Direct PCR to detect histone H3 region of Diaporthe destruens, cause of foot rot of sweet potato

Abstract

Conventional methods to detect the fungus Diaporthe destruens, which causes foot rot of sweet potato, are time-consuming and often inconclusive. Here we designed specific primers for the histone H3 gene of D. destruens to use for direct PCR using conidia for rapid, specific detection of the pathogen.