Not just Plant Disease Diagnostics…

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The Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab is a part of the Extension Plant Pathology program.  As such, we participate in various educational activities by providing our expertise in plant disease issues.  Both K. Ong (Director and Extension Specialist) and S. McBride (Diagnostician) have conducted lectures and workshops on general plant pathology topics as well as materials on specific plant diseases.  The educational programs are an essential outreach for the Plant Clinic and Extension Plant Pathology to encourage awareness of plant diseases in general, and to educate various groups… Read More →

Sweet Orange Scab in Texas

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The Plant Clinic is always abuzz with activity.  Recently (late July 2010) Sweet Orange Scab (a disease caused by the fungus Elsinoe australis) was confirmed by USDA-APHIS from a sample in the greater Houston area in Texas.  Since then, confirmed findings of the pathogen were recorded for various places in Texas and Louisiana.  Most recent was the detection of this pathogen in the valley – where the Texas citrus production industry is concentrated.  The first report of this disease was made in 1937 (Bittancourt & Jenkins) but it was… Read More →

Flooded lab

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This morning, we were greeted by a flooded lab.  This was due to a experiment run awry and not closely monitored by the folks upstairs.  This resulted in a few waterfalls into the lab below (aka us).  Thankfully – no major equipment was destroyed (at least the big one). We have still yet to check on a few pieces of the smaller equipment that were under the downpour.  So currently the TPDDL is in non-operational status as we clean up the mess. Hopefully all will be fixed and… Read More →

2010 SPDN-GPDN joint meeting

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On October 18-20, approximately 30 diagnosticians (both plant pathologists and entomologist) descended on College Station from southern and midwestern US states for the joint Southern Plant Diagnostic Network – Great Plain Diagnostic Network joint meeting. Workshops on Candidatus Liberibacter and its vector that were offered at this meeting in addition to a 1/2 day tour. General meeting sessions were conducted on Wednesday at Rudder Tower discussed existing program within the various regions as well as possibilities for future collaborations between the two regions and with the research community… Read More →

SPDN-GPDN joint meeting

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On the 19th and 20th of October, diagnostician from the Great Plains Diagnostic Network and the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network is meeting at College Station, Texas.  This is an annual meeting where regional network meet to discuss the past year and new things that may be in the works with respect to plant health.  This year, these two regions decided to meet together.  It is of interest to note that Texas is unique in that there are TWO diagnostic labs: one in College Station(SPDN) and another in Armarillo(GPDN)…. Read More →