Open AccessAn Assessment of Nested PCR to Detect Phytoplasmas in Imported Dormant Buds and Internodal Tissues of Quarantined Tree Fruit Germ Plasm
Author(s) -
H. E. Waterworth,
Ray Mock
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
plant disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.663
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1943-7692
pISSN - 0191-2917
DOI - 10.1094/pdis.1999.83.11.1047
Subject(s) - biology , nested polymerase chain reaction , germ plasm , prunus , polymerase chain reaction , primer (cosmetics) , phytoplasma , botany , quarantine , plant quarantine , fruit tree , horticulture , genetics , restriction fragment length polymorphism , gene , embryo , ecology , chemistry , organic chemistry
Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were evaluated for use on a routine basis in a quarantine program to detect phytoplasmas in dormant fruit tree scionwood collected during the winter season. Phytoplasmas associated with peach yellow leaf roll, Western X, apricot chlorotic leaf roll, plum leptonecrosis, and apple proliferation diseases were detected in all known infected sources. Phytoplasmas in Prunus spp. were readily detected in both dormant bud and internodal tissues. Use of nested PCR versus a single primer pair resulted in electrophoresed PCR products that were easier to interpret. The nested PCR procedure has replaced 3-year tests with grafts on sensitive indicators to detect this group of pathogens.