Seed-Extract PCR for Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis detection in tomato seeds
A Seed-Extract PCR (SE-PCR) method for Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis detection on tomato seeds is now offered in GEVES. This method corresponds to the pre-screen added to the latest version 5 of the ISF/ISHI-Veg method published in July 2022. The GEVES laboratories participated in the interlaboratory validation study organized by the ISHI-Veg working group.
The standard test duration is 10 days for this method, much faster than the dilution-plating one. This method detects DNA and can lead to positive results which are not necessarily proof of living bacteria. Therefore, an additional dilution-plating test on a new seed sample can be done to check for the presence of living Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis.
Results obtained with the ISHI-Veg method v5 (including both SE-PCR and dilution-plating) are accepted by the GSPP certification system since 1st September 2022.
