INDICANTS project : INnovative DIagnostiCs for bANana paThogens Surveillance
Abstract
Banana is a major staple in developing countries and the most eaten fruit in Europe. Global banana production is constrained by several diseases responsible for yield losses and low productivity which may compromise food security. Four vascular diseases are of particular concern: Fusarium wilt disease of banana caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc), Moko and banana blood diseases, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum and R. syzygii subsp. celebesensis, respectively) and Xanthomonas wilt of banana caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum. Efficiency of surveillance and plant disease management requires the availability of Point of care (POC) diagnostics that can be operated directly on site. This poster describes the main objectives and early results of the INDICANTS project (INnovative DIagnostiCs for bANana paThogens Surveillance): (i) the development of low-cost multi-pathogens LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal amplification) assays and the production of ready-to use kits by a private company (ii) the comparison of different simplified DNA extraction methods adapted to field. (iii) the validation of the LAMP protocols via an interlaboratory test and field surveys. (iiii) the evaluation of an emergent technology (CRISPR/Cas12a) for the diagnosis of Foc.