Similar tests are available for a variety of other toxins resulting from Fusaria molds. Diagnostics for Plants Plants are also subject to infections by microorganisms. The source of infections can be difficult to identify quickly, leading to substantial delays before appropriate treatment measures can be taken, resulting in crop losses. The National Research Council's Plant Biotechnology Institute in Saskatoon has developed a test to identify Blackleg fungus on canola crops. The test detects a fragment of DNA that is unique to Blackleg.
Sensitivity is so high that as few as four or five spores of the fungus can be detected.
The test can be performed on seeds, plants, or even stubble. Rapid tests for plant diseases such as bacterial canker in tomatoes, soybean root rot, and bacterial blight of geranium are already commercially available. Many others are in the development stage. Biotests can also provide rapid diagnostic methods for identifying drug residues, pollutants, and contaminants. Diagnostics can also be used to monitor industrial bio-processes.