Diagnosis of Phytoplasmas by Real-Time PCR Using Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) Probes.

Phytoplasma infections are regularly reported worldwide, and concerns about their threats on agricultural production, especially in relation to global climate change, are increasing. Sensitive and reliable detection methods are important to ensure that propagation material is free of phytoplasma infection and for epidemiological studies that may provide information to limit the extent of phytoplasma diseases and to prevent large-scale crop losses. The detection method described here uses LNA chemistry in real-time PCR.

Detection of the Bacterial Potato Pathogens Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp. Using Conventional and Real-Time PCR.

Blackleg and soft rot of potato, caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp., are major production constraints in many potato-growing regions of the world. Despite advances in our understanding of the causative organisms, disease epidemiology, and control, blackleg remains the principal cause of down-grading and rejection of potato seed in classification schemes across Northern Europe and many other parts of the world.

Draft genome sequences of 17 isolates of the plant pathogenic bacterium dickeya.

Dickeya (formerly Erwinia chrysanthemi) species cause diseases on a wide range of crops and ornamental plants worldwide. Here we present the draft sequences of 17 Dickeya isolates spanning four Dickeya species, including five isolates that are currently unassigned to a species.

Dickeya solani sp. nov., a pectinolytic plant-pathogenic bacterium isolated from potato (Solanum tuberosum).

Pectinolytic bacteria have been recently isolated from diseased potato plants exhibiting blackleg and slow wilt symptoms found in a number of European countries and Israel. These Gram-reaction-negative, motile, rods were identified as belonging to the genus Dickeya, previously the Pectobacterium chrysanthemi complex (Erwinia chrysanthemi), on the basis of production of a PCR product with the pelADE primers, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, fatty acid methyl esterase analysis, the production of phosphatases and the ability to produce indole and acids from α-methylglucoside. Differential physiological assays used previously to differentiate between strains of E.

Draft Genome Sequences of Four Dickeya dianthicola and Four Dickeya solani Strains.

Dickeya dianthicola and "Dickeya solani" are currently the dominant bacterial pathogens of potatoes in Europe. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of four strains of each pathogen.