In 2020, the testing laboratory of the branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Rosselkhoztsentr" in the Amur Region began to study potatoes for contamination with bacterial or viral pathogens - "Potato phytopathogens. DNA ".
The laboratory of the branch, as part of the execution of public services, carried out 25 analyzes of potato tubers for the determination of pathogens of potato diseases by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with hybridization-fluorescent detection of PCR products in "real time" using a microchip nucleic acid amplifier "AriaDNA".
A distinctive feature of potato cultivation is instability to weather conditions and a high degree of susceptibility to phytopathogens. And also in the process of their growth and development, potato plants are affected by diseases that persist on plant debris, soil and potato tubers. When stored, diseased potato tubers become a source of spread of diseases. Planting the affected tubers in the ground contributes to the infection of the soil and the further spread of diseases throughout the plant.
In this regard, the specialists of the plant protection department recommend starting to prepare seed material for planting with the study of potato tuberous material for the detection of diseases and pests in the testing laboratory of the branch "Rosselkhoztsentr".
Head of the laboratory A.V. Stankova talks about the research process and the results obtained as follows: “The material for the analysis is DNA samples obtained from potato tubers. Then, prepared mixtures containing purified DNA and mixtures intended for control samples are introduced into microreactors, which are previously sealed. Then the cartridge with the microarray is placed in the thermoblock of the thermoblock and the analysis and interpretation of the results of the samples are carried out using the "AriaDNA" software. The method allows you to carry out 3 tests at the same time, for a more accurate and objective result. "
The results of the analysis showed that out of 1872 tons of examined potatoes, 515 tons of the causative agent of black leg and ring rot were found.
On the basis of the analysis carried out by the specialists of the plant protection department of the branch, recommendations were given: it is imperative to treat tubers with fungicidal dressings before storing them (from the list of pesticides and agrochemicals permitted for use in the Russian Federation in 2020).