The Role of Agromillora’s QA Lab in Strengthening Plant Quality and Health in Modern Agriculture
In an increasingly demanding agricultural landscape, the quality and health of plant material are not just added values—they are essential requirements
Errors in genetic identity, latent pathogen presence, or the absence of traceability mechanisms can compromise entire production cycles. At the heart of Agromillora’s strategy to address these risks is its Quality Assurance Laboratory (QA Lab), located in Oregon, USA, which acts as a cornerstone of the company’s global propagation system.
The QA Lab integrates advanced molecular diagnostics, rigorous phytosanitary monitoring, and robust traceability protocols. Its work focuses on ensuring that nurseries and growers receive plant material that is genetically verified, pathogen-free, and fully traceable. Rather than acting as a peripheral service, the lab is deeply integrated into Agromillora’s production model, contributing to both risk reduction and product consistency across markets.
Agromillora's QA Lab in figures
In 2024 alone, the QA Lab performed 765 genetic analyses and 4,332 phytosanitary tests, operating with a portfolio of 95 pathogen detection protocols and maintaining 228 active genetic references. This operational scale reflects not only the lab’s diagnostic capacity, but also its role in ensuring varietal authenticity across a wide range of crops and geographies. That year also marked the incorporation of eight new external clients, with notable activity from subsidiaries in Morocco, Brazil (Produção), and Turkey (Fidan)—an indication of the growing trust in the lab’s capabilities.
The laboratory applies state-of-the-art techniques such as real-time PCR for the early detection of key pathogens like Xylella fastidiosa, Fusarium spp., Phytophthora spp., and viral agents affecting grapevines and stone fruits. Early identification of these threats allows growers to take timely action, avoiding regulatory complications and potential economic losses.
Equally important is the lab’s work in genetic characterization, which ensures the varietal purity of clones and rootstocks used in commercial propagation. With over 200 genotypic profiles catalogued internally, the lab supports a system of traceability that minimizes errors and builds confidence across the production chain. Each sample processed is encoded, catalogued, and securely stored for up to 12 months, enabling auditability and revaluation if necessary.
Assuring Quality
Beyond diagnostics, the QA Lab also contributes through technical advisory services, assisting producers with biosecurity protocols and phytosanitary strategies tailored to specific crops and regions. This consultative approach reinforces the practical value of the lab’s work, positioning it as both a service provider and a knowledge partner.
Its function extends beyond internal validation. By operating under international phytosanitary frameworks—including those of USDA APHIS PPQ—the QA Lab plays a crucial role in enabling Agromillora’s plant material to access highly regulated markets without restriction. This not only supports the company’s commercial operations but also benefits the broader agricultural community that depends on reliable, compliant plant stock.
In today’s high-density and precision-oriented cultivation models, the need for uniform, high-quality, and pathogen-free material is more urgent than ever. The QA Lab, through its combination of scientific rigor, operational consistency, and long-term vision, is helping set a new standard in the industry—where quality is not assumed but measured and guaranteed.
