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INVESTIGATOR: Colova (Tsolova), V. M.; Ananga, A.; Leong, S.; Legaspi, J.; Mobley, R.; Jacono, C.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32307

BUILDING CAPACITY FOR CLEAN PLANT DIAGNOSTIC OF GRAPE & SMALL FRUITS AT FAMU TO ENHANCE RESEARCH & EXTENSION IN FLORIDA & SOUTHEASTERN US

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The rapid expansions of wine industry in Florida and southeastern U.S. have already predisposed the viticulture enterprise to several disease problems such as Eutypa dieback, Crown gall, leafroll and Pierce's disease. Due to the detrimental impact of these diseases, we have identified them as the high priority diseases for research and extension in the state and the region. Our strategic location in the Southeast region coupled with our success in working with the American native grapes and being part of the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) for Grape mandate us to develop Diagnostic Facility for American Native Grapes. This project is intended to conduct applied research for grape and small fruits disease diagnostic in NIFA's Emphasis Areas of Plants Sciences, Biotechnology and Pest Management; to build human capacity by improving research training and experiential learning of junior faculty and graduate students at Florida A & M University and to develop "Diagnostic Facility for American Native Grapes" serving as a centralized research support unit and student training platform in pathogen screening and prevention and extension program development for grape clean plant material (Program's Need Area: 2b. and 3c.). Our program will impact the state and the southern viticulture industry by providing key pathogen testing and diagnostic of diseases transmitted with planting stock and associated research, methods development and education and outreach for extension personnel and nursery producers. Developing of a "Diagnostic Facility for American Native Grapes" at FAMU will complement the national efforts to enhance the overall supply of clean plant material for grape and other specialty crops.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this capacity building effort is to enhance and strengthen research, teaching, and extension programs at CAFS, FAMU in agriculture science by focusing on a comprehensive screening and diagnostic of grapevine diseases to ensure that our Certified Mother Blocks are maintained disease-free for propagation, and clean plant material is distributed to growers for the sustainability of grape and wine industry in the state of Florida and Southeastern U.S. Maintaining the sanitary status of certified clean plants will offer competitive advantage to nurseries in the southeast region and increased sales of planting materials to growers within and outside Florida leading to maximized profits. To achieve this objective, we will revolve around following specific objectives:  To build institutional capacity and conduct research and service in plant disease testing and diagnostic;  To survey the existing vineyards and nursery producers in the region for occurrence of transmitted through planting stock diseases;  To provide diagnostics of economically important muscadine and American native hybrid varieties by focusing on viruses, crown gall, Eutypa, and Pierce's disease;  To minimize the economic losses by implementing Community of Practice (CoP) extension service for grape clean planting stock and disease best management practices programs. The success of our project will "advance the body of knowledge" in disease diagnostic and sanitary status of the American native grapes and will help the regional grape and wine industry to grow and sustain.