APPLIED NANOTECH, INC. — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase I: 8.13

Description

There are several diseases that are attacking citrus crops world-wide. The citrus industry desperately needs early detection of these infections. However, there are no low-cost, robust diagnostic tests currently available for early identification of citrus diseases under field conditions. This proposal directly responds to the need to reduce the impact of plant diseases and insect pests on citrus crops by developing a means of early detection.Canine detection of citrus diseases is now being applied and shown to be effective. Canine detection is dependent on the recognition of the unique odor signatures. We are proposing to develop a low-cost (< $2 per sample) odor sampling test-kit that will be user-friendly and applicable to both grove owners as well as residential owners who have citrus on their residential property. We propose to develop a sampling technology and process that does not require highly trained technicians and expensive equipment.Rapid and early detection of the citrus deseases will limit the spread of these diseases and lower the cost of citrus production.