Plant Pathology Program

Mohamad Chikh-Ali, Ph.D                                                    

Associate Professor & Extension Specialist – Plant Pathology
San Luis Valley Research Center
Colorado State University
mohamad.chikh-ali@colostate.edu
Office phone: 719-754-3594 ext.16
Mobile phone: 719-480-4811

Research and Extension Interests

The pathology research and extension programs aim to help growers of the San Luis Valley to make educated decisions on the management of plant diseases of major crops, in particular potato. To achieve the objectives of the pathology program, we conduct laboratory and field research projects to address issues facing growers and translate the outcomes to management practices that can be adapted by the growers of the San Luis Valley. Our research interests include the characterization of plant pathogens, diagnosis, epidemiology, and management of plant diseases. Our extension program focuses on the identification of research priorities, and the dissemination of knowledge generated through research projects to growers and stakeholders using diverse communication tools.

Recent Publications

• Aslam, H.M.U., Daniel, J. and Chikh-Ali, M., 2025. First report of Pythium ultimum causing Pythium leak disease in potatoes in Colorado. Plant Disease First Look.
• Aslam, H.M.U., Daniel, J. and Chikh-Ali, M., 2025. Elucidating the Diversity of Fusarium Species Causing Potato Dry Rot in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Plant Disease First Look.
• Chikh-Ali, Mohamad, Jeremy Daniel, Hafiz Mohammad Usman Aslam, Bright Agindotan, and Amy O. Charkowski., 2025. Development of a Duplex Immunocapture Reverse-Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction for Large-Scale Detection of Potato Mop-Top Virus in Dormant Potato Tubers. Plant Disease First Look.
• Rushton, J., Larsen, B., Houser, A., Pitt, W.J., Charkowski, A.O., Chikh-Ali, M. and Nalam, V.J., 2024. Detection and Characterization of Potato Virus Y (PVY) Strains and Mixed Infections in San Luis Valley, Colorado. PhytoFrontiers™, 4(4), pp.746-759.
• Daniel, J. and Chikh-Ali, M., 2024. First report of potato pink rot caused by Phytophthora erythroseptica in Colorado. Plant Disease, 108(12), p.3663.
• Daniel, J. and Chikh-Ali, M., 2024. Dynamics of Potato Virus Y Infection Pressure and Strain Composition in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Plant Disease, pp.PDIS-10.