Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab

Daylily Rust, or Puccinia hemerocallidis, was recently diagnosed on a (you guessed it) daylily by the TPDD Lab.  This rust is a fungus that only infects daylilies, and was first identified in the U.S. in 2000.  Since it’s introduction into the States, widespread shipping of plant material throughout the country has moved the pathogen to over 30 states, including Texas! True to its name, Daylily Rust creates obvious symptoms on the leaves of the plant; the yellow to brown streaks on the surface of the plant resembles a rust like… Read More →

Despite the cold and nasty conditions, the majority of the Extension plant pathologists and program specialists made it to Kingsville for the 2011 Extension Plant Pathology Retreat.  Current and pressing issues that will impact this unit of the Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology were discussed, and in case you missed what has been going on, Texas is going through (like many other states) some budgetary issues.  As a result, there is fear that state funding for the Extension program (and others too) will be affected adversely.  This situation has prompted… Read More →

Just got email noting that all campus offices will be closed until 11:30am Friday February 4th, 2011.  The reason – extreme cold conditions and predicted precipitation will make for dangerous travelling on Friday morning. What does this mean for plants?   In the majority of Texas, this week has been one big arctic blast!  In the Brazos Valley, temperatures dipped below 20°F yesterday, the last two nights, and for the most part of today..   We can only protect freeze susceptible plants for so long.  The longer the freeze period,… Read More →

In the cooler months of the year in Texas (Dec – Mar), we typically see an increase in the submission of samples with symptoms of  Botrytis blight.  This disease is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, and can occur on numerous ornamental plants.  Another common name of the disease caused by this fungus is Gray Mold.  This disease flares up when conditions are cool and wet (around 55-60 °F), which are typical greenhouse conditions for this time of the year.  Interestingly, this is usually not a problem with the homeowner.  Guess why?… Read More →