ARS | Publication request: What do plant pathologists want from the Fungal Barcoding Initiative?

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 3, 2009
Publication Date: June 15, 2009
Citation: Rossman, A.Y. 2009. What do plant pathologists want from the Fungal Barcoding Initiative?. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: Plant pathologists want from the Fungal Barcoding Initiative what everyone wants, specifically a fast, accurate identification of their causal plant pathogen resulting in a scientific name that synthesizes current knowledge of that organism. It sounds so easy! Yet, accurate DNA barcodes can only be developed once the fungal pathogen and related species have been adequately defined, characterized and placed in their phylogenetic context. For some groups of plant pathogens and many serious disease-causing fungi the systematic foundation for developing DNA barcodes for species does not exist. While for other groups such as the genus Phytophthora that have recently received considerable attention developing DNA barcodes is possible. The quest to develop DNA barcodes for plant pathogens will result in highlighting those groups that are in serious need of systematic attention. With knowledge of the most threatening pathogens, it may be possible to develop DNA barcodes for use by plant quarantine diagnosticians such that incoming plant products and germplasm can be declared safe prior to shipment saving time and money while protecting U.S. agriculture and natural resources.