Development of a high-throughput method for the detection and speciation of PCN.

Summary: As a consequence of the new EU PCN directive it is expected that there will be a significant increase in the number of soil samples that need to be tested each year. A new diagnostic test based on the detection of PCN DNA has been developed that not only provides the level of accuracy required, but can also handle large numbers of samples at a cost per sample that compares with the current test. The new assay reliably detects both species of PCN (Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis) from a range of sites and a single cyst of either species can be detected in a sample even when there a large number of the other species is present. This is essential if fields containing mixed populations are to be correctly identified.