A molecular diagnostic for tropical race 4 of the banana fusarium wilt pathogen

• Published in: Plant pathology Vol. 59; no. 2; pp. 348 - 357
• Main Authors: Dita, M. A., Waalwijk, C., Buddenhagen, I. W., Souza Jr, M. T., Kema, G. H. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2010; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: australia; Biological and medical sciences; f-sp cubense; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungal plant pathogens; Fusarium oxysporum; Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense in planta detection; genetic-variation; genomics; identification; Musa; Musa acuminata; Musa spp; Operons; oxysporum; Panama disease; Pathogens; pcr; PCR‐based diagnostic; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Polymerase chain reaction; quantification; Quarantine; Single-nucleotide polymorphism; Spacer region; tissue; Translation elongation; vegetative compatibility groups; Wilt; Monocotyledones; Plant pathology; vegetative compatibility groups; Plant pathogen; Mycosis; PCR-based diagnostic; Molecular methods; Tropical zone; Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense in planta detection; Climacteric; Fungi; Tropical fruit; Pathogenic; Angiospermae; Race; Fungi Imperfecti; Diagnosis; In planta; Panama disease; Fusarium oxysporum; Tropical crop; Musaceae; Experimental study; Vegetative compatibility group; Banana; Infection; Polymerase chain reaction; In vivo; Musa spp; Musa; Fruit crop; Isolate; Spermatophyta; Molecular biology; Detection
• ISSN: 0032-0862; 1365-3059
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2009.02221.x

This study analysed genomic variation of the translation elongation factor 1α (TEF‐1α) and the intergenic spacer region (IGS) of the nuclear ribosomal operon of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) isolates, from different banana production areas, representing strains within the known races, comprising 20 vegetative compatibility groups (VCG). Based on two single nucleotide polymorphisms present in the IGS region, a PCR‐based diagnostic tool was developed to specifically detect isolates from VCG 01213, also called tropical race 4 (TR4), which is currently a major concern in global banana production. Validation involved TR4 isolates, as well as Foc isolates from 19 other VCGs, other fungal plant pathogens and DNA samples from infected tissues of the Cavendish banana cultivar Grand Naine (AAA). Subsequently, a multiplex PCR was developed for fungal or plant samples that also discriminated Musa acuminata and M. balbisiana genotypes. It was concluded that this diagnostic procedure is currently the best option for the rapid and reliable detection and monitoring of TR4 to support eradication and quarantine strategies.