Macrophomina phaseolina is an important pathogen of strawberry that in recent years has caused significant damage to this crop in various strawberry growing regions of the world. The fungus is a soilborne organism and can survive in soil for extended periods of time. Macrophomina, as found in California strawberry fields, has shown a host preference for strawberry and these isolates do not readily infect other crops.
Researchers have developed sensitive DNA-based methods to detect the strawberry Macrophomina genotype in plants and soil. The RPA assay can detect Macrophomina in strawberry plant samples. The qPCR assay can find and quantify this pathogen in soil samples. Both assays are used by TriCal Diagnostics. The publication describing both RPA and qPCR methods is available by clicking the download button below. First author Alyssa Burkhardt is the molecular specialist with TriCal Diagnostics.
Reference: Phytopathology 108:1386-1394. Prepared by Steve Koike and Alyssa Burkhardt.
