Articles
PATHOGEN TESTING TO OBTAIN HEALTHY PROPAGATING MATERIAL OF STRAWBERRY PLANTS
In 1995, NAKTUINBOUW adapted a new system for testing certified strawberry plants, which essentially was an elaboration and an extension of the existing methods, and entirely based on the newly published OEPP/EPPO scheme.
The starting point and the basis of the new NAKTUINBOUW certification scheme is the testing of candidate material entering the scheme in order to become pathogen-free nuclear stock (SEE) material.
The most important tests are concerned with virus diseases (all viruses known to occur in the OEPP/EPPO region), leaf nematodes (Ditylenchus and Aphelenchoides spp.) and red stele (Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae).
All candidate plants originating from the OEPP/EPPO region are tested individually with herbaceous hosts (Chenopodium quinoa), strawberry indicator plants (Fragaria vesca ‘EMC’, F. vesca x F. chiloensis x F. virginiana ‘UC-5, F. virginiana ‘UC-12’, F. vesca ‘Alpine’ (Converse, 1987), with nematode extraction methods, and with bait plants (F. vesca ‘Baron Solemacher’) (Duncan, 1980). Suspect plants are tested for the presence of any pest or disease, especially Collectotrichum acutatum and Phytophthora cactorum.
When plants originate from outside the OEPP/EPPO region, they are tested individually for all virus diseases known to occur in strawberry.
When candidate material is found to be infected, NAKTUINBOUW offers the possibility for growers and breeders to make the material pathogen-free by meristem tip culture.
Furthermore, reserve stock of nuclear stock material can be maintained in vitro. During all the testing procedures the candidate material is maintained under conditions ensuring freedom from reinfection, especially with aphid-transmitted viruses and Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae.
The testing and pathogen elimination is available for all NAKB affiliated nurseries.
For growers not affiliated to NAKTUINBOUW all facilities mentioned above are offered on a contract basis.