This investment will help deliver a fully operational method to monitor for and detect Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) should it arrive in Australia. The CLso bacterium poses a significant threat to the potato industry, being associated with ‘zebra chip’ disease and able to be carried by the tomato potato psyllid. This project will increase the capability of CLso diagnostics through improved sampling techniques and testing protocols.

It is designed to:

1. improve sample integrity by identifying appropriate handling and preservation methods;

2. investigate alternative sample types that might produce a more consistent sample and improve their preservation; and

3. field test the protocol.