Case Study – Molecular methods for the detection of plant pathogens

The early detection and identification of plant borne pathogens is an integral part of successful disease management and this is especially important in relation to the importation of foreign plant material. The rapid identification of a plant pathogen, allows for the appropriate control measures to be applied prior to the further spread of the disease or its introduction. Since most plant-based foodstuffs have a finite shelf life, it is imperative that any potentially infected material is diagnosed as rapidly and as reliably as possible, in order to avoid delays and expensive losses to the cash import.