Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD) is severely affecting sugarcane yield and profitability across Australia causing losses of over 30% in yields in some regions. To date, timely and accurate detection of RSD remains elusive due to lack of highly sensitive and specific detection methods that are fast, robust and user friendly.

The technology developed in this project aims to address this problem within the Australian sugar industry whilst modernising the current point-of-care diagnostic methods available, ensuring the delivery of reliable results in resource poor settings. Previously developed and trialled with SRA, our approach combines the use of novel “dip-stick” technology to capture pathogen DNA from first expressed sugarcane juice with rapid DNA amplification at the mill.

The project will also expand the use of the technology to detect other pathogen threats, both endemic and exotic. In the event of an unforeseen incursion, the newly developed technologies will allow to deploy diagnostic kits and protocols to the industry in a fast and efficient manner.