Sick plants? Don’t guess, test
Last year, the University
of Rhode Island’s Plant Protection Clinic turned over a new leaf.
At the URI Cooperative Extension’s Plant
Diagnostic Laboratory, Keiddy Urrea-Morawicki
is ready to answer your plant questions. (URI Photos)
Formerly known as the URI “plant protection clinic,” it has
undergone a slight name change showcasing its technological expertise in the
diagnosis of plant issues, while joining the larger accrediting body of such
plant diagnostic labs.
The team’s focus on finding plant-related answers, however,
remains the same, combining a science and community service mindset.
URI’s Plant Diagnostic Lab has a new name, showcasing its
technological expertise in the diagnosis of plant issues.
“We want to help people avoid guesswork and get real answers
to their plant problems and questions,” says Keiddy Urrea-Morawicki, recently
appointed director of the laboratory.
The lab serves commercial growers, nurseries, landscape
professionals and the general public. A modest $20 fee covers the cost of
testing, diagnosis and recommendations, and helps support the lab.
URI’s laboratory is part of the National Plant Diagnostic
Network found at most land-grant institutions. Interest in the resources of
these plant diagnostic laboratories expanded in the wake of 9/11 to protect
United States agriculture. Plant diseases were not only topics of interest for
curious green thumbs, they were security risks with geopolitical impact and
considerations.
Lisa Townson, associate dean in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, says, “Between the Plant Diagnostic Lab and our Integrated Pest Management lab, URI’s Cooperative Extension is working hard to protect our landscape and crops from damaging plant pathogens and insects.”
“It’s more than a pathogen ID,” Urrea-Morawicki says. “Now
that all of our labs must be accredited and connected, we can really increase
our diagnostic capabilities.”
She says the clinic’s name change came as it transitioned
from clinic to laboratory status and credits the former director, Heather
Faubert, for invaluable connections in the field and making the program a
resource for URI and Rhode Island.
She points out some of the lab’s new equipment—possibly
URI’s cutest autoclave and a new biosafety cabinet, something that other labs
in the region had but URI’s Plant Diagnostic Lab did not.
The laboratory now sports a more modern upgrade that puts it
in line with goals as part of the larger plant diagnostic network. The lab’s
service fee lets it offer more services for customers on and off campus. On URI
Day of Giving, Urrea-Morawicki was also pleased to get some direct
contributions from growers, the general public and URI community members for
the lab.
The changes not only benefit local growers and gardeners,
they are utilized by URI scientists across campus, and let Urrea-Morawicki do
all analysis right on site.
Elizabeth Leibovitz in the College of Pharmacy’s Medicinal
Garden recently sent in an agave sample for analysis.
“Keiddy is a tremendous resource,” she says. “The plant lab
as a resource is extremely helpful in deciding which management decisions to
make with our plants. Correctly diagnosing the issue is the first step in
deciding what action to take. Some of my plants are rare so I am very glad to
have Keiddy’s expertise on hand.”
Urrea-Morawicki has assistance in the lab from Leia
Fagundes, an animal science major from Taunton, Massachusetts. Fagundes first
came to the lab with the help of a fellowship from the Imondi Family (Deborah
’82 ’86) and has stayed on as a part-time worker.
“Leia has been a huge help,” Urrea-Morawicki says. “Her lab
background has been very beneficial. She came in knowing how to do the basics
of microbiology and laboratory work, which was a huge asset.”
“This might seem like a silly, small thing that I’ve
learned,” Fagundes comments, “but something that surprised me when I first
started working in the lab was just realizing that yeah, plants get
sick, too!”
“I never realized that seeing abnormal spotting or
discolorations on a tree’s leaves meant evidence of a pathogen growing on that
tree. If you look even closer, you may see black dots that are the fungus’
fruiting bodies (a very tiny mushroom essentially). It gave me that wow
feeling, realizing that there are things you see in everyday life that you
don’t think much about, but now you understand.”
The front lines of plant pathology
Additional funding could expand the lab’s capabilities and
help the lab analyze the impact of climate change and other important threats,
to protect food supplies and help address challenges faced in agriculture. The
lab can also help Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management and
local nurseries track plant pathogens before they take root. Plant scientists
are on the front lines of change and outbreaks before most people see them.
Urrea-Morawicki is also building relationships with farmers,
landscape maintenance professionals, and others in the local green industry.
Having a readily known local resource encourages those in the field to report
problems for diagnosis and analysis.
Rebecca Brown, chair of URI’s department of plant sciences
and entomology, is glad to see the resource expand at URI.
“We live in an era of rapid climate change, which is leading
to changes in the stresses that plants experience,” she says. “Having the Plant
Diagnostic Lab and being part of the national diagnostic network allows us to
quickly and accurately identify new problems and keep abreast of potential
insect and pathogen issues.”
What the laboratory is seeing is changing. With warmer
weather and milder winters, the lab is seeing new and increased soil-borne
pathogens under its microscopes.
Urrea-Morawicki says her lab can be a resource for the
state’s growers, of all sizes, as they navigate these challenges.
“We are trying to educate people,” she says. “When they know
the causal agent of the plant problem, they will lose less money and time and
can prevent issues in the future. Plant pest identification is the first step
in managing the problem. This is a service that can help you.”
URI’s Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the URI
Cooperative Extension Service, is located next to the University’s Agronomy
Farm on Thirty Acre Pond Road in Kingston. Learn more and find forms and
guidelines here or contact PlantLab@uri.edu.
