Grant Information
| Knowledge Area | Subject of Investigation | Field of Science | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants | 4099 - Microorganisms, general/other | 1160 - Pathology | 100% |
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.
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.
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
Training & Professional Development
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.
Dissemination Streams
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.
Next Reporting Steps
Nothing Reported