Researchers develop universal microarray platform for screening plant pathogen infection
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 07:01
in Biology & Nature
(Phys.org) —A large number of plant pathogens, from small infectious particles, to viroids, to pathogenic plants, can cause diseases in crops. The infected plants may develop mild symptoms or devastating disease. The estimated loss due to plant diseases is about $60 billion annually. However, plant pathogens are difficult to detect and control because there is such a wide variety of pathogens. Furthermore, globalization and the increase in international trade bring further threats of introducing foreign pathogens to local crops.