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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #102034
Title: PCR-RFLP ANALYSIS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MORPHOLOGICAL CRITERIA IN PHYTOPHTHORA SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

Author
item SCOTT, D - MOREHOUSE
item THOMAS, C - MOREHOUSE
item CLARK, C - MOREHOUSE
item Tooley, Paul
item Maas, John

Submitted to: Molecular Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Several species of the fungus Phytophthora cause economically important diseases of strawberry and raspberries. Proper identification of these pathogens is necessary in order to apply proper disease control methods. Differentiation between P. fragariae varieties and P. cryptogea and P. erythroseptica is extremely difficult based on morphological features of the fungi. We have developed a molecular DNA procedure that can be used as an alternative to morphological features to differentiate and identify these species of Phytophthora. Plant disease diagnosticians, consultants, and growers will benefit from the availability of this rapid pathogen identification technique that will greatly aid in disease control.

Technical Abstract: We recommend PCR-RFLP analysis as an alternative method for resolving the overlap in morphological characteristics shared among some Phytophthora species that cause disease in strawberries. PCR-RFLP analysis using the endonucleases HaeIII and MseI, were successful in differentiating P. fragariae from P. cactorum, P. cryptogea, P. erythroseptica, and P. megasperma. PCR-RFLP analysis using the aforementioned restriction endonucleases failed to dissociate the close taxonomic affinities shared between the two variants of P. fragariae, as well as the close relatedness of P. cryptogea and P. erythroseptica.