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You are here: Home⇒Research⇒Disease Resistance and Diagnostics⇒Dr Sandra J Chapman

Dr Sandra J Chapman




Plant Pathologist
Tel: +44 (0)1223 342205
 E-mail: Dr Sandra J Chapman


My responsibility as the Pathology Field Services Manager within NIAB is to deliver a broad range of variety evaluation and contract research programmes primarily involving field vegetables, oilseed rape, pulses, potatoes and cereals. The disease causing organisms employed to inoculate field trials are fungal, viral and bacterial in origin with insects playing a role, under controlled conditions as vectors of disease transmission. Glasshouses, growth room and laboratories play a key role in the successful maintenance, handling and diagnosis of pathogens and are frequently used to further investigate interesting findings observed from field data.
My main area of interest focuses on the physiology of infection processes and subsequent nutrient acquisition exhibited by plant pathogenic fungi and edible Basidiomycetes. Of particular interest is the secretory pattern of cellulase enzymes involved in the degradation process and the biochemical, molecular and immunocytochemical techniques used to study them.

Research Interests
Fungicide Interaction Trials
Genetic Improvement Networks
National List (NL) and Recommended List (RL) variety screening/disease ratings

Selected Publications
Cai, Y. J., Chapman, S. J., Buswell, J. A. and Chang, S. T. 1999. Production and distribution of endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, and beta-glucosidase components of the cellulolytic system of Volvariella volvacea. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 65 (2):553-559.
Chapman, S. J. 2002. Cellulolytic enzyme production, distribution and secretion in Volvariella volvacea. Ph.D thesis. The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Chapman, S. J. 1999. A Field Guide to Common Pests, Diseases and Other Disorders of Radiata Pine in New Zealand. New Zealand Forest Research Institute, FR Bulletin No.207.
Chapman, S. J., Ding, S-J., Chang, S. T. and Buswell, J. A. 1999. Hyphal disposition of ß-glucosidase in submerged cultures of Volvariella volvacea. Abstracts of the 3rd International Conference on Mushroom Biology and Mushroom Products. Sydney, Australia.
Hood, I. A., Chapman, S. J., Gardner, J. F. and Molony, K. 2003. Seasonal development of septoria leaf blight in young Eucalyptus nitens plantations in New Zealand. Australian Forestry 65 (3): 153-164.