Research projects financed by the National Center for Research and Development:

Number: LIDER 28/199 / L-3/11 / NCBR / 2012

Title: A new diagnostic tool with high sensitivity and specificity for the detection and identification of the quarantine bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. Sepedonicus.

Financing institution: NCBiR

Implementation period: 2011-2015

Project manager: dr inż. Włodzimierz Grzegoowski

Implementing unit: Department of Seed Science and Potato Protection IHAR-PIB in Bonin

Project value: PLN 1 110 492.00.

 

Project assumptions and purpose:

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (Cms) – the culprit of potato ring rot is one of the most important potato pathogens, the fourth largest crop in the world. As a quarantine organism, it is subject to the obligation to eradicate. As a consequence of imposed phytosanitary rigors, not a single tuber in a batch of seed potatoes intended for the domestic market and export cannot be infected with Cms bacteria (OEPP / EPPO 1990).

There are a number of difficulties related to the diagnosis of Cms bacteria, such as the presence of a latent (asymptomatic) form of infection, problems in obtaining pure cultures of this pathogen from potato tissue, high genetic homogeneity of the Cms subspecies, and late manifesting and confused with other diseases external symptoms of the disease. Also currently used standard methods of detection of Cms bacteria, despite being well developed and tested, have various limitations resulting from the principles of their operation.

Ww. the factors result in the lack of reliable and quick diagnostic tests desirable not only in specialized laboratories of scientific and phytosanitary control units, but also in starting culture (potato gene bank), place of production, storage and during transport. This fact favors the uncontrolled movement of the perpetrator of ring rot to new areas.

According to the adopted phytosanitary requirements, at least two tests based on different biological principles should be used for reliable diagnostics, including the pathogenicity test on the bioindicator plant, which in turn extends the assessment time of the test sample up to 40 days (OEPP / EPPO, 2006).

Therefore, it is necessary to search for innovative solutions to bypass these difficulties.

 

Practical significance:

The project’s ultra-sensitive and specific diagnostic test is of great practical importance. Its development will enable effective detection of Cms bacteria at every stage of potato cultivation (control of seed potatoes, plants in the field, storage and commercially available material). Improved identification at the level of latent infection will allow a quick response to newly emerging outbreaks. Such a solution can bring measurable benefits both in the economic and economic sphere, allowing to significantly reduce the spread of the perpetrator of potato ring rot.

Therefore, the scientific goal of this project was to develop an ultra-sensitive and highly specific diagnostic tool for the detection and identification of Cms bacteria and to assess the usefulness of the test in identifying and combating the perpetrator of potato ring rot in Poland.

Project team:

  • dr inż. Włodzimierz Przewodowski
  • dr inż. Agnieszka Przewodowska
  • dr inż. Grzegorz Gryń
  • mgr Marta Jankowska