Sara May, The Pennsylvania State University – NEPDN, Swarnalatha Moparthi, North Carolina State University – SPDN, and Samantha Fieweger, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection - NCPDN
The Communicator: Volume 6, Issue 3, March 2025
Contact Sara May (srm183@psu.edu), Swarnalatha Moparthi (smopart@ncsu.edu), and Samantha Fieweger (sam.fieweger@wisconsin.gov) for suggestions to include.
Denotes publications with one or more authors who are members of NPDN.
Pathogens
Diversity and risk assessment of Phytophthora spp. found on plant roots in native plant nurseries and interstate shipping nurseries in California
Bacterial leaf spot of hydrangea: On a “new old” disease and the importance of diagnostics specificity to reduce cross-reactivity and improve surveillance
Bacteria that cause cucurbit yellow vine disease fall within the Serratia ureilytica species of the S. marcescens complex and can be vectored by cucumber beetles
Host range and molecular characterization of the four races of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae
Ganoderma adspersum, the cause of extensive wood decay of almond trees in California orchards
Identification, characterization, and fungicide sensitivity of Botryosphaeriaceae fungi associated with avocado branch canker disease in Southern California
Tiny invaders, big trouble: Emerging nematode threats in the United States
Methods and protocols
Pilot for harmonization of diagnostic protocols for tomato brown rugose fruit virus (TOBRFV) in tomato and pepper seeds
Metagenomic sequencing of tomato plants with wilt symptoms allows for strain-level pathogen identification and genome-based characterization
Development and validation of an RPA assay for detecting Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri A, A* and Aw and X. fuscans subsp. aurantifolii B and C
Apple bitter rot: Biology, ecology, omics, virulence factors, and management of causal Colletotrichum species
Modeling the accuracy of Xylella fastidiosa molecular diagnostic tests in naturally-infected almond tree samples
Application of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification in plant pathogen detection
Development of qPCR assays to detect and quantify Fusarium spp. on hemp (Cannabis sativa) flowers
Notable First Reports
Herbaceous ornamentals and turfgrass:
First report of target spot caused by Corynespora cassiicola on Senna obtusifolia L. (Sicklepod) in the United States
First report of Brugmansia latent virus on Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia sp.) in Florida, USA
First report of Agroathelia rolfsii causing southern blight of Alocasia in Florida
Woody ornamentals and forests:
First report of Botryosphaeria dothidea causing canker of Calocedrus decurrens in Tennessee
First report of Phytophthora ramorum causing leaf spot on Arbutus × reyorum ‘Marina’ in the United States
Vegetables, herbs and table beet:
First report of Rhizoctonia solani AG 5 causing stem lesion and root necrosis of mint in Idaho
Field crops, cannabis, sugar beet, potato, sunflower:
First report of Pseudopithomyces chartarum associated with a leaf spot of corn in the United States
First report of Fusarium commune causing damping off and wilt in Cannabis sativa (L.) in Pennsylvania
Peer review highlights
Powdery mildews on North American oaks: High levels of diversity and pathogen-host coevolution
Identification and pathogenicity of fungal species associated with branch canker and shoot blight on persimmons (Diospyros kaki) in California
Dispersal of Colletotrichum acutatum sensu lato conidia from infected citrus and strawberry under simulated rainfall and different laminar and turbulent wind speeds
Cercospora leaf spot impacts on postharvest disease and respiration of affected sugarbeet roots
Identification of Cercospora spp. on corn in North America and baseline flutriafol fungicide sensitivity
A systematic approach for identifying unique genomic sequences for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae Race 1 and development of molecular diagnostic tools
Biphenyl and dibenzofuran phytoalexins differentially inhibit root-associated microbiota in apple, including fungal and oomycetal replant disease pathogens
Genetically similar Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni strains and associated phages display phenotypic and genotypic variation across 35 years
Extension
Shrimp plant: Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV)
Managing palm diseases
Vertical hydroponic towers: A space-saving revolution in sustainable farming
The tiny terror – the Asian citrus psyllid
Cucurbit downy mildew management for 2025
