Naktuinbouw is in charge of the Plantum reference collection of about 70 isolates for resistance testing in vegetable crops. Naktuinbouw also maintains its own collection of reference isolates, for example isolates used for Resistance tests in Ornamental crops.
The Plantum reference-isolate collection is based on an Agreement of Naktuinbouw and seed companies and is administered by Plantum. The companies cover the costs for maintaining the collection and also contribute in kind. The Working Group in charge of the isolate collection is also in charge of occasional workshops about challenges encountered in the field of resistance testing.
The Participants of the Plantum isolate collection are: Bayer CropScience, Bejo Zaden, Enza Zaden, Monsanto Holland, Hazera Seeds, Pop Vriend Seeds, Rijk Zwaan, Syngenta Seeds. The Plantum isolate collection comprises reference isolates of viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes. The isolates are used for testing resistances in DUS variety research. Naktuinbouw validates the isolates in biotests by inoculating sensitive varieties, and, if possible, also varieties with race-differentiating resistances.