Understanding the risk to Scotland’s plant health arising from wireworm (click beetles) and the monitoring and Integrated Pest Management requirements

Lead Author: Kerry Leslie, Verena Schmidt, Martyn Cox

Whole of Scotland LiDAR: Analysing the opportunities for plant health benefits and potential barriers to exploitation

Lead Author: Alon Zuta, Ana Pena del Valle, Dominic Williams, Lorena Rangel

Developing Pest and Disease Risk Assessment Framework: a case study of Scotland’s Soft Fruit Sector

Lead Author: Matt Elliot, Alistair Yeomans

Developing new models to predict PCN species presence / absence in Scottish soils

Lead Author: Peter Skelsey

RotStop: Preserving the beauty and business of Scottish bulbs

Lead Author: Lorena Rangel, Alasdair Allan, John Clarkson

Scotland’s Plant Health Conference 2025 Workshop Report

Lead Author: Lisa Ward, Sonia Humphris, Damian Bienkowski, Katherine O'Donnell, Pete Hollingsworth, Mariella Marzano, Neil Havis, Matt Elliot, Maciej Kaczmarek, Ian Toth

Evaluating the potential of predator diet analysis as a monitoring tool for plant pests of concern

Lead Author: Kyle Miller, Molly Davidson, Christopher Hirst, Alice Walker, James Kitson, Jordan Cuff

GI Base 2.0: Database of Scotland’s Green Infrastructure plants

Lead Author: Harry Watkins, Julia Colpi-Vance, Henrick Sjoman, Andrew Hirons

Developing resources for appropriate plant biosecurity assessments and implementation in natural habitats

Lead Author: Matt Elliot, Ruth Mitchell, Alistair Yeomans

European Mountain Ash ringspot associated virus – a rapid review of the wider threat to Scotland

Lead Author: Matt Elliot, Lisa Ward

Developing an assessment framework to identify plant health benefits and risks for emerging novel crops in Scotland

Lead Author: Arthy Surendran, Maciej Kaczmarek, Neil Havis

Understanding the drivers of emergence of Curreya pithyophila and associated impacts on Caledonian pine

Lead Author: Sarah Green, Joanne Taylor, Maria Stanisz-Migal, Salvo Bonomo, Nathaniel Storey , Victoria Lee , Sophie Zawadzki , Heather Dun

Improved preparedness for Phytophthora prevention in Scotland

Lead Author: Louise Barwell, Godfred Amankwaa, Festus Asaaga, Katharine Turvey, David Cooke, Ruth Mitchell, Bethan Purse

Accurate potato virus forecasts: developing new models to guide sustainable management of potato crops in Scotland

Lead Author: Peter Skelsey

Scoping the risk of bulk aggregate (topsoil, sand, gravel, stone, wood chips) movement into and within Scotland

Lead Author: Matt Elliot, Debbie Frederickson-Matika

The impact of peat-free growing media and the emergence of sciarid flies (Sciaridae) as a pest or just a nuisance in Scotland

Lead Author: Arthy Surendran, Matt Elliot

Identifying key questions and leverage points for plant health in the natural environment

Lead Author: Ruth Mitchell, Jen Clements, Mariella Marzano, Rehema White

The impact of agricultural policy reforms on plant health risks in Scotland: Guidance on maximizing plant health benefits

Lead Author: Kairsty Topp, Henry Creissen, Matt Elliot, Neil Havis, Fisayo Daramola, Lorna Cole

Assessing long-term resilience of Scottish spruce forests to climate change and novel pests: Ips typographus as a case study

Lead Author: Adam Kleczkowski, Maria Rodrigues, Max Blake, Sonja Steinke

Assessment and mitigation of the threat posed by root-knot nematodes to potato production in the UK

Lead Author: James Price, Gaynor McKenzie, John Jones

Investigation into the causes of Alder (Alnus glutinosa) mortality in Scotland

Lead Author: Steven Hendry, Matt Elliot

Plant Biosecurity Resources – increasing the accessibility of notifiable plant pest information for Professional Operators

Lead Author: Matt Elliot, Alistair Yeomans

Interdisciplinary Analysis of Plant Health Threats to Arable and Horticultural Crops in Scotland

Lead Author: Daniel Bebber, Sarah Gurr, Ali Karley, Luz-Maria Lozada-Ellison , Tim Beale, Àlex Giménez-Romero

Understanding crop producers’ perceptions around crop health decision making and the impact of that on key metrics such as pesticide usage

Lead Author: Henry Creissen, Hernan Degiovanni, Kyran Maloney, Philip Burgess, Ali Karley, Christophe Lacomme, Phillippa Dodds, Miryana McKay, Mark Bowsher-Gibbs, Andy Evans

Biosecurity for plant health: better justification of precautionary measures

Lead Author: Chris Pollard, Robert Hattersley, Marios Theocharopoulos, Rehema White

Integration of Plant Health Planning Into the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy

Lead Author: Katherine Hayden, Alexandra Schlenzig, Fiona Highet, Ruth Mitchell, Matt Elliot

Potential of biocontrol for the sustainable management of plant diseases in Scotland: opportunities and barriers

Lead Author: Helen Rees, Matt Elliot, Kyran Maloney, Hernan Degiovanni, Henry Creissen

Understanding a new health threat to Caledonian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Lead Author: Sarah Green, Joanne Taylor, Maria Stanisz-Migal, Finnley Tierney-Kitchener, Steven Hendry, Stuart A'Hara, Katherine Lester, Molly Davidson, Laura Roehrig, Ewan Purser

Assessing spread of Phytophthoras in Scottish forests by recreational and harvesting activities using comparative qPCR and metabarcoding techniques

Lead Author: Carolyn Riddell , April Armstrong, Peter Cock, Toni Clarke

Action Research to gain a deeper understanding of large-scale biosecurity risks to Scotland

Lead Author: Rehema White, Harry Watkins, Lucy Carson-Taylor, Mariella Marzano

Plant Health and the Natural Environment Fellowship

Lead Author: Ruth Mitchell

Preliminary investigation into the threat of Bronze Birch Borer (BBB - Agrilus anxius) to Scotland

Lead Author: Katrina Dainton, Chris Pollard, Felix Trotter, Alaina Paterson, Mike Dunn, Mariella Marzano, Ashleigh Whiffin, Thomas Kendall, David Williams

A targeted analysis of the impact of insecticide withdrawals in Scotland, in the context of alternative control options

Lead Author: Jim Dimmock, Mark Bowsher-Gibbs, Harvey Blackmore, Steven Thomson, Katrina Dainton

PHC Annual Report 2022-2023

Lead Author: Sonia Humphris, Damian Bienkowski, Ian Toth

Biosecurity practices to support plant health: a review of knowledge and practice

Lead Author: Matt Elliot, Alistair Yeomans, David Knott

Identifying the plant health risks associated with plant waste disposal and peat-free growing media and developing best practice guidance for waste disposal and composting across sectors

Lead Author: Matt Elliot, Sarah Green, Audrey Litterick, Alistair Yeomans

Modelling the spread of PCN in Scotland

Lead Author: Peter Skelsey

Enhancing the Plant Health Centre’s communication with stakeholders

Lead Author: Ashleigh Holmes, Kenneth Loades

Perceptions of pest risk and differences in IPM uptake by arable farmers and agronomists in Scotland

Lead Author: Henry Creissen, Elliot Meador

Improving knowledge of Xylella fastidiosa vector ecology: modelling vector occurrence and abundance in the wider landscape in Scotland

Lead Author: Daniel Chapman, Stuart A'Hara, Samantha Broadmeadow, Rebecca Cairns, Joan Cottrell, Elisa Fuentes-Montemayor, Katherine Lester, Flavia Occhibove, Sam Rogerson, Steven White, Kirsty Park

A review of gene editing for the benefit of plant health

Lead Author: Matt Elliot, Ian Toth

Assessment of large-scale biosecurity risks to Scotland

Lead Author: Mariella Marzano

Assessment of large-scale plant biosecurity risks to Scotland from non-specialist and online horticultural sales

Lead Author: Chris Pollard, Alaina Paterson, Mariella Marzano

Assessment of plant biosecurity risks to Scotland from large scale plantings for landscaping and infra-structure projects

Lead Author: Berglind Karlsdottir, Chris Pollard, Alaina Paterson, Harry Watkins, Mariella Marzano

Assessment of plant biosecurity risks to Scotland from large scale tree plantings for environmental benefits

Lead Author: Mike Dunn, Aline Finger, Mariella Marzano

Strategic Portfolio Centres of Expertise

Lead Author: SEFARI Gateway, Scotland's Centres of Expertise

The potential of ecological and epidemiological models to inform assessment and mitigation of biosecurity risks arising from large scale planting

Lead Author: Louise Barwell, Rehema White, Daniel Chapman, Flora Donald, Mariella Marzano, Sarah Green, Adam Kleczkowski, Bethan Purse

Assessment of suitability for EAB invasion for Scotland and the UK

Lead Author: Vincent Keenan, Glenn Marion, Adam Kleczkowski

A stakeholder engagement strategy and communication plan for Scotland’s Plant Health Centre

Lead Author: Rehema White

Metabarcoding analysis of Phytophthora diversity in spore traps and implications for disease forecasting in the P. ramorum management zone

Lead Author: Carolyn Riddell , Sarah Green, Peter Cock, Toni Clarke

A new IPM Planning Tool for Scottish growers

Lead Author: Fiona Burnett, Henry Creissen

Monitoring for BMSB in Scotland - Final Report and Policy Summary

Lead Author: Gaynor Malloch, Alison Dolan, Carolyn Mitchell, Ailsa Smith, Fiona Highet, Yvonne Arnsdorf, Helen Payne, Alistair Hamilton, Andy Evans

PCN Working Group - Final Report

Lead Author: Ian Toth, Fiona Burnett, Philip Burgess, Colin Herron, Jon Pickup

PHC2020/09: Economic Impact of Pesticide Withdrawals to Scotland, with Case Studies

Lead Author: Fiona Burnett, Mark Bowsher-Gibbs, Donald Dunbar

PHC2018/15: Potential Impacts Arising from Pesticide Withdrawals to Scotland’s Plant Health

Lead Author: Andy Evans, Fiona Burnett

Impact of climate change on the spread of pests and diseases in Scotland

Lead Author: Adam Kleczkowski, Matt Castle, Glyn Jones, Vincent Keenan, Crawford Revie , Oleg Sheremet

Modelling Framework for invasive pests: Emerald ash borer as a case study

Lead Author: Vincent Keenan, Adam Kleczkowski, Glenn Marion

The Future Threat of PCN in Scotland

Lead Author: Vivian Blok, Jon Pickup, Kim Davie, Helen Kettle, David Ewing, Adrian Roberts, Laure Kuhfuss, Adam Kleczkowski, Beth McDougall

Expansion of PHC Online Plant Health Resources

Lead Author: Joanne Taylor, Katherine Hayden

18-Month Review Summary Leaflet

Lead Author: Sonia Humphris, Ian Toth, Damian Bienkowski

PHC2018/10 Network analysis – where do people get their plant health information?

Lead Author: Rehema White, Henry Creissen, Althea Davies , Mariella Marzano, Elliot Meador, James Robinson

Identify the presence of potential insect vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in Scotland

Lead Author: Kirsty Park, Matthew Guy, Elisa Fuentes-Montemayor, Katherine Lester, Stuart A'Hara, Joan Cottrell

Risk mapping of the likelihood and impact of a Xylella fastidiosa outbreak in Scotland

Lead Author: Samantha Broadmeadow, Kevin Watts, Chris Quine, Ruth Mitchell

Threat: Oak Processionary Moth

Lead Author: Mariella Marzano, Damian Bienkowski

Using modelling to investigate the effectiveness of national surveillance monitoring aimed at detecting a Xylella fastidiosa outbreak in Scotland

Lead Author: Steven White, Stephen Cavers, Daniel Chapman

Threat: Bud worm

Lead Author: Chris Quine

Threat: Emerald ash borer and Bronze birch borer

Lead Author: Chris Quine

Threat: Larger Eight toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus)

Lead Author: Chris Quine

Threat: Longhorn beetles

Lead Author: Chris Quine

Threat: Phytophthora ramorum

Lead Author: Chris Quine

Threat: Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso)

Lead Author: David Kenyon

Threat: Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) species -Globodera pallida

Lead Author: Ian Toth

Threat: Xylella fastidiosa

Lead Author: David Kenyon

Development of an online, user friendly plant health resource bank for the Scottish Natural Environment

Lead Author: Katherine Hayden, Joanne Taylor

The use of mobile technology to enhance plant health monitoring and awareness in Scotland

Lead Author: Sebastian Raubach, Jennie Brierley

Assessing the potential of the psyllid Trioza anthrisci to vector Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso) in Scotland

Lead Author: Fiona Highet, Ali Karley

Impact on Scottish crops if the molluscicide metaldehyde is withdrawn

Lead Author: Fiona Burnett, Andy Evans

Difficult choices to protect gardens and the environment

Lead Author: Katy Hayden

Spatio-temporal modelling of great spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus Micans) in Scotland

Lead Author: Glenn Marion

Allotment Biosecurity Guidance

Biosecurity Best Practise for Conservation

Cultivating Scotland’s Plant Health Expertise: The achievements and future of the Plant Health Centre

Do you consider plant health risk to the natural environment?

Engaging the Community on Plant Health at Lauriston Farm

Ethical considerations when using powerful diagnostics in plant health

Forests, climate, insects and people; A story of spruce forests in Central Europe and a lesson for Scotland

Forests, climate, insects and people; A story of spruce forests in Central Europe and a lesson for Scotland

Identifying strategies to help tackle the growing threat of PCN to the Scottish potato industry

Knowledge Bank

Meet Vincent - the Plant Health Centre's Modelling Fellow

Pest Fact Sheets for 39 Priority Pests

PHC2021/02: Plant Waste Guidance

Plant health and our natural environment – insights from the 2023 Scottish Plant Health Centre Conference

Plant Health Biosecurity Plan Template

Plant Health Centre funded research informs real-world improvements in plant biosecurity

Protecting our humble spud

Protecting Scotland’s wild areas from plant pests and diseases

Sudden Larch Death – an invasive tree killer and how you can do your bit to help

Taking steps for healthy forests in Scotland

The Iconic Caledonian Scots Pine: A New Health Threat and its Implications for Management

The quest for advances in biosecurity: people, tools, equipment and machinery

Why fans of whisky and gin need to worry about plant health

Wireworm Trap and IPM Guide 2026