Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab-
WHAT Wednesday Videos
Category Archives: Bacteria
Soft Spot for Succulents
Written by Hannah Ayala – Extension Assistant Like all plants, your succulent could be suffering because of a plant pathogen, an insect pest, or an abiotic factor. When it comes to succulents, there are some issues that are more common than others. One of the most common problems we find in samples that come into the lab is caused by overwatering. Cacti and other succulents are mostly found in areas with low rainfall. This means that they store more water than other plants, hence their “puffy” foliage. This… Read More →
2015 Texas – Bacterial blight of cotton
Posting some news about bacterial blight of cotton issues that is currently going on in Texas. The URL link below point to a pdf document containing information (brief update) provided by Dr. Jason Woodward (Extension Plant Pathologist) and Dr. Terry Wheeler (Research Pathologist), both located at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Lubbock, TX. They have made some “peculiar observations” of bacterial blight on cotton varieties that were previously documented as resistant. This note provide growers, consultant and county agents descriptions and images to help with recognizing… Read More →
Beauty is Only Skin Deep
The definition of beauty has become a rather obsessive paradigm that has affected present society. It is a constant desire to reach what is perceived to be “perfection.” This infectious ideal has given rise to profitable industries of cosmetics, heavy research of youth enhancing serums, even to the extent of affecting our perspective of healthy food products. The slightest blemish or spot on a fruit may discourage fellow consumers, potentially preventing their purchase and leaving the fruit to rot in the produce isle. What a waste. One such… Read More →
Identifying bacterial infections in submitted plant samples.
This is another assignment submitted by BESC484 student, B. Commer, as a partial requirement for the course. We typically get an uptick of bacterial issue showing up in the TX Plant Clinic in the fall. One of the student’s assignment is to document what they do in a manner to explain to non-plant pathologist or microbiologist what they do. Enjoy- KO Ever wonder just how the diagnostician can confirm bacterial plant pathogens? It starts with a very simple yet fascinating test to check for what is called… Read More →
Leaf Gall Diagnostics
Ever wonder about how some diseases are diagnosed in a plant disease diagnostic lab. You would be surprised that there are similarities to an ER in the hospital. When a sample arrives at the Plant Clinic, it has to be accompanied with a submission form where there are a bunch of question trying to get some history leading to the incidence or current situation. Then the samples are triaged within 24-48 hours of receipt (dependent on diagnostician availability). Decisions are made how to proceed based on history information… Read More →
