SGS introduces automated soil disease testing to support Canadian farmers against clubroot and Aphanomyces

SGS introduces automated soil disease testing to support Canadian farmers against clubroot and Aphanomyces

(IN BRIEF) SGS has strengthened its crop science testing services in Canada with automated DNA extraction and molecular diagnostics to combat soilborne diseases like clubroot and Aphanomyces, which can severely impact crop rotations and persist for decades. Automation has increased sample capacity from 45 to 88 per day with greater accuracy, while workflows can serve multiple diseases using different PCR markers. Services now provide quantification of spore loads, with future tools planned to identify clubroot pathotypes for improved breeding and management. SGS also supports infrastructure developers with biosecurity solutions, providing instant access to test results via a secure portal. Combining robotics, diagnostics, and agricultural expertise, SGS helps Canadian farmers protect yields and comply with best practices while preparing for future challenges.

(PRESS RELEASE) GENEVA, 25-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — SGS is stepping up the fight against soilborne crop diseases in Canada by introducing advanced automation and precision techniques in its crop science laboratories. For canola, pulse, and seed growers, threats such as clubroot and Aphanomyces can devastate rotations, persist in the soil for decades, and remain without an effective chemical cure. With early and accurate detection being the only effective safeguard, SGS’s enhanced molecular diagnostics provide farmers and infrastructure developers with critical tools to mitigate long-term risk.

“Clubroot is particularly damaging to canola. It causes the roots to swell into club-like structures, cutting off nutrient and water uptake. Once established, the spores can survive for over 20 years,” explained Annu Albert, molecular diagnostics specialist at SGS, in an interview with Seed World Canada.

Previously, manual DNA extraction limited lab capacity to around 45 samples per day. With robotic automation, throughput has nearly doubled to 88 samples, while improving consistency and eliminating human fatigue-related errors. The automated pipetting system ensures precise, reproducible handling of samples, enabling staff to focus on higher-value diagnostic and advisory work. The same workflow serves both clubroot and Aphanomyces testing, with only the genetic markers differing in PCR analysis, creating an efficient, multipurpose testing platform.

SGS’s services have also advanced from simple presence/absence detection to quantifying spore loads, giving growers valuable insights into disease severity. Looking ahead, genomic tools are being prepared to identify specific clubroot pathotypes, which could provide vital guidance for breeding programs and more targeted disease management. “Once these genomic methods are validated in research, we scale them up in our commercial labs so they can be applied directly in the field,” Albert added.

Beyond farming, SGS supports construction and infrastructure companies with biosecurity protocols to prevent the unintentional spread of soilborne pathogens across sites. Clients can access results instantly via a secure online portal, which offers filterable data sets to track changes over time and inform decisions.

With a combination of robotic precision, molecular diagnostics, and local agricultural expertise, SGS delivers fast, reliable testing that strengthens farm resilience and safeguards Canadian agriculture. Backed by its global network, SGS ensures best practices, reduces the risk of disease spread, and helps growers stay ahead of persistent threats that challenge long-term productivity.

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

Media Contact:

Holly Gelech
Senior Business Development Manager
SGS Crop Science
t: +1 780 660 9657

SOURCE: SGS