Method of diagnosing gummy stem blight in plants using a polymerase chain reaction assay

摘要

The present invention provides a sensitive test for objectively diagnosing the presence of Didymella bryoniae, the causative agent of gummy stem blight, and differentiating it from similar, nonpathogenic Phoma species. The assay is applicable to DNA isolated from extracts from plant leaves, stem or seed. The detection method employs a polymerase chain reaction technique, using specific oligonucleotide primers for amplification. PCR Products can be visualized using an ELISA-based calorimetric detection system.