Pathogen testing at SCRI
SCRI is the sole UK establishment with the expertise and facilities to produce pathogen tested (PT) foundation stocks of
Rubus, Ribes and
Fragaria. SCRI is an international centre for the supply of such PT germplasm for scientific and commercial use worldwide. Because of its reputation and integrity in this capacity, SCRI has special relations with several countries whereby their strict quarantine regulations are relaxed for material originating as PT stock from SCRI. In addition to production of PT stocks, we can also offer a full range of pathogen testing services for
Rubus, Ribes and
Fragaria. These range from testing for a single pathogen to testing for the full range of pests and diseases affecting these stocks.
Our prime role is to provide the industry with high health soft fruit plants for propagation. Pathology testing is applied to provide mother plants that are then maintained in 'state of the art' glasshouses. Our pathology testing uses the best tests available, many of which were first devised at SCRI, to screen for a variety of fungal, bacterial and viral diseases and nematode pests of
Rubus, Ribes and
Fragaria. The mother plants provide planting material for propagation into the UK soft fruit industry.
Secondary roles include (a) providing pathogen tested research material to international organisations, (b) pathogen testing of commercial soft fruit samples.
You can see more about pathogen testing in our FruitHealth web site.
