Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid detection of the causal agents of cassava brown streak disease

Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification-Based Lateral Flow Testing for the Detection of Plant Viruses

Isothermal nucleic acid amplification-based lateral flow testing (INAA-LFT) has emerged as a robust technique for on-site pathogen detection, providing a visible indication of pathogen nucleic acid amplification that rivals or even surpasses the sensitivity of real-time quantitative PCR. The isothermal nature of INAA-LFT ensures consistent conditions for nucleic acid amplification, establishing it as a crucial technology for rapid on-site pathogen detection. However, despite its considerable promise, the widespread application of isothermal INAA amplification-based lateral flow testing faces several challenges. This review provides an overview of the INAA-LFT procedure, highlighting its advancements in detecting plant viruses. Moreover, the review underscores the imperative of addressing the existing limitations and emphasizes ongoing research efforts dedicated to enhancing the applicability and performance of this technology in the realm of rapid on-site testing.

Cross-pathogenicity of Phytophthora palmivora associated with bud rot disease of oil palm and development of biomarkers for detection

Phytophthora palmivora has caused disease in many crops including oil palm in the South America region. The pathogen has had a significant economic impact on oil palm cultivation in Colombia, and therefore poses a threat to oil palm cultivation in other regions of the World, especially in Southeast Asia, the largest producer of the crop. This study aimed to look at the ability of isolates from Malaysia, Colombia, and other regions to cross-infect Malaysian oil palm, durian, and cocoa and to develop specific biomarkers and assays for identification, detection, and diagnosis of P. palmivora as a key component for the oil palm biosecurity continuum in order to contain the disease especially at the ports of entry. We have developed specific molecular biomarkers to identify and detect Phytophthora palmivora using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time loop mediated isothermal amplification (rt-LAMP) in various sample types such as soil and plants. The limit of detection (DNA template, pure culture assay) for the PCR assay is 5.94 × 10-2 ng µl-1 and for rt-LAMP is 9.28 × 10-4 ng µl-1. Diagnosis using rt-LAMP can be achieved within 30 min of incubation. In addition, PCR primer pair AV3F/AV3R developed successfully distinguished the Colombian and Malaysian P. palmivora isolates.

Onsite detection of plant viruses using isothermal amplification assays

Plant diseases caused by viruses limit crop production and quality, resulting in significant losses. However, options for managing viruses are limited; for example, as systemic obligate parasites, they cannot be killed by chemicals. Sensitive, robust, affordable diagnostic assays are needed to detect the presence of viruses in plant materials such as seeds, vegetative parts, insect vectors, or alternative hosts and then prevent or limit their introduction into the field by destroying infected plant materials or controlling insect hosts. Diagnostics based on biological and physical properties are not very sensitive and are time-consuming, but assays based on viral proteins and nucleic acids are more specific, sensitive, and rapid. However, most such assays require laboratories with sophisticated equipment and technical skills. By contrast, isothermal-based assays such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) are simple, easy to perform, reliable, specific, and rapid and do not require specialized equipment or skills. Isothermal amplification assays can be performed using lateral flow devices, making them suitable for onsite detection or testing in the field. To overcome non-specific amplification and cross-contamination issues, isothermal amplification assays can be coupled with CRISPR/Cas technology. Indeed, the collateral activity associated with some CRISPR/Cas systems has been successfully harnessed for visual detection of plant viruses. Here, we briefly describe traditional methods for detecting viruses and then examine the various isothermal assays that are being harnessed to detect viruses.

Point-of-Care DNA Amplification for Disease Diagnosis and Management

Early detection of pests and pathogens is of paramount importance in reducing agricultural losses. One approach to early detection is point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, which can provide early warning and therefore allow fast deployment of preventive measures to slow down the establishment of crop diseases. Among the available diagnostic technologies, nucleic acid amplification-based diagnostics provide the highest sensitivity and specificity, and those technologies that forego the requirement for thermocycling show the most potential for use at POC. In this review, I discuss the progress, advantages, and disadvantages of the established and most promising POC amplification technologies. The success and usefulness of POC amplification are ultimately dependent on the availability of POC-friendly nucleic acid extraction methods and amplification readouts, which are also briefly discussed in the review.

Risk factors associated with cassava brown streak disease dissemination through seed pathways in Eastern D.R. Congo

Vegetatively propagated crops are particularly prone to disease dissemination through their seed systems. Strict phytosanitary measures are important to limit the impact of diseases as illustrated by the potato seed system in Europe. Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a devastating disease caused by two viral species collectively named cassava brown streak viruses (CBSVs). CBSD can cause substantial root yield losses of up to 100% in the worst affected areas and is easily transmitted through stem cuttings. In Eastern and Central Africa, the epidemiology of CBSVs in the local socio-economical context of production remains poorly known while a better understanding would be an asset to properly manage the disease. This lack of information explains partially the limited efficiency of current regulatory schemes in increasing the availability of quality seed to smallholders and mitigating the spread of pests and diseases. This study surveyed the epidemiology of CBSVs in Uvira territory, Eastern D.R. Congo, and its drivers using a multivariate approach combining farmer's interview, field observation, sampling and molecular detection of CBSVs. Investigation on the epidemiology of CBSD revealed that three clusters in the study area could be identified using five most significant factors: (i) symptoms incidence, (ii) number of whiteflies, (iii) types of foliar symptoms, (iv) cutting's pathways and (v) plant age. Among the three clusters identified, one proved to be potentially interesting for seed multiplication activities since the disease pressure was the lowest. Through risk assessment, we also identified several key socio-economic determinants on disease epidemy: (i) factors related to farmer's knowledge and awareness (knowledge of cassava pests and diseases, knowledge of management practices, support from extension services and management strategies applied), (ii) factors related to the geographical location of farmer's fields (proximity to borders, proximity to town, distance to acquire cuttings), as well as (iii) the pathways used to acquire cuttings.

The Potential Use of Isothermal Amplification Assays for In-Field Diagnostics of Plant Pathogens

Rapid, sensitive, and timely diagnostics are essential for protecting plants from pathogens. Commonly, PCR techniques are used in laboratories for highly sensitive detection of DNA/RNA from viral, viroid, bacterial, and fungal pathogens of plants. However, using PCR-based methods for in-field diagnostics is a challenge and sometimes nearly impossible. With the advent of isothermal amplification methods, which provide amplification of nucleic acids at a certain temperature and do not require thermocyclic equipment, going beyond the laboratory has become a reality for molecular diagnostics. The amplification stage ceases to be limited by time and instruments. Challenges to solve involve finding suitable approaches for rapid and user-friendly plant preparation and detection of amplicons after amplification. Here, we summarize approaches for in-field diagnostics of phytopathogens based on different types of isothermal amplification and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. In this review, we consider a combination of isothermal amplification methods with extraction and detection methods compatible with in-field phytodiagnostics. Molecular diagnostics in out-of-lab conditions are of particular importance for protecting against viral, bacterial, and fungal phytopathogens in order to quickly prevent and control the spread of disease. We believe that the development of rapid, sensitive, and equipment-free nucleic acid detection methods is the future of phytodiagnostics, and its benefits are already visible.

Development of PCR, LAMP and qPCR Assays for the Detection of Aflatoxigenic Strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in Hazelnut

Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus are two species able to produce aflatoxins in foodstuffs, and in particular in hazelnuts, at harvest and during postharvest phase. As not all the strains of these species are aflatoxin producers, it is necessary to develop techniques that can detect aflatoxigenic from not aflatoxigenic strains. Two assays, a LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) and a real time PCR with TaqMan^® probe were designed and validated in terms of specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility, and repeatability. The capability of the strains to produce aflatoxins was measured in vitro and both assays showed to be specific for the aflatoxigenic strains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus. The limit of detection of the LAMP assay was 100–999 picograms of DNA, while the qPCR detected 160 femtograms of DNA in hazelnuts. Both techniques were validated using artificially inoculated hazelnuts and naturally infected hazelnuts. The qPCR was able to detect as few as eight cells of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus in naturally infected hazelnut. The combination of the LAMP assay, which can be performed in less than an hour, as screening method, with the high sensitivity of the qPCR, as confirmation assay, is able to detect aflatoxigenic strains already in field, helping to preserve the food safety of hazelnuts.

A flexible format LAMP assay for rapid detection of Ebola virus

BACKGROUND

The unprecedented 2013/16 outbreak of Zaire ebolavirus (Ebola virus) in West Africa has highighted the need for rapid, high-throughput and POC diagnostic assays to enable timely detection and appropriate triaging of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patients. Ebola virus is highly infectious and prompt diagnosis and triage is crucial in preventing further spread within community and healthcare settings. Moreover, due to the ecology of Ebola virus it is important that newly developed diagnostic assays are suitable for use in both the healthcare environment and low resource rural locations.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS

A LAMP assay was successfully developed with three detection formats; a real-time intercalating dye-based assay, a real-time probe-based assay to enable multiplexing and an end-point colourimetric assay to simplify interpretation for the field. All assay formats were sensitive and specific, detecting a range of Ebola virus strains isolated in 1976-2014; with Probit analysis predicting limits of detection of 243, 290 and 75 copies/reaction respectively and no cross-detection of related strains or other viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF's). The assays are rapid, (as fast as 5-7.25 mins for real-time formats) and robust, detecting Ebola virus RNA in presence of minimally diluted bodily fluids. Moreover, when tested on patient samples from the 2013/16 outbreak, there were no false positives and 93-96% of all new case positives were detected, with only a failure to detect very low copy number samples.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE

These are a set of robust and adaptable diagnostic solutions, which are fast, easy-to-perform-and-interpret and are suitable for use on a range of platforms including portable low-power devices. They can be readily transferred to field-laboratory settings, with no specific equipment needs and are therefore ideally placed for use in locations with limited resources.

Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification: Principles and Applications in Plant Virology

In the last decades, the evolution of molecular diagnosis methods has generated different advanced tools, like loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Currently, it is a well-established technique, applied in different fields, such as the medicine, agriculture, and food industries, owing to its simplicity, specificity, rapidity, and low-cost efforts. LAMP is a nucleic acid amplification under isothermal conditions, which is highly compatible with point-of-care (POC) analysis and has the potential to improve the diagnosis in plant protection. The great advantages of LAMP have led to several upgrades in order to implement the technique. In this review, the authors provide an overview reporting in detail the different LAMP steps, focusing on designing and main characteristics of the primer set, different methods of result visualization, evolution and different application fields, reporting in detail LAMP application in plant virology, and the main advantages of the use of this technique.

Development of a reverse transcription-loop- mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of onion yellow dwarf virus

Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) is one of the most important viral pathogens of onion. In particular, on 'Rossa di Tropea' onion, granted with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) trademarks, this pathogen represents the most limiting biotic stress in terms of spread, severity of symptoms and damage, and its detection is necessary to preserve high quality standards and avoid yield losses. A reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed for detection of OYDV. The specificity, sensitivity, repeatability and reproducibility of the assay were validated according to EPPO standard PM7/98 (2). Diagnostic specificity, diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy were determined in both leaf and bulb tissues. To enhance the feasibility of a LAMP-based method for field diagnosis, several nucleic acid extraction methods were compared to simplify sample preparation. The results showed the reliability of the method for OYDV detection, with a limit of detection (LOD) comparable to real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The ease of sample preparation, and the more than acceptable LOD, indicated that the RT-LAMP assay could be used in plant pathology laboratories with limited facilities and resources, as well as directly in the field. This work was carried out in the frame of "SI.ORTO" project.

Comparative Evaluation of LAMP, qPCR, Conventional PCR, and ELISA to Detect Ralstonia solanacearum in Kenyan Potato Fields

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is considered among the most damaging diseases of potato in Sub-Saharan Africa and the most significant biotic constraint of potato production alongside late blight. Unlike late blight, which can be managed by chemical means, R. solanacearum can only be managed through cultural methods and clean seed. Laboratory testing to certify seed before planting is required to confirm the absence of the pathogen in Kenya. A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed using the UDP-(3-O-acyl)-N-acetylglucosamine deacetylase gene (IpxC) to screen seed potato for R. solanacearum strains. The assay was assessed using DNA extracted from R. solanacearum and other soil and potato pathogens to demonstrate specificity and sensitivity. The LAMP assay was validated using field samples from different potato growing regions of Kenya collected over two growing seasons and compared with established nucleic acid and protein-based assays. The IpxC LAMP assay was found to be specific and sensitive to R. solanacearum, detecting as low as 2.5 pg/µl of R. solanacearum DNA. Of the 47 potentially infected field samples collected, both IpxC LAMP and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected R. solanacearum DNA in 90% of the samples, followed by conventional PCR (86%) and ELISA (75%). This IpxC LAMP assay is a promising diagnostic tool to rapidly screen for R. solanacearum in seed potato with high sensitivity in Kenya. Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .

A Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for Rapid and Specific Detection of Airborne Inoculum of Uromyces betae (Sugar Beet Rust)

Sugar beet rust disease (causal agent Uromyces betae) represents a serious threat to worldwide sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) crops, causing yield losses of up to 10% in the United Kingdom. Currently, the disease is managed mainly by application of fungicides after rust disease symptoms appear. Development of a future forecasting system, incorporating data on environmental factors and U. betae inoculum levels, would enable better disease control by more targeted application of fungicides. In this study, we developed a first molecular diagnostic, targeted to cytochrome b DNA sequences and based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology, for rapid (<30 min) and specific detection of U. betae. The new assay only detected U. betae strains (collected from across eastern England, the main sugar beet growing region in the United Kingdom) and Denmark; it did not detect other closely related pathogens (e.g., Puccinia sp., U. fabae) or others that are commonly found on sugar beet (Cercospora beticola, Erysiphe betae, Ramularia beticola). The assay could consistently detect down to small amounts of U. betae DNA (10 pg). Application of the new LAMP diagnostic to air spore tape samples collected between mid-June and mid-September from a single U.K. sugar beet field site revealed differences in temporal patterns of pathogen inoculum between the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The described LAMP assay could now be used as a component of a future automated inoculum-based forecasting system, enabling more targeted control of sugar beet rust disease.

Development of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assays for the Detection of Seedborne Fungal Pathogens Fusarium fujikuroi and Magnaporthe oryzae in Rice Seed

Bakanae disease (caused by Fusarium fujikuroi) and rice blast (caused by Magnaporthe oryzae) are two of the most important seedborne pathogens of rice. The detection of both pathogens in rice seed is necessary to maintain high quality standards and avoid production losses. Currently, blotter tests are used followed by morphological identification of the developing pathogens to provide an incidence of infection in seed lots. Two loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays were developed with primers designed to target the elongation factor 1-α sequence of F. fujikuroi and the calmodulin sequence of M. oryzae. The specificity, sensitivity, selectivity, repeatability, and reproducibility for each assay was assessed in line with the international validation standard published by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (PM7/98). The results showed a limit of detection of 100 to 999 fg of DNA of F. fujikuroi and 10 to 99 pg of M. oryzae DNA. When combined with a commercial DNA extraction kit, the assays were demonstrated to be effective for use in detection of the pathogens in commercial batches of infected rice seed of different cultivars, giving results equivalent to the blotter method, thus demonstrating the reliability of the method for the surveillance of F. fujikuroi and M. oryzae in seed-testing laboratories.

Cassava brown streak disease: historical timeline, current knowledge and future prospects

Cassava is the second most important staple food crop in terms of per capita calories consumed in Africa and holds potential for climate change adaptation. Unfortunately, productivity in East and Central Africa is severely constrained by two viral diseases: cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). CBSD was first reported in 1936 from northeast Tanzania. For approximately 70 years, CBSD was restricted to coastal East Africa and so had a relatively low impact on food security compared with CMD. However, at the turn of the 21st century, CBSD re-emerged further inland, in areas around Lake Victoria, and it has since spread through many East and Central African countries, causing high yield losses and jeopardizing the food security of subsistence farmers. This recent re-emergence has attracted intense scientific interest, with studies shedding light on CBSD viral epidemiology, sequence diversity, host interactions and potential sources of resistance within the cassava genome. This review reflects on 80 years of CBSD research history (1936-2016) with a timeline of key events. We provide insights into current CBSD knowledge, management efforts and future prospects for improved understanding needed to underpin effective control and mitigation of impacts on food security.

Rapid detection of potyviruses from crude plant extracts

Potyviruses (genus Potyvirus; family Potyviridae) are widely distributed and represent one of the most economically important genera of plant viruses. Therefore, their accurate detection is a key factor in developing efficient control strategies. However, this can sometimes be problematic particularly in plant species containing high amounts of polysaccharides and polyphenols such as yam (Dioscorea spp.). Here, we report the development of a reliable, rapid and cost-effective detection method for the two most important potyviruses infecting yam based on reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA). The developed method, named 'Direct RT-RPA', detects each target virus directly from plant leaf extracts prepared with a simple and inexpensive extraction method avoiding laborious extraction of high-quality RNA. Direct RT-RPA enables the detection of virus-positive samples in under 30 min at a single low operation temperature (37 °C) without the need for any expensive instrumentation. The Direct RT-RPA tests constitute robust, accurate, sensitive and quick methods for detection of potyviruses from recalcitrant plant species. The minimal sample preparation requirements and the possibility of storing RPA reagents without cold chain storage, allow Direct RT-RPA to be adopted in minimally equipped laboratories and with potential use in plant clinic laboratories and seed certification facilities worldwide.

Exchanging and managing in-vitro elite germplasm to combat Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) and Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) in Eastern and Southern Africa

Cassava varieties resistant to cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) are needed for the food and income security of the rural poor in eastern and southern Africa (ESA). The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture led five national cassava breeding programs (Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) in virus-cleaning and exchanging elite cassava germplasm resistant to both diseases. This paper documents the experiences and lessons learned from the process. Thirty-one clones (25 elite, two standard and four national) were submitted by the five breeding programs to the Natural Resources Institute and Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services for virus cleaning and indexing. Subsequently, ca 75 invitro virus-indexed plantlets per clone were sent to Genetic Technologies International Limited (GTIL), a private tissue culture (TC) lab in Kenya, and micro-propagated to produce ≥1500 plantlets. After fulfilling all the formal procedures of germplasm exchange between countries ≥300 plantlets per clone were sent to each partner country. National check clones susceptible to CMD/CBSD were sent only to their countries of origin. In each country, the in-vitro plantlets were acclimatized under screen house conditions and transferred to clean isolated sites for field multiplication. All the clones were cleaned of the viruses, except Tomo. The cleaning process was slow for F19-NL, NASE1, and Kibandameno and TC micro-propagation at GTIL was less efficient for Pwani, Tajirika, NASE1, and Okhumelela than for the other clones. Difficulties in cleaning recalcitrant clones affected the timeline for establishing the multi-site evaluation trials in target countries. The initiative is the one of the kind to successfully clean and exchange elite germplasm as a joint action to combat CBSD in ESA. Adequate preparation in terms of infrastructure and personnel are critical to successfully receiving and adapting the indexed in-vitro plants as new germplasm.

Design, optimisation and preliminary validation of a human specific loop-mediated amplification assay for the rapid detection of human DNA at forensic crime scenes

The identification of samples at a crime scene which require forensic DNA typing has been the focus of recent research interest. We propose a simple, but sensitive analysis system which can be deployed at a crime scene to identify crime scene stains as human or non-human. The proposed system uses the isothermal amplification of DNA in a rapid assay format, which returns results in as little as 30min from sampling. The assay system runs on the Genie II device, a proven in-field detection system which could be deployed at a crime scene. The results presented here demonstrate that the system was sufficiently specific and sensitive and was able to detect the presence of human blood, semen and saliva on mock forensic samples.

Early Detection of Airborne Inoculum of Magnaporthe oryzae in Turfgrass Fields Using a Quantitative LAMP Assay

Gray leaf spot (GLS) is a destructive disease of perennial ryegrass caused by a host specific pathotype of the ascomycete Magnaporthe oryzae. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective disease management and the implementation of Integrated Pest Management practices. However, a rapid protocol for the detection of low levels of airborne inoculum is still missing. We developed a pathogen-specific quantitative loop-mediated isothermal amplification (qLAMP) assay coupled with a spore trap system for rapid detection and quantification of airborne inoculum of the M. oryzae perennial ryegrass pathotype, and tested its suitability for implementation in GLS-infected turfgrass fields. In summer 2015, two perennial ryegrass plots were artificially inoculated with the pathogen, with four continuously running custom impaction spore traps placed in each plot. Sampling units were replaced daily and tested with the developed qLAMP assay, while plots were monitored for symptom development. Results confirmed that the qLAMP assay-trap system was able to detect as few as 10 conidia up to 12 days before symptoms developed in the field. LAMP technology is particularly appropriate for field implementation by nontechnical users, and has the potential to be a powerful decision support tool to guide timing of fungicide applications for GLS management.

Rapid, specific, simple, in-field detection of Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

AIMS

To develop and evaluate a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum (Xcm), the causal agent of banana Xanthomonas wilt, a major disease of banana in Africa.

METHODS AND RESULTS

LAMP primers were designed to the general secretion pathway protein D gene and tested against 17 isolates of Xcm encompassing the known genetic and geographic diversity of the bacterium and all isolates were detected. Seventeen other Xanthomonas isolates, including closely related Xanthomonas vasicola, other bacterial pathogens/endophytes of Musa and two healthy Musa varieties gave negative results with the LAMP assay. The assay showed good sensitivity, detecting as little as 51 fg of Xcm DNA, a greater level of sensitivity than that of an Xcm PCR assay. Amplification with the LAMP assay was very rapid, typically within 9 min from bacterial cultures. Symptomatic field samples of Musa from Uganda were tested and all produced amplification in less than 13 min.

CONCLUSIONS

The LAMP assay provides rapid, sensitive detection of the pathogen that is ideally suited for deployment in laboratories with basic facilities and in-field situations.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first LAMP assay for Xcm which provides a significant improvement compared to existing diagnostics.

Characterization of Brown Streak Virus-Resistant Cassava

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) has become a major constraint to cassava production in East and Central Africa. The identification of new sources of CBSD resistance is essential to deploy CBSD mitigation strategies, as the disease is progressing westwards to new geographical areas. A stringent infection method based on top cleft-grafting combined with precise virus titer quantitation was utilized to screen 14 cassava cultivars and elite breeding lines. When inoculated with mixed infections of Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV), the scions of elite breeding lines KBH 2006/18 and KBH 2006/26 remained symptom-free during a 16-week period of virus graft inoculation, while susceptible varieties displayed typical CBSD infection symptoms at 4 weeks after grafting. The identified CBSD resistance was stable under the coinoculation of CBSV and UCBSV with cassava geminiviruses. Double-grafting experiments revealed that transmission of CBSV and UCBSV to CBSD-susceptible top scions was delayed when using intermediate scions of elite breeding lines KBH 2006/18 and KBH 2006/26. Nonetheless, comparison of virus systemic movement using scions from KBH2006/18 and a transgenic CBSD resistant 60444 line (60444-Hp9 line) showed that both CBSV and UCBSV move at undetectable levels through the stems. Further, protoplast-based assays of virus titers showed that the replication of CBSV is inhibited in the resistant line KBH2006/18, suggesting that the identified CBSD resistance is at least partially based on inhibition of virus replication. Our molecular characterization of CBSD resistance in cassava offers a robust virus-host system to further investigate the molecular determinants of CBSD resistance.

Cassava brown streak disease: a threat to food security in Africa

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) has emerged as the most important viral disease of cassava (Manihot esculenta) in Africa and is a major threat to food security. CBSD is caused by two distinct species of ipomoviruses, Cassava brown streak virus and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus, belonging to the family Potyviridae. Previously, CBSD was reported only from the coastal lowlands of East Africa, but recently it has begun to spread as an epidemic throughout the Great Lakes region of East and Central Africa. This new spread represents a major threat to the cassava-growing regions of West Africa. CBSD-resistant cassava cultivars are being developed through breeding, and transgenic RNA interference-derived field resistance to CBSD has also been demonstrated. This review aims to provide a summary of the most important studies on the aetiology, epidemiology and control of CBSD and to highlight key research areas that need prioritization.

Rapid and sensitive detection of Dasheen mosaic virus infecting elephant foot yam by reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification of coat protein gene

Dasheen mosaic virus (DsMV), the pathogen causing mosaic disease of elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifoilius) is disseminated mainly through vegetative propagation of the tubers. For the rapid and sensitive detection of the virus, a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay based on the coat protein gene has been developed. A final concentration of 5.4 mM magnesium sulphate and 0.7 M betaine in the reaction mixture was found to be optimum for getting characteristic ladder like bands of the amplified product after gel electrophoresis. The reaction was set at 65°C for 50 min followed by reaction termination at 86°C for 5 min in a water bath. The sensitivity of the assay was found to be 100 times higher than that of RT-PCR. The virus was indexed successfully from tubers of elephant foot yam. In tube detection of the DsMV was carried out using fluorescence detection reagents. The assay was validated with field samples from various regions of Kerala state, India.

Cassava virus diseases: biology, epidemiology, and management

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) is the most important vegetatively propagated food staple in Africa and a prominent industrial crop in Latin America and Asia. Its vegetative propagation through stem cuttings has many advantages, but deleteriously it means that pathogens are passed from one generation to the next and can easily accumulate, threatening cassava production. Cassava-growing continents are characterized by specific suites of viruses that affect cassava and pose particular threats. Of major concern, causing large and increasing economic impact in Africa and Asia are the cassava mosaic geminiviruses that cause cassava mosaic disease in Africa and Asia and cassava brown streak viruses causing cassava brown streak disease in Africa. Latin America, the center of origin and domestication of the crop, hosts a diverse set of virus species, of which the most economically important give rise to cassava frog skin disease syndrome. Here, we review current knowledge on the biology, epidemiology, and control of the most economically important groups of viruses in relation to both farming and cultural practices. Components of virus control strategies examined include: diagnostics and surveillance, prevention and control of infection using phytosanitation, and control of disease through the breeding and promotion of varieties that inhibit virus replication and/or movement. We highlight areas that need further research attention and conclude by examining the likely future global outlook for virus disease management in cassava.

Field evaluation of selected cassava genotypes for cassava brown streak disease based on symptom expression and virus load

BACKGROUND

Production of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a food security crop in sub-Saharan Africa, is threatened by the spread of cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) which manifests in part as a corky necrosis in the storage root. It is caused by either of two virus species, Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV), resulting in up to 100% yield loss in susceptible varieties.

METHODS

This study characterized the response of 11 cassava varieties according to CBSD symptom expression and relative CBSV and UCBSV load in a field trial in Uganda. Relative viral load was measured using quantitative RT-PCR using COX as an internal housekeeping gene.

RESULTS

A complex situation was revealed with indications of different resistance mechanisms that restrict virus accumulation and symptom expression. Four response categories were defined. Symptom expression was not always positively correlated with virus load. Substantially different levels of the virus species were found in many genotypes suggesting either resistance to one virus species or the other, or some form of interaction, antagonism or competition between virus species.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial amount of research still needs to be undertaken to fully understand the mechanism and genetic bases of resistance. This information will be useful in informing breeding strategies and restricting virus spread.

Field evaluation of selected cassava genotypes for cassava brown streak disease based on symptom expression and virus load

BACKGROUND

Production of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a food security crop in sub-Saharan Africa, is threatened by the spread of cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) which manifests in part as a corky necrosis in the storage root. It is caused by either of two virus species, Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV), resulting in up to 100% yield loss in susceptible varieties.

METHODS

This study characterized the response of 11 cassava varieties according to CBSD symptom expression and relative CBSV and UCBSV load in a field trial in Uganda. Relative viral load was measured using quantitative RT-PCR using COX as an internal housekeeping gene.

RESULTS

A complex situation was revealed with indications of different resistance mechanisms that restrict virus accumulation and symptom expression. Four response categories were defined. Symptom expression was not always positively correlated with virus load. Substantially different levels of the virus species were found in many genotypes suggesting either resistance to one virus species or the other, or some form of interaction, antagonism or competition between virus species.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial amount of research still needs to be undertaken to fully understand the mechanism and genetic bases of resistance. This information will be useful in informing breeding strategies and restricting virus spread.

Use of loop-mediated isothermal amplification for detection of Ophiostoma clavatum, the primary blue stain fungus associated with Ips acuminatus

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an alternative amplification technology which is highly sensitive and less time-consuming than conventional PCR-based methods. Three LAMP assays were developed, two for detection of species of symbiotic blue stain fungi associated with Ips acuminatus, a bark beetle infesting Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), and an additional assay specific to I. acuminatus itself for use as a control. In common with most bark beetles, I. acuminatus is associated with phytopathogenic blue stain fungi involved in the process of exhausting tree defenses, which is a necessary step for the colonization of the plant by the insect. However, the identity of the main blue stain fungus vectored by I. acuminatus was still uncertain, as well as its frequency of association with I. acuminatus under outbreak and non-outbreak conditions. In this study, we employed LAMP technology to survey six populations of I. acuminatus sampled from the Southern Alps. Ophiostoma clavatum was detected at all sampling sites, while Ophiostoma brunneo-ciliatum, reported in part of the literature as the main blue stain fungus associated with I. acuminatus, was not detected on any of the samples. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that O. clavatum is the main blue stain fungus associated with I. acuminatus in the Southern Alps. The method developed in the course of this work provides a molecular tool by which it will be easy to screen populations and derive important data regarding the ecology of the species involved.