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Research Update Spaniard fills pathology post


He’ll focusmuch of his work on trunk fungal diseases, a serious problemfor the grape and wine industries.


By Susan McIver J


osé Ramón Úrbez-Torres has begun a two-year appointment as a research scientist in plant pathology, science and technology branch, at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Summerland. From October 2010 until his appointment in June of this year, Úrbez-Torres was a post-doctorate fellow at PARC, working under the supervision of Pat Bowen and with Dan O’Gorman.


“We are very fortunate to have José working with us. He is a top authority on grapevine trunk diseases,” said Bowen, research scientist in viticulture and plant physiology.


Originally from Zaragoza, the main fruit tree and grape growing area of Spain, Úrbez-Torres holds an undergraduate degree in agricultural science from Universidad de Valladolid.


In 2003, he went to the University of California at Davis on a European Union scholarship.


“I completed my undergraduate degree from Valladolid at Davis before starting my PhD under Dr. Walter Gubler. I am proud to have studied with him because he is probably the world’s best grapevine pathologist,” Úrbez-Torres said. “José is frequently invited to give keynote presentations at international conferences such as those held in Chile, China, Spain and the United States,” Bowen said. In general, Úrbez-Torres’ work is focused on identification of plant disease problems, characterization of casual agents and understanding their spread, including the effect of environmental conditions. “This information is needed in


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order to develop effective control measures—chemical, cultural practices or organic,” Úrbez-Torres said.


Much of his work at PARC, and formerly as a PhD student at Davis, concerns


grapevine trunk fungal diseases.


In both the Napa region and the Okanagan, trunk fungal diseases are serious problems for the grape and wine industries.


“This is because of the lack of effective control measures,” Úrbez-Torres explained.


SUSAN MCIVER José Úrbez-Torres in his laboratory at PARC.


The first step of his work at PARC is to characterize and map all of the pathogens associated with grapevine trunk disease. The next step will involve studying the epidemiology of the diseases in the field. A recent major contribution of Úrbez-Torres’ research is the development of a DNA macro array test for fungal pathogens involved in young vine decline.


“This diagnostic tool allows us to identify more than 60 different species of fungal pathogens in less than 48 hours,” he said. “The next


step is to improve protocols.” These pathogens can spread through the air and soil, and vineyards may be infected by material coming from nurseries. “This test can rapidly determine if nursery material is infected,” Úrbez- Torres said.


Fast growth of the industry with importation of vines from other countries, combined with not having a way to determine if material is infected, has contributed to spread of these diseases, he explained. Currently, personnel at provincial


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