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Great Plains Diagnostic Network takes on plant disease, one sample at a timeKansas When food crops in the Midwest show signs of disease, researchers with the Great Plains Diagnostic Network are first on the scientific scene. The network, which is headquartered at Kansas State University, is made up of a group of labs at universities across the Great Plains that partner to provide quick and accurate diagnoses when it comes to plant diseases and insect pests. The Great Plains Diagnostic Network is one of five regional networks that feed into the National Plant Diagnostic Network, created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The national network has labs in all 50 states and U.S. territories in the Pacific and Caribbean. It ensures that when plant disease or pestilence strikes, the nation has the ability to quickly diagnose the problem and take action. This past year, the Great Plains Diagnostic Network was called upon to support national response efforts for two high-consequence plant diseases, said director Jim Stack, a K-State professor of plant pathology. He said the network was critical to identifying several cases of Asian soybean rust and potato cyst nematode. "Last year saw the significant spread of the soybean rust pathogen north and west to several new states including Kansas," Stack said. "The early warning sentinel plot system relied on our labs to confirm the pathogen's spread, providing the information necessary for disease forecasting. The discovery of the potato cyst nematode in Idaho also triggered a national survey to delimit the geographic area affected." While plant disease and pest outbreaks might not often make the 6 o'clock news, the spread of these diseases and pests can cause significant crop damage and are just as serious as animal disease, Stack said. "Healthy plant systems are prerequisite to public health and animal health," he said. "Whether introduced intentionally or not, plant diseases and insect pests cause significant economic damage to the agricultural economy--more than most people realize. Having consistent diagnostic abilities across the nation will be critical to mitigating such problems quickly and effectively." To ensure that it is prepared for any and all diagnostic demands, the Great Plains Diagnostic Network has executed plant disease and insect pest outbreak preparedness exercises in all member states. It also has conducted a Web-based diagnostic training program for pathogens that produce mycotoxins in grains and a Webinar to enable diagnosticians and specialists to stay current on emerging diseases and insect pests. In addition to dealing with agricultural threats, network labs also act as a resource to support everyday agriculture. "Great Plains Diagnostic Network labs are used on a daily basis throughout the region to process plant samples in support of production agriculture, horticultural industries, landscape management and individual homeowners," Stack said. "Because of the very large number of plant species and the array of plant systems, there are commonly large numbers of diseases that get diagnosed in Great Plains Diagnostic Network labs." The Great Plains Diagnostic Network consists of diagnostic capabilities at K-State, Colorado State University, Montana State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, North Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University, South Dakota State University, Texas Tech University and the University of Wyoming. In the coming years, Stack said the network will continue to enhance its diagnostic capabilities and secure communications systems, as well as continue focused training efforts. 7/21/08 Date: 7/17/08
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