The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Monterey County, is conducting a 2008 Plant Disease Seminar from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Nov. 11, 2008 at the County of Monterey Agricultural Center, 1432 Abbott Street, Salinas, Calif.

This seminar will focus on a broad range of topics dealing with plant pathology and food safety research and information.

8:00 – 8:30 - Registration for morning session (no charge)

8:30 – 9:00 - 2008 plant disease developments in coastal California, Steven Koike. UC Cooperative Extension

9:00 – 9:30 - Thrips: identification, biology, and management - Eric Natwick. UC Cooperative Extension, Imperial County

9:30 – 10:00 - Changes in vegetable production and impact on Sclerotinia; Overview of research plans: Verticillium of lettuce, spinach - Krishna Subbarao. UC Davis

10:00 – 10:30 - Break: sponsored by CAPCA, Monterey Bay Chapter

10:30 – 11:00 - Update on spinach downy mildew outbreak - Jim Correll, University of Arkansas

11:00 – 11:30 - Testing produce for foodborne pathogens: current technology - Steven Koike, UCCE /Trevor Suslow, UC Davis

11:30 – 12:00 - Update on E. coli field survival research - Mike Cahn, UCCE

For more information, contact Steven Koike, (831) 759-7350.

An afternoon session will be hosted by CAPCA, Monterey Bay Chapter.