Molecular and morphological delineation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Longidorus poessneckensis</Emphasis> Altherr, 1974 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida)

The plant–parasitic nematode Longidorus poessneckensis from the Czech Republic was morphologically and molecularly characterised. Molecular analyses were carried out using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1—cox1) and ribosomal DNA (ITS2—second internal transcribed spacer, 18S gene and D2/D3 expansion segments of the 28S gene), which were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic relationship of L. poessneckensis with three morphologically closely related species, i.e. L. macrosoma, L. helveticus and L. uroshis, was inferred by using maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony methods, with a female of Xiphinema diversicaudatum and a bivulval female of X. vuittenezi as outgroups. All multiple alignments yielded similar basic trees supporting the uniqueness of L. poessneckensis and the validity of the four Longidorus species identified using morphological characters. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that L. poessneckensis is more closely related to L. macrosoma and L. helveticus than to L. uroshis. High inter-population diversity (19%) was observed across the cox1 gene between two populations of L. poessneckensis.     

Characterization of Ribosomal DNA from Venturia inaequalis and Its Phylogenetic Relationship to rDNA from Other Tree-Fruit Venturia Species

ABSTRACT A portion of the 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene, the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2), and the 5.8S rDNA gene were polymerase chain reaction-amplified from strains and field populations of Venturia inaequalis and assessed for genetic variation. A previously reported optional group I intron in the 18S rDNA gene of V. inaequalis was detected in 75.0% of 92 strains collected worldwide and in 61.1 and 71.2% of 54 and 59 strains from two Michigan orchards, respectively. Sequence and restriction analysis of rDNA revealed four intron alleles, three of which were present both in worldwide strains and in each field population. Two ITS1 alleles were detected and found to be linked to specific intron alleles. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences from V. asperata V. carpophila, V. cerasi, V. inaequalis, V. nashicola, V. pyrina, and Cladosporium caryigenum were compared using phylogenetic analysis. Strains of the Venturia species were placed in three distinct monophyletic groups in a phylogenetic tree. The first group comprised V. inaequalis; the second, V. pyrina and V. nashicola; and the third, V. cerasi, V. carpophila, and V. asperata. The described intron and ITS1 alleles in V. inaequalis provide genetic markers for subdividing populations of V. inaequalis, and the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences are valuable in determining the relationship of the species from tree-fruit crops with other Venturia species.     

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Pratylenchus oleae n. sp. (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae) parasitizing wild and cultivated olives in Spain and Tunisia

A new mono-sexual root-lesion nematode species, Pratylenchus oleae n. sp., parasitizing roots of olive plants cv. Koroneiki in commercial fields at Ouled Chamekh (central Tunisia), and wild and cultivated olive (cv. Picual) plants in Agua Amarga (southern Spain) is described. The new species is characterised by the female having a lip region slightly offset and bearing three annuli, stylet 16.5 (14.5-17.0) μm long, with prominent rounded knobs, pharyngeal overlapping rather long (22–36) μm, lateral fields areolated and with four incisures and diagonal lines in middle band, spermatheca rounded but non-functional, tail short, conoid-rounded to subcylindrical, usually annulated terminus, males unknown, and a specific D2-D3, ITS1, 18S-rRNA, hsp90 and COI sequences. Morphologically this species is related to P. cruciferus, P. delattrei, and P. kumamotoensis. The results of the phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the D2-D3 expansion regions of 28S, partial 18S and ITS rRNA genes confirmed the close relationship of P. oleae n. sp. with P. dunensis, P. penetrans, P. pinguicaudatus, from which was clearly separated. A PCR-based diagnostic assay was also developed for identification of P. oleae n. sp. using the species-specific primers Poleae_fw1_4 and Poleae_rv1 that amplify a 547-bp fragment in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region of ribosomal DNA, which clearly separate from other root-lesion nematodes damaging olive such as P. penetrans and P. vulnus.     

Duplex PCR 快速检测松材线虫

利用duplex PCR技术对松材线虫(Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)与拟松材线虫(B. mucronatus)的rDNA部分核苷酸序列扩增.根据松材线虫与拟松材线虫的ITS1序列区别,设计出特异性引物,检测松材线虫的存在;在5.8S,28S保守序列区设计通用引物,检测伞滑刃线虫的存在.     

A new plant pathogenic sterile white basidiomycete from Australia

A sterile white fungus was isolated from the healthy looking roots of buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) grown on cleared bush land in Perth, Western Australia. The fungal strain was pathogenic on 12 plant species screened under the greenhouse conditions. The clamp connections and dolipore septa indicated that the isolate was a Basidiomycete. Mycelial features, growth rate at different temperatures, as well as pathogenicity patterns of this sterile white basidiomycete (SWB) were distinctly different from those of a strain with a similar morphology, ATCC 28344, previously described as a pathogen in Florida and Georgia (USA). All attempts to induce sporulation failed. The isolates were also compared using the nucleotide sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA array. Approximately 1 kbp of the 5 end of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, complete sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and the entire ITS region (including ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8S gene) were sequenced for the purpose. The obtained sequences were compared with the homologous regions of other genera of Agaricales available in GenBank. Relatively low sequence similarities between the American and Australian strains, as well as the phylogenetic analysis of the studied regions has suggested that these two fungi belong to different genera. Interesting results were achieved in the case of the large subunit ribosomal DNA since this region has been widely studied for taxonomy of Basidiomycetes. The Australian strain 3034 appeared to be closely related to the genus Campanella and the American SWB was identified as belonging to the genus Marasmius, possibly to M. graminum. Our data suggest that the Australian strain is a novel pathogen, and is different from the American SWB isolates described to date.     

Molecular diversity of ‘<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Phytoplasma mali’ and ‘<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ca</Emphasis>. P. prunorum’ in orchards in Slovenia

The plant parasitic nematode Longidorus poessneckensis found in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and the Slovak Republic was molecularly characterized. Mitochondrial genes encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nicotinamide dehydrogenase subunit 4 (nad4), the D2 and D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA and Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) rRNA were sequenced for 16 L. poessneckensis populations. Six haplotypes of COI and five haplotypes of nad4 were determined. Nucleotide intraspecific variation was up to 17.1% for the partial sequenced COI gene and up to 17.7% for the partial sequenced nad4 gene, the latter being the highest up to date known intraspecific variation in this genus. The analyses of multiple amino acid sequence alignments of mitochondrial genes revealed low variability (0–2.4%) for COI gene and high divergence (0–7.6%) for nad4 gene. Intraspecific sequence diversity for the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA gene was up to 1.2% and for ITS1 rRNA gene was up to 1.6%. It has been hypothesized, that during the Last Glacial Maximum, L. poessneckensis populations probably persisted in refuge areas in the Carpathian Mountains and subsequently expanding from these areas and colonizing other European regions.     

Genetic study of Mediterranean and South American populations of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Povolny, 1994) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using ribosomal and mitochondrial markers

BACKGROUND: Before its introduction into Europe at the end of 2006, Tuta absoluta (Povolny, 1994) was confined solely to South America. Currently, this invasive pest is well established in various European and Mediterranean countries, causing important economic losses to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) crops. In order to study the genetic variability of this pest, 23 Mediterranean and ten native South American populations were analysed with nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers. RESULTS: The internal transcribed spacers 1 (ITS1) and 2 (ITS2) of rDNA and a fragment in the mtDNA gene encoding cytochrome oxidase I (COI) were PCR amplified and sequenced in T. absoluta. Sequence analyses consistently revealed neither intrapopulation nor interpopulation variation in either genomic region. CONCLUSIONS: High genetic homogeneity was detected in T. absoluta populations from the Mediterranean Basin and South America, based on mtCOI and ITS rDNA sequence analysis. A single genetic type was identified in this pest. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Species-Specific PCR Assay Based on the Calmodulin Partial Gene for Identification of Fusarium Verticillioides, F. Proliferatum and F. Subglutinans

Fusarium proliferatum, F. subglutinans and F. verticillioides are the most important Fusarium species occurring on maize world-wide, capable of producing a wide range of mycotoxins which are a potential health hazard for animals and humans. The ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and a portion of the calmodulin gene were sequenced and analysed in order to design species-specific primers useful for diagnosis. The primer pairs were based on a partial calmodulin gene sequence. Three pairs of primers (PRO1/2, SUB1/2 and VER 1/2) produced PCR products of 585, 631 and 578bp for F. proliferatum, F. subglutinans and F. verticillioides, respectively. Primer specificity was confirmed by analyzing DNA of 150 strains of these species, mostly isolated from maize in Europe and USA. The sensitivity of primers was 12.5 pg when the pure total genomic DNA of each species was analyzed. The developed PCR assay should provide a powerful tool for the detection of toxigenic fungi in maize kernels.     

Improved PCR for identification of members of the genus Xanthomonas

A PCR-based system was developed to reliably and robustly identify group I and II members of the genus Xanthomonas. Primer sets developed from three gene targets namely fyuA, ITS and gumD were evaluated in the study. Primer sets were evaluated using DNA extracted from 45 Xanthomonas strains representing 25 species broadly covering the genus. Fifteen non-Xanthomonas strains of plant-associated bacteria including phylogenetically closely related species Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Xylella fastidiosa were also tested. The primers targeting fyuA amplified DNA from all xanthomonads except X. theicola, while the ITS primers amplified a DNA fragment of 254 bp in all 45 Xanthomonas strains; whereas no amplification was observed for non-xanthomonads. The gumD primers allowed efficient amplification of DNA in 38 out of 39 isolates from Group II, whereas no or very weak amplification occurred with DNA from Group I members. Internal controls of primers targeting bacterial 16S rDNA or plant 26S mitochondrial rDNA were successfully applied in multiplex PCRs for testing bacterial cultures or plant tissue, respectively. The findings give us a PCR based approach that can reliably and effectively differentiate xanthomonads from non-xanthomonads as well as separating the strains belonging to the two described groups of the genus Xanthomonas. The study thus offers valuable tools for disease surveillance and management. It can effectively be applied in rapid assessment of new disease occurrences, for which no specific detection tools could be in place.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of Fusarium spp. associated with yellowing disease of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Malaysia

Yellowing disease is one of the most important diseases of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). To characterize the pathogen(s) responsible for yellowing disease of black pepper in Malaysia, 53 isolates of Fusarium were collected from the roots of diseased black pepper plants and from rhizosphere soils from major growing areas in Sarawak and Johor. A total of 34 isolates of F. solani and 19 isolates of F. proliferatum were obtained and identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular techniques. DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and 5.8S ribosomal DNA regions was conducted to identify Fusarium species. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the ITS regions revealed that this molecular technique enabled identification of Fusarium at the species level as F. solani and F. proliferatum. In a pathogenicity test on 3-month-old black pepper plants, F. solani was pathogenic, but F. proliferatum was not. On the basis of morphology, DNA sequences and pathogenicity of the fungal isolates from the diseased plants, we showed that yellowing disease on black pepper is caused by F. solani     

利用28S rDNA D1/D2区和ITS rDNA序列鉴定甜瓜白粉病病原菌

为了明确宁夏干旱带压砂甜瓜白粉病病原菌,从病原菌分生孢子中提取DNA,PCR扩增ITSrDNA和28S rDNA D1/D2区段,测序后进行BLAST比对.结果表明,病原菌的ITS rDNA和28SrDNA D1/D2序列与菜豆叉丝单囊壳白粉菌Podosphaera phaseoli、凤仙花又丝单囊壳白粉菌P.bal-saminae、菊科叉丝单囊壳白粉菌P.fwca、苍耳单囊壳白粉菌P.xanthii、瓜类单囊壳白粉菌P.fuligi-nea等叉丝单囊壳属Podosphaera的多个种的ITS rDNA和28S rDNA D1/D2序列之间相似度均大于99%,鉴定甜瓜白粉病病原菌为叉丝单囊壳属Podosphaera.     

Grouping of Colletotrichum Species in Japan Based on rDNA Sequences

Internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) were sequenced for 236 isolates covering 25 Colletotrichum species collected in Japan. The Japanese isolates could be grouped into 20 ribosomal groups (RGs) based on the sequences of ITS1, correlating the species identified by the morphology. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato separated into three RGs that were morphologically different. Colletotrichum destructivum, C. linicola and C. higginsianum were possibly conspecific. Colletotrichum dematium sensu lato including C. capsici and other species that produce falcate conidia except for graminicolous ones were separated into three RGs that were difficult to distinguish morphologically. In the phylogenetic study using ITS2 and the 28S rDNA domain 2 region, topologies compiled by neighbor-joining and maximum-parsimony methods were almost the same, reflecting the conidial morphology. The phylogenetic group 1 (PG1) produced conidia with acute ends, e.g., C. acutatum, C. destructivum and C. graminicola; PG2 produced those with obtuse ends, e.g., C. gloeosporioides, and C. orbiculare. Colletotrichum theae-sinensis, which produced the smallest conidia, was grouped as PG3, far from other species, indicating it should not belong to Colletotrichum. Grouping and phylogenetic analysis using ribosomal DNA was an effective tool to classify and identify Colletotrichum species without using morphology. Received 15 July 2002/ Accepted in revised form 12 November 2002     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora nicotianae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. palmivora</Emphasis> in citrus roots using PCR-RFLP in comparison with other methods

Phytophthora nicotianae and P. palmivora are the most important soil-borne pathogens of citrus in Florida. These two species were detected and identified in singly and doubly infected plants using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA. The sensitivity of the PCR-RFLP was analyzed and the usefulness of the method evaluated as an alternative or supplement to serological methods and recovery on semi-selective medium. In a semi-nested PCR with universal primers ITS4 and ITS6, the detection limit was 1 fg of fungal DNA, which made it 1000× more sensitive than a single-step PCR with primers ITS4 and DC6. The sensitivity of detection for P. nicotianae was shown to be ten-fold lower than for P. palmivora, limiting its detection with restriction profiles in plants infected by both fungal species. Phytophthora nicotianae was detected with species-specific primers in all samples inoculated with this species despite the absence of species-specific patterns in RFLP. In contrast, the incidence of detection of P. palmivora in the presence of P. nicotianae was considerably lower using plating and morphological detection methods. Due to its high sensitivity, PCR amplification of ribosomal ITS regions is a valuable tool for detecting and identifying Phytophthora spp. in citrus roots, provided a thorough knowledge of reaction conditions for the target species is established prior to the interpretation of data.     

Development of molecular markers and probes based on TEF-1α, β-tubulin and ITS gene sequences for quantitative detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris by using real-time PCR

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris) causes significant yield losses in chickpea worldwide. Faster, reliable and more specific molecular detection techniques were developed for the detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Foc). The sequences obtained from multiple alignments of target genes, namely, translation elongation factor-1α (TEF-1α), β-tubulin, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS), were used to design Foc-specific markers/probes. One set of TEF-1α-based molecular marker, namely, SPα-F and R, two sets of β-tubulin-based markers, namely, SPβ1-F and R, and SPβ2-F and R, and one set of ITS gene, namely, SPT-F and R, were developed for the detection and quantification of Foc from diverse samples. The specificity and sensitivity of the designed molecular markers were evaluated through conventional and real-time PCR assays which differentiated the Foc from closely related species of Fusarium and other plant pathogens. In conventional PCR, the minimum detection limits of the markers ranged from 12.5 pg to 100 pg for genomic DNA of Foc and 0.5 ng to 10 ng for infected plant samples. In real-time PCR assay, the minimum detection limits of the markers ranged from 0.001 pg to 0.25 pg for genomic DNA of Foc and from 0.04 pg to 1.5 pg for the infected plant samples. Thus, the markers designed in the present study were found to be specific for Foc and can be used consistently for the detection and identification of Foc isolates. The probes developed from the two sets of markers, namely, SPα and SPβ2, also showed specificity with Foc.     

Investigation and integrated molecular diagnosis of root-knot nematodes in Panax notoginseng root in the field

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs, Meloidogyne spp.) are damaging pests that can infect thousands of plant species and cause enormous crop losses worldwide. Panax notoginseng is a common host of root-knot nematodes. In this study, we surveyed notoginseng gardens and determined the incidence of RKNs. Among the gardens surveyed, 71 % were infected with RKNs, and the RKN incidence index ranged from 8 % to 47 % in three randomly infected gardens. Meloidogyne hapla was identified as the pathogenic nematode based on 18S ribosomal RNA analysis by DNA barcoding. The results were qualitatively and quantitatively confirmed using a real-time PCR assay according to variations in the ITS1 and ITS2 regions. These results indicated that the combination of DNA barcoding and real-time PCR is a reliable and precise method for identifying parasitic nematodes from mixed-infected plant roots in the field. In addition, the abundance of ITS1 and ITS2 displayed a similar trend to the numbers of RKNs in the three gardens, which suggests that the results of real-time PCR can be used to determine the damage caused by M. hapla in the field. Our studies show that RKNs are common and can cause serious damage to notoginseng. We present an integrated method of detecting mixed nematode species in the field and confirm M. hapla as the target for parasitic nematode control in notoginseng gardens. Our results contribute to the improvement of RKN control in notoginseng and further promote the sustainable development of medicinal plants.     

Characterization of Alternaria species associated with leaf blight of sunflower in China

Nine Alternaria species have been reported to be associated with sunflower leaf blight worldwide, and A. helianthi has been recognized as the most prevalent and damaging species. However, the population structure of Alternaria species causing leaf blight of sunflower in China had not been examined thoroughly prior to this study. During 2010 to 2013, a total of 272 Alternaria isolates were obtained from infected sunflower leaves in 11 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities of China. Based on morphological traits and sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the partial coding sequences of the histone 3 gene, 227 (83.5 %) isolates were identified as belonging to Alternaria tenuissima, the remainder 45 isolates were grouped to A. alternata (16.5 %). Compared with the ITS regions of rDNA, sequence analyses of the partial coding sequences of histone 3 gene displayed a critical role in discrimination of the small-spored Alternaria species. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial coding sequence of histone 3 gene clearly divided the representative Alternaria isolates into two main clades, A. tenuissima and A. alternata. The pathogenicity of A. tenuissima and A. alternata on detached leaves of sunflower cv. Gankui No.2 did not significantly differ between the two species or among isolates from different geographical origins. Our results indicate that the population structure of Alternaria species associated with sunflower leaf blight differed from that reported previously in China since A. helianthi was not found in this study. In addition, this is the first report about A. tenuissima causing leaf blight on sunflower in China.     

Evaluation of Galium species and populations using morphological characters and molecular markers

Three Galium species are believed to be present across western Canada: Galium aparine, Galium spurium and Galium boreale. Galium spurium and G. aparine are very difficult to distinguish morphologically, which is problematic for crop consultants and weed surveyors, and could have implications for control measures. Molecular techniques could potentially make identification easier and more rapid than using chromosome counts, as is currently done. The objective of this study was to identify morphological traits and/or genetic polymorphisms capable of species differentiation. To this end, Galium seed of unknown speciation were collected from nine field populations across western Canada and, along with two reference samples of G. spurium and G. aparine, were characterised for both morphological traits and their ribosomal ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 genomic sequence. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphism variation within the highly conserved 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene was identified that could consistently differentiate Galium species. Sequence analysis of the ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 region of field collections from western Canada indicated that all samples were G. spurium and all were highly related to each other. These results were supported by a distinct lack of variation in morphological traits, as nearly all plant traits measured did not differ between populations. This suggests that all sampled populations, and perhaps most of the Galium populations across western Canada, are derived from a single species, G. spurium.     

A nested multiplex PCR for species-specific identification and detection of Botryosphaeriaceae species on mango

Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griff. & Maubl, Neofusicoccum parvum Pennycook & Samuels, N. mangiferae Syd. & P. Syd., and Fusicoccum aesculi Corda, all anamorphs of Botryosphaeriaceae species, are the causal agents of mango stem-end rot and fruit rot in Taiwan. Identification of these fungal species based on morphology has not been easy due to their extensive plasticity for some of the morphological characters. To aid reliable identification of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with mango fruits, four pairs of species-specific primers were designed according to sequences of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS), and a rapid method was established based on nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in this study. To perform the analysis, PCR was first run with ITS1 and ITS4 as the primers, followed by a second PCR with the addition of all four sets of species-specific primers. With this method, a low limit of 100?fg^-1?pg of purified fungal DNA was detectable. It could also successfully detect L. theobromae, N. parvum, N. mangiferae and F. aesculi in total DNA extracted from inoculated mango fruits. This assay provides a rapid and sensitive method for the identification of Botryosphaeriaceae species and diagnosis of mango fruit rot and stem-end rot as well.     

Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ditylenchus</Emphasis> species associated with Fabaceae seeds based on a specific polymerase chain reaction of ribosomal DNA-ITS regions

A technique based on the use of specific primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for the identification of the stem and bulb nematode belonging to the Ditylenchus dipsaci species complex. The internal transcribed spacer region ITS1 and ITS2, the gene 5.8 S and part of genes 18 S and 26 S of twenty populations of the D. dipsaci species complex belonging to both D. dipsaci sensu stricto and Ditylenchus sp. B (corresponding to populations of giant individuals associated to Vicia faba) and three congeneric species were amplified with two universal ribosomal primers. PCR-amplified DNA samples were digested with five restriction enzymes in order to reveal some polymorphism allowing the identification of D. dipsaci populations associated with Fabaceae seeds. The polymorphism among species was confirmed by the sequencing of the PCR products. A primer (DdpS2) was designed in a region conserved in all populations of both D. dipsaci sensu stricto and D. sp. B studied in the present work. The other Anguinidae species (except a few species from Central Asia associated to Astereaceae and D. sp. G associated to Plantago maritima) differ in two to four nucleotides at the 3′ extremity of this region. This sequence portion coincides with a TspEI restriction site. In combination with a primer located in the ribosomal region, this first primer is a good candidate for identification by PCR of populations of the D. dipsaci species complex found in Fabaceae seeds. A second primer (DdpS1) was designed in a similar way and was specific to D. dipsaci sensu stricto. The utility of these two sets of primers is discussed against the background of quarantine regulation.