Dr. Koon-Hui Wang

Agroecology

Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences

3050 Maile Way, Room 310

Honolulu, HI 96822

Office: Gilmore 307A

Phone: (808) 956-2455

FAX: (808) 956-2428

E-mail: koonhui@hawaii.edu

Areas of Interest

Nematode ecology, biological control, ecologically based pest management, sustainable agriculture, soil health

My research interests center on using ecological and biological control approaches to suppress nematodes and other pests negatively impacting cropping systems. Currently, I am investigating the manipulation of cover cropping systems, solarization, and conservation biological control for nematode and insect management. Using nematodes as soil bio-indicator, I am examining how these pest management strategies impact beneficial organisms involved in soil nutrient cycling.

Current Projects

Evaluating the potential use of imidacloprid and less susceptible banana cultivars to fight BBTV. PBARC.
Rehabilitating Ex-urea and ex-nematicide addicts: Demonstrating how a green manure/solarization system can be used to improve soil health while maintaining pineapple productivity. NRCS CIG.
Sunn hemp and its allelopathic compounds for vegetable production in Hawaii and beyond. Western SARE.
Improving and extending the superhero status of the sunn hemp to other growers in need. Western SARE.
Developing management strategies for a newly found plant-parasitic nematode, Helicotylenchus multicinctus, damaging banana plantings in Hawaii. Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Solarization and Cover Crop as Alternatives to Soil Fumigants for Hawaii Pineapple Growers.U.S. EPA Region 9.
Short-term methyl bromide alternatives for the Florida floriculture industry. USDA (CSREES), IREECGP (Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program)-Methyl Bromide Transitions Program.
Using cover crops to build an ecologically based pest management program for vegetable production. USDA (CSREES), Crops at Risk.

Downloads

Updates of Sunn Hemp Superhero Status (handout from 2009 Cover Crop Workshop) PDF
Strip Till Cover Cropping and Row-Switching Technique PDF

Videos

Sunn hemp for Soil Health and Nematode Management

Selected Publications

Wang, K.-H., C.R.R. Hooks. Plant-parasitic nematodes and their associated natural enemies within banana (musa spp.) Plantings in Hawaii. Nematropica (Accepted).

Wang, K.-H., B. S. Sipes, D. P. Schmitt, A. E. MacGuidwin, M. McKenry, TJ. Bliss, B.R. Kerry, and S. Costa. 2008. Plant nematological contributions to phytopathology. APSnet Plant Pathology Online, St. Paul, MN. http://www.apsnet.org/online/feature/nematology/.

Wang, K.-H., and R. McSorley. 2008. Exposure time to lethal temperatures for Meloidogyne incognita suppression and its implication for soil solarization. J. Nematology 40: 7-12.

McSorley, R., K.-H. Wang, and G. Church. 2007. Suppression of root-knot nematodes in natural and agricultural soils. Applied Soil Ecology 39: 291-298.

Wang, K.-H., R. McSorley, R. N.Gallaher, N. Kokalis-Burelle. 2008. Cover crops and organic mulches for nematode, weed, and plant health management. Nematology 10: 231-242.

*Saha, S., Wang, K.-H., R. McSorley, R. J. McGovern, N. Kokalis-Burelle. 2006. Effect of solarization and cowpea cover crop on plant-parasitic nematodes, pepper yields, and weeds. Nematropica 37: 51-63.

Wang, K.-H., R. McSorley, N. Kokalis-Burelle. 2006. Effects of cover cropping, solarization, and soil fumigation on nematode communities. Plant and Soil 286: 229-243.

Wang, K.-H., R. McSorley, A. J. Marshall, and R. N. Gallaher. 2006. Influence of Crotalaria juncea as an organic fertilizer and ammonium nitrate on the nematode communities. Applied Soil Ecology 31: 186-198.

Wang, K.-H., R. McSorley, A. J. Marshall, and R. N. Gallaher. 2004. Nematode community changes following decomposition of Crotalaria juncea amendment in litterbags. Appl. Soil Ecology 27:31-45.

Wang, K.-H., R. McSorley, R. N. Gallaher. 2004. Effect of Crotalaria juncea amendment on squash infected with Meloidogyne incognita. J. Nematol. 36: 290-296.

Wang, K.-H., R. McSorley, R. N. Gallaher. 2004. Effect of winter cover crops on plant-parasitic nematode population dynamics. J. Nematol. 36: 517-523.

Wang, K.-H., R. McSorley, R. N. Gallaher. 2004. Relationship of soil management history and nutrient status to nematode community structure. Nematropica 34: 83-95.

Wang, K.-H., R. McSorley, R. N. Gallaher. 2003. Effect of Crotalaria juncea amendment on nematode communities in soil with different agricultural histories. J. Nematol. 35: 294-301.

Wang, K.-H., B. S. Sipes, and D. P. Schmitt. 2003. Intercropping cover crops with pineapple for the management of Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne javanica. J Nematol. 35: 30-47.

Wang, K.-H., B. S. Sipes, and D. P. Schmitt. 2002. Crotalaria juncea as a cover crop for nematode management: A review. Nematropica 32: 35-57.

Wang, K.-H., B. S. Sipes, and D. P. Schmitt. 2002. Management of Rotylenchulus reniformis in pineapple, Ananas comosus, by intercycle cover crops. J. Nematol. 34: 106-114.

Wang, K.-H., B. S. Sipes, and D. P. Schmitt. 2001. Suppression of Rotylenchulus reniformis by Crotalaria juncea, Brassica napus, and Tagetes erecta. Nematropica 31(2): 235-249.

Extension Articles

Hooks, C.R.R., K. Chandara, D.Fallon, K.-H. Wang, R. Manandhar. 2007. The impact of sunn hemp cover cropping on belowground organisms and nutrient status associated with a cucumber planting. Soil and Crop Management SCM-21.

Wang, K-H., C. R.R. Hooks, and Antoon Ploeg. 2007. Protecting crops from nematode pests: using marigold as an alternative to chemical nematicides. Cooperative Extension Service, CTAHR, PD-35.

Hooks, C.R.R., A. Fereres, and K.-H. Wang. 2007. Using protector plants to guard crops from aphid caused non-persistent viruses. Cooperative Extension Service, CTAHR SCM-18.

Wang, K.-H., R. Dunn, and R. McSorley. 2005. Root-knot nematodes as pests of ornamental plants. University of Florida, IFAS, Department of Entomology and Nematology Extension Fact Sheet SP222

Hooks, C.R.R., K.-H. Wang, and D. Fallon. 2006. An ally in the war against nematode pests: using sunn hemp as a cover crop to suppress root-knot nematodes. Cooperative Extension Service, CTAHR, PD-28.

Wang, K.-H., R. Dunn, and R. McSorley. 2005. Foliar nematodes as pests of ornamental plants. University of Florida, IFAS, Department of Entomology and Nematology Extension Fact Sheet SP221.

Wang, K.-H. and R. McSorley. 2005. Effect of soil ecosystem management on nematode pests, nutrient cycling, and plant health. APSnet Plant Pathology Online, St. Paul, MN. Jan 19, 2005. http://www.apsnet.org/online/feature/nematode

Wang, K.-H. and R. McSorley. 2004. Management of nematodes with cowpea cover crop. UF/IFAS Edis. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN516 .

*Dover, K. Wang, K.-H. and R. McSorley. Nematode management using sorghum and its relatives. UF/IFAS Edis. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/Review_IN531

Wang, K.-H. and R. McSorley. 2004. Management of nematodes and soil fertility with sunn hemp cover crop. UF.IFAS Edis. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/Review_NG043

Wang, K.-H. 2001. Reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford & Oliviera. UF/IFAS Featured Creatures. http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/nematode/r_reniformis.htm

Technical Webpage

Wang, K.-H. and R. McSorley. 2001. Sustainable agriculture, agricultural ecology, and cover crops. http://agroecology.ifas.ufl.edu

CTAHR Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program