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Validation of a specific PCR screening test for Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii in maize ( Zea mays ) samples
Author(s) -
Nechwatal J.,
FriedrichZorn M.,
Theil S.,
Gebauer P.,
Wensing A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
eppo bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.327
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1365-2338
pISSN - 0250-8052
DOI - 10.1111/epp.12448
Subject(s) - pantoea , biology , phytophthora ramorum , repeatability , zea mays , statistics , horticulture , bacteria , mathematics , agronomy , genetics , 16s ribosomal rna , phytophthora
Validation data is presented for a conventional PCR test that specifically detects the quarantine pathogen Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii in maize leaf and seed samples and does not cross‐react with the non‐pathogenic P. stewartii subsp. indologenes . The PCR tests currently recommended by the EPPO Diagnostic Protocol PM 7/60 (2) for initial screening bear the risk of false positives as they detect both subspecies of P. stewartii . The test presented here has high analytical sensitivity (10 2 cells mL –1 in leaf extracts, at least 10 3 cells mL −1 in seed extracts), high repeatability and high reproducibility and performed well on the two matrices tested: maize seed and leaf extract. Its improved analytical specificity and analytical sensitivity compared to the currently recommended tests lead the authors to suggest that this test should be included as a first screening test in the diagnostic protocol for P. stewartii subsp. stewartii when it is next revised.