Plant Pathology Resources for Non-traditional Cropping Systems

The Market Bulletin, April 2009 Issue

A main goal of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Plant Pathology Program is to monitor for emerging diseases of regulatory and economic concern so disease causing organisms can be managed or eradicated at early stages of introduction into the state. The driving forces behind these efforts are to maintain interstate and international trade relationships with and to protect the general health of our crops. The world of plant pathology is constantly changing with new technologies for pathogen detection and new exotic diseases making the headlines each year. Although monitoring for specific emerging threats to West Virginia agriculture such as plum pox, soybean rust and cyst nematodes remains a main goal of the Agricultural Plant Pathology Program there are other emerging challenges the program is preparing to assist West Virginia producers with.

Markets for organic vegetables and field crops are creating a great opportunity for growers to add value to their crops. In 2007, 84 farms used approximately 2,200 acres for organic production and 132 farms were in the process of converting over 3,800 acres into organic production in the state. A significant portion of organic production in the state consists of vegetables and field crops. Organic systems may face pressure from common diseases caused by species of Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Phytopthora and powdery mildew that will take more integrated approaches to controlling than in conventional cropping and greenhouse systems. Although there are fewer pesticide and fungicide options there are arrays of biological control agents and copper based products that are approved for managing plant diseases in organic farming systems. We have added some very useful links to managing diseases in organic cropping systems to the Agricultural Plant Pathology Webpage (www.wvdaplantpath.com). We also encourage you to contact Plant Industries for diagnostic support, questions and advice relating to managing diseases in organic and conventional agricultural systems at 304-558-2212.

West Virginia Department of Agriculture
Plant Industries Division
1900 Kanawha Blvd., E.
Charleston, WV 25305-0191
304-558-2212