Researchers from the University of Dublin have developed a rapid antigen test that can detect the genotype of phytophthora in the field. Potato growers should be able to use the tests as early as next year. This is necessary to be able to know at an early stage which phytophthora strain you are dealing with and to adjust the crop protection strategy accordingly.
In half an hour, you will have clarity with the help of the test. For this, it is necessary to collect a few leaves and put them in a bottle with reagents (chemical substances). The test then shows one or two lines, just like the well-known corona test. There are several tests that each work specifically on one strain of the dreaded disease.
Ready for practice
The practical development of the tests is already at an advanced stage. In order to be able to use them commercially, Dublin City University is asking the Irish government for €500.000. The current system used in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe is based on growers or advisors collecting leaves and sending them for research. The time that takes is simply too long to intervene early. With the test, that is a thing of the past.
High pressure
Teagasc – the Irish equivalent of BO Akkerbouw – presented the test to Irish potato growers at the end of August. However, it is still unclear what the tests will cost. Ireland has had a very wet August, which has caused many problems with phytophthora. Fortunately, Teagasc has found the dreaded new strain EU-43 relatively little this year. This strain is resistant to agents from the CAA and OSBPI groups. These include Revus, Orvego and Zorvec.