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Knowledge and Technology Transfer for Plant Pathology pp 59–74Cite as

Diagnostic Networks for Plant Biosecurity

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Part of the book series: Plant Pathology in the 21st Century ((ICPP,volume 4))

Summary

Early detection and accurate diagnosis can minimise the impact of a disease outbreak. With hundreds of host species and thousands of pathogen species, a plant diagnostician cannot be an expert on all plant systems. The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) was created to link plant diagnostic laboratories throughout the United States to enhance diagnostic capability and increase sample capacity. The application of advanced computer, communications, and molecular technologies has enhanced NPDN’s ability to detect rapidly outbreaks, to identify accurately newly introduced pathogens and insect pests, and to communicate securely that information to those with the authority and capability of responding effectively. Through NPDN’s communications system, diagnosticians have access to expertise wherever it exists. Among the deployed technologies underlying NPDN’s capabilities are web-enabled microscopy and video conferencing to facilitate collaborative diagnostics. These same technologies are also being used to conduct diagnostic training workshops over the internet and to distribute the latest diagnostic protocols to all laboratories. The impact of plant diseases on natural and cultivated plant systems ranges from minor aesthetic effects to major declines in productivity that result in landscape perturbations or food shortages leading to famine. Linking local, regional, and national plant diagnostic resources and expertise into global networks should become a priority for ISPP. This may be of greater significance to resource-poor nations that lack modern diagnostic infrastructure and experience. Providing plant diagnosticians in resource-poor nations the access to global diagnostic expertise may reduce greatly the impacts of local disease outbreaks. Networking is essential for global plant biosecurity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Pathology, 4024 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Manhattan, Kansas, 66506, USA

    J. P. Stack

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Correspondence to J. P. Stack .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, United Kingdom

    Nigel Hardwick

  2. Centro di Competenza per, Università di Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy

    Maria Lodovica Gullino

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Stack, J.P. (2010). Diagnostic Networks for Plant Biosecurity. In: Hardwick, N., Gullino, M. (eds) Knowledge and Technology Transfer for Plant Pathology. Plant Pathology in the 21st Century, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8934-3_6

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