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Newsletter Oct 2007

INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER ON PLANT PATHOLOGY

ISPP Newsletter 37 (6) November 2007

Material for the Newsletter is invited from individual members of ISPP, Associated Societies, Council members, Chairs of all Committees and representatives of Affiliated Societies and Supporting Organisations.

Editor: Brian J Deverall,  (E-mail)

In this issue:

 

 

 

Activities of ISPP Subject Matter Committees

Reports from ISPP Subject Matter Committees are being sought for publication in the ISPP Newsletter for the information and benefit of fellow plant pathologists. Here are two reports:-

FUSARIUM WORKSHOP 2008

Quirico Migheli ( qmigheli@uniss.it ) has sent information about the forthcoming International Fusarium Workshop and the Fusarium Genomics Workshop at the Hotel Carlos V in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy, from 30 August-2 September 2008 (see Coming Events).

Abstracts of oral and poster presentations should be submitted before 31 January 2008. The abstracts will be published in a special issue of the Journal of Plant Pathology, which will be distributed during the workshop. The registration fee (before January 31, 2008: Regular-300 Euros; Student-200 Euros) includes an abstract book and workshop material, lunch and coffee breaks, sightseeing tour and evening banquet. For accompanying persons: the cost of sightseeing tour and evening banquet on 1 September is 70 Euros. Registration is not complete until fees are paid.

On-line registration is at ( http://dpp.uniss.it/fusariumregistration ).

The organisers hope that the proverbial warm hospitality of Sardinia and the picturesque atmosphere of Alghero and its enchanting sea will attract many scientists and students from around the world to present and discuss their latest results with their international peers. The organisers will also be happy to send a personal invitation to any scientist upon request.

The ISPP Fusarium Committee comprises H Corby Kistler, USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory, St. Paul, USA (chair); Ulf Thrane, Technical University of Denmark (chair-elect).

The Scientific Committee for the workshop is Marie-Josče Daboussi, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France; Harold Corby Kistler, USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory, St. Paul, USA; Antonio Logrieco, CNR - Istituto di Scienze delle Produzioni, Alimentari, Bari, Italy; Brett Summerell, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, Australia; Ulf Thrane, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.

The local organizers are Virgilio Balmas, Quirico Migheli, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.

WHAT NEXT, ISPP-COMMITTEE FOR COMMON NAMES OF PLANT DISEASES?

Since 1999, the ISPP-CCN has been encouraging plant pathologists to adopt common names for diseases which are meaningful. The ISPP-CCN considers that a meaningful common name should be descriptive of a major symptom of that disease (e.g. leaf spot, rust, mosaic), and should not be based solely or mainly on other less helpful information. For instance, common names based on a locality or country (e.g. Fiji disease, black sigatoka disease) or direction (southern blight) or persons name (Pierce's disease) give little information about the appearance of the disease.

Another problem with plant disease common names is that the one disease may have multiple names, perhaps given by workers in different localities or countries. In using common names internationally, it is helpful if plant pathologists can standardize on the most suitable name.

As a contribution to solving problems which arise in naming new diseases or evaluating the suitability of old names, the ISPP-CCN recommends the use of eight Principles (guidelines), which are listed ( http://www.isppweb.org/names_common.asp ). Also listed in the website are eight Working Rules, which are presently used by the ISPP-CCN to help in creating lists of common names of diseases for particular hosts. In this work, the ISPP-CCN has appointed subcommittees of internationally recognized plant pathologists, who have established lists for sugarcane and banana (see website). A list of taro diseases is nearing completion.

A second list of diseases grouped under the pathogen type (e.g. bacteria, fungi and fungus-like organisms and viruses), is linked with the disease names, and one or more important literature reference(s) is provided.

The work of the ISPP-CCN over the last eight years was intended to provide a logical framework of ideas and information for adopting internationally recommended common names of plant diseases. Future work is currently under consideration.

Can the membership of the ISPP-CCN be expanded? Can linkages with other groups with similar interests in common names be increased? Do quarantine and other authorities wish to be involved and help provide a focus, advice and resources?

If you are able to offer advice to the ISPP-CCN on ways to improve and expand its activities, please contact me, David Teakle.

If you have time, energy and expertise to offer in furthering the aims of the ISPP-CCN, your reply would be doubly appreciated.

David Teakle, Chair, ISPP-CCN, ( d.teakle@uq.edu.au )

Update on the Coming International Congress of Plant Pathology

A complex organizing machine has been working since 2002 in order to welcome about 1500 scientists from all over the world to the 9th International Congress of Plant Pathology at Torino (Italy) in August 2008. This will be the first time that Italy hosts such an event related to plant pathology, the reason why it will be a real challenge for everyone involved in its organisation. This outstanding event will be made possible thanks to a joint collaboration people in different committees, as presented below. Those working in plant pathology know that plant diseases can represent significant constraints to production of high quality and high yielding crops and cause severe injurious effects in natural environments. Thus we are looking forward to meet and confront each other at this key quinquennial event in order to pinpoint the most recent outcomes and achievements about our research discipline.

President: G P Martelli, University of Bari, Italy

Vice Presidents: P Scott, CAB International, UK; W Tang, China Agricultural University, China; C D'Arcy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA; J Katan, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

Chairperson: M L Gullino, University of Torino, Italy

International Advisory Committee: K Makkouk, Al-Manar University, Lebanon G H J Kema, Wageningen University & Research Centre, The Netherlands E Dumas-Gaudot, INRA-CNRS, France J M Melero-Vara, Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible, CSIC, Spain G Backhaus, Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Germany

Scientific Programme Committee: A Garibaldi, University of Torino, Italy and G Surico, University of Firenze, Italy - Chairmen N Anselmi, Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy P Bonfante, University of Torino, Italy G Calabrese, University of Torino, Italy A Catara, University of Catania, Italy M Conti, National Research Council, Torino, Italy F Faretra, University of Bari, Italy F Scala, University of Napoli, Italy

Proceedings and Poster Committee: A PortaPuglia, Ministry Agricultural Policies, Italy - Chair Proceedings G Vannacci, University of Pisa, Italy - Chair Poster M Lorito, University of Napoli, Italy P Cortesi, University of Milano, Italy

Finance Committee: A Garibaldi, University of Torino, Italy - Chair D Gallitelli, University of Bari, Italy M Barba, Ministry for Agricultural Policies, Italy

Local Arrangement Committee: M L Gullino, University of Torino, Italy - Chair C Marzachģ, National Research Council, Torino, Italy P Gonthier, University of Torino, Italy D Spadaro, University of Torino, Italy F Tinivella, University of Torino, Italy M Pugliese, University of Torino, Italy

Congress secretariat: Valentina Communication is a dynamic mid-sized agency based in Turin with 25 years of experience in public relations and communication for companies and public institutions in Italy and abroad. It is specialized in developing projects aimed at the promotion and valorisation of the region, in the organization of events and in all kinds of media relations (newspapers, radio and TV at local, national and international level). The agency has gained significant experience serving public institution, local utilities, trade and professional associations, financial groups and B2B companies.

The Venue: The Lingotto Conference Centre is a great modern structure designed specially for conventions. Once Europe's most famous car manufacturing complex , FIAT's first factory (Lingotto) was conceived and built between 1917 and 1920, after the most advanced engineering culture of the time. It has now been converted into a modern multifunctional space by the renowned architect and designer Renzo Piano. The Auditorium has the highest capacity: its ceiling, stage and seats are mobile and it is fitted with an automatic system to change seat capacity from 2,090 down to 495. Twelve other interconnected and permanently equipped halls covering 22,800 square metres can accommodate 480, 210, 120, 75 and 50 persons respectively, that is 3,500 seats in all. The Conference Centre offers logistic and technological support from advanced technology, electronic and audiovisual aids to simultaneous interpretation booths and a complete information system for visitor monitoring and service. Computerized areas are distributed throughout the hall and side galleries and are equipped with badge printing facilities. The permanently equipped rooms can be integrated with modular meeting rooms located in the pavilions adjacent to the Exhibition Centre, housing 6,500 maximum capacity, and many other large ones. Large poster areas can be set up in the Conference Centre corridors and entrance halls.

The Lingotto Conference Centre's uniqueness stems from the perfect combination with the over 50,000 square metres of the Exhibition Centre.

Global Plant Clinic

See the October 2007 APSnet Feature at ( http://www.apsnet.org ), where Eric Boa ( e.boa@cabi.org ), Head of the Global Plant Clinic, CABI, Egham, Surrey, UK, writes about "Plant Healthcare for Poor Farmers". This is largely an introduction to the work of the Global Plant Clinic (GPC), part of the UK-based Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI). He discusses the solutions being implemented in developing countries and the logic behind the GPC, as well as how its first plant health clinics were initiated, how they have evolved and the latest development of these clinics.

Plant Management Network and Increased Journal Access

Miles Wimer ( mwimer@scisoc.org ), the director of PMN the Plant Management, advises that access to all the Networks' online journals and resources is now available at no or reduced cost to institutions in more than 100 of the world's poorest countries. This is facilitated by a program entitled Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) at ( http://www.aginternetwork.org/en ), a cooperative initiative that provides free or low-cost journal access.

PMN's four on-line journals are: Crop Management Forage and Grazinglands, Plant Health Progress, Applied Turfgrass Science.

By contributing its journals to AGORA, PMN joins FAO and other publishers in providing libraries in developing countries a digital collection of over 1,100 journals in food, agriculture, and related sciences. The goal of AGORA is to increase the quality and effectiveness of agricultural research, education, and training in low-income countries and, in turn, improve food security.

Plant Management Network is a cooperative not-for-profit resource for the applied agricultural and horticultural sciences. Designed to provide practitioners fast electronic access to proven solutions, PMN offers the four peer-reviewed journals, proceedings, field trials publications, image collections, and an extensive searchable database comprised of thousands of web-based resource pages from the Network's partner universities, companies, and not-for-profit scientific societies.

The Plant Management Network ( www.plantmanagementnetwork.org ) has recently revamped its homepage making its journals and other electronic resources more readily accessible.

Biotic Plant Interactions Conference

Peer Schenk ( p.schenk@uq.edu.au ), as Chair of the International Conference on Biotic Plant Interactions in Brisbane, Australia, invites attendance from 27-29 March 2008 (see "Coming Events"). Early registration is available until 30 November 2007.

Traditionally plant-microbe and plant-insect interactions have been looked at as two separate issues. The International Conference on Biotic Plant Interactions will bring together scientists, industry delegates and students who are interested in molecular plant pathology and beneficial interactions of plants with other organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, parasitic plants, nematodes, insects and other herbivores.

The Benefits of Pesticides

A new report "Pesticides and humanity: the benefits of using pesticides" highlights the benefits of pesticides and provides balance in times when negative reports gain great prominence. Prepared in co-operation with the CropLife Foundation by Jerry Cooper and Hans Dobson of the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK, it is available through the CropLife International website at ( http://www.croplife.org ).

The findings are also due to appear in the journal "Crop Protection", and the material on which the report is based will become freely available via a searchable database on the CropLife Foundation website at ( http://www.croplifefoundation.org/international_benefits_db.asp ).

 

International Membership of APS

International members are a substantial part of the American Phytopathological Society (APS) ( www.apsnet.org ), 34 percent of members residing in 91 different countries. Thus, international cooperation is a priority for APS.

An ad-hoc committee, chaired by Randy Ploetz, has been charged with advancing the science and profession of plant pathology through international collaboration for the benefit of all members. Recently an agreement was signed outlining short-term objectives for collaboration between the Chinese Society for Plant Pathology and APS. Additionally, APS is planning a Meeting of the Americas for 2010.

The APS Office of International Programs (OIP) is the particular resource. More about OIP activities can be found at ( www.apsnet.org/members/oip ). The APS Education Center now offers teaching material in Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish at ( www.apsnet.org/education/translations.htm ). The APS Office of Public Relations and Outreach (OPRO) also offers an illustrated storybook describing the origin, relevance and science of plant pathology. It is available in Spanish and Chinese at ( www.apsnet.org/members/opae/storybook ).

Potential members from developing countries may take advantage of a special APS Group Membership option, in which one membership fee can be used to register up to five plant pathologists employed by a governmental or non-governmental agency or university. Details are at ( www.apsnet.org/members/oip/group.asp ).

Questions should be addressed to APS headquarters at phone: +1.651.454.7250 or at ( apsinfo@scisoc.org ).

BSPP seeks a Publicity and PR Officer

The British Society for Plant Pathology ( http://www.bspp.org.uk ) seeks an enthusiastic, innovative person to assist it in the two overlapping areas. The position would include an honorarium and be initially for five years. The person would link with senior members of the Society, attend Board meetings, and have significant funded travel opportunities.

Publicity would involve: promotion of the Society's activities worldwide, especially at conferences, and creation and distribution of promotional materials; strategies for maintaining and enhancing membership.

PR could involve issues such as increasing public awareness of the importance of food crops, the threat to them from pests and diseases, and the contribution that plant pathologists are making. Preparation of releases for the media on current issues such as spread of a new disease or issues surrounding a proposed GM trial. BSPP would provide media training.

A suitable person might also become involved in policy, linking with other societies, such as via the over-arching Biosciences Federation, which interfaces with government and represents biosciences in terms of research funding and education. Clearly this role would only be appropriate for well-experienced and interested candidates.

Send applications with a full cv. to the BSPP President: ( president@bspp.org.uk ). The deadline for applications is 23 November 2007, with interviews to be held in London in December.

Seed-transmitted Viruses

Seed-transmitted Viruses Emma Anderson ( e.anderson@cabi.org ) advises about the CABI 2006 publication "Testing Methods for Seed-Transmitted Viruses: Principles and Protocols" written by S E Albrechtsen, formerly of the Danish Government Institute of Seed Pathology for Developing Countries, Copenhagen, Denmark. 

This practical guide covers the commonly used detection methods for seed-transmitted viruses and viroids that affect both tropical and temperate crops. It contains 25 complete step-by-step procedures for biological, serological and molecular techniques to detect and identify such viruses. Combining helpful practical notes with more detailed explanations of the principles behind the techniques, the book describes the general characteristics of seed-transmitted viral diseases and discusses outlines for the organization and interpretation of seed health assays. The techniques reviewed are also applicable to non-seed-transmitted viral agents. The readership is intended to be advanced students and researchers in seed science and plant pathology. The guide is 268 pages in length, spiral-bound and priced at £55.00 (US$100.00). The ISBN is 0 85199 016 9.

Morphological Identification of Trichoderma spp.

Ulrike Krauss ( u.krauss@cabi.org ), Co-Director and Regional Representative, CABI Caribbean and Latin America, Gordon Street, Curepe, Trinidad and Tobago, advises through "Pestnet" (pestnet@yahoogroups.com) that a useful starting point for the identification of Trichoderma spp. is the interactive key by Samuels et al. ( http://nt.ars-grin.gov/taxadescriptions/keys/TrichodermaIndex.cfm ).

Agriculture for Development

This is the title of the large World Development Report 2008 produced by the World Bank in 2007, and available for download. See ( http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWDR2008/Resources/WDR_00_book.pdf ).

Norman Borlaug

"Phytopathology News" in its October 2007 issue includes a feature by Norman Borlaug, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, the US Congressional Gold Medal and, most recently, the American Phytopathology Society's Award of Distinction.

Dr Borlaug gives insights into the role of international research networks in global agriculture, and provides an interesting view of his career as a plant pathologist, which was intertwined with the early development of international germplasm networks and the impacts of devastating epidemics of stem rust in wheat.

Mediterranean Phytopathological Union (MPU)

The bi-annual Newsletter of the MPU can be downloaded from: ( http://www.sipav.org/main/files/MPUNewsletterV2No1.pdf ).

Bt Cotton Training Course in India

The National Centre for Integrated Pest Management (NCIPM) in India is planning to organize a short training course on "Bt cotton: A change in pest scenario and integrated management" in October and November 2007 in the states of Haryana, Gujarat, Maharastra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

For registration and more information, contact Dr OP Bambawale, Director, NCIPM, at ( bambawale1@rediffmail.com ).

Coming Events

Borers and Rots in Eucalypts Conference in Perth, Western Australia. 5-7 November 2007. See ( www.promaco.com.au/2007/borers ).

Informa Life Sciences 2nd Annual Conference on "Crop Protection: Generics, Patents and Parallel Trade 2007" in Crowne Plaza City Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 6-7 November 2007. See: ( http://www.iir-events.com/IIR-Conf/Page.aspx?nrid=5152&id=9507 ).

Soya & Oilseed Summit 2007 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 11-13 November 2007.

First Meeting of International Phytoplasmologist Working Group (IPWG) in Bologna, Italy. 12-15 November 2007. See ( http://www.mpunion.com ).

6th World Avocado Congress in Vina del Mar, Chile. 12-16 November 2007. See ( www.worldavocadocongress.com ).

20th Venezuelan Congress of Phytopathology in Yaracuy State, Venezuela. 13-16 November 2007. See ( www.sovefit.org ).

VI International Pineapple Symposium in Joćo Pessoa, Paraiba State, Brazil. 18-23 November 2007. Contact: Dr. Domingo Haroldo Reinhardt, Embrapa Cassava & Tropical Fruits, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil ( dharoldo@cnpmf.embrapa.br ). See (www.ipsbrasil2007.com.br).

Third International Conference on Plant Pathology & 7th Biennial Meeting of Pakistan Phytopathological Society in the University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. 19-21 November 2007. See ( http://www.pu.edu.pk/conference/mppl-conference-07.asp ). Contact: Professor Dr Rukhsana Bajwa, Chairperson, Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590, Pakistan. Tel: +92 429231846-7. Fax: +92 429231187. E-mail: ( chairperson@mpp.pu.edu.pk ).

1st International Phytophthora Capsici Conference in Islamorada, Florida, USA. 27-29 November 2007. See ( http://conferences.dce.ufl.edu/pcap ).

5th Canadian Workshop on Fusarium Head Blight in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 27-30 November 2007. See ( atekauz@agr.cg.ca ).

2007 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. 2-4 December 2007. Contact ( scabusa@scabusa.org ). See ( www.scabusa.org/forum07.html ).

AAB (Association of Applied Biologists) Advances in Nematology at the Linnean Society, London, United Kingdom. 11 December 2007. See (http://www.aab.org.uk/contentok.php?id=184&basket=wwsshowconflist ).

National Soybean Rust Symposium in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. 12-14 December 2007. Contact ( aps@scisoc.org ). See ( www.apsnet.org ).

International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia. 4-7 January 2008. See ( http://www.SustainabilityConference.com ).

AAB International Advances in Pesticide Application 2008 at Robinson College, Cambridge, United Kingdom. 9-11 January 2008. See ( http://www.aab.org.uk/contentok.php?id=184&basket=wwsshowconflist ).

Plant Innate Immunity (X2) at Keystone Resort, Keystone, Colorado, USA. 10-15 February 2008.  www.keystonesymposia.org/Meetings/viewMeetings.cfm?MeetingID=932 

International Symposium "Underutilized Plant Species for Food, Nutrition, Income, and Sustainable Development" in Arusha, Tanzania. 3-7 March 2008. See ( http://www.avrdc.org/pdf/Symposium2008%20First%20Circular.pdf ).

International Conference on Biotic Plant Interactions in Brisbane, Australia. 27-29 March 2008. See ( www.uq.edu.au/plants/icbpi ).

Third International Late Blight Conference 2008 in Beijing, China. 3-6 April 2008. See ( http://research.cip.cgiar.org/typo3/web/index.php?id=1053 ).

International Conference on Banana and Plantain in Africa: Harnessing International Partnerships to Increase Research Impact in Mombasa, Kenya. 7-10 April 2008. See ( http://www.banana2008.com ).

6th International Seed Testing Association Seed Health Symposium at Kruger National Park, South Africa. 14-18 April 2008.  www.up.ac.za/conferences/ielc 

12th International Symposium on Virus Diseases of Ornamental Plants at Van der Valk Hotel, Haarlem, The Netherlands. 20-24 April 2008  www.plant-virology.nl/ISVDOP12 

VIII Symposium on Plant Biotechnology. Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba. 23-25 April 2008.  http://simposio.ibp.co.cu 

2008 International Conference on BioMedical Engineering and Informatics (BMEI 2008) in Sanya, Hainan, China. 28-30 May 2008. See ( http://www.hainu.edu.cn/BMEI2008 ).

13th International Congress on Infectious Diseases (ICID) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 19-22 June 2008. See ( http://www.isid.org/13th_icid ).

The 1st Global Conference on GMO Analysis (organized by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission) in Villa Erba, Como, Italy. 24-27 June 2008. See ( http://gmoglobalconference.jrc.it ).

5th International Congress of Nematology in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 13-18 July 2008. See ( www.5icn.org/ ).

The 16th Congress of the Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology (FESPB) in Tampere, Finland. 17-22 August 2008. See ( http://www.fespb2008.org ). Also satellite symposium on Peroxidases. 20-23 August 2008. See ( http://www.peroxidase2008.org ).

4th International Symposium on Rhizoctonia in Berlin, Germany. 20-23 August 2008. See ( http://rhizoctonia.org ).

3rd International Phytophthora/Pythium Workshop in association with the 9th ICPP-2008 in Torino, Italy. 23-24 August 2008. See ( www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/identification/phytophthora ).

APS Centennial Meeting, Minneapolis in Minnesota, USA. 26-30 July 2008. Contact: (aps@scisoc.org). See ( http://meeting.apsnet.org/centennial/default.cfm ).

9th International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP 2008) in Torino, Italy. 24-29 August 2008. Contact: Congress Secretariat, Valentina Communication, Via Cibrario 27, 10143 Torino, Italy. Phone: +39-0114374250; Fax: +39-0114374318; e-mail: ( info@icpp2008.org ). See ( www.icpp2008.org ).

The X International Fusarium Workshop and the Fusarium Genomics Workshop at the Hotel Carlos V in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy. 30 August-2 September 2008. See ( http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=9850 ).

APS Caribbean Division Meeting, part of the 6th International Scientific Seminar on Plant Health, in Havana, Cuba. 22-26 September 2008. Contact: ( aps@scisoc.org ). See ( www.apsnet.org ).

16th Ornamental Workshop on Diseases and Pests in Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA. 22-26 September 2008. See ( www.cals.ncsu.edu/plantpath/activities/societies/ornamental ).

IV International Silicon in Agriculture Conference at Wild Coast Sun, Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 26-31 October 2008. See ( www.siliconconference.org.za ).

International Forest Biosecurity Conference, incorporating the 6th International Forest Vegetation Management Conference, in Rotorua, New Zealand. 16-20 March 2009. See ( www.ensisjv.com/forestbiosecurity ). Contact: Dr Brian Richardson, General Manager, Ensis Forest Biosecurity and Protection, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua, New Zealand. Phone: +64-7-343-5516; Fax: +64-7-343-5333; Mobile: 021-913-221.

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