National Plant Diagnostic Network
Nancy Pataky, Director, University
of Illinois Plant Clinic, (217) 333-0519, npataky@uiuc.edu
To
protect agriculture throughout the nation, the U.S. Department
of Agriculture has created a National Plant Diagnostic Network
(NPDN). A separate network for animal systems is also under construction.
The plant network provides an avenue to quickly detect, identify,
and report pests and pathogens that have been deliberately or
accidentally introduced into agricultural systems. The primary
concern is food security, of course, but economic threats to
the nation are also important. This network will tie together
specialists from across the country to help in rapid and accurate
problem identification. The NPDN system will provide clear avenues
of communication from the first detectors through various players,
including Extension educators, university diagnostic labs, state
regulatory agencies, and national regulatory agencies.
Sometimes
new pests and diseases slip past ports of entry and are detected
by first responders, such as crop scouts who find
soybean rust or possibly arborists who detect an insect pest
in the trimming process. In the next year or two, special educational
programs will be available to train first responders to recognize
disease and insect problems that might appear unusual for an
area. Training will begin in the agricultural arena but will
most likely move to the green industry as well. We’ll keep
you posted when training is available. The NPDN has been divided
into five regional centers. Illinois is part of the north-central
region. The University of Illinois
Plant Clinic is intimately involved in the NPDN through the
plant diagnostic information system. A new Internet-based system
will
be used at the Plant Clinic starting next May. This system
includes use of a new database that is required by state and
federal law
to be reported to national authorities. Information will still
be confidential within that system. The plant diagnostic system
also includes a Web-based digital camera that will allow diagnostic
labs to share images in real time with specialists anywhere.
This does not guarantee that someone will always be available
when needed, but it certainly provides opportunity for immediate
and remote macroscopic or microscopic examination. The cost
for samples at the Plant Clinic will not increase. Money has
been
provided to upgrade to this system. Look for details on clinic
improvements and changes when we open again next May. Meanwhile,
for more information on the NPDN, visit the web at www. NPDN.org. |
