Rapid Crop Testing

Reveal the pathogen load in your agricultural crops, even in the latent period, with results delivered in just 24 hours.

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Tackling crop disease

Crop diseases pose a significant threat to UK farmers and the overall economy, leading to yield losses and diminished crop quality.

Addressing crop diseases goes beyond treating them once they have already spread. It is crucial to detect them early and accurately assess their severity to develop an effective and efficient treatment plan. By doing so, growers can safeguard their yield, save costs, and contribute to environmental conservation by optimising pesticide use.

MicroDetect’s rapid testing solution provides scientific data on pathogen load, helping farmers and agronomists make fact-based decisions in the development of their treatment plans.

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What are the benefits?

Results in 24 hours

Receive rapid results within 24 hours of sample receipt, providing timely insights for effective decision-making in crop pest management.

Highly sensitive

Detect the presence of diseases in your field with our highly sensitive technology, enabling proactive measures to prevent crop damage and yield loss.

Timely pattern recognition

Assess the reliability of resistant varieties and adapt your strategies accordingly.

Highly specific technology

Optimise crop protection and environmental impact by targeting pesticide use only when necessary.

Data-driven decision making

Utilise comprehensive testing data for informed decision-making in crop pest management.

Hassle-free

Easy-to-use sample collection kits for convenient testing. Just collect samples, send them to our labs, and we handle the rest!

Get a step ahead

MicroDetect offers a distinctive and highly sensitive rapid test that can detect even a few viable pathogen cells in your crop. Its sensitivity allows for early detection of diseases, including latent stages, enabling timely treatment before visible signs appear.

Our testing currently covers wheat, barely, and oil seed rape crop. With just a small sample of 10 leaves, you can expect results delivered in just 24 hours.

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How does it work?

1. Order your test

Contact us to arrange sending us your sample.

2. Collect your sample

To ensure your samples are as representative as possible, walk in a ‘W’ pattern across your field and collect 10 leaves for testing. Keep the leaves dry, using kitchen towel if possible

3. Send to our lab

Post the sample to our lab using a courier or the postal service. No specialist courier needed!

4. Results in 24 hours

Receive rapid results within 24 hours of sample receipt.

What our clients say

MicroDetect’s rapid testing provided us with critical insights in record time. Their precision and speed are unparalleled, making them an invaluable partner in our disease management efforts.
Invaluable partner

— Sarah Parker

Using MicroDetect’s services has revolutionised our approach to crop disease management. Their sensitivity in detection has allowed us to take preventative measures well before visible signs appear, ensuring healthier and more productive yields.
Revolutionised our approach

— Lewis Campbell

Order your kit now

Reveal the level of disease in your crops even in the latent period, with results delivered in just 24 hours.

Request a kit

Prof. Ruth Massey, B.A. (mod), PhD – Chief Scientific Officer

Ruth has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from Trinity College Dublin. She has worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the UK at both the Universities of Oxford and Bath.

Her first independent position as Principal Investigator was in the Zoology Department in Oxford, where she set up her first lab, which subsequently moved to Bath in 2007. In 2017 Ruth moved to the University of Bristol and, in 2019, was promoted to Professor of Microbial Pathogenicity.

Ruth and her research team have been working on developing the testing processes described here for the past seven years, and she is now translating this for use in several clinical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural settings.

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Dr. Marcia Boura, BSc, MSc, PhD – Head of Development

Marcia has a background in clinical diagnostics, having worked in a hospital laboratory and completed an MSc in Emergent Infectious Diseases before commencing her PhD in Microbiology, at the University of Reading.

After completing her PhD she worked as the Senior Research Scientist in the team developing rapid molecular diagnostic tests. She led the development of a crops diagnostic test from conception through to field trial, before moving on to develop the technology for use in the human and veterinary clinical diagnostics sector.

Marcia’s experience of diagnostic test development for infectious diseases allows her to lead the scientific research within MicroDetect with focus and confidence.

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Tamryn Hassel, BSc, MBA – Business Management

Tamryn holds an MBA from the University of Bath. She has worked for over 16 years in the quality sector of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, putting her in a unique position to understand the challenges associated with working in a highly regulated environment and how to validate scientific methodologies to meet regulatory requirements. She was initially involved in developing the rapid test methodology before refocusing on her consultancy businesses which continue to operate with great success. 

With her proven track record in the setting up and successful running of businesses, she is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the business. 

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