Comparison between ELISA and bio tin-la belled probes from cloned cDNA of potato virus X for the detection of virus in crude tuber extracts

Diseases caused by potato virus X (PVX) are of significant agronomic importance, and early detection is vital. Biotinylated DNA probes were prepared by random-primed labelling from cDNA inserts and used for the detection of PVX in crude extracts of infected tubers. The minimum detection level in these extracts is in the order of femtograms of PVX RNA. Comparison with ELISA showed that the hybridization method is 100–250 times more sensitive. Probes prepared by this method are highly specific for target RNA even in crude tuber extracts.     

Tamusred mosaic virus, a potexvirus from black bryony (Tamus communis)

A virus was isolated in Italy from Tamus communis in which it caused symptoms of red mosaic and leaf distortion. The virus, for which the name tamus red mosaic virus (TRMV) is suggested, was differentiated from other potexviruses or possible potexviruses on the basis of host range, particle properties and serology. In crude preparations, TRMV had elongated particles of modal length 550–560 nm and diameter of 13 nm. TRMV was easily purified from Chenopodium quinoa and had a buoyant density of 1·34 g/cm³ in CsCl and 1·27 g/cm-³ in Cs₂SO₄. An antiserum to TRMV was obtained with a titre of 1/1024 in slide precipitin tests. TRMV was related to, but distinct from, tamus latent virus, a potexvirus isolated from Tamus communis in the UK, and more distantly related to potato virus X, cactus virus X and commelina virus X. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) indicated that the virus particles contained a single protein species of estimated molecular weight 25·2 kDa. Enzymatic digestions, agarose gel electrophoresis and infectivity of the isolated nucleic acid indicated that the virus has a single major molecule of single-stranded positive-sense RNA of estimated molecular weight 2120 kDa ( ca. 6·4 kb).     

A sensitive method for detecting bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) and establishment of BaMV-free meristem-tip cultures

A sensitive method was used to detect bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) and its associated satellite RNA (satBaMV) by ³²P- and digoxigenin (Dig)-labelled probes synthesized from cDNA clones of BaMV genomic (L probe) and satBaMV (S probe) RNA. Both the ³²P- and Dig-labelled L and S probes could detect as little as 490 pg of BaMV viral RNA by slot- and dot-blot hybridization. In infected leaf extracts, ³²P-labelled L and S probes detected virus at 25-fold higher dilutions than Dig-labelled probes, which were also successfully used to detect BaMV infection in plants derived from meristem-tip culture. However, immunoassays failed to detect BaMV in meristem culture. By dot-blot hybridization assays, 25% of the seedlings were shown to be virus-free. These results suggest that a highly sensitive method for the detection of BaMV infection is required for the establishment of BaMV-free cultures. Meristem-tip culture also provides an efficient method for obtaining virus-free bamboo plants.     

Parietaria mottle virus, a possible new ilarvirus from Parietaria officinalis (Urticaceae)

A previously undescribed virus, probably a new member of the ilarvirus group, was isolated from Parietaria officinalis showing symptoms of yellow mosaic or mottling. This virus, for which the name parietaria mottle virus (ParMV) is proposed, differs in host range from other ilarviruses. ParMV was purified from Chenopodium quinoa by sap clarification with chloroform, and differential and sucrose density gradient centrifugation.
Purified particles were quasi-isometric to ovoid with diameters of about 24, 29 and 36 nm; no bacilliform particles were detected. Buoyant density in caesium chloride, determined on glutaraldehyde-fixed virus, was 1.35 g/cm³.
An antiserum to ParMV was obtained with a titre of 1:32 in agar gel double-diffusion tests. ParMV did not react with eight other viruses or virus strains belonging to the ilarvirus group or to pelargonium zonate spot virus.
Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that ParMV contains a single major protein species of estimated molecular weight 24300 Da and four RNA species of estimated molecular weight 1 37, 1.19, 0.86 and 0.36 × 10⁶ Da.     

A detection method for Pseudomonas solanacearum in symptomless potato tubers and some data on its sensitivity and specificity

A detection method is described for latent infections of Pseudomonas solanacearum race 3 in potato. This method is based on extraction of 200 heel ends of potato, followed by screening with an indirect antibody stain (IFAS) and (in IFAS-positive cases) a pathogenicity test on tomato (PT). Using the method in some sensitivity and specificity tests with more than 600 samples it appears that: (a) its detection level is 10⁴ cells ml^-1 in IFAS and 10²— 10⁴ cells ml^-1 in PT; (b) per cent recovery is 0.1–10% (10% at lower contamination levels); (c) false-positive samples due to cross-reacting bacteria in IFAS were limited to only 2–3%, using two polyclonal antisera against whole cells of P. solanacearum. The merits of the method in comparison with others (ELISA, selective media) are discussed.     

Contribution of host plant resistance and geographic distance to the structure of Potato virus Y (PVY) populations in pepper in northern Tunisia

The genetic structure of Potato virus Y (PVY) populations was investigated in naturally-infected pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) fields, collected at eight different localities in northern Tunisia, where 23% of the sampled plants were homozygous for the pvr2¹ recessive resistance allele, while the other plants carried the dominant susceptibility allele pvr2⁺ . Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis at three PVY genome segments revealed a high level of viral diversity, with a majority of cases showing co-infection of individual plants by several PVY haplotypes and a strong genetic differentiation of viral populations collected in the different localities. Geographic distances affected the differentiation of PVY populations and isolation by distance among these populations was significant. However, the occurrence of the pvr2¹ resistance allele did not contribute to the structure of viral populations, suggesting that the virulence properties of the virus did not significantly affect its fitness. Consequently, greater deployment of the pvr2¹ gene would probably not be a suitable strategy to control PVY, and other resistance genes should be preferred.     

Detection of two orchid viruses using quartz crystal microbalance-based DNA biosensors

ABSTRACT We have developed a piezoelectric DNA-sensor based on DNA-RNA hybridization for the detection of two orchid viruses, Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) and Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV). Specific oligonucleotide probes modified with a mercaptohexyl group at the 5'-phosphate end were directly immobilized onto 10-MHz AT-cut quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). QCMs coated with such oligonucleotide probes were exposed to test solutions containing viral RNA for hybridization. Various experimental conditions evaluated were (i) DNA probe coating concentration, (ii) sensitivity and specificity of the probes at different hybridization temperatures, and (iii) effects of incubation temperature on the hybridization time. The specific nucleotide probe-coated QCM-based DNA sensors were able to detect both CymMV and ORSV in quantities as low as approximately 1 ng in purified RNA preparations and 10 ng in the crude sap of infected orchids. This is the first application of a DNA biosensor for the detection of plant viruses.     

The Helper Component-Proteinase of Sweet potato feathery mottle virus Facilitates Systemic Spread of Potato virus X in Ipomoea nil

ABSTRACT When Ipomoea nil was coinfected with Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), a member of the genus Potyvirus, and Potato virus X (PVX) typical symptoms caused by PVX were observed on those by SPFMV on the first upper true leaves at 14 days postinoculation (dpi). On the other hand, no PVX-induced symptoms were observed on the first upper true leaves at 14 dpi when plants were infected with PVX alone. In the case of coinfection with PVX and SPFMV, PVX RNA was detected not only in the inoculated cotyledonary leaves but also in the first upper true leaves at 14 dpi. In the case of single infection with PVX, PVX RNA was detected in the inoculated cotyledonary leaves but not in the first upper true leaves at 14 dpi. The accumulation of SPFMV remained unchanged, regardless of whether the inoculum consisted of SPFMV alone or a mixture of SPFMV and PVX. Although recombinant PVX engineered to express the helper component-proteinase (HC-Pro) of SPFMV (PVX.HC) enhanced symptoms severity in Nicotiana benthamiana, PVX.HC induced the synergism characterized by an enhanced viral movement in Ipomoea nil. Immunofluorescence microscopic examination revealed that the HC-Pro was present in phloem of SPFMV-infected I. nil. These results suggest that SPFMV HC-Pro acts as an enhancer of long distance movement for PVX in I. nil.     

Sensitivity of different methods for the detection of Ralstonia solanacearum in potato tuber extracts

The sensitivities of various methods for the detection of Ralstonia solanacearum following dilution in healthy potato tuber tissue macerate were compared. Estimated pathogen populations in undiluted macerates, from samples of 200 heel-end vascular cores each containing a single diseased and 199 healthy tubers, ranged from 1.2 × 10⁶–7.4 × 10⁷ colony-forming units per ml. Following concentration by high-speed centrifugation and resuspension in phosphate buffer, the pathogen was detected by all methods studied, including culture on semi-selective media, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescent-antibody staining (IFAS) of fixed cells, immunofluorescent colony staining (IFCS), detection of specific DNA sequences following amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bioassay in tomato seedlings. Both ELISA and PCR methods were improved by pre-enrichment of samples in semi-selective broth prior to testing. A nested PCR method was evaluated which could detect fewer than 10 cells per ml in the potato extracts. Of the other methods only dilution plating on semi-selective medium and tomato bioassay could detect fewer than 10⁴ cells per ml. In order to combine ease and speed of use with sensitive detection, it was recommended that a series of methods be used for routine screening of potato tuber stocks for infection by R. solanacearum.     

Biological diversity of Rhizoctonia solani (AG-3) in a northern potato-cultivation environment in Finland

A total of 119 isolates of Rhizoctonia were collected from stem canker lesions, stolon and root lesions, hymenia on stems, or from black scurf on tubers of potato plants ( Solanum tuberosum ) in Finland (latitudes 60–67°N). All isolates except three belonged to anastomosis group 3 (AG-3) of R. solani , as determined by phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer sequences (ITS1 and ITS2) of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Sensitivity of the 119 isolates to the fungicide flutolanil was tested in vitro (EC₅₀ values 0·14–0·75  µ g active ingredient mL⁻¹). The isolates also varied considerably in growth rate (5·1–14·8 mm day⁻¹). The severity of disease caused by 99 isolates was determined based on the proportion of potato sprouts affected by lesions, discoloration or death, which was c . 1–60%. Only two isolates that were able to cause severe symptoms showed particularly low sensitivity to the fungicide and rapid growth rate. One isolate each of anastomosis groups AG-2-1 and AG-5 and an unknown, binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. were detected. The AG-5 isolate and the binucleate isolate caused mild symptoms on potato sprouts, whereas the AG-2-1 isolate was not pathogenic. Taken together, AG-3 of R. solani was the predominant causal agent of the stem canker and black scurf diseases of potato in Finland and showed considerable variability in disease severity, fungicide sensitivity and growth rate in vitro .     

Production of monoclonal antibodies to potato virus YNTN strain and their use for strain differentiation

Four mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against potato virus Y (PVY) were produced. MAb 4C1 reacted with four isolates of PVY^NTN and only very weakly with one isolate of the necrotic strain of PVY (PVY^N). It did not react with other isolates of the ordinary strain of PVY tested. MAb 2C9 reacted with all isolates tested and can be used to produce a specific diagnostic kit for routine PVY detection. Other MAbs had different specificities and reacted with isolates of various strains of PVY. MAbs did not react with seven other members of the Potyvirus group including potato virus A. A MAb-based ELISA, using MAb 4C1, was devised and shown to detect PVY^NTN specifically.     

Aggressiveness and host specificity of Brazilian isolates of Phytophthora infestans

The population of Phytophthora infestans in Brazil consists of two clonal lineages, US-1 associated with tomatoes and BR-1 associated with potatoes. To assess whether host specificity in these lineages resulted from differences in aggressiveness to potato and tomato, six aggressiveness-related epidemiological components – infection frequency (IF), incubation period (IP), latent period (LP), lesion area (LA), lesion expansion rate (LER) and sporulation at several lesion ages (SSLA) – were measured on detached leaflets of late blight-susceptible potato and tomato plants. Infection frequency of US-1 was similar on potato and tomato leaflets, but IF of BR-1 was somewhat reduced on tomato. Incubation period was longer on both hosts with US-1, although this apparent lineage affect was not significant. Overall there was no host effect on IP. On potato, BR-1 had a shorter LP (110·3 h) and a larger LA (6·5 cm²) than US-1 (LP = 162·0 h; LA = 2·8 cm²). The highest LER resulted when isolates of BR-1 (0·121 cm² h⁻¹) and US-1 (0·053 cm² h⁻¹) were inoculated on potato and tomato leaflets, respectively. The highest values of the area under the sporulation capacity curve (AUSC) were obtained for isolates of US-1 inoculated on tomato leaflets (6146) and for isolates of BR-1 on potato leaflets (3775). In general, higher values of LA, LER, SSLA and AUSC, and shorter values of LP were measured when isolates of a clonal lineage were inoculated on their original host than with the opposite combinations. There is evidence that there are quantitative differences in aggressiveness components between isolates of US-1 and BR-1 clonal lineages that probably contribute to host specificity of P. infestans populations in Brazil.     

4种番茄病毒多重RT-PCR检测及应用

<正>番茄是全世界栽培最为普遍的果菜之一,2011年世界番茄栽培面积约805万亩,年产量约3 773万t,我国是世界番茄种植大国之一,2011年面积96667公顷,产量约679万t,随着番茄种植面积不断扩大,番茄病毒病的危害逐年加重~([1])。世界范围内番茄除了已有的TMV抗病资源与育成的抗     

应用MNP-RT-PCR方法检测黄瓜绿斑驳花叶病毒

 A novel RT-PCR method integrated with Magnetic Nano Particles (MNP), MNP-RT-PCR, was set up for detection of Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV). After the virus particles in crude sap were concentrated by MNP, viral RNAs were released and were detected by RT-PCR. CGMMV could be detected in as less as 10 ng watermelon leaf materials. Compared with normal RT-PCR, the method decreased the inhibitors of plant material and steps for extracting RNA, and also increased the sensitivity of RT-PCR detection in less time. The method is simple and suitable for quick detection of plant virus in a large number of samples.     

利用RNA干扰介导抗病性获得兼抗四种病毒的转基因马铃薯

为获得兼抗马铃薯X病毒(Potato virus X,PVX)、马铃薯Y病毒(Potato virus Y,PVY)、马铃薯卷叶病毒(Potato leaf roll virus,PLRV)和马铃薯潜隐花叶病毒(Potato virus S,PVS)4种病毒的转基因马铃薯新材料,分别以这4种病毒全长CP基因为模板,通过设计PCR引物和亚克隆获得4种病毒CP基因相对保守区段的基因片段,并将其拼接成融合基因,以载体pHANNIBAL和pBI121为基础,构建RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)载体,利用农杆菌介导的转基因体系进行马铃薯遗传转化,并对获得的转基因马铃薯进行病毒抗性检测。结果表明,所获得的融合基因片段RH1和RH2,酶切鉴定分别得到长度为1 200 bp的条带,与预期片段相符;构建了含pdk内含子和RH1、RH2融合基因的RNAi植物表达载体,经Bam H I/Sac I双酶切,获得长度约3 200 bp的片段,表明RNAi植物表达载体pBI121-pRH构建成功;转化易感病毒马铃薯品种陇薯11号,PCR检测和PCRSouthern杂交分析表明融合基因已整合到陇薯11号马铃薯基因组中;抗病性检测显示4株转基因马铃薯植株对4种病毒均免疫。表明利用RNAi可筛选出抗多种病毒的转基因马铃薯新种质。     

PCR-based specific and sensitive detection of Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp. carotovorum by primers generated from a URP-PCR fingerprinting-derived polymorphic band

A 24-mer primer pair was generated by sequencing a URP-PCR fingerprinting-derived polymorphic band that is uniquely shared in Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp . carotovorum strains (Pcc). The primer set (EXPCCF/EXPCCR) amplified a single band of expected size (0·55 kb) from genomic DNA obtained from 29 Pcc strains and three Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp. wasabiae (Pcw) strains, but not from other P. carotovorum subspecies atrosepticum , betavasculorum or odoriferum , or from other Erwinia spp. or bacterial genera. The Rsa I digestion profile of the amplified bands divided Pcc strains into five groups with a unique profile from Pcw strains. First-round PCR detected between 5 × 10² and 1 × 10³ colony forming units (CFU) mL⁻¹ and detection sensitivity was increased to as few as 2–4 CFU mL⁻¹ after second-round (nested) PCR. This PCR protocol was used directly to detect Pcc strains in infected plant tissues.     

Visual and PCR assessment of light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) on winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) cultivars

Methods to assess light leaf spot ( Pyrenopeziza brassicae ) on winter oilseed rape cultivars were compared in laboratory, controlled-environment and field experiments. In controlled-environment experiments with seedling leaves inoculated at GS 1,4, the greatest differences in percentage area affected by P. brassicae sporulation were observed with inoculum concentrations of 4 × 10³ or 4 × 10⁴ spores mL⁻¹, rather than 4 × 10² or 4 × 10⁵ spores mL⁻¹, but older leaves had begun to senesce before assessment, particularly where they were severely affected by P. brassicae . In winter oilseed rape field experiments, a severe light leaf spot epidemic developed in 2002/03 (inoculated, September/October rainfall 127·2 mm) but not in 2003/04 (uninoculated, September/October rainfall 40·7 mm). In-plot assessments discriminated between cultivars best in February/March in 2003 and June in 2004, but sometimes failed to detect plots with many infected plants (e.g. March/April 2004). Ranking of cultivar resistance differed between seedling experiments done under controlled-environment conditions and field experiments. The sensitivity of detection of P. brassicae DNA extracted from culture was greater using the PCR primer pair PbITSF/PbITSR than using primers Pb1/Pb2. P. brassicae was detected by PCR (PbITS primers) in leaves from controlled-environment experiments immediately and up to 14 days after inoculation, and in leaves sampled from field experiments 2 months before detection by visual assessment.