Symptoms of Sclerophthora rayssiae var. zeae on maize plant

Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus on cucumber

3 wheat spikes infested with Anguina tritici, one healthy spike (right)

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Project Overview

So, what’s the problem

The spread of invasive plant pathogens, including fungi, viruses, bacteria, phytoplasmas and nematodes, presents a significant global threat to agriculture, forestry and the environment. Significant crop damage and economic loss are of particular concern and are likely to occur when these pathogens establish on susceptible crop hosts and spread.

Invasive plant pathogens that are likely to cause significant economic impact in the USA, if they are introduced or if they spread beyond their current distribution, have been identified. Accurate information about these pathogens is required to help prevent and/or manage their spread.

What is this project doing?

The Plant Pathogens Subcommittee of the US Federal Interagency Committee on Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Pathogens (ITAP) has identified the worst plant pathogen threats to the USA. These are pathogens that are either already present in the USA, with the potential for further spread, or would represent new threats if they are introduced.

CABI’s role in this project is to commission scientific experts to write new datasheets or update existing datasheets for the plant pathogens identified by ITAP. Datasheets are peer-reviewed and published in the Invasive Species Compendium (ISC – www.cabi.org/isc). Each datasheet will contain accurate and authoritative scientific information on the biology, distribution range, hosts, diagnosis, impacts and management of these pathogens. The information provided is intended for use by quarantine officers, researchers and policy makers (among others) to help prevent introductions, to eradicate new incursions of plant pathogens and to mitigate the damage caused to crops or species in natural areas.