Performing Department
Plant Pathology & Ecology
Non Technical Summary
Plant diseases represent ongoing threats to plants in Connecticut landscapes, farms, nurseries, woodlots, and forests. The PDIO at CAES diagnoses plant health problems using traditional, serological, and molecular techniques for all Connecticut stakeholders and conducts annual plant disease surveys in the state. Accurate disease diagnoses and plant disease surveys ensure early detection, prevention, and eradication of potentially high risk pathogens. The PDIO is a member of the NPDN, which was created to enhance agricultural biosecurity through protecting health and productivity of plants in agricultural and natural ecosystems in the U.S. The state and national plant disease databases maintained by the PDIO and NPDN Data Repository help to monitor recurring and emerging problems that threaten plants in Connecticut and increase state and nationwide communications between government agencies, professionals, and growers. These historical records on disease prevalence combined with fact sheets, outreach programs, and disease monitoring are used to educate and assist growers, plant professionals, and homeowners to develop integrated pest management programs, which reduce costs, save them from unnecessary chemical applications, and avoid potential environmental and public health issues.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
80%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
Goal 1: Provide accurate diagnosis of plant health problems and detect new or emerging diseasesUsing traditional, serological, and molecular techniques, achieve accurate diagnosis of plant diseases and identification of pathogens for samples that were submitted to the Plant Disease information Office (PDIO) at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). Records of plant health will be maintained to ensure early detection, prevention, and eradication of potentially high-risk pathogens. First reports will be filed as appropriate for new diseases detected in the state.The Information of gathered samples submitted to the PDIO will help to monitor recurring and emerging problems that threaten plants in Connecticut.Goal 2: Communicate information about current diseases in the stateInformation on disease prevalence will be communicated to stakeholders though fact sheets, presentations, workshops, and outreach programs.
Project Methods
Plant health problems will be diagnosed by staff in PDIO using traditional, serological, and molecular techniques. New techniques or protocols will be developed, as required by samples of new or emerging diseases of concern. Records on all samples will be maintained in order to evaluate trends for disease occurrence or re-occurrence. This information will be shared with stakeholders and other diagnostician members of the NPDN. Results will be used to assess the health of plants in CT.