Agdia, Inc (Elkhart, IN), announced an offer of diagnostic testing for Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus (SVNV). SVNV is a Tospovirus that has been identified in several soybean growing states within the U.S. According to multiple online sources, it is not yet known if the pathogen has a significant impact on crop yields. Despite the uncertainties of its economic impact, stakeholders are keeping a close eye on the pathogen to gain a better understanding of what the future may bring.

Agdia has developed an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects the virus with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Until this year, Agdia had performed SVNV testing using a Tospovirus group PCR test which required subsequent sequencing analysis to confirm if positive samples were in fact SVNV. While this testing method was effective, it also came at a high cost and often took more than a week to obtain results.

Debi Groth-Helms, Agdia’s testing Laboratory Director says, “SVNV is a very hot topic right now. Last summer we had a substantial interest in testing for this pathogen by our customers who needed an affordable method of testing. We are very pleased that we were able to meet that demand this season with a test that will enable us to provide faster turnaround times for our customers at an affordable price point. This test will play a key role in survey work that is being conducted throughout soybean growing regions”.

Agdia’s Testing Services laboratory will begin accepting soybean samples for SVNV analysis immediately. ELISA results are usually available in two business days. Agdia also plans to release a SVNV ELISA test kit at a later date this summer.