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CPRT 42A
(Approaches and Practices in Pest Management)

Exercise No.1
EXCLUSION OF PLANT PATHOGENS: DIRECT AND GENERAL INSPECTION

I. INTRODUCTION

To prevent the entry of alien disease into a country, it is essential that planting materials
such as seeds, cuttings, tubers, live plants and other materials are thoroughly inspected for the
presence of potentially destructive pathogens. Inspection is done prior to shipment of such
materials from the point of origin and also at the point of entry, before it is finally released to the
consignee for use.
One of the soundest means of reducing the risk of pathogen introduction is through
DIRECT INSPECTION. This is done by direct ocular inspection of the materials in the shipment
and followed by thorough microscopic examination of samples taken from the bulk shipment.
Microscopic examinations will help in identifying pathogens that are associated with the planting
materials.
The results of such examination would be the basis of issuing a PHYTOSANITARY
CERTIFICATE. It may also be the basis of rejecting the entry of the planting materials into a
country, if it is found to contain potentially dangerous pathogens. In some cases, there may be
a recommendation to treat the shipment with chemicals or by physical means to destroy the
pathogens present in the planting materials.

II. OBJECTIVES

To learn the procedures used in direct and general inspection and to detect and identify the
pathogen(s) associated with planting materials.

III. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Materials
B. Methods
Bring the following:
By group:
1. Seed samples (either corn, rice, mungbean, soybeans, whitebean, sorghum)
2. Two pieces (Diseased & healthy) either sweet pepper, potato, garlic, sweet
potato or tomato
3. Scalpel (#4) and scalpel blade (#22)

Individual:
1. Lab gown
2. Surgical mask
3. hand spray 70% alcohol

Will be provided by the instructor

1. Glass slides and cover slips
2. Sterile water (SDW)
3. Disinfectant (10% NaOCl or sodium hypochlorite)
4. Forceps
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Seed Samples Inspection

1. Spread seed samples on a piece of clean white paper.

2. Sort out discolored and shriveled seeds and other debris and separate them in a
container.

Healthy Seeds Unhealthy seeds

3. Place the healthy seeds in a test tube and pour sterile distilled water into the test
tube.
Covering the tube, agitate for about two (2) minutes. This will dislodge pathogen
inocula attached to the surface of the seed samples.

UNHEALTH HEALTHY
Y

4. Return the test tube in a test tube rack and leave it for 5 minutes.

5. Decant the liquid into a suitable container, leaving a small amount of liquid with the
sediments and add 1 drop onto a glass slide for microscopic examination.

6. Look for signs of pathogens such as mycelia, spores and other structures that you
have seen in the microscope for proper documentation. Identify the pathogen
associated with the seeds.

7. Repeat the same procedure to unhealthy and shriveled seeds previously sorted out.

Bulbs, Cuttings, Seed Pieces and Other Vegetative Planting Materials

1. Inspect specimens for external evidences of diseases using a hand lens or

stereomicroscope. Look for symptoms and signs of the pathogen (spores, fruiting
bodies, mycelia, sclerotia, etc.)

2. Make illustrations of what you have seen associated with the specimen. Make brief
descriptions of the symptoms you have observed in each sample.

3. Review the literature regarding pathogens associated with your specimen by taking
note of important symptoms, signs and appearance of the infected plant material.
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IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Containment (of regulated organisms) - to prevent the dissemination of plant pests and
diseases, this may be accomplished by a combination of proper handling of the regulated
organisms and by physical and security attributes of the area where the regulated organisms
will be held.

Deferred Inspection - used in cases where the quarantine officer at the port of entry (such as
an airport or a sea port) has doubts about the arriving shipment.

Disinfection - to kill pathogens living on the surface of a material

Direct Inspection - may be a visual inspection or involve sensing technologies accomplished

with a direct physical presence or remotely such as a remote visual inspection which may be
manually or automatically.

Exclusion - is defined as any measure that prevents the introduction of a disease-causing

agent (pathogen) into a country, region and farm.

Harborer - one that holds, bears, maintains, nurtures or supports the growth or life of another.

Inspection - involves careful and critical appraisal or examination of materials, items, or

systems Parasite - an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at
the expense of its host.

Pathogen - any living entity that causes or incites disease

Plant quarantine - the legal enforcement of the measures aimed to prevent pests and
diseases from spreading or to prevent them from multiplying further in case they have already
gained entry and have established in new restricted areas.

Port of entry - a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a
place or country.

Point of origin - the location or station where a carrier receives a shipment for delivery; the
place where something comes from or the place where something originates.