Development of a routine DNA-based testing service for soilborne diseases in Australia

Challenges and Prospects for Building Resilient Disease Management Strategies and Tactics for the New York Table Beet Industry

“…The traditional means of evaluating fungal populations in the soil are bioassays [97] or counting colony-forming units through plating to selective media. To improve site selection to mitigate risk from root diseases significant advances are possible through the provision of knowledge on the levels of DNA of the specific pathogens prior to planting [98]. DNA can be easily and rapidly extracted from soil [99] and has been used as a pre-plant predictor of risk for root crop diseases including potato [100,101].…”

“…For example, in Australia, a commercial pre-plant soil testing service called "PreDicta B" has been operating for the cereal industry since 1997 [98], and quantifies several pathogens of cereals in DNA extracted from a single soil sample [98,99]. In this service, soil samples from across the field tested with proprietary protocols [98]. In collaboration with growers, trained extension educators then interpret the results in the context of their individual cropping systems [98].…”

“…In collaboration with growers, trained extension educators then interpret the results in the context of their individual cropping systems [98]. DNA extraction from soil samples and detection and quantification by PCR offers several advantages over conventional techniques for delivery of findings in a practical timeframe to enable site-specific decisions on crop rotations [98,99,102].…”

“…Quantitative PCR can then evaluate fungal populations and provide substantial advances in enhancing our understanding of inoculum densities in the development of monocyclic, soilborne diseases. For example, in Australia, a commercial pre-plant soil testing service called "PreDicta B" has been operating for the cereal industry since 1997 [98], and quantifies several pathogens of cereals in DNA extracted from a single soil sample [98,99]. In this service, soil samples from across the field tested with proprietary protocols [98].…”

Cost of root disease on white clover growth in New Zealand dairy pastures

“…Samples of soil were sent to the root disease testing service (RDTS; Primary Industries and Regions SA; PIRSA, Australia) for pathogens DNA detection (Ophel-Keller et al 2008). This service involves the extraction of DNA from bulk samples of soil, and qPCR-based detection of a suite of pathogenic taxa in the samples.…”