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In this Issue: June 15, 2004 |
| Wheat Disease Updates |
| New Option for Paying for Diagnostic Lab Fees |
| Plant Diagnostic Information System |
Wheat Disease UpdatesHigh Plains Virus: Over the last two weeks there were reports in the media (newspapers and radio) on the occurrence of a "new" virus in the Kansas wheat crop. Symptomatic plants appeared to be doubly infected with Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. However, when assayed they tested negative against antisera for both viruses as well as any of the six viruses for which we routinely screen (WSMV, BYDV-PAV, WYMV-spindle streak, SBWMV, AWStMV, and High Plains Virus). Dallas Seifers at KSU (Hays) has been working on this and using molecular techniques has determined that the "new" virus is a variant of the High Plains Virus. We had several fields test positive for HPV using the standard antisera we've used for the last few years. It appears that more than one strain was prevalent this year. Whether or not this strain will be present next year cannot be predicted at this point. It is not unusual for variants of pathogens to become prevalent in one year and then not be found for many subsequent years. Variations in the weather can select for different strains of pathogens based on their temperature tolerance. This may explain the occurrence of the variant of HPV this year. I'll keep you posted as we learn more about this new strain of HPV. Common Bunt: Common bunt is being reported from some areas. If you are saving seed from a field that has either loose smut or common bunt, you should consider using a seed-applied fungicide prior to planting that seed in the fall. Failure to do this allows the pathogen populations to increase each year resulting in increasing disease levels each year. Higher than expected levels of loose smut were observed in several counties in south west Kansas. (Stack)
New Option for Paying for Diagnostic Lab FeesWe now offer credit card services to our Diagnostic Lab Clients. We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express. You can use this on a one time basis or for all of your county transactions. Please call me for more details. As always, you can still pay with Cash, Check or Interdepartmental Voucher. When making payments, you should include the invoice/lab/ sample number. This makes posting to the correct account much easier. For those of you who completed the training earlier this year, please remember to use your coupons/ stickers for samples you submit to the Diagnostic lab. Having these placed directly on the checksheet helps us enter billing information more efficiently. However if you forget to send the sticker with the sample, simply place the sticker on the invoice you receive and return it. We must have the physical sticker in order to prove to the auditors how these transactions are being completed. (Diana)
Plant Diagnostic Information SystemAre you using this new system at your county yet? Do you need training or additional assistance on how to use it? We are here to help you. This new system is in full swing now. If you send in a physical sample with a checksheet, the Diagnostic Lab enters the sample into PDIS and you will get your results via PDIS. PDIS now allows you to retrieve your results and invoices without logging in. The email you receive takes you directly to the report as well as having the report imported directly into the text of the email. We hope these changes are beneficial to you. We are striving to build a user-friendly, efficient system and any input you may have is welcome. It was your comments/concerns that got us where we are today so, please don’t hesitate to give us a call with your questions or concerns about PDIS. (Extension Group) |
| Sincerely,
James P. Stack E-mail: jstack@.ksu.edu |
Kansas State
University K-State Research and Extension Department Of Plant Pathology 4024 Throckmorton Manhattan, Kansas 66506-5505 Phone: (785) 532-5810 FAX: (785) 532-5692 |
Extension Plant Pathology, KSU, County Extension Councils and U. S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. All educational programs and materials available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. |
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