Strengthening Diagnostics
From Local to Global Solutions: Connecting Diagnostic Communities for Plant Health Security
In this session, you'll learn how diagnostic communities safeguard plant health and mitigate biosecurity threats. Discover how diagnostic networks, regulatory bodies, and industry collaborate to tackle plant health challenges. Gain insights into the function of state and federal laboratories, the role of non-profit organizations, and how industry partnerships drive innovation in diagnostic technologies. Explore career pathways within diagnostics, including technical, scientific, and regulatory aspects.
Embracing the Land-Grant Mission: How to Build a Strong and Sustainable Career in Extension
Discover how extension specialists and agents translate research into actionable recommendations for optimizing crop production. Learn about the mission and history of land-grant institutions, and explore career opportunities at various educational levels. You'll hear from early-career professionals about establishing extension-centered outreach and research programs, developing stakeholder relationships, and leveraging funding opportunities. The session will conclude with an open forum for discussion and insights into mentoring and managing laboratory personnel.
Global Spread of Disease
The Ascendancy of Persistent Propagative Vector-borne Plant Viruses
Discover cutting-edge research on major plant viruses affecting a wide range of hosts, from monocots to specialty crops and learn about the innovative strategies being developed to curb their spread and address the multi-billion-dollar crop losses threatening global food security. This session features speakers from the US, India, and China to emphasize the importance of global collaborations. Don't miss the 15-minute panel discussion led by co-chairs, Drs. Kiran Gadhave and Daniel Hasegawa, where you'll have the opportunity to engage in insightful conversations and ask your burning questions.
From Models to Action: Global Strategies for Surveillance and Management of Plant Disease Spread
Explore how advanced modeling techniques like AI-driven analytics, network modeling, and remote sensing are revolutionizing the prediction and management of invasive plant diseases. In this session, you'll learn how spatial models integrate international trade data, climate suitability, and host distributions to forecast outbreaks. Discover user-friendly platforms and communication strategies that engage decision-makers, from policy officials to growers. Through real-world examples, see how these tools guide proactive surveillance and optimal interventions, showcasing the impact of collaborative research across disciplines and geographies. Gain actionable insights for plant disease monitoring, policy-making, and management in an interconnected world.
Endangered Species Act: New Agricultural Outlook Post-ESA Strategies
This session explores the impact of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on agriculture and plant health. Learn about the innovative strategies being developed to protect endangered species while minimizing the impact on agriculture and discover how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is redefining pesticide registrations, label requirements, and grower practices. Hear from subject matter experts about the new agricultural outlook post-ESA strategy across the nation, including Hawaii. You'll gain valuable insights into the collaborative efforts to promote effective protection of endangered species and support sustainable agricultural practices
Biology and Management of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawaiʻi
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), a complex of two devastating fungal diseases, is a critical issue affecting ʻŌhiʻa trees in Hawaiʻi, which are vital to the local ecosystem and culture. In this session, you'll learn about the latest research on ROD, including the biology of the disease, the role of invasive species, and advanced management techniques. Gain insights from experts in plant pathology, disease resistance, entomology, remote sensing, and forest ecology. You'll gain an understanding of how interdisciplinary approaches are being used to combat this devastating disease and preserve Hawaiʻi's native forests.
Pathogens and Protectors: Gram-Positive Bacteria on Spotlight
Gram-positive bacteria play a dual role in plant health, acting as both friends as beneficial microorganisms and foes as harmful pathogens. Beneficial genera like Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Paenibacillus promote plant growth and resilience, while pathogenic genera such as Clavibacter, Curtobacterium, and Rathayibacter are responsible for significant diseases. While Gram-positive bacterial pathogens are fewer than their Gram-negative counterparts, their impacts are significant. Recent research has revealed their virulence mechanisms and potential for sustainable agricultural practices, including integrated pest management and early pathogen detection. This session is valuable for researchers, educators, and practitioners focused on bacterial plant pathogens and biocontrol approaches.
Culture, Communications and Global Connections
Leveraging Diverse Knowledge to Address Socio-Economic Disparities in Mycotoxin Management Worldwide
In our ever-changing world, managing mycotoxins presents a unique challenge to food safety in regions with limited resources. Discover how cutting-edge research and cultural knowledge can come together to tackle the global challenge of mycotoxin management. Examine innovative strategies like breeding for host resistance, advanced decontamination techniques, and sustainable biocontrols, and learn how effective communication methods increase mycotoxin awareness and risk management from farmers to policymakers. This session will highlight the importance of global cooperation and capacity building to ensure equitable and effective mycotoxin control measures.
Forest Health in the 21st Century: Addressing Ecological and Cultural Consequences
Forests provide a multitude of ecosystem services that provide cultural, ecological, and economic benefits to communities. However, consequences from a changing environment, invasive pathogens, and lack of effective management strategies threaten these critical services and, therefore, the livelihoods and health of surrounding communities. This session will address the current forest health risks and how to bridge the gap between forest managers, researchers, and the public to protect these services and build a resilient society in the face of global change.
A World in Crisis: Impact on Food Security and Disease Management from the Front Lines
Protecting crop production from plant diseases to better ensure food security is a global issue. In this session, you'll learn from experts who are tackling the global challenge of protecting crop production amidst environmental and political instability along with growing global populations. Listen to firsthand experiences from regions across the world and understand the vital role of plant disease management in ensuring future food security.
Breeding and Host Resistance
Genome Editing: Will Basic Phytobacterial Research Inform Improvements in Disease Resistance of Global Crops?
Join us to explore how genome editing is revolutionizing disease resistance in global crops like rice, cassava, tomato, and pomegranate. Learn from experts about cutting-edge applications and international cooperation projects that are paving the way for more resilient agriculture. Discover the potential and challenges of deploying these innovations in the field. By the end of the session, you'll gain an understanding of the fundamental knowledge that supports the promise of using genome editing to develop disease-resistant crops of global importance and insight into the likelihood of success and barriers to deployment in the field.
Cacao: Global Challenges for a Nearly Forgotten Food Crop
Cacao, viewed as a non-food crop by some, has consequently received less attention in combating plant pathogen outbreaks, enhancing genetics and genomics, and improving crop performance and resilience. In this session, you'll delve into the latest advancements in combating cacao diseases caused by viruses and fungi. Learn about the geographical spread, pathogen biology, and innovative management strategies to enhance cacao resilience. Discover how researchers are addressing emerging threats and improving crop health through cutting-edge studies on pathogen-host interactions and virus-vector relationships.
Genetics and Resistance Management Across Geographies
What's Next in Biocontrol?: Genetically-Modified Biocontrol Agents
Microbial biopesticides offer many potential benefits over traditional chemical pesticides, including multiple modes of action, the ability to increase in number throughout the growing season, and a favorable safety profile. However, their broader use is limited by inconsistent performance. In this session, you will hear from experts working in this exciting emerging field. Learn how genetic modifications can improve biopesticide performance, provide novel modes of action, and support formulation improvements. Gain insights into the regulatory landscape and the potential of genetically-modified biocontrol agents to revolutionize pest management.
