Sponsoring Chairperson: Ronald D. French-Monar – USDA APHIS PPQ FO Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program
Organizer: Brent S. Sipes – University of Hawaii
Organizer: Wendy Sueno – USDA APHIS PPQ FO Honolulu Plant Inspection Station
Ticketed event; preregistration required
Brief Description: The field trip will showcase the close interactions between federal (USDA) and state (HDOA) plant inspection and containment facilities that protect US agriculture from pests and diseases. Participants will learn the role and actions of the state and federal plant inspection stations with brief presentations and tours of the facilities, US permit inspections at the Honolulu airport, airport inspections, and the beagle brigade. Attendees will also become familiar with field level detection and diagnosis by frontline inspectors. Vans will depart at 8:00 am and arrive at the DKI International Airport facility. Attendees will then travel to the state Plant Pest Quarantine facility. A tour of the containment greenhouse and holding rooms will conclude with 3-4 brief presentations and discussion. Lunch (bento boxes) will be held at the state facility with state and federal plant health officials. Finally, we will tour the HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB) and vans will return by 3:00 pm.
Organizer: Madison Flasco, PhD – Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
Organizer: Alejandro Olmedo-Velarde – Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University
Organizer: Andrea Sierra-Mejia – University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Organizer: Jennifer R. Wilson – USDA-ARS Corn, Soybean & Wheat Quality Research Unit
Ticketed event; preregistration required
Brief Description: This field trip will showcase the research stations and plots where University of Hawaii at Manoa personnel including faculty, extension agents, and students perform research on a variety of agricultural tropical crops including, but not limited to corn, avocado, lichee, citrus, cacao, papaya, sweet potato, taro and banana. Three research stations will be visited that are located throughout the Island of Oahu: Oahu Urban Garden Center, Waimanalo Research Station, and Poamoho Research Station. These stations harbor not only a unique diversity of agricultural crops, but also a great repertoire of plant diseases with several exemplary and infamous diseases such as papaya ringspot, papaya powdery mildew, banana bunchy top, among others. The itinerary and trip were designed so that the attendees can appreciate different areas of the Island of Oahu as well as grasp the different nature and scenic views present in the West, Central and East sides of Oahu, including a brief visit to a look out
Sponsoring Chairperson: Christian G. Aguilar – Agrofresh
Organizer: Achour Amiri, Associate Professor – Washington State University
Organizer: Collins Bugingo – Oregon State University
Sponsoring Chairperson: Romina Gazis, PhD – Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, USA
Organizer: Wayne Jurick II – USDA-ARS
Organizer: Achala N. KC – Oregon State University
Organizer: Jane Marian S. Luis – University of Hawaii at Manoa
Ticketed event; preregistration required
Brief Description: This tour will encompass several aspects of the tropical fruit supply chain, from cultivation in the field to postharvest handling in the packing shed, to phytosanitary treatment of agricultural commodities in preparation for export. Attendees will visit local farms to observe and learn about production of cacao, apple banana, papaya, eggplant, pineapple as well as others, and in so doing, will be able to witness firsthand the passion involved with managing multi-generational family-owned farms. Guests will be able to enjoy the flavors of freshly grown produce to the backdrop of breathtaking scenery all the while learning about some of Hawaii’s most pressing agricultural issues such as crop diversification, food sovereignty and pest management.
Organizer: Nikita Gambhir – FMC Corp.
Organizer: Daniel Winter Heck – Cornell University
Organizer: Camila Nicolli – University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Ticketed event; preregistration required
Description: The Introduction to Python for Plant Pathologists Workshop organized by CLARE and Epidemiology committee in 2022 gained much interest from the APS community with 70+ registered participants. However, it was conducted fully virtually without the hands-on collaborative environment that enriches interactive learning experiences. To improve the hands-on learning experience, this in-person workshop will focus on how Machine Learning can be used to analyze and interpret complex data sets, particularly in the context of plant disease detection and management. With a mix of theoretical and hands-on sessions, participants will learn how to utilize Python for data manipulation, visualization, and implementing machine learning algorithms.
Given machine learning's increasing relevance in data science and its application in various fields, this workshop is applicable to a broad APS audience, ranging from those new to programming to experienced researchers seeking to integrate it into their work. The sessions will be structured to accommodate varying levels of expertise, ensuring that every attendee gains valuable insights regardless of their prior experience with Python. Participants will learn how to interpret data for informed decision-making and how to standardize methodologies for broader applicability across global plant health networks.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: The proposed workshop, Python and Machine Learning for Plant Pathologists, directly supports the Plant Health 2025 theme, "Global Communities Collaborating to Address Global Risks," by equipping plant health professionals with essential data analysis and programming skills that go beyond geographic and institutional boundaries. Python, as an accessible (free) and widely used programming language, provides a universal platform for collaboration, enabling researchers and practitioners to share data, tools, and insights effectively.
This workshop fosters the development of innovative strategies by demonstrating how machine learning can be utilized to address critical global risks in plant health, such as modeling disease spread, analyzing crop loss, and evaluating management interventions. The workshop promotes a shared language for data-driven solutions, enhances cross-disciplinary collaboration, and strengthens global efforts to safeguard plant health. This aligns seamlessly with the meeting's goal to connect communities and advance collective knowledge to mitigate plant health challenges worldwide.
Target Audience: Students, Epidemiologists, Post-Docs, Bioinformaticians, Precision Agriculture Professionals, Plant Pathologists Interested in Data Analyses, and Data Scientists.
Organizer: Achyut Adhikari – University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Organizer: Bhawana Ghimire – Bartlett Tree Experts
Organizer: Emma Lookabaugh – BASF
Organizer: Alberto Ricordi – University of Hawaii
Ticketed event; preregistration required
Brief Description: Participants on the ornamental field trip will experience Oahu’s rich history while learning about tropical plant cultivation and nursery production. We will start the day at Green World Coffee Farm and learn how Farmer Green converted pineapple fields into a 7-acre coffee farm, shop and café. After filling up, we head to Waimea Valley Botanic Garden. The Valley includes 52 themed gardens and is home to over 5000 documented types of tropical and subtropical plants including native Hawaiian plants and globally endangered species. The garden visit will include a Kipahele tour with expert garden staff, catered picnic-style lunch, and an optional hike to Waimea Falls. After lunch, we will visit Alluvion Nursery, a locally owned and operated wholesale nursery and florist. Then it’s back on the bus for a scenic trip down the windward side of the island. Along the way we’ll stop at Tropical Farms for some macadamia nuts and end the day with a relaxing stroll through Byodo-In Temple grounds.
Organizer: Nicklos S. Dudley – Hawaii Agriculture Research Center
Organizer: Carrie Fearer – Virginia Tech
Organizer: Elena Karlsen-Ayala – USDA Forest Service
Ticketed event; preregistration required
Brief Description: Explore how scientists at the Hawaiian Agriculture Research Center (HARC) are using genetics, silvicultural practices, and breeding techniques to advance Hawaii's forestry sector and improve the yield and quality of harvested trees. This tour will highlight the successful host-resistance program of the endemic, high-value hardwood tree, Acacia koa, that is threatened by the disease koa wilt. After the tour of the Maunawili Substation led by HARC senior forest scientist, we will be taken on a disease walk by USFS research plant pathologists in the nearby Waimānalo Forest Reserve to observe other tree diseases threatening Hawaii's native tree species, including Rapid Ohi'a death and myrtle rust.
Organizer: Niklaus Grünwald – USDA-Agricultural Research Service
Organizer: Jeff Chang – Oregon State University
Organizer: Upasana Dhakal – Oregon State University
Organizer: Reza Mazloom – Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, U.S.A.
Organizer: Boris A. Vinatzer – School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Ticketed event; preregistration required
Description: Generation and analysis of whole genome sequence data remains challenging. However, new computational technologies are rapidly making whole genome sequence analysis more accessible. In this workshop, participants will learn how to work with the nf-core pipeline PathogenSurveillance (PS) and the genomeRxiv web server. PS is a population genomic pipeline for pathogen diagnosis, variant detection, and biosurveillance. The pipeline accepts short and long read data. Significant features include the ability to analyze unidentified eukaryotic and prokaryotic samples, creation of reports for multiple user-defined groupings of samples, automated discovery and downloading of reference assemblies from NCBI RefSeq, and rapid initial identification based on k-mer sketches followed by a more robust core genome phylogeny and SNP-based phylogeny. The genomeRxiv web server provides a powerful method to infer the identities of fungal and bacterial pathogens at within-species resolution either using assembled genomes or k-mer sketches of unassembled genomes as queries. genomeRxiv and PS can be used in parallel to automate genome processing and analyses. Together these two approaches simplify and accelerate use of genome sequencing in disease diagnosis by returning multiple outputs to cross-validate pathogen identification. They also accelerate whole genome data processing and analyses for use in fundamental research. Participants are expected to bring their own laptop, and all computational work will be done in a virtual learning lab on gitpod.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: Plant pathogens continue to emerge at accelerated rates globally due to increases in trade, climate warming and land use. Rapid tools for biosurveillance of pathogens that can diagnose pathogens in real time, detect new invasive species and novel variants are needed to address Global Risk.
Target Audience: This workshop is geared to graduate students, postdocs or scientists that want to analyze whole genome sequences for pathogens including bacteria and eukaryotes (but excluding virus genomes).
Organizer: Ashish Adhikari, PhD – Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida
Organizer: Karen Garrett, PhD – Plant Pathology Department, Global Food Systems Institute, 3Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Organizer: Romaric Mouafo Tchinda – Plant Pathology Department, Global Food Systems Institute, 3Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Organizer: Aaron Isai Plex Sula – Plant Pathology Department, Global Food Systems Institute, 3Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Organizer: Jacobo Robledo Buritica, n/a – Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida
Ticketed event; preregistration required
Description: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are cutting-edge tools that provide solutions to global challenges in plant pathology. These technologies have enhanced prediction accuracy in epidemic forecasts, allowing researchers to anticipate disease outbreaks with greater precision. They also identify complex patterns in multidimensional datasets, integrating diverse features to uncover trends that were hardly captured in less complex models. Moreover, AI and ML have played a pivotal role in developing systems that identify plant diseases from images, empowering non-experts to obtain accurate disease predictions instantly through mobile devices. Breakthroughs in bioinformatics have further enabled protein structure predictions with near-experimental accuracy, facilitating advancements in molecular plant-pathogen interaction studies and the discovery of new molecules. Together, these innovations have strengthened epidemiological forecasting, democratized disease classification, and accelerated research at the molecular level.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: This workshop aligns with the theme "Global Communities Collaborating to Address Global Risks" by highlighting the potential of AI and ML in advancing plant health. These technologies foster global collaboration by enabling researchers to address shared challenges such as epidemic forecasting, image-based disease diagnostics, and protein structure predictions. Participants will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools, facilitating practical implementation while leveraging advances in statistics and computer sciences, fields renowned for their collaborative nature. This submission underscores the power of innovative technologies and multidisciplinary action in tackling global plant health risks effectively.
Target Audience: This workshop will be especially valuable for plant pathologists interested in AI to advance their research and practical applications in plant health.
Speaker: Van Schepler-Luu, Ph.D – International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
The Opening General Session will open with a welcome from the APS President, Karen Garrett. We will then recognize our 2025 Fellows and the Excellence and Named Awardees. Our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Van Schepler-Luu will then give her opening talk.Dr. Van Schepler-Luu is the head of the Plant Pathology and Host Plant Resistance Group at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. She leads collaborative research efforts with partners from over 20 countries, focusing on rice diseases that pose significant threats to global food security. Her PathoTracer project involves 23 institutions across 20 countries and focuses on the development and application of high-throughput markers for monitoring bacterial blight and blast. She coordinates the International Rice False Smut Consortium (IRFSC), which brings together 25 institutions from 12 countries to address false smut, an increasingly important disease in rice production systems.
Schepler-Luu’s group conducts research on pathogen population dynamics, the identification of disease-resistance genes, and beneficial microbes that enhance rice immunity to biotic stresses. These efforts contribute to improving integrated disease management strategies in rice production.
Before joining IRRI, Van led the rice research team at the University of Düsseldorf, Germany, where she focused on genome editing and rice-bacterial blight pathogen interactions. She obtained her Ph.D. from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany, where her research concentrated on plant defense mechanisms against fungal pathogens and insect herbivores.
APS Sponsoring Committee:None
External Group Support/Co-Organization: Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Working Group.
Description: The proposed session will delve into the critical topic of Rapid 'Ōhiʻa Death (ROD), a complex of two devastating fungal diseases affecting 'Ōhiʻa trees (Metrosideros polymorpha) across Hawai'i. This issue holds significant ecological and cultural relevance, as 'Ōhiʻa trees are keystone species in Hawaii's native forests and carry deep cultural importance for local communities.
Understanding the biology and management of ROD is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat this disease and preserve these vital ecosystems. This session will provide attendees from various countries with a unique opportunity to learn about this Hawaii-specific disease, offering valuable insights applicable to other regions vulnerable to similar threats.
By presenting the latest updates in biological research and interdisciplinary approaches, this symposium aims to foster a deeper understanding of ROD and promote collaborative efforts in managing and mitigating its impact. Attendees will gain comprehensive knowledge of the disease’s biology, the role of invasive species, and the advanced scientific techniques guiding current management practices.
This symposium’s presenters are subject matter experts who will share their contributions to the science of ROD and advancements in disease management. The session will cover various scientific disciplines involved in this multi-faceted issue, including plant pathology, disease resistance, entomology, remote sensing, and forest ecology, as they relate to this critically important disease system.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: Our symposium on Rapid 'Ōhiʻa Death (ROD) aligns well with the Plant Health 2025 theme, "Global Communities Collaborating to Address Global Risks," by tackling a critical plant health threat in Hawaiʻi. By uniting international experts and researchers, the session embodies the collaborative spirit essential for addressing global plant health challenges. We will share cutting-edge research and management strategies applicable to regions facing similar threats, promoting innovative interdisciplinary approaches.
Our talks will focus on a Hawaii-specific novel disease issue, addressing the impacts of this newly introduces invasive species, the deep cultural ties to 'Ōhiʻa trees, and the challenges of biological invasions and biosecurity. Attendees will gain insights into disease resistance strategies, enhancing their understanding and ability to contribute to global plant health solutions.
APS Sponsoring Committee: Diagnosticians
Co-Sponsoring Committees: Disease Surveillance and Pathogen Detection Methods, Emerging Diseases and Pathogens, Extension, Regulatory Plant Pathology
External Group Support/Co-Organization None:
Description: Diagnostic communities play a vital role in safeguarding plant health and mitigating biosecurity threats, and their contributions deserve greater emphasis and recognition. This session explores the crucial importance of diagnostics and the diverse, complementary efforts that form the foundation of plant biosecurity. It highlights the interconnected roles of diagnostic networks, regulatory bodies, and industry in tackling plant health challenges. Key topics include the pivotal work of state laboratories in enhancing early detection and rapid response through a coordinated network of diagnostic facilities, the specialized function of federal laboratories in identifying and managing regulated plant pathogens, and the collaborative framework provided by non-profit organizations in uniting state regulatory agencies. This session will also examine how industry partnerships drive innovation in diagnostic technologies and create opportunities for public-private collaborations. Attendees will also gain insights into career pathways within diagnostics, including the technical, scientific, and regulatory aspects that make this field both impactful and rewarding.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: This session highlights the importance of strong diagnostic networks connecting local, national, and global efforts to address challenges in plant health and biosecurity. It emphasizes the collective responsibility of public and private sectors in reducing plant pathogen risks. Attendees will explore how interconnected diagnostics support a resilient plant health system.
APS Sponsoring Committee: None
External Group Support/Co-Organization: None
Description: The session will be organized/chaired by Frank White, UF, and Jan leach, Colorado State University, and introduce solutions to bacterial diseases of globally important crops involving genome editing technologies and applying basic research knowledge of disease. The first speakers will present robust systems where the applications of genome editing are advanced. The first talk will provide the extensive application of genome editing technologies to resistance to bacterial blight of rice, a disease of Asia and Africa, using basic knowledge of the host-pathogen interaction. Applications of the technologies will also be presented for another global crop, cassava. In the third talk, the prospects for success against the refractile fastidious bacterial pathogen Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus and HLB will be presented. Finally, we will discuss the use of genome editing in tomato and pepper and questions of the barriers and likelihood of applications reaching the field. Two additional short talks will be selected from solicited attendees, one of which is the case of the prospect of improving resistance to bacterial blight of a small farmer cash crop in India, pomegranate. At the end of the session, attendees will understand the basic knowledge that has led to the promise that resistance to disease in globally important crops can be derived from advances in genome editing. The attendees will also gain some insight into the likelihood of success and barriers to deployment in the field.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: The speakers will address global projects addressing food security as well as prospects for enhancements for small scale farmers across geographies.
APS Committee Sponsoring the Proposed Session: Bacteriology
Biological Control
External Group Support/Co-Organization: None
Description: Gram-positive bacteria play a unique dual role in plant health, acting as both friends (beneficial microorganisms) and foes (pathogens). Beneficial genera such as Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Paenibacillus have plant-growth-promoting and biocontrol capabilities, enhancing crop productivity and resilience to stress. On the other hand, pathogenic genera such as Clavibacter are responsible for devastating diseases, including quarantine-restricted pathogens that threaten global agriculture by reducing yields and economic sustainability.
While Gram-positive bacterial pathogens are fewer than their Gram-negative counterparts, their impacts are significant. Recent advances have shed light on their virulence mechanisms, host-pathogen molecular interactions, transmission routes, and the genetic resistance strategies that crops employ. Similarly, research into beneficial Gram-positive bacteria has unveiled their potential for sustainable agricultural practices, such as integrated pest management (IPM), early pathogen detection, and biotechnological applications in breeding disease-resistant crop varieties.
This session offers value to a broad APS audience, including researchers, educators, and practitioners working on bacterial plant pathogens, plant-microbe interactions, and biocontrol approaches to control plant diseases.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: Global Challenges and Disease Management
The proposed session highlights the global agricultural impact of Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, addressing their role in reducing crop yields and economic sustainability. This aligns with the theme's focus on combating the spread of plant diseases across borders.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices
Exploring beneficial Gram-positive bacteria for biocontrol and plant-growth promotion aligns with the APS goal of promoting sustainable and integrated pest management practices.
Collaboration Across Disciplines
By bringing together experts to discuss both the pathogenic and beneficial roles of Gram-positive bacteria, the proposal embodies the collaborative and interdisciplinary approach APS 2025 seeks to foster.
Translational Research for Practical Solutions
The focus on translational approaches—linking fundamental research to applied practices—directly supports the APS 2025 theme of leveraging scientific innovation to address real-world challenges in plant health.
APS Committee Sponsoring the Proposed Session: Biological Control Committee
External Group Support/Co-Organization: None
Description: Microbial biopesticides offer many potential benefits over traditional chemical pesticides. Their likely multiple modes of action preventing development of resistance, ability to continue increasing in number throughout the growing season, and advantageous safety profile should make their adoption widespread. However, while the adoption of biological control agents against plant pathogens continues to increase, broader use is limited by a reputation for inconsistent performance.
There is much ongoing research in the field to improve this reputation with everything from formulation improvements to application methodologies. Many researchers see the improvement of microbial biopesticides through genetic modification as one avenue to address this perceived shortcoming. Countless literature reviews have extolled the potential of transgenes and base changes to improve biopesticides, yet there is surprisingly little work currently being done in this area.
In this session, you will hear from some of the few working in this exciting emerging field. Invited speakers will discuss several areas of research surrounding the development and use of genetically-modified (GM) biopesticides. Speakers will discuss how the development of GM biopesticides help to understand mode of action and support formulation improvements. Additionally, speakers will present ways in which genetic modifications can provide novel modes of action such as gene drives. Speakers will also address how utilization of transgenes and transpecific RNAi could be utilized to improve biopesticide performance. Finally, a representative from USDA APHIS-BRS will discuss how the agency is addressing early research regulatory concerns for GM organisms that can easily persistent in the environment.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: Given their multiple modes of action, ease to deregulate, and broad pathogen efficacy, biological controls will be an increasingly important risk management tool in protecting against current and emerging plant pests. The minimal concerns for residues of biocontrol agents across jurisdictions, also make them an important tool in global trade as growers address pest issues near the time of or during export. Most importantly, the rarity of pests developing resistance to biocontrol agents, gives them an important role in protecting chemical pesticide efficacy. This protection is most important in regions where the poor stewardship practices in one country impact pesticide efficacy in adjoining jurisdictions due to movement of resistant pest strains. This session focuses on efforts underway to improve issues around levels and consistency of efficacy and stability, which have prevented wider scale adoption of biocontrol agents, despite these benefits.
Organizer: Sehgeet Kaur – School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and Graduate Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, U.S.A
Moderator: Sehgeet Kaur – School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and Graduate Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, U.S.A
Moderator: Boris A. Vinatzer – School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
The path of a scientist is exciting and meaningful but it can also be overwhelming. Across all stages of a scientific career, from students to faculty to industry professionals, many of us quietly struggle to balance research, writing, deadlines, expectations, and personal well-being. In this Idea Café, I want to create space for open and honest conversation about the experience of being a scientist from navigating burnout and imposter syndrome to managing overcommitment and uncertainty in our personal and professional lives. What parts of this journey feel the hardest? What strategies have helped, and what still feel out of reach? This discussion welcomes anyone navigating the challenges of a scientific career and seeking support, ideas, or simply a space to feel less alone in the process.Target Audience:This Idea Café is open to anyone in the scientific community who has ever tried to balance the demands of research with their own well-being. It’s especially relevant to students, postdocs, and early-career researchers — but also to more experienced scientists who’ve been through these challenges and can share what they’ve learned. The goal is to create a space where we can talk honestly, listen openly, and support each other across different stages of our journeys in science.
Moderator: Paul Esker – Penn State
Organizer: Rubella Goswami
Moderator: Rubella Goswami
This is a session highlighting the impactful work of our federal researchers and federal funding organizations. Each invited researcher will give a short research update and provide ideas three ways APS can help them fulfil their missions. Federal employees from funding agencies will give a brief update on the state of funding programs and how the APS community can help them be effective.Target Audience:All members interacting with US Federal research programs wanting the latest research up-dates and wanting to contribute to the success of these programs.
Organizer: Fereshteh Shahoveisi – University of Maryland
Moderator: Fereshteh Shahoveisi – University of Maryland
This Idea Cafe will focus on discussing the turfgrass industry's needs and gaps in terms of disease management. Attendees will share their opinion and the committee will use the information from this session to plan for future workshops, special sessions and webinars.Target Audience:Turfgrass pathologists including faculty and students.
Organizer: Dimitra Valsami – Newcastle university
Moderator: Dimitra Valsami – Newcastle university
The rapid advancement of bioinformatics and AI tools is transforming plant science, enabling researchers to process vast datasets, model complex systems, and generate hypotheses faster than ever before. But as computational methods take center stage, are traditional wet lab skills being pushed to the margins? How can we achieve a balance between in silico and in vitro science? Is there a shift in training priorities or hiring practices and how will this affect early career researchers?
Target Audience:Early career researchers, university students, interdisciplinary researchers, general APS audience.
Organizer: Stacey E. Swanson
Moderator: Stacey E. Swanson
Moderator: Charlotte Oliver – Colorado State University
On-farm application of synthetic and biological agricultural inputs represents a critical technology in managing diseases as part of an integrated pest management system. Commercial methodologies used in product application vary immensely across crops and geographies and continue to evolve, impacting efficacy, worker safety, and grower cost. Potential topics of discussion include in-field applicator factors such as spray volume/droplet size/speed/coverage, drone/aerial applications, see-and-spray technologies, adjuvants and additives, and formulation types and technologies (chemical + biological). This topic is relevant for conference participants interested in applied disease management and research.Target Audience:Target audience is anyone who is involved with grower / farmer interactions, demo-scale research trials, commercial efficacy evaluations, and related applied disease management. These can include those with an academic role, particularly cooperative extension personnel, as well as crop protection industry affiliated folks, as well as students interested in applied plant pathology.
Organizer: Becca Hall – The University of Minnesota
Moderator: Becca Hall – The University of Minnesota
Moderator: Gazala Ameen, n/a – Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007
Let’s face it, plant pathology doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves, especially outside of our core departments. This idea café will be an open discussion for anyone interested in brainstorming real, doable ways to boost visibility and enrollment in plant pathology courses across colleges and disciplines. Whether you’ve tried cross-listing classes, teamed up with other departments, or used creative outreach tools like social media or hands-on experiences, we want to hear what’s worked (and what hasn’t). Come swap ideas, share your challenges, and leave with new strategies to help the next generation discover plant pathology.Target Audience:Any APS members who are instructors, as well as graduate and undergraduate students.
Organizer: Ronald D. French-Monar – USDA APHIS PPQ FO Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program
Moderator: John Bowman
This will be an opportunity for students and young career professionals to engage with several plant pathologists who have had significant experience in the world of international agricultural development. The experience will extend beyond the realm of just academic/research work done overseas, to areas such as private and public sector engagement, e.g., working abroad for multinational companies, participating in donor-driven projects on either the donor side (grant management) or the implementer side (program execution). The question of "how to get one's foot in the door" will be addressed, as well as special skills needed for international development work. Recent funding cuts to organizations such as USAID, MCC, Peace Corps, and USDA/FAS can be discussed from the perspective of "what other opportunities still remain?" In summary, this is an opportunity for young plant pathologists thinking about international work to be inspired and informed by panelists who already have had significant experiences with agricultural systems in the developing world.Target Audience:APS members interested in engaging in long or short term international career work, especially with an eye toward service to low-income countries.
Organizer: Deborah Groth-Helms – Agdia, Inc.
Moderator: Kylie Rau, n/a – Agdia, Inc., Elkhart, IN
Genetic sequences are freely published and traded to aid the plant pathology community in designing new tests for high consequence pests and for creating critical test controls to monitor the quality of testing performed. There are legal aspects to these sequences that are often overlooked in academia. Synthetic oligos have restrictions on their distribution and use per the fine print of the synthesizing manufacturer, More worrisome, precedent has been set in the EU for patenting the natural genomic sequence of viruses of concern to breeders. The effect of this precedent is that commercial and users are now required to pay royalties to the organization that first claims "discovery".. What can be done in the US to protect test developers and diagnosticians against IP liability?Target Audience:Test developers, Diagnostic laboratories, Private industry.
APS Committee Sponsoring the Proposed Session: Office of International Programs (OIP)
External Group Support/Co-Organization: None
Description: Protecting crop production from plant diseases to better ensure food security is a global issue. The relevance of "food security" becomes of increasing concern as the world's population grows and as issues such a climate change and political instability further disrupt farming and the lives of farmers, often in some of the most economically-challenged regions on Earth. With the external stress affecting agriculture comes greater need to protect crops from diseases. In this session, speakers who have first-hand experience with the threat of uncertainty on crop production in regions across the world will provide information on how such challenges are met. This session is not only for those interested in global affairs, but for all who wish to understand how our work in plant disease management becomes increasingly vital for future food security.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: This session unifies how global stresses, to include climate change, civil unrest, political instability, and emerging pest problems all affect food security and the need for improved strategies in disease management. The speakers, all from diverse backgrounds and heritage, are united in their message that collaboration is and will be key to meeting the issues faced by farmers and in agriculture.
APS Committee Sponsoring the Proposed Session: None
External Group Support/Co-Organization: None
Description: Extension specialists and agents seek to serve the stakeholder community by translating the results of both basic and applied research into actionable recommendations for optimizing crop production. This is done through providing resources focused on best agronomic practices and pest and disease management. They interact with community members and stakeholders and are often the most accessible and present members of a land-grant university. For a variety of reasons many states face high rates of turnover in Extension programs, particularly among Extension agents. This session seeks to present an Extension career as a viable option at the Bachelors, Masters, and PhD level to both undergraduate and graduate students, and to provide helpful insights into creating stable and successful Extension programs.
The session organizers will briefly explain the mission, purpose, and history of land-grant institutions. Invited professionals with significant Extension appointments will then describe the process of establishing Extension-centered outreach and research programs (including information on how to form productive relationships with other Extension personnel and leveraging the power of an Extension network), developing stakeholder relationships, and funding opportunities available for Extension research and education. The session will conclude with an open forum for discussion and questions moderated by the panel of invited speakers. Additionally, speakers will provide insight into mentoring graduate students and postdocs and managing laboratory personnel.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: Agricultural trade has become a global enterprise. The world's food system is heavily intertwined. Extension personnel are the boots on the ground helping to maximize food production through education and applied research. Growers are the foundation of the global food supply and Extension personnel are the bridge to translating basic and applied research into actionable recommendations, thus making them an integral part in addressing risk to food production systems. Additionally, a global food system inherently shares the good and the bad. Pests and pathogens are disseminated through global trade. Extension personnel are able to rapidly focus in on an emergent problem in order to provide timely recommendations to growers to manage novel pathogens and slow disease spread.
APS Committee Sponsoring the Proposed Session: Virology Committee
Vector-Pathogen Complexes Committee
External Group Support/Co-Organization: None
Description: Cross-kingdom viruses, despite their compact genomes, exhibit a remarkable ability to infect hosts across different biological kingdoms. They achieve this through mechanisms such as hijacking conserved cellular receptors and machinery, mutations in key proteins, and forming specific molecular interactions. These adaptations allow them to overcome plant defenses, enhance the fitness and efficiency of insect vectors, and exploit alternative or transient hosts. Their rapid emergence in recent years has highlighted the urgent need for innovative strategies—including advanced diagnostic tools and sustainable agricultural practices—to curb their spread and address the multi-billion-dollar crop losses that jeopardize global food and nutritional security.
This session, co-chaired by Drs Kiran Gadhave (Texas A&M University) and Daniel Hasegawa (USDA-ARS), will captivate a diverse audience by presenting cutting-edge research on plant pandemics caused by cross-kingdom viruses transmitted by insect vectors. It will comprehensively address major plant viruses spanning different genera—Orthotospovirus, Rhabdovirus, Begomovirus, Ketavirus and Dichorhaviruses—which are transmitted by various insect vectors such as thrips, leafhoppers, whiteflies and mites, affecting a wide range of hosts, from monocots to specialty crops. Featuring speakers from the US, India, and Brazil, the session emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary global collaborations to unravel the complex interactions between these viruses, their hosts, and vectors. The session will conclude with a 15-minute panel discussion led by the co-chairs, providing an opportunity to address audience questions and foster engaging conversations on how insights from various pathosystems can be leveraged to understand the rise of cross-kingdom viruses and their profound impacts on global agriculture and the economy.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: This session invites a diverse group of plant virologists and insect vector biologists to share their fundamental, applied, and translational research on cross-kingdom vector-borne viruses. The goal is to stimulate discussions that foster interdisciplinary collaborations around the theme “Global Communities Collaborating to Address Global Risk” of Plant Health 2025.
Organizer: Gayan Abeysinghe, PhD – Texas AandM University
Moderator: Gayan Abeysinghe, PhD – Texas AandM University
Moderator: Sanjay Antony-Babu – Texas A&M University
Plant health is traditionally viewed through the lens of pathogens. However, microbial interactions influencing plant health extend beyond pathogens, encompassing the complex roles played by associated microbial communities. Leveraging Leveau’s Plant Health Triangle Paradigm (Leveau, 2024), this Idea Café explores the often-overlooked microbial components; those that contribute to plant health deterioration and non-infectious. These include microbes that aid pathogen survival, delay symptom onset, compete for essential nutrients (e.g., nitrifiers), or are lost due to compromised plant function. Such dynamics often reflect a state of microbial dysbiosis, where the disruption of a balanced microbiome undermines plant vigor and resilience without directly causing disease.Target Audience:•Plant microbiologists and pathologists seeking to understand complex host-microbe & microbe-microbe interactions. •Microbial ecologists investigating functional community dynamics in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere. •Computational biologists and data scientists interested in applying AI/ML to multi-omics and ecological datasets. •Agricultural scientists and biocontrol researchers exploring microbiome-informed strategies for crop protection. •Graduate students and early-career researchers eager to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue on emerging paradigms in plant-microbe ecology. •Program managers, funding officers and industry personnel evaluating future directions in sustainable agriculture, microbiome research, and AI applications.
Organizer: Ronald D. French-Monar – USDA APHIS PPQ FO Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program
Moderator: Ronald D. French-Monar – USDA APHIS PPQ FO Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program
Promoting the plant health at the international level can be challenging. It involves disseminating plant health through Research, Teaching, and Extension and Outreach. With countries and their federal governments, state governments, agricultural universities and institutions, as well as private industry, international research centers, and non-governmental organizations also facing challenges, how to better reach plant pathologists and the global plant health community, has always been a challenge. This Idea Café will serve as a brainstorming session of how to better disseminate plant pathology and plant health at a time when we have social media, Artificial Intelligence, the internet, webinars, and other forms of communication that should make it possible to promoting plant health globally but yet needs to find a way to reach a larger scale. We will discuss conduits for disseminating plant health and the role of plant pathological societies, plant health societies, international agricultural research centers, non-profit organizations and foundations, and each one of us as ambassadors to our discipline. With participants giving ideas, their personal experience, and suggestions, the APS audience will familiarize themselves with international plant pathology efforts worldwide as well as institutions that are preventing the spread of pathogens and pests that could severely affect the agricultural production of a country and their ability to produce and sell certain crops.Target Audience:The audience should be interested in protecting the agriculture and natural resources of their country. All should have an interest or experience in working in international plant pathology and plant health.
Organizer: Dalvir Dhadly, MS – University of Georgia
Moderator: Dalvir Dhadly, MS – University of Georgia
Organizer: Carlton Fitz-Patrick Collins, n/a – University of Georgia
Moderator: Carlton Fitz-Patrick Collins, n/a – University of Georgia
Graduate school involves much more than research and classes; there is an entire set of unspoken skills and expectations that students are often left to figure out on their own. This session will create a space for graduate students and early-career researchers to talk about the “hidden curriculum” of academia, including things like managing advisor relationships, navigating departmental culture, building a professional network, handling rejection, and advocating for themselves. To guide the discussion and ensure a balanced perspective, the session will also include faculty members and professionals who have successfully mentored graduate students. Their insights will help connect student concerns with practical, institutional responses. While the discussion is geared toward graduate students, it will also be valuable for faculty, postdocs, and mentors interested in better understanding and supporting the student experience. By sharing experiences and advice, the session aims to build community, normalize common struggles, and help participants gain tools for navigating the less-visible parts of academic life.Target Audience:While the discussion is geared toward graduate students, it will also be valuable for faculty, postdocs, and mentors interested in better understanding and supporting the student experience.
Speaker: Jan Kreuze – International Potato Center
Join our Plenary Session on Tuesday afternoon and engage in important APS Society updates, and recognition of our outgoing and incoming Council members. You will then hear from plenary speaker Jan Kreuze. Jan Kreuze received his MSc in plant breeding at Wageningen Agricultural University in 1997, after which he spent half a year as a researcher at the Institute of Biotechnology at Helsinki University, working on the characterization of potato-infecting Streptomyces species and viruses of sweetpotato. He subsequently did his PhD degree in virology at the Institute of Plant Biology of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), characterizing synergistic interactions between viruses of sweetpotato, which he finalized in 2002. In 2003 he moved to the International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru, for a postdoc on generating transgenic resistance to sweet potato virus diseases and has been there ever since in various roles performing research on host-pathogen interactions, transgenic plants (both artificial and natural) and in more recent years viral diagnostics and metagenomics. Currently, he is heading the department for Regenerative Agriculture at CIP, the plant health and mycotoxin management area of work in the CGIAR Sustainable Farming Science Program, is an adjunct professor at the University of Helsinki, is an editor at the Journal Plant Pathology and member of the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses. He has published over 100 papers in international peer-reviewed journals and numerous book chapters.
Moderator: Javier Delgado
Speaker: Krystel Navarro – Corteva Agriscience
Speaker: Layton Peddicord – Corteva Agriscience
APS Committee Sponsoring the Proposed Session: Epidemiology Committee (Sponsoring )
Disease Surveillance and Pathogen Detection Methods (Co-Sponsoring )
Crop Loss Assessment and Risk Evaluation (Co-Sponsoring )
External Group Support/Co-Organization: None
Description: Global trade and shifting climate patterns are accelerating the spread of invasive plant diseases, presenting significant threats to agriculture, ecosystems, and global food security. This session explores advanced modeling techniques, including AI-driven analytics, network modeling, and remote sensing, that enable accurate predictions of disease emergence and cross-border movement. Attendees will learn how spatial models integrate international trade data, climate suitability factors, and host plant distributions to effectively forecast outbreaks under uncertainty.
Through real-world case studies, the session will highlight user-friendly platforms and communication strategies that engage decision-makers ranging from policy officials to agricultural producers. Presenters will demonstrate tools designed to guide proactive surveillance efforts and optimal intervention strategies, illustrating the tangible benefits of interdisciplinary and international collaboration. With a strong focus on practical application, global data sharing, and stakeholder involvement, the session provides actionable knowledge valuable to professionals involved in plant disease monitoring, policymaking, and management.
Participants will leave with a clear, forward-looking perspective on utilizing state-of-the-art modeling approaches to promote plant health in our increasingly interconnected world.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: This session is intrinsically aligned with the Plant Health 2025 theme, "Global Communities Collaborating to Address Global Risks," by emphasizing the critical role of international collaboration in predicting and managing the spread of invasive plant diseases, an urgent global risk exacerbated by international trade and climate change.
By bringing together experts from various countries and disciplines—including plant pathologists, epidemiologists, and data scientists—we foster a collaborative environment where insights, data, and strategies are shared across borders. The session highlights the importance of open, globally available databases and international trade data in facilitating cross-border data sharing and analysis. By showcasing how international scientific collaboration and data sharing can enhance our collective capacity to promote plant health, we emphasize the critical importance of building bridges between research communities, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to develop more effective, coordinated responses to emerging plant health threats.
Addressing global risks through innovative strategies is at the core of this session. We demonstrate how innovative models like PoPS Global and Webidemics can forecast disease spread, optimize control strategies, and inform global surveillance efforts. Leveraging network analysis, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and aerosol transport modeling, we present state-of-the-art approaches to assessing global disease susceptibility and managing risks on a global scale. These advanced techniques improve predictive capabilities and support proactive responses to emerging threats.
The session contributes to enhancing global plant health by focusing on strategies to prevent and control the spread of invasive pests and pathogens, thereby safeguarding agriculture, ecosystems, and food security. By providing tools and models that inform policy decisions and management strategies, we aid countries in implementing effective biosecurity measures. Sharing user-friendly interfaces and communication strategies empowers stakeholders worldwide to understand and act upon complex epidemiological information, fostering capacity building and education.
Finally, the session fosters a global community committed to plant health by encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration among different fields, enhancing the development of comprehensive solutions to plant health challenges. By addressing the needs of policymakers, regulators, growers, and researchers, we promote a unified effort to tackle global risks. Aligning with the meeting's goal, the session is part of a worldwide movement dedicated to safeguarding plant health through shared knowledge and collaborative action.
In summary, by integrating advanced modeling techniques with international cooperation and effective communication, this session exemplifies how global communities can work together to address and mitigate the risks posed by invasive plant diseases. It supports the Plant Health 2025 theme by fostering collaboration, promoting innovative strategies, and contributing to a worldwide movement dedicated to enhancing global plant health.
APS Sponsoring Committee: Mycotoxicology Committee
External Group Support/Co-Organization: None
Description: Our present world is marked by rapid and often polarizing technological advancements, environmental changes, and societal shifts. As climate change and globalization drive the global spread of plant pathogens and diseases, maintaining food and feed safety, security, and quality is increasingly challenging yet critical to support the demands of our growing world. Fortunately, rapid advances in technologies can mitigate these threats. However, adoption of new technologies is often hampered by a lack of knowledge and/or cultural acceptance. Mycotoxins are a food safety threat worldwide, posing acute risks to human and livestock health and agricultural economics. Regions with limited resources and/or knowledge of mycotoxins are at a greater risk for harm. In our ever-changing world, managing mycotoxins presents a unique challenge. However, we also have a unique opportunity to leverage global connections to integrate cutting edge research with cultural knowledge and precise communication strategies, allowing us to develop sustainable methods to mitigate mycotoxin contamination. This Special Session will explore translational research in mycotoxin management, including breeding for host resistance to mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxin accumulation, novel food storage practices, advanced decontamination techniques, and sustainable biocontrols. Further, this Session will examine effective communication strategies to increase mycotoxin knowledge and risk management globally, across pipelines from farmers to policy makers. This section will discuss the socio-economic challenges of mycotoxin management, particularly in developing countries. Together, we will explore how precise communication-based strategies can be used to increase (1) governmental knowledge and support, (2) education/training for key target audiences (e.g., educators, health professionals, producers), and (3) public awareness. Together, this Session will highlight the need for global cooperation and capacity building to ensure equitable and effective mycotoxin control measures.
Plant Health 2025 Theme: Our Special Session, “Leveraging Diverse Knowledge to Address Socio-Economic Disparities in Mycotoxin Management Worldwide” directly aligns with the Plant Health 2025 theme of “Global Communities Collaborating to Address Global Risks”. We focus on sustainable and equitable mycotoxin management, emphasizing innovative technologies, global collaboration, cultural knowledge, and communication. This includes:
1. Breeding and host resistance: Breeding for host resistance to mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxin accumulation. Showcasing cutting-edge, translational research that bridges the gap from identifying sources of host resistance (genetic and metabolomic) with selecting, deploying, and applying more resistant cultivars. This section will also highlight the challenges for breeding against mycotoxin contamination.
2. Global spread of disease: Highlighting advanced mycotoxin control and decontamination techniques designed to cope with increased mycotoxin contamination risks due to climate change (e.g., Europe).
3. Culture, communications, and global connections: Addressing the socio-economic challenges of mycotoxin management, particularly in developing countries. Exemplifying community-based research, citizen science, and context-sensitive interventions to address socio-economic disparities in mycotoxin management and mitigate mycotoxin exposure (e.g., Africa, Southeast Asia). Emphasizing how culturally appropriate and strategic communication can be used to increase government support, target audience education (e.g., educators, health professionals, producers), and public awareness to improve food and feed safety and public health outcomes (e.g., Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America).
Our Session’s focus on innovative, culturally appropriate, communication-based strategies for mycotoxin management, and its emphasis on global collaboration for sustainable outcomes, exemplifies the vision of the Plant Health 2025 theme. By exploring these groundbreaking approaches, we aim to significantly contribute to enhancing and safeguarding global plant health for a more sustainable tomorrow.
Sponsored By:
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