Section:
Plant Disease Management
Sponsoring Committees: Biological Control, Soil Microbiology and Root
Diseases, Bacteriology,Phyllosphere Microbiology
Organizers: Barry Jacobsen, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT; Brian
McSpadden Gardener, Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
While diverse microbes may contribute to the biological control of plant pathogens, most research and development efforts have focused on isolates of three genera, Bacillus, Trichoderma, and Pseudomonas. To further advance our understanding of the nature of biological control and to improve our ability to successfully integrate biological control into disease management systems, a thorough review of the biology of these genera will be presented. This symposium is the third in a series and will focus on the genera Pseudomonas. The Bacillus symposia papers were published in the October 2004 issue of Phytopathology News. Papers for the 2004 Trichoderma symposia have been submitted to Phytopathology News for review.
Recent insights into Pseudomonas taxonomy. N. Palleroni, Rutgers University Cook College, Newark, NJ
Genomic analyses of Pf-5. J. Loper, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR
Induction of host defenses by Pseudomonas. P. Bakker, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Molecular communications by Pseudomonas. L. Pierson, Univesity of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Biogeography of biocontrol pseudomonads. B. McSpadden Gardener, Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
Genetic engineering for improved biocontrol. L. Thomashow, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA
Using Pseudomonas spp. for integrated biocontrol. V. Stockwell, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Pseudomonas biocontrol agents: History and future prospects. D. Weller, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA
Section:
Plant Disease Management
Sponsoring Committees: Biological Control, Bacteriology, Mycology
Organizers: Paul Backman, Pennsylvania State University, University Park,
PA; Richard Sikora, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Endophytes appear to have co-evolved with their plant host where the association is mutually beneficial to both. Recent research has found that some of these benefits are related to suppression of plant diseases and other stresses. The potential for biological control will be discussed.
Anti-pathogen effects of fungal endophytes in tropical host plants. E.A. Herre, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Panama
Plant-symbiont relationships: What’s up with a stinky white fungus? G. Strobel, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Fusarium suppression of nematodes and diseases in horticultural crops and bananas. R. Sikora, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Clavicipitaceous endophytes: Their ability to enhance plant resistance to multiple stresses. G. Kuldau, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Bacterial endophytes: Effects on plants and biological control. N. Zidack, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Endophytes as potential carriers of transgenes for biocontrol. P. Carlson, Novascreen Corp., Hanover, MD
Section:
Diseases of Plants
Sponsoring Committees: Biological Control, Soil Microbiology, Mycology,
Bacteriology
Organizer: David C. Sands, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
“Retropathology,” a term coined for this symposium, implies that we should value plant pathogens as strong tools for weed control. The symposium will address the history and notable successes and failures of mycoherbicides, and then focus on how we might use pathogens in biocontrol programs on some of the world’s worst weed problems. The limiting factors for weed control with plant pathogens generally are insufficient virulence, lack of specificity or perceived lack of specificity, and high production and dissemination costs. The speakers will address these factors and what is being done to overcome these problems.
Orphan mycoherbicides: Is there a future? P.C. Quimby, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD
Enhancing virulence and dissemination of biocontrol agents. D.C. Sands, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Transgenic enhancement of biocontrol agents. J. Gressel, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
Host range of Fusarium oxysporum; too narrow, too broad, or just right? A. Pilgeram, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Fusarium oxysporum, the “Achilles heel” of witch weed (Striga). A. Watson, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
The microbiology of Striga/host rhizospheres. S.G. Hallett, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN