PathSensors has recently revealed that it is bringing its pathogen detection capabilities to the potato industry. The company has plans to offer its sensitive pathogen detection solutions to potato seed growers to help them save time and money.

According to the PathSensors, the current potato testing process is long and arduous. It requires that farmers, who grow tubers in their home states, send them to seed certification labs, which then ship the tubers to be grown out into sprouts in Hawaii so that the leaves can be tested for plant disease. PathSensors aims to make testing a lot easier and to this end, the firm has already started working to develop a high throughput potato tuber testing assay for the most common viruses that can infect potatoes including virus Y and Potyvirus.

The solution will be developed in collaboration with two USDA-ARS scientists – Dr. Ramon Jordan and Dr. John Hammond – both who are experts on Potyviruses and developed monoclonal antibodies for their detection. By creating a novel Potyvirus biosensor, PathSensors instruments can be used to rapidly detect potato virus Y in the required high testing volumes to help growers know they are producing good quality seeds.

Moving forward, the company has plans to enhance the technology so as to offer detection of other viruses like potato mop-top and leafroll.

Earlier this year, Dr. Andrew Flannery, VP of product development attended the National Potato Expo in Texas. During the event that gathered leaders of the potato industry, he shared the company’s vision regarding the creation of a diagnostic solution for potato disease and received valuable insights.