Kira-Bowen-Auburn-photo-Headshot

Kira L. Bowen

Professor

Entomology & Plant Pathology

(334) 844-1953 

  bowenkl@auburn.edu 

  

Get In Touch

Address:
209 Rouse Bldg
Auburn Univ, AL 36849

Biography

EDUCATION

  • 1987 Ph.D., University of Illinois (Plant Pathology)
  • 1983 M.S., University of Minnesota (Plant Pathology, Minor in Agricultural Economics)
  • 1980 B.S., Pennsylvania State University (Plant Sciences)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2022-2023 Interim Department Head of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences, Auburn University
  • 2017-2019 Alumni Professor, Dept. Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University
  • 1998-Present Professor of Plant Pathology, Dept. Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University
  • 2004-2006 Editor-in-Chief, Plant Disease
  • 2000-2007 Research Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Auburn University
  • 1998-1999 Chair, Department of Plant Pathology, Auburn University
  • 1993-1998 Associate Professor of Plant Pathology, Auburn University
  • 1988-1993 Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, Auburn University
  • 1987-1988 Research Affiliate, USDA-ARS, Dept. of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University

SELECT HONORS AND AWARDS

  • 2018-2019 Served as President of the American Phytopathological Society (APS)
  • 2016 Elected as Vice President for APS
  • 2004–2007 Council Member for the American Phytopathological Society
  • Service on ARS Project review panels and NRI grant review panels
  • 2004-2006 Editor-In-Chief for Plant Disease
  • 2000-2003 Senior Editor for Plant Disease
  • 1994-2000 Section Editor for Biological and Control Tests for Plant Disease Control
  • 1996-2000 Associate Editor for Plant Disease
  • Spring 1998 Outstanding Graduate Faculty
  • 1990-1993Associate Editor for Phytopathology

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Research

AREAS OF INTEREST

Plant disease epidemiology; peanut disease management, including minimization of aflatoxin contamination; also disease management in small grains, corn, and cotton.

Courses

COURSES TAUGHT

  • PLPA 3000 – General Plant Pathology
  • PLPA 5050/6050 – Plant Disease Diagnosis
  • PLPA 7860 – Plant Disease Epidemiology

Publications

SELECT PUBLICATIONS

  • Lewis, M.*, I. Carbone, J. Luis, G. Payne, K. Bowen, A. Hagan, R. Kemerait, R. Heiniger, and P. Ojiambo. 2019. Biocontrol strains differentially shift the genetic structure of indigenous soil populations of Aspergillus flavus. Frontiers Micro. 10, article 1738. Doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01738
  • Gorman, C.*, and K.L. Bowen. 2019. Fungicide effcacy on Southeastern U.S. isolates Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Phytopathology 109:S1.18.
  • Bowen, K.L., A.K. Hagan, K. Burch, H.B. Miller, D. Moore, and L. Wells. 2019. Reaction of Cotton cultivars and breeding lines to target spot in Alabama. Proc. Cotton Beltwide.
  • Dang, P.M., M.C. Lamb, K.L. Bowen, and C.Y. Chen. 2018. Identification of expressed R-genes associated with leaf spot diseases in cultivated peanut. Molec. Biol. Reports pp. 1-15 (https://doi.org/doi 10. 1007/s11033-018-4464-5)
  • Damianidis*, D., B.V. Ortiz, K.L. Bowen, G.L. Windham, G. Hoogenboom, A. Hagan, T. Knappenberger, H.K. Abbas, B.T. Scully, and S. Mourtzinis. 2018. Minimum temperature, rainfall and agronomic management impacts on corn grain aflatoxin contamination. Agron. J. 110 95): 1697-1708.
  • Hagan, A.K., K.L. Bowen, B. Miller, M. Pegues, J. Jones, and R.L. Nicholas. 2018. Target spot-incited defoliation and yields of selected cotton varieties as influenced by fungicide inputs. Plant Health Progress 19:156-162. https://doi.org/10. 1094/PHP-12-17-0082-RS
  • Bowen, K.L. 2017. Plant disease epidemiology. Chap 22, In: Plant Pathology: Concepts and Laboratory Exercises, 3rd ed. Eds, B.H. Ownley and R.N. Trigiano. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
  • Bowen, K.L., A.K. Hagan, M. Pegues, and J. Jones. 2016. Yield losses due to crown rust in winter oats in Alabama. Plant Health Progress 17:95-100
  • Hagan, A.K., H.L. Campbell, K.L. Bowen, and L. Wells. 2015. Seeding rate and planting date impacts stand density, diseases, and yield of irrigated peanuts. Plant Health Prog. 16:63-70.
    Hagan, A.K., K.L. Bowen, M. Pegues, and J. Jones. 2014. Nitrogen rate and variety impact diseases and yield of sorghum for biofuel. Agron. J. 106:1205-1211.
  • Bowen, K.L., K.F.Flanders, A.K. Hagan, and B. Ortiz. 2014. Insect damage, aflatoxin content and yield of Bt corn in Alabama. J. Econ. Ent. 107:1818-1827.
  • Uppala, S.S.*, K.L. Bowen, and F.M. Woods. 2012. Pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination and soluble sugars of peanut. Peanut Sci. 40:50-51.
  • Sudini, H.K.*, C. Arias, M. Liles, K. Bowen, and R. Huettel. 2011. Comparison of soil fungal community structure in different peanut rotation sequences using RISA in relation to aflatoxin producing fungi. Phytopathology 101:52-57.
  • Sudini, H.K.*, C. Arias, M. Liles, K. Bowen, and R. Huettel. 2011. Comparison of soil fungal community structure in different peanut rotation sequences using RISA in relation to aflatoxin producing fungi. Phytopathology 101:52-57.

MAJOR GRANTS AWARDED

  • Southern Region Peanut Research Initiative of the National Peanut Board. “Determination of factors that contribute to risk of aflatoxin contamination.” $30,000 one year grant (2005) with N. Hill and G. Hoogenboom of the University of Georgia.
  • Southeast Peanut Research Initiative, National Peanut Board, “Development of an Aflatoxin Risk Index,” $102,908 (AL portion), with collaborators in Georgia (Dr. David Wilson, Tifton) and Florida (Dr. Ken Boote). Sept. 2000 for three years.
  • Southern Region Integrated Pest Management, “Improved decision making tools for management of barley yellow dwarf luteovirus by aphid vector control in wheat,” $112,470, G.D. Buntin (GA), J. W. Chapin (SC), K.L. Bowen, and K.L. Flanders, 9/00-9/02.