Plant Diseases
Forensic Diagnostic Methods
Andres S. Espindola
Dept. Entomology and Plant Pathology
Oklahoma State University
Plant Diagnostics: Importance
Plant diseases spread
as quick as human
diseases
Infected plants can not be
saved.
Quick plant pathogen diagnosis
Quick on site diagnosis
Specialized lab
The United States crops are a
billionaire business
Signs and Symptoms
At a glance, take a look in signs and
symptoms.
Signs: Presence of the
pathogen (bacterial cells)
Signs and symptoms may give a
guidance to plant pathologist.
Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato
Symptoms: responses of the
plant.
Different techniques for Diagnosis
Symptoms and signs are
not the only tool to
diagnostic a plant disease.
Immunological diagnostic tests
Human Immune
System
Plant pathogen
proteins injection
Positive
Result
Negative
Result
Invalid Results
Pictures of real
Immunostrips
Agglutination
Antibodies
Bacteria
(Plant
pathogen)
The results are going to be similar
to this:
Agglutination: How does it happen?
Agglutination: How does it happen?