Xylem Sap Extraction Method from Hop Plants

Abstract

Verticillium wilt is one of the most important diseases on hop that significantly influence continuation of production on affected areas. It is caused by the soil borne vascular pathogen Verticillium nonalfalfae, which infects plants through the roots and then advances through the vascular (xylem) system. During infection, V. nonalfalfae secretes many different virulence factors. Xylem sap of infected plants is therefore a rich source for investigating the molecules that are involved in molecular interactions of Verticillium – hop plants. This protocol provides instructions on how to infect hop plants with V. nonalfalfae artificially and how to obtain xylem sap from hop plants.