Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to NRP
DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE, TECHNOLOGIES AND TRAINING IN CLINICAL PLANT PATHOLOGY FOR FLORIDA AND THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0230042
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 1, 2012
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2017
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
Plant Pathology
Non Technical Summary
Early detection and accurate diagnosis of plant diseases is the cornerstone of effective, cost-efficient plant disease management. Whether detecting new, emerging, or endemic plant pathogens, plant diagnostic laboratories serve public and private agricultural interests and encourage integrated management of plant problems. The University of Florida Extension Plant Diagnostic Center serves as the hub diagnostic laboratory for Florida and the SE region of the US. We provide plant sample diagnosis, sample surge coordination, research-based management recommendations, and hands-on training in plant problem diagnosis. My program is focused around development and validation of diagnostic technologies, utilization of relevant diagnostic methods to accurately diagnose plant problems in the plant disease clinic, delivery of research-based management recommendations to extension clientele, and practical training of students and professionals in plant problem diagnosis.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
21240991160100%
Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
4099 - Microorganisms, general/other;

Field Of Science
1160 - Pathology;
Goals / Objectives
Accurate and timely diagnosis of plant problem samples submitted by Floridians and agricultural clientele from the western hemisphere Collaboration with UF-IFAS Extension specialists to develop disease management recommendations based on their applied research in Florida Education of extension faculty and clientele through training, sample diagnostic reports, disease fact sheets, and research-based management recommendations Development and validation of diagnostic technologies Digitization of sample records to increase utility of historical records as data for epidemiological studies and education of diagnosticians; digitization of samples and cultures to augment existing image databases as training resources for diagnosticians and extension and IPM personnel Hands-on training of diagnosticians and students from plant health institutions and laboratories, concentrating on the western hemisphere
Project Methods
Priority will be on accurate and timely diagnosis of plant problem samples submitted to the laboratory. New diagnostic methods will be validated in-lab for use in our diagnostic service. The project director will collaborate with extension specialists in all crop areas to obtain research-based management recommendations to incorporate into diagnostic reports. Samples will be photographed and documented, and photos and data will be entered into relevant databases for eventual use by epidemiologists, extension faculty, IPM personnel, and diagnosticians. Hands-on training will be coordinated by the project director and will include collaborations with USDA-FAS, USDA-AID, universities, and plant health institutions and agencies.

Progress 07/01/12 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:UF/IFAS PDC laboratory personnel enter their diagnostic data into a number of different database interfaces, all tied to the NPDN national database through XML coding. Each diagnosis represents at least one target audience contact with extension clientele. In the time period of June 13, 2013 through June 13, 2018, member states diagnosed over 14,000 samples. As part of our network communications, we participated in the NPDN First Detector training and education program. We conducted 101 FD training sessions for First Detectors for a total of over 8,900 First Detectors. UF/IFAS PDC staff presented and published material focusing on introductory and advanced plant pathology, plant diagnostics, Integrated Pest Management, and specific plant problems including the select and significant agents listed by APHIS, and other diseases and pests in 94 publications/presentations viewed or attended by over 81,000 attendees. These attendees represented grower groups, Master gardeners, crop consultants, pesticide applicators, graduate students, agricultural education teachers, first detectors, and colleagues in plant pathology, entomology, and other related fields. Diagnosticians are an additional target audience, and this funding allowed the training and publishing of standard operating procedures for more than 30 diagnosticians. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Each year, three UF/IFAS PDC staff maintain Phytophthora ramorum (SOD) and huánglóngbìng (HLB) certification via the provisional approval NPPLAP certification through APHIS-PPQ-CPHST. Additionally, PDC diagnosticians were able to attend multiple APHIS-sponsored trainings as well as other training opportunities across the country. These trainings included topics such as Phytophthora, bioinformatics, and morphological ID of phytopathogenic fungi etc. Diagnosticians also attended other training sessions concerning molecular techniques and diseases of local significance. Our diagnosticians are heavily involved in training efforts for extension clientele, Master Gardeners, and other diagnosticians, here in the US and abroad. Diagnosticians have come to the PDC for trainings from the Caribbean, South and Central America, and even as far as Australia and New Zealand. The PDC obtained and retained the STARD accreditation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our clients, Master gardeners, first detectors, and visiting diagnosticians directly benefit from the professional development opportunities held at the PDC. Reporting of these trainings, however, are often informal or through client contact mechanisms such as newsletters and grower meetings. Our websites, social media, and presentations during extension meetings disseminate our information to a wide variety of plant professionals. Additionally, each and every sample our labs process represents a point of contact with the public, plant industry, or other community of interest. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? UF/IFAS PDC staff presented and published material focusing on introductory and advanced plant pathology, plant diagnostics, Integrated Pest Management, and specific plant problems including the select and significant agents listed by APHIS, and other diseases and pests in 94 publications/presentations viewed or attended by over 81,000 attendees. The laboratory processed over 14,000 diagnostic samples, hundreds of which were new reports in the national database. We additionally recorded first reports for the state. Each year, PDC staff have obtained Phytophthora ramorum (SOD) and huánglóngbìng (HLB) certification via the provisional approval NPPLAP certification through APHIS-PPQ-CPHST. We now have the capability to receive over 100 extra HLB samples, over 100 extra Phytophthora ramorum samples, 100 Phytoplasma samples, and 100 Ralstonia spp. samples. In addition to these organisms, the laboratory can provide surge capacity for Dickeya spp. and citrus canker. Several states utilized the regional center's surge capacity during the 2017-2018 year. Additionally, the PDC was able to send diagnosticians to many APHIS-sponsored trainings, thanks to travel funds made available through an agreement between APHIS and NIFA. Diagnosticians also attended and taught other training sessions concerning microscopy, molecular techniques, and diseases of local significance. Our diagnosticians are heavily involved in training efforts for extension clientele, Master Gardeners, and other diagnosticians, here in the US and abroad. The UF/IFAS PDC obtained and retained the STARD accreditation.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Acimovic, S. G., Harmon, C. L., Bec, S., Wyka, S., Broders, K., & Doccola, J. J. (2015). First Report of Diplodia corticola Causing Decline of Red Oak (Quercus rubra) Trees in Maine. Plant Disease, (ja). http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-15-0994-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Elliott, M. L., Des Jardin, E. A., Harmon, C. L., & Bec, S. (2016). Confirmation of Fusarium Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. palmarum on � Butyagrus nabonnandii (mule palm) in Florida. Plant Disease. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-16-1099-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ploetz, R. C., Thant, Y. Y., Hughes, M. A., Dreaden, T. J., Konkol, J., Kyaw, A., Smith, J. A., & Harmon, C. L. (2016). Laurel wilt, caused by Raffaelea lauricola, is detected for the first time outside the southeastern USA. Plant Disease, 100(10): 2166.
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Schubert, T., Jeyaprakash, A., & Harmon, C. (2016). Fundamentals and Advances in Plant Problem Diagnostics. In McGovern, R.J. & Elmer, W.H. (Eds.), Handbook of Florists Crops Diseases, 1-27. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-32374-9_1-1
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Arous, S., Capobianco, H., Harmon, C.L., and Polston, J., 2018. Comparison of Genus-specific Primer Pairs in RT-PCR for the Broad-spectrum Detection of Viruses in the Genus Potyvirus by Plant Diagnostic Laboratories. J. Vir. Methods.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Harmon, C. L., Timilsina, S., Bonkowski, J., Jones, D. D., Sun, X., Vallad, G. E., ... & Jones, J. B. (2018). Bacterial Gall of Loropetalum chinense caused by Pseudomonas amygdali pv. loropetali pv. nov. Plant Disease, 102(4), 799-806.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Narouei-Khandan, H. A., Harmon, C. L., Harmon, P., Olmstead, J., Zelenev, V. V., van der Werf, W., Worner, S.P., Senay, S.D., and van Bruggen, A. H. C. (2017). Potential global and regional geographic distribution of Phomopsis vaccinii on Vaccinium species projected by two species distribution models. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 1-12.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Norman, D., Bocsanczy, A. M. B., Harmon, P. F., Harmon, C. L., and Khan, A. (2017). First report of bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum on blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) in Florida. Plant Disease, (ja); doi: 10.1094/PDIS-06-17-0889-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Norman, D., Harmon, P., and Harmon, C. (2017). Ralstonia solanacearum, a new pathogen of highbush blueberry. Phytopathology, 103: S2.112.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Stubbs, E. A., Burkle, C. C., Hodges, A. C., Myers, B. E., Whilby, L., Poplin, A., Hoenisch, R., McCarthy, R., and Harmon, C. (2017). Increasing invasive plant pest early detection through interagency first detector education. Journal of Extension, 55(3).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Dreaden, T. J., Davis, J. M., Harmon, C. L., Ploetz, R. C., Palmateer, A. J., Soltis, P. S., & Smith, J. A. (2014). Development of multilocus PCR assays for Raffaelea lauricola, causal agent of laurel wilt disease. Plant Disease, 98(3), 379-383.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Ong, K. L., Harmon, P. F., & Harmon, C. L. (2014, May). Challenges of standardizing molecular detection/diagnostic tests for plant disease diagnostic laboratories. In PHYTOPATHOLOGY (Vol. 104, No. 5, pp. 7-8). 3340 PILOT KNOB ROAD, ST PAUL, MN 55121 USA: AMER PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL SOC.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: de Jensen, C. E., Harmon, C. L., & Vitoreli, A. (2013). First report of Asian soybean rust caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi in Puerto Rico. Plant Disease, 97(10), 1378-1378.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Londo�o, M. A., Harmon, C. L., & Polston, J. E. (2016). Evaluation of recombinase polymerase amplification for detection of begomoviruses by plant diagnostic clinics. Virology Journal, 13(1): 1.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Nunez, G. H., Harmon, C. L., Olmstead, J. W., & Darnell, R. L. (2016). Root-level inoculation with iron-reducing microorganisms does not enhance iron uptake by southern highbush blueberry plants. Rhizosphere. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2016.09.001
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bibbs, C. S., Vitoreli, A. M., Benny, G., Harmon, C. L., & Baldwin, R. W. (2013). Susceptibility of Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae) to a Mucor strain discovered in north central Florida, USA. Florida entomologist, 96(3), 1052-1061.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Vitoreli, A., & Harmon, C. L. (2013, June). Diagnostic outreach trainings in the Caribbean, and Central and South Americas. In PHYTOPATHOLOGY (Vol. 103, No. 6, pp. 153-154). 3340 PILOT KNOB ROAD, ST PAUL, MN 55121 USA: AMER PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL SOC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Harmon, C. L. (2013, June). Towards defining plant diagnostic tool development standards: Ensuring accuracy and universal communications across plant diagnostic laboratories. In PHYTOPATHOLOGY (Vol. 103, No. 6, pp. 77-77). 3340 PILOT KNOB ROAD, ST PAUL, MN 55121 USA: AMER PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL SOC.


Progress 07/01/12 to 09/30/12

Outputs
Target Audience:In the time period covered by this report, we served several hundred public clientele, mostly from Florida, representing growers, pest managers, pesticide applicators, homeowners, researchers, and extension faculty. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We trained five graduate students through a hands-on internship in the plant disease clinic, and trained more than 50 Master Gardeners to detect plant diseases in Florida via lecture and hands-on short courses. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to offer lecture and hands-on training to Master Gardeners, extension faculty, and students to encourage detection and accurate diagnosis of plant diseases for plant health management. We will continue to digitize the paper records of the disease clinic, and enter old and new data into the NPDN National Data Repository.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In the time period covered by this report, we digitized several hundred diagnostic records from past decades, preserving them for future epidemiological research, and entering a subset of the data into Excel, for eventual upload into the NPDN national data repository. We served over 300 extension clientele, mostly from Florida, but also from outside the state and international clients.

Publications