Simple method for the quantitative detection of Ralstonia solanacearum in soil using an immunochromatographic test

Abstract

A immunochromatographic test can readily detect Ralstonia solanacearum in plants. Here we examined a method for detecting and estimating the density of this pathogenic bacteria in soil using an immunochromatographic test and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings. We found that R. solanacearum could be detected after incubation in a water tank (27°C), and after 2 days incubation in artificially inoculated soil that contained 270–2700 CFU/g dry soil and in farm soil. We also found that the target that was captured by this method had pathogenicity toward tomato seedlings. These results suggested that this method will be useful for predicting bacterial wilt in the field.