Seed & Plant Health

Our testing services have been designed to go above and beyond existing state certifications because we know optimal plant health does not originate or end in a lab. EBDI combines state-of-the-art testing with proven, traditional methods to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective testing, sampling, and in-field consultation services available.

Bacterial Fruit Blotch

Eurofins BioDiagnostics has the capability to test for the bacterial pathogen Acidovorax  citrulli (Ac) which causes the disease bacterial fruit blotch (BFB). As all cucurbits are susceptible to this pathogen, infection can potentially lead to significant economic losses in production, ranging up to 90% of marketable yield in watermelon fields. With our testing services, you have the tools you need to make informed decisions regarding crop protection.

We employ the following detection methods:

  • Sweat Box - Grow-out in sweat boxes
  • PCR - Confirmation
  • Seed Extract qPCR (SE-qPCR) - Prescreening

Bacteriology

Eurofins BioDiagnostics performs bacteriology testing for the purpose of detecting seed-borne bacterial pathogens and follows specific protocols for each pathogen and crop. We follow these steps for the majority of our bacteria tests:

  • Seed wash
  • Culture plate (selective media)
  • Evaluation
  • Isolation
  • Confirmation: PCR and/or pathogenicity testing

Mycology

Eurofins BioDiagnostics performs mycology testing, which is the detection of seed-borne fungal (and nematode) pathogens. Our mycology lab adheres to protocols specifically developed for each pathogen and crop and uses the following detection methods:

  • Blotter Paper / Microscopy
  • Seed Wash / Microscopy
  • Culture Plate / Microscopy
  • Pathogenicity Test
  • PCR

Virology

Eurofins BioDiagnostics has the capability to perform virus testing, which detects seed-borne viral pathogens. Virus infection can result in reduced yield, quality of the crop, and significant economic loss due to the need for control measures. Our tests provide you tools to make informed decisions regarding protection against infection. Protocols in our lab are specifically developed for each pathogen and crop, and we use the following detection methods:

  • ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay)
  • Biological Assays
  • Grow-out
  • Nucleic acid-based testing (PCR)

We currently offer testing for over 40 specific viruses on different types of crops.