Point-of-care molecular diagnostic for wheat blast fungus
A rapid, field-deployable diagnostic platform for detecting the destructive wheat blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum using recombinase polymerase amplification with lateral flow assay. Enables early identification of infection to support timely disease management decisions in wheat-producing regions.
Overview
Wheat blast, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum, is a devastating crop disease that threatens wheat production across South Asia, South America, and other warm, humid growing regions. Early and accurate detection is critical because the pathogen can destroy entire fields within days under favorable conditions. This solution offers a point-of-care diagnostic method that combines recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) of genome-specific primers with a lateral flow assay, enabling rapid, on-site identification of M. oryzae Triticum without the need for laboratory infrastructure.
The technology addresses a key gap in agricultural disease management: the inability to detect wheat blast quickly and accurately in the field. By providing results at the point of need, farmers, extension agents, and agricultural inspectors can make informed decisions about disease management, quarantine measures, and seed health certification before outbreaks escalate.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Two genome-specific primers targeting Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum for high specificity
- Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) enables DNA amplification at constant temperatures, eliminating the need for thermal cycling equipment
- Lateral flow assay readout delivers visual results without specialized instrumentation
- CRISPR-based detection concepts adapted from validated pathogen detection and genotyping workflows
- Designed for point-of-care use in field conditions by non-laboratory personnel
- Potential applications in seed health screening, field surveillance, quarantine inspection, and disease outbreak monitoring
Technology readiness level
The diagnostic concept is supported by two prior academic publications demonstrating the feasibility of RPA and CRISPR-based lateral flow approaches for pathogen detection. Current work focuses on optimizing and validating the newly developed point-of-care assay for wheat blast through a step-by-step process. The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development, with further validation and field testing planned before broader deployment.
About Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) is a public agricultural university in Salna, Gazipur, established in 1998 from the former Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Agriculture, with a research‑intensive, single‑campus character. On‑site experimental farmland and field laboratories, specialized analytical facilities including an electron microscopy lab, and a campus meteorological station enable controlled trials tied to real‑world conditions. An active extension and technology‑dissemination model connects university innovations to producers and public agencies nationwide. Research is supported by national funding and international development partners. Proximity to major national agricultural research institutes in Gazipur enables coordinated studies and accelerates scale‑up.
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