OUR SERVICES
POSTHARVEST FRUIT ROT CONTROL ASSAYS
This assay is used to determine the efficacy of the active ingredients, microbial strains or extracts, in the control of postharvest fruit rot in a controlled environment (cold or controlled temperature), against a wide diversity of fungal and bacterial diseases, in a variety of fruits. The pathogen is inoculated before (preventative), simultaneously or after (curative) treatment and the incidence of the disease and severity of infections are quantified. Several pathogens are available on demand. It is recommended when the efficacy of active ingredient, microbial strains or extracts has previously been confirmed in an in vitro assay against the rot causing fungus. The results are a proof-of-concept in the development of a fungicide to control postharvest rot.
PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION ASSAYS
Evaluation of plant growth promoting activity of bacterial and fungal strains (or products) under fully controlled environment conditions. The assay consists of the treatment of plants with a plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) or fungi (PGPF), by irrigation, mixing with the substrate or by foliar application. Then, plants are incubated under greenhouse-controlled environment and growth parameters are determined, such us plant height, fresh and dry aerial and root plant weight. Mineral contents can be also analyzed, as well as vigor parameters with GreenSeeker and chlorophyl contents. The environment conditions can include abiotic stress (salt or drought stress) or biotic (root pathogen inoculation). Eventually biostimulation activity using specific gene induction (see below) can be performed during the assay.
ACTIVITY OF PLANT DEFENSE OR STRESS RELIEF ACTIVITY IN BIOSTIMULANTS
Greenhouse evaluation of defense induction activity of an active ingredient or microbial strain is assessed by means of differential gene expression by RT-qPCR (retro-transcriptase real-time quantitative PCR). Treatments can be applied to plants (e.g. tomato) by spraying, irrigation or microinjection to the trunk. Pathogenesis related protein gene expression would be used as a hallmark indicator of resistance induction in response to treatment application. Other plant defence genes, involved in biotic and/or abiotic stresses can be included in the study. The assay can be connected to an in planta efficacy testing.