Potato GMO Testing

The Diagnostic Lab conducts GMO testing of potato in support of the potato certification program and as a service to potato growers requiring this test. Some grower contracts require producers to verify the GMO status of their crop. This test is typically conducted during the winter post harvest test or during the summer virus test.

Testing
GMO testing in potato is conducted using an ELISA test, which detects the presence of the Bt-Cry3a protein found in transgenic potatoes containing the Bt gene. Customers are required to submit samples of at least 410 leaflets for this test, as the sample size tested is 400 leaflets. This test can be performed on the same sample as a potato virus test. Samples are composited 40 leaflets per test well for a total of 10 test wells. Results are given as the number of positive test wells per total test wells. Also, leaflet tissue is the preferred and least expensive tissue type to test. Potato sprouts may also be tested for Bt-Cry3a for an additional price. For potato sprouts, a 400 tuber sample would need to be submitted for testing. In this case, samples are composited 5 sprouts or tubers per test well for a total of 80 test wells.