Marc A. Cubeta

Professor Soil Mycology

Research Description

For several years we have been examining the phylogeny and taxonomy of fungi classified as Rhizoctonia based on DNA sequence analysis of β-tubulin and ribosomal RNA genes. Information from these experiments has contributed to our understanding of species concepts in Rhizoctonia and provided a conceptual framework for defining individuals and populations. From a population perspective, I am particularly interested in understanding the 1) relative contribution of asexual and sexual reproduction to the genetic diversity and structure of field populations, 2) genetic relatedness and distribution of fungal individuals in nature, 3) evolutionary processes such as gene flow and recombination that shape populations, and 4) genetic isolation or subdivision (differentiation) of populations associated with geographic location and/or host specialization. I am currently involved in a collaborative project with Stellos Tavantzis (University of Maine) to determine the genetic diversity and occurrence of double strand RNA elements (mycoviruses) in natural populations of Rhizoctonia solani and the role that they play in the parasitic and saprophytic behavior of the fungus. Information generated from population-based experiments will be utilized to develop novel approaches for managing plant diseases caused by R. solani .

Teaching Description

PP575 Introduction to Mycology (fall, even years) - This course is a survey of the fungal kingdom in context of phyla and classes. Systematics, ecology, biology and utilization. Illustrative material, cultural techniques in laboratories. Collection and paper required. (co-instructor, Dr. Larry Grand)

PP730 Fungal Genetics and Physiology (fall, odd years) – This course provides an introduction to basic concepts of genetics and physiology of fungi, with emphasis on saprophytic and plant pathogenic filamentous fungi. Current topics on evolution, cell structure, growth and development, gene expression, metabolism, sexual and asexual reproduction and incompatibility systems are discussed. Laboratory exercises are conducted on mutant isolation, sexual and parasexual analysis, genetic transformation, and RFLP and isozyme analysis (co-instructors G. Payne and M.Daub).

Professional Experience

• Present: Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
• July 1994 - June 2000:Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
• Jan 1992 - June 1994: Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Botany, Duke University, Durham, NC.
• June 1991 - Dec. 1991: Plant Pathology Research Intern, ICI Americas, Whitakers, NC.
• July 1987 - May 1991: Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
• Sept. 1983 - June 1987: Research Plant Pathologist, Asgrow Seed Company, San Juan Bautista, CA.
• June 1981 - Aug. 1983: Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL.

Research Publications (last five years)

2009

• Ferrucho, R.L., Zala, M., Zhang, Z., Cubeta, M.A., Garcia-Dominguez, C., and Ceresini, P.C. 2009. Highly polymorphic in silico-derived microsatellite loci in the potato-infecting fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 from the Colombian Andes. Molecular Ecology Resources.

2008

• Charlton, N.D., Carbone, I., Tavantzis, S.M., and M.A. Cubeta. 2008. Phylogenetic relatedness of the M2 double stranded RNA in Rhizoctonia fungi. Mycologia 100:555-564.

2007

• Ceresini, P.C., Shew, H.D. Vilgalys, R., T.Y. James, and Cubeta, M.A. 2007. Molecular diversity and phylogeography of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 based on sequence analysis of two nuclear loci. BMC Evolutionary Biology 7:163-184. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-7-163.
• Charlton, N.D. and Cubeta, M.A. 2007. Transmission of the M2 double-stranded RNA virus in Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 (AG-3). Mycologia 99:859-867. 
• Cubeta, M.A., Mozley, S.E., and Porter, D. 2007. Laboratory Exercises with Zoosporic Fungi. In Plant Pathology Laboratory Exercises and Concepts. CRC Press, eds. Trigiano and Windham, pp. 99-110 (revised from 2003).
• Mozley, S.E., Leander, C.E., Porter, D, and Cubeta, M.A. 2007. Concepts: Zoosporic Fungi. In Plant Pathology Laboratory Exercises and Concepts. CRC Press, eds. Trigiano and Windham, pp. 91-98 (revised from 2003 with concept examples).
• Rinehart, T., Copes, W., Toda, T. and Cubeta, M.A. 2007. Genetic characterization of binucleate Rhizoctonia species causing web blight on azalea in Mississippi and Alabama. Plant Dis. 91:616-623.

2006

• Gonzalez-Hernandez, D., Vilgalys, R., and Cubeta, M.A. 2006. Phylogenetic utility of indels within sequences of ribosomal and beta-tubulin genes in fungi belonging to the Rhizoctonia species complex. Mol. Phylogen. Evol. 40:459-470.

2005

• Abad, J.A., Moyer, J.W., Kennedy, G.G., Holmes, G.A., and Cubeta, M.A. 2005. An epidemic of Tomato spotted wilt virus on potato in eastern North Carolina. Amer. J. Potato Res. 82:101-107.

Other Research Publications

Book Chapter (last five years)

• Charlton, N.D., Tavantzis, S.M. and Cubeta, M.A. 2008. Detection of double stranded RNA viruses in the soil fungus Rhizoctonia solani, In Plant Pathology Techniques and Procedures, Chapter 14, pp. 171-182. Eds. R. Burns, Humana Press, 2nd Edition, Tocawa, NJ.
• Cubeta, M.A., Mozley, S.E., and Porter, D. 2007. Laboratory Exercises with Zoosporic Fungi. In Plant Pathology Laboratory Exercises and Concepts. CRC Press, eds. Trigiano and Windham, pp. 99-110 (revised from 2003).
• Mozley, S.E., Leander, C.E., Porter, D, and Cubeta, M.A. 2007. Concepts: Zoosporic Fungi. In Plant Pathology Laboratory Exercises and Concepts. CRC Press, eds. Trigiano and Windham, pp. 91-98 (revised from 2003 with concept examples).
• Keinath, A.P., Cubeta, M.A., and Langston, D.B., Jr. 2006. Cabbage Diseases, Ecology and Control. In Encyclopedia of Pest Management, ed., David Pimentel, Taylor &Francis, New York, NY.
• Payne, G.A. and Cubeta, M.A. 2005. Biology and Detection of Human and Plant Pathogenic Fungi. In Microbial Forensics, pp. 109-130. Eds. R.G. Breeze, B. Budowle and S.E. Schutzer, Elsevier, London, UK. 425 pp

Other Book Chapters

Education

• Ph.D. 1991 Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
• M.S. 1983 Plant Pathology, University of Illinois , Urbana, IL
• B.S. 1980 Plant Science, University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Professional Associations and Honor Societies

• Alpha Zeta
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• American Phytopathological Society
• American Society for Microbiology
• Gamma Sigma Delta
• International Rhizoctonia Committee
• Mycological Society of America
• Omicron Delta Kappa
• Potato Association of America
• Sigma Xi

Contact Information

Dr. Marc A. Cubeta
North Carolina State University
Department of Plant Pathology
Box 7616
Raleigh, NC 27695-7616

Tel: (919) 513-1227 (Office)
Tel: (919) 513-4840 (Lab)

Fax: (919) 513-0024
E-mail: marc_cubeta@ncsu.edu

Physical Address

Marc A. Cubeta
North Carolina State University
225 Partners Building III
851 Main Campus Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606