Dr Toni Petronaitis
Lecturer of Plant Pathology and Crop Protection - School of Environmental and Rural Science
Biography
Toni is a Lecturer in Plant Pathology and Crop Protection at the University of New England, Armidale. Prior to joining the University, Toni was a researcher at the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries in Tamworth for 7 years. Toni has a PhD in plant pathology and a Bachelor of Science with Honours in microbiology, both from the University of New England. Her research focus is on improving the understanding and management of diseases such as crown rot that affect winter cereals. In 2022 Toni received the GRDC Emerging Leader award (Northern Region) for outstanding contribution to grains industry research.
Qualifications
BSc Hons Microbiology (University of New England, Australia)
PhD Plant Pathology (University of New England, Australia)
Awards
GRDC Emerging Leader Award, Northern Region (2022)
Teaching Areas
AGRO311
RUSC490
Primary Research Area/s
Stubble-borne (residue-borne) disease epidemiology and management; Cereal grains pathology; Integrated crop disease management; Alternative (non-chemical) control methods for plant pathogens e.g., microwave radiationResearch Supervision Experience
Toni supervises Honours students (e.g., RUSC490) and has the capacity to co-supervise master’s and PhD that have a plant pathology and/or crop protection focus.
Publications
Selected Peer-reviewed Journal Publications:
Petronaitis, T., Forknall, C., Brodie, G., Simpfendorfer, S. & Backhouse D. (2022). “Killer Joules”: spores of Bipolaris sorokiniana and Fusarium species are susceptible to microwave radiation. Australasian Plant Pathol. 51, 433–440 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-022-00872-x
Petronaitis, T., Forknall, C., Simpfendorfer, S., Backhouse D. & Flavel R (2022). Stubble trouble! Moisture, pathogen fitness and cereal type drive colonisation of cereal stubble by three fungal pathogens. Australasian Plant Pathol. 51, 363–368 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-022-00860-1
Petronaitis, T., Simpfendorfer, S. & Hüberli, D. (2021). Importance of Fusarium spp. in Wheat to Food Security: A Global Perspective. In: Scott, P., Strange, R., Korsten, L., Gullino, M.L. (eds) Plant Diseases and Food Security in the 21st Century. Plant Pathology in the 21st Century, vol 10. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57899-2_7
Petronaitis, T., Forknall, C. & Simpfendorfer, S. (2018). Microwave radiation reduces survival of Fusarium pseudograminearum in durum wheat stubble. Australasian Plant Pathol. 47, 375–378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-018-0568-6
Link to Toni’s Doctoral Thesis
Full publication list, including industry articles, can be found at Google Scholar
Memberships
Australasian Plant Pathology Society
Australian Mycological Society
Australian Soilborne Disease Symposium (2024 Conference Committee Member)