Ricardo Delgado Santander

Ricardo Delgado Santander is a Researcher in the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University. His work focuses on bacterial pathogens affecting fruit trees, particularly Erwinia amylovora (fire blight), and their molecular mechanisms of survival, pathogenicity, and control. He develops advanced diagnostic methods using digital PCR and explores biocontrol strategies leveraging bacteriophages and environmental bacteria.

His research emphasizes understanding pathogen adaptation to environmental stressors like copper treatments, host resistance factors in orchards, and winter survival mechanisms in cankers. Key contributions include optimizing viability digital PCR for live pathogen quantification and characterizing antagonistic bacteria for biological control.

Delgado Santander’s articles highlight innovations in fire blight management, including strain-specific responses, rootstock infections, and sustainable agricultural practices through initiatives like the BACPLANT project. His work bridges molecular biology, diagnostics, and field applications to combat bacterial and fungal threats in pome fruit crops.