Recommendations to policy makers from Euphresco projects
The following research projects have recently been carried out in the framework of Euphresco (network for phytosanitary research coordination and funding – hosted by EPPO). The reports presenting the main objectives and results of these projects, as well as recommendations made to policy makers, can be viewed on the Internet.
Harmonized protocol for monitoring and detection of Xylella fastidiosa in its host plants and its vectors
The project was undertaken (i) to strengthen/build the capacity of the laboratories working on the diagnosis of Xylella fastidiosa and (ii) to improve the performance (such as reliability and sensitivity) of the diagnostic tests used for the detection and identification of the bacterium in host plants and insect vectors. The outcomes of the project supported the revision of the EPPO Diagnostic Protocol PM 7/24 Xylella fastidiosa. Although relevant research efforts have been devoted in the last 5 years to improve the diagnostic tools available for X. fastidiosa, more research is needed to better estimate the threshold of detectability in asymptomatic hosts as well as to better define the latency period in relation to the numerous host species and the different bacterial strains.
Authors: Saponari M, Gottsberger R, Maes M, Dimitrova E, Križanac I, Olivier V, Jacques MA, Müller P, Fraser K, Ambrus A, Melika G, Loreti S, Bergsma-Vlami M, Bonants P, Sá Pereira P, Kornev K, Dreo T, Landa B, Matoušková H, D'Onghia AM, Balestra GM, Fatmi M, Kałużna M, Lin H, Krugner R, Cara M.
Duration of the project: from 2016-09-01 to 2018-08-21.
Report: https://zenodo.org/record/2656679#.XNVzj44zbct
Ring test for improved Potato virus Y strain detection
The main aim of the project was to develop and validate a protocol for the detection and identification of Potato virus Y (PVY) and its associated strains. During the project, different PVY strain identification tests were considered and data on these tests were shared by project partners in order to select those that allowed identification of a wide range of PVY strains; an interlaboratory comparison was organized and a validated protocol was agreed.
The primers described by Lorenzen et al. (2006) with modified and simplified one-step RT-PCR protocol (as described in the project report) are recommended as easy and cost-effective primary tests for PVY population studies. They provide good discrimination of the most common PVY strains. Nevertheless, due to the high variability of PVY, one method alone cannot provide conclusive identification of PVY strains. For a comprehensive and accurate PVY identification, it is recommended to use a combination of several antibodies (especially different N-specific antibodies should be used) and RT-PCR based methods. Another solution might be the sequencing of the full genome.
Authors: Lasner H, van der Sman P, Järvekülg L, Grausgruber-Gröger S, Renvoisé JP, Tomassoli L, Glais L, Smith L.
Duration of the project: from 2016-08-01 to 2018-06-30.
Report: https://zenodo.org/record/2640991#.XL8gfugzbct
Sources
Euphresco (2019-05). https://www.euphresco.net/projects/