To date, the best method to control the plant diseases caused by viruses, phytoplasmas, nematodes and fungi is the incorporation of natural resistance sources into commercial plant varieties. To search and select resistance sources against these plant pathogens it is necessary to dispose of reliable and sensitive detection methods; which also permit a characterization of the type or degree of resistance. IRTA offer different methods to detect pathogens infectin both horticultural and woody crops and the possibility to evaluate the resistance level of plant material against several pathogens. In addition, we have genètic markers to detect several resistance genes in plants of different crops.
IRTA have the appropriate facilities (laboratories, greenhouses, climatic chambers, etc.) to do all services offered.
Services
Biological assays to detect plant resistances against viruses, phytoplasmas, nematodes and fungi: We can evaluate the resistance levels against plant pathogens by observation of symptoms induced.
Plant pathogen detection and quantification using molecular methods: Molecular techniques improve the pathogen detection and let us to quantify the level of infection with a great number of pathogens and to evaluate the level of resistance of the different crops.
Detection of resistance genes in plants using molecular markers.
There are available a collection of different plant pathogens biological and genetically characterized overcoming plant resistances.
Applications
- Search and selection of resistance sources in germoplasm banks
- Characterization of resistances in commercial varieties
- Evaluation of segregant populations in breeding programs carried out to incorporate resistance sources into commercial varieties
- Prediction of resistance durability
- Detection of resistance genes against different plant pathogens
