Grant Information
| Knowledge Area | Subject of Investigation | Field of Science | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 213 - Weeds Affecting Plants | 2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops | 1060 - Biology (whole systems) | 34% |
| 211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants | 2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops | 1060 - Biology (whole systems) | 33% |
| 212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants | 2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops | 1060 - Biology (whole systems) | 33% |
The WPDN will continue to strengthen its relationships with participating institutions and provide resources for diagnostic infrastructure to fund equipment, training and personnel. The funds requested for 2012-13 will support salaries and training for technical staff, materials, supplies, and communications programs to foster regional goals.
With the current project, we will ensure that service provided by the Network is of the highest quality by (1) providing continuing support to plant diagnostic laboratories in the region to enable them to receive, process, and safely dispose of plant samples and make accurate diagnoses thereof; (2) continuing training of diagnosticians and first detectors; and (3) providing resources for diagnostic lab management and continued submission of diagnostic data to the NPDN National Repository. The plan focuses on resources and needs in the western region, and reinforces interagency partnerships that are critically important for building a strong national network. Evaluation of the performance of the network and its participating institutions will be based on metrics associated with uploading of diagnostic records to the NPDN National Repository on a timely basis, participation of subcontractors in professional development events if funding by NPDN is available, participation in NPDN programs to ensure that laboratories have the required state of readiness to receive samples and to conduct diagnoses, and submission of an end-of-year accomplishments summary report in the required format.
Target Audience
Our target audience includes all laboratories at State Departments of Agriculture and Universities that conduct plant diagnostics in the Western Region of the National Plant Diagnostic Network, particularly the 14 laboratories that we have supported directly through subcontracts. These states are the ten western states (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, and WA) and U.S. island territories in the Pacific (American Samoa and Guam). Additionally, we reached over 5,000 NPDN First Detectors, who are agricultural professionals in industry, government, and the university as well as members of the public. We also serve local, state and federal plant health protection agencies.
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
649 participants registered as First Detectors. In addition 121 people participated in first detector on-line training. Therefore, the WPDN registered 780 new First Detectors between April1, 2015 and April 1, 2016, making a total registration of 6,200 First Detectors within the WPDN since the inception of the program.
Dissemination Streams
WPDN members attended NPDN and USDA-APHIS sponsored training sessions concerning molecular and morphological identification techniques of significant pathogens. Two diagnosticians attended the phytoplasma training, three attended the Phytophthora training. Eleven diagnostians attended Star-D Phase 2, and eight attended Star-D document training. The NMSU lab is preparing for an audit in May 2016. WPDN diagnosticians attended a total of 68 professional development conferences and workshops on topics including weed science, entomology, pathology, invasive species, specific disorders including wheat and barley scab, Pythium, forest diseases, seedborne plant pathogens, European grapevine moth, repository upload procedures, and DNA extraction methods. These workshops, along with other training opportunities, have increased the diagnostic capabilities of our regional members. WPDN members also attended the 4th NPDN National Meeting in Washington, D.C., March 8-12. The meeting included symposia and workshops.
Next Reporting Steps
The WPDN will continue to strengthen its relationships with participating institutions and provide resources for diagnostic infrastructure to fund equipment, training and personnel. The funds requested for 2015-16 will continue to support salaries and training for technical staff, materials, supplies, and communications programs to foster regional goals.