Program Overview
The Plant Pathology Program handles plant diseases in any agricultural or environmental area in Pennsylvania. They work with plant inspectors to test and control diseases in nursery plants. The program focuses on:
Survey: Checking plants for diseases.
Diagnostic Services: Figuring out what plant diseases are present.
Certification: Making sure plants are disease-free before they are sold.
Survey
Plant Pathology works with a program called CAPS to find and track harmful plant pests. They focus on pests like:
- Ralstonia blight on geraniums
- P. ramorum, which causes sudden oak death
- Plum pox virus
CAPS helps with finding and managing these pests.
Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (PDDL)
The PDDL is a lab that tests for plant diseases caused by germs, fungi, tiny worms, and viruses. It uses different methods like looking under a microscope and special tests. The lab keeps records of plant diseases in Pennsylvania and has many samples of plant germs.
PDDL works with Penn State University's Plant Disease Clinic. PSU helps homeowners and farmers, while PDDL focuses on regulatory programs. Both labs work together and are part of the National Plant Diagnostic Network.
Specialized Certification Programs
When plants come from just a few main plants, it’s very important to make sure those main plants are healthy. If a main plant has a hidden virus, it can cause problems with the new plants grown from it. To prevent this, clean stock programs help make sure main plants are free of viruses. In Pennsylvania, there are special programs to check fruit trees and geraniums. Pennsylvania also works with the National Clean Plant Network to keep plants healthy.
Contact Information
Ekaterina Nikolaeva
Plant Pathology Program Manager
(717) 705-5857
enikolaeva@pa.gov
Dana Rhodes
State Plant Regulatory Official
(717) 772-5205
danrhodes@pa.gov