Directions: Fill out only the section(s) that applies. Delete the rest.
Plant Pathogens/Pests
(Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Arthropods, Nematodes, etc.)
1. List the infectious agent(s), toxin(s) and/or pests that will be used in this project. Include
strain if known. If working with a material of unknown pathogenic potential list possible
biohazardous agents based on plant, vector etc. Include any information from the
supplier (ATCC, USDA, etc.).
2.
Is the organism pathogenic for plants, animals, and/or humans and how virulent
(aggressive) is it?
3. Is it endemic/indigenous or exotic to the United States/ Mississippi?
4. What are the natural routes of transmission (air-borne, waterborne, soilborne, direct
contact etc.)?
5. What is the host range (a single species of plant or many)?
6. Are local hosts present?
7. What is the proximity of local hosts to project (feet, yards, miles)?
8. How communicable is it? How easily is it transmitted from plant to plant?
9. What is the infectious dose?
10. What is the capacity to control or eradicate the organism if it escapes?
11. What is the history of the organism in other new environments?
Page 1 of 5
12. Is there risk information already available for the organism?
13. What are the location and proximity of suitable hosts and the time of year of the
proposed work?
14. What is the potential rate of local and long distance spread?
15. What are the potential mechanisms for local and long distance spread (e.g. airborne
spores, contaminated clothing, contaminated equipment, contaminated soil, etc.) if
containment fails?
16. Are there vectors present (e.g. arthropods, fungi, nematodes) in the local area?
17. How persistent is the organism in the environment and what is its potential for
overwintering?
18. What are the environmental requirements for establishment and spread?
19. Will it be cultured? If so, how large a volume and at what concentration?
20. Will a culture collection be maintained? If so, for how long, under what type of security,
and how will the collection be destroyed?
21. Will it be restricted to the lab or disseminated in a greenhouse or field plot?
22. What measures will be used to avoid dissemination of the organism (recombinant or wild
type) beyond the laboratory or greenhouse?
23. What is the economic and environmental significance of potential pest organisms and
their host plants?
Page 2 of 5
24. What methods of deinfestations will be used?
25. What is your PPQ 526 permit number for environmental release or interstate movement
of plant pests and pathogens? (www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/index.shtml)
Page 3 of 5
Plants
1. What is the nature of the plant (weed, crop, ornamental, etc)?
2. Is it endemic/indigenous or exotic?
3. Is it a noxious weed?
4. Is it parasitic on other plants?
5. What impact will an accidental release have on agricultural production, forestry or
natural environments? Interbreeding with economically or environmentally significant
plants should be addressed here.
6. Can the plant interbreed with local noxious weeds?
Page 4 of 5
Transgenic Plants/Recombinant Organisms Associated with Plants
1. How will the transgenic plants/recombinant microorganism be contained?
2. Will the resulting altered plant be considered a noxious weed?
3. Will the altered plant be able to interbreed with noxious weeds?
4. What impact will an accidental release have on agricultural production, forestry or
natural environments? Interbreeding with economically or environmentally significant
plants should be addressed here.
5. Is the local environment suitable for colonization by the altered plant?
6. What is the nature and importance of nearby crops?
7. Are sexually compatible wild or weedy species in the vicinity?
8. What are the experimental procedures for transferring: to and from greenhouse, to and
from field plot etc.
9. What are the methods of pollination and pollen dispersal?
10. Have you submitted a BRS 2000 application for a permit for release of transgenic
organisms? Courtesy Permit number?
Page 5 of 5