Poster: Diseases of Plants: Disease Detection & Diagnosis
543-P
Waterborne plant virus sampling and detection in aqueous environment.
B. GALLUCCI MAZZIERO (1) (1) Oklahoma State University, U.S.A.
The aim of this research studying water sampling as a critical tool for detection of unwanted plant pathogenic virus that can seriously damage agriculture and environment.Water sources, such as reservoirs, lakes, farm ponds, tanks, and irrigation systems are vulnerable to inadvertent (most frequent) and intentional (rare) contamination by microbial pathogens. Pathogen detection in large bodies of water is complex because volume, dilution and water dynamics. This project assesses the development of a method for water sampling and detection of waterborne plant viruses of concern for water-security. Rapid detection and monitoring of high consequence plant pathogens in water systems, where may be present at extremely low titers present a significant challenge. The project seeks statistically validation of a water sampling model that uses quantitative-PCR as the method to detected Potexvirus, a genera of plant virus reported to have water borne members. In order to determine the minimum amount detectable in water, sensitivity tests will be conducted by ELISA and qPCR. Different pH will be tested during a process of virus filtration using a filtration system based on glass-wool. The capture is based on the isoelectric point affinity of the virus capsid protein with glass wool at an acid-neutral pH. This research is needed to support decision-making and will be useful for survey analysis and prevention, detection, and mitigation of unwanted waterborne plant viruses.