Detection of Genus Phytophthora and Phytophthora cryptogea-P. drechsleri Complex Group Using Polymerase Chain Reaction with Specific Primers

A technique based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the specific detection of genus Phytophthora and Phytophthora cryptogea-P. drechsleri complex group was developed using nucleotide sequence information of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions. The internal transcribed spacers (ITS) including 5.8S were sequenced for P. cryptogea-P. drechsleri complex group and its related species. Two pairs of oligonucleotide primers were designed. Primer pair ITS1/Phy amplified ca. 240 bp fragment in 12 out of 13 specie of Phytophthora, but not in Pythium spp., Fusarium spp.and Rhizoctonia solani. Primer pair rPhy/Pcd amplified 549 bp fragment only in P. cryptogea-P. drechsleri complex group, but not in other Phytophthora spp.and other genera. Specific PCR amplification using the primers was successful in detecting Phytophthora and P. cryptogea-P. drechsleri complex group in diseased plants.