Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
School of Biological Sciences
Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology
Establishment of a diagnostic capacity for the detection of viruses and other graft-transmissible pathogens of Citrus. Citrus Research International (2005-2007)
Rapid, sensitive and accurate diagnosis and identification of pathogens is fundamental to development of strategies for their management and control, whether by phytosanitary legislation, certification schemes, vector control, resistance selection and breeding, or cultivation practices. Development of such techniques is also an essential first-step in most research actions involving such pathogenes. In support of the local citrus industry the aim of this project is to establish a diagnostic capacity (ELISA- or PCR-based) locally to detect the major graft-transmissible diseases of citrus. To address the control of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) by cross protection, and to exploit the probable underlying mechanism of RNA-silencing, it is imperative that information on the variability of this virus be obtained locally. Microarray based analysis is ideally suited to this, and such a technique is being developed.
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