2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Miami-Dade County ranks number one in ornamental nursery and landscape production within the state of Florida, which leads the nation in production of tropical foliage in the US. Higher value of ornamental crops relies heavily on their aesthetic appearance. Hence, there is no room for plant damages due to either plant diseases or management injuries. Both abiotic (non-pathogenic causes) and biotic factors (plant pathogens) can negatively impact ornamental plant health status. This is why the UF/IFAS Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic located in Homestead, FL is one important resource for local horticultural community. Growers, landscapers, pest control operators and horticulturists submit samples on daily basis for an accurate and non-biased diagnosis. A collaboration between UF/IFAS Extension Commercial Ornamental Program and UF/IFAS Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic has started to develop annual reports of current plant diseases for dissemination during Extension workshops for commercial clientele in south Florida. In 2016 only, 550 symptomatic ornamental crop samples were submitted for proper diagnosis, and 66% (n=365) of the damage of those symptomatic plants were caused by biotic agents while the remaining were diagnosed as abiotic agents. From all pathogenic samples, fungal pathogens accounted for 39%, oomycetes for 15%, bacteria for 10% and viruses for 2% of identification records. UF/IFAS Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic is a source of early detection of new invasive or established plant pathogens. An accurate identification and characterization of plant pathogen and the diseases they cause is the first and most important step in successful and effective integrated pest management (IPM) together with leading to a continuous collaboration with Extension educational programs towards green industry commercial producer’s education.