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86 SEEDWORLD.COM DECEMBER 2015 SINCE THE DAWN of agricul- ture pests and diseases have challenged humanitys ability to feed a growing population. Plant pathogens such as fungi bacteria insects and other organisms that cause plant diseases are endemic to all of our planets land masses and frequently cause havoc with mans efforts to produce crops. The movement of pathogens locally regionally and globally is expected to increase because of increasing trade the international movement of seed and plant propagated material and climate change. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO of the United Nations the spread of transboundary plant pests and dis- eases has increased dramatically in recent years. The FAO shares that in addition to globalization trade and climate change reduced resilience in production systems due to decades of agricultural intensification also plays a part. Around the world locusts armyworm fruit flies banana diseases cassava diseases and wheat rusts are among the most destructive plant pests. A host of other foliar root and stem diseases including the troublesome citrus greening and laurel wilt provide monumental obstacles to the pro- duction of optimal yields. Seed companies chemical companies governments and uni- versities mount a significant coun- ter offensive in the war against plant pathogens. Helping lead the charge are plant pathologists whose research on plant diseases and their movements aid in the search for solutions and identifica- tion of pathogens that could be future problems. FRANK ZAWORSKI is a veteran journalist native Minnesotan and former Seed World editor. Frank and his wife Linda live on the shore of the Sea of Cortez. When he is not freelancing he enjoys fly fishing for dorado golf and expanding his search for the perfect carne ahumada. A cadre of these plant pathologists can be found at the University of Floridas Emerging Pathogens Institute. The Emerging Pathogens Institute fuses key disciplines to develop research education and outreach capabili- ties designed to preserve Floridas health and economy and to prevent or contain new and re- emerging diseases. Following the Pathways One of the current studies of economic importance under- way in Florida involves gummy stem blight a big problem for watermelon and other cucurbit producers. Caused by the fungus Didymella bryoniae gummy stem blight was first reported in 1891 in France. It is common in the south- ern United States and in subtropi- cal and tropical areas of the world. As global trade expands and the climate changes experts predict the battle against pathogens will only intensify. PLANT PATHOGENS ON THE PROWL