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A Multiplex PCR System for the Specific Detection of Cylindrocarpon liriodendri, C. macrodidymum, and C. pauciseptatum from Grapevine

Cylindrocarpon liriodendri and C. macrodidymum are the causal agents of grapevine black foot disease. Recently, a third species, C. pauciseptatum, has been isolated from roots of grapevine showing decline symptoms. Currently, reliable identification of isolates of these species through phenotypical characteristics has not been possible. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method developed in this study allows a quick and easy detection of Cylindrocarpon spp. associated with grapevine. Three primer pairs annealing to variable, partly species-specific sites of the internal transcribed spacer regions amplified species-specific PCR fragments of different sizes in C. liriodendri, C. macrodidymum, and C. pauciseptatum in a multiplex assay with DNA obtained with both quick and traditional extraction methods. They did not generate any PCR product in other fungal trunk pathogens or contaminants commonly associated with grapevines. When universal fungal ITS primers were used in a nested multiplex PCR, the three primer pairs also detected C. liriodendri, C. macrodidymum, and C. pauciseptatum in total DNA extracted from roots of inoculated grapevines. The designed methods can be used for the diagnosis of these fungi from pure culture or infected grapevines.