Abstract
Various bacteria belonging to Enterobacteriaceae are known to be agents causing blackleg and soft rot in potato. In this study, a rapid and specific detection method was used to investigate bacteria in some northwestern provinces of Iran (Zanjan, Kordestan and eastern Azarbaijan). 26 strains were selected for the study that had been identified in previous studies as representative pathogens, they were as follows: 14 Pectobactrium carotovorum subsp carotovorum, 7 Dickeya chrysanthemi and 5 Pectobactrium atrosepticum. Primers Y1/Y2, Expccf/r, ADE1/2 and Eca1f/r, published as specific primers for the pathogens. They were tested to determine if they could be used for specific amplification of DNA in the strains. The expected specific fragment was not amplified in many strains or several non-specific bands, some close to those expected fragments were amplified. Specific primers for amplification of the DNA of pathogens were designed by sequencing the ITS region from representative strains and a PCR test was developed. In the PCR test a 300 bp fragment was amplified from all strains collected from the provinces. In specificity tests, no PCR products were obtained from other bacteria belonging to other genera.
Highlights
Potato is the second most important crop after cereals in northwestern Iran because of favorable climatic conditions meaning that it can be cultivated throughout the region
Soft rot caused by bacteria belonging to Entrobacteriaceae is among the main factors contributing to yield loss in this area
Bacteria belonging to the genus Erwinia, which causes soft rot in various plants, were grouped into the genus Pectobacterium and Dickeya [1] and the main virulence determinants of these genous are the pectolytic enzymes secreted through the type II secretion system
Summary
Potato is the second most important crop after cereals in northwestern Iran because of favorable climatic conditions meaning that it can be cultivated throughout the region. Soft rot caused by bacteria belonging to Entrobacteriaceae is among the main factors contributing to yield loss in this area. Bacteria belonging to the genus Erwinia, which causes soft rot in various plants, were grouped into the genus Pectobacterium and Dickeya [1] and the main virulence determinants of these genous are the pectolytic enzymes secreted through the type II secretion system. There are two species P. carotovorum and D. chrysanthemi that are damaging to potato crops worldwide. The former is a major pathogen in temperate regions, while the latter is the most damaging in warmer climates. A new Pectobacterium subspecies, P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis was recently described in Brazil and later found in the United States, Israel, and South Africa [3]
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