Plant Pathologist / Crop Protection Manager

Job Description

Are you passionate about plant health and integrated pest management? Join our dynamic nursery team as a Plant Pathologist / Crop Protection Manager, where your expertise will directly impact the vitality and quality of our crops.

Title : Plant Pathologist / Crop Protection Manager

Description : The crop protection department focuses on the overall health of the plants within the nursery. We have a crew of herbicide applicators and a crew of pesticide applicators (insecticide, fungicide, bactericide, miticide, molluscicide). We also assist in fertilizer applications through late winter and early spring. The crop protection department works synergistically with other departments to help produce healthy plants for sale. This department scouts for pests and diseases, diagnoses crop problems, sprays pesticides, and advises other departments on IPM practices to manage issues.

Responsibilities : The Crop Protection Manager (CPM) will be responsible for responding to all plant related problems found by scouts or any other worker in the nursery. He or she will inspect the plants in the field as well as take samples. The CPM should be able to identify most common fungal diseases and come to a reasonable conclusion based on symptomology and spore morphology. It is not expected that the CPM will determine causes for all affected plants. Any diseases or disorders that cannot be tested in house or that are of major economic importance can be sent to Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory for diagnosis. Once a determination has been made, the CPM will determine a spray program as well as speak with the grower about IPM practices that may alleviate the issue in the future. The CPM is responsible for chemical selection and rotations.

The CPM will also order materials such as lime for the potting shed. In the winter, the CPM and his Supervisors will collect well water usage data and submit it to the NJDEP. He or she will make sure that all applicators have been appropriately trained and have all PPE for the job. The CPM and possibly other managers will meet with the NJDA, NJDEP and any other state or federal agency during inspections or audits.

Requirements :

• Degree in [CF1] plant pathology or related field
• Experience diagnosing pest / disease issues as well as abiotic disorders
• Experience with fungal structures under microscope
• Knowledge of ornamental insect pests
• Knowledge of integrated pest / disease management and able to produce crop specific management plans

[CF1]