Diagnostic Techniques For Early Detection Of Phytoplasma Diseases

Phytoplasmas are a type of bacteria, specifically belonging to the group of Mollicutes, characterized by their lack of cell walls and inability to be cultured in lab settings. They pose a significant threat to various plant species, both wild and cultivated, spanning across different plant families. This wide-ranging infection results in substantial agricultural losses and economically devastating global epidemics. Phytoplasmas are known to infect crucial crops such as fruit trees, annual crops, palms and grapevines. Therefore, controlling these diseases has become a top priority, with the first crucial step being accurate and efficient diagnosis of phytoplasma infections. Identifying phytoplasmas presents a formidable challenge due to their uneven distribution within afflicted plants and their low concentration in infected plant tissues. Over the past few decades, a significant portion of research devoted to phytoplasma detection has leaned on nucleic acid-based methods, notably PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). PCR is used to amplify specific sections of phytoplasma genomes found within infected plants. However, standard diagnostic practices have transitioned from traditional PCR to real-time PCR. This shift is primarily attributed to its heightened sensitivity and the reduced risk of contamination, thanks to the utilization of a sealed detection system. Furthermore, this technique can be adapted for semi-quantitative analysis.

Keyworks

: Phytoplamas Diseases, Diagnostic Techniques, 16S Ribosomal RNA, LAMP.