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Agdia's Testing Services offers you a full range of tests and
services for the detection of plant pathogens. Tests are available for
more than just those pathogens listed in our catalog, so we can meet rigorous testing
requirements for many crops. Most results are returned to you 24 hours
after sample receipt, providing you with your data the way you want
it: rapid, reliable, cost effective, and
confidential.
Using Agdia's Testing ServicesTests Available
Resources |
First, call us.
Even if you have sent samples to us many times before, it is important for us to understand what information you need from us. Whether you're planning to test a few plants with unexplained symptoms, or starting a virus indexing program to protect your own customers, we'll work with you to make sure you get the right services for your needs.
Besides finding out how many samples you plan to send and when, we'll try to give you advice on the most economical way to test your samples. We'll also ask how you plan to use the results. The testing services we recommend for you may be different in different situations. For example, if you're testing for export, to meet a specific regulatory requirement, or testing stock plants before propagating, please tell us. Each situation is different, and we want to provide the right services for yours.
When we receive the samples, we'll log them in to our tracking system, then begin testing.After we finish testing, we'll call or fax you right away to give you the results. Then we'll follow up with a written report, by mail or by a next day air carrier if you prefer. If you have any questions about your report, please call.
Soon after we send your report, we may get in touch with you to check if you got all the help you needed from us. If you still need something, we'll do all we can to help.
You will need a Zip-Loc® or similar plastic bag for each sample. If you are collecting several samples, mark each bag with an identifying name or number. We will use your sample identification when we report test results to you.
If you see spots, mosaic, or other symptoms on leaves or stems, choose parts with symptoms for your sample. If there are no symptoms present, choose the newest fully unfolded leaves on the plant.
Collect about five good-sized leaves from each plant to be tested. If you are sending a tissue culture, it should be at least two inches high.
Collect samples as close as possible to the time you will be sending them. If you need to take samples before the day you send them, store the samples in the refrigerator. Do not freeze samples or allow them to get wet.
Pack the bagged samples inside a cardboard box. Do not pack samples with ice. Ice packs can crush samples in shipment. Do not include soil, insects, or other materials.
Send samples using an overnight shipping company such as Federal
Express or DHL. Keep a copy of the tracking number for your
package. In case the sample does not arrive on time, you will need the
tracking number to check on it. You can keep shipping costs down by
sending only the sample required. Please include the following
information with your sample:
** It is very important that you include all of this information with your samples. If we receive your samples without adequate information, your testing will be delayed. Please include a Sample Submission Form
We will usually report test results within 24 hours of when your samples arrive, except when you have ordered tests that take more than one day. We will call you, or send a fax if you prefer, to let you know if any of your samples tested positive and to answer any questions you may have about the results. We will then mail you a complete report that lists all positive and negative results and the data we obtained. If you have any further questions after you read the report, please call us.
For information on the types of test we use, please see Agdia testing technology.
| Number of samples | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||
| Number of ELISA tests |
1 | 60.00 | 67.50 | 75.00 | 82.50 | 90.00 | 97.50 | 105.00 | 112.50 | 120.00 | 127.50 |
| 2 | 64.00 | 73.00 | 82.00 | 91.00 | 100.00 | 109.00 | 118.00 | 127.00 | 136.00 | 145.00 | |
| 3 | 68.00 | 78.50 | 89.00 | 99.50 | 110.00 | 120.50 | 131.00 | 141.50 | 152.00 | 162.50 | |
| 4 | 72.00 | 84.00 | 96.00 | 108.00 | 120.00 | 135.00 | 144.00 | 156.00 | 168.00 | 180.00 | |
| 5 | 76.00 | 89.50 | 103.00 | 116.50 | 130.00 | 143.50 | 157.00 | 170.50 | 184.00 | 197.50 | |
| 6 | 80.00 | 95.00 | 110.000 | 125.00 | 140.00 | 155.00 | 170.00 | 185.00 | 200.00 | 215.00 | |
| 7 | 84.00 | 100.50 | 117.00 | 133.50 | 150.00 | 166.50 | 183.00 | 199.50 | 216.00 | 232.00 | |
| 8 | 88.00 | 106.50 | 124.00 | 142.00 | 160.00 | 178.00 | 196.00 | 214.00 | 232.00 | 250.00 | |
| 9 | 92.00 | 111.50 | 131.00 | 150.50 | 170.00 | 189.50 | 209.00 | 228.50 | 248.00 | 267.50 | |
| 10 | 96.00 | 117.50 | 138.00 | 159.00 | 180.00 | 201.00 | 222.00 | 243.00 | 264.00 | 285.00 | |
| 11 | 100.00 | 122.50 | 145.00 | 167.50 | 190.00 | 212.50 | 235.00 | 257.50 | 280.00 | 302.50 | |
| 12 | 104.00 | 128.00 | 152.00 | 176.00 | 200.00 | 224.00 | 248.00 | 272.00 | 296.00 | 320.00 | |
| 13 | 108.00 | 133.50 | 159.00 | 184.50 | 210.00 | 235.50 | 261.00 | 286.50 | 312.00 | 337.50 | |
| 14 | 114.00 | 139.00 | 166.00 | 193.00 | 220.00 | 247.00 | 274.00 | 301.00 | 328.00 | 355.00 | |
| 15 | 116.00 | 144.50 | 173.00 | 201.00 | 230.00 | 258.50 | 287.00 | 315.50 | 344.00 | 372.50 | |
| 16 | 120.00 | 150.00 | 180.00 | 210.00 | 240.00 | 270.00 | 300.00 | 330.00 | 360.00 | 390.00 | |
| 17 | 124.00 | 155.50 | 187.00 | 218.50 | 250.00 | 281.50 | 313.00 | 344.50 | 376.00 | 407.50 | |
Send samples to:
Agdia, Inc.
30380 County Road 6
Elkhart, IN 46514 USA
Phone: 574-264-2014
Toll Free: 800-62-AGDIA (800-622-4342)
Fax: 574-264-2153
To begin this test, we add your sample to a specially prepared test well on a plastic plate. The inside of the test well is coated with an antibody that captures and holds particles of the virus we're testing for.
We then add an enzyme conjugate, which is a two-part substance made up of an antibody chemically joined to an enzyme. If any virus particles are present, held in place by the first antibody, some of the enzyme conjugate sticks to them and remains in the well when we wash it out.
Then we add a colorless chemical that the enzyme conjugate can break down into a colored one. If enzyme conjugate is present, attached to virus particles, color appears in the test wells.
Every time we perform a DAS ELISA test, we also test a positive control, a sample from a plant we know to be infected. Checking that the positive control well is colored helps us know the test worked properly.
We can use antibodies to detect viruses because each virus has a unique protein coat that an antibody will stick to. But one group of pathogens, collectively called viroids, have no protein at all just a circular piece of the nucleic acid RNA. To detect viroids, we use a hybridization test, which can find this RNA. RNA "hybridizes" when two single strands come together like a zipper to form a double strand. To detect viroid RNA, we use a labeled piece of RNA called a probe that can hybridize with RNA from the sample.
First we extract the RNA from plant samples. Then we attach the RNA to a membrane. We apply the RNA probe, which is labeled with a chemical called DIG. If a viroid is present, the probe hybridizes with it. If not, the probe is lost when we wash the membrane.
To see the result of the test, we treat the membrane with a process that gives off light if DIG is present. We expose film to the membrane to detect the light. A spot on the film means that the viroid is present. Along with your samples, we also test samples from healthy and infected plants as controls.
Agdia has a rapidly expanding list of PCR tests. Some of these tests are designed to detect specific pathogens, such as bacterial blight of geranium (Xcp), whereas other PCR tests find entire families of viruses (tobamoviruses, carlaviruses, potexviruses, and geminiviruses) or phytoplasmas (formerly known as mycoplasma-like organisms). PCR tests are more sensitive than ELISA tests and are better suited to plant tissue that is likely to have lower numbers of pathogens, such as tissue culture.
PCR is able to detect pathogens by targeting their genetic material (DNA or RNA). The aim of the polymerase chain reaction is to make many copies of part of the pathogen's genetic material so there is enough to be detected. The PCR processs is made possible by an enzyme that can copy DNA. Since most plant viruses possess only RNA, we first must make a DNA copy of the RNA. In the case of DNA viruses, bacteria and phytoplasmas, their DNA is used directly. Because the genetic material of the pathogen is mixed with that of the plant, it is necessary to target only the genetic material to be copied. We do this by adding small pieces of DNA called primers, which stick only to borders of the region of genetic material that should be copied. These primers, then direct the enzyme where to start and end copying.
The PCR process uses a series of hot, cold, and warm cycles. Hot cycles split DNA into single strands. Cold cycles allow the primers to attach. During warm cycles, the enzyme makes a copy of each piece of primed DNA. If a phytoplasma is present, PCR will produce a large quantity of a certain piece of DNA. We use a process called electrophoresis that separates pieces of DNA by size to tell if that piece of DNA is present.