Goss, Olga May (1916–1994)
Goss, Olga May (1916–1994)
Australian plant pathologist. Born Olga May Goss in 1916 in Perth, Australia; died 1994; University of Western Australia, BS in zoology, 1937; never married.
An expert plant pathologist, worked as a laboratory assistant at University of Western Australia, Perth (1938–39) and as a demonstrator (1939–43); employed as a plant pathologist in Department of Agriculture in Perth (1947–80), worked on tomato seed treatments, the causes of apple scab, and the culturing of Rhizobium for commercial use; became a specialist in plant nematology (study of eelworms) and focused on nematode-resistant peach rootstocks and cereal eelworm; discovered a fungicide that killed the agent responsible for powdery scab in potatoes; created the rust-resistant runner bean known as Westralia; contributed to Australian Plant Pathology and Australian Journal of Agricultural Research and the handbook Practical Guidelines for Nursery Hygiene (1978). Was the 1st woman to be named Australian Nurseryman of the Year (1978).