OPTIMIZATION OF THE METHOD FOR THE FAST AND RELIABLE DIAGNOSIS OF Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis THE CAUSAL AGENT OF BACTERIAL CANCER AND WILTING IN TOMATO SEED AND SEEDLING PRODUCTION MATERIAL
Project no. 1109 · Status: Kapanmış · 2017
Summary
The most important and destructive problem in tomato growing is bacterial wilt and canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm). The diagnosis or determination of the causal agent is very difficult since the disease was non symptomatic during seedling period. On the other hand, the causal agent of the disease, which is seedborne can transport by systemically via seed or seedling. The control of the disease is really difficult in field or greenhouse after disease symptoms appear because its systemic colonization in the tomato xylem vessels. Therefore, the definitive diagnosis of Cmm in seed and seedling stage becomes important. The aim of this study is to compare the classical and molecular diagnostic methods of seed and seedling materials sent to the Seed Technology Research and Technology Center (TOTEM) in terms of sensitivity, speed, reliability and economics. In the scope of the project, plating on general and semi-selective medium, physiological and biochemical tests, pathogenicity tests and classical PCR as molecular test were used as diagnostic methods. PCR method using species specific primers was found to be a fast and reliable method for definitive diagnosis. However, it was evaluated that the selection of the correct bacterial colonies was also affect the PCR result. Therefore, it has been concluded that PCR is the most ideal and economical method following semi-selective medium planting and abserving the colony development. As a result of this project, optimization of Cmm's diagnosis was realized for TOTEM, which is the center of diagnosis of the causal agents of plant diseases in seed / seedling material