2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The long-term goal of this integrated project is to increase early and accurate detection of high-impact plant pathogens. The specific objectives are:. 1)Research – Adaptation of existing plant pathogen protocols for use in diagnostic laboratories and the production of high-quality, standardized controls;. 2)Extension – Develop and disseminate disease-specific sample submission information to increase the quality and quantity of important plant disease samples;. 3)Evaluation – Determine the success and impact of the research and extension portions by using surveys of end-users and assessment of data generated by research and extension projects. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) This project will focus on developing or adapting diagnostic protocols for the following high-impact plant pathogens:. 1)Raffaellea lauricola;. 2)Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici;. 3)Phytophthora ramorum;. 4)Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus;. 5)three major virus genera (Crinivirus, Begomovirus and Potyvirus). Available diagnostic protocols based on PCR will be tested and modified where necessary in order to adapt to a plant diagnostic clinic setting. Positive controls will be developed for each of the assays. DNA extractions methods will be improved and modified for efficient and high-throughput laboratories. Internal controls will be developed to verify assay conditions. Bead-based PCR reagents will be developed. Assays will be verified in test laboratories. Training activities (workshops, development of online materials and printed materials) will be developed and deployed for diagnosticians. 3.Progress Report This project is part of a larger program to develop and deploy rapid molecular diagnostic assays for the wheat stem rust pathogen (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici). Markers have been developed to four regions of the genome and that show specificity for Ug99 and related races of this fungal pathogen. These four target regions were cloned and sequenced from representative isolates of wheat stem rust fungus. Regular e-mails and conference calls were used to monitor progress of this project.