3.2: Reduce Pest, Insect, Weed, and Disease Outbreaks

Develop and Deliver Science-Based Information and Technologies To Reduce the Number and Severity of Agricultural Pest, Insect, Weed, and Disease Outbreaks

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Economic sustainability of agricultural crop and livestock systems and participation in global markets is limited by the disease status of crops and livestock. Many factors affect the likelihood of diseases to crops and livestock. These include globalization and international commerce, presence of pathogen vectors, industrialization of agriculture, availability of vaccines and protection systems, movements of animals during production, continued emergence of new diseases, genetic resistance of crops and livestock, and the availability of trained plant and animal health specialists. Livestock production systems are in transition from open and extensive systems to more closely monitored intensive management systems but remain vulnerable to accidental and intentional exposure to pathogens. Many of these pathogens are zoonotic and affect public health. Crops have limited diversity and will remain vulnerable to intentional exposure to pathogens. New science-based approaches to protection of crops and livestock are necessary to meet the demands of new production systems and new threats to agriculture. ARS has a critical role in providing the science basis for biosecurity and disease management, developing optimal agricultural practices, understanding emerging diseases, and transferring knowledge and technologies to producers and crop and animal health professionals. Performance Measures: 3.2.1: Provide scientific information to protect animals from pests, infectious diseases, and other disease-causing entities that affect animal and human health. Baseline: 2002 – The pathogenicity, virulence determinants, and transmission mechanisms of animal pathogens are studied to improve biosecurity and disease management. Target: 2007 – Increase the delivery of dependable high quality scientific information to customers, stakeholders, and partners. New discoveries and technologies will be effectively communicated to improve the management of diseases that affect the livestock, poultry, and which may affect public health. Effective communication will be achieved by publishing in highly regarded scientific journals and trade publications and on the Internet and through presentations at industry meetings. 3.2.2: Identify, develop, and release to the U.S. agricultural community genetic markers, genetic lines, breeds, or germplasm that result in food animals with improved (either through traditional breeding or biotechnology) pest- and disease-resistance traits. Baseline: 2002 – Initiated the identification of genetic markers that are associated with resistance to parasites and infectious diseases (e.g., avian coccidiosis, Ostertagia, Marek’s disease). Identified and implemented the use of new and improved technologies for selecting animals with disease-resistance traits. Target: 2007 – Release new and improved genetic lines, breeds, and/or germplasm of food animals that exhibit enhanced pest- and disease-resistance traits. 3.2.3: Develop and transfer tools to the agricultural community, commercial partners, and Federal agencies to control or eradicate domestic and exotic diseases that affect animal and human health. Baseline: 2002 – Completed the genomic sequencing of some domestic and exotic pathogens and identified unique sequences that are potential targets for diagnostic and vaccine development. Target: 2007 – Develop diagnostic and preventative tools to control and/or eradicate domestic and exotic diseases that affect production, trade, and public health. Provide action agencies with data to support risk analyses to assess the impact of domestic and exotic diseases and develop control and eradication strategies. 3.2.4: Develop and release to potential users varieties and/or germplasm of agriculturally important plants that are new or provide significantly improved (either through traditional breeding or biotechnology) characteristics enhancing pest or disease resistance. Baseline: 2002 – Developed molecular diagnostics for classification of diseases that threaten economically significant plants and established more effective technologies for selecting plants with disease resistance to Sclerotinia, downy mildew, rusts, and exotic viral diseases. Target: 2007 – Make available reliable diagnostic molecular assays to detect and identify emerging diseases and pests. Primers and probes are developed and protocols established for validation by State action agencies and cooperators. 3.2.5: Provide fundamental and applied scientific information and technology to protect agriculturally important plants from pests and diseases. Baseline: 2002 – Cultural and management practices have been studied and improvements explored that will provide additional protection for agriculturally important plants from diseases, pests, pathogens, insects and/or weeds. Target: 2007 – Specific information and technology will be available to producers to control disease and pest outbreaks as they occur. Strategies and approaches will be available to producers to control emerging crop diseases and pest outbreaks. 3.2.6: Provide needed scientific information and technology to producers of agriculturally important plants in support of exclusion, detection and early eradication; control and monitoring of invasive insects, weeds and pathogens; and restoration of affected areas. Conduct biologically based integrated and areawide management of key invasive species. Baseline: 2002 – Developed and implemented strategies for management of key invasive pest species such as Asian longhorned beetle, leafy spurge, melaleuca, and other species. Providing data in support of APHIS and other action agencies. Conducting six areawide pest management programs for insects and weeds. Increasing systematic capabilities for rust diseases and insect pests. Developing data for use in risk analyses of biological control agents, particularly with regard to modeling prediction of risk and protection of non-target species. NAL operates www.invasivespecies.gov web portal. Target: 2007 – Knowledge and understanding of the ecology, physiology, epidemiology, and molecular biology of emerging diseases and pests will be improved. This knowledge will be incorporated into pest-risk assessments and management strategies to minimize chemical inputs and increase production.

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