From brian at gweep.ca Thu Jun 3 12:33:39 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: PRO/PL> Potato late blight - Ireland: 1st report 2004 Message-ID: <374qpsa3us.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> POTATO LATE BLIGHT - IRELAND: 1ST REPORT 2004 *********************************************** A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Date: 1 Jun 2004 From: ProMED-mail Source: RTE news, 28 May 2004 [edited] Potato blight reported in Cork and Kerry ---------------------------------------------- The 1st outbreaks of potato blight in Ireland in 2004 have been reported on farms in Kerry and Cork. According to the Teagasc blight recording system, blight hit Kerry on 28 Apr 2004 and spread to Cork on 18 May 2004. The recording system tracks the initial outbreak of the disease, in the different potato growing areas, with the aim of helping growers to implement effective blight-control programs. Dr. Leslie Dowley, potato blight research specialist with Teagasc, said that the average date for outbreak of blight, for main crop potatoes, is usually in the latter half of July. However, for early crops in the south of the country, disease outbreak can be much earlier. Once blight has made its initial appearance, the further development of an epidemic is dependent on the control program, potato variety, growth stage, and the prevailing weather conditions. All potato growing areas are being monitored by the potato inspectors of the Department of Agriculture and Food as well as the specialist potato advisers in Teagasc. ------------------------------ ProMED-mail [Potato late blight, caused by _Phythophthora infestans_, is the most important disease affecting the potato crop in Ireland, and, also, attracts the greatest research input. Problems facing plant pathologists include fungicide-resistance, mating-type, aggressiveness, epidemiology, and the development of methods for the reduction of fungicide use. According to Dowley, the 1st reports of late blight in 2004 indicate that outbreaks are occurring a little earlier than usual. Normally, the 1st outbreaks are recorded in the south coastal areas, followed by outbreaks on the east and north coasts, and, finally, by outbreaks in the midlands. Of particular interest to plant pathologists is the recent publication -- by May and Ristaino at North Carolina State University, Raleigh -- implicating the la strain/haplotype of _Phytophthora infestans_ as the causal pathogen of late blight disease in the 1840s. Moreover, it appears that this strain probably has its origin in the Andes Mountains in South America (as opposed to the prevailing theory that the pathogen originated in Mexico). I thank Leslie Dowley for his comments on this outbreak. Reference: Kimberley Jane May and Jean Beagle Ristaino , 2004. Identity of the mtDNA haplotype(s) of _Phytophthora infestans_ in historical specimens from the Irish Potato Famine. Mycological Research (2004), 108:471-479 Cambridge University Press. - Mod.DH] [see also: Phytophthora sp., root and foot rot, tomato - Belgium 20040123.0266 2003 ---- Late blight, potato - Papua New Guinea 20030306.0554 2002 ---- Potato late blight, potato - Canada (Newfoundland) 20020818.5091 2001 ---- Phytophthora infestans, potato late blight - Russia 20010430.0840 Phytophthora infestans, potato late blight - Russia 20010620.1177 2000 ---- Potato late blight: global initiative 20000516.0765 Potato late blight, global research efforts 20001031.1903 Potato late blight, etiology: Correction 20000330.0473 Potato late blight, etiology 20000325.0432 1997 ---- Potato late blight: global initiative 19970117.0092 1996 ---- Subject: PROMED-PLANT: Potato late blight: global threat 19960617.1123 1995 ---- Subject: PROMED: Potato blight - USA 19951215.1265] .................mpp/dh/msp/lm *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at . Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################ From brian at gweep.ca Sat Jun 5 14:45:48 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: PRO/PL> Wheat disease, unknown etiology - USA (KS) Message-ID: <37n03h4ttz.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> WHEAT DISEASE, UNKNOWN ETIOLOGY - USA (KS) ********************************* A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Date: 2 Jun 2004 From: ProMED-mail Source: Kansas City Star [edited] Mysterious virus appears in wheat fields throughout western Kansas ------------------------ An unidentified wheat virus has agricultural scientists in Kansas scratching their heads. The pathogen causes wheat leaves to yellow and die, but it's not caused by wheat streak mosaic, head death or freezing. "We're pretty sure it's a virus," said wheat breeder Joe Martin, who works at the Kansas State University research station at Hays. "It showed up early and, at first glance, we thought it was wheat streak mosaic. But it's not. It kills the oldest leaves of the plant and finally kills the head." Researchers don't know what the virus is, where it came from, or how it spreads. Martin said he's seen evidence of the virus in almost every field he's checked in western Kansas, but it hasn't taken over the crop. He encouraged farmers to be on the lookout when checking their fields. Dallas Seifers, a plant pathology professor at Fort Hays State University, is trying to determine how the pathogen works, and what it might be. "It's possible that this is something that has been identified somewhere else in the world, even something that has shown up in a different crop, corn or rice or something," Seifers said. Seifers, with the help of some virologists in Winnipeg, Canada, is trying to identify the protein that causes the virus' symptoms. That work is complicated by the fact that most affected plants found in the field are already dead. Seifers is trying to grow his own supply of infected plants to study, but the effort hasn't been as successful as he hoped. Once researchers identify the protein's genetic sequence, they can compare it to known pathogens to find a match, or one that is in the same family. Seifers said it's possible that the virus is showing up now because of recent unusual weather patterns, and that it wouldn't show up in a normal year. "We're just happy that it is not in large enough numbers to have an economic impact this year, and we hope it will be spotty if it shows up next year," he said. ------------------------------ ProMED-mail [A 28-kD protein has been specifically associated with infected plants. More research is needed to determine the mode of spread of the pathogen. Also needed is more information about the protein and its relationship to disease expression. - Mod.DH] .......................................mpp/dh/pg/lm *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at . Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################ From s.helfer at rbge.org.uk Sat Jun 5 14:46:07 2004 From: s.helfer at rbge.org.uk (Dr Stephan Helfer) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: Late Blight coming early References: <20040603190202.D390578C09@novus.isp.gweep.ca> Message-ID: <002c01c44a0d$5aa04660$8878000a@rbge.org.uk> Dear colleagues I wonder if the meteorological data are consistent with this early outbreak in Eire. Can anyone please comment? Best wishes Dr Stephan Helfer Mycologist Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, EDINBURGH EH3 5LR, Scotland UK http://www.rbge.org.uk phone: +44 (0)131 248 2865 (direct digital line) fax: +44 (0)131 248 2901 writes: > Subject: PRO/PL> Potato late blight - Ireland: 1st report 2004 > From: Brian Edmonds > Organization: sci.bio.phytopathology moderation hosted by Gweep Systems > To: phytopathology@gweep.ca > > POTATO LATE BLIGHT - IRELAND: 1ST REPORT 2004 > *********************************************** > A ProMED-mail post > > ProMED-mail is a program of the > International Society for Infectious Diseases > > > Date: 1 Jun 2004 > From: ProMED-mail > Source: RTE news, 28 May 2004 [edited] > > > Potato blight reported in Cork and Kerry > ---------------------------------------------- > The 1st outbreaks of potato blight in Ireland in 2004 have been > reported on farms in Kerry and Cork. > > According to the Teagasc blight recording system, blight hit Kerry on > 28 Apr 2004 and spread to Cork on 18 May 2004. > > The recording system tracks the initial outbreak of the disease, in > the different potato growing areas, with the aim of helping growers > to implement effective blight-control programs. > > Dr. Leslie Dowley, potato blight research specialist with Teagasc, > said that the average date for outbreak of blight, for main crop > potatoes, is usually in the latter half of July. However, for early > crops in the south of the country, disease outbreak can be much > earlier. > > Once blight has made its initial appearance, the further development > of an epidemic is dependent on the control program, potato variety, > growth stage, and the prevailing weather conditions. > > All potato growing areas are being monitored by the potato inspectors > of the Department of Agriculture and Food as well as the specialist > potato advisers in Teagasc. > > ------------------------------ > ProMED-mail > > > [Potato late blight, caused by _Phythophthora infestans_, is the most > important disease affecting the potato crop in Ireland, and, also, > attracts the greatest research input. Problems facing plant > pathologists include fungicide-resistance, mating-type, > aggressiveness, epidemiology, and the development of methods for the > reduction of fungicide use. > > According to Dowley, the 1st reports of late blight in 2004 indicate > that outbreaks are occurring a little earlier than usual. Normally, > the 1st outbreaks are recorded in the south coastal areas, followed > by outbreaks on the east and north coasts, and, finally, by outbreaks > in the midlands. > > Of particular interest to plant pathologists is the recent > publication -- by May and Ristaino at North Carolina State > University, Raleigh -- implicating the la strain/haplotype of > _Phytophthora infestans_ as the causal pathogen of late blight > disease in the 1840s. Moreover, it appears that this strain probably > has its origin in the Andes Mountains in South America (as opposed to > the prevailing theory that the pathogen originated in Mexico). > > I thank Leslie Dowley for his comments on this outbreak. From brian at gweep.ca Tue Jun 8 16:38:11 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: APS Press Release: Keeping your peas and carrots safe to eat Message-ID: <374qply8tv.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> PRESS RELEASE For immediate release Contact: Amy Steigman American Phytopathological Society Phone: +1.651.454.7250 Web: http://www.apsnet.org/meetings/2004/media.htm E-mail: mailto:asteigman@scisoc.org Keeping your peas and carrots safe to eat Plant pathologists present research on food safety at APS Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California St. Paul, MN (June 8, 2004) - Recent advances in food safety research are enabling plant pathologists to gain insight into how dangerous human pathogens, such as strains of E.coli and Salmonella, can survive on fresh fruits and vegetables and what can be done to control future outbreaks. According to Steve Scheuerell, faculty research associate at Oregon State University's Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, there has been an increase in reported human disease outbreaks associated with fresh produce over the last couple decades. "When an outbreak occurs, most of the infected produce has already been consumed," said Scheuerell. "Usually recalls won't help. This is why prevention is key to keeping food safe," he said. To reduce the potential for the transfer of pathogens to fresh produce, plant pathologists are stressing the need to implement and maintain sanitary growing and harvesting conditions worldwide. "As the U.S. increases its importation of produce, it is increasingly important to us that growers everywhere have good quality irrigation water and sanitary conditions for their workers," Scheuerell said. "On the domestic front, the National Organic Program has taken the lead in implementing proactive measures to prevent potential contamination of fresh produce with human pathogens," Scheuerell said. Examples include mandated pre-harvest intervals for the application of manure and proposed quality assurance testing regulations for compost tea regulations (a brew of compost with water used as a biocontrol agent or fertilizer). "Using techniques developed by plant pathologists, scientists are just beginning to understand how human pathogens colonize leaf surfaces, and how their survival can be influenced by manipulating leaf surface microflora and environmental conditions," he said. Plant pathologists from across the country will present more on this topic during the Food Safety as Influenced by Phyllosphere Microflora symposium at the APS Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., July 31 - August 4, 2004. The food safety symposium will be held Tuesday, August 3, 2004 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif. Members of the media are invited to attend annual meeting events; complimentary registration is available. The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is a non-profit, professional scientific organization dedicated to the study and management of plant diseases, with 5,000 members worldwide. From ishailu at hotmail.com Tue Jun 8 16:39:16 2004 From: ishailu at hotmail.com (ishailu) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: Spirulina as food/feed : info required please Message-ID: <8fa19686.0406070053.27f5fb5@posting.google.com> Dear Friends, Spirulina's information is very difficult to get even on internet So i request u to give contacts /few web sites to get information on 1)Culture method of Spirulina 2) Strains of spirulina available for culture & sources to get this Strains 3)Salinity range( and other parameters range) for culture of different strains of Spirulina( In door & Out door ). 4) Are all strains usefull? non harmfull? ManyThanks, From brian at gweep.ca Tue Jun 8 16:39:01 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: PRO/PL> Meloidogyne ethiopica, tomato - Slovenia: 1st report Message-ID: <37zn7dwu7y.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> MELOIDOGYNE ETHIOPICA, TOMATO - SLOVENIA: 1ST REPORT **************************************************** A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Date: 4 Jun 2004 From: ProMED-mail Source: American Phytopathological Society, Plant Disease Notes [edited] 1st Report of the Root-Knot Nematode _Meloidogyne ethiopica_ on Tomato in Slovenia. S. Sirca and G. Urek, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1001 Ljubjana, Slovenia; and G. Karssen, Plant Protection Service, Geertjesweg 15, 6700 HC Wageningen, the Netherlands. Plant Dis. 88:680, 2004; published on-line as D-2004-0407-01N, 2004. Accepted for publication 21 Jan 2004. The root-knot nematode _Meloidogyne ethiopica_ Whitehead originally described from Tanzania is also distributed in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia (3). Although this species is a relatively unknown root-knot nematode, _M. ethiopica_ parasitizes several economically important crops, such as tomato, cowpea, bean, cabbage, pepper, pumpkin, tobacco, lettuce, and soybean (4). This species can be morphologically confused with _M. incognita_ (Kofoid & White), and therefore is probably easily overlooked (1). Recently, characteristic esterase isozyme patterns were described for this species, which provide a more reliable identification (2). In October 2003, _Lycopersicum esculentum_ cv. Belle plants with large root-galls were observed in a greenhouse at Dornberk, Slovenia, which were identified as an unknown root-knot nematode within the _M. incognita_ group. Subsequent sampling revealed infestation of all tomato plants within this greenhouse with obvious aboveground symptoms of stunting and wilting. Additional morphological and isozyme studies identified this root-knot nematode as _M. ethiopica_. The identification was based on female, male, and 2nd-stage juvenile morphology and malate dehydrogenase and esterase isozyme phenotypes from young egg-laying females isolated from 20 tomato plants and compared with a culture of _M. ethiopica_ from Africa. To our knowledge, this is not only the 1st report of _M. ethiopica_ in Slovenia, but also the 1st report of this species in Europe. References: (1) A. M. Golden. Fundam. Appl. Nematol. 15:189, 1992. (2) W. Mandefro and K. Dagne. Afr. J. Plant Prot. 10:39, 2000. (3) A. G. Whitehead. Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond. 31:263, 1968. (4) A. G. Whitehead. Nematologica 15:315, 1969. ------------------------------ ProMED-mail [Root knot nematodes cause crop yield reductions by interfering with nutrient flow in the xylem. Infected plants are less vigorous than healthy plants and are susceptible to wilting at high temperatures. Disease management utilizes several strategies: weed control because they are often hosts; resistant host cultivars; rotation with resistant varieties and non-host crops; and soil fumigation using broad-spectrum fumigants to reduce fungi and nematode populations. Additional references: - Mod.DH] .......................................dh/pg/lm *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at . Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################ From brian at gweep.ca Tue Jun 8 16:39:12 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: PRO/PL> Tomato spotted wilt, pepper - Spain Message-ID: <37vfi1wu7r.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> TOMATO SPOTTED WILT, PEPPER - SPAIN *********************************** A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Date: 4 Jun 2004 From: ProMED-mail Source: British Soc. Plant Pathol., New Disease Reports [edited] Resistance breaking strain of Tomato spotted wilt virus (Tospovirus; _Bunyaviridae_) on resistant pepper cultivars in Almeria (Spain). P. Margaria, M. Ciuffo and M. Turina , Istituto di Virologia Vegetale, CNR- Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino Italy. Accepted for publication 28/5/04 Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) is endemic in the Almeria region of Spain, where the local agro-climatic conditions allow _Frankliniella occidentalis_, the main TSWV vector species, continuous generations throughout the year. So far the only efficient method to control TSWV in pepper crops has relied on the Tsw resistance gene. During autumn 2003, some of the pepper varieties previously shown to be resistant to TSWV displayed symptoms commonly associated with TSWV infection. A serological test carried out in the field with lateral flow devices prepared in our institute was positive for TSWV. Sap from infected plants was mechanically inoculated to _Capsicum chinensis_ [Cc] resistant accession #152225, and no necrotic spots were observed on the inoculated leaves, whereas systemic symptoms were observed 4 days post-inoculation on newly emerged un-inoculated leaves. ELISA (Roggero et al., 2002) confirmed the systemic infection of Cc with TSWV. Type strains Br01 and p105 (Roggero et al., 2002) were also inoculated to Cc and produced typical necrotic spots on the inoculated leaf, while newly emerging leaves were symptomless and tested negative for TSWV. ELISA tests were negative for Impatiens necrotic spot virus and Tomato chlorotic spot virus, the other tospoviruses able to systemically infect Cc (Roggero et al., 2002). After 3 passages by mechanical inoculation through single local lesions on _Nicotiana tabacum_, the virus was still able to systemically infect Cc. RT-PCR was carried out on upper un-inoculated leaves in order to amplify regions of the S segment of the TSWV genome (Qiu et al., 1998). An 800-bp PCR product corresponding to the nucleocapsid gene was amplified, cloned, and sequenced (GenBank accession No. AY598831). Comparison of the nucleocapsid amino acid sequence with homologue sequences of TSWV isolates in GenBank showed highest identity (>99 percent) to an isolate from Almeria described in 1995 (Accession No. X94550). TSWV resistance-breaking strains have previously been reported from Italy in _Capsicum_ spp. carrying the Tsw gene (Roggero et al., 2002) and from Spain in tomato species carrying the Sw5 gene (Aramburu & Marti, 2003). To our knowledge this is the 1st report of TSWV strains breaking the resistance provided by the Tsw gene introgressed in _Capsicum_ spp. under field conditions in Spain. References Aramburu J, Marti M, 2003. The occurrence in north-east Spain of a variant of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) that breaks resistance in tomato (_Lycopersicon esculentum_) containing the Sw-5 gene. Plant Pathology 52, 407. Roggero P, Masenga V, Tavella L, 2002. Field isolates of Tomato spotted wilt virus overcoming resistance in pepper and their spread to other hosts in Italy. Plant Disease 86, 950-954. Jahn M, Paran I, Hoffmann K, Radwanski ER, Livingstone KD, Grube RC, Aftergoot E, Lapidot M, Moyer J, 2000. Genetic mapping of the Tsw locus for resistance to the Tospovirus tomato spotted wilt virus in Capsicum spp. and its relationship to the Sw-5 gene for resistance to the same pathogen in tomato. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 13, 673-682. Qiu WP, Geske SM, Hickey CM, Moyer JW, 1998. Tomato spotted wilt Tospovirus genome reassortment and genome segment-specific adaptation. Virology 244, 186-194. ------------------------------ ProMED-mail [Tospoviruses, mainly Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), constitute a severe threat to _Capsicum_ cultivation worldwide. TSWV is regarded as one of the 10 most economically destructive plant pathogens. Resistance to TSWV but not to other tospoviruses, based on a hypersensitive reaction, has been found only in accessions of Cc 'PI152225' and 'PI159236'. The resistance, carried by the dominant gene Tsw, is broken at high temperatures and depends on plant age, with young plants being more susceptible. The Tsw gene has been introduced into several commercial sweet and hot pepper cultivars with good agronomic performance. Resistance-breaking strains of TSWV systemically infecting resistant plants have been found under experimental conditions and in the field. Reference (Roggero et al.,) online: - Mod.DH] [see also: 2003 ---- Tomato spotted wilt, tomato - USA (FL & GA) 20031009.2539 2002 ---- Tomato spotted wilt, tomato - (USA) Virginia 20020620.4545 Tomato spotted wilt, tomato - USA (North Carolina) 20020622.4565 Tomato spotted wilt, tomato - USA (Massachusetts) 20020626.4608 Tomato spotted wilt, tomato - USA (MA): Correction 20020627.4618 2001 ---- Tomato viruses - Tunisia 20010926.2349 Tomato spotted wilt disease, tomato - Kenya 20011109.2778 Tomato spotted wilt, peanut - Iran 20011220.3069 Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus, soybean - Iran 20011229.3130 2000 ---- Tospovirus, zucchini, courgette & cucumber - Brazil 20000129.0145 Tospoviruses - Argentina 20000213.0197 Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus - Europe 20000302.0286 Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus, crops - USA (Georgia) 20000617.0989] ......................................dh/pg/lm *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at . Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################ From brian at gweep.ca Thu Jun 10 08:03:20 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: PRO/PL> Karnal bunt, wheat - Australia: NOT Message-ID: <37k6yfpl23.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> KARNAL BLUNT, WHEAT - AUSTRALIA: NOT ************************************ A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Date: 9 Jun 2004 From: ProMED-mail Source: Daily Times, 4 Jun 2004 [edited] Pakistan was wrong in wheat row: Australia ------------------------------------------ Independent laboratory tests in Britain have proven that Pakistan wrongly rejected a major shipment of Australian wheat earlier in 2004, alleging that it was infected, said grain exporter AWB Ltd on Monday, reports AFP. The Australian monopoly wheat exporter said Britain's Central Science Laboratory (CSL) found no sign of Karnal bunt disease in the 150 000-tonne shipment, which had previously also been cleared by Australian scientists. "Samples were taken under the supervision of the government of Pakistan from all 4 ships, and CSL found no evidence of Karnal bunt in any of the samples analysed," AMB Managing Director Andrew Lindberg said in a statement. "AWB is pleased with the test results, as they reaffirm Australia's reputation as a supplier of high-quality clean, white wheat, and vindicates our position regarding the quality of Australian wheat during the recent events in Pakistan," he added. Karnal bunt, a fungus that gives wheat a fishy smell that makes it unfit for human consumption, has never been detected in Australia, and Australian experts who tested the grain said they found none in the shipment. Lindberg said the company had the wheat re-examined in Britain in a bid to ensure other key markets did not reject future shipments. Pakistan's claim that the shipment was infected prompted government protests from Australia and threatened to undermine the country's $3.5 billion-per-year wheat export business. The wheat rejected by Pakistan was eventually sold to other countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Javed Mahmood adds: Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Monday rejected the claims of the Australian Wheat Board officials who said independent tests had proven that the wheat rejected by Pakistan was free from Karnal bunt disease. Dr Qadir Bux Baloch, wheat commissioner of the ministry of food and agriculture, told Daily Times in Islamabad that the tests of Australian wheat were carried out in the presence of both Australian as well as Pakistani officials, which led to detection of Karnal bunt disease. He said samples of wheat were taken in the presence of the Australian officials and Tradesman International, the company that imported wheat from Australia. Dr Baloch said the fresh tests arranged by Australian Wheat Board had no legal standing, as there was no provision of such tests in the tenders invited by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Supply Corporation. It had been clearly mentioned in the tenders that wheat would only be tested in Pakistani labs and not abroad, he said. The wheat commissioner said the Australian Board played no role in the deal, which was directly between Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Supply Corporation (PASSCO) and Tradesman International (to import 0.15 million tons of wheat). The federal government approved the import of 0.3 million tons of wheat, to meet consumption requirements. PASSCO was allowed to import the commodity through the private sector. Tradesman International won the tender for 0.15 million tons of wheat in 3 equal lots, but all the lots were rejected by the federal government when wheat proved substandard and infected with Karnal bunt. Dr Baloch insisted that Pakistan itself was a wheat-growing country that exported its product, and importing disease-infected wheat could damage the country's crop and its foreign market. ------------------------------ ProMED-mail [Karnal bunt [Kb] is caused by the fungus _Tilletia indica_. The disease was first reported in the Karnal district of India in 1930 and has since been reported in Afghanistan, Pakistan Nepal, Iraq, Iran and Mexico. The disease was also reported in Arizona and California in regions adjacent to Mexico in March 1996. Diseased grain bears a fishy odor, which downgrades the grain but does not adversely affect quality. This long-simmering problem seems to be resolved, although not to the satisfaction of all concerned. CSL was selected to test the samples because it currently has 88 procedures within the Food Safety & Quality, Microbiology and Pesticides Veterinary Medicine Groups accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and is a world-renowned expert laboratory in testing for Kb. In addition, the Australian Department of Fisheries Forestry and Agricultural has independently tested over 100 samples of current seasons grain from throughout Australia's entire wheat belt and no Kb was found. - Mod.DH] [see also: 1997 ---- Karnal bunt: APS Position Statement 19970718.1508] ......................................dh/pg/jw *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at . Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################ From brian at gweep.ca Tue Jun 15 14:04:25 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: PRO/PL> Black pod disease, cacao - Ghana Message-ID: <37oenka8qi.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> BLACK POD DISEASE, CACAO - GHANA ********************************* A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Date: 11 Jun 2004 From: ProMED-mail Source: Ghana web, Beposo (B/A), 11 June 2004, GNA [edited] Black pod disease attacks cocoa in Asunafo Beposo ------------------ Nana Kofi Sarfo, a prominent cocoa farmer in the Asunafo district of Brong-Ahafo, says that the annual yield cocoa crop might decrease due to infection by black pod disease in the area. Speaking at a farmers' forum at Beposo, Nana Sarfo said the disease resurfaced largely due to a delay in spraying the crop for disease control, which had been scheduled for the beginning of June. Nana Sarfo has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to ensure that extension officers were deployed to the area to undertake the spraying. He commended the government's cocoa spraying program and the cocoa Hi-Tech Programme to ensure increased yield and for regularly increasing the producer price. Nana Sarfo said that reports from cocoa farmers indicate that yields in some areas have increased "tremendously" and urged cocoa farmers to work harder to sustain the cocoa industry. ------------------------------ ProMED-mail [Black pod disease (a.k.a. _Phytophthora_ pod rot) has been reported in all cacao-producing regions. Annual crop losses worldwide are about 45 percent. Several _Phytophthora_ spp. can cause black pod, chiefly _P. megakarya_, which is present in West Africa, the main producing region, and total losses occur in some areas. Much of the cacao crop in Ghana is currently infected, and the fungus has been reported in Cameroon and Nigeria and is suspected in Cote d'Ivoire. Disease management involves cultural control (reduction of humidity and sources of inoculum), application of topical copper-containing fungicides and systemic compounds, and experimental use of antagonists. Breeding for resistance is a priority in West Africa. Development of a genetic finger-printing technique for identifying black pod (_Phytophthora_ spp.) will facilitate distinguishing species. Useful references: - Mod.DH] [see also: 2001 ---- Cacao diseases 20010222.0341] .......................................mpp/dh/pg/dk *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at . Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################ From brian at gweep.ca Tue Jun 15 14:04:16 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:04 2005 Subject: PRO/PL> Black sigatoka , banana - Bahamas Message-ID: <37smcwa8qq.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> BLACK SIGATOKA, BANANA - BAHAMAS ******************************** A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Date: 10 Jun 2004 From: ProMED-mail American Phytopathological Society, Plant Disease Notes [edited] 1st Report of Black Sigatoka of Banana Caused by _Mycosphaerella fijiensis_ on Grand Bahama Island. R. C. Ploetz, University of Florida, Department of Plant Pathology, IFAS, Tropical Research and Education Center, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead 33031-3314. Plant Dis. 88:772, 2004; published on-line as D-2004-0519-01N, 2004. Accepted for publication 14 May 2004. Black Sigatoka, which is also known as black leaf streak, is caused by _Mycosphaerella fijiensis_ (anamorph _Pseudocercospora_ [formerly _Paracercospora) fijiensis_] (Pf). It is the most important disease of commercially produced banana (_Musa_ spp.) and also has a major impact on production for local consumption. Although the disease occurs throughout the humid tropics, it has been reported in the Caribbean from only Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica (1). In February 2004, black Sigatoka was observed at 2 isolated and widely separated sites on Grand Bahama island (26.7 deg N, 78.5 deg W and 26.7 deg N, 78 deg W) on cvs. Silk AAB and Williams AAA, and a French Horn AAB plantain. Symptoms included wet, dark brown streaks on the adaxial leaf surface, 1 to 2 x 10 mm, with chlorotic haloes. Lesions enlarged to 5 x 20 mm and developed tan, necrotic centers; large, blackened, water-soaked areas that resulted from the coalescence of streaks were rare. The disease was confirmed by observing the following characteristics of _P. fijiensis_ in necrotic lesions on preserved leaf specimens: simple conidiophores with a broadened base and one to several septa, straight to variously bent cercosporoid conidia as much as 100 micrometers long with 2 to several septa, and a conspicuously thickened scar at the base. Both plantings were several years old, and new planting material that could have been infested with the pathogen had not been introduced since their establishment. Symptoms were not severe and were distributed sporadically in both locations. The disease was not observed at the only other large planting of banana on the island (26.6 deg N, 78.6 deg W). The sporadic and apparently new infestations of 2 of 3 banana plantings on the island suggest that the pathogen may have arrived recently via natural means, possibly from neighboring Florida (2). In contrast, black Sigatoka appears to have spread to other islands in the Caribbean via infested propagation materials (1). To my knowledge, this is the 1st report of black Sigatoka in the Bahamas, and with a previous report from Bhutan (1), represents the northernmost spread of this important disease. References: (1) J. Carlier et al. Pages 37-79 in: Diseases of Banana, Abaca and Enset. D. R. Jones, ed. CABI Publishing. Wallingford, UK, 2000. (2) R. C. Ploetz and X. Mourichon. Plant Dis. 83:300, 1999. ------------------------------ ProMED-mail [Black sigatoka (a.k.a. black leaf streak) is the most damaging disease of banana worldwide. It reduces leaf area, decreases yields by more than 50 percent and causes premature ripening, which downgrades marketability of fruit. Unable to reproduce sexually, propagation depends upon cloning, using shoots from trees. Consequently, all banana cultivars are almost identical and are universally susceptible to the disease. According to FAO data from 2003, bananas rank 4th behind rice, wheat, and maize in worldwide production, measured in metric tons. Bananas and plantains (cooking bananas) are staple food crops for millions of people who produce the fruit in backyards and small plots in developing countries. The disease was 1st reported in Fiji in 1963 but was probably well established in southeast Asia and the south Pacific before that time. It was been reported in Honduras in 1972 and now is reported from Mexico south to Bolivia and northwestern Brazil and in the Caribbean region. In 1998 it was reported in southern Florida, probably by introduction of infected suckers from elsewhere. Genetic engineering may be a possible means of producing resistant planting stock for disease control, but that will take some considerable time to effect. Two useful references: - Mod.DH] [see also: 2001 ---- Black sigatoka, banana - Australia (Queensland) (03) 20010422.0788 Black sigatoka, banana - Australia (Queensland) (02) 20010417.0759 Black sigatoka, banana - Australia (Queensland) 20010412.0722 Black sigatoka - Australia & Papua New Guinea 20010101.0006 2000 ---- Black sigatoka, bananas - Australia (Queensland) 20000731.1269 1999 ---- Black sigatoka, bananas - Brazil 19990221.0227 1999 ---- Black sigatoka - Caribbean 19980309.0451 Black Sigatoka: fact sheet 19980318.0513 Black Sigatoka - Venezuela 19980311.0467] ................................dh/pg/jw *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at . Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################ From brian at gweep.ca Thu Jun 17 13:59:44 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:05 2005 Subject: This Month in Plant Disease Message-ID: <371xkeuf9t.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> As a subscriber to APS news, you are receiving this update to keep you informed on the latest plant disease information as published in Plant Disease, an official APS publication. This Month in Plant Disease July 2004 Control Method of Soilborne Fungi Found to be Highly Effective, Economic, and Environmentally-Friendly http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/djl04sum.asp#Goud Researchers Develop Improved Model for Predicting Downy Mildew Sporulation on Onions http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/djl04sum.asp#Gilles Study Finds "Finger Imprint" Symptom of Citrus Does Not Cause Serious Harm to Tree or Fruit Yield http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/djl04sum.asp#Vidalakis Use of Fungicide and Disease-Resistant Cultivars May Reduce Occurrence of Soybean Seed Infection http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/djl04sum.asp#Wrather A Newly Developed System for Timing Fungicide Application Improves Disease Management of Postbloom Fruit Drop of Citrus in Brazil http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/djl04sum.asp#Peres Scientist Find Fungal Spores Unlikely to Survive Winters and Initiate Early Epidemics of Apple Scab http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/djl04sum.asp#Holb To view interpretive summaries of the articles, please click on the corresponding links. For more information, or to receive a full copy of the article, please contact Amy Steigman at mailto:asteigman@scisoc.org or call +1.651.454.7250. Plant Disease is a leading international journal of applied plant pathology, published by The American Phytopathological Society. It publishes original research articles focusing on practical aspects of plant disease diagnosis and control. Each issue also includes a monthly feature article summarizing a significant topic in plant pathology. The Disease Notes section contains timely reports of new diseases, outbreaks, and other pertinent observations. For a full list of contents, visit http://www.apsnet.org/pd/current/. The American Phytopathological Society 3340 Pilot Knob Road St. Paul, MN 55121 Phone: +1.651.454.7250 Fax: +1.651.454.0766 E-mail: mailto:aps@scisoc.org From brian at gweep.ca Tue Jun 22 15:44:08 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:05 2005 Subject: APS Press Release: Plant Pathologists to Discuss the Future of Organic Farming Message-ID: <37zn6ve09l.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> PRESS RELEASE For immediate release Contact: Amy Steigman American Phytopathological Society Phone: +1.651.454.7250 Web: http://www.apsnet.org/meetings/2004/media.htm E-mail: mailto:asteigman@scisoc.org Plant Pathologists to Discuss the Future of Organic Farming St. Paul, MN (June 22, 2004) - Organic farming is one of the fastest-growing segments of U.S. agriculture, with organic food sales reaching $9.3 billion in 2002. To ensure continued prosperity of this rapidly expanding industry, plant pathologists with The American Phytopathological Society (APS) are calling for additional organic farming research and adherence to established growing procedures. Standards for organic food were implemented in 2002 and include the creation of National Organic Program Standards, which require producers to use a planned systems approach to crop protection, said Monica Elliott, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. However, additional organic farming research and education are needed in order to maintain viable organic farming systems, she said. Because California has the largest output of organic crops of any state, plant pathologists are looking to California's organic program as a model for organic farming programs nationwide. "Plant health scientists are working to meet the needs of organic farmers and the needs of consumers who want organic foods," said Elliott. More on this topic will be presented during the Organic Foods: From Production to Market symposium at APS Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., July 31- August 4, 2004. This session, to be held Tuesday, August 3, 2004 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center, will examine organic agriculture from a plant pathology perspective and address questions regarding funding sources for organic agricultural research, plant diseases and control methods, and the function of the National Organic Standards Board. A Sustainable Agriculture Day is also planned for Tuesday, August 3 at the Anaheim Convention Center. This one-day event will be devoted to the discussion of new developments in sustainable agriculture and will bring into focus the roles and accomplishments of APS members in this area. This event is open to everyone for a special one-day registration cost. Members of the media are invited to attend annual meeting events and complimentary registration is available. The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is a non-profit, professional scientific organization dedicated to the study and management of plant diseases, with 5,000 members worldwide. From s.helfer at rbge.org.uk Thu Jun 24 03:17:50 2004 From: s.helfer at rbge.org.uk (Dr Stephan Helfer) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:05 2005 Subject: Organic Farming Message-ID: <004a01c459ca$eae5a180$8878000a@rbge.org.uk> Dear List It is encouraging to see that APS is taking an active interest in organic food production. The press release posted by Brian Edmonds reflects a very positive initiative in the New World. To balance this press release slightly from a global perspective it may be interesting to see what other similar initiatives exist in Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa. The EU, for instance, has community wide Organic Production regulations since 1991 (see for instance http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic/introduction/reg2092consol.pdf), and I understand that Australia and New Zealand have similar regulations. Whilst far less regulated, many African and Asian growers also produce organically, and the trend appears to be growing. Please remember also that a large proportion of crops in developing economies are produced by consumers themselves, with varying degrees of pesticide application. Unfortunately, most of the relevant data on agronomy and pathology of this production is unknown to the Plant Pathology community. I would be interested in hearing the views of other pathologists elsewhere (i.e. non-EU and non-US) on organic production. Best wishes Dr Stephan Helfer, SSO Mycologist Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, EDINBURGH EH3 5LR, Scotland UK http://www.rbge.org.uk phone: +44 (0)131 248 2865 (direct digital line) fax: +44 (0)131 248 2901