Nested PCR test to detect Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae in Anthurium
A nested PCR test was developed in Réunion (FR) for the specific detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae (EPPO A2 List) in Anthurium plants. This new nested PCR assay was tested with a large collection of strains of X. axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae from Anthurium and other Araceae, using serological and pathogenicity tests in parallel. This method could be used directly on plant samples (DNA extraction is not needed) and successfully detected latent infections. No amplification was obtained for most strains isolated from other Araceae. Some strains from Syngonium (not pathogenic to Anthurium) gave a positive result with the PCR test, but could then be distinguished from anthurium-pathogenic strains by RFLP. This finding is consistent with previous studies which indicated that there is a high level of relatedness between strains from Anthurium and Syngonium. No amplification was obtained with strains belonging to other bacterial genera, other Xanthomonas species and saprophytic bacteria isolated from Anthurium. It is concluded that this nested PCR is a useful diagnostic tool for the detection of X. axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae on propagation material and in traded plants of Anthurium.
Sources
Robène-Soustrade I, Laurent P, Gagnevin L, Jouen E, Pruvost O (2006) Specific detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae in Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum) tissues by nested PCR. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 72(2), 1072-1078.