Robbins remembered as global expert in nematode taxonomy

During his 40-year career with the University of Arkansas’ department of plant pathology — stretching from 1979 to his retirement in 2019 — Robbins developed a global reputation for his expertise in nematode identification and classification, or taxonomy

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

Dec. 4, 2024

Fast facts

Robbins joined Arkansas faculty in 1979
Continued nematode research after retirement
Plant-parasitic nematodes cause extensive agricultural damage

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UNDATED — University Professor Emeritus Bob Robbins may have had a global reputation for as a nematode expert, but he was never too busy to help local farmers.

Robert Robbins was a world-renowned nematologist. He passed away Nov. 26, 2024. (U of Arkansas photo)

“He was a world-class expert,” said Ken Korth, head of what is now the department of entomology and plant pathology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

“He was classically trained to identify nematodes by their physical traits, but late in his career he also applied molecular techniques as a valuable tool,” Korth said. “He trained many excellent students and was very proud of their accomplishments.”

Robbins was named a Fellow of the Society of Nematologists in 2006.

“In addition to his contributions identifying multiple new species of nematodes, he also made important contributions to identifying natural resistance to these pests in important agricultural crops,” Korth said.

Terry Kirkpatrick ran the nematode lab for the Division of Agriculture before retiring and had worked closely with Robbins.

“He was always willing to stop what he was doing and help out if it was a needed by the growers of Arkansas,” Kirkpatrick said. “I never had him say one time – in all my career – ‘sorry, I’m too busy.’ He never did that. That’s truly a rare thing.”

Kirkpatrick said Robbins also “identified and described several new species that we didn't know about, but he also was able to definitively tell you this is ‘A’ or ‘B’ and that was real important economically. In row crops if you get it wrong, you can lose a lot.”

Nematodes are microscopic plant parasites that feed on agricultural crops at their roots, reducing yields and profits for producers. For example, according to the Crop Protection Network, U.S. producers suffered about $172 million in damages due to the southern root-knot nematode in 2023. More than half of those damages occurred in Arkansas, where producers lost approximately $95 million.

Both Kirkpatrick and Korth praised Robbins’ work with students, noting how many had gone on hold key positions in agriculture. Among them is Weimin Ye, section chief of the Nematode Assay Section of North Carolina’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Robbins was Ye’s major professor while he earned his Ph.D. at Arkansas from 1998-2002.

“I am very proud of being his graduate student who helped me tremendously throughout my advanced education and career,” Ye said. “He provided me with full scholarship and brought me and my family to get education in the U.S.A.”

Ye said his dissertation focused on Robbins’ specialty area: Longidoridae nematodes.

“He allowed me to gain full access to his large nematode slide and literature collection and sought additional funds to add a new molecular biology lab which was new to both of us,” Ye said.

“We drove together to collect many nematode samples in natural areas in most of the counties in Arkansas to get diverse Longidoridae nematodes for my research and he tirelessly mentored me to complete the research, get the degree and establish my own career in nematology,” Ye said. “I am so indebted to his wisdom, teaching and caring and he is greatly missed!”

Even after retiring, Robbins wasn’t done with research.

“He continued to work in the lab and greenhouse measuring plant-based resistance to nematode pests in cotton and soybeans,” Korth said. “Bob was a big help to me and my research program at a time when we dabbled in the area of nematode resistance.”

Robbins, a native of Oskaloosa, Kansas, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University and a Ph.D. from the North Carolina State University. Before coming to Arkansas, Robbins had worked for the California Department of Food and Agriculture as a nematologist.