Research
Plant pathology, mycotoxins, and the genomics of Fusarium.
A working record of peer-reviewed publications, conference work, and current research threads at the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center. Updated as new outputs land.
Current focus
- Predictive modeling of mycotoxin accumulation in silage corn fields under variable climate conditions.
- Whole-genome sequencing of Fusarium species complex isolates using Oxford Nanopore platforms, with downstream de novo assembly, antiSMASH-based secondary metabolite analysis, and chemical profiling for mycotoxin biosynthesis pathways.
- Postbiotic additives and their effect on anaerobic fermentation and forage quality of corn and alfalfa silage — in collaboration with university and industry partners.
- Fungicide resistance evolution and the impact of climate on pathogen population dynamics.
- Method development for metagenomic-quality DNA extraction from complex plant–microbial matrices.
Peer-reviewed publications
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Chibuogwu, M. O., Panke-Buisse, K., Stonoha-Arther, C., & McClure, J. (2026). Complete Reference Genome Resource Announcement: De Novo Genome Assembly and Functional Annotation for the Plant Pathogen Fusarium cerealis. Phytopathology First Look.
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Chibuogwu, M. O., Gritti, V. C., Panke-Buisse, K., & Nussio, L. G. (2025). Influence of heat stimulus temperature and ensiling temperature on growth and performance of silage inoculants. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 328, 116446.
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Chibuogwu, M. O., Mueller, B., Groves, C. L., Tenuta, A. U., Chilvers, M. I., Wise, K. A., & Smith, D. (2025). Where's DON? Understanding where deoxynivalenol accumulates in corn silage. Crop Protection Network, CPN-5018.
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Chibuogwu, M. O., Reed, H., Groves, C. L., Mueller, B., Barrett-Wilt, G., & Smith, D. (2024). Effects of hybrid class and ensiling duration on the accumulation of deoxynivalenol and the relationship with its derivative, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside while ensiling corn for silage. Plant Disease (in press).
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Chibuogwu, M. O., Groves, C. L., Mueller, B., & Smith, D. (2024). Effect of fungicide application and corn hybrid class on the presence of Fusarium graminearum and the concentration of deoxynivalenol in ear and stalk parts of corn (Zea mays) used for silage. Plant Disease, 108, 2090–2095.
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Chibuogwu, M. O., Mueller, B., Groves, C. L., & Smith, D. (2023). Impact of fungicides on dual-purpose and brown midrib Zea mays hybrids used for silage in Wisconsin. Plant Health Progress, 24, 462–467.
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Webster, R. W., Chibuogwu, M. O., Reed, H., Mueller, B., Groves, C. L., Tenuta, A. U., Chilvers, M. I., Wise, K. A., & Smith, D. (2021). Disease development and deoxynivalenol accumulation in silage corn. Crop Protection Network.
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Shittu, H. O., Aghogban, O. N., Akaluzia, H. C., & Chibuogwu, M. O. (2017). A comparison of callus production from Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf, cotyledon, and stem explants using 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and kinetin for media supplementation. S.A.U. Science-Tech Journal, 2(1), 1–6.
In progress / under review
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Chibuogwu, M. O., Panke-Buisse, K., Olson, E. G., Bleier, J., Scheaffer, A. N., & Ricke, S. C. How a postbiotic yeast fermentate influences anaerobic fermentation and forage quality of corn and alfalfa. (In progress)
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Chibuogwu, M. O., Panke-Buisse, K., Bleier, J., Stonoha-Arther, C., Costello, M., & McClure, J. Efficient extraction of metagenomic-quality DNA from corn and alfalfa silage — a methods paper. (In progress)
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Opoku, J., Moraes, W., Singla, S., McLaughlin, A., Chibuogwu, M. O., Spelman, R., Lofton, L., Esker, P. D., Gold, S., Funnell-Harris, D., Kelly, H. M., Smith, D. L., Baldwin, T., & Sweany, R. Systems-based approaches, tools, and tactics to combat mycotoxins for a sustainable and safe food supply. Phytopathology. (USDA internal review)
Selected presentations
- 2026
- USDA-ARS (PDAC) AgriCulture Seminar Series — Invited research talk: Genomic Diversity and Phenotypic Responses of Fusarium Isolates Causing Ear Rot of Corn in Wisconsin: insights from pathogenicity and adaptation to temperature stress. Delivered April 23, 2026.
- 2025
- International Silage Conference — Research talk: Integrated management of vomitoxin in corn silage fields and the fate of vomitoxin during ensiling. Plus five research posters.
- 2025
- Mycological Society of America Annual Conference —
Poster: Draft genome sequence and de novo assembly of
mycotoxin-producing Fusarium cerealis isolate associated
with ear rot of silage corn.
View poster ↗
MSA Annual Conference 2025 — click to view full resolution. - 2024
- University of Benin Annual Research Day (UBARD) — Poster: Corn hybrid class impact on the presence of Fusarium graminearum and the concentration of DON in ear and stalk parts.
- 2024
- Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic — Research talk: Vomitoxin accumulation and metabolism while ensiling corn for silage.
- 2023
- American Phytopathological Society — National Conference — Special-session presenter and poster presenter on fungicide application and DON accumulation in ensiled corn. Bayer registration sponsorship and departmental travel grant recipient.
- 2023
- USAID Student Research Seminar Series — Research talk: Integrated management of mycotoxins in silage corn feed for the dairy industry.
- 2023
- MANRRS Region V Conference and Career Expo — 1st place, Business Pitch Contest. $12,000 scholarship to Draper University Summer Bootcamp.
- 2022
- APS National Conference — Technical talk and session moderator on management of toxin-producing fungal pathogens.