Homeland Security
The Plant Protection and Weed Control Program is the state government agency responsible for protecting Kansas plant resources from agroterrorism.
Four of the eight select agents identified by USDA as potential bioterrorism threats have the potential to impact Kansas agriculture. They are:
- Java downy mildew, caused by Sclerophthora rayssiae var. zeae
- Philippine downy mildew, caused by Peronosclerospora philippinesis
- bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, race 3, biovar 2
- potato wart, caused by Synchytrium endobioticum
Staff are alert to these select agents as they perform plant pest surveillance activities.
In cooperation with USDA, program staff participated in an emergency response effort to the introduction of bacterial wilt in Kansas in 2004. Infected plants had been received in the state and staff worked to successfully eradicate the infestations.
Program staff have been working on two major projects (linked via the navigation bar) to assist in an emergency response. They are preparing the "Kansas Plant Resource Biosecurity Response Guidelines" and development of a mobile diagnostic laboratory.