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Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, June 2006, p. 450-471, Vol. 70, No. 2
1092-2172/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/MMBR.00022-05
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Plant Pathogen Forensics: Capabilities, Needs, and Recommendations

J. Fletcher,^1* C. Bender,¹ B. Budowle,² W. T. Cobb,³ S. E. Gold,⁴ C. A. Ishimaru,^5, D. Luster,⁶ U. Melcher,¹ R. Murch,^7, H. Scherm,⁴ R. C. Seem,⁸ J. L. Sherwood,⁴ B. W. Sobral,⁹ and S. A. Tolin¹⁰

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma,¹ Federal Bureau of Investigation, Quantico, Virginia,² Cobb Consulting Services, Kennewick, Washington,³ University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia,⁴ Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado,⁵ USDA-ARS, Ft. Detrick, Maryland,⁶ Institute for Defense Analysis, Alexandria, Virginia,⁷ Cornell University, Geneva, New York,⁸ Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia,⁹ Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia,¹⁰

A biological attack on U.S. crops, rangelands, or forests could reduce yield and quality, erode consumer confidence, affect economic health and the environment, and possibly impact human nutrition and international relations. Preparedness for a crop bioterror event requires a strong national security plan that includes steps for microbial forensics and criminal attribution. However, U.S. crop producers, consultants, and agricultural scientists have traditionally focused primarily on strategies for prevention and management of diseases introduced naturally or unintentionally rather than on responding appropriately to an intentional pathogen introduction. We assess currently available information, technologies, and resources that were developed originally to ensure plant health but also could be utilized for postintroduction plant pathogen forensics. Recommendations for prioritization of efforts and resource expenditures needed to enhance our plant pathogen forensics capabilities are presented.

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* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 127 Noble Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078. Phone: (405) 744-9948. Fax: (405) 744-6039. E-mail: jacqueline.fletcher{at}okstate.edu.

Present address: University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn.

Present address: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Alexandria, Va.

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Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, June 2006, p. 450-471, Vol. 70, No. 2
1092-2172/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/MMBR.00022-05
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

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