Papers
1
Total Citations
9
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1
About
S. J. Sprague is a leading researcher in plant pathology and agricultural biotechnology, with a primary focus on understanding and managing blackleg disease in canola (Brassica napus) caused by the fungal pathogen *Leptosphaeria maculans*. Their most impactful work addresses the critical challenge of phenotyping quantitative resistance, a complex trait essential for durable disease control. In a highly cited 2021 study (9 citations), Sprague pioneered a comparison of non-subjective fungal biomass measurements to improve the precision of assessing the *L. maculans*—*B. napus* interaction. This contribution directly tackles the limitations of traditional, subjective visual scoring methods, offering a more reliable and objective framework for breeding programs. By advancing quantitative resistance phenotyping, Sprague’s research provides vital tools for developing more resilient canola varieties, ultimately supporting global food security and sustainable agriculture. Their work stands as a key reference for researchers seeking to integrate molecular and phenotypic approaches in plant-pathogen systems.
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