New PCR primers for detecting Pseudomonas syringae pv. theae

Abstract

We designed new PCR primers targeting the hopZ3 sequence for the highly specific and quantitative detection of Pseudomonas syringae pv. theae (Hori 1915) Young, Dye & Wilkie 1978 (Pst), which is the causal agent of bacterial shoot blight of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze). Conventional and real-time PCR assays (intercalating dye-based analysis and probe-based analysis) using these primers detected the target sequence in all six Pst strains. However, this was not so in eight other P. syringae pathovars or in 11 other bacterial species, including P. syringae pv. actinidiae Takikawa, Serizawa, Ichikawa, Tsuyumu & Goto 1989, which causes bacterial canker of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C. F. Liang & A. R. Ferguson and A. chinensis Planch.) and is indistinguishable from Pst in PCR assays using the existing primers. These new primers will be useful for studying diseases in tea and kiwifruit.