Clubroot Testing

Element offers specialist clubroot testing services through the real-time PCR method for detecting the clubroot pathogen in a field. Our testing helps commercial producers to reduce the risk of disease manifestation, ensure healthy food production, and safeguard environmental integrity.

Clubroot is a significant threat to the canola industry and other vegetable crops, and a primary concern for landowners and producers worldwide, with severe outbreaks causing considerable crop losses. This soil-borne disease is caused by an unusual organism called Plasmodiophora brassicae, a particularly hardy pathogen that doesn’t easily fit into the standard classification of life, which makes clubroot a challenge to control.

From oursoil testinglaboratory, we provide expert clubroot testing services by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methodology. The results of clubroot testing provide critical data to identify clubroot spores in soil and determine whether a field is healthy.

Element’s real-time PCR method

We test for the presence of clubroot spores by quantifying Plasmodiophora brassicae DNA by real-time PCR (or qPCR), which has been proven reliable for identifying very low levels of clubroot infection.

Our developed methodology for clubroot testing, which has been accredited to international laboratory standards (ISO17025) by the Standards Council of Canada, has added advantages over other methods. It allows:

• Accurate DNA quantification
• A high degree of specificity
• Faster results than traditional methods of DNA analysis

Knowing the number of spores in soil rather than a simple presence/absence result allows for evaluating field distribution of spore infestation and helps to assess the risk of disease manifestation. Additionally, the specificity of detection of the target DNA is accomplished by using custom primers and probes that are based on the DNA sequence, which is unique to Plasmodiophora brassicae alone.

Working with Element

With extensive expertise in soil testing and advanced laboratory equipment, Element is your specialist partner in clubroot testing and all soil analysis matters. We perform soil testing for the presence of clubroot with the highest levels of accuracy, delivering data that is first-time-right, and done on time.

All our methods undergo strict and rigorous quality control validation procedures as per ISO 17025, which demonstrates a consistently reliable service and a high technical competence. Our goal is to help you curtail clubroot spread, reduce the incidence and severity of the disease, and ensure excellent soil health for safe food production.

To learn more about our real-time PCR method for clubroot testing or other soil testing services,contact us today.