B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc. University of London
Room B9237, (778) 782-3336/4105
jwebster@sfu.ca
Current Research Program
My research focuses on the host parasite relationships of nematodes as parasites of plants (as plant pathogens) and of insects (as biological control agents).
The research explores the potential and enhancement of Steinernema spp. and Heterorhabditis spp. and their associated bacterial symbionts as biological control agents of pest insects, and the factors in the soil that influence the behaviour of these nematodes in their search for potential insect hosts. As well, the bioactivity of the bacterial metabolites is being explored and their role in insect pathology identified.
In plant nematology we focus on the control of Meloidogyne and biology of the pinewood nematode species complex. The influence of biological, chemical and physical factors on disease and the interaction of these factors in the rhizosphere is of special interest, especially as regards the development and spread of pine wilt disease.
Selected Publications
Isaacson, P.J. and J. M. Webster. 2002. Antimicrobial activity of Xenorhadbus sp. R10 (Enterobacteriaceae) symbiont of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema riobrave (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae). J. Invert. Path. 79:146-153.
Webster, J.M. G. Chen, K. Hu and J. Li. 2002. Bacterial metabolites. In: Entomopathogenic Nematology, R. Gaugler (ed.). CAB International. Pages 99-114.
Hui, E., and J.M. Webster. 2000. Influence of insect larvae and seedling roots on the host-finding ability of Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae). J. Inver. Path. 75: 152-162.
Stock, S.P. Z. Mracek and J.M. Webster. 2000. Morphological variation between allopatric populations of Steinernema kraussei (Steiner, 1923) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae). Nematology 2: 143-152.
Beckenbach, K., M. Blaxter and J.M. Webster. 1999. Phylogeny of Bursaphelenchus species derived from analysis of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer DNA sequence. Nematology 1: 539-548.
Hayes, A.E., S.M. Fitzpatrick and J.M. Webster. 1999. Infectivity, distribution and persistance of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae All strain (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) applied by sprinklers or boom sprayers to dry-pick cranberries. J. Econ. Ent. 92: 539-546.
Webster, J.M., G. Chen and J. Li. 1998. Parasitic worms: An ally in the war against the superbugs. Parasitology Today. 14: 161-163.
Ng, K.K. and J.M. Webster. 1997. Antimycotic activity of Xenorhabdus bovienii (Enterobacteriaceae) metabolites against Phytophthora infestans on potato. Can. J. Plant Path. 19: 125-136.
Evans, K., D.L. Trudgill and J.M. Webster (Editors) 1993. Plant parasitic nematodes in temperate agriculture. CAB International, Oxford. 645 pp.
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