RESUMO
The expansion of fruit production and markets into new geographic areas provides novel opportunities and challenges for the agricultural and marketing industries. Evidence that fruit consumption helps prevent nutrient deficiencies and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer has assisted in the expansion of all aspects of the fruit industry. In today's competitive global market environment, producers need access to the best plant material available in terms of genetics and health if they are to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. An ever-increasing amount of plant material in the form of produce, nursery plants, and breeding stock moves vast distances, and this has resulted in an increased risk of pest and disease introductions into new areas. One of the primary concerns of the global fruit industry is a group of systemic pathogens for which there are no effective remedies once plants are infected. These pathogens and diseases require expensive management and control procedures at nurseries and by producers locally and nationally. Here, we review (i) the characteristics of some of these pathogens, (ii) the history and economic consequences of some notable disease epidemics caused by these pathogens, (iii) the changes in agricultural trade that have exacerbated the risk of pathogen introduction, (iv) the path to production of healthy plants through the U.S. National Clean Plant Network and state certification programs, (v) the economic value of clean stock to nurseries and fruit growers in the United States, and (vi) current efforts to develop and harmonize effective nursery certification programs within the United States as well as with global trading partners.
RESUMO
Microbial pathogens of humans, animals, and plants can serve as potential agents of biowarfare, bioterrorism, and biocrime. Previously, the Microbial Rosetta Stone (MRS) Central database, an easily accessible informational resource tool, was developed to assist law enforcement personnel in the event of a disease investigation by providing key information on pathogens of concern. Although the database already contained information on a few high-profile plant pathogens, the coverage was insufficient considering the large number of plant pathogens that pose a threat, not only to agricultural production but also to natural plant resources such as forests and rangelands. In this project, 100 plant pathogens of high consequence were selected for study, existing literature on these agents was reviewed, and both the sources and key pathogen information provided therein were curated in the new Agricultural Database (AgDB), an accessory to the existing MRS Central Database. Chosen for inclusion in the MRS Central AgDB were plant pathogens having significant potential for damage to U.S. agricultural and natural ecosystems. The selection process included review of several previously developed plant-pathogen threat lists and recommendations from experts within the U.S. plant biosecurity community. Pathogen information was collected by searching a number of relevant literature databases, sites on the World Wide Web, and other resources. For inclusion in the MRS, the information was curated into categories: pathogen taxonomy, nomenclature synonyms, disease symptoms and geographic distribution, plant hosts, insect vectors, detection and diagnostic methods, laboratory and field protocols, sample collection, and epidemiology. The resulting AgDB enhances the MRS Central Database by summarizing and linking key information on high-threat plant diseases and their causal agents to relevant scientific literature and internet resources. The AgDB contains critical, key information on high-consequence plant pathogens, curated in a format that is readily accessible and easily searched. The resource enhances the existing MRS Central Database and provides law enforcement, forensic, and investigative personnel with an additional tool with which to respond to microbial emergencies, particularly those affecting the agricultural and environmental sectors.
