Powdery Mildew Citizen Science Survey, UK, 2013-2015
Citation
University of Reading (2022). Powdery Mildew Citizen Science Survey, UK, 2013-2015. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/8eao8z accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-06-06.Description
The distribution and identity of powdery mildew species samples sent to the University of Reading for the citizen science survey run between 2013 and 2016Purpose
The data was collected as part of a PhD project principally aiming to develop more efficient techniques for identification of the hundreds of different powdery mildew species. In order to include sufficiently diverse samples within the study a citizen science project was developed for sample collection and mapping of current UK species distribution.Sampling Description
Quality Control
The dataset has been checked using the NBN Record Cleaner.Method steps
- Samples of this fungal plant disease were collected with their host plants randomly by members of the public. Samples were sent by post to the project convenor at the University of Reading, funded by the Royal Horticultural Society, who identified the different powdery mildew species. Powdery mildews are traditionally identified using a combination of their appearance and the identification of their host plant. Some plants have only one known powdery mildew so identification of the host allows an immediate tentative identification of the pathogen, while others have several known mildew pathogens. Using a light microscope morphological features of the mildew must be found and the mildew can then be identified using a key and by comparison with published images. In many cases these features can be difficult to distinguish between species or can only be found at a certain stage of the life cycle of the fungus. Molecular DNA extraction and sequencing then completes the process as sequences are matched to a database of known powdery mildews.
Taxonomic Coverages
Geographic Coverages
The samples cover the UK. It is likely that there is a bias to samples in the Berkshire and Liverpool area as major contributors reside in these areas. The majority of records in this dataset are collated with exact GPS locations.
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
originatorUniversity of Reading
metadata author
University of Reading
distributor
NBN Atlas
Unit F, 14 - 18 St Mary's Gate, Lace Market
Nottingham
NG1 1PF
Nottinghamshire
GB
email: admin@nbnatlas.org
Oliver Ellingham
administrative point of contact
email: o.h.ellingham@pgr.reading.ac.uk