WVU Extension

Alan R. Biggs, Ph.D.

Biggs_Alan
Alan R. Biggs, Ph.D:
Professor of Plant Pathology and Extension Specialist
Kearneysville Tree Fruit Research and Education Center

Kearneysville, WV 25430
Alan.Biggs@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: 304-876-6353
Fax: 304-876-6034


Area of Expertise
  • Diseases of tree fruits
  • Woody plant defense mechanisms
  • Plant disease forecasting
  • Resistance to fungicides
  • Fungicide efficacy
  • Organic apple production

  • Program Responsibilities
  • Provide research and education on diseases of tree fruits to commercial fruit producers and homeowners in West Virginia
  • Provide oversight of the daily operations of the Kearneysville Tree Fruit Research and Education Center

  • Education
    Ph.D., Plant Pathology, 1982, The Pennsylvania State University
    M.Sc., Plant Pathology, 1978, The Pennsylvania State University
    B.Sc., Forest Biology, 1976, The Pennsylvania State University

    Selected Publications
  • Gleason, M., Batzer, J., Harrington, T., Guangyu, S., Zhang, R., Díaz, M. M., Sutton, T., Crous, P., Ivanović, M., McManus, P., Cooley, D., Yoder, K. S., Oertel, B., and Biggs, A. R. 2011. A new view of the sooty blotch and flyspeck complex. Plant Disease 95: 368-383.
  • Biggs, A. R., Cooley, D. R., Rosenberger, D. A., and Yoder, K. S. 2010. Relative susceptibility of selected apple cultivars to sooty blotch and flyspeck. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2010-0726-01-RS.
  • Sugimoto, T., Watanabe, K., Yoshida S., Aino M., Furiki, M., Shiono, M., Matoh, T., and Biggs A. R. 2010. Field experiments with two calcium compounds that reduce Phytophthora stem rot disease of soybean, and calcium distribution in plants using scanning electron microscope analysis. Plant Disease 94:812-819.
  • Biggs, A. R., Sundin, G., Rosenberger, D. A., Yoder, K. S., and Sutton, T. B. 2010. Relative susceptibility of selected apple cultivars and selections to apple scab caused by Venturia inaequalis. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2010-0408-01-RS.
  • Biggs, A. R., and Turechek, W. W. 2010. Fire blight of apples and pears: epidemiological concepts comprising the Maryblyt forecasting program. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2010-0315-01-RS.
  • Biggs, A. R., Yoder, K. S., and Rosenberger, D. A. 2009. Relative susceptibility of selected apple cultivars to powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera leucotricha. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2009-1119-01-RS.
  • Biggs, A. R., Rosenberger, D. A., Yoder, K. S., Kiyomoto, R. K., Cooley, D. R., and Sutton, T. B. 2009. Relative susceptibility of selected apple cultivars to cedar apple rust and quince rust. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2009-1014-01-RS.
  • Sugimoto, T., K. Watanabe, S. Yoshida, M. Aino, K. Irie, and Biggs, A. R. 2008. Select calcium compounds reduce Phytophthora stem rot disease of soybean. Plant Disease 92:1559-1565.
  • Biggs, A.R., Turechek, W. W., and Gottwald, T. R. 2008. Analysis of fire blight shoot infection epidemics on four apple cultivars. Plant Disease 92:1349-1356.
  • Dewdney, M. M., Biggs, A. R., and Turechek, W. W. 2007. A statistical comparison of the blossom blight forecasts of Maryblyt and Cougarblight with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Phytopathology 97: 1164-1176.
  • Grove, G. G. and Biggs, A. R. 2006. Production and dispersal of conidia of Leucostoma cinctum in peach and cherry orchards under irrigation in Eastern Washington. Plant Disease 90:587-591.
  • Biggs, A. R. and Grove, G. G. 2006. Leucostoma canker of stone fruits. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2005-1220-01.
  • Biggs, A.R and N.W. Miles. 2005. Variation in wound healing and resistance to Leucostoma persoonii in peach derived from embryo culture. HortScience 40:1585-1586.
  • Biggs, A.R. and S.S. Miller. 2005. Relative susceptibility of NE-183 apple cultivars to fruit rot pathogens in West Virginia. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 59: 72-77.
  • Biggs, A.R. and S. S. Miller. 2004. Relative susceptibility of selected apple cultivars to Botryosphaeria obtusa. HortScience 39:303-306.
  • Biggs, A.R. 2004. Effect of inoculum concentration and calcium salts on infection of apple fruit by Botryosphaeria dothidea. Plant Disease 88:147-151.

  • Awards/ Recognition
    West Virginia University, Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, Award for Outstanding Service, Academic Year 2002 – 2003, for an outstanding record of service to the University, state and community.
    Secretary’s Group Honor Award for Excellence from the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, for the project “NE-1006: Eradication, Containment and/or Management of Plum Pox Disease (Sharka).” This award was presented to all members of the project team; received in June, 2002.
    Secretary’s Group Honor Award for Excellence from the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, for the project “NE-183: Multidisciplinary evaluation of new apple cultivars.” This award was presented to all members of the project team; received in June, 2001.
    Lee M. Hutchins Award from the American Phytopathological Society. This award is presented annually and recognizes the best contribution, presented in one or more full-length papers, in research on diseases of perennial fruit plants; received in 1993.

    Committee
  • Leadership Committee at Kearneysville Tree Fruit Research and Education Center: Chair