Conventional and PCR Detection of <I>Aphelenchoides fragariae</I> in Diverse Ornamental Host Plant Species

Authors

  • Jamie L. McCuiston
  • Laura C. Hudson
  • Sergei A. Subbotin
  • Eric L. Davis
  • Colleen Y. Warfield

Keywords:

Aphelenchoides fragariae, detection, diagnosis, foliar nematode, ITS1, method, NaOH, ornamental host, PCR, rDNA

Abstract

A PCR-based diagnostic assay was developed for early detection and identification of Aphelenchoides fragariae directly in host plant tissues using the species-specific primers AFragF1 and AFragR1 that amplify a 169-bp fragment in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region of ribosomal DNA. These species-specific primers did not amplify DNA from Aphelenchoides besseyi or Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi. The PCR assay was sensitive, detecting a single nematode in a background of plant tissue extract. The assay accurately detected A. fragariae in more than 100 naturally infected, ornamental plant samples collected in North Carolina nurseries, garden centers and landscapes, including 50 plant species not previously reported as hosts of Aphelenchoides spp. The detection sensitivity of the PCR-based assay was higher for infected yet asymptomatic plants when compared to the traditional, water extraction method for Aphelenchoides spp. detection. The utility of using NaOH extraction for rapid preparation of total DNA from plant samples infected with A. fragariae was demonstrated.

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Published

2007-12-15

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Section

Articles