Research & Development
The Research & Development team at Naktuinbouw Laboratories consists of fifteen experienced researchers and analysts. The phytopathologists in the team have a wealth of knowledge concerning diseases and pests in horticultural crops. This expertise is applied in the development of serological and molecular tests to identify pathogens in propagating material for plants. The researchers at Naktuinbouw often collaborate with the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, and national and international universities and research institutes. The progress of the research projects is evaluated and rapported annually to the sector- and advicecommissions of Naktuinbouw.
To safeguard the quality of the tests, Naktuinbouw works with the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority on validating a large number of detection tests for quarantine organisms. The validation describes the characteristics of the test and gives an accurate impression of the reliability of the results. Based on this information, the test can be accredited under the international ISO17025 standard.
In recent years a number of techniques have been implemented at Research & Development for variety identification. These techniques (such as AFLP or SSR) make differences in genetic information (DNA) between varieties visible and can be used to show any differences between varieties. New is that this technique can also be applied to identify isolates of pathogens. This allows the spread of a pathogen can be tracked.
On the 3rd of March 2010 the “Nationale validatierichtlijn voor plantpathogenen en plagen” was published. This validation guideline was drawn up by representatives of Bloembollenkeuringsdienst, BLGG AgroXpertus, HLB, NAK, Naktuinbouw, Plant Protection Service (NVWA), Plant Research International and Plant en Praktijk Onderzoek Lisse. The document fills the need of the broad sector in the Netherlands to have a validation guideline specific for tests of organisms within the phytosanitary working area. The present document is the result of various Dutch initiatives and is based on NEN7777, RvA-T2 ‘Explanatory document Microbiology’, the ‘Explanatory document for the validation of detection methods for plant pathogens and pests’ (PRI), and PM 7/98 ‘Specific requirements for laboratories preparing accreditation for a plant pest diagnostic activity’ (EPPO). In order to make the document more accessible to international interested parties, Naktuinbouw has decided to translate the document into English.
For more information you can contact our department Research and Development.
