Waite Diagnostics

Waite Diagnostics aims to utilise the best technology from the most recent research for direct application to rapid, sensitive and reliable detection of grapevine pathogens.

In this way, Waite Diagnostics is able to test for 12 viruses and phytoplasmas, as well as other organisms responsible for grapevine diseases such as crown gall. The service is offered nationally and internationally with samples being sent from all over Australia, The United States of America, New Zealand, Italy, Argentina and South Africa.

Waite Diagnostics is a business registered through Adelaide Research and Innovation (ARI) and operates from the former laboratory of Professor Bob Symons, the first Director of Waite Diagnostics, in the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine at the Waite Campus. Presently, Professor John Randles is the Director of Waite Diagnostics. Testing is carried out by Dr Nuredin Habili, an experienced grapevine virologist, who is also involved in the research and development of these tests. He has over 20 years experience working with grapevine viruses. 

• News
• Services Provided
• Procedure for Submitting Grapevine Material for Testing
• Documents

News

Feb 2013

We have developed a diagnostics kit to detect a recently discovered grapevine virus in the USA and Canada (see Figure, courtesy of Dr. M.R. Sudarshana, USDA-ARS). This is a DNA virus and has been named Grapevine red blotch-associated virus (GRBaV). We advise that all imported cuttings from these countries must be tested for GRBaV before being released from quarantine. GRBaV reduces the Brix in the berries by a factor of 3 to5. This means that the virus reduces the sugar content in berries more than leafroll viruses already present in Australia.
We would like to inform all clients about our recent findings on grapevine virus testing (see our recent publications).

April 2012: Launching the 13A test

Testing green shoots (only 10 cm long) for some viruses gives a better result than using dormant canes. Young shoots have less inhibitory phenolic compounds than wood, and hence a better candidate for testing by PCR for viruses.

Please remove young leaves and send little stems only (one tiny shoot from each vine, up to 6 vines per bag). Please send each sample (6 shoots each from a different vine) in a sealed plastic bag which contains a slightly moist (damp but not wet) paper towel.

Services Provided

Waite Diagnostics provides a range of diagnostic services for the detection of grapevine diseases utilising the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

**Note: It is very important to test for these viruses (see list A1 on our price list) before top-working** 

Procedure for Submitting Grapevine Material for Testing

1.  Sampling for virus testing 

• Select one cane of 120 mm in length from each of 5 different randomly selected vines from the middle to the basal end of the shoot. Make sure select canes which have longer internodes. No leaves please, but basal green canes would be ok. (Colour prints or digital photos from diseased vines sent as JPEG will assist us in diagnosis).
• Place all 5 canes (as a single sample) in a single self-sealed plastic bag and mark the bag clearly. Samples can be stored in a refrigerator for up to one week. Fill in and sign a copy of the attached Service Agreement and send it with samples.

2.  Handling & Delivery

Grapevine samples must be delivered in self-sealed, secured and durable plastic bags. Include the PHC and the accreditation letter with the samples. Send samples via Express Post or an overnight courier to the address shown on the attached information sheet.

3.  PCR Charges

Each grapevine sample can be assayed for up to 12 viruses. A universal nested PCR assay for the detection of Phytoplasmas is also available. Testing for seed-borne viruses and for the virus of subterranean clover red leaf disease is also available. Please see the attached price list for detail.

 Additional Requirements for Interstate/Overseas Material

1.  Permit requirements

Plant material must be certified by the customer as being free of certain pests and diseases before entering South Australia. You will need a plant health certificate (PHC), which must be enclosed with your samples. To get the certificate contact your local Department of Agriculture and notify them of your intention to transport grapevine samples to South Australia.

• Samples from Phylloxera-free areas of NSW and Victoria should be accompanied with the attached Interim Accreditation permit from PIRSA.
• Samples from Phylloxera infested areas (including Queensland) should directly be sent to:

Crop Health Services, Institute for Horticultural Development,

621 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield, Victoria, 3189

(Att. Dr. Brendan Rodoni, Telephone: 03 9210 9356, email: brendan.rodoni@dpi.vic.gov.au)

The samples will then be delivered to us as nucleic acid extracts. Alternatively, you can contact us to send you a kit to extract samples on site and send the extracts directly to us.

2.  Overseas Material

• Specify the number of samples and we will mail you the right size RNA/DNA extraction kit
• Follow all above instructions and also attach the permit from AQIS that we will email to you. Upon arrival, the overseas DNA extracts will be inspected by Quarantine at the client's cost.
• On a company letter please specify the plant species name (e.g. Vitis SPP.) and that the extracts are in 4 M guanidine buffer.
• All DNA extracts from overseas must be sent directly to:

Dr. Nuredin Habili, Waite Diagnostics,

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

URRBRAE, South Australia, 5064

Documents

• 2011 Accreditation Permit
• Price List for the PCR testing    
• Waite Diagnostics Service Agreement
  (Please Note: All diagnostic services are subject to this service agreement)

• Latest publications
  • Highlights of ICVG 2009 Meeting (pdf)
  • Waite Diagnostics laboratory publications (pdf)

Habili, N. Farrokhi, N. Randles, J. W. (2007). First detection of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense' in Liquidambar styraciflua in Australia. Plant Pathology 56, 346–346.

Habili1, N. Komínek, P. and Little, A. (2007). Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 as a common grapevine pathogen. Plant Viruses 1: 63-68.

Mahfoudhi, N. Habili, N. Masri, S. A. and Dhouibi, M. H. (2007). First Report on the occurrence of Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses 5 and 9 in Tunisian Grapevines. Plant Disease 91: 1359.

Habili, N. and Randles, J. W. (2008). Two viruses detected in table grapes imported into Australia from California. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 3, 63—64.

Nair, R. M.; Habili, N. and Randles J. W. (2009). Infection of Cullen australasicum (syn. Psoralea australasica) with Alfalfa mosaic virus. Australasian Plant Disease Notes (4) 46-48.

Rashidi, M. Habili, N. and Ghasemi, A. (2010). First report of a stolbur phytoplasma associated with witches' broom of Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus). Plant Pathology 59, 796.

Habili, N. and Randles (2008). Desirable and undesirable variants of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 in Crimson Seedless table grapes in Western Australia. International Congress of Plant Pathology. Tulin, Italy.

Habili, N. Cameron, I and Randles, J. (2009). A mild strain of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 is present in desirable clones of Crimson Seedless table grapes in Western Australia. 16th ICVG meeting. Dijon, France. 31 August - 4 September 2009, 237-238.

Habili, N. Davies, R and Randles, J. (2009). Detection of viruses in seeds of infected grapevines with an emphasis on Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus. 16th ICVG meeting. Dijon, France. 31 August - 4 September 2009, 46-47.

Guggerli, P.Riggoti, S. Ramel, M. E. Habili, N. Rowhani, A. Bitterlin, W. and Besse, S. (2009). Production of monoclonal antibodies to Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 9 (GLRaV-9). . 16th ICVG meeting. Dijon, France. 31 August – 4 September 2009, 44-45.

Magarey, P. A. Habili, N. Altmann, and Prosser, J. D. (2009). New high incidence of Australian grapevine yellows and evidence on pathogenesis following natural heat therapy in severely infected South Australian Vineyards. 16th ICVG meeting. Dijon, France. 31 August - 4 September 2009, 210-211.

Masri, S. Rast, H. and Habili, N. (2009). Single domain antibodies for detection of GVB. 16th ICVG meeting. Dijon, France. 31 August - 4 September 2009, 338-339.

Habili, N Nair, RM, Yazarlou A, Randles JW, Auricht, G 2010. A phytoplasma from subgroup 16Sr II is associated with little leaf of Medicago arborea (tree medic) in South Australia, 9th Australasian Plant Virology Workshop 16-19 November 2010. Melbourne, Australia.

Habili, N and Randles (2010). Sudden increase in the onset of grapevine yellow speckle disease in 2010. The Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker 558, 23-26.

Habili, N and Randles (2010). Australian Shiraz Disease in our backyard. The Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker 558, 30.

Habili, N and Randles (2011). Rapid spread of virus-like symptoms in grapevines. The Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker 570, 21-22.

Habili, N and Randles (2011). Leafroll hotspots confirmed in Australia. The Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker 571, 21.

Goszczynski, D. E and Habili N. (2011). Grapevine virus A variants of group II associated with Shiraz disease in South Africa are present in plants affected by Australian Shiraz disease, and have also been detected in the USA. Plant Pathology, Doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2011.02499.