Christine Smart
Goichman Family Director, Cornell AgriTech
Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section

My program has the goal of developing improved management strategies for vegetable diseases by increasing our understanding of pathogen biology and diversity under field conditions. Using this information, we provide growers with novel disease management options.
Interests
Biology and management of vegetable diseases
Host-pathogen interactions
Recent Research
Academic appt: 50% research; 40% extension; 10% teaching
Areas of research and extension emphasis:
- Vegetable pathology and disease control specializing in bacterial and oomycete pathogens
- Population genomics, genotypic diversity and effector complement of plant pathogens
- Detection and identification of vegetable pathogens
- Public engagement
Outreach and Extension Focus
Diseases of vegetables cause significant losses to growers in New York and around the world. My lab utilizes genomic tools to understand the diversity of plant pathogen populations. This information is used to identify and track pathogen movement. This information is coupled with applied research on host resistance and efficacy of available control products to provide science-based disease management options for growers.
Vegetable production in New York continues to thrive as we are fortunate to have a climate in which a great diversity of vegetables can be grown, and a knowledgeable and engaged group of growers. The goals of my extension program are two-fold. The first goal is to work with conventional, transitional and organic growers, seed companies, chemical companies and private consultants to improve vegetable disease management while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. My lab focuses primarily on bacterial and oomycete pathogens of vegetables. The second goal is to develop and promote partnerships between Cornell University and elementary school educators and students to increase awareness of agriculture. The two goals are very integrated, as much of my elementary science outreach work is focused on vegetables and nutrition. As the percentage of the population that farms decreases, it is critical to educate the rest of the population about where our food is produced and of the value of agriculture.
Selected Publications
View publications on Google Scholar.
Stack, GM, Toth, JA, Carlson, CH, Cala, AR, Marrero-Gonzalez, MI, Wilk, RL, Gentner, DR, Crawford, JL, Philippe, G, Rose, JKC, Viands, DR, Smart, CD, and Smart LB (2021) Season-long contrast of high-cannabinoid hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars reveals variation in cannabinoid accumulation, flowering time, and disease resistance. Global Change Biology Bioenergy in press http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12793
Vogel, GM, LaPlant, KE, Mazourek, M, Gore, MA and Smart, CD (2021) A combined BSA-Seq and linkage mapping approach identifies genomic regions associated with Phytophthora root and crown rot resistance in squash. Theoretical and Applied Genetics in press https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-020-03747-1
Peritore-Galve, FC, Tancos, MA and Smart, CD (2021) Bacterial canker of tomato: revisiting a global and economically damaging seedborne pathogen. Plant Disease in press https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-20-1732-FE
Vogel, GM, Gore, MA, and Smart CD (2021) Genome-wide association study in New York Phytophthora capsici isolates reveals loci involved in mating type and mefenoxam sensitivity. Phytopathology 111:204-216 https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-04-20-0112-FI
Barnett, SE, Cala, AR, Hansen, JL, Crawford, J, Viands, DR, Smart, LB, Smart, CD, Buckley, DH (2020) Evaluating the microbiome of hemp. Phytobiomes 4:351-363 https://doi.org/10.1094/PBIOMES-06-20-0046-R
Crowell, CR, Bekauri, MM, Cala, AR, McMullen P, Smart, LB and Smart, CD. (2020) Differential susceptibility of diverse Salix spp. to Melampsora americana and Melampsora paradoxa. Plant Disease 104:2949-2957 https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-20-0718-RE
LaPlant, KE, Vogel, G, Reeves, E, Smart, CD, and Mazourek, M (2020) Performance and resistance to Phytophthora crown and root rot in squash lines. HortTechnology 30:608-618 https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04636-20
Weldon, WA, Ullrich, MR, Smart, LB, Smart, CD, Gadoury, DM (2020) Cross infectivity of powdery mildew isolates originating from hemp (Cannabis sativa) and Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus) in New York. Plant Health Progress 21 Jan 2020 https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-09-19-0067-RS
Peritore-Galve, FC, Miller C, Smart CD. (2020) Characterizing colonization patterns of Clavibacter michiganensis during infection of tolerant wild Solanum species. Phytopathology 110:574-581 https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-09-19-0329-R
Toth, J, Cala, A, Stack, GM, Wilk, R, Crawford, J, Carlson, CH, Philippe, G, Viands, DR, Smart, CD, Rose, JKC, and Smart, LB. (2020). Development and validation of genetic markers for sex and cannabinoid chemotype in Cannabis sativa L. Global Change Biology Bioenergy 12:213-222 https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12667
Presentations and Activities
- Leveraging genomic data to help farmers manage Phytophthora. October 2018. Oregon State University. Corvalis, OR.
- Following sexual and asexual populations of Phytophthora. April 2018. North Carolina State University. Raleigh NC.
- Breeding for downy mildew resistance in cucumber. Cucurbitaceae. October 2014. Bay Harbor, MI.
Awards & Honors
- Awardee (2018) New York Farmers Club
- Fellow (2017) American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Outstanding accomplishments in applied research (2013) Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Excellence in the teaching, advising and mentoring of graduate and professional students (2012) Cornell University Graduate and Professional Student Association
- Fellow 2016 American Phytopathological Society
Courses Taught
- PLPPM 9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research
- PLPPM 7990: Graduate-Level Thesis Research
- AGSCI 4960: Internship in Agricultural Sciences
- PLSCI 4925: Plant Sciences Senior Portfolio
- PLSCI 4900: Reflection on Plant Sciences Experiential Learning
Contact Information
213 Barton Lab- Geneva
Geneva, NY 14456
cds14 [at] cornell.edu
School & Section
School of Integrative Plant Science
Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology SectionGraduate Fields
Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology
More information
Education
- Doctorate
Michigan State University
1992
- Bachelor of Science
Michigan State University
1986
- Doctorate
Christine in the news

News
Researchers have discovered a gene in hemp that helps the plant resist powdery mildew, giving the fledgling hemp industry a new tool to combat the prevalent disease.
- Cornell AgriTech
- School of Integrative Plant Science
- Plants

News
Christine Smart , a crop pathologist known for her leadership in protecting the health of specialty crops across New York state, has been appointed the Goichman Family Director of Cornell AgriTech , effective Oct. 1. Olga Padilla-Zakour will...
- Cornell AgriTech
- Department of Entomology
- Food Science