Project Number: 5305-22000-012-28
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Nov 01, 2012
End Date: Oct 31, 2014

Objective:
The objective of the project is to modify our recently developed diagnostic assay to identify Phytophthora spp. on avocado. The research will also explore the development of technologically less complex isothermal diagnostic procedures that would simplify diagnostics of this genus in avocado, as well as strawberry and vegetable production systems.

Approach:
This project will evaluate a recently developed molecular assay for detection of Phytophthora at a genus and species specific level. Prior work has demonstrated its ability to detect pathogens in strawberry and forest ecosystems with this project expanding the development of species specific TaqMan probes for detection of species attacking avocado. As part of this work other less technologically complex isothermal amplification techniques will be evaluated for their ability to detect Phytophthora species with less expense and time commitment than current real time PCR assays. This aspect of the research project will benefit detection procedures for all crops that are susceptible to Phytophthora infection.