Professor Gerry Saddler

Chief Plant Health Officer for Scotland
and Head of SASA

Telephone Number
+44(0)131 244 8925

Research interests/Areas of expertise

Epidemiology, characterisation and detection of plant pathogenic bacteria, particularly those affecting potato.
Epidemiology and control of potato mop top virus.
Bacterial systematics.

Biography

I joined SASA in 2001 to head the Diagnostics & Molecular Biology Branch (DMB), taking over responsibility for Diagnostics and Analytical Services (DAS) Branches in 2008. I became Head of Potato and Plant Health in 2014 with responsibility for 4 scientific Branches; Diagnostics, Wildlife & Molecular Biology (DWMB), Plant Biosecurity & Inspections, Potato and Virology & Zoology Branches.
I have worked on plant pathogenic bacteria affecting potato for more than 20 years, previously with CABI. I have worked extensively on potato brown rot (Ralstonia solanacearum), potato ring rot (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus) and the blackleg pathogens; Dickeya solani and Pectobacterium atrosepticum.
I serve as a technical adviser to policy colleagues within the Scottish Government, on bacterial diseases and their control and am a member of the International Society for Plant Pathology's Committee on the Taxonomy of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria (http://www.isppweb.org/about_tppb.asp).
I was awarded an Honorary Professorship by Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, in April 2014.

Publications

Saddler, G. "An integrated approach to meet future plant health challenges in Scotland." Sibbaldia: the Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture 18 (2020): 141-145.
Sjölund, M. J., R. Kelly, G. S. Saddler, and D. M. Kenyon. "Bacterial diseases affecting potatoes." In Achieving sustainable cultivation of potatoes. Vol. 2 Production, storage and crop protection. Sawston: Burleigh Dodds Science, 2018.
Toth, I., S. Humphris, J. Elphinstone, S. Wale, G. Cahill, and G. S. Saddler. "An update on the Potato Council / Scottish Government -funded blackleg project - year 2." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2016, 203-204. Dundee, 2016.
Davey, T., C Hodge, and G. S. Saddler. "Identification of factors which may be influencing the incidence of blackleg in Scottish seed potatoes." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2016, 197-202. Dundee, 2016.
Skelsey, P, J. G. Elphinstone, G. S. Saddler, S. J. Wale, and I. K. Toth. "Spatial analysis of blackleg-affected seed potato crops in Scotland." Plant Pathology 65, no. 4 (2016): 570-576.
Humphris, S., G. Cahill, J. G. Elphinstone, R. Kelly, N. M. Parkinson, L. Pritchard, I. K. Toth, and G. S. Saddler. "Detection of the Bacterial Potato Pathogens Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp. using Conventional and Real-Time PCR." In Plant Pathology : Techniques and Protocols, 1-16. New York: Springer, 2015.
Palmano, S., V. Mulholland, D. M. Kenyon, G. S. Saddler, and C. J. Jeffries. "Diagnosis of Phytoplasmas by Real-Time PCR Using Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) Probes." In Plant Pathology : Techniques and Protocols, 113-122. New York: Springer, 2015.
Elphinstone, J. G., N. M. Parkinson, G. S. Saddler, G. Cahill, R. Kelly, L. Pritchard, S. Humphris, and I. K. Toth. "Biology and control of Dickeya spp. affecting potato in the UK." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2014, 233-239. Dundee, 2014.
van der Wolf, J. M., E. H. Nijhuis, M. J. Kowalewska, G. S. Saddler, N. Parkinson, J. G. Elphinstone, L. Pritchard, I. K. Toth, E. Lojkowska, M. Potrykus et al. "Dickeya solani sp. nov., a pectinolytic plant pathogenic bacterium isolated from potato (Solanum tuberosum)." International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 64, no. 3 (2014): 768-774.
Bull, C. T., T. A. Coutinho, T. P. Denny, G. Firrao, M Fischer-Le-Saux, X. Li, G. S. Saddler, M. Scortichini, D. E. Stead, and Y. Takikawa. "List of new names of plant pathogenic bacteria (2011-2012)." Journal of Plant Pathology 96, no. 2 (2014): 223-226.
Toth, I. K., G. Cahill, J. G. Elphinstone, S. Humphris, D. Kiezebrink, G. S. Saddler, and S. J. Wale. "R&D into blackleg caused by Pectobacterium atrosepticum: an update." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2014, 241-242. Dundee, 2014.
Davey, T., S. F. Carnegie, G. S. Saddler, and W. J. Mitchell. "The importance of the infected seed tuber and soil inoculum in transmitting Potato mop-top virus to potato plants." Plant Pathology 63, no. 1 (2014): 88-97.
Pritchard, L., S. Humphris, G. S. Saddler, N. M. Parkinson, V. Bertrand, J. G. Elphinstone, and I. K. Toth. "Detection of phytopathogens of the genus Dickeya using a PCR primer prediction pipeline for draft bacterial genome sequences." Plant Pathology 62, no. 3 (2013): 587-596.
Pritchard, L., S. Humphris, G. S. Saddler, J. G. Elphinstone, M. Pirhonene, and I. K. Toth. "Draft Genome Sequences of 17 Isolates of the Plant Pathogenic Bacterium Dickeya." Genome Announcements 1, no. 6 (2013): e00978-13.
Pritchard, L., S. Humphris, S. Baeyen, M. Maes, J. van Vaerenbergh, J. Elphinstone, G. S. Saddler, and I. Toth. "Draft genome sequences of four Dickeya dianthicola and four Dickeya solani strains." Genome Announcements 1, no. 4 (2013): e00087-12.
Kelly, R. M., G. Cahill, J. G. Elphinstone, W. J. Mitchell, V. Mulholland, N. M. Parkinson, L. Pritchard, I. K. Toth, and G. S. Saddler. "Development of a real-time PCR assay for the detection of ‘Dickeya solani’." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2012, 201-206. Dundee, 2012.
Saddler, G. S., and E. M. Kerr. "Genus V. Clavibacter." In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, edited by M. Goodfellow, P. Kampfer, H. - J. Busse, M. E. Trujillo, K. -i Suzuki, W. Ludwig and W. B. Whitman, 877-883. 2nd ed. Vol. 5: The Actinobacteria, Part A. New York: Springer, 2012.
Saddler, G. S., and P. M. Guimaraes. "Genus VII. Curtobacterium." In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, edited by M. Goodfellow, P. Kampfer, H. - J. Busse, M. E. Trujillo, K. -i Suzuki, W. Ludwig and W. B. Whitman, 887-895. 2nd ed. Vol. 5: The Actinobacteria, Part A. New York: Springer, 2012.
Bull, C. T., S H. De Boer, T. P. Denny, G. Firrao, M Fischer-Le-Saux, G. S. Saddler, M. Scortichini, D. E. Stead, and Y. Takikawa. "List of new names of plant pathogenic bacteria (2008-2010)." Journal of Plant Pathology 94, no. 1 (2012): 21-27.
Carnegie, S. F., T. Davey, and G. S. Saddler. "Prevalence and distribution of Potato mop-top virus in Scotland." Plant Pathology 61, no. 4 (2012): 623-631.
Toth, I. K., J. M. van der Wolf, G. S. Saddler, E. Lojkowska, V. Hélias, M. Pirhonen, L. Tsror, and J. G. Elphinstone. "Dickeya species: an emerging problem for potato production in Europe." Plant Pathology 60, no. 3 (2011): 385-399.
Kowalewska, M. J., G. Cahill, D. M. Kenyon, W. Mitchell, and G. S. Saddler. "Characterisation of recently isolated Dickeya spp. and their potential threat to the Scottish potato industry." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2010, 251-256. Dundee, 2010.
Bull, C. T., S H. De Boer, T. P. Denny, G. Firrao, M Fischer-Le-Saux, G. S. Saddler, M. Scortichini, D. E. Stead, and Y. Takikawa. "Comprehensive List of Names of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, 1980-2007." Journal of Plant Pathology 92, no. 3 (2010): 551-592.
Kerr, J., J. Speirs, and G. S. Saddler. "Dickeya: Swift policy response by the Scottish Government to tackle this new bacterial threat." Aspects of Applied Biology 104, What makes an alien invasive? Risk and policy responses (2010): 7-12.
Carnegie, S. F., T. Davey, and G. S. Saddler. "Effect of temperature on the transmission of Potato mop-top virus from seed tuber and by its vector, Spongospora subterranea." Plant Pathology 59, no. 1 (2010): 22-30.
Palmano, S., C. J. Jeffries, V. Mulholland, and G. S. Saddler. "LNA probe-based Real-Time PCR for the detection of phytoplasmas in Solanum tuberosum." In COST Action FA0807 Conference. Current status and perspectives of phytoplasma disease research and management., Abstract Book, p30. Sitges, Spain, 2010.
Cahill, G., K. Fraser, M. J. Kowalewska, D. M. Kenyon, and G. S. Saddler. "Recent findings from the Dickeya survey and monitoring program." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2010, 171-176. Dundee, 2010.
Carnegie, S. F., G. S. Saddler, and J. C. Peters. "Cultivar susceptibility to Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) infection and symptom expression." Aspects of Applied Biology 94, Potatoes, viruses and their vectors (2009): 51-54.
Carnegie, S. F., G. S. Saddler, and T. Davey. "Temperature and the transmission of Potato mop-top virus (PMTV)." Aspects of Applied Biology 94, Potatoes, viruses and their vectors (2009): 21-26.
Carnegie, S. F., T. Davey, G. S. Saddler, J. Peters, and G. Budge. Testing potato varieties for susceptibility to potato mop-top virus (PMTV)., 2009.
Bull, C. T., S H. De Boer, T. P. Denny, G. Firrao, M Fischer-Le-Saux, G. S. Saddler, M. Scortichini, D. E. Stead, and Y. Takikawa. "Demystifying the Nomenclature of Plant Pathogens." Journal of Plant Pathology 90, no. 3 (2008): 403-417.
Kerr, E. M., and G. S. Saddler. "Identifying and reducing the risks from potato ring rot: a Scottish perspective." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2008, 277-282. Dundee, 2008.
Saddler, G. S., J. G. Bryan, J. Danial, J. G. Elphinstone, R. C. McHugh, N. M. Parkinson, P. van de Graaf, and M. O. Winfield. "Potato brown rot: a threat to Scottish seed potatoes?" In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2008, 193-198. Dundee, 2008.
Davey, T., I. Browning, S. F. Carnegie, G. S. Saddler, and W. J. Mitchell. Soil - a source of PMTV?., 2008. Soil a source of PMTV.pdf (4.76 MB)
Davey, T., I. Browning, S. F. Carnegie, W. J. Mitchell, and G. S. Saddler. "Soil: the principal source of potato mop top virus (PMTV) infection." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2008, 205-210. Dundee, 2008.
Lambert, D. H., R. Loria, D. P. Labeda, and G. S. Saddler. "Recommendation for the conservation of the name Streptomyces scabies. Request for an opinion." International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 57, no. 10 (2007): 2447-2448.
Davey, T., I. Browning, S. F. Carnegie, and G. S. Saddler. The importance of potato mop-top virus (PMTV) in Scottish seed potatoes., 2007.
Burns, R., E. George, I. Browning, R. Holmes, J. Craigie, and G. S. Saddler. Development of a Monoclonal Antibody for the detection of Potato Mop-Top Virus., 2006. Development of a MAb for detection of Potato mop top virus.pdf (123.02 KB)
Gabriel, D. W., C. Allen, M. Schell, T. P. Denny, J. T. Greenberg, Y. P. Duan, Z. Flores-Cruz, Q. Huang, J. M. Clifford, G. Presting et al. "Identification of Open Reading Frames Unique to a Select Agent: Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 Biovar 2." Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 19, no. 1 (2006): 69-79.
Davey, T., I. Browning, S. F. Carnegie, W. J. Mitchell, and G. S. Saddler. "The importance of potato mop top virus (PMTV) in Scottish seed potatoes." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2006, 375-380. Dundee, 2006.
Saddler, G. S., and J. F. Bradbury. "Family I. Xanthomonadaceae." In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, edited by G. Garrity, 63. 2nd ed. Vol. 2 (The Proteobacteria), Part B (The Gammaproteobacteria). Berlin & Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag, 2005.
Saddler, G. S., and J. F. Bradbury. "Genus I. Xanthomonas." In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, edited by G. Garrity, 63-91. 2nd ed. Vol. 2 (The Proteobacteria), Part B (The Gammaproteobacteria). Berlin & Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag, 2005.
Saddler, G. S., and J. F. Bradbury. "Genus XI. Xylella." In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, edited by G. Garrity, 119-123. 2nd ed. Vol. 2 (The Proteobacteria), Part B (The Gammaproteobacteria). Berlin & Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag, 2005.
Saddler, G. S. "Management of bacterial wilt disease." In Bacterial wilt disease and the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex, edited by C. Allen, P. Prior and A. C. Hayward, 121-132. St. Paul, MN: APS press, 2005.
Saddler, G. S., and J. F. Bradbury. "Order III. Xanthomonadales." In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, edited by G. Garrity, 63. 2nd ed. Vol. 2 (The Proteobacteria), Part B (The Gammaproteobacteria). Berlin & Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag, 2005.
Euzeby, J. P., L. Hoyles, P. Kampfer, A. Oren, G. S. Saddler, H. G. Truper, and B. J. Tindall. "List of changes in taxonomic opinion: making use of the new lists." International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 54, no. 5 (2004): 1429-1430.
Mulholland, V., J. C. Davey, J. Kerr, and G. S. Saddler. "Molecular methods in support of the Scottish Executive's GM Inspectorate." In Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2004, 57-62. Dundee, 2004.
Smith, J. J., and G. S. Saddler. "The use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to study bacteria recovered from the environment." In Molecular Microbial Ecology Manual, edited by G. A. Kowalchuk, F. J. de Bruijn, I. M. Head, A. D. L. Akkermans and J. D. van Elsas, 661-671. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004.
Smith, J. J., K. Murimi, R. Gouws, G. S. Saddler, A. Trigalet, and S. Simons. "Biocontrol of potato bacterial wilt in Kenya." In Biotechnology and sustainable development: Voices of the South and North, 129-142. Wallingford: CABI Publishing, 2003.
Guimaraes, P. M., J. J. Smith, S. Palmano, and G. S. Saddler. "Characterisation of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pathovars by AFLP, rep-PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis." European Journal of Plant Pathology 109, no. 8 (2003): 817-825.
Kim, S. B., M. Goodfellow, J. Kelly, G. S. Saddler, and A. C. Ward. "Application of oligonucleotide probes for the detection of Thiothrix spp. in activated sludge plants treating paper and board mill wastes." Water Science and Technology 46, no. 1-2 (2002): 559-564.
Saddler, G. S. "Bacteria and plant disease." In Plant Pathologist’s Pocketbook, edited by J. M. Waller, J. Lenné and S. J. Waller, 94-107. 3rd ed. Wallingford: CABI Publishing, 2002.
Braithwaite, M., R. P. Leite, J. J. Smith, E. Boa, and G. S. Saddler. "First report of Citrus Canker Caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri on Citrus sinensis in Bolivia." Plant Pathology 51, no. 3 (2002): 383.
Young, J. M., C. T. Bull, S H. De Boer, G. Firrao, L. Gardan, G. S. Saddler, D. E. Stead, and Y. Takikawa. "Classification, Nomenclature, and Plant Pathogenic Bacteria - A Clarification." Phytopathology 91, no. 7 (2001): 617-620.
Guimaraes, P. M., S. Palmano, J. J. Smith, M. F. Grossi de Sá, and G. S. Saddler. "Development of a PCR test for the detection of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens." Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 80, no. 1 (2001): 1-10.
Smith, J. J., and G. S. Saddler. "The use of avirulent mutants of Ralstonia solanacearum to control bacterial wilt disease." In Biotic Interactions in Plant-Pathogen Associations, edited by M. J. Jeger and N. Spence, 159-176. Wallingford: CAB International, 2001.
Smith, J. J., and G. S. Saddler. "The use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to study bacteria recovered from the environment." In Molecular Microbial Ecology Manual, edited by A. D. L. Akkermans, J. D. van Elsas and F. J. de Bruijn, 1-10. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001.
Gardan, L., C. Dauga, M. Gillis, and G. S. Saddler. "Acidovorax anthurii sp. nov., a new phytopathogenic bacterium which causes bacterial leaf-spot of anthurium." International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology 50, no. 1 (2000): 235-246.
Saddler, G. S. "IMI Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria Set 146 (Nos. 1451-1460)." IMI Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria. Wallingford: CAB International, 2000.

Professor Gerry Saddler

Chief Plant Health Officer for Scotlandand Head of SASA

Chief Plant Health Officer for Scotland
and Head of SASA