April 2000 Volume 31 (1)
ONTA NEWSLETTER
ORGANIZATION OF NEMATOLOGISTS OF TROPICAL AMERICA
| VOLUME 31 (1) |
APRIL 2000
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THE EDITORS INFORM ONTA MEMBERS THAT STARTING WITH THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE NEWSLETTER, VOLUME 31(2) – NOVEMBER 2000, THE NEWSLETTER WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO THE MEMBERS . IT WILL BE POSTED ONLY ON THE ONTA HOME PAGE (http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~ontaweb.htm) OR (www.ifas.ufl.edu.edu/~onta), ALONG WITH NEMATROPICA. MEMBERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY ADDRESS CHANGE FOR THE ONTA WEB SITE. IF YOU NEED A MAILED VERSION, NOTIFY THE EDITORS.
REPORT: XXXII ANNUAL MEETING
AUBURN, ALABAMA, U.S.A. APRIL 16-20, 2000
The 32nd Annual Meeting was held in Auburn, Alabama, U.S.A., April 16-20, 2000, and was organized by the Department of Plant Pathology of Auburn University. Participants from Central and South America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia attended. The quality of the scientific program was outstanding, and the active participation of nematologists, soil biologists, and students contributed to its great success. Well organized workshops and symposia enriched the scientific aspects of the meeting.
In addition to the excellent scientific program, the participants enjoyed comfortable accommodations at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. The Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) provided outstanding service and attention throughout the entire conference. Buffet breakfasts and lunches were provided daily. Participants were treated to a night of folk music and food specialties of Alabama and an ecological tour of Callaway Gardens in Georgia. The Auburn Knights Orchestra highlighted the banquet evening, performing many types of dance music, which appealed to the different tastes of the multi-cultural membership. Awards were presented during the first part of the banquet. ONTA’s founding member, Charles A. Tarjan, and his wife Marywere guests of honor at the banquet.
ONTA expresses sincere appreciation to the LAC for this memorable meeting. Special thanks to LAC members Rodrigo Rodríguez-Kábana (Chair), Peggy S. King, and Charles F. Weaver for their exceptional organizational skill, leadership, and assistance, and to Kira L. Bowen, William S. Gazaway, Joseph W. Kloepper, Kathy S. McLean, David G. Robertson, Charles R. Taylor, and Michael L. Williams for their warm hospitality and a job well done.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Executive Committee (EC) met April 17, 2000. Larry Duncan, Renato Inserra, Rosa Manzanilla-López, Peggy King, NahúmMarbán-Mendoza, Julia Meredith, Manuel Mundo-Ocampo, Roberto Vargas, and Charles Weaver were present.Manuel Mundo-Ocampo,ONTA President, opened the session at 7:00 PM. ONTA Secretary, Peggy King, informed the members that ONTA’s Vice-President, Antonio Bello, was not able to attend the meeting because he is recuperating from a serious illness which occurred soon after last year’s meeting in Puerto Rico. The members conveyed to Antonio their best wishes for a prompt and full recovery.
Major issues discussed during the meeting were: the minutes of the 31st Meeting in Puerto Rico; the final version of the modifications of ONTA’s constitution proposed by Domingo Oramas and approved at the previous meeting in Puerto Rico; the proposal byForest Robinson, Chair of the Honors and Awards Committee, to increase the number of members who can be awarded with the Honorary Member Award and to establish another ONTA award called “ONTA Fellow Award”; a proposal by Rodrigo Rodríguez-Kábana to fund the ONTA Foundation Student Competition with a monetary award; the publication of Nematropica in an electronic version, proposed by the Editor-in-Chief Larry Duncan; the improvement of the ONTA Home Page; the status of the 4th International Nematology Congress (FINC) in Tenerife, Canary Islands; the use of a credit card for all payments to be credited to the Organization; the distribution of the Newsletter to members; and the results of the election for Vice-President.
There was a consensus about the content of the minutes from the previous ONTA meeting in Puerto Rico to be approved by the members at the business meeting and for the publication of Nematropica in electronic form. It was decided that the final version of the constitutional changes be incorporated into the text of ONTA’s Constitution and Operations Manual and be posted on the ONTA web page. The proposal for the award of ONTA fellow was rejected because the EC considered it synonymous with Honorary Member. The constitutional change proposed by Forest Robinson to increase the number of Honorary Members was left for discussion by the members during the business meeting. The proposal by Rodrigo Rodríguez-Kábana to fund the ONTA Foundation Student Competition was approved unanimously. Appreciation was expressed to Aurelio Ciancio, member of the ONTA Home Page Committee, for expanding the ONTA Home Page through a new link and for his interaction with Roberto Vargas, Jimmy Rich and other members. Chair of this committee, Roberto Vargas, will continue to coordinate web page activities. Roberto will also consult the bank in Puerto Rico that handles ONTA’s bank account about the feasibility of the use of a credit card for payment to ONTA. The EC asked Maria Arias, President of the European Society of Nematologists and ONTA member, to inform the members attending the business meeting about the preparations being made for the FINC in Tenerife, Canary Islands. It was suggested that the Newsletter be distributed by e-mail or be posted on the web site in order to reduce cost. At the end of the meeting, Peggy King informed the members that Rodrigo Rodríguez-Kábana won the election for the Vice-President for the year 2000-2001. The members congratulated Rodrigo and wished him great success in leading the organization in future years. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
BUSINESS MEETING
The business meeting chaired by ONTA President Manuel Mundo-Ocampo was held April 20, 2000. The following decisions ware taken during the meeting:
1) Approval of the minutes of the 31st ONTA Reunion held in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1999.
2) Approval of the reports posted by ONTA Committees (Business Manger, Newsletter, Nominations, ONTA Foundation, ONTA Home Page, and Treasurer).
3) Approval of the publication in the Newsletter of a proposal by Forest Robinson to change the ONTA constitution in order to increase the number of Honorary Members.
4) Approval of the invitation by Emilio Fernández to hold the 33rd ONTA meeting in Varadero, Cuba, on June 11-15, 2001.5) Approval of an outline of the report submitted by Maria Arias about the site and accommodations for the Fourth International Nematology Congress (FINC), which will be held in Tenerife, Canary Islands, at the Ten Bel Resort (May-June, 2002). This report was well received by the members.
6) Approval of the invitation submitted by Renato Crozzoli in collaboration with Nixon Jiménez and Jose Matheus to hold the 35th ONTA Meeting in Maracay, Venezuela, in 2003.
7) Approval of the proposal submitted by Larry Duncan for the publication of Nematropica in electronic version on the Internet.
At the end of the meeting, Manuel Mundo-Ocampo introduced the new Vice-President, Rodrigo Rodrìguez-Kábana who will work with the new President, Antonio Bello, who is recovering from a recent illness.
1999-2000 ONTA AWARDS
During the ONTA banquet, Forest Robinson, Chair of the Honors and Awards Committee, and Juan Bocanegra, representative of Aventis ( ex Rhône-Poulenc) announced ONTA awardees for 1999-2000. They were Nahúm Marbán-Mendoza who received the Distinguished Service Award, Roberto Vargas-Ayala who received the Special Award, and Robert A. Dunn who received the Aventis Award.
Kathy McLean, member of LAC and Chair of the Committee for the ONTA Foundation Student Competition, introduced the student recipients of the ONTA Foundation Awards.
They were:
1st Place Poster Presentation: Fahiem Elborai Kora, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, CREC, Lake Alfred, Florida 33850-2299 U.S.A.. Tylenchulus semipenetrans suppresses infection of citrus fibrous roots by the fungus, Phytophtora nicotianae (=parasitca). For his presentation F.E. Kora received a plaque and $500.
2nd Place Poster Presentation: Jim Cervantes, Department of Horticulture, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, U.S.A. Evaluation of resistance to root-knot nematodes in selected sweet potato cultivars. For his presentation J. Cervantes received a plaque and $300.
ONTA CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
A change to the Constitution was proposed by Forest Robinson, chair of the Honors and Awards Committee, in order to increase the number of persons who can receive ONTA’s Honorary Member Award. The proposed change is attached to this Newsletter. Members are to approve or disapprove this change by submitting their vote to ONTA Secretary, Peggy King.
CALENDER OF NEMATOLOGICAL EVENTS
FUTURE ONTA REUNIONS
As announced in the previous issue of the Newsletter, the 33rd ONTA Meeting will be organized by the National Crop and Animal Husbandry Center (CENSA) and Plant Health Research Institute (INISAV) of Cuba at the Convention Center, Las Americas Square, Varadero, Cuba on June 11-15, 2001. This meeting will be part of the 4th International Scientific Seminar on Plant Protection, which will include the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society-Caribbean Division (APS-CD), a Symposium on Ant Pests, the 2nd Biological Control Meeting of the Neotropical Region, and the 11th Latin American Workshop on White Fly-Geminivirus. The major topics of the seminar are: Development of diagnostic and identification methods for plant protection purposes; Host-pathogen interactions; Use of biototechnolgy for crop production and protection; Integrated pest management: Agroecological practices for pest management and sustainable agriculture; Biodiversity and pest management; Environmental impact of pesticides; Production and use of biological control agents; Plant quarantine and pest risk analysis; Phytosanitary practices; Electronic communication and training in plant protection. Detailed information about this meeting will be provided in the November issue of the Newsletter. Additional information can be obtained from Ileana Sandoval Ramírez, Calle 110 No 514 e/B y 5ta F, CP 11600, Playa, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba. FAX:537-24-0535; e-mail: inisav@ceniai.inf.cu
The 34th ONTA Meeting will be held in Tenerife, Canary Islands, at the Ten Bel Resort, May or June 2002, in conjunction with the FICN. Expected accommodation prices are: $47 for single; $65 for double, and $80 for triple rooms. For more information contact Maria Arias, Dpto. Agroecologia, Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, CSIC, Serrano 115, dpdo, 28006 Madrid, Spain; e-mail:ebvb305@ccma.csic.es Information about this meeting is available at the IFNS Web Site: www.ifns.org
The 35th ONTA Meeting will be held in Maracay, Venezuela (October or November, 2003).
OTHER NEMATOLOGICAL MEETINGS
The 26th Annual meeeting of the Society of Nematologists will be held as a joint meeting with the American Phytopathological Society at the Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A., August 25-29, 2001.
For more information about Nematological Events consult the IFNS Web Site: www.ifns.org
CONGRATULATIONS
The Editors are pleased to report that Renata Cesar Vilardi Tenente, an active ONTA member, has been elected President of the Brasilian Society of Nematologists (SBN). ONTA extends the warmest congratulations to Renata and is confident that under her leadership cooperation between SBN and ONTA will strengthen.
OBITUARY
MARIA MAGDALENA AGÜERA DE DOUCET
(1952-1999)
María Magadalena Agüera de Doucet passed away September 6, 1999. Her life was all too short; nonetheless, she left a legacy of work and many personal and professional bonds. She will be remembered by the numerous students she taught at Córdoba University as a Professor of Parasitology, and also by her colleagues all over the world. She graduated as a Biologist in the Faculty of Sciences of Córdoba in 1975, and continued her studies in France (1976-79) obtaining the Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies en Parasitologie, Pathologie et Relations Ecophisiologiques (1977) and a Ph.D. in Parasitology (1979) at the Faculté des Sciences, Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, in Montpellier, France. Her work on Mermithidae (Nematoda) started then, and this group became her longstanding interest.
She and her husband, Marcelo Doucet, began the study of nematodes at Córdoba University and initiated this discipline in Central Argentina by developing an active research program. Magdalena was actively involved in research concerning the taxonomy, biology and host range of insect parasitic nematodes in Argentina. She made an outstanding contribution to the taxonomy of the genus Steinernema with the description of two new species, S. rarum and S. ritteri. She also elucidated the host range, specificity, and virulence of Steinerma species and populations of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora in Argentina. She received international recognition for this work.
Maria Magdalena had excellent teaching skills and was a full Professor in the College of Sciences, Córdoba University. She was a member of CONICET, the National Research Council of Argentina. Magdalena was especially brilliant in academic affairs due to her outstanding preparation and enthusiastic personality. She served as Head of the Department for undergraduate studies, as well as Director of the Postgraduate School of Biological Sciences. Magdalena was involved in the preparation of the project for restructuring the requirements for the Doctorate in Biology and has been acknowledged as being the driving force which led to the upgrading of these studies. With her many and diverse offices and duties, Magdalena never quit scientific writing. Her scientific contributions have been published in numerous papers as well as presented at international conferences. Along with her regular course on Parasitology, she directed various postgraduate courses and seminars in her own and other universities.
In spite of all her activities, Maria Magdalena de Doucet, mother of three, was a supportive wife and inspiration to her husband and children, as well as a companion for her brothers and sisters. The writers of this obituary have had the privilege of being her friends, therefore knowing a generous side of her character. We remember her sitting quietly at the back of a classroom waiting to take us for coffee at the end of our teaching experience, just to make sure we would relax. Magdalena was young, energetic, utterly efficient, and unconditionally loyal. She is no longer here, but her memory will remain.
(This obituary was prepared by Ana Anton and Graciela Valladares).
PASSING
The Newsletter Editors are saddened to report the death of outstanding nematologists who have been involved with ONTA and who have made important contributions to the science of Tropical Nematology.
JOHN FERRIS passed away in January 2000, following a short illness. He was an ONTA member from the first years of the organization and was a cherished friend of the Newsletter editors who had the opportunity to enjoy his friendly and tranquil personality. ONTA extends sympathy to his wife, Virginia Ferris, also an ONTA member, who was his inseparable companion in life and science.
PAUL R. SPEIJER, a valuable contributor to Nematropica, passed away on January 30, 2000 in an airline crash at Abidjan on the Ivory Coast. Paul was a Dutch nematologist who graduated under Richard Sikora. He was working for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Kampala, Uganda and gained international recognition for his work on management of nematode pests of tropical crops, especially banana. The editors of the Newsletter had the fortune to know him personally and appreciated his outgoing attitude, enthusiasm, and spirit of cooperation. His death is a tragic loss for Tropical Nematology. The same tragic airline accident also took the life of John Hartman, husband of the longtime ONTA member Miriam Kaplan, to whom we convey our deep condolences.
We are sorry to report the death of two other nematologists, well known to ONTA members: ALAN F. BIRD, an eminent nematologist from Australia, famous for his books on nematode anatomy and ultrastructure, and RENZO TACCONI, a regulatory nematologist from Italy, who conducted a fine research program on management of stem nematode infections on garlic.
NEMATOLOGICAL BOOKS
NEMATOLOGÍA AGRÍCOLA EN CHILE (1999) was published by Juan Carlos Magunacelaya-Rumié and Elena Dagnino-Dagnino. This book, written in Spanish, contains 17 chapters. The first three chapters illustrate the historical aspects, classification, and morphology of nematodes. Chapters 4-6 deal with ecology, parasitic habits, classification, sampling, and extraction procedures of plant parasitic nematodes. The following chapters 7-14 describe the symptoms and damage caused by plant parasitic nematodes to cultivated crops in Chile. Chapters 15 and 16 report information on different aspects of nematode management and the regulatory actions implemented in Chile in order to restrict the movement of regulated nematodes in the country; a list of exotic nematode pests prohibited in Chile is also included. The last chapter contains bibliographical data. This publication is a good resource for students, lecturers, and research workers in crop protection in Latin America. The book is published as an agronomical publication ( #2/1999) of the Agronomy Department of the University of Chile. It can be obtained for US $ 35 + shipment costs from: Juan Carlos Magunacelaya, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11315 – La Pintana – Casilla 1004, Santiago Chile. e-mail:jmagunac@abello.dic.uchile.cl
NEMATODE BIOPESTICIDES was published by A. L. Bilgrami in 1997. Information about this book was provided in the Newsletter 29 (1) 1998. The author of this useful book has informed the ONTA secretary that the book can be obtained for only US $ 20 for costs of packing and shipment, if copies are still available. Members intersted in this book should contact A. L. Bilgrami, Reader, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India. E-mail: zyt13alb@AMU.up.nic.in or bilgrami1956@angelfire.com
PLANT RESISTANCE TO PARASITIC NEMATODES was published by J. R. Starr. This book describes methods for evaluating the resistance and tolerance of plants to parasitic nematodes and gives specific instructions on all phases of resistance and screening. Plant breeders, research workers, agricultural specialists, and students involved with nematode management will find this book an excellent source of information. The book can be obtained for US $ 85 from CABI Publishing, CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, OX 10 8DE, UK. E-mail:orders@cabi.org ONTA members from North and Central America can obtain the book via Oxford University Press, Customer Services Department, 2001 Evans Road, Cary, NC 27513, U.S.A.
IFNS NEWS
Kenneth Barker, President of the International Federation of Nematology Societies (IFNS) has provided the following information about Federation activities.
A Web Site for the Federation has been developed by Safia Sidiqi and her associate John Palmer. The address is: www.ifns.orgThis web site is an excellent source of information concerning nematological events sponsored by the societies affiliated with the IFNS. The incorporation of the Federation is still in process; it is required in order to raise funds for Federation activities. With the recent (December 1999) affiliation of the Chinese Society of Nematologists, the IFNS represents 14 Nematology Societies. Current IFNS activities include extensive efforts to raise funds to support the Federation’s programming and working with the European Society of Nematologists (ESN) in the planning of the Fourth International Congress of Nematology (FINC), which will be held in Tenerife (Canary Islands), in 2002. Maria Arias, president of ESN, chairs the Local Arrangements Committee for FINC. Thierry Vrain is Chair of the scientific program for the Congress.
O N T A O F F I C E R S
PRESIDENT:Antonio Bello, C.S.I.C. Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, Serrano 115 DPDO, Madrid 28006, Spain. Tel: 34-91-562-5020; FAX: 34-91-564-0800; e-mail: <ebva303@ccma.csic.es>.
VICE-PRESIDENT:Rodrigo Rodríguez-Kábana, Department of Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5409, USA. Tel:1-334-844-4714; FAX:1-334-844-1948; e-mail: <rrodrigu@acesag.auburn.edu>. PAST-PRESIDENT: Manuel Mundo-Ocampo, Department of Nematology, University of California, Riverside CA 92521-0415, USA. Tel:1-909-787-7313; FAX:1-909-787-3719; e-mail:<manuel.mundo@ucr.edu>.
SECRETARY: Peggy King, Department of Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn AL 36849-5409, USA. Tel. 1-334-844-4714; FAX: 1-334-844-1948; e-mail:<pking@acesag.auburn.edu>.
TREASURER: Roberto Vargas, Department of Crop Protection, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus, P.O. Box 9030, Mayagüez, PR 00681-9030, USA. Tel: 1-787-265-3859;
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF NEMATROPICA: Larry W. Duncan, University of Florida, Citrus Research and Education Center, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred FL 33850-2299, USA. Tel: 1-941-956-1151; FAX: 1-941-956-4631; e-mail <lwdn@icon.lal.ufl.edu>.
SENIOR EDITOR OF NEMATROPICA: Nahúm Marbán-Mendoza, Departamento de Parasitología Agrícola, Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo, Montecillo, Edo. de México, Chapingo 56230, México. FAX: 52-595-40692; e-mail: <nahumm@taurus1.chapingo.mx>.
EDITORS OF ONTA NEWSLETTER: Renato N. Inserra, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant industry, Nematology Section, P.O. Box 147100, Gainesville FL 3214-7100, USA. Tel: 1-352-372-3505, Ext. 115; FAX:1-352-955-2301 or 2300; e-mail: <inserrr@doacs.state.fl.us> or <julia@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu>. Julia A. Meredith, P.O. Box 140357, Gainesville FL 32614-0357, USA. e-mail: <julia@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu>.
BUSINESS MANAGER: Charles Weaver, Department of Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn AL 36849-5409, USA. Tel. 1-334-844-4714; FAX: 1-334-844-1948; e-mail: <cweaver@acesag.auburn.edu>.
MEMBERS AT LARGE: Manuel Canto-Sáenz, International Potato Center, Apartado 1558, La Molina, Lima, Peru. Tel:51-1-3495783;FAX:51-1-3495638;e-mail:<m.canto@cgnet.com> or <mcanto@lamolina.edu.pe>. Rosa H. Manzanilla-López, Insitituto de Fitosanidad, Colegio de Postgraduados, Km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Montecillo, Edo. de México, México C.P. 56230.Tel and FAX:52-595-10220; e-mail:<rhelena@colpos.colpos.mx>;
REPRESENTATIVES IN THE IFNS: A. Forest Robinson (address under Honors and Awards Committee) and Renato Crozzoli, Univ. Central de Venezuela, Instituto de Zoología Agrícola, Apartado 4975-A, Maracay, Aragua 2101, Venezuela. Tel.FAX:58-43-507085; e-mail:<rencro@telcel.net.ve>.
HONORS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE: A. Forest Robinson (Chair), USDA, ARS, 2765 F & B Road, College Station TX 77845, USA. Tel:1-409-260-9234; FAX:1-409-260-9470; e-mail:<forestr@acs.tamu.edu>; Marcelo E. Doucet, Univesidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Centro de Zoología Aplicada, Casilla de Correo 122, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina. Tel:54-51-332055; FAX:54-51-332054; e-mail:<mdoucet@gtwing.efn.uncor.edu>. Javier Franco, Fundación PROINPA, Casilla 4285, Cochabamba, Bolivia. Tel:591-42-49506;FAX;591-42-45708; email:<jfranco@proinpa.org>; Franco Lamberti, Istituto di Nematologia Agraria CNR, Trav. 174 di via Amendola 168/5, 70126 Bari, Italy. Tel:39-80-5484189; FAX:39-80-5484165; e-mail:<nemafe01@area.ba.cnr.it>; Rodrigo Rodríguez-Kábana (address under Vice-President).
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE: Jimmy R. Rich (Chair), University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Route 3, Box 4370, Quincy FL 32351-9529, USA. Tel:1-850-875-7130; FAX:1-850-875-7148; e-mail <jrich@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu>; Renato Inserra (address under ONTA Newsletter Editors), Nahúm Marbán-Mendoza (address under Senior Editor of Nematropica); Renata C.V. Tenente, Parque Rural, Cx. Postal 2372, Brasilia D.F. 70849-970, Brazil. Tel:55-61-274-3848;FAX:55-61-574-3212;e-mail renata @cenargen.embrapa.br >
ONTA HOME PAGE COMMITTEE: Roberto Vargas (Chair) (address under Treasurer); Aurelio Ciancio, Istituto Nematologia Agraria, CNR, via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy. Tel. 39-080-5484189; FAX:39-080-5484165;e-mail:<e085ac01@area.ba.cnr.it>; Jimmy Rich (address under Nominations Committee).