Soil-Borne Pathogen Testing Services
Soil is a complex environment where an interplay of microorganisms, soil chemistry, and soil physics at any given time determines the health of the crop growing in it. Upon introduction of the soil-borne pathogens, and over time, the cultivated soil becomes a reservoir of soil-borne pathogens. Subsequent spread to adjacent uninfested areas can happen easily and effectively by moving infested soil on agricultural equipment, irrigation water, wind, nematodes (as pathogens as well as vectors), etc. In addition, in recent years and in the advent of the phase-out of some of the efficacious soil fumigants (e.g., methyl bromide) (1) and climate change (2) the economic implications of mismanaging infested soils have significantly increased. Soil testing is one of the tools in your toolbox that will help you to implement IPM methods and appropriate treatments.
Generally, there are two objectives that can be answered by testing soils for soil-borne pathogens: are there any pathogens present (incidence)? and if present, what is their levels (quantification)?
At CSP Labs we offer culture based and molecular soil testing assays to test for incidence and to quantify major fungal pathogens. In addition to fungal pathogens, we offer significantly faster and less costly molecular (PCR-based) testing assays for certain nematodes in soil, different growth media, and plant material (e.g., for foliar nematode of strawberries).
*Species, formae specialis, and race identification will not be done.
**Tests the presence/absence
1- https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/42289/51191_aib756.pdf?v=0
2- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-0759-3
How To Sample
Your sampling strategy will depend on various factors. Drop us a line or give us a call and we’ll help determine the right sampling and testing strategy for you.
Pricing for soil samples submitted for testing is based on the testing method used and the number of pathogens being tested for. Additionally, there is an Order Set Up Fee applied per order submission. Please contact us for a quotation for your project.
| Pathogen | Method | Assay |
| Fusarium spp.* | Incidence** | Culture |
| Cylindrocarpon spp.* | Incidence | Culture |
| Sclerotinia sclertiorum | Incidence | Culture/Bio-PCR |
| Sclerotinia minor | Incidence | Culture/Bio-PCR |
| Sclerotium rolfsii | Incidence | Culture/Bio-PCR |
| Verticillium dahliae | Incidence | Culture/Bio-PCR |
| Verticillium albo-atrum | Incidence | Culture/Bio-PCR |
| Macrophomina phaseolina | Incidence | Culture/Bio-PCR |
| Phytophthora spp. | Incidence | Bait/Bio-PCR |
| Pythium spp. | Incidence | Bait/Bio-PCR |
| Rhizoctonia spp. | Incidence | Bait/Bio-PCR |
| Rhizoctonia solani | Incidence | Bait/Bio-PCR |
| Fusarium spp.* | Incidence | Direct PCR |
| Fusarium oxysporum | Incidence | Direct PCR |
| Fusarium spp.* | Quantification | Dilution Plating |
| Cylindrocarpon spp.* | Quantification | Dilution Plating |
| Verticillium dahliae | Quantification | Andersen sampler |
| Macrophomina phaseolina | Quantification | Deep plating |
*Species identification will not be done
**Incidence – Presence/Absence
Please call us if a test of your interest is not listed above.