Physiological responses of grapevines to invasive insects and pathogens
Plant Biology Seminar Series
February 2, 2026 @ 12:15 pm to 01:15 pm
108 Wartik Laboratory
University Park
Michela Centinari
Penn State University
Abstract:
Perennial crops such as grapevines experience multiple, often overlapping stressors over their lifespan, including invasive insects and pathogens. This seminar will highlight research from my viticulture program at Penn State focused on grapevine physiological responses to biotic stress, with particular emphasis on vascular function, carbon allocation, and water relations. I will present field- and greenhouse-based studies demonstrating how prolonged phloem feeding by the invasive Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) alters whole-vine carbon partitioning and water use. I will also discuss collaborative work with colleagues at Penn State examining how Spotted lanternfly feeding interacts with Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierce's disease. Together, these studies illustrate how physiological plasticity in perennial plants shapes responses to concurrent stressors.
About the Speaker:
Michela Centinari is an Associate Professor of Viticulture in the Department of Plant Science at Penn State. Her research centers on the physiology of perennial crops, with an emphasis on grapevine responses to abiotic and biotic stress in the context of climate variability and invasive pests such as the Spotted lanternfly. Her program integrates field experimentation with physiological and ecological approaches, and is carried out in close collaboration with colleagues in molecular biology, metabolomics, and genomics.
Contact
Charlie Anderson
cta3@psu.edu