Improved Genetic Diagnostic Kit for Pine Wilt Disease Distributed to Field Sites

The National Institute of Forest Science announced on December 24 that it has developed and distributed a diagnostic kit to the field, designed to improve convenience and mobility for field personnel in response to the rapidly increasing demand for pine wilt disease diagnosis.

Improved genetic diagnostic kit packaging and components. Provided by the National Institute of Forest Science

This year, the total number of microscope examination samples of dead trees from the first-stage pine wilt disease diagnostic institutions (21 locations) reached 188,331 cases. In contrast, the limited manpower and the microscope-based identification method, which can take up to three days, have become a limitation in addressing the recent surge in pine wilt disease cases.

If the spread of pine wilt disease does not stop in the future and delayed diagnosis leads to missing the optimal control period, it could result in large-scale outbreaks in a short period. This highlights the importance of quickly determining initial infection as the key to successful control.

To address this, the National Institute of Forest Science plans to supply the advanced genetic diagnostic kit to the field, thereby ensuring accuracy and speed in pine wilt disease diagnosis. Additionally, the institute will change the way results are displayed from a complicated 'numerical system' to an 'O·X' icon format, allowing field personnel to easily identify the results at a glance.

To make the diagnostic kit package more user-friendly in the field, the weight has been reduced from 10 kg to 6 kg, and the storage method has been changed from a trunk-type to a backpack-type, which the institute expects will contribute to faster diagnostics.

Currently, this diagnostic kit is being supplied on a trial basis to 15 first-stage diagnostic institutions, including the National Institute of Forest Science, Korea Forestry Promotion Institute, regional forest services, and local governments.

Son Jeonga, a researcher at the Forest Disease and Pest Research Division, said, "The diagnostic kit distributed by the National Institute of Forest Science is characterized by its ease of use for anyone while still ensuring diagnostic accuracy," adding, "We will continue to strive for field-oriented technological innovation to enable early containment of pine wilt disease outbreaks."