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Occurrence and survival of potato scab pathogens (Streptomyces species) on tuber lesions: quick diagnosis based on a PCR-based assay |
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| Authors: | M J Lehtonen H Rantala J F Kreuze ‡ H Bång L Kuisma P Koski E Virtanen K Vihlman J P T Valkonen † |
| Institution: | Department of Medical Microbiology, PO Box 5000, FIN-90014 Oulu University;;Laboratory of Respiratory Bacterial Infections, Public National Health Institute, PO Box 310, FIN-90101 Oulu;;North Ostrobothnia Research Station, AgriFood Research Finland, Tutkimusasemantie 15, FIN-92400 Ruukki;;The Finnish Seed Potato Centre Ltd, Leppiojantie 31, FIN-91800 Tyrnävä;;Department of Applied Biology, Plant Pathology Laboratory, PO Box 27, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki;;Pro Agria Rural Advisory Centre Etelä-Pohjanmaa, Huhtalantie 2, FIN-60220 Seinäjoki, Finland;;Department of Plant Biology and Forest Genetics, Genetics Centre, SLU, PO Box 7080, SE-750 07 Uppsala;;and Svenskt Potatisutsäde AB, Forslunda 3, SE-905 91 Umeå, Sweden |
| Abstract: | A time-saving and cost-effective polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method was developed for species-specific detection of the scab pathogens ( Streptomyces scabies and S. turgidiscabies ) prevalent in potato ( Solanum tuberosum ) in northern Scandinavia. Species specificity of primers was verified using a collection of previously characterized Streptomyces strains isolated from potato scab lesions in Finland and Sweden. A total of 1245 scab lesions was tested from potato cvs Matilda and Sabina grown in the field in two geographic regions of Finland in 2000 and 2001. Freshly harvested or stored potato tubers were incubated at room temperature (18–21°C) under humid conditions for a few days. Bacterial growth was collected from scab lesions for DNA isolation and PCR. The two scab pathogens were detected in the same potato fields, tubers and scab lesions. The relative incidence of S. scabies was high in freshly harvested tubers but was much lower than that of S. turgidiscabies following storage. Both pathogens were seed-transmitted in Matilda and Sabina after 24 weeks of storage at 4°C. |
| Keywords: | pathogen diagnostics PCR potato potato scab disease Solanum tuberosum Streptomyces aureofaciens Streptomyces scabies Streptomyces turgidiscabies |