Microfluidic Biosensors for the Detection of Motile Plant Zoospores

Plant pathogen zoospores play a vital role in the transmission of several significant plant diseases, with their early detection being important for effective pathogen management. Current methods for pathogen detection involve labour-intensive specimen collection and laboratory testing, lacking real-time feedback capabilities. Methods that can be deployed in the field and remotely addressed are required. In this study, we have developed an innovative zoospore-sensing device by combining a microfluidic sampling system with a microfluidic cytometer and incorporating a chemotactic response as a means to selectively detect motile spores. Spores of <i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> were guided to swim up a detection channel following a gradient of attractant. They were then detected by a transient change in impedance when they passed between a pair of electrodes. Single-zoospore detection was demonstrated with signal-to-noise ratios of ~17 when a carrying flow was used and ~5.9 when the zoospores were induced to swim into the channel following the gradient of the attractants. This work provides an innovative solution for the selective, sensitive and real-time detection of motile zoospores. It has great potential to be further developed into a portable, remotely addressable, low-cost sensing system, offering an important tool for field pathogen real-time detection applications.