Virus Indexing and genetic fidelity testing of plants
Micropropagation has provided an important tool to multiply disease-free planting materials of improved genotypes including spices. But this does not guarantee virus-free materials when the mother plant used is infected with viruses. In view of the spread of viruses and somaclonal variations that occur during culture, it is important that the mother plants to be used for propagation and tissue culture raised plants should be tested for their virus-free and true to type nature.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India under the 'National
certification system for tissue culture raised plants (NCS-TCP)' has accredited
the test laboratory located at Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut
for virus testing and genetic fidelity testing of tissue culture raised
plants of spices crops especially black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric
and vanilla. This institute is authorized to issue certificate to this
effect, which becomes essential for movement of all tissue cultured plants
in future.
An Accredited Test Laboratory
will receive an application for virus testing of plants (Annexure-1)
from a organization sufficiently in advance of shipment along with
fees prescribed by the Department of Biotechnology from time to
time. The application received at the office of Director/HOD of
Accredited Test Laboratory will be verified and complete application
will be entered in a certification register. The registered application
will be forwarded to the Scientist (Virology/Molecular Biology),
as the case may be, for organizing sampling of tissue culture plants
for virus/quality testing. The Scientist (Virology/Molecular Biology),
as the case may be, will intimate the concerned tissue culture production
facility (within a maximum of two working days) regarding the requirements
for forwardal of sample for testing or else will intimate the site
visit of technical personnel from Accredited Test Laboratory for
drawl of samples for testing
Download Application for Virus Testing & Certification of Plants
The sample collected will be blotted dry to remove excess moisture
before packing. The sample will be placed in between paper towels,
packed in self sealing/zip-lock polythene bags of appropriate size.
The sample will be affixed with a label (sampling label) and kept
in a ventilated card board box and /or thermocool box for forwardal
to Accredited Test Laboratory within specified time under cool conditions.
The packing box will be marked on top of the box with the address
of Accredited Test Laboratory with appropriate instructions such
as 'Handle with care/Rush Delivery' and either couriered or delivered
in person to the concerned Accredited Test Laboratory within 24
hrs period under cool conditions.
Download Label for the sample
Sending Test report
The test report would be sent to the
concerned within a week after receipt of samples
For more details, Please contact
For virus testing:
Dr A. Ishwara Bhat,
Senior Scientist,
Indian Institute of Spices Research
Ph: 0495-2731410; Fax: 0495-2731187,
Email ishwarabhat@spices.res.in
For fidelity testing:
Dr K. Nirmal Babu,
Principal Scientist,
Indian Institute of Spices Research
Ph: 0495-2731410; Fax: 0495-2731187,
Email nirmalbabu@spices.res.in
