Contact

Plant Communities and Bioinvaders in Tropical Environments Joint Research Unit
CIRAD
Pôle de protection des plantes
7 chemin de l’IRAT, 97410 Saint-Pierre,
Réunion, France
Tel.: +262 2 62 49 92 77 Fax: +262 2 62 49 92 93
Scientific contact

CIRAD-BIOS
Boulevard de la Lironde, TA A-DIR / PS3, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
Tel.: +33 4 67 61 57 64 Fax: +33 4 67 61 75 64
Commercial contact

Diagnostic test for anthurium blight

A molecular diagnostic test capable of detecting the bacterium responsible for a serious anthurium disease, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae .

The disease caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae (Xad) is found in most anthurium growing zones worldwide, and there is no cure. Xad is a pathogenic bacterium that is routinely tested for in quarantine facilities when plant material is exchanged. It is covered by specific regulations on an international scale. CIRAD has developed a new molecular diagnostic test for the bacterium, based on gene amplification.

Main advantages

  • The test is easy to use and specific to pathogenic strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae . It is used directly on bacterial suspensions, and identifies strains of Xad from any world region affected by the disease.
  • The test is highly sensitive: it can detect the bacterium in plant tissues even before disease symptoms appear.
  • The test can process large numbers of samples rapidly. It is a particularly useful tool for screening large quantities of symptom-free plant material, for instance that leaving quarantine facilities.

Industrial usage

Diagnosis of anthurium blight in Europe and at all anthurium distribution sites, introduction of plant material certification procedures.

Development phase

  • Since 2010, this sensitive, rapid new diagnostic method has been the reference method recommended by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO).
  • In Réunion, anthurium producers can have the diagnostic test carried out on imported seedlings, by an approved laboratory.
  • The test is due to be launched woldwide as of 2011.

Intellectual rights

CIRAD patent no. FR2848222.
A patent was issued in France in 2004 and extended to the Netherlands in 2006.

Partnership kind

CIRAD is looking for an industrial partner with a view to the commercial development of the method. The diagnostic test is intended for research laboratories (appraisals in the event of crises or disputes), service providers involved in sanitary quality certification, and anthurium producers keen to produce and market healthy plants.