Procedures for pathogens
.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Procedures for pathogens ] [ Importation ] [ Mass production of inoculum ] [ Field release ] [ Integration with other methods ]

taxonomy
life-cycles
pathogenicity testing
host specificity


Examining plants for the symptoms of
plant pathogens.

Full-scale testing of exotic pathogens in Australia has not been allowed. To avoid the risk of escape of potentially harmful pathogens from quarantine, all testing has been done off-shore. Three laboratories that specialise in this work are:

CSIRO Montpellier, France;

CABI Biosciences (formerly International Institute of Biological Control), United Kingdom; and

IFAS Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida, USA.

The process for use of pathogens in classical biological control of weeds is similar to that for insects (See Weed Biocontrol: The Steps). However, there are differences in host testing procedures and in information required on taxonomy and biology. The four critical areas to consider when assessing a candidate pathogen are listed to the left.


[ Next ]

Allan Tomley