Two bacteria threatening the potato industry worldwide will be the focus of a Potato Disease Summit Nov. 9 in Bangor, Maine, convened by the University of Maine.
Plant pathologists, researchers and other scientists from the Netherlands, Scotland and five U.S. states will present the latest information on the bacteria—Dickeya and Pectobacterium—that cause blackleg, an emerging seed potato problem.
In the past three growing seasons, Dickeya, a bacterial pathogen of potatoes, has caused significant economic losses in seed non-emergence and crop loss nationwide. In addition, an associated pathogen, Pectobacterium, has caused potato crop losses in the field and in storage. The bacteria have caused losses to the potato industry in Europe for an even longer stretch of time.
“The University of Maine is responding to this situation by holding an international summit focused on the latest research and what steps are needed to help the potato industry,” says University of Maine president Susan Hunter. “As Maine’s only public research university, we are a longstanding partner with the state’s potato industry in addressing its needs, including the growing threat posed by Dickeya and Pectobacterium.”
The Potato Disease Summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 9, at the Cross Insurance Center, 515 Main St. in Bangor, Maine. The event is designed for scientists, consultants, regulatory officials and seed potato growers and buyers. It will focus on such topics as current advances in detection and diagnosis of Dickeya; an overview of Pectobacterium in the U.S.; and management of Enterobacteriaceae spread and risk.
The $80 per person fee includes materials, lunch and breaks. Registration deadline is Oct. 2 and is available online.
For more information or to request a disability accommodation, contact Steve Johnson at (207) 554-4373 or stevenj@maine.edu.
Source: University of Maine