Molecular Diagnostics

Advanced Plant Health Diagnostics

State-of-the-art molecular diagnostic services for accurate identification and characterization of plant pathogens using cutting-edge PCR, sequencing, and immunological techniques.

ISO 17025

Accredited Methods

200+

Pathogens Detected

2-7 days

Turnaround Time

99.5%

Diagnostic Accuracy

Diagnostic Services

Molecular Diagnostic Services

Comprehensive molecular diagnostic services for accurate pathogen identification and disease management

Virus Detection

Molecular detection of plant viruses using RT-PCR and real-time PCR technologies

Features:

  • RT-PCR for RNA viruses
  • Real-time PCR quantification
  • Multiplex detection
  • Strain identification

Common Pathogens:

TMV
PVY
TSWV
CMV
TYLCV
3-5 days
Bacterial Diagnostics

Identification and characterization of bacterial plant pathogens

Features:

  • Species-specific PCR
  • Pathotype determination
  • Antibiotic resistance testing
  • Phylogenetic analysis

Common Pathogens:

Ralstonia
Xanthomonas
Pseudomonas
Erwinia
Agrobacterium
2-4 days
Fungal Identification

Molecular identification of fungal pathogens and mycotoxin producers

Features:

  • ITS sequencing
  • Species confirmation
  • Mycotoxin gene detection
  • Resistance profiling

Common Pathogens:

Fusarium
Aspergillus
Alternaria
Botrytis
Phytophthora
4-7 days
Testing Methods

Advanced Testing Technologies

State-of-the-art molecular and immunological methods for precise pathogen detection and identification

RT-PCR

Reverse Transcription PCR for RNA virus detection

Applications:

  • Virus identification
  • Strain typing
  • Presence/absence testing

Sensitivity

10-100 copies

Advantages:

High specificity
Rapid results
Cost-effective
Real-time PCR

Quantitative PCR for pathogen load determination

Applications:

  • Quantification
  • Disease severity assessment
  • Treatment monitoring

Sensitivity

1-10 copies

Advantages:

Quantitative results
Real-time monitoring
High throughput
ELISA

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for protein detection

Applications:

  • Virus detection
  • Toxin screening
  • Antibody testing

Sensitivity

ng/ml range

Advantages:

Simple procedure
Field applicable
Cost-effective
DNA Sequencing

Genetic sequencing for definitive pathogen identification

Applications:

  • Species confirmation
  • Phylogenetic analysis
  • Novel pathogen discovery

Sensitivity

High quality DNA required

Advantages:

Definitive identification
Evolutionary analysis
Database comparison
Sample Guidelines

Sample Types & Requirements

Comprehensive guidelines for proper sample collection, handling, and storage to ensure accurate diagnostic results

Plant Material

Sample Types:

Fresh leaves
Stems
Roots
Seeds
Fruits

Requirements:

  • Recently collected
  • Symptomatic tissue preferred
  • Proper storage

Storage Conditions:

4°C for fresh, -80°C for long-term

Soil Samples

Sample Types:

Rhizosphere soil
Bulk soil
Compost
Growing media

Requirements:

  • Representative sampling
  • Sterile collection
  • Moisture control

Storage Conditions:

4°C, process within 48 hours

Water Samples

Sample Types:

Irrigation water
Drainage water
Hydroponic solutions

Requirements:

  • Sterile containers
  • Immediate processing
  • Temperature control

Storage Conditions:

4°C, process within 24 hours

Insect Vectors

Sample Types:

Aphids
Whiteflies
Thrips
Leafhoppers

Requirements:

  • Live or fresh specimens
  • Species identification
  • Proper preservation

Storage Conditions:

-80°C or 70% ethanol

Quality Assurance

Quality Standards & Validation

Rigorous quality assurance measures ensuring reliable, accurate, and reproducible diagnostic results

Method Validation

All diagnostic methods are validated according to international standards

Standards:

  • ISO 17025
  • EPPO protocols
  • ISTA guidelines

Controls:

  • Positive controls
  • Negative controls
  • Internal standards
Quality Control

Comprehensive quality control measures ensure reliable results

Standards:

  • Proficiency testing
  • Inter-laboratory comparisons
  • Method verification

Controls:

  • Blank samples
  • Spike recovery
  • Duplicate analysis
Documentation

Complete documentation and traceability of all testing procedures

Standards:

  • Chain of custody
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Data integrity

Controls:

  • Sample tracking
  • Result verification
  • Report approval
Diagnostic Process

Our Diagnostic Workflow

1

Sample Receipt

Secure sample handling and documentation

2

Sample Preparation

Nucleic acid extraction and purification

3

Molecular Analysis

PCR amplification and detection

4

Data Analysis

Result interpretation and validation

5

Report Delivery

Comprehensive diagnostic report

Service Pricing

Competitive pricing for molecular diagnostic services

Basic Pathogen Detection

Single pathogen PCR detection

Contact for pricing

Comprehensive Panel

Multi-pathogen screening panel

Contact for pricing

Sequencing & Identification

DNA sequencing for novel pathogens

Contact for pricing

Contact Laboratory

Get in touch with our molecular diagnostics team

Laboratory

+263 (0)86 8800 2604

Email

molecular.lab@kutsaga.co.zw

Operating Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Get Accurate Plant Health Diagnostics

Contact our molecular diagnostics laboratory for precise pathogen identification and expert consultation on plant health management strategies.

Contact Laboratory