DNA Multiscan - New Diagnostic Test for Multiple Pathogens

The DNA Multiscan is a new and very powerful tool that can assist consultants, producers, industry, extension and others in identifying plant disease problems. The test, which is available through the University of Guelph Laboratory Services, can test multiple plant pathogens at one time and has the potential to identify all possible diseases of a crop in the one test. Traditional diagnostic testing is limited in the number of diseases that can be tested at one time and in most cases they detect only one pathogen or organisms that could be cultured (grown in the lab). This has always been complaint of such testing and the DNA Multiscan eliminates this complaint. The test is one-hundred times more sensitive than classical tests and since the results are based on the detection of genetic material the DNA Multiscan is very accurate and rapid. The technology behind the DNA Multiscan was originally developed in Canada and has the ability to identify plant pathogenic and beneficial organisms in:

1. plant material: crops, seedlings, cuttings, young plants, and seeds
2. substrates: potting mixes, rock wool and soil
3. re-circulating systems: irrigation water, nutrient solutions, pond and drainage water
4. wash and rinse water used during and after harvest
5. fertilizers, composts, and fresh manures
6. sludges

Besides detecting the presence of pathogenic and certain beneficial micro-organisms, The DNA multiscan® also simultaneously indicates the quantity or magnitude of the problem (low, moderate or high).

The following example (page 6) shows the strengths of the DNA Multiscan. During a problem call this year, I noticed that the soybeans were displaying typical Fusarium wilt and Rhizoctonia root rot symptoms. These plants were sent to the Pest Diagnostic Clinic (University of Guelph) for DNA Multiscan testing. The results show that multiply Fusarium species were detected plus Rhizoctonia solani. This makes it much easier to correlate the symptoms with the lab detection and ultimately makes for better recommendations and plant disease management.

For more details contact:

Marc Sabourin, BSc.F., MSc.F
Laboratory Services
University of Guelph
Telephone 519-767-6227
Email: msabouri@lsd.uoguelph.ca

Note # 1 - Many fusarium species detected at different levels. These pathogens are often associated with Fusarium root rot and wilt symptoms in the field.

Note # 2 - Besides Fusarium species being found, the Rhizoctonia root rot pathogen was also found at high levels. This makes sense based on the visual symptoms in the field. This is one of the strengths of the DNA Multiscan - "the ability to detect many pathogens at the same time with one test or sample."