Grant Information
| Knowledge Area | Subject of Investigation | Field of Science | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants | 2110 - Ornamental trees and shrubs | 1060 - Biology (whole systems) | 80% |
| 211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants | 2299 - Miscellaneous and new crops, general/other | 1130 - Entomology and acarology | 20% |
The project is designed for NEPDN to contribute to the overall mission of the National Plant Diagnostic Network by (i) rapidly and accurately identifying plant pests and pathogens of consequence, (ii) submitting all diagnoses and identifications to the National Repository, (iii) facilitating training of diagnosticians, (iv) leading and supporting a STAR-D laboratory accreditation system, and (v) collaborating with the American Public Gardens Association and expanding the Sentinel Plan Network.
The overall goal of the project is to contribute safeguarding U.S. agricultural crops and natural plant resources against introduced and endemic pathogens and pests. The Northeast region of NPDN, comprised of representatives of Land Grant Universities and Agricultural Experiment Stations from twelve northeastern states, forms a cohesive team of diagnostic specialists who are skilled at rapid and accurate identification of plant pests and pathogens of consequence. With the current proposal, we will ensure that service provided by NEPDN is of the highest quality to
In addition, the Northeast Regional Hub continues to represent NPDN in a collaborative effort with the American Public Gardens Association and to expand a Sentinel Plan Network.
Plant samples will be diagnosed and test results will be submitted to the National Repository. Training ofdiagnosticians will be coordinated with USDA-APHIS. First detector training will be coordinated with NPDN and the Sentinel Plant Network in conjunction with the American Public Garden Association. STAR-D training and accreditation will be managed by NEPDN.
Target Audience
Target audiences reached by NEPDN efforts were primarily growers, extension educators, IPM specialists, master gardeners, homeowner's, State Departments of Agriculture, Departments of Environmental Conservation, American Public Gardens Association, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, State Plant Health Directors, State Plant Regulatory Officials and fellow diagnosticians within the National Plant Diagnostic Network.
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
Due to restrictions related to the covid19 pandemic, less opportunities for training and professional development were provided during this reporting period compared to previous reporting periods. However, more virtual training and professional development opportunities were provided online. Presentations were made at short courses, webinars and videoconferences. In addition, results were delivered via fact sheets, newsletters, journal articles, and book chapters.
Dissemination Streams
Diagnostic results were disseminated to growers, extension educators, IPM specialists, master gardeners, homeowners, members of the American Public Gardens Association, and fellow diagnosticians within the National Plant Diagnostic Network State. Information was also shared with Departments of Agriculture, Departments of Environmental Conservation, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, State Plant Health Directors, and State Plant Regulatory Officials.
Next Reporting Steps
Nothing Reported
Target Audience
Target audiences reached by NEPDN efforts were primarily growers, extension educators, IPM specialists, master gardeners, homeowners, Departments of Agriculture, Departments of Environmental Conservation, American Public Gardens Association, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, State Plant Health Directors, State Plant Regulatory Officials and fellow diagnosticians within the National Plant Diagnostic Network.
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
The NEPDN Regional Center had 2 members who obtained Phytophthora ramorum (SOD) certification in 2019 via NPPLAP certification through APHIS-PPQ Science & Technology. Additionally, NEPDN members have attended NPDN and USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology, Beltsville Laboratory sponsored training sessions of significant pathogens. These molecular and morphological identification techniques that diagnosticians feel are necessary to stay prepared for significant introductions, have continued only because of supplemental funding procured by the NEPDN Regional Center staff and made available for all NPDN diagnosticians. Snover-Clift pursued the funding support for this national activity and was rewarded with funding through the Farm Bill. She worked with USDA-APHIS-PPQ to again coordinate NPDN members attending the workshops conducted by USDA-APHIS experts at the federal laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. For 2020, ten workshops for 72 participants were planned but due to COVID-19 restrictions developing in mid-March, six workshops were postponed. Four workshops were held; Bioinformatics module SS, Bioinformatics module HTS, Seed Testing (CGMMV) and Isothermal Amplification. The workshops postponed were second offerings of Bioinformatics module SS, Bioinformatics module HTS, Seed Testing (CGMMV) and Isothermal Amplification and a workshop on Phytopthora species and Monilinia, a new topic for 2020. Three members from the NEPDN attended two workshops this year. The NEPDN regional participants that attended the 2020 Beltsville Workshops included Ekaterina Nikolaeva and Kiersten Bushong from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Rachel Ross from the University of Maryland. Those that had planned to attend postponed workshops were, Abby Beissinger of the University of Connecticut, Alicyn Smart and Tom Rounsville of the University of Maine, Tammy Jones and Rachel Knier of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (planned to attend two workshops offered in the same week), Karen Snover-Clift and Sandra Jensen of Cornell University. NEPDN diagnosticians attended a total of 157 professional development training sessions on a variety of topics that included molecular techniques, invasive species, CAPS surveys and new and significant insect pests and The NEPDN diagnosticians provide numerous trainings for extension educators, growers, Master Gardeners, and other diagnosticians.
Dissemination Streams
NEPDN member states directly benefit from the professional development of our region's diagnosticians. Dissemination to communities of interest is often done through outreach educational opportunities, through the lab's webpages and social media, extension newsletters and other news venues and at plant professional and grower meetings. Additionally, diagnosticians provide tailored one on one, direct contact through phone calls, emails and sample result reporting to our clientele. These individual teaching moments provide a wealth of information to our clientele. NEPDN members produced 211 publications and 398 products/presentations with 17,443 attending participants during the time period of this report. NEPDN members have presented and published material focusing on general plant pathology; diagnosing plant problems; master gardener diagnostics and hot topics; the NPDN, NEPDN, SPN and STAR-D; specific pest and plant disease issues, general pest problems, tree diseases, invasive species; as well as general pathogen information such as bacterial, fungal, viral and nematode pathogens; and abiotic issues such as cultural practices, effects of drought conditions on trees and shrubs, climate change; and the select and significant agents specifically targeted by USDA-APHIS. Attendees include individuals from grower organizations, arborists, agricultural inspectors, IPM specialists, golf course managers, crop consultants, master gardeners, first detectors, horticultural society members, pesticide applicators and other plant pathologists and entomologists.
Next Reporting Steps
1. Diagnostics: Submission of all plant pathology laboratory data will continue using the PDIS database sample management system. Data submission is required for member laboratories in the NPDN. The NEPDN staff will continue to encourage diagnosticians to attend trainings they feel is needed to expand their knowledge of plant pathogens or diagnostic techniques, will continue to assist the NEPDN members were needed with advanced testing procedures or for coverage during periods of time when they will be away from their home base (to attend trainings or for other activities) and will continue to hold annual meetings to ensure communication lines are maintained and sharing of information is common. The NEPDN staff will coordinate sample movement and surge, and provide all updated SOPs and protocols on a timely basis as needed. NEPDN members and the NEPDN Associate Director will update and/or author new SOPs as needed and will continue to provide a leadership role in the diagnostics, national database and strategic planning areas of professional development and lab accreditation. The WPDN will lead efforts for planning the next national NPDN meeting in the spring 2021. If offered, Snover-Clift will coordinate a regional meeting and training activities for the NEPDN diagnosticians. Rachel McCarthy, a member of the Communications Working Group, will continue to provide support on a part-time basis and for a very limited time by coordinating updates and information technology issues associated with the NPDN Training and Education website (www.firstdetector.org). <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? NEPDN members processed over 16,471 samples, with more than 99 detections being first reports in their state. The types of organisms detected included 6,169 pathogens, 2,104 arthropods, 600 plants/ weeds, 2,178 nematodes, 2,617 abiotic disorders, and 2,311 other. NEPDN member laboratories have the capability to assist with surge samples by receiving 1,075 extra Phytophthora sp/spp. and P. ramorum samples, 500 extra PPV samples, 100 extra Phytoplasma samples, 50 extra golden nematode samples, 300 extra oak wilt samples, 300 extra Dutch elm disease and 300 extra boxwood blight samples. Additionally the NEPDN Regional Center is prepared to provide surge for an additional 500 HLB samples, 500 Phytophthora ramorum samples, 200 potato cyst and soybean cyst nematode samples, 500 extra PPV samples, 500 Ralstonia spp. samples, 500 soybean rust samples, 200 thousand cankers samples and 400 additional oak wilt samples. Additionally, the NEPDN regional hub lab retained STAR-D Accreditation and NPPLAP Certification for processing Phytophthora ramorum samples for anyone in the continental United States. In 2019, the NEPDN Regional Center processed 234 NPPLAP samples with the majority coming from positive nurseries across the country. NEPDN members are have a significant role in providing outreach and presented and published material focusing on general plant pathology; diagnosing plant problems; specific pest and plant disease issues, invasive species, how climate change affect pathogens and pests and the select and significant agents specifically targeted by USDA-APHIS. NEPDN members produced 211 publications and 398 products/ presentations with 17,443 attending participants during the time period of this report. NEPDN members attended 157 professional development workshops on topics such as STAR-D and quality management, the American Phytopathological Society national and divisional meetings, diagnostic workshops on morphological and molecular identification of pathogens, biosecurity training, invasive species workshops, extension and grower meetings National Plant Board and Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) meetings. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>
Target Audience
The target audience consisted of Arborists/Landscapers, Bramble growers, CAPS Committee, Cemetery staff, Certified Crop Advisors, Christmas tree growers, College of Ag professionals, Cooperative Extension Educators, Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, Cooperative Extension Master Forester Volunteers, County agents, Cut flower growers, Departments of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Conservation, Diagnostic Laboratory Staff, Entomologists, Farmers, First Detectors, Forest managers and owners, Foresters, Fruit growers-small and tree fruit, Garden club members, Gardeners , Garden center employees, General public, Grape growers, Green industry professionals, Greenhouse Growers, High tunnel growers, Home gardeners, IPM scouts, IPM stakeholders, Landscape contractors, Master gardener interns, Master urban gardener trainees, Middle school students, NPDN membership, Nursery workers, Organic growers, Organic Land care students, Parks department staff, Pest control operators, Pesticide applicators, Plant pathologists, Professors, Property owners, Public gardens, Regulatory Inspectors, Retail garden center staff, Stakeholders, and graduate and undergraduate students.
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
Training and professional development activities such as the Beltsville workshops, STAR-D accreditation and 1st detector workshops through the Sentinal Plant Network are continued to be offered. NEPDN members attended 94 professional development workshops on topics such as STAR-D and quality management, the American Phytopathological Society national and divisional meetings, diagnostic workshops on morphological and molecular identification of pathogens, biosecurity training, invasive species workshops, extension and grower meetings National Plant Board and Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) meetings.
Dissemination Streams
NEPDN members have a significant role in providing outreach and presented and published material focusing on general plant pathology; diagnosing plant problems; specific pest and plant disease issues, invasive species, how climate change affect pathogens and pests and the select and significant agents specifically targeted by USDA-APHIS. NEPDN members produced 124 publications and 535 products/ presentations with 28,946 attending participants during the time period of this report.
Next Reporting Steps
For the next reporting period, we are planning on expanding on current activities such as diagnoses, submissions to the national repository, and training and professional development activities such as the Beltsville workshops, a new laboratory accreditation in conjunction with the NPDN Executive Committee, and SPN workshops. <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? Diagnoses are continued to be made by every laboratory of the NEPDN using various technologies. Diagnoses are regularly submitted to the NPDN national repository. Opportunities to foster professional development activities such as the Beltsville workshops and STAR-D accreditation are furthered; so are workshops offered by the Sentinal Plant Network (SPN). NEPDN members processed over 16,550 samples, with more than 80 detections being first reports in their state. The types of organisms detected included 7,884 pathogens, 2,541 arthropods, 679 plants/weeds, 463 nematodes, 2,826 abiotic disorders, and 2,310 others. NEPDN member laboratories have the capability to assist with surge samples by receiving 1,075 extra Phytophthora sp/spp. and P. ramorum samples, 500 extra PPV samples, 100 extra Phytoplasma samples, 50 extra golden nematode samples, 300 extra oak wilt samples, 300 extra Dutch elm disease and 300 extra boxwood blight samples. Additionally, the NEPDN regional hub lab retained STAR-D Accreditation and NPPLAP Certification for processing Phytophthora ramorum samples for anyone in the continental United States. In 2018, the NEPDN Regional Center processed 234 NPPLAP samples with the majority coming from a positive nursery in Oregon. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>
Target Audience
Target audiences included APS members, Arborists/Landscapers, Bramble growers, CAPS Committee, Cemetery staff, Certified Crop Advisors, Christmas tree growers, College of Ag professionals, Cooperative Extension Educators, Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, Cooperative Extension Master Forester Volunteers, County agents, Cut flower growers, Departments of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Conservation, Diagnostic Laboratory Staff, Entomologists, Farmers, First Detectors, Forest managers and owners, Foresters, Fruit growers-small and tree fruit, Garden club members, Gardeners , Garden center employees, General public, Grape growers, Green industry professionals, Greenhouse Growers, High tunnel growers, Home gardeners, IPM scouts, IPM stakeholders, Landscape contractors, Master gardener interns, Master urban gardener trainees, Middle school students, NPDN membership, Nursery workers, Organic growers, Organic Land care students, Parks department staff, Pest control operators, Pesticide applicators, Plant pathologists, Professors, Property owners, Public gardens, Regulatory Inspectors, Retail garden center staff, Stakeholders, Students-graduate and undergraduate, Tree wardens/council, Turf industry, Turf students and vegetable farmers/growers/producers and USDA-APHIS-PPQ staff.
Changes / Problems
No substantial problem that would justify major changes was experienced during the reporting period.
Training & Professional Development
Connecticut Ag Experiment Station (Yonghao Li and Lindsay Patrick): CT Nurseryman's Foundation Scholarship Committee Meeting; Guilford Earth Fest; Edgerton Park Conservancy Board Member Meeting; CT Tree Protective Association Summer Meeting; College and Career Night; APS Northeastern Division Annual Meeting. University of Connecticut (Joan Allen and Carol Quish): Organic tomato foliar pathogen IPM; Spotted lanternfly; New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference; Northeast Division of the American Phytopathological Society; UConn Pollinator Health Conference; BMSB and the latest IPM techniques; Conservation biocontrol short course; FBI Biosecurity Course; Use of high glucosinolate mustard as an organic biofumigant in vegetable crops. University of Delaware (Nancy Gregory): Delaware Nursery and Landscape Turf and Ornamentals Conference; Extension In-Service Clinic Update Business Center; Undergrad Scholars Session; Extension In-Service Clinic Update Business Center; GPDN Webinar Soybean; APS Potomac; Oak Wilt Webinar Southern Regional Extension Forestry. University of Maine (Alicyn Smart): Conifer Diseases I have Loved ; Plant Pathology Journal Club; USDA Writing Group; National Plant Diagnostic. University of Maryland (K. Rane and D. Clement): Oak Wilt Conference; NPDN IT-Diagnosticians Meeting; Maryland Cooperative Ag Pest Survey (CAPS) meeting; Boxwood Blight Management Seminar; Mid-Atlantic Plant Pathology Conference; Potomac Division APS meeting. University of New Hampshire (Cheryl Smith): Berry Call-In (updates on Northeast small fruit issues); Vegetable Call-In (updates on New England vegetable issues); Proposing and Managing a UNH Cooperative Extension Grants; Project Reporting and Writing Impacts: Who Cares? You Should; NH Update for NED-APS Annual Regional Meeting; Effective Disease Management in Northeast Vineyards (featured speaker Wayne Wilcox); NPDN Strategic Planning Update Webinar. Cornell University (Snover-Clift, Karp, McCarthy, Dombroskie, McGrath & Daughtrey): CCE & IPM Regional Invasive Forest Pest Outreach Project-Train the Trainer; APS Annual National Meeting (4 day event); 10th NPDN IT/Diagnosticians Meeting; Long Island Oak Wilt Symposium; Volunteer of life long learner; Program planning for success; Your own leadership library; How to escape death by PowerPoint; Online educational resources; Engaging with visuals; Effective online learning; American Public Gardens Association annual conference; USDA Invasive Species Research Forum; 9th International IPM Symposium; Introductory Acarology Course; CAPS Meeting; Northeast Division Meeting, American Phytopathological Society; Dickeya Summit; 32nd Annual Tomato Disease Workshop; Syngenta Pesticide Resistance Workshop; IR-4 Food Use Workshop; American Phytopathological Society annual meeting University of Rhode Island (Heather Faubert): New England, New York, Canadian Fruit Pest Workshop; Northeast American Phytopathological Society meeting; New England Grows; New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference; Connecticut Vegetable and Small Fruit Conference; International IPM Symposium University of Vermont (Ann Hazelrigg): Bartlett Tree Care Client Days; NE American Phytopath meeting; New England Grows; NE Vegetable and Fruit Growers Conference; CT Nursery and Landscape Association Conference West Virginia University (Rahman and Islam): American Phytopathological Society (APS) Annual Meeting; WVU Extension Service annual meeting; national annual meeting of epsilon sigma phi; Mid Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention; WVU Extension Small Farm Conference; Beltsville Workshop on Bioinformatics; Syngenta research meeting; American Phytopathological Society (APS) Potomac Division Annual Meeting.
Dissemination Streams
University of Connecticut (Joan Allen): Weekly vegetable pest alerts on current pest & disease occurrence in NE; Late blight pest alert and periodic report during the growing season to alert CT growers of detection of this disease in adjoining state; Cucurbit downy mildew alert; Report for diagnostic samples to clients; include images of the sample from the diagnostic process, ID or diagnosis, and recommendations or links to those resources; UConn Diagnostic Summary Report; Monthly reports done during the growing season, Awareness of pest, pathogen and plant IDs and diagnoses in Connecticut. Used as a monitoring and detection resource for current and future seasons; University of Delaware (Nancy Gregory): Data Uploaded for all 594 samples received in Clinic during calendar year; Clinic report written and submitted. Planning and reporting web site (LMPRS) updated. Impact statement written. Added to performance review for UD and shared with Dean and supervisor; Report for Clinic; Extension Session APS Potomac; Reporting of regionally significant diagnostic samples to Extension plant pathologist and others; University of Maine (Alicyn Smart ): Diagnostic results to NPDN National Repository-276 entered; Samples diagnosed in the Diagnostic Laboratory and results uploaded to NPDN National Repository; The NPDN National Repository is developing a vast database of plant samples diagnoses that may be used to protect the Nation and individual states against accidentally and intentional introduced pathogens; University of Maryland (K. Rane): Uploads to National Repository; Uploaded 733 diagnoses to the NPDN National Repository; Real-time entry of pest and disease data to help make National Repository database an accurate and timely record; University of New Hampshire (Cheryl Smith): E-mail alerts to inform producers and collaborators of unusual or important diseases based on samples diagnosed in the UNH-PDL and regionally; Growers prepared for / prevented diseases, and collaborators knew what to scout for; Phone calls to UNH-PDL clients; Inform UNH-PDL clients of sample results, obtain additional information needed for diagnosis; UNH_PDL clients learned the results of diagnosis of sample(s) submitted, and Management options. Cornell University (Snover-Clift, Karp, Jensen, McCarthy, McGrath, Daughtrey): Diagnostic results to NPDN National Repository; Samples diagnosed in the PDDC, sudden oak death lab and oak wilt lab and results uploaded to NPDN National Repository; Timely result reporting of regulatory pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum; Results of state surveys and national trace forward sample sent within 24 hours of completed testing to SPRO and SPHD for the state and USDA-APHIS-PPQ leadership; Inconclusive and positive samples sent to Beltsville confirmation laboratory. CU Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic-Diagnostic Result Report; A weekly diagnostic result spreadsheet report containing host plant name and the biotic and abiotic findings. Distributed to 21 Cornell University faculty and other extension and green industry personnel - 33 reports generated annually; NPDN News newsletter to communicate timely and relevant information to NPDN membership and other collaborators including network news, changes to programs and software, job opportunities, upcoming events and regional and national announcements to 775 subscribed national and international readers; Managed basil downy mildew monitoring program to obtained information on where and when basil downy mildew was occurring in the US; Managed cucurbit downy mildew sentinel plot to obtained information on when cucurbit downy mildew begins to occur on different types of cucurbit crops on Long Island; Provided the ipmPIPE cucurbit downy mildew forecaster with essential information on occurrence of this disease to be able to make disease predictions. Provided information to local growers so they would be alerted to the need to manage this disease; Managed tomato late blight sentinel plot and scouted commercial plantingsto determine when late blight started to develop in the area and to obtain samples for genotype determination; New diseases report to green industry; Green industry notified so action could be taken to improve chance of keeping these harmful pathogens out of NYS; These new findings were reported in the LIHREC Annual Report to alert the green industry. University of Rhode Island (Heather Faubert): Newsletter article on diagnostics; Periodically reporting diagnostic results in RI Nursery and Landscape Assoc. newsletter; Educate nursery and landscape professional about current insect and diseases of concern; Email alerts; Educate professionals and general public about caterpillar outbreaks; Email alerts led to 16 appearances in newspapers and local television and radio about caterpillars; Presentation at New England Grows; Report on gypsy moths and other caterpillars including research results; Educate New England landscape audience on caterpillar outbreaks; Presentations at RI Nursery and Landscape Association winter meeting; Report on major insect and disease problems facing landscape and nursery industry in RI; Educate nursery and landscape professional about current insect and diseases of concern;Presentation at SiteOne landscape seminar; Two presentations on diagnosing tree disease and insect problems; Educate landscape professionals about insects attacking trees. West Virginia University (Rahman): English Ivy Rhizoctonia root rot; Low fertility partially predisposed plants to infection by Rhizoctonia; Combination treatment of nutrients and Terraclor provided good rebound of ivy as ground cover.
Next Reporting Steps
During the next reporting period, we will continue contributing to safeguarding U.S. agricultural crops and natural plant resources against introduced and endemic pathogens and pests by (1) making accurate diagnoses while providing opportunities to diagnosticians for training and professional development, (2) submitting all diagnoses and identifications to the National Repository, (3) maintaining strong working relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies, (4) leading and supporting a network-wide STAR-D laboratory accreditation system, and (5) representing NPDN in a collaborative effort with the American Public Gardens Association through the Sentinel Plan Network. <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? Diagnosis accomplishments were: Diagnosed 802 samples for plant problem diagnosis, arthropod ID, plant ID, slime mold ID (Allen and Quish, University of Connecticut) Diagnosis of hosta virus x in plants imported from Europe and sold through retail stores; Educated Master Gardeners regarding the virus (Gregory, University of Delaware) Two tomato samples were diagnosed with southern bacterial wilt. Both samples were identified as Ralstonia solanacearum Race 1 Biovar 1. Back-up Lab for MDA Nursery Inspectors for state regulatory surveilance for boxwood blight and Ramorum blight. Chrysanthemum white rust from a sample sent in by a cut flower grower; MDA nursery inspectors visited the farm, destroyed the infected plants and contacted source of the infected cuttings (Rane, University of Maryland) Began regular use of KOH to breakdown mycelium in polypores to facilitate ID; Began using numbered stickers for samples to facilitate labeling and tracking of physical samples. Email alerts to inform producers and collaborators of unusual or important diseases based on samples diagnosed (Smith, University of New Hampshire) 1,476 laboratory sample processed for disease and insect pest diagnosis. Boxwood blight, Calonectria pseudonaviculata on Buxus sp. 14 positive samples. 60 CAPS trap samples screened for tomato psyllids, 49 CAPS trap samples screened for black spruce longhorned and brown spruce longhorned beetles, 49 CAPS trap samples screened for velvet longhorned beetles, 49 CAPS trap samples screened for Japanese pine sawyer and small white-marmorated longhorned beetles, 50 CAPS trap samples screened for European hardwood ambrosia beetles, 70 NJ Forestry Service trap samples screened for walnut twig beetle. No suspects found in any of the samples (Buckley, Rutgers University) 606 samples tested; Tested 144 samples for the oak wilt pathogen, Bretziella fagacearum for NYS regulatory agencies; Back-up support for USDA-APHIS-PPQ Laboratories; Provided national, testing support for Phytophthora ramorum samples; Tested 313 samples for national back-up project and for state farm bill activities (NY and RI) in 2017; Diagnosed over 50 boxwood samples; 22 samples tested positive for Calonectria pseudonaviculata; Landscapers with boxwood blight were given advice on how to manage the disease, to prevent its spread; Diagnosed 13 cases of Dutch elm disease; Ophiostoma ulmi was found on 13 out of 15 elm samples; Diagnosed 4 cases of Rose Rosette; Rose rosette virus was found in 3 managed landscapes and in one nursery setting; Diagnosed one case of Chrysanthemum white rust, our identification allowed NYS Dept. of Ag & Markets to proceed with quarantine actions; Provided training on how to collect a quality sample, how to select appropriate plant material that would contain the pathogen if present and how to package the material to ensure survival of the pathogen while in transit to the Clinic (Snover-Clift, Jensen, Karp, Daughtrey, Cornell University) Plant diagnostics workshop to educate RI farmers on diagnosing plant problems; Caterpillar ID & IPM; Improved farmers' identification, monitoring, and management skills of caterpillars;Diagnosing Christmas tree problems; Improved growers' identification, monitoring and management of Christmas tree insects and diseases; First detector training; Individuals explore 1st Detector modules online; Master Gardeners improved diagnostic skills (Faubert, University of Rhode Island) Fusarium was found as the causal agent of strawberry root rot, growers were alerted to take right measure; Detection of fire blight of pear by PCR; infected pear trees emoved from WVU organic farm;Verticillium race detection in tomato to determine differences in Verticillium affecting tomato; Isolates from tomato were PCR amplified with different sets of primers, sequencing are now underway (Rahman, West Virginia University) Launch of new First Detector website; Four Master gardener first detector training and diagnostics; (Allen, University of Connecticut) Survey of retail operations in trace forward for Phytophthora ramorum, 24 samples collected and tested in full plate ELISA; Five samples that were positive in ELISA were sent to Cornell for PCR testing. All negative. DDA personnel trained and updated on P ramorum protocol; Survey of wheat grain at Delaware grain elevators; for Karnal bunt Five composite samples of wheat grain at elevator in three Delaware counties examined microscopically for the presence of karnal bunt. All samples, not detected (Gregory, University of Delaware) On-line training of NH Master Gardeners to learn about the NPDN 1st Detector (Stanton, University of New Hampshire); Trained Researcher and Technician in evaluation of strawberry disease ID; Trained graduate student to recognize and assess quinoa downy mildew in the field (Smith, University of New Hampshire) Online training of first detectors; golf turf management students from various states completed online first detector training during the fall semester of 2017; 33 new online first detectors (Buckley, Rutgers University) First detections: University of Delaware: Plasmodiophora brassicae on kale, Colletotrichum on Echinacea, Entyloma on Gaillardia purple leaf sheath (saprophytes) on Zea mays, Botrytis on Chrysanthemum sp., Alternariaster helianthi on sunflower University of Maryland: Hop downy mildew on hops, Plantago Asiatica Mosaic Virus on lily, Ramularia leaf spot on Longleaf Speedwell, Yellow banded timber beetle on viburnum, Cercospora citrullina on muskmelon, pink hibiscus mealybug on hibiscus, Alternaria brassicae on turnip University of New Hampshire: Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) on kale, powdery mildew (Golovinomyces sp./spp.) on dahlia, Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria japonica) on rutabaga, privet bud mite (Aculus ligustri) on privet, Glomerella canker (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) on wintergreen, leaf spot (Gloeosporium minus) on highbush blueberry, Margined soldier bug (Stiretrus anchorago) on purpleleaf sand cherry, alfalfa common leaf spot (Pseudopeziza medicaginis) on alfalfa, Cylindrocarpon crown rot (Neonectria sp./spp.) on Dicentra, Marssonina leaf spot (Marssonina coronaria) on apple Cornell University: Setomelanomma holmii on blue spruce from Virginia; One Phytophthora ramorum positive sample from a Long Island, NY nursery that tested positive in 2010 but thought to be eradicated; Two new IDs of oak wilt pathogen near original, thought to be eradicated, site in Glenville, NY; 1st 3 miles and 2nd 7 miles away. Greater peachtree borer Synanthedon exitisoa; Rhizopus sp. soft rot on Hellebore, Itersonilia leaf spot, Itersonilia sp. on Fern-leaf dill; Broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus on mealy-cup sage; Fusarium blight, Fusarium graminearum, on barley; Rhizoctonia root rot on mum; Nutritional pathology on butterfly bush; Cylindrocladiumblight, Calonectria sp. on azalea; Leaf and twig blight of Japanese kerria, Blumeriella kerriae; Powdery mildew Erysiphe lagerstroemiae oncrape myrtle; Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) on cyclamen; Fiorinia scale on hemlock F. fioriniae, Downy mildew on Phlox subulata, Peronospora phlogina; Lily symptomless virus on Easter lily University of Rhode Island: Peronospora farinosa, spinach downy mildew; Colletotrichum acutatum, celery leaf curl. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>
Target Audience
Targeted audiences reached by NEPDN efforts were APS members, Arborists/Landscapers, Bramble growers, CAPS Committee, Cemetery staff, Certified Crop Advisors, College of Ag professionals, Cooperative Extension Educators, Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, County agents, Cut Flower growers, Department of Environmental Conservation, Diagnostic Laboratory Staff, DNLA, Eastern Conservation District members, Entomologist, Farmers, First Detectors, Forest Managers and Owners, Foresters, Former Prisoners Return to Work, Fruit growers, Garden club members, Gardeners , Garden Center Employees, General public, Grape growers, Green industry professionals, Greenhouse Growers, High tunnel growers, Home gardeners, IPM Stakeholders, Land trust members, Landscape Contractors, Master gardener interns, Master Urban Gardener trainees, Middle school students, Mountaineer chal. academy cadets, NPDN Diagnosticians, Nursery workers, Organic growers, Organic Land care students, Parks Department staff, Pest control operators, Pesticide applicators, Plant pathologists, Property owners, Public Gardens, Regulatory Inspectors, Retail garden center staff, Strawberry growers, Students, Tree Fruit Growers, Tree Wardens/Council, Turf industry, Turf students and vegetable farmers/growers/producers.
Changes / Problems
With substantial budget cuts, diagnostician training in new techniques has been reduced. Current conversations within NEPDN revolves around webinar-based training sessions. Such sessions would complement USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology workshops and keep NEPDN members engaged in recent diagnostic advancement.
Training & Professional Development
Diagnostic training was offered to 46 NPDN and 6 USDA participants through workshops given by the USDA-AHIS-PPQ-S&T Beltsville Laboratory on Phytophtora spp., bioinformatics, primer design, plum pox virus, citrus greening, apple proliferation, potato cyst nematode, etc. First detector training was offered to 231 new Master gardeners. Professional development events selected by NEPDN members were the 2016 APS Northeast Division annual meeting in Ithaca, NY, STAR-D round-up 2 workshop in Ithaca, NY, CTPA winter meeting in Plantsville, CT, Invasive Plant Symposium in Storrs, CT, Northeast Greenhouse Growers Conference and Expo in Boxborough, MA, Connecticut Vegetable and Small Fruit grower's Conference in South Windsor, CT, Connecticut Master Gardener Association Symposium, New London, CT, Delaware Turf and Ornamentals Nursery and Landscape Association in Wilmington, DE, Ag Extension in -Service, Maryland Ornamental Insect/Disease Conference in Hendersonville NC, MDA Boxwood Blight Meeting, in Annapolis, MD, Kanuga Ornamentals Workshop in Hendersonville, NC, Northeast Greenhouse Conference in Boxboro, MA, USDA interagency research forum on invasive species in Annapolis, MD, Entomological Society of America Eastern Branch meeting in Newport RI, Cumberland Shenandoah Fruit Workers Conference in Winchester, VA, Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA, and APS-Potomac Division annual meeting in Morgantown, WV.
Dissemination Streams
Results were disseminated to Master Gardeners, faculty and students, vegetable growers, IPM specialists, fruit working groups, fruit tree growers, berry growers, crop advisers, high tunnel growers, county extension agents, regional extension educators, State departments of ag, department of Environmental Conservation, forest managers and owners, grape growers, green industry professionals, high tunnel growers, home gardeners, public gardens, and state and federal regulators.
Next Reporting Steps
NEPDN will continue contribute to the three overarching NPDN goals, including detection, diagnosis and reporting. <br><br>
<br>What was accomplished under these goals? NEPDN provided professional diagnoses on 4,909 samples, including 1276 arthropods, 2077 pathogens, 221 weeds, 193 nematodes, 501 abiotic factors and 526 others using visual observations, bioassays, biochemical techniques, cultural methodologies, electron microscopy, microscopy, PCR, and seological assays. A total of 11,222 diagnoses were submitted to the NPDN National Repository in a timely manner. NEPDN members entered from 154 to 1,053 samples each with an average of 374 samples per laboratory. Several States entered first reports for the region for organisms. Examples include Fusarium stem rot on pumpkin in Delaware, armored scales on bamboo in Delaware, black leaf spot on broccoli in Delaware, skin blotch on garlic in Delaware, leaf spot on hops in Delaware, black rot and powdery mildew on kale in Delaware, blue mold on tobacco in Delaware, soybean stem borer on soybean in Maryland, fusicladium fruit sport on aronia and tomato chlorosis virus in tomato, Camarosporium on Norway spruce in New Hampshire, Cruposporiopsis abetina on Eastern Hemlock in New Hampshire, basal canker on beech in New York, Cladosporium leaf blotch on onion in New York, camellia leaf gall on camellia in New York, oyster mushroom on oak in New York, anthracnose basal rot on Itoh peony in New York, downy leaf sport on hickory in New York, Fusarium crown and stalk rot on cucumber in New York, powdery mildew on callery pear in New York, clematis wilt on cleamtis in New York, chrysanthemum thrips and chrysanthemumroot rot on chrysanthemum in New York, black rot on kale in New York, Myrothecium leaf spot on pansy in New York, Phytophthora leaf blight on English ivy in New York, darkwinged fungus gnat on parsley in New York, lesser periwinckle root rot in periwinkle in New York, black leg on potato in West Virginia, Fusarium wilt on strawberry in West Virginia, Rhizoctonia root rot of English ivy in West Virginia, tomato leaf mold on tomato in West Virginia, Phytophtora root rot on raspberry in West Virginia, Mexican bean beetle in West Virginia, cucumber beetle in West Virginia, imported cabbage worm in West Virginia, squash vine borer in West Virginia, common groundsel in West Virginia, and common cocklebur in West Virginia. NEPDN members actively engaged in numerous professional development events and activities locally, regionally and nationally. For example, NEPDN presented 30 First Detector training sessions to 686 participants.NEPDN members published 51 articles on general plant pathology, diagnosis, specific pests and pathogens and other topics. NEPDN members gave 283 presentations at various venues to 15,849 participants. The NEPDN regional laboratory led and coordinated network efforts to implement, maintain and strengthen a STAR-D laboratory accreditation system. It also continued interacting with the American Public Garden Association through the Sentinel Plant Network. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>