DNAbased detection of western gall rust

Abstract

The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA of the western gall rust fungus (Peridermium harknessii) was amplified using the basidiomycetespecific PCR primers ITS1F and ITS4B The PCR product was then sequenced and aligned with other pine stem rust ITS sequences and a conserved region within P harknessii was targeted with the novel PCR primer Phar1 Our PCR protocol was able to differentiate P harknessii from Cronartium comandrae and C coleosporioides and detected P harknessii within infected host tissue However P harknessii was not distinguishable from C quercuum fsp fusiforme The method provides a rapid and sensitive detection protocol for P harknessii and C quercuum fsp fusiforme within infected host tissue