Robert P. Esser

 Phone: 352-372-3505
      
 SUPERVISORY: 
     In charge of Nernatology Bureau from 1960-1967 and 1982-1984 (Biennium)
 PROCESSING AND NEMATODE HANDLING
METHODOLOGY:
     1)   California can (introduced and tested in 1966)
     2)   Centrifuge method (introduced and tested in 1961)
     3)   Cyst processing procedures (original)
     4)   Devised a new en-face technique
     5)   Fenwick can (introduced and tested in 1960)
     6)   Foliar nematode diagnostic method (original)
     7)   Four minute fixation method (original)
     8)   Oostenbrink apparatus (introduced and tested in 1960)
     9)   Post Baermann funnel technique (original) 1958
     10)  Processing methods m1meo (1962) N-47
     11)  Seinhorst elutriator (introduced and used 1959-1960)
     12)  Steam Kettle and Pasta Sieve soil processing tandem (introduced 1987 and now in use)
          (original)
     13)  Cover support technique (original)
     14)  Water agar cell technique 1957
     15)  Iodine fixation technique 1990
     16)  Baermann funnel holder
     17)  Pegboard apparatus supports
     18)  Soil sampling tool (Merit award) idea and co-inventer.  Since its introduction in 1965, no
          better tool has appeared.  It has saved hundreds of sampling time hours by field personnel. 
          It has been adapted by IFAS, Georgia and Bermuda.
     
 NEMATODE CODE:

     Established 1960.  A total of 223 genera and 5,263 species have been encoded as of 1991. 
     The entire code is in a computer mode for multi-purpose access.  This code has saved
     many hundreds of hours in Nematologist, technician, and secretarial time since its
     inception.
     
 EDUCATION:

     1) Constructed burrowing nematode models, male and female (1958)
     2) Lectures at University of Florida
        Biology department (Invertebrate Zoology) since 1960 Nematology department
(Quarantine) since 1972     
        Soils department (Microbiology) since 1969
     3) Promoted and headed up first field trilogy school (1961)
     4) Wrote original trainee school course in its entirety
     5) State Science Fair Judge (2 years)
     6) Designed a comprehensive laboratory technician training program
     7) Established first technician training manual 
     8) Slide talks prepared and permanently available:
     A)  Cyst nematode
     B)  Biological control
     C)  Burrowing nematode
     D)  Invertebrate zoology
     E)  Sanitation
     F)  Generalized : This talk has been duplicated and purchased by the following geographical
areas:
          a)  India
          b)  Netherlands
          C) Pakistan
          d) South Africa
          e) USA: California     
                  Florida
                  Georgia

 SAFETY:

     1) Organized first DPI safety committee (defunct)
     2) Established eye wash kits in appropriate areas in DPI
     3) Established chemical safety wall charts in appropriate areas of DPI
     4) Instigated locking file cabinets to wall to prevent injury by double drawer open tip over
     5) Established (by committee) guidelines for space fumigation safety
     6) Devised eye injury emergency treatment chart

 PUBLICATIONS:
     A total of 197 publications
    
 TAXON0MY:

     1)  Subfamily erected: Verutinae
     2)  Genera erected: Meloidodera, Verutus
     3)Species described:
                          Meloidodera floridensis
                          Hemicriconemoides chitwoodi
                          Hemicriconemoides minutus
                          Hemicriconemoides strictathecatus
                          Verutus volvingentus
                          Xiphinema macrostylum
                          Tylenchulus graminus
                          Tylenchulus palustris
                          Merlinius paniculoides
                          Ogma floridensis
                          Criconemlla omicauda

 Taxonomic compendia and keys have been devised for the following taxons and
 categories:


A)   Belonolaimus                K)  Heterodera
B)   Bursaphelenchus             L)  Hoplolaimus
Q    Criconerna                  M)  Longidorus
D)   Criconemoides               N)  Meloidogyne
E)   Criconernatidnae            0)  Monochidae
F)   Discocriconemella           P)  Paratylenchus
G)   Dolichodorus                Q)  Pratylenchus
H)   Gracilacus                  R)  Trichodorus
I)   Hernicriconemoides          S)   Xiphinerna
J)   Hemicycliophora
     


 REGULATORY:

    1) Turf regulations.  Devised for Florida and Georgia in 1964
    2) Organization of first "Society of Nernatologist" regulatory colloquium
    3) Survey of North American regulatory nernatology (published results)
    
 DATA RETRIEVAL REFERENCE FILES ESTABLISHED:


     1)  DPI reprint file by author
     2)  DPI taxonomic file by phytoparasite
     3)  DPI publications in nernatology
     4)  Control:
          A) chemical (1960)
          B)  hot water ( 1 960)
     5) Geographic distribution of nematodes (World) 1961
     6) Host (I 959)
     7) Map (I 980)
     8) Natural classification (1978)
     9) Photo (1959)
    10) Phytoparasite ( 1 959)
    11) Slide 2X2
    12) Subject general (1962)
    13) Taxonomic comprehensive (1969)
    14) Taxonomic phytoparasite (1961)
     
 SANITATION:

     In 1965 a survey of sanitation in Florida nurseries resulting in establishment of a state wide
     sanitation program.
     1) A sanitation slide tale has been prepared which is used in all DPI training classes and
nursery
     talks.
     2) A large chart of sanitation was prepared that hangs in nurseries throughout Florida.
      I consider sanitation one of my most productive accomplishements.

SURVEYS: The following comprehensive surveys have been conducted in Florida. The principal pest detected for the first time was pinewood nematode. 1) Biological control 2) Citrus grove 3) Aquatic plant 4) Corn 5) Cabbage (sugar beet nematode) 6) Pinewood nematode 7) Fire ant biological control agent survey 8) Grape survey 9) Sanitation survey 10) Lethal yellows survey 11) Golden nematode of potato 12) Honeybee: Biological control 13) Soil pit and compost 14) "Natural Area" University of Florida A collection methods mimeo was prepared in 1958. A comprehensive survey manual has been completed which will be hopefully printed in 1996. COLLECTIONS: 1) Bottle specimens-Extensive 2) Bottle symptom specimens-Extensive 3) Stock identified specimens-Limited 4) Specimen slides-Extensive COMPUTER: 1) Devised citrus nematode date retrieval program ( 1 98 1) (not implemented) 2) Devised Nernatology publication retrieval program (implemented) 3) Provided basic data that placed all species and genera of nematodes in Nernatology Bureau computer in a coded and encoded format (implemented) PHOTOGRAPHY: Two innovations in photographic methodology have been developed and published SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATIONS: 1) Associate editor Society of Nernatologist (2 years) 2) Co-editor Nernatology Newsletter (Society of Nernatologist) (3 years) 3) Data retrieval committee, Society of Nernatologist (member and chairman) 4) Executive committee Society of Nernatologist (3 years) 5) Florida Nematology Forum co-organizer 6) Member Interscience Consortium For Plant Protection, representing the Societ Nematologist (3 years) 7) Chairman Joint Task Force Group "Standard Methods for Examination of Water" 8) Member Systematics Resources, Committee Society of Nematologist FORMS DEVISED: 1) Diagnostic slips (1960) Exhibit 1 2) Field collection slips (1972) Exhibit 2 3) Laboratory analysis form (I 97 1) Exhibit 3 4) Pathological problem form (I 959) obsolete 5) Plant parasitic nematode list (1961) Exhibit 4 6) NCR paper, for use with diagnostic slips (conceived by Esser and Seymour) Exhibit 5 7) Numbered manuscript paper (merit award) COMPOST INVESTIGATION: 1) Early in 1993, 1 joined a Compost Regulatory Task Force established by the commissioner of agriculture. 2) Compiled compost data, conducted a National Compost Survey. 3) Gave two compost lectures; a) At a meeting in Orlando entitled "National Survey, and a Southeastern meeting in Clearwater entitled "Composting Guidelines." 4) Published: a) National Composting Survey Results - I lp. b) "Composting Guidelines for Florida Composter - 22p. EARTHWORM MALADY: I In 1960-61 disease appeared in Florida earthworm growing operations that wiped out several worm farms and threatened the entire industry. I investigated the problem, coordinated research and was instrumental in the formation of a worm farmers organization formed to combat the disease. I accumulated a considerable amount of data concerning earthworms and statewide earthworm problems have come to me since 196 1. SEED AND GALL NEMATODE: Completed a Seed and Gall nematode comprehensive synopsis for a computer projected program in England. SAMPLES DIAGNOSED: 124,000 BIOLOGICAL CONTROL: Biological Control interactions between nematodes ad a variety of organisms that prey on nematodes have been studied in and out of culture since 1962. Twenty-four biological control publications have been produced and an illustrated guide to species of fungi attacking nematodes prepared. A number of predacious organisms have been detected in Florida for the first time, such as Pasteuria penetrans and Dactylella megalospora. P. penetrans has been the subject of considerable research at the University of Florida. Several predacious fungal cultures have been deposited in the "American Type Culture Collection" in Maryland.


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