Plant DiseasesForensic Diagnostic Methods

Andres S. EspindolaDept. Entomology and Plant Pathology

Oklahoma State University

Plant Diagnostics: Importance

Plant diseases spread as quick as human

diseases

Infected plants can not be saved.

Quick plant pathogen diagnosisQuick on site diagnosisSpecialized lab

The United States crops are a billionaire business

Signs and SymptomsAt a glance, take a look in signs and symptoms.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato

Signs: Presence of the pathogen (bacterial cells)

Signs and symptoms may give a guidance to plant pathologist.

Symptoms: responses of the plant.

Different techniques for Diagnosis

Symptoms and signs are not the only tool to

diagnostic a plant disease.

DNA RNA Proteins

Molecular Techniques:Polymerase Chain

Reaction (PCR)

Immunological tests:Immunostrips

Agglutination tests

Immunological tests:Immunostrips

Agglutination tests

Immunological diagnostic tests

Animal Antibodies

Plant Pathogen Protein

Human Immune System

Plant pathogen proteins injection

Immunostrip TestPositive Result

Negative Result Invalid Results

Pictures of real Immunostrips

Agglutination

The results are going to be similar to this:

AntibodiesBacteria (Plant pathogen)

Agglutination: How does it happen?

Agglutination: How does it happen?

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