ARS | Publication request: Specific detection and identification of Xylella fastidiosa strains causing oleander leaf scorch by polymerase chain reaction

Submitted to: Current Microbiology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 21, 2008
Publication Date: July 1, 2009
Citation: Huang, Qi. 2009. Specific detection and identification of Xylella fastidosa strains causing oleander leaf scorch by polymerase chain reaction. Current Microbiology. 58:393-398.

Technical Abstract: A pair of PCR primers, QH-OLS05/QH-OLS08, was developed that is specific for strains of Xylella fastidiosa causing oleander leaf scorch. The primers were designed based on DNA sequence of a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR product unique to oleander strains. The PCR assay using primer pair QH-OLS05/QH-OLS08 allowed quick and simple detection and identification of oleander strains in cultured bacterium and infected plant samples. The assay can also be applied to insect samples. Specific detection and identification of oleander strains of X. fastidiosa by PCR is useful for epidemiological and etiological studies of oleander leaf scorch by identifying what plants and insect vectors harbor or carry this particular strain of X. fastidiosa, especially in locations where mixed natural infections by oleander and other strains of X. fastidiosa occur.