October 2, 2003

 

NDSU Plant Diagnostics Lab Now Part of National Network

The North Dakota State University Plant Diagnostic Lab is now part of a national network to monitor the intentional or unintentional introduction of pests or pathogens into the environment, according to Cheryl Biller, NDSU plant diagnostician.

"The USDA has created a National Plant Diagnostic Network to connect diagnostic facilities and experts within the nation’s land-grant university system," Biller says. "The network will provide a central system to quickly detect pests and pathogens that have been introduced into agricultural and natural ecosystems. This is part of a new national program for homeland security."

The national network is broken down into five regions. The NDSU lab is part of the Great Plains Diagnostic Network. Member states include Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Oklahoma, Wyoming and an affiliation with Texas Tech University to monitor northern Texas.

The advantages of the system include:

• Rapid evaluation and reporting of potential bioterrorist threats.
• Shorter response time for diagnosis
• Established links among diagnostic labs around the country.
• Established links to regulatory agencies such as the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and each state’s department of agriculture.
• Better quality and uniformity of information associated with samples.
• Better record keeping and reporting of pest outbreaks.

In some cases, diagnosing a potential problem could take months, especially if it is a new disease. "Now we will be able to use all the expertise in our region to help us make sure that our preliminary assessment is accurate," Biller says.

Another important element is the establishment of a "first detector" network to help monitor the introduction of new or unusual plant and pest outbreaks. First detectors include growers, extension service personnel, crop consultants, pesticide applicators, commercial chemical and seed representatives, master gardeners and others involved in plant growth or management.

First detectors will be trained to identify problems, Biller says. "They will also have access to a Web-based diagnostic system to report unusual occurrences, existing crop conditions or other information. They can also subscribe to an agricultural advisory system that provides warnings and information concerning pest outbreaks or weather conditions that could trigger outbreaks."

As part of the network, the NDSU diagnostic lab received funds to purchase some new microscopes, a digital camera system and equipment for video conferencing.

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Source: Cheryl Biller, (701) 231-7854, cheryl.biller@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu