Western Australia
September 12, 2007
With the first case of wheat
streak mosaic virus (WSMV) for 2007 found in Western Australia,
GRDC supported DAFWA
researcher, Dr Geoff Dwyer's test to detect the virus in bulk
samples of wheat seed is all the more necessary.
"WSMV is transmitted in the embryo of wheat seed and when
infected seeds germinate, wheat curl mite can transfer the virus
to healthy plants, leading to a high percentage of crop loss,"
he said.
"The test only tells us if the seed was harvested from a crop
exposed to WSMV, which implies risk of seed transmission.
"We're developing a new test allowing us to determine the levels
of WSMV in bulk seed lots, hopefully to be ready in the first
half of 2008," Dr Dwyer said.
The WSMV test is available through AGWEST Plant Laboratories,
Tel 08 9368 3721. |
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