Evaluating molecular diagnostic techniques for seed detection of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola, causal agent of halo blight disease in mungbean (Vigna radiata)

Abstract Halo blight of mungbean ( Vigna radiata var. ) is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola . This pathogen transmitted via infected seed, facilitating spread disease into new cultivated areas. Prospective seed crops are currently subjected to visual inspection as a means determining status, however, this poor method that relies on visible symptoms and does not account for latent infections. A range molecular diagnostics targeting P. have been developed, but these deployed seeds. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) SYBR assay, hydrolysis probe, conventional PCR, using same primers were optimised against plate-truthed dilution series The detection limit assay was approximately 9,000 CFU µl -1 , while both qPCR assays could detect 9 These tests then used screen DNA extracted from 200 g allotments 38 lots comprising six cultivars representing primary Australian production area, two known infection status. Of these, detected in PCR. probe methods 20 24 respectively. shows most effective at diagnosing presence providing valuable diagnostic aid integrated management certification, substantially mitigating losses halo disease.