REQUEST FOR SPEAKER ON WITCHES BROOM DISEASE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002010

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),NEA/P (FFINVER),
IIP/G/NEA, IIP/T/ES (JSCHAFFER, GCHRISTISON),AND EB/TPP
STATE PLEASE PASS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION/LSIMARSKI AND
PPENHALE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON TBIO KPAO OIIP MU
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR SPEAKER ON WITCHES BROOM DISEASE

REF: STATE 228322


1. Embassy Muscat requests that IIP and EB fund one or more
agricultural biotechnology speakers to participate in Sultan
Qaboos University's first international conference on the
"Prevention and Treatment of Witches Broom Disease of Lime Trees"
which will be held March 13-16, 2005. This request is keyed to
the IIP speaker request format. Details follow:


2. Background: Witches Broom Disease of Lime Trees (WBDL) has
decimated the Sultanate of Oman's once-vibrant lime industry. The
symptoms of the disease -- abnormal growth on branches resembling
tiny brooms of twigs -- were first described in Oman's lime trees
in 1986, and by 1994 some 5% of the country's lime trees were
infected. Oman's strain of WBDL is particularly virulent and by
1996, virtually all trees had succumbed, according to the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Infected trees frequently
survive a few years with poor yields and poor quality fruit, and
ultimately die. In recent years the disease has spread to
neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates, India,
Iran and Pakistan and now poses a threat to lime and citrus
worldwide. Oman used to grow enough limes (traditionally the
second major fruit crop after dates) for local consumption and
even export, but now must import the fruit. Effective treatment
of the disease and the introduction of resistant hybrids will
promote sustainable agriculture, increase acceptance of
agricultural biotechnology in Oman, and potentially reduce
migratory pressures from traditional agricultural areas in Oman.


3. MPP Goal: Both the Embassy and conference organizers from
Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) believe that American expertise in
this field is invaluable in identifying appropriate prevention,
treatment and containment strategies for WBDL. Significant work
on WBDL has been conducted in the United States at U.S.
Department of Agriculture and private research institutions,
particularly in the development of disease-resistant hybrids.
Prevention and containment of the disease advances the Embassy's
MPP goal of supporting Oman's economic growth to better the lives
of all Omanis, particularly those in rural areas. U.S.
participation in the conference will also support Oman's efforts
to protect its agricultural and environmental resources from
disease that, if left unchecked, could devastate the regional
lime industry. The conference will serve as a catalyst to bring
the Gulf countries and others together to share research and
ideas on how to combat the spread of the disease and help to
revive Oman's historical lime production by finding solutions to
WBDL.


4. Specific Subject Speaker Is Expected To Address: This
conference will present research on WBDL, explore prevention and
treatment strategies, and propose transnational responses to the
disease. The speaker should be prepared to address one or more
of the above topics, and discuss the results of plant material
research linked to the disease conducted by USDA facilities and
private institutes in the United States.


5. Audience: Officials from the ministries of Agriculture and
Fisheries; Regional Municipalities, Environment, and Water
Resources; and Commerce and Industry; horticultural scientists,
academics and international citrus researchers; businesspeople
and farmers. SQU organizers expect participation from the entire
GCC region and parts of South Asia where WBDL has spread.


6. Level Of Speaker Expertise: The speaker will lecture at a
major international conference, participating as a discussant in
sessions of the conference. The speaker will address strategies
for treating WBDL and present proposals for transnational
responses to the disease. In addition to the conference, the
Embassy will program the speaker at agricultural colleges, where
he/she will be asked to address Sudden Decline of Mango disease
(SDM),which is also present in Oman. In addition, the speaker
will engage in press interviews on his/her area of expertise.


7. Time Frame: FY05; Q2; Embassy requests speaker for four days
(March 12-16, 2005). Arrive before March 12. Conference dates
are March 13-16, 2005.


8. Name Request: Embassy requests that IIP recruit one or more of
the following speakers, all of whom are knowledgeable about the
treatment and prevention of WBDL and SDM. They have also served
as advisors to government agencies on policies to prevent the
spread of agricultural diseases. The suggested speakers are
listed in order of preference:


A. Harold W. Browning
Center Director and Professor of Entomology
Citrus Research and Education Center
University of Florida/IFAS
Tel: 863-956-1151
E-mail: hwbr@crec.ifas.ufl.edu


B. Mikeal L. Roose
Professor of Genetics
Department of Botany and Plant Sciences
University of California - Riverside
Tel: 909-787-4137
E-mail: roose@citrus.ucr.edu


C. J.W. Grosser
Professor, Citrus Education and Research Center
University of Florida/IFAS
Tel: 863-956-1151
E-mail: jwg@crec.ifas.ufl.edu


D. C.J. Chang
Professor, Department of Plant Pathology
University of Georgia, Griffin Campus
Tel: 770-412-4015
E-mail: cchang@griffin.uga.edu


E. Fred G. Gmitter Jr.
Professor, Citrus Research and Education Center
University of Florida/IFAS
Tel: 1-863-956-1151
E-mail: fgg@crec.ifas.ufl.edu


F. Dr. C.J. Lovatt
Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences
University of California - Riverside
E-mail: carol.lovatt@ucr.edu


G. Randy C. Ploetz
Professor, Department of Plant Pathology
University of Florida - Tropical Crops Research Center
Tel: 305-246-7000
E-mail: rcp@ifas.ufl.edu


H. Prof. William S. Castle
Citrus Research and Education Center
University of Florida/IFAS
E-mail: castle@crec.ifas.ufl.edu


I. Gloria A. Moore
Professor, Horticultural Science Department
University of Florida
E-mail: gam@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu


J. Dr. Walter Kender
Professor, Citrus Research and Education Center
University of Florida
E-mail: kender@crec.ifas.ufl.edu


K. Prof. Kohn da Graca
Professor of Plant Pathology
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center
Tel: 956-968-2132
E-mail: jdagraca@ag.tamu.edu


L. W. O. Dawson
Eminent Scientist
Citrus Research and Education center
University of Florida/IFAS
E-mail: wodtmv@crec.ifas.ufl.edu


M. Eliezer S. Louzada, Ph.D.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center
Tel: 956-968-2132
E-mail: e-louzada@tamu.edu


9. Language Requirements: Fluent English only.


10. Funding: Per reftel, the Embassy requests that IIP and EB
fund this speaker. Conference organizers will provide lodging
during the three-day conference.


11. Post Responsible Officer: Public Affairs Officer Charles G.
Cole; Office Phone: (968) 698-989 Ext. 433; Office Fax: (968)
699-771; Office Fax: (968) 699 771; IVG/DSN: 741-4433; Mobile:
(968) 941-5561; Home: (968) 603-729; E-mail: ColeCG@state.gov

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