Clara H. Hasse

Clara H. Hasse (1880–1926) was an American botanist and plant pathologist known for her significant contributions to the field of plant pathology. She is best remembered for her work on the control of the citrus canker, a disease that threatened the citrus industry in the early 20th century.

Early life and education

Hasse was born in 1880 in Racine, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Botany in 1908. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, focusing on plant pathology.

Career

In 1911, Hasse joined the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a plant pathologist. She was assigned to the Bureau of Plant Industry, where she conducted research on various plant diseases.

In 1914, Hasse was tasked with investigating the citrus canker, a bacterial disease that was causing significant damage to the citrus industry in Florida. Her research led to the identification of the bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri as the cause of the disease. Hasse's work was instrumental in developing effective control measures for the citrus canker, which helped save the citrus industry from potential devastation.

Hasse continued to work for the USDA until her death in 1926. Her contributions to plant pathology have been recognized by several institutions, including the American Phytopathological Society, which awarded her the Ruth Allen Award posthumously in 1987.

Legacy

Clara H. Hasse's work on the citrus canker has had a lasting impact on the citrus industry and the field of plant pathology. Her research has been cited in numerous scientific publications, and her methods for controlling the citrus canker are still in use today.

See also

• List of botanists
• List of plant pathologists
• History of plant pathology

References

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