Introduction

This "online guide" contains the A to Z text sections and many articles from the PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook. The ability to request a search provides access to these text sections in ways never before possible. The addition of color photographs also enhances the use of these sections for plant disease diagnosis. The fact sheet button is intended to create a similar but new disease page by striping out much of the computer driven features. The result is something you can send to your printer and distribute to your clientele as needed.

This guide is intended as a reference of the control and management tactics for important plant diseases in the Pacific Northwest. No attempt has been made to include all of the plant diseases that could possibly occur in the PNW. The specific cultural, biological and chemical recommendations are intended for a specific plant disease but may not always be appropriate under all production circumstances. The synthesis of a specific management recommendation should be done by a qualified individual. For this reason, this book should be used by - and has been expressly written for - County Extension agents, consultants, field and nursery people, and chemical industry representatives.

Growers also will find this publication useful but should contact their local county Extension agent or consultant for specific recommendations. Management of plant diseases is based first on an accurate diagnosis since plant problems can be due to environmental, physiologic, entomological or management problems as well as plant pathogens or a combination of these problems. Organic growers will concentrate on cultural and biological control measures but should realize that many compounds listed under chemical control are "natural"- that is, not synthetically produced-and are permitted for organic production. These products are signified with an and are based on the National Organic Standards of allowed substances for plant disease control (Subpart G - Administrative 205.601). Please check with your local certifying agency to verify what is allowed or regulated.

Master gardeners and homeowners may find this publication useful. However, many of the compounds listed under chemical control are available only to licensed applicators. Compounds available to homeowners can easily be obtained at local garden centers and supply stores. Some of these materials in the Host and Disease Descriptions section of this book are represented by the symbol .

Chemical and biological control recommendations are based on the information available in December of the preceding year. Legal uses of many pesticides are continually changing. Changes may include de-listing a crop or site, different formulations that require different application rates, new restrictions on preharvest applications or reentry periods, and unique circumstances. Therefore, always read the current label before using any product.

Information in this publication is in a constant state of change. New information is added and existing information is updated. With so many changes and people involved, there is always the possibility of error. We appreciate being informed of any errors that you may detect. Suggestions for improvement are welcomed, also. We have attempted to make this book responsive to the needs of the people who use it and will continue to strive for that in the future.

Jay W. Pscheidt and Cynthia M. Ocamb

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this handbook, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is not implied or intended.

Due to continually changing laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides should be applied according to the label directions on the pesticide container.

 

Programming Notes

The entire plant disease guide (disease descriptions, articles, and images) is contained within a DBase V database, originally created with Microsoft Access, and accessed using Allaire's ColdFusion Application Server.

Funding for this project.

The initial development of this Web site in 1996 was funded with Oregon State University student technology resource fees and supported by faculty contributions from the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology as well as non-monetary contributions from the Department of Extension and Experiment Station Communications; the College of Agricultural Sciences, and the staff of Information Services.

During 1998, additional funding from the IPPC Mini-Grants Program to Enhance IPM in Oregon as well as individual faculty contributions from the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology enabled the creation of this new version of the web site in a database format. Non-monetary contributions from the Department of Extension and Experiment Station Communications; the College of Agricultural Sciences, and the staff of Information Services supported this "new" website.

Additional funding from the College of Agricultural Sciences in 2000 helped fund the development of a statistical portion of this site. This statistical portion will allow us to improve both the web site and the physical book.