Host‐range studies,genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of ACLSV isolates from ornamental,wild and cultivated Rosaceous species

A large‐scale survey was carried out to study the host range and genetic diversity of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) in various Rosaceae species, with a special emphasis on ornamentals and wild shrubs. Samples were tested by DAS‐ELISA using two different antisera, and RT‐PCR amplification of part of the CP gene. There was generally a poor correlation between the results obtained with the two sets of serological reagents and between serological and molecular detection assays. Using a nested RT‐PCR assay developed here, ACLSV was found to be widespread among cultivated, ornamental and wild species of the Rosaceae. The virus was detected for the first time in plum, wild cherry, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa and Prunus cerasifera in Greece. Sequences of a part of the CP encoding gene and the 3′ untranslated region from ACLSV isolates originating from various wild species and ornamentals were compared to those of isolates from cultivated hosts, showing similar divergence levels. Further phylogenetic analysis using the sequenced region indicated that the isolates from wild or ornamental hosts were not more closely related to each other than to isolates from cultivated hosts. The possible role of different factors in the spread of ACLSV on cultivated, ornamental and wild species is discussed.     

PCR‐based identification of Pythium spp. causing cavity spot in carrots and sensitive detection in soil samples

On the basis of ITS sequences PCR primers were designed for the identification of the five Pythium species found to be most important for the development of carrot cavity spot in Norway: P. intermedium, P. sulcatum, P. sylvaticum, P. violae and P. ‘vipa’. The P. ‘vipa’ isolates had a unique ITS sequence, differed morphologically from all other Pythium isolates, and thus probably represent a new species. The PCR primers were species‐specific with no cross‐reaction to other Pythium species or to fungal isolates from carrot tested. The detection limits varied for the different primer pairs. The two most sensitive assays allowed detection of as little as 5 fg DNA. All five Pythium species could be detected in lesions from diseased carrots. Weak positive signals were obtained from some carrot samples without symptoms. PCR assays allowed detection of pathogens in soil. In samples of soil known to produce cavity spots on cropped carrots, strong signals were obtained. In several soil samples more than one of the five Pythium species could be detected. The utilization of this diagnostic PCR assay in analysis of field soil and carrot tissue might in the future be exploited to reduce the incidence of this serious carrot disease.     

Molecular characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prune dwarf virus</Emphasis> cherry isolates from Slovakia shows their substantial variability and reveals recombination events in PDV RNA3

Although Prune dwarf virus (PDV) is one of the most common viruses infecting stone fruits (Prunus spp.), most of the molecular diversity studies have so far focused on the capsid protein (CP) gene. An alternative diagnostic primer pair targeting the movement protein (MP) gene was used in the present work, increasing then polyvalence of PDV detection in cherry samples from Slovakia as compared to the previously published primers amplifying 5′MP-intergenic region-CP-3′UTR fragment. The nearly complete sequence of the RNA3 from 24 Slovak PDV isolates was determined, together with 19 partial sequences of the MP gene for other isolates. Even though the isolates originated from a geographically limited region, analyses showed a high degree of nucleotide sequence diversity between isolates. No clear-cut phylogenetic grouping based on host or geographical origin could be observed. The topology of the MP and CP trees were incongruent for some isolates. Highly supported recombination signals were detected in five PDV isolates, with breakpoints located at different positions in the central part of RNA3, within or close to the intergenic region. Taken together these results extend our understanding of the variability of PDV and for the first time highlight the contribution of recombination to the evolutionary history of this virus.     

PCR-based assays to detect and quantify <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phomopsis sclerotioides</Emphasis> in plants and soil

We developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect and quantify Phomopsis sclerotioides, the causal agent of black root rot of cucurbits. We used internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from representative isolates to search for target sequences. Primer pairs were selected after testing against 40 fungal isolates including 13 Ph. sclerotioides isolates, 9 Phomopsis isolates other than Ph. sclerotioides, and 18 soilborne fungi that were either pathogenic or nonpathogenic to cucurbits. Conventional PCR assays with the primer pair of CPs-1 (forward) and CPs-2 (reverse) produced target DNA amplicons from all Ph. sclerotioides isolates but none of the other isolates tested. From soil and root samples collected from fields naturally infested with black root rot of cucumber and melon, the CPs-1/CPs-2 primer pair successfully amplified target DNA fragments in conventional PCR assays. Moreover, we applied the CPs-1/CPs-2 primer pair in a real-time PCR assay with SYBR Green I, and PCR-amplified products were successfully quantified by reference to a standard curve generated by adding known amounts of target DNA. Target Ph. sclerotioides DNA fragments were similarly detected in artificially inoculated roots of cucumber, melon, pumpkin, and watermelon, but quantities of Ph. sclerotioides DNA in their hypocotyls of the hosts varied as follows: melon ≥ cucumber ≥ watermelon > pumpkin. These results suggest that Ph. sclerotioides infection is not species-specific but the rate of infection may differ among host species.     

Characterization,genetic diversity and distribution of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris races causing black rot disease in cruciferous crops of India

Black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a disease of crucifer crops. The objective of this study was to characterize races of Xcc, their distribution and genetic diversity in India. Two hundred and seventeen isolates of bacteria were obtained from 12 different black rot‐infected crucifer crops from 19 states of India; these were identified as Xcc based on morphology, hrpF gene and 16S rRNA gene based molecular markers and pathogenicity tests. Characterization of races was performed by using a set of seven differential crucifer hosts, comprising two cultivars of turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa) and cultivars of Indian mustard (B. juncea), Ethiopian mustard (B. carinata), rapeseed mustard (B. napus), cauliflower (B. oleracea) and Savoy cabbage (B. oleracea var. sabauda). Races 1, 4 and 6 of Xcc were identified and, among these races, race 1 followed by race 4 dominated most of the states of India. Genetic diversity of the Indian isolates of Xcc was analysed using repetitive sequence‐based PCR (rep‐PCR) including primers for REP (repetitive extragenic palindromic), ERIC (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus) and BOX (amplifying with BOX A1 R primer) repetitive elements. This method of fingerprinting grouped the isolates into 56 different DNA types (clusters) with a 75% similarity coefficient. Among these clusters, DNA types 22 and 53 contained two different races 1 and 4, whereas DNA type 12 contained races 1, 4 and 6. However, no clear relationship was observed between fingerprints and races, hosts or geographical origin.     

Rapid detection of Phytophthora cinnamomi using PCR with primers derived from the Lpv putative storage protein genes

Phytophthora cinnamomi is an ecologically and economically important pathogen. In this study, PCR assays were developed with primer pair LPV2 or LPV3 for rapid detection and identification of this organism. Both primer pairs were selected from putative storage protein genes. The specificity of these primer pairs was evaluated against 49 isolates of P. cinnamomi , 102 isolates from 30 other Phytophthora spp., 17 isolates from nine Pythium spp. and 43 isolates of other water moulds, bacteria and true fungi. PCR with both primer pairs amplified the DNA from all isolates of P. cinnamomi regardless of origin. The LPV3 primers showed adequate specificity among all other species tested. The LPV2 primers cross-reacted with some species of Pythium and true fungi, but not with any other Phytophthora species. PCR with the LPV3 primers detected the pathogen at levels of a single chlamydospore or 10 zoospores in repeated tests. The PCR assay was at least 10 times more sensitive than the plating method for detection of the pathogen from artificially infested soilless medium, and, to a lesser extent, from naturally infected plants. PCR with LPV3 primers can be a useful tool for detecting P. cinnamomi from soilless media and plant tissues at ornamental nurseries, whereas the LPV2 primers can be an effective alternative for identification of this species from pure culture. Applications of these assays for detection of P. cinnamomi in other environments were also discussed.     

Differentiation and quantification of the cereal eyespot fungi Tapesia yallundae and Tapesia acuformis using a PCR assay

Isolates of Tapesia yallundae and Tapesia acuformis were subjected to Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay. Amplification products common to isolates of either species were cloned and primers were generated from each sequence for use in conventional PCR. The primer pair derived from a T. yallundae specific RAPD marker amplified a product only from DNA of T. yallundae isolates and not from DNA of a range of other fungal species associated with the stem base disease complex of cereals. Similarly, the primer pair generated from a T. acuformis -specific RAPD marker amplifed a product only from DNA of T. acuformis isolates. Quantitative assays were developed for both species of Tapesia from these primer pairs, using competitive PCR . Competitive PCR was used to determine the level of colonization of seedlings by each species in glasshouse- and field-inoculated cereal hosts and results compared to those for conventional seedling disease assessment.     

A Phytophthora conserved transposon‐like DNA element as a potential target for soyabean root rot disease diagnosis

A transposon‐like element, A3aPro, with multiple copies in the Phytophthora sojae genome, was identified as a suitable detection target for this devastating soyabean root rot pathogen. The PCR primers TrapF1/TrapR1 were designed based on unique sequences derived from the transposon‐like sequence. A 267‐bp DNA fragment was amplified using this primer pair, the specificity of which was evaluated against 118 isolates of P. sojae, 72 isolates of 25 other Phytophthora spp., isolates of Pythium spp. and isolates of true fungi. In tests with P. sojae genomic DNA, detection sensitivities of 10 pg and 10 fg DNA were achieved in standard PCR (TrapF1/TrapR1) and nested PCR (TrapF1/TrapR1 and TrapF2/TrapR2), respectively. Meanwhile, PCR with TrapF1/TrapR1 primers detected the pathogen at the level of a single oospore, and even one zoospore. These primers also proved to be efficient in detecting pathogens from diseased soyabean tissues, residues and soils. In addition, real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays coupled with the TrapF1/TrapR1 primers were developed to detect and quantify the pathogen. The results demonstrated that the TrapF1/TrapR1 and TrapF2/TrapR2 primer‐based PCR assay provides a rapid and sensitive tool for the detection of P. sojae in plants and in production fields.     

Identification and Detection of Rosellinia Necatrix by Conventional and Real-time Scorpion-PCR

Several polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were designed from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rDNA genes of Rosellinia necatrix to develop a PCR-based identification method. Screening the primers against two isolates of R. necatrix and six other Rosellinia species resulted in the amplification of a single specific product from R. necatrix for most of the primer pairs. Two primer pairs (R2-R8 and R10-R7) confirmed their specificity when tested against 72 isolates of R. necatrix and 93 other fungi from different hosts and geographic areas. The R10 primer was modified to obtain a Scorpion primer for detecting a specific 112bp amplicon by fluorescence emitted from a fluorophore in a self-probing PCR assay. This assay specifically recognised the target sequence of R. necatrix over a large number of other fungal species. In conventional PCR, with primer pairs R2-R8 and R10-R7, 10-fold dilutions of R. necatrix DNA indicated a detection limit of 10pgul^-1 using a single set of primers and 10fgl^-1 in nested-PCR. For Scorpion-PCR, the detection limit was 1pgl^-1 and 1fgl^-1 in nested Scorpion-PCR, i.e. 10 times more sensitive than conventional PCR. A simple and rapid procedure for DNA extraction directly from soil was modified and developed to yield DNA of purity and quality suitable for PCR assays. Combining this protocol with the nested Scorpion-PCR procedure it has been possible to specifically detect R. necatrix from artificially inoculated soils in approximately 6h.     

Insights into the genetic diversity and evolution of Little cherry virus 1

Little cherry virus 1 (LChV‐1), a member of the recently proposed genus Velarivirus, is a sweet cherry pathogen that has been recently reported to infect other Prunus species and is associated with various plant disorders. In this work the incidence of the virus on its putative hosts and possible mechanisms driving its evolution were investigated. Due to problems encountered with LChV‐1 detection, a new nested RT‐PCR assay was developed and applied. The virus was found to be prevalent in cherry plantations in Greece and only occasionally detected in other Prunus species. Sequences corresponding to the partial RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), heat‐shock protein homologue (HSP70h) and coat protein (CP) genes were determined from Greek LChV‐1 isolates originating from different hosts; these were analysed, along with published homologous genomic regions from other isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the three genes revealed the segregation of four evolutionary distinct groups showing no host or geography‐based clustering. Mean genetic distances among the four groups were high with the CP region showing the highest divergence, although intragroup variability levels were low. Nevertheless, estimations of the mean ratio of nonsynonymous substitutions per synonymous site to synonymous substitutions per synonymous site (dN/dS) for the partial RdRp, HSP70h and CP indicated that these genomic regions are under negative selection pressure. Interestingly, a recombination event was identified at the 3′ end of RdRp on a Greek virus isolate, thus highlighting the role of this mechanism in the evolutionary history of LChV‐1.     

A PCR-based assay for the detection and identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrenochaeta lycopersici</Emphasis>

The isolation of Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, causal agent of corky root of tomato, is difficult because of its slow growth and poor sporulation. Identification is complicated due the existence of two morphologically similar forms, Types 1 and 2, that differ in several physiological and molecular features. For the rapid and unambiguous identification of isolates, two oligonucleotide primer pairs were designed using ITS region sequences. Specific PCR products of 147 and 209 bp were obtained for isolates of Type 1 and Type 2, respectively. Specificity of both primer pairs was verified using several fungal and bacterial species. As little as 0.7 pg of target DNA could be detected with the protocol. A nested PCR procedure was necessary for the detection of the fungus in plant tissue. This technique will be of use in epidemiological studies and in the implementation of control strategies.     

A real‐time (TaqMan) PCR assay to differentiate Monilinia fructicola from other brown rot fungi of fruit crops

To prevent the entry and spread of the brown rot fungus Monilinia fructicola in Europe, a fast and reliable method for detection of this organism is essential. In this study, an automated DNA extraction method combined with a multiplex real‐time PCR based on TaqMan chemistry was developed for fast, convenient and reliable detection of both the EU quarantine organism Monilinia fructicola and the three other brown rot fungi M. fructigena, M. laxa and Monilia polystroma. Using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene repeat, a Monilinia genus‐specific primer pair and two differently labelled fluorogenic probes specific for M. fructicola and the group M. fructigena/M. laxa/Monilia polystroma were developed. The analytical specificity of the assay was assessed by testing 33 isolates of the four brown rot fungi and 13 isolates of related fungal species or other fungal species that can be present on stone and pome fruit. No cross‐reactions were observed. The assay was found to have a detection limit of 0·6 pg of DNA, corresponding to 27 haploid genomes or four conidia. Comparison of a manual DNA isolation followed by a conventional PCR with an automated DNA isolation combined with the presently developed real‐time PCR showed that the latter method gave improved results when tested with 72 naturally infected stone fruit samples. The detection rate increased from 65 to 97%.     

Molecular variability of Spanish and Hungarian isolates of Tomato torrado virus

The population structure and genetic variation of Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) were estimated from 19 Spanish isolates collected from 2001 to 2009 in different tomato‐production areas by analyses of the partial nucleotide sequences of five regions of the virus genome: the protease cofactor (Pro‐Co) and the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in RNA1, and the movement protein (MP) and two subunits of the coat protein (CP; viz. Vp35 and Vp23) in RNA2. Three Hungarian isolates of the virus were also included in the analyses. All the ToTV isolates clustered together in the phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the different regions. However, some genetic diversity was observed in the case of the two CP subunits among the Gran Canaria isolates and the remaining ToTV‐isolates analysed, which grouped together. A high similarity was observed among all the isolates and the two published ToTV isolates: the ToTV type isolate (PRI‐ToTV0301) and the Polish isolate Wal03. The most variable encoding regions studied were those on RNA2. In general, no correlation was found between genetic diversity and collection date. Studying the genetic distances between pairs of sequences, the ratio between nonsynonymous (amino‐acid‐replacing) and synonymous (silent mutational) substitutions was low, indicating a strong negative selective pressure in the studied regions. Nine negatively selected sites (distributed in Pro‐Co, MP, Vp23 and Vp35) and just one positively selected one (in Pro‐Co) were found for all the genome regions studied.     

Genomic Variation within Monilinia laxa, M. fructigena and M. fructicola, and Application to Species Identification by PCR

Brown rot and twig canker of fruit trees are caused by Monilinia laxa, M. fructigena and M. fructicola. The Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) between the 18S and the 28S rRNA genes of four M. laxa and four M. fructigena isolates collected in France was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using universal primers and sequenced. Multiple alignment of the ITS sequences and comparison with published sequences revealed very little intraspecific variation and a low interspecific polymorphism clustered in two regions. Species-specific PCR primers were designed to amplify a 356bp fragment for each of the three species. The specificity of the three primer pairs was successfully tested with a collection of 17 M. laxa, 18 M. fructigena and 6 M. fructicola isolates collected from different hosts and different countries, unequivocally confirming the identification of each isolate based on morphological and cultural traits. Using stringent PCR conditions, no cross-reaction was observed with any of the isolates tested. The specificity of the PCR assays was also successfully confirmed with DNA extracted from different fungal species, either phylogenetically close to the genus Monilinia or commonly found on diseased fruits. Using this new reliable technique, doubtful isolates can be directly identified in a single PCR run. Moreover, detection and identification of the Monilinia species were successfully achieved directly on diseased fruits. This simple and rapid method can be particularly useful to detect M. fructicola which is a listed quarantine fungus in all European countries.     

Genetic diversity of Melon necrotic spot virus and Olpidium isolates from different origins

The geographic incidence, genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) and Olpidium isolates were studied in three cucurbit species from several Latin American and European countries on different collecting dates. Of the 112 cucurbit samples analysed, 69 from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Spain were DAS‐ELISA‐positive for MNSV. Olpidium bornovanus and O. virulentus infections, and MNSV infections mixed with these Olpidium species, were observed for all these countries. Twenty‐nine MNSV isolates from all the origins where the virus was detected were selected and amplified by RT‐PCR. The resulting RT‐PCR of the p29, p89, p7A, p7B and p42 proteins was used to estimate the genetic diversity and the phylogenetic relationships of the MNSV population. The sequences obtained in this study were compared with the MNSV sequences of the NCBI database, and three groups were recovered by nucleotide composition according to geographical origins: the EU‐LA genotype group (with two subgroups: EU and LA, European and Latin American isolates, respectively), the JP melon genotype group (Japanese melon reference isolates) and the JP watermelon genotype group (Japanese watermelon reference isolates). The genetic diversity in the entire p7A and p7B proteins of MNSV suggests that these coding regions are under strong selective pressure. Additionally, the rDNA‐ITS region was analysed in 40 O. bornovanus and O. virulentus isolates associated with each geographical location and host examined. Phylogenetic analysis showed two groups for each Olpidium species, and these groupings were related to the host from which they were originally isolated.