Javier Gracia-Garza

Director General - Science and Technology Strategies

Fontaine Building (Gatineau, QC)

CURRENT S&T / RESEARCH - Advice and recommendations to the Minister of the Environment, Deputy Ministers and Assistant Deputy Ministers of Environment Canada on S&T strategic issues of concern to the Department and the federal S&T community

• Builds S&T Branch's national and international reputation through communicating and promoting results and benefits of federal S&T
• Communicates expert advice on current and emerging environmental technological innovations and oversees management and administration of environmental arms-length organizations
• Promotes strong links between the S&T and policy communities in Environment Canada and between the Department and the Canadian/international S&T community

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES / INTERESTS

Multithrophic interactions of organisms in soil, rhizosphere and rhizoplane

Microbial ecology, specifically beneficial organisms as biocontrol agents of soil-borne plant pathogens

Molecular markers to monitor plant pathogens and biocontrol agents in soil and in plants

Classical and molecular techniques for enumeration and characterization of plant pathogens

KEY PUBLICATIONS

Ravensdale, M., T.J. Blom, J.A. Gracia-Garza, A.M. Svircev and R.J. Smith. 2007. Bacteriophages and the control of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. 29:121-130.

Gracia-Garza, J.A., T.J. Blom, W. Brown, D.P. Roberts, K. Schneider, M. Friesen and D. Gombert. 2004. Increased incidence of Erwinia soft-rot on calla lilies in the presence of phosphorous. European J. of Plant Pathology. 110:293-298.

Gracia-Garza, J.A., M. Little, W. Brown, T.J. Blom, K. Schneider, W. Allen and J. Potter. 2003. Efficacy of various biological control agents and biorationals against Pythium root rot in poinsettia. HortTechnology. 13(1):149-153.

Gracia-Garza, J. A., T.J. Blom, W. Brown and W. Allen. 2002. Pre-plant and post-plant applications of copper-based compounds on control of Erwinia soft rot on calla lilies. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. 24(3):274-280.

Gracia-Garza, J.A., S. Neumann, T.J. Vyn and G.J. Boland. 2002. Influence of crop rotation and tillage on production of apothecia by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. 24(2):137-143.

Technical reports to support improved technology transfer.