INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER ON PLANT PATHOLOGY

In this issue:

• ISPP Newsletter on the Internet
• Ken Scott
• Newsletter of the British Society of Plant Pathology
• Mycotoxicology
• Vegetables/Poverty/Diets
• ISPP Treasurer's Report - August 1998
• Address - Russian Phytopathological Society
• European Journal
• Soil Disinfestation
• Australasian Conference
• Coming Events

This is the agreed final occasion of the distribution of hard copies of the ISPP Newsletter to some 800 persons world-wide.

As stated in several previous issues, all plant pathologists (some 20,000 persons) and others interested can now access the ISPP Newsletter through the ISPP web site at <http://www.bspp.org.uk/ispp>. Issues of the Newsletter have been appearing on the site regularly every two months since February 1998 and will continue to do so.

Several procedures for helping readers in the change-over stage were discussed in the ISPP Executive Committee and ISPP Council meetings in Edinburgh in August 1998, and are being implemented as people contact me in the ways mentioned below.

One procedure is for me to send out an e-mail alert when a new issue appears on the web; several people have requested this and anyone else wanting this alert should ask and provide their e-mail address to me.

Another procedure is for me to send out the newsletter in an unformatted style within the text of an e-mail message. This could be done to individuals who advise that they do not have access to the internet and who supply me with their e-mail address.

Another procedure is to arrange through a societal or regional internet user for local alerts or local distribution of the Newsletter in electronic or paper form. Several members of APS and APPS have indicated that they would like this to be arranged through their societies.

Anyone asking me for the Newsletter in hard copy should declare that they do not have access to the internet and the ISPP Home Page or that they have a special need for a hard copy.

Brian Deverall (bdeveral@mail.usyd.edu.au)

Kenneth J Scott retired from his position as Professor of Biochemistry, University of Queensland, Australia, in July 1998. Ken is particularly well known for the work of his group at The University of Sydney in the 1960s on the axenic culture of the rust fungus, Puccinia graminis. This success of culture away from the host plant has a significant place in the history of plant pathology. It revealed that obligate parasitism in this species was dependent in part on a requirement for sugar alcohols, and mostly on an absolute requirement for sulphur-containing amino acids resulting from an inability to carry out assimilatory sulphur reduction.

Ken is also widely known for his later work at the University of Queensland on biochemical changes in diseased plants, particularly in cereals infected by biotrophic pathogens. A special feature was revelation of changes in transcription and translation in susceptible plants, and then post-infectional protein synthesis in plants expressing monogenic resistance. In recent years, he and colleagues have been involved in isolating defence-related genes, and in using these genes in engineering wheat, defining techniques in tissue culture and cereal transformation in the process.

He was awarded a DScAgr by The University of Sydney in 1993 in recognition of his distinguished contributions to the science underlying agriculture. He is also a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society and a former President of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society.

On 6 November 1998, a Symposium was held at the University of Queensland to mark Ken’s retirement. It addressed the subject "Forty Years of Plant Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Biology". Fourteen speakers from different parts of Australia gave papers in the areas of "Plant Tissue Culture", "Plant Transformation Technologies", "Gene Isolation and Cloning" and "Future Directions for Molecular Plant Pathology Research".

Ken can be contacted on e-mail: <scott@biosci.uq.edu.au>.

BSPP News comes out twice a year and the latest issue (33, Autumn 1998) has just arrived. It has cover colour plates of HRH The Princess Royal opening the 7th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Edinburgh, UK, on 10 August 1998, and of Peter Scott (Chairman of the Organising Committee) and David Ingram (Congress President) relaxing on the final morning. It also has many lively articles including 10 from enthusiastic participants in the Congress, each one selecting the highlights of the event from their perspective. The Editor of BSPP News is Dr James K M Brown, John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK; Fax: +44-1603-456844; e-mail: james.brown@bbsrc.ac.uk

Mycotoxicology Newsletter is an international forum for mycotoxins and is now edited by Dr Angelo Visconti and sponsored by VICAM. The latest issue, volume IV (2) of August 1998, contains information on future symposia and conferences and summaries of past ones. It also describes the new European Union regulation for aflatoxins in foodstuffs and the European standardisation of mycotoxin analysis. There is also Industry News and a summary of New Books, Chapters and Reviews on mycotoxins.

Dr Visconti may be contacted at Institute of Toxins and Mycotoxins, CNR, Viale Einaudi 51, 70125 Bari, Italy; Fax: +39-80-548-6063; e-mail: <visconti@area.ba.cnr.it>. Requests for information about mailing should be sent to Linda Poirier at +1-617-923-8055; e-mail: <vicam@vicam.com>.

The Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) has recently published "Vegetables for Poverty Alleviation and Healthy Diets: A plan for 1998-2002". The plan incorporates three programs, one being "Vegetables in cereal-based systems", the second "Year-round vegetable production systems" and the third "Collaboration in research and germplasm management". The goal is enhanced well-being and not just enhanced performance of crops and technologies.

Dr Thierry Jaunet from France has been appointed Research Associate, Plant Pathologist, at AVRDC’s Asian Regional Center (ARC), Thailand. He will be based at ARC’s research and training facility on the Kamphaengsaen campus of Kasetsart University.

AVRDC may be contacted at P O Box 42, Shanhua, Taiwan 741, ROC; Fax: +886-6-583-0009; e-mail: <avrdc@netra.avrdc.org.tw>.

Their web-site is <http://www.avrdc.org.tw>.

Dr Claire Shephard reported a sound state of financial affairs to the ISPP Council at its meetings at the 7th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Edinburgh in August 1998. She explained that income in the previous 5-year period was inadequate for ISPP to function fully and that major efforts had been made to build up contact with associated societies and to obtain regular payment of subscriptions. The income and expenditure in her period of office is shown below. Expenditure on activities of ISPP subject area committees was about a quarter of the sum set aside by the Executive for this purpose, and she drew attention to guidelines for applications from committees for these funds, as announced in the October 1998 ISPP Newsletter. Expenditure for the Congress peaked in 1998, the bursary fund, funding for the Glen Anderson Lecture and direct support and expenses incurred in the Congress being the major items.

(pounds sterling)

Dr Shephard advised that the reserves had increased to a reasonable level of over 75000 pounds sterling by 1997 and she recommended that future income should be used in the proportions set out below.

Future use of ISPP funds

International Congresses and associated expenditure 30%

Subject area committee activities 20%

Newsletter and web 15%

Executive expenses 10%

World Directory of Plant Pathologists 10%

Promoting plant pathology interests worldwide 5%

Administration 5%

Reserve 5%

Dr Andrey Aver’yanov sent a message thanking ISPP for the announcement (in ISPP Newsletter 28 (5), 2) about the Russian Phytopathological Society, but pointing out that there was one error which may hinder future contacts. The postal index of this Institute is 143050, and not 140050 as written in the announcement.

Further contact with Dr Andrey A Aver’yanov, Leading Scientific Researcher, Head of the group of Biophysics, may be made at Research Institute of Phytopathology, P O B Vyasemy, Moscow region 143050, Russia; Fax: +7-096-334-0902; e-mail: aver@glasnet.ru

The new Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of Plant Pathology from January 1999 is Dr John A Bailey. The Editor is Dr Bob Schippers, Department of Plant Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

This is an international journal that publishes original research articles dealing with fundamental and applied aspects of plant pathology. In addition to bacteriological, mycological and virological topics, the journal also includes studies in entomology, nematology and plant protection. The journal is published by Kluwer Academic Publishers in co-operation with the European Foundation for Plant Pathology (EFPP).

Volume 105 for 1999 is planned to comprise nine issues. The subscription rate for 1999 is NLG 1346.00/$US 673.00, unless a special rate applies.

Information, tables of contents and a free on-line sample copy are at <http://www.wkap.nl/journals/plant_pathology>.

Soil disinfestation still plays a major role in agriculture despite the severe restrictions limiting the use of methyl bromide, one of the most widely used fumigants. The opportunity has been taken, therefore, to pursue the tradition started at the University of Leuven by Prof C Van Assche, and to continue the organization of a Symposium on Soil Disinfestation on a regular basis, every 4 or 5 years. A number of colleagues around the world involved with soil disinfestation were contacted and they gave their full support.

It was decided that the next Symposium on "Chemical and non-chemical soil disinfestation" will be organized in Italy at the University of Torino (see Coming Events), in conjunction with the Meeting of the European Foundation of Plant Pathology, which will take place in Taormina (Sicily), during September 18-22, 2000.

The Scientific Committee is M Besri (Morocco), D Chellemi (USA), V Cebolla (Spain), J Coosemans (Belgium), P Ducom (France), A Garibaldi (Italy), M L Gullino (Italy), J Katan (Israel), F Lamberti (Italy), W Th Runia (The Netherlands), E Tjamos (Greece).

For further information, contact M Lodovica Gullino, Fax: +39-011-6708541; e-mail:gullino@ agraria.unito.it

Angelo Garibaldi, Torino, Italy and Jaacov Katan, Rehovot, Israel.

The next Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference will be held in Canberra, Australia, from 27-30 September 1999 (see Coming Events).

A special feature will be symposia on Asia/Pacific perspectives for plant pathology, trade policies and exotic plant pathogens, and biodiversity and plant diseases. These symposia will be addressed by Australian and international invited speakers each morning.

Papers covering a broad spectrum of plant pathology topics will be offered, either as oral presentations or poster displays. In addition, there will be a strong emphasis on poster displays with a dedicated session each day for viewing and discussions. Posters will be grouped by specific themes and a half-hour discussion facilitated by a nominated leader will be scheduled within the 90-minute session.

For updates, please follow the APPS Website at <www.ozemail.com.au/~williap>.

Joint Meeting, British Society for Plant Pathology and Society for Applied Microbiology - rhizosphere micro-organisms in Warwick, UK.
15-17 December 1998.
Contact: Dr Mark Hocart, Plant Science Division, SAC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK; Fax: +44-131-667-2601; e-mail: m.hocart@ed.sac.ac.uk

First Australasian Soilborne Disease Symposium in Gold Coast, Australia.
10-12 February 1999.
Contact: Dr Rob Magarey, Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, P O Box 566, Tully, Queensland 4854, Australia; Fax: +61-7-4068-1907; e-mail: <asds@bses.org.au>; web site: <http://www.ozemail.com.au/~williap/Soilborne_Symposium.htm>

The Global Initiative on Late Blight (GILB) Conference in Quito, Ecuador.
16-19 March 1999.
Contact: Mari Kearl, c/o International Potato Center (CIP), GILB, Apartado 1558, Lima 12, Peru; e-mail: m.kearl@cgnet.com

6th International Conference on Pseudomonas syringae pathovars in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
24-27 March 1999.
Contact: Dr E Lucienne Mansvelt, Infruitec, Private Bag X5013, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa; e-mail: lucienne@infruit2.agric.za

Gene Flow and Agriculture - Relevance for Transgenic Crops in Keele, UK.
11-14 April 1999.
Contact: Dr P J W Lutman, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK; e-mail: Peter.Lutman@bbsrc.ac.uk

VII International Symposium of Plant Virus Epidemiology in Aguadulce, Almeria, Spain.
11-16 April, 1999.
Contact: Dr Alberto Fereres, CCMA-CSIC, C/Serrano 115 dpdo., 28006 Madrid, Spain; Phone: +34-1-5627620; Fax: +34-1-5640800; e-mail: <ebvaf22@fresno.csic.es>; web site <http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~afereres/epicong.html>.

Australian Plant Breeding Conference in Adelaide, Australia.
19-23 April 1999.
Contact: Conference Secretariat, Festival City Conventions, P O Box 949, Kent Town, SA 5071, Australia; Fax: +61-8-8368-1604; e-mail: <fcceaton@ozemail.com.au>.

13th John Innes Symposium, Attack & Defence in Plant Disease in Norwich, UK.
20-23 July 1999.
Contact: Mrs Jeni Fox, John Innes Centre, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK; Fax: +44-1603-456844; e-mail: jennifer.fox@bbsrc.ac.uk

XIVth International Plant Protection Congress in Jerusalem, Israel.
25-30 July 1999.
Contact: The Congress Secretariat, P.O. 50006, Tel Aviv 61500, Israel; Phone: +972-3-514-0000; Fax: +972-3-514-0077 or +972-3-517-5674; e-mail: <ippc@kenes.com>; Web site: <http://www.kenes.co.il/IPPC>.

9th International Congress of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
25-30 July 1999.
Contact: Eurocongres, J van Goyenkade 11, 1075 HP Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Fax: +31-20-673-73-06; e-mail: Eurocongres@RAI.NL

XVI International Botanical Congress in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.
1-7 August 1999.
Contact: The Secretary General, XVI IBC, c/o Missouri Botanical Garden, P O Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166-0299, USA; Fax: +1-314-577-9589; e-mail: <ibc16@mobot.org>. XVI IBC Web site at: <http://www.ibc99.org>.

Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society (Joint with the Canadian Phytopathological Society) in Montreal, Canada.
6-12 August 1999.
Contact: Faye Labatt, CMP Meeting Manager, American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St Paul MN 55121, USA; e-mail: flabatt@scisoc.org

The XIth International Congress of Virology in Sydney, Australia.
9-13 August 1999.
Contact IUMS, 9-20 August 1999, Congress Secretariat, GPO Box 128, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia, or visit the website at <http://biology.anu.edu.au/IUMS/>.

The IXth International Congress of Bacteriology and Applied Microbiology in Sydney, Australia.
16-20 August 1999.
Contact IUMS, 9-20 August 1999, Congress Secretariat, GPO Box 128, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia.

The IXth International Congress of Mycology in Sydney, Australia.
16-20 August 1999.
Contact IUMS, 9-20 August 1999, Congress Secretariat, GPO Box 128, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia.

Methods and Markers for Quality Assurance in Micropropagation in Cork, Ireland.
24-27 August 1999.
Contact: Prof A C Cassells, Plant Science Department, University College, Cork, Ireland; Fax: +353-903294; e-mail: <a.cassells@ucc.ie> or <ishs@ucc.ie>. Web-site: <http://www.ucc.ie/ucc/depts/biotech/ishs>.

5th International Workshop on Septoria/Stagonospora Diseases of Cereals in El Batan, Mexico.
21-24 September1999.
Contact: Dr Ravi Singh, Wheat Program, CIMMYT, Lisboa 27, Apartado 6-641, Mexico D.F, Mexico; Fax: +52-525-726-7558; e-mail <rsingh@cimmyt.mx>; Web: <http://www.cimmyt.mx/>.

XIII Congress of European Mycologists in Madrid, Spain.
21-25 September 1999.
Contact: Dr R Galan, Dpto de Biologia Vegetal, Facutdad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alcala, 28871 Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Fax: +341-885-5066; e-mail: BVMHF@JARIFA.ALCALA.ES

9th Australian Wheat Breeding Assembly in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
26 September-1 October 1999.
Contact: Joy Pugh, Meetings and Events, PO Box 282, Darling Heights, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia; Phone: +61-7-4631-2840; Fax: +61-7-4635-5550; e-mail: <marksuth@usq.edu.au>; website: <http://pig.ag.uq.edu.au/wbsa/wbsadefault.htm>

The Xth Latinamerican Phytopathological Congress (X Congreso Latinoamerican de Fitopatologia) in Guadalajara, State of Jalisco, Mexico.
27 September-1 October 1999.
Contact: Sociedad Mexicana de Fitopatologia, c/o Unidad de Biotecnologia - CINVESTAV, Apartado Postal 629, Irapuato - Gto, 36500 Mexico. See web site: <http://www.cimmyt.mx>.

12th Biennial Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference in Canberra, ACT, Australia.
27 September-1 October 1999.
Contact: Greg Johnson (Convenor), Postharvest Technology - ACIAR, GPO Box 1571, Canberra, ACT 2601; Fax: +61-2-6217-0501; e-mail: johnson@aciar.gov.au or Ms Philippa Rowland (Secretary), Bureau of Resource Sciences, P O Box E11, Kingston, ACT 2604, Australia; Fax: +61-2-6272-4896; e-mail: pcr@mailpc.brs.gov.au

British Society for Plant Pathology Presidential Meeting: Vector-pathogen-plant interactions in UK.
December 1999.
Contact: Dr Mark J Hocart, Crop Science & Technology, SAC Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8NJ, UK; Fax: +44-131-667-2601; e-mail: m.hocart@ed.sac.ac.uk

Symposium on Chemical and Non-Chemical Soil Disinfestation in Turin, Italy.
September 11- 15, 2000.
Contact: M Lodovica Gullino, Di Va P R A - Patologia vegetale, Via L da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco (Torino), Italy; Fax: +39-011-6708541; e-mail : gullino@agraria.unito.it

5th EFPP Congress, Biodiversity in Plant Pathology in Taormina and Giardini-Naxos, Italy.
18-22 September 2000.
Contact: EFPP 2000 Congress Secretariat, Institute of Plant Pathology, Universita di Catania, Via Valdisavoia, 5- 9123 Catania, Italy; Fax: +39-95-234416; e-mail: EFPP 2000@mbox.fagr.unict.it

The XIth Latinamerican Phytopathological Congress in Piracicaba, State of Sao Paolo, Brazil.
August 2001.
Contact: Brazilian Phytopathological Society (SBF).

8th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Christchurch, New Zealand.
2-8 February 2003.
Contact: Congress Chairman, Dr Ian Harvey, PLANTwise, P O Box 8915, Christchurch, NZ; Fax: +64-3-325-2946; e-mail: <harveyi@plantwise.co.nz> or Helen Shrewsbury, ICPP Secretariat, P O Box 84, Lincoln University, Canterbury, NZ; Fax: +64-3-325-3840; e-mail: <shrewsbh@lincoln.ac.nz>. ICPP2003 Website: <http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/icpp2003/>.