In strawberries and other specialty crops, projects have focused on developing tools to help growers manage Phytophthora root rot. “Projects have focused on developing resistant varieties, understanding the host-pathogen interaction, screening for fungicide resistance, improving pathogen detection and determining cultural practices effective in controlling diseases caused by Phytophthora species,” said Emmanuel Byamukama, national program leader in NIFA’s Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, Division of Plant Systems-Protection. As part of that mission over the last 15 years, NIFA has funded $84 million in projects focused on ways to combat Phytophthora’s threat to agriculture and forestry through its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Grant and other competitive grant programs. USDA’S National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) invests in and supports initiatives that ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of agriculture. For instance, fungicides used for Phytophthora root rot in strawberries are now ineffective in some areas. Additionally, some have developed resistance to chemical control. Phytophthora pathogens can persist in the soil for a long time-making disease management challenging. Similarly, Phytophthora root and stem rot can be a devastating soybean disease. One species that causes late blight disease is responsible for more than $6.7 billion in potato and tomato production losses worldwide annually, according to USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.
0 kommentar(er)
