February 2019 - 31

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Email Zeke Jennings at zjennings@greatamericanpublish.com
or call 616-520-2159
Spudman7
Q&A
WITH
Chakradhar Mattupalli
Chakradhar " Chaks " Mattupalli's
experience in agricultural financing in India
put him on a very different career path:
plant pathology. In dealing with growers on a
daily basis, Mattupalli was inspired by their
stories of dealing with plant diseases and
how they affected crop yields. He wanted
to help, and now he is a research professor
and Extension specialist at Colorado State
University's San Luis Valley Research
Center. Mattupalli has a bachelor's degree
in agriculture, a master's in horticulture
and a Ph.D. in plant pathology from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Could you share a little about your background?
Over the past several years, I have been working on soilborne
fungal pathogens affecting crops such as potato and alfalfa. My
last assignment was with the Noble Research Institute (in) Oklahoma,
where I utilized drones for studying plant diseases and came up with
ways to incorporate high-resolution aerial imagery for making site-specific
recommendations to growers. A common theme in my research involves
working on applied research projects that focus on development of disease
monitoring and management systems for improving crop productivity.
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What is at the top of your to-do list?
Since I joined this position two months ago, I have been
interacting with various growers, consultants and stakeholders in
the San Luis Valley to get an understanding of the problems that are of
importance in this region. Some of the immediate projects that I will be
working on include management of powdery scab and foliar diseases of
potatoes. I will also be working on projects that would incorporate drones
for high throughput phenotyping and plant disease detection.
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What is your focus
at CSU?
(It is) 60 percent research and
40 percent Extension responsibilities. My
program will focus on applied research
and building grower engagement
programs on disease management of
various crops grown in the San Luis
Valley, primarily in potatoes.
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What's your favorite way to eat
potatoes?
Potatoes have been my favorite vegetable
since my childhood, although I am used to eating mostly
yellows and reds. In my opinion, homemade potato fries
are a delectable way to enjoy potatoes - this is the only
exception where I enjoy eating deep fried foods!
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What is your biggest goal
for 2019?
My biggest goal for 2019 is to set
up an on-site state-of-the-art pathology
laboratory at the San Luis Valley Research
Center that will cater to the research and
Extension needs of growers and other
stakeholders in the valley.
What is the most common misconception about plant pathology?
During my graduate studies, one of my friends from a different scientific field was surprised to learn that I study
plant diseases and asked me if plants get sick like humans. I was really surprised and had to explain that growers
encounter myriad crop protection and production issues while growing crops, in contrast to the healthy-looking fresh produce
available in a grocery store.
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
Besides work, I enjoy spending time with my family. I
love reading books to my 7-year-old son and playing with
my year-old daughter. They keep my wife and I on our toes. The
San Luis Valley is an awesome place with lot of opportunities
for outdoor activities and we are excited to explore this beautiful
location and enjoy the wonders of Mother Nature.
Spudman * February 2019
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February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2019