Dr David Kenyon

Head of Diagnostics, Wildlife & Molecular Biology

Telephone Number
+44(0)131 244 8878

Research interests/Areas of expertise

The development of novel diagnostics for the detection of plant pathogens and their application in the study disease development in the environment.
Use of molecular methods in wildlife crime forensics.
Molecular nematology focusing on Ditylenchus dipsaci and PCN.
Deployment of molecular methods to replace routiene visual examination of samples.
Scottish Government representative in the Euphresco network
Insect vectored bacterial diseases Liberibacter solanacearum and Xylella fastidiosa
Novel approaches to disease management (biofumigation, trap cropping, suppressive microbes)
Molecular soil ecology

Senior Staff / Project Leads

Emma Back – Project Leader - Euphresco
Katherine Lester - Project Leader - Euphresco
Vince Mulholland – Senior Molecular Biologist
Alex Reid – Senior Molecular Biologist
Jason Sumner-Kalkun – Project Leader – Psyllids & Liberibacter
Lucy Webster – Wildlife DNA Forensics
Katie Viezens - Head of Chemistry

Biography

Joined SASA in 2008 as Head of Diagnostics, Wildlife & Molecular Biology. In addition to my management responsibilities I am involved in a number of research consortium working on storage rots of potatoes, Pectobacterium & Dickeya spp., bee health, wildlife crime as well as contract research for commercial companies.
1997 – 2008. Team leader, broadleaved crops and diagnostics at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB). In addition to Defra and HGCA funded trial programmes we also conduct a range of GEP efficacy trials for agrochemical companies with a recognised specialism in seed-borne diseases. The groups research programme was classified under two central themes of “Disease Resistance & Pathogen Characterisation” and “Diagnostics”.
1994 – 1997. Post-Doctoral Research Assistant, SAC. Study of the inducible resistance reaction to Erysiphe sp. in Rhododendron.
1991 – 1994. PhD “The biology and pathogenic variation of Erysiphe sp. on Rhododendron” University of Strathclyde / Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

Publications

Kenyon D, Back E, Sumner-Kalkun J, Highet F, Lethmayer C, Gottsberger R, Beniusis A, Pupeliene S. 2022. Role of weed hosts as pathogen reservoirs of insect vectored diseases (WEEDVECT). :11p..
Report of the Euphresco project 2017-C-257 'Role of weed hosts as pathogen reservoirs of insect vectored diseases (WEEDVECT)'
Fenning T, O'Donnell M, Preedy K, Bezanger A, Kenyon D, Lopez G. 2022. The rooting ability of in vitro shoot cultures established from a UK collection of the common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and their ex vitro survival. Annals of Forest Science. 79:30.
Kenyon D, Highet F, Cairns R, Nicolaisen M, Mouttet R, Loomans A, Boavida C, de Andrade E, Douglas H, Deczynski A. 2021. Epitrix (flea beetle) species, life cycles and detection methods (Epitrix II). :17p..
Report of the Euphresco project 2016-F-218 'Epitrix (flea beetle) species, life cycles and detection methods (Epitrix II)'
Sumner-Kalkun JC, Sjölund MJ, Arnsdorf YM, Carnegie M, Highet F, Ouvrard D, Greenslade AFC, Bell JR, Sigvald R, Kenyon DM. 2020. A diagnostic real-time PCR assay for the rapid identification of the tomato-potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc, 1909) and development of a psyllid barcoding database. PLOS ONE. 15(3):e0230741.
Greenslade AFC, Carnegie M, Ouvrard D, Sjölund MJ, Highet F, Sigvald R, Kenyon DM, Bell JR. 2020. Aerial psyllid (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) detection and monitoring using suction traps in Britain: population observations, new species found and a revised British checklist. Entomologist's Gazette. 71(3):151-163.
Ali A, Little HA, Carter JG, Douglas C, Hicks MR, Kenyon DM, Lacomme C, Logan RT, Dafforn TR, Tucker JHR. 2020. Combining bacteriophage engineering and linear dichroism spectroscopy to produce a DNA hybridisation assay. RSC Chemical Biology. 1(5):449-454.
Sumner-Kalkun J, Madden S, Highet F, Arnsdorf YM, Kenyon D, Karley A. 2020. Potential impacts of 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso) and its psyllid vectors in the UK. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2020. :223-228.
Lester K, Murphy K, McCluskey A, Cairns R, Fraser K, Kenyon D. 2020. Xylella fastidiosa: An overview of research at SASA. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2020. :45-50.
Sumner-Kalkun JC, Highet F, Arnsdorf YM, Back E, Carnegie M, Madden S, Carboni S, Billaud W, Lawrence Z, Kenyon D. 2020. ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ distribution and diversity in Scotland and the characterisation of novel haplotypes from Craspedolepta spp. (Psyllidae: Aphalaridae). Scientific Reports. 10:16567.
Taylor V, Rogers J, Barker A, Sumner JC, Kenyon DM. 2019. A paradigm shift in biofumigation. Aspects of Applied Biology. 142. 5th Symposium of Potato Cyst Nematode Management
Sjölund MJ, Kelly R, Saddler GS, Kenyon DM. 2018. Bacterial diseases affecting potatoes. Achieving sustainable cultivation of potatoes. 2 Production, storage and crop protection
Wood C, Kenyon D, Cooper J, Barker A. 2018. Determining the effects of Isothiocyanates and Biogumigation on Globodera pallida. Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2018. :255-262.
Sjölund MJ, Highet F, Clark M, Kenyon DM. 2018. The implications of Candidatus liberibacter solanacearum in Trioza anthrisci for the United Kingdom. Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2018. :221-224.
Wood C, Kenyon DM, Cooper JM. 2017. Allyl isothiocyanate shows promise as a naturally produced suppressant of the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, in biofumigation systems. Nematology. 19(4):389–402.
Sjölund MJ, Clark M, Carnegie M, Greenslade AFC, Ouvrard D, Highet F, Sigvald R, Bell JR, Arnsdorf YM, Cairns R et al.. 2017. First report of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in the United Kingdom in the psyllid Trioza anthrisci. New Disease Reports. 36:4.
Sjölund MJ, Carnegie M, Greenslade AFC, Ouvrard D, Highet F, Kenyon DM, Sigvald R, Bell JR. 2017. The identification and detection of psyllid vectors of CaLsol in suction traps.
Sjölund MJ, Kenyon DM, Highet F, Ouvrard D. 2016. Developing an RT-PCR assay for the identification of psyllid species. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2016. :279-282.
Wood C, Kenyon D, Cooper JM. 2016. Investigating the effect of isothiocyanates on Globodera pallida hatch under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2016. :239-244.
Chard J, Monger W, Highet F, Schlenzig A, Kenyon DM, Pickup J. 2016. Update on Plant Health. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2016. :191-196.
van Ghelder C, Reid A, Kenyon DM, Esmenjaud D. 2015. Detection of Nepovirus Vector and Nonvector Xiphinema Species in Grapevine. Plant Pathology : Techniques and Protocols. :149-159.
van Ghelder C, Reid A, Kenyon DM, Esmenjaud D. 2015. Development of a real-time PCR method for the detection of the dagger nematodes Xiphinema index, X. diversicaudatum, X. vuittenezi and X. italiae, and for the quantification of X. index numbers. Plant Pathology. 64(2):489-500.
Palmano S, Mulholland V, Kenyon DM, Saddler GS, Jeffries CJ. 2015. Diagnosis of Phytoplasmas by Real-Time PCR Using Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) Probes. Plant Pathology : Techniques and Protocols. :113-122.
Taylor F, Kenyon DM, Rosser S. 2014. Isothiocyanates inhibit fungal pathogens of potato in in vitro assays. Plant and Soil. 382(1-2):281-289.
Pearson K, Jeffries C, Kenyon D. 2014. Potato phytoplasmas and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum: the EUPHRESCO PHYLIB project. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2014. :209-214.
Kenyon DM, Vyas D, Groom M, Barker A. 2014. Potential use of polysulphides in the control of PCN. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2014. :269-274.
Taylor F, Kenyon DM. 2012. Control of soil-borne potato diseases using Brassica spp. mediated biofumigation. AAB Conference Advances in Biological Control and IPM.
Mulholland V, MacAskill GA, Laue BE, Steele H, Kenyon DM, Green S. 2012. Development and verification of a diagnostic assay based on EF-1 α for the identification of Armillaria species in Northern Europe. Forest Pathology. 42(3):229-238.
Taylor F, Kenyon DM, Rosser S. 2012. In vitro inhibition of soil borne potato pathogens by isothiocyanates. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2012. :267-272.
Kaczmarek A, Paterson A, Palomares-Rius JE, Mackenzie K, Kettle H, Haydock PP, Kenyon DM, Reid A, Blok V. 2012. Influence of temperature on the life cycle of the potato cyst nematode. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2012. :297-298.
Blok V, Hoolahan A, Grujic N, Paterson A, Kaczmarek A, Palomares-Rius JE, Dowton M, Reid A, Pickup J, Kenyon DM. 2012. Using the mitochondrial genome of Potato Cyst nematodes to distinguish introductions. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2012. :239-242.
Kowalewska MJ, Cahill G, Kenyon DM, Mitchell W, Saddler GS. 2010. Characterisation of recently isolated Dickeya spp. and their potential threat to the Scottish potato industry. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2010. :251-256.
Kenyon DM, Reid A, Evans FF, Mulholland V, Pickup J, Blok VC, Paterson A, Phillips MS. 2010. Development of a high-throughput method for the detection and speciation of PCN. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2010. :201-206.
Reid A, Kenyon DM, Evans FF, Mulholland V, Pickup J, Blok VC, Paterson A, Phillips MS. 2010. Development of a high-throughput method for the detection and species determination of PCN.. Aspects of Applied Biology. 103, 3rd Symposium on Potato Cyst Nematodes, Harper Adams University College, Newport, UK:11-14.
Cahill G, Fraser K, Kowalewska MJ, Kenyon DM, Saddler GS. 2010. Recent findings from the Dickeya survey and monitoring program. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2010. :171-176.
Stawniak N, Cottage A, Cockram J, Thomas J, Kenyon DM, Gowen S. 2009. Identification and expression of endo-1,4–beta-glucanase genes by stem nematodes (Ditylenchus dipsaci Kühn) in susceptible and resistant cultivars of field beans (Vicia faba L.). BSPP Presidential Meeting: Darwin to Disease; Crops and their pathogens.
Reid A, Kenyon DM, Evans FF, Pickup J, Blok VC, Paterson A, Phillips MS. 2009. Potato cyst nematode: new legislation, new technology. SOL 2009.
Stawniak N, Cottage A, Kenyon DM, Thomas J, Gowen S, Pembroke B. 2009. Race structure of Ditylenchus dipsaci and its implication on field management. Advances in Nematology.
Henry C, Kenyon DM, Morris J, Thomas JE. 2008. Diagnostic tools for maintaining crop biosecurity – availability and limitations. 9th International Congress of Plant Pathology.
Mazor L, Kenyon DM, Taylor M, Leist N, Wen-Shi W. 2008. Laboratory seed tests of Calendula. ISTA Handbook on flower seed testing.
Kenyon DM, Smith SJ. 2007. Interactions between Pratylenchus spp. and Rhizoctonia solani on resistant and susceptible potato varieties. Aspects of Applied Biology. 83, Crop Protection in Southern Britain:81-84.
Cockerell V, Anthony S, Paveley ND, Kenyon DM, Thomas J. 2005. A model for setting seed treatment thresholds for common bunt, Tilletia tritici. Proceedings of the BCPC International Congress, Crop Science & Technology, 31 October – 2 November 2005, Glasgow, Scotland . 3B-1:195-200.
Kenyon DM, Handy CL, Thomas JE. 2005. Detection of Tobacco Rattle Virus in soil using real-time PCR. Aspects of Applied Biology. 76, Production and Protection of Sugar Beet and Potatoes:77-79.
Thomas JE, Kenyon DM, Law JR, Bates J, Cockerell V, Mulholland V. 2005. Development and application of a quantitative PCR test for detection of Microdochium nivale on wheat seed. BCPC International Congress – Crop Science & Technology 2005. :201-205.
Thomas JE, Kenyon DM, Bayles RA, Clarkson JDS. 2005. Occurrence of seed-borne diseases in UK organic cereal seed and approaches for their control. ISTA - SHC Seed health symposium 2005.
Thomas JE, Gans PT, Kenyon DM. 2005. Resistance to disease in commercial potato cultivars and its use in disease management. Aspects of Applied Biology. 76, Production and Protection of Sugar Beet and Potatoes:121-126.
Thomas JE, Law JR, Kenyon DM. 2005. Sampling strategies for effective detection of Tilletia tritici in wheat seed bulks. ISTA - SHC Seed health symposium 2005.
Cockerell V, Paveley ND, Clark WS, Thomas JE, Anthony S, McEwan M, Roberts AMI, Bates J, Law J, Kenyon DM et al.. 2004. Cereal seed health and seed treatment strategies: Exploiting new seed testing technology to optimise seed health decisions for wheat.
Kenyon DM, Thomas JE, Handy CL. 2004. Feasibility of using quantitative PCR for assessing resistance to stem canker in oilseed rape cultivars. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin. 27(10):109-117.
"Working Group “Integrated Integrated Control in Oilseed Crops”. Proceedings of the Meeting at Rothamsted (UK), March 30-31, 2004."
Thomas J, Kenyon DM, Handy C. 2004. Preliminary results on the use of quantitative PCR for assessing resistance to light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) in oilseed rape cultivars. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin. 27(10):83-86.
"Working Group “Integrated Integrated Control in Oilseed Crops”. Proceedings of the Meeting at Rothamsted (UK), March 30-31, 2004."
Kenyon DM, Thomas JE, Martin D. 2003. Forecasting and control of Alternaria blight in carrots. The BCPC International Congress – Crop Science and Technology 2003. :919-924.
Biddle AJ, Thomas JE, Kenyon DM, Hardwick NV, Taylor MC. 2003. The effect of downy mildew (Peronospora viciae) on the yield of spring sown field beans (Vicia fabae) and its control. The BCPC International Congress – Crop Science and Technology 2003. :947-952.
Cockerell V, Mulholland V, McEwan M, Paveley ND, Clark WS, Anthony S, Thomas JE, Bates J, Kenyon DM. 2002. Control of seed and soil-borne diseases: importance of seed health. HGCA R&D Conference 2002, Agronomic intelligence: the basis for profitable production. :3.1-3.11.
Thomas JE, Smith MJ, Thompson PS, Kenyon DM, Cockerell V. 2001. Requirements for effective seed sampling in the application of treatment according to need strategies. BCPC Symposium Proceedings No. 76: Seed Treatment: Challenges and Opportunities. :167-172.
Cockerell V, Mulholland V, McEwan M, Paveley ND, Clark WS, Anthony S, Thomas JE, Bates J, Kenyon DM, Taylor EJA. 2001. Seed treatment according to need in winter wheat. BCPC Symposium Proceedings No. 76: Seed Treatment: Challenges and Opportunities. :111-116.