Diagnostic laboratory for plant protection
IHPS is accredited by Slovenian Accreditation with accreditation number LP-025 in the field of testing (SIST EN ISO/IEC 17025).
Activities of the Diagnostic Laboratory for Plant Protection:
- Identification of fungi, viruses, viroids, phytoplasmas, insects and weeds.
- Testing the resistance of plants to various harmful organisms.
- Testing of hop parent plants and hop gardens within the framework of planting material certification.
- Testing of plants, plant products, soil, water and substrates.
- Testing of soil microbiological activity.
- Testing the resistance of harmful organisms to phytopharmaceuticals.
- Epidemiological studies and support for the prognosis of harmful organisms.
- Research on interactions between plants and pathogens.
- Development and implementation of new diagnostic techniques.
- Management of reference collections of harmful organisms.
- Participation in inter-laboratory tests.
Techniques and equipment:
- Morphological identification (microscopic analysis, selective cultures).
- Pathogenic tests (Research station, growth chambers).
- Biochemical methods (ELISA).
- Molecular analyses (PCR, RT-PCR, real-time PCR, DNA sequencing).
Standards and authorizations:
- The Laboratory carries out diagnostic tests under a public authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (3430-526/2008/5 from June 4, 2009, amended by U-3430-41/2014-4 on July 11, 2014).
- On June 1, 2022, the Laboratory was designated as a quarantine station by the AFSVSPP (the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection) under decision No. U34304-17/2022/8 for the implementation of accredited and non-accredited diagnostic methods for the determination of harmful plant organisms, carryjing out tasks necessary for the operation of an official laboratory and national reference laboratory, as well as other research projects that may involve work with quarantine harmful organisms.
- On June 13, 2022, the Laboratory was approved as an official laboratory by the AFSVSPP with decision No. U34304-7/2022-12 for:
- identification of fungi and oomycetes in hops, vines, herbs and ornamental plants using molecular methods;
- identification of viruses and viroids on hops by molecular methods.
- On September 23, 2022, the Laboratory was appointed as a national reference laboratory within the consortium of laboratories for plant harmful organisms- for viruses and viroids on hops and by decision No. U014-23/2022/1 and January 27, 2023, as the national reference laboratory within the consortium of laboratories for plant pests- for fungi on hops, vines, herbs and ornamental plants.
Access to the website of the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for fungi and oomycetes: NRL Fungi and Oomycetes | National Reference Laboratory
Access to the website of the NRL for viruses, viroids, and phytoplasmas: NRL Virology | National Reference Laboratory for Plant Harmful Organisms – Viruses and Viroids
All interested parties can submit complaints related to laboratory activities to the head of the diagnostic laboratory, Dr. Sebastjan Radišek.