Abstract
Recent serious outbreaks of pathogens such as Chalara Fraxinea, (Ash Dieback) demonstrate the vulnerability of UK’s forests, woods, and trees. Early detection of threats is critical in the fight against such tree pests and pathogens. This requires a process for collecting and analysing the spores which is robust, flexible and can be deployed rapidly, but which also has sufficient sensitivity to detect the earliest precursors. The work presented here describes a newly-developed high-efficiency detection apparatus and is part of an ongoing BBRSC project to improve the UK’s biosecurity. Our automatic spore system is capable of collecting and analysing Chalara Fraxinea using a novel cyclonic pathogen collector. Cyclones are an effective way to separate small particles (spores) from large quantities of surrounding air and store them for analysis. Our system incorporates a purpose-designed high efficiency cyclone directly integrated with a low power custom impeller to maximise volumetric air sampling while minimising the power requirement. 3D printing was used extensively to validate theoretical models and the particle collection and retention capability of this series of prototypes was evaluated experimentally within our Aerosol test chamber. We found that we could collect greater than 90% of particulate in the target size range, thus providing a front-end to a detection platform. Our system is capable of operating autonomously and at low power, with a high sensitivity to ambient particles. The final system design incorporates the use of multiple cyclone storage vessels ensuring complete isolation of each sample, eradicating cross-contamination, and facilitating automated handling of the sample inside the same apparatus. COTS – commercial off the shelf components were incorporated into the cyclone to make a series of cost effective collection vessels. Early collection and detection of pathogens in-situ represents a considerable advance in surveillance and monitoring of pathogens strengthening UK biosecurity for the future.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2017 |
| Event | Innovation in Plant Biosecurity 2017 - Duration: 15 Mar 2017 → 16 Mar 2017 |
Conference
| Conference | Innovation in Plant Biosecurity 2017 |
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| Period | 15/03/17 → 16/03/17 |
| Other | This major conference will bring together plant health professionals and invasive species experts from across Great Britain & beyond, to discuss novel strategies for improving plant biosecurity and establish a sustainable knowledge exchange. The conference is organised against the backdrop of the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain, as released in 2014, and revisions to the EU Plant Health Regime, which are soon to be realised. Great Britain's forests, woods and trees are under threat from a growing number of pests and diseases. Many of these threats are alien; historically not present in the UK having been introduced from overseas. Some of these threats may reach the UK naturally i.e. as wind-borne spores from continental Europe; potentially one pathway for introduction of the disease ash die-back. The alternative and probably more common pathway of introduction is via human activity, especially trade; for example through the movement of infected plants (another pathway identified for ash die-back) or the shipping of goods associated with infested timber (as is suspected to be the case with the recent introduction of the Asian long-horn beetle into Kent in packaging crates for stone). These cases illustrate that existing biosecurity measures are vulnerable and that we need to do more to improve our nation's biosecurity and protect our plants and trees; both cultivated and in the wider environment. |