Food and Fertilizer Technology Center - News

Date: October 20-22, 2012

Venue: Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan

Organizers: Food and Fertilizer Technology Center and Tokyo University of Agriculture

Background
The Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) caused by plant pathogens are those whose incidences increase following their appearance in a new, or previously existed but controlled, host population. This is a result of changes in introduction of the pathogen to new locations, development of new strains of the pathogen, introduction of highly efficient pathogen vectors, or farming practices. EIDs can develop into unexpected and very serious epidemics, owing to the complex interaction of ecological changes of host and pathogen or vector populations, and genetic changes due to evolution of the pathogen and/or hosts and vectors. EIDs, especially in this era of climate change, globalization and international trade, further aggravate the already significant food crop loss due to prevailing pests and diseases; of which the economic and social impact in developing countries is often underestimated.

The purpose of this Seminar is to leverage the experience of experts on food crop EIDs in Asia. The invited speakers will provide overviews or state-of-the-art research addressing different aspects of food crop EIDs in the Asian region. The topics include: 1) monitoring (identification, diagnostics, pathogen virulence and diversity); 2) management practices (impact of EIDs, host diversity, control measures); 3) host resistance (pre-emptive breeding); and 4) quarantine. Hopefully the Seminar will lead to a close collaboration among participants in the development of effective control strategies for certain food crop EIDs.