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| Diagnostic test for Anthurium bacterial blight | |
| A reliable molecular tool has been developed by researchers to detect the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Dieffenbachiae. The test is able to detect all bacterial strains that may cause the disease. It is now possible to diagnose infection quickly and on a large scale. In the 1980’s, the disease nearly destroyed Anthurium production in the West Indies. The bacterium was accidentally introduced to Réunion in 1997 by way of contaminated plants from the Netherlands. Subsequently, it was made compulsory to import young plants propagated in vitro. An 18-month quarantine period was also introduced. As a result of the new test, the obligatory quarantine period has been halved. The test can also be applied to certification schemes aimed at producing disease-free plant material. Patents have been taken out in France and the Netherlands. Recognition as an official diagnostic method is being sought from the European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). The first symptoms of the disease in anthuriums are oily leaf spots which give way to yellowing and necrosis. The infection can rapidly become systemic and kill the plant. “alphagalileo” E.-mail: helen.burford@cirad.fr www.cirad.fr |
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