker. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction and Background of the Speaker 02:45 Sebastian's Journey into Plant Sciences 05:43 Exploring Nematodes and Their Impact 08:54 Research Focus: Cyst Nematodes and Their Mechanisms 11:40 Drivers of Nematode Research in the UK 14:34 Innovative Methods in Nematode Research 17:47 High-Throughput Imaging and AI in Research 20:31 Logistics of Large-Scale Experiments 24:28 The Greenhouse Imaging Project 26:48 The Challenges of Lab Work 29:57 Designing the Imaging Machine 33:14 Collaborative Engineering in the Lab 36:23 AI and Nematode Detection 42:08 Building Growth Curves from Data 43:51 Nematode Interactions: Cooperation or Competition? 45:47 Genetic Screening for Nematode Traits 49:29 Future Directions: AI and Nematode Research 51:54 Innovations in Screening Technology 55:36 Communication Between Plants and Animals 56:28 Advancements in Nematode Management 01:00:26 Understanding Nematodes as Orphan Diseases 01:07:50 outro with logo.mp4 Zaworski, E. (Host) and Eves-van den Akker, S. (Interviewee). S5:E12 (Podcast). Seeing the Unseen: New Technologies for Studying Plant-Parasitic Nematodes. 6/17/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript
- Jun 10, 202645 min
(S5:E11) Attack of the Spray Drones! Part 2
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Tom wolf of Agrimetrix research and training. They discuss spray drones past, current and future, with regards to agriculture. Additional Resources https://sprayers101.com/about/ Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Spray Drones and Pesticide Applications 00:55 Who Operates the Drones? 01:17 Challenges of Pesticide Application with Drones 11:10 Practical Applications and Future of Drone Technology 14:37 The Evolution of Drone Technology in Agriculture 19:01 Challenges and Limitations of Drone Spraying 25:05 Cost vs. Efficiency: The Drone Dilemma 30:04 Future Prospects of Spray Drones 36:58 Key Takeaways for Farmers on Drone Usage 44:08 outro with logo.mp4 Zaworski, E. (Host) and Wolf, T. (Interviewee). S5:E10 (Podcast). Attack of the Spray Drones! Part 2. 6/10/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript
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About I See Dead Plants
Plant Science Stories Rooted in the EverydayThe I See Dead Plants podcast shares the stories of people and plants, pests and pathogens, and the conflicts among them. Join us as we speak to the folks who are helping the rest of us live healthier, more productive lives through pest management research and education. We strive to make science accessible.
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