Real time PCR quantification of Sclerotium rolfsii in chilli tissue and soil

Abstract

Root rot disease caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is one of the important factors limiting chilli production in southern China. Rapid methods of detection and identification of S. rolfsii are required for disease prediction and management. Herein, we adapted a four-step real time quantitative PCR method to detect S. rolfsii using new designed primer pair S301S/S301A. By using this assay, S. rolfsii was detected in ten soil samples and eight plant samples at concentrations as low as 10-7 g mycelium/g soil or plant, both with and without typical symptoms, while tissue-culturing method could only detect the fungus in two samples. This rapid and quantitative method is efficient for detection and determination of S. rolfsii population in soil and plants.

Keywords

• chilli root rot
• specific primer pair
• pathogen identification
• population detection
• population determination