The Second Quantum Revolution facilitates the engineering of new classes of sensors, communication technologies, and computers with unprecedented capabilities. Supply chains for quantum technologies are emerging, some focused on commercially available components for enabling technologies and/or quantum-technologies research infrastructures, others with already higher technology-readiness levels, near to the market.In 2018, the European Commission has launched its large-scale and long-term Quantum Flagship research initiative to support and foster the creation and development of a competitive European quantum technologies industry, as well as the consolidation and expansion of leadership and excellence in European quantum technology research. One of the measures to achieve an accelerated development and uptake has been identified by the Quantum Flagship in its Strategic Research Agenda: The promotion of coordinated, dedicated standardisation and certification efforts.Standardisation is indeed of paramount importance to facilitate the growth of new technologies, and the development of efficient and effective supply chains. The harmonisation of technologies, methodologies, and interfaces enables interoperable products, innovation, and competition, all leading to structuring and hence growth of markets. As quantum technologies mature, the time has come to start thinking about further standardisation needs.This article presents insights on standardisation for quantum technologies from the perspective of the CEN-CENELEC Focus Group on Quantum Technologies (FGQT), which was established in June 2020 to coordinate and support the development of standards relevant for European industry and research.
Actinidia seed-borne latent virus (ASbLV, Betaflexiviridae), was detected at high frequency in healthy seedlings grown from lines of imported seed in a New Zealand post-entry quarantine facility. To better understand how to manage this virus in a dioecious crop species, we developed a rapid molecular protocol to detect infected progeny and to identify a reliable plant tissue appropriate to detect transmission rates from paternal and maternal parents under quarantine environment. The frequency of ASbLV detection from true infection of F1 progeny was distinguished by testing whole seeds and progeny seedling tissues from a controlled cross between two unrelated parents; an ASbLV-infected staminate (male) plant and an uninfected pistillate (female) plant, and the process was repeated with an ASbLV uninfected staminate (male) plant and an infected pistillate (female) plant. Individual whole seeds, or single cotyledons from newly-emerged seedlings, true leaf or a root from those positive-tested seedlings, were assessed for presence of ASbLV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The virus was detected at a high incidence (98%) in individual seeds, but at a much lower incidence in seedling cotyledons (62%). F1 seedlings from three crosses were used to compare transmission rates from infected staminate versus infected pistillate parents. Cotyledon testing of seedlings from each cross confirmed staminate transmission at high frequency (~60%), and pistillate transmission at even higher frequency (81% and 86%, respectively).
Actinidia seed-borne latent virus (ASbLV, Betaflexiviridae, genus Prunevirus) was detected at high frequency in healthy seedlings grown from lines of imported seed in a New Zealand post-entry quarantine facility. To determine the route and efficiency of transmission of ASbLV in this dioecious crop species, we developed a rapid molecular protocol and identified a reliable progeny plant tissue to determine paternal and maternal transmission rates. The virus was detected at a high incidence (98%) in individual seeds, but cotyledon testing of seedlings from selected crosses confirmed staminate (male) transmission at high frequency (~ 60%), and pistillate (female) transmission at even higher frequency (~ 80%). The use of cotyledons allows non-destructive detection of ASbLV in very young seedlings that enables early screening of kiwifruit plants in nurseries to manage its spread to orchards. The high ASbLV transmission rates, whether from infected pollen or ovules, facilitate bulk testing of seed lots that could quickly detect infected parent plants (fruit bearing female or male pollinator) already in an orchard. The dioecious nature of Actinidia may provide a useful biological tool to further investigate ASbLV movement, transmission biology, and ultimately its impact on infected Actinidia plants.
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