Detection of blueberry stunt phytoplasma in Eastern Canada using cpn60-based molecular diagnostic assays.

ABSTRACT: Blueberry stunt phytoplasma (BBSP; 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris') is an insect-vectored plant pathogen that causes severe yield losses in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), which is the most valuable fruit crop in Canada. Rapid, field-based diagnostic assays are desirable tools for the control of BBSP, as part of an integrated, proactive approach to production management termed biovigilance. We designed and validated a chaperonin-60 (cpn60)-targeted LAMP assay for detection of BBSP, providing a rapid, low cost, field-deployable diagnostic option. Our validation demonstrates that the assay is reproducible, with high analytical specificity and improved sensitivity when compared with 16S rRNA nested PCR. We applied the validated LAMP assay to nearly 2000 blueberry samples from Québec and No

SUBMITTER: Hammond C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8586236 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature