The VERTIGEEN project proposes a new, cost-effective, reliable system for early on-site detection and quatification of Verticillium dahlia which will allow the olive producers to significantly reduce the losses caused by this pathogen and consequently increase their profit margins, preserve employments and maintain competitive edge in the global market.

1. VERTIGEEN
Helping EU olive growers to fight against
Verticillium Dahliae
www.vertigeen.eu
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2. VERTIGEEN Project Presentation
 Olive and Olive Oil sector in Europe
 About VERTIGEEN
 Verticillium Dalhiae (VD)
 Verticillium Wilt Disease
 Life Cycle Verticillium Dahliae
 VERTIGEEN Main goals
 VERTIGEEN Scientific and Technological Objectives
 Presentation of the Consortium
 How can I detect Verticillium?
 Samples needed (Soil and Plants)
 How will VERTIGEEN help you?
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3. Olive and Olive Oil sector in
Europe
 It is a fundamental pillar of European
identity and one of the most
important markets, producing 1,5% of
the total EU agricultural output for a
value of 5,600 M€ and using 4% of
the agricultural area.
 Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece
produce than 90% of the olive oil in
EU.
 Most of the producers are small, thus
vulnerable to fluctuations in
production.
 The sector is being threatened not
only by international competition but
also by other adverse factors such as
pests and diseases. Verticillium
dahliae is one of the most important
ones.
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http://esporao.com/

4. About VERTIGEEN
 The competitiveness of the European olive lead market is currently severely
threatened by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae
 More than 200 species with crop losses estimated at thousands of millions of
dollars worldwide every year.
 VERTIGEEN consortium strongly believes that containment and even
eradication of this disease is feasible
 Conventional detection and quantification methods, such as visual inspection,
plating methods, biosassays, immunoassays and molecular methods doesn’t
work
 VERTIGEEN will develop an innovative low costs and robust diagnostic tool for
detecting Verticillium dahlia and quantifying infection levels.
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5. About VERTIGEEN
VERTIGEEN is a project funded by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework
Programme under the Research for the Benefit of SME Associations (Capacities)
scheme, which aims at developing technical solutions to problems common to a
large number of SMEs in specific industrial sectors or segments of the value chain,
such as the olive sector.
Collaborating in this research project are 10 different institutions from 7 different
European member states.
Project Start Date: 1st of February, 2012
Project duration: 36 months
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6. Verticillium Dalhiae
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http://www.eppo.in/
http://www.eppo.int/
http://www.eppo.int/ www.infOliva.com
http://www.eppo.int/
http://www.datuopinion.com/verticilosis

7. Verticillium Wilt Disease
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 Affects more than 200 plant species with global crop losses
estimated at thousands of millions of euro per year.
 Caused by fungus Verticillium dahliae that can persist in soil for
years
 Continually expanding geographical distribution.
World distribution of Verticillium dahliae. Distribution Maps of Quarantine pests
for Europe. Green: Present at subnational record. Red: Present at national record.
Source: OEPP/EPPO (European Plant Protection Organization)
J.A Hiemstra. Wageningen WUR
J.A Hiemstra. Wageningen WUR

8. Life Cycle Verticillium Dahliae
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A Compendium of Verticillium Wilts in
Tree Species. HIEMSTRA & HARRIS
1998.

9. VERTIGEEN Main goals
 VERTIGEEN addresses the need for a rapid and reliable onsite detection and quantification
device of the Verticillium dahlia fungus in soils and plant samples.
 The system will allow associated olive producers to reduce the losses caused by this pathogen
and its spread by means of precise and efficient field interventions within an Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) strategy.
 VERTIGEEN system innovatively integrates, in a single platform, new but successfully
demonstrated technologies: the loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method and the
original in-solution-DNA electrochemical detection, overcoming the limitations of the state of
the art in terms of heterogeneity, portability, price, ease of use and time-to-result.
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10. VERTIGEEN Scientific and Technological
Objectives
The following specific scientific objectives will be fulfilled during the project:
 Sampling strategy and processing method for both plants and soil to
guarantee significant and representative results as well as maximum test
sensitivity.
 Optimize the LAMP DNA amplification protocol for the specific detection of
Verticillium Dahliae and optimize the selectivity and end point sensitivity of
critical parameters of the LAMP assay protocol.
 Establish field intervention protocols for the growers to follow in each case.
These protocols will be compiled in a Guide for Best Practices.
VERTIGEEN aims to develop a homogeneous, simple, rapid, accurate, and
sensitive, on site electrochemical diagnosis tool for detecting Verticillium
dahlia levels with a cost below €1.000 per unit and €10 per test.
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11. Presentation of the Consortium
The proposed consortium is well complemented and
brings together technological skills, industrial
objectives, geographical representation, synergistic
business interests and the exploitation of its results,
which and non-competitive positions. Each partner
has a specific role in the completion of the work h
avoids duplication of efforts or commercial conflicts.
-Three SME-AGs: INOLEO (ES), EDOEE (EL) and AAR (PT)
-Two technological SMEs: FORSITE (UK) and LOEWE (DE)
-Two end-user SMEs: COTEVISA (ES) and PELOSI (IT)
-Three RTDs: WUR (NL),FERA (UK) and ATEKNEA (ES)
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12. Three SME-Ags: INOLEO (ES), EDOEE (EL) and
AAR (PT)
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INOLEO is a non-profit
organization comprised of sector
SMEs and the CITOLIVA Olive Oil
Technology Center. The main
business activities of INOLEO are:
knowledge management,
promoting synergies, energizing
activities around science and
technology generation and its
practical application in the sector.
The Association offers competitive
advantages for the sector,
providing its associates learning
tools to promote innovation and
development.
EDOEE, The Greek National
interprofessional organization of
olive oil and olives, is a non-profit
agricultural association founded in
2002 to represent the interests of
operators in the olive sector, to
encourage the progress of the
sector by establishing measures and
procedures related to the Greek
Olive Sector and also to implement
economic, social, environmental
and cultural programs.
The Associação dos Agricultores do
Ribatejo (AARibatejo) is a non-profit
association, established in 1976, serving
the professional interests of its members
thatwork in agricultural, forestry and
animal activities. The purpose of the AAR
is to foster and promote the interests of
its members by representing them in front
of official and institutional entities and to
give them technical support on cereal
matters, olive growing, viticulture,
irrigation, management soil fertility and
common agricultural policy (CAP).

13. Two technological SMEs: FORSITE (UK) and
LOEWE (DE)
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LOEWE Biochemica GmbH was established
in 1988 as a privately held company. Since
almost 25 years we are specialized in the
development and production of premium
diagnostic reagents for the detection
of plant pathogens. Products and services
offer by LOEWE include: ELISA Sets and
Kits, Immuno Fluorescence Reagents, PCR
Sets and Kits, Enzyme Substrates and
Lateral Flow Tests.
Forsite Diagnostics is a newly established SME
formed in January 2007 as a spin-off of the FERA
(Food and Environment Research Agency)
formerly known as Central Science Laboratory
(CSL). Their main goal is to develop,
manufacture and commercialise rapid diagnostic
solutions to drive growth in existing and
new markets.

14. Two end-user SMEs: COTEVISA (ES) and
PELOSI (IT)
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COTEVISA is the biggest nursery
in Spain and the second biggest in
Europe. With 20 years in this
market, is the only laboratory
dedicated to cultivation in vitro
for multiplying the fruit plants in
the region of Valencia. Since 1990
they have been developing
different forms of sanitation and
introducing new methods for safe
development of different species
and vegetables.
The Azienda Agricola PELOSI di Pelosi Sergio is a
family farm with an extension of about 8 hectares located in
South Italy (150 km from Naples) and has a long tradition in olive
cultivation and extra virgin olive oil production. Started more
than forty years ago, their main corporate objective is to
produce high quality oil in full compliance with the regulations
on food safety through the implementation of the most modern
agricultural techniques and innovative technologies. All the
company products have the European quality label of the
protected denomination of origin where their olive trees are
grown (PDO Dauno). Most of the production is destined for
the local market and industries.

15. Three RTDs: WUR (NL),FERA (UK) and
ATEKNEA (ES)
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FERA (Formerly CSL) was established in 1992 as an executive agency of the
UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It is a
public sector science organization providing research and information
services to governments and industry around the world. In 2006, their
scientists published 144 papers in peer-reviewed journals listed in the
Science Citation Index as testimony to their excellence in the sciences.
The Agricultural Research Institute-SDLO (Stichting Dienst
Landbouwkundig Onderzoek) is part of Wageningen University and Research
Center. It is a private not for profit research institute with experienced and
highly motivated personnel that specializes in strategic and applied research
for industry and public institutions. Within SDLO PPO and PRI are the two
parts of the organization that deal with research on plants; PRI focusing on
strategic research, and PPO on applied research.
Ateknea offers tailor-made services for innovation, with expertise in a
wide range of engineering and scientific areas, supported by
professionals in project management and coordination at a European
level. It aims at assisting small and medium sized enterprises to
become more competitive through technological innovation, improving
products, processes or services. Ateknea is involved in supporting
SMEs and understanding their individual needs and difficulties.

16. How can I detect Verticillium?
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NEW Method available is: Isothermal Loop Mediated DNA amplification
Method (LAMP).
• Molecular method – sensitive and specific
• Robust and fast (results in 30/40min)
VERTIGEEN consortium took advantage of this
new methodology combined with the original
in-solution DNA electrochemical detection
technology to overcome the limitations of the
state of the art in terms of:
 Heterogeneity
 Portability
 Price – approx. 1000 €
 Ease to use and result interpretation

17. Where can I find Verticillium in my field?
How do I take a sample?
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Soil sampling
protocol 20m
Select 25 x trees from
one hectare in a grid
pattern approximately
20metres apart.
Remove surface debris & take a
soil sample (handful) from each
tree, 15 to 30cm from the base
of the tree.
Mix all 25 soil
samples
together in a
large bag.
Fill a smaller
bag with the
mixed soil
sample.
Soil
Sampl
e
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR0UB8curAE&feature=you
tu.be

18. Where can I find Verticillium in my crop?
How do I take a sample?
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Plant sampling protocol
• Wood from current or last year’s part of branch
• Branches in lower or middle part of crown
• Extract DNA from 5 branches per tree in combined
sample
VERTIGEEN consortium developed a sampling protocol as VD is not evenly
distributed in plants

19. How will VERTIGEEN help you?
The existence of a new, fast, easy to use and affordable diagnostic tool will
benefit the EU producers:
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• Help to effectively fight the disease and minimize the losses
caused by the pathogen and its spread.
• Increase yield crop and improve competitiveness
• Guarantee VD free status
• Provide a clear strategic advantage in the market as
environmentally friendly provided
• Improve best practices in plant health control methods

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For more information visit our website: www.vertigeen.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for
research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no
FP7-SME-2011-2-286140