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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #112013
Title: IMPACTS OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGIES ON PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Author
item Martin, Robert
item DELANO, JAMES - CANADIAN FOOD INSP AGENCY
item LEVESQUE, ANDRE - AG AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA

Submitted to: Annual Review of Phytopathology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: There have been reviews on ELISA and PCR and their many variations as methods of detecting plant pathogens. In this review we discuss the impact these technologies have had on plant disease management and characterization of plant pathogens. The approach is to use case studies, grapevine decline, leafroll, and rugose wood as examples of how the technologies have impacted the management of plant virus diseases. Phytophthora was used as the case study for fungi in terms of looking at taxonomic applications and Phytophthora fragariae as an example of disease management. The implications and applications of these newer detection technologies to plant quarantine are also discussed and the importance of developing standardized tests that will be acceptable for international movement of plant materials.

Technical Abstract: To some extent, detection and diagnosis of plant viruses has been based on serological laboratory tests since the 1960's. However, relatively little work was done on serological detection of plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi prior to the development of ELISA and monoclonal antibody technologies. Even then, most applications for laboratory based tests were edirected at virus detection with relatively little emphasis on fungal and bacterial pathogens, though there was some good work being done with other groups of plant pathogens. With the advent of molecular biology and the ability to compare regions of genomic DNA representing conserved sequences, the development of laboratory tests increased at an amazing rate for all groups of plant pathogens. Comparison of ITS regions of bacteria, fungi, and nematodes have proven very useful for taxonomic purposes. Sequencing of conserved genes has been used to develop PCR based detection with varying levels of specificity for viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Combinations of ELISA and PCR technologies have been used to improve sensitivity of detection and to avoid problems with inhibitors or PCR often found in plants. The application of these technologies in plant pathology has greatly improved our ability to detect and is increasing our understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of plant pathogens.