APS Abstract of Presentation

A National Plant Disease Recovery Plan for laurel wilt of avocado
R. PLOETZ (1), G. Bender (2), R. Bostock (2), R. Bulluck (3), J. Crane (4), M. Draper (5), A. Eskalen (2), G. Evans (4), B. Faber (2), S. Fraedrich (6), J. Hanula (6), C. Harmon (4), T. Harrington (7), A. Palmateer (4), J. Pena (4), R. Schnell (8), J. Smith (4), K. Smith (9), M. Wingfield (10)
(1) University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA; (2) University of California; (3) APHIS-PPQ; (4) University of Florida; (5) USDA CSREES; (6) USFS; (7) Iowa State University; (8) USDA, ARS; (9) USDA; (10) FABI, University Pretoria
Phytopathology 99:S102

The National Plant Disease Recovery System (NPDRS), initiated after 9-11, ensures that the tools, infrastructure, communication networks and capacity that are needed to mitigate high-impact diseases are understood and available. Its ultimate goal is to enable reasonable, ongoing levels of production of susceptible crops. We describe a NPDRS recovery plan for laurel wilt of avocado. It provides backgrounds on the disease, the newly described fungal agent, Raffaelea lauricola, the exotic ambrosia beetle vector, Xyleborus glabratus, and similar scolytid-vectored diseases. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that were compiled by the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) to facilitate diagnosis of the disease, vector and pathogen, are referenced in the plan, and are available for use by interested/responsible laboratories and agencies (www.npdn.org). Critical recovery components that are recognized in the plan include: i) the identification of disease-resistant genotypes; ii) the development of safe, effective and economical control measures; iii) a more complete understanding of vector and pathogen biology and behavior; and iv) additional information on the insect and fungus host ranges and the disease’s epidemiology. State and federal extension and education efforts are outlined to increase stakeholder and policymaker awareness.

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