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British Society of Plant Pathology

@bspp.bsky.social

BSPP supports the global plant pathology community through research, education, funding & policy work. Founded in 1981, we champion plant health to protect ecosystems & food security. 🌍🌿 www.bspp.org.uk

2,297 Followers  |  14 Following  |  81 Posts  |  Joined: 04.10.2023  |  1.8128

Latest posts by bspp.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Come see us at Bugs, Birds and Beasts day today at @imperialcollege Silwood Park.
We’re here with @CABI_News with real diseased plant specimens, a microscope to explore what’s really going on up close! Perfect for students, families, and budding plant scientists!
#PlantHealth

29.07.2025 08:02 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Final call! Has your university nominated students for the BSPP Undergraduate Prizes yet?
Don't miss the chance to recognise tomorrow’s plant pathology leaders.
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/bspp-u...
#BSPPUndergradPrize #PlantHealth

28.07.2025 07:03 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Nominations for #BSPP Honorary Membership 2026 are now open.
Recognise an outstanding contributor to plant pathology and the BSPP community.
Deadline: 31 July 2025.
Submit here: www.bspp.org.uk/nominations-...

15.07.2025 07:56 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Late-breaking abstracts for #ECPP2025 are still open, but not for long.
Deadline: July 31
Join global experts in plant pathology and contribute to the conversation.
Details: www.bspp.org.uk/final-call-f...

14.07.2025 14:57 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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All nominees receive a certificate and a prize; national winners receive a trophy, cash, and a BSPP membership.
Give your students the spotlight they deserve
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/bspp-u...
#FutureScientists #BSPPUndergradPrize #STEMAwards

14.07.2025 07:02 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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In wheat, the topmost leaf is the flag leaf, seen just below the emerging ear.

What’s its role?

1️⃣ Unimportant, the ear’s formed
2️⃣ Shades the ear, reduces yield
3️⃣ Just like any other leaf
4️⃣ Provides sugars to fill the grain

Answer: www.bspp.org.uk/bspp-plant-d...
#plantdoctorquiz

09.07.2025 08:03 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Two chances to shine:
1️⃣ Best research/dissertation
2️⃣ Best exam performance in plant pathology
Recognise your students’ brilliance today!
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/bspp-u...
#AcademicExcellence #PlantScience #BSPPUndergradPrize

07.07.2025 08:02 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Answer: Abiotic scorch

The tan leaf tips with a sharp boundary between dead and healthy tissue point to scorch, in this case caused by ammonium nitrate applied in strong sun.

#plantdoctorquiz

03.07.2025 12:02 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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These wheat leaves have withered from the tip, what’s the likely cause?
A. Bacterial infection
B. Insect larvae in the stem
C. Abiotic scorch
D. Nutrient deficiency

Think you know?
Explore more #plantdoctorquiz on our website www.bspp.org.uk/bspp-monthly...

02.07.2025 12:02 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The BSPP Undergraduate Prizes are open!
We’re celebrating excellence in plant pathology, research & exams.
Nominate your best students today!
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/bspp-u...
#BSPPUndergradPrize #PlantPathology #StudentAwards

01.07.2025 12:27 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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#PlantDoctorQuiz Answer Reveal!
The correct answer is: Herbicide damage

The dramatic bleaching of the upper leaves is a classic sign of herbicide impact. Notice the sharp line between damaged and healthy plants.

Thanks for playing! More plant puzzles coming soon πŸŒΎπŸ‘¨β€πŸŒΎ

26.06.2025 08:04 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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🌱 #PlantDoctorQuiz
The field is turning yellow, but why? πŸ€”
What's the most likely cause of this bean crop's symptoms?

A) Nematodes attacking the roots
B) Nutrient deficiency
C) Herbicide damage
D) Viral infection

Drop your best guess below
The answer will be revealed tomorrow!

25.06.2025 09:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The BSPP MSc/MRes Bursary Scheme offers up to Β£4,000 to support students pursuing plant pathology-related degrees.
πŸ“… Deadline: 30 June 2025

Apply here πŸ‘‰ buff.ly/dwqJ6jj
#PlantPathology #Scholarship #STEMFunding

24.06.2025 15:11 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Nominations for #BSPP Honorary Membership 2026 are now open.
Recognise an outstanding contributor to plant pathology and the BSPP community.
Deadline: 31 July 2025.
Submit here: www.bspp.org.uk/nominations-...

23.06.2025 13:55 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Nominations Open: RKS Wood Prize 2026
Celebrate excellence in plant disease biology! 🧬
Β£1000 prize + BSPP lecture
Deadline: 31 July
Details: www.bspp.org.uk/rks-wood-pri...

#PlantPathology #SciencePrize #BSPP

20.06.2025 07:25 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Answer: Mites
They cause many symptoms, but never wilting!
Unlike insects, nematodes, and bacteria, mites don’t damage plant vessels.

#plantdoctorquiz 🌱

19.06.2025 08:03 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™‚οΈ All of the options are known to cause this symptom... except one. Can you spot the outlier?

πŸͺ² Insects
πŸ•·οΈ Mites
🦠 Bacteria
πŸͺ± Nematodes

Which one doesn’t belong?
Reply with your guess! πŸ‘‡
#plantdoctorquiz

18.06.2025 08:01 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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We're hiring!
Join the Plant Pathology journal as a freelance Technical Reader.
Part-time, flexible hours
Apply by 22nd June to plantpath@bspp.org.uk
www.bspp.org.uk/join-the-pla...
#EditingJobs #PlantPathology #AcademicPublishing #Freelance

17.06.2025 13:59 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The correct answer to our quiz is… Nitrogen!
Tip dieback in maize, especially on older leaves, is a classic sign of nitrogen deficiency 🌱

Stay tuned for more #PlantDoctorquiz

12.06.2025 08:01 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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QUIZ TIME!
This tip dieback on the lower leaves of maize is a common sign of which nutrient deficiency? 🌱

A) Nitrogen
B) Potassium
C) Sulphur
D) Phosphate

🧠 Drop your answer below!
πŸ‘€ Answer revealed tomorrow...

#PlantHealth #PlantDoctorQuiz #PlantPathology

11.06.2025 08:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The BSPP MSc/MRes Bursary Scheme offers up to Β£4,000 to support students pursuing plant pathology-related degrees.
πŸ“… Deadline: 30 June 2025

Apply here πŸ‘‰ www.bspp.org.uk/funds/mscmres/
#PlantPathology #Scholarship #STEMFunding

10.06.2025 15:12 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Nominations Open: RKS Wood Prize 2026
Celebrate excellence in plant disease biology! 🧬
Β£1000 prize + BSPP lecture
Deadline: 31 July
Details: www.bspp.org.uk/rks-wood-pri...

#PlantPathology #SciencePrize #BSPP

06.06.2025 11:03 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Answer time – Plant Doctor Quiz!
βœ… Fungal pathogen
This is brown leaf spot of cassava caused by a fungus. The black dots in the spots are the actual fungus!
❌Bacteria: Never form visible structures.
❌Water moulds: Look for downy growth.
❌Viruses: Rarely cause leaf spots.

05.06.2025 08:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Plant Doctor Quiz Time!
The small black dots in these leaf spots are a key clue! 🌿
What’s causing the damage?
🧫 Fungal pathogen
🦠 Bacterial pathogen
πŸ’§ Water mould
🧬 Viruses

Drop your answer below & check back tomorrow!
#PlantHealth #PlantPathology #PlantDoctorQuiz

04.06.2025 08:01 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Nominations for #BSPP Honorary Membership 2026 are now open.
Recognise an outstanding contributor to plant pathology and the BSPP community.
Deadline: 31 July 2025.
Submit here: www.bspp.org.uk/nominations-...

03.06.2025 11:03 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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We're hiring!
Join the Plant Pathology journal as a freelance Technical Reader.
Part-time, flexible hours
Apply by 15 July to plantpath@bspp.org.uk
www.bspp.org.uk/join-the-pla...
#EditingJobs #PlantPathology #AcademicPublishing #Freelance

02.06.2025 11:00 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Plant Doctor Quiz: Answer
Bacterial! This is bacterial blight of cassava, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis.

❌ Fungi: not often edge-based
❌ Viruses: don’t usually cause necrosis
❌ Nematodes: mainly affect the whole plant
#PlantDoctorQuiz #Cassava #PlantHealth

29.05.2025 08:01 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Plant Doctor Quiz
Cassava growers often see this: brown necrosis starting at the leaf edges and spreading inward.
What’s the most likely cause?
β€’ Fungal pathogen
β€’ Bacterial pathogen
β€’ Viral pathogen
β€’ Nematodes
Drop your diagnosis!
Answer revealed tomorrow.
#PlantDoctorQuiz #PlantHealth

28.05.2025 11:03 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Water-soaked lesions? Classic sign of bacterial infection. Not all bacteria cause them, but when you see them, they’re top suspects.

❌ Fungi – Dry spots
❌ Water moulds – think downy mildews
❌ Viruses – Mosaic/distorted leaves
Stay tuned for next week’s #PlantDoctorQuiz!

22.05.2025 11:02 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Plant Doctor Quiz Time...
These Swiss chard leaves show multiple infection sites. The dominant symptom? Water-soaked lesions. What group of pathogens is most commonly associated with this symptom?
A. Fungi
B. Water moulds
C. Viruses
D. Bacteria
Drop your answer below!
The answer posted tomorrow!

21.05.2025 11:00 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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