LAMP Proves Reliable for Cassava and Sweetpotato Seed Certification as a Virus Detection Method in East Africa

This research brief reports results from an inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) validating the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay for virus detection in cassava and sweetpotato seed certification systems across East Africa. Conducted between October 2024 and May 2025, the study involved four laboratories—KEPHIS (Kenya), TOSCI (Tanzania), IITA (Tanzania), and MAAIF (Uganda)—coordinated by the International Potato Center (CIP) under the PROSSIVA project. The LAMP method demonstrated high analytical sensitivity, detecting key viruses (SPFMV, SPCSV, SPLCV, CBSV, and UCBSV) within 30 minutes, with excellent reproducibility and no significant inter-laboratory variation. Results confirm LAMP’s suitability as a low-cost, rapid alternative to PCR for integration into national seed certification, quarantine, and phytosanitary systems, strengthening virus indexing capacity and harmonization across the region.