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​​​​​Integrated Management of Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon

​ Nicholas Dufault is an associate professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida. His interests in agriculture and microbiology have led him to become a plant pathologist. His master’s degree and PhD are from The Pennsylvania State University Department of Plant Pathology; there, he studied the impacts of environment on Fusarium graminearum and the aerial dispersal of soybean rust. Before joining the faculty at the University of Florida, Dr. Dufault conducted postdoctoral research on the aerial dispersal of wheat rust in Pennsylvania. His program at the University of Florida focuses on fungal disease management of plant pathogens in agronomic and vegetable crops. One of his specific focuses is examining alternative management strategies for Fusarium wilt of watermelon, with an emphasis on pathogen etiology. Dr. Dufault has a teaching, research, and Extension appointment; he teaches the course on applied plant disease management and is the departmental liaison for the Doctor of Plant Medicine program. Dr. Dufault is working on ways to combine teaching and Extension principles to help develop effective training and courses that can be taught in person and online.