Phytopathology (2007) 97, 865-872

Z.K. Atallah, J. Bae, S.H. Jansky, D.I. Rouse and W.R. Stevenson (2007)
Multiplex real-time quantitative PCR to detect and quantify Verticillium dahliae colonization in potato lines that differ in response to Verticillium wilt
Phytopathology 97 (7), 865-872
Abstract: Potato early dying (PED), also known as Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, is a seasonal yield-limiting disease of potato worldwide, and PED-resistant cultivars currently represent only a small percentage of potato production. In this study, we developed a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) approach to detect and quantify V. dahliae. The efficiency of the designed primer pair VertBt-F/VertBt-R, derived from the sequence of the beta-tubulin gene, was greater than 95% in monoplex Q-PCR and duplex (using Plexor technology) procedures with primers PotAct-F/PotAct-R, obtained from the sequence of the actin gene, designed for potato. As few as 148 fg of V. dahliae DNA were detected and quantified, which is equivalent to five nuclei. Q-PCR detected V. dahliae in naturally infected air-dried potato stems and fresh stems of inoculated plants. Spearman correlations indicated a high correlation (upward of 80%) between V. dahliae quantifications using Q-PCR and the currently used plating assays. Moreover, Q-PCR substantially reduced the variability compared with that observed in the plating assay, and allowed for the detection of V. dahliae in 10% of stem samples found to be pathogen free on the culture medium. The described Q-PCR approach should provide breeders with a more sensitive and less variable alternative to time-consuming plating assays to distinguish response of breeding lines to colonization by V. dahliae.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
identification/taxonomy
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Verticillium dahliae	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)