“Harnessing Culture Collections for Improved Plant Health” workshop – ICPP 2023

December 20, 2022
August 20, 2023

Location

Lyon, France

Satellite Event of

12th International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICCP2023)

Organized in Collaboration with

International Alliance for Phytobiomes Research

Time

8:30am – 12:00pm

Outline

This workshop will identify the diversity of culture collections and explore how these living microbial stock collections are being used to improve plant health.

We will present successful strategies and tools that are being used with these essential biological resources to further plant health research. We will discuss proper maintenance and curation of collections, how these essential stocks support plant growth within changing environments, disease diagnostics; and combat biotic and abiotic stresses.

The fundamental knowledge gained with this session will support and enhance efforts that are underway to broaden and strengthen the U.S. and European collection community and their networks.

Fee

  • €50 for ICPP2023 Congress attendees
  • €100 for non-ICPP2023 Congress attendees (satellite event only)
  • Lunch not included

Agenda

08:30 – Welcome and Introductions – Dusti Gallagher, USCCN Project Manager

08:35 – Rick Bennett, University of Kentucky & USCCN Steering Committee, USA
U.S. Culture Collections Network overview AbstractSlides

08:50 – Kirk Broders, USDA/ARS/NRRL, Peoria, IL, USA
The USDA-ARS Culture Collection as a strategic resource for plant health researchAbstract

09:15 – Andrew Aspin, NCPPB, UK
Cultural bacterial plant pathogens, standards for housing and reference Abstract

09:40 – Bob Shatters, USDA/ARS European Biological Control Lab, Montpellier, FR
The importance of culture collections as resources for novel sources of biocontrol agents – Abstract

10:05 – David Ingham, AgBiome, USA
Industry perspective on microbial culture collections:  Success stories and future needs – Slides

10:30 – Break

11:00 – Perrine Portier, INRAE, FR
Challenges and opportunities in operating a plant-associated bacteria collection Abstract

11:25 – Panel discussion – All presenters – Rick Bennet & Neha Potnis, moderators
What does the research community need from culture collections?
Where is the science headed?
What services are needed?
What is the best way to provide needed services?
Should new strategies/preservation methods be developed?

12:00 – Wrap-up & Adjourn

Report

This was the first in-person USCCN workshop since the 2020 COVID pandemic. USCCN Steering Committee members Neha Potnis and Rick Bennett, and Program Manager Dusti Gallagher hosted and participated in the workshop.

Approximately 20 researchers and industry members attended the event. Presentations covered USCCN, its role and priorities; how the scientific community can engage the vast and diverse collections of bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes in the public and private sector to control plant pathogens, identify biocontrol agents, and enhance plant health research. A private industry perspective, its success stories and future needs was also presented. The workshop culminated with an open panel discussion between the speakers and attendees to consider the needs of the research and culture collections communities and how they can work together to accomplish plant health goals.