Techniques for rapid detection and diagnosis of plant disease
A BSPP/BCPC Conference held at Norwich (GB) heard of several techniques of interest to EPPO:
- P.R. Mills (Dept. Plant Pathology, Queen's University of Belfast) reported on use of nucleic acid probes for identification of Erwinia arnylovora (A2 List);
- P.S. Harris & C.M. James (DAFS, East Craigs, Edinburg) reported on an improved DNA probe for potato spindle tuber viroid (A2 List) ;
- M.F. Clark & D.C. Davies (East Malling) describe experience with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against MLOs, which can now begin to be used to discriminate between MLOs. In particular, MLOs of the aster yellows group appear related, and distinct from others such as peach. Yellow leafroll MLO, apricot chlorotic leafroll MLO (A2 lit) or tomato big bud MLO;
- F.M. Dewey (Dept. of Plant Sciences, Oxford) has produced a monoclonal antibody immunoassay for Ophiostoma ulmi (A2 List);
- J.D. Duncan (SCRI, Dundee) has developed polyclonal criteria to detect Phytophthora spp in strawberry and raspberry. They are suitable for detection, but do not discriminate (e.g. P. fragariae and other species);
- J .D. Taylor et al. (Wellesbourne) have adapted detection methods for Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi (A2 List) for low levels of seed infection;
- E. Johansen et al. (Lyngby, DK) report on DNA probes for (identification of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (A2 List) in potato;
- E. Pilatte (Gembloux, BE) reports on a cDNA probe for detection of beet necrotic yellow vein furovirus, while Buxton et al. (Harpenden) describe improvements in the ELISA protocols for detecting the virus.
Sources
BSPP.