Potato laboratory services
Potato Laboratory Services determined the presence of harmful tuber borne diseases, eg. viruses and bacteria, before certification by having seed potato tubers tested.
Our mission is to render laboratory services to the potato industry of South Africa by:
- testing all planting material presented for certification to establish whether it complies with the disease tolerances prescribed by the South African Seed Potato Certification Scheme.
- determining whether planting material presented for certification is true to type; and
- providing diagnostic services.
Our laboratories undertake to render services to the industry which are:
- based on sound scientific principles;
- performed by qualified highly trained staff; and
- cost-effective.
The focal points of the laboratories are:
- virus testing (PVY, PVX, PVA, PVM, PVS, PLRV and TSWV)
- bacterial wilt testing (Ralstonia solanacearum)
- Erwinia testing (Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica and Erwinia chrysanthemi)
- true to type testing; and
- diagnostic services on request.
Download test stab results here: Lab Services
Concept of functioning
In order to provide these services five laboratories have been established in South Africa, mainly in the major seed growing areas. The Coen Bezuidendhout Seed Testing Centre, the laboratory at Zeekoegat near Pretoria, acts as the controlling laboratory. Some private laboratories, accredited by the ICCSP, assists with the testing of planting material. All the laboratories are registered with the Department of Agriculture and are run in accordance with the prescribed procedures and control actions.
Benefits of testing laboratories
Establishment of the presence or infection levels of harmful tuber-borne diseases which could be present in seed potato tubers.
Board of Directors & Management
Each laboratory is owned by a private company. The Board of Directors of each company is constituted from democratically elected seed potato growers from the production areas which are serviced by the laboratory concerned. These laboratories are managed by Potato Laboratory Services.
TESTS PROVIDED BY: Potato Laboratory Services
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