Stephen R. Vann

Extension Urban Plant Pathologist/ Assistant Professor

Cooperative Extension Services
University of Arkansas
2301 S. University Ave.
P.O. Box 391
Little Rock, AR 72203
Phone: (501) 671-2229
E-mail: svann@uaex.edu

Education

B.S.- Mississippi State University, (Botany)

M.S.- Mississippi State University, (Plant Pathology)

Ph.D.- Texas A&M University, (Plant Pathology)

Service

Guest lecturer (UAF, local universities), science fair judge.

Research Emphasis

My interests are in the area of plant disease diagnosis and host-parasite interactions. I have more than 17 years experience in the diagnosis of biotic and abiotic plant diseases and disorders. My primary objective of this position is to address the educational needs of the urban population in the area of plant diseases. By definition, the clientele includes but is not limited to; 1) City and town residents, 2) Organizations that comprise the “Green Industry” such as garden centers, nurseries, landscaping industry, golf and sod industry, and greenhouses and 3) Master gardeners. Emphasis is placed on identification followed by problem solving aspects of infectious and environmental diseases in the home landscape and garden. Based on the increase in the number of horticultural plant samples that have been sent to the Plant Health Clinic at Lonoke, there is indeed a strong desire for plant disease information by such clientele as homeowners, commercial landscapers, nurseries, greenhouses, and many lawn care companies that operate in urban areas of the state. The Plant Health Clinic has served to generate much interest by non-row crop growers. The Master Gardener program has been an effective tool by which plant disease information has reached the public. As interest in home gardening and landscaping continues to increase, there is a genuine need for an accurate, unbiased plant pathology information source.

I routinely collaborate with Dr. James Robbins, Extension horticulturist, Dr. John Hopkins, Extension Urban Entomologist and Janet Carson, state leader for the Master Gardener program. Their input helps to identify specific areas to focus my educational efforts.
Written publications in the form of Extension fact sheets, Arkansas Gardening magazine articles, and other trade publications are emphasized in my overall effort. These generate additional interest in this urban based plant pathology program. In addition to radio and printed information, I have developed an urban plant pathology web page with a link to the Plant Health Clinic. This page allows homeowners and other growers to submit pest related questions directly to the Extension specialist.

During 2007, more than 2300 people in 60 Arkansas counties were involved with the Master Gardener program. Even though my primary responsibilities are in urban plant pathology, I have extensive knowledge in row crop plant pathology. The major thrust of my endeavors has dealt with landscape and nursery container ornamentals. I have also served as mycology director and plant disease diagnostician with Yoder Brothers Inc. in Florida. This company is one of the world's largest producers of cut mums and potted azaleas.

Cooperative efforts with other Extension and university personnel have highlighted my accomplishments during my tenure as diagnostician/urban plant pathology educator. This cooperation serves as the backbone to my successful Extension Plant Pathology program.

Publications

Vann, S.R., Patton, A., Spurlock, T. 2007. Take-All Root of Warm-Season Turf. Extension Fact Sheet Publication FSA-7560. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Vann, S.R., Patton, A. 2007. Rust of Arkansas Turfgrasses Extension Fact Sheet Publication FSA-7559. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Vann, S.R. 2007. Fire Blight of Ornamental Pear. Extension Fact Sheet Pub. FSA-7534. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
Vann, S.R. 2007. Hypoxylon Canker of Hardwood Shade Trees. Extension Fact Sheet Publication FSA-7557. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Vann, S.R. 2007. Branch Canker and Dieback of Leyland Cypress. Extension Fact Sheet Publication FSA-7536. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Vann, S.R. 2002. Black Spot of Rose. Extension Fact Sheet Publication FSA-7530. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Vann, S.R., Kirkpatrick, T., and Cartwright, R. 2002. Control Root Knot Nematode in Your Garden. Extension Fact Sheet Publication FSA-7529. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Vann, S.R., Milus, G., Cartwright, R. 2002. Rhizoctonia Large Patch of Zoysiagrass and Bermudagrass. Extension Fact Sheet Publication FSA-7527. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Vann, S.R., Robbins, J. 2001. Daylily Rust. Extension Fact Sheet Publication FSA 7525. Univ. of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Vann, S.R., Lee, F.N., Overton, R., Ross, W.J., and Cartwright, R.D. 1998. Evaluation of Kernel Smut Susceptibility in Southern U.S. Germplasm. Southern Division APS (presentation). Memphis, TN.
Vann, S.R., Overton, R., Lee, F.N., Thiesse, B. 1998. False Smut of Rice During 1998. Southern Division APS (presentation). Memphis, TN.
Holcomb, G.E., Vann, S.R., Buckley, J.B., 1998. First Report of Cephaleuros virescens in Arkansas and Its Occurrence on Cultivated Blackberry in Arkansas and Louisiana. Plant Disease 82:263.
Vann, S.R. 1998. Fruit Disease Diagnosis. University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. The Arkansas Fruit Grower 5:1.
Milus, E.A., Cartwright, R.D. Rothrock, C.S., Chalkley, D.B., Vann, S.R., and Winters, S. 1996. Wheat Diseases Associated With No-Till Cropping Systems in Arkansas. Abstr. American Phytopathological Society. P. 40.
Ammon, V., and Vann, S.R. 1994. Scanning Electron Microscopy of Sycamore Pathogens on Inoculated Leaves. Poster. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting.
Vann, S.R., Toler, R.W., and Miller, F.R. 1986 Growth Responses of Sudangrass Cultivars to Maize Dwarf Virus-strain A. Phytopathology 76:1107.
Vann, S.R. and Taber, R.A. 1985. Annellophora Leaf Spot of Date Palm in Texas. Plant Disease 69:903-904.
Vann, S.R., Toler, R.W., and Miller, F.R. 1985. Greenhouse and Field Screening of Sudangrass Accessions for Resistance to Strain A and Strain B of Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus. Phytopathology 75:1337.
Vann, S.R. Toler, R.W., and Miller, F.R. 1984. Reactions of Sudangrass Accessions To Strain A of Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus. Phytopathology 74:795.
McCracken, F.I., and Vann, S.R. 1983. Sound Can Detect Decay in Standing Hardwood Trees. USDA Res. Pap. SO-195, Southern Forest Experiment Station. New Orleans, LA. 6 pp.
Vann, S.R. 1982. Scanning Electron Microscopic Characterization of Four Major Sycamore Pathogens. J. Miss. Acad. of Science 27:1.
Vann, S.R., and Ammon, V. 1981. Incidence of Four Major Sycamore Pathogens in Two Plantations in Mississippi. J. Miss. Acad. of Science 26:8.
Vann, S.R. and McCracken, F.I. 1979. Activity of Systemic Fungicides on The Canker Stain Fungus. J. Miss. Acad. of Science 26:8.
McCracken, F.I., and Vann, S.R. 1976. Melampsora medusae Urediospore Levels in A Cottonwood Plantation. J. Miss. Acad. of Science 21:4.