Evaluating water sampling techniques in the USA

CRICHTONA — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 05:21:02 +0000

During February and March 2011, Rebecca Zappia was given the opportunity to travel to the United States of America. This visit provided Rebecca with the chance to meet and further collaborate with researchers from the University of Florida, Clemson University and Cornell University, whom she had been communicating with since the start of her PhD.

The first visit was with researchers at the University of Florida, where she discussed research on water treatment technologies, which are being employed in the nursery and greenhouse industry across the USA. In particular, the research associated with the Water Education Alliance for Horticulture, which is a university and industry partnership led by Associate Professor Paul Fisher, from the Department of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida.

During Rebecca's visit she spent time with Associate Professor Paul Fisher and several of the PhD students who are doing research in this field. The time at the University of Florida was valuable on two levels: firstly, learning how researchers successfully engage with industry and how they disseminated information to assist growers. Secondly, understanding the various technologies in place for treatment of irrigation water and how the effectiveness of these technologies is being assessed.

From sunny Gainesville, Florida, Rebecca made her way to Clemson University in South Carolina. The focus of her visit to Clemson University was to discuss the Department of Entomology, Soils & Plant Sciences research on sampling waterways for known plant pathogens.

During this visit, time was spent with Professor Steve Jeffers and several of his researchers and masters students. Rebecca found the time at Clemson University valuable: firstly, as it enabled her to assess how they were monitoring the waterways for plant pathogens, and secondly the opportunity it gave to discuss and view in detail, the techniques being employed by the group for the detection of plant pathogens in water.

From balmy Clemson, South Carolina, Rebecca made her way to snow covered Geneva, New York, to visit researchers at Cornell University. At Cornell University Rebecca primarily met with fellow PhD student Lisa Jones, who is researching the presence of plant pathogens in irrigation water in New York State. Lisa’s work is very much aligned to the work Rebecca is undertaking as part of her PhD in the Ord River Irrigation Area. The time spent with Lisa enabled them to discuss their projects in detail and exchange ideas.

Overall the visit to the USA gave Rebecca an enhanced understanding of monitoring plant pathogens in waterways - both irrigation and natural. It was also extremely beneficial in building stronger linkages with those researchers overseas, which will certainly benefit Rebecca through the remainder of her PhD and into her career.

Clemson University: (left to right) Dr. Jae-Soon Hwang; Prof. Steve Jeffers; Rebecca Zappia; Inga Meadows; Elizabeth Nyberg; and Simon Schreier.

Black Rot Eradication Trial

VANMEURSA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:26:23 +0000

Dr Mark Sosnowski was supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity and South Australian Research and Development Institution, primarily to conduct a research trial in the USA in collaboration with researchers at Cornell University, New York Agricultural Experiment Station. As part of the project CRC40139 Developing Eradication Strategies the objectives of the travel were to prepare for and conduct a simulated eradication of black rot disease, caused by the fungus Guignardia bidwellii.

During the simulation, vines were selectively removed from a block to leave two-vine plots which were either drastically pruned to eradicate the black rot or pruned normally as controls. The ground beneath vines was raked to remove the majority of any infected debris and then lucerne hay was laid down as mulch to prevent spores from any remaining infecting new foliage.

Control and treatment vines will be monitored for symptoms of black rot and Dr Sosnowski will revisit Cornell University in August 2009 with funding from a scholarship provided by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to train in and document a formal protocol for the diagnosis of black rot. He will also take the opportunity to assess the eradication trial for any symptoms of black rot.

In addition to the eradication trial, arrangements have been set in place to allow for a supervised summer student to conduct an experiment to monitor movement of ascospores in the vineyard block. Sentinel vines (cv. Chardonnay) in pots will be placed within and around the trial site in a rotation during spring to detect any cross-contamination between treatments or external infection.

It is intended that the trial will continue on for a second season in 2010. Continued management and monitoring for symptoms along with reapplying the eradication treatment will also be done if necessary.

Photo caption: Stem lesions

Top photo caption: Mark Sosnowski and the team remove drastically pruned materials from the treated vines.

CRC for Plant Biosecurity - USA

Evaluating water sampling techniques in the USA

Black Rot Eradication Trial