Quick Action Prevents Spread of Pathogen ‘Ralstonia’ in Michigan and Beyond
In partnership with: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Recognizing Ralstonia
When a plant pathogen on the bioterrorism list was discovered in Michigan, officials responded rapidly to eliminate the threat to food crops in one of the nation’s most agriculturally diverse states. In April 2020, a vigilant greenhouse grower observed abnormal wilting among geraniums and submitted tissue samples for testing. The lab identified the culprit as a strain of Ralstonia, a bacterial pathogen on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s list of select agents for its threat to food crops, the economy and the environment. Specifically, the pathogen could impact potato and tomato plants, some of the nation’s most important food crops.
The biological threat proved that “If You See Something, Say Something” applies to plants as well.
“Unless you can get on top of a pest incursion early, it’s almost impossible to eradicate,” says Robin Rosenbaum, plant health section manager for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). “Early detection is absolutely critical to a successful outcome.”
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Prioritizing Plant Protection
Rosenbaum supervises staff within MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, which conducts inspections geared toward plant health. While staff stays on the alert for invasive pests, the department has evolved over the last century to expand communication and outreach efforts with plant caretakers and residents throughout Michigan who now help protect the state’s valuable plants. Having more people on the lookout for suspicious symptoms increases the likelihood of early detection and successful eradication.
MDARD also has adapted its inspection priorities, visiting higher-risk locations more frequently, such as places that receive plants from out of state.
Officials traced the foreign strain of Ralstonia to a production facility in Guatemala. While the bacterial pathogen posed no direct health concern to humans or animals, MDARD staff knew it had severe consequences for the food supply and Michigan’s economy if not eliminated.
Under conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials with MDARD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture responded aggressively. They successfully traced and eradicated the pathogen in less than 60 days across 650 greenhouses in 44 states.
“I want to highlight the performance and professionalism of our staff and Michigan greenhouse growers,” Rosenbaum says. “Everyone was under so much stress at the time. Our staff was extremely professional and did what it had to do, and it was just in the beginning of COVID. For something this serious, it went pretty well.”