Source: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS submitted to NRP
WESTERN PLANT DIAGNOSTIC NETWORK REGIONAL CENTER
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1029222
Grant No.
2022-37621-38279
Cumulative Award Amt.
$1,802,517.00
Proposal No.
2022-06104
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2022
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2026
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[AA-G]- Homeland Security
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
410 MRAK HALL
DAVIS,CA 95616-8671
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The Western Plant Diagnostic Network (WPDN) is a regional member of the larger National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN). The WPDN comprises plant pest diagnostic labs and detection specialists in twelve states and territories of the U.S. at their respective land grant universities (LGUs) and/or State Departments of Agriculture (SDAs).Disease diagnosis in the region is of high economic importance and key to the nation's biosecurity. The WPDN region produces over 50% by economic value of the fruit, nut, and vegetable production in the country, and is home to some of the most active ports for international trade in the U.S. The region covered by WPDN is perhaps the most diverse in the nation with respect to climate and agriculture. The climate in the region ranges from the Tropical Pacific Islands to Arctic Alaska, and from the arid and semi-arid environments of the inland Northwest and Southwest, to the humid Pacific Northwest.With over 400 different commodities, the farm gate value of plant and animal agriculture in the region represented by WPDN is approximately 22% of the U.S. total value. The WPDN also has 12% of the individual farms in the U.S. Nine of the nation's top 10 producing counties are in California alone. Five individual counties in California - Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Stanislaus and Monterey - were the top five agricultural counties in the nation, producing nearly $31 billion worth of agricultural products in 2019.The western region of the NPDN also is home to some of the most active ports for international trade in the U.S., including those in Seattle/Tacoma, Portland, San Francisco/Oakland, Los Angeles/ Long Beach, San Diego, Honolulu, and Anchorage. The western region also has some of the most active border crossings at San Ysidro and Calexico (CA); Nogales and Douglas (AZ); Columbus and Santa Teresa (NM); Blaine and Seattle (WA); Porthill and Eastport (ID); Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway (AK); and Honolulu (HI). Millions of tons of agricultural goods and hundreds of thousands of people enter the United States through those ports and border crossings each year. NPDN was created by Congress under Assistance Listing 10.304 to protect the food supply and agricultural production. NPDN fulfills the following purpose:1. Reduce the vulnerability of the United States food and agricultural system to chemical or biological attack.2. Continue partnerships with institutions of higher education and other institutions to help form stable, long-term programs to enhance the biosecurity of the United States. This will include the coordination of the development, implementation, and enhancement of diverse capabilities for addressing threats to the Nation's agricultural economy and food supply. Special emphasis will be on planning, training, outreach, and research activities related to vulnerability analyses, incident response, and detection and prevention of destructive plant pest technologies.3. Continue research on counter bioterrorism.4. Counter or otherwise respond to chemical or biological attack. To attain these purposes, the overarching goals of the NPDN are to:a. Produce educated and capable first responders (Detection);b. Provide accurate, reliable, and timely diagnostics and surveillance (Diagnosis);c. Supply useful, real-time data from innovative information and communication systems (Reporting).In order to fulfill its mission WPDN will contribute to the national effort of NPDN:1. NPDN regional labs and designated state labs will develop a system of complementary technical expertise. Thus, NPDN does not aim to equip all labs with the same capabilities, but to coordinate small groups of labs in becoming proficient and capable in confirmatory techniques for the most critical pests, pathogens and noxious weeds.2. NPDN will invest in diagnostics technologies to provide complementary capabilities among NPDN labs to more efficiently utilize technical competencies in support of regional and state needs.3. NPDN will implement professional development programs that enhance capability, provide access to expertise, and promote cooperation among NPDN labs and their state counterparts.?
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
80%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2122499106040%
2112499106040%
2132499106020%
Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 213 - Weeds Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
2499 - Plant research, general;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
A strategic planning process conducted in 2019 identified the following objectives that are necessary to fulfill NPDN mission and are our major goals:To provide value to U.S. Plant Biosecurity by establishing new programs, standards and practices aimed at increasing diagnostics capability and the capacity of the network, and increase the value of NPDN to its' clientele, partners and stakeholders.To support state and federal regulatory response efforts with accurate, timely, and reliable diagnostics; with collaborations and open channels of communication with regulatory entities; and maintaining of appropriate confidentiality in diagnostic data.To develop standards for diagnostics performance, data quality, and lab management that promote the highest confidence in the network, in NPDN diagnosticians, and in the quality and integrity of the diagnostics records in the NPDN National Data Repository (NDR).To provide or develop IT systems that aid diagnostics work by sharing and optimizing diagnostics methods, enhancing professional development and self-assessment, and improving communication among diagnosticians.To provide value to all member labs by enhancing the performance, credibility, and standing of NPDN labs; and provide the training and education foundation necessary for improvement of the labs and NPDN as a whole.
Project Methods
The methods that will be used in the WPDN effort over the lifetime of the project can be divided into two broad types:Activities and actions connected with the practice of diagnostic science and its developmentActivities and actions connected with maintaining and improving the functionality of the NPDN as an organization intended to provide diagnostic capabilityWithin those two broad categories the specific activities that will be undertaken during the project are shown in the table below:Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4ActivityY1_1Y1_2Y2_1Y2_2Y3_1Y3_2Y4_1Y4_2Annual lab sub-contracts enactedXXXXDiagnostic activity in member labsXXXXXXXXAnnual lab activity reports collectedXXXXAnnual competitive capacity funding opportunity issuedXXXXAnnual capacity funding issuedXXXXDiagnostic trainings completedXXXXProfessional development activitiesXXXXXXXXLab accreditationsXXXXXXXXAnnual summary report on accreditation progressXXXXFinal report on accreditation processXNational meetingXXIT/Diagnosticians' meetingXXAnnual progress reportingXXXXFinal progress report compiledXThe Outcomes section provides a summary of the changes we anticipate as a consequence of the project's activities and also (in some cases) specific benchmarks that will be used to evaluate progress. For example, a key target for this project is to ensure that all WPDN labs have either completed internal acreditation, or are in the process of achieving acreditation with clear timeline to completion, by the end of the four-year funding period. The other milestones will be evaluated in one of two ways. Many willbe assessed through the internal committee/leadership process which entails committees of NPDN paricipants taking responsibility for areas of activity (for example, professional development) and reporting to the leadership team on progress. In some cases the milestones can be evaluated through the annual capacity and activity reporting process; for example, regional centers in their annual reports to NIFA will detail how the internal competitive funds were distributed for projects to enhance diagnostic capability orprofessional development. The structure of the milestones also intentionally includes events that allow the organization to self-reflect and propose improvements in efficiency or performance; for example the IT/Diagnosticians meetings provide a forum for improvement in the flow of data and information within the NPDN, making it easier for diagnosticians to log and retrieve information from the NDR.XXXX

Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The Western Plant Diagnostic Network (WPDN) reaches out to different target audiences involved in plant health. The WPDN main audience are the plant disease diagnostic laboratories that are members of the network. WPDN also reaches out to state and federal officials that respond/regulate organisms of concern. WPDN members are laboratories at land-grant Universities (LGU) and State Departments of Agriculture (SDA) that conduct plant disease diagnostics in the Western Region of the National Plant Diagnostic Network. States and territories are represented by plant pathologists, entomologists, and weed specialists at their respective LGU's and/or SDAs. WPDN reaches out to member laboratories to provide funding, professional advancement opportunities, and to coordinate network efforts in data reporting, detection, diagnostics, and communication. Another target audience are scientists and specialists associated with other state and federal agencies that regulate organisms of concern or that respond to plant disease epidemics. WPDN reaches out to them on a need to know basis, in order to report the detection of organisms of concern. Changes/Problems:NPDN was established in 2002 with an annual budget of $4.75 million granted by USDA/ NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture). The annual budget remained fairly steady over the next eight years, with a peak of $5 million in 2010. In 2011, funding from NIFA was cut nearly in half and has remained flat since then at roughly $3 million. In addition to the challenges presented by more than a decade of flat funding, operating costs have risen significantly over the past three years. Supplies are taking a larger bite out of laboratory budgets. For instance, the average price of pipette tips has risen by 25% and the price of a box of medium nitrile gloves has risen 91% since 2018. Equipment costs have risen as well. Many NPDN laboratories have also been charged with increasing responsibilities (which take time away from diagnostics) without accompanying increases in funding. NPDN has been operating under limited funding for a number of years. During the strategic planning process, in consultation with USDA-NIFA staff, NPDN reduced its original functions to focus on three key areas of diagnostic, professional development, and communication. Along with this tightening in focus, the number of staff FTEs supported by NPDN funding has been reduced and some of the activities formerly led by paid staff have been transferred to committees of NPDN members. NPDN committees operate on largely voluntary basis. Their contribution to NPDN is considered part of the cooperative support model between USDA-NIFA and the LGUs, and part of the requirements for receiving NPDN funds and being members of NPDN. However, NPDN members have their own job responsibilities that limit the amount of time they can dedicate to the network. To more efficiently manage NPDN operating costs, a centralized planning model (CPM) for resource allocation was implemented in 2019. The CPM allows NPDN to direct limited funds to programs of importance to the network mission and goals. Also, it provides a more equitable funding structure among labs and regions. For implementation of the CPM, the five regional centers and CERIS coordinate their work, and submit their applications as a consortium. The CPM does not result in additional cost savings, but allows NPDN to better prioritize its functions under its current funding. Despite this approach, NPDN continues to be unable to properly fund some of its core programs. NPDN does not expect to be able to further reduce operating costs without losing additional biosecurity functions. As "the most critical biosecurity functions", NPDN reaffirmed its commitment to quality diagnostics and timely communications as its primary mission. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?WPDN does not manage a professional development program for the region. Instead, the region participates in professional development activities offered nationally by NPDN, and regional staff contributes to them as necessary. During 2024, NPDN offered the following professional development events to all members: The 2024 National Meeting held in Portland, Maine, September 8-10. 7 diagnostic workshops and 2 field trips held in Portland, Maine, September 11-12, as part of the 2024 National Meeting. 5 in-person Advanced Diagnostic Workshops held at APHIS Plant Pathogen Confirmatory Diagnostics Laboratory (PPCDL) in Laurel, Maryland, March 4 - April 4, 2024. Morphological Fungal Identification Techniques Workshop conducted at the USDA-Professional Development Center in Frederick, Maryland. Two sessions: February 27-29 and April 9-11, 2024 2 virtual diagnostic workshops run in collaboration with PPCDL, March 8-21, 2024. Two sessions each. 8 weekly GPDN webinars recorded live, January 31 - March 20, 2024. 51 virtual trainings and recorded webinars are available to NPDN members in the NPDN on-demand virtual learning system. 16 one-hour Accreditation Help sessions between February and April (twice a week) and 8 between October and December (once a week) for 2024 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?WPDN diagnosticians are active in scientific communication in the field of diagnostics. During 2024, WPDN diagnosticians produced 74 refereed publications related to NPDN or their diagnostic work. Refereed publications may include Books, Book Chapters, Conference Abstracts, Journal Articles, and Thesis/Dissertations. WPDN labs were active in outreach, extension and scientific dissemination of their work. During 2024, WPDN labs also prepared 37 publications related to Outreach & Extension. WPDN diagnosticians gave 352 presentations related to Outreach & Extension. Extension presentations by WPDN labs included workshop and presentations on diagnosis and/or management of important diseases for their state; pesticide safety training presentations; training or presentations master gardeners; booths at events; and presentations at grower association meetings including nurseries, commodities, forest and landscape. Other kinds of dissemination work done by WPDN diagnosticians included 57 presentations in scientific conferences and 35 courses and workshops related to diagnostic training. Courses and workshops included teaching extension educators; integrated pest management trainings, and field diagnostic trainings. Presentation for scientific audiences included presentations at scientific meetings and symposiums and diagnostic courses at universities. In addition, WPDN diagnosticians had 19 appearances in radio/TV related to their extension work. Combined, presentations by WPDN labs reached an estimated audience of 30,664.? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?WPDN will continue advancing diagnostic science and communication in the region by engaging labs in each state and territory of the Western region, providing funds to support quality diagnostics, contributing to professional development activities and events, and facilitating communication across the region. Quality diagnostics WPDN will continue supporting the work of NPDN labs in the Western region. The labs will continue conducting routine diagnoses and reporting their results to their clients and to the NPDN National Data Repository (NDR). WPDN regional center will also continue advancing the goal of having all WPDN funded labs Core Accredited by December 2027. In addition to the base funding support to labs, WPDN will re-allocate any unused carryforward funds from previous funding years to equipment and lab improvement grants. Professional Development WPDN will continue promoting professional development opportunities in the region and nationwide, and encouraging its members to take workshops, webinars, and trainings offered by NPDN and other sources. Dr. Brenes-Arguedas will continue supporting NPDN professional development activities as needed. She will also support NPDN professional development activities funded by the ARPA grant. Communication WPDN is strongly involved in advancing the communication goals of NPDN at the national level. For the 2025-26 FY, NPDN plans to merge the Communications and the Outreach & Extension Committees into one. This merger will liberate some network resources and streamline some of the work that overlaps both committees. Dr. Brenes-Arguedas will also continue working with the Data Committee on improving the quality of the data submitted to the NDR by developing clear data upload guidelines materials. In her role as national coordinator, Dr. Brenes-Arguedas will also continue working closely with the NPDN IT center at CERIS in all developments involving the website and data repository. She will continue working as content manager for the NPDN website. During the 2025-26FY, she will also be spearheading a project with the IT Center aimed at improving the user experience in the NDR leveraging funds from a PPA 7721 agreement. WPDN also remains committed to a policy of engagement with our regulatory partners. WPDN has a long history of actively engaging SDAs in the region. During this cooperative agreement, WPDN will continue its interaction with the regulatory community in our region in two ways: WPDN diagnosticians will continue to alert regional regulatory officials in the event that an agent of consequence is suspected to have been found. WPDN will also continue to engage and maintain working relations with SPROs in the Western Plant Board (WPB), and lab directors and diagnosticians in the Washington Dept. of Ag (WSDA), Alaska DNR, the Oregon Dept. of Ag. (ODA), the Hawaii Dept. of Ag (HDOA), and Idaho Dept. of Ag (ISDA).

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Summary of Accomplishments in Quality Diagnostic: During 2024, WPDN labs processed 271,482 samples. This high number is driven mostly by CDFA's delimitation programs (250,000 samples). All other labs combined processed 21,482. WPDN labs continue offering a variety of diagnostic disciplines to their clientele. All states in the Western region are able to provide plant pathology and entomology services. Many WPDN states also have access to nematology, weed/plant identification, and seed testing. Two State Department of Ag labs funded by WPDN (CDFA, and NVDOA), have shown commitment to support other labs in the region in all disciplines of diagnostic. WPDN labs in all states (not including territories) have access to conventional PCR and other molecular diagnostic methods. All states have at least one lab with access to high-throughput molecular methods, either ELISA, qPCR or both. WPDN labs contribute to the distributed capacity to support diagnostic work in the region. All 8 mainland states in the WPDN region are able to receive sample referrals from out of state in one way or another. Five labs (AZ, CA, NV, OR, and ID) have comprehensive permits to receive samples from out of state in 2024, and the capacity to receive sample referrals. The ID lab did not have permits through 2024 due to having moved to a new facility, but have obtained permits since. The ID lab was also selected during 2024 for a capacity building grant provided by APHIS and they have committed to become Regional Center lab and mayor support lab in the region. Two additional labs (NM and WA) have out-of-state permits but only limited capacity to receive sample referrals. UT does not have permits to receive pathogen out of state samples, but have the capacity to receive referrals for molecular plant identification. The two, non-mainland states, HI and AK do not have permits, nor are those labs in locations conducive to receiving sample referrals. From January to December 2024, six of the ten WPDN labs detected 75 first occurrences. NPDN diagnosticians are trained to report first occurrences to state regulatory partners in the states. During 2024 APHIS-PPQ transitioned their proficiency program from the National Plant Protection Laboratory Accreditation Program (NPPLAP) to Plant Pathogen Diagnostic Certification Program (PPDCP). Five WPDN labs still held NPPLAP certifications for P. ramorum and HLB through 2024. Two labs in California and Hawaii also obtained proficiency certifications under the new PPDCP program. NPDN created the Core Accreditation Program, which provides an overarching framework for all NPDN labs. Each lab's development of a quality management system that meets the requirements of the Core Standard demonstrates their commitment to excellence in plant diagnostics. The purpose of the program is to maintain consistency related to quality, strengthen problem resolution and prevention, magnify client and regulatory confidence, and prioritize continued improvement across the NPDN. Core Accreditation ensures NPDN labs will meet quality standards and enhance professionalism, strengthening our state of readiness in performing timely and accurate detections while reducing the risk of exotic pathogens and pest establishments. In WPDN, one Star-D accredited lab (NVDA) was extended through February 2025. No WPDN labs applied for the Core accreditation program during 2024. Four WPDN labs completed the Accreditation Orientation Course one during 2024. Two WPDN members attended the Accreditation help sessions. Summary of Accomplishments in Professional Development: WPDN labs actively participated in professional development activities provided by NPDN. 28 WPDN members or their staff attended the 2024 NPDN National Meeting in Portland, Maine, September 8-12. WPDN members presented 8 posters; and 13 WPDN members attended one or more of the training workshops or field trips offered. 22 WPDN members or their lab staff participated in one or more of the in-person and virtual Diagnostic Workshops organized by NPDN in Maryland. 68 WPDN members were active users of the NPDN virtual learning system, and during 2024, they jointly enrolled in 133 on-demand virtual trainings. This includes, 47 enrolments from WPDN members in GPDN webinars. Overall, 11 of the 12 WPDN states/territories participated in at least 1 NPDN-organized professional development event listed in the previous section. WPDN funds also help diagnosticians attend other (non-NPDN) professional development activities including professional conferences and workshops in various specialized topics. 8 WPDN states attended at least one other non-NPDN professional development activity. Summary of Accomplishments in Communication: WPDN labs primary reporting responsibility is to their clients. Labs in the region provide diagnostic and test reports and management recommendations to their clients. Lab clientele may include: growers, nurseries, state or federal regulatory agencies, homeowners, extension specialists in their institution, public gardens, landscape managers, forest managers, and public agencies. Different NPDN labs may have different clientele depending on their state and institution needs and extension programs. NPDN labs also report diagnostic data to the NPDN National Data Repository (NDR). Through 2024, WPDN labs submitted 5,896 diagnoses to the NDR. Additional 136,211 samples uploaded by the Hawaii Agrosecurity lab in January 2024, are not included in this count because most of them represent samples processed in 2023 that were submitted late. In January 2024, a different lab took NPDN responsibilities for HI, and the Agrosecurity lab (in Oahu) will not upload data anymore moving forward. The new WPDN funded lab (in Hilo) was closed due to construction most of the year, so they did not upload any data. The number of diagnosis uploaded to the NDR is lower than the number of samples processed for a number of reasons: 1) labs do not usually upload regulatory screening samples (see section on regulatory support below), or upload their survey data to NAPIS or other federal databases. This applies especially to CA and NV; 3) In the WPDN region, some states had more than one lab reporting their sample capacity; but only WPDN funded labs are required to submit data. So, sample load includes counts for more than one lab in the state, while upload counts represent only one lab. In addition to reporting to their clients and to the NPDN NDR, labs are required to report to regulatory agencies diagnosis or findings regarding organisms of concern to their state or to the U.S.. At this point, any findings from the lab are considered suspected until the detection has been confirmed by the appropriate federal or state labs, who may go collect additional samples. Regulatory agencies use this information to take appropriate action, if needed, to contain the problem and prevent the spread of disease. During 2024 WPDN labs reported 5,138 diagnosis to regulatory agencies.

Publications

  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Wenninger, Alexandria. 2024. Defoliation of haskap shoots by the honeysuckle moth in Southcentral Alaska. Newsletter of the Alaska Entomological Society 16: 50-55.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Hu J. and Wilhelmi N. First report of Valsa melanodiscus causing bark canker on Arizona alder (Alnus oblongifolia) Plant Disease submitted in December 2024
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Hu J. and Wright G. 2024. First report of Neodeightonia phoenicum causing black scorch and rot disease on date palms in Arizona Plant Disease
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Hu J. 2024. First report of Geotrichum candidum causing rubbery rot on potato in Arizona Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-23-1171-PDN
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: J. M. Murcia Bermudez, N. Singh, R. Ramirez, M. Porchas, J. Furr and B. Poudel-Ward. First Report of Rhizopus arrhizus (syn. R. oryzae) causing Sunflower Head Rot in Arizona, USA (2024). Plant Disease: under review.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: N. Singh, J M Murcia Bermudez, M. Chamberland, and B. Poudel-Ward (2024). First Report of Pitaya Virus X Infecting Lophocereus schottii f. mieckleyanus (Thin-Stemmed Totem Pole Cactus) in the United States. Plant Dis. 108:1122.
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Belisle, W. H., Rooney-Latham, S., Soriano, M. C., Gr�nwald, N. J. and. Blomquist, C. L. 2024. First Report of Phytophthora ramorum Causing Leaf Spots on Cornus capitata (Evergreen Dogwood) in the United States. Plant Disease 108:1119.
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Blomquist, C.L., Rooney-Latham, S., Albu, S. and Koike, S.T. 2024. First Report of Leaf Blight on California Buckeye Caused by Boeremia lilacis in California. Plant Disease 108:210. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-23-1038-PDN
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Bourret, T.B., Blomquist, C.L., Mohan, K.S., Sampangi, R., Ho, H.H., Mohammed, I.A. First Detection of the Obligate Biotroph Phytophthora cyperi Causing Disease on Yellow Nutsedge in the United States, and Establishment of Molecular Barcoding Sequences for the Species. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-02-24-0013-R
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Garbelotto, M., Schmidt, D., Popenuck, T., Rooney-Latham, S., Ewing, C., and Smith, T. 2023. First report of Cryptostroma corticale causing sooty bark disease in California and first report of Acer saccharinum as a host. Plant Disease 08:1395. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-23-2734-PDN
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Wang, Y.-C., Koster, J., Rooney-Latham, S., Blomquist, C. L., Belisle, W. H., and Bourret, T. 2024. First report of Phytophthora taxon � salinaslettuce (Subclade 8b hybrid) causing stem and basal rot in lettuce in North America. Plant Disease Note. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2155-PDN.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Forthman, M. 2024. First record of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Linnaeus 1758) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) in California, U.S.A. Pan-Pac. Entomol., 100: 7578.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: �lvarez-Ortega, S. & Subbotin, S.A. 2024. Cotylenchus cleo gen. n., sp. n., a new plant-parasitic nematode (Tylenchida: Anguinidae) parasitising on leaves of western sword fern plants from rainforests in Washington State, USA. Nematology 26: 579-592.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Subbotin, S.A. & Inserra, R.N. 2024. Recombinase polymerase amplification assays with lateral flow dipsticks for rapid detection of the reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis, and the burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis. Russian Journal of Nematology 32: 133-142.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Subbotin, S.A. 2024. Rapid detection of the strawberry foliar nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae using recombinase polymerase amplification assay with lateral flow dipsticks. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25: 844.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Subbotin, S.A., Palomares-Rius, J.E. & Castillo, P. 2024. Recombinase Polymerase Amplification assay for detection of the British root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne artiellia. Journal of Nematology 56: 0023.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Calder�n, J., Swacker, S., Elfar, K. , Greer, C. & Del Castillo M�nera, J. 2024. First report of Sclerotinia minor infecting Scabiosa in California. Plant Disease. First look.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Zimmerman, K., Clark, N. E., Turini, T. A., Paulk, A., Del Castillo M�nera, J., Li, N., ... & Swett, C. L. 2024. First report of Fusarium falciforme causing root and stem rot in cowpea (syn. black-eyed pea; Vigna unguiculata) in California. Plant Disease, (ja).
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: L. M. Switzer, B. B. Wood, J. W. Woodhall, and C. J. R. Cumagun. First Report of Rhizoctonia solani AG 4 HG-III Causing Stem Lesion of Watermelon in Idaho. Plant Disease 108 (10), 3188.
  • Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Mark Angelo Balendres, James Woodhall, Jonathan L. Whitworth, and Christian Joseph R. Cumagun. Powdery Scab of Potato: A Diagnostic Guide Plant Health Progress 2024 25:3, 334-339


Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The Western Plant Diagnostic Network (WPDN) reaches out to different target audiences involved in plant health. The WPDN main audience are the plant disease diagnostic laboratories that are members of the network. WPDN also reaches out to state and federal officials that respond/regulate organisms of concern. WPDN members are laboratories at land-grant Universities (LGU) and State Departments of Agriculture (SDA) that conduct plant disease diagnostics in the Western Region of the National Plant Diagnostic Network. The western region includes ten western states (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, and WA) and two U.S. island territories in the Pacific (American Samoa and Guam). States and territories are represented by plant pathologists, entomologists, and weed specialists at their respective LGU's and/or SDAs. WPDN reaches out to member laboratories to provide funding, professional advancement opportunities, and to coordinate network efforts in data reporting, detection, diagnostics, and communication. Another target audience are scientists and specialists associated with other state and federal agencies that regulate organisms of concern or that respond to plant disease epidemics. WPDN reaches out to them on a need to know basis, in order to report the detection of organisms of concern. Changes/Problems:NPDN was established in 2002 with an annual budget of $4.75 million granted by USDA/ NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture). The annual budget remained fairly steady over the next eight years, with a peak of $5 million in 2010. In 2011, funding from NIFA was cut nearly in half and has remained flat since then at roughly $3 million. In addition to the challenges presented by more than a decade of flat funding, operating costs have risen significantly over the past three years. Supplies are taking a larger bite out of laboratory budgets. For instance, the average price of pipette tips has risen by 25% and the price of a box of medium nitrile gloves has risen 91% since 2018. Equipment costs have risen as well. Many NPDN laboratories have also been charged with increasing responsibilities (which take time away from diagnostics) without accompanying increases in funding. NPDN has been operating under limited funding for a number of years. During the strategic planning process, in consultation with USDA-NIFA staff, NPDN reduced its original functions to focus on three key areas of diagnostic, professional development, and communication. Along with this tightening in focus, the number of staff FTEs supported by NPDN funding has been reduced and some of the activities formerly led by paid staff have been transferred to committees of NPDN members. NPDN committees operate on largely voluntary basis. Their contribution to NPDN is considered part of the cooperative support model between USDA-NIFA and the LGUs, and part of the requirements for receiving NPDN funds and being members of NPDN. However, NPDN members have their own job responsibilities that limit the amount of time they can dedicate to the network. To more efficiently manage NPDN operating costs, a centralized planning model (CPM) for resource allocation was implemented in 2019. The CPM allows NPDN to direct limited funds to programs of importance to the network mission and goals. Also, it provides a more equitable funding structure among labs and regions. For implementation of the CPM, the five regional centers and CERIS coordinate their work, and submit their applications as a consortium. The CPM does not result in additional cost savings, but allows NPDN to better prioritize its functions under its current funding. Despite this approach, NPDN continues to be unable to properly fund some of its core programs. NPDN does not expect to be able to further reduce operating costs without losing additional biosecurity functions. As "the most critical biosecurity functions", NPDN reaffirmed its commitment to quality diagnostics and timely communications as its primary mission. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported 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? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Quality Diagnostic:(April 2023-April 2024) WPDN labs submitted over 142,464 diagnoses to the NPDN National Data Repository (NDR).This number is driven mostly by the potato certification program in HI(136,211).8of the 10WPDN labs detected 67 first occurrences.NPDN diagnosticians are trained to report first occurrences to state regulatory partners in the states. Past times,NPDN diagnosticians participated in the National Plant Protection Laboratory Accreditation Program (NPPLAP).In 2023,PPQ announced the program was going to be redesigned to provide certifications for commonly used molecular techniques applicable for testing many plant pathogens, rather than pathogen-specific protocols.PPQ will work in close collaboration with NPDN to implement the new program.The NPDN Proficiency committee finished developing the backbone of a new Essential Proficiency Program.Program was developed to establish a standard for measuring fundamental diagnostic knowledge among NPDN diagnosticians & to ensure the quality of data uploaded to the NDR.NPDN Core Accreditation Program is intended to launch (& begin accepting applications) in 2024.Key documents will be due before the next cooperative agreement to ensure labs are working on their Quality Management System towards achieving Core Accreditation.72 diagnosticians served the region in NPDN funded labs.Numbers do not include diagnosticians in some State Departof Ag labs that are also members of NPDN but are not required to fill in the survey.NPDN funded labs were staffed by 130 FTEs, including other non-diagnostician roles such as post-doc & gradstudent employees, tech, admin, & other part-time & hourly staff.WPDN labs continue offering a variety of diagnostic disciplines. Allare able to provide plant pathology & entomology services associated with the NPDN labs.7 of the 11 states/territories also have access to nematology diagnostics & another eight also had access to weed/plant identification.Seed identification is available in only 3states.2State Department of Ag labs funded by WPDN (CDFA, & NVDOA), have shown commitment to support other labs in the region in all disciplines of diagnostic.A survey of diagnostic methods used by the labs in the Western region, indicated that all states are equipped to conduct traditional diagnostic techniques including visual diagnostics, incubation, isolation & microscopy. All states (except the territory of Guam) are also capable of doing conventional PCR, ELISA, & bioassays.Most states (7-9) have qPCR, sequencing capabilities, & isothermal amplification equipment.Professional Development:NPDN was without a person able to add new professional development material until mid 2023.Theonline professional development program is in its infancy & does not have a huge amount of course offerings.During 2023,36 members accessed the NPDN LearnUpon professional development system & enrolled in 28 different trainings/webinars.Of those, they started or completed 11 trainings/webinars.Most accessed trainings in the region -"NPDN National Data Repository Data Use Policy Training" (20 users),which is required of all NPDN members that use the NDR, the "Accreditation Orientation Course One - An Introduction to Quality Management" & the "NPDN Learning Management System: Orientation" (12 participants each).WPDN members attended 34 other NPDN network activities or events, including regional meetings & conference calls.NPDN partnered with USDA-APHIS Plant Pathogen Confirmatory Diagnostics lab (PPCDL) to provide in-person & virtual advanced diagnostics training workshops with PPA7721 funding.17 WPDN members attended these workshops.In addition to network events, WPDN members participated in 50 other professional development activities & events.These events included professional conferences such as APS & APS Pacific division; Entomological conferences;& other conferences in various specialized topics.Communication:WPDN plays a leading role in the NPDN communication program.Brenes-Arguedas continued work on improving communication infrastructure of the network.She worked closely with the IT Center, & the NPDN Communication & Outreach & Extension Committees. As the content manager for the NPDN website,continued working to maintain the NPDN Website up to date & easy to navigate,& to continuously publish new information.The NPDN ssupports & fosters strong relationships with our regulatory partners in protecting plant health.The NPDN regulatory relations committee works to develop communication protocols,MOU's & guidelines to ensure that NPDN members understand the roles of regulatory partners in plant biosecurity & that NPDN regulatory partners are aware of NPDN responsibilities & activities.NPDN members are trained in communication protocols with regulatory partners & for pests of concern.In addition to sub-contracts with the CDFA& the Nevada Dept. of Ag. (NDA), WPDN has (non-funded) formal collaboration agreements with the WASDA - Plant Pathology & Molecular Diagnostics Lab, the IASDA - Plant Pathology Lab, the AKDNR - Plant Materials Center, & the CAAlliance of Pest Control Districts.WPDN diagnosticians in Unilabs, reported nine detections to regulatory partners.These diagnoses were brought to the attention of USDA-APHIS or their respective State Departof Ag. They may have resulted in a regulatory action or not, but the labs felt notification was important.In addition to reporting to regulatory agencies, all NPDN labs are SDA labs or work closely with SDAs labs in the region. Specifically: 2 NPDN funded labs in the region are SDA labs:CDFA - Plant Pest Diagnostics Center, in CA, & NDA - Plant Pathology Program, in NV. The UT, AZ, and NMDepartof Agridonthave plant diagnostic labs.Pant pathology samples in those States are referred to the Utah State UniPlant Pest Diagnostic Lab, Uniof AZ, School of Plant Sciences diagnostic lab & the NMState Uni Plant Diagnostic Clinic, respectively.Also: UA & NMSU labs also screen samples from their SDA annual CAPs surveys. USU plant pest lab is also part of the outreach for the Emerald Ash Borer Task Force. UA lab is assisting APHIS in monitoring several regulatory diseases on grapevine in Arizona. The HI SDA has a plant pathologist on staff, but no lab.The SDA uses the laboratory facilities of the Agrosecurity lab of the Uniof HI, Manoa.The lab director is also the State Survey Coordinator. AK, WA, OR, & IASDAs all have plant disease diagnostic labs.All these labs are also NPDN member labs. The land grant Unilabs in those states, work & communicate closely with the state labs.In addition: The WSU Pullman Diagnostic Clinic has received a majority of the SDA survey samples for testing of various fruit viruses. WPDN regional center attended 2conferences to network with state regulatory partners.McRoberts &Brenes-Arguedas participated & presented in the Western Plant Board Meeting,NV, 4/8-12, 2023.McRoberts attended the National Plant Board meeting, MI, 7/21-25, 2023.The National Plant Board granted NPDN the Outstanding Partnership Award in 7/2023.WPDN diagnosticians are active in scientific communication in the field of diagnostics.WPDN diagnosticians produced 68 refereed publications related to NPDN or their diagnostic work. Refereed publications include Books,Book Chapters,Conference Abstracts,Journal Articles& Thesis/Dissertations.WPDN diagnosticians gave 72 presentations in scientific conferences,& led 20 courses & workshops related to diagnostic training.WPDN diagnosticians are active in outreach & extension communication with plant health communities in their state.65 publications & 367 presentations related to Outreach & Extension.13 appearances in radio/TV related to extension. Presentationsreached an estimated audience of 10,278.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hu J. 2023. First report of Geotrichum candidum causing rubbery rot on potato in Arizona Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-23-1171-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hu J. 2023. First report of Cladosporium ramotenellum causing sooty spot on postharvest clementines in the United States. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-23-0210-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hu J. 2022. First report of Globisporangium heterothallicum causing seedling disease on guayule in Arizona. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-21-2644-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2023 Citation: Blomquist, C.L., Rooney-Latham, S., Albu, S. and Koike, S.T. 2023. First Report of Leaf Blight on California Buckeye Caused by Boeremia lilacis in California. Plant Disease in press.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Elfar, K., Bustamante, M.I., Rooney-Latham, S., Eskalen, A., and Miller, T. 2023. First report of Phyllactinia chubutiana causing powdery mildew on Goji berry plants (Lycium barbarum and L. chinense) in the United States. Plant Dis. 2023 Mar 7. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-10-22-2432-PDN. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36880864.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hodel, D.R., Santos, P., and Rooney-Latham, S. 2023. Likely First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by the Fungus Erysiphe magnifica on the Landscape Tree Magnolia grandiflora. Palm Arbor 15:1-14.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Subbotin, S.A. 2023. On the reliability of recombinase polymerase amplification  lateral flow assay using ITS rRNA gene primers and probe as a new detection method of the golden potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis. Russian Journal of Nematology 31: 115-120.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Subbotin, S.A., Burbridge, J., Palomares-Rius, J.E. & Castillo, P. 2023. Molecular diagnostics of the Mediterranean olive cyst nematode, Heterodera mediterranea Vovlas, Inserra & Stone, 1981 using conventional and real-time PCR. European Journal of Plant Pathology 165: 179187. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-23-1963-RE
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ahmed, M.Z. L. Deeter, C. Dorado, N. Von Ellenrieder, N.F. Quinn, A. Roda, E.N. Schoeller, C.L. Mckenzie, L.S. Osborne & L.M. Diepenbrock. 2023. Development of a species-level field diagnostic kit for Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), an invasive and regulatory pest in the United States. Journal of Applied Entomology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2023 Citation: Forthman, M. (In press). First record of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Linnaeus 1758) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) in California, U.S.A. Pan-Pacific Entomologist.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2023 Citation: Kashyap R., Miles T., Martin F., Del Castillo M�nera, J., 2023. Rapid and Robust Detection of Phytophthora affecting Native Californian Ornamental Plants. American Phytopathological society (APS). Phytopathology. In press.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Elfar, K., Bustamante, M.I., Arreguin, M., Nouri, M.T., Eskalen, A.. 2023. Identification and pathogenicity of Alternaria species causing leaf blotch and fruit spot of apples in California. Phytopathologia Mediterranea.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Paudel, S., et al. (2022) "RSSC-Lineage Multiplex PCR'? assay detects and differentiates Ralstonia solanacearum, R. pseudosolanacearum, R. syzygii and the R3bv2 subgroup. Research Square. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1693987/v1 https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-1693987/v1
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L., Delorm, J., and Hahn, E. (2022) Foliar Pathogens in Guam: Albugo. Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach Technical Report TR 01-22. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Albugo_10_19_2022.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L., Delorm, J., and Hahn, E. (2022) Foliar Pathogens in Guam: Alternaria and Stemphylium. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Alternaria_10_25_2022.pdfGuam Cooperative Extension & Outreach Technical Report TR 02-22. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Alternaria_10_25_2022.pdf
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Elfar, K., Carachure, C., Bustamante, M. I., Andrews, E., Eskalen. 2024. A. First report of Diplodia bulgarica causing black canker on apple in California. Plant Disease Journal. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-23-2031-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Elfar, K., Bustamante, Arreguin, M., Nouri, M.T., Eskalen, A. 2024. Identification and Pathogenicity of Fungal Pathogens Associated with Branch Canker and Shoot Blight on Persimmons (Diospyros kaki) in California. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-23-2629-SC
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Bustamante, M.I., Todd, C., Elfar, K., Hamid, M.I., Garcia, J.F., Cantu, D., Rolshausen, P.E., Eskalen, A. 2023. Identification and pathogenicity of Fusarium species associated with young vine decline in California. Plant Disease Journal. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-23-1362-RE
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L., Delorm, J., and Hahn, E. (2022) Foliar Pathogens in Guam: Ascochyta. Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach Technical Report TR 03-22. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Ascochyta_10_19_2022.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L., Delorm, J., and Hahn, E. (2022) Foliar Pathogens in Guam: Peronospora. Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach Technical Report TR 12-22. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Peronospora_10_19_22.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L., Delorm, J., and Hahn, E. (2022) Foliar Pathogens in Guam: Phomopsis (Diaporthe). Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach Technical Report TR 13-22. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Phomopsis_10_19_22.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L., Delorm, J., and Hahn, E. (2022) Foliar Pathogens in Guam: Phyllosticta (Guignardia). Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach Technical Report TR 14-22. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Phyllosticta_10_19_22.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L., Delorm, J., and Hahn, E. (2022) Foliar Pathogens in Guam: Phytophthora. Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach Technical Report TR 15-22. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Phytophthora_10_19_22.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L., Delorm, J., and Hahn, E. (2022) Foliar Pathogens in Guam: Puccinia and Uromyces. Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach Technical Report TR 16-22. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Puccinia_10_19_22.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L, Delorm, J., Hahn, E., and So, E.K. (2022) Simplified Key to Foliar, Filamentous Pathogens of Guam. Guam Cooperative Extension & Outreach publication. https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/publications/Simplified_Pathogen_Key_10_25_2022.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schlub, R.L, Delorm, J., Hahn, E., and So, E.K. (2022) YouTube tutorial: Simplified Key to Foliar Filamentous Pathogens of Guam. YouTube video published by UOG CNAS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQiSizXChtw
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQiSizXChtw Kong, A.T., Olmedo-Velarde, A., Borth, W., Wang, K.-H., Hu, J.S., and Melzer. M.J. 2023. Molecular and biological characterization of a novel tobamovirus infecting sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) in Hawaii. Plant Disease 107:3106-3112 https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-22-2148-RE
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Lutgen, H, Olmedo-Velarde, A., Kong, A., and Melzer, M. 2023. First report of plumeria mosaic virus infecting Plumeria spp. in the United States. Plant Disease 107:1956 https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-22-2019-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Wang, X., Larrea-Sarmiento, A.E., Olmedo-Velarde, A., Kong, A., Borth, W., Suzuki, J.Y., Wall, M.M., Melzer, M., and Hu, J. 2023. First detection and genome characterization of a new RNA virus, Hibiscus betacarmovirus, and a new DNA virus, hibiscus soymovirus, naturally infecting Hibiscus spp. in Hawaii. Viruses 15(1), 90 DOI: 10.3390/v15010090
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Wang, X., Larrea-Sarmiento, A., Olmedo-Velarde, A., Kong, A., Borth, W., Suzuki, J.Y., Wall, M.M., Melzer, M., and Hu, J. 2023. First detection and complete genome sequence of a new tobamovirus naturally infecting Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in Hawaii. Archives of Virology 168:40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-022-05634-0
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Wharton PS, Danghi S, Woodhall JW, accepted. Development of an innovative loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid on-site detection of Phytophthora infestans. Plant Disease.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Batson AM, Woodhall JW, du Toit L, 2023. Real-time PCR assays for races of the spinach wilt pathogen. Plant Disease 107, 2633-2642.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Schoener, J. L. and Wang, S. 2023. Co-infections of Spiroplasma citri, Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii, and Beet curly top virus in hemp (Cannabis sativa) with abnormal growth syndrome. Phytopathology 113:S3.1. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-113-11-S3.1.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Nischwitz, C., Ferson, A., Romero?Jimenez, M.-J., Barney K. and Newcombe, G. 2023. Confirmation of powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera pannosa on Rosa canina in North America. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 18: 2 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s13314-022-00487-7)


Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The Western Plant Diagnostic Network (WPDN) reaches out to different target audiences involved in plant health. The WPDN main audience are the plant disease diagnostic laboratories that are members of the network. WPDN also reaches out to state and federal officials that respond/regulate, organisms of concern. WPDN members are laboratories at land-grant Universities (LGU) and State Departments of Agriculture (SDA) that conduct plant disease diagnostics in the Western Region of the National Plant Diagnostic Network. The western region includes ten western states (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, and WA) and two U.S. island territories in the Pacific (American Samoa and Guam). States and territories are represented by plant pathologists, entomologists, and weed specialists at their respective LGU's and/or SDAs. WPDN reaches out to member laboratories to provide funding, professional advancement opportunities, and to coordinate network efforts in data reporting, detection, diagnostics, and communication. Another target audience are scientists and specialists associated with other state and federal agencies that regulate organisms of concern or that respond to plant disease epidemics. WPDN reaches out to them on a need to know basis, in order to report the detection of organisms of concern. Changes/Problems:As explained in the 2019 NPDN Strategic Plan, the NPDN has been operating under limited funding for a number of years. During the strategic planning process, in consultation with USDA-NIFA staff, NPDN reduced its original functions to focus on three key areas of diagnostic, professional development, and communication. Along with this tightening in focus, the number of staff FTEs supported by NPDN funding has been reduced and some of the activities formerly led by paid staff have been transferred to committees of NPDN members. NPDN committees operate on largely voluntary basis. Their contribution to NPDN is considered part of the cooperative support model between USDA-NIFA and the LGUs. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The WPDN Regional Center hosted the 2022 NPDN National Meeting in Davis, CA on 4/26-30. The NPDN National Meeting is one of the most important networking & professional development opportunities for the diagnostic community. The NPDN meeting was attended by diagnosticians from all over the US including partner labs in State Departments of Agriculture. Despite this being the first meeting after COVID, & having some travel restrictions remaining, the meeting was attended by 136 participants. The meeting included the following seven workshops & fieldtrips organized by the regional center & CDFA (85 participants total): Arthropod Identification Macro photography for diagnostics Hemp Pest Identification Diagnostic Statistics - Sensitivity and Specificity Fungal Identification Sonoma Forest Diseases Wineries and Viniculture in California Central Valley In addition, during 2022, 23 diagnosticians from the WPDN region participated in eight training modules offered virtually by PPCDL/Beltsville lab collaboration with NPDN How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach & Extension communication Since 2018, WPDN does not require that WPDN labs conduct first detector training, and the national First Detector program has been inactive since 2020. Communication with the plant health community is handled independently by labs according to their needs and priorities. During 2020, WPDN labs prepared 142 publications, 64 of those specific for outreach and extension audiences. They also conducted 366 presentations, most of them (275) specifically for Extension audiences (Table 6). WPDN members also presented and published for scientific audiences, lead coursework, and recorded other kinds of audio and video presentation What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Quality Diagnostics: WPDN has allocated funds to continue providing equipment and lab improvement grants to the WPDN labs and for a diagnostician exchange program. WPDN does not play a key role in the national programs aimed at improving quality of diagnostic work such as lab accreditation, proficiency and protocol validation. However, WPDN members will continue participating in those NPDN committees. In addition, WPDN labs must explain how they will use WPDN funds to provide quality diagnostics and initiate lab accreditation (Appendix I) The WPDN regional meeting in 2023 will also include a workshop to help labs advance in the documentation for Core accreditation. Professional Development WPDN encourages diagnostician professional development and training and, when possible, provides additional funds for travel to trainings. During the 2021-2022 funding year, WPDN members will continue participating in NPDN committees that are developing programs for professional development. WPDN does not play a key role in the national professional development program, but WPDN members will continue participating in the committee, and taking professional development trainings. Communication: WPDN is strongly involved in advancing the communication goal of NPDN. During year two of the cooperative agreement WPDN will hire a student to help organize some old materials and make them more available to diagnosticians online. Outreach education and extension communication: O&E activities are important to the NPDN mission as they raise the visibility of the network and are often key to the day-to-day responsibilities of our members. WPDN supports efforts by diagnosticians to improve communications and education in their states within the mission and goals or their own institutions. The Outreach & extension committee is charged with supporting outreach and extension activities of NPDN members by providing resources to reduce the burden associated with information gathering and dissemination. Dr. Brenes-Arguedas is champion of this committee, and heavily involved in facilitating and advancing its mission. Regulatory communications: WPDN remains fully committed to a policy of engagement with our regulatory partners. WPDN has a long history of actively engaging SDAs in the region. During this reporting period WPDN has successfully increased its interaction with the regulatory community and will continue to build momentum. WPDN co-directors participated in the Western Plant Board meeting this year, and will represent NPDN in the National Plant board meeting. Coincidentally, the new president of the National Plant board is located in the Western Region (Alaska). Currently WPDN maintains subcontracts with CDFA (which remains the regional center lab) and NVDOA (the only plant diagnostic lab in Nevada). In addition, the WPDN regional center and WPDN state labs maintain close working relations with lab directors and diagnosticians in the Washington State Dept. of Ag (WSDA), the Division of Ag. in the Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR), the Oregon Dept. of Ag. (ODA), the Hawaii Dept. of Ag (HDOA), and the Idaho Department of Ag (ISDA). WPDN has allocated funds to cover travel costs to facilitate the participation of regulatory partners in regional and national events if they request so. Diagnostic data reporting: WPDN will continue working with WPDN labs to improve data reporting of WPDN labs to the NPDN national data repository. WPDN will also continue collaboration with the other regions and committees to improve the way data is shared with external uses. Dr. Brenes-Arguedas is a key collaborator of the NPDN National Data Repository (NDR), and WPDN has a history of collaborating with the NPDN IT Center in the development and improvement of tools to enter or query diagnostic data. She is the champion of the National Data committee, and currently plays a leadership role in ongoing effort to develop the new data upload guidelines that would improve the quality of the data submitted to the NDR.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Until 2020, NPDN performance metrics were collected from 4/1, to 3/31. Starting in 2021, the NPDN Leadership team started collecting NPDN performance metrics by calendar year (1/1-12/31). Accordingly, this document reports performance metrics from 1/1- 12/31/2022. Summary of Accomplishments in Quality Diagnostic NPDN aims to provide high quality diagnostics to support plant health communities through constant improvement & quality assurance. This new goal replaces the original [Diagnostics] goal in that NPDN focus is not to simply support labs' diagnostic work but to improve diagnostic quality with accreditation and proficiency testing. To that end, WPDN labs must include in the work plan application (Appendix I), any work they plan to conduct to provide high quality diagnostics to support plant health communities through constant improvement & quality assurance. Diagnostic work in the region During 2020, WPDN labs processed over 330,000 samples, & submitted over 120,000 diagnoses to the NPDN National Data Repository (NDR). A majority of the samples processed consisted of survey and screening analysis (200,122). This number is driven mostly by the potato certification program in Hawaii, & the CDFA's HLB & other delimitation programs. Diagnostic analysis & organism identification involved 7,286 samples. Diagnostic Capability in the region: WPDN labs continue offering a variety of diagnostics disciplines NPDN labs continue having a focus on pathology, but most labs offer also entomology services. Two State Department of Ag labs funded by WPDN (CDFA, and NVDOA), have shown commitment to support other labs in the region in all disciplines of diagnostic. Most WPDN labs continue offering incubation culturing & microscopy for their diagnosis, but most states are also now equipped with conventional or real-time PCR in their labs. While two WPDN labs have recently purchased sequencers, it appears that they have not yet developed the methods to offer services. Improvements in diagnostic capacity & capability in the region WPDN allocated a funds to support needed equipment investments (described in Table 2). These & earlier investment by WPDN have allowed WPDN labs to improve their diagnostic capacity and capability as follows: The Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center of the UA, Fairbanks started increasing their capacity for DNA-based identification of arthropods by acquiring DNA extraction equipment. Diagnosticians at the University of Arizona, Tucson optimized real-time RT-PCR assay to detect grapevine leafroll-associated viruses. The CDFA- PDDL participated in the NPDN Interlaboratory Comparison Exercise (ILCE) for a new & Imported Fusarium sambucinum qPCR assay; purchased a MinIon sequencer with WPDN funds & high throughput sequencing (HTS) equipment with a cooperative grant to use HTS for virus detection on Prunus, grapevine & strawberry plants being exported overseas. The Extension Plant Pathology labs at the UC, Davis purchased a fluorometer to conduct RPA analyses & a real time PCR machine. The funding to buy this equipment was provided by federal grants. With these new acquisitions they are now working on improving methodologies for Phytophthora identification using WPDN additional contribution funds. The biosecurity lab at the UHI continued offering winter seed potato certification diagnostics for Nebraska, Minnesota, & New York. The UID purchased two qPCR instruments to increase its diagnostic capacity. They have also lead two NPDN funded projects: 1) to support for protocol development & interlaboratory comparison exercises: Clavibacter sepedonicus using real-time PCR; & 2) to initiate the development of a Diagnostic Services Database. The NVDOA Plant Diagnostic Lab tested/identified/diagnosed over 4,000plant & soil samples per year first time in history & obtained two NPPLAP proficiency tests certification. The lab is vertically integrated with a broad range of diagnostic methods & expertise. Its diagnostic services have expanded to cover a broad range of organisms, including pathogens, arthropods, weeds & plant species. The Plant Disease Clinic at OSU created or updated 34 lab protocols; also purchased an Illumina MiniSeq sequencer, & 2 new PCR machines, one of which is a replacement. They are one of 3 labs participating in a USDA NIFA, AFRI, FACT funded proposal to use of whole genome sequencing in plant clinics. They also participated with the Oregon Department of Agriculture in a Prunus survey funded by the Farm Bill; & in a USDA, NIFA, EEIC funded proposal for biocontrol of crown gall. The diagnostician for the Plant Disease Clinic in NMSU chaired the NPDN lab accreditation committee & was instrumental to advancing & promoting the new NPDN Core accreditation program through the funding year. The Plant Diagnostic Clinic at USU added PCR protocols to test for Tobacco rattle virus & copper tolerance genes in bacteria. The WSU Pullman Diagnostic Clinic has supported the Washington State Department of Agriculture with testing of survey samples of various fruit viruses. In addition, developed screening protocol for Monilinia fructicola & Neonectria galligena. Summary of Accomplishments in Professional Development: NPDN aims to provide training opportunities and experiential learning that accelerate the learning curve and enhance diagnostic capabilities of current & future diagnosticians. The earlier goal of [Detection] was narrowed down to include only training for future & current diagnosticians. Due to funding limitations, NPDN cut its first detector extension program. But diagnostic labs continue serving as sentinel labs for new detections. WPDN diagnosticians participated in 22 other trainings and professional conferences not organized by NPDN. Summary of Accomplishments in Communication NPDN aims to ensure effective & timely communications & productive collaborations with regulatory partners, diagnostic labs, & plant health communities. Curate & communicate quality diagnostic information that benefits plant health. This new goal expands on the original [Reporting] goal in that focuses broader on facilitation all communication (not only data reporting) with regulatory partners, among diagnostic labs & with the broader plant health community. Diagnostic data reporting to the NDR WPDN labs submitted 14,522 diagnoses (confirmed, suspected, undetermined, not-detected) including 12,284 pathogens, 561 arthropods, 21 nematodes, 85 plants/seeds/weeds, & 719 abiotic disorders. Half of these diagnoses (7,901) come from the potato seed certification program of the biosecurity lab in the University of Hawaii. Improving data quality in the NPDN National Data Repository We worked closely with the IT Center & the NPDN National Data Committee to improve the quality of the data submitted to the NDR by developing NDR data upload materials, & cleaning outdated codes without taxonomic information. She also led the Confidence Levels Working group, which worked with the LIMS committee to substantially improve how diagnostic confidence is entered in the NDR. Improving network online communication We focused on improving communication & communication infrastructure of the network. She worked closely with the IT Center, & the communication committee to update the NPDN Website, developing a new NPDN brand look & feel that was consistent among regions, & continue adding information about NPDN programs to the website. She continues working closely with IT Center director Mike Hill, to prioritize, plan, & execute IT work that benefits the network & improves communication with the diagnostic community. First detections reported to regulatory partners Eight of the ten WPDN labs detected 82 first occurrences. This first occurrences are reported to state regulatory partners.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Wenninger, AW. 2022. Notes on the chokecherry midge: A new insect species record for Alaska and natural enemy of invasive chokecherry. Newsletter of the Alaska Entomological Society Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 2-5, http://www.akentsoc.org/doc/AKES_newsletter_2022_n1_a01.pdf
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hu J. 2022. Detection of Seiridium cardinale causing bark cankers on Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) in Arizona. Plant Health Progress https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-04-22-0039-BR
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hu J. 2022. First report of Globisporangium heterothallicum causing seedling disease on guayule in Arizona. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-21-2644-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hu J. 2022. Occurrence of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus in Wine Grapes in Arizona. Plant Health Progress https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-03-22-0030-BR
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hu J. and Rueda A. 2022. First report of Phytophthora parsiana causing crown and root rot on guayule in the United States. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-21-2239-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: R. M. Harveson, M. Al Rwahnih, T. Tian, A. Karasev, T. J. Gulya, and J. D. Bradshaw. The Quest to Identify a New Virus Disease of Sunflower from Nebraska. Plant Disease. 106:2773-2783.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Lee, C. Rooney-Latham, S. Brown, A. A., McCormick, M., Baston, D. 2022. Pathogenicity of three Botryosphaeriaceae fungi, Diplodia scrobiculata, Diplodia mutila, and Dothiorella californica, isolated from coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in California. Accepted and In Press. Forest Pathology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Rooney-Latham, S. Blomquist, C.L., Pastalka, T. and Soriano, M.C. 2022. First Report of Dieback Caused by Phytophthora ramorum on Golden Chinquapin, Chrysolepsis chrysophylla in California. Plant Disease 106: 2002. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-21-2044-PDN.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Adler, K., Schill, A., Stolberg, A., Miller, C.W., Forthman, M. 2022. First record of the bow-legged bug Hyalymenus subinermis (Heteroptera: Alydidae) in California, with description of the mimetic immature stages. The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 98: 138'149.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Yimer, H., Burbridge, J., Brito J.A., Nadler, S.A, Chitambar, J.J. & Subbotin, S.A. 2022. Diagnostics of the peach root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis using multiplex real-time PCR. European Journal of Plant Pathology 164: 109-123
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Avenot, H.F., Jaime-Frias, R., Travadon, R., Holland, L., Lawrence, D.P. and Trouillas, F.P. 2022. Development of PCR-based Assays for Rapid and Reliable Detection and Identification of Canker-causing Pathogens from Symptomatic Almond Trees. Phytopathology 12 (8), 1710-1722.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Calderon, J., Greer, C. & Del Castillo Munera, J. First report of Sclerotinia minor infecting Scabiosa in California. Submitted to Plant Disease. June 2022.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Marcelo I. Bustamante, Shannon Colleen Lynch, Karina Elfar, John N. Kabashima, Rhonda Wood, Heather F. Neault, Madeleine B. Rauhe, Jeffrey Crain, Jasmine A. Lopez, Amanda Penicks, Humberto Mojica, Mike D. Atkinson, Christopher Shogren, Molly Arreguin, Carissa Frency Chiang, Samuel I. Wells, Karen S. Alarcon, and Akif Eskalen. First Report of Neofusicoccum mediterraneum and Neofusicoccum parvum Causing Pine Ghost Canker on Pinus spp. in Southern California. 2023. Plant Disease https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-22-2076-PDN
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Paudel, S., et al. (2022) "RSSC-Lineage Multiplex PCR assay detects and differentiates Ralstonia solanacearum, R. pseudosolanacearum, R. syzygii and the R3bv2 subgroup. Research Square. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1693987/v1 https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-1693987/v1
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: AE Larrea-Sarmiento, A Olmedo-Velarde, X Wang, W Borth, R Domingo, et al. Genetic Diversity of Viral Populations Associated with Ananas Germplasm and Improvement of Virus Diagnostic Protocols. Pathogens 11 (12), 1470 (2022)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: H Lutgen, A Olmedo Velarde, A Kong, M Melzer. First report of plumeria mosaic virus infecting Plumeria spp. in the United States. Plant Disease (2022)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: X Wang, et al Survey of viruses infecting Basella alba in Hawaii. Plant Disease (2022)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Forthman, M., Lara, R., Meeds, A.W., Rider, D.A. 2022. First record of Pellaea stictica (Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in California, U.S.A. The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 98: 76'80.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Korneyev, S., Hauser, M., Kameneva, E.P., & Gaimari, S. (2022) A key to species of the Euxesta sororcula species group (Diptera: Ulidiidae: Lipsanini), with a new synonymy and a new record from the U.S.A. The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 98(2): 150-162.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Von Ellenrieder, N. & Bailey, J. 2022. Aleurocybotus mojavensis (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae), a new whitefly species from California. Zootaxa 5174(3): 294'300. Doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5174.3.7
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: A Olmedo-Velarde, A Roy, A Larrea-Sarmiento, X Wang, First Report of the Hibiscus Strain of Citrus Leprosis Virus C2 Infecting Passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) Plant Disease 106 (9), 2539 (2022)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: LM Keith, et al First Report of Coffee Leaf Rust Caused by Hemileia vastatrix on Coffee (Coffea arabica) in Hawaii. Plant Disease 106 (2), 761 (2022)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: I Hamim, JY Suzuki, WB Borth, MJ Melzer, MM Wall, JS Hu. Preserving plant samples from remote locations for detection of RNA and DNA viruses. Frontiers in Microbiology 13 (2022)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Thomas W, Borland T, Bergl D, Claassen B, Flodquist T, Montgomery A, Rivedal HM, Woodhall JW, Ocamb C, Gent DH, 2022. A Quantitative PCR Assay for detection and quantification of Fusarium sambucinum. Plant Disease 106, 2601-2606.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Woodhall JW, Brown L, Harrington M, Murdock M, Pizolotto C, Wharton P, Duellman K, 2022. Anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani and binucleate Rhizoctonia associated with potatoes in Idaho. Plant Disease 106, 3127-3132.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Pizolotto CA, Harrington M, Brown L, Murdock M, Harrington S, Marshall J, Neher O, Woodhall JW, 2022. A real-time PCR assay for Erysiphe betae and its effectiveness when used with different spore trapping methods. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 162, 329-341.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Tanaka K, De Shields J, Moroz N, Woodhall JW, 2022. Isothermal amplification for potato disease diagnosis: what have we learned from detection of the powdery scab pathogen? Potato Progress 22, 4.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Schoener, J.L., Gortari, J., Zuch, D., and Wang, S. 2022. Diagnosing Cannabis sativa crop diseases in their early and late stages through systematic examination and holistic approaches. NPDN National Meeting, April,2022, Davis, CA. (Meeting Poster)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Setia, G. (2022) Investigation of potential role of termites as pathogen vectors in the decline of ironwood trees (Casuarina equisetifolia) in Guam. Oral presentation at the 2022 Joint Southeastern Branch & APC-CD Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Blomquist, C.L., Diagnostics in Regulatory Plant Pathology. UC Davis Plant Pathology seminar series, October 28, 2022, UC Davis, Davis, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Rooney-Latham, S. Blomquist, C.L., How to Detect Phytophthora and other Plant Pathogens in Container Nurseries. Workshop at the 2022 Annual California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Conference. October 18, 2022. San Jose, CA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Rooney-Latham, S Meeting the Challenges of Phytophthora diagnostics in California, a diverse agricultural and natural ecosystem. Keynote address. 10th Meeting of the International Union of Forest research Organizations (IUFRO)- Phytophthora in Forests and Natural Ecosystems. June 19-25th, 2022. Berkeley, CA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Blomquist, C.L., Introduction to Diagnostics in Regulatory Plant Pathology for UC Davis for Cassandra Swett's Field/Diagnostics course May 25, 2022, UC Davis, Davis, CA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Romberg, Megan, Blomquist, C.L., Rooney-Latham, S. Morphological Identification of Fungi, NPDN National Meeting, Davis, CA April 30, 2022
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Subbotin, S.A. ' Recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of the root-knot nematodes. Poster, Seventh International Congress of Nematology, 1-6 May 2022, Antibes Juan-Les-Pins, France.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: C. Swett. Addressing diagnosis and management needs for emerging, poorly understood F. solani-type crown/root rot and vine decline pathogens of muskmelon in California. Invited Speaker. Melon Research Board Annual Meeting, January 6, 2022, 55 attendees
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Del Castillo Munera J. Plant Diseases and Their Management in the Landscape and Home Garden. San Luis Obispo County Maintenance Gardener Pest Management Webinar Series, October 2022. Virtual meeting. Oral (In Spanish).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Woodhall JW, Harrington M, Wood B, Shin GY, Kvitko, 2022. Developing nucleic acid amplification tests for onion pathogenic bacteria. National Allium Research Conference. Denver, USA. Oral presenter.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Kinnear, M. Woodhall, J. 2022. A real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2. APS Annual Meeting. Poster.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Batson A, Woodhall JW, du Toit L, 2022. Real-time PCR assays that distinguish isolates of two pathogenicity groups of the spinach Fusarium wilt pathogen. APS Annual Meeting. Poster.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Wood B, Murdock M, Woodhall J 2022. A survey of bacterial species associated with onion bulb rots in the Treasure Valley of southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon. APS Annual Meeting. Poster.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Blomquist, C L., Rooney-Latham, S. Lee, C, Ewing, C. and Smith, T. Forest pathogens, including sudden oak death. NPDN National Meeting Field Trip, Jack London Park, Sonoma, CA, April 29, 2022
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Del Castillo Munera, J. Greenhouse pathology in California: Disease management and diagnostics in vegetable seedlings and ornamental crops. The 67th Annual Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens. Virtual, March 2022. Oral.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Del Castillo Munera J. Year II: Disease diagnostics and monitoring of recurrent and new pathogens of the ornamental industry in California. Plant California Alliance (PCA) Research Committee Meeting, February 2022. Virtual meeting. Oral.