Simultaneous detection of downy mildew and powdery mildew pathogens on Cucumis sativus and other cucurbits using duplex-qPCR and HRM analysis.

Powdery mildew and downy mildew are two devastating diseases on cucumber and other cucurbit crops caused by Podosphaera xanthii and Pseudoperonospora cubensis, respectively. Identification and detection of these pathogens from field and plant material could be significant for the selection of resistant varieties and formulation of disease management strategies. In the present study, a duplex qPCR assay developed for simultaneous detection and quantification of both pathogens from different samples.

Phenotypic and molecular assessment of chickpea from different chickpea cultivars of India.

In the present study, heterogeneity in natural chickpea rhizobia populations associated with 18 different chickpea () cultivars of India was investigated. Physiological diversity of 20 chickpea rhizobia was characterized based on phenotypic parameters such as Bromothymol blue (BTB) test, pH, temperature and salinity tolerance. Based on response to BTB test and pH tolerance, all chickpea rhizobia were further divided into slow growers/alkali producers (14 isolates) and fast growers/acid producers (6 isolates).