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Abstract Spray‐induced gene silencing (SIGS) is an emerging tool for crop pest protection. It utilizes exogenously applied double‐stranded RNA to specifically reduce pest target gene expression using endogenous RNA interference machinery. In this study, SIGS methods were developed and optimized for powdery mildew fungi, which are widespread obligate biotrophic fungi that infect agricultural crops, using the known azole‐fungicide targetcytochrome P45051 (CYP51) in theGolovinomyces orontii–Arabidopsis thalianapathosystem. Additional screening resulted in the identification of conserved gene targets and processes important to powdery mildew proliferation:apoptosis‐antagonizing transcription factorin essential cellular metabolism and stress response; lipid catabolism geneslipase a,lipase 1, andacetyl‐CoA oxidasein energy production;and genes involved in manipulation of the plant host via abscisic acid metabolism (9‐cis‐epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase,xanthoxin dehydrogenase, and a putativeabscisic acid G‐protein coupled receptor) and secretion of the effector protein,effector candidate 2. Powdery mildew is the dominant disease impacting grapes and extensive powdery mildew resistance to applied fungicides has been reported. We therefore developed SIGS for theErysiphe necator–Vitis viniferasystem and tested six successful targets identified using theG. orontii–A. thalianasystem. For all targets tested, a similar reduction in powdery mildew disease was observed between systems. This indicates screening of broadly conserved targets in theG. orontii–A. thalianapathosystem identifies targets and processes for the successful control of other powdery mildew fungi. The efficacy of SIGS on powdery mildew fungi makes SIGS an exciting prospect for commercial powdery mildew control. 

Abstract Population growth and climate change will impact food security and potentially exacerbate the environmental toll that agriculture has taken on our planet. These existential concerns demand that a passionate, interdisciplinary, and diverse community of plant science professionals is trained during the 21st century. Furthermore, societal trends that question the importance of science and expert knowledge highlight the need to better communicate the value of rigorous fundamental scientific exploration. Engaging students and the general public in the wonder of plants, and science in general, requires renewed efforts that take advantage of advances in technology and new models of funding and knowledge dissemination. In November 2018, funded by the National Science Foundation through the Arabidopsis Research and Training for the 21st century (ART 21) research coordination network, a symposium and workshop were held that included a diverse panel of students, scientists, educators, and administrators from across the US. The purpose of the workshop was to re‐envision how outreach programs are funded, evaluated, acknowledged, and shared within the plant science community. One key objective was to generate a roadmap for future efforts. We hope that this document will serve as such, by providing a comprehensive resource for students and young faculty interested in developing effective outreach programs. We also anticipate that this document will guide the formation of community partnerships to scale up currently successful outreach programs, and lead to the design of future programs that effectively engage with a more diverse student body and citizenry.