Research Projects
Publications
Steinrucken, T.V., Vitelli, J.S. (2023) Biocontrol of weedy Sporobolus grasses in Australia using fungal pathogens. Biocontrol. DOI: 10.1007/s10526-023-10195-5
Crous PW, Boers J, Holdom D, Osiek ER, Steinrucken TV, et al. 2022. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1383–1435. Persoonia 48: 261– 371: Keissleriella sporoboli, Leptosphaerulina queenslandica, Pestalotiopsis chiaroscuro, Stagonospora tauntonensis & Wongia ficherai spp. nov.
Steinrucken T.V., Vitelli. J.S., Holdom, D.G., Tan Y.P. (2022) The diversity of microfungi associated with grasses in the Sporobolus indicus complex in Queensland, Australia . Fronteirs in Fungal Biology 3. DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.956837
Crous PW,... Steinrucken T.V., Vitelli. J.S., Holdom, D.G., Tan Y.P., Shivas R.G (2021) Fungal Planet description sheets: 1182-1283. Persoonia - Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi. 46 :1, 313-528, Microdochium ratticaudae sp. nov. DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2021.46.11
Raghavendra, A.K.H., Bissett, A.B., Thrall, P.H., Morin, L., Steinrucken, T.V., Galea, V.J., Goulter, K.C., van Klinken, R.D., 2017. Characterisation of above-ground endophytic and soil fungal communities associated with dieback-affected and healthy plants in five exotic invasive species. Fungal Ecology 26, 114-124. DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2017.01.003
Steinrucken, T.V., Bissett, A., Powell, J.R., Raghavendra, A.K.H., van Klinken, R.D., 2016. Endophyte community composition is associated with dieback occurrence in an invasive tree. Plant and Soil 405, 311-323. DOI: 10.1007/s11104-015-2529-y
Steinrucken, T.V., Aghighi, S., Hardy, G.E.J., Bissett, A., Powell, J.R., van Klinken, R.D., 2017. First report of Oomycetes associated with the invasive plant, Parkinsonia aculeata. Australasian Plant Pathology 46, 313-321. DOI: 10.1007/s13313-017-0494-z
Steinrucken, T.V., Raghavendra, A.K.H., Powell, J.R., Bissett, A., van Klinken, R.D., 2017. Triggering dieback in an invasive plant: endophyte diversity and pathogenicity. Australasian Plant Pathology 46, 157-170. DOI: 10.1007/s13313-017-0472-5
Conference Presentations
Invited talk at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscapes (WSL) Biodiversity Seminar Series, Zurich Switzerland | March 2023 | "Biocontrol stories from down under: Insect, pathogen and next-gen agents"
Australasian Mycological Society Symposium, Wellington, New Zealand | November 2022 | "Developing a mycoherbicide to control giant rat's tail grass"
22nd Australasian Weeds Conference, Adelaide, South Australia | September 2022 | "Finding fungi to fight invasive grasses: developing a mycoherbicide for Sporobolus in Australia"
2nd Australian Biosecurity Symposium, Gold Coast QLD | May 2022 | "Endemic fungal pathogens as biocontrol agents of weedy Sporobolus grasses in Australia"
Ecological Society of Australia Annual Conference, Darwin Northern Territory (Virtual) | Nov 2021| "A giant rat's tale: prioritizing pathogens to develop a biocontrol agent against weedy Sporobolus grasses"
Ecological Society of Australia Annual Conference, Brisbane Queensland | Nov 2018 | "Unwelcome tenants, or essential guests: Do weeds take their microbiomes with them?"
Australasian Mycological Society Conference, Brisbane Queensland | July 2018 | "Making the most of the old and the new: Combining traditional mycology & meta-barcoding in the diagnosis of plant disease"
21st Biennial APPS Conference: Science Protecting Plant Health, Brisbane Queensland | Sep 2017 | "Diagnosing ‘dieback’: A protocol for determining the cause of endophyte-associated mortality in plants"
Ecological Society of Australia Annual Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia | Dec 2016 | "Age of Endophytes: invasive plants and their microbial residents"
20th Australasian Weeds Conference, Perth, Western Australia | Sep 2016 | "Is parkinsonia dieback due to the absence of protective fungi, or the presence of putative pathogens?"
Mid-Atlantic Mycological Societies Conference, Penn State University, Pennsylvania USA | April 2016 | "Dieback in weeds: lack of protective endophytes, or presence of pathogens"
American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Pasadena, California USA | Aug 2015 | "Endophyte community composition is associated with dieback occurrence in an invasive tree"
Australian Mycological Society Annual Meeting, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | July 2015 | "Endophytic pathogens, water stress and dieback in an invasive tree" - Award for Best Student Talk
19th Australasian Weeds Conference, Hobart, Tasmania | Sep 2014 | "Using genetic tools to diagnose dieback in Parkinsonia aculeata"
