Welcome to the Gevens lab!

My research program investigates the ecology of fungus and fungus-like plant pathogens for enhanced and integrated disease management to support commercial agriculture in Wisconsin. We have three main areas of focus: management of Phytophthora species pathogenic on potato and vegetable crops in field and storage, investigating species distribution and occurrence of pathogenic Alternaria affecting potato, and development of integrated disease management programming in potato systems to reduce reliance upon soil fumigation in managing key soilborne diseases. As the University of Wisconsin Extension Potato and Vegetable Pathologist, my program supports vegetable growers by providing research-based recommendations for controlling diseases during production and in storage. My research program directly feeds into my extension work.

Vegetable Crop Update Newsletter

  • Vegetable Crop Update – May 18, 2025

    In this issue: Disease forecasting updates for potato early blight and late blight | Damping-off diseases of vegetables | Cucurbit downy mildew updates

  • Vegetable Crop Update – May 11, 2025

    In this issue: Cabbage Maggot and its management | Early blight and late blight disease risk summary for early season in central WI | Potato Scouting Class – May 21 UW Hancock ARS (1-4PM)

  • Vegetable Crop Update – May 4, 2025

    In this issue: Lorox DF Special Local Need label approved for WI carrot production | Nitrate-N in irrigation water | Timing of reduced-risk insecticides, Colorado Potato Beetle Management | Considerations for early blight management

  • Vegetable Crop Update – Apr 26, 2025

    In This Issue: Seedcorn maggot and Asparagus beetle descriptions and management | Round up of pest, disease, and agronomic tools to support decision-making | Deep frost this winter limits potato volunteers and late blight risk in 2025

  • Decision support tool roundup – Spring 2025

    There are many online tools available to growers to aid in decision-making when it comes to weather-based risks. Here we feature a few of our favorites.

  • More Newsletter posts

Upcoming Events

  • Jul
    10

    2025 Hancock Agricultural Research Station Field Day Hancock Agricultural Research Station, N3909 County Rd V, Hancock, WI 54943

    Event information to be announced.

  • Dec
    02

    2025 MWFPA Processing Crops Conference - Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, 1305 Kalahari Dr, Baraboo, WI 53913
    Google Maps link

    The Midwest Food Products Association’s Annual Convention & Expo, hosted at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center from December 2-4, 2025, is your great opportunity to make meaningful connections with others in the food processing …

  • Jan
    12

    2026 Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic - Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI
    Google Maps link

    The Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic is Wisconsin’s premier agribusiness industry event drawing interest and participation from all confluences of the industry from throughout the Midwestern states. The program is held at the Alliant Energy Center each …

More events

Site Resources

Vegetable Crop Updates

Get the latest information about disease management in vegetable crop production in Wisconsin. To be added to the email listserv and receive this newsletter in your inbox, please contact Amanda Gevens.

Vegetable Disease Resources

Learn more about common vegetable diseases, disease risk prediction tools, and other online and print resources.

Interactive Weather and Risk Charts

View weather data and disease severity values in interactive charts for managing the risk of early blight and late blight of potato from a select set of locations in Wisconsin.

Vegetable Disease Forecasting Network

This map tool helps you visualize disease and insect pressure across Wisconsin based on degree-day models and NOAA meteorological data.

Field Trials

Here you can find reports on our annual fungicide and disease management evaluations.