Development of an EU protocol for the detection and diagnosis of Potato spindle tuber pospiviroid*

The work described here formed part of the EU SMT DIAGPRO project, to develop diagnostic protocols for 18 regulated pests. The Potato spindle tuber pospiviroid (PSTVd) protocol was developed primarily for testing in vitro‐ and glasshouse‐grown potato plants for the purposes of post‐entry quarantine and the production of pathogen‐tested nuclear stock. After a performance audit of methods used by 12 laboratories in Europe and America by ring testing, four methods were chosen for multilaboratory validation. For most laboratories, the detection limits were 10–20 mg of PSTVd‐infective tissue for R‐PAGE; 0.25–0.5 mg for DIG‐probe; 0.062 mg for RT‐PCR; and 0.0155 mg for TaqMan (this was the lowest weight of infective tissue tested). Some laboratories were able to extend the detection limit to 0.0155 mg for DIG‐probe and RT‐PCR. The DIG‐probe and R‐PAGE are recommended as primary detection methods, with confirmation of viroid presence by any of the four validated detection methods. Specific diagnosis requires the viroid to be sequenced. Other methods may be used for primary detection, providing that they preferably detect all PSTVd isolates and other Pospiviroids that have the potential to infect potato, and detect viroid in at least 1/10 of the tissue weight normally tested per plant.     

Direct tuber testing for Potato Y potyvirus by real‐time RT‐PCR and ELISA: reliable options for post‐harvest testing?*

The method currently used for testing potato tubers for viruses following harvest involves a growing‐on test. This takes up to 6 weeks to complete, and there is therefore a demand for more rapid test results. The sensitivity and reliability of direct tuber testing by DAS‐ELISA and real‐time RT‐PCR (TaqMan) were compared with the growing‐on test. In addition, the reliability of all three methods for the detection of Potato Y potyvirus (PVY) in tubers was compared over post‐harvest intervals of 6, 10, 14 and 18 weeks. The test material came from plots of tubers (cv. ‘Maris Piper’) containing a primary infection of strains PVY^N and PVY^O, following aphid transmission from marked infector plants grown during the 2003 season. Sample material was homogenized and divided, to provide comparative test material for detection of PVY by ELISA and real‐time RT‐PCR. Tuber eye‐plugs were then taken and subjected to the growing‐on test. The remainder of the tuber was also grown on and tested, to ensure infection was not missed as a consequence of an uneven distribution of virus throughout the tuber material. The results obtained using the two methods for direct testing of the tubers, and those results obtained from the traditional growing‐on test, are compared. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed.     

Performance of real‐time PCR and immunofluorescence for the detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum in potato tubers in routine testing

This paper describes a comparison study of test methods and supports the use of real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum in potato tubers in routine testing. These 2 bacteria are quarantine organisms under European Union (EU) regulatory control and testing for (latent) infections of these bacteria in seed potatoes is mandatory. Real‐time PCR tests were performed on 276 routine potato tuber samples, including samples infected with either C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus or R. solanacearum, and the performance of these real‐time PCR tests was compared with that of immunofluorescence (IF). Real‐time PCR tests, using different primer sets and extraction and PCR protocols, proved to be sensitive and specific for the detection of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and R. solanacearum in potato tubers in routine testing, and performed at least as well as IF. Real‐time PCR is a good addition to the detection protocols as laid down in EU regulations (EU Council Directives 2006/56/EC and 2006/63/EC).     

Reliability of nucleic acid amplification techniques: modified target RNA as exogenous internal standard for a real‐time RT‐PCR for Potato spindle tuber pospiviroid*

Techniques based on nucleic acid amplification techniques, like PCR, are quick, sensitive and specific, and therefore very suitable for the development of diagnostic tests. These techniques enable the detection of very small amounts of target organisms by specific amplification of part of its genome. This exquisite sensitivity puts a high demand on measures to prevent false‐positive reactions due to contamination of the laboratory with nucleic acid, hence the need for inclusion of negative controls. In addition, to exclude false negatives, the performance of the reactions must be measured by the inclusion of several positive controls, e.g. cytochrome oxidase (COX) primers (and probes) to monitor efficiency of the nucleic acid extraction and an internal control to monitor inhibition of the target PCR. For the RT‐PCR assay for Potato spindle tuber pospiviroid (PSTVd) recently described by Boonham and coworkers, we have developed an exogenous internal standard, i.e. in vitro RNA transcribed from a plasmid containing a modified PSTVd sequence (a 17‐bp sequence of cloned PSTVd (isolate Howell) was substituted for a 118‐bp sequence of Escherichia coli). To this exogenous sequence, a specific probe was designed with a fluorescent label different from that of the PSTVd‐specific probe. By making use of the same primers as the target organism PSTVd, this internal standard provides a tool to measure the performance of the specific reaction. Moreover, by using another fluorescent probe, this standard can easily be discriminated from the target organism. The approach used for the construction of the internal control for PSTVd offers a tool for the construction of internal standards for other pathogens.     

Inter‐laboratory validation of PCR‐based protocol for detection of olive viruses

Sanitary selection and certification of olive cultivars require sensitive diagnostic methods and effective sanitation protocols. Although much attention has been paid in the past few years to the development of diagnostic tools for reliable virus identification, the need to define a common and standardized diagnostic protocol led to the implementation of a ring test among nine Italian diagnostic laboratories. A one‐step RT‐PCR protocol and different primer sets, targeting the most common olive viruses covered by phytosanitary rules, were tested in each laboratory, using the same batch of positive and healthy controls as well as the same amplification conditions and reaction components. The one‐step RT‐PCR, performed using several specific primer sets, was able efficiently to detect the target viruses in all laboratories. Furthermore, a one‐step RT‐PCR protocol was used successfully for the first time for detection of Tobacco necrosis virus (TNV) and Olive mild mosaic virus (OMMV). Results showed that all target viruses were not uniformly distributed in the canopy, and that at least two subsets of samples must be collected from each plant. This standardized protocol is now being used to produce nuclear stocks for 70 different Italian olive cultivars, in the framework of the national project OLVIVA, which involves 25 national research institutions.     

Potato germplasm poses the highest risk of introducing potato spindle tuber viroid in potatoes in the Netherlands: analysis and evaluation of an outbreak in potato breeding

In 2014, potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) was identified in a potato clone originating from a breeding company in the Netherlands. This clone was submitted for micro propagation and therefore tested for PSTVd and a number of other pathogens. This finding of PSTVd initiated actions to track and eradicate the infections. In addition to the finding at the breeding company, PSTVd was also found at a research institute. At both locations the viroid was eradicated following extended testing and discarding of infected plants. Additional surveys including testing of each individual plant in all crossing glasshouses and random samples of pre-basic and basic seed potatoes, revealed no further infections in the Netherlands. This result concurred with the fact that mechanical spread of PSTVd in the field is not likely under climatic conditions in the Netherlands. Therefore, vegetative propagation seems the most important pathway for maintaining and spreading of PSTVd. Based on the evaluation of this outbreak, it was concluded that potato germplasm poses the highest risk of introducing this viroid in potatoes in the Netherlands.     

Detection of PSTVd and TCDVd in seeds of tomato using real‐time RT‐PCR

Worldwide outbreaks of pospiviroids in potato and tomato have increased the need for a reliable test for the detection of pospiviroids in seeds. This study describes the development and validation of a sensitive and fast test for the detection of Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) and Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd) in tomato seeds. The test is based on RNA isolation using a commercial kit and is suitable for routine application. The test is able to detect one PSTVd or TCDVd contaminated seed in sub samples of 1000 seeds and results were both repeatable and reproducible.     

不同探针大小、标记物及反应底物对马铃薯类病毒杂交检测的影响

 灵敏可靠地检测马铃薯纺锤块茎类病毒(Potato spindle tuber viroid,PSTVd)对脱毒种薯的生产具有重要意义。本研究探索了影响核酸杂交检测技术的关键因素。通过基因克隆技术构建了插有PSTVd全长单体、双体及片段的载体。分别以地高辛和同位素为标记物,利用PCR和转录标记技术制备cDNA和RNA探针。比较探针大小、标记物、标记方法、反应底物等对检测灵敏度的影响。结果显示,以地高辛为标记物,利用PCR标记制备的PSTVd双体cDNA探针,在以CDP-Star为底物,通过在柯达X-OMAT BT胶片进行化学发光反应来分析结果的检测灵敏度最高,可以检测到0.05 pg总RNA中的PSTVd,是国外报道检测灵敏度的500倍。利用核酸斑点杂交技术检测PSTVd具有灵敏度高,一次可检测样品数量多等特点,对于大规模PSTVd检测更加方便可行。     

Euphresco inter‐laboratory comparison (2009–2012) on detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and Ralstonia solanacearum in potato tubers: proposal to include TaqMan® real‐time PCR as a primary (core) screening test in EU/EPPO standard methods

In the European Union (EU) potato production is surveyed for Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (potato ring rot) and Ralstonia solanacearum (potato brown rot) under Commission Directives 93/85/EEC with its amendment 2006/56/EC and 98/57/EEC with its amendment 2006/63/EC. A regular update of the Directives is required in view of developments in understanding of the biology of these organisms and the diagnostics recommended for their detection and identification. Three inter‐laboratory tests (ILT1, ILT2 and ILT3) were performed from 2009 to 2012 as part of a Euphresco Phytosanitary ERA‐NET project to assess performance of current official methods for C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and R. solanacearum. A major aim of the ILTs was to generate data on the performance of real‐time PCR protocols to support their introduction as primary (core) screening tests for both pathogens. In ILT1, 29 laboratories from 23 countries participated, in ILT2, 23 laboratories from 18 countries and in ILT3 42 laboratories from 24 countries. Relative accuracies for real‐time PCR tests averaged 92% for R. solanacearum and 96% for C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus) and compared with existing primary (core) screening tests (immunofluorescence, conventional PCR, semi‐selective plating and bioassay) in terms of analytical sensitivity, analytical specificity and robustness. It was concluded that all methods tested, including real‐time PCR, can be considered as equivalent. Therefore TaqMan ^® real‐time PCR is recommended for inclusion in EU Directives and EPPO Standards as a reliable primary (core) screening method.     

Powdery scab resistance in Solanum tuberosum: an assessment of cultivar × environment effect

Powdery scab of potato caused by Spongospora subterranea is one of the main disease problems in many potato production regions of the world. However, no efficient and economically sound control method is currently available. Host resistance will be a key component of the integrated management of powdery scab, but there are discrepancies in published powdery scab resistance ratings of cultivars between countries. In order to identify the main factors causing such discrepancies, 10 reference cultivars thought to have a range of susceptibility to powdery scab and potato mop‐top virus were cropped over 4 years in four to six locations across Europe and disease levels on roots and tubers were assessed using standardized scoring scales. Soil contamination was tested using real‐time PCR and ELISA. The cultivars performed as expected according to previous characterization, with one exception. No relationship was found between tuber and root susceptibility. Assessment of powdery scab symptoms 1 month before harvest gave results comparable to those assessed 2 months after harvest. Neither real‐time PCR nor ELISA soil test results were closely related to disease index data. The field trial results indicate that different scoring methods are the main factor for the discrepancy in resistance ratings, and that environmental conditions and/or soil inoculum level play a minor role. Furthermore, there was either no difference between the pathogen populations in each location or the resistance of most of the cultivars is polygenic.     

False positive Ralstonia solanacearum real‐time PCR results in routine potato tuber samples caused by Advenella species: adaptations to avoid these cross‐reactions

Several real‐time PCR tests for the detection of Ralstonia solanacearum have been developed in recent years. Only the RS primer‐probe system, developed by Weller et al., detects all phylotypes of R. solanacearum in one test. The Saxon State Company for Environment and Agriculture (BfUL) has been using this real‐time PCR test since 2012 for routine testing of potato samples for R. solanacearum. Since the introduction of this test in the laboratory, samples were analysed which were suspected to be false positives [as they gave negative results in other standard tests of the European Union (EU) Commission Directive 2006/63/EC]. Advenella kashmirensis was identified as the cause of selected false positive samples. Inclusion of the three other known Advenella species revealed that this genus could be responsible for false positive results. Because of the rising number of these cases over the last years, two different modifications of the original test from Weller et al. were evaluated independently. It was possible to reduce false positive events, caused by Advenella species by 95% in retested potato tuber samples by using a shortened RS‐primer set in the first adaption of the RS primer‐probe system of Weller et al. The combination of the original RS primer‐set, published by Weller et al., with the RSP‐55T MGB‐probe, published recently in Vreeburg et al., in a second adaption, eliminated false positive events completely.     

Molecular characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato spindle tuber viroid</Emphasis> in dahlia

A new variant of Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) was detected for the first time from dahlia grown in Japan. The dahlia isolate of PSTVd formed a quasi-species and a major sequence variant consisting of 361 nucleotides in length, including five substitutions, three insertions, and one deletion, when compared to the intermediate strain from potato. In bioassays with the new isolate, Rutgers tomato developed mild stunting and leaf curling.     

Mechanical transmission of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato spindle tuber viroid</Emphasis> between plants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brugmansia suaveoles,Solanum jasminoides</Emphasis> and potatoes and tomatoes

Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) has been recently found in many solanaceous ornamental plant species. This study reports on the effectiveness of mechanical transmission between Brugmansia suaveolens, Solanum jasminoides, potato and tomato. Inoculation with ‘infected’ plant sap diluted in water, rubbing with contaminated finger tips and cutting with contaminated razor blades all resulted in transmission of PSTVd. Temperature, plant species and source of inoculum were found to be critical factors. An average temperature of 15°C only resulted in a few infections, whereas transmission at 20 and 25°C was more successful. Tomatoes were more susceptible to PSTVd than B. suaveolens, S. jasminoides and potatoes. Furthermore, S. jasminoides was a better source of inoculum than B. suaveolens. No transmission was obtained after repeated addition of inocula to tomato roots. These results indicate that PSTVd can be transmitted between plant species in practice by crop handling.     

Composting to sanitize plant‐based waste infected with organisms of plant health importance

The potential for using the composting process to sanitize plant waste infected with one of three plant pathogens was investigated using bench‐scale composting equipment. Two of these pathogens, the potato wart disease fungus Synchytrium endobioticum and Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) are currently subject to European quarantine regulations. The third, Polymyxa betae, a parasite of sugar beet, is regulated in some European countries when in association with Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), the causal organism of rhizomania disease of sugar beet. Survival of test organisms following various combinations of compost temperature, exposure time and moisture was determined using RNA‐based detection methodology and/or plant‐based bioassays. Mathematically definable relationships between compost treatment (temperature/time) and organism viability were identified for P. betae and S. endobioticum; these give some indication of the practicality of using composting for dealing with infected wastes. However, for PSTVd, the considerable variability in measured susceptibility of the viroid to the composting process meant that no such definable relationship could be determined and further work would be needed to extrapolate to practical situations.     

Comparison of direct-RT-PCR and dot-blot hybridization for the detection of Potato spindle tuber viroid in natural host plant species

Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) is an EPPO A2-listed quarantine pathogen and its detection in large scale surveys requires complex decision schemes. In this study, a simple and rapid application of direct-RT-PCR was evaluated together with dot blot hybridization for the detection of PSTVd in dormant potato tubers harvested from primary infected plants, as well as in tomato and solanaceous ornamental plants. In all infected dormant potato tubers tested, both direct-RT-PCR and dot blot hybridization detected two different PSTVd isolates, with direct-RT-PCR being ten times more sensitive than dot blot. Similarly, in infected tomato and Brugmansia spp., PSTVd was detected by direct-RT-PCR with higher sensitivity compared to that of dot blot hybridization. However, in Brugmansia spp., a ten-fold decrease of the typical working concentration of the sap was required for an unequivocal detection of the viroid by direct-RT-PCR. The potential to use direct-RT-PCR for routine PSTVd examination is discussed.     

Relative importance of seed‐tuber and soilborne inoculum in causing black dot disease of potato

Controlled‐environment and field experiments were done to quantify the individual contribution of seed‐tuber and soilborne inoculum of Colletotrichum coccodes in causing black dot disease of potato tubers. Seed‐tuber and soilborne inocula of C. coccodes were quantified using an existing real‐time PCR assay and related to subsequent incidence and severity of disease. In four field trials, a controlled‐environment experiment and through the monitoring of 122 commercial crops, seed‐tuber inoculum was found to be relatively less important than soilborne inoculum in causing black dot, and the level of seed‐tuber inoculum did not significantly affect either the incidence or severity of disease or the percentage of progeny tubers deemed unmarketable. By contrast, soilborne inoculum had the potential to result in high levels of disease and the level of C. coccodes soil infestation (pg DNA g^?1 soil) was found to have a significant effect. At soil infestation levels below 100 pg DNA C. coccodes g^?1 soil, 7% of commercial crops had an incidence of black dot greater than 20%, increasing to 40% and 57% of crops at levels of 100–1000 pg g^?1 and >1000 pg g^?1 soil, respectively. These arbitrary threshold levels for soilborne inoculum related to disease risk are discussed. Interpretation of disease risk based on inoculum levels must, in the future, be informed by agronomic variables and potential control strategies.     

马铃薯纺锤块茎类病毒的检测和防治

马铃薯纺锤块茎类病毒病(potato spindle tuber viroid,PSTVd)是一种严重为害马铃薯生产的病害,降低产量20%—30%。防治的主要措施是应用无类病毒的种薯。由于目前还没有脱掉类病毒的有效措施,只能从未被饱和侵染的群体中鉴定筛选出未被侵染的个体,再脱掉其它病毒,作为核心繁殖材料。1987年以来,利用自制的电泳设备,以往复聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法(return-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,R-PAGE)检测类病毒,筛选出未感病的个体,再用茎尖组织培养法脱掉其它病毒。经用马铃薯卷叶病毒等8种病毒酶标抗体鉴定筛选,获得既无类病毒也无主要马铃薯病毒的克新1、2、3和4号等主栽马铃薯品种的核心种。并已提供给省内外的良种场繁殖推广。1989和1990年抽样检测克山良种场繁殖的原种、一级和二级良种,未检测到类病毒。