Katerina Jordan, Ph.D

Research Interests:

My areas of research focus on sustainable turfgrass management and plant pathology/nematology of various horticultural crops. Ultimately, I am interested in studying plant-soil-pathogen relationships in order to develop sustainable management practices to combat diseases and other pests. My turfgrass research focuses on alternative management of diseases such as dollar spot and improvement of soil health in turfgrass systems to grow healthier turf and combat a variety of pests with an emphasis on root pathogens. I also study various diseases in other crops including potatoes, hazelnuts, apples. Finally, my lab does extensive variety testing for new cultivars of chipping potatoes to help potato growers in Ontario.

Service Responsibilities:

My primary service commitment is as Director of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI). The Institute was developed in 1987 through a collaboration between the University, the industry and the provincial government to conduct turfgrass research, provide information about turfgrass production and management to industry professionals and to educate current and future turfgrass managers. My other service commitment is to oversee the turfgrass disease diagnostic clinic housed at the GTI. The lab diagnoses samples from turfgrass professionals on golf courses, athletic fields and sod farms across Canada while recommending practical management options to mitigate issues.

More information about the Institute and the Diagnostic Clinic can be found on the GTI website: