Project Number
240032

Project Title
Development of a one-stop molecular diagnostic service for accurate identification of nematodes, fungi and bacteria

Project Leader
Arendse, M S

Project Description
The lack of fast, accurate and reliable means of detecting plant pathogens and or nematodes is one of the main limitations in integrated disease and or pest management. Plant material that is asymptomatic or where the pathogen remains dormant until exposed to environmental stress, creates problems in the early diagnosis of such diseases. Numerous pathogens are difficult to identify by conventional morphological methods that sometimes require extensive laborious procedures. The procedure is made even more complex because samples often contain more than one pathogen. This seriously retards the rate at which diagnosis can be confirmed. It is therefore important to develop a simple and rapid diagnostic procedure that allows screening of a sample for a variety of pathogens.

The aim of this project is to develop a PCR-based approach for the identification of various nematodes and fungal and bacterial pathogens of grapevine. The technique will entail a reverse dot-blot hybridisation system that will allow precise identification of several plant pathogens and nematodes directly from infected/infested plant material within 24 hours.

Application of the technique would not only be important in screening field samples but would also be valuable in the screening of young nursery material that are asymptomatic.

Presentation(s)
Arendse, M, Safodien, S, Snyders, C, Smit, L and Smit, W A. 2002. Identification of Phytophthora cinnamomi by reverse dot blot hybridisation. Paper presented at the 40th Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology, 20-23 January, Brits, South Africa.

Arendse, M, Safodien, S, Snyders, C, Mkhize, T M, Smit, L and Smit, W A. 2002. Development of a one-stop molecular diagnostic tool for detection and identification of plant pathogens. Paper presented at the Cape Biotechnology Forum, 5-6 November, Somerset West, South Africa.

Langenhoven, W E, Arendse, M S, Mkhize, T M, Smit, L, Smit, W A and Knoetze, R. 2004. Reverse dot blot hybridisation as a diagnostic tool for detection and identification of grapevine pathogens. Paper presented at the 42nd Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology. 18-21 January, Winterton, South Africa.

FinalReport.pdf