Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab-
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Category Archives: GENERAL
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Blog article #1 by Kevin Pineda (for partial fulfillment of BESC 484 requirement) Not all evidence of a plant pathogen can be seen above the surface. Phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora sp. is the most common cause of root rot. This rot of the root system hinders the ability of the host plant to take up water and nutrients. Below the surface, it can be observed as discoloration and decay of the roots. Phytophthora has a cell wall made of cellulose and is classified as an oomycete,… Read More →
Student Worker (Oak) Branches Out
Written by Michael Giedraitis – TPDDL Student Worker; Edited by Hannah Ayala – Extension Assistant Background It was an exciting summer and fall at the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Alongside all our normal duties involved in operating the clinic, I was given the opportunity to work on the development of a new method for diagnosing oak wilt. Our current protocol is to break down infected branch samples sent to us and set them to incubate on petri plates in specialized media for two weeks. We check these… Read More →
Rapid Decline of Oaks
Ms. Sheila McBride (TPDDL diagnostician) and Dr. David Appel, Extension Plant Pathologist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service contributed this article to address the numerous inquires that has been received this year regarding declining oak trees -KO This year, beginning in the early spring to late summer, there has been many inquiries as to why the post oaks have “suddenly” died. The most frequent symptoms have been described as a rapid appearance of chlorotic (yellow) and/or necrotic (brown and dead) leaves throughout the entire crown. The leaves often… Read More →
New treatment for the management of Cotton Root Rot on winegrapes
Dr. David Appel, Extension Plant Pathologist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service contributed this article that describes a new treatment for one of the most devastating diseases of Texas winegrapes. This was research conducted by Dr. Appel and our own TPDDL diagnostician, Sheila McBride. -KO This disease, cotton root rot, occurs on winegrapes in the calcareous soils of Central, South, and West Texas where soil pH is well above 7. The most common symptom of CRR in grapes is a sudden wilt and death of the infected… Read More →
Student worker/ BESC Internship
The Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab is looking for a students who are interested in gaining some experience in an applied plant pathology service laboratory. Undergraduate Extension (Lab) assistant to assist Diagnostician and Assistant Diagnostician at the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab to perform various diagnostic analysis on plant specimens. This is an opportunity of the motivated student gain lab work experience. Student will be trained to perform specific lab task as needed. Desirable skills and knowledge include familiarity with computer, some basic lab skill (chemistry/biochemistry/biology/microbiology). To apply: please send resume… Read More →
