West Africa Region
East Africa Region
Central America

This short course is coordinated by the Ohio State University (OSU) and the International Plant Diagnostic Network (IPDN: http://www.IntPDN.org) with support from USAID through the Integrated Pest Management Collaborative Research Support Program (IPM CRSP).

Application Deadline
May 1, 2007

Course Fee: $3,000

Includes instruction/bench fee, local travel, local meals and lodging.

Contact:

Dr. Sally Miller
Department of Plant Pathology
1680 Madison Ave.
Wooster, OH 44691 USA
Phone: 01-330-263-3678
Fax: 01-330-263-3841
E-mail: miller.769@osu.edu

Course Rationale

Accurate identification of plant diseases is the first step in integrated disease management. It is also a linchpin in international agricultural trade, as freedom from pests and diseases is a pre-requisite to phytosanitary certification. Plant disease diagnosis in both field and laboratory settings requires extensive training and hands-on experience. Diagnosticians must be familiar with symptoms and signs of disease, as well as a host of field and laboratory tests for pathogen identification.

A 14-day short course with intensive training in plant disease diagnostics will be held at OSU - Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH, for up to 12 plant disease diagnosticians. Participants will become familiar with classical and modern procedures and protocols for diagnosing all major groups of plant pathogens.

Course Components

Plant Disease Diagnostic Technology Training. Diagnosticians will be trained in classical microbiological techniques, microscopy, serology and DNA-based detection methods.

• Hands-on diagnosis of plant samples
• Training in diagnostic mycology, bacteriology,
  virology, and nematology
• Use of light microscopy in diagnostics
• Application of determinative tests including plant
  hypersensitivity response, carbon substrate
  utilization, fatty acid analysis
• Laboratory and field applications of serological assays
• PCR, gel electrophoresis, squash blots

Clinic Information Management System (CIMS) Training. CIMS training will be conducted by University of Florida faculty. Internet access will be provided in a computer lab setting for this hands-on CIMS training. The curriculum will cover: account set up, lab set up for each region, data entry to a submission form, diagnostic data entry, diagnostic approval, reporting and data storage and search mechanisms, digital image entry and use of distance diagnostic module, sample tracking, sample status, alert system for high risk pathogens, and others.

     Train-the Trainer Program. A training program for extension personnel and other IPM providers will be adapted from the U.S. National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) and other international sources.

• IPDN mission and importance of diagnostics in IPM
  programs regionally and globally
• Diagnostic SOPs for high risk pathogens
• Monitoring for high risk plant pathogens
• Sampling/sample submission procedure
• Art and science of plant disease diagnosis
• Distance diagnostics through digital imaging
• Communication protocols in case of suspect regulatory
  pathogen detection and collaboration work flow with
  regulatory agencies
• Special topics on diagnosis, monitoring, detection of
  high-risk diseases

     Diagnostic Laboratory Visit. Trainees will travel to the OSU main campus in Columbus to observe the operations of the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.

The Ohio State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.

Training will be carried out by disease diagnostics
experts from cooperating IPDN institutions

OSU credit can be arranged for an additional fee.