Rapid and cost effective ‘on-site’ detection of Cacao swollen-shoot virus (CSSV).

可可豆是制造巧克力的关键原料。在西非，英国进口和消费的70%的可可是在那里生产的，巧克力行业已经确定可可肿芽病（CSSV）是生产力的主要制约因素。一个有CSSV的可可农场将遭受产量下降的影响，因此农民的收入也会下降，而可可通常是唯一的经济作物。为限制该病的传播，必须开发能够发现症状前感染的诊断检测方法，促进对其进行及时控制。在本提案中，我们将开发一种合适的方法和相关仪器来检测粗植物提取物中的CSSV。我们的方法将采用适合快速应用的基于纸张的检测分析，可以以非熟练人员操作的格式使用，从而使其能够在现场广泛部署。这将对西非可可种植者的经济前景产生重大影响。

Cocoa beans are the key raw material in chocolate manufacturing. In West Africa, where 70% of thecocoa imported and consumed in the UK is produced, the chocolate industry has identified CacaoSwollen Shoot Disease (CSSV) as the major constraint to productivity. A cacao farm with CSSV will sufferdeclining yields and hence declining farmer income from what is often the only cash crop being grown.To limit the spread of this disease it is essential to develop diagnostic test that can detectpresymptomatic infection facilitating its prompt control. In this proposal we will develop a suitablemethodology and associated instrumentation to detect CSSV in crude plant extracts. Our approach willemploy paper based detection assays suitable for rapid application that can be used in formats thatenable unskilled personnel to operate them, thereby enabling their widespread deployment in the field.This will have a significant impact on the economic prospects of cacao farmers in West Africa.