Troublesome Pine Wilt Disease... On-Site Detection Possible Within One Hour

Jeollanam-do Forest Research Institute Introduces Genetic Kits

Immediate On-Site Diagnosis of New Cases and Enhanced Response to Spread

In the near future, it will be possible to determine whether a pine tree is infected with pine wilt nematode within just one hour.

The Jeollanam-do Forest Research Institute announced that it has established a genetic diagnosis system that can identify infections on-site within one hour in order to prevent the spread of pine wilt disease.

Until now, the Jeollanam-do Forest Research Institute has operated a diagnostic center that confirmed infections in suspected pine, black pine, Korean pine, and Japanese stone pine trees through visual inspections and nematode isolation and identification.

Last year, out of 14,549 suspected samples submitted from 22 cities and counties in Jeollanam-do and five districts in Gwangju, pine wilt nematode infection was confirmed in 3,914 cases. Previously, diagnosis involved submerging the submitted samples for 24 hours and then checking for the presence of nematodes under a microscope.

With the newly established genetic analysis system, trees suspected of new infections can be identified on-site within one hour. The accuracy of the diagnosis has also improved, raising expectations for rapid response to new outbreaks and strengthening on-site control capabilities.

Oh Deuksil, Director of the Jeollanam-do Forest Research Institute, said, "We will use genetic diagnostic kits to swiftly identify pine wilt disease on-site and make every effort to prevent its spread."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.