Planet B612

Ep.48 – Plant Pathology with Sara Stricker

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In this episode, I talk with plant pathologist, and TikTok scicommer, Sara Stricker about plant fungus, science communication, and agriculture.

  • (0:01:19) The Plant Doctor and the PhD defense.
  • (0:02:20) The PhD process.
  • (0:03:57) Nerves, anxiety and a new job.
  • (0:05:42) Why TikTok?
  • (0:09:01) Vulnerability and coping with personal disclosures.
  • (0:10:45) The importance of visibility and being a role model.
  • (0:12:10) Who is your audience?
  • (0:13:20) Teaching and the journey to grad school.
  • (0:15:23) Advice for scientists joining TikTok.
  • (0:17:29) Making partnerships.
  • (0:18:50) Research into fungus and onion growth.
  • (0:20:24) Weather patterns and fungal spores.
  • (0:21:02) Chemical sprays and bacterial resistance.
  • (0:23:44) Why study this fungus? Microdochium nivale and mineral oil.
  • (0:25:20) The Muck Crops Research Station, The Growers Association and OMAFRA.
  • (0:27:42) The areas and origins of the fungus.
  • (0:28:21) Asparagus and Pears: Fungal spots.
  • (0:30:09) What can farmers do to combat this fungus?
  • (0:30:55) Intercropping vs Monocropping and disease.
  • (0:32:12) Crop rotation and beneficial bacteria.
  • (0:34:32) The micronetwork of fungi and how trees communicate.
  • (0:37:20) The grass is screaming.
  • (0:38:20) The Guelph Turfgrass Institute, lawns and helping the pollinators.
  • (0:40:48) International grasslands and the role of ecosystems.
  • (0:43:18) Vaccines and embracing the boring in science.
  • (0:46:46) Dealing with repetition: How to combat boredom.
  • (0:48:00) MineCraft, Animal Crossing and video games.
  • (0:49:16) Twitch.
  • (0:50:19) Killing plants and gardening.
  • (0:51:29) Woodworking and wood burning.
  • (0:53:11) Learning from Dad and small town living.
  • (0:54:52) What's next? Teaching, outreach and family.

    • Follow Sara on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sciencesara

    Follow Guelph Turf on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@guelphturf
    Follow Sara on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraMStricker

    Visit Planet B612 on the web: http://planetb612.fm/

    Follow Planet B612 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlanetB612fm
    Support Planet B612 on Patreon: https://patreon.com/juliesworld

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    Planet B612By Julie Laurin
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