New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science abstracts
Detection of Erwinia amylovora in plant material using novel polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) primers
R. K. TAYLOR1
P. J. GUILFORD2
R. G. CLARK1
C. N. HALE1+
R. L. S. FORSTER3
1The Horticulture and Food Research
Institute of New Zealand Ltd
Private Bag 92 169
Auckland, New Zealand
2University of Otago
P. O. Box 56
Dunedin, New Zealand
3Genesis Research and Development
Corporation Ltd
P. O. Box 50
Auckland, New Zealand
Abstract A rapid and sensitive method has been developed for
the specific detection of Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winslow et al. using
the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method involves amplification of a 187
bp DNA fragment, probably of chromosomal origin. All 69 cultures of E.
amylovora in an international collection from 10 host species in five
countries were successfully identified using the primers. In contrast, discrete
PCR products were not amplified from 29 other Erwinia species or from 20
other species of plant pathogenic and saprophytic bacteria. A detectable 187 bp
product was consistently amplified from reactions containing as few as 10
colony-forming units in culture and plant tissue. In field trials PCR could
detect E. amylovora in apple flowers before fire blight symptoms
occurred. This method may have potential in pre-symptomatic disease
management.
Keywords Erwinia amylovora; fire blight; detection;
PCR
New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 2001, Vol. 29:
35-44
0014-0671/00/2901-0035 $7.00 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 2001
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (1574K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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