Plant Pathology Laboratory
The Plant Pathology Laboratory at the Alaska Plant Materials Center provides diagnostic services and disease management support to the PMC and the Division of Agriculture. Information is gathered on disease resistance and management during variety trials. We also perform outreach to growers around the state, including disease surveys, diagnostics and management recommendations.
PMC Programs
- PMC Home Page
- Horticulture
- Industrial Hemp
- Invasive Plants
- Plant Pathology
- Potatoes
- Potato Program
- Certified Seed Potato Production
- Disease Risk Monitoring
- Publications and Reports
- Late Blight Management Plan for Alaska, 2005
- AK Seed Potato Certification Handbook, 2017
- 2018 AK Certified Seed Potato Growers
- 2018 Potato Postharvest Processing Evaluation Report
- 2013 Potato Variety Trial Project
- 2015 Field Potato Evaluation
- 2016 Potato Germplasm Winter Growout
- Download .zip video of 2014 Potato Symposium Meeting
- Resources
- Revegetation
- Seed Production
- Soil Conservation
- Publication List
- Native Plant Source Directory
- PMC Staff Directory
- PMC Weather Station
5310 S Bodenburg Spur
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: 907-745-4469
Fax: 907-746-1568
Mon. - Fri.
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Click Map For Directions
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Current Projects
Current projects include work on pathogens of apple, garlic, onion, native grasses, peony and potato. We also conduct pathogen testing for tissue culture plantlets and field material of potatoes. This includes testing for multiple potato viruses, as well as bacterial ringrot (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus). Our lab procedures include culturing of bacteria and fungi, microscopic examination, serological assays (antibody-based testing) and nucleic-acid based testing.
Plant Diseases
Plants are affected by disease in many ways, including: reductions in yield, quality, aesthetics, marketability and longevity. Disease may be caused by bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, nematodes, parasitic plants, viruses and abiotic factors such as nutrient stress or environmental conditions. Some disease-causing organisms are transmissible through seed or other propagative material. Disease is often thought of as a triangle consisting of a susceptible host, virulent pathogen and favorable environment. Inclusion of a time element creates a pyramid. Changing any of these factors influences disease development and how much damage occurs.
