Achour Amiri

Achour Amiri is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University, affiliated with the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC). His work bridges applied epidemiology and disease management for tree fruits in the Pacific Northwest.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, University of Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris, France)
  • M.Sc. in Plant Pathology, Gembloux Agricultural University (Belgium)
  • Engineering Degree in Agricultural Sciences, National Institute of Agronomy (Algeria)

Amiri's research focuses on tree fruit diseases, particularly postharvest pathologies of pome fruits. He investigates:

• Applied epidemiology of orchard pathogens like Podosphaera leucotricha and Botrytis cinerea
• Development of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies
• Molecular tools for fungicide resistance detection
• Risk assessment modeling for disease outbreaks

His publications reveal trends in fungicide resistance mechanisms and molecular diagnostic technologies for pathogens affecting apples, pears, and cherries. Key subfields include:

• Botrytis fruit rot dynamics
• Penicillium expansum resistance evolution
• Neofabraea species detection
• Chemical control optimization
• Postharvest disease surveillance
• Genomic resources for fungal pathogens

Amiri actively engages in extension activities, collaborating with stakeholders in Washington's tree fruit industry through diagnostic services and research partnerships at TFREC's Overley Laboratory.