Plant pathogen testing: Pythium pcr assay
In-house testing for Pythium is available for indoor growers
Pythium is a genus of parasitic oomycetes, sometimes referred to as Pythium root rot or water mold and is common in lettuce and other leafy green products.
This pathogen is particularly hazardous for indoor growers and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) producers .
Effective disease management is hindered by the lack of fast, accurate pathogen detection methods and tools.
HSG-AME can equip your in-house laboratory, train your team to run the tests, provide your DNA test kits, and certify the lab and the technicians to surveil your indoor grow facility for the Pythium plant pathogen.
- Sample collection protocols (water, soil, plant materials)
- Sample preparation methods
- DNA purification protocol
- Sample testing kits
- Test results interpretation and decision-making
- All test kits will be validated for analytically verification for microbial inclusivity, microbial exclusivity, and nominal Limit of Detection (LoD) of below 100 genomic copies per reaction
- Assay will not detect DNA from other potential commensal bacterial/fungal contaminants found in plant/water samples
- Sample volume input of less than or equal to 5 uL
- Fixed price per test for each sample examined by DNA analysis
- Test turnaround time about one (1) hour from sample preparation
- Each kit includes a Positive Control template for each run validation
HSG-AME's real-time PCR tool is valuable for the early surveillance and detection of Pythium spread in growing facilities worldwide.
The HSG/AME assay is certified as valid. It has been tested using recognized FDA BAM methods and ISO/AWI TS 16099: Water quality — Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection and quantification of microorganisms — Quality control and validation of molecular methods, and SO 20836:2021--Microbiology of the food chain — Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of microorganisms — Thermal performance testing of thermal cyclers.
For further information, contact:
Andy Moreno, PhD
Bacterial Surveillance Systems Engineer
AME Certified Laboratories
650-445-4115
Plant pathogen testing: Yeasts and Molds
In-house testing for Yeasts and Molds
HSG-AME's Yeasts and Molds PCR assay is employed to detect and quantify the amount of fungal growth on plant material, and allow for identification of viable yeast and mold species present.
Mold is a type of fungus that grows in multicellular filaments called hyphae. These tubular branches have multiple, genetically identical nuclei, yet form a single organism, known as a colony. In contrast, yeast is a type of fungus that grows as a single cell.
Traditional methods require dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol agar, oxytetracycline glucose yeast extract agar and rose bengal chloramphenicol agar to enumerate of yeasts and molds.
PCR testing rapidly determines presence/absence without long incubation periods.
Yeasts can cause infection in people with compromised immune systems. They can cause the disease cryptococcossis, which is found in 7-9% of AID patients in the US. The yeast candida can also cause candidiasis in humans.
The HSG/AME assay is certified as valid. It has been tested using recognized FDA BAM methods and ISO/AWI TS 16099: Water quality — Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection and quantification of microorganisms — Quality control and validation of molecular methods, and SO 20836:2021--Microbiology of the food chain — Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of microorganisms — Thermal performance testing of thermal cyclers.
For further information, contact:
Andy Moreno, PhD
Bacterial Surveillance Systems Engineer
AME Certified Laboratories
650-445-4115
Plant pathogen tests for cannabis growers
Cannabis growers need to detect plant pathogens.
Plant pathogens can cause severe damage to cannabis plants, reducing yield, quality, and ultimately, profitability. Therefore, it is essential for cannabis growers to be able to detect plant pathogens early and take the necessary steps to control them. In this essay, we will discuss the most desired plant pathogen tests for cannabis growers and their importance.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests
PCR tests are a molecular technique that allows the detection and quantification of plant pathogens in cannabis plants. PCR tests are highly specific and sensitive, and they can detect pathogens even before symptoms appear. PCR tests are also faster and less expensive than traditional diagnostic methods, such as culturing or microscopy.
Several PCR tests have been developed for cannabis plant pathogens, including Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium spp., Phytophthora spp., and Botrytis cinerea. PCR tests are essential tools for cannabis growers because they allow for rapid and accurate identification of plant pathogens, which is crucial for preventing the spread of disease.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests
NGS tests are a high-throughput technique that allows the identification and quantification of multiple plant pathogens simultaneously. NGS tests are highly specific and sensitive, and they can detect pathogens even before symptoms appear. NGS tests are also faster and less expensive than traditional diagnostic methods, such as culturing or microscopy.
Several NGS tests have been developed for cannabis plant pathogens, including Fusarium spp., Pythium spp., Phytophthora spp., and Botrytis cinerea. NGS tests are essential tools for cannabis growers because they allow for rapid and accurate identification of plant pathogens, which is crucial for preventing the spread of disease.
Summary
Plant pathogens can cause severe damage to cannabis plants, reducing yield, quality, and ultimately, profitability. Therefore, it is essential for cannabis growers to be able to detect plant pathogens early and take the necessary steps to control them. PCR tests and NGS tests are the most desired plant pathogen tests for cannabis growers. These tests are highly specific, sensitive, and can detect pathogens even before symptoms appear. By using these tests, cannabis growers can prevent the spread of disease and ensure a healthy and profitable crop.
References:
Cullen, D. W., & Lees, A. K. (2019). Detection of Botrytis cinerea in cannabis plant material by real-time PCR. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 126(5), 1385-1392.
Gachon, C. M., Saindrenan, P., & Prevost, G. (2004). ELISA detection of Pythium spp. in soil and roots of symptomless tomato plants. Journal of Phytopathology, 152(1), 15-20.
Kusuma, P., Miller, S. A., & Pethybridge, S. J. (2019). Next-generation sequencing for identification and quantification of Pythium species in environmental samples of container
Abdalla, M. A., Al-Sadi, A. M., Al-Mazroui, S. S., Al-Hammadi, M. S., Al-Shariqi, R. M., & Al-Maskri, A. Y. (2018). First report of Colletotrichum nymphaeae causing leaf spot on Cannabis sativa in Oman. Plant Disease, 102(2), 458.
de Vrieze, M., Pandey, P., & Kromann, P. (2020). Detection and quantification of fungal pathogens in cannabis using real-time PCR assays: implications for developing standards and assay validation. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 987.
Heungens, K., Carrillo, J. D., Strem, M. D., Belknap, W. R., & Beirn, L. A. (2020). First report of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cannabis causing wilt in Cannabis sativa in the United States. Plant Disease, 104(2), 557.
Hulvey, J. P., Workneh, F., Rush, C. M., & Menge, J. A. (2011). Detection of maize dwarf mosaic virus and sugarcane mosaic virus in corn by reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification. Plant Disease, 95(5), 550-556.
Jagger, A., Kirkpatrick, R. L., Douglas, J., & Gambley, C. (2019). A review of bacterial and fungal diseases of cannabis: diagnostics, epidemiology, and management. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10, 1486.
Kusuma, P., Miller, S. A., & Pethybridge, S. J. (2018). Detection of Pythium species in container nurseries using real-time PCR assays: assay development and diagnostic validation. Plant Disease, 102(1), 76-84.
Landa, B. B., Navas-Cortés, J. A., Jiménez-Díaz, R. M., & Trapero-Casas, J. L. (2004). Quantitative detection of Verticillium dahliae in soil by real-time PCR. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 110(3), 235-244.
Min, X. J., Butler, B. J., & Geiser, D. M. (2019). A polyphasic approach for differentiating closely related fungi: the Fusarium solani species complex case study. BMC Microbiology, 19(1), 174.
Papoutsis, K., Vagelas, I., & Goudelis, G. (2019). Identification and characterization of fungi isolated from cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) plant samples in Greece. Journal of Phytopathology, 167(6), 335-347.
Sandoval-Denis, M., Stchigel, A. M., Cabañes, F. J., Guarro, J., & Cano-Lira, J. F. (2018). A new species of Curvularia from Cannabis sativa in Uruguay. Mycological Progress, 17(7), 823-831.
Cannabis plant pathogens
The most important plant pathogens to cannabis growers
Cannabis growers face a variety of plant pathogens that can harm their crops. Here are some of the most important pathogens:
Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that forms a white, powdery coating on leaves, stems, and buds. It is one of the most common and devastating diseases in cannabis cultivation. The fungus spreads through spores, and high humidity and warm temperatures encourage its growth. For more information, see this article by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=30222
Botrytis cinerea: Botrytis cinerea is a fungal disease that causes gray mold on cannabis flowers. The fungus spreads rapidly and can destroy entire crops in a matter of days. It thrives in cool, humid conditions and can be difficult to control. For more information, see this article by the University of Vermont Extension: https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Cannabis/Botrytis_cinerea.pdf
Fusarium: Fusarium is a soil-borne fungal disease that can cause wilt and root rot in cannabis plants. It spreads through contaminated soil or water and can survive in soil for years. Fusarium can be difficult to control once it infects a plant, so prevention is key. For more information, see this article by the University of Maryland Extension: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/fusarium-wilt-vegetables
Pythium: Pythium is another soil-borne pathogen that can cause root rot and damping-off in young cannabis plants. It spreads quickly through contaminated soil or water and can be difficult to control once it takes hold. For more information, see this article by the University of Massachusetts Amherst: https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/fact-sheets/pythium-damping
Verticillium: Verticillium is a fungal disease that can cause wilting, yellowing, and stunted growth in cannabis plants. It spreads through contaminated soil and can survive in soil for years. Verticillium can be difficult to control once it infects a plant, so prevention is key. For more information, see this article by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=27610
These are just a few examples of the plant pathogens that cannabis growers may encounter. It's important to be vigilant and take steps to prevent and control these diseases in order to ensure a healthy and successful harvest.
New Plant Pathogen Kits
New kits available for growers
Quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) kits for the following plant pathogens:
--Pseudomonas
--Fusarium
--Rhizoctonia
Sample preparation, test preparation, test specifications
Answers to these questions are available upon request.
covid-19 test qrt-pcr kit available
New kits available COVID-19
Quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) kits for the COVID-19 virus which also detects the Indian variant(s).
Sample preparation, test preparation, test specifications
Answers to questions are available upon request.